The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1900-04-16


swering. Ii was perhaps not such bad
idea to postpone the homecoming and
the explanations for hutle.
{ II suppose We go To the capitai!
do you treat?" asked Anders. eau
tiously.
Certainly" answered Bjorn. ana
slapped his pocket where the money
lay. They went through the town 10
the railroad station. where train was
just about 10 start. The two were like
two big children. They had been 10 the
capital already, but neither OF them
had ever ridden on the railroad.
Some one showed them the way 10 the
ticket office. Bjorn planted himself In
front of the opening, with his pocket
book IN his hands.
Can | get a cabin for two men TO
the capital?" he asked. i'm tone which
he took for "a whisper. but which could
be heard throughout the hall.
Return was asked.
What's that he says?" asked Bjorn
OF his comrade.
Second or third?" came again from
the Office. in rather an angry tone.
Take what you can get" whispered
Anders. who. as his expenses were paid
for him, saw no reason for being eco
nomical.
"All right. give me the whole thing"
said Born and pushed a bill in at the
impatient voice.
Two excursions, second. You can
come back on the evening train. do you
hear?" said the voice.
Bjorn received number OF silver
coins for his bill. He took II all but one
piece. we can afford to tip today" he
said 10 his cousin. in the same re-
sounding voice.
The ticket seller put his head out OF
the opening. Take your money!" he
called angrily.
,.f.. I,tff II o., Il.
put the coin in his pocket. and az they
walked through the waiting rooms to
the platform he muttered: THE villain.
of an innkeeper at home told me that
II YOU want To ride comfortably on the
railroad YOU must tip the conductors.
But IL doesn't seem TO go here"
They entered the compartment, where
sat stout man. with close cropped
hair. white neckband and long back
coat. His face was red and good-natur-
ed.
"whew, it's warm here" said Bjorn
and opened window.
The stout man coughed.
The engine whistled and the train be-
"There she goes. d. me-" said An
ders.
Some speed in her" answered
Bjorn with a similar oath as the car be-
gan to lurch from its increasing speed.
open the other porthoIe, cried
Bjorn, after a while. "I'll suffocate i'm
this box. This is new sort OF sailing on
dry land
The stout man coughed still more.
Does { trouble you. sir?" asked
Bjorn, politely.
Yes"
Bjorn gave orders with another oath,
for Anders TO close the portfolio.
The. stout gentleman eyed him
sharply
They came TO a sharp curve in the
road. the car swung round and Btorn
nearly fell off his seat.
We'll I'll be blasted eternaily." he
cried, half surprised and half In sly
cunning. "Do you think they'll send us
10 hell In this hurry. Anders?''
''Do you ALWAYS swear like this. my
good man?" asked the stout gentleman.
Bjorn looked at him with a wink.
That's as il happens. my good sir.
but | generally do when on shore. Meat
goes with bread. as the bakers dog
said when he stole the steak"
II do not think II Is quite necessary"
said the stout gentleman. Il know. for
! am clergyman
"A clergyman" repeated Bjorn. look
ing at him. BEG pardon, but Will you
swear 10 that?"
The stout gentleman looked severely
at him at first. But the big child was
he was quite irresistible. with his half
simple. half-roguish smile, and his
nature from which all severity ran off
like water Oft a duck.
In five minutes they were the best
of friends. Bjorn told In his own style
his story OF The Pail. and the jolly
priest laughed until his asthma nearly
choked him, and before they reached
the capital he had Bjorn's promise To
visit hinf next day in his little village
rectory near the city.
Anders went home that night on his
excursion ticket, apd Bjorn set out
alone next day fof the country. Then
Il happened that after that day Bjorn
undertook several excursions to CO.
penhagen with corresponding journey
ings TO the rectory. until. according 10
his own version, he was caught by
petticoat."
But this was about all he would say
about IT, He went around wearing
broad shining gold ring. which pinched
his fat finger How the ring was ever
squeezed on that finger I'm the beginning
was n mystery. but there Is sat. and
there sat Bjorn.
All winter long he pondercd over his
thoughts of marriage. The innkeeper
and his wife teased him. at which he
became angry I'm jest and then I'm earn
est and then, when his anger had pass
with a very dark face, and two bright
pink hat ribbons. The picture appeared
to need much polishing of Bjorn's coat
sleeve, To give IL. as he said. "the proper
point OF view" He did not at all like
any sport being made of this picture.
but was honest enough TO acknowledge
that it looked more like "the portrait
OF a Niger than Of a respectable coun-
try girl
During the winter he bought himself
81 new boat. with all necessary cere-
monies this boat was christened the
Flying Fish. But during the christen-
ing feast there was considerable OF u
row. The otherwise so good d-natured
Bjorn fred up about some chance teas
ing words some mocking nickname
given the boat. Without knowing JUST
why the matter excited him so he be-
came first sarcastic. and then rude and
threatening. Next day. however ne
was much dissatisfied with himself. and
went to consult with his friend. the inn
keeper, accusing himself OF having for
gotten hs duties as host. But the inn
keeper comfortcd him, and told hsni
that was all the fault of his approach
ing marriage. A man In that condition
can't keen the right balance. ana Is
lfal,le to slop over either way IN the