Until Ragnar had received his appointment as mate, old Mr. Lonner had invariably purchased his supplies of the merchants at Goteborg; but as Ragnar thought that foreign goods could be obtained much cheaper by procuring them himself, and sending them home without paying the duty, he soon persuaded the old man to adopt his opinion on the subject.

Until now no unpleasant consequence had resulted from Ragnar’s occasionally smuggling a few articles for the use of the family; but the old adage says “a pitcher which goes oft to the fountain is soon broken,” and in Ragnar’s case this proverb was verified.

Yet, for this accident, the custom house officers were not so much to blame, for not one in that service would have thought for a moment of searching the cottage in the valley, unless positive information was received, nay more, unless that information was accompanied with threats of exposure, for dereliction of duty.  Unfortunately, the custom house stamp was wanting upon the handkerchiefs, shawls, and other goods sent by Ragnar, and the family not only were deprived of them, but were menaced with fines and penalties, which to pay, was entirely out of their power.  To add to their misfortune their protector, Ragnar, who would have soon put an end to their troubles, had started a few days before the catastrophe, upon a voyage to Brazil.

Magde and Nanna wept only when they were alone, or at least when they were with each other.  They concealed their tears from the old man, his life should not be further embittered; it was bitter enough already.  The little fortune on which they had hoped to subsist for many months was entirely swept away.  Old Mr. Lonner, however, observed the secret grief of his daughters, and said to himself: 

“Poor children, you do not know what is yet to come.”

The smuggled goods were marked with old Mr. Lonner’s name only, and he well knew that a heavy penalty was yet to follow.

“We have enjoyed so much happiness, and peace, since Ragnar and Magde were married,” said he encouragingly to his daughter, “that we should bravely endure a little misfortune.  It is not allotted to man that he should enjoy a constant season of prosperity.”

But Nanna and Magde smiled sorrowfully as he thus spoke.  The inmates of the cottage now exerted themselves to the utmost to better their sad condition.  Our friend Carl exerted himself beyond all the others.  He who had neglected the affairs of his own relations for those of his neighbors, now scarcely had leisure to step beyond the boundary line of his father’s estate.  He was everything, and did everything so willingly and skilfully, that it was not necessary for the family to hire any servant to assist them as they had formerly done, and although latterly he had been somewhat feeble in health, he cared not for himself, but worked manfully in wet as well as dry weather.  His troubles and toil were all forgotten, when Magde would reward him for his efforts with a friendly nod of her head.