The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1892-07-06
JUST IN TIME.

little dog. If he ran, she ran, fell and
scrubbed her knees, cried and was lifted I
up again. Thus 1t went on from the
weeks beginning to its end
He grew tired of her, and would have
liked to run away from her. But he did
not dare. for she was his masters daugh-
ter, and he was-well, there was the
rub-he did not know who he was.
He woke up one day and found him
self born. The sky was above him, and
there would have been earth beneath
his feet. II he had not pointed them in
the wrong direction. He was christened
in random way Ola, and was put on
the parish. as they say.
Jeus 0estruo took him as his share of
the parish burdens. When he was six
years old he could DO made useful
enough to earn his food and shelter.
Jeus Oestruo then wanted to send him
away, but his little daughter Bright was
80 fond of him that he decided to keep
him.
When Ola was twelve years old he
could kick a cap from a nail high above
his head. Bright was so fond or Ola iiiat
everything he did seemed admirable.
Once she said bad word and Ola was
whipped for it.
So Ola was sent to the mountains he
roamed with his alpine horn over the
wide mountain plains, ate berries,
caught fish, set traps and was happy.
He hardly thought once of the little girl
down In the valley.
One day late in the summer she came
up to the dairy with her mother. She
was carried up on horseback in basket
When she saw him she flung herself
down upon the grass and screamed with
delight.
But when her mother had reached the
hut she ran up to him and Rugged him.
While the cattle were being MIXED he
went to look after his things. She fol-
lowed him, proud in the thought that he
tolerated her.
Look here" he cried, lifting up
brown hare, isn't that big fellowT'
''What is its' she asked.
ait is hare"
mo, it isn't hare. A hare is white"
1T is brown in summer. 1t changes
Its skim"
Has he two skins. one inside the
other?''
Instead of answering he took his knife
and cut the hare's skin.
"No," he said che hasn't got more'n
one"
The time came when he had to go to
the parson to prepare for confirmation.
1t SO happened that she went the same
year.
But, though he had coat now, 1t was
cast off one Of Jeus Oestruos, which
was much too big for him. His boots,
too, and his trousers had seen better
days before they made his acquaintance.
He walked aside from the rest, his
ears burned when any one looked at him.
But II any one dared to mock him, he
used pair Of fists which inspired re-
spect.
He was handsome enough lad and |
finely made, but his clothes and his |
frowsy hair made him look ugly. Heavy
thoughts came to him, and fierce, de- |
FAINT spirit was lxindled within him.
Itwas at such time that Bright sought |
him and spoke kindly to him.
"You mustn't mind the girls" she |
said; "they laugh at everything. They
don't mean anything by It. It's just . |
way they have
Somebody will come TO harm II you |
ever do it," he answered fiercely.
THAT is foolish talk, she gently re-
monstrated. II know you too we'll |
Ola. You wouldn't harm me-"
"Ah, you don't understand mo-" he
said. at Is no use talking"
"Oh, yes, do understand you, OLA"
she replied, with smile, land | wish
you would lot me say one thing to you
before 60"
"Say It,"
II wish-I wish" she stammered, |
while quick blush sprang to her
cheeks. "No, think / won't say 1t, |
after all, she finished, and turned to go. 1
eyes, say it," he entreated. Selling her
hand.
"Well, IL wish you could do as the
hare, change your skin"
She drew her hand away from his and |
ran down the hillside, SO that the stones
and dry leaves few about her.
That night he picked a quarrel with |
Thorger Sletten, who was said to be at
tentive to Bright, and he thrashed him.
All the following winter he kept watch
Of her from afar. and picked quarrels
with everybody whom she seemed to
favor.
"Change my skim" he pondered.
Change my skin, like tho hare. How,
oh, how can do It'll"
This thought followed him day and
night. One day In the spring, an emf
grant ship bound for America appeared
at the mouth Of the river.
Ola packed together his few traps and |
went up to Oestruo's to say goodby. He
met Bright In the birch grove behind the
barn. 1t was the time when the buds |
were bursting and the swallows had
just returned.
swell, Ola, where are you going2'
she asked, as she saw him coming with
bundle and staff In hand.
ITO America"
American she cried. "Americai"
The answer seemed to brighten her.
She turned pale and caught hold Of a
birch tree for support. He watched her
narrowly.
what are you going to do in Ameri-
ca, OLAF" she asked softly.
Change my skin" he replied, with a
yigor that startled her. "And If come
back within Ave years with changed
skin will you promise to wait for meY
II promise, I" she whispered, weeping
quietly upon his shoulder
Five years from that day young man
was seen Fastening up the hillside to
Oestruo. He had big SLOUGH hat on