The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1878-01-17
Aslaug's WO0ing.

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 el oow
"Have | got II girll" he said, II shall
knoN 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 farmer dsugh-
ter on Husaby than anybody else. Old
Junt did not like this talk aud said it was
not true, for he hal never seen him
there. But people smiled at one another
AMI limited that if he looked better into
that corner where Aslaug sat. instead of
squabOling with those who struttei on
the open floor, he would have found Tore.
Spriug came, aud when the cattle were
driven up on the hills for grazing Aslaug
followed to take care of them. Hot lay
the day over the valley, but the cliff rose
cool above the sun-smOke, and from its
top the cow-bells tingled and the watch
dog barked and Aslaug sang and played
on the ljur, and hos did the boys feel
toilng IL the meadows below! The first
Saturday night they all took to the Cliff
one faster thau the other. But still more
fast they came back, one after the other,
just where the path turned the hammer.
some one stood aud took hold OF them,
one by one as they came, and wheeled
tifem downward making his words we'll
remembered If you choose to come
again, you shall still be better served"
AS tar rs people could understand,
there was in the whole parish only one
VINO had the proper hand for such Il
piece uf work, and that one was Tore
Neset. But all the rich farmers sons
thought it rather mean, that he, the squat
ter's son, should take his stand next to
her, Aslaug Husaby.
The same thought also old Junt, when
he heard il, and thought further that if
40 QUE else could master that chap, he
would try, and those sons of his. Junt
had begun To grow old, but although ne
had passed the three-score, he still liked
to try IA wrestling match with his Oldest
son " hen sometimes the company seemed
10 him to become sleepy.
Up 10 the Husaby grazing grounds
there led only one pathway and it started
Just in front of Husaby farm. Next Sat-
urday evening when Tore intended TO
take this way and already felt little
more quick-iooted because he had cleared
the stables, one rushed upon him and
grasped him 10y the throat. what do
you wantf' said Tore, and threw the
other t The ground 50 it rang through
his body. That | shall tell you" sand
another and gave him a blow from be-
hind; II was the brother. And here is Il
thru, said old Junt, and clasped him
ROUND the waist.
Tore grew stronger with the danger;
where he hit it WAS felt. And he WAS
hint like a willow wand; he bowed and
bent; where blows fell, he was not; where
blows were not expected. he hit But at
last he tum Dled, uvermatched, aud sound
thra,hing he got, though aiterward old
Junt often SAID that lie had never had
a ii ier lad To deal with. The three KEEP.
on till the blood came, the HusaOy sad
stop, aud asked shrewdly: Now, If next
Saturday night you Can cheat the old
Hu-sby bear and these cubs Of his, you
may have the lass
Tpre dragged himself along as best he
could; when he reached home he lay
down. Much was spoken 10 the parish
of that fight on Husaby farm, but every
on s-'i: What would he tnerei' there
Was ne, though, who did not say so, and
that was Aslaug. she had waited TOR
him that saturday night, aud when she
heard uf the meeting between him and
her father she sat down aud cried, and
said to heg.e.f: Ii cannot get Tore
sbai not see another glad day in this
world"
Tore was laid up for the whole sun
day, and ON Monday he felt that he must
still keep tue bed. Tuesday came, and
what fine day it was Ii had ralned
during the might, and the cliff was green
afresh. The window was opened aud the
smell of the foliage drfted IN. Upon the
cliff the Cow bells linked and somebody
was singing. Had it not been for hi.
mother ~ho SAT in the room, he would
have cried.
Gu Wednesday he was still in bed, hut
on THURSDAY he wondered if he could
not be all right Jill Saturday, aud On FRI
day he Sxs up. he remem uered now III.
w,rds which Junt had said: "If next
Saturday night you Can cheat the old
HusAby bear and tuese GUS OF HE, you
may have tue lass" He looked away to