Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1885-09-03

come too late to hear any of the studs
ent songs for which Uesala is famous.
But our good star did not desert us.
On the day chosen for our visit, took
place the last reunion OF the best
choral society. After we had seen
the outside of the old castle, the resi-
dence of the Swedish kings before the
capital was removed to stockholm;
after we had had a view OF the town,
walked through its pretty park, taken
look at the cathedral, and paid a
visit to our friends house, he with his
wife and brother conducted us to the
establishment, or lokal, as they say
here, where the reunion was to be
held. Before it was a little garden
filled with tables at which sat students
with white caps. Even the professors
and all the people connected with the
university retain the white caps long
after their actual student days are
past. The building itself was divided
iRto several large rooms and balconies,
one of which had been reserved for US.
In the middle, IN sort OF glass cover
ed balcony, sat the members of the
choral society around long table
covered with punch bowls and glasses.
1t may be remarked In passing that
drinking punch appears to be one of
the principal occupations of the Swede.
There is said to be great deal of in
toxication in Sweden, and vigorous
efforts are being made against It as in
our country, but it is surprising how
much punch these people can consume
without it's producing any apparent
effect. 1t is of very smooth oily
consistency. and is momentarily good
for the throat. After the necessary
preliminary libations, the.students be-
gan with the chorus: Il lift high the
golden cup for my fatherland. Taey
were lead by Herr Heden blad who
was their director at the Paris ex-
position in 1878 when they won i'm
mense applause. The first song was
succeeded by many others of various
characters-alld delightful to hear. The
Young men are excellently trained.
Some of the voices were exceptionally
high and sweet. When they went in
side to their supper they sang strop-
he IN honor of "tbe whole Que, or
first glass which preceded the cere-
mony. Pretty sooa we heard them
singing g second verse to the "half"
or second glass, with a word in mems
DRY of the first At about this time
we went into our own smorgas5erd.
No account Of Sweden would be com
olete without a mention of this per>
fectly national custom. The smorgas-
bord IS a table spread with various
kinds of cold meats, sausage. smoked
and preserved fish. radishes, caviar.
and cheese, fanked by different kinds
Of bread and brandies. A table of
this description stands in every res
taurant and the dining rooms of
hotels and railway stations. Tt is
the custom to partake OF some of these
viands before beginning ones regular
dinner. It forms delicious evening
meal and is followed by coffee.
After the students had finished their
supper and had returned to their bal
cony. it was reported to them that
some American ladies were present.
They asked if we were real Americans.
Perhaps they expected war-paint and
feathers, and were disappointed at the
very commonplace travelling garb
which was all we had to offer. On
being assured that we were genuine,
they kindly came back to their supper
room, next to ours, and, the doors
being opened between the rooms, they
sang in our honor q song called
"OIay Trygvason." The words are
by Rjornsen, who is so well known to
us all. They tell how the Norsemen
stood waiting on the shore, asking If
their king, CLAY Trygvason, is never
coming back, and how at last the an
swer reaches them that he is killed.