Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 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
we'll
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, PIumm 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
Bluebeard's 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
Tying Frederick, in his heart he de-
termined to see the works OF that
G 'ck for himself some day. He had
patience for a 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 a 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 a
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 he in
stantly had strong desire to stick
his head out and so obtain a view OF
the surrounding country
Now that I'm up here" soliIo-
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
above him two sword like
hands Of the clock. their keen edges
as sharp as any knife. The big hand
moved perceptibly, coming nearer
Fredericks head with every tick and
he could not help shuddering at the
thought how terrible they looked
flashing in the sun. Then. with a
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 head It was as firmly
Wedged as though in a wise, and pull
as he would he could not bulge.
Frederick was faint with terror.
He shrieked loudly for help. but the
passersby were few and the distance
was great; no one could possibly
hear him. The perspiration poured
On his forehead and he grew weaker
every minute as he watched the
blade OF the minute hand creep
nearer and nearer. and he knew it
was only question of a few minutes
when the cruel thing would reach
him.
Now II was fifteen minutes. now
on, and finally five minutes stood be- |
tween him and death lust as the
boy had given up all hope. to fiis in
'Nprossibie delight he saw the old
sexton hurrying along the east to- !
ward the church. summoning all
bis strength. Frederick gave one
scream for help which family |