Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1880-02-01


seriousness lie was lying in bed, and his
father was sitting by HIM. y little black
coffin was standing on a 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 were 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 now2' 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 nelghbolhood. and was able
to look after him. Both he and the mo-
Their treated Guttorm with forbearancc; a
great gentleness had come over both Of
them of late.
One day, Guttorm had climbed up on
the great sowlder in the river, and there
he stood and talked. This he repeated
day after day, until at last the father
brought some neighbors with him, and
they rolled the bowlder away. Another
time he did not return for his meals, and
the father after I. long search, found hia
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 a start and cried out:
1T wasn't who got little sister into
the river.
l know that well 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 wild beast,
beating him with clenched fists. Tho
father had all he could DO to keep him
at arm S length.
"You surely know that Dolly is asleep
in the earth, so she can no more be here,''
he said.
Then Guttorm grew calmcr.
dolly asleep in the earth-Dolly
asleep in the earth" he kept muttering
to himself 'But will she then never re-
turn?" he added after q while, with an
anxious glance at his father
80, yes, she will surely return some-
time" answered he, as before, land then
you Will take care of her again, Gut
torn
"Will you let me take care of her?'
asked the boy. na
Guttorm nodded with his head as ii
he were thinking.
dolly asleep in the carth,' 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 and
led him home, but he did not cut down
the hush The next day Guttorm rose
early. AL night long he had been heard
talking contentedly with himself. He
ran up toward pine grove close to the
highway, carrying with him a pickax,
and fell to work with will. He rolled
stones together; he tore up the turf, and
piled it up in small hills. 1t seemed in
credible that such strength could dwell
in him small as as he was. No one had any
idea what be meant to do. If he was asked
he only laughed shrewdiy. The grove
was worth very little, so the owner left
him in peace to amuse himself as he
liked. His father was happy because
this new labor took him So far away
from the river. Little by little Guttorm's
intention revealed itself. He was build
ing church and churchyard. The
church was built as nearly as possible
like the great one where he had seen
Dolly buried, and the graves round about
were similarly placed and adorned with
white and brown headstones. Just as he
had seen them on Sunday. Inside Of the
wall, just under the great window in the
nave, was Dolly's grave. He had adorn-
ed it in very fantastic way with flow
els, pine-cones, shells. and very small
pieces of boards which he had carved IN
to figures. There he sat always VIII en- he
rested from his labor or when his food
was brought to him.
One day he went INTO a huckstcr' S
store and looked about him.
"What is it you want to-day, Gut
torml' asked the huckster, kindly.
Gut.orm laughed, and pointed to a
shelf where some colored ribbons were
lying.
Ribbons for Dolly" he SAID.
The huckster cut off small piece OF
ribbon and gave it to him. He caught
it up eagerly, flung shilling upon the
counter, and ran as If mad dog were at
his heels. The huckster called after him
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