The Lansing state Republican. [volume] (Lansing, Mich.) 1855-1874, 1863-10-28
a STRANGE HEQUIKEMENr.

We forgot in What book it was, many wears
ago, thar We read the story OF d lover who wa
20 win his mistress by carrying her 70 the top OF
mountain, and bow he did win her.
We think the scene was r Switzerland; but
the mountain, though high enough TO tax his
stout heart 10 the uttermost, must have been
among the lowest Let u iancy it a good loft,
bill, IN the sumner time. IL VAS a. any rate 50
aigh, thar the father OF the lady, proud noble
hought II impossible for young man so bur
iened 10 scale il. For this reason alone. H.
-corn be bade him do IL, and his daughter should
De his.
The peasautry assembled in the valley TO wit
o. IS so extraordinary a sight They measured
che mountain with their eyes; they communed
nth one another aud shook their heads but
all admired the young man, and some OF his iel
o"s, looking al their mistresses, thought they
could do a much. The father vas on horse
oack apart and sullen, repentng that be had
sable ,teu his daughter even 20 the show OF such
hazard but he thought that il would teach his
interiors a lesson. The young man the son OF
small land proprietor who had some pretensions
TO wealth, though none 10 nobility stood, re
-Peotiu looking but confident rejoicing in hi
heart tat he should win his mistress. though At
The cost OF noble psia, which be coud hardl,
lhnk of as pain, considering who il was he
~as TO carry. II be died for it, be should at
east have had her in his arms and have looked
aer in the face. To clasp her person in that
manner pleasure he contemplated with
such transport Is known only to real lovers !;
for none others know how respect heightens the
joy OF dispensing with formaity, and how dis
pen-iug with iormalty ennobles and makes CRATE.
tel the respect.
The lady stood by the side of her father, pale
desirous aud dreading. She thought her lover
Sould succeed, but only because she thought
him in every respect the noblest of his sex, and
that nothing was too much for bis strength
and valOr. Great fears came over her, never
theless. She knew not what might happen H.
e chances common 10 all. She felt the bitter
ness of being 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 IN,
owd (which, nevertheless she beheld not) and
nov on her hand aud her fingers ends whicb
sue doubled up toward her with a pretence-the
only deception she had ever used. Once or
twice a daughter or mother slipped out of the
crowd, and coming up to her, notwithstanding
their fears 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 mummery; and the lover, turning pale
tor the first time, took up the lady.
The spectators rejoice to see the manner in
which he moves Of SLOW, but secure. and a. IL
encouraging BIZ mistress. They mount the hill 4.
ihey proceed well be hslts az instant before he
-ets midway, and seems refusing something :.
hen ascends at a quicker rate aud now being
Al the midway point, shifts the LADY, from on,
side TO the other. The spectators gave a gr-ai
shout. The baron, with an air of Indifference
bites the tip OF his gauntlet aud then casts o.
them eve Of rebuke At the shout the lover
esumes his way. Slow but not feeble IN h-
step, vet il gets slower He stops again, ano
hey think they see the lady kiss him on th-
forehead. The women begin to tremble, bur
The men say he will be victorious. He resume
again he is half ~sy between the middle and
the top; he rusbes, he stops, he staggers; bur
ne does not tall Another shout from the mel
and be resumes once more two thirds of the
remaining part OF the way conquered. They
are certain the LADY kisses him on the foreheac
and on the eyes. The women burst into tears
and the stoutest men look pale He ascend
lower than ever, but seems TO be more sure
de hsts, but it IA Only plant his foot TO 20 OF
again; and thus be picks bis way, planting hi
loot at every step, and then gaining ground with
Al effort The lady lifts up her arms as If to
ghten him See he is almost a. the top b,
stops, he struggles, he moves sideways, taking
very little steps, aud bringing one foot evers
,me closer 70 the other Movie Is all but OF
tne top; he hslls again; he is fixed he stag
gers. A grosn goes through the multitude
suddenly he turns iull front toward the top; il
u luckily almost level ne stsggers, but it u
orEard. Yes, every limb 10 the mutituds
makes a movement as if il would assist him -,
Il last; he i on the top; and down be fails ia
Sith bis burden An enormous shout, He ha
~on he has won Now he has right to ca
ress his mistress, and she is csressng him, TO
neither of them gets Up. II be has tainted, j
with JOY, and it Il 10 Der arms.
The baron puts spurs to bic horse, the crow
folloEing him. Halt way be is obliged to dis
mount: they ascend the rest Of the hill togeth
-r; the crowd silent and happy, the baron read
% burst with shame and Impotence The
reach the spot. The lovers are face to face o
The ground. the lady clasping him with bot
arms. his wing on each side.
"Trsitorl" exclaimed the baron, "thou hs'
practiced this feat before, on purpose 70 decelV
ne. Arise
You cannot expect it, cir" said a worth
man, who was rich enough TO speak his mind
sampson himself might take his rest after sue
J deed"
Part theml" said the baron.
Several persons went up, not 10 part then
but 10 congratulate and keep them tOgethe
These people look close; they kneel down; the
bend an ear; they bury their faces upon then
God forbid they should ever be parted more
said a venerable man they can never be
He turned bis old face streaming With tears, al
ooked up at the baron " Sir, they are dead
{ q We fnd il the Yankee the following e