The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1876-01-28
Young Folks,
LEGENDS.
THE CATHEDRAL AT AK LA-CnArELLE.

When the splendid Cathedral of Aix-la-
Chapellc was not more than half finished, all
the funds that could be raised for its build
ing were exhausted, and those who had it in
charge knew not how to obtain more money.
One day as the senate was considering this
matter, and its members could not agree up
on any course of action, there appeared to
be great danger that the work would be
abandoned. AT this juncture of the affair
a stranger was announced who said he had
an important proposal to make to the full
senate. His appearance was singular COM
bination of the repulsive and the agreeable.
His costume was bizarre in the extreme, and
there was an indescribable expression in his
face of mingled calculation and mockery.
But his address was faultless, and so courtly
and pleasing was he in his speech that it
was impossible to listen to him without
certain kind of pleasure lie told the sem
ate that he quite understood their difficulties; /;
that he appreciated their sorrow at the pros
pect of being obliged to abandon the glori-
Gus work they had undertaken, and he also
knew that so honest men as they could not
proceed without more money. Wherefore
he came to offer them the full amount that
they desired, and was ready at any time to
give it to them in solid gold, if they would
agree to his terms. The senators regarded
him with astonishment, and wondered what
could be the end of this strange affair. Did
he know of what he spoke, and if so, who
was he that spoke of millions as if they were
a mere bagatele, and to be had at will?-
and moreover offered the money ON any day
they desired it, Had he discovered the
all before him into gold? ESQ, what assur-
ance had they that he would not reduce them
to ''flthy lucre," and thus deprive them of
their privilege more common and less valua-
BILE dust? Trust me for it, they trembled at
the thought, and on the heads of such as
wore no wigs the hair was strangely bris-
tied
From this surprise the mayor first recover
ed, and began to question the stranger con-
cerning himself, and what assurance he could
give that his contract would be fulfilled. To
this the man replied that he would leave it
to their wisdom to determine who he might
be; that the money should not be loan
but an actual gift for all time; that it should
be paid Immediately, and thus no doubt be
left of their receiving it. But for all this he
made two conditions: one, that the Cathe-
dral should be finished another, that on the
day of its dedication the first entering it
should belong to him, "skin and hair body
and soul !" AS he said this the senators fled
to the farthest part of the hall, for they well
knew with whom they talked. The mayor
Indignantly commanded him to 60 away,
and not TO fatter himself that they, men of
dignity, were SO foolish as to fall into the
same trap that with another device caught
mother Eve, and had since her day by means
of changing the bait seduced so many of her
descendants. But in spite of this, he only
moved the nearer to them and courteously
demanded the cause of their strange conduct
He reasoned with them if it were not better
for one to be given for all and reminded
them how little kings and governments hes
itated to sacrifice thousands in war to obtain
some good for those remaining.
Thus at last the senators recovered from
their surprise and began to considsr him
with some favor. Their great need of mon
ey also influenced them, and finally the bal
gain was made. Then the Devil, after re-
commending himself to their kind consider
alton, vanished by of the chimney with peals
of satanic laughter. 1t was no. long before
many well filled sacks descended the same
chimney, aud thus scretly reached the coun-
Gil chamber. AT first the senators were suspi-
cious of the money, but examination proved
it to be of genuine metal and exact weight.
Then they agreed that the whole matter
should remain secret among themselves,
and went on to finish the Cathedral. But
some of them whispered it to their wives,
and some to other men, and so it happened
that soon their secret was everybody secret.
When all was ready and the day of dedica-
tion had arrived the door was opened but
none would enter; and though the bell toll
ed to call them, and all heartily desired to
see the splendid templa, yet not one advanc-
ed to 60 in. The mayor and senators knew
not how to proceed, when suddenly a little
priest appeared who had plan by which he
hoped to cheat Satan out of his soul and his
gold, and for once made him an instrument
of good. The contract had indeed been that
the first entering should be his, but it had
not been staked what it should be, whether
man or beast. BY this oversight he hoped
that the Devil might be outwitted. 1t hap
pened the day previous that wolf had been
taken, and now the trap was so placed that if
let out the wolf must run into the church.
Then it was opened, and Satan, who watched
for his prey, chased the devoted wolf with
lightning speed but when he found how
he had been cheated his anger was terrific
He bro Ike the VOLTS neck, he spat fire and
howled terribly, he bayed the cathedral
door with such force as to split it, and van
ished in smoke, leaving the cathedral filled
with the odor Of brimstsne. On the door
an image ofa wolfin brass is yet shown, and
a tir-cone, which represents lost soul. The
creyice also remains lasting memorial Of
the little priest who was so wise as to out
wit the Devil.