Little Falls transcript. [volume] (Little Falls, Morrison County, Minn.) 1876-1894, 1878-07-11
The Shiverlng Sand.

In the district OF MOrblhan. on the
south coast of Brittany, clustered close to
sandy beach the houses of the little
fishing village of Morlaix. 1t 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 1t from the noath- eastern blasts
and made it, to the very few people of the
world who knew it, a perfect little
heaven of rest in winter.
Indeed in winter there was sunshine at
Morlaix when there we're fog and storm
Mt Ushant and on the northern coast; and
if ever storm did blow home into The
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 Morlaix knew nothing
Of storms; for they were bold race, and
in their fishing schooners 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
Pivh childlike belief at which he often
laughed. but was oftener thoughtful.
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 Ike to hear their stsries of adventure,
for they have the true ring in them; but
the old legends and the Superstition 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"
"Nonsense, DEAR" he said, with laugh
as he drew her arm closer in his. Look
how many of them are made false every
day Of their lives. There is their great
story Of the shivering sand that claims
Ito victim every year. Why it has dis
appeared entirely, and this year, at any
rate, it has had no victim.
I'D - 80
things that are not to continue forever
replied Edna: cor 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"
"a pleasant cure for the mischief, and
one not likely soon to be carried OUT
laughed Ralph; "but'- they drew near
to crowd Of people gathered under the
lee of a half beached schoon.r-"but
what are the people all so solemn for this
morning2"
Before she could answer him thew 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. You look as if going to funeral
"Oh, the sand-the shivering sand
m'sieu," replied one of the oldest; lit has
reappeared and SO surely as it has it will
have its victim before night"
''Ah, where is the sand? should like
to see i'll" cried Ralph, eagerly.
Then the old man who had spoken
pointed out to him bare, flat piece Of
beach, with sand as smooth as table
and with a glisten upon it as if covered
ever so thinly with water.
That the shivering sand y cried Ralph
ha(f-laughing. "Why, walked across ii
yesterday, and it was as firm as a road.
way"
"And yet it is now as soft and treacher-
GUS as the sea ITSELF" replied the old
man.
"Why how do you know that2 Have
any of you tried it?;'
"Tried ity" cried several of the men.
in a breath. I'VE are not mad /"
There is no need to try it, said the
old man who had first spoken. at has
been tried too often, and my eyes never
deceived me whenever it appears"
"Well, we'll, I will try it," cried Ralph,
with resolute shake Of his head, as he
dropped Edna's arm and moyed toward
the dangerops-sPott.
mo, nor cried Edna, as she grasped
one arm, while the old villager seized
the other, "do not go!-oh, do not gol
You will be lost!
mot I! If do feel it the least shakv
will return at once. Let me CO." And
he shook OF EonA's grasp, while the old
man still held him.
"You will not find it shakey at all