New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1881-01-30
BJORNSTJERNE BJORNSON AND HIS REAL
"ARNED
From The Madison STATE Journal

A representatives of The State Journal ascertained,
yesterday evening. that an elderly man had visited
the great Norwegian poet ana DU, n-
usual in connection Herewith an explanation was
sought soon rs possible. 1t was learned mat INC
strange visitors name was Arno knlterstau' re
looks to be fifty years of age, has powerful
frame and in his younger days must have been the
very picture of strength and beauty When IN the
poets room, the man shed tears prOfusey. Some
twenty years ago, Arno strong, vigorous young
man, who was sergeant in the Norwegian army,
and as such noted for his athletic strength as
well as for his Kindness and honesty. had serious
feud with of his neighbor5. ms latter man
waSa lOw-lived, mean. crlngiug sc0unlrei. VINO aC
a party got Arne drunk and prevailed uOon MN 10
sign papers by which he lost his old homestead.
The feul became more and more bitter and ono
day, while they were in attendance at court, MS
enemy drew knife and cut HIN severely III the
hand and arm, giving Arne mark that he TINS day
bears Upon the farm that the enemy mad g0tteh
away from him, Amos father lived ana was 10 nave
his life support, and when the father lay upon MS
death bed Ane visited him and learned that he had
been ill-treated, and that probably his death had
been fastened by cruelty. TINS 50 enraged Mne
that revenge was mere question Oh time:
One day while ont hunting, he saw ms enemy
coming with team. and he determined Win MS
az the ho himself bore, and raised his gun ne
was IL sure marksman-but, unfortunately, as Ihe
enemy walked by the side OF the team, ne stumbled
lust as Arne in tho act of firing, and instead 81
manning no shot him 80 that he soon after dleti.
He was convicted OF murder. aud sentenced 10
death, which sentence was c0nh1iheu OH appear W
to pardon. and was about to be- executed. Inc
young and enthusiastic poet heard Of the case, ana
il 80 affected hun that he determined To move
heaven and earth, if that were possible To procure
his pardon. He wrote tor the press mastery
article, such ~ BjornsOn alone can write. IL
seemed to move the whole community; the wives
and daughters OF the judges who had pronounced
the sentence and the wives OF tho members Oh tho
Cabinet, signed petition to the Government LOT
his pardon. At length the death sentence was re-
mittcd but for twenty long years Arne remained In
pIlson and but u few months ago was July par
ooncd His vito was dead, his family was scat
tered. he himself was solitary and alone IN dreaIy
world after having been twenty years wlthln inc
prison walls liberty itself seemed no boon. lie
came to America but he ~ nowhere at nome.
Hearing OF BOrnsnns arrival in Madison, ho de-
terminel to visit him. and 1t was. indeed an Affect
inp scene the meeting between these TWO men,
Arne is poor and pennIlPsS; America seems no place
for him. Tho poet, with great kindhess, FURNISHES
him the necessary means to return to his own coln-
try where ne will he employed on BiOrnsOns estate.
Arne was noted in his parish, as before remarked,
for great bodily strength and also for hIs truthful
ness and his honesty. most rcmarkabe incident
occurred After Arne had been sentenced TO death
by tho lower CONT, he to be transferred 10 an
adiUinIng bailiwick; the bailit who had been IN
charge knowing his honesty AMI his trnthluihess'
did what probably other ballltt ever dii: before
or ,inCc. The hailt was busy. Arne tod MN til;it
there was no Necessity of his gong Win MIN OF
sending any guards bat that he himself would
walk and report to the batf in the next balllwlck
and such confidence had the baiif in his Integrity
that he unhrs,tatngly sent HIM alone without any
guard or watch, and Arne promptly reported as
agreed