Cairo evening times. [volume] (Cairo, Ill.) 1865-1866, 1865-09-12

VASSERvANGEN, NORWAY.
July 18th, 1865.
How does it compare with the thermometer
in Cairo, when tell you that was perfectly
benumbed and chilled till my teeth chattered
on the little steamer that took us up the ford
Snow capped mountains to right and left, send
down their freezing blasts. We had good view
of one of the largest Norwegian glaciers, twen-
ty-eight miles distant, they said, but it did hot
seem mile. I can only think of the scenery
on this ford, which occupied US two days. as
a panorama that continually unfolded varied
and beautiful scenes 1t was impossible to di.
vine our course, the narrowed channel was so
completely closed in by mountains overlapping
each other. I here counted al amphitheatre
of snow-capped ones, five tiers, one rising
above the other almost destitute are they Of
vegetation, shrub or tree. They dip perpcn-
diculaEly into the milky blue water, scarcely
leaving, in general, margin Of shore, but
where there is a spur Of green, or an accessible
island, there is sure to spring up a house, or
assemblage Of houses, as If of spontaneous
growth, with their green turfed coyering-side
fords, cut off from the main one into the wild
est little gorges, the hidden beauties Of which
it would be "a joy to explore.
We do not land anywhere, but row boats
come out to give and receive freight and pas
sengers. A chapter might be devoted to the
baggage of a Norwegian crowd. There are
long, round, skin-covered iron-bo trunks,
which look as if they might have foated till
land appeared, during that stormy period of
which Noah is the hero. The wooden trunks
and boxes, the work of winter evenings, l
imagine, are very fantastic in shape and orna-
mentation, bearing, in bright colors, the ma me
of the owner, date of make, with a couplet or
motto appended. Then of bundles, baskets
and queer little bags there is no end of variety.
Every little place that sends in passenger
gives new costume.
A lovcly-faced young woman, the daughter
of well-to-do farmer, but recently married to
fisherman, attracts a crowd of gentlemen, as
a flower would bees. She seems perfectly in
different to their compliments, and cings closely
to her husband till a small boat takes him, to
DC gone four months, on herring fishing ex-
pedition. She sobs as if she had taken last
farewell of him. 1 suppose there are perils
connected with his duties that give good cause
for her anxiety. 1 could but think how little
we realize the tender love that watches and
cares for these rough men of the sea, whom
VIC often look upon as reckless wanderers, with
out home attachments but there are none so
bronzed in exterior but has warm, brave
heart that beats fondly for some one.
We spent the most of day at the end of one
of the branch tords that we run up, and to
Il lake, and drove for two hours in country
cartto see superb waterfall 1t is hardly worth
the while to turn aside from the usual route for
| these Every vale and mountain is so lavish
with them, any one of which would be the
pride and wonder of any country not possessed
of Il Niagara.
We reached Utne, at the end of the ford,
at l o'clock in the morning, and found the
kind old landlady in full dress, the most
conspicuous article of which is her cap rest
ing on i testooned Frame towering up nearly a
foot awaiting us, with the same pleasant greet
ing that all extend to you-'' welcome to our
home
4 lunch was forthcoming for those who de-
sired it, aud clean, comfortable beds offered
rest and balmy sleep, which | needed more
than food. l am aroused to consciousness in
the morning by Piges standing by my bed
side with coffee. She finds it necessary to
come in often while one is dressing,
and not unfrequently enters into close exam
ination of the different articles of your ward
robe, making inquiries of the price of each
think Yankee ilquisitiveness and curiosity
quite eclipsed by that of the Norwegians. In
going along laborers in the field, and people
driving, stop our driver to know who we are
where from and whence; and in all the little
way stations While the horses are changing
| they find out our relation to each other, our
home connections and prospects, past and
future, but do it in that simple kind hearted
way AS if really interested in you; SO that one
| finds it rather pleasure to turn over a few in.
troductory leaves of his life for their entertain
| ment "s..-s..
From Utne we took four manned boat
J and had most delightful ride of six hours
| through the grandest scenery Imaginable,
| under the patronage of perfect day to Vik,
where we slept and made an carly start in the
| morning for the Voringfoss on foot, a mile and
half by boat across little lake, then on horse
| My saddle Ia Spanish, an arm chair with
platform for the feet, If they cLanced to be
attached to appcndages long enough to reach
| it-bore date of 1900. We soon left the mar
row wooden land that fringed the lake, and
all the vegetable kingdom, to wind our way
| through deep rock gorge, crossed the noun
| tain torrent twice on frail wooden bridges,
built high above the increased tide of the
spring time. Soon, behold, the gorge ceased
and what was to be done? Nothing remained
! but to scale the intervening mountain of bare
! rock. 1t did not seem possibility, but as it
had been done, could be again. | thought
had made some high and lofty ascents in Swift
zerland, but this excelled anything that ever
! lay in my way before. 1t is really an llll-
masked ledge; an occasional boulder has been
| pushed few inches from its he'd, but as "a
general thing the hand of man has not been
turned to make the rugged smooth. l clung to
the back OF my sure footed little animal, who
went up the stairs OF jagged, loose rock like a
goat, without q mls-step, and l did not alight
but once in making the ascent-i thousand
| feet-where we come upon hcathercovered,
| boggy, English moor-r',de over this a mile 10
the Soeter, lone hut in this drearicst of spots.
! We were ushcred into the guests room
| twelve by liitecn-wiLh two beds or bins filled
| in with hay, covered with skins, hoor sprin killed.
| with fresh mowu grass. We refresh ourselves
! with "a tub OF sour milk, without sugar, eaten
with wooden spoons, one of which | bought
| as IL trophy The hostess sang Morse song
for ,ia Her poor old mother aged 80 was tot
| tering about. They opened up one Of theil
ornamental trunks and endeavored to tempt
our purses with old silvef studs, buttons,
bro.ches and head gear relics of a:riage
dowry.
We mounted again and rode alongside of the
rapid stream a mile to the FOringtoss, which
| is so lost to view between ledgeS Of rocks that
although one hears its roar, aud sees its smoke