Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1882-06-17

demon. at was but passing seizure,
like those that have gone before it. Thou
shalt now see what l can do"
And he began to ply his pickax with
greater energy than ever, toiling on with
out intermission, filing the chasm with
flame from his fiery nostrils, and produc-
ing the effect of continuous thunder.
storm over the weald. Thus he wrought
on, l say, uninterruptedly for the space OF
another hour.
Sister Ursula then turned the glass for
the last time.
The fend was suddenly checked, but not
this time by pains in the limbo or prostra-
ton of strength He had struck the pick
ak so deeply into the chalk that he could
not remove it. He strained every nerve to
pluck it forth, but it continued firmly i'm
bedded; and the helve, which was as thick
as the mainmast of a ship, and of tough
est oak, broke in his grasp.
While he was roaring like an infuriated
lion with rage and modification, Saint
Cuthman called out to him to come forth.
Wherefore should come forth - the
fiend cried Thou thinkest am baffied !;
but thsu art mistaken. / will dig out my
ax-head presently, and my shovel will fur
nish me with new handle.
Cease, il thou canst, for a short space,
to breathe forth flame and smoke and
look towards the east, cried the saint.
"There is glimmer of light in the sky
in that quarter !" exclaimed the demon,
holding his breath shut dawn cannot be
come already"
"The streak of light grows rapidly
wider and brighter" said the saint. "The
shades of night are fleeing fast away. The
larks are beginning to rise and carol forth
their matin hymns on the downs. The
cooks are cawing amid the trees of the park
beneath US. The cattle are lowing i'll the
meads-and bark dost thou not hear the
cocks growing in the adjacent village of
Poyningss ?"
Cocks Growing at Poynings !" yelled
the fend. g. 1t must be the dawn. But
the sun shall not behold my discontinue. !"
"Hide thy head in darkness, accursed
being l'' exclaimed the saint, raising his
staff, "Hence with thee and return not
to this hill. The dwellers within the Sus-
sex Weald are saved from thy malice, and
may henceforth worship without fear. Get
the hence say"
Abashed by the awful looks of the saint,
the demon fed. Howling with rage, like
wild beast robbed of its prey, he ran to
the northern boundary of the rampant sur.
rounding the camp, where the marks of
his gigantic feet may be still be seen in.
delibly impressed on the sod. Then spring
ing off, and unfolding his sable pinions, he
scared over the weald, alighting on Leith
Hill.
Just as he took flight Sister Ursula's
taper went out. Instant darkness fell
upon the hill, and Night resumed her
former sway. The village cocks ceased
growing, the larks paused in their song and
dropped to the ground like stones, the
rocks returned to roost, and the lowing
herds became silent.
Saint Cuthman had to make consider
able circuit to reach Sister Ursula's cell, a
deep gulf having been placed between it
and the headland on which he had taken
his stand. On arriving at the little struct.
ure he found that the refuses troubles
were over. Her loving heart had forever
ceased to beat. Her failing strength had
sufficei to turn the hour-glass for
the last time, and just as the conse-
Grated taper expired she passed away. In
death she still retained the attitude of
prayer, her clasped hands being raised
heavenwards.
"Suspice Domino, precss ncstras pro
ANNA famule tua; ut 81 qua macula de
tsrrenis contagiis adhaserunt, remissionis
tue misericordia delantur p calculated the
holy man. She could not have had better
ending. May my own be like it She
shall have sepulchre at my mothers grave
at Steynipg. And masses and trentals, ac-
cordipg to my promise, shall be said for the
repose of her soul. Peace be with her !"
And he went on his way.
Thus was the demon banished by Saint
Cuthman from the bill overlooking the fair
Sussex Weald, and the people of the plain
ever after prayed in peace. But the devils
handiwork, the unfinished dyke, exists to
this day. Though l never heard that his
pickax had been found.