Page:Life in the Old World - Vol. I.djvu/91

Rh pastoral fare, which Sylvie and I devour with right good appetites. In the mean time, the young mother takes up her fat little boy, to whom she talks in motherly fashion. He was her fifth child. The kind and handsome woman seemed pious and happy, and did not desire any thing for the meal which she had given me, but received gratefully, the small payment which I insisted upon.

The descent during the hot day, was fatiguing. Coal-black clouds were gathering in dense masses over the mountains behind us, and rumbling thunder began. Terrified at this prospect, my little Sylvie deserted me when only half way. The remainder was made under the most threatening sky, nor was it till about five o'clock, that I reached my valley and my home, having walked that day upwards of six leagues, and that without any excessive weariness.

My kind hostess provided for me in the best manner, gave me tea and a foot-bath; and now how good it is to be here in my comfortable dwelling, whilst the thunder-storm bursts over the mountains and valley, and the rain pours down. The thunder-claps are terrific, but the lightning very rarely does any damage in the valley.

11th.—It has struck, however, this time. The lightning has burned down house and home, barns and barnyard, of a young couple and their aged parents. This misfortune has awakened general sympathy, and one of the elders of the Church made an excellent discourse to the congregation last evening on the subject. One of the most beautiful institutions of the Free Church is certainly that of the office of its elders, and