The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1917-01-17
LETTER FROM w. c. BENET.
Editor The Press and Banner:

Having just reaQ IN Cne INC" AoAA
Times that the bells of London were
not rung on New Years Eve. that
1917 came in because of the year,
in silence-without the joyous peal
with which for nearly fifteen hun
dred years that old town has well
coined each New Year. I found my
self wondering if the bells had been
toIled and pealed that night in old
Abbeville. And, sure enough, when
I opened out The Press and Banner,
saw under the heading, "The New
Year." that the old year was tolled
out and the New Year ushered' in
with the bright and joyous ringing
of all the bells in the city" You
may be sure I was delighted to read
further that this custom of . the
old country was started here many
years ago by Judge Benet, and has
been kept up ever since" 1t glad
dens my heart to know that remem-
brance of me is linked with so beau
tiful a custom in my old home.
With apologies to Tom Moore,
the lord Of Erin, I can't help hum
ming to the tune of his Evening
Bells" the changed lines, /
t'Those Abbeville bells, dear Able
vile bells,
How many tale their music tells
OF youth and hope, and that sweet
time
When first heard their New Year
chime
Yes, it is ssmany years ago" since
I started the custom in Abbevllle-
in 1874, or 1875, I am not sure
which. Well do I remember that
night. was sitting up with friend
to bring in the New Year, as 1 had
done every year from my childhood.
I had told Of the old world custom
of tolling the bells for the dying
year and ringing a joyous peal for
the New Year; and>I expressed the
wish that could hear the bells that
night. It was then suggested that
we might slip into old Trinity church
and ring the bell. It was a lovely
moonlight night, clear and frosty.
Just before midnight we showed up
a window in the organ corner, and
got into the church. For a few
minutes we tolled the bell solemnly,
then exactly at midnight we rang
a merry peal When walking TO-
wards the public square, we were
accosted by white-robed-~ hgure
leaning out of an upstairs: window,
ssWhere, de fire? Where. de fre!,
I recognized the voice OF my Dutch
friend, Gus Bequest, and told him
it was just the church bell wishing
him a happy New Year. Zach! Is
all dat only?" and down came the
window sash. . .,
Thus began the custom in Abbe-
Vile. Next year, and every year
since. ARRANGEMENTS were made 70
ring ali the bells. My old friend,
william Pope, used to be cher Dell-
ringer, arranging matters with the
various sections. ~
friends to know that I introduced
the custom in Cashiers valley some
years ago. The little Episcopal cna-
pel here has very fne bell, one
of the most musical that have ever
heard. Its deep, mellow tones, sound
ing through the mountains ana val
leys on New Years night, makes a
wonderfully sweet and solemnlzlng
music. The custom is kept up here.
But the first time caused the same
alarm of fire as in Abbeville.
II is a beautiful Christian custom
which trust dear old Abbeville will
never let die, so that may truth
fully say-(again taking liberties
with Tom Moore.)
"And so twill be when I am gone,
The tuneful peal will still ring on
And other friends will walk these
dells, -,
: And list the dear old Abbeville
bells"
t. w. G.. Benet.