The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1886-08-13
AisIellanen1ls.


The man OF whom L am going to tell was
the big man of the parish his name was
Thord Overaas. One day he stood proud
and solemn in his pastors study. ~ have
got boy and want him christened."
what shall be his name?"
Finn, after my own father"
And who shall be his godfather"
HE named several, great people one and
all in the eyes of their neighbors, and rela-
tons of his own.
Anything else ?" asked the pastor, look,
ing up. The peasant hestated little. 81
want to have him christened by himself" he
said.
That means on week day?"
Next Saturday at noon"
Anything else ?" repeated the pastor.
Nothing else. The man took his hat, and
turned to 60
But the pastor rose. Eyes, one thing
more" he said; and, going up to Thord, he
took his hand, looking him in the face
please God that this child become blessing
to yourselfp
Sixteen years later the man again stood in
the pastors study.
You are little changed, Thord," remark
ed the pastor; "age deals kindly by you."-
There is nothing to trouble mt" replied
Thord. To this the pastor had no answer
And what have you for this evening ?"
Il have come to speak about my son, who
is to be confirmed tomorrow"
HE is fine fellow"
81 did not want to pay for his instruction
until l knew what rank he is to take to-mor-
row at church."
HE has got the first place"
80 l hear; and have brought ten crowns
for the teaching"
Anything else ?" inquired the pastor,
looking at Thord.
Nothing else;' and Thord went his way.
Eight years had passed, when one day
there was great commotion outside the pas
tors study; a number of men had come,
Thord at their head. The pastor looked up,
and recognized him. "You are well at
tended" he said
at is TO ask you to put up the banns for
my son he is going to be married to Karen
Storliden Gudmund's daughter, whose father
is here beside me-"
why, she is the richest girl in all the
country sidep'
People say So" returned the peasant,
pushing back the hair from his forehead
The pastor sat silent, as though following his
thoughts and then he entered the names on
his books. Thord put three crowns upon
the table.
ut should be but one," said the pastor.
II know; but he is my only child and l
want to do it handsomely"
The pastor took the money. This is the
third time, Thord, that you have come here
on account Of your boy"
And | have done with him now," said
Thord, putting up his pocketbook. He took
his leave and went, the other men following
him slowly.
A fortnight after this, father and son in
fair weather were rowing across the lake to
Storliden in order to arrange about the we'd
ding. "The board on which am sitting
seems loose" said the son, and rose to fix it,.
But the plank on which he rested slipped !;
he opened his arms wide, and with cry fell
overheard
"Catch hold of the oarw cried the father
rising and holding it out to him. But the
son-struggling twice, thrice-felt numb and
stiff. "Wait, am coming" cried the father,
pulling with all his might. But the son, on
his back, gavea 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
and yet another, and then large one which
burst on the surface-and the lake lay smil-
ing as before.
For two days and three nights the father
was seen rowing about the spot without TAX
ing 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
hill to the homestead.
A year might have passed, when, one au-
tumn evening, late, the pastor heard sound
in his ante-room, as of some ones hand on
the latch. He went to open, and in came
tall man, but bowed, wasted and white
The pastor had to look close before he re-
cognized him; it was Thord. us it you,
coming so late ?" said the pastor, and stood
silent
"Oh, yes; l have come late" said
Thord, and sat down. The pastor also sat
down, as though to wait he waited long in
silence. Than Thord began-"I have brought
something to give 10 the poor; it shall be
a trust-fund bearing my sons name" He
rose, put the money on the table, and sat
down again.
That is a large sum" said the pastor, ex-
aiming the gift.
ut is the half of my property; l have sold
it this morning"
1.-THE better part"
The pastor sat still when he spoke again
there was trcmor in his voice. What will
you be thinking of for yourself now,
Thord ?"
long pause followed. Ihords eyes were
on the ground, the pastors searching his
face And then the pastor said slowly and
softly-"I think, Thord that your son has
become blessing to you at last.
Eyes, think SO" said Thord, looking up ;
and two big tears ran heavily down his face
From Biornson's" Tales Of Noraoay, translated
By Julie Suiter.
dts dridful tonne that have sewing