The Portland daily press., 1870-09-24
(From the Norwegian and Other Tales, to be pub
lished by Sever & Francis


lished by Sever & Francs.l
The Father.
Thord Overaas, of whom we are about to
speak, was the wealthiest man in the parish.
His tall figure stood one day in the pastors
study: 81 have got a son." he said eagerly
"and | wish to have him baptized" =
what shall he be called?"
s"Finn, after my father"
sand his god-parents ?"
They were named, being relatives, of
Thord, and the best men and women in the
district.
us there anything else? ?" asked the pastor,
and looked up,
The farmer stood a minute.
Il should like to have him baptized by him
SELF be said.
"That is to say on week day?'
Next Saturday. at twelve O'clock"
SIS there anything else?"
Nothing else"
The farmer took his hat and moved to 90.
Then the pastor rose: "There is still
this" he said; and going up to Thord, he
took his hand, and looked him in the face !:
"God graft that the child may be blessing
to YOUR
Sixteen years after that day, Thord stood
again in the pastors study
you look exceedingly well, Thord," said
the pastor; be saw no change in him.
81 have no trouble" replied Thord.
Inc pastor was silent, but a moment after
What is your errand tonight ?" he asked.
II have come tonight about my son, who is
to be confirmed tomorrow"
He is clever lad.'
Il did not wish TO lay the pastor, before
heard what number he would get. I hear
that-and here are ten dollars for the pas
tor"
SIS there anything else ?o asked the pastor,
looking at Thord.
Nothing else" Thord went.
Eight years more passed by, and SO one day
the pastor heard noise without his door, for
many men were there, and Thord first among
them. The pastor looked up and recognized
him. -
night"
y have come to requestt that the banns NAV
be published for my son he is to be married
to Karen stoIliden, daughter of Gudmund,
who is here with me'
"That is to say the richest girl in the par
ish."
'They say so" replied the father, stroking
his hair up with one hand.
HE pastor sat minute as in thought. He
said nothing, but entered the names in his
books, and the men wrote under.
Thold laid three dollars on the table,
Il should have only one," said the PASTOR
know that perfectly, but he is my only
The pastor took up the money: "'This is the
third time now, Thord, that you stand here on
your sons account"
but now l am done with him." said Thord.
and taking 1p his pocket book, said good
night, and went. The men slowly followed.
just fortnight after this, the father and
son were rowing over the lake in still weather
TO Storlden, 10 arrange about the wedding.
Inc cushion is not straight" said the son !:
he rose up to put it right. At the same mo-
ment his foot slipped; he stretched out his
arms, and with a cry lell into the water.
Catch hold of the ar!" called the father:
he stood up and stuck il out But when the
son had made few attempts, he became
stiff.
"wait minatew cried the father, and be-
gan TO row. Then the son turned back
wards over, gazed earnestly at his father and
sark.
IhoId could scarcely believe it to be true
he kept the boat still, and stared at the spot
where his son had sunk, as though he would
come up again. A few bubbles rose up, few
more, then one great one; it husband the
sea again lay bright as mirror.
For three days and three nights the father
was seen to row round and round the SPOT
without either food or sleep; he was seeking
for his son. On the morning of the third day
he found him and carried him up over the
hills to his farm.
1t would be about a year after that day
when the pastor, one autumn evening, heard
something IUstling outside the door in the
passage, and fumbling about the lock. The
door opened, and in walked tall, thin man,
with bent figure and white hair. The pastor
looked long at him before he recognized him
it was Thord. -
do you come so late?" asked the nastor.
and stood still before him. p,esY-'
"Why, yes, do come late" shid Thord he
seatedshimself. The pastor sat down also, as
though waiting; there was a long silence,
Then said Thord, 81 have something with
me that wish to give to the poor" He rose
laid some money on the table, and sat down
again.
The pastor counted tt. at is great deal
of money!" he said.
ut is tie half of my farm, which have sold
to-day"
The pastor remained long sitting in silence ::
at last he asked, but gently: "What do YOU
intend to do now?"
Something better"
They sat there awhile, Thord with down.
cast eyes, the pastor with his raised to Thord.
Then the pastor said slowly, and in low
tore: II think at last your son has really be-
cone blessing to YOU"
Yes, think SO myself, Also" said Thord
down his face S'o"'J