Jerusalem

id not glance about him, but went with eyes downcast, dragging himself along with as much difficulty as though he were some feeble old man. He had left off his usual picturesque peas

l he saw a guard on duty and asked him if this was

a woman coming out to-d

in for infanticide

es, she'll be ou

at has suffered less than I who am outside. Well, I declare, Big Ingmar has brought me here to fetch my bride from the prison house," he remarked to himself. "But I can't say that little Ingmar is overpleased at the thought; he would have liked seeing her pass through a gate of hono

were going to town. Finally Brita came. When the gate opened he felt a cramp at the heart. "It is she," he thought. His eyes dropped. He

that were clear and open, she looked out across the landscape. The prison stood on hig

e covered her face with her hands and sank down upon the

ing so hard that she seemed deaf to every other sound;

y like th

in Heaven!" she excl

ind-and what it must have cost him to come. With a cry of j

ed that you migh

f her being so pleased with him. "Why, Brita, have y

o much to ask yo

p to his full height

for that I don't think we ou

ace to stop at," s

erg's," he said as the

here my t

o big for the back of the cart, so it will ha

This was the first time he had intim

day. He says that you also thin

g a second choice. It wasn't so certain t

d not wish to force himself upon her a second time. She grew very reluctant. It couldn't b

ng within her. And while this thought was still in her mind she heard some one say: "I'm afraid that I am not strong enough to

" Ingmar said

horoughly displeased with herself, she walked silently for some time, wondering how she should take back her words. But as soon as she tried to speak, she was held bac

e said. He put out his hand, which she took; then they went along, hand in hand. Ingmar was thinking, "Now we look like swee

if he had come for her only out of pity. In the meantime Ingmar had drawn the cart out of the shed. The cart had been newly painted, the dasher shone, and the cushions had fresh covering. To the buckboard was attached a little half-withered bouquet of wild flowers. The sight of the flowers made her stop and think. Ingmar, meanwhile, had gone ba

n to question him about various home matters. With every question he was reminded of some one or oth

e begging him to turn back. "He doesn't want me," she thought.

readiness for them; and on the tray were some more flowers. She knew then that he had ordered this the day before, when passing. Was that, too, done only out of kindness and pi

he did not grant to cause him any more u

they were already within sight of their parish church. As they drove along the ro

he forgot everything else in the thought of going to church and praisin

devotion and gratitude! Ingmar's first impulse was to say that she couldn't; he felt somehow that he had not the courage to face the curious

hisper, and point. Ingmar glanced at Brita. She sat there with clasped hands, quite unconscious of the things about her. She saw no persons, apparently, but Ingmar saw them only too well. They came running after the wagon, and did not wonder at thei

r go inside at once,

ttend service was her only thought;

anced over at the side where the women were seated. All the pews were filled save one, and in that there was only one person. He saw at once that it was Brita and knew, of course, that no one had cared to sit with her. Ingmar went and sat down beside her. Brita looked up at him in wo

hout being able to see a word for the tears. Suddenly something bright caught her eye. It was a bookmark, with a red heart, which lay between the leaves. She took it out and slipped it tow

pronounced and the congregation was beginning to file out, Brita and Ingmar were already off. Both seemed to be thinking the same thought: one who has committed s

having heard that the house was to be painted the year Ingmar married. Before, the wedding had been put off because he had felt that he could not aff

f the men, looking out. Mother Martha got up from the table, scarcely lifting her heavy e

she had on her best dress, with her silk shawl across her shoulders, and her silk kerchief on

kept her seat. He went over to her s

oing to get o

vering her face with her h

to have come ba

et down!"

the city; I'm not g

ybe she was right abou

s hand on the ap

" asked Mother Mart

good enough for us,"

ld scarcely be he

ing about?" aske

" said Brita, pressing her hands to he

the old woman a

ch a miserable sinn

y flashed upon her. No, he could never have stood there and repeated those words to his

get down?" the ol

ke up: "Because I don't want to

e Ingmar! You may as well know that otherwise I'll be the one to leave:

ke let me go!

nd sprang into the cart. He was sick and tired

ople. This annoyed Ingmar. Suddenly he turned

. It was the postman with a letter for him. He took

road, he slowed down and brought out the letter. Instantly

ot?" h

reading it;

w can y

letter f

e yourself w

n't tell

ing wild with alarm. "I guess I will read that letter an

spared nothing? Ingmar," she implored, "read it

Ingmar!" she said. "It was the chaplain who got me to write that letter, and he promised not to send it till I was

t he might read the letter in peace. Brita was as much excited no

ue. The chaplain talked me into wri

silent, and the lessons in humility which she had learned in prison profited

over the letter. Suddenly, with an

said, stamping his foot. "

rita and grippe

ou care for me?" His tone was shockingly

was

that you care for me?

e answere

arm and thrust it from him. "How you can lie!" he sa

d day that I might see you again

are you

to America,

ell yo

w steps into the woods and cast himself upon

own beside him, she was so h

r!" she said, calling

k I'm so ugly

ourse

shed her

ll you somethi

l aw

at you said in cour

d

to think differently of

I reme

u. As I saw you that day, I thought you better looking than all the others, and you were wiser than any of them, and the only one with whom it would be good to share one's life. I fel

ad. "Then why didn't

did w

you, as if that were a

uld I hav

he other

d I have

y near not co

had done! My last day in prison I wrote to you because the chaplain said I must.

flattened it against th

beat you!

th me what you

ering had wrought a new kind of beauty. "An

ad to come,

u that I didn't

wonder

I heard that you were

ote me that you

t somehow that I couldn't ask her t

uld never

your account; no one would notice

u threatened to do," said

o tell you how m

ept s

e had to stand these las

Ing

, but at the thought of how n

ou love m

ind

the whole jo

cond! I was just

id you

got your

t was why I did not want you to kno

r chu

uses you

ut of church, and of the kind of

can laugh

have to take to the road, like tramps.

gmar, but this can

don't care a damn about a

t as a child listening to a lullaby. It was all so different from what Brita had expected. She had thought of talking to him about her crime, if he came for her, and the weigh

he said ve

ething you wa

es

inking about it

and n

rt of mixed in

t's

so there will be two in

e like the eyes of a poor, hunted fawn

ter," he said whe

t weight had been li

to bear it. Now, perhaps,

uld love to s

o home," said

I'm a

ie laughed, "when she sees tha

n her out of her home. I have

th a mysterious smile. "You needn't be the least b

is

ee to it that everyth

was Kaisa. But as she was not bearing the familiar y

r and Brita, and the old woman c

to the farm to pay my respects to Brita. When I got there who should I see but the Dean, and he was in the house calling Mother Martha at the top of his lungs before I even had a chance to say 'how d'ye do.' A

, he will be honoured and respected for it as long as he lives.' 'You don't tell me,' said the old lady. 'I could hardly go on with the service when I saw them sitting in church; it was a better sermon than any I could ever preac

ally say that?

aiting for you to appear, she sent out one

Big Ingmar Ingmarsson,' says father, rising and coming toward me. 'The same to you, father,' says I, 'and thank you for your help.' 'Now you'll be well married,' says father, 'and then the other matt

OK

SCHOOLM

cred service. That new sects had sprung up, here and there, in other Dalecarlian parishes, and that people went out into rivers and lakes to be immersed in accordance with the new

hat could go went, even in the severest winter weather. Then, of all times, it was almost a necessity; with the thermometer at twenty be

s folks went to church to praise God and not to be entertained by fine sermons. On the way home, when fighting against the cutting wind on an open country road, one thought: "Our Lord must have noticed that y

ether beautiful. Only the schoolmaster and one or two of the more intelligent farmers occasionally said among themselves: "The parson seems to have only one sermon; he talks of no

he lay preachers, but even all the "awakened souls" in the neighbouring parishes looked upon the Ingmarssons and their fellow-parishioners as great sin

vered their heads, the women courtesied, and everybody stood still about as long as it takes to say an Our Father. All who have lived in that parish must acknowledge that God never seemed so mighty and so honoured as on summer evenings, when scythes were rested, and plows were stopped in t

quite concerned at their having called a parson who was no kind of a preacher. However, he held his peace as long as it was only a question of introducing a new form of baptism, and elsewhere at that; but on learning that there had also been some changes in the administration of the Holy Communion and that people were beginning to gather in private homes to partake of the Sacrament, he could no longer remain passive. Although

d forth, back and forth, as if they had no end of things to say to each other. The parson would often drop in at the schoolmaster's of an evening to sit in the cozy kitchen by an open fire and chat

played by herself in a corner of the room. The little girl was their daughter, and her name was Gertrude. She was a fair little lass, with flaxe

riety of things: bits of coloured glass, broken teacups and saucers, pebbles from th

urbed her. Busy as she was she did not want to be reminded of lessons and chores. It didn'

whole parish! She was going to build up the entire district with both church and schoolhouse; t

, and with two jagged stones she had erected Klack Mountain and Olaf's Peak on either side of the Dal River. The long valley in between the mountains had been covered with mould taken from one of her mothe

sh, had been making on the water this long while. The more distant farms and settlements were marked off by pieces of red brick. Farthest north, amid fields and meadows, lay the Ingmar Farm. To th

been set out, here and there, on the plains and near the cottages. The little girl had only to cast a glance at her str

building up of the town on both sides of the river. It meant much shifting about of stones and bits of glass. The sheriff's house wanted to crowd out the merchant's shop; there was no room for the judge's house next door to the do

worked hard to get everything else done so as to begin on the schoolhouse. She wanted plenty of space for the school

their school, with a big classroom on the ground floor and another upstairs; then there was the kitchen and also the big room wher

r building. "Here comes the parson to chat with father and mother," she thought. Now she would have the whole even

ckly and drew an old armchair up to the fireplace. Then turning

oolmaster, "as soon as

an evening to chat about all sorts of things, big and little. He spoke with such ease and assurance of everything pertaining to this world, that one could scarcely believe that he and the dull preacher were one and the s

mfortably, the schoolmaster suddenly t

he news: I'm going to

s white as a sheet and

thinking of building a mission house here? Then what's to

nfident air. "It is my purpose that the mission house shall promote the welfare of the church

a few moments before he had come in confident and happy, and now all at

student days he had "gone the pace," so to speak, and, in consequence, had suffered a stroke. After that he was never the same. Sometimes he seemed to forget that he was only

," the schoolmaster said at last, tryi

her; still I couldn't have believed it possible

ct, that anything of the sort had never entered his

reat contrast between him and the parson. Storm was one of the biggest men in Dalecarlia. His head was covered with a mass of black bushy hair, his skin was a

and motioned to him to drop the matter. Whatever of regret he may have felt, there wa

therefore, it was very necessary that they should have a meeting place where one could talk to the people in a more informal way than at a re

"So I haven't taught them anything, and I haven't given them any sort of protection against unbelief? I must

ll, but went on talking of all that must be

any wolves," s

they are o

ster, rising. The schoolmaster's talk had irritated him. The bloo

housewife, he passed some pleasant remark about the last pretty bride

cruelly reminded of his own impotence. She wept from compassion, and coul

he capacity of my younger days, I would convince this peasant at once o

get the money,

f several men who had pledged their support, just to show the parson that t

effect of this was like a deathblow. "And to think that I w

a and talked to her. He must have seen that she was crying, but acted as if

r my sake. You wouldn't like it if someb

gazing at the floor a

almost reluctantly,

lence. Where upon the pastor put on his o

rds kept crowding into his head, he could neither arrange them into an orderly sequence nor give utterance to them, because he was a broken man. Walking toward the door, he espied Gertrude sitting in her corn

all this innocent happiness of the child

ing?" he asked, a

ish long before that; in fact, she had alrea

aimed the child. "I had made such a beautifu

ere is

parish, and now I'm bu

"Have you destroyed the parish

But we read about Jerusalem yesterday in school, and n

his forehead and thought a moment, then he said: "It is sur

m to himself, over and over. Gradually his thoughts drifted back into their old groove,

aster, his eyes shining with a new li

ave been pondering the ways of Providence, and I can't seem to get any light on them. No

Y SAW HE

the mountainsides, and it welled out of the earth; water ran in every wheel rut and in every furrow. All this water found its way to the river, which kept rising higher and higher, and rolled onward with greater and greater force

pring flood; only the children ran down to the banks t

loating by! Presently the stream came driving with washing pi

laimed. They felt a bit uneasy, but were glad at the same

g branches thick with buds which had swelled from being so long in the water. Close upon the trees came a litt

. They realized now that the river had overflowed its banks somewhere up north, and hurrie

was weatherbeaten and furrowed, his figure bent; he appeared to be as awkward and helpless as ever. He stood leaning on a long, heavy boat hook, his dull, sleepy-looking eyes fixed on the water. The river raged and foamed, a

erything that drifted past. All at once he sighted something bright and yellow floating on some loosely nailed boards quite a distance up the river. "Ah, this is what I have been expecting all along!" he said aloud. At first he could not quite make out w

ittle children, in their yellow homespun frocks and round yellow hats, being carried downstream on a p

iver where it touched his land. If God in His mercy would only direct the raft wi

the shore. By that time the children were so close that he could see their frightened little faces and hear their cries. But they were st

alling to him to comeback. "You are no longer a young man, Ingmar;

prison, had died during the winter, and since her going his one longing had been that he might soon follow. But, on the

must be as God

e bottom, so as not to be carried away by the current, and he took good care to dodge the floating ice and driftwood. When the ra

ks creaked. But the wretched structure held together, and Big Ingmar managed to pull it out of the stro

nst him with a violent force that sent him staggering in the water. Yet he kept a tight grip on the boat hook until he reached the bank. When he again stood on firm ground, he hardly dared touch his body, for he felt that his chest had been crushed. Then his mouth su

n his way home, he stopped at the schoolmaster's. He had experienced things in the

rd that Ingmar Ingmarsson was dead. The clergyman, on the other hand

sked the pastor if

ut on this occasio

u?" said Mo

He would have got on just as well without me. Someti

," nodded the

passing from among us happens to

st

e quite different from

azing into space; his eyes looked cle

eard of the wonderful thing that once happened

at he had heard many won

w of it myself until to-day. Big Ingmar had a good friend who has a

"He is also named Ingmar; folks call h

g, at midsummer, when the nights are almost as light as the days, Big Ingmar and his friend, Strong Ingmar,

ing the bridge to the village, it was as if some one had told them to stop and look upward. They did so. And they saw heaven open! The whole firmament had been drawn back to right and left, like a pair of curtains, and the two stood there, hand in hand, and beheld all the glories of heaven. Have you ever heard anything like it, Mother Stina, or you, Storm?" said

re heard tell of such things." His voice shook a little as he proceeded. "I only wi

very anxious lest he should not get to see his old friend again in this life. First the doctor came, then I came, but Strong Ingmar they couldn't seem to find. Big Ingmar took very little notice of us. He was sinking fast. 'I shall soon be gone, Parson,' he said to me. 'I only wish I might see Strong Ingmar before I go.' He was lying on the broad bed in the little chamber off t

n you and I stood on the bridge and saw heaven open?' 'As if I could ever forget that night when we two had a vision of Paradise!' Strong Ingmar responded. Then Big Ingmar turned toward him, his face beaming as if he had the most glorious news to impart. 'Now I'm going there,' he said. Then the

pastor, that it was a beautiful death. All three

meant," asked Mother Stina abruptly

that was said, and I have not had time to ponder it." He fell to thinking, then he spoke kind of

said of Strong Ingmar that he can see i

ys of Providence cannot be reasoned out by the finite mind," he mused. "I cannot f

AUGHTER

recess, the schoolmaster and Gertrude went into the kitchen and sat down at the table, where

, and was familiarly known as Tims Halvor. He was a tall, good-looking chap who appeared to be somewhat dejected. Mother St

All at once she grew red in the face and leaned forward to get a better view. Trying to appear

ounded a bit peculiar, and he got up and looked out. He saw a tall, st

e me, that's Karin, da

er S

urned away from the window and glanced around the room, as if trying to di

d who could say but that this failing had been transmitted to the son. However, it was finally decided that Halvor should have Karin. The wedding day was fixed and they had asked to have the banns published. But before the day set for the first reading Karin and Halvor made a journey to Falun, to purchase the wedding ring and the prayerbook. They were away for thr

t will be hard to bear," he said. "What will people think if you thro

e Karin! What would happen next? This much was certain: a reconciliation was out of the question. Since the previous autumn Karin had been married to one Elof Ersson. She and her husband lived

e mouth. But the schoolmaster and his wife were pleased to think that she bore such a striking resemblance to the old Ingmars. When Karin saw Halvor, her face did not change. She moved about, slowly and quietly, and greeted each of them in turn; when she offered her h

to-day?" said Mother Stina, draw

t's easy walking now th

rost during the night,"

eral minutes. Presently Halvor got up, and the others

ck to the shop

hurry?" asked

going on my account

th her, and of whom no one had taken any notice before. He was a little chap who could not have been much older than Gertrude. He had a fai

brought us a new

" Karin replied. "He

arss

le for that name,

her died

schoolmaster and his wif

ng the school in Fal

e hasn't been

to let him go ba

d her. "He has the name of being a good

n't teach him anything. He

nother pause, after which Karin continued: "This is not only the question of his attending schoo

at each other in astonishment, but ne

are rather close,"

t be willing to accept milk and

to t

a great service," said

this singular request had there not been some goo

more. We will do al

arss

ou," sai

time, Storm took the boy with him to the classroom, and gave him a seat ne

*

ikelihood of any customers coming, he decided to run over and have a chat with Mother Stina. He was hungry for a heart-to-heart talk with some kindly and sympathetic person. He had been seiz

n the recess bell rang, and Storm and the two children came in for their coffee. All three went over to greet him. He arose to shake hands with the schoolmaster, but when little Ingmar put out his hand, Halvor was talking

show us his new watc

nto the schoolroom for a magnifying glass, adjusted it to his eye, and began examining the works. He seemed quite carried away as he studied the delicate adjustment of the tiny wheels, and said

he had finished his coffee, he asked Storm w

oolmaster. "Don't you know that I

ly and clumsy as compared with Halvor's watch. The chain to which it was attached was also a clumsy contrivance. The c

aid Storm, putting

oy. "I was just wondering if you

loose. "You must have been hammering nails with t

at Eric, the clockm

better send it to Falun a

said Ingmar, and

ve you been doing with it?"

h," he explained, "and it got damaged like th

all grew

him with the watch in his hand. 'Now it's all over with me, Ingmar,' he said. 'I'm sorry the watch is broken, for I want you to give it, with my greetings, to some one that I have wronged.' Th

knew of any one who was soon going to the

e the watch, In

I ought to tell,"

Halvor, who is

he wh

e watch just as it i

l please

nd rubbed it in the sleeve of his coat, to s

this with his compliments," h

im, he put his hand up to his eyes, as if he did not want to look at him. Ingmar stoo

the peacemake

mend, Halvor," he said. "I've always maintained that if Ingmar Ingmar

lmost as if against his will. But the moment he had got it

from him," said the schoolmaster with a laugh,

d himself, and drew a deep breath. The colour came into h

like a new man," said

. Crossing over to Ingmar, who was again seated at the table, he said: "Since

ay he tramped the roads and bypaths. A couple of peasants who had come from a distance to tr

*

was not even allowed to attend the country dances like other young folk, and he got no rest from his work even on Sundays. Nor did Elof become his own master when he married. He had to live at the Ingmar Farm and be under the domination of his father-in-law; and also at the Ingmar Farm hard work and frugality were the rule

rounders in the parish, and invited them down to the Farm, and went with them to dance halls and taverns. He quit

Halvor," was the thought that came to her. To the husband she said very little in the way of rebuke or warning. She soon percei

s on the whole rather good-natured, he sometimes got into a rage and had words with them. Then Karin's only thought was how she should get her sisters away from the house, that they might escape the mis

d to twenty thousand kroner each. The farm had been left to Karin, with the

send so many birds from the nest, find mates for them, and homes. She arranged it all hersel

sband even more than the sisters had done. He did it by actions rather than words. One time he poured out all the corn

k to high school that year, as in former years, but her

igh school? When the winter comes, he and I will go into the forest to put up charcoal kilns. That will

s mind, she had to make the best of it an

, but unwillingly. He did not like to go with him on his sprees. Then Elof would coax the boy, and vow that he was not going any farther than the ch

was at least a safeguard against Elof being left in a

in the morning, Ingmar was sitting

houted to Karin, "and carry him in. The poor b

of him she discovered that he was not really asleep, but stiff from the cold, and unconscious. Taking the boy in her arms, she carried him into the bedroom, locked the door after

or if you have made my brother drink himself to death, you'll soon ha

if a little bran

boy dies, you'll get twen

come out of his stupor, but was delirious and

m going to die,

ourse not," Kar

w what they w

that!" said K

and tell them I didn't know i

r," sooth

uly I didn't k

ng fever. "Please don't tell

never know of

r would surely find it out, an

n't your fa

on't you suppose the whole parish must know that I have been full?" he asked

ying anything,"

came over and roused me. 'Wake up, Ingmar,' he said very pleasantly, 'and I'll give you something that will make you warm. Drink this,' he urged, holding a glass to my lips. 'It's only hot water with a litt

room, where Elof still lingered over his meal. Sh

living, Karin, if onl

then,

think he'

boy heard him, he turned so pale with frigh

events: he put up no objection when Karin

*

n order to hear the story of Big Ingmar's watch. The peasants in their long white fur coats stood hanging over the counter by the hour, their solemn,

they seemed to see before them what had happened when Big Ingmar

ld never let it out of his hands, but wo

upon all a solemn hush. In the meantime Elof had come into the shop, but as every one's attention was riveted upon the watch, no one had remarked his presence. Elof had also heard the story of his father-in-law's watc

watch from Halvor. It was only meant in fun. He had no thought of t

t a lump of sugar to a dog. Then Halvor vaulted the counter; and he looked so angry that Elof go

caught in a hole, and down he went. Halvor fell upon

me, and find out what's wro

e, but Elof made no m

e up,"

self when you've s

o run down the stairs I thought I saw Big Ingmar coming towa

h Elof was confined to his bed, a helpless cripple. But he could talk, and all day long he kept begging for brandy. The doctor had left strict orders with Karin not to give him any spirits, les

The very air became polluted by his vile talk and profanity, so that the home was like a hell. Karin begged the Storms to keep lit

elonged to the Ingmarssons, they could not have gone on serving under such conditions. There were precious few nights that they were allowed

ssed a winter and a sum

w seat upon which she often sat, with her elbows on her knees and her chin resting in her hands, staring straight ahead, yet seeing noth

hung a thick mist, such as always accompanies a thaw. The birch tops were beginning to turn brown, but all along the skirt of the forest there was still a deep border of snow. Spring would soon be there in earnest, and the thought of it made her feel even mor

eem to be here for no other purpose than t

p, as if she had hear

edge, looking straigh

t know just when he ha

tanding there

ld find you over

did

e by you used to step away, a

uch to brood ove

ubles were mos

s not to have married him, who is such a handsome and dignified man. Now h

Elof," Halvor enlightened. "It

er eyes fixed on the ground and her hands crossed, prepared to

hurt." He paused a moment, as if waiting for some expression from her, either of approval or disapproval. But Karin was silent. "So I

s, but otherwise remained

must know, Karin, that that's out of the question. No, indeed! It's no more to be had with me than with you. I shall expect him to-morrow. He is

this was not something he had made up, but gr

e. She probably knew she was not the kind of girl that men care for. Nor had she herself been in love, either with Halvor or Elof. But now that Halvor had come to her in her trouble, and wanted to

kindness had thawed her frozen heart, and that love was beginning to flame up in her. Halvor went on unfolding his plan, fearing all the while that she might oppose him. "It's hard f

movement or say a word without letting Halvor see that she was in love

opped talking and s

and patted him on the hand. "God bless you, Hal

t have divined something, for he quickl

alarm, freeing herself;

*

little bedroom off the shop. Halvor was not troubled with

r: "Now you must promise me one thing: promise me

patience," Halvor r

nning, even if one has t

soon learned that this one and that one was paying court

ion of the Ingmar Farm. In the first carriage sat an inspector from Bergsana Foundry, in the second was the son of the proprietor of the Karmsund Inn, and last came the Magistrate Berger Sven Per

ny longer. He jumped to his feet and started down the road; in almost no time

f running, but all the while becoming more and more determined. "I know this is stupid of me," he thought, rem

d at the schoolhouse, was at home over Sunday. He sat at table with them and acted as host, for Karin had excused herself, sa

ing a word. The suitors were practically strangers to one another, and all three of them

ped another caller, who was received

," said Ingmar, introducing the

eeted Halvor with a sweep of the

to meet so disting

for Halvor, so that he was spar

o talk big. Each in turn praised and championed the others. It was as if they had

ing a fine horse to-day

ving shot a bear the winter before. Then the two turned to the innkeeper

with every word they gave Halvor to understand that he was too lowly a man to think of pitting himse

s in such a hurry, people will surely say that he hadn't given Elof proper care, and that he wanted him out of the way so he could marry me." She would rather he had waited two or three years before coming

her. They barely touched hands. .At which the magistrate expressed his delight by a short whistle, while

wer. With Karin there he did not wish

re and allows some one else to catch it," r

ersson and the rest of you will have to be satisfied with plain coff

me," said the magi

son kept quiet; they understood th

eeing that this was the kind of talk that would appeal to her, the magistrate began to spread himself, and delivered long-winded harangue on the curse of liqu

on glanced over at Halvor, who sat at the table,

ext world. Anyway, he did Karin a good service by relieving her of that dreadful sot." And since the magistrate seemed to think that he had as good as won the game, he felt r

sat looking the man straight in the ey

ughing. "Yes, yes, a good turn,"

urn," echoed the innkeep

t was said inside. She was both sorry and distressed over Halvor's untimely visit. It would probably result in her never being able to

ut presently she heard a noise as if a chair were

y, Halvor?" young Ing

n't stop any longer. Please

to the kitchen and s

nswer, "we two have nothing

ad scoffed at him, she never opened her mouth in his defence, but quietly sneaked away. Now he must think she did not care for him, and was therefore going, never to return. She could not understand why she

nd stood facing Halvor before he

or?" she asked. "I thought you

changed; her cheeks were aglow, and there was something ten

back," said Halvor. He had not

so much as scorn and contempt. "Now he will at least see that I'm willing to stand by him," she thought. Turning toward her guests, she said: "Berger Sven Persson and all of you! Halvor and I have not spoken of this matter-as I have so recently become a wi

arer to Halvor, as if seeking protection agai

ment at Karin Ingmarsson, who looked younger

ed your father's watch, I felt that nothing greater could have happened

sson, who was in many way

ciously, "for every one must know that he whom Karin, da

Z

ght, and that not one among them knows more than what he, their schoolmaster, has told them. How can he help but regard all the people in the parish as mere school children, however old they may have grown? It is only natural that he should cons

r and the schoolmaster stood talking together in the ves

e pastor remarked. "I never imagined that I

mark entirely irrelevant. Surely the pastor could never think tha

likely to see it, eithe

let the schoolmaster have things pretty much his own way, but all th

pastor and schoolmaster stand together, there's no fear of any nuisance of that sort crowding in. Yet

t once. Presently he said, quite meekly:

gs. "Perhaps I'm unjust to Storm," thought the pastor. "During the four years that he has been holding his afternoon Bible Talks, on Sundays, there has been a larger attendance at the morning church services than ev

on resulted in the pastor's attending the

prise," he thought. "I will go

prophecies, and how firmly he had believed that God had intended it to be something great! But nothing much had happe

fur-trimmed cloaks; along the borders, close to the ceiling, ran highly illuminated Bible texts, embellished with flowers and heave

ve solemnity. Most of the people were dressed in the picturesque peasant costume of the parish, and the starche

, when he saw the pastor come down the

school-master. "Everything comes your way.

in the Book of the Revelation. He was so pleased at the parson having come, that he kept thinking to himself: "For my part I shouldn't ask for anything better than to stand on a platform through

go flashed through his mind again. In the middle of the service the door opened, and a number of people came in. There were about tw

g from some one in the group down by the door, pipe

astor, and others with him. For no one else in t

e platform, followed by a score of men and women who seemed t

king is dead, or war has been declared, or perhaps some poor creature has fallen into the river and been drowned." Still H?k Matts did not look as if he ha

to preach. We couldn't get down here to listen to Storm, on account of the ice and sleet, and we sat longing to hear the Word of God. Then all at once I had the feeling that I could

ould have fallen upon so humble a man. "But the schoolmaster him

eady to begin preaching at once. But by that time the sch

eaking here now, H?

s a child when Storm glowered at him. "It was my purpose, of course,

for the day," said

e say a few words? I only want to tell of the things that have come to me when walking

pity for the poor little man. "Matts Ericsson comes here with his own peculia

e a protest, and the schoo

. Whereupon he read out the hymn in stentorian tones, then he began to

hat the pastor happened in to-day; now he can s

roud and dignified Ljung Bj?rn Olafsson, who was married to one of the Ingm

er might have consulted our wishes before turn

d of tone he would have used in reproving some young whippersnapper. "The

the blow for H?k Matts, who was an inoffensive man. Just the same, he could not help feeling chagrined over the

say that he is wonderful. I believe that ever

"Surely you understand, Krister Larsson, that I can't allow this. Were I to let H?k Matts preac

a sharp rejoinder: "I see no reason why Krister and I shouldn'

le strife. "Those of us who have furnished the money to build and run thi

to mind that when we built this hall we were all agreed that it should be a free-fo

that they could ever wish to hear any speaker but the schoolmaster. Now they thought it would be a treat to hear s

. He, too, was a brother-in-law of Tims Halvor and a tall, gaunt-looking fellow, with a swarthy skin and pierci

building this house," said Gunner "but I haven't he

mind you, Bullet Gunner, that here you have heard the true freedom preached, as Luther taught it; but here there h

ingly and half regretfully. "He approves of our using new methods of caring for our cattle, and wants us to adopt the latest agri

bite. "Is it your meaning," he said, adopting a facetious tone, "t

as to who shall preach; and, as far as I know, Matts Ericsson

him. The clergyman sat quietly musing, his chin resting upon the knob of his cane. There wa

utside the schoolroom window and warbled lustily. Then all at once the children would tease and beg to be excused from school; they abandoned their studies and made so much fuss and noise that it was almost impossible to bring them to order. Something of the same sort had come over the congregation after

become inflated with the idea that they were all of them just as good as the schoolmaster. "Wh

at they had been germinating in their minds ever since the schoolmaster had built th

o show them who is master here." Whereupon he rose up, pounded the table with his fist, and thundered: "Stop! What's

hool, and knew that when their teacher rapped on the table it meant t

aid one; "but he still seems to think we should run jus

nes they should call in. They were already quarrelling among themselves as to whether

child in each individual face. But now all the round baby cheeks, the soft baby curls, and the mild baby eyes had vanished, and he saw on

Gunner, Ljung Bj?rn, and Krister Larsson led the attack. H?k Matts, who was the innocent cause of all

rson, who was still quietly musing, the same gleam

ught Storm. "He was right, too. Everything has turned out just as he said it would: heresy, revolt,

traightened. He drew from his pocket a small key of polished steel. It was the key to

d I shall never touch it again, for I see now that it has un

e key down, took up his hat, and

hear me to-day," he said; "for if you hadn't

WILD

would suffer hardship after his death. And he left the farm so heavily mortgaged, that Karin would have been forced to turn it over to the creditors, had not Halvor been rich enough to buy in the property and pay off the debts.

her, and begged her to let him remain with the Storms until he was old enough to enter college. Down at the village he would always be able to borrow books f

ng. "I suppose you wouldn't care to remain at hom

ed to her that if they must have a boy living with them, they might better have the judg

her lessons and minded her like a slave; but she could also become thoroughly put out with him sometimes, because he was clumsy and tiresome and did not know h

If the lad happened to be away for a few days, she grew restless, and felt that she had n

little beneath her. Yet when she heard that Ingmar had become poor, she wept for him, and when he told her that he would not tr

l she had dreamed that

wed any amusements. However, all this was changed the spring Storm gave up his preaching. Then Mother Stina said to him: "Now, Storm, we must le

ld, the councilman's daughter, paid a visit to the S

on the sofa by the window. Time and again Gertrude tried to make him lay down his book, but Ingmar, sulky and shy, refused to budge. Mot

going to a regular dance the next Saturday evening, and asked

's, I give my consent," said Mother Stina; "f

't allow Gertrude to go to a dance unless I

ed up to Ingmar and begg

ithout even glancin

dance. She smiled scornfully, and her eyes flashed as she turned away. It was plainly to be seen how much she despised him for s

nly noticed that her mother was getting uneasy. Every little while she would stop her spinning-w

rl. "There must be some one

flouted. "Only listen to the rustling and the

ring and a bumping about over their heads, tha

e some one up there,

Let me tell you that this thing has been g

since the night of the dance. If that idea were allowed to become fix

is," said the girl, rising; but h

ther I dare let y

It's best to find

go with you," t

they were afraid to open it. Mother Stina bent down and pee

you, mother" a

self, only be

en pushed against the wall, and in the centre of the schoolroom, amid a cl

ne mad!" excla

e'll be able to dance at the party," she added, with smirk. Then Mother Stina began to shake with laughter. "He came near frightening the life out of me," she co

*

yellow buckskin breeches and green homespun waistcoats, with bright red sleeves. Gunhild and Gertrude wore stripe skirts bordered with red cloth, and whi

of how he had worked to learn to dance. Whatever the reason-whether it was the memory of Ingmar's weird dancing, or the anticipation of attending a regular dance-her thoughts became li

ass and waving corn; the hawthorn shimmered with new-blown roses; brooks and ponds were spread with the leaves of the water-lily; the stones were hidden under the creeping tendrils of the twin flower, and the fore

re making fun of them. The bumblebees came buzzingly up to mock at them, the

spair; but they had not a leaf to their names on either twig or

rowsy like, their fir

am! There is certainl

us that we have

eped out from their beds of soil, and under their own ark the sap was running. "Spring is here at all events," said the

e leaves of the alder came forth in such a crinkly and unfinished state that they looked quite malfor

thought this up. She only wished she had been alo

alking a little behind the others. Her fancy had begun to play around the red glow of the sunset, which flamed now above the river, now a

d broke off in the middle o

tter, Ingmar?"

fields and encircled by a range of hills, and in the centre of the plain a big farmstead. At that moment the glow of sun

hers, and after a quick glance at Ingm

. "That place over yonder is the Ingmar Farm. The sight of it has probably made

leading past the farm and down to Strong

?" Then he led them in on a bypath that wound around the edge of the forest, a

Ingmar, I suppo

plied. "We used to be good

e understands magi

rather hesitatingly, as i

ll us what you know

ays we mustn't beli

rson seeing what he sees and believi

gmar had just finished drawing a kiln, and all the charcoal had been spread on the ground to cool. It was still smoking and, where the coals lay thickest, it was ready to take fire, which is something that must not happen. To prevent that is the most important part of the entire process of charcoal making. Therefore, father said as soon as he saw me: 'I'm afraid you'll have to go home alone, little Ingmar. I can't leave Strong Ingmar with all this work.' Strong Ingmar walked along the side of the heap where the smoke rose thickest. 'You can go, Big Ingmar,' he said. 'I've managed worse things than th

ace were two bunks made of spruce twigs and a couple of flat stones on which they had built a fire; yet they were perfectly contented. They sat down, side by side, on one of the bunks, and opened the basket. 'I don't know whether you can have any of this,'

I marvelled that people could be so happy over food and drink. 'You'll have to tell your mother that Big Ingmar

: 'What, so soon?' Yet he went on eating. Then there was more crackling; this time it was much louder. Now it sounded as if a shovelful of stones had been thrown on the fire. 'Well, well, is i

' and out he flew in a jiffy. The charcoal was afire again. When the old man came back for the second time, father said to him: 'I see now that you have such good help up here that you can get along by yourself.' 'Yes, you can safely go ho

was beginning to get dark; everything that had looked so rosy a while ago was now either blue or gray. Here

ome ground; he carried his head higher than usual, and stepped with firmer tread. Gertrude did not quite like this chan

uch light. They caught the sound of violin music and the clatter of dancing feet. Still the girls paused, wonderi

d Gabriel; "the hut is

to a warm glow; the girls were fanning themselves with their headshawls, and the boys had pull

oor into the hut. The first person they saw was Strong I

Gertrude. The old man was standing upon the hearth, play

moke. There were no curtains at the windows, and no cover on the table. It was evident that Strong Ingmar lived by himself. His children had all left him and gone t

und in there. Gertrude could scarcely breathe, and wanted to hurry out again, but it

ngmarsson came into the room he drew his bow across the strings, making a rasping noise t

h surprised at his wanting to dance. But they could get nowhere, for the dancers followed each

bow, and said in a commanding voice: "Room must be made f

became so embarrassed that he could not stir. Gertrude ha

s, the old man pretended to be very much concerned, and instantly let go of it. "My goodness!" he exclaime

eral old women who were sitting there, looking on. Presently he went o

ffer refreshments at t

e content with just m

ust have a bite to

ool, the old man sat down in front

be a school-teache

hadow of a smile on his lips, but all the same he answer

w soon you may be needed on the farm. Elof lived only t

ng, hearty fellow

or will turn the farm over to you as

the Ingmar Farm now that it

oise was heard as of something cracking. Ingmar had broken off a corner of the table. "

think

how you have been brought up

N

iln, or felled

the table kept crumbling under his finger

the splinters of the table and tried to fit them into place. "You rogue! You ought to be going around to fairs, showing your tricks f

o his performance. He beat time with his foot and set the dancers whirling. "This is young

do much dancing. He stood talking most of the time with some of the older men at the farther end o

de," she pouted. It seemed strange to her that she should take this so to heart. Between the dances some of the young folks went out for a breath of air. The night had grown pie

said, and taking Ingmar by the hand, he led him through a thicket a short distance away from the house. "Stand still now and look down!" he said presen

. "Now what do you suppose a waterf

o run a mill," said

the ribs that almost sent him into the rapids. "But who's going to put up a mill he

ke to know,"

ill below the rapids, and afterward lease it to him. For many years the old man's dream had been to find a way

not stir he waited patiently. "If he's the right sort, he won't reply to this today, n

ard a sharp and angry bark that seemed to co

at, Ingmar?" as

st be a dog o

if the beast were heading straight for the hut. The old man seized Ingmar

ter?" asked Ing

, I tel

e angry barking sounded as i

is it?" Ingmar ask

the outer door he shouted: "If there are any of you outside, come in at once!" As he stood holding the door open,

ll wanted to know what was amiss. When the old man had made s

t moment the barking was heard just outside the hut; it was as if the mou

al dog?" asked

call to it if you

sounded weird and dreadful. They began to shudder and shake, and some turned as white as death. No, indeed, th

ved about. First he closed the flue, then

womenfolk, "don't

at is best for all of

of his coat. "Is the mounta

, but what

at come

. Presently he said: "Now

rew less distinct as it went across the marsh and up the mountains on the other side of the valley. Then c

raised his hand and dealt the

a howling wind, but it could also have been a blast from a horn. Now and ag

wept the skirt of the forest; and when it was directly above them. It was like the rolling of thunder across the face of the earth; it was as if the whole mountai

uld be heard above the other noises. There were wails and groans, laughter and bellowings, whines and hisses. When that which they had supposed was a big thunderstorm was right upon them, it seemed to

und trembled, and the hut swayed as if it were going to topple over. It was as if wild horses were prancing on the r

's waist and drew her to her knees. Then she heard Ingmar whi

was the fear that held her. "I don't mind having to die," she thought;

the feeling of numbness in her limbs was gone. She snuggled close to him. She was not frightened now. How won

f them in the distance. They seemed to have followed in the trail of the dog

Now and then through the stillness a deep sigh was heard. No one moved for a long, long time. Some of the people were standing up against the w

to God and farther away from His enemies, for each of those present thought: "It is something that I have done which has brought this upon us. T

I can never live without Ingmar; I must always be near

of another, and another. Strong Ingmar's cow began to low for her breakfast, and his cat, who never slept in the house on nights when there was dancing, came to t

ch had stood close to the gate, had been torn up by the roots and thrown down; branches and fence po

all the trees had been blown down. No one could bear to lo

m his house with his Sunday coat, to brush and air it. From another house came father, mother, and children-all dressed up for a holiday outing. It

front of the shop creaked on its hinges as usual; the post-office horn was in its regular place; and the inn-keeper's dog lay sleeping, as always, outside his kennel. It was also a gladsome surprise to them to see a little bird-berry bush tha

n the steps of the sc

danced my last

Ingmar solem

u can't become a preacher, you must at least be a teacher. T

ertrude. "What did those vo

ls of sin, and that the devil would come and

marssons were threatening and cursing me because I wanted to be something more than a

LL

the next room clinking glasses, laughing loudly, and singing ribald songs. She thought, in the dream, that Elof and his boon companions were getting noisier and noisier, and at last it sounded as though they were trying to break up both tables and chairs. Then Karin became

rushed through the room, and then Karin thought she heard a laugh quite close to her ear-the same kind of laugh that she had heard in the dream.

into the broken window pane. As she stepped out of the bed, her legs gave way, and she found that she could not walk. She did not cry for help, but quietly laid down again. "I'll surely

at a loss to understand what had come over Karin. She did not appear to be ill, nor wa

hing. She felt certain that Elof had been in the room during the night, and that he was the

al come upon her. She examined her conscience thoroughly, but could not discover that she had com

t that time a lay preacher named Dagson led the meetings. She ho

a quarter of the people could get inside; but windows and doors were wide open, and Dagson had such a powerful voice that he could be heard even by those on the outside. Of course he knew what had occurred, and what the people wanted to hear. He opened his address with a terror-striking word picture of hell and the prince of darkness. He reminded them of the evil one who skulks about in the dark to capture souls

same feeling as when trapped in a burning forest-when the fire creeps along the moss upon which you are treading, and smoke clouds fill t

of them. Yet, after taking them through all these horrors, he finally led them to a green spot in the forest, where it was peaceful and cool and safe. In the centre of a flowery meadow sat

own at Jesus' feet, a sense of great peace and serenity would c

hat his words had awakened them to a true faith in God. But all this time Karin sat unmoved. When Dagson had finished speaking, she raised her heavy eyelids and look

stones for bread! Woe, woe, woe t

d a pretty, fair-haired woman had been seen coming down the road, in a cart, during the service. They had stopped to listen, and just as they were about to drive on, the man had risen up and spoken. Some folks thought they knew the woman. They said she was one of Strong Ingmar's

again. But later in the summer, when a Baptist layman came to the parish, baptizing and exhorting, she went t

ere awakenings and conversions. The people seemed to find what they had been seeking. Y

*

ith a low door, and an aperture in place of a window. Birger Larsson made common knives, mended lock

ging iron rods and cutting off pins. A second son was blowing the bellows, a third carried coal to the forge, turned the iron, and, when at white heat, brought it to the sm

e doorway. He was a tall, swarthy-looking man, and he had to bend almost double

e," said the stranger. "I was a blacksmith myself in my younger days, and c

ithout disclosing his identity. Birger thought him clever and likable, and after showing him around the shop, he went outside with him and began to brag about his sons. He had seen hard times,

sons in a material way, I suppose you also let them help you in the things that pertain to the spirit?" Birger stared stupidly. "I see that this is a new thought to you," the stranger added. "Ponder it till we meet again." Then he went on his w

*

. Gunner was away at the time, and, in his absence, Brita Ingmarsson tended the shop. Brita was named after her mother, Big Ingmar's handsome wife, whose good looks she had inherited. Moreover, she had the dist

t "No," and when poor Kolbj?rn's Lena came and wanted to buy a fine brooch, Brita sent her home with several pounds of rye meal. The peasant woman who dropped in to buy some light flimsy fabric w

she got up and took out a rope; then she moved a little stepladder from the shop into the back room. After that she made a loop in one end of

ly entered the shop without her having heard him, and on finding no one in at

r seen the man before. She noticed that he had black curly hair, throat whiskers, keen eyes, and big, sinewy hands. He was well dres

felt that she was being held by his gaze, and could not move. Presently she grew impatient, and said, in her mind: "What's the use of your sitting there watching me? Can't you understand that I'm goin

e man sat gazing

ir, his piercing eyes, and his sharp tongue. But we two were fond of each other, you see, and there was never a cross word between us till Gunner took over the shop. But since then all has not been well. I want him to conduct the business in my way. I can't abide his selling wine and

ook, amazed at his not yiel

ailiff serve executions upon poor people and take from them their only cow or a couple of sheep! Can

ind, and in a little while she began to cry softly. She was to

as on the doorstep, he turned and again looked straight into her eyes, and said in a deep

ll hours. She felt, somehow, that for a long time she had wandered in a darkness so thick that she could not see her hand before her. She had lost her way and knew not whither she had strayed, and with every step she had been afraid of sinking into a quagm

*

Swede named John Hellgum, who was the leader of a little band of religionists with a faith and doctrine of their own. The day

met on the way. He talked with them at first of commonplace things; but just before parting with a person,

k to the Ingmar Farm to live, were hard at work daytimes putting up a sawmill below the rapids. It was a proud day

ped short, frowning. As far back as he could remember, a certain rosebush had been growing outside the door. It had been the apple of his eye. He had never allowed any one to pluck a rose or a leaf from that bush. Strong Ingmar had always

red the hut. Inside sat Hellgum with an open Bible before him. He raised his eyes a

od and stone, it shall not be at all as ye think. As I live, saith the Lord God, surely wit

Ingmar turned and wa

n the barn. The follo

the forest to burn ch

be gone the

ty. But Hellgum, who was not as eloquent a speaker as Dagson, had made no converts. Those who had met him outside and had only heard him sa

*

to hear no more preachers, but stayed at home, brooding over her misfortune. Once in a while she would repeat to Halvor her father's old saying about th

d that she talk with the newest preacher, but Karin decl

A Sabbath stillness rested over the farm, and she could hardly keep awake. Her hea

er window. She could not see who the speaker was, but the voice

at a poor, uneducated blacksmith should have found the tru

can be so sure of tha

hought Karin, trying to close the w

d not resist evil, and other things of the same sort; all of which none of us can live up to. Why, people would rob you of your house and home,

e right," Ha

mean anything when He said all that;

t you're driving

There's no one nowadays who steals, no one who commits murder or wrongs the widow and the fatherless, and of course no one ha

s they ought to be," drawled Halvor. He s

lf any rest till you had discovered wherein it was faulty. But when you see that it is simply impossible to get people

e any flaws in the teachi

become a little rusty, as it were, from neglect. In any perfect mechanism, if a c

as if searching f

lt was? I was at that time working in a factory. When my fellow-workmen found out what manner of man I was, they let me do a good share of their work in addition to my own.

ily run across such

indiffe

e, undisturbed and unmolested. But after a time I began to think that this trying to be good in solitude was about as effective as the automatic turning of a mill when there's no corn in the grinder. Inasmuch as God had seen fit to place so many people in the

had the power to do

Ye who would lead a Christian life

n nodded approvingly. She had listened v

oined with us, then a fourth, and it became easier and easier. Now there are thirty of us who live together in a house in Chicago. All our interests are common interests; we share and share alike. We watch over each other'

ies himself with others who help him. Now you couldn't run this farm by yourself. If you wanted to start a factory, you'd have to

ehand that it can't be done. But we-I and those who have joined me back there in Chicago-have found a way. Our little community is in truth the New Jerusalem come down from Heaven. You may know it by these si

e sick?" Halvor

um. "I can heal those

g different from what one was taught

soon you will give your full support to the upb

ence, after which Karin h

g Karin seated by the open window, he remarked

she r

hat he could heal any o

his teaching which appealed to her common sense. Here were works and service and no mere emotionalism, which meant nothing to her. However, she would n

*

ouse and a fire crackled on the hearth. There was nobody in the room but herself and her baby daughter, who was

tall, dark man, with keen eyes and large sinewy hands. Before

in's husband had gone to a town meeting, and was expected home shortly. Hellgu

told that y

o walk for the past six

oming here to pray for you

eyes and retire

hat by the Grace of God I

obliged to you for thinking of me," she said, "but it isn't likely

nyhow, since you have always t

nough in the sight of God to exp

to get at the cause of this affliction. "Has Mother Karin eve

again she seemed to r

as done this that His Name mig

s. She thought it very presumptuous in Hellgum to think this illness ha

to Karin. Placing his heavy hand on her head

t she was so offended at the man for his obtrusiveness that she pushed away hi

ne should not reject the help which

rned. "Whatever God sends

is day shall salvation come unto

id not

ive the help!" he said. Th

cheeks. "Am I to have no peace even in my own house?" she muttered. "It'

ce. The bright blaze had attracted the child, who, shrieking with

ment she was trying to clamber up into the fireplace. After tumbling down a cou

n. Then she began to shout for help, a

shed over to the fireplace, and snatched the child in her arms. Not until she had brushed away all the sparks from the child's dress, and had made sure that h

the greatest sense of happiness. She had the feeling that she was under God's special care and pr

*

s now a golden brown, and all the leafy trees had turned either a bright red or a bright yellow. Here and there loomed stretches of woodland that shimmered in the breeze like a billowy sea

e Swedish landscape flame into a marvel of splendour. Everything was so wondrously gold

ld let the land reflect the brightness of His Glory, and when the seeds of Truth w

came over to the croft and invited Hellgum an

old dry birch leaves had been cleared away; farm implements and carts, whic

number of visitors he

ed the front door, an

ecognized were Ljung Bj?rn Olofsson and his wife, Martha Ingmarsson; also Bullet Gunner and his wife. Then he saw Krister Larsson and Israel Tomasson with their wives, all of whom were members

gone round and shaken hands w

d here have been thi

s during the summer.

it has ever been to wa

us do this, we are r

a new religious sect had sprung up on the Ingmar Farm, which was sup

NE

lands he fell like a bear that had just crawled out from its lair. He could hardly accustom himself to the glaring sunlight of an open sky, and blinked as if the light hurt him. The roaring of the rapids and the sound of human voices seemed almost

r him; and she had a way of coming in from the kitchen and handing him some dainty or other, as if he were still a little boy. And what wonderful things had happened at home while he was up in the forest! Ingmar had heard o

will want to join

e he would, but that he

s," the sister went on, "for now we no longer live upon eart

inest chap he had ever met. Never had he come across any one who was so much of a man, so firm in his convictions, and so sure of himself. Sometimes, when there had been a great rush of work at the mill, Hellgum had pulled

rin said. Ingmar thought so, too, although he felt a little reluctan

taught us that we must always walk

Gertrude, which was most disquieting to him. He had not seen Gertrude for a whole year. In the summer he had never been without news of her; for then hardly a day went by that some one did not speak of the Storms. He thought that perh

e could not be said of Strong Ingmar. The old man had of la

" Ingmar said to him one afternoon as they

n burst forth. "I only wish

s gone wron

as well as I that Hellgum has be

contrary, he had heard that

g that he's been able to upset the

for any of his own kin. He cared for nobody and for nothing save the Ingmarssons

octrine a good

; and he gave him a withering look. "Do y

er would have upheld any one

s who do not belong to Hellgum's band devils and anti-Christs, and that he would h

s Hellgum and Halvor and Karin wou

em once, and you'll soon h

ed his mouth full, so he would not have to talk. It i

hing to say, while my Anna Lisa and her husband are living on the fat of your land. The best people i

. There was nothing he could say. Stro

m their parents by preaching that those who are of his fold must not live among sinners. Hellgum need only beckon, and brother leaves brother, friend leaves friend, and the lover deserts his betrothed. He has used his pow

to be sure, that the old man had been drawing heavily on

hing to do with each other to live on friendly terms, is certainly remarkable. And look how he takes from the rich to give to the poor, and how he makes each person protect

with the old man for speakin

ast and gone. In Big Ingmar's time we lived in such unity that we had the name of being the friendl

ng," thought Ingmar, "I wouldn't h

me," Strong Ingmar continued. "For if you join Hellgum's ang

ust as you say," he warned. "You may as well understand, once for all, that it is of no use yo

that he was going down to the village to see his friend Corporal Felt.

way from home for a long time he does not care to be told unpleasan

ing Ingmar got down t

there ahe

a Lisa got back late last night. I think they must have hurr

, and he could not help wondering who was in the right. But now he did not want to listen to any mo

demanded, his hand on the sluice

ing of the school

abou

erday that she was the only person

ude got to do

he could not have heard a word. The old man eyed him questioningly. Ingmar

Gunhild, Councillor Clem

ly goose!" In

he'd be able to lead a righteous life, she up and told them. But they seemed to think that could be done just as effectively at home with them. Oh, no, that wouldn't be possible, she declared, unless one could live with those who were of the same faith. Her father then asked her if all of them were going to live on the Ingmar Farm. No, only herself; th

g to tell me about Gertr

on called to see them. When they saw her they became alarmed. She, who was usually so happy and light of heart, now looked as if she'd been crying her eyes out. 'What's the matter? What has happened? And why

asked

na Lisa. They marche

the night and k

azement esc

came and tapped on Gunhild's window, and asked her why she wasn't at the Ingmar Farm. She told them about her pare

hey re

or between was partly open; so they heard all

uld have sen

she would want to leave them, after all they had done for her? They lay

she

ee. In the morning the mother regretted it, and begged the father to drive down to the Ingmar Farm and get their daughter. 'No indeed!' he said, 'I'll do nothing of the sort, and what's

ertrud

on with Gunhild, but Gu

ild at our house," sa

Hellgum. 'There stands the one who is to blame for all this,' she thought, and then she we

alk all right," sai

arrior and not as a Christian preacher, in skulking ab

Hellgum sa

please that she was right, he had acted in haste. And in the afternoo

Gertrude is splendid," he said, "and Hellgum is

take it, eh? I though

ven in like th

d not rep

gan again. "There are many in the village

t matters which p

eader. But now that Big Ingmar is gone, and the schoolmaster has lost his power over the people, while the pastor, as you know, was ne

quite worn out. "But I don't know

ng away from home all winter. It must have been something dreadful in the beginning, before people had got used to this convert

ll me that even the c

doubt

arted in to convert their elders. They lay in ambush along the roadside, and pounced upon innocent passers-by with

ng Ingmar was recounting. "Old man Felt must h

"Felt is done for, too! When I think that all this mischief has been h

ed Felt in any w

ey had nothing else to do, they took it into their heads to go and co

were as afraid of Felt as they were of

dge, they stormed his cabin. When they opened the door and saw the old Corporal, with his bristling moustaches, his broken nose, and his game eye, sitting before the fi

drive them out?

he old man; and when he saw all those baby faces, with their upturned eyes filled with shining tears, he was powerless. The children were only waiting for him to rush at them and strike them. Although they kept right on singing and praying, they were ready to cut and run the instant he made a move. Presently a pair of them noticed that Felt's face was b

aid Ingmar. "Felt was killing himself with dr

ike this wouldn't matter to you. No doubt you would have liked

Ingmar was dumfounded. What Strong Ingmar had said about the pa

vening, as Storm was sitting in the classroom writing

?" asked Ingmar, unabl

hing. But, as luck would have it, Hellgum had arrived a few

gum with

acket in the schoolroom, she said: 'You're just in time to see something new, Hellgum. It would seem that henceforth the children are to instruct the scho

ar way; it was as if a hunter were looking at a wounded b

at you expect of

! Why, you haven't a penny to your name. All yo

you want me to t

s would soon blow over if you could onl

ere's always strife and dissension," said In

or you to show people what sort of stuff

verything to ask how Gertrude was getting along, and whether she had a

nd and gentle, he could not believe a word of Strong Ingmar's chatter. He felt light of heart once more, and positive that the old man had exaggerated. In a little while his

anything of the

. "I don't care to associat

a break with his family; at the same time he did not want them to think that he up held them in matters that were altogether wrong. "I

e should or should not speak. But she felt that she would have to hold to the truth, even if it hurt Ingmar; the

children is a vital one," he said. "They s

re parish, and you, too, Ha

ght us how to live

you have always tri

m: one minute you were up, the next you were down. But when I let my fellow-Christians take me by th

mar smiled; "but

difficult enough, but

about th

out of the school. You see we didn't want th

schoolmaster

om school, and promptly sent a constable over to Israel

ot on friendly ter

keep to o

be at odds wi

from those who woul

hey were all very fearful of every word they let drop, for

to assume a more cheerful tone. "Hellgum had many talks with he

oing about blindfolded all day, expecting to be shot, and

est." Ingmar seemed to think that all this time Hellgum had been ingratiating himself with Gertrude, and had laid snar

isively. "Hellgum is back now, and if he talk

don't care to

ared at Ingmar in s

want any faith

til you have had a tal

ri

med to him that all at once he had been cut off from everything. Then he pulled himself together and looked more determined. "Now I

glances; both were afraid

no one in the world who is more d

t about the sawmil

ng is to get all y

ply, Ingmar drew his o

to run the s

of temper; since telling him that about Gertrud

talk to you,"

said Ingmar, "but first I'd l

ou must know that

is to run t

ountry. We have been thinking that possibly you and he might become business partners

inly, Halvor?" said Ingmar. "All I want to kn

if you resist God,

what a good stroke of business it w

wasn't meant in that way,

e Gertrude and the sawmill and the old home unless I go over to the H

eps watching the rain, and two large bird-cherry bushes, thick with newly sprung leaves, spread their branches over her. Ingmar paused a moment, astonished at finding everything down here so lovely and peaceful. He was already beginning to feel less disquieted. Gertrude had not yet seen him. He closed the gate very gently, then went toward her. When he was quite close he stopped and gazed at her in rapt wonder. When he had last seen

llness pervaded his whole being; it was as though he were in the presence of something gre

r from me," he thought; "they have already taken her from me." The feeling of Sabbath peace vanished, and the old fear and anxiety returned. Waving all ceremony, he asked Gertrude if it was true that she intended to join Hellgum and his follow

of your father and m

ed; "they know

Gert

t do this to find pe

ried, "not

denly turned

er join the Hellgumists. "If you go ov

h as to say that she did not

, Gertrude!"

ng heedlessly, for I have given

over once more

ned from him

Hellgum's sake," said Ingmar with r

"Are you out of your sen

these doings of Hellg

st be s

ust be

nd out bef

hrugged he

ing voice. "And remember what I tell yo

gmar?" asked the girl, for sh

ave said!" Ingmar shouted back, for by tha

lose all that is dearest to me, and I see no way of preventing it." There was one thing, however, of whic

o he turned back at once. As he walked away he heard a man say in angry tones: "We are three brothers who have come a long way to call you to account, John Hellgum, for what has befallen our yo

s besides himself who had cause for complaint against

awmill, which had alr

the buzzing noise of

a shriek; but he paid

anything save his st

is mind all that this

rin, his home a

uarrel had arisen between Hellgum and the strangers. "There would b

r he approached the hut the plainer he heard Hellgum's cries of distress, and when he finally reache

attacking him with clubs. They carried no guns, so it was evident that they had come simply to give Hellgum a sound thrashing. But because he had put up a good fight, th

m, wherein the thing one desires most suddenly appears without one's kn

such a fool as to help you

clubs, drew their knives, and cast themselves upon him. Instantly a thought flashed across Ingmar's mind. There was an old saying about the folk of his family, t

threw him bodily out of the house; the second one had hardly time to think of rising before the same thing happened

. "Don't you want to come back?" he challenged laughingly. He would no

ir heels he had seen a figure coming along the path behind the elms. They were furiously disappointed at not having

ling with our af

d the man ran off, w

the wall, axe in hand and his face covered with blood. Karin had not seen the fleeing men; she supposed that Ingmar was the one who had attacked Hellgum and wounded him. She was so horrified that her knees shoo

rst!" crie

ot be helped before hi

as so excited that he raised his axe against her. "He has

ngmar, he was gone. She saw him stagger across the

head. But she soon caught up with him.

and let me bind

blood from his open wound trickled down underneath his clothes into one of his shoes. With e

s. "Stop, Ingmar, stop!" she implored

o succor him. Karin kept her eyes fixed on his shoe, which was oozin

t Karin. "God bless you, Ingmar, for helping Hellgum!" she said gen

hen Karin ran past him and planted herself in his way. He stepped aside

to you this morning, and I was just on' my way to Hellgum to let him

as Ingmar's answer. He walked on, s

n't you forgive me for my mistake of a moment in thinking you h

ass blades he had trampled down came up again, blood dripped from them. It was only after Karin had noticed the peculiar way in which Ing

to-day, Ingmar; it will be known far and wide," she said.

go home, Karin?" he said. "I know well enough whom you would prefer to help." His steps became more

which she had always felt or Ingmar kindled with new ardour. Now she was pro

wmen if you go on spilling your life's blood in this way. You know, if th

ree to hold himself up. Then, with a cynical laugh, h

the thing her brother wanted her to do. Could it be that he expected her to leave the beautiful Garden

was like that of a dead person; but his under lip protruded with a determination that he had never before sh

in the same parish," he said, "but it's p

red to us, I promise you that I will see that Hellgum goes away. God will surely find us anoth

was not badly wounded. All he needed was to rest quietly for a few days. He lay

n discovered that Hellgum and the sawmill were not the only things that had caused him anxiety. By evenin

he felt too tired

this will d

nd provoking. But at that time something within him had always fought against his love. But now Gertrude had passed through a trying year of longing and unrest, which h

ant to see m

head. He was li

y a few words to y

ome to tell me that

gumi

fted his hand from his eyes. "There is somethi

t did not speak. Gertrude blushe

leaving us, I had begun to ca

d a look of joy came into his eyes; but imme

you so, Ingmar!

d her hand a little as thanks f

ame back to see me,"

I no longer ex

well-to-do man and could propose to you," said

what a terrible year it has been. Hellgum has been very kind, and has tried to

t her with a newbor

" she confessed, "I felt that I couldn't resist

face wa

hold out any longer." Gertrude grew scarlet. "I felt somehow that I had not the strength to do

Within reigned Sabbath peace and stillness, while love, honey sweet,

K T

F "L'U

e summer of 1880-abou

n house was built and

nch liner L'Univers w

New York and

ssengers, as well as most of the crew, were asleep in t

e and his mates occupied a large but exceedingly low compartment between decks. It was lighted by a couple of lanterns, so that he could see the gray hammocks, which hung in close rows, slowly swinging to and fro with their slumbering occupants.

ike the sea!" thou

hains, nor the lapping of the waves, nor the whistling of the wind, nor any other sound. It seemed to him that the ship had suddenly gone to the bottom, and that

was pleasing to him. He was glad it was the moving and transparent water that covered him, and not th

at the bottom of the ocean without having received Extreme Unction would not be bad for hi

He bent still farther forward so as to see who they were. The hammocks were hung so close together and so near to the floor that any one wanting to pass through the room, without pushing or knocking against those who were sleeping there, would

les under hammocks. "I wonder if there is a priest with them?" he said. Immediately he heard the tinkling sound of a littl

"I've never seen any one as tiny as mother, and surely no one but mot

a wide border of lace, such as is worn by priests. In her hand she held the large missal with

k, click of the censer chains. In the meantime, his mother had opened the big book and was reading the prayers for the dead. Now it seemed good to him to be lying at the bottom of the sea-much better than being in the churc

ed away, followed by his mother, who suddenly closed the book w

comrades, the timbers creaked, the wind whistled, and the waves swish-swashed again

aning of the things I have seen

struck amidships. It was as if

expected," though

their hammocks, he carefully dressed himself in his best clothes. He had had a foretaste of deat

*

ed. Just over his head there was a small porthole, through which he peered. All he could see was fog and some shadowy gray object which had, as it were, sprung from the fog. He seemed to

about in mad terror. The wind freshened, and the sails became as taut as drums. The masts bulged, while the yards snapped with a succession of reports that sounded like pistol shots. A great three-master, which in the dense fog had sailed st

rushed out on deck, "that poor boat has

urrying up; but when they saw it was only a sailing vessel that had collided with their ship, they felt qui

the unhappy men on the sailing vessel to come over to the steamer and save themselves. At first no

outed, running to the side of the

iling vessel. He shouted as loud as he could that the people on th

er, the man with the red beard could think of nothing but the little cabin boy, for whom he had evidently conceive

boat, because they would not mind him and board the steamer. A huge greyhound like L'Univers, with six hundred passengers and a crew of two hun

d tried to pull him on to the other ship. The boy was dragged as far as the ship's railing, but there he managed

wo ships were now clear of each other. As the liner steamed ahead, the boy saw the big broken bowsprit

boy saw was the men trying to get out from under the mass of sails. Thereupon the vessel disappeared as completely as if it

rd to shout across to the steamer: "Sav

d for distress calls. Then the voice was heard as

captain. "We have a big hole amidships; we are

*

e of the first-class cabins with certain and determined step. She was dressed from top to toe, and her bonnet strings were

the crew as well as passengers-time and again, that she was never afraid. She didn't see why she need have any fear, she would have to die at one time or another, she had said,

passengers and get them on deck. An old sailor came up with an armful of life belts, which he tossed on the deck. A little cabin boy in his shirt was crouching in a co

fires. Miss Hoggs had hardly been on deck a moment before it was thronged with steerage passengers, who had come up in a body, shri

s, without being seen, climbed over the railing and scrambled into one of the boats suspended above the watery abyss. As soon as she was well inside, she congratulated herself upon her wisdom and foresight. That was the advantage of having a clear and cool head, she

must have frightened the others, for cries arose from all sides of the ship, and the passengers heedlessly crowded the gangway, pushing and fighting their way toward the ladder. In the struggle many of them went overboard. A few persons, who saw that it would be impossible

also saw one boat after another capsize under the

reason no one had touched the one in which she was seated. "Thank God

he could not see the deck itself, but from the sounds that reached her, she gathered that a frightfu

Miss Hoggs. She was not at all afraid, but sat back with perfect composure until the steamer began to settle. T

*

Paris. She had her two little boys with her, and all three were asleep in their cabin when the accident occurred. The mother was immediately awakened, a

and crowding, with no thought of any one but themselves, as more than a hundred persons, all at one time, tried to rush up. The young American woman stood holding her two children by the hand. She l

er. But she saw no one she dared approach. The men came dashing past, dressed every which way. Some were wrapped in blankets, others had on ulsters over the

hem. She stood regarding them, wondering whether there might not be one, perhaps, who had a bit of reason left. But seeing them rush wildly past-some hugging the flowers they had received on their departure from New Yor

r. Mar

had seen in the eyes of the other men. He raised his cane threat

mur, as when a strong and sweeping wind becomes bottled up in a narrow passage. It

et had with the greatest difficulty managed to bear him on his back halfway up the stairs, where he had paused to take breath. In the meantime, the pressure from behind h

o marked that, horrible as was this spectacle, no one seemed to be either shocked or moved by it. For nobody thought of any

these people there was no hope of being

*

part of the boat afterward. And as no one had thought of calling them, they were still asleep when every one else was on deck fighting for the lifeboats. But they woke when the propeller, which the whole night had been revolving dire

ip is s

when his wife would have rushed ou

ing desperately for rafts and life belts." He told her that in the gangway he was obliged to step over a woman who had been trampled to deat

he was right, and resign

ling and fighting," he said. "Since we've got to

ere with him the few short moments of life still left to them.

many years, you would be sitting by me when I lay on my deathbe

oor. This was too much for her. She threw up her arms in despair. "I can't!" she cried.

as the ship heeled o

*

she herself had been deep under the sea. She had then come to the surface for the third time

fting up her soul to God. And her soul rose like a liberated prisoner. Her spirit, rejoicing in the thought of casting

of the drowning, and the noises made by the colliding of the various objects that were drifting around on the water-all seemed to re

is easy, but to live, tha

nd wondered what was needed to

ating wreckage and the overturned boats. But amid the mad cries and cur

d to make life as ea

Y, U

h had converted these noises into a speaking t

o a small boat in which there were only three persons besides herself-a brawny old sailor dressed in his best,

*

in the direction of the fishing grounds. The sky was clear, and the sea was like a mirror. The vessel c

lue and smooth as glass, but where the faintest

. As it was being carried by the current past the ship, they could tell by the clothing that it was the body of a sailor. It was lying on its back, with eyes wide open, and with a look of peac

to the bow of the boat. They came near passing over it, but at the last moment it was washed away by the swell. Now they all rushed to the side of the ship and

yes-as if it were out upon some very urgent errand. Immediately after, one of the sailors shouted that he saw another body, and the same thing was said

if they wanted something. Some came floating in large groups; they looked like drif

ke land, but, on coming nearer, they saw hundreds of bodies floating close together, and surrounding the vessel on all sides. They moved with the ship, as if wanting to make the voyage across

lest it should go on like this the whole night. Then a Swedish seaman stood up in the bow and repeated the Lord's Prayer. Thereupon, he began to sing a

UM'S

t was only a week day, she was dressed in her best, as if for church. Af

under the shadow of the towering snow-clad fir trees. She glanced at her humble home with an affectionate gaze. "Many

elves erect and firm, however much old age may try to bend them. She had a sweet face and soft white hair. She looked so mild a

to Hellgum's teachings. "Ah, those were glorious times," she mumbled to herself as she trudged on, "in the beginning when half the parish had gone over to Hellgum! Who w

ame to her in her loneliness, who never forgot to clear a path to her cabin after a big snowfall, and who always kept her little shed well filled with dry firewood-and all without her having to a

Now retribution will come upon us. Next summer we must all perish because so few among u

"There was a time when Hellgum was as milk and honey to us," she reflected. "Then he commanded us to be kind and tolerant toward the unconverted, and to show gentle forbearance toward those who had fall

r the whole district; all the trees were deep in their winter sleep, and not a breath of wind stirred. But she was thinking that all this beautiful country, wrapped in peaceful

riting all the while about a sore trial. Mercy me! Who could wonder at it i

turing to herself how the coming earthquake would shake it and crumble it into dust and ashes. And whe

beams on the snow. She feels happy now because she expects to be married in the fall to young Ingmar Ingmarsson. I see she has a bundle of thread tuc

moss grew in the cracks between the logs, and the windows were only holes in the wall. When she reached the heart of the town, she stopped short and struck her cane hard against the pavement. A sudden feeling of indignation had seized her. "Woe, woe!" she cried, in so loud a voice that people in the street

e Corporal Felt and Bullet Gunner and his wife, Brita. Shortly afterward, they were joined

ing along the snow-covered road. But to the mind of Eva Gunnersdotter, they were only

ey would live to see the day when the New Jerusalem should come down from the clouds of heaven. But now that they had become so few in number, and could not help seeing that theirs was a forlorn hope, it was as if something within them had snapp

um writes. I've tried to explain his words to them, but they won't even listen to me. Alas! those who live on the lowlands, under an open sky,

eared that he was going to tell them of more desertions from their ranks. They glanced anxiously at one anot

and break up the Society at once. After all, sudde

this blissful life of unity and brotherly love which had me

s the blue sky. From the glistening snow rose a refreshing coolness, which should have put life and courag

were at the

thers were white manor houses with slate roofs. Others, again, showed massive copper-plated towers, after the manner of the Kistine Church at Falun. Outside the city wall were promenading gentlemen, in kneebreeches and buckled shoes, who carried Bengal canes. A coach was seen driving out of the gateway of the town, in which

g, it seldom attracted any notice. Most of the people who v

of the caller. Eva Gunnersdotter saw it at once, and remarked under her breath: "Aha! Now the folks on the

ore gloomy and low spirited than the other Hellgumists. "I

placed at the head of the long table. In front of her la

er Hellgum," said Halvor. "This is why I hav

ust think this a ver

Bullet Gunner,

t Hellgum meant when he wrote in his last lette

any of us will be af

e," Gunner

er, with her far-sighted eyes, meanwhile sat gazing at Hellgum's letter. She was reminded of the letter with the seven seals, in Revela

ng to herself: "'And the foundations of the wall of the city were garnished with all manner of precious stones. The first foundation was jasper; the second, sapphire; the third, a chalcedony; the fou

that she started as if she had been caught napping when Hal

t us all join in singing number two hundred and forty-four."

been put off for a little. "Alack-a-day! that a doddering old woman like

offer up a lengthy prayer for grace to receive in a proper spirit the message contained therein. Halvor, with the letter in his han

s and sisters, p

one in this our faith. But, praise be to God! here in Chicago we have found br

e of Edward Gordon. He and his wife were God-fearing people. They were sorely grieved at seeing so

suffered shipwreck and was cast upon the waters. When she found herself in the most extreme peril,

our Lord hath given unto us-that we should live in unity-and we must follow it. So great is this message that in all the world there is but one spot worthy of

ommandment, set out for Jerusalem, where all of them are now living in concord under one roof. They sha

hey nurse the sick, they care for the aged, and succour all who appe

or on street corners, for they say, 'I

ere the Christians who had come to Palestine to convert Jews and Mohammedans, by preaching and teaching. And they said: 'What sort of pers

r two half-grown children. She had left a brother in her native land, to whom every one was saying, 'How can you allow your sister to live among those dreadful people, who are so loose lived?

en, returned to Chicago, accompanied by Edward Gordon and his wi

ewspapers had much to say of them; and some calle

repeated the substance of what he had read in his own words, so t

ants of this home are people who try to serve God in spirit and in tru

Jerusalem, and said among ourselves, 'These people are of our faith; they are banded together to wor

ed the invitation and called; and we compared our teachings with theirs, and found that our princ

resplendent on its white mountain, and we deemed them fortunate in t

n said: 'Why shouldn't we go

r, for God's Holy City is full of strife and diss

sent you to us because it is His meaning that we shall go

e voice of the Spirit in our hea

o receive us into their fold, although we were poor

on us, and we were filled with a great gladness. And we said: 'Now we know that God loves us, since He sends us to that land where once He

usalem that there were more of us than they saw here; that we also had some brothers and sisters in Sweden. We said: 'They are being sorely trie

'Let your brothers and sisters in Sweden fol

th us at Jerusalem, in peace and harmony. But afterward we began to feel tro

dows we cannot offer them, but they will be allowed to

em, 'They will never journey to a strange

'They will understand what the stones of Pale

rs and become poor as beggars; nor will they renounce their a

nor worldly possessions to offer them; but we invite them to b

And now, my dear brothers and sisters, when you have read this, do not talk it over a

"Now we must do as Hellgum write

nce in the living-roo

f course," she thought, "Hellgum wants us to go to Jerusalem so that we may escape the great destruction. The Lord would save us from the flood of b

oodlands, his smiling river, and his fertile fields. Some of the Hellgumists thought with fear and trepidation of their having to change their manner of living, of renouncing fatherland, parents, friends, and relatives; but not she. To her it simply mean

fering such intense mental agony that cold sweat broke out on their foreh

the many blanched faces. Finally Martha Ingmarsson, the wife of Ljung Bj?rn Olofsson, slipped down from her chair on to her knees. Then,

said in a tone of wonderment:

up her hands in ecstasy, and tears streamed down her fac

ost in the same breath: "It cries into my ear th

nse of joy had come to them. They thought no more of their farms or their relatives; they were thinking only of ho

to most of them. But

was wrestling in ang

as He had called the

dows more than His wor

unwo

her hand upon his brow. "You must be

oints of his fingers cracked. "Perhaps Go

said Karin. She knelt down beside him and put her arm ar

tense look was gone f

g far, far away

the wife. "Be quite still now, Halvor." Then she nestled very close

e so loudly that it was as thunder in my ears. 'You shall go to my Ho

y cried, "we ha

o along with you. I'm like Lot's wife, and may not flee the wrath to come, bu

heard nothing. And her despair became a thing of terror. "I can't hear anything!" she groa

ts. "The call may come. It will surely c

don't tell what I want to know. Maybe you don't

will come!" the He

e!" screamed the ol

ake you along if God

d. "But the call wil

thud. "You people mean to go away and leave me to perish!" she thundered. "Yes, yes, yes, you mean to go and let me perish!" She had become

d mother, to save yourselves. Fie! You're a parcel of idiots to be leaving your good farms. You're a lot of misguided fools running after false pr

BI

driven down from the forest with a big log, which was so heavy that the horse could hardly pull it. All the same he

ok at the log. She couldn't seem to say enough in praise of it-how long and thick it was, and

Olaf's Peak, and when he had felled it, and how long it had been lying in the forest to dr

he said, "it is

n the first bit of timber toward the building of their new home made her fe

n only get the timber hauled while the roads

and forelock white with hoar frost. But the youth and the maid did not feel the cold. They kept themselves warm by buil

nst the long wall here in the

hat we've got any s

some time later, that he had a sofa in readiness at the cabin

up hair into ornaments and had woven fancy ribbons for sale, and with the money she had earned in this way she had bo

. In the middle of his praises he broke off abruptly and gazed at her in speechless adoration. He thou

at me so strangel

the best of it all is

a portion of the wall of that house in which she and Ingmar were to live. She felt that protection an

hing: "Aye, aye, their happiness shall last no longer than from daybreak to rosy dawn. When the trial comes, t

t mean us!" said

pply to us?" laug

NGMAR

n the evening under great difficulties. His horse sank deep in the snowdrifts, and the sledge was time after time on the point of being upset. Both the pastor and his hired man were continually getting out to kick away the snow for a path

oose and even. The really troublesome thing was trying to get over the ground where the drifts were piled so high that one could not even look over them, and where

lways, after a heavy snow, was banked against a high boarding close to the I

so much snow drifting toward that particular spot. But nothing had ever been done about it. Even though

y had no choice but to drive right over it. The thing looked impossible, so the servant asked whether he hadn't better go down to the farm and get some help. But to this the pastor would not consent. He had not

the horse suddenly disappeared from sight, as if into a grave, while the two men sat gazing down helplessly. One of th

ce spinning fine carded wool; behind her were the maids, seated in a long row, spinning flax. The men had taken possession of the other side of the fireplace. They had ju

he table, and asked him to sit down. Karin sent the maids into the kitchen to make fresh coffee and to prepare a special supper. Then she took the pastor's big

elcome had Big Ingmar himself b

price for his grain, and if he had succeeded in getting certain repairs made that he had been wanting for such a long

out, the trace mended, and that all was in readiness to start. But Karin and H

old silver sugar bowl, which was never used save at such high functions as weddings an

big with astonishment; he sat as if

ad out upon the floor. The pastor declared that he had never seen a larger or more beautiful hide. Then Karin went up to

ice old silverware. She had spread a fine hemstitched cloth on the table, which she was dr

nd two of his hired men went with him to open a way through the drifts, steadying the sledge w

. Presently he pulled out a slip of folded paper. He wondered whether the pastor would mind taking it now. It was an announcement which was to be read afte

side, he lighted the lamp,

templated removal to Jerusalem, th

upon us," he murmured, as if speaking of a storm. "T

TTS ER

h. As they lived up at the north end, they had to traverse almost the entire length of the parish. They went past newly sown fields, where the grain was just be

nd past gardens where spading and planting were going on. All whom they met along the way had muddy shoes and grimy hands from wor

r oats. At sight of a calf or a foal, he at once began to figure out how old it was. He calculated the number of cows

rom such things. "I'm thinking that you and I will soon be wander

sus," he answered. But the next minute, on seeing a couple of cartloads of quicklime, his thoughts were diverted. "I say, Gabriel, who do yo

ther!" said the

y fall I shall be dwelling in the tents of

the son. "So

s, and the road itself was badly broken up from the spring rains. Whichever way they looked there was

roperty some fall, when the work was over. It's hard having to leave it al

e knew that he would hav

had never been touched by a spade. Half of it was bog, the other half a mass of stones. It looked pretty bad. On that very land I worked like a slave,

nly worked hard, fath

s of you, and summons

only sod for a roof. I could never make that but water tight; so the rains always came in. It was mighty uncomfortable, especially at nigh

tached to a place where you h

reased so that I was always having to add new extensions for housing them. If I were not going to sell the place now, I shou

ere some seeds fall among thorns, some on stony gr

this year, to put up a fine new dwelling house. What's to be done now with all the timber that we two haule

was not going to offer his property to the Lord in the right spirit. "Well," he argued, "but what are new hou

en allotted to us? Am I not on my way to the works to sell my property to the Company? Wh

as pleased to hear that his fat

white-painted dwelling house, with a balcony and a veranda, and round th

with a veranda and a balcony and a lot of ornamental woodwork, and with ju

rses would fare with their new owners, and how things in general would be run on the place. "My goodness!" he muttered under his breath, "I'm surely doing a foolish thing in selling out to a corpor

getting a new reaper. Gazing fondly at his good-looking son, he pictured him sitting on a fine, red-painted reaper, cracking his whip over the horses, and mowing down the thick, waving grass, as a war hero mow

ad been concluded, and the price settled upon; all th

many acres of woodland, and so and so many of arable land and meadow, so and so many head of cattl

o himself, "it

that he had changed his mind, when h

me and the farm, for I'm goin

son would leave him. So Gabriel would go in any case! He could not quite make this out. He would never have tho

ut for him to sign. The manager himself handed him the pen

e's where you write y

Eric

quired a bit of barren land. He remembered that after writing his name, he had gone out to inspect his new propert

ue to uncertainty as to where he should w

tten there. Now write

's salvation; for the sake of my dear friends the Hellgumists, that I may be allowed to live

ote his f

shan't have to lose the dear, good lad who has always been so kind to his old

wrote his

o move, as of itself, up and down the page, leaving great black streaks upon the hateful document. "This I do because I'm

sheepish when he turned to the

lly was my intention to part with my property, bu

AU

in the summertime. The men had all discarded their long white sheepskin coats and were wearing their short ja

a was all ready to start, she opened the door to the schoolroom, and nodded a good-bye to her husband. Storm was then telling the children the story of th

henever she came to a hawthorn in bloom, or a hillock

r than this," she thought, "even if yo

f the tiny wild flowers that grew by the roadside, and gazed at them almost tenderly. "If we were as bad as they try to make us out," she mused, "it would be an easy matter for God to de

'll go back," she said to herself. "I could never standby and see this dear old home broken up." B

sum. The Company then raised its bid to thirty thousand, which was more than Ingmar dared offer; for he could not think of assuming so heavy a debt. The worst of it was, that not only would the homestead by this means pass out of the hands of the Ingmars for all time-for the Company was never known to part with anything once it be

she does, I'll just have to let her know what I think of her treatment of Ingmar. After all, it's her fault that the farm does not already belong to him. I've been told that they'll need a lot of

h an arrangement would be better for Ingmar, as Sven Persson was a generous man, who would surely let him keep the sawmill. "Sven Persson will not forg

e who had come to attend the sale. She sat down on a pile of boards, and began to glance a

on four posts. Nothing looked particularly old, with the exception of the porch with the carved moulding at the entra

hem coming home from their work in the evening, and gathering around the hearth, tall and somewha

ght never to be allowed!" was her thought as regards the auction. "The king should be told of it

m implements placed there for inspection. Mother Stina on seeing a couple of peasant women come out of a cowshed grew indignant. "Just look at Mother Inga and Mother Stava

s trying to choose a plow sh

eal farmer when he can drive a ploug

ake that it was difficult to guess what they had been used for. A few spectators had the temerity to laugh at the old sleighs some of which were from ancient ti

ding, with a bride seated beside them. "Many good people are leaving the parish," she sighed. For to her it was as if all the old Ing

lf, and how he feels? When it seems so

carried out boxes and chests, all painted in tulips and roses, Some of them had been standing in the attic, undisturbed, for centuries. They also brought out silver jugs and old-fashioned

ich could be woven the finest damask, and went up to look for it. Just then a maid came out with a huge Bible, whi

seat. She knew, of course, that no one nowadays reads these old Bibles, with their obsolete

ng to tell her. The old silver buckles lying on the table had been taken from the trolls in Mount Klack by an Ingmar Ingmarsson. In the rickety chaise over yonder the Ingmar Ingmarsson who had lived during her childh

ted her to curtsy to Ingmar Ingmarsson; she had never be

nt to church with her mother, the latter had always nudged her and s

pected that Gertrude would some day have been mistress here that

not stop an instant, but went straight to the house. Mother Stina su

est of the corporation, straightway went inside, but Sven Persson walked about in the yard for a while and looked at the things

appen to know, Strong

ided to buy the ti

his mind soon." At the same time he winked and jerked his thumb in the direction of Mot

be satisfied to accep

hese offers everyday;

gmar's

er," the old man agreed, "but he says th

ered what it is that he's losing?

ding leaning against a wall, quite motionless, and with his eyes half closed. Now a number of people got up to go o

quietly that many had not even noticed that he was there. But those who had could think of nothing else. Here there was none of the merriment which usual

auction. The auctioneer mounted a chair, a

e was more like a sta

e doesn't have to stay here and witness this miserable bu

it had caught him; but in a moment he again became motionles

in front of Mother Stina; th

r he might have had enough money to buy the farm; but of cour

arm as a wedding present, if he will marry his daughter," said the other. "You

advantage in being t

ertrude had had a little, so that she could

household linens were piled. He then bean to offer for sale home-woven fabrics-table cloths, bed linen, and hang

y were being held aloft, for he involuntarily glanced up. For a momen

girl. "The poor boy looks as if he were dying. If he'd

hat this thing must be stopped; then she sat down again. "I

who had just come out from the house. Now it was quite plain what they all thought of Karin and her dealings, for as she went

e looked as miserable as in the days when she had had her struggles with Elof. She had come out to find Mot

st declined, but wa

sms to be forgotten now that

use Mother Stina ventured: "This mu

y response

have the heart to sell al

one must first and foremost sa

-" Mother Stina began,

strange if we held back anyth

p upon Karin stuck in her throat. There was an air of lofty dignity about Karin that disarmed people; therefore, no one had

tanding over there?" she a

r at her brother. "The Lord will find a way out for hi

bedsteads looked bare, stripped of their coverings and hangings, and the doors of the blue-painted cupboards, which in the old days were always left standing half open, to let visitors see the great silver jugs and bea

f Halvor and Karin. One after another, they were conducted with

ns for the sale of the farm itself were pending. The talkin

d when any one spoke, it was in hushed tones; for every one's thought

saying: "I suppose there's no ch

aid to have offered thirty-two thousand, and the Company's bid has been raised to thirty-five. The past

out Berger S

he has not made

one. They could not hear what he said, but they knew that no decis

ut with a clearness that made every word carry: "I bid thirty-six thousand, not that I think the

his fist, and the manager of the Company was heard to shout: "I bid for

back to the yard. It was dreary enough out there, but not as ins

he heavy silver jugs inlaid with gold coin, and the beakers bearing inscriptions from the seventeenth century. When he held

ch he respectfully deposited at Ingmar's feet. "You must keep this

ngmar's body; his lips quivered

withdrew a few paces, then suddenly turned back. "I hear that folks are saying you could take

hers. They feared that under a new master they would be turned out of their old home to become beggars. Or, whatever happened, they knew in their hearts that no stranger would care for them as their old master and mistress

e he remained quietly, resting his shaky old hands on the crook of his cane. And as soon as old Lisa and Cowhouse Martha saw where Pickaxe Bengt had taken refuge, they, too, came tot

hrough which they had lived, serving his people; and it seemed to him that his first duty was to see that they be allowed to live

passed through the living-room to the inner room, and stationed himsel

onfident, for he knew that he was in a position to outbid all the others. The innkeeper from Karmsund was standing at the window, in such a fever of agitation that great beads of sweat came out

ced over at Karin for advice; but she sat as

brethren must live on the money we can get for the farm. We've been told that the fare alone to Jerusalem will cost us fifteen thousand

cause you don't want the Company to have it!" said the manager. "It seems to me that it would be well

up, "we'd better ta

a question of handling a worldly matter he always knew ju

o want to sell to some person who would keep up the property, eve

benefit-of various farms that had gone to wast

ng some impression upon her. "There must surely be a little of the pride of the old peasant matron

can go on bidding against the farmers until they are forced to give up; but if Karin and Halvor want to prevent this old place fr

n, Halvor, uneasy, glanced over at K

ome one of our own kind. Then we could go away from here

d for the property, we will be satisfied to accept that sum for

Ingmar walked over to Sven

"Since you say you are willing to take forty thousand k

; he had to swallow before he could speak. "Thank you, judge," he fina

h Karin, who was so moved that she

that everything here wi

ve at the farm yours

is to be married in the summer, and she and her husband are to have th

days when I was a poor goose boy on this place that some time it would be in

staring at the judge in dumb amazemen

he drew herself up, retied her headkerchief, and smoothed out her apron. Then, wi

trongly opposed to each other of late in matters of religion; but since God does not grant me t

n's, and when she let it drop, he stood there l

and shook hands with Ingmar, offering their congratulations. "Go

Ingmar Farm." He was like a child that has just received a gift it has long been wishing for. But the next moment h

were so pleased they wept for joy. No one listened now to the cries of the auctioneer, but everybod

en saw Mother Stina, standing a little apart from the others, her eyes fixed on him. Sh

er. Then bending down to her, every muscle of his

ave betrayed her, that I've sold myself for the farm. Tel

RT

either stay nor control-something that grew and grew unti

ar of seeing Ingmar again-of suddenly meeting him on the road, or at church, or elsewhere. Why t

girl like her. She had to go out and work in the garden, and every morning and evening she was obliged to tramp the long distance from the hous

d, and rush on as if fiends were pursuing her. As soon as she could, she would turn from the highroad, and take th

he could feel certain of not running across him. If she went rowing on the river, he might be there floati

escape. Ingmar was so well known about the place that her dog would not have barked at sight of him, and her pigeons, that st

I shall not dare venture outside the door," she thought. "I may get to be a bit queer and morose, even if I don't become quite insane. God, God, take this awful fear away

osed meadow near the skirt of the forest, a long way from home. She went by the narrow paths, alongside the ditches and field drains. She had great difficulty in walking, for she felt so weak and weary that she could hardly

er the birches-but there was not a sign of them. While searching for the cows she discovered a gap in the hedge, on the side fronting the forest. She grew terribly alarmed, and stood w

h and even road without knowing how she had got there. The road was soft and rather slippery from the brown fir needles that covered it. On either side stoo

ow dreadful that that wicked old woman is still alive," thought Gertrude, "and that I should come upon her here in the forest!" She

Marit was in the road and on her knees almost in front of Gertrude. Then, with her forefinger, she

ng," thought Gertrude. "Why, then i

s played you false." Gertrude hesitated a little, but felt strongly tempted. "Why should he fare well, and be rich and happy, while you suffer?" said the old dame. With that Gertrude was seized by an uncontrollable desire to do the ogre's bidding, and lowered the needle. "Mind you stick him right in the eye!" said t

y put out Ingmar's eyes. Then she was so overcome by remors

was able to convince herself that it was only a dream. "Ma

and dropped off to sleep aga

look for them. Again she came to the beautiful road, and saw the sunbeams playing on the moss. Then she suddenly recalled all that had just hap

out of the earth, and all the while the little man was making a buzzing and humming noise. By that she knew whom she had encountered. It was Humming Pete, of co

to injure an enemy without risking discovery could avail himself of his services." He wa

ouldn't like to set fire to the Ingmar Farm. She wished it done, she

t seem to overtake him. Her dress caught in the brushwood, her feet sank in the marsh, and she stumbled over stony ground. When she was almost out of the forest, what

, Lord help me!" she cried. "I don't know how much evil there may be hidden in my heart, but God knows that never once during all this time have I

grief is a menace,

r poor heart was like a ravaged garden, in which all the flowers had been uprooted, an

get it out of her mind. Remembering with what satisfaction she had plunged the needle into Ingmar's eyes, she shuddered. "How dreadful

lking along the narrow paths where she had wandered in the dream, even the flowers by the wayside looked the same as in the dream. In he

under the birches, and behind the brushwood. She could not find them, yet she felt quite certain that they must be thereabout, and that she would proba

that they had turned in on a road leading to a remote S?ter. "Ah!" she said, "now I know where they are. I remember that the folks down at Luck Farm were

go up to the S?ter, and fetch the cows herself; otherwise there was no telling w

mooth and even ground that was thick with pine needles. She recognized it as the road of her dre

he fir trees to see if any of the mysterious beings who wander about in the depths of the forest would suddenly appear to her. However, none appeared. But in her mind new thoughts were awakened.

resh green grass and many wild flowers. On one side rose a steep mountain; the other sides were covered with high trees-mostly mountain ash, with thick clusters of white blossoms, and here and there wa

his stream, people had clear visions of events that were taking place elsewhere. A little lad, in crossing, once saw a bridal procession which happened

here!" she gasped, half tempted to turn back. "Poor little me!" she wailed,

!" she prayed, her hands tightly clasped, and shaking

stones that led across the brook. Yet something made her do it. When halfway over, all at once she saw something moving in among the t

He was coming straight toward Gertrude. In his eyes, which were clear and radiant, there was a wonderful light; and when his gaze fell upon Gertrude, she felt that he could read all her sorrowful thoughts, and she s

d serenity! And when he had passed by, there was no longer any fear or resentment in her

was still held by the beauty of it, and the impression of what she ha

seen the Christ! He has freed me from my sorrow, and I lov

ningless. All at once it became clear to Gertrude how she was to order her life; so that she might never again sink down into the darkness of fear, nor be tempted into doing anything

*

mar Farm early in the morning, and asked if she might speak to the bridegroom. She wore her kerchief so far down over her face that nothing could be seen of

m she met in the yard, and who went in and told

ar Ingmarsson is just going to drive to

rned from the church, she came back, and again asked if she might speak to Ingmar Ingmarsson. This time s

to sit down to the wedding feast," said th

e in the evening, as the sun was setting. This time she gave her message to a child t

ncing with his wife," said the bride.

ung woman smiled indulgently, and said: "Now you are telling somethi

go away, but remaine

hat she had done, she went up to Ingmar, and told him that there was a stranger outside who

road, Ingmar following. They walked along in silenc

any rate, there was something about his face that showed added shrewdness and caution. He also stoope

rsuade himself into the belief that he was satisfied with his bargain. "In fact, we Ingmarssons care f

was one human being who could say of him that he had not lived up to his word. Keeping a little behind Ge

adside, and put her basket on the ground; then s

inting to another stone. "I have m

cted," he said to himself. "I thought it was going to be much harder on me to see Gertrude

said Gertrude. "I shall soon be leaving this part of the world, never to return. I was ready to start a week a

expecting a tempest, saying to himself, meanwhile: "Whatever Gertrude may think about it,

urse, that five years ago I was ready to join the Hellgumists. At that time I had given my heart to Christ. But I took it back, to give it to you. I

n't bear to have her join these Jerusalem people, and go away to a strange land," he thought. And he opposed her plan as vehemently as he would

me. Ah, this is no punishment! I feel so happy, and lack for nothing. All my sorrow has been turned into j

he said to himself. "Let Gertrude go. To put sea and land between you and he

ing within him whic

rtheless, stronger th

your parents allowi

uld use force, if necessary, to prevent my going. The hard part of it is that I shall have to sneak away. They think now that I'm going about th

it be that she realizes how badly she is behaving?" he wondered. He was about to remonstrate with her, then checked

must follow Jesus." And she smiled as she named the name of the Saviour. "He

ar straight in the eyes. It struck Ingmar that she was drawing comparisons between him and some

even less to live upon than before. When he has no work to take up his mind, he will become restless and irritable. Mother won't have an easy

say. Ingmar's throat tightened, and his eyes began to fill. He div

to-day only to abuse and threaten me!

for you to confer upon one who has behaved so badly to you. Be assure

. "How kind Gertrude is to me!" he thought. "She does not ask this of me only out o

e something more to tell you." She spoke now in a brighter a

thinking. "She has the sweetest, the cheeries

e when the Hellgumists arrive. The first night I stopped over at Bergs?na with a poor widow whose name it Marie

n she goes? God forgive me if I did wrong in giving her up for an old farm! Fields and meadows can never be the same to you as a human being; t

head. After all, it wasn't such extra good bedding Marie had bought for herself, I thought; but I was so tired out from tramping around all day, that I finally dropped off to sleep. In the middle of the night I awoke and turned the pillow, so I shouldn't feel that hard lump. While smoothing out the pillow, I

er his curiosity was aroused; but apparently he had

that man loves mankind above everything. However, I believe that I did the right thing, for it wasn't only the farm that needed me, but the whole pa

closer examination I decided to take it along, and turn it over to you without saying anything about it, either to Marie or to any one else." Then taking a litt

what he was receiving. He was struggling to ward

en better for me had she come to upbraid me. I suppose I ought to be glad that she is as she

nd that she had something very important to tell him. "When Elof

d out twenty crisp, new bank notes, each of which was a thousa

every krona of your in

e, who hid it

uld not close over it, and it fell to the ground. Then Gertrude picked it up and stuffed it into his pocket. Ingmar stood there, reeling like a dr

had not been found sooner, and why it should have turned up now when it was not needed, and when

know how to tak

venge, Ingmar?" aske

it? Why didn't you brin

t until the day

ld have bought back the farm from Berger Sve

I knew

n my wedding day, w

ngmar. It was too late a week ago, it is to

the stone. He covered his fa

o power on earth could have altered this; but now I find t

ce that it would be the kind of help to us that you say. But it was

gnawing at my heart. So long as I believed there was no other course open to

ame here to brin

e impatient, and had gone out on the porch,

uld have brought all this about! When I had to give you up, circumstances forced me to do so, while you have

do now!" he cried passionately. "I've never loved you half so much a

ly, "it was never, never my meaning to take revenge on you. But so long as

ude was gone. People now came running from the farm to find him. He struck his clenched

. "Then maybe it will be altogether different. W

EAN'S

Jerusalem. And toward the last, it seemed as though the ve

e Americans were not imposters; for they had no way of knowing what sort of folk they would be getting in with. In that far Eastern country there was neither law nor order; there one was always in

d the climate; that Jerusalem was full of smallpox an

g there in order to fight the smallpox and the fevers, to build roads and to till the soil. God's country should

very old! She occupied a large chamber above the post office, just across th

or a can of milk. On these occasions she would always have the coffee pot put on the fire the moment they came in, and the one who could shout the loudest always talked with her, for she w

in passing, would see her old face back of the draped white curtains at the window, and think: "I must not forget her

dvancing years, she became more and more detached, and apparently lost all interest in the things of t

als. The two of them were in mortal fear of robbers and mice, and they were so afraid

but since their conversion they had separated themselves from all who were not of their faith; so they no longer went to see her. No one knew

arriage and pair. Imagine the astonishment of the old servant! But when she attempted to remonstrate, th

ra Lena, you must find me a c

ne, she was put to the bother of airing and brushing an old fur cape and an old velvet bonnet that had been lying in camphor twenty consecutive years. And it was no small tas

y seated in the carriage, she ordered t

ered her into the living-room. Seated at the table in there were quite a number of Hellgumists. Of late they had been in the habit of coming together and havi

she put up her hand, and said in that hard, dry voice in which deaf people are wont to speak: "You do not come to see me any more

old lady, who apparently did n

st. I have come here to-day," she added, "because this has been a good house. Ingmarsson has

she had done her part, and could die in peace. Th

ht for us to go," she sighed. But she was pleased that the Dean's widow ha

n known to waver, or to express any doubt as

TURE OF T

Farm. The Hellgumists had at last completed their arrangements, and were now leaving for

lemire. The people who lived there were a disreputable lot-the kind of scum of the earth which m

ling the occupants bad names; there was an old crone, who usually sat by the roadside, tipsy; and there were a husband and wife who were always quarrelling

llowed to work havoc, they saw the old crone standing erect and sober at the roadside, on the same spot where she usually sat in a drunken stupor, lurching to and

of them, they slackened their speed and drove by very

o tears, the grown-ups crying softly, while

this day their eyes fill when they think of her; of how on that morning she had denied herself the dri

ssed by, Beggar Lina

she told the children. "All those people are going

*

en halfway through the parish, it came to the lo

he edge of the stream; then come two rather abrupt elevations, under which boats and timber rafts

n the spring, when the ice breaks, it has to be watched day and night to prevent its being knocked to pieces by dr

kety as it is. But for that blessed bridge they would have to use a rowboat or a

rs passed over it, and the water came up through th

something which belonged to all of them. Houses and farms, groves and meado

t the church in among the birches on the other side of the brid

hty river flowing peacefully on between its tree-clad banks, and all a-sparkle in the summer light; the wide view across the vall

ey began to sing one of Sankey's hymns. "We shall meet on

ills of their homeland, to the silvery waters of the river, to the waving tr

th thy fertile fields and green meadows; thy groves and orchards; thy long valley, divided by the

*

the churchyard there was a large flat gravestone that was crumbling from age. It bore neither name

something, became very much excited, and raised their voices. What they quarrelled about they had long since forgotten, but what they never could forget was, that while they were quarreling the hardest, they heard several distin

lfsame stone, with his head resting on his hands. Ljung Bj?rn reined in his horse, and signalled to the others to wai

ately said: "So you

rn. "I have given a

ot yours," the brot

t m

longed to

brother had seated himself on that stone, it was for the purpose of spea

ack the farm," s

uldn't you bear to have it go

ough to do such thi

at his brothe

might have somethin

d, and could hardly

dren may have a pla

arm around his

ood for her to know that she has a house and home waiting for her. The

usalem, and I'll stay at home. You are far mor

y. "I understand how you mean it, b

rn, laying his head on his brother's shoulder.

p and clasped h

were no rapping

have thought of comi

ifficulty in maintaining pea

at I would want t

gry when I think of

down to the road. Pre

nd gave her a h

"Remember, now, that you have a house and land to come back to, should you want to return to the old country." He went from one child to the other, even to little Eric, who was only t

usalem-fare

*

a large crowd of friends and relatives who had come out to bid them goodbye. They had a l

arture. There were people standing on every doorstep and leaning out of every window; they sat upon the low st

it came to the home of Councilman Lars Clementsson, where i

o Jerusalem. She had felt that this was preferable to living at home in constant s

stepped over the stile into the yard. Even the front door of the house was fastened. Then Gunhild went round to the kitchen door; it was hooked on the inside! She knocked several times, but as no one came s

irst find the ink, so looked for it in drawers and pigeonholes. While searching, she came upon a small casket which she remembered well. It was her mother's-she had received it from her husband as a wedding present. When Gunhild was a little girl her moth

hings had been taken out, and in their place lay a letter. It was a letter that she herself had written. A year or two before, she had made a trip to Mora by boat across Lake Siljan. The boat had capsized. Some of her fellow-passengers were drowned, and her parents had been to

, taking no notice of the many questions as to whether she had seen her parents. During the remainder of the drive she sat motionless, with her hands in her lap, and staring straight ahead. "I'm k

*

rst time that they were being shadowed by two persons whom they did not seem to know. While still in the village, they had been so engrossed in th

e side of the road and let the other teams go by. It was an ordinary wagon, the kind commonly used for

side sat a woman whom they somehow felt they knew. No one could see her face, for her head was covered with a black shawl, both sides of which s

at it was her sister. There was scarcely a person among them but had his or he

awl back from her face. To some of the Hellgumists she became a person they loved, to

mes the unknown woman would turn toward the travellers, and watch them from behind her drawn shawl; but she made no sign to any of them, so that no one could really say for c

*

ay. That morning all work had been suspended, and every one was either standing at the roadside in their Sunday clothes or drivin

tts Ericsson. Nor was he mowing grass-that he regarded as only child's play. He was clearing away stones

his work, but went right on digging and lugging stones, some of which were so big that Gabriel thought they were enough to break his back-and afterward throwing them up on to the hedge with a forc

a little lad, and he strove to develop his property. Grief had taken a firm hold on H?k Matts

up. Everybody ran for cover, and H?k Matts, too, thought of doing

r. H?k Matts was not very hungry; still, he felt that he might need a bi

te in the evening, she stopped to tell her husband that now their son ha

atch him, and after looking on a while, they went in and reported that h

ept right on working. He felt that if he were to leave off wh

e hedge quite high enough, but still the little old man went on lugging stones that were more fit for a gian

ut they could hear him-could hear the dull thud of

from his hands, and when he stooped to pick it up

ouse. He said nothing, he did not even attempt to undress, but sim

*

dle of the forest. There was no town, nor were there any fields or gardens, but everything had been planned on

nd no end of gravel drives. A couple of stores and workshops, a photographic studio, and a hotel had already b

a cascade of falls. The Jerusalem-farers could hardly credit that this was a part of the broad, majestic river they had cr

king place, they became uneasy and began to cry. Before, they had been very happy in the thought of travelling to Jerusal

owing them away in a baggage car. They all helped, so that no one h

t together, and held counci

tation, two by two-a big child and a little child. They went the same way they had come ac

isappeared from sight. Two of the men went to look for them. Following the tracks which the many little feet had left in the sand, they went on into the woods, where t

maller ones could not keep up; they stumbled and fell. Then all of them stoo

ne of the men. Whereupon the littlest ones se

go to Jerusalem; w

station, and were seated in the railway carriage, they still went on whi