The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1902-12-31
The Message Of the Bells.

Dun clouds scudded gustily across the
sky. hiding the peaceful face of the
moon whose radiance touched the edges
OF her sombre ven with a fringe of sill
yer. The great gray tower lifted it's
head far aloft in the midnight stiffness.
and the wind moaned around its rough
hewn corners requiem for the dying
year. Within the tower sat the old bell
ringer waiting for the stroke of twelve
from the clock. and. as he waited. his
thoughts drifted back to the years long
buried in the dimness OF the Dast-the
years when his floating white hair HAD
been crisp and black. when his Ions.
slender fingers were strong and supple,
and struck from the midnight chimes
music OF enhancing beauty.
I All, life had been worth the living in
those far-om happy days. People had
predicted a wonderful future for him. in
spite Of the poverty that retarded his
sproeress. and "A great ambition possessed
fhim. Obstacles were pushed aside, din
land studied by night. and the bells in
ethe tower spoke marvellous things to the
many who listened. and who. listening
praised. Their praise was sweet, bur
Eisneths was sweeter. and. when one
New Years eve he tOld her of his love
and won her promise to be his own. his
heart beat with q rapture that thrilled
through The chimes that night till listen-
els wondered and children came back
from dream-land to hear
ON. hannv memory Oh. long agoi 1t
was on another night like this that
'.Eunrecht was born. and the joy which.
! heamed from the pale young mothers
7fsce was reflected in his own. as he left
her with her baby on her bosom and
rushed to the bell tower to make of his
Grimes a pean Of praise to the Father
who had filled his life with blessing
fEow they loved him-that baby-their
only onc-their all. How he and Els
peth had watched each new develop
ment-how proudly guided the first tot
teiing step. how carefully repeated the
n lisping word. How joyfully they
trained and taught him. while the faith
er- too busy in his struggle for their
maintenance to realize his great ambi-
ton. transferred ii uncomplainingly
from his own future to that of his sem
NOT had their hopes been vain. The boy
etudien-improving every opportunity
with Gntiring zeal, until at last the
great organ in the cathedral below thua-
dcred its glorious music responsive TO
Nc touch of the boyish fingers. People
|lhronged to hear. Ruorecht's services
lEvere demanded elsewhere - brilliant
prospects opened before him. and the
Inevitable separation drew near.
New Years eyei How many anniver-
saries this shadowy hour held, The boy
bade them goodbye while Eslspeth chung
s,to him and sobbed. and her husband
pushed away to tell the chimes his agony
Ias he had poured into them his Joy. As
5he sat waiting even as now. step came
Fup the stair. and some one entered the
Jh-ifry chamber. and the voice he loved
said tenderly "Mein Water. let me play
the chimes tonight. I viii leave with
them "A message to comfort you when
you are sad-a message for you and the
Fino-her. too.
When I hear il I'm the far-off land it
Hiil De- my mothers voice that sings 70
me- ard when YOU play it. mein Water
!, Hlu say to you 'Ruprecht loves me.
Il len YOU viii pray God watch over my
E'0v and keep him safe for me- and the
4 All- ather VIII hear"
when Kuprecht struck the massive