Romeo and Juliet in Switzerland.

Cromwell Argus, Volume IV, Issue 183, 13 May 1873, Page 7

Romeo and Juliet in Switzerland.

An American maiden, scarcely more than a rhild, daughter of an American lady of fortune and social repute, according to an extraordinary letter in a Home paper, is sent out to Europe to team the languages, under the cave of a " competent governess" living in Zurich, who was also the supervisor of two or three others. This maiden is about sixteen, and while at Zurich she makes the acquaintance of a young man, a native of Poland, residing in Switzerland to acquire the art of medicine. In time an arrangement is made by which the maiden is to teach the lad English, while he tenches her German. Our narrative is somewhat obscure as to the nature and origin of this arrangement; but we suppose it was approved by the " competent governess." At all events, the "studies" went on, and with a result that our readers may fancy. Romeo and Juliet spoke the same language ; but we question if things would have turned out differently had he spoken German and she English ; for love hath a language of its own, apart from the grammar and glossary. There were long walks by the brawling brooks, frequent communions, a persistence in the new study that quite diwe medicine out of the young man's mind, and the finer accomplishments out of the young lady, for, as we have said, she was sixteen and he twenty. In time the mother came from America with three other daughters. She discovered the nature of the "studies" that engrossed her child's attention and instantly forbade them. To make the prohibition effectual, she left Zurich with her family for Lake Lucerne, leaving the young Pole to continue his study of medicine and to find his happiness in other eyes than those of Miss Juliet.

But love, as Madame Mother might veil have known, is not to he dissolved or defeated by seas or streams, or even the wild Swiss mountains.

The student followed the maiden to Lake Lucerne, decorated himself in a wig and false beard, and other mystifying toggery, and took rooms in a small hotel near his beloved's new home, telling a curious landlord— not without suspicions, we should think, in these (Jommune times, as to the rig and whiskers—that he was in love, and that a cruel parent stood between him and everlasting peace. Then came little notes for the student, timidly handed to the hotel porter by maiden hands, and hurried meetings and strolls by the banks

of the lake where Tell is said to have split the mythical apple, and to have defied Gessler'a Imperial chapean. But Madame Mother in time discovered this, and announced that she would leave Switzer ,1, and Europe even, to prevent the relr ins which had fascinated her daughter, This' cruel mandate was announced to the stuuent; and it moved him deeply. He asked for one more interview. The next day his beloved would leavo Lucerne and go to distant lands. The meeting was permitted " for twenty minutes," says our correspondent. "Are you afraid to die ?" said Romeo. " No," said Juliet, " when the time comes." And in a flash the student drew a pistol and fired it at her temples. He then put the pistol to his own forehead and fired and fell by her side. It was thought, when assistance came, that both were dead. The maiden, however, was severely but not dangerously wounded, but is now free from danger. The student was more seriously injured. It is thought, however, that youth and health will save his life ; but he will never look upon his beloved, for the shot which was to have taken his life has robbed him of his sight, and he lies in the Gersau Hospital hopelessly blind.