The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1846-06-27
AN AFFECTING STORY.
BY L. HUNT.

BY LIZ tUNIs
Not many years ago we read in a
book the story of a lover who was TO
win his mistress by carrying her to the
top of high mountain, and how he did
win her, and how they ended their days
on the same spot.
We think the scene was in Swltzer-
land. butelhe mountain, though high
enough to tax his stout heart to the Ut
most, must have been among the lowest.
Let us fancy it a good lofty hill In the
summer time. 1t was, at any rate, so
high that the father Of the lady, proud
nobleman, thought it impossible for a
young man, burthened to scale it. For
this reason alone, in scorn he bade hIm
do it, and his daughter should be his.
The young man, (the son of small
landed proprietor, who had some pre-
tensions to wealth, but none to nobili-
y respectful looking, but not conf
dent, rejoicing in his heart, that he
should win his mistress, though at the
cost of noble pain. which he could
hardly think of as pain, conslderln-
ing who it was he was to carry. If 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 man
ner, was a pleasure he contemplated
with such transports as Is known only
to real lovers; no others know how re-
spect heightens the Joy of dispensing
with formality, and how dispensing
with formaIity enobles and makes great
er the respect.
The lady stood by the side o(him pale
desirous and dreadIng. She thought
her lover would succeed, but only be-
cause she thought him in every respect
the nobIest Of his sex. and that nothing
was too much for his valor and strength.
Great fears came over her neverthe-
less. She knew not what might hap
pen. She fixed her eyes, now on the
crowd which she beheld not. and now
on her hands and fingers ends, which
she doubled towards her with pretty
pretence, the only deception she had
ever used. Once or twice a mother
or daughter stepped out Of the crowd
and coming up to her kissed the hand
she kneW not what to do with.
The father said "Now, sir, put an
end to this mummery," and the lover.
turning pale for the first time, took up
the lady.
The spectators rejoice to see the
manner in which he moves off, slow
but sure as if to encourage his mistress,
he halts an instant before he gets mid
way, then ascends at quick rate, and
being at the midway point, shifts the
lady from one side to the other. The
spectators gave shout. At the shout
the lover resumes his way. lie stops
again, and they see the lady kiss him
on the forehead. lie resumes again;
he rushes, he steps, he staggers, but he
does not fall.
lie halts but it is only to plant his
foot at every step, and then gaining
ground with an effort, the lady lifts her
arms as if to tighten him. Suddenly
he turns full front towards the top; he
staggers but it is forward. See, at last
he is on the top, and down he falls,
with his burden. An enormous shout
He has won! He has won!!!
Now be has right to carress his
mistress, and she is carressing him, for
neither OF them get up. fhe has faint
ed, it is with "joy and it is in her arms.
The baron put spurs to his horse the
Gro wd following him. Half way he is
obliged to dismount, they ascend the
rest of the hill together, the crowd
silent and happy-the baron ready to
burst with shame and impatience.-
They reach the top.
The lovers are face to face on the
ground the lady clasping him with both
arms.
"Traitor!" exclaimed the baron, s'thou
has practised this fete before on pur-
pose to deceive me. Arise!'
"Iou cannot expect it sir" said a
worthy man who was rich enough to
speak bis mind, "Sampson himselfmight
take bis rest after performing such a
deed as that