The Press., 1915-09-01

lighted by full moon, and they could see it distinctly. By 10 o'clock they had drunk so much schnapps that they SAW marvellous sight. The hands spun round like the spokes of rapidly revolving wagon wheel. first forward and then backward. stopping at 9. This settled the matter. The devil was at work in the belfry.
 When twelve days had passed the burghers began to notice that each morning the clock was getting nearer Their rising hour, though now 1t seem ed to be gaining instead or losing, and before four weeks had passed IL had come right again. Then they con cmded that the devil had tired of fool inp with 1t and had let 1t alone. for 1t went on steadily fe4 twenty-four days after 1t had commenced its antics. Meanwhile the date of Hieleger Van Tromp's execution approached. The morning of the execution Anneke Van Wrinkle went to the judge of the court and said:
 "Your worship. have a confession to make"
 .What is it, AnnekeY' asked the judge.
 "It is in connection with the hanging of Hieleger Van Tromp. What day was he sentenced to be hanged"
 Friday; that is today"
 This is not Friday, your worship; 1t is Saturday."
 What is the matter with you. An neke? Has the loss of your lover made you mad?"
 No, your worship. l say 1t is Satur- day, because we have lost day. Ev- cry night for twentyfour days ] have climbed to the belfry of the church and turned the hands of the clock back an hour"
 Did you do that. AnnekeT
 "Yes."
 The judge began to puzzle his brain over the question as to whether day had been lost or not by the setting back of the clock. But, not reaching any conclusion, he sent word to the sheriff not to execute the prisoner until further orders. Then he called In tue most prominent citizens and stated the case to them, asking their opinion whether, Anneke having set back the hands of the clock twenty-four hours. the day on which Hieleger Van Tromp was to be executed had passed.
 The question struck those to whom 1t was propounded as the most difficult they had ever been called upon to solve. After an hours babel, during which some maintained one side and some an other and frequent shifting from one side to the ether, 1t was decided that the matter was too important to be de cided in a hurry, and they all adjourn ed to a place where they could procure schnapps and tobacco.
 When the hour of noon came-the time the hanging had been ordered the debate was still going on and had extended to every person in the vil- lage. Never had there been such ex- citement in the sleepy old town since the day of the great Indian fight in 1890. A man would be of one opinion while his wife took the opposite view. They quarreled. Fathers and sons, mothers and daughters contended, and before nightfall all the lovers in town were estranged. .,
 The next morning. there being doubt whether the day was Saturday or Sun day. the trouble broke out afresh Some callel on the domino to hold service: others declared that the church should not be opened. This caused a riot at the door of the sanctuary. those t1sVinO f0 i,, hoi trying to keep the church shut
 During the afternoon a man was seen crossing the Mohawk river in a boat. It was agreed that this person, who doubtless came from the Long house, be asked whether the day was Saturday or Sunday. When he came near enough for the people to distin- guiSh his features he was seen to be Martin Smith. the murdered" man.
 Every man and woman and child, be- ing more interested in the date than the legal aspects involved in Smiths return. met him with the question, What day is this?' He was so star tied that he could not tell them till he had examined memoranda he had in his pocket; then he declared that 1t was Saturday.
 The question of the hanging was set tied not only by the return of the sup posed victim, but from the fact that the day set for the execution had passed. The people were beside them selves with joy that they had not hung Hieleger and took Anneke, whose wit had saved him. on their shoulders and carried her to the jail, where her lover was set free. and they insisted that wedding service be performed imme- diately.
 So the domino was called. and the pair were married.