Translated from the Danish by Hanna Astrup Larsen and Published in Twelve stories as Praesten i Vejlbye, 1829 1. JUDGE ERIK SÖRENSEN'S JOURNAL IN the name of Our Lord Jesus Christ! Now at last, by the will of God, and through the generosity of my dear patron, I am elevated, all unworthily, to the office of county sheriff and judge over this people. May He who judgeth all men vouchsafe me wisdom and grace and uprightness so to fulfill my duties that I may find favor in His sight. "Every man's judgment cometh from the Lord." Proverbs 29:26. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *