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

lazy ana coffee. Ihey accordingly
back.
where they were to breakfast; but, with slight
palptation of the heart for the state of her treas
ury, Mrs. Borgonsko!d thought TO herself-for
she could not find an opportunity of whispering
to Hilda-that it would not do to bring their
provision basket into an hotel which possessed
so much pretension as that at Lungsby.
With sigh, she, as if by chance, threw her
cloak over the basket, which had been carried
up by the coachman, and desired breakfast for
three but when she received the bill, she had
nearly fallen from her chair, so astonished was
she at the exorbitant charge; and standing
one side, she prepared to take out her little
pocket book to pay the score, when messen-
ger informed her that Mr.. Wallnder had al
ready settled it. With a feeling of relief, be-
tween Joy and humiliation, she replaced her
little purse in her pocket. The things were
put into the carriage again, and they departed.
On the following day, at noon, they reached
the end of their long journey.
any road lies there" said Mr.. Wallinder.
And, after taking leave of the ladies, he turn
ed off along the road to the left.
"The ladies have but a quarter of mile
further to CO." said he, sand, if | may be per-
mitted the honor, will come over tomorrow
evening, and inquire how they find themselves
after their journey"
Mrs. Borgenskold thanked him, and assured
him that he would always be welcome. Hilda
was less eloquent than mamma; but she simply
said that it would give her pleasure to meet her
travelling companion again.
"Your most obedient, ladies" said the young
man and, in a trice, the droschky had turned
bend in the road, and Wallinder's tall figure
had disappeared in cloud of dust.
Hilda looked after him for some time, and
mamma said.
Heavens what handsome man! l never
had the least idea that one could possibly meet
such agreeable clergymen in the country. /
wonder if he is a married man? | did not
think of asking. The parsonage would, in that
case, be most agreeable neighborhood."
She, however, heartily wished in her heart
that the young pastor might prove bachelor.
"Oh am sure he is not married." said Hill
da; he is still so young"
But Mrs. Borgenskold wanted better inform
alton than that.
| "Hark ye, father" said she, to the postboy.
as the pastor at B married."
ooh, yea, for many good year, madam"
"Many a good year =" interrupted Mrs. Bor-
genskold, rather surprised. HE is not so old,
| should fancy"
"Not SO old /" repeated the coachman.
ayes, yes; he is no this years hare, at any
rate
"Why, how old may he be, then?"
"Well, can't say exactly, but should think
somewhere between fifty and sixty. Yes, yes,
about that!"
Mrs. Borgonskold and Hilda simultaneously
burst out into hearty laugh; and, somewhat
nettled the postboy continued.
"Well, ought to know, for I've known him
from boy; and the eldest son can't be much
younger than the master there
"What master?" asked Hilda, quickly, for
| she began to suspect that they were all mista-
king each other.
"0h, the master, mean, who left us bit
ago. The ladies must know him, guess, as
they had him with them"
"Yes," said Mrs. Borgenskold, but was
not that the pastor? He does duty at the par
sonage of B.
"Aye, he does so; but he is only master, for
all that. The way is this: you see the provost
is old and blind: and so, three years ago, the
Consistory sent Mr.. Wallinder here, who is a
right brave, good preacher, and beloved by ev
cry one, high and low; but this clergyman here,
in B, is only first assistant"
Hilda smiled, and her mother was not at all
displeased at the explanation of her mistake.
The conversation with the driver amused her,
and she further inquired
"And | suppose the provost has number of
pretty daughters?
"Aye, aye-four on EN-, and as beautiful as
the day."
care any of them betrothed?" she still ask
ed.
"Oh, aye; it's long enough ago since they
were betrothed," said the man, laughing. The
last of 'em was married two years ago."
"Aye, indeed; then they are all provided
for said Mrs. Borgenskold, with a most gra-
cious smile. And that, l suppose, is Lind
fors-that place yonder between the trees"
"No, no; it's little bit further on yet that
place belongs to the tax-gatherer. Lindfors is
not exactly like that place. It's old, and rather
tumbledown like, and for the last year has been
in rather poor way"
Mrs. Borgenskold sighed; and, as the driver
fancied that it was from fatigue, assured her
"that they would be there in giff,y now"
"He cracked his whip, the horses trotted
briskly out, and they drove on between beaut-
full fields and meadows, when all at once Hilda
suddenly exclaimed
"Stop! stop! please stop! Don't drive so
fast | see papa yonder, in the ploughed field.
Stop, that may get out"
The carriage stopped, and with light spring
Hilda stood in the road, and then flew like q
little elhn, over furrow and field, to an elderly
gentleman of middle size, who was standing
mere and talking with the laborers.
| Cui leauers may easily conceive now agree
able an event, to man so charitably en-
dowed by nature as our good Lieutenant, the
arrival OF his long-wished- for wife and beloved
daughter must have been. AS soon as he per.
ceived the old coach, he rushed, with outstretch-
ed arms, to meet his idol, his dear little Hilda.
Father and daughter clasped each other in a.
tervent long embrace; the rough-bearded chin
had scratched Hilda's beautiful cheek. and.
half smiling and half in tears, at this sensi.
bic pleasure of reunion, she said
"Papa must not be so careless with his
shaving, though we do live in the country,
And she put her hand to the usually pale but
now scarlet cheek.
"Ah, yes, had forgotten all about it," re-
piled papa, passing his hand over his rough
chin; "but, now that you remind me of it, /
will not neglect making myself tidy and, now,
where is mamma, my child? 1t is high time
for her to be here"
And, so saying, Lieutenant Borgenskold soon
cleared the little interval which separated him
from his better half.
His countenance beamed with Joy at again
seeing his dear Elizabeth and Mrs. Bergen
SKIOLD herself, folded in her husbands warm en-
brace, felt happy and joyous, as she had been
upon her wedding day.
Arm in arm, the worthy pair proceeded to-
wards the house, conversing, con6dentialy,
about the pleasure of country life and, full
of delight at seeing her dear parents once more
united, Hilda tripped lightly beside them, stoop-