Lincoln County leader. [volume] (Toledo, Lincoln County, Or.) 1893-1987, 1893-09-14
NORWEGIAN COURTSHIP,

-" NASSb "SAC SIau III ldueu DldCh
jacket.
This garment, with its rusty surface
and pulled seams, suited we'll the sad
looking woman into whose dreary life
came one little bit of color, which shall
try to describe
Her face corresponded well with the
rest of her appearance, for it was faded
and worn, and surrounded by fringe of
straight, dusty brown hair, pulled tight
ly back from the sallow, weary face,
whose one redeeming feature was the
eyes-dark gray, and oh, so sad!
She had that expression of wistful
waiting sometimes seen in the eyes of a
faithful dog who has lost his master, and
seems ever to wait, always patiently, and
to watch ever expectantly for the beloved
face.
She was a Norwegian, named Eta,
and lived in our family as cook for near
ly year.
Weeks passed by and early autumn,
which had brought her to us, shed leafy
tears, and departed suddenly, leaving
us all unprepared for winters advent,
which announced itself in cold, dismal
rain.
Up to this time Eta had never re-
ceived a letter or any communication
from the ontside world. She never left
the house, and scorned the idea of an
afternoon out. However, on this drizzly
day, there was a surprise, great sur
prise, for Eta was discovered holding
an open letter tightly grasped in one
hand. But when she found herself re-
garded, it was hastily thrust into a
voluminous pocket in her skirt.
Now this pocket was a marvel in it.
self, as it could hold myriads of things.
Why, one day saw her produce pill
low case, a workbox, scissors and brass
thimble at one fell swoop; at another
time-but | am wandering far away
from the letter and its consequences.
The mysterious epistle was seen sew
eral times again, and these glimpses
showed it to be worn and rumped with
much reading. No doubt it would have
been read and reread out of existence
had not another, fresh and clean, re-
placed the first.
This | took from the postman, and SO
had a chance to see the uneven, char
acterless writing, the Christiania post
mark and Norwegian stamp. 1t was
followed week later by another, then
another
became interested, for felt was on
the track of IA real, live romance.
The pale, tired face seemed to grow
brighter in those days, and for the first
time Eta made frequent trips to the
city, returning laden with bundles OF
every size and description. All her spare
time was now employed in sewing. Cali.
Goes and prints were made and laid
aside. For some reason or other Eta
was replenishing her clean but scant and
somewhat dilapidated wardrobe.
Another link in the chain! thought /
and began to imagine the arrival of 6
stalwart Norwegian lover left in Nor
way two years before, when she hat
come to try her fortune in America.
Letters came more frequently, and
Eta grew correspondingly brighter ant
cheerier-she even seemed to try to holt
herself more erectly. for often the ben
shoulders were suddenly Strengthened a
she went about her work. Her voice
formerly so tired and hopeless, took on
more cheerful tone.
Not the least remarkable of Eta
peculiarities was her manner Of speak
ing; slowly aud lispingly came tn,
broken English, which was at first 81
hard TO understand. Such sad mix
ture of her mother tongue and this new
strange language, such verbal combina
tions and misplaced plurals were nevel
heard before.
About this time | mentioned my TO
mantle notions to my mother, but sh,
only laughed, being entirely unable Il
connect Etta's sad appearance with
lover, Norwegian or of any other land
She called me a romaucer, but still fel
sure l was right.
Sooner than expected came the chanc
to vindicate myself, for the next day a
sat idly by the window, watching tn
passers by, my attention was attracte,
by a queer little figure way down tn
street, which came on toward the hous
at rattling pace, gayly swinging hug
cane and putting vigorously at a man
moth cigar. AT distance it was i'm
possible TO tell whether he was boy o
man, such comical, little figure he was
dressed in a snuff colored suit, with
rose in his buttonhole and the TIMES
derby imaginable tilted over one ear.
Gazing laughingly at him, was Jus
telling my mother 10 look at that absur
little creature, when what was our SUI
prise TO see Eta, the staid, the quiet
dash wildly across the lawn, rush dow
TO the gate, and throwing her arm
about the little fellows neck kiss mir
drst on one cheek and then on the other
The man, after a few quiet but ear
nest struggles, managed TO free himsel
from her long, thin arms, and looked NJ
into her face, no high above him. witt
pleasure surely, but without a trace o
loverlike ardor.
On closer inspection it proved to b
such funny. rosy, childish face that !
was impossible 10 look at 1t withou
laughing. Eta seemed to find it 50, foi
smiling happily, she escorted him bac
to tbs house. her long arm linked in hi
short one, almost lifting him from III
ground at every step, and presently "
heard the low monotone Of their voice
] In the kitchen below.