|
Main
- books.jibble.org
My Books
- IRC Hacks
Misc. Articles
- Meaning of Jibble
- M4 Su Doku
- Computer Scrapbooking
- Setting up Java
- Bootable Java
- Cookies in Java
- Dynamic Graphs
- Social Shakespeare
External Links
- Paul Mutton
- Jibble Photo Gallery
- Jibble Forums
- Google Landmarks
- Jibble Shop
- Free Books
- Intershot Ltd
|
books.jibble.org
Previous Page
| Next Page
Page 30
Lars came, driving his handsome horse, saluted by all; he looked
quietly and confidently around, not seeming surprised at the
throng. He seated himself, straw in mouth, near the window, and
not without a smile saw Canute rise to speak, as he thought, for
all the dead lying over there in the old churchyard.
But Canute Aakre did not begin with the churchyard. He made a
stricter investigation into the profits likely to accrue from
carrying the road through the parish, showing that in all this
excitement they had been over-estimated. He had calculated the
distance of each farm from the nearest station, should the road be
taken through the neighboring valley, and finally asked:
"Why has such a hurrah been made about this railroad, when it
would not be for the good of the parish after all?"
This he could explain; there were those who had brought about such
a previous disturbance, that a greater was necessary in order that
the first might be forgotten. Then, too, there were those who,
while the thing was new, could sell their farms and lands to
strangers, foolish enough to buy; it was a shameful speculation,
which not the living only but the dead also must be made to
promote!
The effect produced by his address was very considerable. But Lars
had firmly resolved, come what would, to keep cool, and smilingly
replied that he supposed Canute Aakre himself had been anxious for
the railroad, and surely no one would accuse him of understanding
speculation. (A little laugh ensued.) Canute had had no objection
to the removal of bodies of common people for the sake of the
railroad, but when it came to that of his own grandfather, the
question became suddenly of vital importance to the whole parish.
He said no more, but looked smilingly at Canute, as did also
several others. Meanwhile, Canute Aakre surprised both him and
them by replying:
"I confess it; I did not realize what was at stake until it
touched my own dead; possibly this is a shame, but really it would
have been a greater one not even then to have realized it, as is
the case with Lars! Never, I think, could Lars' raillery have been
more out of place; for folks with common feelings the thing is
really revolting."
"This feeling has come up quite recently," answered Lars, "and so
we will hope for its speedy disappearance also. It may be well to
think upon what minister, bishop, county officers, engineers, and
Department will say, if we first unanimously set the ball in
motion and then come asking to have it stopped; if we first are
jubilant and sing songs, then weep and chant requiems. If they do
not say that we have run mad here in the parish, at least they may
say that we have grown a little queer lately."
"Yes, God knows, they can say so," answered Canute; "we have been
acting strangely enough during the last few days,--it is time for
us to retract. It has really gone far when we can dig up, each his
own grandfather, to make way for a railroad; when in order that
our loads may be carried more easily forward, we can violate the
resting-place of the dead. For is not overhauling our churchyard
the same as making it yield us food? What has been buried there in
Jesus' name, shall we take up in the name of Mammon? It is but
little better than eating our progenitors' bones."
"That is according to the order of nature," said Lars dryly.
"Yes, the nature of plants and animals," replied Canute.
"Are we not then animals?" asked Lars.
"Yes, but also the children of the living God, who have buried our
dead in faith upon Him; it is He who shall raise them, and not
we."
"Oh, you prate! Are not the graves dug over at certain fixed
periods anyway? What evil is there in that it happens some years
earlier?" asked Lars.
"I will tell you! What was born of them yet lives; what they built
yet remains; what they loved, taught, and suffered for is all
around us and within us; and shall we not, then, let their bodies
rest in peace?"
Previous Page
| Next Page
|
|