Southport telegraph. [volume] (Southport, W.T. [i.e. Kenosha, Wis.]) 1840-1850, 1845-12-02
The Peasant and his Daughter.
A NORWEGIAN TALE.

knock was heard at the door of hut stua
tod among the mountains Of Christiana, IL
Norway. The summons was answered b,
the master of the howell, and g traveller ask
ed shelter for the night. Hospitality i.
willingly exercised in those wild regions
the stranger was welcome TO a seat on ths
bundle eff chamois skins that lay before
tho hearth, where few enahers still smoul
ldered, and 10 share of the supper prepar.
ed for the family
The only inmates Of the fiu. were 6
peasant named Eric, and his daughter; The
latter Us remarkable for her beauty, and
for natural grace far SUP rior to wha
might have been looked fos n that cold re-
gion. The traveller, after gazing at hel
for some moments, inquired of his host il
the fair maiden were his daughter.
"She ISL replied the Old man. "She
and my rifle are my only treasures; and
one of them ! would not have kept SO long
if Margaret would have listened to any OF
the suitors who would fam have robbed
me other; but though she is now four-and.
twenty, she prefers staying with her father
10 whom her heart is devoed."
The traveller, drawing bis cloak around
him complained Of cold, and al her fathers
request, Margaret threw some additional
logs on the fire. AS she famed it, bright
blaze filled the little apartment. and throw
its light on the person of the stranger
He appeared 10 be young and handsome,
and, as under the kindly influence of the
warmth, he loosened his cloak and laid aside
HE slorching hat, Eric perceived that he
was richly dressed. His surprise that q
person Of such apparent rank and opuence
should be wandering alone in that nclem.
ent season prevented him from noticing
the strong emotion evinced by his daugh-
ter as she caught sight of his features. -
With clasped hands, and her eyes fixed
on his face, she seemed uncertain whether
10 address him. The new conner made o
sign to her,as If 10 enjoin caution. What
ever its import, she understood it,and, with
tears rolling down her cheeks, seemed TO
be addressing silent prayer 10 heaven
The supper consisted Of platter Of boiled
potatoes, aud jug of cold water, was now
placed on the table.
"My honored guest" said Eric, it use
less to apologize for our humble fare;
Throughout these mountains you will find
| little better"
"Your excuses are unnecessary, my
good friend, returned the other. "Many
q time would such supper as this have
been more welcome 10 ne than gold. |
nave known poverty, aud how that may
call myself rich my greatest pleasure is
to relieve those who are as poor as
once was. Your supper shall bring you
a price that will amply repay your hosPi-
tally"
Taking potatoe from the dish, he drop
ed pearl in its place. As 1t rolled into
the course platter, Eric looked earnestly
at his guest.
"Do you know what these area" asked
the latter, dropping another ard another Of
the same jewels. "For these, men dive to
the bottom Of the ocean, where they remain
till the gushing blood forces them 10 the
surface for moments breath; to gain
these, they ore content to injure health,
and risk life. They ore pearls; and of
such price that few Of them will make
poor peasan. us rich as his lord Take
them, my good father, they are yours
in requital for your kindness to stran-
ger"
"Dost thou hear, Margaret" said the
old man, whose eyes glislened with delight.
"All these precious things are ours! We
are rich, childn'
81 hear, father" replied she. .sPrais-
ed be the Almighty, who has protected the
traveller" A look Of intelligence passed
between her and the new come; but Eric
was too much occupied in the consempla-
ton of his newly-acouired treasures TO OBJ
serve it.
"ARd who are you that thus deign to
shower riches on poor peasantW said he
10 the stranger. 81 fear that we have been
too Free He made amosement to throw
himself at his feet, but the other preventing
him said:
"You mistake my rank, my good friend
Like yourself, | was born peasant, and
my early years were passed on the other
side Of these mountains. was a goat
herd; but while keeping my flock my
thoughts wandered TO ihiags beyond my
sphere. Many beating got for suffer-
ing my hock 10 stray while | watched the
sun and stars. or sal bordering over a
bunch of field flowers. In time INV love
FOR plants became passiou;l noticed their
seasons for blooming, and all the pecuia:-
tiles of their formation; but at the age of
leigh,een, new ideas began 10 mingle with
those that had already occupied re. In
my wandering life had become acquain.
ted with the daughter OF a peasant whose
abode was at some distance from mine;
her beauty as far surpassed that of ter
companioas as my thoughts were elevated
above those OF the shepherd lads among
whom my lot vas cast. ] loved her, and
Margaret (she bore the same name as =our
daughter, returned my affection: but her
youth and my poverty forbade tho hope
that her father would consent TO our mar.
rage. proposed TO seek my fortune
elsewhere, and, with many tears and sad
forebodIngs,s she consented to my departure.
: At the time fancicd that dreams of en-
riching her alone prompted my wish &c
roam; but have since known that ambi
ton mingled with my zeal for her vel
fare. Even in our remotsst mountains
stories were related Of those who. having
J visited other lands. had returned home en-
riched. and believed had only to fry
my fortune 10 he equally successful Mar.
garei promised 10 prove faithful 10 nv re.