Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1876-01-03
The Bell Of st. Johns.

d
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, bub-
bling metal flow 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 flames that
burst from the top of the tall chimney,
flashed unearthly CLEANS upon the neigh
boring windows and house-tOps.
The scene within the foundry was
weird and almost awful. The swarthy
ferns 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 glowing roof, re-
called the engines of the CyclOps under
Mt. Etra.
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 7"
cried the fOrgemaster. 1--WE shall make
the cast at quarter of seven "
"All right, sir!" cried the men in
response.
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 OILY 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
a supper on that.
Perhaps we can get the "Inventor"
to stay with you, George" said the mas
ter, laughingly, as he prepared to 60.
"Yes, where is hep" returned the
man in the same jesting tone.
He's been round the works long
enough to know when anything goes
wrong Hallol halo say Where
the Inventor ?" Come here. All,
there he is ~ And in silent answer to
the summons, shock haired fellow, with
large gray eyes, and pale, vacant face,
/ appeared from behind a pile OF castings.
He had on his back gray shirt, much
soiled with dust, and he wore a pair Of
huge pantalOOns, held up by single
suspender.
"WeE, MOpus-" quOth the man
George, slapping him rather roughly Oh
the shoulder; suppose you've got wit
enough to help yell if anything's the
matter p
The young fellow looked stupidity
around and nodded his head
Then sit here and look at that fur
mace and don't take your eyes off,
The poor lad smiled and meekly die
as he was ordered-iust as an obedien
dog would have laid down to watch hi
owners coat.
A queer fellow was this 'Mopus ;
stupid enough in ordinary things t.
need world of watching, but witha
wonderfully fit to watch a furnace. HI
knew all the working of the foundry, b,
what seemed sort of brute instinct
: though really his strange sagacity IL
this was a remnant of once brigh
| mind.
/ If anything happened or went in al
unusual way, he would always notice it
E and say what ought to be done, thoug
! he could not tell, perhaps, why it Ough
, to be done.
Two years before, he had been an in
] telligent, promising lad. He was th
+ son of designer connected with tn
foundry company, and had always bee
allowed free access to the shops, and t
{ mingle with the men and watch thei
, work. But one day great lifting chai
y broke, with Its load, and an iron frae
i ment struck him on the head. inhictin
IS a serious injury. From this he partia
ly recovered, but only partially, for hi
! reason was impaired. But his natur'
It love for machinery and mechanical e.
periments remained, and as he regaine
t. his bodily strength, he spent most
!. . his time making small wheels an
! shafts, and putting together odd col
/. trivances, which he would exhibit wit
immense pride and satisfaction.
This peculiar trait in the young fe
low gained for him the humorous tit
- of the Inventor" All the men felt
great kindness for him, even thOul
their manner toward him was occasio
!; ally harsh and inpatient.
Such was the person left to wat
the great blast for the casting Of q
king bell of the chime Of St Johns
Faithfully be kept bis place before &
furnace, and while the man George 5
-, down at little distance and began
(. eat his supper. Doubtless the latter
Il. tended to keep general oversight b
be he certainly made the inventors eyes
ID most Of the looking. Whether be felt