Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1900-07-25
"After this summer almost feel as

"After this summer / almost feel a,
if it WERE" replied the clergyman
cheerfully. 81 did the Matterhorn thi.
year. 1t still has the credit Of being
something fit for aclimber to vanquish
OF course the old time glamour of it.
sharp crest when the guides themselves
used to wag their heads and tell weird
tales about the unseen horrors that
cling to its top is done away with. Toe
many have Skinned up this slippery
needle of the Alps. But it is tug enough
still to be something to boast of. As an
Englishman, member of the Alpine
club, said to me this summer: Mont
Blanc is inglorious today Little boys
and girls take a promenade to its tor
as kindergarten play at mountain
climbing. But 1t must have been a
glorious moment for Whymper when
he planted the first pair of human feet
on the virginia. peak Of the Matterhorn
The trip must have been melancholy
memory, however, for the vanquished
spirit of that hitherto unscaled eyrie
seemed to wreak revenge on this in
trusion of man. You know four of the
party were lost on that first ascent.
Whymper was the only one of the
cnh'pers' except TWO Oh me guides, who
retraceo MS steps alter Inc victorious
ciimp' am nappy 10 stare tnat one OF
this first party to reach the top was,
like myself, clergyman.
"And is it really so difficult 2" asked
n'ss hconey eagerly
>.,-.--~.
II don't think there can be any
dPubt OF Its difficulty" said DR.. kim
oail' with dry smile ut is tough
climb, and 1 have made many. The
linal-Rothhorn was corker, l thought,
although found gray haired woman
at the table d'hote at Zermatt who had
done 1t a few years before and was not
very boastful about it. a man who had
never climbed attempted this peak and
did 1t, although the guides had to sim
ply transport him over the icy and shelly
ing parts of the rocky lodges. There are
plenty of peaks to practice on. But it
is the most glorious feeling in the
world to scratch your way, like hardy
insect up the rough, naughty peaks
that nature seems to have reared as a
dehance to the passage Of man." con-
GUIDED Dr. klmball as he rose to go. II
see from your looks that you are keep
ing up your own outdoor exercise. Miss
Rodney. That is right. :"
Yes, but bicycling and even follow
ing the hounds seem tame compared
TO scaling the Matterhorn, replied the
girl, with an amusing note of regret in
her voice.
women have to admit mans SUI
periority In some things don't they 2"
remarked Uncle Gardner, when DIR.
hlmball had retired. "Here's small,
not oVermuscular parson who can
climb the Matterhorn! Women have
to shrink INTO their petticoats over
That.
Two women have done 1t without
shrinking into their petticoats, as
you SO elegantly put 1t, retorted his
niece, slightly nettled at the old mans
gratuitous gibe.
Ihat must make 1t all the harder
Tor the poor women folk, who have to
content themselves with small exploits,
like riding wheel or playing tennis.
returned the determined old man. 81
should think you would want to climb
the Matterhorn.
"Oh, dare say 1 may some day." re-
pied Miss Rodney carelessly. II have
not a doubt that L could.
IN bet you 500, 600 You couldn't
do 1t, " grunted the old man contemptu-
ously.
Its not as easy, of course, as wa
gerlng 100000 when you wouldn't
really ana seriously wager penny on
It,"
Inc two were alone. Mrs. Rodney
and the subservient Rose had retired as
soon as Or. klmball left.
The old man looked at her with a
cold CLEAN in his eye.
LOOK here, he said after moment
or this steadfast gaze ut the resolute
figure of his niece. you've done good
thing in treating your Aunt Matilda 8
low proposition with perfect contempt.
OF course you may relent later on, but
1t was the spirit of an American girl
that made you fire up as you did at the
first flush. It's the only spirit of the
Kind In the family. and l think 1t
should be encouraged. You think am
own brothes to Matilda for meanness,
simply because l don't pay for every
silly extravaganza Of your mother and
you girls; but l amt, and III prove it
to you. !"
Uncle Gardner was little excited,
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