Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1871-09-20
lFrom the Aldine for September. ]
The EuITer,


Thord was the mightieSt man in the parish
He stood one day in the parsons study, tall and
grave 81 have SON." he sad "and wish him
christened."
"What shall be his nameP'
Finn, after my father"
"And the godfathers ?"
Thord told their names, and they were the
best men of the parish, and women of his own
kin.
as there anything more?" asked the parson.
He looked up.
ThOrd stood a moment. 81 would like to have
himlbaptized Alone" said he.
That is to say, on week dayP
Saturday next; at twelve O'Clock"
as there anything more"
"No, that is all"
leave. Then the parson stood up, went straight
to him, and grasped his hand "God give" said
he, looking into his eyes, that this child be a
blessing unto thee"
Sixteen years after that day Thord stood once
more in the parsons study. Chou keepest on
quite well, Thord," said the parson; he could
see no change in him.
"For have no grief" answered Thord.
To this the parson said nothing, but after
awhile he asked: "What is thy erraud to.
nohtP
''This night have come for my son. He is to
be confirmed tomorrow"
"He is a good boy"
"a would not pay the parson until knew
what place he was to have among the other
boys"
Gle is number one"
81 hear so, and these ten dollars are for you"
as there ANYTHING more% asked the parson;
he looked at Thord
"No! That is ALL" And Thord left
Eight years have passed away, and then, one
day, great noise was heard before the parsons
study, for many men were coming and Thord
at their head. The parSon looked up and knew
him. Thou contest in great number to-day"
he said.
81 come to have read the bans for my son.
He is going to marry Karen Storliden, daughter
of Gudmund, who stands here"
'She is the richest girl in the parish"
''People say So" answered Thosd; he
smoothed away the hair from his forehead.
The parSon sat moment in deep thought.
He said nothing, but put down the names in
his book, and the men signed. Thord laid three
dollars on the table.
81 shall have only one" said the parson
81 know it, but he is my only child, and
want to do all this WE'LL The parsOn took the
money.
"rhis is the third time, Thord, thou standest
here for thy son."
"But this time is also the last said Thofd,
"fOr now am DONE" He folded his pocket
book, babe farewell, and went away, the other
men following slowly.
Ten days after, the father and son were row.
ing in calm weather, over the water to Stor-
liden, to speak about the wedding feast,
"Ihs seat is not firm under mt" said the
son; he rose to make it right, But the board
he stood upon slipped. He threw up his arms
shrieked, and fell into the water.
Cake hold of this oar" said the father; he
stood up and held it out But when the son
had made few strokes he grew stiff.
wait a minute" cried the father; he rowed
toward him. But the son fell back, looked long
ingly at the father, and sank.
Thord could not believe it. He kept the boat
still, and stared at the spot where the son had
gone down, as if he must come up once more.
Some bubbles arose, some few more, then one
big one that burst, and smooth lay the water
like glass.
For three days and three nights the people
saw the father rowing about this one spot
taking neither food nor sleep; he sought for his
son. On the third day, toward morning, he
found him and bore him home, up over the hills.
About year passed away. Then, one late
evening in the fall, the parsOn heard somebody
cropping in the entry and feeling for the lock. He
opened the door, and a tall but STOPPING man
came in; he was thin and had gray hairs. The
parson looked at him for long while before he
knew him; it was Thord.
"Thou contest late" said the parson, and he
stood still before him.
eyes, | come late" said Thord; he sat down.
The parson sat down, too, as if he waited.
There was silence for long time.
Then said Thord: 81 have something with me
which wish to give TO the poor" Hestood up,
laid money on the table, and sat down again.
The parson counted it. DIT is great sum-"
said he.
"Half of what l have; sold my farm to-
day"
The parson sat in long silence. AT last he
asked mildly: "What will you do now?"
Something better"
They sat awhile; Thord with his eyes on the
floor, the parson with his eyes on Thord. Then
said the parsOn, slowly and very mildly: "Now
| think thy son has at last become blessing
unto thee"
q think so, too" said Thord; he looked up,
and two tears dropped heavily down his cheeks.