American citizen. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1864-1890, 1869-05-22
sflisttllaneons,
The Heroic Blacksmith.

He who inclines to boast of his
yalor or self-denial-leth him read of
the humble blacksmith of Regen-
bach:
One afternoon some twenty years
ago there were seated in the public
room of the tavern many men and
women of Regenbach, engaged in
quietly chatting with each other. The
blacksmith also was sitting in the
cheerful crowd; robust man, with
a very determined face and brave
look, but at the same time with such
a pleasant smile upon his lips that
every one who saw him was obliged
to love him. His arms were like
bars of iron, and his fists like sledge
hammers. There were few men who
were equal to him in bodily strength
Suddenly the door sprang open and
a great dog came staggering into the
room; he held his head down, with
his dreadful, burning red eyes, his
mouth was open wide, his lead color
ed tongue was hanging out, and
his tail Was sqeezed between his
hind legs. Scarcely had the black
smiths neighbor, it was the barber
of the place, seen the animal, when
springing up he cried out in q voice
of terror
"Lord Jesus, have mercy upon us
People! the dog is mad!
The room was nearly full Of mel
and women, and the mad anima
stood in front of the only door, sC
that no one could pass him without
. being bitten. Then there was an ag
onizing scream of terror! Who cOulC
protect them from him? Then th'
blacksmith arose, and determined t,
do that which has scarcely its like il
magnanimity and nObleness in tn
whole of history.
"Back! all of your he thundere,
with hisdeep, powerfulvoice. Their
must be some one sacrificed, and
will offer myself. | am going t
seize him, and while | do it, fly til
e whole your' The blacksmith ha
:. scarcely spoken these words, whe
# the brute sprang forward toward
e the shrieking human mass. "Nov
= with. Gods helpr' cried the blacl
smith, and Immediately he leape
upon the raging animal, seiZing hi
with his giant arms, and threw hi
upon the floor.
Oh! but that was fearful, hOr1
BILE struggle that followed The dc
bit at him fiercely and struggle
with groans and dull howls. His lor
teeth tore the arms and thighs of IL
great -souled blacksmith, but the la
ter did not relax his grasp. He he
the swapping, biting, hoNling bru
down until all had fieI-all were sat
excent himself. Then lie hurled Il
; half strangled brute away from hi
against the wall and dripping vi
blood, covered with the pcisono
saliva, he left the room and clos
the door behind him. The dog W
killed by shot through the windo
But what could be dOtie for the Il
fortune, brave blacksmith
The weeping, wailing people, ,whc
d he slved at the expense OF his ON
life, surrounded him.
g. " Be quiet, men; don't weep
IS me, women and children" he sa
to . One was obliged to die in order
p, save the others. When | am dea
.r rem, mber me in love; pray f I
d now that God may keep me fro
g much suffering. But | must II,
ns take care that 10 further harm
ID done by me, as it is certain that
shall be attacked by the disease
in lie went right away to his sh
and there sought for heavy chail
the heaviest and strongest in
stock then he kiHdled his fire Il
worked his bellows until his chai
: were white hot, and with his o.
= hands lie fastened himself hands a
in feet to his anvil, which no hum
4. strength could tear away from
ground, nomorc than human strens
, could break the chains.
"1hcrc, now its done" lie said,
d, ter he had completed his work in
sh lencc and earneStneSS "nOw y
are all safe and am harmless.
long as | am alive bring NE foe
.. the rest | leave to God. Into
,ee. hands | commit my spirit"
r Nothing could save the brave m