The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1881-01-06


Giovanni. II know something of paint
ing, and know it cannot equal . Ra-
phael, Or Fra Angelica
3 " But Il does, !" aid Brother badore.
4" for IhAve seen it. " ANs $ 81
"Who painted it?' asked the other.
ssThey never knew
'.Never knewr' repeated Brother
Giovanni. "Was the artist in dis
guisee'
..They never knew his name! He
was rescued by them on the mountain
whers he, was in great peril. and he
sentsthem this picture in token Of his
gratitude. It has no name upon it, but
IS signed by q broken sword. ~.
''They must have known who he wa"
| insisted Brother Giuseppe.
Brother Isadoro soiemnlv shook his
head. 1t would very much have spoiled
his story if they had. ~
II have no Doubt" began Brother
Giovanni, "but, bark! -
Out in the little nall there was con-
fusion of many voices, of EXPLANATIONS,
and sound Of hurry and of coming
feet. The group around the stove
sprang to their feet just as the door was
flung open and monk rushed in.
1.-The saints preserve us!" he cried.
"but there is q spirit on the needle
glacier!' Is
"A spiritr' cried Brother Isadore,
turning psaes
1.-The spirit of the American who was
killed there last year" said the new
conner. '.Hans Linn. the guide. has
seen him. He stands on narrow
point far out over the precipice, and
he gazes on the peaks he may never
climb"
.Nonsenser' said Brother Giovanni,
in peremptory tone. ''Hans Linn is
an idiot! nc is some unfortunate villager
who has lost his way" and he at once
left the room. TEt4 90
Brother Isadore looked after him, and
again shook his head. It was plain that
Brother Giovanni had not forgotten
his old worldly ways, and was much too
positive and fond of giving orders.
In the hall stood the Prior. half di-
vided as to what was best to do. The
guide was drawing q vivid picture in
words of white ghost on the edge of
the precipice, and some of the brothers
were listening in horror; some of the
others were disposed to think it was a
lost traveller, and they urged the Prior
to send to his relief. Brother Giovanni
did not wait to argue the question, but
said they would need ropes, wine, food,
tea and blankets. The Prior turned to
him with an air of relief. Here was q
man who decided questions, and this he
liked. He at once detailed proper
number of the brothers. Everything
was hastily gathered together; they put
on their snow CATERS, took their stats
with strong, sharp iron points, and set
off. The guide could not refuse to
lead them, and in short time grew
much holder, although it was noticed
he was careful to keep close to Brother
Giovanni.
The air was keen and the day clear.
The sun shone on the snow, dazzling the
eyes, and Brother Jerome soon put on
his veil and the Prior produced pair
of blue spectacles. The others preferred
to suffer from the glare rather than OBJ
sure their sight. ..s
The needle glacier, where the spec
ter, or the traveller. had been seen, was
at least three miles away; but the guide
said there was a much nearer path if
the party would consent to some hard
climbing, and he pointed to q steep,
high peak over which they would have
The monks looked at it. It was not
easy work to undertake, but when
Brother Giovanni pressed on they fol-
lowed.
High up in cave they found lad
der the guides kept there, and at first
this helped very much; but before long
the way became too abrupt and steep
for the use of it, and they had to climb
as they best could, driving their Stats
into the snow. Then they came to a
wall of ice, and neither lauder nor staff
was of use.
The guide then uncoiled the rope and
tied the whole party together, leaving
room for each to move, but making it
secure, so that if one slipped the others
could hold him. He then took his
Ratchet and, heading the line, began to
cut places for his feet, the others fol-
lowing him closely and stepping into
the crevices he made. Up on this high
exposed mountain-side the wind roared
like the sea. Splinters of ice. showers
of light snow beat into their faces. The
sun almost blinded them, but their feet
were numb and heavy with the cold.
Still no one complained, and although
Brother Jerome occasionally gave 3 dis
NAL groan they were all CHEEKY and full
of vigor. Accustomed to climbing, liv-
ing on the mountains as they did. it was
part of their everyday life to make
their way over fields of snow aud noun
tains of ice.
"It is still to the east said the
guide. rs they paused on the edge of q
great ravine and for the first time
looked doubtfully at each other. It
certainly was terrible place. Far
down was rock after rock, crested with
snow. bristling with ice. Into these
depths no man could fall and live. Over
it lay slender bridge of fairy-!ike ice
and snow. .fe@ 50
"See, it is firm,' said Brother Clio
vanni. at has not melted anywhere,
and the supports are solid"
The Prior looked very doubtfully at
it.
1--WE cannot" he said, "risk the
lives of 50 many! My children, let us
pray for the soul of the unhappy man."
and he at once dropped ON his knees,
promptly followed by Brother Isadore.
Brother Giovanni looked at them in
surprise and indignation. This sudden
change astonished him, and for mo-
ment he leaned heavily upon his staff.
Then he darted upon the bridge and
ran lightly over, followed BY the guide,
who was more used to action than to
prayer in such situation.
The Prior lookedup from his beads.
"Are you sure it is perfectly safe7'
he called, still on his knees.
Perfectly" answered Brother Gio-
vanui, and so the Prior arose. and slow
ly and in great terror crossed, followed.
by the others. ~@'4 > 1853 50
For moment no one spoke. The ir-
regular roaring Of the wind was now
changed into . continuous booming
sound. Below them lay peak after
peak. in all kinds of fantastic shapes.
They were castles, bsttlements, towers,
great figures in white. and in ona nlaca