The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1893-08-16
JUST IN TIME.

He grew tired of her, and would
have liked to run away from her. But
he did not dare, for she was his mas
ter's daughter, and he was-well, there
was the rub-he did not know who he
was.
He woke up one day and found him.
self born. The sky was above him,
and there would have been earth be-
meath his feet if he had not pointed
them in the wrong direction. He was
christened in a random way Ola, and
was put on the parish, as they say.
Jeus Oestruo took him as his share
of the parish burdens. When he was
years old he could be made useful
enough to earn his food and shelter.
Jeus Oestruo then wanted to send him
away, but his little daughter Birgit
was so fond of him that he decided to
keep him.
When Ola was II years old he could
kick cap from nail high above his
head. Birgit was so fond of Ola that
everything he did seemed admirable.
Once she said bad word and Ola was
whipped for it.
So Ola was sent to the mountains; he
roamed with his alpine horn over the
wide mountain plains, ate berries,
caught fish, set traps, and was happy.
He hardly thought once of the little
girl down in the valley.
One day late in the summer she came
up to the dairy with her mother. She
was carried up on horseback in q
basket. When she saw him she flung
herself down upon the grass and
screamed with delight.
But when her mother had reached
the hut she ran up to him and hugged
him. While the cattle were being
milked he went to look after his things.
She followed him, proud in the thought
that he tolerated her.
"Look here" he cried, lifting up a
brown hare, "isn't that big fellowP"
"WhAt is it?" she asked.
at is hare"
"No, it isn't a hare. A hare is
white"
ut is brown in summer. 1t changes
its skin"
"Has he two skins, one inside the
other?"
Instead of answering he took his
knife and cut the hare's skin.
NO." he said, "he hasn't got more'n
one."
|
The time came when he had to 90 to
| the parson to prepare for confirmation.
1t so happened that she went the same
year.
But, though he had coat now, it
was cast-off one of Jeus Oestruo's,
which was much too big for him. His
| boots, too, and his trousers had seen
better days before they had made his
acquaintance.
He walked aside from the rest; his
ears burned when any one looked at
him. But if any one dared to mock
him he Hsed pair of fists which in
spired respect.
He was handsome enough lad, and
| finely made, but his clothes and his
| frowsy hair made him look ugly
Heavy thoughts came to him, and q
fierce, defiant spirit was kindled with
| in him.
1t was at such time that Birgit
sought him and spoke kindly to him.
"You mustn't mind the girls" she
said; *they laugh at everything. They
don't mean anything by it. It's just a
way they have"
Somebody will come to harm if you
ever do it," he answered tiercely.
"That is foolish talk" she gently re-
monstrated. 81 know you too well,
| Ola. You wouldn't harm me-"
"Ah, you don't understand me-" he
said. at is no use talking"
"Oh, yes. do understand you, Ola, >
she replied, with smile, "and l wish
you would let me say one thing to you
before 60"
"Say it."
81 wish-I WISH" she stammered
while quick blush sprang to hel
cheeks. mo, I think I won't say it
after all, she finished, and turned tt
"Yes. say it." he entreated, seizins
her hand.
"Well. II wish you could do as tht
hare, change your skin"
She drew her hand away from hi
and ran down the hillside, so that th'
stones and dry leaves flew about her
That night he picked a quarrel will
Thorger Slettep, who was said to be at
tentiye to Birgit, and he thrashed him
All the following winter he kept watcl
of her from afar, and picked quarrel
with every body whom she seemed t
favor.
"Change my skim" he pondered
oh, how can do it?"
This thought followed him day an
night. One day, in the spring, a
emigrant ship bound for America az
peared at the mouth of the river.
Ola packed together his few trap
and went up to Oestruo's to say good
bye. He met Birgit in the birch grow
behind the barn. It was the time whe
the buds were bursting and the swa
lows had just returned.
"Well, where are you going?" sh
asked, as she saw him coming wit
bundle and staff in hand.
"To America"
"America" she cried. America
The answer seemed to frighten hel
She turned pale and caught hold of
birch tree for support. He watche
her narrowly.
"What are you going to do In Amel
lea, OLAF" she asked softly.
"Change my skin," he replied wit
a vigor that startled her. "And if
, come back within five years with
, changed skin will you promise to wa
for me?"
81 promise" she whispered, wee]
ing quietly upon his shoulder.
Five years from that day a youn
man was seen fastening up the hill
side to Oestruo. He had big slouc
hat on his head and he was we
dressed.
e His face was strong, square, ar
I determined, his eyes danced with jo
for in his pocket he had roy
marriage license with which he meal
u to surprise somebody up at Oestruo
. farm. 1t was five years to-day SIM
. he left her, and it was five years 81
had promised to wait for him.
For this hour he had toiled, savet
and suffered for five long, weary year
He had been a silver miner in Lea
vile when the place was yet new, al
he had sold his claim for $50, 200.
AS he was hurrying along an o
IL L Il