The weekly Butte record., 1862-01-25


wrecked of Scarlet; she was loaded with -four
French ship, she was and that they sold
by auction"
'Ah - said |, soothingly, " times are chang
ed. But, talking of the past, can you tell me
how this chapel here came to be pulled down,
and why they don't keep the pigs from grub
bing about among the graves ?"
why. yes" he replied q can; not that
l saw it alone myself, bat there amt house
about here where the tale amt told on winter
evenings"
After a little pressing, the old man slowly
swung his bundle of sticks off his back, seated
himself on stone, fixed his eyes on the ruin,
and recited his legend, which give in my own
language.
Many years ago, there was famous priest
who gave up all he possessed, and came to
teach Christianity in these parts. He was not
Manksman, though be could talk with the
people in their own tongue. He lived in a
poor home at Derby Haven, but for all that
there was 10. sick or needy person near but
what he helped with medicine and food, as
well as spiritual advice. Along with a kind
heart he had kind face ard voice; so that
the little children would run out to laugh and
kiss his hand when they saw him pass For
long time he used to gather the people to-
gether on the winter evenings in one Of the
largest rooms in the hamlet, while in the sum
mer he would preach TO the fishermen and
their families on the seashore.
After some years Of this intercourse he pro-
posed to the men that they should build
small church on the island. St. Michael he
said, had appeared to him in vision, and
pointed out chapel on a fiat space on the
grass, close to the rocks; he had seen it. he
said quite plain in his dream; the light was
shining out of the window he had crept up
under the wall and looked in, and, 10 there
he saw himself kneeing before a beautiful,
costly altar, and he recognized the congrega-
tion as themselves.
Now, while they were full Of admiration at
this dream, the good father bade them rise up
and follow him to tie place where they had
seemed to see the chapel, and, 10 . when they
got there they found the ground marked out
where the foundation of the chapel now stands,
and border drawn some distance around on
which that wall was built, which you can now
trace in the grass, just as if some one had
turned up a furrow on the bare earth and then
laid carpet of turf upon it. And when the
men of the place saw the marvel, and how tru-
ly the good fathers dream had been from
heaven, he bade them hneel down there at once,
while he prayed to St. Michael and all angels
that these people would not leave off the good
work till they had built chapel to him.
Thus they were led to begin, and promised to
give portion of their time till the little church
should be finished.
There was abundance of stone close by and
the architecture of the edifce was of the sim
plest kind. Four plain, thick walls with a
roof, was all they aimed at Now, this part
of the work was comparatively easy; but
Father Kelly was sorely perplexed as it reach
ed completion, as to how he should furnish it
within, and so fulfil the dream in providing
such a costly altar as he was persuaded be
ought to buid. The poor people had neither
silver nor gold. They had already offered such
as they had-strong hands and time taken from
their rest or work. Night after night, Father
Kelly would repair to the chapel, now rooted
in, and pray to St. Michael to help him in this
strait. One dark evening. he was there longer
than usual; be had fallen down with his face
upon the ground before the spot on which be
hoped to put up the altar. While thus pros
trate in prayer, and longing for continuation
of his dream, be heard footsteps close outside
of the chapel walls. Having his face upon the
earth, the sound came quite distinctly to his
ear. They stopped, and voice said This
is the chapel. Let US lay them here; It's just
the place for burial"
Very WELL" replied another d" how does
she lie? Here goes, mate, by the northe east
corner"
Then came the sound of digging and pauses,
as If men were STOPPING down to lay something
in the mound after that. Father Kelly heard
the mound shut back, and some one stamp it
down. Though the church had not been fn-
ished, two or three funerals had taken place in
the graveyard, one of which he had himself
celebrated only that forenoon.
What could be the object of these strange
night-visitors? They had not disturbed the
dead-they did not remain long enough for
that their work, whatever it was, seemed to
be accomplished 10 quarter of an hour, for
after that time he heard slapping of hands
as if some one were cleaning them of dusty
earth, and voice, saying There, that is
done; and, as dead men tell no tales, we may
trust the present company"
"Ay ay," replied the other. " 1 trust them
so much | don't think We need wait any long