The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1896-12-11
A CHANGED SKIN.
BY HJALMAR III. BOYESEN.

weeks beginning to its end. lie grew
tired of her and would like to have
run away from her. But he did not
dare, for she was his masters daughter,
and he was-well, there was the rub
he did not know who he was He woke
up one day and found himself born.
The sky was above him, and there
would have been earth beneath his feet
if he had not pointed them in the wrong
direction. lie was christened IN n ran
dom way, Ola, and was put on the par
ish, as they say. Jens Oestmo took him
his share of the parish burdens. He
was paid for il, at first, from the poor
fund" but when he was six years old
the boy could be made useful enough
to earn his food and shelter. Jens Oest-
mo then wanted to send him away. but
his little daughter Bright was so fond OF
him that he decided to keep him.
When Ola was u years old he could
kick a cap from nail high above his
head. and he could spit as far as ans
man. Bright practiced this accomplish
ment by the hour with Indifferent sue
cess. She was 50 fond of Ola that every
thing he did seemed admirable. Once
she swore, and Ola was whipped for IL
1T is now time to send the bad boy
away" said the mother.
.'Scnd him to the mountains" said his
father, "he is big enough now to herd
the cattle"
SO Ola was sent to the mountains.
Rarefooted and bareheaded, with
pair of Ieather-patched knee breeches
hanging upon one suspender, he roamed
with his alpine horn over the wide
mountain plains, ate berries, caught
fish and was happy. lie hardly thought
once of the little girl down in the val
ley. though it pleased him when the
saeter maids told him that she had
cried for him.
One day late in the summer she came
up to the saeter with her mother. She
was carried up on horseback in bas-
ket. When she saw him she flung her
self down on the grass and screamed
with delight.
''Get up. child" said her mother;
don't act like fooli''
She got up. little shamefaced. and
hid herself behind her mothers skirt.
Iiut when her mother had entered the
saeter hut she ran up to him and
huggcd him. While the cattle were be
ing MIXED he went To look at his traps.
She followed him. proud in the thought
that hc tolerated her.
Look here" he cried. lifting up a
brown hare. isn't that big feIlow?''
what is it?'' she asked
alt is a hare"
''No. it isn't hare. \ hare is white
lit is brown in summer. 1t changes
its skin
That made a deep impression upon
her.
How does he do it?' she asked, after
awhile.
Il don't know"
HAS he two skins. one inside of the
other?"
Instead of answering, he took his
knife and cut the hare's skin.
NO" he said. "he hasn't got more'n n
| one"
The time came when he had to go 10
the parson TO prepare for confirmation
1t so happened that she went the same
| year. She was tall. fine girl now. and
| all the lads in the parish tried TO show
off before her. Ola would have tried 10
do the same, if he had anything TO show
| off. But. though he had a coat now II
WAS Il cast-off one from .Iens Oestmo's.
| which was much too big for him. His
i boots. TOO. and his trousers had seen
| better days. before they made his ac-
! ouaintance lie walked aside from the
rest, his ears burning when they looked
! at him. But if anyone dared TO mock
him, he used a pair of fists, which in
! spired respect. He was a handsome
enough lad. and finely made; but his
clothes and his frowsy hair made him
look ugly Heavy thoughts came to
him. and a fierce, defiant spirit was
kindIed within him The world seemed
aIl out of gear. He longed TO go back 10
the mountains. where he could be alone
with the birds and beasts. The girls
giggled when he went by; and when he
heard their laughter growing louder "a
the distance increased, he yearned tC
kill somebody, Just to give vent to the
wrath within him.
It was at such n time that Birgit
sought him and spoke kindly to him.
You mustn't mind the girls" she
said: ''they laugh at everything. They
don't mean cnything by it. It's just 4
way they have"
Somebody will hurt you if YOU ever
do it," he answered, fiercely.
THAT is foolish talk she gently re-
| monstrated. II know YOU too well, Ola
You wouldn't hurt me-
"Ah. You don't understand me-" he
said. Its no use talking"
''Oh. yes. do understand you, Ola.
she replied, with smile; land I wish
YOU would let me say one thing to you
before you go.'
''Say it,
Il wish-I wish,' she stammered
while quick blush sPrang to her
cheek mo, think I won't say IT,
after ALL" she finished, and turned to
go.
..Yes. say it," he entreated. seizing
her hand.
"WelI. it is this: it seemed so easy to
say n moment ago. and now it seems so
! hard
i want to hear it,
'Well. II wish you could do like the
hare-ehange your skim
Change my skim" he pondered.
''Change my skin like the harei How.
oh, how can do il ,"
This thought followed him dav and
night. One day. in the spring an emf
grant ship bound for America appeared
at the mouth of the river. Ola packed
together his traps and went mp 10 Oest-
mos to say good-bv. He met Birgit in
the birch grove behind the barn. II
was the time wnen the buds were burst
ing and the swallows had just returned
We'll. Ola. where are you goingg
she asked. as she saw him coming with
bundle and staff in hand.
10 America
.'Americai- she cried. ''Americai"
The answer seemed to frighten her
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