The north Iowa times. [volume] (M'Gregor [i.e. McGregor], Iowa) 1856-1857, 1856-10-17
house. willing to work, and we'll content.
All this time Christian had heard moth

n"o''Sb '" "Hsssb3 w WIN ssaA VIII SOhtCAS.
All this time Christian had heard moth.
ing Of his early comrade Karl but on
Christmas-eve, as he stood at his door,
wondering what gust Providence would
send thcm-for Hilda, like himself. was
from a far-off village, and had no relatives
in the town-who should walk up but the
stranger Hans. Peterson, with the very
same staff and pannier for which he had
EXCHANGED his fortune /" Good-even-
ing, honest Christian, he said. IL have
come to spend Christmas with you. and
tell you news of your old coszsrade Karl"
You are welcome, Honest Hans"
said Christian, though truly your leave
taking was rather short when last we par
ted. But come in; we will do our best
to entertain you in our poor-house. an
glad am | to hear how fares my good friend
Karl"
"Hc spoor ac poverty" said the stran-
ger d. he has not a half dollor to lend his
grandmother. But l knew that would
happen him when he took up my fortune,
and went to deal with the merchant Hol.
derbond."
Is it possible" said Christian, that
all these years in which / have been
working to get decent house over my
head, and a good woman to help me, Karl
has gained nothing. but is poorer now
than the day he left me so quickly With
your fine cloak and hat? Honest Hans,
how did it happen ?"
"Just as l expected" said Hans.--
"The merchant took him in my place,
made him work and reckon, buy and sell;
never gave him penny to spare, nor a
minute to call his own; and at last hand
ed him over as mere bondman to half a
score Of masters worse than Holderbond
himself ........-
Christian was grievcd and astonished
at this account Of his early comradc.-
Neither did he care for an intimate ac-
quaintance with the stranger who had
given Karl such bad fortune i; for besides
the fashion of his departure in the pine
forest, he did not look day older, and
did not seem to have sold single dish
out OF the pannier. However, he had
come to spend Christmas and when his
staff and pack Were laidup in the corner,
himself seated close by the blazing fire,
with the first glass out Of their Christ
mas bottle, Hans told such tales Of his
travels, and news Of Old Norway in gem
|eral. as made Christian think ham the
blithest guest that ever came his way; and
Hilda listened and laughed while she pre-
pared the supper. So they spent the
Christmas-time. Hans Peterson helped
them to work and make merry. More
over, he went with them to church on
Cbristmas-morning, which Hilda said no
sorcerer could do; and when all the feast
days were done, he took up his staff and
pannier, and set out for Christiana.
You will see poor Karl" said Chris
tian tell him how blithe we have been
together. But stay could not l send my
old comrade dollar in your hand .
There are two yet in the money-box."
"No, no." said Hans; 81 never carry
dollars; Besides he would be too proud
to take it from me. But your master will
have business for you at Christiana !; and
when you see Karl. take my advice, and
pretend to be poorer than he, for other
wise you viii not hear the truth"
Before Christian could offer remark or
question, Hans Peterson was out of sight,
and the honest cooper's heart once more
took misgivings of him, for never did
man disappear more quickly. Hard
working days, and the concerns of the
wood-house, gradually wiped these sus-
picious out Of his memory but he often
thought Of poor Karl, and had saved up
the two dollars for his behoof, when al
mid summertime his master told him he
must 90 to Christiana to look after some
beech-wood, for the cooper himself was
getting rich and lazy. Christian. accord.
inyly, regulated things at home, exhorted
Hilda to keep her heart up, and went on
board the. fishing boat by which every.
body in Drontheim, except the president,
travelled. The story records, that he
reached Christiania safely, that he bought
the beech-wood a quarter of dollar chea.
per than his master reckoned on, and
then set himself diligently, to search fol
old Erick street. It is gone now. place
and name, for towns change even in Nor.
way but when Karl found it. the stree,
was inhabited by merchants Of the sub.
stantial sort, and was made respectfully
dark and narrow by the second floors Of
their houses projecting far over the first,
SO as to form comfortable porches, paved
with many-colered tiles, in which the
well-to-do masters were wont to sit, with
pipes and corn brandy. on summer-even-
ings. Christian walked the whole length
Of the street. wondering at it's grandeur,
and still more why bis unlucky friend
Karl WAS to be found amidst such wealth;
but. no doubt, all his masters live here
thought Christian. when the face Of .
merchant in finer clothes than common,
aud with table covered with glasses and
good things before him. caught his eye
in one of the porches. The face was very
red and ill-humored, but there was in !,
a likeness to his early comrade which
lembOldened Christian to look in and asl