was a sailor's son and had been at sea since his
childhood, had just come home from the East Indies and found his mother
dead; that he was now alone in the world; that the wild sea life had
become altogether distasteful to him; that his keenest inclination led
him to a miner's calling, and that he wished to get employment as a
miner here in Falun. The latter statement, quite the reverse of his
recent determination, escaped him involuntarily; it was as if he could
not have said anything else to the alderman, nay as if it were the most
ardent desire of his soul, although he had not known it till now,
himself.

"Pehrson Dahlsjoe looked at him long and carefully, as if he would read
his heart; then he said:

"'I cannot suppose, Elis Froebom, that it is mere thoughtless
fickleness and the love of change that lead you to give up the calling
you have followed hitherto, nor that you have omitted to maturely weigh
and consider all the difficulties and hardships of the miner's life
before making up your mind to take to it. It is an old belief with us
that the mighty elements with which the miner has to deal, and which he
controls so bravely, destroy him unless he strains all his being to
keep command of them--if he gives place to other thoughts which weaken
that vigour which he has to reserve wholly for his constant conflict
with Earth and Fire. But if you have properly tested the sincerity of
your inward call, and it has withstood the trial, you are come in a
good hour. Workmen are wanted in my part of the mine. If you like, you
can stay here with me, from now, and to-morrow the Captain will take
you down with him, and show you what to set about.'

"Elis's heart swelled with gladness at this. He thought no more of the
terror of the awful, hell-like abyss into which he had looked. The
thought that he was going to see Ulla every day, and live under the
same roof with her, filled him with rapture and delight. He gave way to
the sweetest hopes.

"Pehrson Dahlsjoe told the miners that a young hand had applied for
employment, and presented him to them then and there. They all looked
approvingly at the well-knit lad, and thought he was quite cut out for
a miner, as regarded his light, powerful figure, having no doubt that
he would not fail in industry and straightforwardness, either.

"One of the men, well advanced in years, came and shook hands with him
cordially, saying he was Head-Captain in Pehrson Dahlsjoe's part of the
mine