The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1912-02-27
The Father

earnest.
Il have gotten a son." said he, "and
I wish to present him for baptism"
What shall his name be-"
"FinnAafter my father"
And the sponsors?"
They were mentioned, and proved to
be the best men and women Of Thord's
relations in the parish.
rs there anything else?" inquired
the priest, and looked up.
The peasant hesitated a little.
Il should like very much to have
him baptized by himself" said he.
finally.
THAT is to say on q week day."
Next Saturday, at IL o'clock noon"
rs there anything else?" inquired
the priest.
"There is nothing else;" and the
peasant twirled his cap, as II he were
about to 60.
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!"
Che day sixteen years later, Thord
stood once more in the priests study.
Il have come this evening about
that son Of mine who Is to be confirm.
ed tomorrow" Il did not wish to pay
the priest until I heard what number
the boy would have when he takes his
place in church tomorrow" said
Thord.
HE will stand number one"
$50 I have heard; and hero are SO
for the priest"
us there anything else can do foz
you" inquired the priest. fixing bid
eyes on Thord.
There Is nothing else"
Thord went out.
Eight years more rolled by, and then
one day q noise was heard outside oil
the priests study, for many men were
approaching. and at their head VA
Thord, who entered first.
The priest looked up and recognised
him.
you como we'll attended this even
ing, Thord." said he.
II am here to request that the
banns may be published for my son;
he is about to marry Karen Storliden
daughter Of Gudmund. who stands
here beside me-"
"Why. that 10 the richest girl in the
parish"
80 they say" replied the peasant
stroking back his hair with one hand
This Is now the third time. ThOrd
that you have come here on your son'i
account"
but now am through with him.
said Thord. and folding up his pocket
book he said farewell and walked
away.
no MN oiOVAy AoiWOWCu hih1s
A fortnight later, the father and sor
were rowing across the lake. one
calm, still day. to Storliden to make
arrangements for the wedding
This thwart Is not secure" said
the son, and stood up to straighter
the seat on which he was sitting.
At the same moment the board he
was standing on slipped from under
him; he threw out his arms, uttered &
shrek, and fell overheard.
Take hold Of the oar!" shouted the
father. springing to his feet and hold
ing out the oar.
But when the son had made a cou
pie of efforts he grew stiff.
walt a moment!" cried the father
and began to row toward his son.
Then the son rolled over on hil
back. gave his father one long look
and sank.
Thord could scarcely believe It; he
held the boat still, and stared at the
spot where his son had gone down, as
though he must surely come to the
surface again. There rose some bub
bles, then some more. and finally one
large one that burst: and the lake lay
there as smooth and bright as q mir
TOR again.
For three days and three nights
people saw tho father rowing round
and round the spot. without taking
either food or sleep: he wss dragging
the lake for the body Of his son. And
toward morning Of the third day he
found II. and carried It in his arms
up over the hills to his gard.
It might have been about q year
from that day, when the priest, late
one autumn evening. heard some one
In the passage outside Of the door
carefully trying to and the latch. The
priest opened the door, and In walked
. TAN, thin man. With bowed form and
white hair. The priest looked long q
Afsn hnAnrn n AacoUneeoA him n Vns