The Whig standard. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1843-1844, 1844-06-01
THE PEASANTS BRIDAL.


Stormannadauen 1.-THE Black Death) had ragged
through Norway, and cut off more than two
thirds of its population, and desolated whole ex
tents of country and large populous districts. II
Uldvig's Valley, in Hardanger,a young peasan
of the name of Halgrim, alone, OF all those who
had died there, remained alive. He rasec
himself from the sick bed on which he lay sur
rounded BY the dead, and went out in order t.
seek for living people.
| 1t was spring, and the larks sang loud in the
blue clear air the brentwood clothed itself in
render green the stream, with its melting snow
| drifts wound down the mountains singing on Its
way but no plough furrowed the loosened earth,
and from the heights was heard no wood-horn
calling the cattle at feeding time. All was still
and dead in the habitation of men. Halgrim
went from valley to valley, from cottage to cot
tage; everywhere death stared him in the face,
aud he recognised the corpses Of early friends and
acquaintance Upon this, he began to believe
that he was alone in the world, and despair sez-
ed on his soul, and he determined also to die
But as he was just about to throw himself down
from rock, his faithful dog sprang up to him,
caressed him, and lamented in the expressive
language of anguish Halgrim bethought him
SELF and stepped back from the brink of the abyss;
he embraced his dog; his tears flowed, and de-
SPAR withdrew from his softened heart He be-
gan his wandering anew. Thoughts of love led
him towards the parish of Craven, where he had
first seen and won the love of Hildegunda.
1t was evening and the sun was setting as
Halgrim descended into the valley, which was as
st n and dead as those through which he had wan
dered. Dark stood the fir-uee trees in the black
shadow of The rocky wall and silently rolled on
the river between the desoate banks. On the
opposite side of the river little wooded prom
onttory shot out into the blue water and upon the
light green tops Of the birch trees played the last
rays of the sun.
Suddenly it seemed to Halgrm as if a light
smoke rose up from among the trees. But he
trusted not his eyes he stared upon it breath
lessIy. He waited, however, hardly second,
when he saw blue column curling slowly up
wards in the peaceful evening air. With cry
of low Halgrim darted forwards, and waded
through the stream, and soon stood on It's opposite
shore. Barking and whining, his dog ran EDWARDS
TO the cottage whence the smoke assembled. Upon
it's hearth clearly burned the fire, and young
maiden stepped forward TO the door-one cry of
inexpressbe joy, and Halgrim and Hldegunda
Law in each others arms Hidegunda was al
so the only living person in her valley after the
terrible visit of the Black Death.
On the following day, after mutual agreement,
thew went to church. aud as there was no priest
10 marry them, and no person to witness the
plighting of their faith, they stepped alone to
Gods altar, and extended to each other hand,
whilst Halgrm said with solemn voice, |" In the
name of God the Father, and of the Son, and of
the Holy Ghost !"
And God blessed the faith plighted in His name.
From this happy pair descended generations who
peopIed anew thus region, and the names Of Hal
grim and Hildegunda are to thiA day in use
among its nhabllants.