Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1896-08-28


we not come here TO worship the sun,
AID to watch for his coming?'
'Ncnsenser" growled polar bear.
"Our meeting here springs from stupid
old custom. The sooner it ends the bet.
ter. In my opinion the sun has set for
ever. He is dead"
At these words the animals suffered,
bat the trolls ard gel were much
pleased with ;hCEi, and reiterated them
gayiy, shakn . with laughter to such
al extent that their tiny caps fell off
the ir heads. Then the king roared in a
voice like thunder:
Yea! Dead is the sun! Now must
the whole world worship me, the king
of eternal night and eternal winterl"
Sampo, sitting behind the store, was
so greatly enraged 10y this speech that
he came forth from his hiding pace, ex.
claiming:
That, o king. is lie as big as your
self! The sun is not dead, for only yes.
terday saw his forerunner. He will be
here very shortly, bringing sweet SUM-
mer with him and thawing the icicles
i'll your funny, frozen beard!''
The kings brow grew black as n
thundercloud. ForgetNll of the law, he
| lifted his tremendous arm to strike Sam
pc, but at that moment the northern
light faded. A red streak shot suddenly
across the sky, shining with such bril-.
Ilancy into the kings face that it entire
ly daZZled him. His arm fell useless at
his side. Then the golden sun rose in
slow stateliness on the horizon, and that
flood of glorious light caused even those
who had rejoicod in his supposed death
to welcome his temperance
But the collins were considerably as.
tonished. From under their red caps
they stared at the sun with their little
gray eyes and grew So excited that they
stood on their heads in the snow. The
beard Of the mountain king began e
melt and drip until it was flowing
down his jacket like ii running stream.
By and by Sampo heard a reindee,
say to her little one:
Come, my child, we must be going,
or we shall be eaten by the wolves. -
Such will be my fate also if linger
longer. " thought Sampo. So he sprang
upon the back Of beautiful reindeer
with golden antlers, which started of
with him at once, darting down the
rocks with lightning speed
What is that rustling sound that
hear behind usf" asked the boy present
ly.
ut is made by the thousand bears.
They are pursuing us III order to eat us
up, replied the reindeer. You need |
not fear, however, for l am the kings |
own enchanted reindeer and no bear has |
ever been able as yet to nibble NY
heelsr'
They went on in silence for a time. |
Then Sampo put another question.
What, asked he, lis that strange |
painting l hear behind us?''
That" returned the reindeer, sis |
made by the hundred thousand wolves. |
They are at full gallop behind us and |
wish TO tear Us III pieces. But fear
nothing from them! No wolf has ever
beaten Inc i'll "a race YETI
Again Sampo spoke:
us it not laundering over there
among the rocky mountains?"
mo, answered the now trembling
himself, who Is chasing US. Now, i'll.
deed, all hope has fed, for no one can
escape himl'
Can we do nothing?" asked Sampo
There is no safety to be found
here, said the reindeer, but there is
just one chance fer US. We must try e
reach the priests house over yonder by
Lake Enare. Once there we shall be
safe, for the king has no power over
Christians -
"Oh. make haste, make haste. dcal
reindeer!' cried Sampo, land you SHAH
feed Oh golden oats and out of silvel
manger "
On sped the reindeer. AS they en-
tered the priests house the mountains
king crossed the courtyard and kLocl:eD
at the door with such violence that it l.
a wonder he did rot knock the hous
down.
WHO so there?' called the prizes
from within.
1T is II answered laundering
voice 1t is h mighty mountain king
Open the door You huvc there a chile
WHOM | claim as my prey"
welt a i4oment!' cried the priest.
Permit ne TO robe myself i'll order
that may give your majesty Il worthie1
reception.
All right" reared the king. But be
quick about 1t, or | may break down
your walls 4 moment later he raised
his enormous foot Tor kick, yelling
Are you not reaGy yet?'
Then the priest cpcned the door and
said sclcmnly: "Begone. king Of night
and winter! Sampo Lappelill is under
my protection, and he shall never be
yoursp'
Upon this the king few in such a
violent passion that he exploded in a
great storm Of SHOW and wind The i,
lakes fell and fell, until the snow reach.
ID the roof of the priests house. SO that ;
every one inside Of it expected to h, a..
buried alive. But as soon as the sun rose ,
he snow began to melt, and all was .
we'll The mountain king had complete ,
y vanished, and no one knows exactly ,