Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1884-12-20
GRETTY's TRUST.
A ROMANCE OF THE SWISS MOUNTAINS.

Old Won Hansen sat on stone about half
way up the Gulderhorn. Far above and on each
side OF him rose the eternal hills their ice-cad
peaks at the present moment rosy-pink with
the suns parting rays. But up from the green
valleys gray-biue shadows were creeping and
driving the pink away.
Far beneath him were hills and valleys. vii
lage and lake. and a streamlet meandering
through dark pine wood. Very beautiful. all
Of it. But its beauty was entirely lost upon
Won Hansen as he SAT- there on his stone think
Ing aloud. after the manner of solitary men who
are well up in years. He cared no more for the
scenery than did any of those bats that like
birds of evil omen. went sweeping past him and
past him. and round and round his head.
Virtue always triumphant he was saying
"Pah, Mere sentiment: mere moOnshine.'
The fact is. Won Hansen had been to the play
In the village down yoDder only the evening be-
fore. He had spent no less sum than twenty
batZen on those strollng actors. Not for any
pleasure it was likely TO give him had he gone,
but Gretty, the prettest girl in all the village,
had asked him to take her She could not 60
alone. she said. and Rudolf would hardly return
from misunderstanding for days to come
Virtue always triumphant Yes. that Ia what
she said Pah, money is Ha, ha! Aud l have
that OH my worthy but pOverty-struck friend
will marry Won Hansen. Old? Eth? Who calls
me Old?'
He took snuff as he spoke from an old horn,
sending the powder home with his ffnger-pOint,
and IL must be confessed he looked ANYTHING but
handsome as he did so for he wrinkIed his brows
and twinkled his eyes and leered like an aged
babOOD.
"Old? Let me see: seventy last birthday
Merely in my prime. Ten years more and I'll be
only eighty; twenty and I'll be but ninety;then
may grow old. Eagles renew their ages. Why
shouldn't-aha." he screamed, ''yonder is an
eaglel"
He started up as he spoke. and with eyes
turned skyward and finger pointing up. began
lettering forward step by step tOwards-de-
structiOn. A precipice fully 500 feet deep ley
at his teet; be was on the brink of 1.-THE next
step would have been his last.
But rough hand seized him by the coat COL
lar. pulling it up till his head sank within like
a monks in a cOwl. but dragging the old man
back at the same time.
Tired of yOnr sinful life. old hird?" said the
newcomer. rough but goOd-natured chamois-
hunter. with gun in hand and bag on back. a
morsel OF feather stuck jauntily in his hat just
TO show the village maidens, he used to say,
that BerneZeI was still bachelor.
''Old bird" grow led Won Hansen reseatng
himself ON his stone ''Who are you calling an
old bird? You're as bad as any one else.
Hump
We'll. say" said Bernezeil ''this is graft
tude. What are You going to give me for saw
Ing your neck. eh?"
Neck? What? Oh, yes to be sure Well
go down to the village, and I'll pay for pot of
lager"
"a pot of lager" cried the other, laughing
rs that all the value you put upon your
Ha. ha, hal
value put upon my ha-ha-ha, What dye
mean? You're uncommOnly like fooli''
well. we'll. perhaps / am; but / say. friend;
you're in fine temper tonight ANY one been
veXing yOu?"
The old man grew all smiles and leers In a
moment. His face lighted up like withered
melon with the afternoon sun on it.
NO. he chuckled taking another pinch. and
digging his friend in the ribs. 'On-the-con-
trary. Was at the play last night with Gretty.
Hal ha, hol hol She doesn't mourn long for
her hunter. And look here: she's going to
marry me-"
Marry youI"
Ay. she promised-that is, she will promise
when ASK her. But now come along down
and have the lager. Keep your hands to your
self Do you think i want your assistance to
get up?"
Il beg q thousand pardons. old bi-I mean
you merry young grouse, you, Here. l say,
hold on; don't leave me behind. Why, you go
bounding along like young stag"
Young on the legs, eh?
81 should think you are"
They were seated very shortly in the village
tavern They hadn't taken long to go down
hill.
And now" said Won Hansen. '.I'm going to
unfold my plans. But here, let us have another
pint"
What can the old heron mean" muttered
BerneZel TO himself, "by such reckless hber-
atty? Something in the wind know. The
gray hawk doesn't whistle till he is Just going
to swOop."
''Well." said Won Hansen, "and how is trade,
eh? Got good bags lately?"
Hardly any luck at all" sighed the other.
81 m stiff withjumping and l haven't bagged a
buck for FIVE days"
Wouldn't mind having a spell of pleasure
dare say? couple of months in France now?
Come. come. you're not drinking. Well have
another pint Money was made to spend. Drink
and be merry. you young dog you. / say"
When quite unfolded, Won Hausen's plans
were something "a follows: BerneZell was to
meet Rudolf in the hills and prevent his re-
turn for couple of months at least. He was
on no account to Come near the village for that
time nor see Gretty. towhom he was betrOthed.
The ''old bird" as BerneZell called him. was to
pay all expenses. but the young man must be
kept in Paris in the midst of gayety, and must
never for moment be allowed TO think of
home. Nor must he write, OF when he did his
letters were to be destroyed.
suppose" said Be-neZell the misses his
foothold among me mountains and tumbles
into d crevasse?"
The old man positively rubbed bis hands and
cacSled with delight.
Capital capital! capital" was all he could
say. '.Ha, ha, hal Capital Virtue is always
triumphant in the end. He, he"
Bernezell smiled in his face as he said
'Oi all the old sinners that ever lived"-
'Eh? eh? What's that" cried Won Hansen.
who had not heard him.
Il said you were right merry old soul"
shouted BerneZelI.
"Ha. ha, Yes, merry, but not SO old, you
know"
That very night this misery Won Hansen
counted out to BerneZell one by one the pieces
Of gold, for the chamois-hunter was to start
early next day.
Il declare" said Won Hansen. ''it is like buy
ing wife Precious expensive affair. But 1
can trust you"
Certainly; virtue. you know. Ia always
$50 on. 90 on" cried Won Hansen; good
night Go home and sleep"
go home and sleep indeed" said Beruezell
to himself as he trudged off with his gun on his
shoulder Yes; but not before I've seen
Gretty."
Once clear of the village he took his way
hillwards up the glen. High up in the middle of
the mountain lights We're gleaming-it was now
dark; they came from the windows of Gretty 8
cottage. A very humble hut It was though
very pretty and rustic Cretty lived here with
her mother. tended goats and looked after the
dairy, for the old woman seldom left her chair
all day.
Gretty ran to meet BerneZell and took both
his rough hands in her own wee white ones.
Was he not q friend Of her lovers? She led him
IN and the old woman nodded. smiling. at a
stool near the bright. cheerful fire of wood.
Gretty had just dressed for the evening, and
very simple, but neat was her attire She was