Saved by the Bell

The crowd of shoppers, and look-loos, slowly milled round the church.

All morn'n, along with the auctioneers holler, the children's laughter, and the happy barter,

The folks had watched the shiny bells as up the steeple they did lurch.

Higher, higher each bell climbed.

An audible gasp as man after man reached the length of a wagon tongue... out ... out ... to grasp the line.

By mid-morning, the bells were hung - ready 'n able to deliver their golden sound out into both countryside 'n town.

Dusty and his crew drove the tired oxen to the lot behind the stock sale, Happy to rest the oxen with some well-earned food 'n water... and themselves with a pint of home-brewed ale.

In about another hour, the church doors opened and Frank emerged.

Much like a doctor ready to announce the birth of a royal son...

"Well!", wipe'n his hands 'n face, "That's done 'n done!"

It was the open'n day of the Farmer's Market.

Folks from all over sell'n their talent.

The Sheriff was valiant in his determination

To make sure the sweets were up to his exact'n specifications.

Business was brisk, as homemade, handmade, food 'n crafts

Flew off the shelves and into the hands

Of delighted, excited, Saturday shoppers.

A fiddler entertained for the price of a copper.

Dixie smiled as she watched the fulfillment of her dream.

Folks make'n their live'n from

successful desert farms.

Both city folk, and country farmers,

Enjoy'n each other's worth.

Two Blacksmith booths all but sold out.

A Potter sells jugs, bowls, and platters made from creekside earth.

Muffins, jellies, and biscuits gone in a blink

And the only thing left of Wink's pig was the oink.

Even the stock sales had gone well.

When, suddenly, folks looked up at the sound of bells!

Jingle Bells chimed out loud.

A puzzled murmur raced through the crowd.

"It's not Christmas!"

"Is Frank josh'n us?"

"It's not Frank... he's over there...

Buy'n another comb for his sweet Sue's hair! "

"Hi, everybody! Did you like that tune?

I been practice'n it with cans 'n a spoon! "

The crowd gasped as Nod leaned out to wave...

It was clear she would fall out soon.

Farther 'n farther the little girl stretched

Till her tiny body fell out... onto a ledge!

"The doors are locked!" Frank explained.

Pastor Stein has them... it will be an hour before he is back again! "

Out of nowhere, 3Gun drove up with a wagon, rope, and hay hook.

Dusty jumped up

Tied the hook to the rope

With a lark's foot.

Lorne 'n Wink held the wagon steady

While Hugh threw the hook up to the first window...

Hugh 'n Buck climbed up and fell inside.

The sound of their footsteps pounded up the Steeple.

Soon, there was a cheer from all the people

As Hugh leaned out to throw the rope down...

But they couldn't reach her.

"Help! I'm scared. "

Nod's voice was weak... she was give'n up hope.

"I can't reach you or the rope!"

"Steady the hook" 3Gun yelled up to Hugh...

3Gun looked at Lorne -

They both knew what Frank would do.

"We best pull the wagon under her, too."

Frank shinnied up the rope

Till he reached little Nod.

Look'n up at Hugh, he said

"When I lift her, catch her hard!"

With all his strength

Frank lifted her off the ledge,

As Hugh bent out and pulled her back through the window's edge.

Buck reached out and helped Frank inside

The crowd let out a relieved sigh.

Some would say that Nod needed a good thrash'n.

But, that Saturday, the folks got their abundant ration

Of beautiful bells

Chime'n out with elation.

There would always be trials 'n tribulation,

But, for an hour, on this

High-Summer Saturday,

There was Celebration.