Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1877-10-31
TEE sNOW- BLOSSOM. :

a. TEE sNOW-BLOss0M.
Tire is flower that grows only
amongst the SHOWS of the Alpine noun
tains-as far as know, only upon the
Alps. 1t is white all over-stems,
leaves, and blossoms white as the snow
itself; and to have gathered one is, to
have proved oneself rare climber.
There are very few of these blossoms to
be found and as they grow IN the most
dangerous places, as though they de-
| sired to hide themselves from all, lady
I tourists, who find themselves amongst
the Alps, grow enthusiastic in regard to
this flower, and are won't to say that
they would dare anything to get one /;
but when devoted husbands and we'll
/ paid guides have done their best for
them, they still return to town without
the blossom. Nowoman yet has ever
picked one. 1'..' 49,, 't -
Not many men either" says the
landlady of the Golden Dovc,p stand
Ling before her English guests, and chat
ting Of the sun-hower; few men. Now
and then, one very much in love finds
one for his sweetheart. 1t is as though
he said II haYe'r isked my life for you
! 4 girl can never refuse SO brave fel-
low. Ay, you would not believe it
now, but my good man thought me
worth winning with a snow-blossom. I
wore it in nay hair on our betrothal
day. 4- e. . A-ea9a v.-.-' y
Il e'Oh, Charles" whispered Lady Ida
to her husband, as she clings closer to
his arm, 'how can a woman hear that
the man who loves her shall risk his life
to pamper her pride? ?" mo
"These Alpine hunters are real low
ers,' says Lady Bertha, looking at the
tall and elegant man beside her. "A
girl could not say No. as the landlady
says, to one who has proved himself so
much in earnest. If had a woer here,
1 should bid him bring me a snow-blos
som if he would win me-" Ia. I'D.
The man beside her, Sir Herber.
Vane, was very much in love. Under
such circumstances, both men and wo-
men lose their common sense.
"Will you send me to bring you the
blossom ?" he whispered.
She looked at him, and smiled.
"They say it is at. risk Of life," she
answered. ,a.- ..s..- J7.. ..s-..- ~ -. ..
Life is valueless unless one has that
which makes it happy" said he.
She answered, Bring me the snow
blossom" O.. .t......,.. ..r .....-
Late that afternoon, old Pierre, young
Pierre, and Jean, the guides, stood with
Sir Herbert on the widest and most
precipltous Of the mountain heights.
They had reached yawnlng chasm,
and had come to halt. ,,.--,g ...;
''Sir.'' said old Pierre, you are a
good mountaineer, but you were not
born to it. Up yonder, little Zean de-
clares. there is snow-blossom. He
alone Of US four can take that leap in
safety. Once, at his age, could but
not now. His brother, never you, i'm
possible, although you have ; needed SO
little of our help. Jean will bring you
the flower" 'o '''7' '''' y i'.''''' '.e
II must pluck it with my own hands"
said Sir Herbert. Iir r1a@.lh -i
Then you will pay for it with your
own life !" said the old man. .i,,,f ~
The Englishman laughed. He drew
an opera-glass from his pocket, and
looked through it.
s7s'I see the flower, he said. Z N]'@li-H
The next instant, amidst the cries Of
the mountaineers, he had taken the
leap. Contrary to their expectations,
he did it in safety, ss,a namidsi- +
They saw him stoop and pluck the
4 flower. hold it aloft, take it between his
teeth, and turn toward them. Then
their practlsed eyes saw that his foot
slipped. He endeavored to regain. his
balance, but in vain. In an instant
more hung over the edge Of the preci-
piee, the stunted turfs OF grass his only
hold on life. There was no possibility
Of helping him. He was past aid. Cool
and brave to the last, he cautiously en-
deavored to brace himself against the
rock. Perhaps if he could not climb up
ward, be could Chamber down. His foot
rested at last on projection. 1t was
just in time. His fingers were giving
way. L -t TOE sHa3i 4f'
Hold on! Hold on, sir I" cried the
guide, ''In few minutes we can give
you rope. For the love Of the saints,
don't look down." ~ ',,. i1"o -, s.
He holds the snow-blossom between
This teeth yet, said young can, lover
himself and we'll aware why this flower
was 50, eagerly sought. Father, we
mast save that man. ',.ed37gq s8i Is
Prepared to take the leap which would
place him in a position whence rope
might be flung about the brave English
man, he stood poised upon the rock but
at this instant the foothold to which Sir
Herbert trusted gave way. His weight
had forced the rock from its position
1T fell, and he fell with it. The guides
uttered YELL and stood staring down
'into the abyss, Far below they saw "a