The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1875-09-15

tnaO the men, OF course 1elJ the loss
more keeuIy than they. He almost
wept with mingled grief and rage
Suddenly something peculiar caught
his eye among the Gebris, and he cried
in startled voice;
"Hallo What's this E? What's this ?"
He snatched up fragment of one
of. the troughs which had led from the
furnace to the mold There were
traces of the stream Of bronze still
running in it. Then the possible
meaning of the iron found in the in
jured boys hand flashed upon him
Bring me a shovel, quick! !" he
shouted.
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 herculean task, but
he worked like giant, and three or
four of his men took hold and helped
him.
Brick bats, ore, Stag and ashes flew
in every direction Presently the
masters spade penetrated the sand
anil touched something hard. He
stnoped down. Then he leaped up
like one half frantic, and, plying his
spade with redoubled energy, tore
away the remaining sand, disclosing
what looked like great metallic ring.
"Men," he cried out, lifting his
flushed face, "the bell is castr'
"Who did this?" asked every ex.
cited voice, as soon as the cheering
died away.
"Come with me, two or three Of
you'll" cried the master. 81 think
know who did it. It's a miracle!"
They hurried away to the home of
the half.witted boy. The attendant
, met them with her finger on her lips.
"rhe poor lad is in brain fever,
she said.
Does he say anything in his delir-
ium ?" whispered the master.
20, yes he raves all the time about
! the big bell. mold. Il hope it will FL
= i hope it will fill he says"
The men exchanged glances. 1t was
indeed true. The idiot had cast the
great bell Of St. Johns. just then the
physician came out. perhaps he vii
u recover his reason by this shock anC
:. sickness" he said. "Such things have
! happened"
"Do you think so? Pray Heaven HI
may!" solennly CALCULATED the mas
. ter and his men; and they turned
;. away, deeply moved,
- Two months later the great bel
. hung from huge derrick in the lathe
room of the factory, and beneath
! stood heavy truck upon which it wa
r. about to be lowered A silence. fel
u !. upon the group of workmen as tn
u pale face and feeble form Of "Invent
70 or" appeared, borne in on a small sof
reclining chair. He had recovere'
y his reason, and was fast getting bacI
his strength. His large gray eyes in
1T stantly fastened themselves on the bel
r that splendid masterpiece, whose max
D. ing meant so much to him. They ha
1T told him the whole story of the cast
rs ing, and the disaster in the foundry
ne but it all sounded like wild Iomanc
"a to him.
u u II remember nothing that happer
~ ed, said he, shaking his head with
smile. "It's all new to me, all ne
e. and strange--so strange!
is EYES," said the master, devout',
I'd sit was Gods hand"
IS Every eye was turned upon the il
I'd valid. Some os the men felt almoI
~ afraid, it was so much like resurre,
Id tion to have him there among then
e. the boy they had known SO long vi
I'd derwitted, now young man keen an
~ intelligent, as if changed into anothC
is being.
H. 81 should like to strike the be
r. once" said he. Two men lifted hi
as up and put small hammer in h
tn hand.
He struck one gentle blow. A dee
et sweet, mournfuLtone. solemn as tt
,r. sound of distant waterfalls, role
es from the great bell and echoed throug
ad the foundry Tears filled the eyes
N, the rough men as they heard it.
Mt "Ah." said the master, there's
If, halelujah in that, and it may as we
nd begin here. Long may this bell prai
ng God He saved it in the ruins of q
furnace by one wise thought in Il
en- ruins of a human brain. Our turna'
lis is rebuilt, aud behold, this dear be
ID, has his reason again. The bell al
ed the boy shall glorify God together
"Amenl" murmured all the liste
ds ers.
a Then the great bell was lowere
.er and as the truck rolled away with
ye, melodious burden, the boy was lift'
g and carried after it, and both we
out into the sunny day together, Il
q rnugh mon standing in the door. WAY