Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1875-07-07


ing faster and faster, and he was very cold
lie did not know what 10 do so he sat down.
Then he drew up his knees, and tried TO
get warm and 10 think. lie could not get
warm, but he could think very easily. lie
thought about his parents, and what
wretch he was 20 come away from them as
he had done. What was goat, after all,
that he should risk his life for IL And yet
he didn't know, when he started, that he was
risking his life, though that was no matter
now, for he had done it, and there was no
going back.
Here he was, alone in the midst Of the
great Alps. It was dreadfully solemn and
cold The air was full Of the smell Of snow.
Snow beneath him and all around him.
Above him, too for it was falling ON him
until he looked like a little snow-boy, as he
sat there drawn up in bunch
lie did not expect any helpnow. lie knew
the Alps too well to suppose, even if his
companions had succeeded in getting out Of
that snow-dr.ft, that they could find him
whore he now was. lie could not shout.
His lips and tongue seemed frozen stiff. lie
could not see very far.
lie began 10 feel a little warmer now, and
drowsy. lie knew that il he went 10 sleep
hc would never wake again. But he didn't
care he might as well be comfortable.
And there was nobody on earth who could
save him. II anybody came to him there,
they would die. too The best thing he
could do would be 10 go TO sleep.
In all the whole world there was no one
who could save this poor boy--that is, If you
did not count in Caspar, the snowking
lie could do it. And he did do it,
Right through the snow-storm came that
great beast Rushing over the frozen crust,
plunging through the deep places bounding
lcaping caring not for drift or storm, like
suow-king as he was. came Caspar
He made one dash at Paolo, and rolled
him over ia the snow. Then he barked at
him as much as to say
wake up YOU foolish boy Don't you
know I'm here It's all right now"
lie pushed Paolo first on one side and
then on the other, and when he had made
him open his eyes aud stare about him. the
great Caspar barkod again in his loudest.
freest tones. a snow-storm didn't interfere
with his voice.
Again and again he barked, as II he were
shouting "llelo-o I've found him Here
he is %
Caspar Ind not barked very long before
two men came toilmg through the storm.
'Alt MAN "a t7As A'IlN A lilFtahf hNh VIC NAilfi
was one of the men with whom Paolo had
started out in the morning.
These two took the boy 10y the arms and
raised him up. They shook him, and they
made him drink little brandy that the
monk had with him, and then they led him
away between them.
Caspar went ahead so thatit should be all
right.
1 They walked back with groat difficulty by
I the way they had come, and soon reached n
I place where the road could be regained, at a
| point some distance beyond the snow-drift.
/ Then they passed on to the convent.
The four men had been overwhelmed by
/ the snow-drift, but as they were considera-
/ bly, in advance Of Paolo. the greater part Of
1 the mass of fresh snow seemed to pass over
| them and hurl itself upon the boy.
After some struggling, the men got out Of
/ the deep snow. They missed the boy, but
/ could not tell how to look for him or save
/ him. II they stopped, they were afraid
/ they would perish themselves So they hur.
/ ried on, aud before they had gone far they
met Caspar and two Of the st. Bernard
monks.
They told their story, and one of the
monks with the dog, started down the
mountain. lie thought the boy might be
saved. The youngest Of the four men
thought hc would 20 TO. 1t was a shame u
desert the poor boy So
As they hurried along, the man said
If the snow-drift is still there we shall
never be able to get around it or into it tc
find the boy"
"Caspar will attend to that" said tn,
monk.
He believed in Caspar.
And when the dog reached the snsw-drif
:. be did not try to 60 through it. Tie hac
more sense than that. lie stopped; h
seemed 30 be considering the matter,
Then he turned around and ran back
The monk aud the other man waited to SEE
what he would do. When Caspar reached
place where the bank was low, he leapet
down from the road, and kept on down th'
mountain. HIS idea was to 90 around th'
saow-drift. suddenly he stopped, and glare,
through the snow.hakes that were whirle,
this way and that way by the wind.
lie saw something. The men, who wer'
following at distance, could only see lit
tie way through the storm.
Then, with sudden bark, Casper rushec
over the frozen erasts and plunged througl
the deep places, bouncing and leaping, car
ing not for drift or storm, until he found the
boy
For he was snow-king.-St. Nicholas.