A HARD SENTENCE

UP IN THE MOUNTAINS

IN THE SANITARIUM




CHAPTER FIRST

AT HOME IN THE LITTLE STONE HUT


High up in the Bernese Oberland, quite a distance above the
meadow-encircled hamlet of Kandergrund, stands a little lonely hut, under
the shadow of an old fir-tree. Not far away rushes down from the wooded
heights of rock the Wild brook, which in times of heavy rains, has carried
away so many rocks and bowlders that when the storms are ended a ragged
mass of stones is left, through which flows a swift, clear stream of
water. Therefore the little dwelling near by this brook is called the
stone hut.

Here lived the honest day-laborer Toni, who conducted himself well in
every farm-house, where he went to work, for he was quiet and
industrious, punctual at his tasks, and reliable in every way.

In his hut at home he had a young wife and a little boy, who was a joy to
both of them. Near the hut in the little shed was the goat, the milk of