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Page 29
Did it only depend upon a strip of an old churchyard, thought
Lars, whether the parish should have this great blessing or not?--
then he would use his name and energy for the removal of the
obstacle. So immediately he made a visit to minister and bishop,
from them to county legislature and Department of the
Interior; he reasoned and negotiated; for he had possessed
himself of all possible information concerning the vast profits
that would accrue on the one side, and the feelings of the parish
on the other, and had really succeeded in gaining over all
parties. It was promised him that by the reinterment of some
bodies in the new churchyard, the only objection to this line
might be considered as removed, and the king's approbation
guaranteed. It was told him that he need only make the motion in
the county meeting.
The parish had become as excited on the question as himself. The
spirit of speculation, which had been prevalent so many years, now
became jubilant. No one spoke or thought of anything but Lars'
journey and its probable result. Consequently, when he returned
with the most splendid promises, they made much ado about him;
songs were sung to his praise,--yes, if at that time one after
another of the largest farms had toppled over, not a soul would
have given it any attention; the former speculation fever had been
succeeded by the new one of the railroad.
The county board met; an humble petition that the old churchyard
might be used for the railroad was drawn up to be presented to the
king. This was unanimously voted; yes, there was even talk of
voting thanks to Lars, and a gift of a coffee-pot, in the model of
a locomotive. But finally, it was thought best to wait until
everything was accomplished. The petition from the parish to the
county board was sent back, with a requirement of a list of the
names of all bodies which must necessarily be removed. The
minister made out this, but instead of sending it directly to the
county board, had his reasons for communicating it first to the
parish. One of the members brought it to the next meeting. Here,
Lars opened the envelope, and as chairman read the names.
Now it happened that the first body to be removed was that of
Lars' own grandfather. A Hide shudder passed through the assembly;
Lars himself was taken by surprise; but continued. Secondly, came
the name of Canute Aakre's grandfather; for the two had died at
nearly the same time. Canute Aakre sprang from his seat; Lars
stopped; all looked up with dread; for the name of the elder
Canute Aakre had been the one most beloved in the parish for
generations. There was a pause of some minutes. At last Lars
hemmed, and continued. But the matter became worse, for the
further he proceeded, the nearer it approached their own day, and
the dearer the dead became. When he ceased, Canute Aakre asked
quietly if others did not think as he, that spirits were around
them. It had begun to grow dusk in the room, and although they
were mature men sitting in company, they almost felt themselves
frightened. Lars took a bundle of matches from his pocket and lit
a candle, somewhat dryly remarking that this was no more than they
had known beforehand.
"No," replied Canute, pacing the floor, "this is more than I knew
beforehand. Now I begin to think that even railroads can be bought
too dearly."
This electrified the audience, and Canute continued that the whole
affair must be reconsidered, and made a motion to that effect. In
the excitement which had prevailed, he said it was also true that
the benefit to be derived from the road had been considerably
overrated; for if it did not pass through the parish, there would
have to be a depot at each extremity; true, it would be a little
more trouble to drive there, than to a station within; yet not so
great as that for this reason they should dishonor the rest of the
dead. Canute was one of those who, when his thoughts were excited,
could extemporize and present most sound reasons; he had not a
moment previously thought of what he now said; but the truth of it
struck all. Lars, seeing the danger of his position, thought best
to be careful, and so apparently acquiesced in Canute's
proposition to reconsider; for such emotions, thought he, are
always strongest in the beginning; one must temporize with them.
But here he had miscalculated. In constantly increasing the dread
of touching their dead overswept the parish; what no one had
thought of as long as the matter existed only in talk became a
serious question when it came to touch themselves. The
women particularly were excited, and at the parish house, on the day
of the next meeting, the road was black with the gathered
multitude. It was a warm summer day, the windows were taken out,
and as many stood without as within. All felt that that day would
witness a great battle.
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