Orange County observer. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1880-1918, 1881-01-15

warmth, Mon.!eur's gift enabled ine
to buy this little place, aud to leave
the perilous life Of a guide. and TO mar
~ my dear Marie, whom before that
could not wed, as | had 10 home for
her"
Amid the blessings Of Pierre and his
wife, We rode oft. For some distance
we pursued our way III silence. At
length Madame B. said
: You must think the scene you have
just witnessed very strange one; the
gratitude Of this simple hearted peas
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 etiecting scene had
greatly excited my curiosity, she con-
tinued as follows:
twenty-five year. ago next spring
| was married to Monsieur =. in Paris,
and Immediately started on an eXte1hl
cd wedding tour. Switzerland Mas in
our route, and having visited Berne,
Constance. and Geneva, we came here.
Ny husband, on the recommendation
Of q friend, who was about, returning
to Paris, engaged Pierre Blancot as
our guide, and weil-informed one he
proved to be. 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 out of the sad
die and help me over the dangerous
places, as though l were an infant in
his brawny arms.
"One day we made the trip we wele
making together, when an accident be-
fell me, which resulted quite seriously.
After walking good distance on
the Mer de Glace, we started to return
to the house, and were obliged to cross
several huge blocks Of ice Pierre was
in front with 4 hatchet, cutting little
steps for us to descend by, when, in
some unaccountable manner, slipped
and strained my ankle severely. The
vain was intense, SO that | could not
walk. and was obliged to be carried
back TO Chamouni.
For several weeks kept my room,
but at last, feeling much better, we
started on an excursion to an old saw
mill, from which an exceedingly fine
view was to be Obtained.
nable to mount mule, my hus-
band procured for me one Of those cur
rious vohicles we met to-day, called a
char-a banc. You notice how COM
fortably they are made for rough roads,
being nothing more than a long
spring board extended from the
forward and hind wheels, on which is
fastened q seat, in which the passen-
ger sits Sideways. Well. Pierre carried
me down and seated me in the char-a-
banc, mounted kind of box there is
front. and We started off. My husband,
armed with a stout Alpine staff, walk
Ell at our side for while, when, saving
that he knew Of n short cut over the
mountain he left Us, promising to ar
rive at the old mill before us. and have
our lunch in readiness
j Alas, he little dreamed Of the dan
ger | would he placed in, or the won
derful escape from death | should eX-
periehcc before we again met.
After following for several miles
the old bed of stream in the valley.
we entered dark gorge. and COM
mtnce the ascent The scenery was
most picturesque. On either side were
heavy masses of fir trees, and the
ground appeared carreted with beauti-
+ full mountain flowers, SO numerous in
this district have forgotten thenane
Of the mountain We were ascending,
but | recollect well the loveliness 0.
/ the road. At last We crossed a foaming.
angry torrent and commenced follow
ing ii 10 its source. for il was on this
stream that the mill was situated.
The road as.buit on the top OF
the cliff overhanging the water, and
SO narrow that il was impossible for
two-wheeled vehicles TO pass. At in
terval> place was excavated IN the
bank for parties geing up 10 wait until
parties descending had pass led by.
/ The old mill was situatfd high a.
hove at the distance of atdut a 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 a
sight which curdled the blood in my
veins, and appeared to freeze my heart
Coming around a curvein the road
and very near 10 US, was runaway
mule. attached 10 load OF lumber
which, striking his heels as he bounded
along, goaded him onward in his mad
fight The danger Of nv situation