Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1892-06-23
JUST IN TIME.


She followed him all day long like a
little dog. If he ran. she ran, fell and
scrubbed her knees, cried and was lifted
up again. Thus it 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, if 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 Oestruo took him as his share Of
the parish burdens. When he was six
years old he could be made useful
enough to earn his food and shelter.
Jeus Oestruo then-wanted to send him
away, but his little daughter Birgit was
so fond Of him that he decided to keep
him
When Ola was twelve years old he
could kick cap from nail high above
his head. Birgit was so fond of Ola that
everything he did seemed admirable.
Once she said a 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 hugged 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 a
brown hare. isn't that big fellow?'
"What is it," she asked
''It is hare.
'No, it isn't hare. A hare is white. I"
at is brown in summer. It changes
its skim
HAS he two skins, one inside the
other?"
Instead of answering he took his knife
and cut the hare's skin.
mo" 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, it was
cast off one of Jeus Oestruo's, 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 if any one dared to mock him. ne
used a 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 a fierce, de-
fiant spirit was kindled within him.
1t was at such time that Bright sought
him and spoke kindly to him.
'You mustn't mind the girls" she
said; s'they laugh at everything. They
don't mean anything by it. It's just a
way they have"
Somebody viii come to harm if you
ever do it, he answered fiercely.
''That is foolish talk she gently re-
monstrated- Il know You too well.
Ola. You wouldn't harm me.
"Ah, you don't understand me- he
said. 1T is no use talking"
"Oh, yes. do understand you. OLA
she replied, with smile, ''and | wish
you would let me say one thing to you
before GO
Say it,
II wish-l wish" she stammered.
while quick blush sprang to her
cheeks. mo. think won't say it.
after all, = she finished, and turned to 90.
ssYes. say it. he entreated, seizing her
hand.
We'll, 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 flew about her.
That night he picked a quarrel with
Thorger Sletten, who was said to be at
tentive to Birgit, and lie tlrashed 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 the hare How,
oh. how can | do it:r
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 Birgit in the birch grove behind the
barn. 1t was the time when the buds
were bursting and the swallows had
just returned.
Wen, Ola, where are yOa SOlngs
she asked, as she saw him coming with
bundle and staff in hand.
ITO America
sAmerica.H she cried. .sAmericar"
The answer seemed to frighten her.
She turned pale and caught hold of a
birch tree for support. He watched her
narrowly.
What are You going to do in Arneri-
ca, Ola" she asked softly.
'sChange my skin" he replied, with a
vigor that startled her. "And if | come
back within five years with a changed
skin will you promise to wait for me?'
81 promise" she whispered. weeping
quietly upon his shoulder.
Five years from that day a young man
was seen Fastening up. the hillside to
Oestruo. He had big sloach hat on
his head and he was well dressed
His face was strong, square and de-
termined, his eyes danced 'w...a Coy, for
in his pocket he had royal marriage
license, with which he meant to surprise
somebody up at Oestruo's farm. 1t was