The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1912-07-09
The
Climbers

rIOTds Lear. IOul icttci 1otucT
piqued me. Your accusations were
uncalled for. l am not secretive:
neither have l evaded your questions
purposely. Judson Barnet, or Jack"
as We now call him, Is wonderfully
clever, interesting man, and | admire
him exceedingly. You may safely
crafty your curiosity with the infor-
nation that l am not in love with
him.
Weren't you surprised to receive my
card postmarked Switzerland? This
has been rightly designated the play
ground of Europe" have had such
a perfect time and dislike to think
that but one more week remains to
enjoy the scenery.
have actually climbed five giant
mountains of the Alps. Aren't you
envious: Our party arrived at Lu-
cerne during the late afternoon, and
when | viewed those majestic noun
tains, hedged about with mystery
the glaciers filling the neishborinS
yalleys-the snowpcaks. whose white
outline against the sky was. cameo
like in its clCarncss, l lOnged to
reach their SUBMITS. Jack and Il few
others voiced the same desire, and
oar consuming ambition became to
add notches to our alpcnstocks.
Early next morning We assembled
Rigi to see the sun rise. What an
inspiring sight Far below flowed
the River Reuss, and there was Lu-
nine toll houses, resembling a fairy |
city" held IN the iastness OF the noun
tains by some powerful enchanter.
The pink-gold light OF dawn her
aiding the approach OF day touched
each tip OF the towers, then spread
over the ilowery fields OF the valley
This seemed strange when We were
surrounded by snow fields.
The following week we went to
Lake I.ricng ard crossed to Inter
laken. Here the Incompatible jung
frau loomcl invitinsly in the distance.
The mount in would not come to us.
so, like Mohammed, We went to the
mountain. At Lauterbrunnen village
We took the cable cars, which lifted
US 1900 feet to the famous little al
pine village of Murren.
Here we had wonderful view Of
Jungfrau. This maiden Of the Alps
appeals strangely to one. She Is sur
passed in beauty by Monte Rosa and
In grandeur by the MatterhOrn. To
me she is the loveliest Of mountains.
We reached the summit at sunset.
never imagined such wonderful col
oring possible. The evening clouds
and shadows gathered, and finally
night enshroudcd the peaks with its
dark, silent pail. We descended half
way down the mountain and spent the
night at a picturesque Swiss inn.
where we sat around the huge fire
place relating strange experiences.
The following day We journeyed to
Byrons Lake Geneva, with its roman
weeks there. Then we came to Ter
matt. am real mountaineer now.
You should see me attired IN "A rough
suit, with spiked shoes, green hat
|. adorned with Il sprig OF edelweiss and
my "ruck.sack" strapped to my back.
| somewhat resemble Pilgrim on his
rough and weary WAY. First we as
ccn,lod Monte Rosa. and two days
later braycd the Matterhorn. did
not enjoy climbing this mountain, ami
You will hardly blame ne &hon yog
have heard all.
! Six of us started oGt. tod To tho
same guide. Aitcr ciimhlu4 lar honrs
I and hours became ltishHHi'E i#
tigucd and while .cali,s a rGg#'a.
crag slipped and turned ny an
again. To proceed Was iapossi.,".
The guide told LIS OF several hut
built to shelter stoyUtoui climber.
instrueting us 10 ROMAN l.,gc tutI
he returned. and not to attempt n
descent Jack assisted lae in ia,-
was almost helplcss-io Tie hat, a
quarter Of mile from the path He
built fire and bandaged my ankle.
giving ME instant relief. and fell
asleep.
awoke several hours later. to find
tempting spread. the contents OF our
ruck-sack. We were rayenously hun
cry and ate everything in sight. At
three o'clock a terrific snoWstorm, In
all Its fiendish fury, burst upon the
mountain. | tried my best not TO ap-
pear frightened. but as the hours wore
on and inky darkness eryeId.ed Us. |
GteYsc< -. .,,,.e r<<<><<|. set.. manu-
~zsft~, >SSEE:SS!