Evening star., 1928-10-20

Herman Melville. 1al9-el. was an Amsri-
Ran Traveller and novelist author OF 'Mooy
blck. ''Typee, 'Omoo," etc.
Bannadonna, though a founding and
fanblessed, was the most famous archi-
Eect in Europe at that time, when he
4Was assigned to the task of building the
bell tower. He was also one of the
richest. So it was rightful that he
should be the one to erect the noblest
bell tower in Italy
Stone by stone. month by month, the
sower rose. Higher, higher. snail-like
A1 pace but like torch or rocket in its
pride
At length it was all but finished. To
Nhe sound of violS the climax stone
#lowly rose in air. and amid the firing
of cannon was laid by Bannadonna's S
hands in its proper place. Then. mount
eng it, he stood erect alone, with folded
krn1s
Little remained now but the bells.
p'1e lesser ones were successfully cast.
but the larger one was to be arranged
IN new fashion. with a clock, all in the
same tower. an invention of Banna-
60nna'S own. It was upon this bell
Fhat he was to lavish his most daring
Skill. He would not listen to the objac-
S1ons of the authorities that the tower
would hold only such a limit of weight
The bell was to be his masterpiece, and
St would be gigantic.
In Bannadonna's laboratory the
4n1olten metals were unleashed for the
Fasting of the great bell. The workmen
khrank back in fear Their fright might
ruin the bell-fearless Bannadonna
among them to keep them all to their
Mppointed places. He smote the chief
Eulprit with his ladle, and a piece of
9he poor mans flesh, as he fell dead
Trom the stroke. fell into the Seething
bnetals and was melted with the rest.
The homicide was overlooked 1t S
Etot considered slaughter, no more than
3he impulsiVe kicking of pure -bloodeo
anorse would be thought malicious.
But the bell-all was as it should be.
4xcept one strange spot This was seen
Eunly by Bannadonna. and he covered
Fhe blemiSh by some preparation known
kpnly TO himself.
Now the great architect went into
Snonths of solitude and secret work.
Eashioning something the like OF which
bnone could guess, though it was known
20 be something for the bell tower. At
Hast the curious were rewarded by see
Eng heavy object hoisted to the belfrv.
Rwrapped in dark sack or cloak. seem
Hng to be some sculpture or statue.
Yet that wrapped mass seemed not
- oe dS SUIT as SJOne. Ii seemed in
kdeed. TO be somewhat plant. Some ven-
Blurred TO suspect that it was a. living
IMAM. The authorities went up the
4ower TO seek an explanation. but they
got little satisfaction from Bannadonna.
Though the magistrates gazed at the
1rloak and what it might conceal. thev
Fsaw nothing. Though they suspected
Nhe contents to move they were told
nothing. Bannadonna even went SC
Ear as to cover up the object with can
was to prevent closer inspection.
Examining the big bell, the magis-
2rates were filled with admiration
Around and around the bill IL figures
.1f gay girls. garlanded. hand in hand
ldanced in choral ring. embodying the
hours. They were yet unfinished. the
artist said, and he had still some fin.
1fhing touches to put on that night
when he would remain in the tower
sBut tomorrow at the stroke Of ! tht
,hell would ring its first sounding of Is
ERirst hour
Proclamation was made that the peo.
eple might assemble at the hour of tc
hear the bell and clock begin theil
duties in the tower Came the day
(which slowly drew on to the appointed
time. A crowd gathered. expectant.
Impatience grew. Watches were helc
IN hands Of feverish men. who stood
Eneck thrown back gazing from tower tx
F%ial and back again. The hands ap.