Waterbury evening Democrat., 1894-02-19

The SpCctcr rose to its flhL height before
him
But at first he perceived only the specter
whose hand had guided him to the spot,
and who turned out to be an old man of
from 20 to so years of age, thin and
bent, but with a look of inspiration that
revealed one of the northern trolls.
Francois took him to be the devil. AT
his feet a cat and a bear were, playing
amicably.
The old man, without taking the slight
est notice of the strangers presence, be-
gan to strike q succession of quick, light
taps on a bench, pronounced a few unin-
telligible words and then lighted a long
pipe, whose smoke soon disagreeably sur
prised the nostrils of our French travel
erS.
There! Didn't tell you that we were
in the presence of Beelzebub?" murmured
NJ. Guillemot This abominable smoke
is a more than sufficient proof against
the accursed heather"
MY friend" said the duke to the old
man, fixing his keen, scrutinizing eye
upon him, "since the language speak is
as familiar to you as my name, will you
am indebted for this hospitality, since
most assuredly you are not what your
mode of life and the poverty of your
abode would betoken."
The old man shook his head and again
pronounced a few words which no one
understood.
Il never heard observed Guillemot,
that it was the devils custom to have
a representative of himself upon the
earth. But certainly this creature is
fully worthy t o play second to Luci-
fer, or at least to be his vicar general.
Come, you old clown, open your mouth
and tell US who you are, SO that we may
know whether or not we have any reason
to congratulate ourselves on having
made your acquaintance"
My father, Tuisko, is only poor in
habitant of Karesuando He humbly
prays his royal highness the Duke of
Orleans to consider himself welcome in
his cabin" said the sweet voice which
had so gracefully and cordially invited
the strangers to enter.
The duke turned quickly in the direc-
ton whence this voice proceeded. Judge
his surprise when he discovered in the
depth of an alcOve the white and pure
countenance of young girl far surpass-
ing in loneliness anything he had ever
seen in the sumptuous salons of the Tuil
cries or under the fresh shades of Yer
sailles. She was clad in gown of Fin
land wool, with blue and red stripes, her
chestnut tresses foated in long and silky
curls over her shoulders, her blue eyes
sparkled with intelligence, an indescriba-
BILE charm of youth surrounded and filled
her whole person, and yet from her mel
anchOly and tender expression it was
plainly perceptible that the flowers of
her life had been mingled with many
thorns. but this only rendered her more
beautiful and seductive.
The young nObleman saluted her with
the same respect that he would have
shown to Il princess of the blood.
''MOnseigueur," she continued, 1--WE
have been waiting for you long time.
Yesterday when you were quitting Mu-
oniOniska my father was grieved at your
having horses hitched to your sledges.
Horses are not adapted to these regions,
as they require beaten tracks and sure
relays. You have not yet tried our rein
deer, monSeigneur. You know not how
delicious it is to glide along with the
rapidity of lightning over the glistening
plains by the glow of the aurora bOrealis
and the great stars of these ATTITUDES.
Tomorrow it will be too late. The thaw
has begun, the broad levels will become
and the rivers swell to tor
rents. Oh, what a pity it is that you
have missed SDCh q D1oa ST1raI"
The pleasure of breaking ones neck
Mt the heels of wild animal! murmured
Francois Guillemot.
"Then your father knew the hours
and minutes of my trip yesterdays asked
the prince.
yesterday evening at three-quarters
past o'clock my father said to me: 7
will go to meet this illustrious stranger,
for the tongue of his sledgc is broken,
and the impending tempest might prove
fatal to him. That would be a great
Toni, to tho land of thy
MOTHER"
Truly, young maiden. your words fill
me with establishment. But they remind
me of my companions whom left close
by-ah, they would be very happy to
share your delightful hospitality beside
this warm fire."
my father has gone to lead them
hither, monseigneur.
But can you tell me what they have
been doing-you who have knowledge of
SO many things?"
TONI knows nothing. Toini is but
poor and simple girl. She only repeats
what her father tells her, and her father
dictates nothing that his haltia familiar
spirit of the Finnish wizards] does not
inspire"
Your father cultivates the supernat-
ural sciences them"
my father is q sage"
''Why do you look st me with that air
of distrust? Is il Gishonorable in your
country to cultivate wisdOm?'
mo, sir; we love and esteem wisdom.
Our ancient sages call it the especial
gift Of the gods, the only one indeed
worth the penalty of life"
Nevertheless your father has enc
mics"
Zone only, monseigneur-oneo only, for
venerates and fears him. That
enemy is the black priest Snontekis.
From time to time he makes his appear
ance in this neighborhood and drags US
from our home to make US accompany
him to Rowaniemi; besides he threatens
US with imprisonment and death-all
this because my father is troll, tie
taja."
"What is a tietaja, pretty child?'
81 will tell you. A tietaja y sage, a
man of power who possesses the words
Of life and knows how to apply them; a
tietaja is the friend of the great spirits
who dwell in the depths of the sea, on
the wings of the clouds, and even among
the peaks of the Hottest mountains; a
ietaja is one who understands the mys-
terry of ecstasies, and to whom the haltia,
Lhe spirit of succor, discloses every thing;