The Manitowoc tribune. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1866-1878, 1875-12-02
THE BELL OF ST. JOHNS.
BY RUFUS SARGENT.

oI 3hSC % oAisSIENls
In huge and smoky foundry close
by the wharves in the town of B--s
gang of workmen were getting ready to
cast the largest bell of st. Johns Cathe
drai chime. Only an hour more, and
they would let the glaring, bubbline
metal flow from the huge furnace into
the mold which was buried deep in the
black earth near by.
1t was just evening, and in the gath
ering twilight the lurid blue flames that
burst from the top of the tall chimney
flashed rnearthly CLEANS upon the neigh
boring windows and house tops.
The scene within the foundry was
weird and almost aweful The swarthy
forms of the workmen, partly lighted by
the yellow glare, moved about ike 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.
Etna.
The town clock struck six It 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 forgemaster. "We shall make
the cast at a quarter of seven"
"All right, sir p cried the men in re-
sponse.
ST hear some of the town folks are
coming down to see the work, " said one.
eyes" said another, "and it will be
something to open their eyes. There
was never such bell cast in the whole
otate 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 8
supper of what remained.
perhaps we can get the inventor to
stay with you, George ?'' said the maste,
laughing, as he prepared to go.
Eyes, where is he % returned the man
in the same jesting tone.
"He's been around the works long
enough to know when anything goes
wrong. Hollo hollo (! I say Where's
the inventor? Come here. Ah, there
he is" And in silent answer to the sum
mons shock-haired fellow, with large
grey eyes, and pale, vacant face, ap-
peared from behind a pile of castings.
He had on his back a grey shirt, much
soiled with dust, and he wore pair OF
huge pantaloons held up by single
suspender.
"Well, Mopus," quoth the man
George, slapping him rather roughly on
the shoulder; suppose you've got wit
enough to help yell if anything's the
matter?' @
The young fellow looked stupidity
around and nodded bis head.
Then sit here and look at that fur.
mace, and don't take your eyes off,
The poor lad smiled and meekly did as
he was ordered, just as an obedient dog
would have laid down to watch his ow-
ner's coat.
A queer fellow was this "Mopus;'
stupid enough in ordinary things to need
world of watching, but withal wonder
fully fit to watch furnace. He knew
oil fbo xrorb;no, Of tla fo,,n3rr h., who,
seemed a sort of brute instinct, though
really his strange sagacity in this was 6
remnant of a once bright mind.
If anything happened or went in al
unusual way he would always notice it
and say what ought to be done, though
he could not tell, perhaps, why it ought
to be done
Two years before he had been an in
telligent, promising lad He was the
son of a designer connected with tn,
foundry company, and had always beer
| allowed free access to the shops, and t.
mingle with the men and watch thei
work. But one day a great lifting chail
broke, with its load, and an iron frag
| ment struck him on the head, inficting
serious injury. From this he PARTIAL,
recovered, and only partially, for hi
reason was impaired. But his natura
love for machinery and mechanical ex
periments remained, and as he regaine,
MS bodily strength he spent most of hi
time making wheels and shafts, and put
ting together odd contrivances, which b
would exhibit with immense pride an,
satisfaction.
This peculiar trait in the young fello'
gained for him the humorous title of th
Inventor. All the men felt grea
kindness for him, even though thei
manner toward him was occasionall
harsh and impatient.