The Guthrie daily leader. [volume] (Guthrie, Okla.) 1893-1996, 1908-08-17
A CURSE CONFIRMED.
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he proposed should 10 his last trtif as
a guide across what Is now the Sim
plon pass OF the Alps. That was more
than three centuries ago and a 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, a Greek
dlamCsd merchant, who was taking a
valuable lot OF gems to dispose Of In
Paris Herman bade farewell 70 his
betrothed Agatha, n little peasant girl
telling her TO 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 a little
inn midway between the low ground
and the summit kept by an old Swcde,
Johan Evard. and his wife Tor the en-
teriainment OF those making the pass.
Before getting into his cot Arshag mast
needs look over bis jewels, making an
excuse to himself TO see that they were
all there, hut really because he loved
TO look at them lie was seen through
crack in the partition by Evard and
his wife. whose cupldty was excited
| hy the sight OF the sparkling gems.
They saw him put - under his pill
low. ana in the mididc Of the night
| Evard stole into the room, inserted his
hand deftly under the pillow and took
| ont the bag Then he took several OF
the gems. entered HermaR's room and
! put them in his pocket This done, the
couple took the bag containing the rest
OF the treasure. dug hole IN the srcw
near the cabin aud hid them under an
the snow back into the hole
The next morning before daylight
Arshag was heard stormIng and Ia
| mentlng Herman and the old couple
| went to him. aud he accused the litter
cf stealing his Jewels
"Y0u accuse MS or thefl--we who
have Kept This inn ever since we were
/ Young people, we who have enter
tanned many strangers and have al
ways borne good characters Rather
look 10 your guide TO recover your
loss II Is not we who could know
that you carried jewels, but he"
Al three were searched and the
gems that had bccn placed IN IIerman's
pocket were found there. Arshag was
but half conylacei that the guide was
the thief, for It was not likely that he
would keep stolen property on his per,
son Whilc they we're wrangling a
party of travellers and guides came
down the mountain and stopped ut the
inn. Arshag consulted with them, and
they advised him 10 20 back, taking
Herman with him. lie doubtless knew
where the rest OF the cwels were and
undcr torture would confess all. Ar
shag wished 10 take The old couple as
well, but was dissuaded since travellers
counted ON being entertained nc their
inn and would be disappointed. Per
haps some who were caught Ia storm
might perish. SO Arshag started back
with the party. Herman going willing.
ly Yet he WIS much cast down, for
he knew that on the rack he would be
forced TO make a confession that was
not true.
There was a gorge 20 cross directly
IN front OF the cabin The party
crossed H. and whan on crest on tue
other side Herman stopped and turned.
the others doing the same. The air
] was perfectly stiL There had been
7 an unusual snowfall. aud far and near
the peaks were covered The only sign
Of a human abode In an that vast
waste OF snowy heaps was the inn OH
the other side Of the gorge, The inn
keeper md his wife were standing in
front of II watching the travellers
Then Herman raised his hand and In
: his loudest voice that he might be
heard across the chasm, said,
My Agatha has prayed 20 the
1 Blessed Virgin for my protection I
4 urse you, and the holy mother will
make my curse effective
Hardly Ind the echoes OF his voice
4 died away when there was a sound
the mufiled boom OF a cannon and In
another moment the whole side OF the
: mountain beyond and above the cabin
J began slowly to move Snow, ice.
trees and rocks poured IN one confused
4 gigantic torrent down on the inn and
! SIS keepers Above the roar there came
3 a mingled human shrek, and the spot
whore the cabin had stood was buried
hfiy feet beneath the snew
In that supcrsutouS age only few
scientists knew Of the delicate hal
anccs of nature and that human voice
setting the air 10 vibrating could cause
an avalanche The party regarded tho
4 destruction that had come 20 the Inn
keepars direct confirmation hy The
VIRGIN of iiermans curse Ar knelt
refcrontly and with awe made the sign
/ ol ihe cgOss.
The diamond merchant. convinced
that the 2Id couple had stolen his dia-
monds aud that the treasure had been
swept away by the avalanche. went
back 40 Greece. ana Herman married
Agatha giving up he profession OF
,uidr Several years after the death
. ol ihq mhkecpcrs having failed to earn
a living. hc returned 50 his former call
I He On h first trip, when he reached
] q. fr.s. ..