Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1898-12-24

But what II midnight!" exclaimed tho
other, And do you not know what morn
ing has begun"
Without waiting for an answer, he seized
rope which hung by the wall and as he
pulled with strong and practiced hand
bell far above them began to ring. Its
mellow note, steady and strong, echoed
/ through the night, which heard no other
found now, and rose and fell in a song of
Joy. Listening to its music, Fleming for
got for "a moment the wildness of the win
ter night and the lust of battle which had
burned so fiercely in his veins.
Listen, listen, l tell you!' exclaimed
| the old man, his face trans1gured by the
ecstasy which possessed him. is not that
n better sound than the crack of rifles and
the groans of dying men? Again, ask
you do you not know what morning has
begun?"
How should know?" asked Fleming.
How can any man who has been march
ing and fighting and skirmishng for
weeks keep track of timc?"
This is the night of the 24th of De-
cembcr, and it s Christmas morning now"
cried the old man, ''the night when Christ
was born and came into the world to
preach forgiveness and to teach men to
]
in with this bell every year for the last so
years, and l came here tonight to do it
again, though you've followed me and
| fought in the church itself. Stand back,
| tell you! You shall not fight hero with
the bells of Christmas morning ringing in
your ears. God would strike you dead for
| it"
1t seemed to Fleming that the mans
| manner now had the dignity and force
that we ascribe to the Hebrew prophets of
old His littleness had disappeared, he
showed no semblance of fear, and his eyes
| blazed with the force of the spirit that
was in him.
The notes of the bell rose far above the
whistle of the wind, and even in the pres
once of those who carried arms in their
hands to kill told of peace on earth and
| good will to men. The sanguinary scenes
of the night passed out of Flcming's mind
for moment and in their place he saw
| the peaceful Christmas morning of his
childhood Then he looked weakly at
| Evans, as if he would seek counsel from
! his second in command.
| ''Lowcr your weapons!'' cried the old
man, who never ceased his ringing. Il
! tell you again that God will strike you
| dead if you fight in his house at such a
| time. What a sacrilege, and you but
boysv'
The fever in Fleming's veins was dying
! He looked at his men and saw that the
! lust of combat was passing from them
In his ears rang the joyful note of the bell
telling him that Christ was born and had
come on earth to teach peace and good
will among men. He turned his eyes
from his men to those of the sexton, who
| pulled the rope with regular and rhythmic
] f,ll E.,f,, ~,
! old man.
And you purpose to fight herer" fam
| ed out the old man "You should be
down on your knees and thank God that
you are alive this Christmas morning
/ Listen to my bell 1t is declaring peace,
and no other voice shall be heard in this
| place"
The last touch Of the battle fever passed
from Fleming's veins, but he looked ques-
tiOningly at the door behind which his
enemies had fortified themselves. The
old mans eyes followed his.
They, too, shall put down their guns
while the Christmas bell is ringing" he
cried Come out These men give their
promise that they will not fire upon you"
Eyes, we PROMISE" said Fleming me-
chancally, his mind still wandering back
with the notes of the bell to other Christ
There is nothing to fight for here, any
way, said Evans in "a low voice.
Not now at least, " replied Fleming in
the same tone.
| The door in front of them was opened,
ana their enemies, gun muzzles down,
came slowly out. Fleming and Evans
saluted them with military courtesy.
about facet said Fleming to his men.
Then with their lieutenants at their
head the illtle band marched down tho
stairway al d through the church and out
into the snow and past the smoldering
emhCrs of the houses to their camp. And
above them and around them the clear
notes of the bell were proclaiming that
Christ was born on earth and peace ;.ld
good will should reign among men.
Enough beaten back III many fray,
| Yet freshening strength well borrow
| And where the vanguard halts today
The rear will camp tomorrow.