From a Swedish Homestead

opulated parish, with which Nature had dealt very stingily. There were stony, forest-covered hills, and many small lakes. Th

poor peasant lads and lassies had gone into the world with a pack of goods on their

rever he went his violin had helped him in his business. He had by turns gathered people together by his music and sold them silk handkerchiefs, combs, and pins. All his trading had been brought about with music and merriment, and things had

for they wanted to have plenty of room for their numerous guests; and they had also added the two large flights of steps outside. They had planted ornamental trees all over the fir-covered island. They had made small winding pathways in the stony soil, and on the most beautiful spots they had built s

t all in the old Squire's line. In the midst of all the luxury which surrounded him he never forgot what he had been, and in the room where he t

old man's son and grandson saw them their hearts swelled with gratitude. It was these two

e-Hede's family clung to the place with greater love than was good for it. And more especially Gunnar Hede was so strongly attached to it that peo

gone abroad to study music, which, after all, was no doubt his proper vocation in this world. But when he returned from Upsala, and it became clear to him that they really would have to sell th

but he was not to be moved. He put on peasant's attire, bought goods, and began to travel about the country as a p

he was successful enough. But he brou

far north and bought a large flock of goats, about a couple of hundred. And he and a comrade intended to drive them down to a large fair

hen they came to the great Fifty-Mile Forest, it began to snow. Much snow fell, and it stormed and blew severely. It was not long before it became difficult for the animals to make their way th

they became very footsore. Their feet hurt them, and they would not go any longer. The first goat that threw itself down by the roadside and would not get up again and follow the herd Hed

nches; no young trees with soft bark and soft twigs that the animals could eat. If there had been no snow, they could have got through the forest in a couple of days; now th

e moss; but the snow fell so thickly, and the moss was frozen fast to t

om butting each other to death. But when they seemed to understand that they could not be saved their nature changed, and they completely lost their courage. They all began to

e roadside. The snow gathered round them and covered them. When Hede looked back at this row of drifts by the wayside, each hi

but they did not stir. He took them by the horns and dragged them along. They allowed themselves to be dragged, but they did not move a foot themselve

upon Hede that he felt he was on t

ut his sweetheart. He thought himself that he had gone there because he ought to tell her at once that he had lost so much money that he would not be able to marry for many years. But n

peasant; she thought that for that reason alone it was difficult to love him as much as before. Now, when he told her that he must still

he peasants' houses. People plagued and teased him, but that was in a way good for him, as he was so anxious to become rich. And in the course of a few years he had earned enough to pay all his debts, and he