Settlers of the Marsh Read Online Free PDF Page B

the shrubs! One day,” and again that quality rose in her voice, “we shall plant lindens and maples all about the yard and cut all those old poplars down.”
    Niels looked up. “But the poplars … And that wonderful spruce tree …”
    â€œYes,” Mrs. Lund agreed, “the spruce tree … But if somebody pulled every poplar right out of the ground he’d do us a great big help.”
    Niels did not reply.
    The ruddy glow that was still reflected from the high clouds flaming in the west of the sunken sun spread its dull warmth over the yard: dusk had wiped out the picture of disorder and litter; and like a giant finger pointing upward, to God, the spruce tree stood on guard at the corner …
    When Niels looked back into the room, the last glimmer of that light played over Nelson’s and Olga’s heads. The face of the girl was actually beautiful now as she sat there with dreaming eyes, her cheeks suffused with that ecstatic smile of hers.
    She, too, had a dream; but her dream was of the future: it was capable of fulfilment, not fraught with pathos as her mother’s.…
    The whole room was softened into some appearance of harmony by the dark: fit setting for the dreams of the young and the retrospection of those whose dreams have come true: a horror to those in despair …
    As if she felt it, the woman lighted a lamp.
    Again Niels looked out.
    There, on the yard, Mr. Lund was slowly walking about with closed eyes, a forked willow-branch in his hands. Thus, while Niels watched, he went from place to place, all over the yard, into the corners, across the open, along the stable, towards the gate at the culvert. Suddenly he stopped, standing in the light of the high half moon; and in evident excitement he called to the boy who soon after brought him four poles which he placed on the snow-covered ground.
    To Niels his doings seemed inconsequential and irrelevant; such was the influence of the boundless landscape which stretched away in the dim light of the moon …
    Life had him in its grip and played with him; the vastness of the spaces looked calmly on.
    When Lund came in—his grey and hairy face bore a smile of transcendent rapture.
    â€œWell,” he said very quietly, as if he were blessing everything. “I have located the well.”
    â€œThat right?” Nelson asked without interest.
    â€œYes,” Lund replied. “The rod turned very distinctly. We shall get water.”
    â€œWe need it,” Mrs. Lund said skeptically. And, turning to Niels, she added, “We have been using the water from the ditch … it gives the horses swamp fever .…”
    â€œWe’ll get it, mamma,” Lund repeated. “I know. Don’t worry.”
    The table was set. Mrs. Lund called for supper.
    Niels sat between her and Bobby; Nelson, between Olga and Mr. Lund. No grace was said.
    For a while the meal proceeded in silence.
    Then Nelson spoke. “Going to school, Bobby?”
    â€œYes,” the boy replied with a grin on his frank and humorous face. “Not very regular.”
    â€œWe send him whenever we can,” Mrs. Lund explained. “It’s nearly four miles to go; in summer the swamp can’t be crossed; then it’s more; and in winter the snow is often up to his hips. It isn’t work that’s keeping him, Mr. Nelson; don’t you believe it. We want our children to get an education.”
    â€œYes,” Lund agreed, still with the smile on his face. “If we can only send him to the Agricultural College . Have you ever seen it, Mr. Nelson?”
    â€œNo, I haven’t.”
    â€œWhy, it’s grand! That is farming, I often say to mother. I have been to the college myself, for three years. Did you know it?”
    â€œDon’t talk nonsense, daddy,” his wife interposed good-naturedly. “What shall the people think of you?” And, turning to Nelson, she added. “He was at the