The daily Alaskan., 1908-10-14
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:: A CURSE CONFIRMED.
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 Herman Fielder was starting on what he proposed should be his last trip as guide across what Is now the Sim plon pass of the Alps. That was more than three centuries ago and guides duties were far different from what they are now. Instead of conducting tourists who travel for pleasure they showed the way to those who travelled for the purposes of barter, Herman was to guide Gabriel Arshag, q Greek diamond merchant. who was taking a valuable lot of gems to dispose of in Paris Herman bade farewell to hls betrothed, Agatha. little peasant girl, telling her 10 keep her thoughts fixed on the day Of his return. This she promised to do and to pray daily to the Virgin that she would bring him back safely to her.
 On the first night after beginning the ascent the two men stopped at little inn midway between the low ground and the summit kept by an old Swede, Johan Evard, and his wife for the en- ,ertainment of those making the pass. Before getting into his cot Arshag must needs look over hIS jewels, making an excuse to himself 10 see that they were all there but really because he loved tO look at them. He was seen through crac,; In the partition by Evard and his wife, whose cupidity was excited by the sight of the sparkling gems. They saw him put them under his pil- low. and in the middle of the night Eyard stole Into the room, inserted hls hand dcftly under thc pillow and took out the bag. Then he took several of the gems, entered IIcrman'S room and put them In his pocket This done. the couple took the bag containing the rest of the treasure. dug a hole in the snow near the cabin and hid them under an overhangIng rock. aflcrward throwing the snow back Into the hole.
 The next morning before daylight Arshag was heard storming and h. mentlng. Herman and the old couple went to him. and he accused the latter of stealing hls Jewels.
 You accuse us of theft-we who have kept this inn ever since we were young people. we who have enter talncd many strangers and have al- ways borne good characters. Rather look to your guide to recover your loss. It is not we who could know that you carried jewels. but he"
 All three were searched, and the gems that had been placed In Herman's pocket were found there. Arshag was but half convinced that the guide was the thief, for 1t was not likely that he would keep stolen property on his per son While they were Wrangling a party Of travellers and guides came down the mountain and stopped at the Inn. Arshag consulted with them, and they advised him 10 go back, taking Herman with him. He doubtless knew where the rest of the ewels were and under torture would confess all. Ar shag wished to take the old couple as well. but was dlssuaded since travellers counted on being entertained at their lln and would be disappointed. Per haps some who were caught In storm might perish So Arshag started back with the party, Herman going willing. ly. Yet he was much cast down, for he knew that on the rack he would be forced to make confession that was not true.
 There was a gorge to cross directly in front of the cabin The party crossed 1t, and when on crest on the other side Herman stopped and turned, the others doing the same. The air was perfectly still There had been an unusual snowfall. and far and near the peaks were covered. The only sign of a human abode in all that vast waste of snowy heaps was the inn on the other side of the gorge. The inn. keeper and his wife were standing in front of 1t watching the travellers Then Herman raised his hand and in his loudest voice, that he might be heard across the chasm, said:
 hN AbNNud uo9 plHsSN 'O NHS Blessed Virgin for my protection. ] curse you, and the holy mother will make my curse effective"
 Hardly had the echoes of his voice GicI away when there was sound the untitled boom of a cannOn-and in another moment the whole side of the mountain beyond and above the cabin began slowly to move. Snow, ice, trees and rocks poured In one confused gigantic torrent down on the inn and It's keepers. Above the roar there came mingled human shriek, and the spot where the cabin had stool Was buried fifty feet beneath the sE1w.
 In that supr"StItiGI- age only few scientists knew Co. thS delicate hIl- anccs of nature lnd tha; a human voice setting the air to vIbratiu: cou!d cause an avalanche. The party regarded the destruction that h~I ,p..r to tie ian keepers d!rcc! ,J@@..AatiOn h. the Virgin of Herman'S curse, All Enelt revercntly and with awe made the sign of the cross.
 The diamond merchant, convinced | Al Al T lf.