The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1912-05-09
The Father

was Thord Overaas. He appeared in
the priests study one day, tall and
earnest
Il have gotten a son." said he, "and
I wish to present him for baptism"
What shall his name be-"
"Finn-after my father"
And the sponsors?"
They were mentioned, and proved to
be the best men and women of Thord's
relations In the parish.
is 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 week day."
Next Saturday, at IL o'clock noon"
as there anything else?" inquired
the priest.
There Is nothing else;" and the
peasant twirled his cap, as If 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
blessing to you!"
One 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" II did not wish to pay
the priest until l 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 here are $40
for the priest
rs there anything else l can do for
you?" inquired the priest, fixing his
: eyes on Thord.
There is nothing else"
Thord went out.
Eight years more rolled by, and then
one day 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 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 is 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 8
account
But now am through with him. -
said Thord, and folding up his pocket
book he said farewell and walked
away.
The men slowly followed him.
A fortnight later, the father and son
! 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 straighten
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 a
shrek, and fell overheard.
"Take hold of the oar" shouted the
father, springfng to his feet and hold
ing out the oar.
But when the SON had made a cou-
pie of efforts he grew stiff.
''Wait a moment!" cried the father,
! and began to row toward his son.
Then the son rolled over on his
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 a mir.
ror again.
For three days and three nights
people saw the father rowing round
and round the spot, without taking
either food or sleep; he was dragging
the lake for the body of his son. And
toward morning of the third day he
found it, and carried it in his arms
up over the hills to his gard.
1t might have been about a year
from that day, when the priest, late
one autumn evening, heard some one
In the passage outside Of the door
carefully trying to find the latch. The
priest opened the door, and In walked
tall, thin man, with bowed form and
white hair. The priest looked long at
him before he recognized him. It was
Thord.
Thord laid some money on the table.
The priest counted it.
1T is great deal Of money" said
he.
1T is half the price of my gard.
sold today"