The Project Gutenberg EBook of Allegories of Life, by Mrs. J. S. Adams
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Title: Allegories of Life
Author: Mrs. J. S. Adams
Release Date: May 24, 2005 [EBook #15895]
Language: English
Character set encoding: ASCII
*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK ALLEGORIES OF LIFE ***
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Allegories of Life
BY MRS. J. S. ADAMS
1872
CONTENTS.
I. THE BELLS
II. THE HEIGHT
III. THE PILGRIM
IV. FAITH
V. HOPE
VI. JOY AND SORROW
VII. UPWARD
VIII. THE OAK
IX. TRUTH AND ERROR
X. THE TREE
XI. THE TWO WAYS
XII. THE URNS
XIII. SELF-EXERTION
XIV. THE VINES
XV. IN THE WORLD
XVI. FAITH, HOPE, AND CHARITY
XVII. GOING FORTH
XVIII. THE FEAST
XIX. THE LESSON OF THE STONE
XX. THE SEEDS
XXI. ONLY GOLD
XXII. THE SACRIFICE
XXIII. STRANGERS
I.
THE BELLS.
In the steeple of an old church was a beautiful chime of bells, which
for many years had rung out joyous peals at the touch of the sexton's
hand upon the rope.
"I'll make the air full of music to-morrow," said the white-haired man,
as he lay down to his slumbers. "To-morrow is Christmas, and the people
shall be glad and gay. Ah, yes! right merry will be the chimes I shall
ring them." Soon sleep gathered him in a close embrace, and visions of
the morrow's joy flitted over his brain.
At midnight some dark clouds swept over the tower, while darker shadows
of discontent fell on the peaceful chime.
Hark! what was that? A low, discordant sound was heard among the bells.
"Here we have been ringing for seven long years," murmured the highest
bell in the chime.
"Well, what of it? That's what we are placed here for," said a voice
from one of the deeper-toned bells.
"But I have rung long enough. Besides, I am weary of always singing
one tone," answered the high bell, in a clear, sharp voice.
"Together we make swee
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