Stories by Foreign Authors

office of parish trust to which his election was possible. In the county legislature, during the first year, he remained silent, but afterward made himself as conspicuous a

f challenge. But here, although steady and independent, he was always retiring, never venturing b

and glancing sideways at him,-now and then one stepping up for the honor of exchanging a couple of words with him,-it could alm

and much more resulted from the savings-bank, which he had instituted and now managed; and

ts details; and, somewhat hurt, he replied: "When Columbus discovered America he did not have it divided into counties and towns,-this came by degrees afterward;" upon which, Lars compared Canute's proposition (relating to stable improvements)

from the pupils, in connection with the mission cause, of which he soon became the centre and leader in his own and surrounding counties. At this, Lars rema

g to himself that it must have been so. Many years afterward at a large wedding-party, where both were present and a little gay, Canute stepped upon a chair and proposed a toast to the chairman of the parish council, and the county's fi

on, Canute was aga

body itself had acted as leading speculator. Down to the youth of twenty years, all were endeavoring by sharp bargains to make the one dollar, ten; extreme parsimony, in order to lay up in the beginning, was followed by an exceeding lavishness in the end: and as the thoughts of all were directed to money only, a disposition to selfishness, suspicion, and disunion had developed itself, which at last turned to prosecutions and hatred. It was said that the parish board had set the example in this also; for one of the first acts, performed

contend against these and others like them, who had disliked him from their childhood. One evening after a stormy debate, as he stood on the platform outside his door, looking over the parish, a sound of distant threatening thunder came

rm at the entrance of the parish to mark out the line of a new railroad. In the course of conversation, Lars perc

horses carried them, and to his farm they returned. The following day they drove through the other valley, he still with them, and again carrying them back home. The whole house was illuminated, the first men of the parish having been invited to a party made for the surveyors, which terminated in a carouse that lasted until morning. But to no avail; for the nearer they came to the decision, the clearer it was to be seen that the ro

legislature and Department of the Interior; he reasoned and negotiated; for he had possessed himself of all possible information concerning the vast profits that would accrue on the one side, and the feelings of the parish on the other, and had really succeeded in gaining

but Lars' journey and its probable result. Consequently, when he returned with the most splendid promises, they made much ado about him; songs were sung to his praise,-yes, if at that t

del of a locomotive. But finally, it was thought best to wait until everything was accomplished. The petition from the parish to the county board was sent back, with a requirement of a list of the names of all bodies which must necessarily be removed. Th

th dread; for the name of the elder Canute Aakre had been the one most beloved in the parish for generations. There was a pause of some minutes. At last Lars hemmed, and continued. But the matter became worse, for the further he proceeded, the nearer it approached their own day, and the dearer the dead became. When he ceased, Canute Aakre asked

more than I knew beforehand. Now I begin to thi

uld have to be a depot at each extremity; true, it would be a little more trouble to drive there, than to a station within; yet not so great as that for this reason they should dishonor the rest of the dead. Canute was one of those who, when his thoughts were excited, could extemporize and present most sound reasons; he h

talk became a serious question when it came to touch themselves. The women particularly were excited, and at the parish house, on the day of the next meeting, the road was bl

eeming surprised at the throng. He seated himself, straw in mouth, near the window, and not without a

carrying the road through the parish, showing that in all this excitement they had been over-estimated. He had calculated th

t this railroad, when it would not be

hat the first might be forgotten. Then, too, there were those who, while the thing was new, could sell their farms and lands to st

ely no one would accuse him of understanding speculation. (A little laugh ensued.) Canute had had no objection to the removal of bodies of common people for the sake of the railroad, but when it came to that of his own gr

ally it would have been a greater one not even then to have realized it, as is the case with Lars! Never, I think

ounty officers, engineers, and Department will say, if we first unanimously set the ball in motion and then come asking to have it stopped; if we first are jubilant an

ach his own grandfather, to make way for a railroad; when in order that our loads may be carried more easily forward, we can violate the resting-place of the dead. For is not overhauling our

o the order of natur

f plants and anima

then animals

d, who have buried our dead in faith upon Hi

rtain fixed periods anyway? What evil is there in

remains; what they loved, taught, and suffered for is all around us a

out him, for he monopolized space enough in his lifetime; it isn't worth while to have him lie in the way now he is dead. Should his corpse prevent a

rly hair, his eyes darted fire, his

to destruction, as is now plainly evident in the misfortunes of many. True, you have lessened our taxes to the public; but, too, you have increased those to ourselves;-prosecutions, protests, and failures are no blessing to a community. And you dare scoff at the man in his grave whom the whole parish blesses! You dare say he lies in our way,-yes, very like

e to speak a word, and the straw fell. After three or four vain attempt

here! I have kept your petty business in order until to-day; and after me it will fall into a thousand pieces; but let it go now. Here are the 'Records!' (and he flung the

ard, and the inkstand with all its contents downward upon the floor, marking for coming generat

he power of his voice and his wrath had frightened them,-until Canute Aakre, remembering the taunt he

ecisive blow i

They felt happy and independent as in old days, before the time in which the commanding spirit of Lars had cowed their souls into silent obedience. They drank toasts to their liberty, they sang, yes, finally they danced,