The Planters' banner. [volume] (Franklin, Attakapas Co., Lou.) 1849-1872, 1870-05-04
fanlllp Reaoines ano Nrus licms.
THE OLD MANS STORY,
by CARR. BERNARD,

was travelling in Norway in the wear 1S;,'
and had to pass over the Luios Gand. one o
the most beautiful lakes in that country: tlt
passage was Ill some parts stormy and DANCE
rous; but reached the opposite side of tic
lake III safety. One evening late at ninht
when had reached the base of the mountain
being i'll want of a resting place my guide in
formed me that there was an old man who
lived about mile from where / was. who
would perhaps give us shelter We accord
inely went, and after little search. soon
found the hut. l will not weary my readers
with a description of the exterior and inte-
nor OF the dwelling, or Of the old man HIM
self; suffice it to say, the hut was rude but
comfortable; the old man was aged and
rough but aetlys AND eiHi ND oMs s la.c t"- iy
guide answered that an English stranger was
seeking a nights lodging. On this the door
was opened, and we entered the dwelling.
Our host very civilly offered us benches
chairs there were none-we sat down and
warmed ourselves at the wood fire which was
blazing merrily. Our host gave us a hearty
welcome, and plenty of good and wholesome,
though not delicate cheer. Cakes of Had
brod, the universal food of the peasants, were
laid upon the table beside us, together with a
bowl of refreshing milk. Having finished
our repast, we gathered round the fire-the
old man, my guide, and .nyself We talked
on different subjects, until it began to grow
late, and ever and anon we heard pro-
longed howl coming from the depths of the
forest. l noticed that the old man, when
ever he heard that sound, gave a eonyulsive
start, and looked, with troubled air, alter
nately at the door and us. | had remarked a
large number of hunting implements, covered
with dust, hanging round the room, and at
last addressed him
81 suppose you were fond of hunting il,
your younger days.
The old man looked at me searchingly, and
said:
"What made you ask me that ~
"Oh,n said, Il saw so many arms about
the room, as well us trophies from the wolf
and boar"
''Ah," said he, (and gave another of those
convulsive starts l had noticed before), IL
never touched them since Kristian put them
there, except that adze which you see yon-
der"
saw he referring to something that
had happened some time ago. so said
"WliO is Kristian!w
"Why,' he answered, ''do you wish to in
crease an old mans sorrow, by calling to his
recollection past calamities -
now perceived had made a mistake. and
had touched a tender point, SO l tried to
make my peace with him again, and apollo
gized for having intruded on his family his
tory. But he Sald--
'Well, you shall hear; but it is sad story. y
he then rose, looked that the door and
shutters were bolted securely, and having
some fresh logs on the fire, sat down, and
commenced his account.
shall not give his words, for, in the first
place, the old Morse tongue would not be III
telligible to most of my readers, and his die
tion was not the most elegant, so l shall tell
it in my own style.
This old Wan LaAl l4A4l .aS@. Sans-and ono
daughter; the eldest son and the daughter
died when quite young. The surviving son
was, therefore, an object of great attachment
to his father.
About twelve miles from his fathers house
there lived the family of Herr and Fru JONI
hart and their daughter Froken Marguerite.
An intimacy had sprung up between the two
young people, and in due time it was agreed.
with the hearty consent of the parents of
both, that they should be married. The day
was fixed, and finally arrived; a large num-
bcr OF peasants were invited to the joyous
event.
It was in the middle of january. The
lakes were covered with ice. The surround
ing country was white with snow, and every
thing looked cheerlcss and desolate. But in
side the house of the Jomharts all was ioy
and mirth. kristian had come, they had
been married, and tile evening was to be
spent in amusement.
We pass over the toasts that were drunk.
the songs that were sung, the dances that
were danced, and lose sight of the happy cou-
pie, until it was time for them to separate.
Dancing had been kept up till late hour;
and then the horses were put to, the last
farewell was said, an christian and his happy
wife took to their seats in the sledge. Num-
berless wrappers were thrown around them
TO preserve them from the intense cold.
kristian took the rcins, the horses leaped for
ward, the silver bells jinglcd. and off they
started. Oh what glorious ride: the
horses seemed to fly over the hard frozen
SNOW, the moon shonc brightly, cappinc the
mountain tops with its silver light, While the
Aurora Borealis. almost Stranger to Ensls s..
shores, again aud again shot its brilliant
flashes from earth to heaven, wing with the
lightning in splendor. A small lake of a
mile and a half in diameter had to he passed.
They reached it, and We're quickly flying
over the sounding ice. kristian had not
spoken for some time, when he turned to
Marguerite, aud said