The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1857-11-26
VOL. XII.

quite early, for service beg At twelve and as
the distance was great, it uecessary to start
betimes. As yet there wa G glimmer of day
light, but moon and stars sSone with radi.
ance unknown in our latiN es, and there was
abundance of light for the urney. Buried in
skins and furs, the partyldis not feel the cold
which, though great, was VI excessive-the.
absence of breath of W496, and the perfect
dryness of the atmospher.-. making it much
more endurable than the s.-rle depression Of
the thermometer would be ahis country. Il
was q grand event, this 10, ley to church, for
weeks and weeks had passf.a since last they
were able to go. True, lgireas had every
Sunday sort of prayer-ms ting at Ravensdal
with tie neighboring peasa.s but this did not
compensate for the lack Of ne public services
Then, too, the whole fameT thought it most
fortunate that the fairness O the weather should
enable them to go on this-especial Sunday of
all others, for it was what icy call an altar
day. e., the sacrament Mas to be admin
istered. e.
There was an eerie bearuj in the scene; the
solemn mountains lifting z heir hoary heads
into the star-spIinkled skyf-te small tarn With
its glittering icy surface, { stern old pines,
whose green looked almG black contrasted
with the snow, and the sceful birken trees,
those "ladies of the woo. =" decked out, as
little Raoul said, when tt first rime fell that
winter, in their white mr1.les, all ready for
sister Elias wedding day. But, as if to make,
amends for the stiffness sbewhere, there was
no silence in the sledge. A-freas turned round
to address his wife, or talk9S to his horses, in
that brotherly way so char. seristic of the Nor
wegian, who always maker Trends of the four
footed creatures in his serv -, and particularly
of his horses. Olaf, the j Ter boy, who wak
perched on Hugo's knee, ter some vain at
fap,nfa To obtain hia etfa@ftop tprnad m his
mother and Raoul, and k1lt up with them
continuous stream of qussion and remark |;
while Hugo and Ella, leaning back in one
corner, needing nobody but themselves, found
much to say to each other in low, happy tones.
And the tinkling of the merry sleigh-bells, as
they jingled round the horses collars, made to
all this a most musical accompaniment.
One-third of the journey was over, when,
with a startled exclamation, Andreas suddenly
pulled up his horses. At turn of the road
there lay, extended on the snow, a human from.
In minute the farmer had confded the reins
to Olaf, proud of the charge, and he and Hugo,
jumping down, ran to give assistance. The
pack at the mans side told them that he was
one of those pedlars who wander from farm
house to farmhouse all over the country. Over.
powered by the cold, be had sunk into that
faintiDg, deathlike sleep, from which there is
oftentimes no waking. At first, all efforts to
rouse him failed, but life was evidently not ex-
tnct 80 seeing chalet close at hand, which
in the summer had been4 used as covert for
cattle, and now was store for frewood they
carried him there, and, kinding a fire on the
outside, they rubbed his limbs till some warmth
returned, and poured soi9e corn brandy (which
no Norwegian travels without) down his throat:
and he partially revived. All this occupied
some time, and now they were quite in a
dilemma as to what to do next Leave
him they could not, to take him on with them
was impossible; he was not sufficiently re-
covered to bear the air, even if they could
make room for him in that state. To turn back
and take him home was almost as ificult, and
if so they must give up church entirely. Ella,
who had alighted to assist them, at last said, in
q decided tone, There is but one thing, father,
we can do: Hugo must stay with the poor
man."
eyes" said Hugo, " that is the best plan.
You drive on to church, and take US up in the
afternoon as you return; by that time he is
sure to be ali right"
"Well," said Andreas, Z" it does seem the
only way; but it will be a sad disappointment
for you, my poor girl"
81 do not know that" muttered Hugo
I" she was the first to propose getting rid OF
me-"
"Now, that is too bad" said Ella, with a
face rueiul enough to satisfy her lover, when
you know have been counting for weeks and
weeks upon your being with for this altar
Sunday"
1t clearly was the most feasible plan, and SC
it was settled. Ella murmured to Hugo as he
helped her into the sledge again, Sod will
not the less bless our engagement, that it be-
gins with an act of selfdenial."
Some provisions, which had been put into
the .sledge ready for any emergency, were
handed out to Hugo, and he was entreated to
take care of himself ae well as the pedlar, and
to keep up good fire.
Certainly said he; "no fear of not do
ing that. Why, here is frewood enough to
roast half a dozen oxen whole. You are sure
you will be able to do without me, Father
Andreas?"
" Perfectly. The horses are quite manage
able, the road good, and the weather set fair
we can have no difficulty"
So they started off again, Olaf saucly call
ing out to Hugo, that, now he was gone, 1lls
would be of some use TO other people, and .hs
the rest of the party would gain, not lose, one
by his departure. However, Ella was not in
clined to be lively, and her gravity INFECTED
even the high spirits of her young brothers
The remainder of the drive was rather duh fol
all parties, and every one was glad when, the
:,
The Jansens drove to relations house, put uI
the horses, left their outer coverings in the
sledge, and then eptered the church soon after
service had commenced. The pastor WIS
venerable old MAJ. dress I'd in the black ;au
oncals of the Lutheran clergy. A t,icb
white ruff was round his neck, his long white
hair foated over bis shoulders, while,5 or
account of the cold, he wore a black vclve
skull-cap on his head. Prayers and singing
over, he commenced his discourse witbout
notes of any kind, aod in strain of sicple
fervid eloquence, which riveted the attestior
of his auditors, h. expounded the sublime,pre
cept which Christianity first inculcated, of doing
to others what we would that they should do t.
US. The sermon over, some christenings fol
lowed, and then the communion. The service
, which had lastei more than three hours, Al
3 length terminated, and they emerged from the
E church. Many we're the greetings to be ex
: changed betweek friends and neighbors unseer
! for long, and it Vas some time ere the Jansen
reached the relations house, where they wer
: to partake of the midday meal. This over
they did not hinge; long, for Andreas hat
!, promised Hugo they would return as soon q
o possible. AS they were leaving the town, the
e we're stopped near the parsonage by the pastor
+ who pressed them to come in and see the Frat
8 Pastorinn. Andreas explained the reason
3 which made then anxious to be of, and tn
D good old man, shaking him heartily by tn
=. hand, said:
i $50 some of .yoy have been acting what
have been preachin :, playing the good Samal
y. itan. Well, WE'LL il shall not lack its reward
God bless you, frie, Andreas"
e The short-lived thern day had long wanet
e. ,nhar laou;no the Austered wooden dwallino