Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1856-10-08
M I sc ELL A N Y
The Smith of enbach.

MIS- CELL A NY.
The Smith of Ragenbach.
In the Principality OF Hohenlohe, Laugenburg,
is village called Kagenbach, where about
twenty years ago the following 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 taverD-room
Of Ragenbsch, several men and women having
assembled from the village, sat at their ease,
none anticipating what would happen ON that
eventful day. The smith formed one Of the mer-
ry company, strong, vigorous man, with res
olute countenance and daring mein, but also with
such a good natured smile upon his lips that ev-
cry one who saw him admired him. Every evil
disposed person stunned him, for the valiant
smith would allow nothing wrong IN his pres
enee, and it was not advisable to have anything
to do with him except in the 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 chatting
with one of his neigbbors l know not what all
at once the door sprang open, and large dog
came staggering into the room, great, strong,
powerful beast with terocious, frightful aspect,
his head was hanging down, and his eyes blood
shot, his red rolored toague hanging half way
out of his mouth, and his tail dropped between
his legs. Thus the ferocious beast entered the
room, out ot which there was no escape but by
one door. Scarcely had the smiths neighbor,
who wa, bath keeper of the place, seen the an
imal, when he became deathly pale. sprang up
and exclaimed with horrid voice, Good Hesv-
ems, the dog is mad
Then arose 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. He snapped savagely
right and left and no one could pass him with
out being bitten. This increased the horrible
confusion. All sprang and shrank from the fu-
rious dog with agonizing countenances. Who
should deliver them from him? The smith also
stood among them, and as he saw the anguish
OF the people, it flashed across his mind how
many of his happy and contented neighbors
would be made miserable by q mad dog, and ho
formed a resolution, the like of which is scarce
ly to be found in the history OF the hu
ness. Certainly his brown cheek paled little
elevated resolution shone from the smooth brow
of the simple minded man.
"Back all Numbered he with his deep, strong
voice. ''Let no one stir, for no one can van
uuiSh the beast hut l. One victim must fall in
order to save all, and will bo that victim,
will hold the brute, and whilst do so, make
your escape" The smith had scarcely spoken
these words, when the dog started towards the
Shiieklng people. But he went not far. "Wi:h
Gods helpl" cried the smith. and he rushed up
on the foaming beast seized him with an iron
grasp, and dashed him to the floor
N f,llnwaIt Tho
dog bit tilriously upon every side in most
frighttul manner. His long teeth tore the arms
and thighs oftne heroic smith but he would not
let him lose. Regardless alike of the excessive
pain and horrible death which must ensue he
held down with an iron grasp the swapping, BIZ
ting, bowling brute until all had escaped till
all. all We're rescued and in safety He then
flung the half strangled beast from him against
the wall, and dripping with blood and venom
Gus foam, he left the room locking the door at-
ter 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 surround
him, who had saved their lives at the expense
of his own. "Be quiet, my friends, do not weep
for me-" he said, zone 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 strait to his workshop, and selected a
long chain, the heaviest and frneSt 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, Its done" after silent
ly and solemnly completing the work. Now
you are secure. and in0tfenSive 50 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, ,lamen-
tations Tor prayers. Madness seized him and
after nine days he died-but truly, he died only
tn awake to o more beautiful and glorious life at
the right hand of God. He died, but his me-
mory will live from generation to generation,
and will be veneraed to the end of time.
Search history through, and you will fiud no
action more glorious and sublime than the deed
of this simple minded man, the smith of Ragen-
bach. 1t is easy for noble minds to die like
Winkehied or Maruus Curtus, the high-spirited
Roman youth--but to go to the sacrifice with
the certainty of DEATH and moreover, being OBJ
liged to wait death so awful. during long, fear
ful hours and days-that is TO die not once but
q thousand times And such q death was that
of the smith OF Ragenbach. Such sacrifice the
smith of Ragenbach made in order to save his
neighbors. May his memory ever be sacred
Practical Christian.
P,pIsuprS or INSECT I1Fr-Insec.s generally