Louisiana capitolian., 1879-08-16

tcnance and daring meln, but With such
good natured smile on his lips that
every one who saw him admired him.
His arms were like bars of iron and his
fist like forge-hammer, so that few
could equal him in strength Of body.
The smith sat near the door chatting
with one of his nelghbors, when all Mt
once the door opened, and dog came
staggering into the room, a great, pow
erfnl beast, with q friyhtful aspect; his
head hanging down, his eyes blood shot,
his lead-colored tongue hanging half
way out of his mouth, and his tail drop
ped between his legs. Thus the fero-
cions beast entered the room, out of
which there was no escape except by
one door. Scarcely had the smiths
ncighbor who was bar-keeper of the
house, seen the animal than he became
deadly pale, sprang ,tp and exclaimed
in a Mortified voice:
Good heavens tho dog is mad
Then arose terrible outcry. The
room was full of men and women, and
the foaming beast stood before the only
entrance--no one could leave without
passing him. He snapped savagely
right and left--no one could pass him
without being bitten. This increased
the fearful conclusion. With horror
depicted on their countenances, all
sprang mp and shrank from tho dog. Who
will deliver them from him 2 The smith
also stood among them, and as he saw
the anguish Of the people, it flashed
across his mind how many Of his happy
and contented neighbors might be made
miserable by mad dog, and he formed
d resolution, the like of which is scarcely
to be found in the history Of the human
race. for noble self-deyotiOn.
Back all = thundered he in deep,
strong voice. Let no one stir, for 10
one can vanqulsh tho beast but mo !!
One victim must fall in order to save
the rest; l will lhold the brute, and
while do SO, make your escape
The smith had scarcely spoken these
words when the dog started towards the
shrieking people. But he went not far.
with Gods help cried the smith, and
he rushed upon tho foaming beast, seiz-
ed him with an iron grasp, and dashed
him to the floor. A terrible struggle
followed. The dog bit furiously on
every side in frightening manner, his
long teeth tore the thighs of the heroic
smith, but he would not let him loose.
Regardless alike Of the excessive pain
and the horrible death that might cnsue,
ho held down with an iron grasp the
swapping, bowling beast until all had
escaped.
He then threw tho half-strangled beast
from him against the wall, and dripping
with blood and venomous foam, he left
the room, locking the door after him.
Some persons then shot the dog through
the windows. Weeping and lamenting,
the people surrounded him who had
saved their lives at the expense of his
| own.
BE quiet, do not weep for me- he
said; 'onc must die in order to save the
others. Do not thank me. i have only
performed my duty. When am dead
think of me with love, and now pray
for me that God will not let Inc suffer
long or too much. | will take care that
no further mischief shall occur through
me, for l must certainly become mad
He went straight to his workshop and
selected a strong chain, the heaviest and
firmest from his whole stock; then with
his own hands, welded it upon his limbs
and around the anvil firmly.
There he said, lit is DONE after hay
ing silently and solemnly completed the
work. Now yon are secured and l am
inoffensive. So long as I live bring me
my food. The rest leave to God; into
his hands l contide my spirit
Nothing could save the brave smith;
neither tears, lamentations nor prayers.
Madness seized him, and after nine days
he died. He died, but his memory will
live from generation to generation, and
| will be venerated to the end of time
Search history through, and you will
not find an action more glorious and
sublime than the deed Of this simple
minded mantle smith or Ragcnbach.