Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-01-12
Frederick Keepers Curiosity

Perhaps the very smallest Of all our
faults is curiosity. But 1t leads to danger
sometimes, and the old German story of
little Frederick Keeper which perhaps is
one that you have not heard, illustrated
| this very we'll
He lived many years ago in a small VIII
lage, whose only feature worthy of note
was its church. The building itself was
not particularly beautiful, but had a tall
steeple, and In this was a most wonder
| full clock. the gift OF one OF Germany S
| emperors to the town. The old sexton,
Plumm by name, took as much care Of 1t
| as II 1t had been a human being wound
| 1t with the greatest regularity. and above
| all, never allowed any one to go to see it.
| frederick and the sexton were great
| irlends, and many a time did the little
| but never to the clock. Like Bluebeard S
| wife, this was the one place he wanted to
| see, and he teased old Plumm day after
| day, but all to no avail.
| FREDERICK" the old man would say, 81
| have wound that clock every morning for
| twenty years, and never let any one go
up there. So be content with the rest of
| the steeple"
Frederick, and in his heart he determined
| to see the works of that clock for himself
some day. He had patience for a long
| time, watching and waiting, and finally
his chance came. Whatever possessed the
sexton no one ever knew, but in an I'M
guarded moment he neglected to lock the
door that led to the clock, and Frederick
saw his opportunity was coming.
He accompanied the sexton downstairs
nervously waiting for him to remember his
neglected duty, but Plumm evidently had
other things on his mind and 1t never oc-
CURED to him.
At last the church was busted and prop
erly fixed for the day, and the sexton left
Frederick staying behind on a pretext of
library.
The old mans footsteps died away, and
the boy, sure he was alone at last flew up
into the steeple and carefuLy opened the
belfry door. Up dozen or more steps and
the little clock room was reached in a
twinkling. Frederick pushed his way in
and stood spellbound watching the wonder
full machinery at work.
Now, on the face of the clock there was
little window opening inside, and when
Curiosity Shop saw this, he instantly had
a strong desire to stick his head out, and
so obtain view Of the surrounding coun-
try.
Now that I'm up here" soliloquized he,
Il might just well see all that 1 cam for
it's probably the only time that Plumm
Will ever be so careless.
So without much ado he forced his head
through the opening and stood watching
the scene below.
Suddenly he glanced up and saw shining
above him the two sword-like hands of the
clock, their keen edges as sharp as any
knife. The big hand moved perceptibly.
coming nearer Fredericks head with every
tick, and he could not help shuddering as
the thought Of how terrible they looked
flashing in the sun. Then with a farewell
look around him he decided to leave the
fascinating scene. The sexton might at any
minute remember the unlocked door and
come running back with the key
Imagine the boys horror and fright when
he found 1t impossible to draw back his
head. 1t as firmly wedged as though
in a wise. and pull as he would he could
not bulge.
Frederick was faint with terror he
shrieked loudly for help, but the passers-
by We're few and the distance was so
great, no one could possibly hear him. The
perspiration poured from his forehead and
he grew weaker every minute as he watch
nearer and nearer, and know that it was
only question Of few minutes when the
cruel thing would reach him.
Now 1t was fifteen minutes, now it was
ten, and finally five minutes stood between
him and death. Just the boy had given
up all hope, to his inexpressible delight he
saw the old sexton hurrying along the
east toward the church, and summoning
all his strength Frederick gave one scream
for help. which family reached Plumms
ears. Looking I'D the old man apparently
took in the situation at glance, and rush
ed for the stairway. 1t seemed hours to the
poor child caught in the window before he
heard the sound of Plumm's footsteps, but
the sexton finally reached him. Selling a
heavy hammer. with one tremendous blow
he broke piece from the face of the clock
Frederick was free and fell unconscious to
the floor.
To his dying day Frederick Keeper never
forgot that horrible experience, and his
curiosity was stopped many time by the
mere thought of it.