The evening Argus. [volume] (Rock Island, Ill.) 1861-1871, 1871-04-15
THE LEGEND OF ST. HELLER,

On the coast of Normandy, ia the Bay of
81. Michael, lie b group OF islands, the Iarg-
est OF which we shall call by its ancient
name Of Augia. AS you approach the prin.
Cipal hArbOr from the sea, about a mile from
the shore, you see two rooks the larger OF
these has az old castle upon 1t, once consid-
cred lmpregnable, il these days of scientific
warfare 1t would be made heap Of ruins al
ter half an hours BON bGrdment. Here are
preserved with religious venerston pair OF
boots, once the property of his sacred VI al
esty Charles ii. Of England. When the
royal fugitive, pursued BY the parliamentary
forces, took refuge IN this fortress for one
n!gh1, he was rudely awakened the next
morning and informed that the enemy was
close al hand. He hastily jumped out OF
bed and hurried into his clothes. But his
boots, IN consequence of the soaking they
had received the day before, had shrunk
and refused to admit his ROYAL feet He
tugged and pulled again and again, and, az
kings are but mortEls, he swors. Once
mere he pulled and stamped, once more be
swore. The boots we're obstinate, and at
length yielding to the suggestions Of his
friends, he borrowed pair of the governors
This king-ioving people have preserved
these boots, and still appoint a keeper for
them. The history of the castle is quite Gu
rious, Astounding in wsrlike incidents OF
sieges, DC. On q smaller rock the ruinoue
hut is seen. This is the rock and former
residence of st. Heller. Back Of these two
rocks where the ocean now rolls, tradition
says were once meadows and groves. The
discovery Of the trunks of trees a short dis
lance beneath the Sand, perhaps proves
there is some foundation for the story. At
q remote period of doubtful date, long prior
to the settlement of the northern free hooters
in Neustria, Augia was but thinly inhabited,
the island was covered with forests and the
people were rude and ignorant. One sum
mer evening As the Augians were resting
from the fatigues of the day, most unusual
scene was presented TO their eyes. On the
horizon o small vessel was seen, bearing
down upon the island with extended sails.
The people descended to the shore and ea-
gsrly watched the advancing ship gathered
Themselves under huge rock called Sauna
rack. At its base, on one eide was the
ocean, on the other rich pictures and smil-
ing plants, backed BY the low hillocks,
behind which rose q chain of lofty hills
covered with groves of oak. AS the bark
approached. it WAS caught By the furious
contained only single person, who ap-
pssred bewilderei and weak then rose with
difficulty and looked around him, and, ad-
vancing to Chriskelough, the island chief,
addressed him in foreign tongue. An old
man named Proteloes, who had lived in the
nsighboring continent in his youth, stepped
forward and addressed the stranger in the
language he had learned abroad. Through
this interpreter the conner requested permits.
sion to reside on the island, soliciting spot
OF land wherein TO build house for hiR
self. After few minutes consultation, q
favorable answer was given by the people,
and he was invited to select q spot for him
SELF. After gazing around, now a. the hills
now on the lowlsnds, and at the lofty Sauna
rack, he chose the latter. Then he turned
70 his vessel, and, with the aid Of She island
ers, unshipped his cargo. Such articles
never before were seen by Augian eyes :;
goblets and bowls encrusted with Jewels
arms rich in beauty and design, and many
other things of kind hitherto unknown to
the simple islanders. From his right hand
he drew massive ring and presented it as
sigh Of friendship 10 Chriskelaugh, who
accepted it, and they joined hands. At the
command of their chief number Of the
islanders stepped forward and offered their
assistance and followed by the stranger
climbed the face Of Samarack. Soon, with
the assistance of the islanders, he built him
self home, where he lived without COM
panions' cultivated the surface of the rock.
and thence obtained the little food he
needed. His gentleness and kindness won
the hearts Of ell, and especially he gained
the affection Of the aged Chriskelough. and
when few years later, the chief lay on his
desthbed, being ohildless, he appointed
Heller flor so they had learned to call him
his successor. The islanders received the
new chief with JOY, nor did they have cause
70 repent Of his appointment. He taught
them things quite unknown before; from him
they learned the uss Of Uaric to manure their
lands he visited and healed their sick, con
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