Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1878-02-08
ASLAUGS WOOTNG.
A Morse Folk Tale by BJornstJerne
BjOrnSOn.


When Aslaug became full-grown girl,
peace was gone on Husaby farm. The finest
boys of the parish wrangled and fought there,
night after night. 1t was worse on Saturday
nights, but then old Junt Husaby went to bed
with his leather breeches on and birch club
at his elbow. Have got girl Z" he said,
Il shall know how to take care Of her"
Tore Neset was only squatter's son. There
were people, though. who said that he came
oftener to see the farmers daughter on Husa-
by farm than anybody else. Old Junt did not
like this talk and said it was not true, for he
had never seen him there. But people smiled
at one another and hinted that if he looked
better into that corner where Aslaug sat, in
stead of squabbling with those who strutted
on the open floor he would have found Tore.
Spring came. and when the cattle were
driven up on the hills for grazing, Aslaug fol-
lowed to take care of them. Hot lay the day
over the valley, but the cliff rose cool above
the sun-smOke, and when from its top the
cow-bells tinkled and the Watchdog barked
and Aslaug sang and played on the ljur, how
did the boys feel toiling in the meadows be-
low! The first Saturday night they all took
| TO the cliff, one faster than the other. But
| still more fast they came back one after the
! other. Just where the path turned the ham
mer. Some one stood and took hold of them,
one by one as they came, and wheeled them
downward, making his words well remember
ed: IF you choose to come again, you shall
| be still better served"
As far as people could understand, there
was in the whole parish only one who had the
proper hand for such piece of work, and
| that one was Tore Neset. But all the rich
| farmers sons thought it rather mean, that he,
| the squatter's son, should take his stand next
to her, Aslaug Husaby.
The same thought also old Junt. when he
| heard it, and he thought further that if no
one else could master that chap. -ie would try,
and those sons Of his Junt had begun to
grow old, but although he had passed the
three-score, he still liked to try a wrestling
match with his oldest son when sometimes
the company seemed TO him TO become sleepy.
Up to the Husaby grazing grounds there
led only one pathway, and it started just in
front of Husaby farm. Next Saturday eve
ming when Tore intended TO take this way, and
already felt little more quick footed because
he had cleared the stables, one rushed upon
him and grasped him by the throat. What
do you want Z" said Tore and threw the 9th
er to the ground so it rang through his body;
That | shall tell you" said another, and
gave him blow from behind it was the
brother And here is third, said old Junt,
and clasped him around the waist.
Tore grew stronger with the danger; where
he hit it was felt And he was timber like a
willlow-wand he bowed and bent where
blows fell. he was not where blows were moi
expected. he hit. But at last he tumbled
overmatched, and a sound thrashing he got
though afterward old Junt often said that hC
never had finer lad to deal with The three
kept on till the blood came, then Husaby
said stop, and added shrewdy: Nov, il
next Saturday night you can cheat the olt
Husaby bear and these cubs of his, you may
| have the lass"
Tore dragged himself along as best he
| could: when he reached home he lay down
Much was spoken in the parish of that fgh
on Husaby farm, but every one said ''Wha
would he there 7" There was one, though, whC
did not say so, and that was Aslaug. She haC
waited for him that Saturday night, ant
when she heard or the meeting between hin
and her father she sat down and cried, anC
said to herself; IF ! cannot get Tore | shal
not see another glad day in this world"
Tore was laid up for the whole Sunday, ant
on Monday he felt that he must still keep tn
bed. Tuesday came, and what a fine day
was 1t had rained during the night, an,
the cliff was green afresh The window wa
open and the smell of the foliage drifted in
Upon the cliff tile cow-bels tinkled and some
body was singing. Had it not been for hi
e mother @ho sat in the room, he would hay
cried
On Wednesday he was still in bed but o
Thursday he wondered whether he could nc
be all right till Saturday, and on Friday h
was up. He remembered now the word
which Junt had said If next Saturda
night you can cheat the old Husaby bear an
these cubs of his, you may have the lass.
, He looked away to Husaby farm, time afte
time. II don't think there will be any MOI
beating" he said
: There led, as above mentioned, only on
pathway up to the Husaby grazing grounds
but one who dared, might get up there, thoug
he did not go the beaten way. By rowin
round a small and-slip and mooring at ii
foot of the cliff, one might get up, though th
l. wall was so steep that it had seldom bee
trodden by the goat, who else is not very pa
ticular about her way.
Saturday came and Tore was outdoors IL
whole day. Never was such day! The su
played, so the woods danced, and every no
and then some one sang and called upon IL
cliff He sat in front of the door when dus
came and dewy mist c.ept up ward along II
hills. He looked toward the cliff all WI
quiet there He looked toward Husaby farm
and then he jumped into the boat and rowe
around the slip.
!. Upon the cliff, before the hut sat Aslau
her days work done. She thought that sinl
Tore could not come, all the more would ot
T. er people come, and she let loose the dog al