The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1891-05-06
THE TRAVELLING RING.

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At the unearthly hour Of A. NJ. the
discordant Alpenhorn wakes the guests
Of the Hotel Rigi-Kulm to give them an
opportunity for seeing the sunrise.
The hotel is on the very summit of the
mountain, and in front of it stands a
platform.
You can see the sunrise as well and
better from the window OF your own
room, but there is an extra charge con-
nected with the use of the aforesaid
platform, and you would feel as if you
were swindliDg the management out of
the admission fee If you we're to see the
spectacle from any other point of ad-
vantage than the one provided for the
purpose.
But this is neither here nor there.
Miss Viva Merrick, of Chicago, hur-
riedly donned morning gown and
fastened down stairs at the sound of the
horn.
Ragged patches of mist rose lazily
from lake of blush fog that filed the
valleys; rugged tops and sharp crags rose
in bold outline, like coral reefs upon
sea of floating dampness.
Everybody, including the young lady,
felt uncomfortable.
The greenish half light that precedes
day would make The rosiet complexion
appear pale, dull and lifeless, and rob
any face of its beauty; it was therefore
quite unselfish in Captain Percy Demp-
ster, II. E., on leave from India, to offer
his greatcoat to Miss Merrick as a pro-
lection against the Icy wind that blew
sharply from the glaciers. But he was
gentleman, and would have done as
much for any lady, young or old, pre-
ferably, of course, the latter, otherwise
he would have rendered his coat to the
young lady's aunt first.
AS usual, everybody felt better as
soon as the fret rays of the sun had
gilded the edges of the long-stretched
clouds.
As the captain looked for his overcoat
he could not repress the ejaculation,
"By Jingo, what pretty pictured" and
he dropped his single eyeglass to see
better.
Frau Professor Holtzhacker began to
rhapsodize, "Yes, eet, ees wonterfool,
v onterfool, shplentit, grossartig, wirk-
Itch gar zu nett!" because she thought
he meant the sunrise. But he didn't.
Miss Merrick's head just peeped out of
the captains greatcoat, her checks all
aglow with the rosy light of the newborn
day. Her eyes shone and sparkled with
pleasure, and the crisp morning breeze
scattered few stray locks of golden hair
that had found their way from under the
dainty travelling cap.
Greuze or FTagonard or Jacquet could
not have wished for better model.
If there is any man who finds fault
with the captain for taking advantage of
the coat incident to introduce himself,
then let his neighbors watch that man.
1t was not accident that placed Demp
ster at the ladies' table at breakfast, but
the "Herr Ober- Kellner" head waiter).
Consideration-two francs.
Miss MerTick g vivacity and esprit formed
refreshing contrast to the primness ol
her maiden aunt, and the young officer
found her more charming as their ac-
qulahtahce progressed.
What difference does it make whethe,
one goes from Luzerne to Interlaken and
thence to Zurich, or vice versa2 Hardly
any under ordinary circumstances. But il
it is question of keeping in the com
pany of clever little lady by reversing
a proposed route it makes all the differ
ence in the world.
And that is why the captain feigned
pleased surprise that the intended line ol
travel Of the ladies should coincide with
his own plans, which it did not.
But, as everybody was pleased, it did
not matter that he changed his route.
The summer passed very agreeably to
all, and left deep impression upon the
captain.
First he dropped his single eyeglass for
good, in Difference to the common sense
OF Miss MeTrick; next he abjuTed brandy
and soda as a concession to the aunt's
temperance principles; then he became
solitary and taciturn when the young
lady was not around, and, ultimately, he
contracted the dangerous habit of look
ing at the moon long after everybody had
gone to sleep.
No one could have called Miss Merrick
a tiirt, but womanlike, she thoroughly
understood the subtle art of keeping her
adorer in hot water by being alternately
coy and cold.
Which showed that she liked him, or
she would not have teased him.
At \ Scheveningen, in Holland, the
whole affair came to a climax
1t was during an early morning stroll
down to dhe beach They sat down in a
couple Of Ahose old wickerwork chairs.
For awi hey discussed the morsels OF