The labor argus. [volume] (Charleston, W. Va.) 1906-1915, 1908-10-01
A CURSE CONFIRMED.
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IO.iEina,l
Herman Fielder was starting on what
lie proposed should be his last trip as
Z sufnc across what is now the Sim
ulon pass of the Alps. That was ulore
( than three centuries ago. and a guides
duties We're FAR different from what
they are now. Instead of conducting
i tourists who travel for pleasure they
/ showed the WAY TO those who Travelled
for the purposes OF barter. Herman
/ was TO Guide Gatrict .>rshas, a Greek
diamond merchant, l...o VAS taking a
valuable lot OF gems to dispose OF in
Paris. Herman babe farewell to his
betrothed, Agatha, a 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 ut a little
inn midway between tho low ground
ana the summit Kept hy an old Swcdc,
J"han l.vard, and his wife for the en-
terta,nincnt Of those making the pass
Before getting: into his cot -ArShag must
needs look over his Jewels. making an
excuse To himself TO sec that they were
all there. IH'' really bcc;y use he loved
10 zoos at them. He was seen through
a crack in the partition by Eyar,l and
his wife, whose cupidity was excited
by the sight of The sparkling gems.
They saw him put.thcnt under his pill
low, and in the middle Of the night
EVard stole into the room. inserted his
hand deftly under the pillow and took
out the bag. Then he took several of
the gems, entered lIcrman's room ana
put them in his pocIScr. This done. \hc i
couple took the bag containing the rest
OF the treasure, dug Il hole in the snow
near the cabin and hid them under -n
overhanSinG rock. afterward throwing
the snow back into he hole
The next morning before daylight
ArShaG was hoard storming and Ia
nentinS ..e.nan and the old couple
Went to him ana he accused the latter
Of stealing his jewels.
You accuse MS of theft-wc who
hay" 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. 1t is not We who could know
thht-you carried jewels. but he"
All 'hiee were searched, and the
gems mat had been placed in IIcrman's
pocket were found there. Arshag was
hut hhlt convinced that the guide wus
inc thici, for it was not likely That he
would Keep stolen property OH his per-
son. W mic they were Wrangling Il,
party OF travellers and guides came
down the mountain ana stopped at the
nm ArShag consulted with them. and
they advised him to go back. taking
Herman with him. He doubtless knew
where IN" rest of the cwcIs were and
under torture would confess ALL Ar
S'EiS wished 10 take the old couple as
well. but was diSsuaded since travellers
counted on being entertained at tncir
lhIi and would be disappointed. Pcr-
maps some who We're caught in a storm
ill@ht PERISH So .ArshaS started back
with the party, Herman going willing
~ ct he was much cast down. for
ne Know mat OH the rack he would be,
forced to. make Il confession that ,r,s
not true.
There was n gorge 10 cross directly
III front of The cabin Tho pnrty
crossed it. ANA when on n crest on tho
"tEcr sat" Herman stopped and turned.
Tue others doing the same. Tho NH.
was perfectly Still There had hcon
an UNUSUAL snowfall ana far ana near
'!Ic peaks W"r2 covered. The only sign
o' human abode in all that vast
USE vi snowy h"npS WAS the inn on
lic other side of The gorge The inn
'front.' OF il watching the travellers
ihel Herman raised his hand and in
ms io1dcSt voice. that he might he
ie''Fd across the chaSm. said:
MY Agatha has prayed to tho
.!'SSeu virgin for my protection I
curse you, and the holy mother vii,
1h'Nc my curse circctivc''
Hardly had the echoes of his voice
clca AWAY when there was a soupd
'he ihuiiied boom OF Il c:nnon-and in
"h"thcr moment the whole side of tba
mountain beyond and above the cabin
began slowly to move. Snow i,.c
''eeS iud rocks poured in one confused
S!&ahtlc torrent down on the inn ana
i'S keepers. Above the roar there c,n,n
mingled human shrek. and the snot
Mherc the cabin had stood was buried
EItN leet beneath the snow.
IN that' SiperStitiouS age ONLY n rau,
"t1ehtiStS knew of the dclicotn b.,
HiiceS OF nature ana that q human voice.
He>I'hks inc air to vibrating could causa
an avalanche. The party regarded ~,
"eSlrHcton that had come "a tho inn
hecl,ars direct confirmation bv Tho
'f@ih oil ierman'S curse. An knatt
rcNer"ntIy ana with awe mad. tho si.,n
OF the cross
ne diamond merchant. convinced
.i''t me old couple had stolen his di.-