The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1875-09-15
THE BELL OF ST. JOHNS.
BY RUFUS SARGENT.

clOSe ny tne WnaTNeS III lno kOWu Ol |
b, a gang of workmen were get
ting ready to cast the largest bell of
the st. Johns cathedral chime. Only |
an hour more, aud they would let the
glaring, bubbling metal, flowing from
the huge furnace, into the mold which |
was buried deep in the black earth |
close by.
1t was just at evening, and in the
gathering twilight the lurid blue
flames that burst from the top of the
tall chimney, flashed unearthly CLEANS
upon the neighboriug 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
Tartarean shadows, and the sooty
beams and ponderous chains crossing,
half black half golden, under the
glowing roof, recalled the engines Of
the Cyclops under Mt. Etna.
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 sharp!"
cried the forge-master "We shall
make the cast at a quarter of seven."
"All right, sir!" cried the men in
RESPONSE.
al 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 q moment more only one work
man and the master were left in the
foundry. The former was to stay and
watch the "blast." He had brought
a double allowance of dinner, and he
would make supper on what remain
cd. CA oDB yts
Perhaps we can get the Inventor
to stay with you, George" said the
, master, laughingly, as he prepared to
go.
Eyes, where is he.?" returned the
man, in the same jesting tone.
Hes been round the works long
enough to know when anything goes
wrong. Hollo hollol say! Where's
the 'Inventory Come here. Ah, there
he is !" And in silent answer to the
summons, shock haired fellow, with
large gray eyes, and pale, vacant
face, appeared from behind pile O.
castings. lie had on his back gray
shirt much soiled with dust, and h,
wore pair of huge pantaloons, hello
up by single suspender.
well, Mopus," quoth the mar
George, slapping him rather roughl,
on the shoulder, suppose you've go
wit enough to help yell if anything
the matter?"
The young fellow looked stupid,
around and nodded his head.
Then sit here and look at that fur
mace, and don't take your eyes of"
The poor lad smiled, and meekl,
did as he was ordered just as an oil
obedient dog would have laid down t
watch his owners coat.
A queer fellow was this "Mopus !;
stupid enough in ordinary things G
need world of watching, but witha
y wonderfully fit to watch a furnace. II
knew all the working of the foundry
by what seemed sort of brute in
stinct, though really his strange sagac
4. ty in this was a remnant of ono
bright mind.
If anything happened, or vent o
:, in an unusual way, he would alway
I" notice it, and say what ought to b
done, though he could not tell, pei
haps, why it ought to be done,
Two years before, he had been a
h intelligent, promising lad. lie wa
e. the son of designer connected wit
m the foundry company, and had alway
10 10 been allowed free access to the shops
Il and to mingle with the men and waite
r their work. But one day a great lifl
r ing chain broke, with its load, and a
iron fragment struck him on the heat
inAicting dangerous injury. Frol
this he partially recovered, and Onl
partially, for his reason was impairet
But his natural love for machiner
oe and mechanical experiments remainet
and as he regained his bodily strength
he spent most of his time maxim
nv small wheels and shafts, and putin
-" together odd contrivances, which /
would exhibit with immense pride an
satisfaction.
This peculiar trait in the young fe
low gained for him the humorous tit
of the "Inventor. All the men fe
a great kindness for him, even thoug
their manner toward him was occ
sioLally harsh and impatient.
Z Such was the person left TO he
= | ..ntoL A. o..nnl hlncf E,r Tho 90 uf L