The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1855-12-27

X
pie sofas, innocene OF ,-,..4
chairs to match.
"Wel, my love, what do you tnink--.. =
you be able to make it out here ;" asked the
worthy man of his wife.
The lady coughed and sneezed, while she
made use of her handkerchief to conceal her
chagrin, which had mingled with the Joy of
reunion. She, however, loved her husband too
to wish to hurt his feelings, and
answered, kindly
"Oh, assuredly l shall where you are, my
dear Herman, l am we'll and happy, and it will
all go right and happy"
eyes, my Elizabeth, believe it from my
soul; we need have no anxiety, at any rate,
about our daily bread and as to the rest, why,
we must just manage to get along as well as we
can but what say you to it all, Hilda?"
"Oh, papa, have made up my mind how
shall contrive; and we will set everything to
rights by degrees"
"Now, God be praised, my girl-you are
never at a loss but now let as proceed"
And after having sufficiently looked around,
the worthy Lieutenant threw open door lead
ing into small square chamber, which had
once been yellow, and had served for a sitting
room. This room had light windows, and look
ed out upon charming prospect.
81 shall make something of this" thought
Hilda, as she saw little improvement would
make it quite habitable.
From here they proceeded to the kitchen,
where they remained a while, and then the good
man said
"Now, l think we have seen the whole of our
splendid empire, except the attics."
"Well, my dear Herman, l do not find it so
bad" answered his wife. "Wth a little labor
and trouble, everything may soon be regular
and tidy. Rely upon it, old man. in a very
short time you will not know the old cave,'
"That feel assured of, my dear Bess," said
the Lieutenant, highly pleased; "when you
have been arranging and setting to rights, it
will be wonder if | know the old lumber room
again besides, know our dear little Hilda
manages to put everything tidy wherever she
comes"
And the worthy man was in the right; for the
next evening, when Mr.. Wallinder was expect
ed the hall had been so scrubbed, and swept,
and ornamented with flowers, that it was as
clean and as smart as a midsummer bride.
The curtains which had been brought from
H had been hung and in front of the old
favorite sofa, covered with brown bQmbasine,
stood the well-known tea-tabie, with the genu-
inc china cups, which had been in the family
since Hilda's birth. In the middle of the table
was an elegant willow basket, with fresh cakes,
baked by Hilda's own fair hands; for she had
been up since three O'clock and had now the
satisfaction of seeing everything orderly and
pleasant.
1t was six o'clock in the evening Hilda was
sitting at a window, sewing, and LOCKING out
along the road at every third stitch. Mrs. Bor-
genskold had seated herself on the sofa, and
was busy cleaning the spinach for the evening
and papa strolled up and down the room, Civ
ing them divers little bits Of information out OF
treatise upon husbandry.
Just in the midst of all this, firm, manly
steps were heard, to Hildas great delight; the
doors towards the porch were open, and in a
trice our master stood before them, in light,
handsome hunting dress, With his gun and
game-bag over his shoulder, and broad -brim.
med straw hat in his hand.
81 verify believe" said Wallinder, with a
smile, that some fairy has transformed the
old nest at Lindfors into magic palace, in a
single day."
"Aye, am / not lucky MANI" said the
Lieutenant. mamma and Hilda have done it
all since yesterday evening; but | must not for
get to thank you for your kind care of my wife
and daughter on their way home.'
Wallinder assured him that this meeting had
been one of the most agreeable and interesting
events which had befallen him. And as Hilda
now put aside her work, and got up to bring
tea, the young man took his wellhlled game
bag, and fastened after her.
Miss Hilda, pray forgive me- and be kind
enough to wait one instant. Pray excuse me-
and allow me to offer you c small proof of my
skill in the noble craft of venery."
He opened the bag, and took out couple Of
heath cocks. Hilda made gracious bow, as
she was leaving the room with one in each
hand, saying
"Thank you, thank you very much, Mr.
Wallinder: as reward for your kindness, you
shall have one of them for supper"
"And will that be my reward every time
bring them ?" asked he, with an arch glance at
Rosa's laughing eye.
eyes, perhaps so; do not believe it will be
too much to promise" she replied, hlushing, and
looking towards her mother.
"No indeed, l think not" laughed Mrs. Dor.
genskold "the least that sportsman has @
right to expect for his trouble is, to be allowed
to taste his own game"
"Well, it is good thing, when a hunter
knows what reward he has to expect for his
slight exertions," said Walinder, "and have
another little piece of skill to boast Of also"
"What may that be, if one may venture tc
ask ?" inquired Mrs. Borgenskold.
Hlda had already left the room, and closed
the door.
off my kind hostess will allow me, will re
serve my reply for the present." and he took q
seat beside her, and commenced helping clean
the spinach.
In few minutes, Hilda returned with the
tea-tray.
~ think we might prepare our tea outside,
said she.
"O1 yes, that would be delightful, quite
charming" said Wallinder, jumping up to help
her carry out the things. He took the table
and bread-basket, and hastily went out with
them to the garden.
Where his eyes were when he should have
put the table down, Heaven only knows, but
probably they were not exactly directed upon
the spot where it should have stood, for he
struck the leg against bench, and upset the
basket, with all the nice fancy bread and crack
neis, into the long, soft grass.
oh dear, all my beautiful cracknels," ex
claimed Hilda, laughing heartily, and going
down upon her knees in an instant to help the
master pick them up.
really beg thousand pardons. Miss Hill
da, said Wallinder, as the basket was again
restored to its former place.
Hilda babe him take his seat. in lively tone
that she might pour the tea.
The evening passed quickly and pleasantly
and Wallinder thought, on his way home. thai
it was the most delightful one of his life. And
after Hilda had made her humble bed. upor