Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1880-12-03

wife. VIC rode of. For some distance
We pursued our way in silence. At
length Madame B., said
"Ior. must think the scene YOU have
Just witnessed very strange one, the
gratitude of this simple-hearted pess-
ant and my emotion at seeing him
must have struck YOU as singular; and
now that have mastered my feelings.
will relate to you, if you wish, the
circumstances under which he saved
my life.
Eagerly signifying my assent, and
owning that the affecting scene had
greatly excited my curiosity, she con-
tinued as follows
Twenty years ago last spring | was
married to Monsieur f. in Paris, and
immediately started on an extensive
wedding tour, Switzerland was III our
route. and after having visited Bcrne,
Constance and GENEVA, we came here.
My husband. on the recommendation
of friend, who was about returning To
Paris engaged Pierre Blanrot rs our
guide, and well-informed one he
proved to he. Not only did he know
all the places of interest in the neigh
borhood, and take delight in pointing
out the best views in the lovely land
scape, but his strength was such that
he would lift me in and ont of the sad
die and help me over the dangerous
places, rs though | were an infant in
his hrawny arms.
conc day we made the trip we are
making to-day, when an accident hcfel
me- which resulted quito seriously.
After walking q good distance on the
Mer dc Gacc, We started to return to
the house, and were obliged to cross
several hugo blocks Of ice Pierre was
in front with u Ratchet cutting little
steps for us TO descend by, when, in
some unaccountable manner, slipped
and sprained my ankle severely. The
pain was intense, SO that | could not
walk, and was obliged to he carried
back to Chamouni.
For several weeks kept my room,
but ut last, feeling much better, we
started ON an excursion To an old saw
mill, from which an exceedingly fine
view was to be obtained.
"Unablc to mount II mule my hus-
/
curious vehicles we met to-day called
4 char 4 banc'. You notice how COM
fortably they are made for rongh
roads, being nothing more than long
spring board extended from the for
ward to the hind wheels, on which is
| fastened u scat, in which tho pasSen-
ger sits sideways Well. Pierre carried
me down and seated me in the char Il
banc mounted kind Of box there is
in front, and we started of. My hus-
band armed with stout Alpine staff
walked at our side for while when
saying, he knew Of short cut over
the mountain, he left us promising to
arrive at the old mill before us, and
have our lunch in readiness.
"Alas he little dreamed, OF the
danger | would be placed in, or the
wonderful escape from death | should
experience before we again met.
After following for several miles the
old bed Of y stream III the valley, We
entered a dark gorge, and commenced
the ascent. The scenery was most
picturesque On either side were heavy
masses Of fir trees, and the ground APP
pearcd carpeted with beautiful noun
| tain flowers, 81 numerous in this dis
trict. | have forgotten the name of
! tho mountain we were ascending, but
rccollect we'll the lovlinesS of the road
At last we crossed foaming, angry
| torrent, and commenced following it to
its source, for it was on this stream the
mil, was situated.
THE road was built on the top of n
cliff overhanging the water, and SO
narrow that it was impossible for two
wheeled vehicles to pass. At intervals
place was excavated in the bank for
parties going up to wait until parties
descending had passed by
The old mill was situated high
above at the distance Of about Il mile
and Pierre had just pointed out its site
when he uttered an exclamation Of
surprise, and, jdmping from the box,
ran few yards in front. Looking in
the direction he had taken, saw n
sight which curdled the blood in my
veins, and appeared to freeze my
heart.
Coming around curve in the road,
and very near to us, was a runaway
mule, attached to a load of lumber,
which striking his heals as he bounded
along, goaded him onward in his flight,
The danger Of my situation flashed ON
my mind in an instant. As | have
said before, the road was only wide
enough for one wagon to stand in, and
realized at once that one Of us must
60 over the bank Even were out Of
the char banc, it would be very
doubtful if escaped, for the wagon
behind the mule swayed fcarfully from
one side to another, as il kept increas-
ing its frightful velocity each moment.
| think never suffered more anguish
of mind in few minutes than did ut
that time All the events Of my past
life flashed through my brain like
| lightning, and mingled scenes Of years
ago with those Of the present time
knew that at the mill was my good
husband, anxiously looking out for us,
and | grieved to think how horror
stricken he would be when word was
taken him of my fearful death.
But all at once ray Of hope enter
ed my heart and ! comprehended why
Pierre had left the box so suddenly.