The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1876-01-21
M / S Q @ Han o O u 8,
THE BELL OF ST. JOHNS.
by RUFUS SARGENT.

In II huge and smoky foundry, close by
the wharves in the town of B., gang
of workmen were getting reldy to cast the
largest bell of the st. Johns Cathedral
chime. Only an hour more and they
would let the glazing, bubbling metal flow
from the huge furnace into the mould
which was buried deep into the black earth
close by.
1t was just at evening, and in the gath
ing twilight the lurid blue flames had
burst from the top of the tall chimney
and flashed unearthly CLEANS upon the
neighboring windows and housetops.
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 Tartarian shad-
ows, and the sooty beams and ponderous
chains crossing, half black, half golden
under the glowing roof recalled the engine
of the Cyclops under Mt. Etna.
The town clock struck six. 1t was time
for supper. All tie men threw down their
tools and ran ont and put on their outer
clothing.
BE back in half an hour, sharp !" cried
the forge master. 1--WE shall make the
cast at II quarter of seven"
"All right, sir" cried the men in re.
sponse.
~ hear that some of the towns folks
are coming down to see the work." said
one.
YES" said another, "and it'll be some
thing to open their eyes. There was never
such bel! 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 IL double allow.
ance of dinner and he would make sup,
per on what remained.
perhaps we can get the Inventor tc
stay with you, George" said the master
laughing, as he prepared to go.
"Ycs, where is he ?" replied the man, in
the same testing tone.
"IIe's been around the works long enough
to know when anything goes wrong
Hollo hollo! say where's the 'Inven
tor 2 Come here. All, there he is !" And
in silent answer to the summons shock
haired fellow, with large gray eyes and Q
pile of castings. He had on his back
gray shirt, much soiled with dust, and lit
wore pair of huge pantaloons, held by {
single suspender.
well, Mopus," quoth the man George
slapping him rather roughly on the shout
der, suppose you've got wit enough tt
help yell if anything's the matter 2"
The young fellow looked stupid,
around and nodded his head.
"Then sit here and look at the furnace
and don't take your eyes off,"
The poor lad smiled and meekly did Al
he was ordered-just as an obedient dog
would have laid down to watch his own
er's coat.
A queer fellow was this "Mopus;' stu
ped enough in ordinary things to need
world Of watching, but withal wonderful
" fit to watch furnace. He knew al
the working of the foundry, by what seem
ed sort of brute instinct, though reall,
his strange sagacity in this was remnan
of once bright mind.
Ii anything happened or went in an I'm
usual way he would always notice it, ant
say what ought to be done, though Ii
could not tell, perhaps, why it ought to b
done.
Two years before he had been an intel
ligent, promising lad. He was the son 0
q designer connected with the foundr
company, and had always been Above,
free access to the shops and to mingle wit
the men and watch their work. But on
day great lifting-chain broke, with il
load, and an iron fragment struck him o.
the head, lnflicting serious injury. Fror
this he partially recovered, and only pal
tally, for his reason was impaired. Blu
his natural love for machinery and me
chanical experiments remained, and, as Il
regained his bodily strength, he spent mos
of his time making small wheels and shaft
and putting together odd continuance
which lie would exhibit with immens
pride and satisfaction.
This peculiar trait in the young fello
gained for him the humorous title of ii
Inventor" All the men felt a great kline
ness for him, even though their manner t,
ward him was occasionally harsh and in
patient.
Such was the person left to help watc
the great blast for the casting of the kin
bell OF the chime of st. Johns. Faithful
ly he kept his place before the furnac
while the man George sat down at lit
distance and began to eat his SUPPER
Doubtless the latter intended to keep
general oversight, but lie certainly mac
Inventor do the most of the looking
Whether he felt kind of reckless trust
the instinct of his half-wittcd companion