Evening journal., 1909-08-03
L eSend Of
SE. MdrY'S Bell.
IOriginaLl

rather, new version OF II. for there
are number OF versions. including
one in verse by the German poet Mul-
Ter. Since the bell was cast more than
500 years ago. It is not likely that moro
than the main features can be given
with certainty.
There was great ado about the bell
70 be made for ST. Mary's. For q long
while II was uncertain who would east
I A. and at last. when an ironmaster was
found with sufficient reputation for
skin in bell casting so great were the
expectations of the people that he en-
tered upon the work With fear aud
trembling
The ironmaster was ready for the
last act in n 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
10 soften the harsher sounds produced
\ by the others. giving sweetness and
harmony. The component parts were
all I'm the huge crucible. under which
the fires had been burning sufficiently
long to dissolve them into one molten
mass. The long continued effort was
I ready for consummation.
But the result-would the bell be q
wonder Of melody or give out n harsh
clang? It might be anything between
these extremes. If thought. calcula-
/ ton. care. could make It perfect. II
would he perfect But in the calcula
tlons might there not be some error
And the casting II the mold should be
defective. II the melted metal should
not be at the proper temperature. all
this long continued effogt would be lost.
Satisfying himself IN ut the metallic
fluid was about ready to run of 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 meal and glass
of wine. During the whole Of his long
labors a 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-onen the STOP
cock, and gravity would make the bell.
Just as the apprentices eye rested
on the stopcock a 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 go down through
the centuries as the caster of the
world renowned bell Whenever i
sent its musical vibrations far anC
wide those who heard it would thinl
Of the story Of the apprentice who per
formed the consummating act in it
construction.
The impulse was irresistible. Goinl
to the stopcock. he pulled It open, anC
out ran the molten mass. At the same
moment a diabolic "Ha. hag' RAM
in the youths ears. Satan. unable t,
prevent the bell from exciting througl
its musical tones the piety and rever
ence of countless human beings, haC
chosen to bring about a tragedy whicl
should forever be connected with IL
history. While the metal was runnini
into the mold the ironmaster. havinj
finished his meal, returned. When h
saw what had been done, turning
white as the snow. he demanded Il
know who had opened the cock Th
apprentice falteringly admitted that h.
had done It himself. The master. draw
ing his poniard. rushed upon him.
I'm the name Of Jesus. beg you t
spare mer'
The master. disregariing 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 al the hour Of tn
angelus il sent out a melody Of sue
strength and sweetness that all VIII
heard II dropped on their knees. No
only had its makers care and calcula
tons produced a marvel. but the pre-
mature opening of the stopcock hat
not been any detriment.
But the man who had produced thi
result was not permitted to hear th
melody. Within prison walls. throug
which the sounds could not penetrate
he lauguished. wondering IL his effort
had been effective, IL they had no
been rendered abortive by the az
prentice. Then when his jailers wer
about TO take him to the scaffold h
begged that he might be permitted {
hear the bell His request was grant
ed and his journey was lightened b
its exquisite tones. The last sound b