The Iola register., 1884-02-15
Legend Of the Strasburg Clock.

The famous StraSburb clock furnishes
one of the most interesting of Rhineland
tales. and it is little known in connec-
ton with the wonderful clock. A cele-
brated mechanic once lived in Stras-
burg, whose only thought was care
for lis motherle 3 daughter and TO pro-
duce some lasting work of art. He
brooded so much over his mechanical
plans that he neglected the commonest
civlities, and became known as a crank.
This made his pretty daughter verv un-
happy, but she said hOtning. in the hope
that his mysterious plans would soon
reach success.
A rich magistrate and a young me-
chanic W, re suitors for her hand, but she
refu sed the dign ty and power offered
by the one for the humble station of the
other, though her dec sion was kept
from her father until he should CON-
plete his work Meantime she induced
him to accept her lover for partner,
end the young man soon began to man.
age the elder airs.
One day Guta, for that was he- name,
heard her father shouting joyously. She
few toward the mysterious chamber,
followed by her lover. The great work
was done! They were adm tied to look
at the ingenious clockwofk, now NOV
ing lightly and easily on its spr ms.
The aged man, his white locks in dlsor-
der, his face proud and full of dignity,
held the weeping girl in his arms as he
gazcd with joyous awe at his wonder
full work.
The inventors name was soon on ev-
erv 'ngue, and his fame brought men,
bers of the guild from Basel. whose cit
liens offered to buy the clock. Stras-
burg then agreed to purchase it, and
sele ted side chapel in the cathedral
for its reception. Basers citizens, how
ever, unwill ng to be disappointed,
urged tha. another such clock be made,
and offered the inventor considerable
sum. Then there was excitement in
>trashurg, as its glory would surely de-
part, wera other towns, argued the citi-
zens, 10 boas; of an equal w rk of art.
The master must never be permitted to
construct second clock, was the unan-
imous opinion.
The offended magistrate. whose pride
still suffered because o. Guta rejection
he had been waiting for. He caused
the inventor to be brought before a tri-
bunal to promise never to build Sec
ond clock He proudly and firmly de-
clined, saving: "God has given me tai
ents. l have now done enough for my
town and its glory. | see no crime in
benetitlng others by nv art The coun-
selors cast down their eyes hefore his
noble look, but they nevertheless de-
cided to blind him. as that was the only
wa to prevent him from constructing
a second clock The accused heard the
sentence with a contemptIous look, but
he finally asked that he m ght undergo
the punishment before his work, as he
wished to give it some final improve
ments. The request was granted.
Long and tenderly the inventor gazed
at his clock when the revengcul ma =
istratc urged that the execution, of the
sentence be hurried. At this, nerved
by the taunt. the old man quietly re-
moved the principal springs that caused
the mot on Of the clock, and surrendered
himself for the torture. The clock sud-
denly began 10 whir. The weights fell
rafting to tn, ground. The ell stru k
inharmoniOus' thirteen times and
breathed out It's final sound like wall
of despair. The inventor, now blind,
stood er, CT like a demon of revenge,
and cried; ..Re O,ce. proud tizens, in
my work; the clock is destroyed and
my revenge complete.
During the moment of CONSERVATION
and horror that followed the young ar
tisan led the old man into the arms of
his unhappy daughter. The magistrate
who had melted the dreadful crime be-
came an OBJ ect # contempt. and died
cursed by the people. G,ta and her
lover con essed their attachment. and
were united, with the un.ort nate in
,entor blessing. The clock was final
ly restored in 1912. and the glory of the
restorcr lutte equals that of the invent
Or.-Stra barq Cor. s.. Louts GLOBE
. Democrat.