Littell's Living Age

porch, on hearing music from the water, and stood with lighted pine-torches to receive their guests, when, approaching from behind, they heard the sound of the sleigh-bells, and found that company was arriving both by sea and land.

she did reach this spot of her own accord. Hav-Nipen was offended, at the outset of this festival ing had some fears before of the Wood Demon day. If he had chosen to send a wind, the guests having been offended by one of the family, Erica could not have come; for no human frame can enregarded this accident as a token of his vengeance. dure travelling in a wind in Nordland on a JanuShe said this when she first heard of her mother's ary day. Happily, the air was so calm that a flake death; and no reasonings from the zealous pastor of snow, or a lock of eider-down, would have fallen of the district; no soothing from her mistress, straight to the ground. At two o'clock, when the could shake her persuasion. She listened with short daylight was gone, the stars were shining so submission, wiping away her quiet tears as they brightly, that the company who came by the fiord discoursed; but no one could ever get her to say would be sure to have an easy voyage. Almost all that she doubted whether there was a Wood De- came by the fiord, for the only road from Erlingmon, or that she was not afraid of what he would sen's house led to so few habitations, and was so do if offended. narrow, steep, and rocky, that an arrival by that Erlingsen and his wife always treated her super-way was a rare event. The path was now, howstition as a weakness; and when she was not pres-ever, so smooth with frozen snow, that more than ent, they ridiculed it. Yet they saw that it had one sledge attempted and performed the descent. its effect on their daughters. Erica most strictly Erlingsen and some of his servants went out to the obeyed their wish that she should not talk about the spirits of the region with Orga and Frolich; but the girls found plenty of people to tell them what they could not learn from Erica. Besides what everybody knows who lives in the rural districts of Norway-about Nipen, the spirit that is It was a pretty sight-such an arrival. In always so busy after everybody's affairs-about the front, there was the head of a boat driving up upon Water-sprite, an acquaintance of every one who the white beach, and figure after figure leaping out lives beside a river or lake-and about the Moun- and hastening to be welcomed in the porch; while, tain-demon, familiar to all who lived so near Su- in the midst of the greeting, the quick and regular litelma; besides these common spirits, the girls beat of a horse's feet was heard on the frozen ground, used to hear of a multitude of others from old and the active little animal rushed into the light, Peder, the blind houseman, and from all the farm-shaking his mane and jingling his bells, till sud people, down to Oddo, the herd-boy. Their par-denly checked by the driver, who stood upright at ents hoped that this taste of theirs might die away the back of the sledge, while the ladies reclined, so if once Erica, with her sad, serious face and sub-wrapped in furs that nothing could be seen of them dued voice, were removed to a house of her own, till they had entered the house, and issued forth where they would see her supported by her hus- from the room where they threw off their pelisses band's unfearing mind, and occupied with domestic and cloaks. Glad had the visitors been, whether business more entirely than in her mistress' house. they came by land or water, to arrive in sight of So Madame Erlingsen was well pleased that Erica the lighted dwelling, whose windows looked like was betrothed; and she could only have been better rows of yellow stars, contrasting with the blue ones satisfied if she had been married at once. overhead; and more glad still were they to be ushered into the great room, where all was so light, so warm, so cheerful! Warm it was, to the farthest corner; and too warm near the roaring and crackling fires; for the fires were of pinewood. Rows upon rows of candles were fastened against the walls, above the heads of the company; the floor was strewn with juniper twigs; and the spinning-wheels, the carding-boards, every token of household labor was removed, except a loom, which remained in one corner. In another corner was a welcome sight-a platform of rough boards, two feet from the floor, and on it two stools. This was a token that there was to be dancing; and indeed Oddo, the herd-boy, old Peder's grandson, was seen to have his clarionet in his belt, as he ran in and out on the arrival of fresh parties.

For this marrying, however, the young people must wait. There was no house, or houseman's place, vacant for them at present. There was a prospect, however. The old houseman Peder, who had served Erlingsen's father and Erlingsen himself for fifty-eight years, could now no longer do the weekly work on the farm which was his rent for his house, field, and cow. He was blind and old. His aged wife Ulla could not leave the house; and it was the most she could do to keep the dwelling in order, with occasional help from one and another. Housemen who make this sort of contract with farmers in Norway are never turned out. They have their dwelling and field for their own life and that of their wives. What they do, when disabled, is to take in a deserving young man, to do their work for the farmer, on the understanding that he succeeds to the houseman's place on the death of the old people. Peder and Ulla had made this agreement with Erica's lover, Rolf; and it was understood that his marriage with Erica should take place whenever the old people should die.

Before four o'clock, the whole company, consisting of about forty, had arrived. They walked about the large room sipping their strong coffee, and helping one another to the good things on the trays which were carried round-the slices of bread and butter, with anchovies, or shreds of reindeer ham or tongue, or thin slices of salt When these trays disappeared, and the

It was impossible for Erica herself to fear that cheese.

young women who had served them returned into her complexion, it looks as if it was made by the the room, Oddo was seen to reach the platform reflection of our snows in its own clearness. And with a hop, skip, and jump, followed by a dull- when you do get a full look into her eyes, how looking young man with a violin. The oldest men like the summer sky they are-as deep as the lighted their pipes, and sat down to talk, two or heavens in a midsummer noon ! Did you say she three together. Others withdrew to a smaller looks frightened, sir?" room, where card-tables were set out; while the younger men selected their partners, and handed them forth for the gallopade. The dance was led by the blushing Erica, whose master was her partner. It had never occurred to her that she was not to take her usual place; and she was greatly embarrassed; not the less so that she knew that her mistress was immediately behind, with Rolf for her partner. Erica might, however, have led the dance in any country in Europe. All the women in Norway dance well; being practised in it from their infancy, as an exercise for which the leisure of their long winter, and the roominess of their houses, afford scope. Every woman present danced well; but none better than Erica.

"Yes. When does she not? Some ghost from the grave has scared her, I suppose; or some spirit that has no grave to lie still in, perhaps. It is a great fault in her that she has so little faith. I never met with such a case. I hardly know how to conduct it. I must begin with the people about her-abolish their superstitions—and then there may be a chance for her. Meanwhile I have but a poor account to give to the bishop of the religion of the district."

"Did you say, sir, that Erica wants faith? It seems to me that I never knew any one who had so much."

"You think so because there is no idea in this region of what faith is. A prodigious work indeed my bishop has given me to do. He himself cannot be aware what it is, till I send him my report.

"Very well!" very pretty!" 66 very good!" observed the pastor, M. Kollsen, as he sat, with his pipe in his mouth, looking on. M. Kollsen One might suppose that Christianity had never was a very young man; but the men in Norway smoke as invariably as the women dance. "Very pretty, indeed! They only want double the number to make it as pretty a dance as any in Tronyem."

been heard of here, by the absurd credulity one meets with in the best houses the multitude of good and evil spirits one hears of at every turn. I will blow them all to the winds presently. I will root out every superstition in a circle of twenty miles."

"Let me see-yes, you There are eleven couples." "And what would you have more, sir? In religion?" this young man's father's time—

"Rolf's father's?"

"No, sir-Erlingsen's. Ah! I forgot that Erlingsen may not seem to you, or any stranger, to be young; but Ulla and I have been used to call him so; and I fear I always shall, as I shall never see the furrows in his face. It will be always smooth and young to me. My Ulla says there is nothing to be sorry for in that, and she does not object to my thinking so of her face. But, as I was saying, in the elder Erlingsen's time we thought we did well when we set up nine couples at Yule; and since then, the Holbergs and

Thores have each made out a new farm within ten miles; and we are accustomed to be rather proud of our eleven couples. Indeed, I once knew it twelve, when they got me to stand up with little Henrica the pretty little girl whose grave lies behind, just under the rock. But I suppose there is no question but there are finer doings at Tronyem."

man.

"These beliefs, sir, were among us long before you were born; and I fancy they will last till some time after you are dead. And, what is more-I should not wonder if your bishop was to tell you the same thing, when you send him your report of us."

"I thought you had had more faith, Peder. I thought you had been a better Christian ?"

"However that may be," said Peder, "I have some knowledge of the people about us, having lived nearly fourscore years in the parish; and perhaps, sir, as you are young, and from a distance, you would allow me to say a word. May I?" "O, certainly."

But while M. Kollsen gave this permission, he took his pipe from his mouth, and beat time with it upon his knee, and with his foot upon the ground, to carry off his impatience at being instructed.

"My advice would be, sir, with all respect to you," said Peder, "that you should lead the people into everything that you think true and

"Of course of course," said the young clergy-good, and pass over quietly whatever old customs "But there are many youths in Tronyem and notions you do not understand or like. I that would be glad of so pretty a partner as M. have so much belief in the religion you are to Erlingsen has-if she would not look so fright- teach as to feel sure that whatever will not agree ened." A hundred years ago, Nordland was included in the

"Pretty she is," said Peder.

"As I remember diocese of Tronyem.

with it will die off out of its way, if let alone. But if religion is brought in to hurt the people's feelings and notions, that religion will be the thing

to suffer."

"I must judge for myself about such matters, of course," said M. Kollsen. He was meditating a change of place, to escape further lecturing about his duty, when Peder saved him the trouble of leaving his comfortable seat by rising, and moving away towards the fire. Peder's pipe was smoked out, and he was going for more tobacco to the place where tobacco was always to be found-in a little recess above the fireplace. He felt his way carefully, that he might not interfere with the dancers, or be jostled by them; but he had not far to go. One friend begged to be sent for anything he wanted; another, with a quicker eye, brought him tobacco; and a third led him to his seat again. All looked with wonder at M. Kollsen, surprised that he, Peder's companion at the moment, young and blessed with eyesight, could let the blind old man leave his seat for such a reason. M. Kollsen whiffed away, however, quite unconscious of what everybody was thinking.

"This waltz," said Peder, when the dancers had begun again, "does not seem to go easily. There is something amiss. I think it is in the music that the fault lies. My boy's clarionet goes well enough; no fear of Oddo's being out. Pray, sir, who plays the violin at this moment?" "A fellow who looks as if he did not like his business. He is frowning with his red brows, as if he would frown out the lights."

"His red brows! O, then it is Hund. I was thinking it would be hard upon him, poor fellow, if he had to play to-night. Yet not so hard as if he had to dance. It is weary work dancing with the heels when the heart is too heavy to move. You may have heard, sir, for every one knows it, that Hund wanted to have young Rolf's place; and, some say, Erica herself. Is she dancing, sir, if I may ask?"

"Yes-with Rolf. What sort of a man is Rolf-with regard to these superstitions, I mean? Is he as foolish as Erica-always frightened about something?"

"No, indeed. It is to be wished that Rolf was not so light as he is-so inconsiderate about these matters. Rolf has his troubles and his faults; but they are not of that kind."

"Enough," said M. Kollsen with a voice of authority. "I rejoice to hear that he is superior to the popular delusions. As to his troubles and his faults, they may be left for me to discover all in good time."

"With all my heart, sir. They are nobody's business but his own; and, may be, Erica's. Rolf has a good heart; and I doubt not Ulla and I shall have great comfort in him. He lives with us, sir, from this night forwards. There is no fear that he will wish us in our graves, though we stand between him and his marriage."

"That must be rather a painful consideration to you."

all the happier, we think to this day, for having had four such years as these young people have before them, to know one another in, and grow suitable in notions and habits, and study to please one another. By the time Rolf and Erica are what we were, one or both of us will be underground, and Rolf will have, I am certain, the pleasant feeling of having done his duty by us. It is all as it should be, sir; and I pray that they may live to say, at our age, what Ulla and I can say of the same season of our lives."

The pastor made no answer. He had not heard the last few words; for what Peder said of being underground had plunged him into a reverie about Peder's funeral sermon, which he should, of course, have to preach. He was pondering how he should at once do justice to Peder's virtues, and mark his own disapprobation of the countenance Peder gave to the superstitions of the region in which he lived. He must keep in view the love and respect in which the old man was held by everybody; and yet he must bear witness against the great fault abovementioned. He composed two or three paragraphs in his imagination, which he thought would do, and then committed them to memory. He was roused from this employment by a loud laugh from the man whose funeral he was meditating, and saw that Peder was enjoying life at present, as much as the youngest-with a glass of punch in his hand, and a group of old men and women round him, recalling the jests of fifty years ago.

"How goes it, Rolf?" said his master, who, having done his duty in the dancing-room, was now making his way to the card-tables, in another apartment, to see how his guests there were entertained. Thinking that Rolf looked very absent, as he stood, in the pause of the dance, in silence by Erica's side, Erlingsen clapped him on the shoulder and said, "How goes it? Make your friends merry."

Rolf bowed and smiled, and his master passed on. "How goes it?" repeated Rolf to Erica, as he looked earnestly into her face. "Is all going on well, Erica?"

Certainly. I suppose so. Why not?" she replied. "If you see anything wrong-anything omitted, be sure and tell me. Madame Erlingsen would be very sorry. Is there anything forgotten, Rolf?"

"I think you have forgotten what the day is; that is all. Nobody that looked at you, love, would fancy it to be your own day. You look anything but merry. Hardly a smile from you tonight! And that is a great omission."

"O, Rolf, there is something so much better than merriment !"

"Yes, love; but where is it? not in your heart to-night, Erica."

reminded her that Hund was the musician. "Hund | thought of made of the rich cream of the north does seem dull enough, to be sure,' ," said she, Erica recovered herself as the great business went smiling; "I hope I do not often look like that." on; and while her proud lover watched her, for"I am more sorry for him than you are, I see," getting his supper, he thought to himself that no said Rolf, brightening when he found how entirely one of the fair attendants trod so lightly as Erica, Hund had been absent from her thoughts. "I -no one carved so neatly-no one handed the am more sorry for Hund than you are; and with dishes so gracefully, or was so quick at seeing to good reason, for I know what the happiness is whom the most respect and attention were owing. that he has missed, poor fellow! But yet I think | Perhaps this last thought was suggested by Rolf's you might feel a little more for him. It would perceiving that, either by her own hand or anothshow that you know how to value love."

"Then I hope his girl will look merrier than you do to-night," muttered Rolf with a sigh. "O Erica! I wish you would trust me. I could take care of you, and make you quite happy, if you would only believe it. Ah! I know what that look means. I know you love me, and all that; but you are always tormenting yourself — "I think I know one who is cleverer still at tormenting himself," said Erica with a smile. "Come, Rolf, no more tormenting of ourselves or one another! No more of that after to-day!! What is to-day worth, if it is not to put an end to all doubts of one another?"

"But where is the use of that, if you still will not believe that I can keep off all trouble from you -that nothing in the universe shall touch you to your hurt, while

“O, hush! hush!" said Erica, turning pale and red at the presumption of this speech. "See, they are waiting for us. One more round before supper."

er's, the hottest dishes and the nicest bits were found, all supper-time, close to his elbow. Madame Erlingsen, he decided, with all her experience, did not do the duties of the table so well; and the young ladies, kind and good-tempered as they were, would never, by any experience, become so graceful as Erica.

At last appeared the final dish of the long feast, the sweet cake, with which dinner and supper in Norway usually conclude. While this was sliced and handed round, Rolf observed that Erica looked anxiously towards him. He took no notice, hoping that she would come and speak to him, and that he should thus be the gainer of a few of her sweet words. She did come, and just

said,

"The cake and ale are here, Rolf. Will you carry them ?"

"O, the treat for old Nipen. Yes, I will carry them," replied Rolf, rising from his seat.

It is the custom in the country regions of Norway to give the spirit Nipen a share at festival times. His Christmas cake is richer than that prepared for the guests; and, before the feast is finished, it is laid in some place out of doors, where, as might be expected, it is never to be found in the morning. Everybody knew therefore why Rolf rose from his seat, though some were too far off to hear him say that he would carry out the treat for old Nipen.

And in the whirl of the waltz she tried to forget the last words Rolf had spoken; but they rang in her ears; and before her eyes were images of Nipen overhearing this defiance-and the Water- "Now, pray do not speak so-do not call him sprite planning vengeance in its palace under the those names," said Erica, anxiously. "It is quite ice—and the Mountain-Demon laughing in scorn, as easy to speak so as not to offend him. Pray, till the echoes shouted again—and the Wood-Rolf, to please me, do speak respectfully. And Demon waiting only for summer to see how he promise me to play no tricks, but just set the things could beguile the rash lover. Erica finished her down, and come straight in, and do not look bedance; but when the company and the men of the hind you. Promise me, Rolf." household were seated at the supper-table, and she had to help her mistress and the young ladies to wait upon them, she trembled so that she could scarcely stand. It was so very wrong of Rolf to be always defying the spirits!

Rolf did promise, but he was stopped by two voices, calling upon him. Oddo, the herd-boy, came running to claim the office of carrying out Nipen's cake; and M. Kollsen, from his seat, declared that he could not countenance any superstitious observances-would not, indeed, permit any so gross as this in his presence. He requested that the company might have the benefit of the cake, and made a speech in ridicule of all spirits and

Long was the supper, and hearty was the mirth round the table. People in Norway have universally a hearty appetite-such an appetite as we English have no idea of. Whether it is owing to the sharp climate, or to the active life led by all-fairies, so very bold and contemptuous that all preswhatever may be the cause, such is the fact. This night, piles of fish disappeared first; and then joint after joint of reindeer venison. The fine game of the country was handed round, cut up; and little but the bones was left of a score of birds. Then there were preserved fruits, and berries eaten with thick cream;-almost every dish that could be

ent who had to go home that night looked in consternation at their host. If such language as M. Kollsen's were allowed, they looked for nothing less than to have their way beset by offended spirits; so that Erlingsen might hear in the morning of some being frozen, some being lost in the fiord, and others tumbled from precipices.

Erlingsen made haste to speak. He did not use any scruples with the young clergyman. He told him that every one present would be happy at all times to hear him speak on the matters belonging to his office. He had discharged his office in the morning, in betrothing Rolf and Erica; he was now resting from his business, as a guest at that table; and he would, of course, allow that the direction of the festivity rested with the host and hostess, whose desire it was that everything should be done which was agreeable to the feelings and habits of the greater number of the guests.

consent was obtained, his mistress going to the door with him, and seeing him off, putting him in mind that the dancing could not begin again till he returned to take up his clarionet.

CHAPTER II.-ODDO'S WALK.

The place where Nipen liked to find his offerings was at the end of the barn, below the gallery which ran round the outside of the building. There, in the summer, lay a plot of green grass; and, in the winter, a sheet of pure frozen snow. Thither Oddo shuffled on, over the slippery surIt was settled in a moment that Nipen should face of the yard, and across the paddock, along have his cake; which so shocked and annoyed M. the lane made by the snow-plough between high Kollsen that he declared he would not remain to banks of snow; and he took prodigious pains, sanction anything so impious, and requested that between one slip and another, not to spill the ale. his boatmen might be called from their suppers, He looked more like a prowling cub than a boy, and desired to have his boat ready immediately. wrapped as he was in his wolf-skin coat, and his No entreaties would soften him go he would. fox-skin cap doubled down over his ears.

It appeared, however, that he could not go. Not As may be supposed from Oddo's declaring a man would row him, after what he had just said that he was sometimes frightened, he was a brave of Nipen. All were sure that a gust would blow boy. A cowardly boy would not have said it. the boat over, the minute she was out of reach of A cowardly boy would not have offered to go at land; or that a rock would spring up in deep all. A cowardly boy would, if he had been sent, water, where no rock was before; or that some have wished that the house-door might be left strong hand would grasp the boat from below, and open, that he might see the cheerful yellow light draw it down under the waters. A shudder went from within; whereas Oddo begged his mistress round as these things were prophesied; and, of to shut the door, that his grandfather might not course, M. Kollsen's return home that night was be made to feel his rheumatism by any draught, out of the question, unless he would row himself. as he sat at table. A cowardly boy would have At first he declared he should do this; but he was run as fast as he could, perhaps slipping or falling, so earnestly entreated to attempt nothing so rash, and spilling the ale; and when his errand was that he yielded the point, with a supercilious air done, he would have fled home, without looking which perhaps concealed more satisfaction than he behind him, fancying everything he saw and heard chose to avow to himself. He insisted on retiring a spirit, or a wild beast. Oddo did very differimmediately, however, and was shown to his cham-ently from this. As usual, he was too busy findber at once, by Erlingsen himself, who found, on ing out how everything happened to feel afraid, as his return, that the company were the better for a less inquisitive boy would. the pastor's absence, though unable to recover the mirth which he had put to flight. Erica had been shedding a few tears, in spite of strong efforts to restrain them. Here was a bad omen already-on the very day of her betrothment; and she saw that Hund thought so; for there was a gloomy satisfaction in his eye, as he sat silently watching all that passed.

The cake steamed up in the frosty air under his nose, so warm and spicy and rich, that Oddo began to wonder what so very superior a cake could be like. He had never tasted any cake so rich as this; nor had any one in the house tasted such; for Nipen would be offended if his cake was not richer than anybody's else. Oddo wondered more and more how this would taste, till, She could not help being glad that Oddo re- before he had crossed the yard, he wondered no newed his request to be allowed to carry out longer. He broke a piece off, and ate it; and Nipen's cake and ale. She eagerly put the ale-can then wondered whether Nipen would mind his into his hand, and the cake under his arm; and cake being just a little smaller than usual. After Oddo was going out, when his blind grandfather, a few steps more, the wonder was how far Nipen's hearing that he was to be the messenger, observed charity would go; for the cake was now a great that he should be better pleased if it were some- deal smaller; and Oddo next wondered whether body else; for Oddo, though a good boy, was in- anybody could stop eating such a cake when it quisitive, and apt to get into mischief by looking was once tasted. He was surprised to see, when too closely into everything, having never a he came out into the starlight, at the end of the thought of fear. Everybody knew this to be true; barn, how small a piece was left. He stood though Oddo himself declared that he was as listening whether Nipen was coming in a gust of frightened as anybody sometimes. Moreover, he wind; and when he heard no breeze stirring, he asked what there was to pry into, on the present looked about for a cloud where Nipen might be. occasion, in the middle of the night; and appealed There was no cloud, as far as he could see. The to the company whether Nipen was not best pleased moon had set; but the stars were so bright as to to be served by the youngest of a party. This was throw a faint shadow from Oddo's form upon the allowed; and he was permitted to go, when Peder's snow. There was no sign of any spirit being

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Littell's Living Age, 19권