Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1856-03-21
Giterarp Selections.
A NIGHT AT AN ALPINE INN.

ny opJecI on Ine present JauHt' AI1ohS
my travelling companions III the present
coach-if the heavy, numbering thing IN
which we rode can be called such-was
an Englishman, named Fitzhern. He
had travelled over nearly the whole con-
tinent, and his companionship was not on
ly pleasant but valuable. We left Cha
tillon in the morning, and at noon we
stopped to dine at little inn some fifteen
miles to the northwest of Ayace. Itwas
only about twenty miles from St. Ber-
nard, and directly among the Alps. There
was no other building in sight than those
Belonging TO the inn, for there was hardly
chance to build another. A wilder spot
Inever saw; but yet it was grand and
romantic. The giant Alps lowered up
close at hand, and all about the spot we
could see the massive crags lifting their
dark gray heads above the forest trees.
Awide stream went dashing wildly thro'
the gorge, and its roar at first was almost
deafening when the stream was high.
I noticed that my companion regarded
the place with interest, and he took par
ticular note ofseveral things which seemed
very commonplace to me. Alter dinner
we went back of the house to look at the
torrent. AS far as the eye could reach
on either hand the water came and went,
dashing over its bed of rocks-tumbling
crashing, boiling kissing, and ! soon grew
dizzy with the view; for I had imagined
what would be the sensation of my soul
were to fall into the mad food and the
very thought was so fearful that [ shud-
dered and grew weak. Near at hand
was narrow footbridge, formed by three
stout logs which had been fallen across
from crag to crag, and bound with ropes.
There was no railing of any kind to pro-
tect the passengers, and had no desire
to cross over.
When we returned to the inn, we found
the ostler just leading the horses out, but
my companion asked me to take turn up
stairs. followed him up, and after reach
ing the second landing, he turned into a
sort of corridor, which led out into long
wing towards the stream. At the further
end of this passage, he opened door,
and entered small room, in which was a
bed-frame, but no bed. [ looked out al
the little square window, and found the
torrent close below me. At least could
have easily jumped, from where 1 then
stood, half way across the boiling stream
~ don't wonder they've taken all the
bedding out from here" l remarked, as
turned my gaze from the window to the
bare framework of the couch.
"Why 500" asked Fitzhern.
!" Why-no one could sleep here, witt
such a roar in his ears"
" And yet L slept here once," he said
Y0u?"
I" Yes-but there's the horn. I'll tel
you about it when we get under way once
more. Well take seat on top
So down we hurried and found the dill
igence ready to start. We took, our sea
on the top, and as soon as we had got fair
" Started, Fitzhern commenced to relat
his adventure in the old inn we wer
leaving.
1t is now years" he began, " since
passed this way before. Twas then alone
and on horseback, and was travelling i
the opposite direction-and on my wa,
from the Great St. Bernard to Chatillor
Preached the inn we just left about tn
middle Of the afternoon, and as my hors
was tired, and fearing I should not b
able to reach Ayace until long after darl
Iresolved to remain here for the nigh
So I gave my horse to the ostler, and O.
dered supper and room. There was L
traveller beside myself, but I found plent
to engage my attention. When suppc
time came, l found new conner at II
table. He was tall, dark looking ma
but with very intelligent face and OF
caiculated to command a certain degrt
otrespect. He was dressed in a pla
smsot green cloth without ornament
any klnd, save that the shirt or frock, w
worked with black cord upon the brea.
He had military appearance, and 1
once took him to be a military officer
the Austrian service. He conversed W;
me In French, but with the German;c .
cent. We were alone at the table a
after some few remarks had been PASS
on general topics, he asked if 1 was ira
cling north. l told him no-that 1 h
como from the north, and was going sou
Rather hard road" he said, witt
smile; "but if you are not going on
night it may be all safe"
Where is the danger" 1 asked.
o, only now and then fellow "
wants to overhaul your luggage"