Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1909-10-16

W hSSp AuS Wetilu SO 1onS as JIG
weather was not too cold, it was very
pleasant to speed along through the
dark forests, over the frozen rivers.
until long after the stars had come
out Then I would get a warm sup
per in some dark-red post cottage,
while the people sang or told stories
around the fire.
One night there was wonderful
aurora In the sky. The streamers OF
red and blue light darted hither and
thither, with bri1liance which had
never seen before. There will be a
storm soon," said my postboy; "one
always comes after these lights"
Next morning the sky was overcast
and the short day was as dark as our
twilight. But it was not quite SO cold,
and I travelled onward as fast as pos
sible.
Unfortunately it happened that two
lumber merchants were travelling the
same way, and had taken the horses;
so I was obliged to wait at the station
until horses were brought from the
neighboring farms This delayed me
SO much that at seven o'clock in the
evening l had still one more station
Of three Swedish miles. before reach
ing the village, where intended to
spend the light. Now, a Swedish mile
is equal to seven English, so that this
station was at least twenty miles long.
l decided to take supper while the
horse was eating his feed. They had
not expected any more travellers at the
station and were not prepared. The
keeper had gone on with the two lum-
Der merchants; but his wife prepared
me some excellent coffee, potatoes,
and stewed reindeer meat, upon which
made a satisfactory meal.
''It Is bad night said the woman.
land my husband will certainly stay
at Umea until morning. His name is
Neils Peterson, and l think you will
find him at the posthouse when you
get there. Lars will take you, and
they can come back together
who Is Lars?" asked.
my son." said she. "He is getting
the horse ready. There is nobody else
about the house tonight"
Just then the door opened, and in
came Lars. He was about twelve
years old; but his face was SO rosy,
his eyes so clear and round and blue,
and his golden hair was blown back
from his face In such silken curls, that
he appeared to be even younger. |
was surprised that his mother should
be willing to send him twenty miles
through the dark woods on such a
night.
Come here, Lars said. Then l
took him by the hand, and asked.
Are you not afraid to go SO far by
night?"
He looked at me with wondering
eyes, and smiled. His mother made
haste to say: You need not fear, sir.
Lars is young; but he'll take you
safe enough. II the storm does not
get worse, you'll be at Umea by
eleven o'clock" ~
The boy now put on his overcoat
of sheepskin, tied the lappets of his
fur cap under his chin, and thick
wooden scarf around his nose and
mouth, SO that only the round blue
eyes were visible. His mother then
took down the mittens of hare's fur
from the stove, where they had been
hung to dry. He put them on, took a
short leather whip, and was ready.
/ wrapped myself in my furs, and
we went out together. The driving
snow cut me in the face like needles,
but Lars did not mind it in the least.
He jumped into the sled, which he had
filled with fresh soft hay, tucked in
the reindeer skins at the sides, and we
cuddled together on the narrow seat,
making everything close and warm be-
fore we set out.
I could not see at all, when the door
of the house was shut, and the horse
started on the journey. Lars, how
ever, knew the way, and somehow or
other we kept the beaten track He
talked to the horse SO cheerfully, that
after while my own spirits began to
rise
"Ho there, Axel!" he would say.
Keep the road-not too far to the
left! Well dope! Here's level, now
trot bit"
So we went on-sometimes up hill,
sometimes down hill-for a long time,
as 1t seemed. began to grow chilly,
and even Lars handed me the reins
while he swung and beat his arms to
keep the blood in circulation. When,
ever I asked, as did about every
five minutes, Are we nearly there?''
he always answered, "a little
farther"
Suddenly the wind seemed to in.
crease.
"Ah," said he, now l know where
we are: it's one mile more" But
one mile, you must remember, meant
seven.
Lars checked the horse and peered
anxiously from side to side in the
darkness. looked also, but could see
nothing.
What is the matter?" 1 finally
asked.
1--WE have got past the hills on the
left" he said. "The country Is open
to the wind, and here the snow drifts
worse thany anywhere else on the
road. If there have been no plows out
tonight, we'll have trouble"
You must know that the farmers
along the road are obliged to turn out
with their horses and oxen, and pillow