Quasqueton guardian. (Quasqueton, Buchanan County, Iowa) 1856-1858, 1858-03-11

What strange, wild country is old
Norway |! The brow Of the earth, the fore
head Of the world, as the Scalds of old
loved to call it in their songs. Even in
the map, how singular is that jugged,
furrowed, long coast line, stretching
above thousand miles, from the North
Cape with its eternal ice, down to a genial
latitude of wheat lands and flowers. On
this vast seaboard, water and land seem
70 have been struggling for the mastery,
till at last all was amicably settled by a
division Of the territory, and the deep
fords run miles inland, and the steep
promontorios project far out into the
ocean. Truly it is beautiful country,
with its great bosses of snow fields, the
long windings Of the lake-like fiords, the
roaring Foss. and the endless pine forest.
Then. too, what strange sights meet the
traveller: /: the midsummer nights sun
never setting. the months of darkness,
the shepherds s life in the Saeters, the wan
dering nomade Laps, and their encamp-
ments, the bear hunts, and the Old World
superstitions and customs which linger
in tho secluded valleys.
Norway has still other and more impor-
taMt claims to notice it is one Of those
few and favored countries where freedom
is enjoyed, and the hardy, prosperous
peasantry are living witnesses of the
worth Of its immemoriol institutions
Norway. also. Was among the first to shake
of the errors Of Rome, and to embrace
tho doctrines OF the Reformation. 1t is
truc that vationalism and indifference
have loag chilled the Christian heart of
che country. but now it is throbbing with
increased vigor. aud sending warm
streams OF life blood to the extremities ot
she land.
Apleasant-looking farm that Of Ravens
dal, nesting beneath some sheltering
rocks in IN inland valley. not far from the
Arctic. The commodious dwelling was
Of blackened timber, adorned with curl
ons carving. and pious sayings cut in the
beams while clustering round stood the
cottages Of the peasants who cultivated
,the soil. In all the province of Norland
there was not = farmer more respected
and esteemed, or more upright, honor.
able man, then Andreas Jansen, the own.
.cr of Ravensdal.
It wss early one Sunday morning in
midwinter. and the Jansens were prepsr
6ng 70 start for church. drive Of many
miles. Oae Of the sledges had been re.
Gently disabled, so none ofthe farm SER
wants were able to 60 with them. Rather
a. large party got into the remaining
sleigh. which. thowgh roomy one. wal
more than full but whom the farmer pro
posed 10 leave the tsso boys At home. there
was, SO much lamentation that he relent
ed. Andreas hapded his comely looking
wife Ingahorg to her seat: she gas follow
ed by her sons--Raoul. the younger.
walIiag bundle OF fur. taking his plac,
on his mothers knees: Ella. the pretty
only daughter. nekt stepped in : and last
", carrying some wrap for his lady love
came Hugo. Elias bstroAsd. who tn
day before had arrived on saow-shoe
from the southward. to spend Y few day
at kavensdal. Andreas mounted to hi
seat. gently touched with the whip tn,
three horses. harnessed unicorn fashion
and they started At smart pace. Itwa
quite early. Tor service began at twelve
aud 40 the distance Was great, il was ne
ccssary TO start betimes. AS vet ther,