Evening capital. (Annapolis, Md.) 1884-1910, 1891-05-15
AS THE NORwEGIANs DO.
BY ROYAL HuBBELL

Well, what IN the name OF all that 8
showed in do you call theseT" exclaimed
my friend Brown in new surprise.
He had lately come to the land of fur
coats. snowshoes, and ice palaces, there
fore saw much in our everyday life to
astonish him. Often as we walked
along the streets he would grasp my
arm and point out things that were as
old as the bluffs to me.
"Oh, they are only pair of Norwegian
skis. You will see plenty of them after
the first big snowfall.
well, / should remark that that fell
low has plenty OF. them already. said
Brown, glancing curiously along the
snowslroes, as IL mentally calculating
their length, which was about 10 feet
Doesn't he glide along easily ?" he con-
tinued, watching the descent Of Thor as
he seemed to travel without the least
effort on his part
@Oh, yes; they are bred to it You
may often see little children using skis
with apparent ease.
It must be fun" unused Brown.
sDid you ever try pairi"
aNot !, indeedlr
well. then, let's do so. Ididn't come
from Indiana to Minnesota for nothing.
I'm going to do as the Norwegians do.
@But, demonstrated 1, "the shoes
cost considerable, and might be danger
Gus to our oil bones.
"Oh, hang the cost Pm here for fun,
you know. And as for the danger
why, look at that little tot there NOV
ing along as gracefully as bird. Be-
sides, / used to be a good skater,
SWELL " said /, obviously, aif you will,
suppose you must; your blood be upon
your own headi"
aNonsensel just tell me where can
get the skis, and I'll show you.
informed him, and presently he
came stalking home with two pair Of
immense snowshoes on his shoulder,
and determined look in his eye.
His enthusiasm had quite overcome
my prejudices against the things; and
so, when night had come to hide any
little mistakes we might make. we re-
paired to the moonlit orchard in the
rear Of my house, where there was a
hill on which we could practice.
"How shall you occupy yourss" !
asked.
A1he man told me: 'yust put mine
foot in the strap and leave 'em loose.
But guess haven't skated thus far
through life to be fooled by Norwegian.
I'm going to tie 'em on tight, you
know" he answered, chuckling at his
own foresight.
4But,' / objected, perhaps the man
was right; he ought to know.
aBoshl You can follow his advice.
but shall us3 common sense
IAN right; Ill take the Norwegian
way, then.
BY this time Brown had reached the
top Of the hill, and had tied on his un-
wieldy footwear.
well. here goesi" he cried. and stood
upon them.
And he did 60, indeed
-Whoopl" he shouted as he whizzed
down the steepest place. Get out Of
tile wayi"
Thought this rather prudent advice;
for the manner in which those skis and
hif arms were spreading around limited
at the need Of larger State than Mime
sofa
In about a second and s half my friend
had acquired speed that would have
made cyclons blush with envy, and
each quarter second increased his ter
rife momentum. As be neared me I
read In his face what he would say IL he
could have caught breath enough to say
1t: However shall guide these tllingsSs
Falii FallI Let yourself fall" /
shouted For saw that he was being
carried toward my young apple trees
and knew he could never collide with
them at that rate without breaking
them. and perhaps himself also
@Eall2 Not bel In that one second
Or despair saw an expression Of disdain
An inch thick spread over his grim
visage: and knew then that his proud
spirit would much rather suffer death
than defeat
As he nsared ne trees Iclosed my
eyes He glided past my Siberian crab,
and not hearing anything took courage
ana opened 0ne orb Then, a. ] saw
him bearing down upon two other fav-
orites. closed Il again. But neg
lectcd 70 step my ears. and the next IN
slant there was crash - Of the falling
Of forest giant
dnrcI not move, Tor 4 feared my
friend 4as indsed killed, until ! heard