Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1877-11-14
LOVE IN A GLACIER.

Imam Alpine valley, one pleasant sum
NOR evening, a couple might have been
seen strolling through the pine forest.
Henri dwelt with his aged parents in
a neighboring valley in which Marie
resided with her widowed mother. A
small farm in mountain gorge gave
him daily occupation. 1t was a hard
contest that in which he was engaged
with stern nature. He had to raise bull
warks against the falling rocks, and sub
stantial angular fortresses to resist the
mcursion of avalanches. otherwise his
fields, would often have been covered
with tae debris of the mountain. The
produce Of this highland farm was not
likely to make him II wealthy man.
But this courage, industry and tact ne
cessary to hold his own from constant
conflict, preserved him from the ener-
walton of luxury.
Marie tended few COWS that ram
bled over the mountain pastures. If
simple in manners and not refined in
education, she was not without that
sense of propriety that so often distin-
cuisines the continental peasant, and
which confers sort of gentleness and
polish only to be procured by others in
the cultivation of society She had not
been wholly neglected in school lore,
and bad been an apt pupil in that grand
seminary which nature had spread out
there before her Those needle points
that rose above the eternal Alpine
SHOWS, soaring toward the blue heavens,
led her thoughts far onward and up
ward. Those cold glaciers that lay as
bed of death between the sterile
mountains; those dread falls of rocks,
that seemed cascades of destruction
from the skies upon the blooming wales
below-those yawning precipices, with
their dark and fearful depths-all stirred
her imagination ana unfolded her
nature.
On the evening of our story the
man had paid visit to the cottage in
the valley, and had then strolled forth
through the forest with Marie, this Al
pine flower.
1t is not our business to pry into lovcr's
secrets, or attempt to tell the subjects
their conversation. Whatever it was,
it may be granted that mathematics and
logic formed no part of the conference.
This much may be said, however; it
was there and then agreed that on a
certain day, not far removed, the worthy
cure of the village should be asked to
give his blessing on their union.
Henri had resolved to go home by a
short route, over the the neighborinc
mountain, though he would have TO
cross a glacier on the way. This rather
hazardous journey appeared no great
difficulty in the eyes of the bold peasant
of the Al bps; and the moon would give
him light across the icy passage
But lovers in all ages have failed to
notice the march Of time. Our young
friends had 50 much to say, or what
they had to say was SO intercsting-for
repetitions of the story were not bur
densome-that the evening twilight had
long melted into the soft moonlight be-
fore the dreaded word farewell was
thought of. When, however, Marie
caught sight of the new moon rapidly
sinking to rest, she urged the prompt
departure Of her lover. Yet even then
he had something else to say, and she
was so smiGngly attentive that further
delay took place.
But the quick approach of darkness
awakened the fears of the maiden, who
urged upon Henri the necessity of re-
turning by the regular road, longer as
1t was, instead Of attempting the dan
gers of the glacier The young man
full of the excitement Of happy love,
laughed at her warning and assured her
That she was no tit wife for q noun
ialneer if she doubted his power to
thread his way in darkness. He COM
iorted her with the promise of his haste
to reach the glacier, and his extreme
care while passing
Be not afraid said he; Il know
every block of ice in the path, and my
good alpenstock would steady my steps
IN the blackness of midnight"
But loving confidence half swept away
her fears, and the parting kiss carried
Oh the remainder. Size watched his
form brushing by the pine branches till
the rocks concealed him, and then she
turned with a smile Of happiness to the
cottage Of her mother-that cottage so
soon to be shared by another Peaceful
We're her dreams that night.
HE aiguilles Of the Alps had not yet
.e@!ughtthe rosy beams ofthe early morn,
E3.Aen a knock at the door Of the chalet
disturbed the slumbers.