Chapter II: The Cottage

The interior of the little building to which we now turn, was thus arranged: The ground floor was divided into a kitchen and three other apartments, viz:--a middle sized room, by favor called the parlor, in which was generally the dwelling place of the family, and a small chamber on either side of the parlor. One of these was the bed-chamber of Carl Lonner, and the other was occupied by his eldest son and his wife.

The upper story, that is, the attic, contained two divisions, and the sole dominion of these airy apartments was granted to two younger members of the family; the front room belonging to Nanna, and the other to her brother Carl, known in the neighborhood by the nick-name of "Wiseacre," and under certain circumstances as "Crazy Carl," although it would have been difficult to find throughout the entire neighborhood a personage wiser than honest Carl.

Throughout the entire building the marks of poverty were plainly evident; but at the same time each object presented a tidy and cleanly appearance and although the cottage lacked many luxuries, still comfort seemed to reign supreme. The rush covered floor; the table, polished to brightness; and the flower vases, filled with odorous boquets of lilacs, the neat window curtains, the handicraft of Nanna, the crimson sofa curtain, embroidered by the thrifty Magde, all combined, proved that the inmates of the cottage, had not only the taste, but also the inclination to render home pleasant even under the most adverse circumstances.

* * * * *

At the time that Nanna had started forth as a guide to the youthful stranger, old Mr. Lonner was seated near the side of his bed in his private apartment. Although weighed down by age and the grief that had oppressed his early life, he nevertheless possessed that gentleness and sociability, which had ever been the characteristic traits of his life. His flowing white locks fell around his countenance, from which the traces of manly beauty had not been entirely eradicated, and as he smoked his pipe with an air of dignified pleasure, he would occasionally glance towards a young matron, who, seated in a large arm chair, was reading aloud a letter to him.

The letter bore the postmark of Goteborg, and was written by the old man's eldest son, Ragnar Lonner, the husband of the matron. He was mate of a trading vessel, and three months before had bidden farewell to his wife and family. As she continued reading the letter, three children who had been playing, commenced a little dispute about the proprietorship of a large apple. In an opposite corner Carl had stationed himself. He was a full grown youth with a face bearing an expression of mingled silliness and wisdom.--As he glanced from under his long hair, first at the bed-quilt, then at the quarrelling children, he paid close attention to all that his sister-in-law was reading aloud. Carl was not the simpleton people considered him, although his highest ambition appeared to consist in erecting dirt houses and making mud-pies.

"Magde," said the old man, casting a glance of affection upon the vivacious Magdalena. "You had better read that letter again. Ragnar is a son who has his heart in the right place."

"And a husband too!" added Magde, and a flush of joyful pride overspread her blooming cheeks.

"Yes, and a brother also; read the letter once more, it will be none the less pleasant to read it a third time when Nanna returns."

Magde, who had not refolded the letter, commenced reading again, and her voice trembled with pride and emotion as she read as follows:--

"Beloved Magde:

"When you shall break the seal of this letter, I feel assured that
you will wish you possessed wings that you might be enabled to fly
to your loving husband. And as I think I see you approaching me
through the air, surrounded by our little angels,--may God protect
them,--the tears start to my eyes, tears which no man should be
ashamed to shed, and I feel an inward desire to hasten to meet you.

"But now, dear Magde, I must control my thoughts, and so direct
them to you, that they shall prove intelligible. I arrived, on the
eighth day of this month, at Goteborg, in safety and in good
health. I hope our father is well and capable of enjoying as usual,
the balmy air and bright verdure of summer.

"Our little cottage is a pleasant residence, in spite of all its
disadvantages, and I feel assured that both yourself and Nanna do
all that lies in your power to cheer our mutual parent, when he is
sick and dispirited.

"One night while our vessel was lying in the canal, I was visited
by an evil dream, but dreams are empty and meaningless, and I hope
that no more of my disagreeable fancies will be realized than that
you at home, may experience a little anxiety and solicitude
concerning the welfare of the absent one.

"The Spring of the year is always the most severe season, for
winter consumes the harvest of the preceding summer.

"Well, we have many mouths to feed--God protect our children.--When
they are older they will work for us. It was my intention to send
you a small sum of money in this letter; but I was obliged to wait
until Jon Jonson, who is here at present with his sloop, shall
commence his homeward voyage, for I can place no dependence upon
young Rask to whom I am obliged to entrust this letter, as he might
be tempted on his way to the post office to enter a beer-house, and
there lose the money. I am forced to send Rask to the office, as I
am obliged to remain on the vessel until it is unloaded.

"I will tell you in advance that I shall not be able to send you a
large amount of money; but instead of that, I shall forward you
when Jonson returns, a quantity of foreign goods which I have been
fortunate enough to purchase and to place on board his sloop
without paying the duty, which you know is heavy. It consists of
sugar, coffee, tobacco, cotton yarn, and a package of silks.

"You, my dear wife, must select the best, a silk shawl which you
will find in the package. Nanna may have the next best shawl, and
you may give Carl the blue handkerchief which is at the bottom of
the parcel. I have not forgotten father. I shall send him a small
cask of liquor, and in the parcel of silks you will find a bundle
of toys for the children.

"You cannot imagine--but still you must--how pleasant it is to
deprive oneself of luxuries that you may provide for the wants of
those whom you have left at home.

"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."

"O, that is not my opinion. In winter-time, when Ragnar is at home, he procures us many a savory dish with his gun."

"Yes, but I think that if Ragnar has disturbed the hunting grounds of Almvik, he may consider himself fortunate if the proprietor has not poached upon his own premises in return. The affairs of Almvik are far differently conducted than they were formerly, under the sway of the ancient proprietor."

During their conversation the old man and Magde had taken no notice of Carl, who, while he listened to their words, contorted his face in such a manner that it would have been difficult to decide whether he was laughing or crying. He placed his hands over his face; but between his fingers his eyes could be seen peering out with a peculiar expression at Magde.

"I will no longer feign ignorance of your meaning, father," replied Magde, with a visible effort to suppress her anger. "It is true that in words, and even in actions, he has conducted himself with more presumption than he would have dared to assume last winter; but fear not, I well know how to protect the honor of my name."

"And as you thus speak you vainly endeavor to conceal your emotions," said the old man suspiciously.

"Do not think that he has endeavored to plant his snare for a simple dove. When he would snatch his prize, he may learn that I possess both beak and talons."

"Well, my child," replied Mr. Lonner, with a laugh, "it is a fortunate chance that you are the daughter of a father who was a man of the world; but your birth entitled you to a higher position in life than that which you now occupy."

"You speak strangely, father."

"Why, you might have married Mr. Trystedt who possessed riches and lands, while now you live in absolute poverty."

"Why should you think of that? Is it not better to live in poverty with love, than to possess untold riches without love? Does the whole earth contain a better husband than my Ragnar? Is he not a skillful sailor? I have no doubt but that had he not been married he would long ago have been promoted to a captaincy. He is a thousand times more of a gentleman, at any time, than that old Trystedt, who was a torment to all he whom he met."

"Thank God! If you are satisfied, then all is right, and even if we are at present in straightened circumstances all will be made right when Jonson arrives. I hope that he will be careful of the goods entrusted to him."

A slight noise in an adjoining room, notified the mother that her infant child had awakened. She instantly arose and left the apartment. Magde was a dignified and elegant woman, although her countenance was pleasing rather than beautiful, and as she moved towards the door the old man's eyes followed her with a gaze of admiration and love.