The Washburn leader., 1915-08-27
A Farewell to
the Mountains
By DONALD cHAMBERlIN

u
Deveral successive summers he went to
some one of the principal mountain re-
gions of the world and scaled peak.
But his favorite location was Switzer-
land. Indeed, that is the fav0rite noun
tain country of most persons. Whether
or not it is finer than the others Is
question, but there is one thing about
it that gives 1t superior attraction. It
is in the heart Of Europe and in the
line Of tourists.
Whitcomb had favorite guide who
lived at Scheidegg, point from which
climbers have been long used 20 start
to ascend the Jungfrau. This was
before railroad was projected to car
ry tourists to the top of the mountain,
and Schmitt. the guide referred to, had
chalet not far above Scheidegg.
One day when Whitcomb had passed
the crest of middle age he appeared at
Scheidegg and found his old guide
smoking his pipe in front Of his chalet.
my old friend" said the American,
II have come for a last climb. will
soon be old and not able to make these
ascents. wish you to pilot me once
more"
"Ah, herr" replied the guide, don't
talk that way. am several years old
er than you, and yet must so on
climbing, else l and my family will
starve."
There was a sadness in this reply
that made Whitcomb sorry for what he
had said. "Ah, well, Schmitt, you
have been used to climbing all your
life. You will always be at home in
the mountains"
Schmitt's little daughter was play
ing near and at the moment she called
out:
Papa, who is that woman over
thereY'
what woman, my child?"
"The woman on the glacier"
Schmitt turned to Whitcomb and
asked him If he could see a woman on
the glacier, his own eyes being not so
good as they had been. Whitcomb
peered in the direction Of the glacier.
but said he could see no woman.
Schmitt turned pale.
something troubles you," said Whit
comb.
ut is the spirit of the mountains.
She appears only to children and never
even to child except she is going to
claim victim"
The fact that the two men were to
climb the Jungfrau made this state
ment matter of concern to them.
Whitcomb could not bring himself to
believe that the child saw what she
claimed to have seen. Some one of
the cracks in the ice or rock must
have appeared like woman's figure.
He said as much to Schmitt. but the
latter shook his head.
"AIany children" said the guide.
have seen the Jungfrau and never
except that one or more persons have
been killed on the mountain within
short time after the appearance of the
specter."
They set out about o'clock in the
; morning intending to make the climb
during single day. Whitcomb had
| forgotten the vision of Schmitt's little
daughter and was very CHEEKY. His
guide was quite the reverse. seeming
ly being much cast down. On the way
they picked up another guide. making
party Of three. and when they came
to the dangerous part of their climb
they Joined their bodies by rope.
Schmitt in the lead. Whitcomb in the
center, the other guide, whom Schmitt
addressed as Hans, in the rear.
They climbed till noon before reach
ing the summit; then, looking out on
the expansive field Of snow peaks.
Whitcomb gave way to rhapsody.
"Goodby, old friends" he said. Its
/ many days companionship we've
had, but now we must part. You who
have existed for ages in your present
form doubtless will exist for ages to
come. Your snow covered rocks will
endure for millions Of years after my
puny body has mingled with the dust.
! My friends, farewell"
Zach! Herr, do not talk that way.
There is something prophetic In what
you say"
Il don't mean," replied Whitcomb.
that l am gong 10 leaVe tnls wofiu
Immediately. expect to live to be an
old man. But I'll do no more climb
Ing" ..0.O
"No, herr, you'll do no more climb
ing" replied Schmitt. with solemnity
that passed through the other like q
chill mountain breeze.
They spent an hour on the summit,
then turned to descend. They had not
gone far before one of those sudden
snow squalls that come on SO frequent
" out Of fine day enveloped them.
Schmitt was in the advance and halt
ed, as though he had lost his bearings.
Then he moved on. but staggered.
Presently the snow gave way beneath
him, and he went down, dragging
Whitcomb with him. Hans threw him
self in the opposite direction. The
rope snapped. Schmitt and WhitcomD
slid out of sight with the snow. Hans
fell into snowbank not a dozen feet
below.
The storm soon. passed, and Hans,