Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1869-08-07
The Blacksmith Of Resenbaeb. h.
One afternoon some twenty wears s.

there were seated in the public room oi
The tavern many men and women Of Re
eenbach. engaged IN quietly chatting with
! each other. The blacksmith was also
sitting in The cheerful crowd: a stout.
robust man. with . very determined face
and brave look, but at the same time with
such pleasant smile upon his lips, thai
every one who saw him was obliged 10
love him. Ills arms were like bars Of
iron. and his fists like s.etge hammers.
There were few men Who we're equal Ia
him in bodily strength Suddenly The
door spr,ng open aud . great dog came
staggering into the room he held hIs
head down with his drt sdful burning red
eyes, his mouth was opon wide, his lead
colored tongue was hanging out snd his
/ tail squeezed be,ueen his hind legs
! Scarcely had the blscksmiIh's ncighbur,
| il was the barber oil the place, seen the
animal, when spTinging Up he cried oui
in a voice OF terror LORD Jesus have
mercy upon Us. People the dog Is
mad -
The room was nearly full Of men ami
women. and tie mad animal stood in the
front of the only door, so thai no one
could pass him without being bitten
Then there was an agoniziug scream OF
terror! Who could protect them from
him Then the Blacksmith arose, snd
determined to DO that which has scarcely
IFS like in msgnanimily and nohlencss IN
tue whole of history. Back al OF
you - he ihund,Ied with his deep, pow
crfui voice. There must he some one
sacrificed, and will offer myself. sm 90
/ ine TO seize him. and while DO 1t, fly the
/ whole Of you - The blacksmith had
scarcely spoken these words. wien the
/ brute sprane forward towards the shrek
! ing human mass. Nov, with Gods
help :" cried the blacksmith, and imme.
diately he lesped upon the raging anlmsl,
seizng hlm with his giant aims, and
threw him upon the nOor.
Oh but that was fearful, horrible
struggle thsiloilowed The dog bI at
him Gercely and struggled with groaus
and dull hows. Ills long teeth tore the
arms and thighs Of the crea,-souled black
smith, but ihe latter cid no, relax hls
grasp. lie held the swapping, biting,
bowling brute down until oil bad ncd---
all were 10 safety excep. himself. Then
he hurled the half slranged brute away
from him against the wall, and dripping
with blood covered with the poisonous
saliva. he lclt the room and closed the
door behind him. The dog was killed
by shot through tho window. Bot what
could be done for the unfortunate, bravo
/ blacksmith !
The weeping and woillng people whom
he had saved at the expense Of his own
life, surrounded him. "Bc quiet, men;
don't weep for me women and children. q"
he said. "Onc was obliged 10 die in or.
der TO save the others. Wnen am dead
remember me in love /; and pray for me
now that God may keep me from much
| suGAS.-.-. -b-. ls--,.,ai eIv a. q earn tina
no further harm be done by me, as II r.
. certain that shall be attacked by the di-
sesse." And he went right away To hIs
shop and there sought for heavy chains.
the heaviest aud strongest in his stock
then he kinded his FIRE and worked bis
! DelIOWb UulH HIe CHdIbo "V'V "H'U ho''
and with his own hands he fastened him
self hands and fee, 10 his anvil. which no
human strength could tear away from tho
ground, no more than human strength
could break The chains. There, now
its Gone,' he said, alter he had compile
ted his work in silence end earucstness
"now you are sll safe and am hsrmlcss.
As long as ! am alive bring to me food
the rest leave TO God. Into His hands
commend my spirit" Nothing could
save the brave blacksmith. not weeping.
not pity, not even prayers. The disease
seized hm-al'er rine days he must do
but in truth he be died only TO awake
before the throne Of God 10 n more beau.
ulul. sRG more glorious life.