Year: 1874

More than half Il century ago, before
the walls built about the old city of Iu-
cere, certain Austrian noblemen formed
great conspiracy to conquer town and
land for Hapsburg- Now the emerald
green waters of the Reuss flowed swift
ly by tife-tawR-They have had long
journey from their home among the aw-
ful glaciers that bolt and bar the glories
of Alp-land. They have bounded over
barren rocks, sprinkled the moss and
heather above the realm of beast and
bird, leaped fearless down the Black
DEVILS Gorge, dashed over and around
the bowlders with which the giants
used to play, and so ever on and ever
down they have held their course, till
The Wonderlake, the lake of the Four
Cantons has received the fugitives. She
has washed them clear of the earth tint
with which they were born. Her
depths, the color of the daintiest robins
egg, quietly hide the wanderers imper-
fections and sends them on their way,
clad in their purity, loudly singing their
untranslated song. Down by The bed
of the Reuss there stood an old arcade,
dim and secure, fit place for murJerous
council. Here the scarlet sleeved con-
spirators met in the darkness of night.
After consultation, it was finally de-
termined that with swords and daggers
with which they were armed the Mayor
and Councillors of the city shall he
slain. Before day shall break the DOOM
ed town shall be in their power.


Silently starting on their deadly mis-
sion one of the nOblemen discovers
poor boy lying upon a bench in the dark
ness of Il corner. He is only beggar
boy, aud he has no home, no frientls.
So the hand of the heavenly watcher,
whose glances pierce tie vale at night
had led him there to guard the town.
He had listened to the treacherous plot
and determined to reveal it as soon rs
he could escape undiscovered. But sud-
denly he is seized by the desperate men.
They declare that they will instantly
kill him. The sword is raised, but the
boy, wild with terror, entreats their
mercy, and promises he will never re-
veal TO any man what he has heard. Be-
lieving the promise with many threats,
they let him so.


Out into the darkness the boy dashes.
He sees tar off the light in the cot of Il
village butcher, and hastens toward it.
There is Il careless ieasting and msrri-
ulent here, and u group of men are tell
ing stories of daring in the olden time
The boy, with breathless haste, rusheS
in the room. The tears are rolling down
his cheeks. He does not say word TO
any one, but hurrieS TO the great stone
stoves and cries:


ssOh stove, what have promised new
er to tell to any nan, must quickly tell
to thee. o dear, good stove, was COM
PEELED to swear: but listen well, while
show you the danger of the beloved
city, The mur,lerers are fastening even
now to slay the rulers, and to conquer
Lueerne once more. They
But only the stove is there to herr the
story of the bright sly boy. The strong
men have quickly taken the alarm; very
soon the conspirators are seized and
brought to justice. The foes of the good
town are driven ont with strong hand

and Lacerne is free.


They sought for the child whose loyal
cunning had saved them, but they new
er found him. Even TO this day the
Switzers tell the story with admiring
gratitude in their tones and no man
knows his mama. The senseless stove
that heard his warning, is still preserv-
ell in the old hall where the butchers
guild was wont to meet.


What think you of the bravery and
artiiice Of the beggar-boy of Lueerne?
Hearth and Home.