Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1897-09-04

berg, but to cross the ocean We proddcd
the steel point into the floor, and swung
ourselves this way and that till we
found those that bore our weight without
to much Yielding then with skirts pinned
up securely Jackets strapped across our
shoulders, rubbers instead of naii-studded
SHOES, we started upon our long and
somewhat perilous tramp. Like many
| difficult undertakings. the beginning was
easy, and in little more than an hour we
had assembled far above the rest of our
party. Distant mountains covered with
their white mantle with masses of ice
and snow piled at their bases seemed but
few rods from us. while beneath our
feet and all about us. were wild flowers
the entire way TO the Baregg Hut. The
Mettenherg over which we walked was
clothed with wild scabiosa-large spikes
of white and yellow bells-pink and scar
let blossoms. Wniie great patches of eX-
uuiSite blue hairbellS covered every rock
ana in shaded nook we found forget
me-notS. The sweetness OF our bread and
cheese, the GOODNESS of that water which
we drank from our hands Eneeling by
the spring that trickled down the rocks
we need not dwell upon, for those who
have had like experience can easily re-
eau cal 1t an. while to, those who have it
faint idea. Still further on our path was
ny the edge OF an awful precipice high
peaks surrounded us, whose SUBMITS
were lost in the clouds. and below. the
valley was hidden by mists and vapor
while the sun shone bright above our
heads. Now ready for the glacier was
Inc command, after luncheon and n rest
me way at first was over great boul6ers
ana rocky paths till finally we walked
upon the ice fields covered with stony de
bris above. YEARLY we crept along when
suddenly we turned a sharp crag. and
before us slistening in the sunlight was
the great Mer de glace.' snow-white min
sled with dazzling blue. The sight re-
stored our tagging energies and there
ma ma snow and ice our clarion voices rang
r-NceIsior lark. here's an avalan-
enc was said simultaneously as thun-
drous sound echoed and reechoed across
the mountains. followed by another and
yet another. Then down fell ice aud
snow piling in feecy masses before orr
eyes, and over and over on that memoir
2ble day did We hear that tremendous
Doom The danger of walking over those
Giassy frozen fields, that had scarcely
melted since the foundation of the world
was now clearly manifest. Huge crew
asses CAPPED on both sides 800 feet in
depth going down. down, farther than the
eye could see and revealing mighty walls
OF understandable blue. We planted our
Alpen-stocks firmly in the ice and swung
ourselves across chasms where one slim
meant-eternity We stood on narrow
zee paths looking into yawning CULTS. |
then gazing up. up to the eternal SHOWS
ieeilng then and not till then that We
had some comprehension of the Alps. and
OF their silent awful loneliness. Surely |
on the heights the littleness of our life |
yearning after good becomes intensified |
With many lingering looks. we turned to |
ieaVe. Tor the clouds growing heavier as |
We deScended. were condenSing into mist |
wat any moment might mean rain w
was IN advance when Il startled scream |
male her run back. fearing some catas-
.iophe, although the cry seemed one OF |
pietsed surprise: motioness stood a |
liie'hper or the party with a most beatific |
t, Expression of countenance while both
ildiuS adoringly claSped a small white
sear-shaped fuzzy object, filled i'm the
eeh,re with pale golden French knots. ". /
sa 'ia down in utter collapse, instantly re-
aaiiNihe mat she had not two moments be-
doie missed the opportunity of her life.
aiiu ieIt TO be gathered by another the
oitiy reward an Alpine climber Graves
an Edelweiss." There, there, way up
there are two more the excited yolne
' mbHlah screamed, pointing to rock on
m.aiuh could family be discerned two pale
Gaas iesVes with many cleft snowy
, omvr IN the middle. That rock W. would
t.,sstiiy In amy court rose directly from
' .me lug OF the road and was seemingly
= sp ~ over precipfce. and on the
t.tsiaisht SHINING sides of that boulder
~ v,eie was no apparent foothoId "Cii,ub
' ep, eiiinp UP almost shrieked the ire
',,ponsinie discovcrer. lis thy servant n
oatlnpis that she can DO this thing?" we
' anmu utterly, but before the traces of
$50 o,s appolntment and envy had been wiped
Ivy, by dint of using tooth and nail
.ne ascent was made. and two mare
~ ms secured. The Swiss say there's
. ~ way up without one DOWN but mount
str, ~, mat dizzy height, a fall was de-
= y. ttpii ana for a minute the situation
o.,i ,u serious, but the professor was
t ~ even greater emergencies, and