Quasqueton guardian. (Quasqueton, Buchanan County, Iowa) 1856-1858, 1858-03-11


and stars shonc with a radiance unknown
in our latitudes, and there was abundance
of light for the journey. Buried in skins
and furs, the party did not feel the cold
which. though great, was not excessive
the absence of breath of wind, and
perfect dryness Of the atmosphere, max
ing ii much more endurable than the
same depression of the thermometer
would be in this country. Itwas grand
event, this journey to church, for weeks
and weeks had passed since last they
were able to go True, Andreas had
every Sunday sort Of prayer-m meeting at
Ravsnsdal which the neighboring pea
SAINTS, but this did not compensate for the
lack of the public services. Then, too,
the whole family thought Utmost fortunate
that the fairness Of the, weather should
enable then to go on this especial Sunday
fall others, for it was what they call an
alter-day-i. e., the sacrament was to be
administered.
There was al eerie beauty in the
scene the solemn mountains lifting up
their hoary heads into the star-sprinkled
sky, the small tarn with its glittering icy
surface, the stern old pines, whose green
looked almost black, contrastcd with the
snow, and the graceful birken trees, those
:" ladies of the wood" decked out, as lit
tic Raoul said, when the first rime fell
that winter, in their white manlles, all
ready for sister Elias wedding day. But,
as if to make amends for the stiffness
elsewhere, there was no silence in the
sledge. Andreas turned round to ad-
dress his wife, or talked to his horses, in
that brotherly way so characteristic of
the Norwegian, who always makes friends
Of the four-footed creatures in his SER
vice, and particularly of his horses
Olaf, the elder boy. who was perched on
Hugo's knee, after some vain attempts to
obtain his attention, turned to his mother
and Kaoul, and kept up with them con-
tinuous stream of question 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
most musical accompaniment.
One-third of the journey was over,
when, with startled exclamation, An
dreas suddenly pulled up his horses. AT
. turn of the road there lay, extended on
the snow, human form. In moment,
the farmer had conidetthe 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 the pedlars who wan
der from farm house to farmhouse, all
over the country. Overpowered by the
cold, he had sunk into that fainting,
deathlike sleep, from Which there is often
times no waking. AT first, all efforts to
rouse him failed, but life was evidently
not extinct; SO seeing a chalet close at
haud, which in the summer had been
used as covert for cattle, and now was a
store for irewood, they carried him there,
and, kindling fire ON the outside, they
rubbed his limbs until some warmth re-
turned, and poured some corn brandy
(Which no Norwegian travels without
down his throat. and he partially reviv
ed. All this occupied some time, and
now they were quite in dilemma as to
what to do next. Leave him they could
not, to take him OIL with them was i'm.
possible he was not sufficiently recov.
cred to bear the the air, even if they
could make room for him in that state
To turn back and take him home was
almost as difficult, and if so they mus
give up church entirely. Ella, who hac
alighted to assist them, at last said, in ;
decided tone, +" There is but one thing,
father. we can do Hugo must stay Will
the poor man."
Yes, !" said Hugo, "that is the bes
plan. You drive on to church, and tax,
me up in the afternoon, when you re
turn by that time he is sure to be al
right"
WE'LL" said Andreas, cit does seen
the only way; but it will be sad disap
pointment for you, my good girl"
| II do not know that" muttered HUI
go; " she was the first to propose getting
rid Of me-"
! Now, that is too bal," said Ella
with face rueful enough to satisfy he
lover, "when you know | have beer
counting for weeks and weeks upon your
being with US for this altar Sunday
1t clearly was the most feasible plan
and so it was settled. Ella murmured t
Hugo as he helped her into the sledg
1 again, "God will not the less bless ou
engagement, that it begins with an act o
self-denial.'
Some provisions, which had been pu
into the slcdge ready for any emergency
were handed out to Hugo, and he wa
entreated to take care of himself rs wel
a. the pedlar, and to keep up good fire
/ Certainly" said he ''no fear q
doing that. Why, here is frewoo
enough to roast half-a dozen oxen whole
!, You are sure you will be able to d
without me, Father Andreas 90
Perfectly. The horses are quite man
ageable, the road good, and the weathe
set fair-we can have no difficulty"
SO they started off again, Olaf saucil,
calling out to Hugo. that. now he wa
gone. Ella would be of some use to othe
people, and that the rest of the part
; would gain. not lose, one by his depar