Stories by Foreign Authors

intelligence and care for the public good. His father through self-exertion had attained to the ministr

vice, Canute early got up a club for practice in debating and study of the constitution, but which finally became a practical agricultural society, for this and the surrounding parishes. He also established a parish library, giving his father's books as its first endowment, and organized in his own house a Sunday-school for persons

h seemed constantly working, and a row of excellent teeth which had the same appearance, for they shone when

step by step a sensible judge. The result was, that he went reluctantly to the meetings of the board, unless first furnished with Lars Hogstad's advice, concerning whatever matter of importance was before it, which matter was thus most likely to result in practical improvement. Canute's influence

n, would certainly have approved this, had he been guided by his better judgment; but, in the first place, the motion was made by the Foged, whom Wergeland did not like, consequently, neither did Canute; secondly, the grain-magazine had been erected by

is teeth; this he always did when entering upon a subject, using it as he would a toothpick, letting it hang loosely in one corner of his mouth, or turning it more quick

ed dryly, "

s if nothing had happened, and did not again resume the question till toward the close of the meeting, when he asked with an air of indifference if they should send it back to the Foged for closer c

ne vote,"

," said anot

chairman had recovered from his surprise, a

cords," blushed deeply, but resolved to have this vote defeated in the parish meeting. In the yard he hitched his horse to

she had done wrong, or he feared she would do so. On the contrary, Canute Aakre's wife spoke much with her husband, and particularly about the commissioners' meetings, for lately they had taken his thoughts, work, and love from her and the children. She was jealous of it as of a woman, she wept at night about it, and quarrelled with her husband concerning it in the day. But now she could say nothing; for once he had returned home unhappy; she immediately became muc

. The meeting was full; some, too, had come in as spectators, which Canute did not like, for he perceived by this a little excitement in the parish. Lars had his straw, and stood by the stove, warming himself, for the autumn had begun to be cold. The c

was caused by regard for Canute, or anxiety for the success of the bill, we cannot say; but his arguments were clear, good,

the Foged?-none,-or who it was that erected the ho

in the country, he thought, quite near, and almost too near. But if one was to be instituted, there were other ways of attaining this end, than by trampling upon the gifts of the dead, and

airs of this parish are to be conducted for the best interests of the living, or for the memory of the dead; or

aker has been the one least benefited not only by the dead

er had, in his day, managed the farm for Lars' grandfather, when the

n moving quickly for a l

ing; involuntarily he had to turn his eye upon Lars. There he stood tall and portly, with clearness marked upon the strongly-built forehead and in the deep eyes. His mouth was compressed, the straw still hung playing in its corner, but great strength lay around. He kept his hands behind him, standing erect, while his low deep i

eeply, fearfully; he could not explain to himself why he thought so, but he felt it

what in the Lord'

to have Lars see; he drew himself up, struck the table with his fist, and his eyes snapped from below the stiff disorderly hair which always shaded them. Lars appeared as if he h

not endure

debated but in love and upright zeal? We are infuriated at each other as if inc

e. But you will look upon it only through your own self-will; now we shall see if yo

en good care of the in

rieved Canute, a

d accomplished something;-something for the good

, which was broken in many ways, and the parting with Lars gr

s done here, and should one judge by much speaking in th

, looking sharply upon Lars: "it

rs, "I will say that all matters have been carefully

Aakre resumed his q

m content to live without it; ther

, I should say there is not much to take honor for;-of course ministers and teachers may be satisfied with what has

sembly, which now became

ly matter." The audience exchanged glances, and spoke half audibly, when one threw out a remark as he rose to go to his dinner-pail, that these were "the truest words he had heard in the meetings for many years." Now all arose, and the conversation became general. Canute Aakre

ietly any longer; so, yielding his place to the

his head towering, in the dusk of evening, to the sky. It was his own fault that this had been the decisive battle, and the thought grieved him sorely: he had staked too much upon a single little affair. But surprise, pain, anger, had mastered him; his heart still burned, shrieked, and moaned within him. He heard the rattling of a wagon behind; it was Lars, who came driving his superb hor

own the road and home again; but no wagon appeared. At last she hears a rattling on the road, her heart beats as violently as the wheels revolve; she clings to the doorpost, looking out; the wagon is coming; only one sits there; she recognizes Lars, who sees and recognizes her, but is driving past without stopping. Now she is thoroughly alarmed! Her limbs fail her; she stagg

y! Canute was so excitable! Why did Lar

them, so she said they must take supper alone, and, rising, arranged it and helped them. She was constantly glancing out upon the road. He did not come. She undressed and put them to bed

congregation at prayer. She rose; all the children s

him rep

wise, it would have been like intermeddling with his grief before he felt a necessity

But soon shall grow up

good to all! When in

t help me keep;-Remembe

l try to go

n it as in the lap of God; but the mother went quietly to work arranging supper

this, I shal

, lest she should reveal it; and she thanked God for all that