Year: 1869




There was no Drawer guide, or more
skillful hunter, that ever set foot upon the
Matterhorn, or crawled over the danger
Gus glaciers Of Monte Rosa, than Uric
Peterson He was a man of immense
strength and great daring; and had often
tracked the wilderness of snow when
those who followed the same calling will
Gngly remained in their cottages in the
well-protected villages. He laughed at
his companions, when they talked of dan
ger; and made light If the fears Of his
good wife, when she trembled at the howl
ing of the fierce winds, or the avalanche
of snow, that now and then swept down,
with irresistible force, upon the little
chale.s. With wellspiked shoes, stout
alpenstock, confidence in himself, and
firm and fervent trust in God, he avowed
that a man was as safe upon the topmOst
cliffs of the cloud-piercing Matte,horn, as
in the brook threaded valley of Tourman-
ches. But the timid heart of womanhOod
could not look upon the matter in the
same light, although her trust in the good
Lord was equally strong; and so, when
she saw him take down his trusty rifle,
powder-horn and heavily shod iron staff,
one morning, she clung to him, and
begged that he would not go upon the
mountains I0eTc is every Sigu OI
Storm" she said "You know how terri
BILE they are. We have food enough in
the cottage. Do stay at home with the
little Ones"


"That would /, wife," was the reply, aif
| had no: seen an ibex as was coming
home Yesterday evening. He was a stout
old fellow, with huge horns; and fancied
he was almost laughing at me, as crept
around the cliff upon which he was stand
ing.


"But, Uric, think of the storm that is
certainly coming"


al have been in many an one, and care
nothing for them. / love the tree whis-
Ting of the wind upon the mountain-tops,
and the whirling of the feathery snow.
So, good wife, get me something to eat.
1 must be off before the day dawns."


With heavy sigh, the woman did as
he had requested; and with his fond kiss
still lingering upon her lips, she saw him
climb the mountain side until a turn in
the path hid him from her view. Then
she sunk upon her knees, by the bedside
of her still slumbering children, and COM
mitted him into the keeping of that God
who had thus far preserved him in the
midst of every danger. Meantime, Uric
FASTENED onward with light foot. 1t was
still dark in the valley; but far above
him, he could see the white peaks glitter
ing In the dim light of the morning, and
the fast paling stars. Higher and higher
he climbed and soon the sun arose, she'd
ding its rays of rosy gold upon the icy
piles, and making them flash as if builded
of myriad diamonds. To stranger it
would have been dazzling sight; to the
brave hunter, it had lost something of its
charR by familiarity. and he pressed on
ward and upward. The road grew more
rough and difficult He was obliged to
pick his way, to Chamber up steep crags; !;
but at last he reached the edge of large
glacier. tie sat down and rested for
little time, satisfied his hunger, examined
his shoes and the point of his alpcnstOck,
and again set bravely forth, leaping the
yawning chasms, and guarding against
the treacherous cracks.


A wall of polished ice arose before him,
and he knew that he would have to scale
it. before he could get within shot of the
coveted game. With great difficulty, it
was accomplished; and, finding the tracks
of the ibex, he followed them, until. sud-
denly turning a ragged point, he found
himself within easy snot, and in an in
slant, the reporc of his rifle had awakened
the echoes of the mountains. With the
"thud' of-the bullet, the beast sprang for
ward but its tail was drooped, its head
hanging heavily down, its gait slow, and
step uncertain. He knew that the whizz-
ing lead had reached its mark; that the
animal would soon die; and he paused to
reload his rife, before he followed him.
II will surprise my good wife, he thought,
by returning sooner than she expected !;
and 1 will have a heartily laugh at the
towards who dared not venture from their
snug cottages for fear of storm.


With smile upon his lips, he fastened
20 where the ibex was lying, and raised 1t