The story, which it has been our endeavour to translate as literally as possible, is one of the author's earliest works. In the original the chapters are without headings, but we have added them as more consonant with English taste and custom. As the Norwegian title, "En glad Gut," scarcely bears translation, we have given the name of the hero of the story to the book. Thinking it would be acceptable to our readers, we have added two of Björnson's shorter pieces, "The Eagle's Nest," and "The Father." We should not feel to be doing Herr Björnson justice, if we spoke only of his romances, and omitted to mention his success as a poet and dramatist. In the drama he has mostly chosen for his subjects, scenes in old Norwegian history, but his play entitled, "Mary Stuart," and another of more general interest, "The newly-married couple," would perhaps be better suited to the English reader. North Ormesby, Middlesbrough, October, 1869. CONTENTS OVIND. CHAP. I. The Lost Goat. CHAP. II. At School. CHAP. III. The Schoolmaster's Story. CHAP. IV. Two Bright Buttons and One Black. CHAP. V. A New Aim in Life. CHAP. VI. Not Quite Fair. CHAP. VII. A Voice from the Ridge. CHAP. VIII. Be Sure that You Burn It. CHAP. IX. Ovind Throws his Cap in the Air. CHAP. X. Turn the River Where it can Flow. Chap. XI. Gathering Berries. Chap. XII. The Old Man gets his Own Way. * * * THE EAGLE'S NEST. * * * THE FATHER. CHAP. I. THE LOST GOAT. They called him Ovind, and he cried when he was born. But when he could sit upon his mother's lap he smiled, and when they lit the candle in the dusk, he laughed and laughed again, but cried when he couldn't come to it. "This child will be something rare," said the mother.