Port Royal standard and commercial. [volume] (Beaufort, S.C.) 1874-1876, 1876-07-13
THE GOOD WIFE.
A Norwegian Legend.

"a 4NOA " S3ASS4A -A-No
There was once q man named Gud-
brand; he lived at solitary farm on the
slope of hill, therefore he was called
"Gudbrand of the hill" Now this man
had very excellent wife, thing which
often happens, but is not SO common
Gudbrand knew also the worth OF such
q treasure, so the couple lived in great
peace and happiness, without thinking
about the progress of years and changes
of fortune. Whatever Gudbrand did
his wife had wished for beforehand, so
that the good man could not touch any
thing or change anything in his house
without his wife thanking him for his
forethought and kindness. Their life
was insured against anxiety; the farm
was their own property, they had a
hundred solid dollars in the table draw
er, and two stately COWS in the meadow.
They wanted nothing; they could grow
old in peace without fearing helplessness
and misery, without needing the pity or
friendship of others.
One evening, as they were sitting
chattering together about their work and
their plans, Gudbrand's wife said to
him: "My dear, have a thought; you
shall lead one of our COWS to the town
and sell it. The one which we shall
keep will be quite enough to provide us
with butter and milk, why should we
trouble ourselves for others : We have
money in the chest, We have no chill
dren, would it not be well If we spared
our arms, now growing old9 You will
always find something to do in the
house: there is first this then that piece
of furniture to be mended and i'm
proved, and I, with my spinning wheel,
shall be able to stay great deal more
with you.s
Gudbrand found that his wife was
right, as she always was. The very next
day he led the cow which was to be
sold to the town. But it was not mar
ket day, so he found no purchaser.
every we'll, very well, " said Gudbrand,
"I shall lead my cow back home again,
l have hay and straw for the beast, and
the way is not longer to return than II
was to come.'' Then he quietly took
the road home. ...
After a few hours, just as he begun
to feel little tired, he met man who
was leading horse to the tow, a very
strong animal saddled and bridled.
"The way is long and the night is
coming on" thought Gudbrand; "]
shall not get home with my cow before
midnight, and then very early to-mor'
row 1 shall have to begin the march
anew. This is just the sort of beast
might want, I should ride home
proudly, like magistrate; and how ole
Gudbrand's wife would rejoice to see
her husband coming home In triumph
like a general"
Herewith he stopped the horseman,
and bargained with him to exchange the
cow for his horse. But when he sat Ii
the saddle he felt something like re-
pret. Gudbrand was old and feeble,
the horse was young and lively; after
half an hour the cavalier had to go Oh
foot and wearily led his horse by the
bride, for it shied and plunged at every
bush by the roadside. ga bad bar
gain," he thought. ...
Then he met man driving pig be-
fore him. "A nail which one really wants
is more valuable that diamond which
sparkles and is good for nothing,
thought Gudbrand, $50 my wife Otter
says" and he exchanged the horse for 6
pig. That was a fine idea; but the
good man had reckoned without his hos
the pig was tired and would not move
an inch. Gudbrand dragged the beast
he pushed it, he beat it with all hi
might, but all in vainl The pig re
NAMED lying in the dust like shik
stranded on sandbapk. Gudbrand wa.
in despair.
Now a man passed by leading goa
by string; the goat sprung merrily be
fore him. "That might be useful to me,
said Gudbrand; 81 would rather havetha
frolicsome goat than this stupid, laz.
beast" Thereupon he exchanged th'
pig for the goat. All went on vel
enough for half an hour. Then tht
long-horned goat pulled Gudbrand on
who laughed heartily at its jumps; bu
when one is no longer young, one sool
becomes tired of climbing over the rocks
so our farmer, when he met shepherd
with his flock, did not hesitate to Civ
his goat for sheep. 81 have got quit
enough milk" he thought, "and thi
animal is at least quiet, and will neithe
weary me nor my wife"
Gudbrand was not wrong, there wa
nothing quieter than that sheep. /
showed no Ill temper, it did not butt
but it did not go forward. 1t wanted t.
90 back to the flock, and the more Gud
brand dragged it, the more piteously i
bleated. s'This stupid sheep" criet
Gudbrand, angrily, sit is more whin
ing than my neighbor's wife; how gla'
I should be if any one would release M
from this burden"
"The bargain is made if you like, OLE
fellow" said farmer, who was passin!
by. "Take this fat goose, it is wortl
at least as much as that obstinate sheep.
$50 be it," said Gudbrand; "better t.
have living goose than dead sheep,
and he took the goose with him. It wa
no light burden. The bird was bat
travelling companion; with beak ant
wings it made stout resistance. Gud
brand was soon tired of the conflict
"The goose" said he, sis bad bird
o,,Id ,,a1or lilo &o hova ouol