Jonas Lie

“ Yet when one Sunday, on the way home from church, three of the richest peasants, who had vainly asked for Sigrid's hand, walked stiffly and proudly past them, old Jon Evjen could not help saying, "it seemed to him she would reject all her suitors till there was nobody left except that brawler Gjermund Strömshagen, who could scarcely support himself on his farm." ”

“ He usually preferred to attend to his own affairs himself, but now as he walked home absorbed in sorrowful thoughts he wondered whether it would not be better for his mother to go and speak to her first - but she must ride over on the Grey. True, people might think it foolish to use a horse for so short a distance, but Sigrid would understand the meaning. ”

“ Near the Nordfjord is a mountain called Birkberg, on whose slope, almost like pictures on a wall, hang the small buildings of the farm of Strömshagen. Through the ravine below rushes a wild mountain torrent, over which a few unhewn logs serve as a bridge for man and horse. ”

“ Brunsberg often told the story of how he had once got the better of Gjermund Strömshagen in a horse-trade. "The only thing was," he added as if regretting it, "the old Grey was not yet used up."
For some years Jon Evjen had thought more about Strömshagen than he would have confessed; he sometimes visited the widow, and he and his wife often spoke to her at church. Sigrid's parents knew she was waiting for Gjermund, and during the last three years had made no objection, for the rumor that he had become a rich man had reached even his native mountains. ”

“ The roads were bad for the Skydo-horses. The windows, into which the sun shone brightly, were wide open, and the man, who was clothed like a well-to-do trader, with silver buttons on his vest, seemed very thoughtful. ”

“ When the widow from Strömshagen rode quietly up to the house, it was evident that she came on some important errand; old Jon went in and put on his coat. Entering the yard, she stopped at a short distance from the door, and behaved very differently in every respect from what would have been expected from the mother of a rich peasant, who boasted of his money. ”

“ When it came the turn of the grey horse, which was pledged for the last year's taxes, Oesten exclaimed that he would bid eighteen thalers. The magistrate looked at him gravely, and said that such was not the custom here, and besides it was a despicable. price.
"He is a poor magistrate who doesn't know the law," replied Oesten sharply, taking out a large purse and throwing a number of bank-notes on the table. "I believe that here as elsewhere the hammer falls at the best bid." ”

“ As there are no nobles in Norway, the farmers or owners of estates occupy a much higher social position than in Germany. ↑ The Skydo-Bauern along the principal roads supply travellers with beds and food. ”