The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1908-12-25
4.f5ss r, |. +.
The Message Of the Bells
: a CbriIfmoS .Skefeb


the moon, whose radiance touched the
edges OF her somber veil with fringe
OF silver. The great gray tower lifted
Its head far aloft in the midnight still
ness. and the wind moaned around It's
rough -hewn corners a requiem for the
dying year. Within the tower sat the
old bellringer. waiting for the stroke
OF IL from the clock. and. as he waited.
his thoughts drifted back 10 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 mid
night chimes music OF enhancing
beauty.
Oh, happy memory, Oh. long ago,
II was on another night like that that
Ruprecht was born, and the JOY which
beamed from the pale young mothers
F, face was reflected in his own as he lett
her with her baby on her bosom and
rushed to the bell-tower 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 OPP
portunity 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. Rup-
recht's services were demanded else
where-brilliant prospects opened be
fore him. and the inevitable separation
drew near.
New Years evei How many ami
versaries this shadowy hour held, The
boy bade them goodbye while Elspeth
clung to him and sobbed. and her hus-
band rushed away TO tell the chimes
his agony as he had poured into them
his Joy. AS he sat waiting, even az
now, 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 a message to
comfort you when you are sad-a mes
sage for you and the mother, too.
When | hear II in the far-of land II
will be my mothers voice that sings
to me. and when you play it. mein
Water. II will say to you. 'Ruprecht
| lONtH Ilts UtH NOu pay hNA
watch over my boy and keep him safe
for me- and the All-Father Will hear"
When Ruprecht struck the massive
keys 1t was the simple old Pleyels
hymn he played. but he lent his beau
tiful 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 Savior's worthy praise.
Glorious in His works and ways"
A moment later he was gone. The
years had been many and long since
then. but no tidings ever came, and
Elspeths hair grew white before the
look OF expectancy in her dear eyes
changed to the calmness Of resignation
He was dead of course They had
heard OF the wrecked ship. They haC
moved to a new home They were only
waiting now-he and Elspeth-for the
summons which should call them e
the happy reunion where there would
be no sad good-byes and hearts forge
how to ache.
The first stroke Of midnight sounded
and an instant later the bells pea!eS
forth, while the old man sang will
trembling lips and voice that no on
: heard but God-as he had sung ever,
New Year since that one:
Children OF the Heavenly King,
AS We journey sweetly sing:
X Sing your Savior's worthy praise,
Glorious in His works and ways"
Then. as the last reluctant echo die
( away, he stumbled down the marrow
stairs toward home and Elspeth
J. Not far from the tower stood a man
sion. where a great throng had assem-
n bled TO watch the old year out and tn
new year in. Silken draperies rustled
Jewels cleaned. music rippled on tn
perfumed air. and happy voices ran
4 sweet and high. But every sound wa
. silenced. and bright eyes grew dim Il
: the flood OF melody which suddenl
poured about the gay throng. The
crowded toward the music room. tryin
to catch glimpse OF the player. Thos
who were near saw a slender man, wit
fair, curling hair brushed back from
i brow as pure as a woman's. Quiet
he sat before. the grand piano. playin
without the slightest effort such ma
terful music as had hushed the lister
:. ers to awe-struck silence.
"Who is hep was the questio
PASSED from one to another.
a He is a friend OF fathers" III
r hostess told them. Father met hin
abroad some years ago. and by helpin
!. him in a search for some missin
= friends won his heart. Father invite
him here for the holidays this yea
but he declined the invitation. then tn
i evening suddenly and Unexpectedly a
peared. These great musicians are a
ways eccentric, you know. ! hear
y him tell father that this is an ann
versary he does not like to spen
alone"
n At IL O'Clock the hostess seated h,
guests In circle, saying: Now v
will turn down the light and tell gho
stories till midnight" The young pc
ple fell in with the spirit OF fun, an
ghosts walked. hobgoblins shrieked ar
ghouls moaned. till the more tim
begged for mercy.
IL was almost IL o'clock whe- &C
voice suddenly broke into n nome