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Page 44
"I was thinking about that which Ragnar has so often told us, about the
people in England who procured money by pawning themselves--what was it
he called it?" continued he, scratching his head to arouse his memory.
"Life Insurance, was it not?" replied his father.
"That's it, father, and Ragnar also told me that even here in Sweden,
gold might be obtained from England on such terms. Now, if we could find
some one who understood this matter, and would undertake to draw up the
proper writings, I would willingly give my life as security, and then
you see, father, I should be just the same as so much ready money."
"My good son, your words are well intended; but it is not as you think
in relation to Life Insurance."
"O, that is too bad, father, or you might have received a large sum of
money when I am dead."
"My life, I hope, will be finished before yours," said his father, "I am
old, and you are young."
"True, I am young in years; but lately, yes, last Friday, while I
passed through the church yard, I heard a voice, and that voice I
believed."
"What ideas you invent!" exclaimed Magde, frightened for the first time,
as she observed Carl's hollow cheeks and sunken eye, "but what did the
voice say?"
"'Carl, Carl, Carl,' it said, calling my name three times, 'you will not
live long.'"
"Your brain is weak, my boy, because you have worked too hard. When your
body has received rest, and rest it must have, you will feel much
better. But tell me, Carl, what you thought when you imagined you heard
the voice."
"I did not think, but merely replied, 'indeed.'"
"But, Carl, with this superstition you will make your father sorrowful."
"Sorrowful? I do not think so. Should he be sorrowful because our
Saviour in his grace is willing to call me to his fold? Instead of being
sorrowful, the day of my departure should be a festive day. How many
troubles do we escape after we are placed in the earth!"
"But if you think in that manner, you will become mournful yourself, you
will not be able to laugh any more."
"Not laugh," replied Carl, and without an effort he commenced laughing
merrily. His face glowed with mirthfulness, and his melancholy humor
seemed to have vanished as if by magic. It appeared so strange to him
that Magde should desire him to laugh, that he forgot all about the
life insurance or the warning voice, and once thus engaged, he took no
farther part in the consultation.
An hour elapsed, and Magde, after having emptied the basket of its
contents, experienced a return from the hope that had sustained her
during the interview, to her former despondency, as the moment of
parting approached. Carl proceeded in advance to prepare the boat.
"In four days, at the furtherest, I shall return," said Magde, pausing
upon the threshold of her father's cell, "and then, as I hope for
Ragnar's continued love, I shall bring you good tidings."
"Thank you, my dear Magde. Ragnar shall learn all that you have done for
his old father. Kiss Nanna, poor little innocent, for me, and tell her
that she must not come here, for it will only make her heart more heavy
and sad."
A moment later, and the creaking doors resounded throughout the ruins,
the prisoner was again alone.
But once more did he hear a dear voice, for when Magde arrived at the
outside, she remembered with a feeling of uneasiness, that her youngest
child had not been blessed by its grandfather. In the haste of
departure, the little one had been entirely forgotten; but as it was
impossible for her to leave the prison with the dear child unblessed,
she stood beneath the grated window, and exclaimed:
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