Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1879-02-05
Little Gretchen's Narrow Escape.

escape from 0edtn we nave 10 Tell oil nap
pened. 1t occurred abroad. In some dis
tricts of the Alps the Protestant churches
are far apart. Far, that is If you calculate
the climbing and descendings of the wind
ing roads. But the simple-hearted, pious
people will face not only the toll but also
the great risks which are added at some sea-
sons. Gretchen Heilberg, little stout
hearted maiden of about twelve, the only
daughter of a well-to-do Tyrolese gentleman,
was one of this sort The church nearest
her parents chalet was somewhat more than
two miles distant. But bad indeed must
the weather be TO prevent her, when Sunday
came, from setting out. The church itself
was not in sight, being built on the other
side of a great projecting spur of one of the
mountains, but the road after vanishing
from sight for little way, again became
visible for a moment, more than a mile off,
Just where it rounded the side of the noun
tain. 1t was at this point that the members
of the household used to look out for little
Gretchen in going and returning whenever
she made the journey alone.
Nearly every part of the year had its
special peril for this road. In the winter,
the winds were frightful. At the most ex-
posed spots, walls for shelter had been built,
but in spite of these, there was at times
positive dangerof the wayfarer being caught
by the fierce gusts and hurled over the steep
precipice. The dangers in the early spring
were of another kind 1t was the avalanche
the snow hunderbolt-which then had to
be feared. As soon as the suns beams at
tanned strength enough to melt the snow
which lay on the lowest slopes of mountains,
slips of many tons weight might take place.
In some seasons the first of these falls might
l,,. haJ no
gun, it was possible for them to follow one
another nearly as quickly as salvoes of ar
tillery.
On one Sunday morning, in the year we
tell of, little Gretchen, Bible in hand, had
set out alone. Her father and her brother
were making business journey in Bavaria.
Besides the domestics, grown-up male
cousin, then on a visit to them, was the only
one left at home with Frau Heilberg who
was something of an invalid. For some
days before the weather had been fine a
treacherously soft breeze had been wander
ing about the upper valleys. 1t promised
soon to make the snow-drops and violets
spring again in the more sheltered hooks
but, alas, it had another task--to set the
avalanches sliding.
This had been mentioned before Gretchen
started, but nobody thought the danger
was near. 1t was believed that everything
would be safe for yet couple of days to
come. All the household knew how great
privation it would be to Gretchen not to
be present at church. She was permitted
to go.
The little black spot which they so well
knew marked her arrival at the far-oh bend
of the road we have spoken of duly ap-
peared. 1t moved OMIT vanished round
the buiglng side OF the mountain. 80 lar
they knew all was safe. But hardly quarter
OF an hour mad passed before slight rum
BILE was heard. Frau Heilburg, looking up,
saw through the window sight, the fatal
significance OF which she knew almost be-
lore she saw IT, Where 1or months before
the low southern slope OF the mountain,
that fronting towards the chalet had shown
a steady, unlailing covering OF white, there
was now visible an irregular darkish patch,
while from below 1t was rising up yapor,
Inc snow mad slipped. That dark patch,
she knew was at the base OF the mountain
| side the vapor curling beneath was the spray
OF the snow sent back upwards by the sharp
conclusion. scream winch lnstinctlvely
escaped from her mother heart quickly
| brought 10 her SIDE Jean Marcel, the cousin,
VINO mad been sitting IN another room. Inc
|
mestics had heard the dull, tar-off rumble,
and though it had meant nothing to Jean
MarcePs French ears, they knew at once
what 1t signified. Great was the wringlng
OF hands at poor Gretchen's danger.
| Clearly, II family, as the noise OF the ava
lanche had reached the chalet they knew,
both mistress and servants, that not MUIR
muir OF 1T would reach the valley on the other
side. Owing to the peculiar formation OF
the mountain, 1t never did do so. Every
thing depended upon whether Gretchen
should reach the bend Of the road, and per-
ceiye that the fall of the snow had begun,
and then be able to retrace her steps round
the angle before another down-rush came.
Nay, there was one other chance hanging on
hair finer yet If the avalanche did fall,
she might be saved if it fell just at the mo-
ment when she stood at the curving point of
the road. The rocks immediately overhead
formed a kind of penthouse, shouldering the
snow off on either side. She would, indeed,
be made prisoner, but the villagers of the
other valley would be sure to rescue her.
What time of suspense for the invalid
mother The window was thrown open,
aud there she sat at the aperture, supported
from where that bit of road was discernible.
The bell of a neighboring convent had in
the meantime begun to ring; the kind Ro-
man Catholic inmates had also perceived
what had happened. 1t was all but hopeless
that the signal would be of any use. For it
to be so, it would have to be heard by some
one on the higher road across the main val
ley, who could alarm the other village.
Slowly the moments crept on; tiercely the
sun famed on the snow. Then the time, in.
stead OF tagging, made for itself wings and
flew for it was the hour for the black spot
which meant dear little Gretchen to reap
pear at the bend of the road.
" 1t is not herl" gasped the mother. al
will not believe it; my eyes are strained
with watching" 1t was the mothers heart
trying to persuade herself against the evil
dence of the eyes. There was spot; it
moved along. 1t is undoubtedly Gretchen
Now the mother lost faith as well as hope
q" She will come on past the penthouse OF
the rocks she will be killed for going re-
ligiously to church