San Andreas independent., 1856-12-20
The Legend of Argis.

One OF the most curious and pathetic
legends of Wallachia, tells of the founda-
ton OF the great metropolitan church of
Argis.
In the middle of the fifteenth century.
the Prince of Niagoe, warning against the
Turks, was on the eve of fighting great
battle, and went to the hermitage of a
plous anchorite, before whom he made
VOW that if victorious, he would build on
that very spot the most splendid temple
that ever sought the rays of the sum-
Consequently, it is supposed, his triumph
was complete. The Ottomans were dis
persed; and he had nothing to do but to
accomplish his promise. Princes are
usually faithful in these kinds of under
takings. Niagoe had much. wealth at his
command, and knew of an able architect
named Manoli. To him he entrusted the
task of constructing the temple e,-bidding
him collect the best Greek, Arab, and By
zantine workmen. That solitary region
was accordingly soon peopled with stran-
gers. The forests began to retire, the
fanks of the mountains were torn open;
and the bears that looked in while passing
down the long glades on the rugged ruins,
became convinced that their occupation in
that part of the world was gone forever
Manoli had set about his task with en-
thusiasm. There were day gangs and
night gangs; so that the walls rose as if by
magic.
Already the topmost pinnacle began to
appear to the distant traveller over the sur
rounding trees, when suddenly the edifce
sunk into the earth, and spread upon it in
ruin. Manoli attributed this disaster to
some defect in his plan, OF to the too great
haste with which it was carried out; and
began again with more caution. But, no
sooner had the building reached the former
elevation than down it came again. Not
one stone remained upon another Man
eli had confidence in his own talent, and was
therefore convinced that some invisible
power was determinedt to cross his purposes.
He would have been inclined to give up
the work altogether; but Niagoe had be-
come furious As usual in building en-
terprises, the expenses of the first con-
struction exceeded the estimate by at least
half. To effect the second, the prince
was obliged to sell the diamonds of his
wife. His VOW was costing him dear; but
he dared not breakit. The simpler course
was to swear by his beard that Manoli
should de decapitated, and all his workmen
hanged, if the church were not finished by
given time.
/ tn,o
to consult the aged anchorite who had wit
messed Prince Naigoe's vow, and asked
him what was to be DONE 'sBuild again,
was the reply, "and when the last stone
is about to be placed, come to me, and by
that time I may have found an expedient."
Manoli accordingly, for the third time,
laboured, and for the third time brought
the church near perfection. Then he
paused and went to the anchorite, who re-
ceived him with glare of horror such as
he had never seen before, hurriedly inter
rupted his pious salutation, and said in
strange unearthly voice, "Watch to-mor-
row from the pinnacle, and the first woman
thou beholdest approaching from the east
cause her to be taken, when she reaches
the place of work, with whatever she may
have in her arms, and walled up within
one of the pillars of the church. Thus
only will success crown thy efforts
Manoli was humane man; and his
heart shrank within him at hearing this
order But his own life, with that of
many others, was at stake, and he went
away from the cell sadly, determined to
obey what he conceived to be a divine
command. He was awakened next morn
ing by the singing of the workmen, and
climbed up Immediately to the appointed
place, when, shading his eyes from the
low sun with his hand, he anxiously looked
forth. Some time passed and no female
form appeared. At length slight figure
was seen approaching down glade, in the
midst Of a light mist, kindled into gold by
the still slanting raysof the sun. Manoli
was about torejoice, when suddenly he recog-
nised in the devoted victim his own young
wife Uca, his wife oftwosummerso only, the
mother of the boy whose smiles and even
whose cries gladdened his heart, when he
drew near home He knelt down and
prayed with streaming eyes, that some OBJ
stacle might present itself to turn back her
steps. He had scarcely concluded when
huge dog rushed out from thicket,
overturned the basket of provisions which
Uca was bringing for her husband and
forced her to go back to prepare new
meal
Manoii rejoieed, and continued to look
towards the silent and motionless east
Suddenly the form of a woman again ap-
peared. He strained his eyes beneath his
broad hard hand, leaning forward, so that
he nearly toppled over, and to his dismay
saw that it was Uca again. The good