The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1893-02-22

command.
"Can you give shelter to a wandere
among your hills?7 he asked in some
wha. of a stern voice, yet rourteou
enough. Il had hoped to go farther, bu
night is coming on and sm FAR from
friends"
ITO such as We have you are welcom
sir" answered Sigrid, throwing wid
open the door.
/ The stranger murmured his thank
and advanced into the room, throwing
aside his haavy fur garment and seatet
himself by the fire.
Carl continued TO view him with sus
picious eyes, keeping back in the corner
and noting every movement of thei
guest, who sat very quiet in his ehsi
with his chin upon his hands, while ST
grid was busy getting supper. When th'
hot barley-cakes and the bean porridgI
were placed upon the table. Carl barely
had courage to set his stool at the oppo
site side, bringing forward the wood
mans axe so that he nigh. have il with
in reach. The latter action caught the
visitors eye.
~What dost thou do with thy axe, my
lad p be asked cautiously.
Il keep it to Kill Dsnss with. " replied
the hardy little Sxede, wifh unexpected
energy.
Then thou wilt have work enough 70
do ere long" said the visitor laughing
and he fell 10 eating his bowl OF por-
ridge with all the zest Of q hungry man.
Hardly had they finished their hum
bic meal when they were disturbed by
the clatter OF horses hoofs outside. The
next instant there was 4 heavy knock on
the door.
Let Us in - cried half a dozen voices.
Carl grasped his axe and stood behind
tie table in Z posture OF defense. The
visitor sprung to his feet, gave a quick
glance around, aud then, as if realizing
how futile would be any attempt at de-
fense, seized the remainder of the por-
ridge, and bending fOrsard over the
hearth renewed his eating.
But Sigrid's action was the most singu-
lar of all; she grasped the Strangers
heavy coat and ran up the stairway with
It, returning Just in time to unbar the
door as a threatening voice cried:
open the door, say, or We viii break
it down.
A dozen armed men struggled into the
doorway snd the leader stern!y asked Z;
Hast thou seen a wanderer pass by
your hat, girl? p
~No one has passed by our door these
seven days" answered Sigrid, with an
unfAltering tongue, though her cheeks
slightly paled.
bot who is he, yonderY' questioned
the officer, with a suspicious glance at
the figure by the hearth.
That" said the gid in a contemptu-
Gus tone, "is a varlet who does not know
when he has eaten enough"
And then, as by a sudden inspiration
she struck her guest a rude blow in the
face.
'To the barn thou churl, where thou
beIongest. 1 will inform thy mistress on
her return what gluiton and lazy-bones
she pays her hard-earned silver TO-
Away -
The man arose with lazy yawn, Eip-
ed his mouth with his hand, and mutter-
ed:
The FIRE was warm aud the soup was
good; didn't know it Was any harm"
Then ne made for the door, his exit
being considerably nurried by the help
Of the soldiers, who pushed and j0stled
him with rude jokes, all Of which he
took good natGredly.
"Beshrew me- bat thou has. sharp
tougle, my lass, although thou lOoked
meek enough" declared the officer, with
laugh. Pardon Us for our intrusion"
And he ordered his men to remount
and ride on in pursuit Of the ilIust-ious
fugitive, who, thanks to young girls
ready wit, they had jGst had the pleas
ure of assisting to escape out OF their
very hands.
After they were all gone Sigrid sunk
down, white as = sheet, and Carl, wonder
ing, asked:
~Were they all Danes, sis;er?"
And he would not believe that the
burly stranger. who had lefs his big fur
coat in their loft, was the famous Gus;a-
vus Vasa, till one day in the following
summer, when gay eavaieade rode up
to the door, and the leader, the same tall
man with the stern eyes and grim lips,
asked for sigrid.
Thou art brave girl and thought
fll one" said the king-he was NOW Gus
tavus land l oge my life to thy
prompt action, Ifthou will now return
my fur coat will pay thee for its keep
ing"
And to the surprise Of Sigrid and her
mother, while Carl's 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-
-the nation gives the better
guerdon."
he thrust into her hands folded
parchment to which were attached cords
and seals Then bowing grandly, as if
she had been a princess, the Swedish
hero and bis knights rode away. The
proved to be the title deeds
Of large estate, which was granted TO
Sigrid Johannsson and her heirs forever,
and which is still in the hands Of the
brave Ssedish girl whose shrewd witand
presence Of mind saved the life Of II e
greatest Of Sweden's sovereigns.
She Knew Him.
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