The weekly intelligencer. [volume] (Lexington, Mo.) 1891-1901, 1899-05-13
..rHE woMAN,S SAND BANK
A Legend OF the Que Prsad city
Of StaVoren, New = Dess-
lated Village


Apropos Of the proposition iorcclaim
the Zuyder Zee. by Constructing a dixie
between Stavoren and Mrdcmb!ik T.
w. c. tells the legend tha; accounts for
S~,avoren's decline from a proud city 10
an isolated village. In the olden time
the great city stood on The c~reseeu,
shore Of a beautiful, bay. The ware
houses were full Of trcoSuv. and the
streets thronged with busy crowds
The manifold noise and hustle OF a
thriving city filled the air. Among the
wealthy inhabitants was the maiden
Richberta. Beside her wealth aud
splendor all other possessions grew
dim. No palace could match hers in
magnihcenee, Her ships brought in
such gold and gems. such marvellous
stuffs, and such rare. strange things
from over the seas as made her the envy
OF all the town. When she rode abroad
in her grandeur. all eyes followed her,
and she was proud But her joy Vas
greatest when strangers came to view
her possessions, for then she knew the
fame OF them was spread abroad in the
land.
One day 4 stately, gTay-haired man
came to her door and asked to behold
her treasures. She gave him a gracious
welcome. and caused her nos rare and
wonderful things to be spread before
him. His strange eastern dress and a
certain air of mystery about him fas-
cinated her. and she eagerly watched
him as be calmly viewed the displayshe
made, expecting from him looks and
words Of astonishment and delight.
But none came, His co~untenanee re-
manned unmoved, and he made no com
ment. Then, in anger, Richberta ex-
claimed:
why are you silent, old nan? Saw
you ever the like Of this before?"
NO, lady" he answered gently, mot
even in kings palaces, and l have
known them in all countries. Only one
thing is lacking, and that is the best of
ALL"
And what is that good thing which
/ have not7' she demanded in a rage.
But the strange man only shook his
head, and would not tell, but went his
solitary way.
Richberta's wrath knew no bounds.
All her pleasure in her possessions was
gone because Of the one thing, best Of
all, that she had not. Nobody could
think what It could be, though she and
her wisest servants thought about it
day and night. She sent her fastest
ships TO hunt the great world through
TO find this one treasure. Miserable
and inpatient, she awaited their re
turn; but when they came they brought
her only bitter disappointment. The
thing that was best Of all remained un-
discovered. One Of these vessels sailed
to a Baltic town, and took in a cargo
OF the finest wheat. But Richberta in
a rage ordered il thrown into the
harbor.
Now, after many days a strange thing
came 10 pass. Along the shore, and far
out into the bay, appeared a multitude
Of green blades; and presently the
wondering people cried: at is the
wheat" Because OF Richberta's wicked
deed, the wasted seed, meant for a
blessing, had been turned into a curse.
Mud and sand began to lodge in the
myriad blades Of this strange growth.
Little by little a huge bar was formed,
so the ships of Stnvoren could no longer
sail back and forth over the once SPLEEN
did bay. Slowly the commerce and the
wealth Of the great city melted away.
Slowly the proud Richberta sank into
poverty. And the wheat grew green
and strong. while into every nook and
Granny slowly siited the clogging mud
and sand.
Then, at last. a yet more cruel mis-.
fortune overlook Stavoren. The out
let for the sea became almost closed.
And when, n day, a dreadful storm
arose, the terror-stricken people saw
the water come bursting through the
dikes that kept the town from being
submerged. They fought the food as
only Hollanders can fight such an
enemy; but this was one of those rare
times when they were helpless. Their
frantic efforts went for nothing. The
city was drowned. All was lost. Rich.
berta had builded Stavoren's tomb
And to this day remains the vrouw,
Zand, or "Woman's Sand-bank," formed
by the wasted wheat; and the bay IL
the Zuyder Zee.-St. Nicholas.