The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1880-02-07
A LEGEND OF NORWAY.

"Shriek, mad winds; your wild cries
but soothe the aching of my heartl
Great Odin, that all my battles and my
victories should be rewarded thusR' ex.
claimed the Viking, his proud head
bowed in sorrow.
He stood upon the verge of high
cliff overhanging the sea, within sight Of
a rude pine vessel that rocked and
tossed on the reckless waves. He could
see the armor of his brave followers
fash in the sunlight; he could hear their
shouts of triumph and glee as they
thronged the deck of the ship; but those
shouts, which had so often aroused the
spirit Of their leader, now grated harshly
on his ear. His heart was wrung with
grief, and he could i'll brook the sounds
of mirth. He had returned to the rocky
shores of his native land, after long
absence, crowned with the laurels Of
victory. His name had echoed through
the North. All Norsemen bowed at the
name of the mighty Harold. ~.
| He now at last returned home to re-
ceive the blessing of his aged father, and
| to lay his laurels at the feet of his lady
love, and claim, as a reward, her hand.
But alas! his hopes were erushed-his
bright dreams dispelled by rude shock;
he had returned too late, The great Jarl,
his venerable father, now lay sleeping in
his grave, and Ingeberg Hakon, his beau
tiful betrothed, had proved false, and
was, on that very night, to be welded to
an enemy.
These terrible truths he could scarcely
realize. What did all his triumphs and
honors avail him now? There were none
to share his glory; he had lost that which
was dearer than life itself.
Descending from the cliff on which he
had been standing, he turned his steps in
the direction of a wild, massive noun
tain towering in the distance. He
walked fast, for night was fast approach
ing, and the snow was beginning to, fall.
The wind howled and moaned through
the tall pines above him, and awoke
strange fancies iS his brain; but, wrap
ping his furs more closely about him, he
still quickened his pace, and soon reached
the base of the mountain and commenced
the perilous ascent with ease and agility;
but he finally reached a large open space,
over which he made his way with diff
Guilty, as the storm and the darkness had
increased. But these obstacles did not
stop the progress of the bold Norseman,
who had fought fercer battles than this
war with the elements.
At last he came within sight of a dark,
Gothic structure, whose somber aspect
sent a chill through his heart He stood
before the home Of his childhood for the
first time in many years, and yet he felt
no Joy; there was no loved one there to
greet him; his father had left it to dwell
with the gods Of Valhalla.
He knocked at the iron gates violent
ly; they were opened by an aged man,
whose flowing locks were as white as the
snow without.
"Well, old Lars, dost thou not know
meY
"Can it be my master, the bold Harold,
returned from the warsT' exclaimed the
old porter, overcome with emotion.
As the stern Viking gazed on the old
servant his expression softened, and he
muttered: @..
"There is at least one to welcome me
home" ......
cart thou alone and unattendedw in
quired Lars, in surprise, as he conducted
his master through a narrow stone pas
sage.
ayes, alone, and sorely grieved," he
answered, gloomily.
Presently he found himself standing in
large hall, dimly lighted by torches
and a bright pine.wood fire, that burned
and cracked on great hearth.
He could scarcely realize that he stood
again within the halls of his fathers.
He seated himself before the fire and
gazed about him on the dark stone walls
where hung the armor and weapons of
many departed Viking, of whose glorious
deeds he had so often heard. .,..
But, hark! what sound was that? L
grew louder and louder, until it became
deafenlng. .,,
Harold listened; there was also music
but it was nearly drowned by the Yell
and cries of many voices. He heard hil
name shouted above the din, and fol
lowed by wild burst Of applause thai
loudly echoed through the mountains
| The door opened, number Of attend
ants entered and announced to their lore
that the castle was surrounded by grea
number of his countrymen, who hat
come to welcome him home. Joy lit vi
the noble features of the Viking; for
moment he forgot his sorrow, and, proud
ly Strengthening his tall, giant-like form
: he commanded the portals to be fun
open and feast to be prepared.
The castle was quickly thronged witt
vast number Of Norsemen, and tn
great, gloomy halls, that had long been
stranger to the echoes of song and laugh
ter, now rang with their shouts. Lou
and hearty was the welcome they CAV
to their renowned countryman. Th
hospitable board soon groaned beneat
e c.x<J Noro.