River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1879-08-21
The Blacksmith of Ragenbach.

In the princlpality of Hohenlohe, now
a part OF the kingdom OF Wiltem5erg, is
a village called Ragenbach, where, about
twenty years ago, the following event
took place: One afternoon in early au-
tumn, IN the tavern loom 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, wit resolute
countenance and daring mien, but with
such a good natured smile on his lips
that everyone thai saw him admired him.
His arms were like bars of iron and his
Inst 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, v hen all at
once the door opened, and. dog came
staggering into the room, great, power
full beast, with a frightful aspect; his
head hanging down, his eyes blood shot,
his lcad-colored tongue halfway out Of
his mouth. aud his tail dropped between
his legs. Thus ferocious beast en-
tered the room, out of which there was
no escape but by one door. Scarcely had
the smiths neig Dor, who was bar-keeper
Of the place, seen the animal than he be-
came deadly pale, sprng up and eX-
claimed in a Mortified voice, "Good heav-
ems the dog is mad -
Then arose a terrible outcry. The room
was full of men and women, aud the
foaming beast stood before the only en-
trance-no one could leave without pass
ing him. He snapped savagely right and
leit-no one could pass him without be-
ing bitten. This increased the fearful
confusion. With horror depicted upon
their c0untenances, 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 hapFy and contented
neighbors would he made miserable by a
mad dog, and formed a resolution, the
like OF which is scarcely to be found in
the history of the human lace, for noble
self-devotion.
Back ali 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, lille | do so,
make your escape The smith had
stated toward the shrieking people.
But he wenBnot far. "With Gods help,
cried the smith, and he rushed upon the
foaming beast, seized mm " it'll 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-
| bic death that must ensue, he held down
with an iron grasp the swapping, bowling
brute till all had escaped.
He then flung the half stIangIod beast
| from him against the wall, and dripping
| it'll blood and venomoIs foam he left the
room, locking the door after i'm. 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
Donot thank me. / have only performed
my duty. When am dead think OF nae
with love, and now pray for me, that God
| will not let me suffer long or too mucl.
! viii take care that no further mischief
shall occur through me, for ] must GER
tainly become mad.
He went straight to his workshop and
selected a strong cham, the heaviest and
frmest from his whole stock; then, with
his own hands, welded II upon his limbs
! and around the anvil firmly. There y
! he sand, lit is done, after having silent
! ~ and solemnIy completed the work.
| ''NoN you are secured, and am molten
sive. SO long as ] live, bring me nay
| food. The rest leave to God into His
hands | commend my spirit. Nothing
could save the brave smith; neither tears,
lamentations nor prayers. Madness
seized him, and after nine days he died
lie died, but his memory viii live from
generation TO generation and will be
yenerated 10 the end Of time. Search
history through. and you will not find an
action more glorious and sublime than
the deed OF this supplemented mum
| the smith of Ragenbach