The Lake County times. [volume] (Hammond, Ind.) 1906-1933, 1907-07-09
L eS end of
ST. Mdry'S Bell.
IOriginaLl

ler Since the bell was cast more than
900 years ago, 1t is not likely that more
than the main features can be given
with certainty.
There was great ado about the bell
to be made for st. Mary's. For a long
while 1t was uncertain who would cast
it, and at last, when an ironmaster was
found with sufficient reputation for
skill in bell casting, so great were the
expectations Of the people that he en-
tered upon the work with fear and
trembling.
The ironmaster was ready for the
last act In a work that had for years
taken up his attention A long time he
had been engaged on his calculations;
carefully he had prepared his mold; in
tently he had dwelt on the combina-
ton OF metals, especially as to the
quantity of silver on which he relied
to soften the harsher sounds produced
by the others, giving sweetness and
harmony. The component parts were
all In the huge crucible. under which
the fires had been burning sufficiently
long to dissolve them into one molten
mass. The long continued effort was
ready for contamination.
But the result-would the bell be a
wonder of melody or give out a harsh
clang? 1t might be anything between
these extremes If thought. calcula-
ton. care, could make it perfect, it
would be perfect. But in the calcula-
tons might there not be some error?
And the casting-if the mold should be
defective, IL the melted metal should
not be at the proper temperature, all
this long continued effort would be lost
Satisfying himself that the metallic
fluid was about ready to run off into
the mold, the ironmaster, feeling that
he would be better able to bear the
last concentrated effort by preparing
himself for it physically, resolved to
go to his house for q meal and a glass
of wine. During the whole Of his long
laborS young apprentice had assisted
him. Placing implicit confidence in
the young mans discretion, the master
left the crucible, the fire under it, the
mold ready to receive the casting, in
his care.
When he had gone the apprentice
stood looking up at the huge crucible
that contained what was to be the bell
Of the Church Of St Mary's. He had
watched every effort of his master, as
sisting at many of them, and with the
enthusiasm of youth believed it would
/ be one of the famous bells of the
world. At the base Of the crucible was
the stopcock which held the metal in
its place and when opened would let
/ it run into the mold. That was all
/ there was to be done-open the stop
cock, and gravity would make the bell.
| Just as the apprentices eye rested
on the stopcock q thought lit, like a
bird on a branch, on his brain. Why
not himself open the stopcock? He
would suffer the wrath Of his master
but his name would so down through
the centuries as the caster of the
world renowned bell. Whenever il
sent its musical vibrations far and
wide those who heard it would think
Of the story of the apprentice who per
formed the consummating act in its
construction.
The impulse was irresistible. Going
to the stopcock, he pulled it open, and
out ran the molten mass. At the same
moment a diabolic "Ha. hav' rams
in the youths ears. Satan, unable t.
prevent the bell from exciting through
its musical tones the piety and rever
ence Of countless human beings, haC
chosen to bring about a tragedy which
should forever be connected with it.
history. While the metal was runnin.
into the mold the ironmaster havinE
finished his meal, returned When BIZ
saw what had been done, turning
white as the snow, he demanded t
know who had opened the cock Tn,
apprentice falteringly admitted that b.
had done it himself. The master, draw
ing his poniard, rushed upon him.
In the name Of Jesus, 1 beg you t
spare mer'
The master, disregarding the appeal
plunged his poniard into the appren
tees breast.
Time passed. The ironmaster was Il
prison condemned to die for the mur
der of his apprentice, and the bell wa
hung high in the Church of St Mary's
! There one evening at the hour Of tn
angelus it sent out a melody of sue
strength and sweetness that all VIII
, heard it dropped on their knees. No
only had its makers care and calcula
tons produced a marvel, but the pre-
mature opening OF the stopcock ha
not been any detriment-
But the man who had produced thi
result was not permitted to hear III
melody Within prison walls. throug
, which the sounds could not penetrate
he lauguished, wondering If his effort
had been effective, if they had nc
, been rendered abortive by the al
! prentice Then when his jailers weT
, about to take him TO the scaffold b
, begged that he might be permitted
hear the bell His request was gran
ed. and his Journey was lightened b