The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1899-03-23
THE WOMAN'S SAND BANK"
Queer Legend OF the Once Proud City
of StRyOren,

queer Legend OF the once Proud CITY
of stavOren.
Apropos Of tho proposition to reclaim
the Zuyder Zee by constructing dixie be-
tween Stavoren and Medemblik, e. W. G.
tells In St. Nicholas the legend that ac-
counts for Stavovn's s decline from proud
city to an isolated village. In the olden
time the great city stood on the crescent
shore Of beautiful bay. The warehouses
: were full Of treastire and tho streets
throngcd with busy crowds. The mani
fold noise and bustle of thriving city
filed the air. Among the wealthy inhab-
itants was the maiden Richberta Beside
her wealth and splendor all other possess
sions grew dim. No palace could match
hers in msgnifcence. Her ships brought
in such gold aud gems, suoh marvellous
stuffs and such rare strange things from
overseas as made her the envy of all the
town. When she rode abroad in her gram
deur, all eyes followed her, and she was
proud. But her joy was greatest when
strangers came to view her possessions,
for then she knew the fame Of them was
spread abroad in the land
One day stately, gray haired man
came to her door and asked to behold her
treasures. She gave him a gracious well
come and caused her most rare and won
derful things to be spread before him. His
strange eastern dress and q certain air Of
mystery about him fascinated her. and
she eagerly watched him as ho calmly
Viewed the display she made, expecting
from him looks and words Of astonishmcnt
and delight But none came. His counte-
nance remained unmoved, and lie made
no comment. Then in anger Richherta
exclaimed:
"Why are you silent, old MANI Saw you
ever the like of this beforeS'
"No, lady" ho answered gently, "not
even in kings palaces, and have known
them in all countries. Only one thing is
lacking, apd that Is the best Of all. y
"And what is that good thing which
have notP" she demanded In rage.
But tho 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 serv.
ants thought about it day and night. She
sent her fastest ships to hunt the great
world through to find this one treasure.
Miserable and impatient, she awaited their
return, but when they came they brought
her only bitter disappointment. The thing
that was best of all remained undiscover'
ed. One Of these vessels sailed to Baltic
town and took in q cargo Of the finest
wheat but Riehberta in rage ordered 1t
thrown into the harbor.
Now, after many days a strange thing
came to pass. Along the shore and far
out into the bay appeared multitude OF
green blades, and presently the wondering
peopls, cried, @Itts the .wheatl" Because
of Richberta's wicked deed the wasted
seed, meant for blessing, had been, turn.
ed into curse. Mud and sand began to
lodge In the myriad blades Of this strange
growth. Little by little huge bar was
formed, 80 the ships of Stavoren could no
longer sail back and forth over tho once
splendid bay. Slowly the commerce and
the wealth of the great city melted away
Slowly tho proud Richberta sank into pow
erty. And tho wheat grew green and
strong, while into every nook and Granny
slowly sifted the clogging mud and sand.
Then, at last, a yet more cruel misfor-
tune overlook Stavoren. The outlet for
the sea became almost closed And when,,
one day, a dreadful storm arose the terror
stricken people saw the water come burst
ing 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 fran.
tic efforts went for nothing. The city was
drowned. All was lost. Richberta had
builded Stavoren's tomb And to this day
remains the Vrouwe Zand, or "Woman's
Sand Bank, formed by the wasted wheat.
and the bay is the zuyder Zee.