Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 41, Number 68, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 14 May 1909 — CURSE CONFIRMED. [ARTICLE]

CURSE CONFIRMED.

Herman Fielder was starting on what he proposed should be bis last trip as a guide across what is now the Simplon pass of the Alps. That was more than three centuries ago, and a guide’s duties were far different from what they tyre now. Instead of conducting tourists who travel for pleasure (hey showed the way to those who traveled for the purpose of barter. Herman was to guide Gar briel Arshag, a Greek diamond merchant, who was taking a valuable lot of gems to dispose of in Paris. Herman bade farewell to his betrothed, Agatha, 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 at a little inn midway between the low ground and the summit kept by an old Swede, Johan Evard, and his trire for the entertainment of those making the pass. Before getting into his cot Arshag must needs look over his jewels, making an excuse to himself to see that they were all there, but really because be loved to look at them. He was seen, through a crack in the partition by Evard and his wife, whose cupidity was excited by the sight of the sparkling gems. They saw him put them under his pillow, 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 be took several of the gems, entered Herman’s room and put them in his pocket. The next morning before daylight Arshag was heard storming and lamenting. Herman and the old couple went to him, and he accused) the latter of stealing his jewels. "Tou accuse us of theft —we who have kept this inn ever since we were young people, we who have entertained many strangers and have always borne good characters- Rather look to your guide to recover your loss. It is not we who could know that you carried jewels, but he.” All three were searched, and the gems that had been placed in Herman’s pocket were found there. Arshag was but half convinced that the guide was the thief, for it was not likely that he would keep stolen property on his person. While they were wrangling a party of travelers and guides came down the mountain and stopped at* the inn. Arshag consulted with them, and they advised him to go back taking Herman with him. He doubtless knew where the rest of the jewels were and under torture would confess all. Arshag wished to take the old couple as well, but was dissuaded since travelers counted on being entertained at their Inn and would be disappointed. Perhaps some who were caught in a storm might perish. So Arshag started back with the party. Herman going will-

ingly. There was a gorge to cross directly in front of the cabin. The party crossed it, and when on a crest on the other side Herman stopped and turned, the others doing the same. The air was perfectly still. There-had been an unusual snowfall, and far and near the peaks were covered. The only sign of a human abode in all that vast waste of snowy heaps was the inn on the other side of the gorge. The innkeeper and his wife were standing in front of it watching the travelers. Then Herman raised his hand and in his loudest voice, that he might be heard across the chasm, said: “My Agatha has prayed to the Blessed Virgin for my protection. I curse you, and the holy mother will make my curse effective.” Hardly had the echoes of his voice died away when there was a sounds—the muffled boom of a cannon—and in another moment the whole side of the mountain beyond and above the cabin began slowly to move. Snow, Ice, trees and rocks poured In one confused gigantic torrent down on the inn and its keepers. Above the roar there came a mingled human shriek, and the spot where the cabin had stood was buried fifty feet beneath the snow. In that superstitious age only a few scientists knew of the delicate balances of nature and that a human voice setting the air to vibrating could cause an avalanche. The party regarded the destruction that had come to the innkeepers a direct confirmation by the Virgin of Herman’s curse. All knelt reverently and with awe made the sign of the cross. The diamond merchant, convinced that the old couple had stolen his diamonds and that the treasure had been swept away by the avalanche, went back to Greece, and Herman married Agatha, giving up his profession of guide. Several years after the death of the Innkeepers, having failed to earn a living, he returned to his former calling. On his first trip, when he reached the place where the Inn had stood, he found It bare of snow. He sat down to rest under an overhanging rock and, -seeing.' some rotted cloth tucked away-lff a crevice, pulled It out, scattering a lot of jewels at the same time. They were the stolen treasure. Herman returned from his trip wealthy, for it would in those days have been impossible to find the Greek merchant. Besides, it was considered that the Blessed Virgin had enriched him as well as having protected him. —7. A. Mltcbel.