AN ANCIENT ‘SELL.’

New Zealand Graphic, Volume IX, Issue 18, 30 April 1892, Page 456

AN ANCIENT ‘SELL.’

Not many travellers visit Carrara, where the finest of marble is constantly being quarried, as it has been for so many centuries, but, once there, much may be found in the way of legend and scenery to occupy the curious mind. Innumerable stories float about the place, says a writer in Cornhill, concerning the existence of hidden treasures. Gold has often been found in the neighbourhood of the town, and not very long ago a crock of gold coins were unearthed beneath one of the streets.

A most curious experience, however, was that of a quarryman who, in -one of his rambles, stumbled upon an old, deserted quarry, within which, half buried in grass and brambles, lay an enormous block of heavy marble. On examining it, he found a number of letters rudely cut, and half-hidden under a crust of dirt. With some difficulty he managed to spell out the words, • Blessed is he who shall turn me over.’

The man at once jumped at the conclusion that he had stumbled upon hidden treasure, and that his fortune was made. He rushed home and collected some of his friends to aid him in the recovery of the concealed gold. After some very hard labour they succeeded in turning the hoary giant over. Another rude inscription met their eager eyes : ‘ Thanks, my friends. I was weary of reposing so long in one position 1’