Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1904-02-04

by the branches Of the grove, vista
Of infinitely stretching fields Of green,
lined here and there with woodlands
and fiat to the horizon line, the village
lying in their lap. No roll Of meadow,
no rise Of pasture land, relieved their
serenity nor shouldered UP from them
to be called HILL
tinkling coming small and mellow from
far away, and at the lonesoneness Of
that sound he heaved long, mournful
sigh. The next instant he broke into
laughter, for another bell rang over the
fields. the courthouse bell in the square.
The first four strokes were given with
mechanical regularity. the pride Of the
custodian who operated the bell being
TO produce the effect Of clockwork
bell, such as he had once heard In the
courthouse at Rouen, but the fifth and
sixth strokes were hating achieve.
ments, as, inter 4 o'clock he often lost
count in the strain of the effort for pre-
else imitation. There was pause after
the sixth; then dubious and reluctant
stroke seven; a longer pause, followed
by a final ring with desperate decision
eight. HarEless looked Mt his watch.
1t was twenty minutes Of 9.
As lie crossed the courthouse yard to
the Palace hotel on his way to supper
he stopped to exchange word with
Me bell ringer, who, seated on the steps,
was hopping his brow with an air Of
hard earned satisfaction.
Good evening, Schofclds'," he said.
you came in strong OH the last stroke
tonight"
What we need here" responded the
bell ringer, sis more public sperrited
men, l amt kickin' on you, Mr.. Hank
less-no. sir; but we want more men
like they got in Rouen. We want men
that II git Main street paved with
block or asphalt; men that III put in
factories; men that II nct--not set
round like that old fool Martin and
laugh and pollywoggle along and make
fun of public sperrit, day in, day out.
l reckon do my best for the city"
ooh, nobody minds old Tom Martin"
observed Harlsless. ITS only half the
time he means anything by what he
says"
THAT'S Just what hate about him."
returned the bell ringer in tone Of
high complaint. you can't never tell
which half it is. Look at him now"
The gentleman referred to was stand
ing over in front Of the hotel talking
to a row Of coatless loungers, who sat
with their chairs tilted back against
the props of the wooden awning that
projected over the sidewalk. Their
faces were turned toward the court
house, and even those lost in media
tive whiting had looked up to laugh
Mr.. Martin. one of his hands thrust in
a pocket of his alpaca coat and the 9th.
err softly caressing his wiry, gray chin
beard. his rusty silk hat tilted forward
till the brim almost rested on the
bridge Of his nose, was addressing
them in one keyed voice. the melan-
choly whine Of which, though not the
words, penetrated to the courthouse
steps.
The bell ringer, whose name was
Henry Schofield. but who was known
ms Schofelds' Henry popularly abbre
waited to Schofields), was moved to in
dignation. Look at him." he cried
Look at him. Everastngly goin' or
about my bell! Well, let him talk
Let him talk"
AS Mr.. Martins eye fell upon thu
editor, who, having badc the bell ring
or good night. was approaching the
hotel, he left his languid companion!
and crossed the street to meet him.
II was only oratin' on how proud thu
city ought to be Of Schofields'," he sale
mournfuly as they shook hands; "bu
he looks kind of put out with me-" H.
hooked his arm in that of the youn.
man and detained him for a momen
as the supper gong sounded from with
in the hotel. Call on the judge to
night" he asked.
mo. Why?"
81 reckon you didn't see that lad!
with Minnie last night"
mo"
"Well, guess you better go out there
young man. She might not stay her
long"