The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1907-11-03
Lc8cnd Of
81. M0rY'S Bell.
-[nrIeinnI.l-

at Broalau, tho capital OF Sllesln, or,
rather. new version of II. for there
arc number Of versions, including
ono IN verse by the German poet Mul.
ler. Since the bell -was cast more than
800 years ago, II Ii not likely that more
than tho main features can bo given
with certainty.
There was great ado about the bell
to DO made for 1T. Mary'A. For a long
while II was uncertain who would cast
II, ana M last. when an ironmnster was
found with sufficient reputation for
skill In boil casting, no great were the
expectations Of the people that he en-
tered upon the work with fear and
trembling.
Tho ironmaster was ready for the
last net In a work that had for years
taken np his attention. A long time he
had been engaged on his calculations;
carefully he Ind prepared his mold; In
tcntly no had dwelt on tho combina-
tion Of metals. especially nv 10 tho
quantity OF silver on which he relied
10 soften the harshcr sounds produced
BY tho others. giving sweetness and
harmony. Tho component parts were
all In the huge cruclble, under which
tho fires had becn burning sufficiently
long TO dissolve them into one molten
mass. Tho long continued effort was
ready for contamination.
But the result would tho bell bc a
wonder OF melody or give out harsh
clangl II might be anything between
these extremes. If thought. calcula-
tion. care, could make II perfect, Il
would be perfect Bnt IN the cnlcula.
tons might there not bc some crror7
And tho casting-If the mold should be
defective. II the melted metal should
not be az the proper temperature, all
this long continued effort would bc lost.
Satisfying himself that the metallic
fluid was about ready TO run on Into
tho mold. the ironmastcr. feeling that
Er would be better able 10 bear the
last concentrated effort by preparing
himself for II physically. resolved 70
30 10 his house for meal and glass
Of wine. During the whole OF bis long
iabors young apprentice hnd assisted
him. Placing implicit confidence IN
the young mans discretion. the master
left the crucIbie. the fire under Il, the
mold ready to receive the casting, In
his care.
When he had gone the apprentice
stood looking up ut the huge crucible
that contained what was 10 be the bell
Of the Church Of ST, Mary's. lie had
watched every effort of hls master. ms.
sisting at many Of them. and with the
enthusiasm OF youth believed II would
bc one OF the famous bells Of the
world. AT the base Of the cruclblc was
the stopcock which held the metal In
In place and when opened would lot
II run into the mold. That was all
there was to be done --open tho stop
cock, and gravity would make tho bell.
just as the apprentices eye rested
on tho stopcock thought It, like
bird on d branch. on his brain. Why
not himself open the stopcockf He
would suffer the wrath Of his master,
but his name would 30 down through
tho centuries as the caster Of the
world renowned bell. whenever II
scnt It's musical vibrations far and
wide those who heard II would think
" the story Of the apprentice who per-
formed the concentrating act In It's
The impulse was irresistible. Going
% the stopcock. he pulled II open. and
,ut ran the molten mass. AT the same
moment a diabollc "Ha, hav' rang
n the youths ears. Satan, unable to
prevent the bell from exciting through |
is musical tones the piety and rever-
,nce OF countless human beings, had
,hosen TO bring about a tragedy which |
should forever be connected with It's
history. While the metal was running |
nto the mold tho ironmaster, having |
lnished his meal. returned. When he
law what had been done. turning |
white as tho snow. hc demanded to |
snow who had opened the cock. The
apprentice falterlngly admitted that he
iad done II himself Tho master. draw
ny his poniard, rushed upon him.
I'm the name Of Jesus, beg you to |
pare mel'
The master. dlsregardlng the appeal,
plunged his poniard into tho appren-
Ices breast.
Time passed. The Ironmaster was In |
,rison condemned to die for the mur- |
Ter Of his apprentice. and the bell was |
hung high In the Church OF ST. Mary's. |
There one evening at the hour Of the |
lngelus 1t sent out melody Of such |
strength and sweetness that all who
leard It dropped on their knees. Not |
'nly had its makers care and calcula-
ions produced a marvel, but the pre-
nature opening OF the stopcock had
lot been any detrlment
But the man who had produced this
esult was not permitted to hear the
Melody. Within prison walls, through
which the sounds could not penetrate,
10 lauguished, wondering II his efforts
lad been effective, II they had not
,een rendered abortive by the ap-
'rentlce. Then when his jailers were
bout to take him to the scafrold he