The record-union., 1893-12-02

the hot barley cakes and the bean por-
ridge were placed upon the table, CARR
barely had courage to set his stool at the
opposite side, bringing forward the heavy
woodman's ak so that he might have 1t
within reach. This latter action caught
the visitors eye.
what dost thou do with thy ak. my
lad?" he asked curiously.
Il keep 1t 10 kill Danes WITH" replied
the hardy little Swede, with unexpected
energy.
Then thou wilt have work enough to
DO ere long" said the visitor, laughing;
ana ne fell to eating his bowl OF porrIdge
with all the Zest Of a hungry man.
Hardly had they finished their humble
meal when they were disturbed by the
clatter OF horses hoofs outside. The
next instant there was heavy knock on
/ the door.
Let US in" cried half dozen voices.
| Carl grasped his AK and stood behind
the table IN a posture of defense. The
visitor sprung to his feet, and then, as if
realizing how futile would be any at
tempt al defense, seized the remainder of
the pOrridge, and, bending forward over
the hearth, renewed his eating.
But Sigrid's action was the most singu-
lar OF all; she graSped the strangers
heavy fur coat and ran up the stairway
with 1t, returning just in time 10 unbar
the door as threatening voice cried:
open the door, say, or we will break
it down."
a dozen armed men struggled into the
doorway and the leader sternly asked:
Hast seen wanderer pass by your
hut?"
NO one passed by our door these
seven days." answered Sigrid, with an
unfaltering tongue, though her cheeks
slightly paled.
But VINO is he, yonder?" questioned
the officer, with a suspicious glance at
the figure by the hearth.
THAT" said the girl in a contemptu-
Gus tone, lis varlet who does not know
when he has eaten enough"
And then, as by a sudden inspiration,
/ she struck her guest rude blow in the
face.
ITO the barn, thou churl, where thou
/ belongest. | will inform thy mistress on
/ her return what glutton and lazybones
/ she pays her hard-earned silver to.
Awayr'
The man arose with d lazy yawn,
/ wiped his mouth with his hand and NUT
! tered:
1.-The fire was warm and the soup was
good. l didn't know it was any HARM"
Then he made for the door, his exit be-
ing considerably hurried by the help of
the soldiers, who pushed and jostled him
with rude jokes, all Of which he took
good naturedly.
'Beshrew me! but thou hast sharp
tongue, my lass, although thou lookest
meek enough" declared the officer, with
a laugh. Pardon US for our intrusion"
And he ordered his men to remount
and ride on in pursuit of the illustrious
| fugitive. who, thanks to young girls
ready wit, they had just had the pleasure
OF assisting to escape out of their very
| hands.
After they were all gone Sigrid sunk
down, white as a sheet, and Carl, won
dering, asked:
IN ere they all Danes, sister,"
And ne would not believe that the
burly stranger, who had left his big fur
coat IN their loft, was the famous Gus
/ taVus asa, till one day in the following
summer, when a gay cavalcade rode up
to the door, and the leader, the same tall
man with the stern eyes and grim lips,
asked Tor Sigrid.
Thou art brave girl and thought
ful one," said the King ne was now
! Gustavus land / owe my life to thy
prompt action. If thou wilt now return
my fur coat l will pay thee for its keep
/ ing"
And to the surprise of Sigrid and her
mother, while CarPs eyes fairly seemed
to roll out of their sockets, he then threw
a chain OF gold around the white neck Of
the girl.
That is the gift of thy king" he con-
tinued; ''the nation gives thee better
guerdon."
He thrust into her hand folded
parchment to which were attached cords
! and seals. Then bowling grandly, as if
she had been a princess, the Swedish
hero and his knights rode away.
The parchment proved to be the title
deeds of a large estate. which was
granted to Sigrid Johannsson and her
heirs forever, and which is still in the
! hands of the descendants of the brave
Swedish girl whose shrewd wit and
presence of mind saved the life OF the
greatest Of Sweden's overeigns.-Phila-
delphia Times.