Connecticut western news., 1877-05-25
Summer Days in Greenland

Godthaab were very fond of our little private gatherings, or afternoon parties. In Summer they generally came of in the open air, on the hills, or in our gar den, which was the largest in the place. In Winter we, of course, held our par ties in doors. The house which we in- habited was spacious and comfortable, facing large mclosure called the gar den. This was by no means analogous to European gardens, but, nevertheless, it was most delightful place according to our Greenland ideas. The fence con sisted of rather high wall of stones and turf, on the top of which was red
 wooden railing. A broad gravel path divided the inclosed space into two parts, one containing rows of radishes, cabbages, carrots, and other vegetables; while the other consisted of nice green expanse radiant with dandelions and little white flowers. In a corner of the latter half we had grassy seat, and at the south end there small greenhouse for the cultivation of European flowers and strawberries. In sort of a porch table and several rustic chairs were arranged, and thither we often brought our needle-work, discussing, over cup of early tea, the affairs of the town with much spirit; at the same time catching glimpses of the homely roses and enjoy ing their delicious scent. We seldom preferred the closed room to the fresh air outside, where we encamped among smiling daisies or on the grassy seat. There many stitch has been made, either in sewing, crochet, or knitting,
 while we merrily chatted. But per haps we oftener went to lower hill-tops than to the garden. There we also brought our needle-work and a book, our fresh-made cake, the small black tea-kettle, and our detective tea-things.
 We did not like to bring good set, lest | we should have to take too much care of them. We had no difficulty in find- ing sheltered nook commanding a view
 of the sea. As to our reading, we might
 have been better off in the garden, as
 we were here very often disturbed by
 chance interruptions. But then we did
 not mind much, as we never lacked con- versatiOn, which was easily kept up to the merry music of the tatterdts, which
 whirled across the bay beneath us in large fiocks. Sometimes our goats would
 pay us an unexpected visit, or we had
 to turn our heads at the chirping sound
 of little snow-bird. Lastly, some
 Greenland maid or boy would steal upon
 us, and shyly offer their meat and fish
 or other trifles of industry and |
 for a good long while lie untouched
 sions were hours of idleness ex-
 cepting as regards our eyes, which
 almost necessarily wandered in the di-
 rection of the opposite shore to the sunny
 hills of low "Northland," ," across the still
 blue surface of the waters. Our read
 ings were unquestionably more success
 full in the garden, although wewere there
 surrounded by the merry national life,
 roars of laughter from noisy children,
 chatting sound of the young girls talk,
 who, holding each others necks, went
 strolling up and down the long colony l road. This road was called "Lange- line," ill memory of our beautiful sea
 promenade at Copenhagen. Later in
 the afternoon were heard the exulting
 answers of the women when shouted at
 to make themselves ready for hensing,
 on their husbands being observed from
 the distance, towing home seals. These
 sounds were always ringing iu our ears from without, but we did not heed them,
 being quite absorbed by Ernest Maltra-
 Uers, Deuereur, or Eugene Ardm in the year when Bulwer was our favorite au-
 thOr-later of course, succeeded by
 others. It was not until the ever-memor- able cry, "Posts posts !' was shouted all
 over the colony that we were induced
 to leave the fancy world of our book for
 the real one. Oh, that most pleasant
 reality. Now all eyes turn to the sea,
 to the tranquil blue surface of Godthaab Il Fjord, and we strove to outdo each other
 in tracing and pointing out the subjects
 of our hopes and fears; the two post
 men, in their kayaks, making their way
 among pieces of foe-ice. At last they
 get safe in among the rocks on the
 beach. At the same time there has been
 much running to and fro and pleasant
 stir among the Greenlanders, who have
 nearly all collected on the beach to hear
 the news. The strangers are of more or less interest to every person, for s those who do not get letters themselves (among the Greenlanders of the present r day letter-writing is quite a usual thing) are no less anxious to hear from relatives and friends at other stations, , and apply for verbal news from the postmen. Others are closely related to the postmen themselves, and so it is no t wonder that everybody hurries down , in great expectation. Some old women 3 form an exception to the rest, and wait 5 in their doorways or on the top of the low roofs, where they must be conten-
 ted to glean the intelligence by scraps
 from passing child or careless girl
 The usual inquiries made by ourselves - (viz., the Danes) are as follows: "Where does the post come from? From Suk- B kertoppen, from Frederikshaab, or who t knows; perhaps even from the far-of l Julianehaab! Oh, but if they be even , from the still more distaut Europe, oul
 delight is perfect! This last alternative