Lincoln telegraph. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1836-1846, 1838-07-05
M.ISCELIAN us.
MOUNTAIN OF THE LOVERS.

MOUNTAIN OF THE LOVERS.
We forget in what book itlwas, many
years ago, that we read the story of lover
who was to win his mistress by carving her
to the top Of mountain, and how he did
win her, and how they ended their days on
the same spot. We think the scene was
in Switzerland /; but the mountain though
high enough to tax his stout heart to the
uttermost, must have been among the low
est. Let US fancy it good lofty hill in the
summer. time. 1t was at any rate, SO high;
that the father Of the lady proud noble,
thought it impossible for young man SO
burdened to scale it. For this reason
alone. in scorn he, babe him do it, and his
daughter should be his.-Tbe peasantry
assembled in the valley to witness SO ex-
traordnary sight They measured the
mountain with their eyes; then communed
with one another, and shook their heads;
but all admired the young man; and some
Of the fellows looking at their mistresses,
thought they could do as much The ia
Their was on horseback, apart and sullen,
repenting that he had subjected his daugh-
ter even to the show Of such hazard: but
he thought it would teach his interiors a
lesson. The young man (the son of
small land proprietor. who had some pre-
tensions 10 wealth, though none to nobility
stood. respectful-looking but confident, re-
joic ing in his heart that lie should win his
mistress. though a. the cost OF q noble pain,
which he could hardly think of as pain,
considering who it was he had to carry
Ii he died for it he should have had her in
mis- arms, and have looked her in the face.
To clasp her person in that manner was a
pleasure which he contemplated with such
transport, as is known only 10 real low
ers; for none others know how respect
heghtehs the JOY Of dispensing with the
formality which ennobles and makes CRATE
full the respect. 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, land that nothing was
too much for his. strength and yalor
Great fears came over her nevertheless.
She knew. not what might happen in tho
chances common to all. She felt the Bit
terness ofbeing herself the burden to him
and the task; and dared neither to look at
her father nor the mountain. She fixed
her eyes now on the crowd (Which, never
thsless,sh saw not) and now on her hands
and fingers ends, which she doubled up to-
wards her with pretty. pretence--thei
only deception she had ever used. Once or
twice daughter or mother stepped from
the crowd; and coming up to her, notwith-
standing their fear of the lord baron; kissed
that hand which she knew not what to do
with. The father said, Nov sir, to put an
end to this nnummery;' and the lover turn
ing pale for the first time, took up the lady
The spectators rejoice to see the manner in
which he moves off, slow but secure,
and as if encouraging his mistress. They
mount the hill; they proceed we'll; he hats
an instant before he gets midway, and
seems refusing something; then ascends at
quicker rate; and now being at the mid
way point. shifts the lady from one side to
the other. The spectators gave great
shout. The baron with an air of indiffer-
ence, bites the tip oil his gauntlet, and then
casts on them an eye of rebuke. AT the
shout the lover resumes his way. Slow but
not feeble in his step, yet it gets slower.
He stops again, and they think they see
the lady kiss him on the forehead. The
women begin to tremble, but the men say
he will be victorious. He resumes again;
he is half way between the middle and the
top; he rushes, he stops he staggers ; but
he does not fall. Another shout from the
men, and he resumes once more; two
thirds of the remaining part of the way are
conquered. They are certain the lady
kisses him on the forehead and on the eyes.
The women burst into tears the stoutest
men look pale. He ascends slower than
ever, but seeming TO be more sure. He
halts, but only plants his foot to go on again;
and thus he picks his way, planting his
foot at every step. and thus gaining ground
at an effort. The lady lifts up her arms as
Tito tighten him. See--he is almost at
the top. he ,stoops, he struggles, he moves
sideways. taking very little steps, and
bringing one foot every time close to the
other. .k