The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1854-07-05

into green sod in its chambers; and
creepers and parasitic plants clambered
over its walls: the trees which had been
youngin the days Of Harold, grew to be gi-
ants, and dropped over the ruin; and the
willows trailed their thread like branches
| in the lake whose waters once turned its
wheel. Things remained thus until new.
conner arrived in the village. He was a
plain unpretending man, blacksmith by
trade. He took q fancy to the ruin be-
cause he found that it could be got at a
low rent, and his means were limited. He
paid no attention to the tales attached to
it. but hired it Of the descendants of Billy
Harold, and in good earnest set about con.
verting it into smithy. In very short
time the black smoke from the chimney
and the roar Of his forge told that he had
commenced his work, and the clink Of his
hammer could be heard from morning till
night. He was a stalwart, powerful man,
heavily hung together, slow of motion, and
earnest Of speech. His hair was short
and slightly grizzled, and his features were
heavy and massive, and bore harsh and
| forbidding expression that belied his char
acter. -...-
The traditions respecting the mill were
still fresh in his memory, and many look
ed askance at one who could thus reck.
lessly venture to plant himself in such an
ill omened spot; and rumors became rife
that he and the ghostly frequenters of the
place were on better terms than they should
be. He however took no notice Of the
rumors, n or Of the cold looks that frequent
ly met him, but went on with his business.
hammering away at his rse-shoes, and
patiently waiting for better times. His
only companion was child Of about sew
en- years Of age, who seemed as lonely
and unpretending as the old man. He
took no part in the plays Of the other boys
Of the place, but sat patiently at the door
OF the forge. watching his father at his
work, and helping him in such things as
his strength would allow; and when the
days labor was. over, he would put his
hand in that Of the old man. and walk with
him quietly to a small house which he had
hired in the outskirts Of the village. As
time waned. and the shop was daily open
ed, and the Smith was seen at work at his
| forge. and it was also seen that he remain.
| ed unmolested.. the tide of public opinion
changed. and then it was openly asserted
that none but q man of good repute could
thus stand his ground against the powers
| of darkness; that it was shame that he
should not be encouraged. And thus by
degrees John Biggs became one Of them
selves; part and parcel Of the town; and
his shop became the gathering place OF all
the idlers and gossips Of the village. Grad
uai1y, too, the urchins Of the place began
| TO seek the acquaintance of little sTom
Biggs-for so the boy was named-and
his quiet. gentle ways soon won them
They saw that he was but feeble sickly
little fellow, and when he stood looking
patiently on al their boisterous games, they
not unfrequently changed them to those Of
a more quiet description. in order that he
might join them. There seemed one tie
however. to link him to his father more
close than that which usually exists be.
tween parent and child: and although his
actions were unchecked, and he came and
went as he pleased. he usually stole away
from his play-fellows, and passed his time
at the forge watching his father at work,
with eyes that seemed never to weary.
] The shop was dusty and dark and be-
grimmed with SCOT and smoke, and full OF
dim corners and odd angels, in which
we're heaped old iron. and broken barrels.
and odds and ends OF rubbish, which had
/ remained there from the time when the
/ place had been used as mill, and which,
as there was much more room than he
knew what to do With. John never remov.
ed. In the midst of it rose the huge chin.
ney OF the forge, built upon the bare earth.
and extending upward until its end was
lost in the smoke which eddied about the
raf;ers of the roof. Horse-shoes, hinges,
bolts. and various articles Of iron-ware
were hung on pegs. or ranged about in
different parts of the place.
In the dim recesses Of the shop. and in
the old ruined chambers. the boy used to
pass much Of his time, until he seemed to
grow almost as strange and goblin.like as
the former unearthly tenants who had made
the place their haunt
4 Time waned, and he grew more quie,
and still. He no longer joined the other
boys at their play, but was seen the mos,
fof the time sitting at the door OF the smithy
or lying beneath the shade of the trees
which overhaDg it. His pale cheek and
feeble gait. and the painfully patient look
which satupon his young face. told that
all was not we'll with him. John, too
worked less assiduously at his forge, fol
he might be seen at times sitting under the
trees. with the child's head resting on his
knee. endeavoring to amuse him with tales
Of other times and other lands-for John
i had lived abroad.
! By degrees summer passed away. and
: the brown shade of autumn crept among
, the leaves. Little Tom no longer walked
. to the forge. but his father carried him
there in his arms; and as yet they were as
much together as before, but the child.
cheek grew more and more wan, his eye
I more lustrous, and the sad. quiet expires
sion on his face deepenei. but he never
complained. Time passed by. and John
came to his work alone, for little Tom had
. taken to his bed.
!, II was about o'clock on a bright star
light night at this time, that John Bigp.
> was at work in his shop. He had heavy
+; job on hand. and was laborinp earnestly
I Ito finish it; his face fairly glowing with ex
) ertion with the reflection Of the fire. Gath
4 L xl- > 7 3