New Ulm weekly review. [volume] (New Ulm, Minn.) 1878-1892, 1878-07-17
The Shivering Sand.

In the district of Morbihan. on the
south coast of Brittany, clustered close to
sandy beach the houses Of the little
fshing-village of Morlaix. It was an out
of the world and old world place, with
old world habits, customs, and beliefs
Behind it rose range of the hills, which
sheltered It from the noath- eastern blasts
and made it, to the very few people Of the
world who knew it, perfect little
heaven Of rest in winter.
Indeed in winter there was sunshine at
Morlaix when there were fog and storm
at Ushant and on the northern coast; and
! if ever storm did blow home into he
J little bay, it seemed as if tired before
reaching there; and only came to lie
down upon the hill-sides in peace. Not
that the people Of Morlaiy knew nothing
Of storms; for they were bold race and
in their fishing schoonors and smacks
they would cross the wide Atlantic itself
to pick up treasures off the coast of
bleak Newfoundland.
To this village, on winter far from
fifty years ago, a couple came to live who
gave the villagers great cause for gossip.
They were young, and seemed as if but
newly married; he had but passed into
manhood, while girlhood yet fingered
on her face.
At first the villagers acted shyly to-
wards the couple. 'They were towns
folks" said the old people, "and they will
only laugh at our old ways and stories.''
After time however: "young madam"
as the people called her, managed to get
into their good graces; and, this being
done, it was not long until their widest
legends, darkest superstitions, and most
pathetic tales of loss or salvation on the
raging sea were poured into her ears.
These stories as she heard them, she
retailed in the ears Of her companion
Pi1h childlike belief at which he often
laughed. but was oftener thoughtful.
"a, They are noble race, Edna, for all
their poverty he said one day-the last
day OF the year, indeed as they walked
out on the beach bathed in sunshine.
Il like to hear their stsries of adventure,
for 1hey have the true ring in them; but
Hthe old legends and the supers ition are
too much for me-"
"Well, but, Ralph" she replied, 'the
old legends may be true for all we know;
and look how many Of their snperstitions
come true"
o. "Nonsense,d DEAR" he said, with laugh
as he drew her arm closer in his. "Look
R how many of them are made false every
3 day Of their lives. There is their great
story of the shivering sand that claims
its victim every year. Why it has dis
appeared entirely, and this year, at any
8 rate, it has had no victim
4 perhaps its time is up, like other evil
! things that are not to continue forever
} replied Edna: "or perhaps the sacrifice
that was to conquer it has been made
"What sacrificed" asked Ralph.
"Why, the people say that whenever a
victim is swallowed up. and some one
who loves him leaps after him, the sand
will become solid or disappear forever"
ga pleasant cure for the mischief, and
one not likely soon to be carried out,;'
laughed Ralph; "but''- as they drew near
to a crowd Of people gathered under the
lee of half-beached shut
what are the people all so solemn for this
morning?"
Before she could answer him they were
saluted by the people, who did, indeed,
look solemn, as if some evil luck had
happened to them.
"What is wrong to-day, my friends2"
asked Ralph, as he glanced from face to
face. s,You look as if going to funeral"
ooh, the sand-the shivering sand.
m'sieu, y replied one of the oldest;-s'i has
reappeared and so surely as it has it will
have its victim before night"
:'Ah, where is the sard2 should like
to see It'll" cried Ralph, eagerly.
Then the old man who had spoken
pointed out to him a bare, flat piece Of
beach, with sand as smooth as a table,
and with glisten upon it as if covered
ever SO thinly with water.
''That the shivering sand!' cried Ralph,
half-laughing. "Why, walked across It
q yesterday, and it was as firm as road
way"
Sand yet it is now as soft and treacher-
GUS as the sea itself,'' replied the old
man.
''Why how do you know that? Have
any of you tried it?a
"Tried it," cried several of the men,
in a breath. .We are not mad!"
There is no need to try it, said the
old man who had first spoken. sit has
been tried too often, and my eyes never
deceived me whenever it appears
"a. !. Well, well, will try it, cried Ralph,
with a resolute shake Of his head, as he
dropped Edna's arm and moved toward
the dangerous spot.
"No, mol" cried Edna, as she grasped