Weekly American. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1858-1858, 1858-02-20
Afraja Or Life and Love in Norway.

the German of Theodore Mugge, by the Hon.
Z, Joy Morris. 1t is romance of the highest
and most attractive order, and introduces us To
an entirely new region and to a people whose
habits, manners, modes Of life, modes Of think
ing and Of loving have never before been por-
trayed to us, except very partially. The writer,
whose work displays fertile genius, and great
descriptive powers, is evidently personally f.
miliar with the remote regions Of the North,
where the Laplanders and the Norwegians
meet and commingle; the former pursues his
wandering life, moving North or South with
the annual migrations Of bis herd Of reindeer,
upon which he is mainly dependent for food
and clothing and motive power, and "his life
/ like descriptions of the manners and customs
Of this curious people, and the Norwegians on
the coasts and islands, are drawn with such
power as to awaken the keenest interest in his
brilliant story, and to keep the attention of
the reader intensely excited from the first to
the last page"
The characters brought into the romance,
are drawn with q distinctness, individuality
and truthfulness to nature scarcely surpassed
by Shakespeare or Sir Walter Scott, and the
work, as q whole, may well compare with some
Of the best Of SCOTS novels a3 4- "A
We are only surprised that the work has not
been more generally sought for and read by
those who delight in historical romance, and in
that kind Of reading which excites most in
tense and absorbing interest
We have made slight extract from the
work, of scene on the deck of a vessel; Hell
gestad is taking Hannah, the daughter of a
rich merchant Of Bergen Norway to his own
home at the North, to be married, in accor-
dance with the agreement of the fathers, to
Helgestad's son, who is in love with cappish
young lady. Hannah goes against her will,
being engaged to Capt. pohlen, whom she has
promised to marry providing he can rescue her.
He Of course makes the attempt, and is very
near accomplishing his purpose; but his efforts
are thwarted, and he meets the fate described
below: sGae{ teiS
- "Helgestad had leaned over the table, and
was regarding the drawing with a greedy in
terest- "It is right" he said; ~ calculate it
must succeed" It was a wise dream, Herr
Marstrand come whence it might" He raised
himself up, and looked at his companion, "you
are awise man, and must pr Use you; you
are true friend, who conceals nothing from
me- think so. Is II not sol"
"Certainiy, certainly" replied Marstrand
little confused" What fell on the deck, ex-
claimed the old trader, starting up"
II heard nothing" said Marstrand.
Helgestad was at the door. Remainl" he
exclaimed; and his eyes assumed fierce cx-
preston, "you are heated, and You might take
cold"
I" Let me speak, Herr Hcgcstad, hear me-"
shouted John, grasping at his arm; but be-
fore he could reach him, Neils had shut the
door TO, and turned the key in the lock-
~" He quickly sprung up the steps. The
sky was covered with heavy clouds, the wind
moaned through the rigging of the yacht and
without the breakers dashed in fury against
the cliffs Of silden Helgcstad glided along in
the darkness to the mast in the middle Of tho
ship, where he stopped; for, at an arms-length
before him, he discovered form, to which
another was closely clinging"
"Let us hurry, Hannah, 4" said manly voice.
The boat lies along side, and the ladder is
down; all is ready"
"I also am ready, my Hinrick," she replied.
"ob, eternal thanks to heaven, that have you
ut lasti' ~ p r1
There, whispered Dahlen; 'give me your
hand. Herr Marstrand has fast hold on him
May he keep him securely. "Forbearl he sud-
denly cried out, clinching her firmly; for,
in the same moment he felt himself suddenly
grasped by some one from behind, and raised
In the air--Hannah was torn from his side,
powerful arms held him, in spite Of his utmost
resistance. His fingers let 60 their hold on the
bulwarks Of the yacht, and with a, shrek,
which was quickly stified, he sunk into the
dark billowy grave, which closed over him.
With jump Helgcstad was at the iron bars
around the mast He seized heavy piecs
with both hands, and threw it with all hii
might upon the boat beneath; cracking and
breaking followed, a cry for help, arose from
below, and red fire flashed over the sky, IL
Illuminating for a moment the black.water.
Pieces Of the boat foated around and a pair
of oars drifted upon the agitatcd sea. A furi
Gus gust of wind followed, and an arm, raised
above the deep, convulsively clutched at th,
air, and sank again. Helgestad looked at tn,
spectacle with face full Of hate, and beaminl
with satiated vengeance and triumph. "Yo,
have met your fate, you fooll" he said with I
savage roar Of laughter. He then turned
around Hannah lay, without sign Of life ir
the arms of sailor. q
"ohoi" muttered the trader, "you he'd hei
80 fast, that you have squeezed the life out o
ber.p .... ~, .r,s...t..
III believe so, Herr, answered the long haired
man. "Sbe does not move limb"
Htlgestad took the sleeping body, like ,
child, in his arms. 7f @
i"Call the men, said he; " "slacken the cable
double-reef the sail viii return In a mo
ment.,
He carried Hannah down stairs, pushed In,
door open, and entered
Msrstrand sat at the table, with his hcat