The Litchfield County post. [volume] (Litchfield, Conn.) 1826-1829, 1826-11-21
From the Museum Of Forign Lit. & Science
A WEDDING IN COURT.

A1"dS Oue utle utty III 0c ptemDSr, nearly
thirty years ago, that a young man Of the
upper Engadine, named Alloys Voghel set
out full of joy and confidence to hunt the
chamois for the last time that season, in
one of the highest ranges Of Mount Berni-
ma. His enjoyment in this sport, which
is well known to amount to absolute pas
sion in those accustomed to brave its per-
ills, was perhaps heightened by the refec-
/ ton. that after, his approaching marriage
with the object Of his early affection, the
beautiful Clara Meyer, those fond entrea-
ties and persuasive smiles, which, even on
the present occasion, had half succeeded iii
dissuading him from the. enterprise, would
probably be often exerted to prevent its
repetition, and transform the fearless cham-
ois-hunter into quiet, peaceful husband
man. For this once, then, at least, he
determined to enjoy to its highest degree Of
excitement the fearful pastime and with
all the enthusiasm of youth and happiness,
he bounded from rock to rock, as he caught
glimpses of the objects Of his pursuit, cal
culated to lure him to the highest and most
UNEMPLOYED regions of the mountain.
He was unencumbered except by his ri-
ae, and light pick-axe, indispensable for
occasionally hewing out footsteps in the
frozen snow; a game-bag slung over his
shoulder, contained pair of sharp-piked,
sandals to fasten on the shoes in scaling icy
pinnacles, a large scalp-knife todismember
the prey, and the slender stores Of bread,
cheese, and kirsohwasser, with which our
hardy mountaineers support life, underscir-
cumstances Of extreme peril and fatigue -
The fneness of the weather, the nAagnif-
cepce of the objects which surrounded him,
his own bright prospects ofapproachipg fe-
licity, combined to raise the spirits Of the
Ejocund hunter; and when at length, he de-
| serted at no great distance before him, a
herd Of scattered channels, whose usually
vigilant sentinel, trusting apparently to their
inaccessible situation, seemed slumber-
ing on her post, his exultation was COM
| plete. I'VE
Fastening onhis piked sandals, he crept
silently around an icy ledge, whose dizzy
lparapet was suspended over an abyss, which
any but a Chamois hunter would have shud-
dered TO behold, and taking deliberate
aim at the prime animal of the herd, he
had the full satisfaction oflaying it dead al
the feet ofits startled companions. The re-
port of the piece, reverberating from rock
TO rock, awakened many mountain echo,
and after a moment (allowed by every cau-
tious hunter, to ascerta n that the vibration
Of the atmosphere had disturbed no i'm
pending mass Of snowy the joyful youth
rushed forward to take possession Of his
prey. @ rsnSe
His first business, as an experienced
l ~1.~ ell ~ rel,:
this he stripped of, and after propitiating
the mountain vultures, by tribute of the
offals and inferior parts Of the animal, hi
made of the skin, attached together by the
four legs, sort Of knapsack into which he
he put the horns, "a trophy Of the age land
strength of his victims) the precious fat
and the more esteemed and delicate parts
i Of the flesh. Fain would he have pursued
thd bewildered herd into still more inacces-
sible retreats, but this the approaching
shades ofevening would have rendered toe
imprudent and satisfied, for Clara's sake
with this comparatively easy triumph, he
descended, singing hunters carol, into
those lower mountain 'rGAees, where III
might safely pass the night.
Over the side Of the mountain which HI
chose for his descent, forthe sake ofvari
ETY., though not precisely the nearest to hi
native village, lay path little frequented
and very difficult, but occasionally used b,
those well acquainted with the country, a
4 a passage into Italy, the northern parts o
which, it is well known, are chiefly suppl
ed with confectioners and sellers oflemon
ade by the migratory inhabitants Of tn
i Engadine, who, however, seldom failto 81
turn with their little earnings, and pas
\ the evening of their life in their native val
ley.
\ Along this path (Which he knew woul'
at no great distance bring him to q GROUP
of Ckaless, where he might pass the night,
Alloys gaily proceeded. many bright Wis
ion of love and happiness beguiling the to.
dunn Of the way, when, on turning a pro
Ljecting anglo in the path, occasioned By
i the recent fall of mighty fragment from
above, his merry strain died upon his lips
and Joy gave place to horror. on beheldinl
across the path before him. the body Of
, murdered man!
A sight SO rare in these peaceful regions
| for moment deprived the bold hunter o