The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1880-11-25

ALN&NA HA4A-I AAS n%s'NNh
Eagerly signifying my assent, and
owning that the affecting scene had great
ly excited my curiosity, she continued as
follows:
Twenty two years ago next spring [
was married 10 Monsieur B. in Paris, and
Immediately started on al extensive wed
ding tour Switzerland was in our route,
and after having visited Berne, Constance
and Geneva, we came here. My hus-
band, on the recommendation of friend,
who was about returning to Paris, engag-
ed Pierre Blancot IS our guide, aud a
well informed one he proved to be. Not
only did he know all the places OF inter
est in the neighborhood, and take delight
in pointing out the best views in the
lovely landscape, but his strength was
such that he would lift me in and out of
the saddle and help me over the danger
Gus places, as though were sn infant in
his brawny arms.
Zone day we made the trip we are
making to-day, when al accident befell
me, which resulted quite seriously.
"After walking good distance on the
Mer de Glace, we started to return to the
house, aud were obliged to cross several
huge blocks of ice. Pierre wss in front
with hatchet, cutting little steps for us
to descend by, when, in some unsccoGnt-
able manner, slipped and strained my
ankle severely. The pain was intense, so
that ! could not walk and WAS obliged to
be carried back to Chamouni.
For several weeks l kept my room,
but at last, feeling much better, We start
ed on All excursion to an old saw mill,
from which an exceedingly fine view was
to be obtained.
"Unabie to mount mule my husband
procured for me one of those curious
vehicles we met to-day, called char a
banc You notice how comfortably they
are made for rough roads, being nothing
more than long spring board extended
from the forward to the hind wheels, on
which is fastened seat, in which the
passenger sits sideways. Well. Pierre
carried me down and seated me in the
char banc, mounted kind OF box
there is IN front, and we started off. My
husband armed with stout Alpine staff,
walked at our side for a while when, say
ing lie 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
l would be placed in, or the wonderful
escape from death L should experience
before we again met.
CATER following for several miles the
old bed of stream in the valley, we en-
tered dark gorge, and commenced the
ascent. The scenery was most pictur
esque. On either side were heavy mass
es of fir trees, and the ground appeared
carpeted with beautiful mountain flowers,
so numerous in this district. | have for
gotten the name Of the mountain we
were ascending, but l recollect well the
loveiness Of the road At last we cross
ed foaming, angry torrent, and CON-
menced following it to its source, for it
was on this stream tnat the mill was stu
ated.
"The road WAS built on the top of a
cliff oYerhanging the water, and so mar
row that it was impossible for two wheel
ed vehicles to pass. At intervals place
was e1cavated in the bank for parties
descending had passed by.
''The old mill was situated high above
at the distance of about mile, and Pierre
had just pointed me out its site when he
uttered an exclamation of surprise, and,
jumping from the box, ran few yards in
front. Looking in the direction he had
taken, saw 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 load Of lumber, which strik-
ing his heel. as he bounded along, goad-
ed him onward in his flight The dan
ger Of my situation flashed on my mind
in an instant As I have said before, the
road was only wide enough for one wagon
to stand in, snd [ realized at once that
one OF us must 60 over the bank. Even
Were | cut of the char banc, it would
be very doubtful If l escaped, for the
wagon behind the mule swayed fearfully
from one side to another, as it kept in
creasing its frightfnl velocity each mom-
ent. l think l never suffered more an
guish of mind iRs few minutes that did
at that time. All the events of my past
life flashed through my brain like light
ming, and mingled scenes of years ago
with those of the present time. l knew
that at the mill was my good husband,
anxiously looking cut for rs, aud | griey-
ed to think how horror stricken he would
be when word was taken him Of my fear
full death.
''But all at once ray of hope entered
my heart and | comprehended why Pierre
had left the box so Suddenly. There he
stood, firmly braced in the centre OF the
road, few rods in front of me, watching
with the most intense earnestness, every
motion of the enraged mule, who, with
glaring eye balls and distended nostrils,
apparently unconcious of all save his ex-
treme terror, was tearing down upon him
with an almost irresistible power. At
last { say at last, for the few seconds
that brief scene occupied seemed to me
hike ages,) they met. Like an avalanche
did the infuriated mule come against
Pierr., who instead of being overthrown,