Dodgeville chronicle. [volume] (Dodgeville, Wis.) 1862-current, 1871-03-17
THE LEGEND OF ST. Heller.

THE LEGEND OF ST. Heller.
Off the coast of Normandy, in the
bay of ST. Michel, lies group ofislands,
the largest of which we shall call by its
ancient name of Augia. AS you ap-
proach the principal harbor from the
sea, about mile from the shore, you
sea two rocks; the larger of these has
an old castle upon it, once considered
impregnable, in these days of scientific
warfare it would be made a heap Of ruins
after half an hours bombardament.
Here are preserved with religious ven
Grafton, a pair of boots, once the property
Of his sacred majesty, Charles ii. of
England. When the royal fugitive,
pursued by the parliamentary forces,
he was rudely awakened the next morn
ing, 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 his 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 governors. This king
loving people have preserved these
boots, and still appoint keeper for
them. The history of the castle is quite
curious, abounding i'll warlike incidents
e n h. lIoxS l. n
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 that there is some
foundation for the story. ...-.-
A remote period of doubtful date,
hong prior to the settlement of the
northern 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 fatigues Of the day, most un-
usual scene presented to their eyes. On
the horizon a small vessel was seen,
DCeti NtON IL u UI'OIA eIIS WIFI ga
tended sails. The people descended to
the shore and eagerly watched the
advancing ship, gathered themselves
under q HI ge rock called Saniarack.
At its base, ON one side was the ocean,
on the other rich pictures, and smiling
plants, backed by low hillocks, behind
which rose chain of lofty hills covered
with groves of oak. AS. the bark ap-
preached, itwas caught by the furious
surf, and thrown nigh upon the bank.
Itcontained only asingle person, who APP
peared bewildered and weak then rose
with difficulty and looked around him,
and, advancing to- Chriskelough, the
island chief, addressed him in foreign
tongue. An old man named Protelose,
who had lived in the neig ghboring conti-
nent in his youth, stepped forward and
addressed the Stranger in the language
he had learned abroad Through this
Interpreter the conner redested permis-
sion to reside. upon the island, soliciting
spot of land whereon to build a 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 his cargo. ''.t ~
Such articles never before were seen
by Augian eyes; goblets and bowls en-
crusted with jewls, arms rich in beauty
and design, and many other things of a
kind hitherto unknown to the simple
islanders. From his right hand he drew
massive ring and presented it as a
sign of friendship to Chriskelough, who
accepted it, and they joined hands. AT
the command of their chief a number
of the islanders stepped forward and
offered their assistance, and followed by
the stranger climed the face of Samar-
ack. Soon, with the assistance of the
islanders, 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
gentleness and kindness won the hearts
of all, and especially he gained the af-
fection of the aged Chriskelough, and
when few years. later, the chief lay
on his death bed, being schildless, he
appointed Heller {fof SO they had learn
ed to call him( his successor. The
islanders received the new chief with
joy, nor did they have cause to repent
of his appointment. He taught them
things quite unknown before from him
they learned to use of vraic to manure
their lands he visited and healed their
sick, converted them to the knowledge
of Christ, and banished their old super
stitions. The island and the people
awoke to new life, under his direction
boats were built, and fishery commenced
on 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 -four
ished for years, its fame spread abroad