The herald., 1893-06-26
THE FATHER.

oarish.
His tall figure stood one day in the
PASTORS study. 81 have got son." he
said eagerly. ''and wish to have him
baptized"
"What shall he be calledY
Finn, after my father"
"And his godparentsY'
They were named, being relatives Of
Thord and the best men and women in
the district.
els there anything else?" asked the
pastor and looked up.
The farmer stood q minute.
81 should like to have him baptized by
himself" he said
''That is to say on week day?"
Next Saturday at 12 o'clock"
SIS there anything elseg'
Nothing else"
The farmer took his hat and moved
to go.
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
blessing to you'll"
Sixteen years after that day Thord
stood again in the pastors study.
"You look exceedingly well, Thord," T"
said the pastor. He saw no change in
him.
II have no trouble" replied Thord
The pastor was silent, but in q mo-
ment he asked. 'What is your errand to-
night?"
II have come tonight about my son,
who is to be confirmed tomorrow"
HE is a clever lad"
81 did not wish to pay the pastor be-
fore heard how many were to be con-
frmed. have heard that, and here are
$40 for the pastor"
''Is there anything else?" asked the
pastor, looking at Thord.
Nothing else" And Thord went
away.
Eight years more passed by, and one
day the pastor heard a noise without his
door, for many men were there and
1 Thord first among them. The pastor
looked up and recognized him.
"You come with a powerful escort to-
night"
II have come to request that the banns
may be published for my son. He is to
be married to Karen Storliden, daughter
of Gudmund, who is here with me-"
"That is to say, to the richest girl In
the parish.
''They say So" replied the farmer
stroking his hair with one hand.
The pastor sat a minute as if in
thought. He said nothing, but entered
the names in his books, and the men
wrote under them.
Thord laid $S ON the table.
81 should have only 81" said the pas
tor.
II know that perfectly, but he is my
only child. | will do the thing we'll"
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 pocketbook. he
said good night and went.
just fortnight after this the father
and son were rowing over the lake in
still weather to Storliden to arrange
about the wedding.
"The cushion is not straight" said
the son. He rose to put it right. At the
same moment his foot slipped, he
stretched out his arms, and with cry
fell into the water.
"Catch hold of the oarl" roared the
father. He stood up and stuck it out.
But when the son had made few at
tempts he became stiff.
"Wait minuter cried the father, and
began to row.
Then the son turned over backward,
gazed earnestly at his father and sank
Thord could scarcely believe it to be
true. He kept the boat still and stared
at the spot where his son had sunk, as
though he would come up again. A few
bubbles rose up, few more, then one
great one. 1t 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 morn
ing Of the third day he found him and
carried him up over the hills to his farm,
1t was about a year afterward when
the pastor one autumn evening heard
something rustling outside the door and
fumbling about the lock- The door open
ed, and in walked tall, thin man with
bent figure and white hair. The pastor
looked long at him before he recognized
him. II was Thord.
"Why do you come so later asked the
pastor.
why, yes, l do come late," said
Thord. He seated himself. The pastor
sat down also, as though waiting. There
was long silence.
Then SAID Thord, II have something
with me that wish to give to the poor"
lie rose, laid some money on the table
and sat down again.
The pastor counted it. ut is great
deal Of money" he said.
at is the half Of my farm, which l
have sold today"
The pastor remained long sitting in