The Argosy — page 154: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

140 From Salzburg to Gastetn. that, spite of foregone resolutions, it was found impracticable to stop anywhere else. The village is surrounded by mountains that from their peculiar form look higher than they are in reality: on one side sufficiently distant to admit of arich and fertile plain. Whilst tea was brewing at the inn, I strolled out into the village for a moment, and into the church, which had no beauty to recommend it ; and on the exterior, several representa- tions in relief from the New Testament, let into the wall, rather revolt- ing for their ugliness. The graveyard was in perfect order, many of the simple stones bearing inscriptions from the Book of Wisdom. One text seemed especially a favourite : “ But the souls of the righteous are in the Hand of God, and there shall no torment touch them. In the sight of the unwise they seem to die: and théir departure is taken for misery, and their going from us to be utter destruction: but they are in peace.” Somehow, to find the well known text in this primitive, out-of-the- world spot, so far from home, from all familiar objects ; brought to the mind more forcibly than anything else could have done, the fact that distant as nations are separated from each other ; opposite as they may be in habits, manners, customs, thoughts ; still they possess the one great link that binds them together : the same faith, the same hope ; even as they must all pass through the one same dark portal of death. Alike in the great, eternal creed. Over all there was an air of quiet and repose; an atmosphere of sanctity that made itself felt if 1t could not be seen ; proclaiming with what reverence these people regard their religion. .Tea quickly despatched, we started off for the waterfall, a young blacksmith’s boy acting as guide. He was a lad of about sixteen, but looked at least two or three years younger. His expression at a first glance seemed stupid, bordering on deficiency ; but as we went on and he began to talk, his face lighted up with intelligence. ‘* Have you a father or mother?” I asked. “No,” was the reply: ‘‘ both dead.” ‘‘ Any brothers and sisters ? ” ‘‘ Two sisters and one brother. All out at work and doing for them- selves.” | ‘“‘ Are they older than you? ” , Yes. He was the youngest of all. ‘¢ What work do you do?” The question was unneeded for the boy’s complexion sufficiently betrayed his occupation ; but it followed naturally. “Schmidt,” said he, with such a short, crisp, abrupt sound, that it was impossible to restrain an equally short, crisp laugh. ‘“* What made you choose so dirty a trade ?” ECoOMmicloooks (C(O) in —_)