The Washburn times. [volume] (Washburn, Wis.) 1896-1976, 1901-10-17
A PerilOQS WOOing
How a Lover Was Put to a
Severe Test to Win His
Sweetheart.
BY BJORNSTJERNE BJORNSON.

From the time that Aslang was quite
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 a good stout birch stick on the bed
beside him. eff have such a pretty
daughter" said old Canute. ST must
know how to take care of her."
Thor Nesset was only the son of
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
aim there. STILL they smiled and whis-
pered to each other that if he only had
thoroughly searched the hayloft, width
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 ''Jodel'' 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-
tion 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 your
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-
tiers thought it was too bad that this
cottager's son should stand highest in
Aslang Husaby's favor.
Old Canute thought the same when
he heard about it all and said that if
there were no one else who could check
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 it
went straight through the farm garden.
Next Saturday evening. as Thor was
on his way to the mountain, creeping
, carefully across the yard, hurrying as
soon as he was well past the farm
buildings, man suddenly rushed at
him.
what do you want with me?" asked
Thor and hit him such a blow in the
face that sparks danced before his
eyes.
"You will soon learn that said some
one else behind him and gave him a
great blow in the back of his neck.
That was Aslang's brother.
"And here's the hired man." said old
Canute and attacked him also.
The greater the danger the greater
was Thor's strength. He was supple
as willow and hit out right man.
fully. He dived and he ducked When
ever a blow fell it missed him, and
when none expected it he would deal a
good one. He stopped down, he sprang
on one side. but for all that he got
terrible thrashing. Old Canute said
afterward that he had never fought
with Drawer fellow. They kept it up
till blood began TO flow. Then Canute
cried out, "StOpr' Then he added in a
croaking tone, IF you can get up here
next Saturday. in spite of Canute HUI
saby and his men, the girl shall be
yours
Thor dragged himself home as best
he could and when he reached the cot
tage went straight to bed. There was
a great deal of talk about the fight up
on Husaby hill. but every one said.
"Why did ke go there" Only one
person did not say so. and that was
Aslang. She had been expecting Thor
that Saturday evening. but when she
heard what had happened between him
and her father she sat down and cried
bitterly and said to herself. IF may
not have Thor | shall never have a
happy day again in this world
Thor stayed in his bed all Sunday.
and when Monday came he felt he must
stay on where he was. Tuesday came.
and it was lovely day. The hills look
ed SO fresh and green. The window
was open. sweet Odors were waited in,
the cOwbellS were tinkling on the
mountain. and far up above some one
was "jodling." Truly. if it had not
been for his mother, who was sitting
In the room, he could have cried.
Wednesday came, and still he stayed in
bed. On Thursday, though he began
to think about the possibility of being