The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1870-01-27
Selett Storu.
THE PEARL OF CAMPAN.

ChS h"N u'Oihih5 III huNuHHui hho
rambling through the secluded Valley
of Campan, in the Pyrences, nccompa-
MED by the excellent curatc of the dis
trict, with whom, in the course of my
peregrinations, | had become acquaiut
ed, aud beneath whose hospitablc roof
| had promised to spend the night. The
scenery was wild and lovely beyond
descriptions aud having expressed my
admiration of it, | added wish to know
something Of its inhabitants.
They have hearts of gold and wills
of iron," said my friend. "Many a
touching aud noble instance of gcneros.
ity and self denial have | met with
among them. And, for example, look
at this nan approaching us.
lie was fine looking fellow of five
or six aud twenty, with military air
and dressed in uniform The lower pan
of his face was very handsome, and his
dark, sunburnt complexion suited well
with the long moustache | could not
see his eyes, for the visor of his cap
was drawn SO as to completely shade
them from the light. Having exchang.
ed a cordial salutation with the curate
he passed on, followed By huge white
dog, with thick fur and enormous paws.
The animal belonged to a breed peculiar
TO the Pyrenees, and remarkable for
their sagaeity aud ialthfulness
"NOg," said my companion, as soon
as the soldier had passed out Of hear.
ing, "ghile ne walk along, will tell
you true story, Of which you have
seen two Of the principal characters. +"
Juan Trigoynn was born in the
heart Of these mountains, where the
peasant had his choice of following one
of two occupatioRs-that of shepherd
or hunter. Juan chose the latter, rs
his father had done before him, aud a
hazardous pursuit it is. Not merely
has the mouatain hunter to scale all but
inaccessible precipices, and brave the
fury of furnished bears and wolves, but
he is constantly exposed to be swept
away by torrent or buried beneath an
avalanche To this latter peril Juau S
father had fallep victim. Crushed
beneath a mass Of sRaw he persisted,
leaving his son no other heritage than
his dog, lis gun, aud bis grandmother
Gertrude, an aged woman unequal to
the task of supporting herself. Juan,
at this time dne lad of Is, loecd his
grandmother tenderly, she had always
supplied to him the place of his mother,
who had died in giving him birth, and
he now, with courage and resolution
beyond his years, undertook the sole
charge of their maintenance. He had
bceu carly trained to the chase, and
success now crowned his efforts. The
number of lizards, eagles and bears
struck down by his hand testified to the
sureuess Of his foo: aud the certainty
Of his aim.
"Thauks to the vaiae of these spoils,
Gertrude knew no privatiou, but she
trembled fer the safety of her beloved
child, aud often said to him, with tears
in her eyes: "Stay at home to-day,
Juan you will perish some time or
other, like your poor father; and what
would do left alone without any one
to love in the worldp
Then the lad would answer: HCalm
yourself, mother; Providence will watch
over me for your sake"
Thus did Juan work hard during the
week for his own and his parents sup.
port, aud on Sunday Iloved to see them
entering my little church, Gertrude
leaning on the arm Of her handsome
boy, and both joining in the prayers
with the utmost devotion.
Two years passed on and Juan was
returning one day from Bagueres
whittier he had gone to dispose Of some
game. 1t was winter, and the north
wind blew piereingly cold, but the
young hunter stepped on briskly, whist
ling lively tune. Suddenly cry of
distress struck his ear, but he knew
not whence it came.
son, C@sarl ho cried, trusting to
his dogs sagacity "seek it out, boy p
The docile creature set off in the d.
rection Of thick pine grove, and his
masterfollowed; the cries became louder,
and Juan recognized the voice of fe-
male in distress. He redoublcd his
speed, sill preceded by the dog. At
length he reached an open space, and
there was Caesar struggling with wolf,
while on the ground lay woman, with
a huge she wolf in the act of fastening
on her peck. With short cry Juan