, 1858-12-24
THE STONES OF PLoUHINEc.


by barren heaths and woods of small fir trees
and there never is grass enough in the whole
parish to 1atten bullock, nor barley meal to SUI.
fee even for pig. But if there is not much Of
corn or cattle, fints there are enough to rebuild
L Orient; and on one part Of the ath, there
are two ranges Of huge stones, which might be
taken for an avenue, if they led to anything.
Near Plouhinec, then, on the banks Of the river
Inte', there once lived farmer, named Marzinn.
lie was rich for that country, killed pig once a
year, had abundance Of black bread, and bought
a new pair of sabots every year for Palm Sun
day. On the strength Of these riches he had
refused bis sister Tinah to several youths who
lived by the sweat of their brows, and, among
others, to Bernez, a good workman and wor-
thy Christian but with no inheritance save the
good will of his neighbors. Bernez and Tinah
had known each other from children, and his
love for her was so great that her brothers re-
fusal nearly broke his heart yet he still did not
lose all hope, for Tinah always received him
kindly, and would even sometimes laugh at him.
II was Christmas Eve, and as the weather pre-
vented them from going to the midnight Mass,
all the laborers on the farm, and several of the
young men of the neighbOrhood, with Bernez
amongst them, were assembled at the house Of
Marzinn, who had prepared for them supper
Of broth with puddings in it. and milk porridge
with honey. All eyes were turned to the hearth
where the mess was cooking, except those Of
Bernez, who was looking at his dear Tinah.
Just as the benches were placed at the table,
an old man pushed open the door, and wished
them all good appetite. He was beggar who
was dreaded by all honest people; fOr'he was
never known to go to church, was accused Of
bewitching the cattle, Of trading in magic herbs,
and was even suspected of sometimes changing
himself into the Loup garOu. However, as he
asked hospitality in the name Of the poor, the
farmer was obliged to let him come in, sit on
three legged stool by the fire, and take his
share Of the feast When be had finished his
supper, he asked where he was to sleep? SO the
farmer showed him into stable, where there
was an Ass almost bald from old age, and lean
Or. The beggar placed himself between these
two animals for warmth, and rested bis head on
bag Of heather. Just as he was falling asleep,
the clock struck twelve and the old Ass, shak-
ing his long ears, turned to the Ok, and said, in
a friendly tone,
"wrl, old comradc, how has the world gone
with you since we spoke together last Christ
mast" ~
The gift Of speech on Christmas night has
been granted to Asses and Oxen ever since the
first holy Christmas at Bethlehem. The horned
animal cast look towards the beggar, and an
swered in surly tone,
The gin Of speech on Christmas night is Of
little use to US if we arc to be overheard by this
gOOd-fOr-nOthing beggar." cbsU 81 II
"Do you not see that the sorcerer is asleep"
returned the Ass. s.s yfs
"Ahl !" said the On, "his witchcrafts have not
done him much good; he has sold his soul very
cheap; he has not even been told Of the chance
he may have in few days"
"what chanceS" asked the ASS. ~ i'.
"Do you not know, ," answered the OK, "that
once in every hundred years the stones Of Plou-
hinec go on New Years day to drink in the riv-
err and that, while they are gone, the treasures
which they conceal arc expOsed!N
"Yes," said the Ass, "but they return to
their places so quickly, that it is impossible to
escape them, and they will certainly crush you,
unless you have bunch Of vervain and five
lcaved shamrock to preserve you" aU
"And, besides" said the Ok, "the treasures
will all turn to dust, unless you give up to the
Demon the life Of baptized Christian he will