The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1892-10-05
RAvENNA, O., WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 5, 1892.

he left her and it was five years she
had promised to wait for him.
For this hour he had toiled, saved
and suffered for five long, weary years.
He had been silver miner in Lead
vile when the place was yet new and
he had sold his claim for $50, 900.
As he was hurrying along an old
woman who was sitting by the road
side hailed him.
"Gentlefolks out walking to-day?"
she said, holding out her hand for a
penny.
"GentlefolksP" he cried, with happy
laugh. "Why, Gurid, 1 am Ola, who
used to herd cattle at Oestrud's
dairy"
"You Ola, who was on the parishp
Then you must have changed your
skim
"That was what / went to America
for" he answered, laughing.
The church lay halfway up the hill
! side. There Ola sat down to rest, for
he had walked far and was he'd.
Presently he heard music up under the
ledge of the forest; there was one clar-
met and several fiddles.
A bridal party! Yes, there was the
! bride, with silver crown upon her
head aud shining brooches upon her
/ bosom.
The procession came nearer. Now
the master Of the ceremonies opened
the church doors wide and went to
meet the bride and groom.
Ola sat still as rock, but strange
numbness came over him. AS the
party drew near to the gate of the
I churchyard he arose and stood tall and
grave, in the middle of the road.
Then came Birgit Oestrud and Thor
ger Sletten. She looked pale and sad,
he defiant.
"You didn't expect me to your we'd
ding, Birgit Oestrud?" he said, and
! stared hard at her. She gave scream;
the crown fell from her head; she
rushed forward and flung her arms
about his neck.
"Now come" he cried, "who ever
dare, and I'll make merry bridal"
Jens Oestrud stepped forward and
spoke. His voice shook with wrath
and the veins swelled upon his brow.
Here am" he said "If you want
the girl you shall fight for her"
"Not with you, old man." retorted
Ola, "but with Thorger I'll fight. Let
him come forward.
The bridal guests made ring on
the green and the bridegroom came
slowly forward.
Hard luck" he said, "to have to
night Tor your bride on Your wedding
day"
FightP Birgit, who in her happiness
had been blind and deaf, woke up with
start. She unwound her arms from
Ola's neck aud stepped up between the
two men.
"Oh, do not fight, do not fight" she
entreated, holding out her hands first
to one claimant and then to the other.
"You know, father, for whom l have
waited for these five years. You know
whom have loved since was child
But you used force against me and
threats. Now he has come back. I
am no longer afraid of you"
e"Whoever will be my wedding guest
let him follow!" shouted Ola, "for 1
have in my hand royal license
to marry Birgit, Jens Oestrud's
daughter"
"All that money can buy you shall
have" he added @I'll make wedding
the fame of which shall be heard in
seven parishes around"
He took his brides arm and marched
boldly into the church.
The wedding folks looked at Jens
Oestrud, who was venting his wrath
upon the groom
"You coward!" he yelled, "you let
the girl be snatched away before your
very nose. I am glad enough to be
rid of such son-in-law. Come, folks,
we'll have our wedding yet. A girl
belongs to him who can catch her."
| With wrathful snort he stalked in
through the open church door and the
wedding guests slowly followed.
! ton GL06e.