The Ashland union. [volume] (Ashland, Ashland County, Ohio) 1854-1868, 1860-04-11

manner, seemed unnatural; and the Idiot of
the Alps was the standing theme of many q
thrilling tale Of mountain life
F, Once, while guiding a small party of enthu-
siastic touris through almost inaccessible
and seldom attempted region, while the travel
ers were felicitating themselves upon achieving
such height and beholding its subIimities, a
lady of the party, venturing near the dizzy
brink of stupendous glacier, dropped cost
ly necklace, which fell over the edge far into
the icy and perpendicular chasm beneath
Her cry of regret was heard and understood
| by Andravi, who was instantly at her side and
! despite the urgent remonstrances of all, he
made signs that he would descend and recover
the lost article and fastening one end of a
strong coil to hunters pole he bore, and
which he buried firmly in the ice above, he ra-
pidly descended the fearful gulf
'.The man is an idiot. and we are idiots to
let him do this fool-hardy feat!" exclaimed one,
as breathlessly they gazed upon their guides
descent '.Should his hands fail him, or the
rope break, he would be lost, and we too for
we could neither advance nor retrace our way"
At that moment the sharp twang Of the
cord, and a cry of horror from above, announced
that the line had indeed been parted and
with faces of dismay they beheld Andravi fall
few yards beyond the end of the dangling
rope, the remaining portion still in his clutch !!
L.
by their beholding him frantically grasp at
stunted tree which projected from rock, in
his descent, and consrived to retain his hold
awhile; but this delay was brief; his grippe re-
laxed, and he fell again-into the snowy vale
below!
From the height which his spectators were,
and owing to the dazzling effect of the snow,
it was impossible to judge of the distance be-
tween the tree and the spot upon which he had
fallen; and they strained their iespairing eyes
after him, at the imminent peril of their own
footing, to watch if the too Jealous Idiot should
move again, or remain dead where he fell
To their joy, he arose at once, and without
looking up, as though his misehance were of
tance, they saw him search the snow around
him for the necklace for which he had ventur-
ed SO much. Soon they saw him stoop, and a
faint ej culation which ascended, intimated
that he had found it.
But now the wonder was how he was to as
cend again. No path was visible on any hand
and the rope was swinging high beyond the
tree ee5a 90 c.
Clasping the chain about his own neck, and
drawing a knife from his belt Andravi began
to ascend the ragged wall, with the aid of the
weapon-cutting, as he aseended, step by step,
here and there, in ice or earthly crevice, a tenn
porary hold for hand or foot, until, by painfully
protracted efforts, which exhibited iron enduf-
ance wei dauntless heart, he had ele-
voted himself high enough to admit of tying
the broken end of the rope around his waist );
and from that perilous position, between hea-
ven and earth, lie was now cautiously drawn
up, by the overjoyed and amazed party above.
Long were the praises and congratulations
which greeted the idiot, as he stood once more
in safety among them ana as he flung him
kha tn ILL
the necklace with grim smile, its fair owner
refused to receive it. r
ono, keep it, trophy of your heroism
brave fellow ~ she cried ''It is valuable
but poor return for the hazard and labor YOU
underwent, and the wonderful courage you
have shown"
Guild ng the travellers safely to their next
point of destination, and receiving other sub
stantial tokens of their admiration, Andrayi re-
turIed home, where, the fame of tie exploit
soon followed him-an illustration of many
similar acts which, during the ten years of his
adventurous life among the Alps, made the Id
lots name illustrious among the mountaineers,
and himself an object of curiosity to travellers.
Yet, though there arrived from all chimes
people of many ranks, none ever came who |
seemed to know aught of his previous history
or who could satisfactorily solve the mystery
" hich hung about him. -.asf e11sf
To all, he was the same quiet, listless, unin-
telll%lble creature, as guide, but generally |
mute and incoherent-save in his acts, as an
Alpine pioneer, and towards the humble In hab- |
tants of the district where he first had been
found. and where he continued to dwell.
The rewards be received from travellers, he |
distributed, as if by instructive gratitude, to |
the neighbors who treated him so kindly
,lineing to them and to that mountain region |
NIT xuhi I-fl,o
20 him the more, and made him seem sort OF |
spirit of the spot, by whose side no peril could |
oefall. t .s.eatf
Sometimes, with but scant supply of food,
lie would be absent for days together, and |
when tracked and found by his footprints aiu
he snow, he would be heard mum bling to him.
elf, or absorbed in contemplation of some
ofty mountain-way, as if he expected the
promised approach of some one.
But this mode of life was to have an end.
As wild storm as ever hcaped an avalan che.
lied deceitful valley, or buried a blind
raveler, burst upon the ountains one after =
oon, and whirled and whistled through their
ismal gorges in frightful fury and bewildering
urmoil. Andravi went forth, for such times
lie seemed to love. h
Beneath snowy cliff. from whose ever hoary
ides series of many mountain paths was WIS.,
not yet having added to the ter
ors of lie tempest-Andravi took his stand; J
or had he waited long before he saw muf-
ed traveller approaching, toiling through the
now toward him. ss-
The Idiot remained motionless and mute,
nd the stranger started at the statue-like form
5 he advanced, and announced that he had I
,st his way. gE
"Guide me, if you can, man. I'm wealthy, 7
nd will reward you amply. You seem to,
orbit but the name of Andrian Loretti car t
es belief with it in his own country, Why Y
0 you stare so Speak 10 me- .sy5--
A frantic shrek, and a tiger-like leap upon f
le stranger, were the answer of Andravi, who e
ore the straggler fercely to the earth, while o
is cry was echoed from every hill around. r
But, if the idiot was agile, the stranger was k
o less so and though taken by surprise as o
e fell he drew pistol and instantly dis P
larged it at the head of his wild-looking as
lilant. The ball whistled harmls ssly by, and {
.lo