The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1881-10-29
THE FATHER.

The man we are going to tell you the
following story about was the most in
fuential and wealthy farmer in the
parish; his name was Thord Overaas.
One day he came into the study of the
minister of the parish, looking very i'm
portant and solemn. @
Il have got a son." he said, "and
want to have him christened." ..t
''What are you going to call himp''
''Finn, after my father"
''And his godfathers and godmoth-
ers?'' 4d 81 4
Thord mentioned some of the most
respected men and women in the par
ish-all relations of his.
'Is there anything elseg" inquired
the minister, and looked up. 81
The farmer hesitated a little. 81
would like to have him christened by
himself"
ION weekday, do you mean?"
''On Saturday next, at noon" '' t
'ls there anything else?' asked the
minister. aH It. q
"No, think not" The farmer was
twisting his cap in his hands as if he
was going.
The minister rose. ..only this,'' said
ne, and went toward Thord, took his
hands, and looked into his eyes: "God
grant that the child may be blessing
to youp'
One day, sixteen years later, Thord
was standing in the minister's room.
You carry your age well,' said the
minister. He saw scarcely any change
in him.
go, well, / have no troubles" re-
piled Thord.
The minister was silent; but after a
while he inquired, ''What is your pleas
IRE tonight, ThordP"
81 have come about that son of mine;
he is going to be confirmed to-mor-
row."
''Yes; he is clever lad.'
81 didn't like to pay the parson be-
fore l knew what number he is going to
have amongst the boys in church to-
morrow, In Norway. and especially
in the country, the order OF precedence
amongst the children on the day of
confirmation is matter of great impor-
tance, and it is considered a great hon
or for boy to have .stood No. / on
the church floor" as they call it. I
Hes going to have Number One. y
well, I've heard say so. Here are
ten dollars for the parson."
lis there anything else I can do fol
YOUR said the minister. -. ul
mo, nothing else," answered Thord,
and left. go
Eight years have passed, and the
minister was sitting in his study one
day, when he heard noise of some
people outside the door, Several men
walked in; Thord was the first to enter.
The minister looked up and recog.
nized him. "You come with a whole
company tonight" he said.
Eyes. 1 want you to publish the
banns for my son; he is going to be
married to Karen Storliden, daughter
OF Gudmund, who is now here with
me-" N9'
'.Ah, she is the richest girl in the
$50 they say" answered. the farmer
pushing back his hair with one hand.
The minister sat some time as if il
thought; he said nothing, but entered
the names in the book, and the mer
signed it. e =
Thord put three dollars on the table
"My fee is only one DOLLAR said tn,
minister. n ,a. 10, ~
Eyes, l know; but he is my only child
wish to do it Handsomely ttl
The minister took the money.
''This is the third time, Thord, vo,
have been here on behalf of your son.
Yes; but now l am ready with him. ,
Thord folded his pocket-book together
said ''good-evening," and went out
the others followed him slowly.
Fourteen days after this the fathe
and son were rowing across the lake t
Storliden to talk over the wedding.
This thwart does not lie steady.
said the son, and got up off his seat t
put it right. At this moment the loos
board in the bottom of the boat O.
which he was standing slipped. and i
trying to balance himself, he fell ovei
board with loud shrek.
'Catch hold of the oar" shouted tn
father, and stretched it out to him
But the son made only couple {
strokes toward it, when he was seize
with cramp.