Litchfield enquirer., 1862-11-06
5}ti5fellollp.
THE HOLY GIANT.
THE STORY OF ST. CHRISTOPHER.


 old legend :-
 There was once, long, long time ago, roy ing soldier, of the heathen-race Of the Canaan ities whose name was Offer. He stood oye twelve feet high in his stockings, his breast va like broad shield, anl lls fists like two iro knobs He was rude, brawling fellow, wh cared for nothing in the world but fighting 1 Wherever he went there was a scuffling an stabbing, and all manner of unroar and confu sion. Little did he care what was said G thought of him. He knocked his way straigh through all hindrances, and only laughed to hea the scolding and grumblng behind him.
 This rough soldier had but one rule for hj lie he would consent to serve none but tht lnightiest. When he heard that the Emperor was the head of all Christendom, he presented himself before the monarch, saying
 " Sir Emperor, wilt thou havo m2 ? I vii serve no Meaacr man.
 The Emperor measured him with his eyes from head to foot, and thought it was surely old Samson come to life again. :. I ta,' said he, will take thee, if thou wit serve El4 foreyer.'
 " As to forever, qloth Ofpr that's not So soon said but while do serve thee, woe be to the head that raises itself against tAce!'
 So he went up and down the land with the Emperor for a long time, and enjoyed him. eff nightly for neither at board nor in battle Was found his match.
 Now it happened Hat the Emperor hal also d minstrel who sang from early morning til the time Of rest and whenever the Emperor was Weary with long march the sweet tones of his voice and harp refreshed him like q balmy sleep. Once, just as the sun was setting, the army en- camped before thick forest. The Emperor sat down to cat; and whil. h. ftastel and quaffed the Sparkling cur, the minstrel tried h!s to best rhyme. l. chancod that lie mctioned tie Evil Que in his song, and Offer observed that the Emperor thercuron made the sign of the cross
 What joke is this of my lege ?'' lie asked.
 "ljis,' said the Emperor, |" to guard me against ;le Evil One. who exercises a fea iu power ln tLs woou.'
 Up." cried Oftr scornfully, " aid let us hunt him from the rJ:..s!.'
 11>o Oii,,r" replied the Emperor, mildly. i've might get harm tI vlr souls
 Farewell, >5:r l:.lYeFvr, said Offer, "g give me my wages and l.ts:e go. Since you treiabi, before the l.v.! lue, l.a is tie mightier, and him will selvc'
 Forthwith lie lungel into tie wood, fJr:ing his way merIy through the tangled thicket into the vary heart Of th4 dark forest. There in the midst of a cleared space stood an altar to the devil, vior;.upoH human bones and skv.e,uns of horses shimmered white and gi'as;Iy in the moonlight. Offer dil not allow .l;m self to b at all disturbel by the sight, gaz,l awhile serenely at the skulls and bones, calle thrice on the Evil One, then lad himself down and began to snore. About midnight he heard the cart crack, an lo . on coal blacl, horse rode out If cleft MooriSh knight, with long train of followers behind him He dashed down flu riously on Offer, breathing smoke and fire. and n voice of thunder Ge handed that he slo d blnd himself to his service forever.
 " Not so fast, my triend,' said Oftr. will try your mettle awhile first'
 So he goes for a long time up and down the world with Satan, and likes his service better than the Emperors. But it happened, as once they were proceeding along the highway, that thrAa pl,i Stn baf, ;b. | At this sight Satan suddenly checked his black horse, and whispered tremblingly
 Let us steal round by the forest path.'
 Is my master afraid of the gaIlows trees ? cried Offer, Scornfully.
 Know you not said Satan, :" that the Soa of Mary, who died on the cross, has great power Take heed, or it will be worse for you.''
 If that is so,' quoth Offer, good bye to your worship? As came to you uncaIIeI, Will make ire to go unbidden.''
 So OF he rides, asking of every traveller he meets where he shall find the Son of Mary But as few carry the Saviour to their hearts he finds none to show the way to his dwelng Al length one evening he reached the cave of 2 pious hermit, who lodged him on a bed of straw and refreshed him with food and drink
 Father, said Offer, when he had ,ppeas I'd his hunger. !" have long sought the Son of Mary canst thou direct me to his dwelling?' ?
 Then the holy man instructed him in the faith and bade him if he would save his soul to retire into the desert, like John the Baptist and spen, his life in prayer and fasting.
 Nay, good father" said Offer " I have Il, stomach for grasshoppers and honey. Ifthere no other door to Paradise, prefer to stay out side"
 Nay, my son. said the wise hermit, !" thou hast not calling to spiritual exercises, tho must try good works"
 "That sounds like reason,'' said Offer " wherteo is my strength given me except fO works? What shall do first ?' Yonder," said the hermit !" flows a swif river, whose current will endure neither boat nc bridge, obstructing the way of pious pilgrims t. the Holy City. Let it be thy charge to bea them safely over on thy back"
 Willingly" cried Offer; and forthwith Il 5 built a hut beside the stream and waited ft ' pilgrims. Hour after hour, day after day, p tlent as camel or an elephant he bore the p U ous burden from shore to shore and if any or offered him money for the service he sai Nay, do it for eternal life P j. And so he did for many long year, till Il