Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1893-10-08
lie Had y Son.
Bjornson, translated FOR
Komance)

! He Had y son.
! Bjornstjerne Bjornson, translated for
Komance)
! Thord Overass was the wealthicst man
) IN the parish. His tall figure stood one day
: I'm the pastors study.
Il have got u SON" said he earnestly,
"and | wish to have him baptized
! what shall he be called|
| "Finn. after my father
! and his godparents?'
| They were named, being relatives OF
: Thord and the best men and women in
/ the district.
is there anything else" asked the
| pastor, and looked up.
( The farmer stood "a minute.
! 81 should like 10 have him baptized by
| himself" ne said
THAT IL to say. on week day"
! Next Saturday at T. o clock.
! rs there anything else
Nothing else"
! Tho farmer took his hat and moved 70
60.
Then the pastor rose. There is still this. -
he said. and going up TO Thord he took
his hand and looked him IN the face.
"God grant that the child may be- bless
ing to you
sixteen years after that day Thord
stood again in the pastors study
you look exceedingly well, Thord,"
said the pastor. lie saw no change IN
him.
81 have no trouble" replied Thord.
The Bastor was silent, but In moment
he asked. What is your errand tonight
Il have come tonight about my son.
who is TO be confirmed tomorrow.
"He is a clever lad
81 did not wish 10 pay the pastor before
| heard how many were To be confirmed.
| have heard that-and here is so for the
pastor"
tor. looking at Thord.
Nothing else" And Thord went away.
Eight years more passed away, and one
day the pastor heard a noise without the
door. for many men were there ana mora
first among them. The pastor looked UP
and recognized him.
..y-ou come with a powerful escort to-
( night"
Il have come to request that the banns
may be published for my son; he Is to
be married to Karen Storliden, daughter
I f Gudmund. who is here with me.
THAT Is to say, the richest girl in the
parish"
"Thcy say So" replied the farmer,
strolling his hair with one hand.
The pastor sat minute as II in Thought
he said nothing but entered the names
I'm his books and the men wrote under
! them.
Thord laid 50 on the table.
Il should have only one" said the
pastor.
Il know that perfectly. but he Is my
| only child. | will do the thing well.
The pastor took up the money This
| Is the third time, now, Thord, that you
! stand here on your sons account he
| said.
But now ! am done with him" said
| Thord. Taking up his pocket-book he
said goodnight. and went.
Just a fortnight after this the father
| and son were rowing over the lake In
| still weather to Storlden. to arrange
| about the wedding.
THE cushion is not straight" said the
! son. lie rose to put it right. At the same
| moment his foot slipped; he stretched out
his arms, and with a cry fell into the
water.
Catch hold Of the OAR called the
| father. He stood up and stuck IT out
| But when the son had made a few at
tempts he became stin.
wait a mnute!" cried the father, and
| began to row.
| Then the son turned over backward,
| gazed earnestly at his father. and sank
Thord could scarcely believe II 10 De
| true He kept the boat still and stared
| at the spot where his son had sura. as
| though he would come up again. A few
! bubbles rose up. few more, then one
great one-it burst-and the sea again
| lay bright as a mirror.
For three days and three nights the
father was seen to row round and round
the spot without either food or sleep
| he was seeking for his son. on the
morning of the third day he found him
and carried him up over the hills TO his
| farm.
II was about a year afterward when
the pastor one autumn evening, heard
something rustling outside the door in
the passage and fumbling about the lock.
| The door opened. and in walked a tall,
thin man with bent figure and white hair.
The pastor looked long at him before he
| recognized him: il was Thord.
way do you come so late?" asked the
| pastor.
''Why. yes I do come late" said Thord.
| lie seated himself. The pastor sat down
also. as though waiting. There was a
! long silence.
Then said Thord: II have something
, with me that | wish TO Give the poor.
| He rose laid some money on the table and
sat down again.
| The pastor counted It, ut Is a great
! deal of money" he said.
at is half OF my farm, which l have
sold to-day"
The pastor remained long sitting in 81.
lence; at last he asked. but gently: What
do you intend to do now
Something better"
| They sat there awhile, Thord with down.
| cast eyes. the pastor with his raised to
Thord Then the pastor said slowly, and
In low tone: 81 think at last that your
son has really become a blessing to you"
Yes, l think so myself also" said
| Thord; he looked up and two tears
| coursed slowly down his face.