Pawtucket tribune. (Pawtucket, R.I.) 1890-189?, 1895-08-03
A LEGEND.

Edward the Confessor founded West
minister Abbey ON a knoll by the River
Thames. While the chapel was in the
greenness of its youth, the hour drew near
for its dedication, and one can fancy the
ripple Of anticipation that stirred within
the patient breasts of men who told their
beads and kept long fasts and weary vigils
without hope Of earthly recompense.
One dark night, the Sunday before the
day appointed for the chapels dedication,
q poor fisherman, Edric by name, rowed
slowly up and down the Thames All day
long he had worked faithfully, but, in the
very places where fish were to be had al
most for the asking, this day he had caught
none. At last he laid down the oars in
despair, and with uncomplimentary
thoughts Of the saints whose business 1t
was to look after his interests sat with his
chin sunken on his breast and his hard
hands clasped around his cc4 knees, when
suddenly, out of the very middle Of the ST.
lencc around him, he heard, or thought he
heard, q voice calling his name.
It was not the sharp voice of his wife,
which had more than once broken In upon
his reveries by heralding his Ill luck, but
an unknown, mellow sound, that by keen
contrast made little shivers chase down
his aching spine.
AS he looked about him warily, a light
from the shore flashed on the water and
trembled like a reflected star at the boat s
head. Edric hastily caught up his oars,
and, pulling In the direction Of the voice,
saw an old man on the bank, who beck
oned him with one hand, and as ne drew
near, begged'to be rowed across the river.
Now, whether Edric chanced to be soft
hearted fellow In those hard old days or
whether conscience pricked because he had
gone a-1shing on the Sabbath day, can
not tell. But, be that as IL may, he quick
ly made ready for his passenger without
first claiming fee, and when the stranger
was seated, turned his boat across the
stream toward the monastery.
Once OF twice Edric cleared his throat
cheerfully to address tho venerable figure,
which sat silently, with crossed arms, fac
Ing him, but after all, he had nothing TO
say, especially without encouragement; so
they went on without word.
A heavy, black robe lay In long lines
over the knees of Edric's companion, ex-
cept for one fold that was thrown back
ward over the head, concealing the hair
and most OF the forehead. The face was
chiefly In shadow, but now and then, as
Edric glanced toward it, light like that
OF two near stars shone on him from be-
meath the heavy brows and made him un-
comfortable and awkward with the oars.
Once across, the stranger leaped out like
q Lad, and without so much as a thank
you, though his looks were courteous,
walked straight to the chapel, which on
the instant blazed at every window with a
soft, warm light like that Of n thousand
candles, CHEEKY sight TO a fisherman who
was not only hungry, but wet and shiver.
Ing as well
Edric was bold man and not one whit
afraid of q miracle, which was thing not
20 be carped at, SO he moorcd his boat and
drew nearer, and loi like the swift patter
Of GUNNER shower on 1uttering leaves,
soft, swishing sound fell all around his
ears and q billowing host Of angels alight-
- s~sshs- on arrows bs-oth ~ uhs-" D."