The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1877-09-13
SCENES In NORWAY.
An Adventuresome Minneapolis Young
Woman Describes Her Journeys-Sur-
prisinR Wealth of the Farmers.


ploring, for her own amusement and
pleasure, the north of Norway. 1t is
very interesting sketch
You will wonder where this town Ne
blungenoes exists, as 1, too, should have
done week ago. 'Tis far up in Nor
way, not q town at all-in fact, only
station where we are resting n few hours.
A Mrs. Gillis Ga young woman from
New York; and her sister, Miss Parker,
and 1 left Hamburg for journey
through Denmark, Sweden and Norway.
Our first point, Copenhagen, was an easy
and pleasant journey. The city, with its
Thorwaldsen Gallery, its gallery of north
ern antiquities, and its many interesting
excursions and its new people Cat least to
us travelers) wasss Charming. Not speak
ing Danish did not trouble us in the
least as we found almost everybody
speaking English.
Now we are at Trondhiem, far up in
the north, and tomorrow shall be on the
way TO the jumping off place, namely,
the North Cape.
"We have just completed weeks
journey through the mountains in
carioles, and most delightful it has been.
The cariole is vehicle which you see
only in Norway, in which one person
sits and drives himself or herself over
the country. The mountain scenery is
of the same character as that of Switzer-.
land, and now many travellers to whom
the Alps are familiar, are finding their
way here. The country people are
obliged to furnish horses in order to sat
isfy the curiosity of pleasure seekers,
and much against their will. The sta
tions are generally one or one and
quarter Norwegian miles (seven or eight
English niles apart. A little boy sits
behind, and away wego over roads Which
are absolutely perfect In this way we
make from thirty to fifty or more miles
day.
at has been so far all enjoyable, only
fatiguing, as, there being no night, one
is tempted to continue the journey too
long. We have already driven one
whole day and until three o'clock in the
morning, and four or five times until
twelve o'clock. 1t is new experience,
and therefore interesting, but L should
never want an eternal day. Give me
the land where there are q few hours,
at least, of the blessed rest of the dark
ness of night. I think shall hereafter
appreciate this blessing. The midnight
sun is simply maddening-one's nerves
never seem to rest.
"From Copenhagen two or three
gentlemen joined our party, and though
we would not have feared dealing with
this simple-minded, honest people, yet
we found it highly agreeable. Every
thing in the way of living along the road
is astonishingly good, and displaying a
civilization had no expectation of find.
ing Silver forks and napkins we have
always had. These farmers seem all to
be rich in silver. The proprietor of one
plain little farm where we staid all night
told King Oscar of Sweden, when he made
his progress through Norway, that he
need not use his silver, as he (the farmer)
could furnish enough for his suite-some
thirty or forty people. We generally
get good brown bread, good coffee, and
delicious cream everywhere; also fine
salmon and trout. 1 have not had my
appetite better satisfied than here
When we start off we are learning to say
farewell and shake hands. 1t seems
they think Notwithstanding people very
rude because they omit all these civilities
We have great laughter over our Nor.
wegian, but we know enough to ask fol
all that is necessary. 1 cry out con,
tinually for efode' (cream), and every
day drink glass or two. 'Minge tax
(many thanks) is continually on oul
lips. We are learning to be very polite
Think of coming to Norway to Learn
politeness.
"We spent two days in Christians
where we got our vehicle for the journe,
and made all the necessary preparations
through the assistance of Mr.. Bennett
to whom almost everybody goest to ge
started. This is his business. l don
know what those who wish to travel il
Norway would do without him. w,
have conversation book (of his getting
up) which we keep continually by us
and book with our route marked ou
and the prices. Our ladies and gentle
men are very Jolly, and we think thes
: earnest people are somewhat astonisheC
at the hilarity of our party. 1 thinl
they ought to bless the day that brough
/ travellers to their country, breaking il
! upon the monOtony of their lives. Nine
months snow and night and then three o
daylight. :.
| Trondhjem to hear the orchestra and se
une nOuOrleUleS OF une place. LIE Dau'
plays between ten and eleven o'clock an,
few of this sober minded people resor
, thither and drink beer or coffee, an,
amuse themselves in very moderat
way. 1t seems strange to see childrel
{ four and five years old and up skipping
, about the garden until midnight, but
. suppose they make up for the dissipa
{ ton of the summer when the dark
ness sets in, July II. This evening W
take ship for the. Cape, expecting t
!, stop at Twindso and visit the Lapp
Oaplanders) and spend a few hours i
Hammeifert, the most northerly town i
, the world. The trip will take two weeks
: and 1 hope will be interesting, as W
: are going to make ourselves rather ur
comfortable on the vessel. IT'S small
and we will be very much crowded
i. Hitherto it has been pretty cold, but tn
people say this is an unusual season, S
!, cold that their harvests are quite spoiled
: But Miss p. and Mr.. w. and all the res
! are flirting and chatting and laughing 6
= such a rate that 1 don't know what l al
saying. They are hemming wells, q
gentlemen as well as ladies must wea
them, SO dreadful are the mosquitoe
between here and the Cape"