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.