In the parish of Näsinge, two poor sisters once found service with a
rich farmer. All through the summer they herded their master’s flocks
on the mountain sides, whiling away their time in relating legends of
kings and abducted princesses.
“If only some prince would carry me away to his gilded palace,” said
the younger, one day.
“Hush! Do not talk so wickedly,” remonstrated the elder. “The Trolls
might hear you, when it would go hard with you.”
“Oh! there is not much danger of that,” replied the first speaker, and
continued her story.
Some days later the younger sister disappeared. No one knew where she
had gone, and careful search did not reveal. Time went on without the
least trace of her whereabouts being discovered. Finally the remaining
sister found a sweetheart, but equally poor with herself, wherefore
they could not think of marrying yet for many years.
One night in her sleep she dreamed that her absent sister stood at her
bedside, and said:
“Make your bed to-morrow night in the barn, past which the Trolls and I
shall pass, and I will give you a handsome dower.”
The next night when the girl drove her flocks home she made her bed, as
her sister had directed, in her master’s barn. The barn door she left
open, and, laying herself down, she looked out into the night,
endeavoring to keep awake until her sister should come. Soon after
midnight she heard the sound of hoofs, and saw her sister, accompanied
by a Troll, ride up the road at such a speed that the sparks glistened
around the horses’ feet. When they reached the front of the barn the
lost girl threw a purse in at the door, which fell with a ring into the
watcher’s lap. Hastily the treasure was deposited under her head, and
she was soon asleep, wearied with her day’s work and night of watching.
The next day, upon examining her strangely acquired gift, what was her
astonishment to find it filled with pure gold coins. Before the sun had
set she had purchased a splendid farm, and, as may be presumed, the
bans were published and a wedding immediately celebrated.