South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1876-01-14
TIE BELL OF ST. JOHNS.
Br RUFUS sAnoExr.

In huge and smoky foundry close
by the wharves in the town of B, a
gang of workmen were getting ready to
cast the largest bell of the St. Johns
Cathedral chime. Only an hour more
and they would let the glaring, bubbling
metal flow from the huge furnace in the
mould which was buried in the black
earth close by.
/ 1t was just ut evening, and in the gath
ering twilight the lurid blue flames that
burst from the top of the tall chimney
flashed uncarthly 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, sharp cried
the forgemaster. 1--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, land 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
iowance of dinner, and he would make
n supper OF what remained.
! Perhaps we can get the inventor TO
stay with you, George" said the master,
laughing, rs he prepared to go.
Yes, where is hep" returned the man
in the same testing tone.
Hes been around the works long e..
nough to know when anything goes
wrong. Hollo! hollo! | say. Where's
the 'invcntcr?" Come here. All, there
he is. And in silent answer TO the sum.
mons shock haired fellow, with large
grey eyes and pale, vacant face, ap.
/ pearcd from behind pile of castings.
He had on his back gray shirt much
soiled with dust, and he wore pair OF
huge pantaloons, held up by single
suspender.'
eve -Nan"s.n- .,,,~ti. ti.o s-Os.,
Si"Ppn's him "sther roughly on the shout.
. der; suppose you've got wit enough TO
help yell if anythng's the mattcr?''
! The young fellow looked stupidity q.
round and nodded lis head
Then sit here AMI look at that fur
mace, and don't take your eyes OFF,"
The poor lad smiled and meekly did
rs he was ordered, just as an obedient
dog would have laid down to watch his
owners coat.
A queer fellow was this 'Mopus : stu.
pid enough in ordinary things to need a
world Of watching, but withal wonder.
, fully IL 10 watch n furnace. lie knew
all the working of the foundry by what
seemed sort of butte instinct. though
really his strange sagacity in this was n
remnant of once bright mind.
/ If anything happened or went in an
unusual way he would always notice it
and say what ought to be done, though
he could not tell, perhaps, why il ought
to be done.
Two years before he had been an IN.
/ telligent, promising lad. He was the
/ son OF designer connected with the
/ foundry company, and had always been
I allowed free access to the shops, and to
nn5le with the men and watch their
work. But one day great lifting chain
broke, with its load. and an iron frao.
inent struck him on the head, inhictino
a serious injury. From this he partially
recovered and only partially, for lis rea.
son was impaired. But his natural love
Tor machinery and mechanical expert.
ments remained, and rs he reganed his
/ bodily strength he spent most Of his
time ia ma ing small wheels and shafts.
| and putting together odd oontriyances,
which he would exhibit with immense
pride and satisfaction.
This peculiar trait in the young fellow
gained for him the humorous title OF the
Inventor All the men felt great
kindness forhim, even though their man.
ner toward him was occasionally harsh
and impatient.
Such was the person left 10 watch the
great blast for the casting Of the king
bell Of the chime Of Sc. Johns. Faith.
fully he kept his place before the fur.
mace, while the man George sat down M
. 90 --H.-~ ''t'AtAital anu utEAiN ~ Gll iil.
supper. Doubtless the latter intended
TO Keep n general oversight but he Ger.
7 tainly made the inventors eyes do the
most of the looking Whether he felt
/ kind Of reckless trust in the instinct of
his half-witted companion or indolently
/ concluded that nothing wrong wonil
/ happen, he was sadly to blame for char.
ing himself so little with the important
duty before him..
not a word was said by either watch.
CT, and only the deep roar ofthe furnace
was heard through the vast foundry.
George finished his supper, and saun.
tered into one Of the tool shops TO find
his pipe. Inventor sat alone before
the great blast. Tho one rational facul.
IS OF his feeble mind enabled him to
comprehend what it meant. and even