The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1893-01-22
SIGRID AND THE KING.
rH1 STORY OF NOVA BRAVE GIRL
WAS REWARDED.
Reading for the Childrcn-somc More Pun
sIss 70 solve-A Piece of Interesting
News From Father Time.

It was a rude apology for dwelling
house. a small hovel-like structure, with
n matched roof and q tumble-down Chin
ney. There were but three rooms in 1t;
one of these was the loft, reached by a
rude stairway, which was used by the
family as a sleepng-room. OF the two
on the ground floor one was used as
storage or pCovision-room. while the
larger was kitchen. livingroom and par
lor all in one.
The walls were bare save for pair or
deer's horns over the door. The windows
were narrow and had shutters INSIDE.
At one end OF the room was raised
hearth of stone. The rafters were smoked
10 a deep rich coffee-color A rough deal
table. a chair. half a dozen stools and a
spinning wheel comprised the furniture.
The hut stood among the Dalecarlian
hills in Sweden, in the midst of deep
woods though on one side there was an
open stretch through which could be
seen green fields and. far below In the
valley the roofs and chimneys OF small
hamlet. 1t was a wild, beautiful country,
ana even the cottage and Its adjacent
harm. which had also a matched roor,
made a pretty picture.
This was the home of Sigrid Johannsson
and her little brother Carl Sigrld was
only twelve and Carl was eight years OLD:
They had lived in this lonely little novel
ever since they were born. Their father
had been a wood-chopper. but the year
before had been killed by the fall OF one
of his own trees.
Their mother Dame Ulrica, went nurs-
ing for a livelihood, and was then attend
ing the millers sick wife at RattVlk'
little hillside village about hair dozen
miles distant through the woods. 80 the
children were all alone in their forest
home.
BE careful, Sigrid," Dame Ulrica had
said when she left home the first OF the
week. 1.-THE Danish soldiers are about,
searching everywhere for that true Swede,
Custayus Vasa. Thou badst best not
leave the house lest harm come 10 tnee.
.You needn't worry about Sigrid or me.
mamma" declared Cara. shaking his
golden curls and strutting up and down
y,ry bravely with his fathers axe upon
his shoulder 81 will kill all the wicked
Danes. and then the good GustaVus won't
have to hide any longer with price upon
his head"
Slgrid laughed pleasantly at her broth
er's hold speech. She was a quiet, dig
nified little thing, with two great coils or
yellow hair hanging down below her
waist. and eyes mild and blue as the sum
mer skies OF her own land.
Eyes, brother will take care OF me, and
we will be watchful and won't even leave
the house"
II shall be back as soon as the good
xyifa is better" said the mother. And
IJlfson shall come over with bag OF
meal meanwhile. and you will have
enough to eat"
The children saw her depart without
any thought of being afraid. Their mother
was absent so much that they were ac-
customed to being alone. They had never
been molested, and though strangers often
passed that way they seldom paused,
unless II was TO beg drink OF water
from the spring beside the door.
Carl and Sigrid had plenty OF work to
busy themselves with The boy fed the
chickens. the two sheep and the COW,
carried the water and gathered the fuel
from the adjacent forest, and his sister
MIXED the COW, made the butter, cooked
their simple meals and spun the WOOL
even as Swedish maidens do to-day.
When Il came night they closed the shut
ters. drew the stout oaken bar across
the door, lighted their single lamp and
roasted nuts In the hot ashes till bedtime.
when they said their simple prayers. drew
the ashes over the Goals and climbed 70
the loft TO their couch Of straw with
wolfskin for a blanket.
In the middle of the week the miller s
boy came over the hills with bag o.
barley meal on his mules back, which
was left at the cottage, but no Other
person visited them till one night just at
dusk, little Carl rushed into the kitchen,
where his sister was spinning. with the
exclamation:
"Oh. Sigrid; there's a great big man
coming up the road. I think IL must
be one of the Danes Hadn't we better
bar him out?'
'.Hush. Carl." said his sister pausing
to stir the brands on the wide hearth;
''he is no Dane II he comes alone. Doubt
less he Is some traveller who needs
shelter"
IT don't know" answered Carl. 'I'm
afraid OF him, he Is so tall and burly.
think will get my axe"
Before Sigrid could answer there was
loud rap at the door, and her first
glance was an apprehensive one as she
opened It.
The stranger was OF large frame. tall
and broad-shouldered. and his great size
was rendered still more impressive by
the large cloak OF bears fur that hung
from his shoulders. for 1t was the season
OF cold among the Dalecarlian noun
tains. Piercing dark eyes shone from
under heavy brows. and the mans whole
air was pre-eminently that Of one used
10 command.
"Can you give shelter 10 a wanderer
among your hills?" he asked in somewhat
Of a stern voice. yet courteous enough.
II had hoped 10 so farther. but night is
coming on and I am far from friends"
"To such as we have you are welcome
SIR" answered Sigrid. throwing wide the
door.
The stranger murmured his thanks and
advanced into the room. throwing aside
his heavy fur garment and seating him.
self by the fire.
Carl continued to view him with suspi-
cious eyes. keeping back In the corner
and noting every movement of their guest
who sat very quiet In his chair with his
chin upon his hands while Sigrid was
busy getting supper. When the hot bar
iey-cakes and the bean porridge were
placed upon the table. Carl barely had
courage 70 set his stool at the opposite
side. bringing forward the heavy wood.
mans axe 20 tbs. he might have - within |