The Cairo bulletin. [volume] (Cairo, Ill.) 1872-1878, 1878-03-05
HOW HE CONQUERED.

Paul Weimer was in love. Poor Paul,
the object of his affection did not know
her own mind, and her parents despised
him. His beloved was the toll-keeper's
daughter, and lived On the bridge which
spanned the broad river below his noun
tain home. Aida was naturally a CO.
quette and her fathers position opened a
way for the indulgence of this DISPOSE
ton to an unlimited extent, SO that her
lovers were numbered by the dozen, and
even Count Rudolph himself failed not
to cast an admiring glance upon the fair
girl in his frequent journeys across the
bridge. Still she was by no means in.
different to the manly charms of Paul
Weimer, and she declared to her mother
that there was not, in all the province,
as bright pair of eyes as Paul's black
orbs. As it was impossible to deny this,
the mother merely said it was pity he
did not employ them oftener in searching
out the insects that destroyed the vines
than in sighting the channels upon the
heights. Sand his figure, too" per-
sisted the girl, who desired to uphold
Paul, now that another spoke against
him.
Did you ever see more magni6eently
formed man, mother ?"
ooh, that is well enough, child, but
his form was developed by climbing over
crags and precipices in search Of the
wild cat, when he should have been
digging in his vineyard"
Aida knew this was true enough, 80
she made no reply, yet, among all her
sultos, none occupied so many Of her
secret thoughts as dark-eyed Paul, and
the day on which her father turned him
from their door and commanded him
never to enter it again, was sad one for
her, although she would not acknowledge
that she loved him.
Young Weimer was rendered desper-
ate by the proceeding, and became wilder
in consequence. The poor chamois had
reason to curse the toll-keeper's cruelty,
for Paul now hunted them with relent-
less zeal, and more than ever neglected
his vineyard.
"The mills of the gods grind slowly
but each ones turn comes at last, and
those who care not what others suffer
have personal sufferings thrust upon
them.
The winter was passing, and the toll
keeper had begun rejoicing at the pros
pect Of the return Of spring. The river
was still frozen, but the south wind blew
warm and balmy, and there had been
warm rains upon the mountains, so that
the ice was soon expected to disappear.
The family retired to rest as usual, and
were enjoying the peaceful sleep that fol-
lows day of labor, when a sudden and
terrible awakening came upon them.
The elements were raging, their house
shaking to its foundations, and the crash
of falling arches greeted their ears. The
trembling man sought the roof Of his
house and discovered that the bridge at
either end had been swept away, and he
and his family were prisoners in the midst
Of a whirlpool that every instant threat
ened destruction. He cried aloud for
help, and his voice was heard above the
roar of the element by crowd of horri-
fed gazers on the rivers bank, but no
one dared to face destruction in going to
his aid. Count Rudolph rode up in haste,
and in his hand he held purse. Il.
Give hundred crowns to any one who
attempts their rescue" shouted he, but
no one moved, and destruction seemed
inevitable. s. .e
A stir in the crowd announces a new
arrival, and a man in course apparel, with
Alpine staff in his hand, is seen dividing
the crowd right and LETT, as they impedet
his onward progress. To the Count ht
paid no attention whatever, but at onct
made for the river, where a small fisher
boat lay upon the bank. Without
word he launched into the boiling current
and was soon fighting his way toward tn
central pier, upon which tho toll-kcepcr'
house stood. After a desperate effort AMI
many narrow escapes, he reached tn
place, and the frightened keeper attemp
ted at once to step in, unmindful Of tn
fate Of his wife and child.
"Kccp back!" shouted tho man in tn
boat, and giving it turn, nearly precipi
tAted the toll-kccpcr into the boiling food
81 can take but one at a time, and Aid
must como first" 80,
They then knew that their brave rel
cuer was Paul Wcimer. Knowing tha
remonstrance useless, the father helpe
his daughter into tho boat. As ii wa
showed from the picr, the girl exclaimed
my mother! Will you not save M.
motherY"
! "IfGod SPARES me, ! will return 70