The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1863-02-05
Tha RonndarY Stone.

The Boundary Stone.
"A Tale Translated for the Worcester Palladium from
theft euch Of Emilre Souvestre.I
BY FIX
Before the organization of justice
was as complete as it is to-day, the
means of proving property were less
sure, and usurpatlons were therefore
easier. One had not always titles
which could prove the right opposes
sion;and eyer when these titles existed
they were ge morally drawn up in a
manner to leave many doubts. Thus
people had recourse, from the remotest
time, to outward and apparent signs
which ehould perpetually establish the
rights of each. The boundary stone
ve5 oue Ct these signs; it served to in,
dicate the respective limits of posses
sions which joined each other. I'm
fortionatsiy its destruction or displace-
ment was easy. 1t was quickly learn
ed that this means of marking bounds
srieswould become Elusive ifproof did
not CONS to the aid ofright in render
ing the boundary stone sacred, and
branding With infamy whoever dared
touch them. The popular superstition
which was composed not only ofbeliefs
but ofinterests, fell to inventing divine
ppnishments, especially for those who
committed this crime. We wish to
relste here a tradition of Brittany; rel
etive to this subject, and which will
cause what we have just said to be bet
ter understood than by any explains
tions that could be made.
1t was several centuries ago. Mir
acles were often seen and the language
of the upper country was not hen
spoken here. This stone was not upon
tha surface of the land as you now
zee it; but lower down, in the arabic
land which it separated into two une-
DUAL parts; the smaller belonging to a
man named lyon, whose hut stood
n - by On the heath; the other com
prising almost all the hIllock was cul-
tivatod By Claude Perrin OF the parish
Of Tre"enest
if taa poor man had envied the rich.
Christians would have sighed while
ssying: sit is misery which makes him
Gin" They had always understood
this; but here it was the rich who envi>
ed ,hs poor man. Such IS the folly of
mankind.
Claude was gathering a sheaf while
his neigbor was gathering a single
head of grain; his barns were filed
while the wife of IvOn was filing her
apron; and yet he looked with jealousy
on the spot of ground where God had
placed the bread of the poor man. He
hated him for being his neighbor, az
if it were not necessary always to have
a neighbor, since it is God alone who
owns all things. Perrin sought for a
long time means of gaining for himself
the entire hill. He had wished much
to pick q quarrel with IYOn; but I'M
fortunately he was a peaceful man,
praying night and morning, working
without complaint, and taking care Of
his wife who now was wasting away
with disease. His courage supplied
the place ofrIches; his patience, of hap
pipsss. Claude heard him each day
guiding his little pillow through the fal-
lows, singing his Christmas carols;
while he, who was rich and without
domestic troubles, could not sing. SO
true it is that JOY comes only to good
hearts.
The envy of the farmer of Fregenest
increased as time passed, His a~varioe
continued to grow with his age. He
thought only ofhis neighbours field; he
dreamed of it; his mind was absorbed
with this piece of ground which could
not belong to him, lie had often con
suited lawyers, and had made them
read his titles to discover if the law
conld not give him means of robbing
Iyon. But they said, "You must give
it up, my man" This made him angry.
Since the lawyers can do nothing
about it," said he, "the devil alone re-
mains to help me-"
There was then at Landehen a
haunted crooss>road. Claude Perrin
decided to go there Immediately. Ar.
irving there he found under an old oak
a man dressed in a red .clok, and who
had a black feather. This man said to
him.
Claude, l know what leads thee
hithef."
What is it, then?" asked the ava>
ricious man.
'Thou contest to ask the meal of
of taking lvoD's field to add to thine
own"
Claude began to tremble, for he knew
he was before the Evil One.
l will do as thou desirest," contin-
ued the red man, upon one condi-
ton"
"Name it."
at is that thou shalt not be able to
undo that which thou wilt have done"
Claude assented.
"Ah we'll" replied the demon; ego
tomorrow during the night; take up
the boundary stone which separates
thy land from thy neighboI's, and
place it on the border Of the land: the
heaths are long and the grain ripe i
No one will preceive it; only when
hayest time comes, and Ivon Snail ar>
rive with his sickle send him away
tolling him that wheat belongs to thee
The men Of justice will seek the boun,
Diary stone to know the truth; and, as
they willfnd it peyondthe arabic lands,
they will decide that these are thine.
and that the hath belongs to thy
neighbor,"
At these words the demon disap>
peared. Claude Perrin returned home,