The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1881-07-09
CAUGHT IN AN AVALANCHE.

Widow Jutta and her three boys lived.
They were very poor, owning 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 filled
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
luxuries, as stumps were substituted for
the former and bark covered with hay
for the latter.
But they were strong and hardy, and
had never been accustomed to anything
different; and the boys, in summer es-
pecially. lived free, joyous life, their
merry 'joder' 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
a human foot could tread.
Friedrich and Francois were several
years younger, but they helped their
mother weave baskets, and in summer
filled 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
OF every precaution 10 lay in supplies.
In the autumn of 1874 great mis-
fortune befell the family in the death
of their cows by the murrain, and this
season was followed by an unusually
severe winter. Early in November there
came such heavy fall of snow that all
communication was cut off with the
next town. while on the heights above
it accumulated to an astonishing depth.
They used their supplies of food very
sparingly, hoping each day change
would come. when little sunshine and
warmth would form a crust over the
surface of the snow sufficient to bear
the boys weight. But the cold con-
tinued extreme, and, Swallowed by high
mountains, the wintry sun had little
power.
1t was sad. anxious little group that
gathered day after day around the
table, more and more scantiiy spread
Widow Jutta was good, Christian
woman, and she prayed earnestly for
help in their extremity and patience to
endure without murmuring, as fresh
falls of snow were constantly piling up
the fine powdery flakes, already nearly
even with the gable.
Johann saw with alarm how feeble
his mother was growing and, feeling
that he must do something before his
own strength was exhausted, he climbed
to the opening by the ridgepole and
looked about him.
The hut stood high up on the side of
the mountain, and although the steep
slopes near by had but three or four
feet of snow, he knew that it had accu-
mulated to the depth OF twelve or fifteen
in the valley through which he must go
to reach help.
But the lives of those dear to him de-
pended upon the effort, and he resolved
to try. AS he was about to descend
into the hut and tell his mother his de-
termination. friedrich joined him and
said: - Don't you think we two could
get as far as Hans Graffle's hut? He's
good hunter and sure to have cha
mois or two in store. He'd let us have
something to keep us alive till the thaw
comes I"
II had just made up my mind to CO."
replied Johann. 81 suppose if you
went with me we could bring back
bigger load. Still l don't like 10 have
yoL take the risk"
ut would be greater for you alone.
We could help each other. If you go,
Johann, l go with YOU"
"Then we had better start at once,
before another storm comes.''
They told their mother of their plan,
and babe her not to worry if they did
not return that night. Then they fast
ened snow-hoops on their shoes, made
of the tough branches of fir trees, inter-
laced with strong cord, their broad sur
face helping to sustain them on the top
of the snow.
1t was early in the morning when
they began their perilous journey.
Their mother saw them depart with
sinking heart, but she knew it was their
duty and could not hold them back.
The air was very cold. and almost at the
first step they sank into the soft snow
to their waists; but they helped each
other up on the rocks, and climbed
along narrow icy lodges where the least
slip would throw them down steep
precipices to sure destruction. Yet for
six hours they pushed forward. know
ing that to stop and rest would be GER
tain death, as sleep would instantly
overcome them. At last they saw the
smoke curling up from Hans Graffie's
hut Cheered by the prospect of rest
and food, they gave loud "jodel,"
which brought the old hunter to the top
of his roof to see who could be APP
preaching. Great was his amazement
when he recognized the boys. He gave
them hearty welcome as he drew
them up to the blazing log fire and re-
lieved them of their cold. wet gar
ments. Then he placed food and milk
before them.
After the po0r famished bows had