FROM MY WINDOW.

Shannon News, 26 June 1923, Page 4

FROM MY WINDOW.

CLOCKS, CANDLES AND BISHOPS. (By “Eterh.”) “A» x>ne dandle ligntetli .another and diimnislieth not in flame so nobleness enkindletiix nobleness.” I am going to invent a. clock, A really truthful one. One that will tell you, it is .a quarter to six, When it ia a quarter to six. In my youthful days we had at the foot of the stairs tai hall-seat shaped somewhat like ft church pew, which formed a cosy comer. Above this was a wonderful cuckoo clock on a shelf. Not only did it “cuckoo” but it “quailed” as well; for in order!to strike the hour it gave a dual call: one little door would open, iai wooden cuckoo would flap its wings .and give itsi familiar cry before retreating hurriedly behind, its closing, door and in turn ia companion, door would open. This emitted a. wooden quiail who also flapped his wings, calling “Hoo-iaihoo” before Visiting children took a delight in sitting in the “church pew” just-before the time for their appearance, watching for the closed doors to open, the signal being an asthmatical wheeze somewhere in the interior mechanism of the- Swiss chalet clock-case.

I regret to say that in its .old age this clock lost its conscience or knowledge of relative values, or whatever it is that clocks lose—perhaps it was a wheel or spring, or something equia.l- - concrete, so we must not blame its conscience.

It became-positively untruthful, so much-so, that at last we. had to-expiate to strangers that when .the hands marked three o’clock 'and the biru.-, chirped twelve times, we knew it was haiif-past one. After awhile we grew tired of working out mathematical problems, and looked on it as on, a trusty horse that hiad worked faithfully and was; allowed to spend the rest of its life in luxurious ease as an ornament. only; As I said before, my clock-inven-tion is going to be the embodiment of truth, for I have suddenly found out the reason, why clocks “gangs aft agley.” All that is needed to complete the invention is some kind fel-low-enthusiast to solve the little problem of perpetual motion and my fortune is made, patents applied for, and clocks being turned out by the millions for the millions. Henry Ford will turn green; with envy—l shouldn’t be surprised if he gave up making Tin Lizzies and offered .to take up clockmaking instead. And the reason why the present-day clock cannot be relied upon to tell the truth is because it always holds it s hands ini front of its face. Tell me, would: you always tell .the truth with your hands in front of youlr face? No, no! Therefore my clocks’ hands—but I refrain from imparting information that may give a clue to wh'ait will be the eighth wonder ol the world when that other little perpetual gjotioh problem is solved for me. In the meantime I advise you to go on buying the inferior article in case oF slight delay. <* <•* * / * *

In one New Zealand city some time ago ia new clock was placed on the outside of ia public building, and notwithstanding hatving passed the Customs’ and medical inspections as being a loyal naturalised subject of King ana country without trace of small-pox or phlebitis, it refused to* tell .the truth at first, apparently like some human beings who lose .their heads or sense of proportion on being raised suddenly to an exalted position. One night :ai student staying in the vicinity hlajd just retired when she was hastily reminded by the chime that time was fleeting. She commenced to count in somewhat somnolent fashion to find out how far it had fleeted, expecting it to stop 3,t ten. But no, even twelve was not the lucky number, nor twice twelve. She persevered in counting up to fifty-seven before thinking :of asking: “Are things as they seem, or is wisions about?” Then lajt chime fifty-seven she left off to wander in fields Elysian, where clocks are not needed.

Take this lesson to heart .and do not lose your sense of .'proportion or truth when, raised above other men. And let your light as ia candle brighten up small corners, for when you become a .star in the community sky, your early training will make you indeed al light in the flrmanent of guidance and example. ,T(he moire we hear and read of men, and women who are occupying exalted positions, the more we are made To realise their modesty an bearing the honours. It is we lesser mortals who> set halos around them and expect them to parade. in the fierce light of continual publicity.

I have seen the internal candle illumine the eyes of a sick canary, also of a pet, goldfinch that had been hurt. It is often seen in the eyes of a pet horse or dog; 'and one wonders whether there is an after-life for dumb things when the eyes cain, be as eloquent as ai human being’s. The candles of some people bum so low that very little light appears in the face. Perhaps their way is too calm and unruffled for the exertion of sending; out rays of light. It is when they have al touch of the fire of adversity that their little candles will respond land brighten things up as glowingly as the best-advertised household polish is reputed to do.

I have known such shining lights as Bishops who could be candles in small corners without detriment to their exalted positions. One 1 such was walking in a public reserve one morning, and meeting us kiddies, .stopped and chatted. After aj 'little while he turned to the youngest member ol the party and 'said, looking at her lips: “I know what you! had for breakfast to-day-egg!” This observation made him appear quite human ‘and ever since, I have had a lurking fondness for bishops. It was he who wais unwittingly responsible for somie of our lapses from grace, and incidentally, for some most delightful Sunday morning Walks. His sermons werei rather long. Early on the Sunday morning a Small

girl would ask if the previous day’s paper had advertised the bishop as preacher and on the reply being affirmative, nff would go that small girl dancing and saying “Then we’ll be going for a walk to-day. I have pl'ayed billiards with a bishop; and this is even more awful than it sounds. For I cannot play for sour apples. Another remembrance is of one who .wrote to those in charge of the musical portion of the memorial service of a much-loved church dignitary, that it be made as bright as possible. This little message has altered my whole outlook, and I now wonder that, anyone can keep to “trappings of woe” when ial fellow-being has had the joy of being taken to his more beautiful home.