Eaton weekly Democrat. [volume] (Eaton, Ohio) 1866-1875, 1870-08-04
EATON OHIO, THURSDAY AUGUST

ceived under the table a note. book
and the stump of lead pencil. This
book I instantly took possession
of, in hope of finding therein some
particulars about the man; but
there was no time to read it
then, as evening was rapidly coming on.
We made rough bier of boughs, and,
placing the body upon, it, descended the
mountain. On reaching the village. the
unusual sight attracted every enc, and we
were soon followed by a procession of
men and boys-all, however, keeping si-
'lence and behaving with due decorum.
We entered the Gasthaus, shutting out
our numerous followers, and deposited
our ifeless burden in one of the private
rooms.
Mine host was greatly astonished and
shocked to hear our account. He had
been thinking the matter over all the
winter, and had come to a firm convic-
ton that the man had been something
more than mortal, and had vanished that
day with grand crash of the elements,
and in flash of snow instead of fire. The
real fact gave too sad ending to his mys-
terious tale. He sent for the chief men of
the village to come that evening and form
sort of coroner's jury, smoke a pipe, and
talk the matter over. Before they ar
rived, 1 took the first opportunity to ex-
anime in private the note-b book l hao
found. 1t was written in English, the
first part of the book containing scientific
notes, and the rest being diary, of which
more anon.
After supper the magistrates and some
of the most prominent burghers assem-
bled in the public room; the doors were
closed, and our party called in to tell our
story. After the others had spoken 1
came forward and produced tho book,
stating where had found it. Every one
was filed with curiosity, and amid deep
silence translated to them, as well as I
could, the contents, which were as fol.
lows:
OCTOBER 81, 1867 Buried alige It is
now two days, by my watch, that have
now become SO resigned to my situation
that can sit down and calmly note in
my diary what has taken place in hopes
that il l die here before can be rescued
there may at some time be found this rec
ord of who I am and how I died. My
name is Peter Fairlie; was born in
Edinburgh, and am doctor of medicine I
have always taken great interest in
science; a month ago 1 came to this
country, to make tour through the Alps,
in search of mineral and botanical curiosl-
ties. Day before yesterday ascen6ed
this mountain, accompanied by guide
After we had lunched, I wandered about,
looking for curiosities, and seeing at
distance rock with very strange bush
growing upon the top of it, walked
toward it. It was then showing; and the
fiakes:fell faster and faster, until 1 thought
had better return to the guide. could
not see him, but ran in the direction Ia
which I thnrskt Z had left him. After
running some distance stopped and
but no reply Ihad evidently lost
my way and now the snow was coming
furfcGsly down, the wind driving 1t in my
face and eyes. / ran about, for q long
time, quite confused, but could not find
him, nor hear his voice. suppose he
must have been doing the same in search
OF me, aud that we had gone farther and
farther from each other. Aepe the poor
fellow has escaped my fate. After bhndly
wandering about for considerable time,
I came near a small building standing
under the lee of large rock. Toward this
hastened, and, as approached it, i
saw dimly through the drifting snow the
fgurese ef two men running at full speed
down the mountain. Just then there
came noise of thunder, and, looking up, I
beheld an avalanche tearing down toward
me-. In my terror dashed into the hut,
when, with crash which shook every
beam and partly stove in the roof, the
avalanche passed over it, and was in
total darkness. After recovering from my
L
Way to get out, but in vain; snow is on
every side and above me, through which
can make no progress. Several times 1
have been nearly smothered, and now
have given up the attempt, and resigned
myself TO my fate. Perhaps, when am
missed, the villagers May come up and
dig me out-no, that is hopeless-they
know not where I am. At all events, L
hope that, if die here, can meet death
q 1aou rrvif
nor family to mourn for me, and ann only
'ad to think of dying without having &C
any great work. Still, let me
zee what hope of life I have, and take an
OF my resources. I have found
IN old lantern, luckily filed with oil, by
;he dim light of which now write. This
must use sparingly, for several reasons,
Tiz- /: may by the combustion reduce the
supply of oxygen, which is so precious to
me here; must not waste my oil /
must not increase my supply of carbonic
scid by the flame. l viii, therefore, live
N the dark, except when l wish to
write. have found large Swiss
cheese, the only article of food In the hut.
Can l support life with this? Let me
see. Caseine chiefly, some albumen, oily
particles, etc.-an digestible. Water
can get from the snow. Well, 1 must
make the experiment, and will note my
symptoms; then, if die, and this record
should ever be found, shall have achiev- 4
ed something in giving to the profession
The physiological action of cheese as an
exclusive diet. cannot distinguish night
rom day my only method is to count
The hours by my watch. Happily it is
good one, and not likely to stop. Now
will put out my lantern, and make my
bed upon the floor, with my cloak for
,overlet. l have supped of the cheese,
md like it. -s-r- Z
NoVEMBER 1a.-I have had good
sleep. 1t is not cold here, as one would
imagine; 1 do not suffer in the least.
Neither do suffer for want of air, as
had expected. II must be that the air
permeates between the particles of snow
IN sufficient quantity to keep me alive,
Made my breakfast of cheese this morn
ing, and enjoyed 1t. 1t eeems to be easily.
1igested. am getting so used to the
that 1 can, perceive the outlines
Of everything about me. wonder if
could make tunnel through the snow,
gradually ascending until reach the sur
face. That would be digging q hole
beginning at the bottom-a feat I have
never yet known to be accomplished.
will try it, however, and it will give me
81 7i-tt !.-:s 4t-
b., /" -Four o'clock, P. M-Have made my
-c- - Oh iu