The mountain Democrat., 1864-04-30

Gu tUp 0SIC1tu Htlu UuOuuSSu III buN
direction of their home. The monks, *
far satisfied with their discovery, ther
as SAA ils1 sSaraSo h&sDse.thsar Abbe
ST. Suliac, astonished At such Rpiacity
sought the farmer, and complained strong
ly of his negligence; the farmer listened
with an air Of ell due difference, but hs
took no further notice Of the matter, and
the asses, little likely to neglect the op.
portunities for such regales, continued tc
follow the well-known route across the
stream, and up the bill to the Sbbe's
gardens. One morning, however, the
saint, finding them happily engaged iu
browsing on bis vines, he "entered, " says
the chronicle. ''into a holy anger, struck
them with his staff, and gave them his
malediction; then, leaving the curse to
work, he retired into bis monastery, where
the duties Of his state awaited him."
The owner of the asses, not finding
them return in the evening as usual, be-
came very uneasy, aud summoning bis
men, proceeded to the marshes in search
Of them. Failing Of success, he dispersed
his servants in search Of them, and, with
certain misgivings, alone took the route
to the convent. Arrived at the top of the
hill, the 6rst sight that met his view was
that Of his asses, standing immovable all
round the monks gardens. He called
them, but not one moved, and, approach
ing nearer, he found that the poor beasts,
victims Of their own greediness and the
negligence Of their master Ito say nothing
Of the saints holy anger), were struck
motionless, each with his head turned
over his back. In dire CONSERVATION
stood the farmer till his servants rejoined
him. What was to be doneP After .
long consultation it was decided that they
should go and crave the pardon and as
sistance Of the holy monk.
For long time the saint turned deaf
ear; but at length, melted by their pray
ers and promises, he yielded, and releas.
ing the asses, restored them to their much
relieved owner. The animals, however,
as they joyously took their homeward
route, returned thanks for their deliver
ance in such an unmelodious fashion, that
the saint, resolved to be no more tronbled
with them in any shape, followed them
down the hill to the border of the stream.
When the last had crossed it, he extend
ed over the water his staff and pronounc.
ed some prayers, the result of which i'm
mediately appeared in the spreading of
the rivulet into its present dimension.
Not very long ago was found in the Gel
lar OF the presbytery curious piece Of
antique wood-carving, representing the
asses with their heads turned over their
backs. Nothing was known concerning
it and cannot say il it be still in exist
ence.
LA GUlvRE.
La Guivre was serpent, which had
its origin in the following manner:
st. Samson, Bishop Of Dol, says the
legend, came with numerous suite to
visit st. Suliac. The latter, who lived
very poorly, received his guest in the
best manner be could, and placed before
him and his followers the produce Of his
land. A certain dainty monk, accustom-
ed to the sumptuous table Of the bishop,
on seeing the humble fare of the able,
turned up his priestly nose, and bitterly,
though silently, murmured at the frugal
ity of the host. He even went so far as
to require second invitation to take his
place at the table, and then he ate a small
portion of vegetables, as If under protest.
AS to the bread, it was so little to his
taste that, pot knowing how to dispose
of it (St. Samson, his patron, was eating
it contentedly) he did not dare to throw
it away, nor leave it on the table-hc
opened his robe and concealed it in his
bosom.
In an instant the wretched monk fell
into convulsi6ns, and rolled about, utter
ing cries which brought together all the
monastery. St Samson was at his wits
end, but st. Suliac, being warned Of an
angel. advanced towards him bid him be
calm. The expiring monk seemed to be.
seech the pardon of the saint, who, rep
.rimanding him severely for his daintiness,
opened his robe, and there displayed to
the assembly hideous serpent tearing at
his breast. The saint Immediately exor.
cised the reptile, commanded it to quit
the monk, and p&ssing stole round its
neck, delivered it into the hands of one OF
the brethren, desiring him to carry it TO
the most elevated point of Carrot. There,
in the presence of st. Samson and all the
monks Of the monastery, and of the bish-
ops suite, he again exercised the monster,
and precipitated it from the top of the
mountain into the sea, with the command
never again to trouble the annointed Of
the Lord.
The Hole of the Serpent, or La Guivre,
is still to be seen on the beach under
Carrot. 1t was in this place that, up till
'93,on one Of the Rogatiou days, the clergy
of st. Suliac, as already described came to
dip the foot Of the silver cross three times
in the deserted cavern of La Guivre.
cAMPIoN's HARE.
This hare, according to tradition, was
a very singular animal, and did not live,
like his fellows, in secret aud solitary
places He was to be seen in the villages,
in the bourg.+ and particularly in the
Venellc.e Naviots, where never did an
evening pass without his showing him
SELF
This animal, in running away, uttered
cries which disturbed the whole neigh
borhOod, and every one, looking at his
neighbOr. remained terror stricken the
bravest questioned il these were really the
cries Of hare, or the internal summons
Of lost spirit. and no one dared to show
the very end of his nose at an open win.
dow when they were heard. The very
dogs, when let loose in pursuit of him, hid
among thu: legs Of their masters and the
petticoats Of their mistreSses the boldeSt
dared not 60 into the street. and often,
with bristling hair, fed bowling before
the terrible beast.
This hare in no wise shrAnk from the
presence Of man; on the contrary, he
seemed to defy him he would walk be-
side him, step for step; out the moment
hand was stretched forth TO catch him.
the creature escaped in two or three little
bounds, squatted himself comfortable