Kimball enterprise. (Kimball, Brule County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1883, 1883-04-13
Napoleon and the Boy Guide,
A Scrap of History.

army started to cross the Alps, that
Ulrici--a sturdy, fearless boy-mountain-
eer, who knew every chasm and ravine
for miles a~round-was about to make
his third trip uo the Alps.
His former severe lessons had taught
him prudence without fear, courage
without recklessness, and for this, as
his knowledge of the mountain passes,
he had been offered numerous positions,
both as guide and herdsman, though he
had scarcely reached his seventeenth
year.
He had already promised his services
to one Yokli, a herdsman, and they
were to start for the Alps in a few da Us
when his mother suddenly fell i'll, and
Ulrici, relieving his sister in her long
night-watches, immediately informed
the senner of his inability to keep his
engagement.
Senner Yokli, knowing that guides
were in great demand, and that
Napoleon had offered large sums ofmon-
ey to any one who would assist in con-
veying his ponderous cannon across the
mountains, and suspecting that Ulrlci
was only making an excuse for break
ing his engagementfor some such pur-
pose, flew into a rage, in which he dealt
with no choice language.
And when Ulrici promised to send
him another boy in his place, he coolly
turned his back on him, and said that
he could find plenty of v~agabonds him.
self.
Though panied and indignant at this
suspicion from a former employer,
when. after two weeks of faithful! attend
ance, his mother had fully recovered her
health, he began to consider whether it
was not his duty, even now, to fulfil his
engagement.
True, Senner Yokli might have Sc
cured an assistant, and he would be run
ming the risk of the loss of another week
in traversing that long distance, up and
down the Alps.
But, after all, his employer only spoke
In a fit of temper, he thought, and the
remembrance of YoklIs kindness and
anxiety for him once when he was in
danger decided his wavering mind. He
would go and do what he thought was
right.
Fully equipped with his flask, Alp
horn, a handkerchief full Of eatables, he
planted his Alp-stick firmly on the
rocks, and was about to ascend, when q
mule, bearing II rather short, thick-set,
but graceful rider, galioped close up to
him and halted.
My friend. are o a guide? Do YOU
know anything about the mountain
passes" inquired the stranger, hurried
iy.
Yes, sir; I am on my way up now,
and will be glad to guide YOU"
4 lnnIrnf co{i, f,,t;r,, ,,.I ,,l;ofr,,-@
over the stern face of the stranger az
Ulrici promptly took hold of the mules
bride and strobe out for the noun
tains.
After a few more inquiries and replies
between them, they both seemed to be
very much interested in each other.
The quiet reserve of the unknown
rider and the lofty dignity of his whole
manner had q strange fascination for
the young boy-guide.
And the stern face of the stranger lost
some of its severity as he listened to the
boys quaint narratives Of Alpine adven-
lures, and observed with what care he
led his mule up the rocky steep and past
the precipices which yawned close be-
side them.
He seemed affected by the artlessness
with which the youth related his past
life, and described, III glowing ardor.
his plans and hopes for the future.
After considerable stumbling, Ulrici
began to look about for Yokli's herd,
which he knew must be in that vicinity.
He o met them with YokIiin their
midst. But his heart sank within him as
he saw the dark scowl which Yokli cast
at him, and then disappeared behind the
rocks without the usual friendly salute.
Ulrici suddenly realized his unpleas.
an situation. Here he was, just as Yok.
Ii had suspected, guiding a traveller
across the Alps, and leaving his old en-
ployer to look out for himself.
He strobe on in silence, perplexed
and provoked at his own good nature,
which led him into the blunder.
His best Intentions were perverted by
appearances, for Yokli would never be.
lleve that he was on the way to hin
when he met the stranger, and that be
simply guided him because it was on hi
way.
They had scarcely travelled a quarter
of mile, when Ulrici suddenly stopped
the mule and listened.
Alarm-notes, faint and broken as
though coming from II unused to the
Alp-horn, reached his ear.
Quickly leading the mule to a safe
'.o'hti'S poiiil, ot.' oocutiHS INT SLTuUpGl
that he would return in a few moments
he climbed the highest peak, in order tc
obtain a view Of the surroundings.
The blue veins on his temples swelled
high with indignation, as he saw, on the
other side, a man torcibly driving cal
before him, while toe old COW, whose
burnt mark on her back Ulrici at once
recognized as Yokli's, was plodding on
behind lowing %piteously.
Eric! Eric! come back; I'll help you
get the cattle" Ulrici shouted after the
terrified and evidently new senner-boy,
who was making his escape over the
mountains.
In another instant Ulrici had glided
down the steep, and freed the calf from
the robbers hold with a heavy blow OF
his Alp-stick.
Now drive them home, Er:c-ouick!''
he cried, as he saw the robber raise his
rifle with an angry glare.
81 belong to Napoleon's army, anc
can shoot you on the spot for attacking
me-" threatened the thief.
81 belong to the Swiss Republic, and
can thrash you on the spot for attacking
Swiss property" promptly retorted vi
| rici.
"Thrash me! An ignorant u rus
tic like you trash a soldier? Ha! Hap
You are no more soldier than I am
| know well enough that you would mo-
dare to leave the ranks without beine
hunted as a deserter. You have moro
likely following the army asa vagabond
and thief"
IA ILL., Ill.,