The Plymouth weekly Democrat. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1860-1869, 1869-05-27
THE VOW.
A Tale OF Life i'm Switzerland.

ianU- ne sun was Just going uOWu DC
hind the towering Alps, shedding as il
were an avalanche of variegsted cOlors
over the surrounding landscape cattle
lowing in the distance, seeking theiI
homes sheep bleating and wandering tC
their folds birds returning to their nests
No human beings in view; no home
where l might rest that night, and pre-
pare for further explorations OF the won
derful country.
My horse began to slacken his pace
At last saw between the wide spreading
/ frs what seemed TO me q chalet. Smoke
issuing from chimney is sure indication
of human life existing. l rode on and on
My horse, knowing perhaps the locality
certainly better than |, seemed to hurry
his pace. A thatched roof came In view
Aftera while perceived a gate, and soon
dismounted to seek shelter for the night
1t was secluded spot, certainly. The
"chalet" was built with care, heavy
stones protecting its roof from being torn
up by passing hurricane. The door was
ajar, faint light glimmering through the
opening. l dismounted, fastened my tired
horse, approached the door. gently tap
ping, and with kind of nervous anxiety
waiting for the answer.
The door was opened by sturdy wo-
man, facing me with the steady look OF
the real mountsineer," knowing no fea-,
ard withal ready to do any service when
needed.
"Can rest here this night ," l asked
in as good Berne accent as l could
master.
"You can," was the answer. Will
helm, take the gentlemanS horse to the
stable;" and boy of some twelve years
0beved the summons, took my horse, and
led it to the place of rest, giving it such
care as those who know the value of
horses learn to bestow.
"Sit down and rest yourself" said the
stately matron, showing me to a large
armchair, curiously carved, and occupy
ing one side of the fire place at used
to be my Wilhelm's chair" she continued.
"But he is gone; am a lonely widow
now. and keep it for the stranger who
happens to pass this way. You are well
come to it, sir, very welcome. Rest your
self; after while / shall have supper
ready"
So saying she went away, and while |
INDUCED in the luxury of warming fire,
seated in " Wilhelms chair" l heard the
Gathering of pans and dishes, tokens of
the realization of the promised supper.
was Just philOsophizing on the blessedness
of primitive country life, when heard q
groan from an adjoining apartment:
"Karl, KARL do come do conner
And after while it was again, 4" Do come
do comet" There was an urgency, a
pleading earnestness in the words which |
cannot express. "R0mmei " oh kOmme ~
was the request. Then followed a groan,
a pause, and again the pleading voice said ::
=" Kari, k0nane oh, k0nnae ~
The matron entered with supper. sub
stantial though simple. While placing
the dishes on the table, the groan, and fol-
lowing, "Romme : oh, komme ~ sounded
again. She instantly went through a side
door. and then heard her chiding softly
Lei6es kind, sci doch aceiSe. Dear child,
he sensible Karl is far off, Karl may
soon come Be sensible, dear child"
But the pleading voice repeated: Karl,
DO come Mother, have the room in readi-
ness Mother, | have waited long. So
long so long Mother, l cannot wait
longer. When he comes, mother, all will
be well My heart is sick, mother. Come
to me, mother kiss me, mother. Why
does Karl not Gomez
And so it went on till at last the suffer
Z
of sleep The mother then came out and
said
Excuse me, sir, my daughter is i'll
very i'll. The doctors have given her mp.
She cannot live No, she cannot live"
And then her strong nature gave way,
and she wept bitterly.
"What is the matter?' said I, when she
recovered from her deep emotion.
"Pining away, sir" she answered,
"piniug away. Four years ago her be-
trOthed, brave and handsome young man,
said to her 'Trudchen, am off for Amer
"a There l can make fortune, and then
come back to marry thee. Here 1T is mis-
cry and: endless labor Karl, said Trud
chen, better poor with thee, than rich
without thee. We have cows and goats,
and we can make living. Why leave
me and risk thy life and mine. For, truly,
Karl. love thee, and without thee can
not live But the young man was stub
born, sir, as most of our young noun
taineers are he laughed, and said within
four years he would be back and marry
her. The four years are up this very day.
For a month she has been fading and
fidiDg away. A slow fever seems to un-
dermine her. and only one thought keeps
years! Karl is comingp"
"And it is to day Just four years since
he LETT" asked, touched by the mothers
woe.
"Just four years." said she "The first
year we received letters Then he said
he was going on great venture, and we
might not hear from him for some time
Nor did we. No tidings from him since
our last letter"
And the poor widow broke out in tears.
But deep groan from the inner chamber
reused her at once; she went in, and |
heard the girl saying
Mother, mother Karl is coming
coming Er kOmmt er kOmmt'"
While the mother was soothing her suf-
fering daughter l heard far away, as il
seemed to me, sound like the tinkling OF
! a COW bell. But it increased in strength
and going to the door listened attentive
ly, and sure enough IL was church bell
The mothers familiar ear had eau sh,
the sound, and rushing tc the door she
listened awhile. mo alarm no fire =
said she. "what can it be? II is the
church bell of Wetterbrunner."
"How far from here ?" asked
1.-TWO miles, she answered "but it takes
long to get there through the windings OF
the mountain passes"
The bell still continued ringing, ant
through the open door the sound reached
the ear of the sufferer "Hearl Hear =
she cried, "the bell rings Er kommt! eI
kommt"
The mother and myself were standing
in the door listening to the sound, and, 81
it were, lost in our own thoughts. Wha
were hers do not know. Tears streameC
down her furrowed cheeks, and at last sh'
/ aaid with the accsut of 6peDpSt grief