Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1889-07-23
THE GOBLIN STORM.

nun the attcntlon chcltcu uy us kof-
gcous uniform.
hut Jules and CASTOR. Jean and Emil.
said blunily that they knew better. and
90 show their faith In their old comrade
invited him 20 take soup with them as
hs used to do before ho went into the
army
Behold. then. the flvo friends around
tho table What have they 10 talk Of
after their long ssparationl We viii
listen
Tho sergeant Ia spcakingi
Indeed. hardly know how one lives
At all In those tropics Withou, boast.
ing. myself bcar things A. well as most
~ my ncighbos. but confess II. my
friends. have been frightened by the
tropics. Think of IL. my boys. French
officer afraid of the weather."
"Of the weather. asked Emil
II cannot 80 that" said Jules.
1T l. no more than the TRUTH" re-
sumcd tho sergeant In Tonquin We
have thunder and lightning-for can.
not otherwise name thcm-but no, such
A. come TO these villages-littlcgroans OF
thunder here and sparks Of lightning
there. bat thunder storms 10 terrify a
blshopl
"llOw so" asked Baston, curiOusly.
The sergeant had enjoyed his soup, and
truly his tongue talked of itsclf.
I'm Tonquin." said he, rising 20 his
feet lfor ~ ono gestures more easily
"tho lighiest ~ our thunder cracks can.
non halls Ia two. and one pcal follows
another ~ flst that there l. never bat
one. which. however. lasts as long as the
storm"
Strange enough. said jules. with his
mouth open. his spoon In the air.
"And the lightning asked Jean.
quickly
The lightning repeated the ser
gcant. much tho same sort. Il Is never
seen An the world STAYS indoors and
puts on green spcctaclcs-ono or two
pains"
"a curious custom'" remarked Emil.
looking sidewiso at the veteran.
AS you say-curious indeed. replied
tho sergeant. smiling. "You would en-.
10y the oddiiy of u. | have little doubt
But there il something more worthy of
notice There l. the rain In Tonquin
the rain falls ~ fast that IL doesn't reach
the groundl
"liui. sergeant Grid CASTOR. rising 10
protest. your last statement "a hardly
crcdiblef"
"Oh. YOU demand an explanation
said the sergeant with some warmth,
and pounding the table with his still fin.
ors, III l. because the nindrops fall -
fast they are dried up by the friction Of
the air-that l.. of cour,e. all but little
do not mean 20 say that none Of the
water falls to the ground-that would H.
unreasonable"
80 thought said Castor. nodding
his head wisely.
"You were right. CASTOR. said the ser
gcant. grandly. Always tell me II you
find my stories Incredible am little
irritable. but not proud. And ] know
(since |. too. lived In this little village
once-so long agoD how seldom you hear
such adventures"
my word. but have heard things as
strangei" said Castor. dyly.
Then my stories do not surprise your
asked the soldier. with some disapPoint-
ment
"why should theyY replied CASTOR.
Il have never been In Tonquin. have
heard Of queerer things. however' yes.
and in this very town.
"Such asy'- said the sergeant, look
ing hard at the other and twisting his
mustache ends into two needle pointA
"Some people would say your Tonquin
storms were not large" CASTOR said
frankly. But am not - foolish
Freely | admit that such storms are rare
In this village But DO contend that
we have here the smallest storms that
can well be
The sergeant moved uneaSily on his
four legged stool, and gazed at CASTOR
with his eyelids half closcl
"Did you never hear Of themY' said
CASTOR. seeming TO be much surprised.
"Never." said the sergeant. In pecu'
liar voice
ut is said that once at the Inn. where
you are staying. a man who had been
sailor-I think Il was sailor-came
home from Algeria and told Of many
wonderful experiences Sea serpenis
land slides, unicorns. rocs' eggs and mer'
maids-such was his stock In trade.
Well, one morning. that soldier
''Sailor!- said the sergeant. frowning.
Sailor. Of course-that sailor camo to
breakfast telling Of a terrible storm,
thunder siorm-a true Tonquin storm. II
YOU will permit me. sergeant The ser
geant bowed. still frowning. But
strangely enough. CASTOR went on. mo
one else had seen any signs Of storm
whatever Il had seemed to every one
else h bright moonlight night Now. !
call that worthy OF remark
"Truly so.- said the sergent, uneasily
"And. strangely enough" went on the
villager. "there IL legend that such
storms are the work OF goblins, who thus
punish tellers OF big stories. as. IL seems.
this sailor must have beeni"
The sergeant made no comment, but
drummed quickstep upsn the table,
whistling noiseless fife accompaniment
Emil. Jules and Jean had been listen
ing open mouthed and ransaeking their
brains TO find some trace Of this wonder.
ful legend. But no one Of them could
recall II. and. while they were collecting
their wits to question CASTOR. the ser
geant askedi
"where was It you said this sailor
lodgedY
"At your Inn. In the front room on the
lcft-your room. by the way. sergeant.
is II noty"
THAT IL where they have put me" re-
piled the veteran Then rising. he shook
hands all round. saying; Good night.
my lads. good night Remarkable place.
the tropics'
"Ren,arkablc. indcedr' they answered.