As Bagger in the presence of Ingeborg opened the letter and again saw the long-lost epistle of his early days, he trembled like a man before whom the spirit-world apparently passes.  But as he perceived the added words, he exclaimed in utter perplexity:  “Am I awake?  Do I dream?  How is this possible?”

“Why should it not be possible?” asked Ingeborg.  “To whom else should the letter originally have come, than to—­geb—?”

“—­Geb—?—­geb—?  Yes, who is—­geb—?” asked Bagger with bewildered look.

“Who other than Ingeborg? is it not the third fourth, and fifth letters of my name?”

“Oh!” exclaimed Bagger, pressing his hand upon his forehead, and, as he at the next moment seized Ingeborg’s hand, added with an eye which had become dim with joy, “Truly, I have had more fortune than sense.”

Ingeborg answered, smiling: 

“That ought he to expect who entrusts his fate to the wind’s flying mail.”

THE RAILROAD AND THE CHURCHYARD

BY

BJORNSTJERNE BJORNSON

From “The Flying Mail” Translated by Carl Larsen.

THE RAILROAD AND THE CHURCH-YARD

BY

BJORNSTJERNE BJORNSON

I.

Canute Aakre belonged to an ancient family of the parish, where it had always been distinguished for its intelligence and care for the public good.  His father through self-exertion had attained to the ministry, but had died early, and his widow being by birth a peasant, the children were brought up as farmers.  Consequently, Canute’s education was only of the kind afforded by the public school; but his father’s library had early inspired him with a desire for knowledge, which was increased by association with his friend Henrik Wergeland, who often visited him or sent him books, seeds for his farm, and much good counsel.  Agreeably to his advice, Canute early got up a club for practice in debating and study of the constitution, but which finally became a practical agricultural society, for this and the surrounding parishes.  He also established a parish library, giving his father’s books as its first endowment, and organized in his own house a Sunday-school for persons wishing to learn penmanship, arithmetic, and history.  In this way the attention of the public was fixed upon him, and he was chosen a member of the board of parish-commissioners, of which he soon became chairman.  Here he continued his endeavors to advance the school interests, which he succeeded in placing in an admirable condition.

Canute Aakre was a short-built, active man, with small sharp eyes and disorderly hair.  He had large lips which seemed constantly working, and a row of excellent teeth which had the same appearance, for they shone when he spoke his clear sharp words, which came out with a snap, as when the sparks are emitted from a great fire.