Phillipsburg herald. [volume] (Phillipsburg, Kan.) 1882-1905, 1904-12-29
why THE S..XTOa RANG
the CHRISTMAS CELL,
BY A. ST. JOHN ADCocK.


tested. ''Ivc rung EN- over fifty year
an If amt ekal to it this Christmas.
why, fct EN- Go without for once, that's
ALL"
Seems pity. though. Bargle. don't
you tbink?' The Vicar spoke persua'
sivcly He was young and difident and
new to Peridale. and the sexto1 was
crotchety and opinionated. The last
Vicar had snpped into an easy habit OF
deferring to his long experience, and
this had made him arrogant. 1T Is q
fine old custom. Darglc-"
"Therc'll be the chimes at the parish
church over the hill yonder." Bargle
interrupted testify; they sound here
in the village quite plain. an folks
must make the best O. that an be
thankful"
AS he sat smoking and eliminating.
his thoughts Travelled along that bleak
road to the church and back Into blllh.
err old Chrlstmases when he had tolied
robustly, with his assistant. hga up In
the crazy tower, ana they had kept the
three bells swinging and rcalirg joy.
ous!y from S O'Clock till midnight,
with short rests between whites. and
one loLg rest when stean,i1g hot coffee
and toast had been carried up the mar.
row, steep stairs to them by hopely.
checry little woman, who was his wife.
and merry.eycd. winsome maid, who
was their daughter Alice,
But that had happened fer the las.
time-hOw many Christmases ago?
Why. already eight winters had
showed over that mound in the church.
yard. And this was the fourth year
since Alice had deserted him in his
loneliness, and he mad set himself 10
forget her.
He had not forgotten yet, though;
nor forgiven her.
In defiance of his imperative behest5
she had married the ne'er-do.well SOIL
OF tradesman in the town yonder.
and they had gone away to London.
She had written to him thrice, but lie
burnt her first letter and returned the
others unopened, and, If he had not for.
gotten her. her name was never on his
Eps.
at length. a few months ago. the vii.
lasc heard that her husband was dead.
She had written to neighbor saying
sh" and her baby we're destitute. and
Logging that she would intercede and
ask Ter iatler To lorg,e her aud let
her come home.
But Bargle. mindful OF bis dignity,
hardened himself, and, resentlng this
intcTcessiCn as an imrertinence. curtly
a1y.sod the peacemaker uot to neddle
in his business again; hot words pass.
ed between them. ard she flung OF in
such q whlrl OF indignation that her re.
ply to Alice, apparently scared the girl
from attempting any further overtures.
Which was not what Bargle desired.
Absorbed as he was in these regret
fnl rcveries. Il sudden sound broke u
upon him. and he started, g!aucinE
round dazedly and wondering whether
he had been asleep.
But uo!--as he listened, Erea!h!ess,
the sound was repeated; a s.ag!e deep
clang OF the church bell
No wind WAS stirring, and be had tn
keys Ul the bClIry; ycl-it was 10 trick
IT his Imagination, for, after a tenss
interval, another dull cang echoed
down the night; aud presently an
other like the booming Of funeral
knell
lie. was nu coward nor superstitlous
and a swift, irresistible impulse seized
and drove him to ralhom this strange
happening.
Hts very excitement braced him anG
put new strength into his limbs. II,
lighted II lantern. and, helping his halt
ing steps with stout stick. made toI
the village AID reused up the youtS
who assisted him in his duties.
Dost hear yon BELL Amos?" be call
ed. quivcringly.
Ky, Mr.. Blrgle," and Barglc wal
relieved TO have his hearing thus cor
roborated. "Who be II cop there,
wonner?'
Put your coat on smar,ly, lad. IN
goiu' to see"
Silent. and quaking with cold or uer
vousness. they moved nqselcssly owe
the muftling snow. turned the wall o
tue churchyArd. aud. Bargle griml!
leading. filed through the creaklnI
lych gate
The narrow path between the grave
brought them TO the porch. and her,