Little Falls herald. [volume] (Little Falls, Morrison County, Minn.) 1889-1950, 1898-08-12
OV ER THE FALLS.

u OVER THE FALLS.
A small river, the Doubs separates
France from the canton of Neufchatel, in
Switzerland This stream forms in it's
tranquil course several lakes, whose banks
rise hundreds of feet above their waters,
with centenarian pine trees crcwding their
SUBMITS Those immense solitudes are
troubled only by the songs of the shepherd
and the church bell of Russey, village
built 2, 500 feet above the level of the river.
A dreadful noise, which mingles itself
, with the hoarse voice of the wind passing
; through the forests, is heard miles around.
,, This noise is made by the DOubs falling
from an altitude Of 80 feet down into
bOttomless abyss. Every year, the Goth of
June, the young people of the surrounding
villages, dressed in their best clothes, de-
scend in the valley, embark in a 11eet>of
newly painted and tastefully decorated
boats and conf1de themselves to the cur
rent of the river, but as soon as the terri
,, BILE cataract is signaled and the sound
! coming from the gulf is heard gun is
fred and the boats scud away from the
abyss and death.
! In the village of Les Brenets Jeanette
Moriot lived with her father and mother
She was as handsome as the landscape of
! her native place and pure as the air that
she breathed. She had legion of lovers,
! but although Jeanette was Is years of
age she had refused all the offers of mar.
| riage from her numerous admirers.
! Among the discarded was watchmak-
| er, whose accented features and deep look
! indicated violent passions. His rejection
did not seem to affect him very much, as,
/ after two days given to his thoughts, he
resumed his occupation and acted as it he
, had forgotten Jeanette entirely.
At the Same time q recently appointed
brigadier of douanes (sergeant of custom
house soldiers) came to live in the village
where Jeanette and her family resided
The splendor of the uniform and the per-
sonal appearance of it's wearer did won
| ders in the young girls heart, and as her
handsome face and good reputation did
! the same with the brigadier they soon un-
i! derstood each other, and the result of such
| All understanding was that the 26th OF
June Mile. Jeannette Moriot was to be-
come Nine. Pierre Paul Russelot.
This day was chosen because they want
ed to- add the pleasures of the feast Of ST.
John to those of their wedding day, in Or
der to associate with their happiness the
young people of the neighboring villages.
More than any other the matchmaker
appeared to be pleased at the idea Of the
promised good time, and as he hatl been
invited privately, in order to shCw his
gratitude for the kind invitation extended
to him and also to fulfill a duty of polite
ness he called on the brigadier, Offering
him his services and friendship, which
were accepted with thanks.
The happy day came at last. All the
guests were punctual to the rendezvous,
and the feast opened under the most hope
ful auspices. After the termination of
the civil anC religious ceremonies the bride
and bridegroom, followed by q joyful
crowd, descended on the banks of the
Doubs, where Il lunch was served, after
which the pronlenadcs on the river began.
The boats, waving the French and Swiss
flags, crossed the water in every direction,
and laughing and singing resounded ev-
erywhere.
The brigadier and Jeanette, obeying
the secret thoughts of their souls, tried to
keep away from, their noisy guests. They
marched along the left bank Of the river
hand in hand quite distance. At the
moment when they believed they were
completely alone Il voice coming from the
Doubs, singing Il song of love, made them
aware that they had a witness to their
| bliss.
They approached and saw the watch
maker erecting tent on his boat made
fast to tree. o.
''Hey! my friend,'' said the brigadier.
"Why are you not joining the others at
the dance and games?"
oil os1
| matchmaker, with a strange infexion in
his voice.
"Your affianced will not come, " replied
the brigadier, "as a young girl cannot alb
sent herself from the FEAST
"That may be true" said the watch
maker. ''Then shall go to meet her."
And after moment of silence he con-
| tinued:
evil you become my travelling COM
panionsp offer you place in my boat. 1"
Russelot and his wife had marched q
long way. Jeanette was tired. They &C.
cepted the offer of the matchmaker.
The loving couple entered the boat.
They sat down at the stern and the tent
protected them against the rays of burn
! ing sun and hid from them the sight Of
| the banks of the river. The matchmaker
| took the oars With strong pull he
j brought the boat in the middle Of the cur
rent, then he resumed his singing and
seemed to forget his precious freight
Approaching his discretion, Jeanette
and her husband thanked him warmly,
and soon they returned to their dreams Of
love, and, being entirely absorbed by their
supreme felicity, they saw and hearkened
nothing of the things Of the world.
The boat glided gently, the matchmaker
kept on singing, and they, arm in arm,
repeated words of love, expressing their
confidence in q bright future.
All of sudden the boat obeyed to q
more rapid impulse, and the matchmaker
ceased to sing. He abandoned his hold on
the oars, rose to his full height, and, ad'
dressing the young couple, with terrible
voice exclaimed: .,..'t
.'There is my af1anced, my own-the
mournful aff1anced Of those who have
nothing to expect on this earth"
And throwing the oars tar away from
him, he continued:
"The heart loves only once, Jeannette.
and in order to love you again In heaven
oonsign you to DEATH"
Before Russelot and Jeanette had time
to realize their situation the boat, attract