The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1856-11-21
THE SMITH oF RAGENpAcH.


burg, Us Village called Ragenbach, where
about twenty Years ago the following heart
rending but also heroic event took place. One
afternoon in the. carly spring or autumn, my
kind informant did not exactly know which, in
the tavern room Of Rahgenbach, several men
and women having assembled from the vii
iage, sat at their ease, none anticipating what
would happen on that eventful day. The
smith formed one of the merry company, a
strong, vigorous man, with resolute counte.
nance pd during micn, but also with such
good natured smile upon his lips that every
one who saw him admired him. Every evil
disposed person Summed him, for the valiant
smith would allow nothing wrong in his pres
ence, and it was not advisable 10 have any.
thing to do with him except in a proper moq.
ncs His arms were like bars Of iron, md his
fists like forge hammers, 20 thai few cauld
equal his strength Of body.
The brave smith sat near the door chatting
with one of his ncighbors, I know not what;
all at once the door sprang open, and large
dog came staggering into the room, q, great,
strong, powerful beast, with ferocious,
frightfu aspect, his head was hanging down,
and his eyes bloodshot, his red colored tongue
hanging half way out of his mouth, and his
tail dropped between his legs. Thus the
ferocicus beast entered the room, out nj
which there was no escape but by one door.
Scarcely had the smiths ncghbor, who was
bath Keeper of the place, seen the animal
when he became deathly pale, sprang up and
t'eSclaimed with a'horrd voice, "Gool heavens,
the dog is mad I"
Then rose an outcry The room was full
OF men and women, and the foaming beast
stood before the only entrance; no one could
leave without passing him. lie snapped
savagely right and left and no one could pass
him without being bitten. This Increased the
horrible confusion. All sprang up and shrank
from the furious dog 9th agonzng cuunte.
nances. Who should deliver them from him!
The smith also stood among them. and us he
saw the anguish of the people, it flashed
across his mind how many Of his happy and
contcntcd nd& hbors would be made misera
blc by mad dog, and lie formed u resolu.
tion, tho like Of which is scarcely to be found
in the history of the human race for high
niindedness and nobleness. Certainly his
brown cheek pacd little, but his eyes
sparklcd with divine fire.. and an elevated
resolution shone from the smooth brow of
the simple minded man.
"Back all !" Numbered he with his deep
strong voice. "Lrt no one stir, for no one
can vanquish the beast but |. One victim
must fall in order to save all, and | will be
that victim. ] will hold the brute, and while
do so, make your escape" The smith had
scarcely spoken these words, when the dog
started towards the shricking people But he
went not far. "With Gods help! !" cried the
smith, and he rushed upon the foaming beast,
seized him with an iron grasp, and dashed
him to the floor.
Oh, what II terrible struggle followedy The
dog bit furiously upon every side in most
frightiul manner His long teeth tore the
arms and thighs of the heroic smith, but he
would not let him loose. Regardless alike
of the excessive pain and the horrible death
which must ensue, he held down with an iron
grasp the swapping, biting, bowling brute,
until all had escaped till all, all were res.
cued and in safety. lie then flung the half
strangled beast from him against the wall,
and dripping with blood and venomous foam,
he left the room, locking the door after him
Some persons shot the dog through the
windows. But oh. mcrciful God, what will
become of the brave, unfortunate smith?
Weeping and lamenting, the people sur
rounded him, who had saved their lives at the
expense of his own. "Be quiet, my friends
do not weep for me-" lie said, some must die
in order to save the others. Do not thank
me, for have only performed my duty
When am dead think of me with love, and
now pray for me that God will not let me
suffer long or too much. / will take care that
no further mischief shall occur through me-
for must certainly become mad" He went
straight to his workshop ana selected o
strong clialu, tho heayisst and firmest from
his whole stock. He then, with bis own
hands, ve9dpdit t.upon.i .iif Uwh- frmTbs and
around the anvil 80 firmly that no power on
earth could break il. eThcre," said he, sits
done" after silently and soemnly completing
the work. Nov you urs secure, and inoffen-
sive; SO long as live, bring me my food
The rest leave to God; into his hands
commend my spirit" Nothing could save
the brave smith, neither tears, lamentations
and prayers. Madness seized him, and after
nine days he diedAbut truly, he died only to
awake to more beautiful and glorious life 1t
the right hand of God. lie died, but his
memory will live from generation>Sto gene
ration, and will be vererated to the end of
time
Search history through, and you will find
no action more glorious and sublime than the
deed of this supplemented man, the smith of
Ragenbach. 1t is easy for noble minds to die
like Winkelreid or Martus Curtius, the high.
spirited Roman youth--but to 60 to the sac.
riice with the certainty of death, and more.
over being obliged to wait n death so awful,