The Manitowoc tribune. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1866-1878, 1875-12-02
'.Hallo. What's this2 What's this?'

the troughs which had led from the
mold. There were traces of the stream
of bronze still running in it. Then the
possible meaning of the iron found in
the injured boys hand flashed upon his
mind
''Bring me shovel, quick" he shout
ed
A spade was put into his hands, and
he began nervously to heave away the
hot mass that lay piled over the bell
mold. 1t was a herculean task, but he
worked like giant, and three OF four of
his men took hold and helped him.
Brick bats, ore, Stag, and ashes flew
in every direction. Presently the mas
ter's spade penetrated the sand and
touched something hard. He stopped
down. Then he leaped up like one half
frantic, and plying his spade with re-
doubled energy, tore away the remain
ing sand, disclosing what looked like a
great metallic ring.
Men" he cried out, raising his flush
eu lace, the Dell Is CflSC.
ssWho did this?" asked every excited
voice, as soon as the cheering diedaway.
''Come with me two or three of you!"
cried the master. 81 think know who
did it. It's miraclel"
They hurried away to the home of the
half-witted boy. The attendant met him
with his finger on his lips.
'GThe poor boy has brain fever" said
he.
"Does he say anything in his deliri-
um % whispered the master.
''Oh, yes, he raves all the time about
the big bell mold. L hope it will fill
1 hope it will fill, he says
The men exchanged glances. 1t was
indeed true. The idiot has cast the
great bell OF ST. Johns. Just then the
physician came out. perhaps he will
recover his reason by this shock and
Sickness he said, 'such things have
happened"
'.Do you think SO? Pray heaven he
may! !" solemnly calculated the master
and his men; and turned away deeply
moved.
Two months later the great bell hung
from huge derrick in the lathe room
OF the factory, and beneath it stood
heavy truck on which it was about to be
lowered. A silence fell upon the group
of workmen as the pale face and feeble
form of ''1nventor" appeared, borne in
on a::snall reclining chair. He had recov-
cred his reason, and was fast getting
back his strength. His large grey eyes
instantly fastened themselves on the bell,
that splendid masterpiece. whose making
meant SO much to him. They had told
him the whole story of the casting, and
the disaster in the foundry, but it all
sounded like a wild romance to him.
81 remember nothing that happened"
said he, shaking his head, with smile.
''It's ali new to me; all new and strange
so strange,''
eyes," said the master, devoutly; 'it
was Gods hand"
Every eye turned upon the invalid.
Some of the men felt almost afraid, it
was so much like resurrection to have
him there among them, the boy they had
known so long unidentified, now young
man, keen and intelligent, as if changed
into another being.
81 should like to strike the bell once;
two merElifted him up and put small
hammer in his hand.
He struck one gentle blow. A deep,
sweet, mournful tone, solemn as the
sound of distant waterfalls, rolled from
the great bell and echoed through the
foundry. Tears filed the eyes of the
rough men as they heard it.
''Ah!' said the master, ''there's hal
leluiah in that and it may well begin
here. Long may this bell praise God
He saved it in the ruins of human
brain. Our furnace is rebuilt, and be-
hold, this dear boy has his reason again!
The bell and the boy shall glorify God
together"
''Amenl" murmured the listeners.
Then the great bell was lowered, and
as the truck was rolled away with its
melodious burden, the boy was lifted
and carried after it, and both went out
into the sunny day together, the rough
men standing in the doorways, waving
their hands.
Little Inventor afterward well prov
ed his claim to the title 50 lightly given
him in his unfortunate boyhood. His
name is now read on many bell whose
matchless riches of tone his genius and
skill in metals alone created.