The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1881-07-07
CAUGHT In AN AVALANCHE.

CAUGHT IN AN AVALANCHE.
High up in a narrowvalley in Switz-
srland, la1nlost entirely shut in by great
rocky cliffs, was a little chalet where
Widow Jutta and her three bows lived.
They were very poor, owning a patch
Of meadow only, its thin, rocky soil
scarcely sufficient to keep two or three
cows. Their home was of the poorest
description, the walls loose stones filed
in with moss, and the projecting roof
large sheets of pine bark laid over poles
and weighed down by heavy stones,
while large square hole in the top an.
swered both for window and chimney.
Tables and bedsteads were unknown
Injuries, as stumps were substituted for
heformer and bark covered with hay
for the latter.
,But they werestrong and hardy, and
had never been accustomed to anything
different; and the boys, in summer es-
pecially. lived free, joyous life, their
merry ..jodef' often waking sweet
echoes among the rocky cliffs. Johann,
the eldest, lad of sixteen, was their
chief reliance, as he was already quite
skillful hunter. following the shy
chamois to its haunts on snow-clad
peaks, where it seemed impossible that
q human foot could tread.
friedrich and Francois were several
years younger, but they helped their
mother weave baskets, and in summer
filed them with Alpine strawberries.
which she carried on her head to the
nearest market-town and sold. Yet
they'were often reduced to great want
during the long, cold winters, in spite
ot every precaution to lay in supplies.
In the autumn of 1874 a great mis-
fortune befell the family in the death
q their cows by the murrain, and this
feason was followed by an unusually
severe winter. Early in November there
came such heavy fall of snow that all
commnnication was cut off with the
next town, while on the heights above
y accumulated to an astonishing depth.
Iley used their supplies of food very
sparinggly, hoping each day change
would come. when a little sunshine and
warmth would form a crust over the
surface OF the snow sufficient to bear
sae boys weight. But the cold con-
pnaed extreme, and, shadowed by hiyh
the wintry sun had little
power.
was 9 sad, anxious little group that
eatnerod day after day around the
l.a !aoic, more and more scantily spread,
WIDOW Jutta was q good, Christian
woman, and she prayed earnestly for
le'P y their extremity and patience to
saaure 'an without murmuring, as fresh
| slis o. snow were constantly piling up
ne nne powdery flakes, already nearly
sser with the gable.
sohann saw with alarm how feeble
y mother was growing and, feeling
gay ne must do something before his
I w strength was exhausted, he climbed
.ne opening by the ridgepole and
ooked about him. 2
/, me nut stood high up on the side of
= mountain, and although the steep
opes near by had but three or four |
=. =, q snow, ne knew that it had accu-
aula1ed to the depth Of twelve or fifteen
J lne valley through which he must 90 |
reach help. .
s. Dss sne lives OF those dear to him de-
saded upon the effort, and he resolved |
IVY As he was about to descend |
~ me nut and tell his mother his de-
s;a friedrich joined him and
!. .a' Don't you think we two could 7
= ~ lar as Hans Graffie's hutp He's
svod hunter and sure to have a cha
~ sols on TWO in store. He'd let us have
smelnlng oaa to keep US alive till the thaw
III; mad just made up my mind to go"
sneu ,sa. Johann. Il suppose if YOU
;a isns win me We could bring back
sger load. Still 1 don't like To have
W take the risk
!. y would be greater for YOU alone.
i i could help each other. II you 90.
'.srn, aaa 60 with you.n @
!, Inen we had better start at once.
s1vfe y another storm comes.''
s iney told their mother of their nlan.
- y pade her not to worry if they did
= III return that night. Then they fast
ss -. snow-hoops on their shoes, made
~ ~ Tough branches of fir trees. inter-
~ - WIN strong cord, their broad sur
n aelping to sustain them on the TOP
- : was early in the morning when
h began their perilous Journey.
a NJ. mother saw them depart with a
~ ug neart, but she knew it was their
- snd could not hold them back.
n n s. II was very cold, and almost at the
M p they sank into the soft snow
.her ,e,r u, waists; but they helped each
ON " on the rocks, and climbed
IS s rasa,1 na,row icy lodges where the least
rec;a;d ouid throw them down steep
/ ham hces TO sure destruction. Yet for
. thurs sSa. they pushed forward, know
r. as d 20 stop and rest would be GER
rerees a ssaln, as sleep would instantly /
uote tne them. At last they saw the |
n rsuriing up from Hans Graffle's 8
d a Saeered by the prospect of rest
hDch L, iney gave a loud "jodel,n !
H. Il. wrought the old hunter to the ton
Io0f to see who oould bo