The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1875-11-19
THE BELL or ST. JOHNS.
NJ RUFUS SARGENT.

81 hAfl- hNE
In a huge and smoky foundry close
hv the wharves in the town 81 B
gang II workmen were getting ready 10
east the largest bell Of the II. Johns
Cathedral chime. Only an hour more.
and theg would let the giaring. bubbling
metal flow from the huge furnace into
the mold which was buried deep in the
black earth close hv.
Ii wa> Just az evening. and in the
gathering twilight the lurid blue flames
that burst from the top II the tall CHM
ney flashed unearthly CLEANS upon the
neighhorinE windows and house tops.
The scene within the foundry was
weird amt almost awful. The swarthv
forms of the worSmen. partly lighted
by the yellow glare, moved about ike
Tartarian shades, and the sootv beams
and ponderous chains crossing half
black. half golden, under the golden
roof. recalled the engines ~ CyclOps
under Nj. EIna.
The town clock struck six. II was
time for supper. All the men threw
down their tools. and ran and put on
their outer clothing.
BE back in half an hour. ,harpi''
cried the forgemaster. I'VE shall
make the east A a quarter II seven"
An right. sir.- cried the men in re-
Spouse.
81 hear some Of the town folks are
coming down TO see the work. said
one.
YES" said another. ..and it'll be
something 70 open their ewes. There
WAS never such a bell cast in the whole
State a, this one Will be-"
In a moment more only one workman
and the master were left in the foundry.
The former was to stay and watch the
blast He had brought a double al
lowance % dinner. and ne would make
a supper OF what remained.
perhaps we can get the inventor
10 STAY with you. George" said the
master. laughing. a. he prepared to go
"Ye>. where l. hep" returned the
man in the same testing tone.
-He's been around the works long
enough to know when any thing goes
wrong HOllo, hollo, | say, Where's
the inventor?' Come here. All, there
he - And in silent answer to the
a shock-haired fellow. with
RI -AA=N -A1N U.s. AAA u HAAfs 4 latLG-
appeared from behind a pile IF castings.
He had on his back a gray shirt. much
soiled with dust. and Ne wore n pair of
huge Pantalcons. held up by a single
spSpender.
swell Mopus." quoth the man
George, s.aI ping him rather roughly on
the shoulder: suppose you've got wit
enough 70 help yen II any things the
natter"
The young fellow looked stupidity
around aud nodded his head.
Then I'll here and look AT that fur
mace. and don't take your eyes off,
The poor lad smiled. and meckly did
n he was ordered, Just a. an obedient
dog would have laid down Il watch his
owner, coat.
A queer fellow was this s.Mopus -
stupid enough in ordinary things to need
a world Of watching. but withal Won
derfully tit 10 watch a furnace. He
knew Al the working Of the foundry by
wha- seemed a sort of brute instinct,
though really his strange sagacity inthis
was a remnant IF a Once bright mind.
II any thing happened or went in Al
unusual WAY be would always notice Il.
and say what ought Ia be done. though
he could not tell. perhaps, why il ought
10 be- done.
Two rear, before b. had been an in
telligeut. promising lad. He was the
son ~ a designer connected with the
foundry company. aud had Away been
allowed free access % the shops. and TO
niugle with the men and watch their
work. But one day a great lifting chain
broke, with it, load. and an iron frag-
ment struck him On the head. intlicting
a serious injury. From this he partial
~ recovered. and only partially, for his
reason was impaired. But his natural
love Tor machinery and mechanical eN-
perinfent- remained. aud As he regained
his bodily strength he spent most II his
time making small wheels and shafts,
and putting together odd contriyances.
which ne would exhibit with immense
prid, and satisfaction.
The peculiar trait in the young fellow
gained for him the humorous title ofthe
" Inventor" All the men felt a great
Kindness for him. even though their
manner toward him wa occasionally
harsh and impatient
Such was the person left to help
watch he great blast for the casting Of
the kiEg bell a the chime of IT. Johns.
Faithfully b. kept his place before the
furnace, while the man George sat down