The Two Chimes in Chatham

The ordinary sounds of the out of doors: birds chirping, breeze blowing, dogs barking, cars passing is interuped briefly by the age old tune of the chiming clock culminating in the sounding of the hours. But, wait, there's another one. It's about one minute slower than the first. My theory is that time lapses in the town of Chatham, a sleepy little place that exsists due to having the distinct honor of being the county seat. I read that it has held that status since 1777. I suppose it would be difficult for a clock to maintain its' integrity for that long. I found myself reliving the moment. How wonderful, I thought, I can relive the exact moment that the clock struck 2! It begs the question: has one clock gained time, or has one clock lost time? As I sit and ponder these moments that pass, I realize that I don't know where these chimes originate. There is Hargrave Military Academy and Chatham Hall School and there are more churches than you would think that a population of only 1,338 persons could support. Having only 2 square miles to call home, the clocks proudly chime hour after half hour reminding us of the passing of time and, yet, can only be heard if one is paying close attention.