Little Falls transcript. [volume] (Little Falls, Morrison County, Minn.) 1876-1894, 1885-05-08
A STORY OF NEW SWEDEN.

A Swedish colony had been founded
in an almost unbroken wilderness Of
Northern Maine, and in memory Of the
dear fatherland, named New Sweden.
Among the first to cast his fortunes
with this little colony was Carl OLSON,
accompanied by his wife and four
children.
TIE log houses of the Swedish colon
lists had been built near together, both
for security and for mpanionship; and
one bright midsummer morning OLSON
stood waiting before the door of his
home for the noon day lunch he was to
carry with him to lis days work Of
telling trees, two miles away. Within
She single room his humble home af
Sordad, was Christine, a girl Of twelve
years, removing the remains OF the
frugal breakfast.
Christine" called her father, IF the
mother is willing, you may come with
q me to the 'chopping' to-day. The
hours won't seem so long where there's
little lass fitting about"
Christine looked up eagerly ct her
mother.
ooh can't I go? Father wants me
and I shall be so happy in the woods
all day"
eyes, You may co." said the mother.
adding as she spoke, rye cake to the
LUNCHEON "but don't get lost in the
woods"
Christine laughed at her moth er's
needless fears, and fastened to over
take her father, who had already start
ed on his way.
A fair type of the Swedish Immigrant
was; The father, with his broad shoulders,
rudoy complexion, blue eyes, and light
hair; and quaint figure was the child
that Kept pace with him along the rough
road.
In stature, small for her years; but
the fashioningo her dress, spun and
woven by her mother with true house
wifely skill, gave her the appearance Of
little old woman, as it hung in heavy,
straight folds below the top of the strong,
coarse shoes.
Over her head was tied dingy cot
ION handkerchief, which afforded no
protection from sun and wind; and the
face beneath, never pretty, was now
sunburned and freckled. But the
features were regular, the teeth
white and even, tho blue eyes
clear and truthful, the daxen hair long
and fine; for the two smooth braids hung
far below the corners of the hutterins
handkerchief. ,-
AS her father struck off into q narrow
path down over tho hill, Christine was
obliged to drop behind; and she follow
ed after tho broad footprints in the soft
leaf mold, catching, as shepassed, the
great mosswood leaves on either hand,
that broke so easily at her touch.
A. few moments more, and they reach.
ed the "chopping," small opening in
the woods where few trees had already
been felled and placing his dinner pail
and coat at the foot of tree and direct
ing Christine to place of safety, so as
! to be out Of range Of the tree as
1t fell, Carl OLSON commenced his
work. Pc, r. & l,2& 8&tEl I.A....
Far and near sounded the ringing
strokes Of his axe, and Christine watch
cd the great chips as they flew in every
I direction. When the last severing
blow was given and the tree fell with q
crash that awoke the echoes Of the for
est. Christine shut her eyes until her
/ fathers hearty laugh treasured her.
"Ho| no! that's the way they come
down, Christine What fine farm
we'll have one Of these days!" #
! Weary at last of Watching her father
Of work, Christine obtained permission
/ to search for flowers and berries. IA
"Dont go out Of sight" said her fa-
ther, and promising that she would not,
she strolled along the edge of the woods,
lost in delight to everything around
her. # 5asl. .ss ii H.
In happy Inconsistencies OF impend-
ing danger, she spent the hours Of the
long summer forenoon, until her father
called, Christine Christine" and,
gathering up her woodland treasure,
she approached within eaay speaking
distance. @ " NJ "a u nj
hat Do you want, papa she an
swered. 81, &. s q & VI VI II II.
Itt is nearly noon, and when I finish
this tree, we'll have dinner. Take the
pail ana 60 down that path until you
come to ii spring, ELL the pail with
water and hurry back IS z 3 s.5. 3ss5
Following tie dire tion indicated bv
Ser fath9r, Christine took the pail and
was soon lost 70 sight ii the marrow
sinuous path.
S Carl OLSON resumed lis labor. and
when she tree st length lay across it's
fallen fellows, stood We tching 70 obtain |
d glimpse Of Christine's coming
s III W. hat can keep Christine So long II
he said aloud. IL il not like the child
To lpiter so. q
The spring was some quarter Of q mile
listalat, bpt the path was direct. and |