The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1907-12-19

suddenly, high above them, the
sharp-pointed summit of the stone
rock seemed to flush, and the top OF
a pine tree and few larches sprang
UP into soft rosy light. From some
where behind the mountain on the
opposite side of the river the warm
rays of the still invisible sun had
kindled the stony heights, revealing
to us the little groups of trees grow
ing In their clefts. High above the
cold blue shadows of our gorge they
stood. quivering and blushing in the
warm, radiant. loving embraces of
the first rays of the morning.
And then, suddenly, with a faint
tremor, another peak. which had till
now been hidden in the blue back
ground Of the mountains, stood
forth. and took its place in the illu-
minated group. Now, more and
more hitherto undistinguishable
shapes arose In the light. and as
they boldly crowded forward tie dark
mountain slopes In the background
seemed to recede still further, SEEM
The boy again plucked at his
grandfather's sleeve. His face was
transfigured. His eyes sparkled. his
lips smiled, and it seemed as IL
some bright rosy hue were reflected
In the yellow-whiteness of his cheeks
On the opposite side OF the liver a
change had also come to pass. The
mountains still hid the risen sun from
our sight, but the heavens above
them were bright, and the dips in
the lines of the mountain chain were
sharply and clearly defined. In .he
dark slopes facing us peaks OF milk
white mist were descending as II
seeking some resting place darker
and damper. - But above, the
heavens were now ablaze with bril-
liant gold, and the rows OF .arcnes
on the mountain SUBMITS formed
clear-cut violet silhouettes against
the radiant background.
Behind them one felt there was
some living, moving joyousness.
Through the dips in the mountain
chain fleecy cloudlet of fire came
foating, to disappear behind the
neighboring summit. 1t was follow
ed by another, a third, a long shin
Ing host. The mountains were re-
joicing, were alive with a passionate
exultation.
The living radiance crept lower
ana lower down into the gorge.
surely the sun was mounting the
towering SUBMITS that he might
glance down into our gloomy ravine.
that he might beam upon the sulky
river, upon the miserable nuts. up-
on the old man. and the little child
awaiting his coming!
And now he appears! Long golden
rays stream in glorious disorder
from behind the dip In the mountain
line. and pierce their way through
the black depths of the forest. Bands
OF hery sparks are strewn about the
dark brow OF the ravine. redeeming
now solitary tree. now q slaty crax.
now a tender grassy slope, from the
blighting clutches OF the icy log.
Everything stirs and breathes at
their approach.
And for few moments even tho
morose river smiles brightly. The
crests OF the waves running toward
our bank glisten in the light. Sun
beams play upon the squalid huts,
sparkle gleefully in the windows, and
tenderly kiss the pale, exalted face
of the little child.
And now, from behind the dip in
the mountain chain a part OF the
suns fiery circle emerges, rnd our
side OF the bank is also gladdened.
1t glows and flashes in delighted agi-
tation. The sun beams upon he
different bright-hued layers of the
mountains. upon the bushy green
pine trees.
But the warm caresses of the morn
Ing were not to be ours for long. A
few more seconds and the Lotion
OF the ravine had become cold and
blue again. The light died away up
on the river. and the waters again
rushed savagely forward. seething
and foaming in their narrow bed.
Twilight reigned again in the ra-
vine.
That's ALL" murmured the boy.
And a moment later, lifting sorrow
full eyes to the old mans face, he
said inquiringly:
will there be any more?"
Nothing more" answered the old
man. You saw for yourself. Only
little edge of the sun appeared. To-
morrow nothing will be seem"
And that will be for months!"
The old man told me that in summer
the sun circles for a time each day
Just above their mountain peaks;
but in the autumn he does not rise
SO high, and is not seen above the
broad chain. At first he passes
from summit to summit but later
his passage is lower in the heavens,
and he is lost to sight behind tho
mountains. At last his rays reach
the lowest deDths of the rayine only