Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1894-09-26

every street over LQo 5Glll uuUeClucu
matter. Women scolded one another,
and boys punched each others heads.
on the same knotty question which
was setting their husbands and
fathers by the ears in the tavern or
the market place; and more than one
young lady, who sympathized very
strongly with one party, sent he!
lover about his business because he
had the impudence to side with the
other.
At last the long-expected day ar
rived. A full hour at least before
the time fixed for the trial, the mar.
ket place was crowded from size to
side; and the very air seemed to
tremble with the shout that went up
uttered by Smithites and Holbein-
ties alike-as the stalwart figure OF
the blacksmith was seen forcing its
way through the throng. carrying in
his hands something closely wrapped
in cloak, which must of course be
the masterpiece of art which he was
about to exhibit to them.
Having at length reached the tiny
space in front OF the tavern which
had been kept clear for himself and
his rival the smith, with smile OF
disdainful confidence, which showed
that he already regarded the victory
as his own, turned round so as to face
/ the expectant multitude. and at the
same moment withdrew the cloak
! from the object that he carriedl
which at the first glance appeared to
be nothing more remarkable than .
small black dog.
| Bnt in another instant a cry Of
amazement and delight broke from
the lips of every man in the crowd;
for the dog, though it looked and
even moved like living animal, was
seen to be made of iron!
Nor was this all. When the smith
set it down and called out, "Run,
Dirck." the iron dog ran round and
round the clear space, barking loudly
all the time.
! laundering shouts Of applause
burst from the blacksmlth's party,
while the Holbeinites stood silent,
and looked very blank indeed.
What is there that can beat this?"
rOared an exultant Smithite. '1rOn
has beaten canvas, as our own eyes
have seen. Where is Hans HolbeiD
now?'
Where was Hans Holbein, indeed?,
No voice answered to the call, and
there was no sign Of him in any part
of the crowd. 1t soon became evi.
dent that, wherever the painter might
I be, he was nowhere in or near the
market place.
Crimson with shame and rage at
the derisive laugh which the Smithites
set up, three or four of Holbein's
special friends tore off in various di-
, rections to look for him; and one OF
them, by a lucky inspiration, went
straight to a small tavern where the
painter was wont to have his lunch.
! Here he found Master Hans sitting
down to his bread and cheese and
beer as coolly as if the smith and his
challenge had never existed.
! "Hans-the blacksmith. the chal-
, lenge." gasped the messenger, burst
ing headlong into the room.
"Ah, very true" said Holbein,
composedly. Faith, l had quite
forgotten that; and, in truth, doubt
much if l have ever thought of If
since the day it happened"
Never thought of it?" yelled tlt
other who had lain a heavy wager on
Holbein's success. ''Do you mean to
say you have got nothing ready AT
all?"
The painter rose slowly to his feet,
and eyed his companion with Il look
which seemed to make the reproach-
full words 90 backward down the lat
ter's throat.
"Care thou not for that" said he
coldly; "this Dragging smith may he
clever fellow in his way, but he has
reckoned without his host If he thinks
to beat Hans Iiolbein. Come and see.'
When the great artists well-known
corner of the crowded square, Il dead
hush of expectation fell over the cx.
cited throng, in the midst OF which
IIolbein's voice was heard by all.
Worthy friends, itgrieves INC that
: should have forgotten this days
! business, and kept such wOrShipful
company waiting thus. But good
Master Smith yonder wishes to see
what can do; let him look hcre!"
I And, taking piece Of chalk from
his pocket, he drew a circle with q
| single turn of his hand on one OF the
tables in front of the tavern, inserted
, point for its center, and said
quietly
Bring pair Of compasscs, and
measure that"
1t was done and both circle and
point were found to be as correct as
, sf drawn with the best mathematical
Instruments.
There was momentary silence OF
| blank amazcment, and then the air
rang with cheers Of the HolbcinitcS,
while the sturdy blacksmith himself
stepped forward, and frankly holding
out his hand-the Sstong brown hand
that had wrought so many famous
workS-to the man whom he lad
challenged, said, with unfeingcd
hcartiness--
"Master Holbeln, there is no gain
sayin. it-thou art the better man.
With pains and practice, thou
mlght'st pcrchance make my iron
Gog;.butI, though l should labor on it
TO the end OF days, could never draw
this circle of thine"
Hans Holbein warmly grasncd the
offered hand, and the two rival artists
were fast friends from that day forth.
EobbinE q Prison.
1t Is perfectly natural that tEievcs
should be sent to prison for having
stolen, but it is somewhat Of nov.