Lewiston teller. [volume] (Lewiston, North Idaho) 1878-1900, 1891-09-24
A STORMY NIGHT.

A STORMY NIGHT.
Ouiberon is q small French fishing
town in the department OF Morbilian,
at the extremity OF long. slender
peninsula Southwest OF Vannes. As
wandered along the rocky shore far
beyond the outskirts OF the village a
storm burst upon me with such fury
that hastily sought shelter in the
nearest hsherman's cottage. The fish
family made me welcome, and
as the night was coming on begged me
me TO stay with them until morning.
saw their face, turn pale at the
blackness Of the gathering clouds and
the loud roaring of wind and waves.
Pierre the father, had gone out as
usual that afternoon in his little fish
ing boot taking with him his youngest
son, n lad OF fifteen. They had not
o'clock. tried to cheer them rs we
sat watching and waiting. but the
hours passed by and still the fisher
man and his son did not come. The
raging OF the wind over the barren
peninsula seemed to increase with
each fresh blast that tore Its way out
upon the open sea. Tho crashing OF
the waves upon the beach was awful
to hear, and the dreary darkness and
gloom terrible to behold. The longer
my companions listened to the storm
and the oftener they looked out at it
the fainter grew their hopes for the
safety OF Pierre and Francois. The
scene in the cottage grew impressive
even in it's simplicity. On one side Of
the great ragged. black fireplace
crouched two little girls. the younger
half asleep with her head in her sisters
lap. These were the daughters OF the
fisherman. and opposite to them sat
their eldest brother. Victor. His right
arm was bandaged and supported by
sling hung from the shoulder. just
to the left of the fireplace was a
truckle.bed. On this lay very old
man whom they called grandfather.
His haggard face was covered with
deep wrinkles; his long white hair
flowed over the coarse lump of sack
ing which served him for a pillow,
and his eyes deeply set and piercing,
wandered necessarily from person to
person; and from object to object, in
all parts OF the room.
The people and the articles OF furni-
ture IN the cottage were strangely and
wildly lighted up by the blaze OF the
fire and by the still brighter glare of a
resin torch stuck in a block of wood in
the chimney corner The red and yell
low light played full upon the weird
face OF the old man as lie lay opposite
it. glancing restlessly toward the
young mans seat Great gloomy
shadows rose and fell, grew and les
sened in bulk about the walls like WIS.,
ions of darkness. animated by super
natural specter life. while the dense
obscurity outside. spreading before tho
uncurtained windows. seemed as a wall
of solid darkness.
At last the child by the fire broke
the oppressive silence. ut is time tc
change the bandages on your arm,
Victor" she said, in a voice just below
u whisper.
Tho old man started uneasily at the
sound. and his harsh, hollow voice
mingled with the last soft tones of the
young girl. '.Do you hear them, Vic
tor? Listen! The terrible storm spirits
are abroad and they tell me they are
dead! Both dead! hear the wave.
saying: Drowned! Drowned! Botf
drowned!"
Hush. grandfather" the youth re
piled. in voice trembling with dread
There may yet be hope. for God ant
the Blessed Virgin will surely protect
them"
''Silence!" exclaimed the voice from
the bed in such harsh tones that We
all started in our seats. Don't yo,
hear the wall of the dying men, Vic
tor? Their cries sound out above the
seas wailing! hear the devils
psalm singing roaring louder than thu
storm wind! Be silent and listen
Alas! Pierre drowned! Francoi,
drowned! Harkm
A terrific blast OF wind burst owe
the house as he spoke, shaking it t.
its center. overpowering all othe
sounds. even the deafening crash of thu
waves. The slumbering child awOk'
with a scream of fear. The girl kneel
ing before her brother binding tn
fresh bandages on his wounded arm
paused in her task, trembling from
head to foot. The youth did not hee'
her, but was trying to quiet the fear
Of his young sisters. kissing them ant
saying: do not be afraid, nothin:
shall harm you. 1t is but the win'
that we hear"
Suddenly one of the girls cried on
in alright: oh, Brother Victor
look at grandfather The old ma
hal raised himself into a sitting pos
ture, his eyes were dilated and HI
whole face rigid with terror while hi
hands were stretched out convulsivel
toward his grandson. Look! Look!
he screamed. The spirits who di
the graves OF the drowned are out G
the sea- They are digging deep dee
into the waves. At the bottom ! ST
the poor. pale faces OF Pierre and Ii
tie Francois.