, 1877-12-07
The Witness.
AN INCIDENT OF THE NEW ENGLAND
SHORE,

SHORE
There is deep gulf of verdure which
runs inland between two rocky promon-
tories. The sea once flowed there, but
long before the memory of man. 1t had
finally barred itself out by throwing up,
year after year, sandy barrier across
the entrance to the gulf, No doubt, even
after the tide was stopped from flowing
in, some strong eastern wind had driven
the sea roaring over the bar and heaped
higher the bulwark of sand. One could
read this as he stood upon the rocks and
looked down upon the green spot, which,
for its contrast to. the gray rocks and un-
planted deep, was named Paradise. From
the sea itself its green, cool depths are
very inviting.
The coast at this point was thinly in
habited. A few fishermen's houses were
clustered near the shore just beyond the
rocks that jutted out; but the men were
away for weeks at time, and the wom-
en- we're increasingly busy over their in
door work. Only the children who played
on the beach gave the place happy
human look. AS group Of them was
gathered on the sand one morning they
saw coming toward them singular fig
ure, moving along the shore in the di-
recuon Of Paradise. They stopped their
play, wondering whether it were man or
beast, so confused was the outline Little
by liitle,as it moved slowly toward them,
they discerned mans form, bending be-
meath some burden. They retreated few
steps and gathered upon the fiat stone that
stood before the doorway of one of the
houses. The man made no motion TO
come toward the house and seemed not
to seethe children. As he came oppo-
site In where they stood they discovered
that he hore upon his back huge wooden
cross. He kept on his way, staggering
thro"gh the deep sand beneath his bur-
den, until he was lost TO sight behind the
rocks which made cne Of the walls of
Paradise.
LET us tell Nancy" said one of the
children. And they entered the house
together.
Whatever happened in or about this
little settlement was sure TO come, sooner
or later, to the ears of Nancy Dacre. Re-
mote from town, the people had no church,
minister or priest; but they were not so
very fcrsaken so long as they had with
them this widow, Nancy Dacre. 1t used
to be said that no secret was safe from
her. Lut every secret was safe with her.
There are some women who are born con-
fessOrs, and she was one. 1t was impos-
sible to withhold confidence from her.
Silent herself, she was the repository of
other peoples talk, and all, whether chill
dren or grown people, went to her with
news or with perplexities. 1t would be
difficult TO say in just what consisted the
absolution she gave when faults were con-
fessed, as they often were certainly not
in any formal words. Still, certain
gift of peace belonged TO her as surely as
the giit of hearing confessions.
She was at work in the house when the
children entered, and went with them to
the door, although the man had already
disappeared.
"He carried great cross, " said one.
"He wore earrings
"He was very dark and bent"
THAT was the weight of the cross"
Some Of the bOldeF were for following
him, to see what he was about; but Nancy
dissuaded them
IF be did not speak TO you, it was be.
cause ne did not wish to be spoken TO.
Leave him alone. He may come back
this way. You need not be afraid OF
him" she added, as the younger ones
came closer to her.
He did come back at dusk. The chill.
dren had scattered to their several homes
and Nancy sat alone on the door. stem
when she perceived man coming toward
her. From his appearance she did no;
doubt that it was the stranger whom the
children had.seen. She rose as be came
10 the door.
Good evening" she said.
de answered her in her own words. I'M,
given With a certain thickness of utter.
ance which showed him 10 be q for.
eigner.
MAY ! give you some supperir The
man looked up at her quickly and nod
ded. She entered the house. while he
took his scat on the fat stone. and nres.
emily she brought him bowl of milk and
some large ship-biscuit. He made Low
DOW TO her as he took his supper and
paced It before him on bis knee. Sh,
looked at him nauoSIy. 8, be ga. 10 81