The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1875-11-25
THE ENCHANTED STONES.
\ Holiday story.


In the country of Vannes, near the
sea, lies the village of Plouhinec, in q
dry, sterile tract of land, so unproduc-
tive that it affords scarcely grass or herb
age enough to keep the cattle alive, and
where the swine even look half starved
and thin. Instead of cultivated fields
there are moorlands only, and forests of
pine trees. But the country is covered
with an immense humber of stones, large
and small, which would furnish material
enough to build agreat city. The largest
of these stones had in oIden times been
planted by the dwarfs in two long rows
in order to form an avenue.
AT Il short distance from this stately
avenue flowed a river, and near its banks
in former times lived Marcinne, the
richest Of the people thereabouts. His
larder always contained Eountiful sup
ply of salt pork and black bread, and on
Palm Sunday, at the conservation of the
laurel, he invariably wore, in honor of the
ceremony, a pair of new wooden shoes.
Marcinne was proud, and his petted and
indulged sister Rosa had hitherto re-
fused to listen to any offer of marriage.
because none of her admirers had sutfi-
clent wealth to crafty her ambition.
Among Rosa's many adorers was one, a
worthy Christian youth, named Bernec,
who had Lost his parents when young,
and receiving for his Inheritance only his
fathers good will, was obliged to sup
port himself by the work of his hands.
When he eutered the parish as an arti-
sans apprentice he was lad, and Rosa
but little girl. Under his eye she had
grown TO be fair and beautiful maiden,
and he deemed her the loveliest creature
III the whole land The people of the
parish, however, knowing how matters
stood, wonld frequently say "Bernec
loves II 50, but he can never win her !;
truly, a hereto might as well hope to
enter heaven"
But Rosa proved not insensible to
Bernec's evident devotion, and she
secretly leturnad his love. Above all,
her brother too had a liking for the
young fellow, and was more than half
inclined to grant him his sisters hand.
One Christmas eve Marcinne, having
invited TO lis house all the youths aud
lnaidens IRON the neighborhood, had
hospitality prepared for their entertain
meut generous repast of sausages,
wheat porridge and honey. But the
weather proved unfavorable. A storm
hOwled and shrieked and whistled
around, SO that only few of the hidden
guests came, and even these did not ap-
pear until late hour. The moment they
arrlved dinner was served. All except
bernec viewed with complacency the
smoking sausages and wheat porridge
upon the hearth he alone gave no heed
to either, but had only eyes for the
blushing countenance of his beloved
Rosa.
Just as the company were seated the
door opened, and an old man entered.
Although clothed in beggar's rags, he
walked in without the slightest cere-
mony, and requested something to eat
No one gave HIM word of greeting,
such as ordinary beggars would receive ;
for this strange being was feared and
stunned by all the parish. He was never
seen at church, and it was believed that
lie was a sUrccrer, who could cast spell
over auimais, hlacken the corn in the
ear, and that he even had power to
change person who displeased him into
II wahr-woi. Not daring to do other
wise, Marcinne bestowed upon the old
man portion of the repast, and gave
him seat by the fire.
When, alter satisfying his hunger, the
beggar inquired where he should sleep,
Marcinne directed him to a stable occu-
pied by his scrubby donkey and very at
tenuated OK. There directly between
these animals this miserable being lay
down, in order to keep warm. He placed
pillow of moorland grass under his
head, and was well nigh lost in slumber
when twelve strokes announced the hour
of midnight.
Scarcely had the last stroke sounded
when the old donkey shook his long ears,
aud turning to the lean OK, asked, in
friendly tones "Well, cousin, how
hast thou been since last Christmas ?"
The ~, .-..--s a sideward glance at