The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1900-04-08


soldiers and petty officials
In this way each party felt sure Of the
eventual victory, and the marriage could
glass of sherry and a silver soup-ladle
In the rectory. Bjorn put both inside
his vest and then the innkeeper drove
them into town. The village people gave
them hurrah, and finally the merry
company sat down in the Gilded Tarpot's
basement rooms to board laden with
roasts Of lamb and pork, ham and Vege-
tables and all manner of other good
things. Sweet cordials were there for
the ladies, and French wines, VILE for
the men there was strong brandy and
punch.
Through the basement window one could
see high brick wall. cleaning in the
strong sunlight and If one laid ones self
over the table, with ones head IN the
neighbours lap, way high up one could
see tiny piece Of blue sky as large as a
handkerchief perhaps, with feathery
clouds driving over it,
Some of Stine's female relatives were
there, and then the innkeeper's family
and best friends. Among the family was
ships joiner who proved his sympa-
thetic comprehension of the Importance
of the occasion by getting drunk at once
and holding pathetic speeches. And among
| the good friends was former officer of
! justice" as he called himself, man with
decoration in his buttonhole, drunken
looking Jafler, who wore a stiff collar and
his service medal to remind the world
that he had once been non-commisSion-
ed officer. He looked as If he had his
serious doubts about the company, and
expected the one or the other of them
to make away with the spoons. Probably
because Of this doubt therefore he kept
distance between himself and the rest
| of the company, and poured out an end
less series of small whiskys for him
| self, on the top of the glass;" as he
expressed 1t, without any appreciable eff
feet He laughed a sudden and ferocious-
sounding laugh, drank half his glass,
cleared his throat, poked his elbows in
the hosts ribs and said, "Old comrade,
here's to the good old times" This for
him was the height of sociability and
joviality.
He called Bjorn Captain but after
| few repetitions of the word the bride
groom laid down his fork with a large
| slice of beet in it, and remarked:
Port your helm, friend, and let up
on that Captain if you don't want to
make me angry"
After this admonition he compromised
on "BOatman."
Bjorn was decidedly out of sorts, He
had the impression of being left alone,
which was probably due to his deafness.
He certainly filed his place in the liberal
sense but Niels did not come, and Slime.
| the bride-well, Slime sat there at his
| side In black merino gown, with wreath
and veil, her red hands in her lap, as
straight up and down in her chair as
II she had swallowed a yard stick.
That was probably the correct thing
| to do, for Northern bride should not be
! too vivacious. But there seemed to be
! In her nature a certain dignity which
| would be a good thing in home, no
! doubt but which seemed rather out of
! place here between roast and cordial
One certainly could not call her too
! aHect1onate, Bjorn said afterWard when
describing the occasion.
! He sat alone and she sat alone She
| ate very little; he ate enough for two
| The ships joiner held one speech after
| another, the sun shone down on the
prick wall, and Bjorn leaned over on
Slime and looked out of the window
Slime pulled her veil aside. smoothed
her dress and asked:
What are you looking at?'
Fine opportunity that said Bjorn.
Her eyes followed his.
You mean that fourth story to let I'D
there? Yes, 1 would rather like to live
there Then one would not have to be
on the water so much"
"A fine opportunity to sail home.
mean explained Bjorn. THE wind is
strong from the SOUTH
Slime glanced at him uneasily and then
at the innkeeeper
"A stiff south breeze" continued
bJorn. 1T has been a north wind for
some time and will be tonight again. We
don't have chance like this every day.
AT glance from Slime the innkeeper
proposed a good. old-time Danish
cheer for Bjorn, in the attempt to
change the train of his thoughts. and the
ships joiner held his fifth speech.
Ihen mine host proposed song, in
which all Joined, even the jailer, who
heid second voice and footed like a clari-
net.
After that, In spite Of some objection
the ships joiner rose and, supporting
himself by his neighbors' shoulders he
gan, with tears in his eyes:
GOOD friends and hearers, we are all
that I think"
Yes, yes they answered.
we VII! noW-something must be said
TO them before they leave father and
mother-1 mean before they leave the
circle of these kind friends"
Ihey don't go until tomorrow" said
mine host
NO" said Bjorn, banging the table
Hes right" said Niels, coming in Just
then. The wind is fresh from the south
Bjorn'' -0 'o"'i'
II know said Bjorn getting up.
r., hush" whispered the innkeeeper
Let the joiner finish his speech
Listen, dear friends" continued the
JOINER, Keeling from side to side ''we
are all mortal, and we all love orr ma
i've country. do not say fatherland: +
say native country. We do not know
where our fathers came from, but we
SNOW Where we were born ourselves
- what nonsense is this?" WHISPERED
Nle!s, who grasped the situation and was
ready to fight.
Who is that MANI" asked Tho io.rar
trying to fix his bleary gaze on Nieis ana
noldlng last to his neighbours shoulder
IS that a man who will not drink 10 his
ndllVe country? If he is, then saw
| 'Ffe, for shame say II
Mes looked meaningly at Biorn.
r.. ohaH we clear the place and take
| Stinc with us?''
Blorn motioned to him. But one of tho.
guests VINO supported the joiner head
what Niels said. He drew awav his
| shout Ter, the joiner fell TO the floor ond
| In minute the place was in an uDr2ar
| Every one spoke or screamed at once
Nlels had already collared the taller
Ihen at this highly critical moment tba
sense Of duty Of the women of the ola
days awoke III Slime. She placed herself
| by the side OF her chosen lord and master
ana announced that "she would sail 70
! Jutland with him rather than have a
| nght on her wedding day" That settled
! the matter The joiner was carried into
| the next room and put to bed the pueste
| shook hands cordially and drank one
| anotners health. Niels and Biorn he.
came most amiable at once, and Nie1s
| ordered more punch The innkeeper made
the best of a bad business, and peace
settied down on the spirits OF the COM
| pany.