The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1884-03-14

cold and dark, but the scene was vast
and solemn. There was no moon, but
many bright stars looked out and shons
upon us. Deep down, in sombel
shadow, lay the rock masses over which
we had mounted. High up, in yet more
awful mystery, scared the huge rocI
mass, which seemed to end only among
the stars. A dim mist hid the valley
from us. The topmost peak stood out
heavier darkness, from the night
black sky behind it. There was but Lit.
tie wind. though airy signs and soft
low, melancholy walls crept round
about our high-pitched, rocky lair. We
stood there for time in silence. Depths
below and heights above, and, between
the two, on the steep, bare mountain
side, four men, feeling very small in al
that width and space.
The height, the space. the gloom, the
glory of the scene ana hour, filled and
ennobled. our imaginations as we laid
down to rest in the rough hut, perched
SO high up on the bare, brown cliffs OF
the mighty, the awful. Wiesenhorn.
Both Herbert and myself knew such
scenes and places well, but custom can
not stale the infinite wonder, Joy and
awe which fill the soul in such solemn
and solitary hour. You feel alone,
alone with Nature in one of her widest
and grandest aspects, as you lie down
in that lonely hut and mediate upon
your surroundings. Good night.
We woke and went forth into the
thin, delicate air and fine, keen cold OF
Il a,,l nj
mountain. Breakfast over, the rope is
fitted in and we start slowly and silent
ly. Hans leads. then come, then Her
bert and Max is last. The work before
us is serious and begins directly you
leave the hut. 1t is steep and difficult
clambering at once, and there is good
deal of it before you can attain to the
frowning crest which seems SO far
above.
Think" said Herbert to me, as we
paused for a moment while Hans was
selecting the best line of route, ''think
that the dear plucky AennGhen has
been through this wild work before
us!'
Hans caught the name. He always
did whenever we uttered it.
"VorWdrtsn' he cried. "Yes, Herren,
we stopped just there. on that smooth
slab, to give my Aennchen five minutes
rest before we began this bit. Now,
take care, mind your footing and fol-
low where lead. That's right" And
he began to climb straight up smooth
tough slope of steep rock.
We reached the summit and rested
x-noro Aan,obo,, boJ ,oStnl hofnro ,,S
We had no brandy and no kiss; but we
had champagne and pipe. We gazed
with awe upon the terrible cliffs and
CHASTITY precipices of the Wiesenhorn.
Alas, we had no other view! So much
labor was foiled of its great reward! A
level, leaden, stagnant mass of cloud
surrounded the mountain and spread
nearly to the peak. Above the sky was
heavy and was lowering. 1t was cold,
and Hans said that snow was gather
ing. We disconsolately began the de-
scent. We saw the ugly place at which
Aennchen's slip-and the other fatal
slip-occurred; and we saw around us,
till all was swallowed up in cloud, the
sheen and the shade, the dull cleaning
and cold glooming of hard, heartless
rock and of barren snow patches, as
both glared chillingly in shadow and in
light.
We reached the dark village of the
snowy coronal. We ate at table. and
we slept-and slept well-in beds.
Hans found a letter from home. He
wanted very much to 60 there about
some farming business, and, as we were
going to the Overland, visit to his
house would not take us much out OF
our way. We therefore accepted his
proposal that We should go home with
him and see Aennchen. We only stip-
u,ated that she should not be prepared
for our coming.
A day or two later we strolled up hill,
over grassy meadows, toward burnt
sienna house, with wooden balcony
round it, on which hung flax to dry.
The roof was covered with large stones
to keep it safe in winter. Two or three
cows were visible; and the whole place
looked comfortable. characteristic and
well-to-do.
We entered. Aennchen was busy at
o housewives work. From behind her
gown peeped out two brown-faced,
white-h headed, sturdy little boys. and
then We saw a smaller girl in long
straight-down peasant child's frock,
with a little cap on her head.
No question as to whether Hans was
popular as a father. So soon as the
dread of the strangers wore off the
children clasped his knees and were
lifted up to hug and kiss him. Aennchen
exchanged hearty kiss with her hus-
band. She was comely, bright-eyed,
active matron. with a look of honest
kindness and womanly worth. This
family evidently led pure, simple,
healthy lives, and were bound together
by hearty human affection.
The wife would bring us raspberries
and milk. Hans told her who we were,
and praised us in way which won the
wife's heart.
Frau Bergmann, we have just been
dong a climb that you once did"
"Ahm She looked up brightly at us.
He has told you, has hep
go, yes; he has told us, and we adj
mire you very much. The Wiesenhorn
is not an easy mountain. Did you find
it difficult"
"Yes, it was difficult. But had
Hans with me, and trusted so in him;
and he and Christian helped me so well,
and took such care of me-"
1T was plucky thing of you to do.
Frau Bergman"
'sNot so much as you think. We
Swiss women are all used to going up
hill. Besides, l was very tired when
we got down. and l made one bad slip.
Did Hans tell you of that?"
20, yes. We saw the place, too. ANY
one might slip there. !"
i'Hans is such a good guide; is he
not? He has saved many slip, and he
is always careful. know he took care