The record-union., 1893-12-02
SIGRID AND The KING.

1t was rude apology for a dwelling
house. a small, hovel-like structure, with
q thatched roof and tum ble-down CHM
ney. There were but three rooms in it;
one of these was the loft reached by
rude stairway, which was used by the
family as a sleeping-room. OF the two
on the ground floor one was used as
storage or provision-room, while the
larger was kitchen, living-room and par
lor all in one.
The walls were bare save for pair OF
deer's horns over the door. The windows
were narrow and had shutters inside.
At one end of the room was raised
hearth OF stone. The rafters were
smoked to deep rich coffee color. a
rough deal table, a chair, half dozen
stools and a spinning wheel comprised
the furniture.
The hut stood among the Dalecarlian
hills in Sweden, in the midst of deep
woods though on one side there was an
omen stretch through which could be
seen green nelds, ana, Tar below Ia tne
valley, the roofs and chimneys OF a small
hamlet 1t was a wild, beautiful country,
and even the cottage and its adjacent
made pretty picture.
This was the home OF Sigrid Johanns-
son and her little brother Carl SlgrId
was only Il and Carl was years old.
They had lived III this lonely little hovel
ever since they were born. Their father
had been a wood chopper, but the year
before had been killed by the 1all OF one
OF his own trees.
Their mother, Dame Ulrica, went nurs-
ing for a livelihood, and was then at
tending the milier's sick wife at Bait
vik, little hillside village about half
dozen miles distant through the woods.
So the children were all alone in their
forest home.
'Be careful, Sigrid,' Dame Ulrica had
said when she lett home the first Of the
week The Danish soldiers are about
searching everywhere for that free
Swede, GustavuS Nasa. Thou hadst best
not leave the house lest harm come to
thee"
"You needn't worry about Sigrid or
me, mamma" declared Carl, shaking his
golden curls and strutting up and down
very bravely with his fathers ak upon
his shoulders. II will kill all the wicked
Danes, and then the good Gustavus won't
have to hide any longer with price
upon his head"
Sigrid laughed pleasantly at her broth
er's bold speech. She was a quiet, digni-
yellow hair hanging down below her
waist, and eyes mild and blue as the sum-
mer skies OF her own land.
Yes brother VIII take care Of me, and
we will be watchful and won' even leave
the house."
"I shall be back as soon as the good
wife is BETTER" said the mother. And
Ulfson shall come over with a bag Of
meal meanwhile, and you will have
enough to eat.'
The children saw her depart without
any thought OF being afraid. Their
mother was absent so much that they
were accustomed to being alone. They
had never been molested, and though
strangers often passed that way they sell
dom paused, unless ii was to beg a drink
of water from the spring beside the door.
Carl and Sgrid had plenty of work to
busy themselves with. The boy fed the
chickens, the two sheep and the cow,
carried water and gathered the fuel from
the adjacent forest, and his sister MIXED
the COW, made the butter, cooked
their simple meals and spun the wool,
even as swedish maidens do to-day.
When 1t came night they closed the shut
ters, drew the stout oaken bar across the
door, lighted their single lamp and roasted
nuts in the hot ashes till bedtime, when
they said their simple prayers, drew the
ashes over the Goals and climbed to the
loft to their couch Of straw with wolf
skin for blanket.
In the middle OF the week the miller's
boy came over the hills with bag OF
barley meal on his mules back, which
was left at the cottage, but no other per-
son visited them till, one night just at
dusk, little Carl rushed into the kitchen,
where his sister was spinning, with the
exclamation:
''Oh, Sigrid; there's great big man
coming up the road. l think it must be
one of the Danes. Hadn't we better bar
him out?'
Hush, Carl!" said his sister, pausing
to stir the brands on the wide hearth; ''he
is no Dane if he comes alone. DOUBTLESS
lie is some traveller who needs shelter"
~ don't know" answered Carl. Pm
afraid Of him. he is so tall and burly. l
think l will get my AK"
Before Sigrid could answer there was
a loud rap at the door, and her first
glance was an apprehensive one as she
opened it.
The stranger was of large frame tall
end brOad-shouldered, and his great size
was rendered still more impressive by
the large cloak of bear's fur that hung
from his shoulders for it was the season
OF cold among the Dalecarlian Mount
aims. Piercing dark eyes shone from un-
der heavy brows, and the mans whole
air was pre-eminently that Of one used to
command.
'Can you give shelter TO Wanderer
among your hills?" he asked in some
what of a stern voice, yet courteous
enough. Il had hoped to go farther, but
night is coming on and 1 am far from
friends"
ITO such as we have you are welcome,
SIR" answered Sigrid, throwing wide the
door,
The stranger murmured his thanks and
advanced into the room. throwing aside
his heavy fur garment and seating him
self by the fire.
Carl continued to view him with sus-
picious eyes, keeping back in the corner.
and noting every movement of their
guest, who sat very quiet in his cha air
with his chin upon his hands, while
Sigrid was busily getting supper When
AAAAAAAAAA
@SGTf is ID