Re: The Bell Ringer of Notre Dame

Unfortunately, most of my jokes might not go over;)  I'd hate to ruin what
little of a reputation I have left;)


"marc" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]
> After Quasimodo's death, the bishop of the Cathedral of Notre Dame sent
word
>
> through the streets of Paris that a new bell ringer was needed. The bishop
>
> decided that he would conduct the interviews personally and went up into
>
> the belfry to begin the screening process. After observing several
>
> applicants demonstrate their skills, he had decided to call it a day.
>
> Just then, an armless man approached him and announced that he was there
to
>
> apply for the bell ringer's job. The bishop was incredulous. "You have no
>
> arms!"
>
> "No matter," said the man. "Observe!" And he began striking the bells with
>
> his face, producing a beautiful melody on the carillon. The bishop
listened
>
> in astonishment; convinced he had finally found a replacement for
Quasimodo.
>
> But suddenly, rushing forward to strike a bell again, the armless man
>
> tripped and plunged headlong out of the belfry window to his death in the
>
> street below.
>
> The stunned bishop rushed to his side. When he reached the street, a crowd
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> had gathered around the fallen figure, drawn by the beautiful music they
had
>
> heard only moments before. As they silently parted to let the bishop
>
> through, one of them asked, "Bishop, who was this man?"
>
> "I don't know his name," the bishop sadly replied, "but his face rings a
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> bell."
>
>
>
> WAIT! WAIT! There's more . . .
>
>
>
>
>
> The following day, despite the sadness that weighed heavily on his
>
> heart due to the unfortunate death of the armless campanologist, the
>
> bishop continued his interviews for the bell ringer of Notre Dame.
>
> The first man to approach him said, "Your Excellency, I am the brother of
>
> the poor armless wretch that fell to his death from this very belfry
>
> yesterday. I pray that you honour his life by allowing me to replace him
in
>
> this duty."
>
> The bishop agreed to give the man an audition, and, as the armless man's
>
> brother stooped to pick up a heavy mallet to strike the first bell, he
>
> groaned, clutched at his chest, twirled around, and died on the spot.
>
> Two monks, hearing the bishop's cries of grief at this second tragedy,
>
> rushed up the stairs to his side. "What has happened? Who is this man?"
>
> the first monk asked breathlessly.
>
> "I don't know his name," sighed the distraught bishop, but he's a
>
> dead ringer for his brother."
>
>
>