The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1892-09-09
JUST IN TIME.

Ie grew tired OF her, and would nave
ed to run away from her. But he
id not dare, for she was his masters
daughter, and he wss-well, there was
the rub-he did not know who he was.
de woke up one day and found him
self born. The sky was above him, and
there would have been earth beneath
his feet il he had not pointed them in
the wrong direction. He was christened
in o random way Ola, and was put on
the parish, as they say
Jeus Oestruo took him rs 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 10 send him
away, but his little daughter Birsit 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 ne did seemed admir-
able. 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 . bas-
ket When she saw him she flung her.
self down upon the grass and screamed
with delight,
But when her mother had reached the
hut she ran up to him and husged him.
While the cattle were being mlked he
went 70 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 i. p she asked.
1T is q hare"
NO, it isn't hare. A hare is white"
1T is brown in Summer. 1t changes
its skin.
Has he two skins, one inside the
other?'
Instead Of answering he took his
knife and cut the hare's skin.
mo, he said, "he hasn't got morsn
one"
The time came when he bad TO 60 to
the psrson to prep are for confirmation.
1t SO happened tha. she went the same
year.
But, though he had coat new, il
St ,H nf
which was much too big for him. His
boots, too, and his trousers had seen
better days before they msds his &C.
qusintsnce.
He walked aside from the rest; his
ears burned when any one looked at
him. But if any one dared to neck
i'm he used pair Of fists which in.
spired respect
He was handsome Lad and his
irowsy hair made him look usly. Heavy
thoughts came to him, and . ferce,
defiant spirit was kindled With, him.
It was at such time that Birges
sought him and spoke kindly tohim.
You mustn't mind the girls" she
said; they laugh at everything. They
don't mean anything by il. IT'S just .
way they have"
Somebody will come TO harm il You
ever do il he answered 6ercely.
That is foolish talk" she gently re-
monstrsted. Il know you too we'll,
Ola You wouldn't harm me"
"Ah, you don't understand me, he
said. Its no use talking"
"Oh, yes, I do understand you, Ola"
she replied, with . smile, and I wish
you would let NE say one thing to you
before 60
Say it."
II wish-I wish," she stammered,
while quick blush sprsng to her
cheeks. No, I think won't SAY it.
after all, she finished, and surued 70
60.
Yes, say it, he entrea.ed, seiring
her hand.
well, IL wish you could do Is the
hare, change your akin"
She drew her hand away from his
and ran down the hillside. 90 that the
stones and dry leaves few sbou. her.
That night he picked . quarrel with
AASa SsVssSoJ WV W6o SoSo W - ~
tentive to Birgi., and he thrsshed him.
All the following Winter he kept watch
of her from afar, and picked quArre,s
with everybody whom she seemed to
favor.
Change my skin" he pondered.
Change my skin, Ike the hare How,
oh, how can do i. q
This thought followed him day and
night. One day, in the Spring, An en-.
migrant ship bound for America sp.
peared at the mouth Of the river.
Ola packed together his few traps and
went up 10 Oestruos to say good-by.
He met Bright in the birch grove behind
the barn II was the time when the
buds were bursting sld the swallows
had Just returned.
We'll, Ola, where are you going 2"
she asked, as she saw him coming with
bundle ard staff in hand
To America
"Amerea! She cried. America"
The answer seemed to fighten her.