the mother had remained a long time in a stupor. at last she awakened, but felt unable to move. the twilight had begun. she looked around for the children. they were nowhere to be seen.
“barty!” she called. “franzelie!” but no answer came. fear gave her strength. she ran out of the house, then to the goats; no one was there.
the noise of the brook came up in[26] the stillness and gave a new terror. she folded her hands and prayed to the heavenly father for help. then she ran down the path. there was a crowd of strange-looking men climbing up the steep singing rollicking songs, and some one pointed with his alpenstock to their little home.
“god in heaven,” she cried, “what can have happened?”
“mother! mother!” cried barty’s clear voice. “we are all coming. the gentlemen are with us. you can’t think what they’re bringing, and franzelie is in a chaise with a horse!”
barty hurried up the path and was met by his mother with warm embraces and sincere thanks to the dear god who had safely led him back to her.
[27]
barty breathlessly told his story, and by this time she was surrounded by the strange young men who addressed her as if she were an old friend.
and there were more climbing up the steep way. two carried, on the alpenstocks resting on their shoulders, a huge basket, and after them came a gentleman leading franzelie, and the shy child was talking to him as if he were a lifelong friend.
when the mother had warmly thanked him for his kindness, he said, “the children told me you were sick, so i have brought you a doctor. here, dr. barbarossa, give good counsel.”
the tall man bowed low as he went through the door to the little cottage; he sat down beside the mother and she[28] told about her bad feelings, and how little food she had had. she had felt no pain, only great weakness.
“i have brought you some medicine,” he said, taking the flask out of his pocket.
the mother could not find words for her thanks. “god bless you,” she said with tears. the children added eager thanks, and cried, “come again, come again.”
the young men told enthusiastically how they had enjoyed their walk, the gorgeous sunset hues, the beautiful moonlight views of the mountains, and the opportunity to see a real swiss cottage in the alps. they would not soon forget it, and with many kind words they departed.
down the path they went with long leaps and strides.
[29]
barty stationed himself on a projecting rock and called after them, “good-bye, count maximilian! good-bye, dr. barbarossa!”—and for a long time the sound of jodels and merry songs came up from the valley below.
franzelie could not find words to describe the glory of a ride in a chaise, and with a horse. but when the great basket was unpacked, the joy of the little family knew no bounds. it contained so many nice things, not the least of which were a whole round cheese and three loaves of beautiful white bread. the mother said, “the dear lord has put that thought into the hearts of the young men. we will never forget to pray for them.”
as the students were returning in[30] great glee from their mountain adventure, maximilian exclaimed: “it is not right, no; it is not right; we have kept that poor widow and her children for a time from starvation, but what will they do in the long winter without good food or warm clothing? i move that we take up a collection this very night and send it to them by our landlord.”
“count maximilian,” said barbarossa, “your intention is good, but the project is impracticable. you forget we are on a long journey; some of us have no more money than we shall need to bring us home again. i propose another motion. it is that we shall form a society, the bartiania, with a yearly fee. we will make our mothers and sisters honorary members. as soon as we reach home,[31] we will pay in our yearly dues. they will give loving aid and advice and make ready the needed clothing, and the first contribution from the bartiania club will be forwarded.”
this proposal was received with great applause, and, when the merry party reached the inn at altdorf, they seated themselves around the table and in the moonlight the constitution of the bartiania society was drawn up and duly signed.
how great was the surprise of afra, a month later, when the post-messenger appeared at her cottage with a heavy bundle, which with all his strength he rolled through the opened door. as he wiped the moisture from his brow, he said, “i greatly wonder, afra, that you have acquaintances so far away, and the[32] postmaster cannot understand it at all, or make out who it is.”
“it is surely a mistake,” said afra; “it cannot be for me.”
“you can read,” said the post-carrier bluntly as he went on his way, and without doubt the plainly addressed package was in its right place.
the children gazed in wonder as the mother ripped open the sacking which was carefully sewed around the mysterious bundle. out came coats and jackets, skirts, shoes and stockings. a roll of warm flannel in which was a heavy package containing many silver coins, and there were picture-books and various other things which brought great joy and delight to the little family.
who could have sent it? the wonder [33]grew until franzelie found a card on which was written:
“whoever trusts the good god’s care
will surely find a blessing.”
“that was in the song we sang at the inn. the gentlemen have sent it.”
“yes, it came from them,” said they all with great thankfulness.
there was now no anxiety for the coming winter, and the mother was already strong and well again.
and the wonder continued when on the succeeding year a similar package came, and on the year following, another.
the bartiania club flourished, and the honorary members used to lay aside comforts and outgrown clothing for the brave boy and the fair little maiden with[34] the sweet face of a fra angelico angel, for so the enthusiastic students had described them on their return from the swiss journey.
some of them promised to take another alpine trip and the sisters declared they would surely go with them.
afra keeps the card upon her wall, and if she feels fearful of what the future may bring is reminded:
