The Tiffin tribune. [volume] (Tiffin, Ohio) 1848-1859, 1857-02-06
The Smith Of Ragenbaoh.


kcuVutSt ~ ~ NihBe OAlleu itagonDaCh
where about twonty years ago, the follow
ing hearirending but also heroic even
took place. One afternoon in tho earl,
spring or autumn, my kind informant
did not exactly know which. in the tav
ern room of Ragenbach, several men and
women having assembled from the viii
age, sat at their ease, mono antieipa,ins
what would happen on that oventful day
The smith formed one Of the merry com
pany, strong vigorous man, with res
olute countenanoe, aud daring mein. but
also with such 2 good natured smile upon
his lips that every one who saw him ad
mired him. Every evil disposed person
Stunned him, for the smith would allow
nothing wrong IN his presence, and II was
lnot advisable 70 have anything to do with
him except in proper manner. His
arms were like bars Of iron. and his fsts
like forge hammers, so that few could o.
quail him in strength Of body.
Tho brave smith sat near the door chat
ting with one Of his neighbors, know
not of what: all at once tho door spranr
and large dog came staggering into the
room, a great. strong, powerful beast.
with a ferocious, frightful aspect, his head
was hanging down and his eyes blood
shot, his lead colored tongue hanging half
way out Of his open mouth, and his tMl
dropped between his legs. Thus the fe
rocious beast entered the room, out OF
which there was no escape but by the
door. Scarcely had the smiths neigh
Dor, who was. bath keeper of the place
seen the animal, when he became deadly
pale springing up he exclaimed with a
horrid voice, Good Heavens the dog is
mad
Then rose an ou'eryl The room was
full Of men and women, aud the foaminp
beast stood before the only entrance. No
one could leave without passing him. He
snapped sayagely right aud lslt. aud no
one could pass him without being bitten
This increased the horrible uonfusion.-
All rose up and shrank from the furious
dog with agonising countenauoe. Who
should deliver them from him! The
smith also stood among them, and rs he
saw the anguish Of the people It flashes
across his mind how many of his happy
and contented neighbors would be made
miserable by the bite Of mad dog, ard
reformed resolution, the like Of which
is scarcely to be found in the history OF
the human race for high mindedness and
hobleness His brown cheek paled lit
tie, but his eyes spsrked with divine
fire, aud an elevated resolution shone from
the smooth brow OF the simple minded
man.
Back all Numbered he with his deep,
strong voice. Lot no ona stir, for no
one can vanquish the beast but Il--Oue
victim must fall in order to save all, and
| will be that victim. l will be that vic
tim. will hold the brute, and Will, [
do sd make your escape.
The Smith had scarcely spoken these
words, when the dog started towards the
shrieking people, But he went not far
With Gods helpl cried the Smith, and
he rushed upon the fosming beast, seized
him with an ircl grip, AMI dashed
him on the floor.
Oh. what a terfibli struggle followed
The dog bic fnriously on every side in
frightful manner. His long teeth tore
the arms and thighs Of the heroic smith,
but he would not let him loose, Regard
less 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 esca-
ped-till all were rescued in safety, He
then bung the half strangled beast from
him against the wall, aud dripping with
blood aud yenomous foam, he left the
room, locking the door after him. Some
persons shot the dog through the win.
dows. But oh, merciful God. what will
become o. the brave unfortunate smith,
Weeping and lamentihg the people sur.
rounded bim who had saved their lives
at the expense of their own.
Be quiet, my friends, do not Weep for
me, he said, one must die in order TO save
tho others. Do not thank ma, for have
only performed my duty When | am
dead think Of me With love, and now pray
for me that God viii not let me suffer too
long or too much, will take care that
no further mischief shall occur through
nae, for mast certainly become mad.
He went straight to his workshop, So
eoted strong chain, the heaviest and
hrmest of his whole stock. He then
with bis own hands, welded il upon his
limbs and around the anvil so firmly that
no human power could break it.
There, lis done, said he. after silently
and solemply completing the work.
Now you are secured, and am inoden-
siye as long as live, and you can bring
ma my food. The rest leave to God,
into his hands | commend my spirit
Nothing could save the brave smith,
neither tears, lamentations, nor pra yers.
Madness seized him, aad after nine days
he died, but truly, he died only 20 awake
20 more beautiful and glorious life st
the right hand Of God. lie died, but
his memory will live from generation 10
generation and will be vsnerated to the
end Of time. Search history through
and you will find no action more glorious
aud sublime than the deed Of this simple
smith Of Ragsnbach It's easy for peO-
pie to die like Winkelried for MMtils
Cntius, the high spirited Roman youth
but 10 20 TO sacrifice with the certain
" Of death. and, moreover. being Obhg- |
70 await death so terribly awful, during
long fearful hours and days-that is O