"A few steps and I turned. Surely I must kiss my good mother farewell. The door was still open and my father was an angry sentinel watching my going. "'Well?' he asked, sternly. "'May I bid farewell to my mother?' "'No! your mother is too good for such as you. Begone!' "And with the last harsh word, he lifted an axe from the wall and hurled it after me. "Then the door shut, and I found myself writhing with pain upon the wet ground. "The axe had penetrated into my leg. I tried, but could not remove the cruel torment. "I prayed hard and received strength to stand and then, soon, I was able to drag myself the three weary miles to the prison. "By this time, my high boot was filled with blood, and the warden received me fainting in his arms. "When I came to, the warden was binding up my wound, and cursing under his breath. "'Don't curse. Axel,' I said feebly. "'That's not your sin. It's mine. How do you feel now?' he asked with rough kindness. "'Rather weak,' I replied. "'Reckon so,' he said shortly. 'Had a row with your very religious father?' "'Yes,' I answered simply, ignoring his sarcasm. "'I expected it,' he returned. 'Now you rest here 'till you're strong and I'll see you across the border. It won't be long before everyone knows that you are a 'Mormon.' News travels quickly and they'll hound you as they did the others. I'll hide you here 'til you're stronger.' "'And you?' I asked anxiously. "'Will meet you in America, some day! Sleep now. The sooner you're out of here, the better for you!' "So in a few days I was across the border, with my purse filled by the faithful warden. "I will not relate to you my numerous experiences and difficulties on my way to Utah. The good sister has just told you how eight hundred miles seemed too short to walk for the faith, and I walked one thousand miles and found them too short for the faith too. "I arrived in Zion fatigued, but happy. There was work for me here and oh! the glorious freedom of the Gospel and the love of the brethren! "I soon took a wife,--a good sweet woman, who is waiting for me yonder. Ten years of hard work and real happiness followed. Four children were born to us and our home was one of the best in Utah. "Then the Church called me on a mission to Norway. "My heart beat fast at the very thought. "To Norway! my old home! "True! my folks had never answered my letters, but if I went there personally, it would soften their hearts and surely the Lord would open up the way for me to give them the Gospel! "It was nearing Christmas. I would approach my old home at Yule-tide again, in the time of homecoming and good cheer! "Tenderly I bid my family good-bye, and with a thankful heart started on my journey. "On reaching Norway, I told the mission headquarters my story, and they said that I might go to my home for Yule-tide. "It was the day before Christmas when I reached the old prison, where I asked for the Warden.