Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1875-09-09
TEE BELL OF ST. JOHNS
BY RUFUS SARGENT.

In a huge and smoky foundry clos
by the wharves in the town of B,
gang Of workmen were getting ready t
cast the large bell of the st. john
cathedral chime. Only all hour more
and they would let the glazing, bubblin:
metal, flowing from the huge furnace
into the mold, which was buried deer
in the black earth close by.
1t was just at evening,and in the gatI
ering twilight the lurid blue flames tina
burst from the tall chimney flashed UNI
earthly CLEANS upon the neighborins
windows and house-tops.
The scene within the foundry was
weird and almost awful. The swarthy
forms of workmen, partly lighted by the
yellow glare, moved like Tartarean shad
ows, and the sooty beams and ponder
GUS chains crossing, half black, half gol-
den, under the glowing roof, recalled
the engines Of the Cyclops under Mt
Etna.
The town clock struck six. 1t was
time for supper. Ali the men threw
down their tools, and ran and put OF
their outer clothing
''Be back in half an hour sharp
cried the forge master. eve shall make
the cast at quarter of seven.
"All right, sir, cried the men in re
spouse.
81 hear some Of the town folks ar,
coming down to see the WORK, sale
one. .-. -.
eyes," said another, "and it'll b.
something to open their eyes. There
was never such bell cast in the Who'll,
State as this one will be. .
In a moment mere only ono workman
and the master were left in the foundry
The former was to stay and watch til
''blast." He had brought double al
lowarce of dinner and he would max
a supper on what remained.
perhaps we can get the Inventor
to stay with you. George" said the mas
ter laughingly, as he prepared to go.
eyes, where is be returned the MAJ
in the same jesting tone.
"He's been round the works Ion!
enough to know when anything goe
wrong Hollo! hollo say! Where
the Inventor?' Come here. All, ther
he is y And in silent answer to tn
summons, a shock-haired fellow, wit
large grey eyes, and pale, vacant face
appeared from behind a pile of casting
He had on his back gray shirt muc
soiled with dust, and he wore a pair c
huge pantaloons, held up by a singl
suspender
'Well, Mopus, 'quoth the man George
Shaping him rather roughly on tn
shoulder, suppose you've got wit {
nough to help yell if anythings the ma,
ter"
The young fellow looked stupid
around and nodded his head.
s'Then sit her and look at that ful
mace, and don't take your eyes off
The poor lad smiled meekly, and di
as he was ordered-just as all obedier
| dog would have laid down to watch hi
owners coat.
A queer fellow was this 'Mopusi
stupid enough in ordinary things to bes
a world of watching, but withal wor
derfully fit to watch afurnace He kne
all the working of the foundry, by VIII;
seemed a sort of brute instinct, thong
really his strange sagacity in this was
remnant of once bright mind.
| If anything happened OF went on
an unusual way, he would always nj
tice it, and say what ought to be don
though he could not tell, perhaps, WI
it ought to be done.
4 Two years before he had been an il
telligent, promising lad. He was Il
son of a designer connected with Il
foundry company, and had always bee
allowed free access to the shops, and
mingle with the men and watch the
work. But one day great lifting'cha
broke, with its load, and iron fragme
struck him on the head, infiicting S
rious wound. From this he partial
recovered, and only partially, for h
reason was impaired. But his natur