The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1880-02-04

out into the water ana cauSnI the cllIQ 10
her bosom. The very moment it was
torn out of Guttorm's hands he fell down
On the river bank.
Since that day Guttorm was never HIM
self again When he regained his con-
seriousness he was lying in bed, and his
father was sitting by him. a little black
coffin was standing on chair close by.
There his little sister was lying, he was
told. His mother walking up and down
on the floor, every now and then ourst-
ing into tears. Later in the day people
came and took away the coffin, to
bury it in the earth, as they told him.
His father went with them, and his moth
er followed them out. When Guttorm
saw this he threw himself out of the bed
dressed hastily, and ran after them. Be
fore the father knew it he had caught
hold of his hand. Then he lifted him up
in his arms and carried him.
The way was long, but Guttorm sat
all the while staring at the little black
coffin. When they reached the church
yard they found some people gathered
there. There were many fine graves with
headstones and crosses, and the minister
was standing there in his long black
gown, and both within the church and
outside voices we're singing. The coffin
was lowered into the ground and the
minister cast earth upon it. There was
more singing, and at last all went away.
Guttorm stared before him with open
mouth, and as they went still gazed back
toward the church yard gate.
twill Dolly never more come back to
us nowa' he asked his father.
''Oh, yes, she will surely come back to
us sometime" said he.
For long time after that Guttorm
never spoke aloud. They saw him walk
ing about, shaking his head and talking
low to himself. The father had obtained
work in the ne1ghbo1hood, and was able
to look after him. Both he and the mo-
Their treated Guttorm with 70, bearance; a
great gentleness had come over both OF
them of late.
One day, Guttorm had climbed up on
the great bowlder in the river, and there
he stood and talked. This he repeated
day after day, until at last the fathe,
brought some neighbors with him, and
they rolled the bowlder away. Another
time he did not return for his meals, and
the father after { long search, found him
again in the river, standing under the
bush which had caught Dolly's dress. He
had waded out into the water, and stood
as if still holding her head above the cur
rent. AS he caught sight Of his father he
gave start and cried out:
1T wasn't I who got little sister into
the river. ,.....
know that we'll enough" answered
the father quietly, pulling out his knife
and beginning to cut down the bush
But all of sudden Guttorm leaped up
and rushed against him like a wild beast
beating him with clenched fists. The
father had all he could do to keep him
at arms length.
"You surely know that Dolly is ASLEEP
in the earth, SO she can no more be here,
he said.
Then Guttorm grew calmer.
'Dollv asleep in the earth-Doll,
! asleep in the earth" he kept mutterinI
to himself. "But will she then never re
! turn2" he added after a while, with Al
anxious glance at his father.
20, yes, she will surely return some
time" answered he, as before, "and thel
you Will take care of her again, Gut
| torm.'
"Will you let me take care of here
asked the boy.
Eyes, you are the one to do It,"
Guttorm nodded with his head as j
he were thinking. .
"Dolly asleep in the GARTH" he whis
pered. Dolly is coming back and shall
take care Of her again.
He made a somersault and laughed
The father took him by the hand an
led him home, but he did not cut dow
the bush The next day Guttorm ros
early. All night long he had been hear
talking contentedly with himself. H
ran up toward pine grove close to tn
highway, carrying with him a pickaz
and fell to work with will. He role
stones together; he tore up the turf, an
piled it up in small hills. 1t seemed in
credible that such strength could dive
in him small as as he was. No one had an
idea what he meant to do. If he was aske
he only laughed shrewdly. The grow
was worth very little, so the owner LEI
him in peace to amuse himself as b
liked. His father was happy becaus
this new labor took him so far ava
from the river. Little by little Guttorm
intention revealed itself. He was built
: ing church and a churchyard. TT
} church was built as nearly as possib
like the great one where he had see
Dolly buried, and the graves round abo'
; were similarly placed and adorned wi,
r white and brown headstones, just as I
. had seen them on Sunday. Inside Of Il
wall, just under the great window in tt
nave, was Dollys grave. He had ador
!: ed it in q very fantastic way with t1o1
e1s, pine-cones, shells. and very sma
} pieces of boards which he had carved i
r to figures. There he sat always VIII en-
g rested from his labor or when his foo
, was brought to him. g. -
One day he went into huckste,
store and looked about him.
"What is it you want to-day, Gu
t torm9' asked the huckster, kindly.
Guttorm laughed, and pointed to
! shelf where some colored ribbons we
t lying. E ..
8 Ribbons for Dolly he said.
g The huckster cut off a small piece
ribbon and gave it to him. He caug
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