The Washburn leader. [volume] (Washburn, McLean County, N.D.) 1890-1986, 1902-12-20
sulp the trimming

~ NA
~ emptied at a
9ulp the brimming cup of coffee
handed him by his sister Olga. Then
placing q finger on his lip:
Var stilla. my Olga, l have some
what to tell thee. but yonder little
pitcher has long ears. So" he con-
tinued. turning to a mite Of a girl
sitting sedately near the blazing fire.
place. intently engaged in thumbing
q well-worn primer book, thou art
atudlous, min lila flicka, as I told
thee to be. Come hither, my little
Oaid, and show me thy book"
He took the book quickly offered
sim, and deity placing in it something
he secretly drew from his pocket,
thrust 1t out of sight behind him.
"Dost remember, sweetheart. that
4 told thee the rooster pictured on
tho front page Of thy book would
bring thee something II thou vert
goods" -. :
ia, brother Karl. and so I have
been good; ask sister Olga" said the
child, smiling up into his face.
Indeed, yes,"' answered Olga, draw.
ing the little. sister close into her
arms, and giving her a hug and .
kiss. "Thilda is always sweet and
good" ,..4
well, then. let us see what the
rooster has brought thee, my Thilda."
Opening the book. Karl pretended
to, be amazed at something he saw.
and showing it to Olga, she raised
her hands in well-assumed astonish.
ment. Thilda, unable to restrain her
curiosity, suddenly seized the book
.carelessly held in Karl's huge hand
fust within her reach, and opening
II, uttered q shout of delight rs she
drew forth a beautiful white candy
dog. with a pink ribbon round its
neck.
-"Thank you, good Karl" she said,
stmply. pouting up her lips for q
kiss.
NAY, child, tits not me thou hast
to, thank, but the rooster" he ex-
blamed, adding: Nov, min lila
Aicka, thou knowest that the good 10
han is far away from home, wilt 60
into thy chamber and pray for thy
sisters b%etrothed? I have that to say
to her which thou mayst not hear.
Good child" he continued, patting her
: head as she turned 0bedientlys to
: obey.
II have some news, my sister, about
thy sweetheart. It is Of some i'm
p~ortance, since it tells me that thy
Johan still lives"
May the good God SO ordain," said
OLGA %feryeutly, ".and may He restore
him to my arms"
Amen" murmured Karl, "but to
4, the news. IT'S now three days since
Jotan went into the dark forest to
cut the frs for the Jul Tieden and
returned not as he should have done
that same night. The next day we
g. found his ak buried deep in a tree,
rs thou knowest, but all other. trace
of him was lost. Well, to-day we pen
etrated as far as the gloomy Falun
mines and found his empty wallet"
~And-and-thou didst follow his
steps in the snow?" stammered Olga.
Tell me quickly, Karl, my brother"
THAT Is what We did not do, Olga,
Tor the reason that there were no
footprints in the now The wallet
could not have been cast there by any
one, for we tracked a circle Of a hun.
drcd yards and found the snow un.
broken. Moreover, a piece of ore was
laid upon it as If to prevent its being
blown away. 1t was placed there. but
. Oot by Johan, Olga"
Thank God, he has found a shelter
there, some, miners. perhaps. He
nay even now be on his way to me-"
.said Olga. joyously. go quickly, my
1sother, to meet him."
~pos notsraise. thy hopes too high.
my sister. neither let thy heart sink.
Thy Johan is alive, true, but the hand
I 1Iat placed his wallet where It was
1dnnd was not that OF q mortal. Nay
he not alarmed" he said. putting
IN arm around her, for the girl was
.seieaed with At Of trembling. "Be
braye, my sister. and all will be well
tf thou Wilt be guided by me"
IA anything and everything, my
esueher, said Olga, clasping hel
asids. NY soul for Johan's Il Hsed
~ |.
9Sst that, kxra s5ster, not that shall
heSrequ1red Of thee, but bravery thou
80 ahpw, little woman, such bray
~ men dare show. Thy 10
tSsffGth depends upon thee
e = S4dy To- face death himseik.'
afdSOl6A; sssOn1y tell ME what .tof do
= lvfSn then. I would:doft for the,
nren. buts ffth0u alone canst facss III
bDAalieye the skogfran----ys'
q uySduds,sYthe skokfrau,, ~ t1s
81 81 gSff5Hs%% H.