, 1864-01-30
The Mountain Of the Lovers.

we forget III WuaI DOOk IL was, many
years ago, that we read the story of lover
who was to win his mistress by carrying her
to the top of mountain, and how he did
win her.
We think the scene was in Switzerland
but the mountain, though high enough to
tax his stout heart to the uttermost, must
have been among the lowest Let us fancy
it good lofty hill, in the summer time. 1t
was, at any rate, so high that the father Of
the lady, proud noble, thought it impossi-
BILE for young man SO burdened to scale it.
For this reason alone, in scorn, he bade
him do it, and his daughter should be his.
The peasantry assembled in the valley to
witness so extraordinary sight. They
measured the mountain with their eyes
they communed with one another and shook
their heads but all admired the young
man and some of his fellows, looking at
their mistresses, thought they could do as
much. The father was on horseback, apart
and sullen, repenting that he had subjected
his daughter even to the show Of such a
hazard; but he thought it would teach his
interiors a lesson. The young man (the
son Of small land proprietor, who had
some preteutions to wealth, though none to
nobility stood respectfully looking but con-
fident, rejoicing in his heart that he should
win his mistress, though at the cost Of a
noble pain, which he could hardly think Of
as pain, considering who it was he was to
carry. If he died for it, he should at
least have had her in his arms, and have
looked her in the face. To clasp her person
in that manner was pleasure he contem-
plated with such transport as is known only
to real lovers; for none others know how
respect heightens the joy Of dispensing
with formality, and dispensing with for
mality ennobles and makes grateful the re-
spect. p pa
The lady stood by the side Of her father,
pale, desirous, and dreading. She thought
her lover would succeed, but only because
she thought him in every respect the no
blest Of his sex, and that nothing was too
much for his strength and valor. Great
fears came over her, nevertheless. She
knew not what might happen in the chances
common to all. She felt the bitterness Of
being herself the burden to him and the
task and dared neither to look at her
father or the mountain. She fixed her
eyes now on the crowd (Which, neverthe.
less, she beheld no) and now on her hands
and fingers ends which she doubled up to-
ward her with pretence-the only decep-
tion she had ever used. Once or twice q
daughter or a mother slipped out of the
crowd, and coming up to her, notwithstand-
ing their fears Of. the lord baron, kissed
that hand which she knew not what to do
with. ai aai ai'f Lh@s ls4.' bN.
e The father said, "iNow, 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 of, slow but secure, as
if encouraging his mistress. They mount
the hill; they proceed we'll; he halts an
instant before he gets midway, and seems
refusing something; then ascends at a
quicker rate and now being at the midway
point, shifts the lady from one side to the
other. The spectators give great shout.
The baron, with an air Of Indifference, bites
the top Of his gauntlet, and then casts on
them an air Of rebuke. AT the shout the
lover resumes his way. Slow but not feeble
is his step, yet it gets slower He stops
again, and they think they sec the lady kiss
him on the forehead. The women tremble,
but the men say he will be victorious. He
resumes again he is half way between the
middle and the top he rushes, he stops,
he staggers; but he does not fall. Another
shout from the men, and he resumes once
more; two-thirds Of the remaining part Of
the way are conquered They are certain
the lady kisses him on the forehead, and on
the eyes. The women burst into tears, and
the stoutest men turn pale. He ascends
slower than ever, but seems more sure. He
halts, but il is only TO plant his foot to 90
on again; and thus he picks his way, plant
ing his foot at every step, and then gaining
ground with an effort The lady lifts up
her arms as if TO tighten him. See he IS
almost at the top; he stops, he struggles,
he moves sideways, taking very little steps,
and bringing one foot every time close to
the other. Now he is all but on the TOP ;
he halts againl;S he Is fixed; !; he staeeers.
A gf6dn goes through the whole multitude.
| Suddenly he turns full front towards the
top; il Is luckily alm0sta level; he stag,
gers, but IL is forward. Yes, every limb IL
the multitude makes q movement as If IL
would assist him See at last he Is Oh the
top, and down he falls with the burden.
An enormous shout. He has won, he has
won. Nowihe has d right TO cares his mis-
tress, and she is caressing him, for neither
Of them gets up. If he has tainted, Il Il
with joy, and II Is 10 her arms. Z Ea
The baron puts spurs to his horse, the
crowd following. Half way he Is Obliged
70 dismouht; they ascend the rest Of tho
hill together; the crowd silent and happy !;
the baron ready 70 burst with shame and
impatience.e N They reach the spot The
lovers are face 10 face on the ground, the
lady clasping him with both arms, his lying
on each side p ~ ,1eeb ygd Sll9aa : 'ifdN
g Traitor exclaimed the baron, athou
hast practiced this feat before, on purpose
to deceive me. Ariset''
20 You cannot texpectit, sir, !" said worthy
man, who was rich enough TO speak his
mind, /" Samson himself might rest after
such deed. asif AF'1e
Part them, said the baron.
Several persons went up, not 10 part them,
but to congratulate them; and keep them
together. These people look close they
kneel down they bend an ear; they bury