The New Orleans daily Democrat. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1877-1880, 1877-05-13
rar the N, q. Democrat.
CHRIST IN FLANDERS.
TRANSLATED uuoM nALzAu.

Az fpfnut1 p1ftpu VI tha HlstVtY W or'E'"'''
The communication between The island OF Oad
SAINT apa The coast Of Flanders was kept ny Wy =
Hloop or barge,
hiiddlebafH. the capital Of The Island, cono only
boast Of hundred houses. Tie now wealthy
Ostend WAS then All unknown seaport 'hsrbof)
inhabited by few nahefmss. some All put pros
porous merchants. and by baud ~ nninolested
pirates.
who then seianed over Bfabant. Flanders of
t,slpju,n Your curiosity. dear reader, will not
be satisfied for on this point tradition IL silent.
Let ia here own, however. that much Of the
vssue uncertain. marvellous spirit Of The old
Flemish phrenlelers pervades this story, trans
mitted frota one century 10 another, related by
arandsites on long winter evenings 10 an atten-
live audiences. assembled around The Legendary
aresIde. This legend has received the impressions
81 each period through which u has pas sed.
The narrator believes II, az all the sureratitious
and simple minded Flemish have long before him
believed u. without being more or iess wise. The
tale In moral and religious bold and fastastieal
and for those who reflect on what they read.
much good may he derived from thi, Flemish
tale
The barge that conveyed passengers from Tad.
fore giving his last orders The captain sounded
several hlaste on his horn, go AZ 10 hurry The lin
gerers for shis was TO be his last rip. Night was
fact approaching. the distant coast OF Elan.
ders. ilumined by the pale rays Of the set.
ting auh. could hardly be diseerned. and u waa
wish dinlenlty that those on board could sin
gle out the iateeomefs hutrying along the
muddy walls that enclosed the fields from The
long grass that grew in the surrounding marshes
"what are teu waiting for I" cried Al impa-
ient voice 10 Tho captain. who still fingered -
the shore These words had scarcely died on the
lips Of him who had uttered them. when. nj hf-
teen steps from The boat. man was aeen APP
preaching. The espsn who had been on The
lockout for passengers, was taken by autprise AZ
the nnes peeted appearance ~ this stranger. Tor
he had neither heard his footsteps nor been
aware tf his coming. lie seemed TO have sud
denly arisen from Under ground, and NJ. with
dowpeast eyes snd arms folded Oh bis breast. he
entered the boat, apparently unabservant Of ell
around. an nnaeapnntable dread came over the
passengers. Whatever their feelings. whether Of
awe or Of fear. the individuals composing The diff
ferent groaps on board pressed closely together
an he advanced but the new conner. without nea
tieing the emotion which his arrival had caused,
silently seated himself among the poerer class.
or The passengers assembled on the stern four
10 Judge by appearances. belonged 10 the highest
nobility Of Flanders, Frst among them, Young
cavalier OF naughty mien. rendered himself con.
spieuous by the richness Of his costume. the
eirsminate beauty OF his complexion. and above
all by The locks OF aeofn aud contempt that he
cast on those around him. lying At his feet were
two beautiful sreyhounds. which he fed now and
then with deeaceu from costly pouch hanging
nj hia eide. Nest TO this young epieurean was
proud aud arrogant damsel. who sat between a n
elderly matron, her mother. and venerable
priest. There was also another group composed
Of 4 rich merchant Of Bruges. accompanied by
his servant, under whose care he had placed two
heavy bags Of that moat precious Of all metals,
gold and alao aciaatite man from the Academy
of Bouvaia. Between these two gft UPS there
existed feeling of the deepest hatred.
On entering the boat the stranger had looked
for a seat on the stern but had been repulsed
with acorn; he had then humbly turned away
aud had sought a place among the poor. An
old soldier bearing The marks OF many severe
eonteat had given him hia comfortable aeat on n
bench. and young woman with a child in her
arms had pushed herself TO make him feel more
nj eaae.
rhese tokens Of good will were bestowed on
the newcomer without the least aIfeotatiop. but
with that feeling Of sympathy which anites fell
low.sulferera In hours Of distress: he acknowl-
edged them by bow both dignified and grateful.
Crouched on heap Of ropea war an old bag to
whom one Of the sailors had given FREQ passage.
"ror the love OF God. thanks Thomas" answered
al t..tl =.
evening prsyers: let God and hia saiuts watch
over you.
Tho captain being now convinced that he
would have no other passengers that evening,
sounded parting blast on HE horn, jumped into
She barge and took his place At tho helm. But
when the shore was fairly out OF sight, he stood
up. examined the heavens with All anxious look.
then with loud voice said to the rowers
'Cheer up cheer mp my lads. and stea ~ at your
oarH, for, by ~. Mary, tho uea seems TO smile al
aome coming storm, and depend upon II, tho old
witch will noon bc al her tricks again
The rowers redoubled their efforts, and tho
barge glided swiftly on tho mrror.like waters OF
the German ocean. Tho followers OF Vanity Fair
tive mean the beau monde, seated on tho atern,
took great pleasure IN observing the snowy arms
aunburnt faces aud flashing oyes Of the pool
human machines that, for a miserable coin, ok
erted themselves 10 their utmost TO make then
cross tha most treacherous strsia Pity there
was none Ia those hearts hardened by pleasure
and safety OF pleasure The veteran and III,
hag looked with sympathy and compassion OF
them. whilst the young mothers sweet voice
chocred them as she eung Catholic hymn TO th,
sleeping infant in her arms. These last men
toned individuals were fully aware OF the forth
coming danger. and in low whispers impaired
their fears to one another.
III we ever reach tho shore said the soldie,
10 a peasant seated beside hun. God will show
much obstinaey in keeping us alive"
!" His will be done, for He Ia the MASTER" an
swered the hag, signing herself. But. for m,
part, believe that our time IL up for seel and
by motion of her head she showed the west
where threatening clouds of fantastic hue and
shape were fast gathering.
The weather, which hitherto had becn fair