Delaware weekly Republican. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1841-188?, 1857-04-30
THE BLACKSMITH OF RAaENBAoH.


In the principality of Hohenlohe, now a part
Of the kingdom of Wirtemberg, is village cali
cd Ragenbach, where, about twenty years ago,
the Following event took place;
One afternoon In the early autumn, in the tsv-
ern room of Ragenbach several men and women
having assembled from the village, sat at their
ease.
The smith formed one Of the merry company
Ia strong vigorous man, with resolute counte-
nance and daring mien, but also with a good
natured smile on his lips that every one who
saw him admired him. His arms were like bars
Of iron and his fists like forge hammers so that
few could equal him in strength of body.
The smith sat near the door chatting with
one Of his neighbers, when all at once the door
opened, and dog came staggering into the
room, great, powerful beast, with aferocious,
trightful aspect his head hanging down, and
his eyes bloodshot, his lead colored tongue
hanging half way out Of his mouth, and his tail
dropped between his legs. Thus the ferosious
beast entered 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 became deadly
| pale, sprang up and exclaimed, with horrited
voice
ssGood heavens the dog is mad 20
Then rose an cutlery. The room was full OF
men and women, and the foaming beast stood
before the only entrance; no one could pass
| him without being bitten. This increased the
'horrible confusion. All sprang up and shrunk
from the dog with agonizing countenances.-
Who should deliver them from him2 The smith
also stood among them, and as he saw the an
guish of the people, it flashed across his mind
how many of his happy and contented neigh
bors would be made miserable by mad dog
and he formed a 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, and an Reconsideration shone
from the supplemented man.
s'Back ALI" Numbered he with deep strong
voice. sfLet no one stir; for none can vanquish
the beast but II One victim must fall in order
to save all, and will be that victim Twill hold
the brute, and whilst do so, make your es
cape.''
The smith had scarcely spoken these words
| when the dog started toward the shriekingpeo-
| pie. But he went not far. ssWith Gods help u
cried the smith, and he rushed on the foaming
beast seized him with an iron grasp and dashed
him to the floor. A terrible struggle followed.
The dog bit furiously on every side in fright
full 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 with an iron grasp, the swapping,
bowling brute till all had escapedl-till all
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 then shot the dog through the
windows.
Weeping and lamentng, the people surround
ed him who had saved their lives, at the ex-
pense of his own. ssBe quiet, do not weep for
me-" he said, some must die in order to save
the others. Do not thank me. l have only
performed my duty. When am dead, think
OF me with love, and now pray for me, that
God may not let me suffer too long and too
much. will take care that no further mischief
shall occur through me for must certainly be-
come mad" He went straight to his work
shop and selected a strong chain, the heaviest
and flrmest from his whole stock. He then,
with his own hands, welded it upon his own
limbs and around the anvil firmly. "There, p
said he, ''it's done,'' after having silently and
solemnly completed the work. SHOW you are
you are secure, and l am inoffensive. So long
as live bring me my food. The rest leave
to God; into his hands l commend my spirit
Nothing could save the brave smith, neither
tears, lamentations nor prayers. Madness sez-
ed him and after nine days he died. He died
but his memory will live from generation to
generation, and will be venerated to the end Of
time. Search history through and you will moi
lind an action more glorious and sublime than
the deed of this supplemented man, the smith
of Ragenbach.