Juliet signal. [volume] (Juliet [i.e. Joliet], Ill.) 1844-1???, 1862-12-09
THE HOLY GIANT.

A correspondent Of the Independent fur
nishes it with the following beautiful yer
sion of the old legend:
There was once, Ia long, long time sgo, a
rowing soldier of the beathen race of the
CanaaDites, whose name was Offer. He
stood over twelve fee, high in his stockings.
his breast was like broad shield. and his
fists like two iron kuobs. He was a rude.
brawling fellow, who cared for nothing in
the world but fighting. Wherever he went
there was scuffling and stabbing, and all
manner Of upr0ar and confusion. Little
did he care what was said or thought of
him. lie knocked his way straight through
all hiOdrarces, aud only laughed 20 hear
the scoiding and grumHing behind him.
This rough soldier had but one rule for
his life; he would consent to serve none
but the very nightiest. When he heard
that the emperor Eas the head of all Chris
tendon, he presented hiElself before the
monarch, eaying-
"Slr emperor, wilt :lnu have ue? Twill
serve no Eeaner B1an."
The emperor measured him with his eyes
from head to foot, and thcVght it was
surfly old Samson come to lie agsit.
Yea, said he. Il wal take thee, if
thou wilt serve me forever."
''As to forever, "9uoih Offer, that's not
80 econ said; but while do serve thee,
woe he 20 the head that ajses itself against
thee!
81 he went up and down the land with
tho empsror for long time, ard ei,ioyed
himself nightly; for neither at board nor
in battle wus found his match.
Now 1t HAPPY ened that the emperor had
also minstrel, who sang from early mnr-
ring til toe time of rest; and vheney or
tre emter3r WAS weary with long march
The sweet tones of his voice aud harm re-
ireshed lin like a bslmy sleep. Once
just as the sun vas setting. the army en-
csrnTed before thick forest. The empe-
r"r sat d"~n to eat, and while he Toasted
AID quAtfed the sparkling cup. the minsrre!
frled hIs best to rhyme Ii chanred that
r. mentioned the Evil Oae in bis. sonz,and
Offer observed that the emperor tbereupon
made the sign Of the cross
w bat joke is this of my liege?" he ask
ut is" said the emperor, "to guard me
against the Evil One, who exercises a fear
fol pnwer in this wood"
"UP!" cried OEer, scornfuly, land let u.
hunt him frnm the forest"
mo, Offer" replied the emncror. mildly.
eve might get harm t. our souls"
Farewell. sir em3eror," said Offer,
give me my wages and let me 90. Since
you tremhlc before the Evil One, he is the
mightier, and him will | serve"
For .hwjih he Ilunged into the wood, for.
eng hIs way merrlly through the tangled
thcket into the heart Of the dark forest
There, IN The midst OF a clear space, stood
an altar to The devil, whereupon b lman
b mes and -keletOns of horses shimme cred
white and CHASTITY in the moonlight. Ofsr
did not allow himself to be at all disturbed
/ by the sight, gazed awhile serenely at the
skulls and bones. called thrice 90 the Evil
One, then laid himself down and began 70
snore. About Mcknight he heard the
! earth crack. and 10 ! on coal-black horse
rode out Of cleft Moorish knight, with
a long train of followers behind him. liz
dashed down furiousIy on Offer, breathing
4 smoke and fire, and in voice of thunder
! demanded that he should bind himself I,
/ mis- service forever.
Not so fast, my friend" said Offer. 81
| will try your mettle awhile first"
! 30 he goes for long time up and down
! the world with Satan, and likes his service
| better than the emporor's. But it happen
| ed. as once they were preceding along thu
| highway, that three old crosses stood be-
| fore them on the road. At this sight Sa
tan suddenly checked his black horse, anC
| whispered trenbliDgly:
Let US steal round by the forest path
"ls my master afraid of the gallew
trees?" cried Offer, scornfuly.
know you not" said Satan, "that thu
Son of Mary. who died on on the cross ha
great powerH Take heed, or it will b,
worse for you"
"lf that is So" quoth Offer, goodbye t,
your worship. As | came to yeu uncalled
will make free to go unbidden."
30 on he rides, asking Ct every traveller
he meet where he shall find The Son O
Mary. But az few carry :he Saviour il
their hearts, he finds none to show tn
way to bis dwelling. At length one eve
ming he reached the cave of pious hermi
who lodged linn on a bed of straw, and re
freshed him with food and drink.
Father" said Offer, when he had ap
peased his hunger, Il have long sought tn
Son of Mary; canst thou direct me to hi
dwelling"
Then the holy man instructed him in tn
faith, and babe him if he would save hi
soul, to retire into the desert, like John tn
Baptist, and spend his life in prayer an
fasting.
may, good father" said Offer, II hav
TO stomach for grasshoppers and hons y =
If there's no other door to Paradise, / pre-
fer TO stay outside"
NAY, my son." said the wise hermit
"if thou last no calling to spiritual exeI
cises. thou must try good works"
THAT sounds like reason" said Offer
"whereto is my strength given me excep
for works? What shall do 6rsti"
"Yonder," said the hermit, FLOWS
swift river whose current will endure nei
Their boat nor bridge, obstructing the wa
Of pious pilgrims to the Holy City. Let
be thy charge 81 bear them safely over o
thy back"
Willingly" cried Offer; and forthwith
he built a hut beside the stream, and wait
ed for pilgrims Hour after hour, da
after day, patient a. camel or an elephant
he bore the pious burden from shore t
shore ; and If any one offered him none
for the service, he said, NAY, do it 70
eternal lifep
And so be did for many long year, til
his hair grew white with age. At length
on dark and stormy night, he heard
little piteous voice, calling:
GOOD Offer, gentle Offer, strong Offer
I