Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1880-12-10
SOAPED.


The site chosen by the Swedish set
tiers for their first church in Philadel-
phia was one Of the most beautiful in the
city. The famous checker board lines
which were to make the city one of the
least perpleXing to the stranger and the
most delightful to resident with any
sense Of order in his soul-those famous
square lines, | say, were not then laid
out, but all was green, leafy, pleasant to
the eye and ear, and the hearts of the
Scandinavian eXiles were rejOiCed to
hear the Sabbath service in their own
dear tongue, for the first time in America,
beneath a roof of their own.
On Saturday, the builder of the new
log church, young Eric Silver, had COM
pleted the task assigned him, and re-
ceived his payment together with con-
siderable need of praise from the elders
Of the congregation, which to the
ambitious young architect, was almost
as valuable as the gold. On Sunday the
log church was consecrated and wor-
shipped in. Every inhabtant of the little
settlement was there.
There happened to be no invalids
among them at the time, for they were
allin the prime of life and strength, and it
was a sight never to be forgotten by any
one who witnessed it, when the clergy
man lifted his hands in the consecrating
prayer, and the whole congregation on
their knees, answered with loud
amen!
Service over, the family groups came
out at the low arched door, one by one
and stood on the heart. shaped green
outside looking at the church with ad-
miring eyes.
The young girls clustered in a pretty
group around their acknowledged lead
er, Susie Thurlc, who was the grand
! daughter of one of the richest burghers
of Philadelphia, and yet as simple and
unaffected as any peasant maiden in her
native land.
Susie always wore her national dress,
by her grandiather's request and her own
wish.
Some Of her young companions who
could afford it, altered their attire ac-
cording to the fashion of the day, when
they were so fortunate as to find out, by
letters from abroad, what that fashion
was. But Susie was Swede, heart
and soul, as well as in her fair complex
ion and large blue eyes and thick braids
of yellow hair.
Susie had been resident in the colo
ny only for one short year, and in her
secret heart she was now looking for
ward to a return to Sweden at no distant
day, if only Eric Silver should obtain
Z patronage enough from the burghers tC
enable him to approach her proud
grandfather with n proposal for hel
hand. The young couple had met at the
houses of their mutual friends, and had
learned to love each other from the first
But not till Eric Silver had obtained
the contract for the log church in the
wilderness did he dare speak to the
maiden of all that was hidden in lii
heart. And then he found-as many
another young wooer has found sine,
that happy day-that the maiden's hear
had answered his, and that his poverty
was no drawback whatever in her eyes
As for Susie's grandfather-tha wa
quite another thing.
But the new church, with every on
praising it, and prophesying great thing
of its builder, was long step in tn
right direction to happy bridal day be
meath its roof thought the lair-haire,
Susie, as she stood watching, with he
young companions, how modestly til
young man received the compliment
that were paid him.
Gle is shaking hands with your grand
father now, Susie" whispered Hid
Horn, who was her most intimate frien,
and only confidant "How manly h
looks! And you are right about on
national costume, Susie, Eric would no
be one-halt S. handsome as he is now
he should put on Il Partisan dress an,
have his hair cut in the fashion,"
"The fashion," said Susie, indignant
ly. "He wears his hair in the fashion
OF his native country. How else woul,
you have him wear it, IIida?"
/. 81? Now was | not this momen
d praising itP" said Hilda, with smile
Nay, Susie, you know well that an
3 as fond of everything Swedish as yo1
y can be. Only, l own that don't wis
to go back to Sweden, as you do. For
6 visit, it might do well enough-if on
: could spare the gold and the time-but
ID for lifelong home, give me these gran
old woods, with my own people and m
lIE Hx2