n: FINISHING THE BELL.]

[Illustration: AT THE INN.]

The boy had an over-sensitive, nervous temperament. He was easily
excited, and was subject to impulses that he could not easily
control.

The command that he should not touch the stopple, under the
dreadful penalty, strongly affected his mind, and made him wish to
do the very thing he had been forbidden.

He watched the metal in the great kettle. It bubbled, billowed, and
ran to and fro. In the composition of the glowing mass he knew that
his master had put his heart and soul.

It would be a bold thing to touch the stopple,--adventurous. His
hand began to move towards it.

The evil impulse grew, and his hand moved on.

He touched the stopple. The impulse was a wild passion now,--he
turned it.

Then his mind grew dark--he was filled with horror. He ran to his
master.

"I have turned the stopple; I could not help it," he said. "The
Devil tempted me!"

The old bell-founder clasped his hands and looked upward in agony.
Then his temper flashed over him. He seized his knife, and stabbed
the boy to the heart.

He rushed back to the foundry, hoping to stay the stream. He found
the metal whole; the turning of the stopple had not caused the metal
to flow.

The boy lay dead on the ground.

[Illustration: THE DAY OF EXECUTION.]

The old bell-founder knew the consequences of his act, and he did
not seek to escape them. He cast the bell; then he went to the
magistrates, and said,--

"My work is done; but I am a murderer. Do with me as you will."

The trial was short; it greatly excited the city. The judges could
not do otherwise than sentence him to death. But as he was penitent,
he was promised that on the day of his execution he should receive
the offices and consolations of the Church.

"You are good," he said. "But grant me another favor. My bells will
delight many ears when I am gone; my soul is in them; grant me
another favor."

"Name it," said the judges.

"That I may hear the sound of my new bell before I die."

The judges consulted, and answered,--

"It shall toll for your execution."

The fatal day came.

Toll, toll, toll!

There was a sadness in the tone of the bell that touched every heart
in Breslau. The bell seemed human.

Toll, toll, toll!

How melodious! how perfect! how beautiful! The very air seemed
charmed! The years would c