The organ of the temperance reform. (Cincinnati, O. [Ohio]) 1852-1853, 1852-05-14


Fstarvati0h, forcing them 10 sell 60 clisadvan.
tage whatever they still possessed
This was not, however, the case with ev-
cry one of them. man dwelt among
them, and had done 80 for many years, who
seemed little wiser and more careful than
the rest Of the community. His name was
Pierre Sandeau, He was not a native of
the place; but had long been established
among them, and had at once shewn hin
self worthy brother. He was pitiless, self
ish, and cold. Less fiery than his fellows,
he had an amount of caution, which made
them feel his value and ready wit, which
often helped them out of difficulties. His
influence was soon felt, and he became a
kind of chief. He was at last recognized as
the head of the village, and the leader in
all marauding expeditions. ~But the great
source of his power was his foresight. He
had always either money or provisions at
hand, and was always ready to help one of
his comprehension consideration. In
times of distress, he bought up all the stock
on hand, and even sold on credit, In course
of time, he had become rich, had better
house than the rest, aud could, if he liked,
have retired from business. But he seemed
chained TO his trade, and never gave any
sign of abandoning his disgraceful occupa-
| tion.
One day, however, he left Montreaux, and
stayed away nearly fortnight. When he
came back, he was not alone: he was ac-
companied by young and lovely girl--one
of those energetic but sweet creatures, whose
| influence would be supreme with good
man. Madeleine Sandeau was eighteen
tall, well proportioned, and exceedingly
handsome she was, moreover, educated.
Her father had taken her from school, to
bring her to his house, which, though so
different from what she was used to, she
presided over at once with ease and nature.
Great was the horror of the young girl when
she found out the character of the people
around her. She demonstrated freely with
her father as to the dreadful nature Of his
life !; but the old man was cold and inexO-
rable. He had brought her there, 10 pre-
side over his solitary house. he said, and
not to lecture him. and Madeleine was
forced to be silent.
She saw at once the utter futility of any
attempt to civilize or humanize the degra
ded beings she associated with; and so she
took to the children. With great difficulty,
she formed a school, and made it her daily
labor to instil not only words, but ideas and
principles, into the minds of the young, un-
fledged wreckers. She gained the goodwill
Of the elders, by nursing both young and
old during their hours of sickness, as we'll
as by a slight knowledge of medicine,
which she had picked up in way she new
er explained, but which always made her
silent and sad when she thought of it.
When black and gloomy night came
round, and the whole village was on foot,
then Madeleine locked herself in her room,
knelt down, and remained in prayer. Now
and then she would creep to the window,
look out, and interrogate the gloom. She
never came forth to greet her father on his
return from these expeditions. Her heart
revolted even against seeing her parent un-
der such circumstances, and towards morn
ing she went to bed-rarely, however, to
sleep.
On one occasion, after cold and bitter
day, the evening came on suddenly. Black
clouds covered the horizon as with a fune-
raj pail the wind began to howl round the
hamlet with fearful violence; and Made
lene shuddered, for she knew what was to
be expected that night. Scarcely had the
gale commenced, when Pierre rose, put on
a thick a-iacket and SOU -wester, armed
| himself, and swallowing glass of brandy,
went out. He was the last to leave the vii
lage all the rest had preceded him. He
found them encamped in narrow gorge,
round huge fire, carefully concealed be-
hind some rocks. 1t was a cold, windy,
wet night but the wreckers cared not, for
the wind blew dead on shore, and gave
rich promise Of reward for whatever they
might endure.
A man lay on the lookout at the mouth
of the gorge under a tarpaulin. He had a
night-glass in his hand with which he
swept the dark horizon, for some time in
vain. But the wind was too good to fail
them, aud the wreckers had patience.
1t was really terrible night. 1t was
pitchy dark: not a star, nor one glimpse of
the pale moon could be distinguished. The
wind howled among the rocks, and cast the
spray up with violence against the cliffs,
which, however, in front Of the gorge, gave
way To a low sandy beach, forming the
usual scene of the wreckers' operations. A
current rushed into this narrow blight, and
brought on shore numerous spars, boxes,
and boats-all things welcome to these law
less men.
" A prize !" cried the lookout suddenly.
l"A tall Indiaman is not more than mile
off shore. She is making desperate efforts
to clear the point, but she won't do it. She
is ours, lads
"Give me the glass I" exclaimed Pierre,
rising. The other gave him the telescope.
:" Faith, a splendid brigl" said the patri-
arch with sinister smile, " the finest wind.
fall we have had for many season. Jean,
you must out with the cow, or perhaps il
may escape u.s."
The COW was an abominable invention
which Pierre had taught his comrades. A
cow was tied TO stake, and huge ship's
lantern fastened to its horns. This the
animal tossed about in the hope Of lisenpa.
ging himself, and in SO doing presented he
appearance Of ship riding at anchor-all
that could be seen on such nights being the
moving light By this means had many a
ship been luredito destruction, in the vain
hope of finding safe anchoring- ground.
The COW, which was always ready, was
brought out, and the trick resorted 70, after