The Bamberg herald. [volume] (Bamberg, S.C.) 1891-1972, 1904-12-01

w nat up, Glark:
somebody's cattle in my wheat
again. replied the farmer Can you
see anything?"
The man stopped until his eyes were
on level with the top of the wheat
and looked across the field. In the
silence the ''clink. clink" of the bell
was distinctly audible.
NO. he answered.; II can't see
anything. But I can hear her. There's
only one, think"
Sounds like that COW of Widow
Garrett's," observed the farmer
"Well. it isn't her." rejoined the
man-"nor her bell, neither, for we
buried them both. But it does sound
like it."
1T does that" answered the farmer,
"and there wasn't another bell like it
in the township. Well. I must get the
old critter out, or she'll have half
the wheat trampled down."
He Shuff1ed away, following the
"clink. clink," of the bell, that seemed
to come from just beyond the circle
Of light cast by the lantern he was
holding.
Presently he stopped, for the sound
of the bell had ceased.
Mr.. Clark listened for moment.
Then he kicked some of the hard earth
loose, gathered handful. and flung
it in the direction in which he had
heard the bell.
whey. you old FOOL" be shouted.
A light wind stirred the wheat, but
there was no other sound; nor did lie
hear the bell again that night, although
he searched for some time: neither did
he find any cattle in the field. He e1-
amined the fence. but could find no
place where an animal could have
broken in.
The more he thought about it the
more mystified he became. He feared
that the bell-ringing would be repeated,
nor were his fears in vain. It began
somewhat earlier than on the previous
evening. and armed with his lantern
stout stick which he had provided,
Mr.. Clark sailed out at the first
''clink, clink,' Of the bell, and for
nearly an hour followed it about. as
he had done on the previous night,
and to as little purpose.
Two of the nearest neighbors threw
up their windows and listened when
they saw the lantern in the field, and
the singular affair began to be talked
of in the neighborhood.
The only result of this second vista
ton was to fix the idea firmly in tire
minds Of Mr.. Clark and those who
heard it, that it was really old
Brindle's bell.
The next day Mr.. Clark called or
Widow Garrett.
II came" he began. with assumed
confidence, ''to buy your cow-bell. I
suppose you'd as lief sell it, as you
have no use for it now:"
II should be glad to do so,' assured
the widow, 'but they did not think
it worth keeping, and SO buried it with
the cow"
"I'd pay you good price for it,
he continued watching her keenly.
I'm sorry have not got it" she
replied. "Td be glad enough to sell
it if could"
The man turned shade paler.
IL can't always tell my cow-bells
when I'm hunting my cows. they're
so like the others, and that was so
different"
I'm sorry" repeated the widow.
"Oh. we'll, it don't matter" con-
tinued Mr.. Clark. Nov I come to
think of it. the bell was cracked and
wasn't worth much. You'll be buying
q new one. pTesume:"
The widow shook her head.
ut would be a great help to me-"
she said, "but I could not raise the
money to buy one"
That night the farmer decided not
to so out to the field, but he dis-
covered, as did his peighbors. that rhe
bell rang just the same, whether he
went out or not.
Big boys began to whistle when they
had to pass the field after sundown,
and little boys would not pass it at
all after dark.
The next night the farmer lay awake
and listened: he did not get up until
the sound of the bell came through
the field. and went up and down, up
and down along his garden fence.
Then he left his bed. dressed himself
and followed it into the field. A MUM
Der of the neighbors stood in the road
and shouted out to him.
why don't YOU set the dog On it,"
called one.
Mr.. Clark did not keep dog. but
neighbor brought one, and it was sent
into the field.
1t went in fast enough. but it did
not come back. Later the owner found
that it had sneaked out on the opposite
side Of the field and gone home.
The neighbors were standing outside
the fence, and Mr.. Clark inside. just
in tho edpa of the wheat With one