be a sweet wife for
me.

As I thought, it turned out badly. But there is one good thing about
it, Niels has now run off of himself. The rector is greatly angered,
but I rejoice in secret that he is rid of that dangerous man. Bruus
will probably seek retaliation, but we have law and justice in the
land to order such matters.

This was the way of it: The rector had ordered Niels to dig up a bit
of soil in the garden. After a time when he went out himself to look
at the work, he found Niels leaning on his spade eating nuts. He had
not even begun to dig. The rector scolded him, but the fellow answered
that he had not taken service as a gardener. He received a good box on
the ear for that. At this he threw away his spade and swore valiantly
at his master. The old rector lost his temper entirely, seized the
spade and struck at the man several times. He should not have done
this, for a spade is a dangerous weapon, especially in the hands of a
man as strong as is the pastor in spite of his years. Niels fell to
the ground as if dead. But when the pastor bent over him in alarm, he
sprang up suddenly, jumped the hedge and ran away to the woods.

This is the story of the unfortunate affair as my father-in-law tells
it to me. My beloved Mette is much worried about it. She fears the man
may do harm to the cattle, or set fire to the house, or in some such
way take his revenge. But I tell her there is little fear of that.

Three weeks more and my beloved leaves her father's house for mine.
She has been here and has gone over the house and the farm. She is
much pleased with everything and praises our orderliness. She is an
angel, and all who know her say that I am indeed a fortunate man. To
God be the praise!

Strange, where that fellow Niels went to! Could he have left the
country altogether? It is an unpleasant affair in any case, and there
are murmurings and secret gossip among the peasants. The talk has
doubtless started in Ingvorstrup. It would not be well to have the
rector hear it. He had better have taken my advice, but it is not my
province to school a servant of God, and a man so much older than I.
The idle gossip may blow over ere long. I will go to Veilbye to-morrow
and find out if he has heard anything.

The bracelet the goldsmith has made for me is very beautiful. I am
sure it will please my sweet Mette.

My honored father-in-law is much distressed and down-hearted.
Malicious tongues have repeated to him the stupi