The Grenada sentinel. [volume] (Grenada, Miss.) 1868-1955, 1869-05-29
6elerte0 nlisrellunp.
THE VOW.
A Tale OF Lille in Switzerland.

WAS IdNellAlB III Tue 6Wlln6r ODer-
land. The sun was just going down be.
hind the towering Alps, shedding as it
were an avalanche Of varegated colors
over the surrounding landscape 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 saw between the wide spreading
frs what seemed to me a 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 gate, and soon
dismounted to seek 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. | 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 q 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. "Wil-
helm, take the gentleman's horse to the
stable;" and 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 a large
armchair, curiously carved, and occupy
ing one side of the fireplace "It used
to be my Wilhelms chair" she continued.
"But he is gone; am lonely widow
now, and keep it for the stranger who
happens to pass this way. You are vel.
come to it, sir, very welcome. Rest your.
self; after while I shall have supper
ready"
So saying, she went away, and while
indulged in the luxury of warming FIRE
L
Gathering of pans and dishes, tokens oi
the realization of the promised supper. ]
was Just philosophizing on the blessednest
of primitive country life, when heard q
groan from an adjoining apartment:
"Karl, Karl! do comet do comet
And after while it was again, "Do come
do GOMEZ" There was an urgency, 8
pleading earnestness in the words which
7 al n
was the request. Then followed groan
a pause, and again the pleading voice said
Karl, k0mnsoi oh, komn1e !"
The matron entered with supper, sub
stantial though simple. While placing
the dishes on the table, the groan, and fol
lowing, " Komale oh, k0mr1e ~ sounded
again. She instantly weht through a sid
door, and then l heard her chiding softly
"Leibss kind, SCI d0ch aoeiSe Dear child
be sensible. Karl is far of, Karl MAJ
soon come. Be sensible, dear child"
But the pleading voice repeated Karl
do come. Mother, have the room in readi
ness Mother, I have waited long. 8
longl SO longl Mother, l cannot wal
longer. When he comes, mother, all vii
be we'll 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 uE
She cannot live. No, she cannot live"
And then her strong nature gave way
and she wept bitterly.
"What is the matter?' said /, when sh
recovered from her deep emotion.
"Pining away, sir" she answered
pining away. -Four years ago her bI
trothed, brave and handsome young maj
said TO her 'Trudchen, am off for Anne
ica There can make fortune, and the
come back to marry thee. Here it is mi
6ry andsendless labor Kari, said Tru,
then, better poor with thee, than riC
Nithout thee. We have cows and goat
ID we can make a living. Why leav
ia and risk thy life and NINE For, trul
arl, love thee, and without thee l ca
nos live. But the young man was stu
BERN, sir, as most of our young moui
neers are; he laughed, and said with
dar years he would be back and mari
hef The four years are up this very da
Fol a month she has been fading OF
iing away. a slow fever seems to u
mine her, and only one thought kee
hef alive Karl is coming He said fo
Afsl Karl is comingP"
And it Is to day just four years sin
he left?" | asked, touched by the mothe
voc.
just four years" said she. "The iii
M we received letters Then he 50
vas going on great venture, and J
ht not hear from him for some tin
did we. No tidings from him sin
last letter.
nd the poor widow broke out in tea
deep groan from the inner chamt
her at once; she went In, ami
the girl saying:
other, mother! Karl is comil
ag. EF konnst I en- k0n1mtgn
Eile the mother was soothing her s
ieF daughter heard far away, a.
to me, sound like the tinkling
bell But 1t increased in streng
ad going to the door l listened attenti'
NJ sure enough IL was church bel
mothers familiar ear had eau;
lnd, and rushing To the door
d awhile. No alarm no Ar.
aid she. What can it be-? Il Is
0W far from here 2" | asked,
Eomiles, she answered; "butittAi
"a get there through the Windings
mountain passes
the bell still continued ringing,
ueh the open door the sound reacl
sar Of the sufferer Hear Hea
cried, the bell rings Br koapnt I
matip
whe mother and myself were stand
he door listening to the sound, and
ers, lost ID our own thoughts. "
hers do not know. Tears asreaI
heF furrewed cheeks, and at last
with The accent Of deepest 81
sdsr Herr Gost erJaTnse djch u7ls
Lord God have mercy on u.s.
at9li at snce we heard voices sing
ating, huzzaing; then again, as
went behind aone mountain, u