Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1858-03-19
Mlis(elldneons.
The Bride OF Death.
A LEGEND OF SWITZERLAND

About year ago, in the course of my
travels, | found myself one evening after
sunset in one of the most mountainous
regions of Switzerland. had lost my
way, and was vainly seeking the path by
which | had come, in order to return -
Just then the moon, rising like silver
crescent from Lake Zurich, threw pale
glimmer on the icy SUBMITS of the dis
tant glaciers. BY its light l discovered
what appeared to be the path / sought.
| walked hastily, that I might soon reach
the village where l intended to pass that
night.
The solitary gloom around me made
me redouble my pace as descended from
mountain to mountain, and scrambled
from rock to rock as well as the darkness
would permit. After slipping down half
dozen times, and encountering various
difficulties. felt pretty we'll used up, and
discovered that had lost my way.
Hoping thas some solitary cottage
would perhaps afford shelter to a lost
and weary traveller, ! toiled on, though
not without great danger. Impenetrable
lodges extended before me like dark
clouds trees that had existed for ages
stood single and erect, like spectres, the
moon shooting her pale rays through
their moaning branches. A deathly
shudder ran through my veins. After
long and fruitless wanderings / strayed
into small footpath, over whose sides
hung huge masses of rocks which threa
tened every moment to crush me by their
fall.
After long and tedious walk I reach
ed a sudden bend in the path which led
to deep ravine Beyond this huge
mountain doomed up in the distance. At
the foot of it appeared hut in which a
light still glimmered. TO cross over to
it was simply impossible; one false step,
and | should be dashed to pieces in the
abyss beneath. To reach it by any other
road was ont Of the question; for an end
less chain of jagged cliffs stretched out
like barrier before me.
Compelled, therefore, to decide on re-
naming for the night in the open air, |
tried to find some place whore could
sleep without risking my life by fall
into the yawning chasm beneath. My
valiso served as a pillow, and as the moon
now shone brightly could sec by my
watch that it was near midnight.
was tired as dog, and soon fell into
slumber, from which | was aroused by
the sound of footsteps. l listened, but
all was silent. / began to think it an
illusion, and was just composing to sleep
again, when / heard voice close by me
singing.
The tones were those of a young girl,
and the trembling accents seemed to pro-
coed from heart oppressed by sorrow.
| rose softly, and discovered that she was
kneoing on the ground gathering plants,
which she placed in a basket beside her.
In answer to the question whether she
could not direct me to some hut where |
could pass the night, she very kindly
pointed out that Of her parents, the one
that had previously noticed.
We soon reached mountain torrent,
across which was hanging bridge. She
glided lightly over il; and when at a
short distance from tho hut, inquired,
Are you not afraid to be out alone in
this wild place at this time Of nightp
"Oh, no . my heart feels no fear. It
is for my William, who is dangerously
ill; and in the hope of saving his life |
would remain out all night in far more
lonesome and dangerous place"
But why gather these herbs At mid
night | inquired, in surprise.