The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1900-04-16
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Ajorn JNsrtsen's Weddng "Trip.


| renee had come to pass, even to the
most important OF them oil; he had be-
come engaged.
| history does not state. After the
| death OF the head fisher master he had
| inherited the house. and had paid on
| his brother Niels for his share with a
| good sum Of money. 90 that the latter
| could build his own home further OFT
I'm the village. There sat Bjorn then
with his house and his sailmaker's out
| ht,and he felt very lonely In all his new
| glory.
He got into the habit OF sauntering
more frequently than usual down to
the inn. u get his short pipe filed. 10
drink a glass and spin a yarn. The
jolly innkeeper had been married about
| year. and was as busy as could be,
running in at the door of the inner
room every few minutes TO look after
something"
What Is the matter there" asked
Bjorn. Cant YOU let the women at
tend to the chid?"
The innkeeper explained ii was the
"teeth"'that he was SO interested in.
Teeth"
Yes. indeed. Rjorn. When the teeth
come through the crying stops.
is that sog Say. tell me, could l
see the child?''
the nursery where the young wife sat
at a window with the child on her lap
She was bending over II. and was also
looking for the teeth
Bjorn saluted and came slowly
nearer.
Come and look at him. she said
smiling
The giant bent his head but the child
became frightened at the heavy hair
and beard and screamed. Btorn drew
back In alarm. but during his retreat
he turned several times and looked
back at the window.
When ne and the fnnkeeper were
alone in the latter's private room
Bjorn stood a while In thought scratch
ing with his thick finger I'm his name.
Say, innkeeper. is IL not wonderful
about such a little fellow? He had
real nails on his fingers. and he looked
at me-"
The young father grew almost knock
kneed With pleasure. and rubbing his
hands, answered: you ought 10 have
just such a one yourself You have
house and money already"
Yes that's all right But II Is not
so easy 20 And wife, friend
Bjorn sat down. lost In thought. and
when the innkeepsr touched his glass
with his own, he looked up absently.
''Do you know what I am thinking of,
innkeeper?"
no. Let us near III.
II was thinking IL at any time
II hope. for your mothers sake,
said the innkeeper, laughing. that
when you were born you were good
deal smaller than my basy now is.'
Then there was no more talk on that
subject
Several days later BjoN set ou, in
his good old boat with a load OF po-
tatoes for the nearest town.
The boat was known as The Pail.
Heaven knows where II got the
name; probably from some nickname
given In mockery-people are 40 wick
ed. But. as 1t often happens. the nick
name had become pet name, and the
boat was always called The Pail. Red
Anders. a relative. went along with
him. and after having sold their po-
tatoes, and sold them well at that
f. they were now lying alongside
the wharf waiting for little more
wind. Then II happened thHt an old
skipper OF the town, who had retired.
but could not altogether keep away
from the water came sauDtering down
TO the dock. his hands IN his pockets
lookout for something OF interest. He
stopped on the dock, blinking still
more. and seemed to take the measure
Of The Pail
Heb boys. where are you from?"
Bjorn looked up. surprised at this
question about anything so well known.
From Fiskebak, of course"
Are you the owner?"
"Of what?' a
"Of the boat"
Bjorn looked up at the skipper, with
his hand behind his ear.
II am a little deaf; but If you are
speaking Of the boat. it is The Pail.
gba
why do you call her The Pail?"
That IL her name"
Has she any faults?
I'VE all have faults ourselves. and
so do boats"
she is rsN very new"
tent.
See here. my good man. how old
The skipper laughed and took his
hands from his pockets.
will you sell your boat?''
Biorn booked at Red Anders and Red
Anders looked at Bjorn Then they
both looked up at thu questioner. anu
at last they looked around the boat.
What do you say, Anders?" asked
Bjorn.
What do you say?''
Born was i'm good humor. The po-
tato transaction had gone of famous
ly, and the buyer had, ovxr and above,
treated them well. Finally he slapped
his leg and said, with a broad grin:
My soul. Why shouldn't l sell her?"
Yes. why not?" said Anders. Then
you can buy q new one"
That's so." said Bjorn. and nodded
to the skipper.
How much do you want for herr"
asked the latter.
Two hundred dollars AS she swims
now"
"one hundred and eighty was bid
den.
Bjorn did not answer but prepared
60 let 60 the moorinQ.
Who made her sailsy' was asked.
THE man with the rudder." an
swered Bjorn, and cut the after-ropes
| loose.
"All right. Tie up again and let me
come aboard"
Then came a turning upside down and
= ransacklng of everything inside The
| Pail. The bulkheads. the flooring. the
| combing, the seats, nails, cleats and
painting. masts and oars were exam
| ined. and about an hour later Bjorn and
| Anders stood outside the tavern. where
| the bargain had been scaled with a
drink. The summer sun shone down on