The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1886-07-07
Thord's Better Part.

1nOTQ OVcTaaS. One uay ne StOOu prOuu
and solemn in his PASTORS study. II have
got boy" he said, ''and I want him
christcned."
"What shall be his namc2"
''Finn, after my own father"
"And who shall be his godfathcr2"
He named several, great people one and
all in the eyes of their ncighbors, and re-
lations of his own.
"Anything clsc2" asked the pastor,
looking up. The peasant hesitated a
little. II want to have him christcncd
by himself" he said.
''That means on a week-day2"
''Ncxt Saturday, at noon."
Anything clse?" repeated the pastor.
Nothing els"," the man took his hat,
and turned to 60.
But the pastor rose. eyes, one thing
more" he said, and roing up to Thord
he took his hand, looking him in the face
-''plcasc God that this child become
blessing to yoursclf!"
Sixteen years later the man again stood
in the PASTORS study.
'sYou are little changed, Thord," re-
marked the pastor, Sage deals kindly by
you" "Thcrc is nothing to trouble me-"
replied Thord. To this the pastor had
no answer, but presently he asked -
"and what have you come for this even
ing2"
II have come to speak about my son,
who is to be confirmed tomorrow.
''IIc is q, fine fellow"
Il did not want to pay for his instrdc-
tion until I knew what rank he is to take
tomorrow ut church."
"IIc has; got the first place."
$50 I hear; and 1 have brought ten
crowns for the teaching"
"Anything clsc2" inquired the pastor,
looking at Thord.
"Nothing clsc;" and Thord went his
way.
Eight years had passed, when one day
there was great commotion outside the
PASTORS study; number of men had
come, Thord at their head. The pastor
looked up, and recognized him. 'You
are we'll attended," he said.
'rIt is to ask you to put up the bands
for my son; he is going to be married
to Carcn Storliden Gudmund's
daughter, whose father is here beside
me-"
"Why, she is the richest girl in all the
country-sideW
"Peoplc say so" returned the peasant,
pushing back the hair from his forehead.
The paste. sat silent, as though follow
ing his thoughts, and then he entered
the names on his books. Thord put
three crowns upon the table.
'tIt should be but onc," said the pas
tor.
'T know; but he is my only child,
and i want to do it handsomely"
The pastor took the money. ''Ths is
the third time, Thord, that you have
come here on account of your boy"
"And I have done with him now,"
said Thord, putting up his pocket book.
He took his leave and went, the other
men following slowly.
A fortnight after this, father and son
in fair weather were rowing across the
lake to Storlidcn in order to arrange
about the wedding. "Thc board on which
I am sitting seems loose" said the son,
and rose to fix ii. b.. the plank on
which he rested slipped; he opened his
arms wide, and with a cry fell overheard.
"Catch hold of the oar!" cried tho
father, rising and holding it out to him.
But the son-struggling twice, thrice
felt numb and stiff. ''Wait, I am COM
ing," cried the father, pulling with all
his might. But the son, on his back,
gave long look into his fathers face,
and sank from sight.
Thord could not believe it; he sat, oar
in hand, staring blankly upon the spot
where his boy had gone down, as
though waiting for his reappcarancc. A
bubble rose; another, and yet another,
and then large one which burst on the
surface--and the lake lay smiling as
before.
For two days and three nights the
father was seen rowing about the spot
without taking food or sleep; he was
seeking for his son. On the morning OF
the third day he found him, and carried
him in his arms across the hills to the
homestead.
A. year might have passed, when one
autumn evening, late, the pastor heard a
sound in his ante room, as of some ones
hand on the latch. TIc went to open, and
in came q tallman, but bowed, wasted
and white. The pastor had to look close
before he recognized him; it was Thord.
SIS it you, coming so latc9" said the pas
tor, and stood silent,
ooh, yes, I have come latc!" said
Thord, and sat down. The pastor also
sat down, rs though to wait; he waited
long in silence. Then Thord began. 81
have brought something want to give
to the poor; it shall be trust fund bear
ing my sons namc," He rose, put the
money on the table, and sat down again.
"That is a large sum- snid the pastor,
examining the gift.
1T is the half of my property; have
sold it this morning."
The pastor sat very still; when nc spoke
again there was trcmor in his voice.
"NYhat will you be thinking of for your
self now, Thord2"
"Thc better part"
A long pause followed, Thord's eyes
were on the ground, the pastors search
ing his face. And then the pastor said
slowly and SOFTLY Il think, Thord, that
your son has become blessing to you at
last"
"Ycs, think so," said Thord, looking
up; and two big tears ran heavily down