“My ship-mates frequently say that I am severe towards them when at sea, perhaps I am; but it grieves me when I see those noble men, so skillful in the management of our vessel, lavish their money when on shore in foolish pleasures.  They have as great reason to be economical as I have myself, and I cannot resist from occasionally censuring them, and therefore I may not appear so kind to them as I am to you when at home, or while I am writing this letter.  Although all my efforts may be fruitless, still I feel assured that there is not one man amongst them who would not peril his existence to rescue ‘the tiger,’ as they call me, from any danger.  They well know that I would not stop to think, but would spring into the ocean at once, if it was necessary, to rescue them.

“But, my dear Magde, a word in confidence.  I am neither as wise or as well educated as my father was in his younger days, yet I would not wound your feelings either by word or action; but I must inform you that a rumor has reached my ears about a certain man, whose neck I once would have twisted willingly, because, when in church, he looked at you oftener than he did at the minister.

“But if, when I return, I discover that that villain from Almvik has been poaching on my grounds, he must look to safety.  In you, Magde, I can place all confidence, and shall therefore say nothing further.  And now farewell.  Remember me firstly to my father, and then to my sister, and my children.

     “Your faithful husband,
     “Ragnar Lonner.

“P.S.  During the soft moonlight nights, when on my watch, I see your form, dear Magde, bright and beautiful, as I look over the wake of the vessel.  And when the night is dark and cloudy, I see you sitting by my side, the binnacle light shining upon your pleasant face, which is illumined with smiles as I gaze upon little Conrad, whom I imagine a fine full grown lad, climbing the shrouds with all the eagerness of a competent sailor.  But, belay, otherwise my letter will be under sail again.”

When Magde read the portion of her husband’s letter which he had intended as confidential, her voice trembled as it did when she had first read the letter.

“It would have been my desire,” said she, “that Ragnar had sent the money in the letter.  It has been more than three weeks, dear father, since you have partaken of other food than fish, bread and potatoes.  Ah!  I wish we had a quarter of beef!”

“O, stop your prating, child!  Fish is very good food indeed.”

“But not strengthening.  How delicious it would be if we only had a partridge, or even a rabbit.  Certainly they would not cost much!  But who dare think of such luxuries?  All delicacies must be sent to Almvik.”

“God grant that we may have nothing worse to expect from Almvik, than that they should prevent us from enjoying luxuries that poor people cannot expect to procure.”