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