The Plymouth Democrat. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1869-1941, 1870-07-28
MISCELLANEOUS.
BURIED X - AVALANCHE.

Z JOLLY party We were that day, April
., 1856, as we tramped along the road
which wound around the foot Of the Hri
besg Mountains, lying Eear InnspTuck
Oar party consisted of five Students from
Heidelberg, three German, one Englisi,
and one (taya,l0 American. We had
studied together during the long winter
term, and now, with knapeaeks upon cur
backs and aiDenstocks IL opr hands, we're
making a walking tour through some OF
the mountains OF Switzerland. We were
bound for the little town, or rather village,
Of HeiteisWach, q few miles ircm Inns
pruck, where We intended to pass the night,
and on the following day rake the ascent
of one of the highest peaks in that region.
We had just dined ut roadside inn, and
now, refreshed and elli7ened by the land
lords good beer, were walking rapidly
along, making the air ring with lively
notes Of our college songs. The road was
good, and the air fresh and invigorating,
and at about six O'Clock that evening We
reached our stopping place for the night
the Gasthaus OF Heitelswach.
After an excellent supper, and having
engaged our guide for the next day, Ne
ST down 10 a foaming tankard oi beer
and cur evening pipe, and listened to the
stories with which our worthy host was
ready and willing TO entertain us. He
told of chariois- hunts, of the PEASANTS
life upon the Alps, Of avalanches, mar
row escapes, and lives lost in the furious
storms upon the mountains. One OF his
anecdotes interested us greatly.
About FIVE months ago." he said, "a
stranger spent the night here, and the
next morning asceEded the mountain with
his guide; q snow storm arose he
was separated from his guide, who
searched for him g lopg time in vain
Then there came down a treiaen
dous avalanche, and the guide and q
few peasants Who were living upon the
Alps barely escaped with their lives. The
stranger was never seen again" Then
lowering his voice and assuming mys-
terioUs air, he added:
ct was very strange thing, and il is
not SAFE TO talk about h m"
Not safe and why Iot:" we asked in
as:oDishment.
An" ne replied, "therc was something
very mysterious about him; he spoke
but very little-hc was dressed al in
black, ard called himself doc. Grand
then the sudden st0Tm-he yenish es-ani,
the avalanche"
Who, then, do you think he vas ?"
said /.
HushI' he answered, crossing himself
"spe2k not 50 loud - then, crossing hin-
self again, he whispered softly, D0ctoJ
FtrustIs ~
The three Germans smoked on In
thoughtful silence; and [ Was about to
Elake some more inquiries into the matter
but Ton Robinson, who had 10 taste
for the supernatural, stood up, glass in
hand, and broke the silence with
"Then, boys, let's drink 10 the health
of Doctor Faus,us, ard go 10 bed. The
more We sleep TO night the bclter VIC
shall climb tomorrow"
Alter this We retired in good order
The next morning, after an early break.
fass, we started off IN high spirits on our
way up the mountain, laughing and chat
ting together, and occasionaIiy hating in
silent admiration OF the magnificent nan
Oranas which were brought to view az
We asccnded from one cliff to another
About noon we had reached a very con
siderable height, and, after passing through
a grove of frs, came in sight of a scene
OF devastation just above us. Ii was the
remains OF aa avalanche, vast snow sl lie
which had come thundering down fson
the peak above, and now lay as ii resting
from its tremendous leap ard gathering
flesh power. Yet still the huge mas
seerned threatening another rush from tbs
top of the cliff on which it lay, over &
precipice a short distance below, and te
the edge OF which it extended. We stood
watching it for some time. almost expect
Jag to see the pile r4ove before our eyes
and hurl itself into the abyss hundreds o
feet deep. Our guide informed us that i