Washington telegraph., 1856-11-12
The Smith of Ragenbach.


genburg; is a village called Ragenbach,
where about twenty years ago the follow
ing heartrending but also heroic event
took place. One afternoon in the early
spring or autumn, my kind informant did
not exactly know which, in the tavern
room of Ragenbach, several men and wo-
men having assembled from the village,
sat at their case, none anticipating what
would happen on that eventful day. The
smith formed one of the merry company,
a strong, vigorous man, with resolute
countenance and daring mien, but also
with such a good natured smile upon his
lips that every one who saw him admired
him. Every evil disposed person shun-
ned him, for the valiant smith would allow
nothing wrong in his presence, and it was
not advisable to have anything to do with
him except in proper manner. His arms
were like bars of iron, and his fists like
forge hammers, SO that few could equal
his strength of body.
The brave smith sat near the door chat
ting with one of his neighbors, | know not
what; all at once the door .sprang open,
and a l. rye dog came staggering into the
room, great, strong, powerful beast, with
a ferocious, frightful aspect, his head was
hanging down, and his eyes bloodshot, his
red colored tongue hanging half way out
of his mouth, and his tail hanging between
his legs. Thus the ferocious beast enter
ed the room, out of which there was no
escape but by one door. Scarcely had the
smiths neIghbor, who was bath keeper of
the place, seen the animal, when he be-
came deathly pale, sprang up and exclaim-
ed with a hOrrid voice, ''Good heavens,
the dog is mad -
Then rose an cutlery, The room was
full of men and women, and the foaming
beast stood before the only entrance; no
one could leave without passing him. He
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 furi-
ous beast with agonizing countenances-
Who should deliver them from him p
The smith also stood among them, and as
he saw the anguish of the people, it fash
ed across his mind how many of his hap
py and contented neighbors would be made
miserable by mad dog, and he formed
resolution, the like of which is scarcely to
be found in the history of the human race
for high-mindedness and nobleness Ger
tainly his brown cheek paled little, but
his eyes sparkled with divine fire, and an
elevated resolution shone from the smooth
brow of the supplemented man.
''Back, all ~ thundered he with his
deep, strong voice. 'Let no one stir, for
no one can vanquish the beast but l. One
victim must fall in order to fall, and l
would be that victim. will hold the
brute, and while L do SO, make your es-
cape" 81
The smith had scarcely spoken these
words, when the dog started towards the
shrieking 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 a terrible struggle followed
The dog bit furiously upon every side in
a most frightful manner His long teeth
tore the arms and thighs of the heroic
smith, but he would not let him loose
Regardless of the terrible pain and the
horrible death that must ensue, he held
down with an iron grasp the swapping, bit
ing, bowling brute, until all had escaped.
till all, all were rescued and in safety.
He 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 merciful 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"
the others. Do not thank me, for l have
only performed nay 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 fur
ther mischief shall occur through me, for
L must certainly become mad He went
straight to his workshop and selected a
strong chain, the heaviest and firmest from
his whole stock. He then, with his own
hands, welded it upon his own limbs and
around the anvil SO firmly that no power
on earth could break it. "There," said
he, ''it's done," after silently and solemn
ly completing the work. "Now you are Sc
cure and am inoffensive; so long as / live,
bring me my food The rest L leave to
God; into his hands commend my spir-
it" Nothing could save the brave smith,
neither tears, lamentations and prayers
Madness seized him and after nine days
he died-but truly, he died only to wake
to more beautiful and glorious life at the
right hand of God. He died. but his
memory will live from generation to gen.
Grafton, and will be venerated to the end
of time .,-t.. -...---- -
Search history through and you viii find
no action more glorious and sublime than
the deed of this simple-minded man, the
smith of Ragenbach. 1t is easy for noble
minds to die like Winkelreid or Martius
/ ~ xl