The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1900-06-06

u
gathering further harvest of tears.
"Rev Arthur Kimball che observed
despairingly. II did not know he was
back from Europe. We must see him,
suppose You can show him in. Will
liams
'This is a very appropriate time for
a parson to call. when family is pros
trated with grief over the loss of near
relative of fortune and of title" said
Uncle Josiah. with placid sarcasm.
Rev. Arthur Kimbsll was fashion
able pastor. whom Mrs Rodney respect
cd as such. He was this somewhat
despite himself. for he was not half
bad sort His favorite way of spending
his vacation was to 60 to Switzerland
and climb the most inaccessible moun-
tains there He had just returned from
one of these athletic outings Between
him and Miss Rodney there was warm
bond Of sympathy. based on their devo-
tion to physical development.
After some preliminary small talk
and inquiry about friends Miss Rodney
said
"Well, what Alp have You conquered
this year. DR.. Kimball9 suppose you
will soor be driven to the Himalayas
for your vacation. Switzerland will be
a smoked orange"
'After this summer almost feel as
IL it were." replied the clergyman
cheerfully II did the Matterhorn this
year. 1t still has the credit of being
something fit for climber to vanquish.
OF course the old time glamour of it's
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. Too
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 tnglorious today. Little boys
and girls take promenade to its top
as kindergarten play at mountain
climbing. But it must have been
glorious moment for Whymper when
he planted the first pair of human feet
on the virginia. peak Of the Matterhornl
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
climbers. except two of the guides. who
retraced his steps after the victorious
climb am happy to state that one of
this first party to reach the top was.
like myself. clergyman.
"And is 1t really 30 difficult p asked
Miss Rodney eagerly.
II don't think there can be any
doubt Of its difficulty" said DR.. Kim.
ball. with a dry smile 1T is a tough
climb. and I have made many. The
al-Rothhorn wa3 cocker, thought,
although found gray haired woman
at the table d'hote at Zermatt who had
done it few years before and was not
very boastful about it. A man who had
never climbed attempted this peak and
did it. although the guides had to sim.
ply transport him over the icy and shelv-
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. mp the rough. naughty peaks
that nature seems to have reared as a
defiance to the passage Of man con.
ciuded DR.. Kimball as he rose to 20. II
see from your looks that you are keep.
ing up your own outdoor exercise. Miss
Rodney That is right.
eyes. 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 su.
periority in some things. don't theyP'
remarked Uncle Gardner. when DR.
Kimball had retired. "Here's a small.
not overmuscular parson who can
climb the Matterhornl Women have
to shrink into their petticoats over
that"
1.-TWO women have done it without
shrinking into their petticoats. as
you SO elegantly put it," retorted his
niece. slightly nettled at the old mans
gratuitous gibe.
THAT must make it all the harder
for the poor women folk. who have to
content themselves with small exploits,
like riding wheel or playing tennis"
returned the determined old man. II
should think you would want to climb
the Matterhorn.
"Oh. dare say may some day. re-
piled Miss Rodney carelessly ~ have
not doubt that l could"
~ IL bet yon 500, 900 you couldn't
do it. " grunted the old man contempfu-
ously.
"lt's not as easy, Of course, as wa
gering 100000 when you wouldn't
really and seriously wager penny on
it,"
The two were alone Mrs. Rodney
and the subservient Rose had retired as