Weekly Trinity journal., 1879-12-20

mind, for previous Martha and had met
secretly, vowing to love one another for
ever and ever.
"The doctor did not appear very much
astonished, MS he said
" Why should give her to you, Jac-
ques Balmat ? There is the young Count
de Blague will ask me- for her soon.'
"' You should give her to me-, Il re-
piled, feeling very warm, because am
a man, and Blague is none. l am act.
i've and young, and honest, and | can
support fatigue better than any guide on
the mountains, but this count-bah he
is ii: only to marry an old woman and
die. 1t is not he can make Martha hap
py.'
60 But he has tit!o, and it is good to
be tho wife Of a count.
'' He is not known outside his cha
teau. But fyoG want name you shall
have one. | will make myself more Ia
nous than any count IN the world
80 1t you can do that before Martha is
twenty you shall have her. said the doc
tor, laughing. But mind he added
she will be twenty in two months time,
and the bargain must expire at that time.
" The doctor laughed u good deal rs he
went away rubbing the crystal had Civ,
en- him, and | believe he thought, Ha {,
hs ! Master Jacques Balmat, have put
you of finely and got my crystal cheap
But l set myself to thinking how /
could make myself famous in two months,
and scheme entered my head that near
ly turned it mad. used to go day sflsr
day to the summit OF Mont Brevet,
whence, as | have said, you have the
most distinct view Of Mont Blanc, and
looked at the old fellow and his white
head with longing eyes. said to my
self, If mortal man can do it, | could, '
and then | sat down and tried to discov
er which road it were best To take to
climb right to the very top Of the hoary
mountain. Atnight did nothing but
dream of it sometimes | thought | was
flying up to the top like an eagle, laugh,
ing TO think that it had been deemed i'm
possible at other times | would enceun
ter tremendous difficulties, and shoot out
my arms, trying to save myself from
some dreadful fall. Well, one night
when my brother Francois aad awakened
me more than once with blow OF his
fist, because in my struggles l had caught
hold OF him out OF bed, said to myself,
What fsol you are, Jacques BaImat,
to lie here struggling with iancies when
there are real dangers to overcome 7 80
! jumped up to dress myself. Where
are you going p asked Francois. To
look for crystals, said l with great non-
chaiGIce. It's like enough | may
sleep on the hills, so be not alarmed for
my safety But he was asleep before
my words we're uttered, and away | went
without hindrancs. stout staff in my
hand, flask OF brandy and crust in my
pocket, which, with my sac, WAS all my
provision for the journey.
" shall not tel you about my first at
tempt, nor the second, and my failures
They would have brokena weaker heart
than mine. | tried to keep them secre,
but some guides detected me, then the
whole thing leaked out and every one
laughed at me and called me Mont Blanc
Balmst especially old Dr.. Paccard
made merry with my misfortunes But
l was not discouraged, and my dear Mar.
tha, though she was distracted between
her fears for my safety and her dread oI
having to marry tho Count de- Blague
did her utmost to comfort me. She wa,
as good maiden as she was wife, my
Martha.
The weather was foggy for a long
while, and | would not attempt the us
cent then, for | knew If the people in The
valley did not see me they would not be.
lieve in my SUCCESS from my own tongue
though none ever knew me tO tell u lia
DR.. Paccard said to me one day, Jac
y
more to make yourself famous. Never
mind, said 1, the fog viii clear soor
and then will do it, He laughed and
said. Tell me when you arc going, and
/ will accompany you.' That's a bar
gain, doctor, like the other, and | shall
hold you to both, mind Right, all
right = said he should like another
trip to Mont Brevet.' lie thought he
was witty, poor DIR. PaccaTd !
"The next morning, 10 the fog wa'
all gone. Come, DR.. Psccard," said /
calling upon The old gentleman, am
going. Are you ready to 20 with me u,
you promised =
"'To the top Of Mont Brevet-oh yes,
said he.
No; to the top Of Mont Blanc,
said /.
80 1t is all the Same. Roast a chick
for my supper, Martha
"' Poor Martha knew | should succeed
or die, and she wept on my breast in
spite OF her father. But put her down
gently in a chair, and | STRIDE out, with
the doctor behind me locking much more
serious than before.
AS we walked along he tried 10 hum
tune, but he could remember no air
and / saw how matters went with him
However his pride would not suffer him
to retraet. and we went on together, hi
quite silent when he found music impos
sible.
" That night we passed on the SUNNI
Of La Cote between the two glaciers o
Blossoms and Taconey. / wrapped DR.
Paccard in my blanket so that he passct
before saying good night. | could hardl,