Smyrna times., 1901-10-23
PerilOuS WOOing
How Lover Was Put to a
Severe Test to Win His
Sweetheart.
BY BJORNSTJERNE BJORNSON.


grown up there was no longer any
peace or quiet at Husaby. In fact, all
the handsomest young fellows in the
village did nothing but fight and quar-
rel night after night, and it was always
worse on Saturday nights. Aslang's
father, old Canute Husaby, never went
to bed on those nights without keeping
on at least his leather breeches and lay
ing good stout birch stick on the bed
beside him. "If l have such pretty
daughter" said old Canute, 81 must
know how to take care of her."
Thor Nesset was only the son of a
poor cottager, and yet folks said that it
was he who went Oftenest to visit the
farmers daughter at Husaby. OF |
course old Canute was not pleased to |
hear this. He said it was not true; |
that, at any rate, he had never seen +
him there Still, they smiled and whis- |
pered to each other that if he only had !
thoroughly searched the hayloft, whith- |
er Aslang had many an errand, he
would have found Thor there.
Spring came, and Aslang went up the
mountain with the cattle And now
when the heat Of the day hung over
the valley. the rocks rose cool and clear
through the suns misty rays, the COW
bells tinkled, the shepherds dog bark
ed, Aslang sang her ''jOder' songs and
blew the COW horn, all the young men
felt their hearts grow sore and heavy
as they gaZed upon her beauty. And
on the first Saturday evening one after
the other they crept up the hill, but they
came down again quicker than they
had gone up, for at the top stood man
who kept guard, receiving each one
who came up with such warm recep-
ton that he all his life long remember
ed the words that accompanied the ac-
ton, Come up here again and there
will be still more in store for yOu!'
All the young fellows could arrive at
but one cOnclusiOn-that there was
only one man in the whole parish who
had such fists and that man was Thor
Nesset. All the rich farmers daugh-
ters thought it was too bad that this
cottagers son should stand highest in
Aslang Husaby's favor.
Old Canute thought the same when
he heard about it all and said that if
him he would do it himself. Now,
Canute was certainly getting on in
years. Still. although he was past
sixty, he often enjoyed good wres-
Ting match with his eldest son when
ever time indoors fell heavy on his
hands.
There was but one path up to the
mountain belonging to HuSaby. and i
went straight through the farm garden
Next Saturday evening, as Thor was
on his way to the mountain, creepin:
carefully across the yard, hurrying a
soon as lie was well past the farm
buildings, a man suddenly rushed a
him.
what do you want with meE asEe'
Thor and hit him such a blow in til
face that sparks danced before hi
eyes.
''You will soon learn that said som
one else behind him and gave him
great blow in the back of his necl
That was Aslang's brother.
"And here's the hired man." said oil
Canute and attacked him also.
The greater the danger the create
was Thor's strength. He was suppl
as a willow and hit out right MAJ
fully. He dved and he ducked Whel
ever blow fell it missed him. an
when none expected it he would deal
good one He stopped down, he spran
on one side. but for all that he got
terrible thrashing. Old Canute sal
afterward that he had never fougl
with a braver fellow. They kept it L
till blood began to flow. Then Canu
cried out, stop Then he added in
croaking tone, "If you can get up he
next Saturday, in spite of Canute II
saby and his men, the girl shall
yours"
Thor dragged himself home as be
he could and when he reached the &C
tage went straight to bed. There W
a great deal of talk about the fight
on Husaby hill, but every one sal
"Why did he go there" Only o
person did not say so, and that W
Aslang. She had been expecting Th
that Saturday evening, but when
heard what had happened between h
and her father she sat down and cri
bitterly and said to herself, IF l m
not have Thor, l shall never have
happy day again in this world"
Thor stayed in his bed all Sund;
and when Monday came he felt he mi
rtay on where he was. Tuesday car
and it was a lovely day. The hills lo'
ed so fresh and green. The wind
was open, sweet odors were waited
the cowbells were tinkling on
mountain, and far up above some
4 was 'jodling." Truly, if it had
been for his mother, who was slit
in the room. he could have cri
Wednesday came. and still he stayed
bed. On Thursday, though, he be;
D to think about the possibility of be