Wichita eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1886-1890, 1888-04-10
THE NORTHERN TYROL.
A LIGHT HEARTED, MERRY, SIMPLE
AND PICTURESQUE RACE.

Old World Customs and Old Time Super
ADMINISTRATION of the Tyrol-Ihe
National Costume-Not Race of Hard
workers-Besgars-G
The Austrian Tyrol, though visited by
many, is by no means so well known as S"ls-
zerland aud many other parts OF the Euro
pean continent, yet no country IS more beau
tiful. moro rich in quaint legendary lore, and
certainly no peasantry is more courteous or
more picturesque than the Tyrolese.
The Tyrolean peasants are a light hearted,
merry race, very simple, very superstltlous,
disliking innovations of all kinds and cling
ing with wonderful tenacity to their old
world customs In most villages, during the
frequent and terrific thunder storms which
prevail during July and August, the great
bell in the churcS: is rung-first as warning
to all who are abroad to seek shelter as soon
as possible, and secondly TO drive the thun-
der away. ANY one who did not believe in
the efficacy Of the bell would be looked at
askauce and his ignorance would be pltled,
but the villagers would not try to convince
him. On one occasion l was talking to
group of peasants and inquiring what wild
animals were to be found in the kalserJe-
berje, range of almost inaccessible mount
aims in the northern Tyrol. After telling me
that wolves, foxes, wildcats, vultures and
chamois in great abundance were TO be found
there. one peasant remarked with mysterl-
GUS look:
''Ah but gnadige frau, there are far worse
things than the beasts in those mountains
There are witches, many witches; but people
do not often see them except before an awful
storm; but once there was jaeger (hunter)
who had climbed up higher than any one
ever had before, and he came to sort OF
cave, and there sat horrible old bag, bend
irg over a caldron full Of some loathsome
compound He was so terrified that he threw
away all the skins he was carrying, and dew
like one possessed with a devil, and never
after ventured within many miles of the
spot"
Another story is that poor girl-a servant
on farm-was SO fond of dancing that she
declared she could dance forever, and had
even been heard to say tina: she would dance
with the devil himself if he would ask her.
One evening at dance at a lonely little inn
in the mountains, where this girl was pres
ent, fine, very tall and handsome man,
dressed as butcher, came in He asked the
girl to dance and was accepted. On, on they
went till the girl was ready to drop with
fatigue, and begged him to stop, but no, on,
on she must dance. The story goes that she
danced till she fell dead on the floor, upon
which her partner stalked from the room,
followed by some of the villagers. He went
on till he came to a little stream overshad
owed by thick bushes. There he stopped,
and planting one foot on the rock thus show
ing the peasants the cloven hoo6 he sprang
with fearful yell into the water and disap-
reared in a fame of fire. The mark of his
foot may be seen on the rock by the curious
and credulous to this day, and few care to
pass the spot after nightfall; or if obliged to
do so they tell their beads with unsusl de-
votion.
The religion of the Tyrol, indeed Of Aus
tria generally, is Roman Catholic, and in the
more remote parts the people are very de-
vout. There is generally sisterhood and
often monastery near every village. One
in particular occurs to me where' there was
and is a monastery of the Capucbins. These
monks live entirely by charity, and gifts of
eggs, bread, milk and butter, are freely
brought by the people, the recipients giving
little sacred pictures, holy medals, ora flower
from their lovely garden in return, and to
those who ask for, and need them, their pray
ers. In SalZburg the sisterhocd of the Capu-
chins have a curious custom. Sometimes
they are quite without food, and until the
third day they must bear their privations pa
tiently, but then they ring their chapel bell,
and then the townspeople come fiocking to the
convent. bringing the welcome and sorely
needed provisions.
The costume of the Tyrolienne is a pretty
one, consisting of a stuff dress, with 4 very
full skirt the bodice cut square in front and
filed in with a silk handkerchief which
matches in color; and a gay silk apron,
which is of pink. blue or yellow, according to
the taste of the wearer. The hats are not
unlike the sailor hats worn by ladies' except
that they have stiff, straight brim, and are
generally adorned with tassels Of gold bull
lion.
The national costume of the men is even
more picturesque, consisting of knitted dark
blue or white stockings, knee breeches, waist
coat with two rows of silver buttons, some
what long skirtish coat, and hat with
bunch of some wild birds feathers at the
side But the prettiest costume of all is tina.
Of the jaeger, or huntsnan. The breeches
come to the knee only, and the legs are en-
cased in embroidered leather CATERS, leaving
the knees bare; the coat is dark green, with
collar and cuffs of a lighter shade; hat Of
dark green, with an eagles feather, and an
embroidered shot pouch slung over the Shout
ders.
The Tyrolese are by no means fond Of very
hard work. Money is not to them what 1t is
-. IN low
pleasure, and willingly take lower wages If
they are allowed plenty Of time to amuse
themselves The schools, too do not carry
education TO the extent which prevails uni
versally through Germany and Switzerland,
and must confess that, for purely agricul-
tural population as the Tyrolese are, read
ing, writing and arithmetic, with good re-
hgious instruction, are enough; and GER
tainly here you see no signs OF overworked
brains, as are only too often to be met with
in the former mentioned countries. Here
the children are pictures of strong health
and happy, careless spirits.
On saints days there are generally process
sions, which start from the church, consist
ing of q large proportion Of the villagers,
both young and old, some carrying banners,
the children decorated with wreatns, the SIS
tiers singing some sweet anthem as they go,
and all looking full of peace and happiness
On these days no work whatever is done in
the village. In the evening the people
amuse themselves as they like best, but there
is very little drunkenness. Beggars you sci.
dom see, and II by chance you do encounter
one five kreutzers. will insure Won blessings
and prayers to all the saints for youi health,
wealth and happiness. Gypsies abound, and
are much dreaded by the peasant farmers,
as they make free with their poultry, with
their cows. ard commit other small depreda-
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