ive no text," said he, "but when I have said what seems good
to me, it is for those who hear to see if the Scriptures bear me out."

This was an uncommon beginning, and most of the good folk pricked
their ears, the farmer among them, for novelty is agreeable in church
as elsewhere.

"I speak," said the Kyrkegrim, "of that which is the last result of
sin, the worst of deaths, and the beginning of judgment--hardness of
heart."

The farmer looked a little uncomfortable, and the Kyrkegrim went
bravely on.

"Let us seek examples in Scripture. We will speak of Pharaoh."

But when the Kyrkegrim spoke of Pharaoh the farmer was at ease again.
And by-and-bye a film stole gently before his eyes, and he nodded in
his seat.

This made the Kyrkegrim very angry, for he did not wish to give up his
place, and yet a Niss may not break his word.

"Let us look at the punishment of Pharaoh," he cried. But the farmer's
eyes were still closed, and the Kyrkegrim became agitated, and turned
hastily over the leaves of the iron-clamped Bible before him.

"We will speak of the plagues," said he. "The plague of blood, the
plague of frogs, the plague of lice, the plague of flies----"

At this moment the farmer snored.

For a brief instant anger and dismay kept the Kyrkegrim silent. Then
shutting the iron clamps he pushed the Book on one side, and
scrambling on to a stool, stretched his little body well over the
desk, and said, "But these flies were as nothing to the fly that is
coming in the turnip-crop!"

The words were hardly out of his mouth when the farmer sat suddenly
upright and half rising from his place, cried anxiously, "Eh, what
sir? What does he say, wife? A new fly among the turnips?"

"Ah, soul of clay!" yelled the indignant Kyrkegrim, as he hurled his
round hat at the gaping farmer. "Is it indeed for such as thee that
Eternal Life is kept in store?"

And drawing the preacher's gown over his head, he left it in the
pulpit, and scrambling down the steps hastened out of church.

* * * * *

As he had been successful in rousing the sleepy farmer the Kyrkegrim
did not abandon his duties; but it is said that thenceforward he kept
to them alone, and left heavier responsibilities in higher hands.

LADDERS TO HEAVEN.[7]

A Legend.

There was a certain valley in which the grass was very green, for it
was watered by a stream which never failed; and once upon a time
certain pious men wi