Little Falls herald. [volume] (Little Falls, Morrison County, Minn.) 1889-1950, 1912-03-01
Tie / Father /! :!
--I&--E.

:. Inc man whose story ID here 10 b
told WAS the; weatthiest and most In,
duential person In htb parish: his nam1
was Thord Overaas. 10 a,ppeared ii
tho priests study ono day, tan and
earnest. n:
II havegotten . son." said he. sand
! wish represent him for baptism"
j! what shall his name bet"
=: ':F1nn-1atter my father" rs
f;':And theIsponsors1 r ~ l1;}C; ::h!;:j
They were mentioned; and; proved 10
be the best men and women OF Thofd'o
relations IN the parish; nc: - !.
T.; rs there. anything else?'' inquired
the priest, and looked up.
- The peasant hesitated little.
RI should like very much to have
him baptized by himselfr said: he,
THAT II to say on week dayf~':
:: Next Saturday. at II O'clock noon."
IT'S there anything else7'' inquired
the: priest. !" K. :: -:
''There is nothing else;" and tho
peasant twirled his cap, az IL he were
about to go.
Then the priest rose. "There is yet
this, however, said he; and walking
toward Thord. he took him BY the
hand and looked gravely into his eyes:
God grant that the child may become
a blessing to you'll" Il ';~.
One day sixteen years later, Thord
stood once more in the priest 8 study.
Il have come this evening about
that son of mine who Is to be confirm.
ed tomorrow" II did :notjwish to pay
the priest until heard what number
the boy would have when he takes bis
place In church tomorrow" said
Thord.
HE will stand number one,~
so I have heard: and here are SO
for the priest" = .
rs there anything else can do for
your" inquired the priest. fixing his
eyes on Thord.
There is nothing else"
Thord went out.
Eight years more rolled by, and then
one day q. noise was heard outside of
the priests study, for many men were
approaching, and at their head. was
ThOrd, who entered first
The priest looked up and recognized
him.
'*You come well attended this even.
Ing, Thord." said he.
Il am here to request that tho
banns may be published for my son:
he is about to marry Karen storliden,
daughter Of Gudmund. who stands
here beside me-
why. that is the richest girl in tho
parish" ';~~" -,
80 they; s ii;I" replied The Tho peasant.
stroking back his hair with one hand.
This is now the third time. Thord.
that you have come here on your sons
account" -,
''But now l am through with him."
said Thord. and folding up his pocket.
book he said farewell and walked
away. 1922.
The men slowly followed him.
A fortnight later. the father and son
were rowing across the lake. ono
calm. still day, to storltden to make
arrangements for tho wedding.
'"rhis thwart Is not secure" said
the son. and stood up: to, straixhten
the seat on which hes was sitting.
At tho same moment the board he
was standing on slipped from under
him: he threw out his arms, uttered q
Shrek, and fell overheard.
Take hold Of tho oar!" shouted tho
father. sprinsing to his feet and hold.
Ing out the oar. :. ::..:
But when the son had made. Z cou-
pie OF efforts he grew stu. 49,. 1
wait q moment" cried tho father.
and began to row toward his son.
Then the son rolled over on hia
back. gave his father one long look.
and sank.
Thord could scarcely believe It: he
held the boat still. dstared at tho
spot where his son had gone down. %
though he must surely come to the
surface again. Thers rose some bub-
bles. then some morS, and finally one
laf4e one that burst: ana the lake lay
there ~ smooth and bright a. 4 mir
Eor again: z,.:. $500. /
For thres days md three nights !
people saw tho father rowing round
md round the spot, without taking !
Dither; food Or sleep; 10 was draggins
Ehe lake 6of the body Of his son. And
toward morning Of the third day ho
hound it. and carried It In his arms
y over the hills to his gard.
Il might have been about = rear !
rom that div. when the priest latos !
me autumn evening, heard some ono !
b the. passage outside Of the: door
parofully trying to md the latch: The
priest opensd the door, and in walked
} tall. thin man. with bowed form and
white hair. The priest looked long a& |
him before hstrscognized him. TWAS
anofd. 's.svzss::.z.3; -: