Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1905-12-19

SHE the sky, hiding the peacetul lace
of the moon, whose radiance
touched the edges of her somber
veil with a fringe of silver. The
great gray tower lifted its head far
aloft in the midnight stiffness, and the
wind moaned around its rough-hewn cor
ners a requiem for the dying year. With
in the tower sat the old bell-ringer, wait
ing for the stroke of twelve from the
clock. and, as he waited, his thoughts
drifted back to the years long buried
in the dimness of the past-the years
when his floating white hair had been
crisp and black, when his long, slender
fingers were strong and supple, and
struck from the midnight chimes music
of enhancing beauty.
Oh, happy memory! Oh, long ago! 1t
was on another night like that that Ru-
precht was born; and the joy which
beamed from the pale young mothers
face was reflected in his own. as he left
her with her baby on her bosom and
rushed to the beethoven to make of his
chimes a pean of praise to the Father
who had filled his life with blessing
How they loved him-that baby-their
only one-their all! How he and Els
peth had watched each new develop
ment-hOw proudly guided the first tot
tering step; how carefully repeated the
first lisping word.
The boy studied-improving every op-
rortunity with untiring zeal, until at
last the great organ in the Cathedral
below Numbered its glorious music re-
sponsive to the touch of the boyish fin
gers. People thronged to hear. Ru-
precht's services were demanded else
where-brilliant prospects opened be-
fore him, and the inevitable separation
drew near.
New Years Eve! How many ami
vessaries this shadOwy hour held, The
boy babe them good-by while Elspetb
chung to him and sobbed, and her bus-
band rushed away to tell the chimes his
agony as he had poured into them his
joy. AS he sat waiting, even as now.
a step came up the stair, and some one
entered the belfry chamber and the voice
he loved said tenderly ",Mein Water. LET
me play the chimes tonight. | will leave
with them n message to comfort Won
when you are sad-a message for Won
and the mother, too. When l hear it in
the far-off land it will be my mothers
voice that sings to me, and when Won
play it. mein water, it will say to Won.
'Ruprecht loves me- Then Won will
pray God watch over my boy and keen
him safe for me- and the All-Father
will hear"
When R1precht struck the massive
keys it was the simple old PleyeTs HYMN
he played, but he lent his beautiful voice
to the clangor of the bells and sang his
mothers favorite words:
Children of the Heavenly King
AS We journey sweetly sing.
Sing your Saviour's worthy nraisa
Glorious In his works and ways.
\ moment later he was gone. The
years had been many and long since
then, but no tidings ever came and els
peth halr grew white before the look of
expectancy in her dear eyes changed 70
the calmness of resignation. He was
dead. of course. They had heard of the
wrecked ship. They had moved to a new
home. They were only waiting now
he and Elspeth-for the summons which
should call them 20 the happy reunion
where there would be no sad good bys
and hearts forget how to ache.
The first stroke of midnight sounded
and an instant later the bells peaIed
forth, while the old man sang with trem-
bling lips and voice that no one heard
but God-as he had sung every New
Year since that one:
Children Of the Heavenly King
As We journey sweetly sing
Sing your Saytour's worthy praise
Glorious In his works and ways
Then, as the last reluctant echo died
away, he stumbled down the narrow
stars toward home and Elspeth
Not far from the tower stood a man
sion, where great throng hal assem-
oled to watch the old year out and the
new year in. Silken draperies rustled,
jewels cleaned, music rippled on the
pertumed air. and happy voices rang
sweet and high. But every sound was
sllenced, and bright eyes grew dim in
the flood of melody which suddenly
poured about the gay throng. They
crowded toward the music room. irving
to catch glimpse of the player. Those
who were near saw a slender man. with
fair curling hair brushed back from
brow as pure as a woman's. Quietly he
sat before the grand piano. playing with
out the slightest effort such masterfuI
music as had hushed the listeners 10
awe-struck silence
"Who is he?" was the question passed
from one 10 another.
He is a friend of fathers" the
hostess told them. Father met him
abroad some years ago, and by helping
him in a search for some missing friends,
won his heart Father invited him here
for the holidays this year, but he de-
clined the invitation, then this evening
suddenly and Unexpectedly appeared.
These great musicians are always eccen-
trio, you know. | heard him tell father
that this is an anniversary he does not
like to spend alone.
At eleven o'clock the hostess Gated
her guests in circle. saying, Now we