iWow there was no smith foutid in all the land of Israel. — 



/ Sajn. ij.'ig. 



CHAPTER I 



THE SMITH 



OR centuries the blacksmith has been 

 a prominent person, and it is 

 natural he should have been, when 

 we consider the variety of work 

 he had to do. From the heavy 

 axle and tire, down to the smallest 

 rivet in the wagon, they were all 

 made by the smith. Bells and 

 bits as well as the ornamental 

 parts of the harness, they were all made by the smith. 

 From the crowbar and spade down to the butcher and 

 pocket knife, they were all made by the smith. The 

 carpenter's tools, from the broadax and adz down to 

 the divider and carving steel, they were all made by 

 the smith. From the heavy irons in the fireplace down 

 to the frying-pan and locks on the kitchen doors; 

 knives and forks on the dining-table, they were all 

 made by the smith. From the gun on the shoulder of 

 the soldier and the saber in the hands of the officer, 

 the spurs and pistol for the commander, they were all 

 made by the smith. From the heavy anchor and its 



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