DESIRE TO MIGRATE—DISCOURAGING PROSPECTS—HELP FROM AN UNEXPECTED SOURCE—RELIGIOUS DISCRIMINATION—CONTENDS FOR HIS RIGHTS—EFFECTS A COMPROMISE—CHARACTERISTICS OF NIELS—SPIRITUAL IMPRESSIONS AND PREMONITIONS.

In common with all the Saints in Scandinavia at that period, Niels had a strong desire to migrate to Zion, and was as ready as any of his countrymen to accomplish that end by rigid economy and self denial; but how he was ever going to obtain the price of his fare was a problem for which he could see no solution. His income from charity and his own earnings had been so meagre and precarious for years that it had been his habit from necessity to test how little it required to sustain life. To accumulate anything honestly had practically been out of the question. How then could he ever hope to save so large an amount as his fare to Utah would cost?

In the face of this discouraging prospect help came to him from a most unexpected source, which Niels has ever since regarded as providential. He had become acquainted with a kind hearted Lutheran priest, whose sympathy was doubtless excited by his helpless, dependent condition. One day when they chanced to meet, the priest mentioned the fact that a person had recently died who for several years previous had been enjoying a legacy bequeathed to the parish many years before by a charitable person, when about to die. One of the conditions of this bequest was that it should be held for the support of some worthy person who was physically helpless and dependent. Niels was reminded that he was physically and morally qualified to benefit by that legacy, and encouraged by the suggestion that he might possibly succeed as its beneficiary if he made application to the parish officers. He did so without delay, and to his great gratification he was granted the benefit of the legacy. It was not very much—it only amounted to about ten dollars per quarter, or $40.00 per year—but by maintaining the same system of economy he had previously practiced, he managed to save the greater part of it, and began to look forward to the time when his savings would be sufficient to pay for his emigration.

Niels had not enjoyed this legacy very long, however, when the parish officers learned that he was a "Mormon," and stopped payment of the stipend. They soon found, though, that Niels was not to be disposed of so easily. Friendless and helpless and cripple though he was, he was not lacking in courage and a sense of the justice of his cause. Boldly he went before the parish officers and demanded the payment of the stipend that had been withheld, and its continuance while he lived. Assuming that the person who made the bequest had not stipulated that it should be held exclusively for Lutherans, he charged that they had no right to apply any religious test to him, and defended his cause so well that his hearers were forced to admit that he was right. After a very lengthly parley they reluctantly offered to compromise by allowing him the benefit of the legacy for a limited time. He refused the offer and contended for his life interest, and reminded them that notwithstanding his weakly condition he was liable to live a long time, as his ancestors had been noted for their longevity. When they were thoroughly impressed with this possibility, he offered a compromise—proposing that the amount of twelve quarterly payments be advanced to him from the funds of the legacy, on condition that he surrender his right to any more, and migrate to Utah. This they finally agreed to, and thus Niels was enabled to come to Utah with a company of Saints which left Copenhagen May 17, 1866.

Before mentioning the details of the journey or his life in Utah it may be appropriate to revert to some things that tend to illustrate the character of Niels. He is possessed of a strong and independent mind, fixed convictions and marvelous will power for one whose body is so frail. His spirituality is highly developed; but one would not know it from his manner. He is never exuberant, enthusiastic or talkative, but sedate, reserved and self-possessed. He is a keen observer, a good listener, a logical and discriminating thinker and a thoughtful and discreet talker. He has a high sense of honor, a respect for others' rights and feelings, charity for the weaknesses and failings of others, and for one who has been so helplessly dependent the greater part of his life, is wonderfully free from servility. He is grateful for kindness and favors shown him, but never truculent or even obsequious. He has reasons satisfactory to himself for his actions, but these reasons are not always apparent to others, and because of this his motives have often been misconstrued, even by his friends and co-religionists. He has few confidants, and lives as it were in a world of his own, being reticent to a marked degree, but confident and self-reliant as to his course in life. Though diffident about admitting it, his spiritual impressions have largely controlled his actions throughout his life. When only ten years old the premonition of impending disaster was so strong within him, that just prior to the dreadful accident which left him maimed for life, he plead with his parents not to send him for the cow, and when they persisted in doing so, warned them that they would be sorry for if all their lives. They did not mean to be unkind or heartless; indeed, they had great love for their children, and the father was especially indulgent; but they had strict ideas in regard to family discipline, and when once the word of either one was passed as to any requirement on the part of the children, both were unyielding in demanding compliance. They saw no danger in his bringing the cow in from the pasture. He had done so many times before, without any harm resulting therefrom, and they saw no reason why he should not do so again, with impunity. The sequel, however, proved that his premonition was correct.