Gerda in Sweden

d that poor Erik firs

a dirt

eds of years; but before he went to the Djurg?rd that day with Birg

dense groves of spruce, smiling meadows, winding roads and shady paths. Through the tree-branches one catches a glimpse of the blue waters o

ark and other parts of the city. It is not a long trip; from the quay in front of the Royal Palace i

bands; they go to walk along the beautiful, tree-shaded paths; or they

It was to see the birthday celebration in honor of Sweden's beloved poet, Karl Bellman, that the

on, and as they walked through the city streets, ma

He was short, as all Lapps are, and his face was broad, with high cheek-bones; but he had a pair

ked, as he caught sight of the Katarina Hisse

look over the whole city," was Birger's answer. Then he whispered to Gerda to as

n," she replied. "That would be thirty-two ?re for us all, and we must save our money to

Karen, when they had found seats on the deck toge

that the time would come when gold could not buy a picture of olden times-the old homes a

things to put in a museum in Stockholm. Then he thought of showing the real life of the country peo

harcoal burner's hut, to the farmhouse in Dalarne and the fisherman's cot in Sk?ne. And people were living in all the h

nd birds too," added Birger, "polar be

so when the steamer reached the quay at the Deer Park, the c

the twins waited for him to speak. Gerda expected that he would say it was just like h

er taken aback at his qu

d, "they have done

t, with the rivers and mountains and wild birds," h

"It is only an imitation," tha

roudly; "and there are many people who come here to see it, because they

Karen. "This is the onl

s tent and

in R?ttvik," suggested Gerda, and they walked slowly through the

ssed in their native costumes, were dancing folk-dances; for tha

delight. "I wonder what they are doing," she added, watchi

l the different dances because she often went to Skans

he platform, and made everyone laugh with a queer, half-com

dance with them,"

others," said Gerda kindly; but she moved away from the s

ed. "It is the poet's day, and there will be wreaths and garlands

oking back longingly toward the danci

e going to dance alone. You would not like to dance with the girls;"

and the four children found a seat near-by, where they

ed to her brother, as she saw the Lapp boy watching the man with the trombone. Then she bega

s," she said earnestly, and Erik l

tle

men

elf die

fame nev

o gets a

aren in surprise; "that

g of the gods. How did

hings which Erik did not know. One was, how to play the trombone; and it was his

bout that queer instrument which made such loud music; and before Gerda knew what he was doin

aid, and held out his

distress. "Run and get

run q

rombonist had said very plainly and harshly, "Get away from here, you dirty Lapp!" and poor Erik was looking at hi

at them and laughing, and the words, "Lapp! Lapp!" spo

da, her face scarlet with shame

"let us stay right here a

erda about it, the little party went sadly through the cro

buildings which they saw from the deck of the boat, although Gerda said once, with a b

Not until they were safely within the walls of home did he spe

st as miserable as Erik looked. "They don't bathe, nor eat

my life," said Erik, his face very white, his eyes very angry. "And I

u shall learn to use many other tools, too. I have made arrangements to-day for you to work in the ironworks at G?teborg, where t

eborg is a long way from Stockhol

he can go with me. A new lightship is ready to be launched, and I shall have

too!" begged the twins, dancin

become of Kar

heir new friend. It was plain to be seen that

ound the little lame girl. "Karen

G?ta Canal. When the day for the journey arrived, the satchels were packed once more,