The Goodland republic. [volume] (Goodland, Kan.) 1891-1907, 1904-09-09

Young JOhan could see his future
spread before him like a smooth white
fabric. He did not need to worry over
a choice Of calling, as so many other
young men have to do, or the best way
Of earning his living. There were no
long years Of study before him His
comfortable living was growing and
ripening in the fields of HOljeryd and
mcOing from sheer weIl-being in his
fathers barn. There would be moth
ing for him to do but SOW and reap at
the right times, according to the cal.
endar. Everything he might need was
ready and waiting for him, even a
wife, whom his father had picked out
for him.
Adjoining HOljeryd was another
large property, Runeryd. The owner
of it had an only child, a daughter.
Now, If JOhan ana Clara were to be
united in marriage, nothing more de-
sirable could be imagined, for then
both properties would be in the same
hands and the owner would be a man
of power. The two old men had agreed
that this was to be the future Of their
children, and JOhan and Clara them
selves thought the arrangement TT and
proper.
At the outskirts of Runeryd lived an
old soldier by the name Of Klang, on
small and stony farm. The old man
was a fine looking fellow at the church
on Sundays, when he wore his two
medals. One Of them he had received
for skill in craftsmanship, and the
other for industry in cultivating his
farm.
One day Johan's mother was taken
seriously i'll, and it was necessary to
hire help Thus it happened that old
man Klang's eldest daughter came to
Holjeryd. Minna was a fine girl, but
with all her loneliness she was moth
ing but a poor soldiers daughter. No
one felt any anxiety on account Of
Minna-
But Minna had not been in Holjeryd
many days before Johan began to fol-
low her with his eyes wherever she
went He thought she was different
from Clara-soft and graceful, clear
eyed and slender. Wherever Minna
stood or sat, JOhan thought she fitted
her place excellently- He soon began
to wish Clara, her property and his
own, at the ends of the earth. No
freehold in ChristendOm was worth
small farm with Minna on it
When she had been in HoIjeryd a
fortnight Johan was over his ears in
love with her and she with him. Ct
could no longer be concealed Even
Johan's father understood the state
of affairs, but he only laughed
There is good stun in the boy" he
said, as if proud Of his sons success.
Il was a woman's man myself in my
young days, before married"
Soon, however, there was no more
laughing. One day. -JOhan said to his
father: You will have to break with
the Runeryd people, for I viii never
marry Clara"
The father opened his eyes in amaze
ment. What is this nonsense? What
I have promised I shall do, and no
beggar's daughter viii have a chance
to come between me and my plans.
You understand"
But things went from bad to worse.
One day JOhan declared that he had
decided to 90 to America, and leave
parents and home forever, If he could
not marry Minna any other way. Then
the old man became serious, and IN
derstOod that something must be done
TO save the alliance scheme and cure
Johan Of his lOYesickness.
Minna would have to go; but the old
man realized that the dismissal Of the
girl would not be sufficient in Johan's
case The evening before she went he
took the opportunity to carry out a
scheme. While Nina and JOhan
were out in the garden somewhere. the