Every year it was rung until 1835 when it cracked while tolling during the funeral services of John Marshall, Chief Justice of the United States. When the British were in possession of Philadelphia in 1777, they were greatly in need of ammunition. It would have delighted them if they could have converted the herald of freedom into cannon balls. For fear they INDEPENDENCE BELL. would seize the Liberty bell it was decided to send it, together with the chimes of Christ Church and St. Peter's Church, to Allentown. This was done by hiding the bells, eleven in all, in farm wagons, and covering them with potato sacks and straw. They were hidden under the floor of the old Zion's Reformed Church at Allentown. It was announced that the Liberty Bell had been sunk in the Delaware River. Late in 1778 it was returned to Philadelphia. In 1885 the Liberty Bell made its second trip to New Orleans, where it was exhibited at the Exposition. Again it was taken away, this time to the World's Fair at Chicago, in 1893. A fourth journey was made to the Exhibition at Atlanta, Georgia, in 1895. January 6, 1902, the Liberty Bell left Philadelphia for the Inter-State and West Indian Exposition at Charleston, South Carolina, and was returned to its home in Independence Hall June 1st, 1902. Just back of the main entrance in Independence Hall the Bell always rests in a huge glass case. It is guarded by one or more policemen. It is the shrine of many pilgrimages and thousands of people visit it yearly. Every one speaks in a subdued tone as his gaze rests upon the huge bell, with the wide crack in it; and all look lovingly on the inscription it bears: "The Liberty Bell Proclaimed Liberty Throughout All the Land and Unto the Inhabitants Thereof." A little boy had sought the pump, From whence the sparkling water burst, Then gracefully he touched his cap "I thank you, Mr. Pump," he said, "For this nice drink you've given me!" (This little boy had been well-bred.) Then said the Pump, "My little man, But I am not the one to thank- "Ah!" said Cold Water, "don't thank mé; "I'll thank the Spring, then," said the boy, And gracefully he bowed his head. "Oh, don't thank me, my little man," The Spring with silvery accents said "Oh, don't thank me; for what am I Without the dew and summer rain? Without their aid I ne'er could quench Your thirst, my little boy, again." "Oh, well, then," said the little boy, "I'll gladly thank the Rain and Dew." "Pray, don't thank us; without the Sun We could not fill one cup for you." "Then, Mr. Sun, ten thousand thanks For all that you have done for me." "Stop!" said the Sun, with blushing face; "My little fellow, don't thank me; 'Twas from the Ocean's mighty stores. I drew the draught I gave to thee." "O Ocean, thanks, then!" said the boy; It echoed back, "Not unto me "Not unto me; but unto Him Who formed the depths in which I lie; Go, give thy thanks, my little boy, To Him who will thy wants supply." Bear not false witness, slander not, nor lie; telling of good qualities. LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATION. A gentleman once advertised for a boy to assist him in his office, and nearly fifty applied for the place. Out of the whole number, he in a short time selected one, and dismissed all the others. "I should like to know," said a friend, "on what ground you selected that boy, who had not a single letter of recommendation with him?" "You are mistaken," said the gentleman; "he had a great number. He wiped his feet when he came in, and closed the door after him; showing that he was orderly and tidy. He gave up his seat instantly to that lame old man; showing that he was kind and thoughtful. He took off his cap when he came in, and answered my questions promptly and respectfully; showing that he was polite. "He picked up the book which I had purposely left on the floor, and placed it on the table, while all the others stepped over it, or shoved it aside; showing that he was careful. And he waited quietly for his turn, instead of pushing and crowding the others aside; showing that he was modest and honorable. |