ERIC.

New Zealand Illustrated Magazine, Volume VII, Issue 5, 1 February 1903, Page 364

ERIC.

By LAURA B. 0. HILL

"If SN'T lie just the dearest, W sweetest little thing in the £ world ?" said Viola, as she J_ put their first-born son into her husband's arms. "He is not like either of us ; indeed, he is very ugly, but who cares, we shall love him just the same/ This was said in a little Swedish village. Olaf, a Swede, had fallen in love and married a little Italian girl, taking her away from her sunny land in the south to his cold, bleak home in the north. Viola, in spite of her happiness and Olaf s care, did not recover her illness very quickly. She missed the fruits and comforts to which she had been accustomed. But iier true, brave heart and Olaf's affection sustained her, and by degrees she slowly got better. The baby received the name of Eric, aftor Olaf's father. Eric, at six months, reversed the gifts of his birthright. Instead of dark hair he had a crown of luxurious golden curls, his eyes instead of being blue became a soft brown like his mother's. He was a marvel of the beauty of two races. And as his character developed he proved the saying that mingled races produce the finest strain of nature. In his very babyhood the neighbours said he was no common child, and. of course, Olaf and Viola agreed with them. Viola, indeed, knew very little about children, as the mistress with whom she had spent most o£ her life couldn't bear the sound of a child's voice. Eric therefore was a little mystery she was never tired

of studying. She and Olaf had some pleasant arguments as to the first language the child would speak. Of course he naturally spoke that of which lie had heard most, and his lisping words were in her musical tongue. His grandmother thought that for a Swedish boy to speak Italian was simply a miracle, and said he would die before his time.

Vmt when Eric proved that he could speak her language almost as well as herself, she gave him. up in despair with many secret misgivings. Viola took little notice of these fancies. Everything the -child did amused her. She had had too little to do with children to know how individual, imitative and yet original he was. As soon as he could speak plainly Eric began to sine about the house as his mother did. He caught both words and air without effort, and when singing seemed as unconscious as a bird on the wing. One day as Viola sat sewdng she was suddenly aroused by Eric's long silence, and wondered what mischief he was at. Looking up she saw him seated opposite with a bit of cloth fastened to his knees imitating her every motion with precision. He had fastened his thread to a pin, and ,was making this pin move in concert with her needle, only, of course, his movements were only a pretence. She threw herself back in her chair to laugh at this comic scene, whereupon Eric, with no little humour twinkling in his eye, threw himself back likewise and laughed in unison with her.

" "You little monkey, how dare you \" she cried, half vexed and half amused ; but Eric looked at her with such an open innocent face that she saw he meant no harm, an d if a monkey, was a harmless one after all. But now the whole household was kept busy and merry by the activity of this quaint child. Nothing escaped his observation. He coughed like his grandmother, pretended to knit, and took snuff like his grandfather. When Viola shook her head at him lie would look at her with his little innocent face and obey at once. No one who saw that glance could help forgiving him. Viola, meanwhile, obtained her wish, a little Swedish maiden, with rosy cheeks and fair hair, the very funniest little miniature of Olaf. Eric, of course, pretended to cry when the baby cried, crept and imitated everything she did. At the same time he became her guardian and protector. All the songs he knew he sang- to her, and told her all the stories he had heard. The tenderness Olaf poured on Viola he would lavish on his little sister.

There was no school in the village, so his grandmother taught Eric to read, as Viola was too ignorant of the language. The old lady found it a great pleasure as Eric learned so quickly, and was yo joyous and cheerful over his books. His fine ear enabled him to catch her tones, and when he started to read aloud the effect was

very funny ; but by degrees he be-

gan to read with great spirit, unlike anything they had ever heard. Strangers began to hear of his great talents, and came from far and near to see this wonderful child. Viola received them very graciously, hut Eric could never be made to understand what was wanted of him, whatever he did was not for effect, it was as natural and simple as it could possibly be. His unconsciousness saved him from vanity. There had been one great inconvenience in his imitative nature.

They couldn't take him to church, because he would be sure to copy the gestures of the pastor In the pulpit ; he had already doua *o to some extent when the minster paiil his visits at the house. On Eric's fourth birthday OJaf resolved to cure him oi this bad habit, so he seriously set to work. " Eric, do you know what sort of an animal a monkey is ?" Eric began, eagerly to tell all he knew, which was not a little. " Well, should you like folks to say you were a monkey ?" " 1 don't know/ rejplied Eric, thoughtfully. "It wouldn't turn me into a monkey to have folks say I was one. A.nd if I was one, why then I should have a great long tail, and hang to the branches of trees, this way, look, father, I'll show you how." " Has the boy really no sense of shame," cried Olaf angrily. " Leave him to me, I'll manage him," said his grandmother. " Do you know, Eric, how nice it is to go to church ? There are all good people praising God. They sing like angels, so that one actually sheds tears when one hears them. Now, wouldn't you love to go and shed tears at church, listening to such lovely music ?" " I shouldn't like to go there to cry," said Eric ; " but I should love to go and sing like an angel, though." " But you will not be content singing, you will be getting on the seat and making your arms go like the pastor's." " Should I ?" said Eric ; <( but, dear grandma, couldn't you tie my arms with a string V " Pie, nonsense, a great boy four years old shouldn't talk nonsense." " Yesterday, when I wanted another piece of cake you said I ate too much for such a little boy," said Eric, thoughtfully." But it is a long wMlei since yesterday ; perhaps I am a great boy now !" " Well, well, child, but now suppose we take you to church with us to-morrow, will yoTi behave your-

self like a little man, and not fall into any of your tricks ?" i( I don't know," said Eric, mournfully ; " maybe 1 should ; I never do any tricks on purpose. They come and make me." " Who come and make you ?" " The Trolls, and all of them/ " Now, who has been teaching the child such wicked nonsense ?" cried Olaf', starting to his feet. " Oh, mother, I would not have believed it of you !" " Don't be angry with mother, Olaf, dear/ said Viola, gently. " She can't help believing things she has been taught all her life." " Eric," he siaid, " you shall go to church to-morrow, but there are no Trolls in God's house, so if you are naughty it will be your own fault/ " You will be a good boy, Eric, won't you ?" said Viola, coaxingly. " Yes, dear mother, I will," replied Eric, in tones so like her own that, as usual, they all burst out laughing. The next day Eric went to church. He wondered greatly what going to church really meant. He watched carefully and copied what his father did. When seated his eager gaze took in every detail of the unusual scene. He responded at the close of every prayer like a man until that preceding the sermon. Por a moment his attention wandered, till suddenly recollecting himself he uttered a vigorous "Amen I" that was heard all over the church. Viola laughed, Olaf pretended not to have heard, but changed colour in spit© of himself, his grandmother shook her finger at him, and Eric amid these varying influences felt half pleased and half frightened. But how the delivery of the sermon attracted him ! He sat erect silent, almost breathless, a picture of awe and ecstasy. Seeing him so absorbed Olaf and Viola began to feel easy about him, when unconconsciously he climbed on to the seat, stretched forth his arms, clasped his hands, looked heaven-

wards, and in short copied every motion of the pastor's with unerring accuracy. The pastor instead of seeing serious facea saw broad smiles all round. This displeased him, and his gestures grew more animated, all of which the little lad faithfully repeated until the church was in an uproar. Then was he pulled down from his throne and borne out of the church by his angry father, who gave him a severe thrashing, during which the pastor's wife arrived on the scene.

Olaf pulled off his cap and saluted her, and Eric, in the midst of his pain, did the same.

The Fru Prostiraia looked kindly down on the little boy, and instantly reassured, a frank smile lit up his ingenuous face.

" You were rather severe with the poor child/ she said.

"It was because I forgot to have my hands tied !" cried Eric, eagerly. " 1 brought the string, but when I got inside the church I forgot it. But here it is/ he continued,, drawing it from his pocket, " and next time father' will tie my hands/

The Eru Prostirma smiled. " Better to have your hands tied than your bones broken. Well, my little fellow, play about now while your father and I have a little talk."

Then she told Olaf she had heard of Eric's way of mocking everything, and that his active nature craved employment. "If instead of laughing or reproving him you werei to put tools and materials withih ! his reach when you made baskets, I feel sure he would actually make a basket instead of only ' make believe/ "

This was a new idea to Olaf, and it gave him pleasure. When he told it to Viola she said :

" But you only make baskets in the winter, and the work you do now he couldn't possibly do. But I shall teiacb. him my work at once."

Next day she gave Eric a little broom, saying, " Sweep, Eric, as I do. Don't just move your brush in

the air, do just as 1 do, and make the floor clean for mother." Eric obeyed, and used it with delight, singing joyfully, and doing his work with his mother's exactitude So it was in almost all the details of the day. In the afternoons she gave him not a bit ot waste cloth, but part of a garment, saying, : . . •' See, Eric, when 1 sew 1 join these pieces together, but when you sew you make nothing, only move your arms as 1 do/ Then Eric watched closely, and saw that the needle went through her work, imitated her with joy and really made a little sleeve. Viola thought iti wonderful, and showed it to everybody. Eric alone was not satisfied, because it was not as good as his mother's. Viola laughed at the idea ot his first attempt to equal her own sewing. 01 af had made a table, two chairs, and a bedstead which Viola wanted in the house. Eric determined to make a miniature set. He pounded and cut his fingers, hut that made no difference ; tables and chairs he was resolved to make. When they were finished his mother made a little doll, and the whole establishment was given to Carina.

His father could appreciate this better than the needlework, and was astonished. He found great pleasure in taking Eric with him to his work, and in answering his endless questions, which were becoming more and more intelligent. Olaf determined to have Eric's education hurried forward as speedily as possible. But how was this to be done ? While the subject was under discussion the Prost came to say he had secured a teacher for the village, which should have been done years ago.

The family rejoicings were great. Meanwhile Olaf had to take a pedestrian trip to Italy to sell articles that he had made.

Next day Eric carefully went through the parting between Viola and Oiaf with his little sister.

Viola watching him exciai tried " Was there ever such a boy V

Eric gave her one of his guileless smiles and said, " No, never !'*'' exactly as if he were a third person, and then with the usual good-bye kiss, proceeded on his way to school.

Olaf returned from Italy in very good spirits, having io]d all his goods. He greeted Vioia in a way that procured for Carina, on the part of Eric, embraces, kisees and endearments not a few. Olaf produced a little painting of Viola's native land, which he liad bought for her.

When she saw it she could noi help bursting into tears.

" Thou wicked picture, to make dear mother cry \" said Eric, rushing at it with a stick <-f wood. " Til kill thee \"

But as his eye fell on it his hand dropped to his side, and a new soul shone in his face.

They laughed and shook him, and tried in every way to divert his rapt attention, but all in vain.

" Let him alone \" said Eric at last. "He has gone clean daft over a picture no bigger than my hand \" Indeed he and Viola had enough to talk about, for they had no correspondence during his absence, as Viola could not write.

After a long time Viola called Eric to her. He woke from his abstraction and bounded to her.

" See what father has bought for you I" holding up a paint-box and some brushes. A cheap affair for children. " Put in the thumb — so, no, no, the left one, hold the brush, thus. Ah, 1 have seen men paint in my country. Bring me a cup of water and a bit of paper, there, now, thou art an Italian, not a Swede, and shall paint Carina/'

The boy looked at her, then at the colours, delighted, trembling, confused, then suddenly seized the materials, and began to make a rude imitation of the picture that

had so entranced him. His parents let him paint, as he was out of mischief. For days and weeks Eric painted at tlie same subject ; never weary, never impatient, discarding one copy, only to begin another. One day the Prost drove up to the cottage in great state, and while talking to Viola his eye suddenly fell on a row of pictures pinned to the wall.

" What is all this V he cried, imperiously. " The boy, only does it in his play-hours/ said Viola, apologetically. ''The boy !" repeated the Prost. " Unhappy mother !" Viola trembled. "What is the matter ?" she gasped. " The boy is a genius I" he hissed in her ear. "Is it my fault V she asked piteously. " And what is genius ? Is it anything 1 to come between him and salvation ?" " Yes, woman, it is ; take these colours away from him ; set him at honest work. What has the son of a peasant to do with genius, I should like to know ?" " We will do all we can to cure him," said Olaf, in deep humility. The Prost departed, leaving the bewildered household in a very frightened state. When Eric came home from school he was told that his colours were destroyed. He uttered not a word nor shed a tear. He was like one stunned. There was something awful in his childish silence. " Eric, we did not do it in anger. The Prost willed it," said Viola. " Mother, what have I done to anger the Prost ?" "He says you are a genius." " Is that something very bad ?" " Oh, yes ; very, very bad !" " But you said the Lord would not let me be bad if I prayed to Him ; and I have prayed six times and four times." " Well, you must pray fifty times." " Yes, I will."

He went down on his knees, folded his hands, and looking up said : " TJiou, dear Lord, I did not be a genius on purpose. It came its own self. Help me not to be one any more." But his pale, sorrowful little face smote his mother. She lay awake that night thinking. The next day she said to the grandmother, " I am going to see the Prostinna, who is always very kind and will make me understand what is evil in Eric, for I see no evil, and my heart is breaking." " Yes, go, and the Lord be with you." The Prostinna received Viola very graciously. But when she heard her artless tale, she could with difficulty repress peals of laughter. " You poor child, you do not understand the Prost," she said, as soon as she could trust herself, to speak. " The boy is gifted ; he will become a great man ; there is nothing to be afraid about \" " But the Prost called me an unhappy mother/ objected Viola. " Yes, for when your son has won a name and riches, and is abroad in the world, he will despise, nay, forget you ; you will, see him, no more. "It is not true ! " cried Viola, proudly. " No, it is not thus my boy will demean himself. And how should having great gifts come between him and salvation ? Are not all gifts from the Lord ? "

" They are ; and it is their abuse only that makes them perilous. Give him the best education you can, keep him pure, simple, and pious. And if you trust in Him, He will watch over your boy." Viola thanked the kind lady, and went home relieved.

" Eric, my boy/ she said, "if you trust in God, and pray to Him every day as long as you live, it will be nothing evil to be a genius. The Prostinna says that to be a genius means nothing evil, but only that you have wings hidden away in your shoulders. They will grow

and grow until you are a man, and then they will unfold and carry you all over the world if you like. That sounds like being an archangel, such as one reads about in the Bible." The boy slipped his hand under his blouse, and felt his shoulders. " I think 1 have very, very little wings growing/ he said ; " but I shan't want to fly all over the world. I shall fly to Heaven, to see the dear Lord."

Viola's heart gave a great bound of pain. " You would fly away from us who love you so V sihe exclaimed.

" Only to see the dear Lord !"' said Eric solemnly.

Then an inward voice spake to Viola and said :

" Better that than off into the wide, wicked world ; better than name, fame, riches and a despised, forgotten mother. Even so, Father, if it so seem good in Thy sight."