A Child of the Age.

Alexandra Herald and Central Otago Gazette, Issue 422, 26 May 1904, Page 2

A Child of the Age.

Bt HJA.LMAR H. BOYjSSEN.

(Continued )

The withdrawal of this homage onb the Judge to the quick, and his uneasy conscience, which brooded on the wrong he had done his eon, saw in every evidence of disrespect the finger of Nemesis. That much ot it was due to the democratic Bpirit which during the last years had invaded even the remote mountain valleys of Norway, he was incapable of comprehending. Yet, in most instances, he was undoubtedly right; the whole valley had become the champion of his absent son, and his avenger. When he stepped from his carriage at the gate of the churchyard, people turned their baokß or walked away to avoid greeting him; the pastor no longer waited- to commence his sermon until Mr Gamborg seat; his boatmen, who rowed him to court in his large twelve-oared barge answered curtly when he spoke to them, and plainly showed him ill-will. It was no consolation to him to know that the story of his maltreatment of his son had been enormously exaggerated; his dignity forbade; him to justify himself. He would have liked very well, too, to reinstate the tenants whom he had 'evicted' after the election, had only his dignity permitted; not because he pitied their misery, but as an indirect expiation of the wrong done to his son. But it was that accursed dignity which stood in the way of all his good resolves. la the meanwhile he suffered as ho had never auSered bafoie. After much meditttion„the Judge formed a plan which seemed both ingenious and feasible. He invited Hilda and her parents to dinner on Mrs Gamborg's birthday, and during

QUITE SO.

' Two thousand pounds for a dog!' exclaimed, as he looked up 'from his newspaper. •Do you believe anyone ever paid any euch pr\ce, Maria P I don't.' • 'lt may be true, James/ she said quietly. 'Some of these thoroughbred animals brißg fancy prices.' . ' I know that, Maria; but just, think of it—i ust try to grasp the magnitude' of that sum in your weak, feminine mind. Two thousand pounds for a dog! Why, hang it, Maiia, that's more than I am worth I'

'I know it, James; but some are worth more thaH others.' " )' '

She went on calmly with her dewing, while he famed and spluttered for a moment, and then dropped the subject, especially the weak, feminine part of it,

Man (in theatre,' to ■ woman in front): ' Madam, "I paid five shillings for this aeat, and your hat—' . v Woman (calmly): 'My hat noefi five pounds!' • *"■* i