Morris tribune., 1883-05-16
" Nipen's !" Cake,

Away up in Norway, when the coun-
try folks have feast or merry-making
of any kind, the richest and sweetest of
the many nice cakes they make is set
apart for person they never say. and
I am sure never viii see.
"Nipen" is the spirit whom they be.
lieve rules over the water and the winds.
and. il he is offended, sends down the
furious west wind upon their seas and
nords upsets their fishing boats rat.
ties the clarhoards of their wooden
houses, and plays all sorts of mischiey.
ous pranks.
so, to keep old "Nipen" in good hu.
NOR, they give Linn the strongest of their
home-hrewed ale or cider, and the incest
Of their good things.
low, for, no matter how many parties
there are in these sociable Norway
homes through their long winters, the
cake which is put at the end of the barn,
or in some other snug corner, is sure to
be eaten, and tie ale drank up, before
morning. And yet no one ever saw the
twind and water sprite" come or go.
Otto Kellson and his sister Elfreth
always wanted to know the show" and
"why" OF everything. And, Oh the
wedding of their elder sister, Ulla, when
they had grand time, and "Nipen's"
cake was even larger and richer than
usual, Otto felt desire to carry out the
cake and ale for him.
"E," he said to Elfrcth, "there is
such fellow &c old 'N;pen, I'll have
good look at him, if I stay out all night
in the cold."
This 10-year-old Norwegian had come
back from his uncle's home in Thrond-
h1em, where he had been spending the
last six months. and his childish faith in
"spirits" and "sprites,' whether on
land or water, was good deal shaken;
but he had a much stronger faith in the
God of heaven. as the Ruler over all
things,
You see it was not mere idle curios-
ity that made Otto willing to brave the
stinging cold of January night in that
northern land.
He waa glad to go, when wrapped in
his fur robe and ear-lapped cap, his
father put into his hands the beautifully
Drowned cake and the can of steaming
ale, telling him carry it carefully and
put it under the barn gallery, at the end
nearest the little pine grove.
The barn was some little distance from
the house, but along the narrow, slip
perry paths, with! the glistening snow
piled high on each side, Otto trudged
merrily, softly whistling 'sFor Norje,"
and wondering who or what would eat
that delicious cake.
"Ihey won't miss me at the house,
among so many" he said to himself;
"and Elfreth knows I'm going to watch
for Nipen, and she believes that God
will take care of me out here in the
grove"
Setting down the cake and the ale
where his father had told him, brave
little Otto wrapped his furs closer round
him, and couched down in the shadow
Of the thick pines, hoping that "Nipen"
or somebody would be so hungry that
they wouldn't keep him very long in the
cold.
ALI at once, a screech and Tapping
of heavy wings in the trees above
startled him, but didn't startle in the
least an odd-looking creature that crept
out, at first on all fours, from the grove
behind him into the moonlight that
shone across the open space between
him and "Nipen's FEAST"
What funny-looking animal! Was
it fox? or was it Nipen himself dressed
up il furs, with red cap on his head?
AS it came nearer to the cake and ale,
it raised itself up, with half-frightened
look peeped round the corner of the
barn and up to the gallery above, then
snatched up the can of ale, tucked the
cake under its arm, and darted off into
the grove as quick as its short legs
would carry it.
"Just as I thought !! +" said Otto, with
laugh, as he jumped out of his hiding
place. "That's the great spirit that
rules over everything out doors in Nor
way!" and Otto ran back to the house.
go ELF, I've found out who eats up