Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1897-04-29

alternately walins and sleeping city,
The fourth corner held the tally old
fashioned clock. a. old a. the bell itself
that had served In all that time. to tell
the exact moment when the town clock
must strike. To Barclay It was mat
ter of great interest: FORTS face was al
ways changing as 1t told of the moon
and the tides and the seasons.
"Barbay," said her father when
their feast over, he saw rapidly ap-
preaching storm; much as love to
have you here, must send you home
now as fast as you can go. You would
not like to be way up here in such a
storm as those angry looking clouds
are bringing u.s."
"Oh. Father" said Barclay. II should
not mind anything where you are. Let
me stay, please. / love to watch the
clouds play hide and seek from here"
He looked at her hesitatingly a mo-
ment, and as he did so sudden flash
of lightning almost blinded them, while
great drops OF rain splashed on the win
dowsills. There was hardly time to
close the windows before the flashing
and booming of the heavenly artillery
began; for 1t was one of those storms
that come suddenly, only to leave sad
story behind.
To Barbay 1t was grand and beauti-
full. 1t seemed as though she could
look right into Heaven IL the flashes
would only last longer, she seemed so
close to 1t. She could not talk, but
looked occasionally at her father, who
smiled ON her from his seat in the
great easy chair for which Mother
had made soft. comfortable cushions.
Suddenly she wondered what made
her feel SO queer, and why she was on
the floor. She must have been asleep.
She picked herself up and wondered
what made her go to sleep all in mo-
ment. And Father, why he had fallen
asleep in his chair too. Dear Father,
he looked so white and tired; but then
he had been the Town Clock all day
and all night, so that Mr.. Harper could
be at home with his little baby boy.
Would he sleep long and get rested,
she wondered. Before Father came
the Town Clock had fallen asleep and
failing to strike che hour on time, had
been discharged. 1t gave her such
happy, helpful feeling to think she was
here now to wake Father in time. She
was so glad she had stayed. She would
let him rest few moments longer, but
it would sson be time for the town
clock to strike.
She stood at one of the windows and
looked down, down on the busy city,
then up at the rapidly moving clouds,
already being kissed by the Sun, as he
babe them a loving goodnight. She
loved to watch him from here as, his
days work done, he slowly disappeared
from view leaving such beautiful and
hopeful promises behind But better
still she loved to be here with her
Father when he watched over the
sleeping city, Once she and Mother
had stayed till they could hear him call
out, so loud and clear, Twelve o'clock,
and all's WE'LL"
Sometimes he was forced to rouse the
sleepers when a fire broke out, lest
their beautiful city should be damaged
or destroyed. No wonder every one
loved the Town Clock who warned
them of danger and watched over them
sleeping or waking.
1t was time to wake him now.
Father" she said, softly, going to
his side. Father" she repeated loud
er, as he did not reply.
How soundly he slept. She called,
called again and again, even shook
him; but he would not wake. What
must she do? If she could not wake
him, the clock would not strike and
they would discharge him as they did
the other man; and then what would
become of Mother and the children?
With the tears rolling down her
cheeks, she made one more agonizing
effort to waken him, and then looked
in helpless despair at the clock and at
the motionless bell. Suddenly a
thought came to her that made her
start and tremble. Could she? Dare
she, She must try for dear Father and
the Mother and children.
Climbing on a chair, she took down
the hammer that felt so heavy, and
then, pushing the chair close to the
great bell, she climbed into it again,
this time on her knees so she would be
where she could strike well. Her little
eyes went up to the clock, that still
marked one second of the time. She
was not too late.
Clang = cla-ng = cla-ng - cla-ng =
cla-ng = cla-ng = clang.
The hammer dropped to the floor,
and burying her face in her hands on
the rim of the bell, Barclay caught her
breath and gave terrified sob.
Had she counted right. 1t had never
sounded SO before. 1t seemed as
though the first sound had deafened all
the others and would never stop. Did
it sound so to those who were listen
ing? Did everybody know it was not |
Father, dear Father? How dreadful
it all was! Would they do anything to
to her-if it was all wrong?
She looked up. how soundly Father
still slept! Mr.. Harper would soon
come now and let him go home. He
would not mind his going to sleep, for
he had been kind to him.
There were footsteps on the stairs.
Mr. Harper was coming. No, there
were voices. In an instant Barclay was
nj bar fathar'a side and uniting bar