Dodgeville chronicle. [volume] (Dodgeville, Wis.) 1862-current, 1875-11-12
THE BELL OF ST. JOHNS.
BY RUFUS SARGENT.

In huge and smoky foundry, close by
the wharves in the town OF B., gang
of workmen were getting ready to cast
the largest bell of the St. Johns Cathe-
dral chime. Only an hour more and they
would let the glazing, bubbling metal
flow from the huge furnace into the mold
which was buried deep in the black earth
close by.
1t was lust at evening, and in the gath
ering twilight the lurid blue flames that
burst from the top of the tall chimney
flashed unearthly CLEANS upon the neigh
boring windows and house-tops.
The scene within the foundry was
weird and almost awful. The swarthy
forms of the workmen, partly lighted by
the yellow glare, moved about like Tar
tartan shades, and the sooty beams and
ponderous chains, crossing, half black,
half golden, under the golden roof, re-
called the engines of Cyclops under Mt.
Ktna.
The town clock struck six 1t 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, sharpn'
cried the forge-master. "We shall make
the cast at a quarter of seven"
"All right, sir!" cried the men in re-
spouse.
Il hear some of the town-folks are
coming down to see the work." said one
yes" said another, and it'll be
something to open their eyes. There was
never such bell cast in the whole State
| as this one will be-"
In 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 double al
| lowance of dinner, and he would make q
supper of what remained.
tsPerhaps we can get the Inventor tC
stay with you, George" said the master
laughing, as he prepared to go.
| eyes, where is he 20 returned the man
in the same jesting tone.
"He's been around the works long
| enough to know when anything goes
/ wrong. Halo! halo! / say! Where Is
the Inventor? Come here. All, there
he is" And in silent answer to the sum
mons shock haired fellow, with large
gray eyes, and a pale, vacant face, APP
4 peared from behind pile of castings
| He had on his back gray shirt, much
soiled with dust, and he wore pair o.
huge pantaloons, held up by single
suspender
"WelL Mopus," quoth the man George
! slapping him rather roughly on the shoul
! der, F." suppose you've got wit enough tc
! help yell if anything's the matter?n
The young fellow looked stupidity aroune
and nodded his head. ssges
"Then sit here and look at that furnace
/ and don't take your eyes off,
The poor lad smiled and meekly did al
he was ordered, just as an obedient dos
would have laid down to watch his owner!
coat.
A queer fellow was this Mepus; ,
stupid enough in ordinary things to neeC
world of watching, but witha1 wonder
j fully fit to watch furnace. He knew
all the working of the foundry by wha
seemed a sort of brute instinct, though
really his strange sagacity in this was ;
remnant of a once bright mind.
If anything happened or went in an I'm
usual way he would always notice it anC
say what ought to be done, though h
could not tell, perhaps, why it ought t
| be done.
Two years before he had been an intel
/ ligent, promising lad. He was the son o
designer connected with the foundr
company and had always been allowed
free access to the shops and to mingl
with the men and watch their work, Blu