Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1895-02-14

other business. S'pose the Swede
can't pay up wnen the mortgage Ii
due?"
Johnson'll. foreclose. s'pose."
What good'l that do him. He
can't sell tho Swede =
Might bid him in for the mount
OF the mortgage" said the practical
farmer.
Then he'd own the Swede. hey?'
More'n likely. Then he cd hire
the. Swede out by the day, we see, an
git his money back in that way"
Yes, but there's no one to hire
him by the day-times is too all
fired hard for man to earn his own
bread, say nothin' Of hirin' some one
else"
"Well, mebbe. When's the mort.
gage due?"
New Years day."
what did the Swede want the
money for?"
" Dunno. He went over to the
post Office, bought money order an
sent away ev'ry plagued cent?"
F" Don't that beat all" exclaimed
Higgins, disgustedly; that's jest
like them Swedes. Some fool speaker
lation, I'll bet copper
In the hooks and crannies of Wells
county there was bare suggestion
of snow-the first light fall of the
season, blown into sheltered places
and clinging to existence by grace of
the zero weather. The white flakes
were unusually backward, that year,
in taking possession OF the country
and the settlers shook their heads
forebodingly as they spoke of n
green Christmas and "fat
churchyard. f"
Don't worry. Chris, remarked
the conductor OF the passenger train
that had Numbered up to the station,
well have regular bender to make
up for this. When the snow comes,
it'll be on us all in heap-see if it
amt. What's the matter. my man?"
The last words were spoken to
Hans Brynjulson, who had touched
the conductor on the arm.
SAY been lo'kin f'r mae little
Christina by dees train, but Ay can't
see her, no place" began poor
Hans.
His voice quivered-probably be-
cause Of the cold, for lie was thinly
clad.
9 Is she your wife?" asked the
conductor, in kindly voice. for the
haggard face of the man touched
him.
Hans colored deeply.
"Ah," went on the conductor,
with laugh, some girl from the
states that you're going to marry
No-there were no passengers. for
Sykeston.
Hans turned with q sigh.
The postmaster was walking off
with the mail pouch, and the for
lorn Swede followed.
He had a vague thought that the
mail pouch might contain some news
for him.
Half an hour later the letters and
parcels had been assorted and the
postmaster began distributing them
to the waiting throng.
Here's something for you, Hans, +"
called the postmaster, and the pale
faced man who had been lingering
near the door, doubtful but expect
ant, started forward with q smile
and an outstretched hand.
That handwriting The letter was
from Christinal
The envelope was hastily torn open
and pair of happy blue eyes began
perusing the text. Suddenly, the
happy light vanished from the face,
Hans Brynjulson's limbs grew rigid
and he lurched over against the
counter with q moan OF anguish.
SO full Of grief was that low sob
that every man at once looked up.
Hans Brynjulson was seen to stag
ger through the door.
whats the matter with the
Swede ?" asked Cal Higgins.
Bad news, l guess, replied tbs
postmaster.
English words. even in free
are powerless to catch
the pathetic vein that ran through
Hans Brynjulson's letter, but here
are it's contents, done into his own
Or board s. s. Stockholm, Dec. 10.
My Dear One:
When you read this, my faithful love.
she who writes it will be with you-but in
the spirit. / am to die, the ships doctor
says, and / thank God that / have the
strength to send you the last word. l
would that Our Heavenly Father had
spared me to work for you, but since this
is impossible, work doubly hard for your
self. BE brave, dear Hans, for my sake.
Be patient and you will be fortunate
God tempers the wind to His stricken
children and He will not forget thee, my
darling. My strength GIBBS fast--a last
CHRISTINA.
AS the shades of evening crept
over the sky and brought out, one by
one, the cold, clear cut stars, the
words OF Christmas carol foated
through the doors of the little Sykes
ton church and settled, like so many
spirits of peace, over the quiet village.
AS the last bar OF the song died
away its cadence was broken by a
discordant groan.
A moment later as Lawyer john
son with his wife and little daughter
came out OF the church, he nearly