The Athena press. [volume] (Athena, Umatilla County, Or.) 18??-1942, 1910-04-15
A AROUMAN|AN LEGEND
The Tragedy From Which Sprang
ManoIli's Well.
A WEIRD TALE OF OLDEN DAYS

Could Keep the Faithful Anniker
From the Man She Loved and From
Her Horrible Doom.
Tradition is not history, but 1t serves
to fill In the gaps left by the chroni-
clers of olden time and throws light
sometimes lurid one-upon the
manners and customs Of bygone ages.
A dark deed cruel enough to be re-
membered even in cruel age Is re-
peated from father to son, each gener-
alton adding its touch of supersttious
marvel to the story till 1t grows into
the fairy tale Of today, mythical, yet
not without a kernel of truth.
Among the picturesque peasantry
Of Roumania fingers many a weird
tale of olden days. One such legend is
related concerning an ancient monas-
terry, the remains of which are still to
be seen on a wooded hillside. Beneath
the weird walls lie nine great Jumps
Of granite, and among these rocks
rises a spring of clear water, called by
the peasants "Manolli's well' and be-
lieved by them to have strange and
wonderful origin.
Once upon time, we are told,
Roumanian noble named Negen was
captive In the hands of Selim, the sui
tan of Turkey. During his exile Ne
gen employed his time in studying
architecture, and, possessing consider
able talent, he undertook to superin-
tend the building Of celebrated
mosque. Charmed by the beauty OF
the building, the sultan granted Prince
Negen his liberty and permission to
carry back to his native land certain
costly materials similar to those used
in beautifying the mosque.
Accompanied by nine skilled masons,
Negen returned to Roumania, resolved
to immortalize his name by building
there q religious house such as had
never before been seen.
The site chosen, the builders set to
work under his orders, but their labor
was in vain, for every night evil spir-
its pulled down what had been erect
ed during the day.
One night Manolli, the chief Of the
builders, had a strange dream. A
mysterious voice warned him that the
building they had undertaken would
,,o,,o,. 10 rac ,oI ,.plaou thau byilt into
the walls the living form Of the first
woman who appeared at break of day.
On awaking from sleep Manolll
told his comrades of this vision, and
together they made solemn vow to
sacrifice thus the first woman, maid or
matron, who appeared the next morn
ing.
With the first streak of dawn Ma
nolli mounted the scaffolding and scan
ned the surrounding hills with pallid,
anxious face. Alas, who is 1t he sees
In the distance? His own fair young
wife, bringing food and wine for her
lord.
Then Manolli threw himself upon
his knees and besought heaven to
send a flood to prevent her from COM
ing, and at once the rain poured down,
and the river rose SO that waste OF
water covered the valley. But the
young wife waded through the water,
and Manolli in despair, beheld her
still approaching.
Again he prayed, and fierce hurri-
cane swept over the mountains, level
ing trees and hurting rocks In the
way. Yet on she came. Anniker had
a brave spirit, and neither food nor
tempest would keep her from the man
she loved.
Joyfully the masons received her,
but Manolli's face was pale and strlck-
en- with anguish.
They led the young wife to a niche
In the newly built wall and told her to
stand there for joke, while they pre-
tended to build her In. At first she
laughed merrily and entered into the
Jest, but her smiles vanished as quick
ly the wall rose from ankle to knee
and from knee to waist. Poor Ami.
ker's entreaties and cries did not move
the hearts Of the stern builders, and
soon her voice was heard no more.
The prophetic vision proved true.
The building suffered no more from
invisible foes and when complete sat
isned the pride of Negen's heart. Ma
nolli alone took no pleasure In the edi-
fee which had cost him so dear.
1t was finished, and the masons pre-
pared to return to their own country.
Negen, however, determined that they
should never return. The design
which they had worked out SO admi-
rably was the creature of his brain, the
darling of his heart: 1t should never be
reproduced, So he Invited them all to
the roof for the last time. Then.
treacherously removing the ladders, he
left them there to die,
The masons devised various means
for reaching the earth, but they We're
all killed In the attempt TO escape and
were changed by fairies into the great
blocks of stone which remain to this
day In proof of the tragic event.
Manolli alone made no effort to save
himself and Joined In none Of the con-
trlvances prepared by his comrades,
He heard only Annlker's voice calling
to him-"Manolll. Manolli!" Follow
ing the mystic voice, he sprang from
the parapet falling lifeless upon the
earth. and the tears yelling up from