Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-08-10
Bells Of Madeline II.

Raymond Ripping dangled his feet
over the rocks near the pier into the
muddy Current of the Illinois River.
II was early evening. the sun was just
beginning TO disappear over the willows
of the west bank of the river. Behind
MIN the little town OF Naples was quiet
Its populace at supper Presently,
far up the river. the whistle OF a
steamer was heard-a long blast fol-
lowed by two shorter ones. Every eve
ming at this hour the steamer Madeline
II whistled as 1t rounded the island. II
piled between Beardstown and Valley,
making a round trip each day.
Just IS the first blast of the whistle
sounded, a strange thing happened.
Ripping. yet a mere boy. dropped his
fishing pole into the water and leaned
forward. He was listening for some
thirg and was straining to catch the
sound. And then he heard it.
In the dying echo OF the whistles
blast the faint sound of a bell drifted
down the river. 1t seemed to come from
the steamer. and yet SO faint that 1t
could hardly be heard except by q most
careful listener. One, two. three, four.
five times the sound was repeated. And
then it ceased and all was quiet but
the steady throbbing of the steamers
paddle wheels.
Ripping arose and silently moved to-
ward the little village. He was far
more quiet than usual. The strange
bells myStified. He had lived too long
on the river not to know that the sound
was not an ordinary steamer signal.
Arrived at his little home, he told the
family OF the strange sound. They all
laughed at him. and he quietly asked
them to wait until the following day.
The next evening the entire Ripping
family awaited the approach OF the
Madeline II as It rounded the island
above the little village. Somehow they
we're very quiet. At the usual hour. far
up sthe river, the first great blast OF
he steamer was heard and then the
,wo shorter blasts. That was the signal
tor the landing and the opening Of the
drawbridge below. One Of the boys on
The porch became restless.
"Aw. shucks, there's nothing but the
steamer whistle
Raymond raised a finger for silence.
And then they heard 1t. 1ntermingied
with the echo of the blast. once more
could be heard the faint sound OF q
beautiful bell with five perfectly timed
beats. When the last bell had SOUNDED
no one spoke. Mr.. Ripping. ST.. sat
smoking his pipe in Thoughtful silence
Presently he spoke.
Raymond shook his head in puz-
when did you discover it?" his
father asked.
Just the other evening. I was Ash
ing down by the pier and heard II ny
accident. thought at FIRST that 1t was
)nly fancy. but it happens Just after
The Madeline whistles for the landing
every evening""
Probably some signal on the steam
r." explained his father, as II to dis
Miss the matter.
Here Raymond laughed. He looked
up at his father in q strange way.
His voice was very low as he spoke.
II would swear that sound comes
from the steamer. wouldn't you, dad?"
His father nodded that 1t did beyond
ioubt.
well. even though the bells seem to
oe on the steamer, and can be hearo
, miles away. they cannot be hearo on
he steamer at ALL
The elder Ripping laughed aloud,
'Impossible." he said.
"Tsut father" Raymond interrupted.
II boarded the Madeline II the other
law and asked several of the hands
about those bells and they laughed IN
nv face and said the Madeline DID not
,se bell signals Said that was crazy.
The elder Ripping began to take the
natter seriously. He was puzzled. he
oegan to ponder. The bells were. IN
ICED. beautiful things. They sounded
.yery evening in the echo Of the steam
sr,s whistle. They came from the
steamer beyond any doubt, and yet not
1. S1erson on board the vessel itself could
near them. The elder Ripping was
determined to solve the mystery.
The next day Mr.. Ripping; ST..
boarded the Madeline II and mace tne
sntire round trip with 1t; AS the
steamer rounded the island ne listened
ntently for the bells. Ine sh otsSs so "nss
Ant there were no bells. They had not
sounded this evening. he decided. Not
any one on board had ever heard them
rhey laughed at him when he men
Toned them at all. He left the steamer
1T the landing and returned TO Wnere