lly the same
in character, yet the details and stories themselves widely differ.
But I will tell you two of the stories. A Trold lived in a barrow
between two church towers, about a mile from each other. This Trold
had a wife, who was of Christian folk. It was necessary to get the
services of a midwife, and the Trold fetched the nearest, and gave her
for her services what appeared to be two pieces of charcoal; but the
Trold's wife told her to take them home, but warned her that as soon
as she put one foot outside she should suddenly jump aside, as the
Trold would cast a glowing hot-iron rod at her. She followed the
advice and went home, when the charcoal turned to silver money. The
two women, however, became friends, and the midwife often spun flax
for the Trold; but she was forbidden to wet her fingers with Christian
spittle, and they brought her a little crock to hold water for her to
wet her fingers in. This continued for some time, when at last the
Trold wife came to the midwife and said, 'My husband, the Trold, will
stay here no longer. He says he cannot bear the two ding-dong danging
church towers.' So they left, flying, it is said, through the air on a
long stick, with all their belongings."

"A story with some imagery," said Hardy.

"The next, however, is more so," said the Pastor. "On a St. John's
night, or, as we call it, Sankt. Hans. Nat, the Bjaerg folk and Elle
folk had collected to make merry. A man came riding by from Viborg,
and he could see the assembled Underjordiske enjoying the feast. An
Ellekone, or elf wife, went round with a large silver tankard, and
offered drink to every one, and came at last to the horseman. He
pretended to drink, but threw the contents of the tankard over his
shoulder, put spurs to his horse, and galloped off. But the Ellekone
was after him, and came nearer and nearer; her breasts were so long
that they fell on her knees and impeded her. She therefore threw them,
one after the other, over her shoulders, and continued the chase with
renewed speed. Fortunately he was close to the river, and dashed
through it. The Ellekone caught the hind shoe of his horse, and tore
it off; but she could not go over the water. The tankard was said to
be the largest ever seen in Denmark."

"The story is a common one to many countries, but it scarcely exists
with so much clear and distinct imagery as in your recital, Herr
Pastor," said Hardy.

"I think now we have had enough of traditions for