The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1878-04-03
THE sNow.BLossOM.

mountalDs--as far as L know OIL
in the Alps. 1t is white all over
stems, leaves and blossoms-whit'
as the snow itself; aud to have gath
cred one is to have proved ones self {
rare climber. There are very few o
these blossoms to be found; and a
they grow in the most dangerous
places, as though they desired t.
hide themselves from all; lady tour
lists. who find themselves amongs
the Alps, grow enthusiastic in regart
to this flower, and are wont to say
that they would dare anything to get
one; but when devout husbands ant
well paid guides have done theil
best for them, they still return tt
town without the blossom. No wo
man vet has ever picked one.
"Not many men either" saws tbs
landlady of the Golden Dove
standing before her English guests
and chatting f the sun-hower; "few
men. Now and then, one very much
in love finds one for his sweet heart.
1t is as II ough be said, Il have
risked my life for you A girl car
never refuse so brave fellow. All
you would not believe it now, but
my good man thought me worth
winning with q blossom. ]
wore it ia my hair on our betrothal
day"
"Ob, Charles" whispered Lady
Ida to her husband, as she clings
closer to his arm, "how can a woman
bear that the man who loves her
shall risk his life to 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-blossom if be
would win me-"
The man beside her. Sir Herbert
' ane, was very much in love. Tn
der such circumstances, both men
and women lose their common sense.
"Will you send me to bring you
the snow-blossom 2" be whispered
She looked at him and smiled.
They say it is at the risk of life,
she answered.
Life is valueless unless one has
hat which makes it happy" said be.
She answered, Bring me the
snow-blossom."
Late that afternoon, old Pierre,
young Pierre, and Jean, the guide,
stood with Sir Herbert on the wild
est and most precipitous of the noun
Jain heights. They had reached a
yawning chasm, and bad come to a
halt.
"Sir," said old Pierre, you are a
good mountaineer, but you were not
born to it. Up yonder, little Jean
declares there is q snow-blossom
He alone of US four can take that
cap in safety. Once, at his age, l
,ould, but not now His brother,
never; you impossible, although you
nave needed so little of our help.
Jean will bring you the flower"
81 must pluck it with my own
hands," said Sir Herbert.
"Tben you will pay for it with
your own life ~ said the old man.
The Englisbman laughed. He
lrew an opera-glass from his pocket,
md looked through it.
~ see the flower" said be.
The next instant, amidst the
,ries of the mountaineers, be had
AIKEN the leap. Contrary to their
expectations, he did it in safety.
They saw him stoop and pluck the
lower, hold it aloft, take it between
lis teeth, and turn toward them.
Then their practiced eyes saw that
,is foot slipped. He endeavored to
'egain his balance, but in vain. In
IN instant he hung over the edge of
,recipice, the stunted tufts of grass
lis only hold on life. There was no
of helping him. He was
,ast aid. Cool and brave to the
asst, he cautiously endeavored to
,race himself against the rock. Per-
laps if be could not climb upward,
le could Chamber down. His foot
ested at last on a projection. 1t
vas just in time. His fingers were
irving way.
"Hold on hold on, sir :" cried the
,uide. "In few minutes we can
rive you rope. For the love Of
be saints don't look down."
"He holds the snow blossom be-
ween bis teeth yet." said young
lean, lover himself, and well aware
vhv this flower was so eagerly
ought. Father, we must save
hat man."
Prepared to take a leap which
would place him in position whence
rope might be flung about the
rave Englishman. be stood spoised
Ipon the rock; but at this instant
he foothold to which Sir Herbert
rusted gave way. His weight had
orced the rock from its position-it
ell, and be fell with it. The guides
ttered a yell, and stood staring
own into the abyss. Far below
hey saw a dark figure lying across
be jagged rocks. And as it lay,
tray sunbeam flashed out on some
hing white. 1t was the snow
over.
1--WE must take the dead BODY
ack and the horrible story" said
be old man. "Ab, who would be
uide to men who will not be guild
d w
Then no more was said. Scram-
ling, sliding, lowering themselves
y means Of the rope, father and
ons at last gained the spot to which
ir Herbert had fallen in an instant.
Heiplees he Law acroes tho r0cka