Year: 1879

Aslack scolded, no matter how he coaxed
and what he promised, Sigrld remained
steadfast.


One Sunday in carly spring about four
years after Thrond HarMdson's death
Sigrid, when coming home from church
where she had as usual cenversed with
the kind pastor, appeared more cheerful
than before and as her father again in
sisted that she should choose one of her
numerous suitors for husband, she
laughingly answered that she would make
bargain with him Unused to find his
daughter so cheerful and ta)kative, the
old gentleman eagerly asked her to ex-
plain. She frankly told him that if Har-
old did not return before midsummer,
and ii he was not then able to redeem his
fathers farm, she would do as her father
thought best. Aslack frowncd when
Harolds name was mentioned, but upon
hearing that he was expected to redeem
his farm anger subsided and reluctantly
assented to the terms proposed


The stranger who arrived at the inn on
that lovely May morning was none but
Harold. After supper he repaired to the
parsonage where he made himself known
to his fathers friend, the minister, and
wes received as son returning after
long absence. After long and earnest
conversation he retraced his steps to the
inn and went to res but carly dawn found
him on his way to a neighboring hill
where he knew he could obtain good
view of the gorgeous sunrise A short
walk brought him to the desired spot and
gathering his thoughts for review of his
past career, he seated himself on the rock
that had witnessed so many meetings
with the one uppermost in his thoughts.
He had lett penniless boy, had fought
his way in foreign land, and returning
able to claim the homestead of his fathers,
he was assured, that she whom he loved so


we'll had remained true to him during the


long years of his absence. While thus


occupied with his own reflections the


tones of the "lur" "a musical instrument


used in the mountains of Norway drew


his attention, and turning he discovered


a we'll known female figure leaning on


the long instrument. They observed


each other at the same time and in mo-


ment were IN each others embrace It


is useless to describe their emotions, for
, words adapted to such description were
not given to man.


| Shortly the signals from the opposite
side of the lake, where the sun already


gilded the highest hilltops, called them
, back to consciousness, and while the orb


of day majestically rose over the eastern


mountains, the numerous flags hoisted on


every house and the peal Of canons. far


and near, announced the arrival of the


national holyday. The 18th of May, the


birthday of freedom in the north, broke
:: clear and bright over the land, whose SONS
hail it with gratitude and JOY wherever
they may be.


As the sun approached the meridian


the bells Of the little church tolled forth


their joyous call and the multitude gath
cred on the squars near the lake where


the national colors foateu on the breeze.
Harold mingled with the throng, but no


one knew him on account of his changed
appearance and heavy beard. He was


looked upon as a chance traveller, per-
haps one OF the sightseeing Englishmen
or Americans who yearly frequent these
beautiful valleys.


The last notes of the national


song, "Sons of Norway" died
away and the venerable minister
Appealed on tine stand to address the


people. Referring to ancient history,


to the battles for freedom that had been


fought so nobly by their fathers, TO the


little nation almost on the verge cf the
North pole that had maintained itself
free and independent through thousand
years, be left no heart untouched, no eye
dry as he poured forth fervid prayer to


the God Of Nations for the beloved native
land. Other speeches were made, other


songs sung, and evening was drawing


near when the cd minister again address
; ed the people and commenced to relate
what, he said, was the story of young
man, whom they all had known in former


years. He followed the youth across the
ocean where he had enlisted in the army
, of liberty; to the battle fields of Chatta-
nooga and Chicamauga, to the prison and
! hospital; through his subsequent tolls in
pursuance of his aim and finally closed


bv saving that he would now INTRODUCES
: TO them their friend of long ago, Captain
. Harold Throndson. There was a mo-
, ment of silence, and then shout of JOY
and greeting broke upon the evening
9 air.


:. Not much is left to relate. Only this
!, that before the seventeenth of May AGAR
, returned to the mountains and valleys o
2 Norway, Harold had taken his young
. wife to Christiana, where he had beer


sent to occupy the seat of his father, as s
;, ronracanfativo Of hia NATIVE valley