The daily gazette., 1880-04-23
THE MAGIC HAND.
A cAMApIAM LgoENp.
By ). p. p.

Inefe 10 rock on the shore Of Lake
Champlain, where the winds roar and
the waves beat, and where in DAYS when
no white men had yet been seen on its
beautiful waters, many an Indian canoe
had perished with all who padded II
over the clear waters. Il was a place OF
dread to the Indians, who sought 10 pro-
pirate the genii OF the place. A cave
yawned open there, offering shelter. but
no man had ever dared to enter 1t. A.
time went on the French entered Caua-
da, and party came down In q boat
upon the beautiful lake. A fearful
storm came on, and though not ignorant
OF the dangers acribed to the rock, thew
pushed bravely on and entered the
cave.
Here they prepared TO make them.
sci. es comfortable, and, laying nm their
boat securely, beggn to slug the EVENING
hymn, "Ave Maria Stella" No sooner
had the walls OF the cave begun To re-
echo the strains of the bym, than 4 pj-
gantic hand, fair and white and LADY,
like, with ring upon 1t, handed down
an immense bowl Of porridge, while a
voice, loud but gentle, said:
"Eat, and fear not"
Being very hungry, they fell to with a
will and enjoyed the hearty meal tbus
strangely provided for them. The storm
died away, they slept peacefully, and,
with the morning light, again piously
began the day, and were again re-
What IL all meant they could not NM
derstand, but one brave fellow of the
band, Benedict Lafontaine, said:
"Unknown lady, whoever you are. we
owe you many thanks for your hospi-
tality, and would fain repay you.n
A deep sign came from the rock, but
as there was no answer, they called out
their thanks and pushed of.
Many night by the camp fire was the
story Of the cave lady told to wandering
bearers, but 1t made none 90 bold as TO
app oach 1t.
One day Benedict was alone on The
lake In one Of bis long trapping excur-
sions, when he was suddenly met b,
several Indian canoes. Flight was
out Of the question, so he fought like a
hero, and his sure rife had emptied one
canoe aud sent another to the bottom.
when there came terrible tbunder-clan
storm rose with fearful fury, and. ali
were driven toward the haunted rock.
The Indians gave yell of terror, and
wen they might, for In q few moments
they were sw allowed bene ath the tenn
pcstuous waves. Benedict knelt in his
canoe to prepare to die, but his light
boat sped on into the cave, while ali
grew calm around.
Then mans gauntleted hand ap-
peared, with wooden platter of smok-
ing vension, and voice that fairly
shook the cave, exclaimed: envy wife
likes you hymns, but hold every brave
man my brother. Eat, and be ever
bravei"
i"No," said Benedict /; ~ am brave
enough TO ask my hosts who they are.
nor ~ill l eat here again till 1 know
81 am the last Of the Iceland giants,
who, when Christian priests came to
hat island, fed to this land aud here
we have lived. My wife had listened
% heir teachings, and sighs for them,
I "u have come even to to this land.
and my course Is almost run, for the
Gross occupies the world. But I will
Yield to 1t now. / have seen these L.
! ans, who have qua!led before nv ter
'ors, yield to the self-denying Nilsson
aries, whom their most cruel tormenis
,annot terrify."
The next day Benedict met ON the
axe q missionary on his way up the |
axe. He told him Of all the mysteries |
u the cave and led him to 1t. The
liant oldef and his wife lay within the
ave the missionary saw that th v /
Veie apparently dying. With few in
trnctio.s to fill them with love for God,
If baptized them. n- n Ia -toIo2
The storms that haunted the rock
eased, aud only in legends now re-
lafns the story Of the Magic hand.