The Fulton County news. [volume] (McConnellsburg, Pa.) 1899-current, 1904-11-16

puileu tueH DOln. But TX does sound
like it,"
ut does that" answered the farmer
"and there wasn't another bell like it
in the township. We'll. I must get the
old crtter out, or she'll have half
the wheat trampled down"
He shuffled 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 a handful, and flung
it in the direction in which he had
heard the bell
Whey. you old fool" he shouted
light wind stirred the wheat, but
there was no other sound: nor did he
hear the bell again that night, although
he searched for some time; neither did
he find any cattle in the field. He. ex-
amined the fence. but could find no
place where an animal could have
broken In.
The more he thought about II the
more mystified he became. He feared
that the bell-ringing would be repeated,
nor were his fears in vain. 1t 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, cllnk." 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 the
minds of Mr.. Clark and those who
heard it, that 1t was really old
Brindle's bell
The next day Mr.. Clark called on
Widow Garrett.
81 came" he began. with assumed
confidence, "to buy your cow-bell. I
suppose you'd as lief sell 1t. as you
have no use for it now?"
II should be glad to do So" assured
the widow. 'but they did not think
1t worth keeping, and so buried it with
the cow"
I'D pHy you good price for it,"
he continued watching her keenly.
I'm sorry | have not got it," she
replied. "Fd be glad enough to sell
1t If could"
The man turned shade paler.
II 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, well. 1t don't matter" con-
tinued Mr. Clark Now | come to
think Of it, the bell was cracked and
wasn't worth much. You'll be buying
a new one, | presume?"
The widow shook her head.
1T would be great help to me-"
she said. but l could not raise the
money to buy one"
That night the farmer decided not
TO 20 out to the field. but he dis
covered as did his neighbors. that the
bell rang just the same, whether he
went out or not.
Big boys began TO whistle when they
had 10 pass the field after sundown,
ana 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 1t into the field. A NUN.
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 a dog, but q
neighbor brought one, and it was sent
into the field.
1t went In fast enough. but II did
not come back. Later the owner found
that 1t 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 the edge of the wheat. With one
accord they seemed TO have left him
to search out the mystery alone. only
helping by advice.
why don't you go into the field
before 1t comes" asked one. "and
watch?"
This he decided TO do. Near the
centre Of the field stood huge stump.
The tree had been cut down years be.
fore. and used for rails. but one cut
OF the log - a mere she'll now - lay
near the stump, and beside this Mr.
Clark seated himself. In the early
twilight. and waited.
For some reason best known to him.
self. perhaps. he had chosen TO seat
himself facing the railway and with
his back to the farmhouse. His ewes
were on a level with the top OF the
wheat; he could hardly fall to see
anything that might come within the
fence. either before or on either side
Of him.
All was still; and at last he decided
to 60 back 10 the house. But. as he
arose from his cramped position and
turned. with his back TO the field. he
found he had worked himself into the
condition OF frightened boy. who
dares not lock back for fear he Will