Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1897-05-27

| creed, lDeT6 are LuOSe wiz Cah hSNci
shake 1t off, and who never desire to
fcIsake it. ! am one of these few.
Shame must fall on the man who Will
fully deserts the faith of his warrior
ancestry! Sacred to me for ever be
the names of Odin and Thor!'
He raised his hand aloft with proud
gesture, and his eyes flashed. Erring-
ton was interested, but not surprised,
the old bondes declaration OF his creed
seemed eminenty fitted to his charac-
ter. Lorimer's face brightened-here
was a noyelty-a man, who in all the
conflicting storms of modern opinion,
sturdily clung to the traditions OF his
forefathers.
by Jovev' he exclaimed eagerly,
Il think the worship Of ~----. could
srit me perfectly! It's a rouslng,
fighting sort Of religion-lm positive
1t would make man of me. Will
you initiate me into the mysteries, Mr..
who writes poetry on Indian subjects
and who, it lis said, Buddhism might
satisfy his pious warnings think
Odin would be parsonage to command
more respect than Buddha- at any rate,
should like to try him. Will you
give me chance?"
Olaf Guldmar smiled gravely, and
rising from his seat, pointed to the
western sky.
See yonder threads OF filmy white, =
he said, that stretch across the wide
expanse Of blue! They are the llngei-
ing, fading marks of light clouds-and
even while we watch them, they shall
pass and be no more. Such Is the en-
blem of your life, Young man-you
that would, for an idle jest or pastlme,
presume to search into the mysteries
Of Odln! For you they are not--your
spirit is not Of the stern mould that
waits for death as gladly as the bride
| groom waits for the bride The Chris
tian heaven ID an abode for girls and
babes Valhalla Is the place for men!
/ tell you, my creed is as divine in
It's origin as any that ever existed on
the earth! The Rainbow Bridge is a
fairer pathway from leath to life than
I
dark summoning eyes of beauteous
Valkyrie, than the grinning skull and
cross bones, the Christian emblem OF
mortality. Thelma thinks and her
mother before her thought also, that
different as my way of belief Is to
the accepted new creeds of today, 1t
will be all right with me in the next
world-that | shall have as good
place In heaven as any Christian, 1t
may be sol care not! But sre you,
the Keynote Of all the civilization OF
todpy Is discomfort, while thanks to
the gods of my fathers, am happy,
and desire nothing that | have not"
He paused and seemed absorbed.
The young men watched his fine in
spired features with lively interest.
Thelma's head was turned away from
them SO that her face was hidden.
By-and-by he resumed In quieter tones
Nov, my lads you know what we
aie-both of us accursed in the opin-
ion of the Lutheran community. My
child belongs to the so-called doatrous
Church Of Rome, ! am one OF the very
last of the heather barbarians,' and
the old fellow smiled sarcastically,
though, truth to tell, for barbarian,
am not such fool as some folks
would have you think. II the snufling
Dyceworthy and competed at spell
ing examination, I'm pretty sure It's
would have the prize! But, MS
said you know us, and II our ways
are likely to offend you, then let us
part good friends before tho swords
are fairly drawn"
"No sword will be drawn on my side,
| assure YOU, sir" said Burlington. adj
vancing and laying one hand on the
bonde's shoulder. II hope you will
believe me when | say | shall esteem
It an honor and privilege to know
more OF you
And though you won't accept me
as servant of Odin," added Lorimer,
you really cannot prevent me from
trying to make myself agreeable to
You. | warn you, Mr., Guldmar, |
shall visit you pretty frequently! Such
men as YOU are not often met with"
Olaf Guldmar looked surprised. you
really mean IT." he said Nothing
that l have told YOU affects you? You
SIN seek our friendship"
They both earnestly assured him
that they did, and as they spoke Thel-
ma rose from her low seat and faced
them with bright smile
40 you know" she said, that you
are the first people who, on visiting us
once, have ever cared to come again?
All, you look surprised, but 1t is So
is 1t not. father?"
Guldmar accepted the invitation at
Yes" she continued demurely,
counting ON her uttle white fingers,
I'VE are three things first. we are
acCursed; secondly, we have the evil
eye; thirdly, we are not respectable"
And she broke into Il peal OF laugh
ter, ringing and sweet as chime OF
bells. The young men Joined her in It;
and, still with an amused expression on
her lovely face leaning her head back
against a cluster OF pale roses, she
| went on