Northern Wisconsin advertiser. [volume] (Wabeno, Wis.) 1898-1925, 1902-05-01
FRED kEPPLER's CURIOSITY.

| FRED kEPPLER's CURIOSITY.
Perhaps the very smallest of all
our faults is curiosity. But it leads
| to danger sometimes, and the old
German story of little Frederick KEEP
pier, which perhaps is one that you
have not heard, illustrates this very
well.
He lived many years ago in a
small village whose only feature
worthy of note was it's church. The
| building itself was not particularly
| beautiful, but it had a tall steeple,
and in this was a most wonderful
, clock, the gift of one of Germany's
emperors to the town. The old sex
/ ton, Plumm by name, took as much
care of it as if it had been a human
being, wound it with the greatest
regularity and above all, never al
lowed anyone to go up to see it.
! Frederick and the sexton were great
friends, and many a time did the
little boy go with him on his round of
| duties, but never to the clock Like
Bluebeards wife, this was the one
| place he wanted to see, and he tested
old Plumm day after day, but all to
no avail.
! Frederick" the old man would
| say, Il have wound that clock every
morning for twenty years, and never
let anyone go up there. So be con-
tent with the rest of the steeple."
This, however, was far from salts
| flying Frederick, in his heart he de-
termined to see the works OF that
clock for himself some day He had
patience for long time. watching
and waiting and finally his chance
came. Whatever possessed the sex
ton no one ever knew, but in an I'M
guarded moment he neglected to lock
the door that led to the clock. and
Frederick saw that his opportunity
| was coming.
He accompanied the sexton down
stairs, nervously waiting for him to
remember his neglected duty. but
Plumm evidently had other things on
his mind, and it never occurred to
him.
| At last the church was busted and
properly fixed for the day, and the
sexton left, Frederick staying behind
ON pretext of reading some books
from the Sunday school library.
The old mans footsteps died away
and the boy, sure he was alone at
last, flew to the steeple and careful
ly opened up the belfry door. Up
dozen or more steps and the little
clock room was reached in a twink
ling. Frederick pushed his way in
and stood spellbound watching the
wonderful machinery at work.
Now on the face of the clock was
little window opening inside. and
when Curiosity Shop saw this ne in
stantly had a strong desire to stick
his head out and so obtain a view of
| the surrounding country.
Now that I'm up here solilo-
pulsed he, Il might just as well see
all that | can, for it's probably the
only time that Plumm will be so care
less"
So without more ado he forced his
head through the opening and stood
watching the scene below him.
Suddenly he glanced up and saw
shining above him two sword like
hands of the clock, their keen edges
as sharp as any knife The big hand
moved perceptibly, coming nearer
Frederick's head with every tick and
he could not help shuddering at the
thought how terrible they looked
flashing in the sun. Then with
farewell look around him. he decided
to leave the fascinating scene. The
sexton might at any minute remem-
Der the unlocked door and come rush
ing back with the key.
Imagine the boys horror and fright
when he found it impossible TO draw
back his teadi 1t was as firmly
weiged as though in a wise. and mil
as he would he could not bulge.
Frederick was faint with terror
He shrieked loudly for helm. bnt tho
passersby were few and the distance
was great; no one could possihIv
hear him. The perspiration poured
on his forehead and he grew weaker
every minute as he watched the
blade of the minute hand Green
nearer and nearer. and he knew II
was only a question of a few minutes
when the cruel thing would reach
him.
Now it was fifteen minutes. now
ten, and finally five minutes stood be-