Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1879-08-17
had returned to his pastoral pursuits in
the mountains Of Trinity
San Francisco A9'UOnaut.
The Blacksmith Of Ragenbach.


In the principality Of Hohenlohe, now
a part OF the kingdom of Wiltemberg, is
a village called Ragenbach, where, about
twenty years ago, the following event
took place: One afternoon in early au-
tumn, in the tavern-room of the Ragen-
bach, several men and women, assembled
from the village, sat at their ease. The
Smith formed one of the merry company
he was strong man, with resolute
countenance and daring mien, but with
such good natured smile on his lips
that everyone that saw him admired him.
HIS arms We're like bars of iron and his
fist like a forge-hammer, so that few
could equal him in strength Of body.
The smith sat near the door chatting
with one of his neighbors, when all at
once the door opened, and dog came
staggering into the room, great, power
ful beast, with frightful aspect; his
head hanging down, his eyes blood-shot,
his lead-colored tongue halfway out of
his mouth, and his tail dropped between
his legs. Thus the ferocious beast en-
tered the room, out Of which there was
no escape but by one door. Scarcely had
the smiths neighbor, who was bar-keeper
OF the place, seen the animal than he be-
came deadly pale, sprang up and ex-
claimed in a Mortified voice, "Good heav-
ems! the dog is mad!
Then arose terrible outcry. The room
was full of men and women, and the
foaming beast stood before the only en-
trance-no one could leave without pass
ing him. He snapped savagely right and
lett-no one could pass him without be-
ing bitten. This increased the fearful
confusion. With horror depicted upon
their countenances, all sprang up and
shrank from the dog. Who should deli
yer them from him? 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
nelghbors would be made miserable by a
mad dog, and he formed resolution, the
like OF which is scarcely to be found in
the history of the human lace, for noble
self-devotion.
"Back all!' Numbered he in a deep,
strong voice. Let no one stir; for none
can vanquish the beast but me! One VIC
tim must fall in order to save the rest;
will hold the brute, and, while I do so,
make your escape The smith had
scarcely spoken these words when the dog
started toward the shrieking people.
But he wentnot far. "With Gods help"
cried the smith, and he rushed upon the
foaming beast, seized HIM with an iron
grasp, and dashed him to the floor. A
terrible struggle followed, The dog bit
furiously on every side in a frightened
manner. His long teeth tore the arms
and thighs of the heroic smith, but he
would not let him loose. Regardless
alike of the excessive pain and the horri-
BILE death that must ensue, he held down
with an iron grasp the swapping, bowling
bru tie till all had escaped.
He, then flung the half stranglod beast
from him against the wall, and dripping
with blood and venomoas 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;
one must die in order to save the others
Do not thank me- have only performed
my duty. when am dead think of NE
with love, and now pray for me, that God
will not let me suffer long or too much.
I will take care that no further mischief
shall occur through me, for I must GER
tainly become mad
He went straight to his workshop and
selected strong chain, the heaviest and
tirmest from his whole stock; then, with
his own hands, welded it upon his limbs
and around the anvil firmly. s'There,"
he said, cit is done,' after having silent
ly and solemnly completed the work.
"Now you are secured, and am molten
sive: So long as I live, bring me my
food. The rest leave to God; into His
hands I commend 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 supplemented man
the smith of Ragenbach