Sullivan republican. [volume] (Laporte, Pa.) 1883-1896, 1891-05-08
THE TRAVELLING RING.

At the ,uneartnly hour OF 3 A. NJ. the
discordantN 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.
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 swindline 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 a morning gown and
fastened down stairs at the sound of the
horn.
Ragged patches of mist rose lazily
from lake of BLUSH fog that filled the
valleys; rugged tops and sharp crags rose
in bold outline, like coral reefs upon a
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, r. 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
a 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 first 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 picture!" and
he dropped his single eyeglass to see
better.
Frau Professor Holtzhacker began to
rhapsodize, "Yes, eet, ees wonterfool,
wonterfool, 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 cheeks 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 Fragonard 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 Merrick's vivacity and esprit formed
a refreshing contrast to the primness of
her maiden aunt, and the young officer
found her more charming as their ac-
quiantance progressed.
What difference does it make whether
one goes from Luzerne to Interlaken and
thence to Zurich, or vice versaa 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 die
not matter that he changed his route.
The summer passed very agreeably tt
all, and left deep impression upon tn,
captain.
First he dropped his single cyeglass fo
good, in Difference to the common sens
OF Miss Merrick; next he abjured brand,
and soda as concession to the aunt
temperance principles; then he became
solitary and taciturn when the younf
lady was not around, and, ultimately, h
contracted the dangerous habit Of look