The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1871-04-05
The Legend of St. Heller.

islands, the largest OF which we shall
call by its ancient name of Augia. As
you approach the principal harbor from
the sea, about mile from the shore.
you see two rocks; the larger Of these
has an old castle upon it, once consider
ed impregnable in these days OF scien-
tific warfare it would be made heap Of
ruins after half an hours commandment.
Here are preserved with religious vener.
alton a pair of boots, once the property
Of his Sacred Majesty Charles II OF
England. When the royal fugitive,
pursued by the parliamentary forces,
took refuge in this fortress for one night,
he was awakened the next morning and
informed that the enemy was close at
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 the royal
feet. He tugged and pulled again and
again, and, as kings are but mortals, he
swore. Once more he pulled and
stamped, once more he swore The
boots were obstinate. and at length,
yielding to the suggestions Of his friends,
he borrowed pair OF the Governor S.
This king-loving people have preserved
these boots, and still appoint keeper
for them. The history Of the castle is
quite curious, Astounding in warlike in
cidents of sieges, &c. On the smaller
rock a ruinous 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 distance
beneath the sand, perhaps proves there
is some foundation for the story. At a
remote period Of doubtful date, long
prior to the settlement of the mort hern
freebooters in Neustria, Augia was but
thinly inhabited, the island was covered
with forests and the people were rude
and ignorant. One summer evening as
the Augians were resting from the ia
tigues Of the day, most unusual scene
was presented to their eyes. On the
horizon small vessel was seen bearing
down upon the island with extended
sails. The people descended to the
shore and eagerly watched the advanc-
ing ship, gathered themselves under a
huge rock called Samarack. At its
base, on one side was the ocean, on the
other rich pastures and smiling plants,
backed by low hillocks, behind which
rose chain Of lofty hills covered with
groves of oak. As the bark approach
ed, it was caught by the furious surf
and thrown high upon the bank. 1t
contained only a single person, who ap-
pearei bewildered and weak then rose
with difficulty and looked around him,
and, advancing to Chriskelough, the
island chief, addressed him in for
eign tongue. An old man named Pro
teIous, who had lived in the neighborirg
continent in his youth, stepped forward
ard addressed the stranger in the Ian
guage he had learned abroad. Through
this Interpreter the conner requested per-
mission to reside on the island, soliciting
spot Of land wherein to build house
for himself. After few minutes con-
sultation, favorable answer was given
by the people, and he was invited to Sc
lect a spot for himself. After gazing
around, now at the hills, now on the
lowlands, and at the lofty Samarack, he
chose the latter. Then he turned to
his vessel, and, with the aid of the
islanders, unshipped mis- cargo. Such
articles never before were seen by Aug
ian eyes; goblets and bowls encrusted
with Jewels, arms rich in beauty and
design, and many other things ola kind
hitherto unknown to the simple island
ers. From his right hand he drew a
massive ring and presented it as a sign
of friend ship to Chriskelough, who &C
cepted it, and they Joined hands. At the
command of their chief number OF
the islanders stepped forward and offer
ed their assistance, and followed by the
stranger climbed the face of Samarack.
Soon, with the assistance OF the island
ers, he built himself a home, where he
lived without companions, cultivated
the surface of the rock, and thence OBJ
tanned the little food he needed. His
gentleuess and kindness won the hearts
Of all, and especially he gained the at
lection of the aged Chriskelough, and
when a few years later, the chief lay on
his death bed, being childless, he APP
pointed Heller (for SO they had learned
to call him) his successor. The island
ers received the new chief with joy, nor
did they have cause to repent OF his ap-
pointment. He taught them things
quite unknown before; from him they
! learned the use OF uraic to manure their
lands; he visited and healed their sick,
converted them to knowledge Of Christ,
and banished their old superstltions.
The and island the people awake to new
life under his direction; boats were built,
and fishery commenced on a larger
scale than before; the woods, famous
for former druidical rites, were hewn
down, and fields of grain took their
place. Under his care Augia flourlshed
for wears, its fame spread abroad, and
vessels came from the neighborlng
islands and lands, and so laid the iounda-
ton of that commerce which has made
Augia famous. Years rolled on and
all went we'll until one night vessel
was driven by foul weather upon the
coast The crew was ola race unknown to
the Augians; fierce, bold and reckless.
Heller babe them welcome and provided
! them with food opJ shaltar 0pa nj