Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1879-09-07
A TALE OF THE GRINDEWALD

n ALL Ut HL CINlN LIE w AID
The two valleys of Grindewald and
Lauterbrunnen opened out the grandest
valley Of Switzerland. 1t was toward
early spring, in 1898; consequently the
snow laid thick upon the mountains, and
was preparing to descend in avalanches
into the valleys. In that pass which
leads from the lake of Thun to the Wet
terhorn and the Elgher there were but
few Inhabitants, near the junction of the
two valleys of Grindcwald and Lauterbrun
men, a little inn stood under the shelter
of the gigantic rocks. In the hight of
the season-August and September-the
hotel had much custom, and Herr Baum
garthen and his wife had very few soil
tary hours. They were easy-living peo-
pie, and with the gifts of the latter sum.
mer they usually amass"d sufficient wealth
to carry them through the dreariness of
the winter season. They were cheerful
couple; consequently, neither looked with
dread to the approaching avalanches of
the Elgher, or to the wolves which still
hunted in packs along the rocky passes
of Lautcrbrunnen. They had one child
a boy; he was II at the opening of my
tale, entirely unlike father or mother,
while the pride and delight of both of
them.
Fritz was we'll known in the neighbor-
hood around, and considered one of the
greatest glories Of the Oberland; he was
tall Of his age, though slim, but very
active. Though our work at present has
nothing to do with love stores, Fritz did,
nevertheless love, IN the valley of
kandersteG, the Frau Louise.
1t was in the depth Of the snow-winter
of the celebrated year, when no traveller
left his foot mark upon the SHOWS of the
Grindewald pass, and no foreigner cared
to explore the solitudes of Lauterbrunnen.
Fritz had gone to Kendersteg, bold and
fearless, with his staff in his hand, and
his pistol in his belt, with his dog Kaiser
by his side: he had fearlessly climbed the
rocks which no youth on that side of the
grand Shreidach would have adventured.
and which, perhaps, no Switzer, short
OF the Brevent, would have touched.
Fritz was the plide of the valley; his
father and mother were left alone in their
little untrequented inn, strong and COM
Portable inside, exposed to every danger
and difficulty without; they were both in
bed; it was the dead of night; toward 2
in the morning. Fritz had promised to
be home before midday. Anxious about
him, they still trusted to the daring of
their child and the protection of Kaiser.
The valleys around were deeply silent
with that stiffness which snow alone can
give. 1t is like that profound quiet
which Is suggested by the idea of eternity.
The woman started from her sleep, and
awoke her husband.
''Hark! Karl said she, :Do YOU not
hearl'
He reused himself.
"Nothing, Frau said he, falling back
on his pillow.
Two minutes passed, and his wife again
aroused him. He started up.
''karl,' said she, "there's sound OF
households in the valley, and the howl
OF distant wolves in the Eigher.''
The man lcaped out OF bed. threw the
window open and listened; he heard
nothlng-all was still; deep SHOWS often
break all sound. He returned to bed,
and hardly sunk into his sleep before the
unmlsuakable sound Of horse, arrived ut
full pace, rested at his door.
''For the kind Gods sake" said a voice
below his window, '!let me I'M" a crv
which was accompanied with an earnest
Knocking ut the door of the hotel.
$50, Karl, co." said she to her unwill
ing husband; "there is some benighted
traveller who waits outside; admit him.
Karl lazily rose and threw the window
open. ~ man on horseback was below,
and close TO the door.
"Open the doori Open the door! In the
name of the kind Code l am pursued.
"By what:" said the host.
There was no need to wait for an ans
wer, for the shrill cry of a pack of wolves
was heard upon the quiet winters night
In full pursuit Of the terrified STRANGER
who waited at the door.
The intense stiffness around made the
bay OF the approaching pack Of wolves
more shrill and terrible as it was echoed
from the gigantic peak Of the Eigher and
the storm-worn precipices of the Wetter-
horn. The wall came now high, now
low, down the valley, but ever advancing.
and speaking of ravenous hunger and
rabid terocity. The air was piteouslv
cold, and Karl, who possessed but little
OF the courage or true hospitality of a
Swltzer's heart began to shrink from the
thought, at such perilous moment, of
opening the door of his house, and began
the vain work OF expostulating with the
agonlZed stranger.
"Only come down and open the odor,,
said he. in bis exceeding terror; "thev
will be upon me directly -I hear their
footsteps now. They have pursued me
all the way down the valley; my horse is
worn out with the pursuit, and can 90
no further; only come and open the door:
you have time, indeed you have, before
they can be upon us. Pray-pray be
quickr'
The wretchcd man uttered these words
IN broken sentences, while his eyes were
liked entreatingly on the window; but
karl's craven heart still refused to give
him courage. There was terrible story
connected with bygone days, mixed up
with that part of the valley, of wolves
having driven with hunger) burst forclb-
" INTO goat-herd;s hut and devoured
It's helpless inhabitants before they were
able to defend themselves. While Karl
ana his wife, who still lay in her bed,