Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1885-10-30

Doubtless, our faces showed our surprise
for she asked eagerly as she turned toward
usi'
"Are they not grand ?"
We frankly admitted that they were, and
asked:
"wbo was the artist ?"
'Karl, my Karl" she answered in a low
tone
HAS he gone away p
'Gone away Ahl on the long, long
journey. He Is dead"
1--WE did not wish 10 wound your feelings"
said, Tegrettng that / had asked the ques-
ton.
ooh, Il Is not unpleasant" she answered
softly ITO talk about the dead. Il brings us
nearer to them. Shall tell you about him p
We we're somewhat surprised, but we as
sented quickly to her offer; and there,
among the works OF his hands, she told us
his story.
There was no hesitation on her part and
she spoke cheerfully, rather than sadly, as
che said
"He was born an artist, but he came TO my
father 10 learn the mechanical part of wood
carving No one in Meiringen was acquaint-
ed with him. He came from beyond the
hills. Ny father took him into the workshop
and his home, and then everybody knew my
Karl. How beautiful he was, so tall and
broad shoudered. He had soft light hair
and beard, and large blue eyes. How gentle he
was, with q smile always upon his face ! Ev-
erybody In the village loved him; and how
could help loving him, seeing him, az did,
every day and living in the house with him p?
When be asked my father for leave TO marry
me, he had my heart already and, when my
father consented, / was the proudest girl in
Meiringen. Karl was to be my Karl in June,
and it was then March.
my only brother Adolf, did not like to
carve; end, when the driver of the diligence
died, the postmaster gave my brother the po-
sitiOn. Adolf was pleased with the appoint
ment, and everybody at home reioiced with
him. Karl wished to take all Of Adolfs
friends to the post office on the first day, and
cheer the new driver but my brother feared
that the noise might frighten the horses, and
make him drive badly. AT all events, said
Karl, 4 will go up on the hill, and wave my
hat 10 you as you drive away
ITO that, Adolf made no objection.
"On the morrow, Karl started up the hill
where the cascade comes down yonder."
A shudder passed through her frame but,
without any quivering in her voice. she con-
tinued
"It is a steep ascent; but Karl was Swiss /;
and he scrambled up the rugged path, and
stood upon the little bridge"
She paused for a second, and then contin-
ued:
at is safer now, but still very frail, poised
80 high over the cruel rocks"
She neither looked at, nor scarcely seemed
10 speak TO, us. There was a far-away ex-
preston in her eyes, as If she saw phantoms
Of the past and her voice was low, as she
sdded
adolf mounted up on the coach and,
then, Karl, standing upon the bridge, shout
ed joyfully to my brother. Adolf returned
the salute, and lifting up the reins started
the horses. At that moment, Karl waved
his hat, leaning forward. The railing was
rotten and, as he leaned against il, it gave
way, and he was preoipitated into the chasm."
There was q tremor in her voice as she
said
"We picked him up at the foot of the hill,
quite dead, with q ghastly wound upon his
head but his beautiful face was untouched,
and his fair hair made him look like an an
GEL"
Tears filed her eyes, as she went on with
her story:
"We brought him here it was bis room
and we placed about him the beautiful things
made by his hands, and which he loved.
They laid his body in the churchyard, and
he has gone from us for a time but we have
all these things which are his work, and into
which he put little Of his soul"
She looked at the carvings around the room
with loving glance but there was nothing
we could say then. Presently, she contin- |
ued:
adolf knew nothing Of what had happen
ed until he returned to Meiringen but then |
he resigned his place, and has never held the |
reins since. He had loved Karl as il he had |
been his own brother. When my father died, |
Adolf and l took the house, and have lived |
here ever since. Some day, perhaps" she
added very slowly, adolf will marry but |
-ah, no IL have lived and loved"
There was psthos in her tones as she ut |
tered Schller's well-known words.
"We keep all his beautiful things here"
she continued, "but Karl is expecting us
there. beyond. 1t was twenty years ago
and am waiting, patiently waiting"
Her eyes we're full of eager anticipation as
she gazed out of the window, up to the clear,
blue sky. Her hair was still streaked with |
gray, her features as irregular 40 before but |
she was beautiful, with that gentleness,
sweetness, and tenderness of expression |
which make women lovely when their hearts |
are pure and their faith strong. moment |
afterward, she turned to us, and said gently
''Shall we go now1"
We assented by a nod.
perhaps have wearied you" she said.
"Oh, !" 1 answered quickly and posi-
lively.
1--WE like to talk about our dead" she add.
cd softly sit seems to bring them nearer to
u.s."
On the morrow, we mounted to the top of
the stage-coaoh, and rode away from Meirin-
gen. As We went, our eyes and thoughts
turned TO the cascade dashing down the
gorge in the hillside, TO the frail bridge span
ming 1t, to the little cottage near its base.
When bend in the road hid these from our
eyes, we thought OF that woman whose love
had been snatched from her arms by death
twenty long years before and 1t seemed to
US that, when one of two must be taken, it
is hardest for the one who is left.-EUery
Other Saturday.