Republican vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1857, 1857-03-28
THE SMITH OF RiGENBACH.
A TRUE AND THRILLING INCIDENT.


where about twenty years ago, the following
heart-rending, but also heroic event took
place:
One afternoon in the early spring or au-
t,lmn, my kind informant did not know
which, in the tavern room OF Ragenbach,
several men and women having assembled
from the village, sat at their ease, none an
ticipating what would happen on that event.
full day The Smith formed one of the mer-
iry company strong, vigorous man with a
resolute countenance and daring meln, but
also with good natured smile upon his lips
that every one who saw him admired him.
Every evil disposed person Stunned him, for
the 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 arr,s were like bars of iron,
and his fists like forge hammers, 50 that few
could equal him in strength of body.
The brave smith sat near the door chat
ting with one of his neighbors, l know not
of what all at once the door sprang opea
and large dog came staggering into the
room, great, strong, powerful, beast, with
ferocious, frightfnl aspect his head was
hanging down and his eyes blood-shot, his
lead -colored tongue hanging out, half way
out of his open mouth, and his tail dropped
between his legs Thus the ferocious beast
entered the room out of which there was no
way of escape except by the door. Scarcely
had the smiths neighbor, who was the bath
keeper of the place, seen the animal, when
he became deadly pale ; springing Up he ex-
claimed with horrid voice, Good heaven,
the dog is mad y
Then arose the cutlery. The room was
full of men aud women, and the foaming
beast stood before the entrance no one
could leave without passing him He snap
pee savagely right and left, and no one
could pass without being bitten This in
creased the horrible confusion. All rose up
and shrank from the furious dog with ago
nizing CONTINGENCIES What should deliver
them from him? The smith also stood among
them, and he saw the anguish of the people.
it flashed across his mind many of his happy
and contented neiehbors would be made mis-
cradle bv the bite Of mad dog, and he FORM
ed resolution the like of which is scarcely
to be found in the history of the human race,
for high mindedness & nobleness Certain
ly his brown check paled little, but his eyes
sparkled with divine fire, and an elevated
resolution shone from the brow of the simple
minded man
"Baek ALL Numbered he with his deep
strong voice. '1.et none stir, for none car
yanquish the beast but one victim mus
fall in order to save all, and | will be thai
victim I will hold the brute, and while
do so make your escape"
The smith had scarcely spoken these words,
when the dog started towards the shriekine
people. But he went not far with Gods
help cried the smith, and he rushed upon
the foaning beast, seized him in an iron
grip and dashed him on the floor
Oh, what terrible struggle followed =
The dog bit furiously on every side in Q
frightful 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 horrible death
which must ensue. he held down with an
iron grasp, the swapping, biting. bowling
brute, until all had escaped-till all were
rescued in safety He then flung the half
strangled brute against the wall and drip.
ping with blood and venomous foam, he left
the room. locking the door after him Some
persons shot the dog through the window.
But oh, merciful God what will become OF
the brave smith
''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 mis-
chief may occur through me, for / must GER
tainly 60 mad"
He went straight to his workshop. selected
strong chain, the heaviest and iirmest of
his stock He then with his own hands,
welded it upon his limbs and around the an
vii so firmly that no human power could
break it.
There, It's DONE" said he. after silently
and solemnly completing his work. "Now
you are secured, and | am unoffensive as
long as / live, and you can bring me my
food. The rest | leave to God, into His
hands | commit my spirit.
Nothing could save the brave smith, nei-
Their tears, lamentations, nor prayers. Mad
ness seized him. and after nine days he died,
but truly he died to awake to the more beau
tiful and glorious life at the right hand of
God. He died. but his memory will live
from generation to generation, and shall be
ivenerated to the end of time
Search history through and you will find
no action so glorious and sublime as the deed
of this simple smith of Ragenbach. 1t is
.oasy for people to die like Wilklereid or
Martina Curtis, the high spirited Roman
youth-but to go to sacrifice with the GER
tainty of death, and moreover be oblis Led to
await death 50 terribly awful, during long
fearful hours and days-that is to die not
once but a thousand times And such a
death as that of the smith of Ragcnbach. -
Such sacrifice the smith of Ragenbach
made to save his neighbors May his men,
cry ever be red.-PraetieM Christian.
Who Is Entitled to H.-Gcn. jackson
left gold snuff-box to the city of N. York to
be bestowed upon the most valiant in defend
ing his countrys rights and it has been a