Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1885-08-27
LIFE IN LAPLAND.
From Troml,olt's Under the Aurora :

From TromlIolt's 'Undcr the Aurora'l
There is no question Of guiding; the rein
!! deer appears to select It's own course and
speed without the slightest regard for either
man or slsdgc. 1t is, in fact, even for the
most expert Lapp driver, only possible to
ula;.s, the reindeer follow general course,
! bnt ii chooses the road entirely for itself.
The mathematical doctrine that The straight
/ line bs.ween two points is tho shortest. the
reindeer knoT9s not, or utterly discegards.
| 1t seems 10 take the greatest delight III
making detours and zigzag movements right
an.i ;ett, and to make the journey twice IS
! l,r,r as necessary. A reindeer in harness
seldom walks; either it trots or gallops as
| hard ~ ii can, with the tongue out Of the
mouth aud painting like dog for breath.
! From; time to time it takes u bite OF the
sncy. t. quench its thirst It is quite com
| icai i'll. to SEE its short hopping gallcp, a.
! Dc,r hind aud forciegs come down almo@t
! simultaneously With the broad hoots OF
! the hind legs the snow is kicked back in
! g;.ch q manner that the driver seems in =
! perpetual auow.storm. This is accompanied
! hy u lec:.iiar cracking noise in the Goot$,
when gal!oping. which may be compared to
tns production of series Of electric sparks
| o. TIE cracking Of salt thrown on fire.
was, I an proud to say, not long in learn
ing the modc Of starting, to cast the rein
with Jerk over the shoulder of the deer OH
the right side, ct the very moment the
driver jumps into tie pulk; but the latter
action Is not so easily accomplished as may
be Imagined, as Oh the slightest Indication
of the intention Of the driver the rein
deer starts of ut Q wild gallop. While driV
iHs, the animals guided simply by throwing
| the line on the side to which it is wanted to
20; but it does not always obey. Ii one
wants It to stop i:le rein is cast on the left
side al the moment The driver springs or
rolls out of he sedge. But whether stop
ping or driving one must never let go tbs
| rein. or the reindeer might as it sometimes
does any !ioT, turn upon the driver and be-
labor him with lis fcre fset. At other times
| ii tk. rein he let 30 the deer will bolt oil
over thc extensive wastes amt days may
elsnsa before it is recovered.
All live in tents, there being no such thing
~ articles ol furniture, the ground supply
| ing the p'ace Of chair, table and bed, mes,
women, children and dogs ali lying together.
| J ! il obvious that lie i'll such a tent Is not
ycry refined or well regulated. There are
10 liXr,: meals, caused chiefly by ths cir
cumsta3cc that the members of the family
nave each 10 take their turn III guarding
iae reindeer. a large kettle hangs always
eve. ;:,c fire, sud when Lapp wants 10 eat
he dives with his hands into the pot, fctches
out Il piece Of insnt, which he deVourS BY
the aid of the knife always carried ut his
side th2 fingers serving as forks. During
the winter the reindeer meat and milk, the
latter either frozen or in the form OF
cheese. an. lneited snow, constitute tho
food ard drink OF the Lapp, in addition
TO which, ho WILL when obtainable, con-
same large quantity of coffee: Any
one sharing i'll 81 Iapp's meal must
no: DC ,li>Sustpd If he finds certain amount
| of readGur hairs il the food, as The latter
stick 10 every oijecv-kettles, spoo@s, forks
aud he;:Gs L is almost impossible to get
rid of giien, as by the slightest rubbing they
The dogs stand by when food is being con-
sumei and watch every morscl from hand to
mouth with intense attention. In the night
| they crawl about the tent, selecting the
wariaest OF the company for couch. it is
rare that the entire family is at onco collect
| ed in tho tent, rs the herd always requires
their attention day and night. Men. wo-
| men. boys and girls all share in this task,
being relieved twice cay. Each one brings
his own dogs, which only obey his com
| mands, while those relieved take back their
hungry ones. Often, therefore, eight Or ten
| dogs walk over the sleeper to find snug
corner Aud they certainly need rest, con
sidering that they ere in constant activity,
during the day guarding the flock. On
them depend the well being and safely OF
the herd, and by them alone is the flock
gathered and moved from one place to
another.
AS soon as Lapp children can walk they
are dressed as grown-up people, and lcok
very funny by their dwarfish appearance.
But the babies have no clothes at all, beipg
swaddled in sheepskin and moss in sort of
half basket, half cradle, formed Of wooden
ribs, in the shape of little trough covered
with leather, its size being adapted TO that
of the baby. For the protection CT the
baby's head there is a wooden disk ut
the upper end, similar to that on cra-
dies. When the child is packed away the
mother throws the sustaining strap over her
shoulder and thus transports it. When the
child is packed it is not only easier 70 han.
die. but is also safer when left to ltsel1, and
the cradle is often stuck on end IN the snow
while the mother goes into the hut. ine
games and amusements Of Lapp children
Consist chiefly in making lassoes and puiks
and % nracticing their use. When Lapp chill
dren enter school they are like unbroken
colts; either they are defantor seek safety
in excuses. They are indifferent 70 their
parents and entirely neglect them II proper
ty or other egotstical considerations do not
influence them. Only unwillingly do they
take care of their parents in old age, and
more from sense of shame than from any
feeling of affection. Old and decrepit peo-
Die are much in the way of the Lapp NOV
ing from place to place, and for this reason
they are rarely taken about, but are either left
to beg or boarded in the family of settled
Lapps.