Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1869-02-09
Under the Ice.

uPOh ehO Ah1b1Ol hOl ~ VI Si o"iSN WV
the dangerous glaciers of Monte Ro-
sa, than Uric Peterson. He was a
man of immense strength and daring
and had often tracked the wilderness
of snow when those who followed the
same calling willingly renamed in
their cottages in the well protected
villages. He laughed at his compan-
ions when they talked Of danger, and
made light of the fears of his good
wife when she trembled at the howl
ing of the fierce winds, or the ava
lanche of STOW, that now and then
swept down with irresistible force up
on the little chalets. With we'll
spiked shoes, a stout alpenstock, con-
fidence in himself, and firm and fer
vent trust in God, he avowed that a
man was as safe upon the topmoSt
cliff of the cloud piercing Matterhorn,
as in the brook-threaded valley Of
TOurmanches. But the timid heart
Of womanhood could not look upon
the matter in the same light, although
her trust in the good Lord was equal
ly as strong; and so, when she saw
him take his trusty rife, powder-horn
and heavily shod staff, one morning,
she clung to him and begged that he
would not go upon the mountains.
"There is every sign of a storm,
she. said. "You know how terrible
they are. We have food enough in
the cottage. Do stay at home with
the little ones"
That would |, wife" was the re-
ply, ''if | had not seen an ibex as | was
coming home, yesterday evening. He
was a stout old fellow, with large
horns; and | fancied he was almost
laughing at me, as | crept around the
cliff upon which be was standing"
"But, Uric, think of the storm that
is certainly coming"
81 have been in many a one, and
care nothing for them. | love the
free whistling of the wind upon the
mountain tops, and the whirring OF
the feathcry snow. So, good wife, get
Inc something to eat. | must be off
before the day dawns."
With a heavy sigh the woman did
as he requested, and with his fond
kiss still lingering on her lips, she
saw him climb the mountain. side un'
til a turn in the path hid him from hel
view. Then she sunk upon her knees
/ by the bed side Of her still slumber
ing children, and committed him into
the keeping of that God who had thus
far preserved him in the midst of ev
cry danger. Meantime, Uric hasten
ed onward with a light foot. 1t was
still dark in the valley; but far above
him he could see the white peaks
glittering in the dim twilight of the
morning, and the fast paling stars
Higher and higher he climbed; anC
soon the sun arose, shedding its ray
of rosy gold upon the icy piles, anC
making them flash as if builded OF
myriad diamonds. To a stranger i
would have been a dazzling sight; tt
the brave hunter it had lost some
thing of It's charm by familiarity, ant
he passed onward and upward. Th,
road grew more rough and difficult
He was obliged to pick his way, tt
Chamber up the crags; but at last h'
reached the edge of a glacier. H,
sat down and rested for q little time
satisfied his hunger, examined hi
shoes and the point of his alpenstocb
and again set bravely forth, Leaving
the yawning chasms, and guarding
against the treacherouS cracks.
4 wall of polished ice arose befor
him, and he knew he would have t
scale it before he could get within sho
of the game. With great difficult
/ it was accomplished, and finding th
| tracks Of the ibex, he followed ther
until, suddenly turning a rugged poin
, he found himself within easy shot, an
, the report of his rife had awakene
, the echoes Of the mountains. Wit
{ the thud of the bullet the beast spran
e forward, but its tail was dropping, il
) head hanging heavily down, its ga
! slow and step uncertain. He kne
e that the whizzing lead had reache
t its mark, that the animal would SOC
=. die, and he paused to reload his riff
, before he followed him. 81 will su
+ prise my good wife" thought he, "t
l. returning sooner than she expecte'
0 and | will have a hearty laugh at IL
g towards who dared not venture fro
their snug cottages for fear of storm
E With a smile upon his lips he has
ened to where the ibex was lying, a;
!, raised it in his arms. Then, with
S cry of horror, he felt his footing gi'
!, way, and the hunter and game we
s, swallowed up in a crevasse of almo
# unlathomable depth. The thin cove
ing OF ice had been sufficiently strol
. to bear the weight of the beast, b
N that of Uric added had shivered it
Is if it had been an egg shell.
Down, down, went the hunter al
ibex, through the debris of snow al
T. ice, lying there for thousand yeal
b. He fancied that the bottom wou
le never be reached. The most pl
ne found darkness enveloped him;
u hand could clutch nothing but dan
&C. ness-but chilling fakes. Fortunate
ell the carcass of the beast was benea
IN him. Yet for all that safeguard,
It. lay for long time insensible. VIII
ic- consciousness returned, another d
he had dawned, and its golden glori
be had found their way even to the b
yh tom of the yawning grave in which
or was lying. He thought upon the
n ter helplessness of the situation
might die of cold and hunger; OF I
lingering tortures he would have
ht endure before death came to put
ht end to his misery; and every mel
It's in his body quivered with horror.
~ looked around to see if there was
40 eomn nnSSihla chanoa Of aScapa