Connecticut western news., 1893-10-05
THE FATHER.

to speak, was the wea1thiest man in the parish.
 His tall figure stood one day in the pastors study. "I have got son." he said eagerly, "and wish to have him baptized"
 "What shall he be calledY' a
 "Finn, after my father"
 "And his godparentsT
 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. 4 The farmer stood minute.
 "I should like to have him baptized by himself," he said.
 "That is to say on week dayY'
 "Next Saturday at 12 o'clock"
 'Is there anything elseP'
 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 8 blessing to you" ...-. t...
 Sixteen years after that day Thord stood again in the pastors study.
 "You look exceedingly well, Thord," said the pastor. He saw no change in him. .. =
 "I have no trouble" replied Thord.
 The pastor was silent, but in a mo ment he asked, "What is your errand to- nightp"
 "I have come tonight about my son, who is to be confirmed tomorrow"
 "He is a clever lad" .
 "I did not wish to pay the pastor be- fore I heard how many were to be con- frmed. have heard that, and here are $10 for the pastor."
 'Is there anything elsep' asked the pastor, looking at Thord.
 sNothing else" And Thord went away.
 Eight years more passed by, and one day the pastor heard noise without his door, for many men were there and Thord first among them. The pastor looked up and recognized him.
 "You come with powerful escort to. night"
 'I 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 8 minute as if in thought. He said nothing, but entered the names in his books, and the men wrote under them. Thord laid $8 on the table. '1 should have only $1," said the pas. tor.
 'I know that perfectly, but he is my only child. will do the thing we'll" The pastor took up the money. ''Thii | is the third time now, Thord, that you l stand here on your sons account" he said.
 "But now I am done with him." said | Thord. Taking up his pocketbook, hs said good night and went. .t Just fortnight after this the father and son were rowing over the lake il still weather to Storliden to arrange l about the wedding. .I 'The cushion is not straight" saiG | same moment his foot slipped, ht stretched out his arms, and with 8 cry fell into the water.
 | "Catch hold of the oarp roared tn, father. He stood up and stuck 1t out | But when the son had made few at tempts he became stiff.
 "Wait minutep' cried the father, ant began to row. \ Then the son turned over backward gazed earnestly at his father and sank. Thord could scarcely believe it to b, true. He kept the boat still and staret | at the spot where his son had sunk, aa though he would come up again. A few bubbles rose up, few more, then on, great one. It burst, and the sea agail lay bright as a mirror.
 For three days and three nights tn father was seen to row round and rount the spot without either food or sleep-h was seeking for his son. On the morn ing of the third day he found him ant carried him up over the hills to his farm
 It was about a year afterward whe1 the pastor one autumn evening hear, something rustling outside the door an, fumbling about the lock. The door open ed, and in walked tall, thin man wit bent figure and white hair. The pasto looked long at him before he recognizes him. It was Thord.
 "Why do you come so late?' asked tn pastor.
 "Why, yes, I do come late," sail Thord. He seated himself. The paste sat down also, as though waiting. Ther was g long silence.
 Then said Thord, "I have somethin, with me that I wish to give to the poor. He rose, laid some money on the tabl and sat down again.
 The pastor counted 1t. "It is 9 grea deal of money" he said.
 "It is the half of my farm, which have sold today"
 The pastor remained long sitting il silence. At last he asked, but gently "What do you intend to do nowp'
 Something better"
 They sat there awhile, Thord wit downcast eyes, the pastor with his raise AA Thord Thea kfaa ma nAor uoid aln~ul