The record-union., 1896-03-14
VERLASSEN x

Woe 1t was a large CdhNdS With DdOh-
ground of mountains, mist and clouds
sufficiently finished to serve as suitable
setting for the figures in the foreground
without drawing attention too much
from the main theme. These hgureS
were life-size. Though few in number,
various were the emotions depicted
upon their countenances.
Hate, fear, revenge were pictured
upon the face of the well-favored young
peasant; pity beamed from the eyes of
his fair companion; sorrow, despair and
want had pinched the features of the
prostrate "forsaken" one; while the
babe on her breast, taking but passive
part in the little drama, smiled peace
fully in its slumbers.
The tale upon which the picture was
founded runs after this wise, and well
might other scenes therein enacted,
pleasing as we'll as sad, prove fit sub
jects for artistic skill to place upon can
vas.
A certain midsummer's day of years
long past was as yet unheralded by the
dawn; the stars still shone and twin
killed., though paling, when well-nigh all
the villagers of k, far up in the
Tyrolean Alps, were astir and busted in
a manner to betoken something more
than usual afoot-other than harvest
ing or haymaking, surely.
A great event was about to take place.
Walli, the fairest of the village maids,
ere the sun gave greeting from above
still higher slopes, would wed with the
gallant young JAEGER Klaus Werner, the
gay huntsman who came and went ac-
cording as his calling led him far away
or near, and who for several years past
had been the hearts desire of many
pretty peasant girl in that remote vii
lage. And who can say? Mayhap in
other Alpine Businesses to which the
black cock and "gemse" (chamois) lured
him had his keen black eyes appeared
no less bright and attractive to the
blooming ''bauerdirne."
Surely never had Klaus looked filter
to arouse envy in feminine breast than
when on the morning of which we
speak, as Aurora smiled roseate from
amid mountain mists, sanctioning as
1t were, the nuptials, he led the pretty
WaIli forth from her home, and, fol-
lowed by all the village, into the quaint
old church with it's red-topped tower,
it's curiously frescoed front and its sun
DIAL whose daily work at shadowing
forth time had not yet begun. Ay, truly
was Klaus a goodly youth to behold,
strong, straight and supple of limb, and
If Drowned from his out-of- door life, it
but made his teeth shine the whittier and
added, by contrast, a touch the more Of
fair bloom to the maiden at his side.
If ever a word was dropped as to
CLEAN of falseness in Klaus dark eyes,
rest assured that it fell from the lips of
some spinster well sped in years!
The light was still dim within the
church, but the glow from the dawn
touched the pale, earnest face of Walli,
as, kneeling before the altar she dill
gently told her beads. Her eyes were
upturned and rested upon a picture of
the Madonna, the while she repeated
her Aves and Paternosters; she seemed
lost to all around, and unconscious that
she herself in her peasant costume,
was picture most pleasing. She wore
a full short skirt of deep-red color and
a black violet bodice with silver chain
work feStOOned across the front; her
chemisette was embroidered and drawn
down with silver brooches back and
front low enough to disclose a heavy
necklace, string upon string of silver
beadS-theSe ornaments the family jew
els, the acumulations of several genera
tions. Her head was decked with a
wreath of white artificial roses with
bright-green leaves, which in its stiff
arrangement lent quaintness to the
whole attire. Klaus wore his jaeger cos
tume-short leather breeches with
green leggings, and gray cloth Jacket
with green facings and large rough but
tons of deer's horn.
A long sprig of fresh rosemary, with
a red carnation or two, had been ar
ranged diagonally across his breast,
and similar ornament next the feath
ers at the side of the green felt hat
which he now held in his hand. He,
too, was serious of mien as he knelt be-
side Walli, waiting for the priest to en-
ter, but it seemed he could not concen-
trate his thoughts as she did, for there
was ever a wandering of the eyes with
him.
The ceremony was long, including
mass, and when it ended they all ad
journed to the gasthaus opposite to par
take of the wedding breakfast which
the villagers had prepared.
AS the newly wed pair headed the
procession across to the inn the sun
beamed upon them a fatherly benedic-
tion, converting as by magic touch the
mountains shaded village and the sur
rounding country into a radiantly smil-
ing landscape.
A half-hour passed; the fatted calf
had disappeared in the form of savory
''kalbsbraten,' more than one cask of
sour red wine had been emptied, and
many toast had been drunk. Then
Klaus arose, and having thanked the
villagers for their kindly attentions,
turned to Walli and said:
Let US be going, Liebchen, or the
day will wax warm ere we make the
first mile of our walk. I will but step
over to house yonder and fetch my gun
I return in one minute Walli.'
mo, no, KlausI That thou must not
do. hung it aloft, back of the stove in
the stube Qiving-room) last evening for
q long, long rest. No gun on wedding
journey, Klaus! That thou knowest is
not meet-at such time all attention
is claimed by the bride.''
They all laughed at Wallis brave
words and declared she had quite
right" So, with a playful frown, Klaus
Eave in to her will, threatening, indeed.
to give her so much attention that she
would wish the gun We're along, and
then and there he seized her. and
hugged and kissed her till, struggling
in vain to free herself, she was forced
to cry for a truce. AS they left the
ham, stood in the doorway and raised
his glass for a parting toast.
Here is to the speedy return of my