Mineral Point tribune. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1854-1858, 1856-01-29
THE MANIAC OF THE sEA-CoAsT.
A Legend of England.
BY ADA F. WILCOX.


There is an unfrequented little nook On tie
northern sea-coast of England upon which the
white spray dashes with every landward breeze.
\ small level spot Of ground may be discovered
among the rocks, and upon it the ruins Of a cot
tage are vet to be seen. lis vicinity has ever
been uninhabited owing to the sterility of the
soil Upon it few feet ever tread, and if by any
chance the peasant finds himself near, be Lurries
by, trembling at the slightest possible sound.
Little groups cluster round the glowinE fire.
side on winter evening and nesting, trembling
children, with quiet hearts and silent tongues,
listen to stories OF the deserted cottage.
1t is said, that on nights when the wind blows
and the rain patters upon the rocks; when the
dashins of the wild, angry waves may be heard
and n,t seen-there GENES q sound of moaning
from that cottage-wild shrieks and screams
that chill the heart with alright.
Years ago, when the fair Saxon roamed over
those hills the little cottage standing, dwelt
In by an old man and his only daughter. Around
It was not wild a prospect as now for the
old man had planted many trees. and reared
many beautiful shrubs 1t presented comfort
able and inviting aspect.
The old man and maiden lived happily to-
gether, scarcely 81 ing any one for year al a
time. The head Of the father was grey, but his
heart was young. Ever since the death Of his
loving wife. his affections had been wholly
placed upon his daughter, and the dark-haired
girl returned 1t to parents wish.
She was lovely girl. Clad in the simple
garb of her country. with beaming eyes and
raven tresses, she was altogether beautiful. Her
Young and innocent heart bent toward all that
was to love.
No wonder, then, that the father adored her
or that the noble, dark-eved Hala looked with
pride upon her as she laid her fair white hand
so lovingly and trustingly in his.
/ Resident of a neighboring village, in the heat
I of daring chase he had met the beautiful Iaa
and since then he had often visited the cottage
I The old man loved him as son, for Villa was
the pr1de of the yillage-the most daring hunter
and most generous youth Every mother found
/ chair for him when he entered her cottage
and many grey-haired chieftain would listen
/ to his guileless vet manly talk.
He came and STAYED for days at time at the
old cottage, for, as we have seen, he loved the
gentle Ina, and he had grown in the old man
heart, in the place of one who sleeps beneath
the wave.
Together, in calm weather, he and the old
man would dash over the blue waters IA Tho
/ light fishing boat and Ina would watch them
and almost cry for JOY, as the youth she 80 muct
loved would ply those heavy oars alone, for ieal
the old man should weary; and when they bae
returned in the evening, as they sat by the blaz
ing fire, the two side by side, their hands lov'
inglv clasped together, ever and anon looking
into each other ewes, and listening 10 the story
Of proves or loye, the old man would waici
and bless them in his heart
Days and months glided on; golden summer
with IFS richest sunbeaIns, yellow autumn aTl'
lis fading hues, came and went; the form OF tn
old man grew not less strong, the love Of IN
and " lila not faint; all In all TO each Other
their story of love had been Oft repeated, yet
had not grown old
One calm, mild day, the old man and VIII
had embarked in the little boat for an excurslo
ON the water Ina had accompanied them