Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1838-07-19
MHSCEELAN NV.
THE MOUNTAIN OF THE LOVERS.

We forget in what book it was, mapy
years ago, that we read the story OF u
lover who was to win his mistress by
carrying her to the top OF mountain.
and how he did win her, and how thew
ended their days on the same spot.
We think the scene was in Swi,zer.
land; the mountain though high enough
10 tax his stout heart TO the uttermos,.
must have been among the lowest. Let
US fancy good lofty hill in the summer
unie:-lt was, at any rate, SO high that
the father Of the lady, a proud noble,
thought 1t impossible for the young man
80 burthened to scale it. Fer this rea
son aions IN scorn he babe him do it,
av peusantry assembled in the val.
icy to witness so extraordinary a sight.
They measured the mountain with their
eyes; they communed with one another,
aud shook their heads but admired the
young man; and some Of his fellows
looking at their mistresses, thought they
could do as much. The father was on
horseback, apart and sullen, repenting
that he had subjected his daughter even
to the show of such hazard; but he
thought it would teach his interiors .
lesson.
The young man. (the son OF small
land proprietor, who had some pre,ea-
sions to wealth though none to nobility
stood. respectful-lOoking but confident,
rejoicing in his heart that he should win
his mistress though at the cost of q no.
Bile pain, which he could hardly think
as pain, considering who it was he was
to carry. Ii he died for it, he should
| at least have her in his arms, and have
looked her in the face. To clasp her
person in that manner was pleasure
which he contemplated with such trans.
port, as is known only TO real lovers !;
for none others know how respect height.
ems the joy of dispensing with formality,
and how the dispensing with the formal
| ity ennobies and makes grateful the re-
spect.
The lady stood beside her father, pale,
DESTROYS and dreading. She thought her
lover would succeed, but only because
she thought him in every respect the
noblest of his sex, aud tina, nothing was
too much for his strength aud vaior.-
Great fears came over her, nevertheless.
She knew not what might happen in
the chances common to all. She felt the
bitterness Of her being herself the bur>
then to him and the task; and dared nei.
sher TO look at her father nor the noun
tain. She fixed her eyes now on the
crowd (Which nevertheless she saw no! }
and now Oh her hand and fingers ends
which she doubled up towards her with
pretty pretence,-the only deception
she had ever used. Once or twice :
daughter or mother slipped out Of ths
crowd, and coming up 10 her nolwith
standing their fear of the lord baron
kissed that hand which she knew no
what to do with.
The father said, "now sir, to put al
end to this mummery;" and the love
turning pale for the first time, took "
the lady.
| The spectators rejoice in the name
IN which be meveS off, siow but secure
and as if encouraging his mistress.
They mount the hill-they procee
well-he halls an instant before he get
midway, and seems refusing somethiu
then asceBds at quicker rase-an
now, being at midway point, shifts tn
lady from one side to the other
! The spectators gave great shout
Tbe baron. with an cir OF Indifference
lbites the top Of his gaunsl.t, and the