The weekly herald. [volume] (Cleveland, Tenn.) 1876-1888, 1878-01-31
The Snow Blossoms.


amongst thu snows 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 tC
have proved oneself rare climber
1aThere are very few of these blossoms
to be found; and as they grow in the
most dangerous places, as though they
desired to hide themselves from all
lady tourists, who finding themselves
amongst the Alps, grow enthusiastic
in regard to this flower, and usually
say that they would dare anything to
get one; but when devoted husbands
and well-paid guides would have done
their best for them, they still return to
town without the blossoms. No woman
yet has ever picked one.
Not many men, either, says the land
lady of the Golden Dove standing
before her English guest, and chatting
of the snow flower; few men. Now and
then, one very much in love finds one
for his sweetheart. 1t is as though he
said, Il have riskcd my life for you
A girl can never refuse so brave fel-
low. All, who would believe it now,
but my good man thought me worth
winning with a snow blossom. / wore
it an my hair on our betrothal day
'Oh, Charles whispered Lady Ida
to her husband, as sheclings closer to his
arm. How can woman hear that the
man who loves her shall risk his life tC
pamper her pride?'
'These Alpine hunters are real lovers,
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 woOer here,
should bid him bring me a snow bios
som if he would win me-
The man beside her, Sir Herbert
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
snow blossoms?' he whispered.
She looked at him and smiled. ..
'They say it is at the risk of life,' she
answered.
Life is valueless unless one has that
which makes him happy said he.
She answered, Bring me the snow
blossoms
Late that afternoon, Old Pierre,
young Pierre, and Jean, the guides,
stood with Sir Herbert on the widest
and most precipitious of the mountain
heights. They had reached yawning
chasm, and had come to halt.
Sir said old Pierre, you are a good
mountaineer, but you were not born to
it. Up yonder, little Jean declares,
there is a snow blossom. He alone OF
us four can take that leap in safety.
Once, at his age, could; not now.
His brother never, you, impossible,
although you have needed so little OF
our help. Jean will bring you the
flower.
Il must pluck it with my own hands,
said Sir Herbert.
'Then you will pay for it with your
own life said the man.
The Englishman laughed. He drew
an opera glass from his pocket, and
looked through it.
Il see the ilower,' he said.
The next instant, amidst the cries OF
the mountaineers, he had taken the
leap. Contrary to their expectations
he did 1t in safety.
They saw him stoop and plNck the
flower, hold it aloft, take 1t between
his teeth and turn towards them. Then
their practised eyes saw that his foot
slipped. lie endcavored to regain his
balance, but in vain. In an instant
more he hung over the edge of the pre-.
cipice, the stunted turfs Of grass his
only hold on life. There was no posi-.
bility of helping him. lie was past all
aid. Cool and brave to the last, eau
siously endeavored to brace himself
against the rock. Perhaps If he could
not climb upwards, he could Chamber
down. His foot rested at last on a pro
lection. 1t was just In time. His
fingers were giving way. ...
Hold on, hold on, slrr cried the
guide. In few minutes we can give