The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1862-03-14


"will you lay wager on itr' said Gud.
brand. al have hundred crowns in nv
dnwer at home, and I'll bet twenty OF them
against as many from you." 'a.l iHl
-"Done, on the spot!" replied Peter. So
joining hands on Il, the two friends entered
Gudband's house. Peter stood back at the
door to hear what tho husband and wife
would'have to say. - ~. '' --'
"Good evening, wife ~ said Gudbrand.
"Good evening. husband, ,"said the good wo-
man; "you'ro como back, then, God bs
praised! How did you fare all dayr' d.
"Ncither we'll nor ILL.," replied Gudbnnd.
"When GOT to the town, could find no one
there to buy our COW, and 90 traded her oif
for horse" '"' .'
"For horse !" said the wife. "An ex-
cellent idea, and thank you with all my
heart. We can 90 to church, then, In Q
wagon, like plenty Of other folks who look
down upon US, but are no better than wc.-
II we choose to keep horse and can feed
him, we have right to do Il, suppose, for
we ask no odds Of anybody. Where Is tho
horse? We must put him into the stablsi"
81 did not bring him all the way home,"
answered Gudbrand. "for on the road, I
changed my mind; I exchanged the horse
for hog" .l.- r... .
"Comc, now" said the wife, "thats just
what I'd have done, in your place! Thanks
o hundred times over! Now, when my
neighbors come to see mo, I'll have, like every.
body else, bit of ham to offer them. What
need had we ofa horse? The folks around
ms would have said, See the saucy things!
they think 1t beneath them to walk to church.
Let us put the hog in pen!"
81 didn't bring him with me-" taid Gud.
brand, "for on the way exchanged him for
she-goat."
"Bravo :" said the good wife, "whata o
sensible man you are! When | come to
think Of II, what could have dono with .
hog2 The neighbors would have pointed US
out and said, look at those pcoplc-all they
make they eat!' But, with sho-goat, /
shall have milk and cheese, not to speak Of
tho little kids. Como, let u' put her into
the stable"
81 didn't bring tho she-goat with mo,
either, said Gudbrand ;"l traded her again.
for ewe."
"Thcrc! That's just like you, exclaimed
the wife. with evident satisfaction. at was
for my sake that you did that. Am young
enough to scampcr, over hill and dale aftera
shc-goat? No, indeed. But, a eve win
yield me her wool as weell rs her milk 80
let us get her housed at once"
81 didn't bring tho eve home, either"
stammered Gpdbrand, once more, "but swap
ped her for goose"
"What? goose oh thanks thousand
times, with all my heart-for, alter all, how
could have got along with the ewe?' have
neither card nor comb, and spinning isa
heavy job, at best. It's iar easier to buy our
clothes ready made, Us we've always done
why, that's the very thing want I've need
Of down for our quilt, and my mouth has
watered this may day, Tor bic Of roast
goose. Put the bird in the pouluy.coop."
"Ah I've not brought tho goose, for I
took n rooster in his stead"
GOOD husband said the wife, "you'ro
wiser than would have been. A rooster!
splendid why, ROSTERS better than an
eight.day clock. Tho rooster will crow every
morning, at four, and tell u, when It Is timo
to pray to God and set about our work.
What would wo have with goose7 don't
know how to cook one, and as for tho quilt,
Heaven be praised. there's no lack Of mossa
great deal softer t.,an down. So. lot US put
the rooster in the courtyard =" ..I
81 have not brought even the rooster"
murmurcd Gudbrand, "for, at sundown. I
felt very hungry, and had to sell my rooster
for a shilling to buy something to eat. Ifit
hadn't been for that must have starved to
Death"
..God be thanked for giving you that lucky
thought" replied the vito. "All that you
do. Gudbrand. is just after my own heart
What need We ofa rooster? wc arc our
own masters, l think there is no ono to givo
US orders, and we can stay in bed just as long
rs we please. IIcro you are. my dear hus-
band, lafc and sound. lam perfectly salts
fed, and have need Of nothing moro than
your presence to make me happy"
Upon this, Gudbrand opened tho door -
"well neishbor Peter, what do you say to
that' Go. now, and bring mo your twenty
crowns! r.. rf.. rt.
sonyins. Gadbrand Rugged and kissod
his wife with as much fervor and hcartiness
as though he and she had just boon welded,
in tho bloom Of youth.
Peter tho Graybcard did not at oil rescm.
bic Gudbmnd. He was sclf.willed, impcri.
ous, passionate, and had no moro patience
than dog when you snatch away his bone
or cat when you're trying to stnngle her.
Hc would have been insuasnbls. had not
Heaven. In its mercy. given him wife who
was match for him. Sbc was hssdstrong.
~