The Fairfield herald. [volume] (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1849-1876, 1872-02-28
rha Mum tain Of the Two Lovers.

we forg OF in what book it was, 1
many years ago, We read the story Of
Il lover who was to win his mistress by
carrying her to top of mountain and
no" he cid win her, and how they cnd-
u Their days on the same spot.
we TIM the scene was in switzer-
land, but the mountain. though
enough to tax his stout heart at to the
uttermost, must have been a arnonp the
lowest. 1t was, at any rate, SO high
that the father Of the lady, a proud
noble,. thought it impossible for
young man 81 burdened to scale it.
For this reason alone, in soorn, he
bade him do it, and his daughter
should be Ills. ... ,.... -
The pcssantry assembled in the
valley to witness 80 extraordinary
sight. TLcy measured the mountain
with their eyes they communed with
ono another, aud shook their heads
but all adwired the young man and
some of his attendants, looking at the
village damscls thought they ooald
10 as much. The father was on
hrr eback, apart and sulleu, repenting
that ho had subjected his daughter
even to the show of such hazard but
ne thought it would teach his inferi-
ors lessoa.
The young man (the son of small
l'nded proprietor, who had some pre-
tentiohs to wealth, though none to no.
bility) stood, respectful looking, but
cohGdcnt, rejoicing in his heart that
c should win his lady.love, though
ut The cost of a noble pain, which 10
could soarely think of as paip. which
he could scarcely think of as pain,
ct nsiderl, 6 who it was to carry. If
Q died for it, he should at least, have
had her in his arms, and havo looked
her in the face, which he oontempla
ted with such transport rs is known
only to real lovers for none Others
know how respect hightens the Joy of
dispen'ing with formality, and how
ths disl eusing with formality, emo
bles and makes grateful the respect.
The lady stood by the side Of her
father, psle, anxious, yet hopeful.
She believed her lover would succeed,
but only because she considered him
III every respect tho noblest of his
SIX, and that nothing was too
much for his strength and valor She
new not what might happen in the
nc felt the bitterness of be-
ns herself the burden to him
nd tho task and she dared
either to look ut her father nor the
fountain. She ixod her eyes now
pom the crowd (Which nevertheless
nc heheld nct,) and now on her hand
'n1 her fingers ends, which she doub.
cd up towards her with a pretty
20 ulance--the only deception she had
,v-r used. Onoe or twice daughter
or a mother slipped out of the crowd,
and coming up to her, notwithstand.
~ their fears of the Lord Baron, kiss.
,l that hand which she knew not
what to do with.
The father said, "Now, sir, to put
an end to this mummery - and the
lover, turning pale took up the lady.
The spectators rejoico to see the
manner in which he moves off, slow
but secure, and as If encouraging his
l'dy-love. They mount the hill,
they proceed we'll he halts nn in
slant before he gets midway, and
seems refusing something then as
sends ut quicker rate and now, be-
ing at midway point, shifts the lady
from one side to the other. The
spectators give great shout. The
Bar,n, with al air of Indifference,
bites the tip of his gauntlet, and
zen casts on them an eye of rebuke.
At tho shout the lover resumes his
way. Slow bat not feeble is this tep ;
yet it gets slower. He stops again.
The women begin to tremble, but the
men say be will be victorious. He
resumes again. He is halfway be.
tween the midGte and the top. He
rushes he staggers ;but he does not
fall. Another shout from the men,
aud he resumes once mare two
thirds of tho remaining part of the
way arc conquered. They are cer-
tain that the ludy kisses him on the
forehead. The women burst into
tears, and the stoutest mon look pale.
lie ascends slower than ever, but
seeming TO be more sure. He halts,
but it is ouly to plant his foot to 70
on again and thus he picks his way,
planting his foot at every stop, and
then gaining ground with an effort.
The lady lifts up her apms, as if to
tighten him. See / he il almost at
the top! Ho stops, he struggles, he
moves sideways, taking very little
steps, and bringing one foot every
time close to the other. Now, he is
all but on the top. He halts again !;
he is fixed he staggers. A grean
goes through the multitude. Sudden.
by he Turns full front towards the top,
it is luckily almost level he stag
gers, but it is forward. Yes, every