Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1895-09-26

proudly, to tell her guest that hisl
room was ready, and Immediately be-
gan to aid her mother in preparing
the meal by placing on the table the
dishes and jug of svakericka, the
small beer drunk in Aland.
With all seated around a pyramid
Of smoking potatoes and some sailed
lard, the repast commenced, silent and
cold. Christien was thoroughly angry
at seeing himself entirely neglected
by his betrothed and his futurei
mother-in-law, who kept their most
beautiful smiles and the choicest
pieces for an intruder that they had
never before seen, and that he, fool
that he was, had brought to their door
with the praiseworthy intention of
throwing some money in their way.
True, the stranger seemed utterly il
different to the marks of Kindness
with which he was literally loaded,
but the young guide, whose ill-humori
hindered him from seeing things inI
their true light, did not notice the air
of fatigue and profound boredom that
the face of the other man reflected.
Resolved to resent this Notifying
preference, Christieu opened his
mouth only to eat and drink. Toward
the close of the meal. however, thanks
to frequent bumpers of the excellent
svagdricka made by Mother Greth
herself, the young man could no longer
remain mute, and despite his resolu-
tions, mingled N the conversation
which soon became noisy and general.
The diamond merchant, who until
then had been Somber and preoccn-
pied, also unbent under the kindly IN
fuence Of the drink with which the
Alandaise Hebe did not cease to fill
his tin cup.
Elsie carried off all the honors Of
the evening. Gifted with a wonderful
memory and knowing thoroughly the
marvellous adventures and the tales
of Witchcraft that had been handed
down from father to son through the
long winter evenings, she made her
fantastic erudition exceedingly agree
able to her attentive guests.
When the stock was exhausted, and
had Geen gayiy commented upon by
the graceful story-teller, Mother Greth
lighted a thick resin torch and con
Quoted her rich guest toward his small
room. He thanked her for her pains,
fixed his valise carefully at the head
Of his imprOvised bed, then babe her
good night, reminding her to awaken
him early the following morning.
Christien was obliged to content
himself with Il place in the loft above
the dining-room. Rolled in his thick
cloak, he thought Of Elsie, whose con-
duct had wounded him more than he
would acknowledge even to himself,
and to Justify her, he repeated oven
and over that what she had done was
not, after all, so blamable as they
were soon to unite their fortunes and
it was for the best interests Of both
, that she should aMasS money. But
try as he would he could not convince
himself that she had acted wisely,
even for the prosperity Of the future
marriage and sleep came to him, while
humiliation still dWelt III his heart.
The next morning every one was
astir at daybreak. The merchant,
eager to leave the cottage as quickly
as possible, scarcely took time to seat
himself before the long pine table.
upon which the engaging Elsie's
plump hands had placed a hurried
breakfast. Without a word, he dis
patched a crust of hard bread, some
delicious FOglo cheese, and did not
find time to beStoW the smallest com.
pliment upon the drop OF very Old
spirits that Mother Greth had ex-
humed with an air of mystery FROM
f, her linen chest. The good woman
, who had anticipated the very warm
! est thanks, was scandalized by his 81
| lence on this point. Her face, like
wrinkled parchment, beamed again,
! however, when she saw him draw
| forth from his coat a black leather
! pocketbook and place upon a bench
some rubles that paid her more than
generously for her trouble.
, After this token of munificence, the
merchant heSitated a moment, then
yielding to an impulse of Gberality,
ket. opened it and selecting from
among ornaments and jewels, he Of
fered to Elsie, who was blushlng with
delight, an exquisite silver cross; then
closed the box whose conteuts he did
not care to have seen.
Rapid as had been his movements,
ChriStien had caught a glimpse OF i
magnificent cluster Of diamonds rest
ing upon a velvet cushion, whose
scarlet tint made them flash forth a
thousand fires. The trader, eager to
depart, was already outside making
signs for ChriStien to hasten, as the
latter exchanged adieuX with the
members of his future family. Clasp
ing Elsie'S erect figure in his arms,
between his closed teeth he asked her
to fix the date of their marriage.
You know we'll you must have the
hundred rubles II begin housekeeping
before St. Johns day
Not before, cruel girl" he i'm
, plored.
mo, mother has already told you,
unless indeed you get that sum before,
, but as this is hardly possible, unless
, the devils of Blackalla open their
treasures to you. we shan't be married
before next summer. Good-by! God
bless your' and she closed the door
quickly in her discounted lovers face