Pawtucket tribune. (Pawtucket, R.I.) 1890-189?, 1891-10-16
THE GOBLIN STORM.

my ouS ~ duucu tuOSo VINO euNlcu
him the attention excited by his gor.
gcous uniform.
But Jules and CASTOR. Jean and Emil,
said bluntly that they knew better, and
to show their faith I'm their old comrado
invited him to take soup with tem as
he used to do before he went into the
army.
Behold, then, the five friends around
tho table. What havo they to talk Of
after their long separation? We will
listen.
The sergeant Is speaking:
Indeed, hardly know how ono lives
at all in those tropics. Without boast
ing, myself bear things as well as most
Of my neighbors, butt confess it, my
friends, have been frightened by the
tropics. Think of it, my boys, French
officer afraid Of the weather."
"Of the weather." asked Emil.
81 cannot see that" said Jules.
"It is no more than tho truth" re-
sumed tho sergeant. I'm Tonquin we
have thunder and lightning-for / cam
not otherwise name them-but not such
as come to these villages-little groans Of
thunder here and sparks of lightning
there, but thunder storms to terrify u
bishopp
"How so?" asked CASTOR, curiously.
The sergeant had enjoyed his soup, and
truly his tongue talked Of itself.
''In Toneuin,' said he. rising to his
feet (for SO one gestures more easily,
"the lightcst of our thunder cracks can.
non balls in two. and one peal follows
another 30 fast that there is never but
one, which, however. lasts as long aS the
storm"
Strange enough" said Jules, with his
mouth open. his spoon in the air.
And the lightningT' asked Jean,
quickly.
"The lightning?' repeated the SER
geant, "much the same sort. 1t is never
seen All the world stays indoors and
puts on green spectacles-ono or two
pairs!"
"A curious customw remarked Emil,
looking sidewise at the veteran.
"As you say-curious indeed" replied
the sergeant, smiling. you would en-
Joy the oddity Of it, have little doubt.
But there is something more worthy of
notice. There is the rain. In Tonquin
tho rain falls So fast that it doesn't reach
tho ground"
"But, sergeant" Grid CASTOR, rising to
protest, "your last statement is hardly
credible!"
"Oh, you demand an explanation,
said the sergeant with some warmth,
and pounding the table with his stiff fin
ers, "it L. because the raindrops fall SO
fast they are dried up by tho friction Of
the air-that Is, Of course, all but little.
] do not mean to say that none Of the
water falls to the ground-that would be
unreasonable"
$50 thought" said CASTOR, nodding
his head wisely.
"You were right, Gaston," said tho SER
geant, grandly. always tell me il you
find my stories incredible. am q little
irritable, but not proud. And / know
(since l, too, lived In this little village
once-so long agoD how seldom you hear
such adventures"
"My word, but have heard things as
stranger said CASTOR, dryly.
"Then my stories do not surprise you?"
asked the soldier, with some disappoint-
ment
"Why should theyr' replied CASTOR.
II have never been in Tonquin have
heard Of queerer things. however; yes
and In this very town!"
"S1th as?'- said the sergeant. look
ing hard at the other and twisting his
mustache ends into two needle points
"Some people would say your ionquin
storms were not large Castor said
frankly. But | am not q, foolish
Freely admit that such stn!.i.. ""v rare
in this village. But / do cUn...d tngt
can well be-"
The sergeant moved uneasily on ms
four legged stool, and gazcd at Castor
with his eyelids half closed
"Did you never hear uf them said
CASTOR, saeming to be much surprised
"Never," said the sergeant, la pecu
liar voice.
1T is said that once at tho inn, where
you are staying. a man who had be.t :.
sailor think it was a sailor a. ,.l'
home from Algeria and told Vi m,ay
wonderful experiences. Sea syrr It's
land slides, unicorns, rocs eggs and iirr
.maids-such was his stock H. irad.'
Well. one morning, that soldier
"Sailorl" said the sergeant. fsowEinS
Sailor, Of course-ihat sal!oI r...ae "a
breakfast telling Of "A terrible storm. g
thunder storm-a true Tonquin storm. il
you will permit me. sergeant. The -
geant bowed, still frowuin2 'HuL
strangely enough" CASTOR Went Oh no
one else had seen any signs Of sioi:'.
whatever It had seemed TO every unr
else bright moonlight night Now. /
call that worthy Of renarkr
Truly so" said the s.rgcnt, uneasily
"And, strangely enough" went on the
villager, there is a legend that such
storms are tho work Of goblins, who thus
punish tellers of big stories, rs. it seems,
this sailor must have been!'
The sergeant made no comment, but
drummed quickstep upon the table,
whistling noiseless fife accompaniment.
Emil, Jules and Jean had been listen
Ing open mouthed and ransacking their
brains TO find some trace Of this wonder
ful legend. But no one Of them could
recall IL, and, while they were collecting
their wits to question CASTOR, the SER
gcant asked:
Where was 1t you said this sailor