Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1869-05-28
9cIcttc0 nststrlloup.
THE VOW.
A Tale OF Life in Switzerland.

WAS travelling in the Switzer Ober-
land. The sun was Just going down be-
hind the towering Alps, shedding as it
were an avalanche of variegsted colors
over the surrounding lsudsCape-cattle
lowing in the distance, seeking their
homes; sheep bleating and wandering to
their folds birds returning to their nests.
No human beings in view; no home
where might rest that night, and pre-
pare for further explorations of the won
derful country.
My horse began to slacken his pace
At last l saw between the wide spreading
frs what seemed to me chalet. Smoke
issuing from chimney is sure indication
of human life existing. ! rode on and on
My horse knowing perhaps the locality,
certainly better than l, seemed to hurry
his pace. A thatChed roof came in view
Aftera while perceived gate, and soon
dismounted to seek a shelter for the night
1t was a secluded spot, certainly. The
"chalet was built with care, heavy
stones protecting its roof from being torn
up by passing hurricane. The door was
aiar, a faint light glimmering through the
opening. | dismouuted, 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 mountaineer," knowing no fear,
and withal ready to do any service when
needed.
"Can rest here this night? ?" l asked,
in as good a Berne accent as l could
master.
"You can," was the answer. evil
helm, take the gsntleman's horse to the
stable;" and a boy of some twelve years
obeyed 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 large
arm. chair, curiously carved, and occupy.
ing one side of the fireplace. 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 l shall have supper
ready"
SO saying, she went away, and while
INDUCED in the luxury of warming fire
seated in Wilhelm's chair" heard the
Gathering of pans and dishes, tokens o.
the realization of the promised supper.
of primitive country life, when heard 8
groan from an adjoining apartment:
"Karl, Karl do come do come ?
And after a while it was again, Do come
do come |" There was an urgency, s
pleading earnestness in the words which
cannot express. K0mnle : OH b0Hlnae y
was the request. Then followed grosn
a pause, and again the pleading voice said
Kari, k0mnle! oh, kOmn1e !"
The matron entered with supper, sub
stantial though simple. While placing
the dishes on the table, the groan, and fol
lowing, KOnlD16 ! oh, konlnle !" sounded
again. She instantly went through a sid
door, and then heard her chiding softly
"LeibeS Kind, sci doch aeeiSe. Dear child
be sensible. Karl is far off, Karl ma.
soon come. Be sensible, dear child"
But the pleading voice repeated: " Kari
do come. Mother, have the room in readi
ness. Mother, l have waited long. s.
long so long! Mother, cannot wal
longer. When he comes, mother, all vii
be well. My heart is sick, mother. Com
to me, mother; kiss me, mother. VIII
does Karl not Gomez
And so it went on till at last the suffer
er seemed to be exhausted and in the arm
of sleep. The mother then came out an
said:
"Excuse me- sir, my daughter is i'll
very i'll. The doctors have given her VI
She cannot live. No, she cannot live !"
And then her strong nature gave way
and she wept bitterly.
"What is the matter p said l, when sh
recovered from her deep emotion.
"Pining away, sir" she answered
"piniug away Four years ago her bC
trothed, brave and handsome young maj
said to her 'Trudchen, am off for Amel
lea, There l can make q fortune, and the
come back to marry thee Here it is mi
cry ndsendless labor Karl said TruC
chen, better poor with thee, than ric
without thee. We have cows and goat
and we can make living. Why leay
me and risk thy life and mine. For, trul,
Karl, l love thee, and without thee cal
not live But the young man was stu'
born, sir, as most of our young moul
taineers are; he laughed, and said With
four years he would be back and MARI
her. The four years are up this very da.
For a month she has been fading an
fading away. "A slow fever seems to u
dermine her, and only one thought keel
her alive Karl is coming! He said fol
yearsl Karl is comingp"
"And it is to day Just four years sinr
he left?' asked, touched by the mother
woe.
"Just four years." said she, "The fir
year we received letters. Then he ss
he was going on great venture, and v
might not hear from him for some tim
Nor did we. No tidings from him sin
our last letter"
And the poor widow broke out in teal
But deep groan from the inner chamb
reused her at once; she went in, and
heard the girl saying;
"MotheT, mother Karl is comm
coming E'r kOmmt ! er kOHlmt?'
While the mother was soothing her 81
fering daughter | heard far away, as
seemed to me, sound like the tinkling
coW.bell. But it increased in strengt
and going to the door listened attentiJ
ly, and sure enough it was a church bel
The mothers familiar ear had caug
the sound, and rushing to the door S
listened awhile. mo alarm no fire
said she. what can it be? 1t is t
church bell of Wetterbrunner."
"How far from here ?" l asked.
1.-TWO miles" she answered "but II tab
long TO get there through the windings
the mountain passes"
The bell still continued ringing, a
through the open door the sound reach
the ear of the sufferer. "Hear Hear
she cried, "the bell rings Er koulmti !
kommti"
The mother and myself were standi
in the door listening to the sound, and,
il were, lost in our own thoughts. WI
were hers do not know. Tears stream
down her furrowed cheeks, and ct last !
said, with the accent of deepest gri
Lieber Herr Get erbGrme dieh UHSe
ESQ Lord God have mercy on us")
But all at once We heard voices singh
shouting huZZaing: then again as