The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1905-01-17
THE ROCK SPRING
WHOEVER DRINKS MUST RE
TURN TO WILMINGTON.
A Tradition Sustained by What Has
Actually Happened Many Times
The Visit OF n Young Man and Wo-
man TO the Spring and How Its
Waters Proved Enicacious for Them.
(By Andre-w J. Howell, Jr.)

ccuITe OI the street, and seemed To *
ercise a paternal surveillance over 1t
because the street pore its name; yet
there was little IL the structure Ese.f
TO suggest such al idea. 1t was a long,
narrow shed, supported by iron col
umns. which began at the main cross
street. o: The torn and ended in a dis
nal coaglCmeraGcn OF fish stands near
the river, the proximity OF which was
OF constant blessing to the officers who
guarded the public health.
The forepart reared a second story.
and vas crowned with a little belsry
which could eve seem otherwise than
AS the guardian of the community's
watch. Within it there was a bel.
which has never had an equal. There
was a resistable magic in its resouc6-
ing notes which even after all these
years seem to linger in the ears OF the
people as something more substantial
than a memory. 1t told the hours of
the day with an accuracy that was
never questioned. and the workrnen We:
remembering its urgency at the hou"
of starting, blessed its bright voice
when it made its long announcement
Of the hour Of neon, or pleaded with
fervent insistence at the close of the
day that all labol should thencefortl
cease. But the bill bad another service
which is held in more vivid remen-
brance; its ardent, vehement outcry
would suddenly be heard at the alarm
OF fire. startling the town with its inn
Fortunate The children knew
the little belfry as the ONE of the fire
bell, and at it's first haSty note they
invariably raised their voices to mingle
with the genera cry of Fire! Fire!"
which arose in melodious, resonant ca
dences from all parts Of the town-the
ringing of the fire bell, giving a harmo-
NOUS out stirring accompaniment.
When the large building over Gli
Reuben's cellar shop was burned. it was
but an instance of how the impetuous
call of the little firebeu woke the town
to startled life when the alarm came
in the night. Ti:A~hour was about ten
o'c.ock-not too late for a good part
of he negro population to be abroad,
and their melOdious voices in the cries
of "Fire!' sounded through the reverb
erations of the bell with a wierd effect.
The boys in bed sprang from Their
slumbers d~istraught with an impulse
to rush to the windows and lend their
aid ito the general alarm, while their
elder brothers darted into the street to
seek the burning building and, inciden-
IL soi1I III Lit oolSI IL Ac'lS-
was sc intense that nobody who
was not compelled to do so, particularly
among the young people of both sexes,
could remain at home. There was q
downpour through the street to the
scene Of the cOnf1agration, everyone,
skipping, bounding. exclaiming, hurrah-
ing, while occasionally there still arose
the cry "Fire!" IS if one had forgotten
that the alarm lad been sufficiently
given.
The engines had reached the scene
and were roaring in their fury to drown
the flames. Each one vas surrounded
by a packed, ~immovable circle Of boys
who felt that their proximity to the
fire engines constituted an incalculaDle
advantage. The volunteer firemen we're
absorbed in their occupation. half
play, half work, and were envie1 by
other young men who had their spirit
but were not among their number. The
crowd Of spectators grew and SurgCj
and swayed, moved with every mango
in the aspect of the fire. At length
he flames began to diminish, the crowd
became restless. ard a buzz of CONVEX
sation and laughter arose amid the rcar
Of the engines. It was then an Occa1on
of frolic; girls enjoying the unaccus-
toned feeling OF ilherty, calling out
greetings as they saw each other in the
dim distance. or Coyly seeking the at
tention of boys who fingered in bashful
groups nearby; while the older mes
paired off to stroll home with leisurely
pace.
IT wonder if old Robson is open
yet?' asked a young man of the pref
ty little companion beside him.. His
tone was somewhat timid, for he did
not know how she would take the SIG
s~estiOu.
For ice cream. yor mean?' she in
quired interestedly. Isn't it too late?"
why, of course d" he said boldly.
W will be home now before a greac
many other people" So they altered
their course and soon came upon a tall
black whiskered gentleman, crowned
with a silk hat ami enveloped in a linen
buster, standing before his door. He
was a queer but familia rfigure. AID
was the sign of the establishment they
sought; in fact, It was Mr.. Robson.
himself.
Too late for ice cream?' the young
man asked.
'1:30," answered the proprietor. with
a look at his watch, lis generally too
late. Don't you think it ought to be-
But he had a jainty smile. and the
prospect was net considered hopeless.
although he maJa no movement tow
ards entering the shop.
Now, Mr.. iTtobeson," leased the
young man, sit may be too late, but
you know We have teen to the fire and
that is some excuse" In which reason
ing there was evidently some virtue.
for the old gentleman, with a stately
stride. led the way back into the shop
and with a grace equally as stately
had them seated until he could inves-
tigate the remaining supply OF his days
refreshments.
There is a particular charm in IN
seasonable pleasures and ice cream a.
a late hour after the excitement of a
fire was a delicacy of rare sweetness.
They chatted in a lively inner and
becoming entangied in a discussion, So
iicited he generous aid Of the proprie-
tor, who had been covertly watching
them In an amused way from the re-
cesses OF his official corner; but he
was unable t. ef bitrate the matter.
Having the wisdom Of an aSfute roli=