Page:Folk-lore - A Quarterly Review. Volume 24, 1913.djvu/388

 364 Collectanea.

There is a tale of a poor girl, called Carina, who was the joy of her friends and of her betrothed. Both her parents died suddenly, and her betrothed was called up by the conscription. Nor did her misfortunes end here, for a few days later a terrible tempest swept over her little plot of ground, destroying everything. The poor creature in her despair prayed that death would have mercy on her. Suddenly a dark angel appeared, and offered her every happiness if she would give her soul to him. Carina, however, shut her eyes and crossed herself devoutly, whereupon the Devil disappeared in smoke. But the terrible effects never left Carina. She heard strange noises in the night, and saw processions of spectres. This could not long be borne, and she died. Her betrothed returned to find her in her grave. Even there Carina is not at rest, for her spirit is seen to hover about the road, calling her betrothed in piteous accents. She waits for "a reply, and, when none comes, returns weeping to her tomb.

Folk-Tale. — A shepherd once lost a goat. He looked for it everywhere. Not finding it in the neighbourhood, he went up to the mountains to search for it, to the Piano di St. Martino, a mountain between the Antrona and Anzasca valleys. He lost his way and never returned home. His voice is still heard, but he cannot be found.

Mountain Spirit. — A shepherd went up Mt. Becetto, near Sampeyre, to the Piano del Vino, with his flock, and waited till evening the arrival of another shepherd, one of his friends, so that the two of them, with their flocks, might go home together. The jodel of another friend was heard, and to it a girlish voice answered from the top of the mountain. This voice continued as long as the shepherd remained on the spot. Getting frightened he began to run homewards, but the voice followed him all the way, and only ceased when he fell asleep.

ESTELLA CaNZIANI.