The state herald. (Holyoke, Logan County, Colo.) 1887-1921, 1892-09-16
FACTS ABOUT SWEDEN.
THE HAPPY LIFE OF A SWEDISH
" FARMHOUSE.
An Honest. Self: Respecting, Courteous
People-Rich and Poor Alike
Give ThRnhs for Food
Dancing aud singing.

In many parts OF rural Sweden teach.
Ing and doctoripg are carr. cd on In q
curious manner. Once In u long
while the doctor makes tour and IL
Hospitality entertained at every farm
on his wide circuit II he finds In
valids he OF course ministers to their
needs; but the people are healthy. and
mother has usually skill enough 10
deal with their simple maladies.
When the doctor comes however each
one begins to fancy u few aches or
queer feelings-it seems such pity
70 waste tho opportunity! So much
med cine is swallowed upon these 90.
casions which had better been thrown
away.
The travelling schoolmastcr is q ma.
tional institution. '.Flyttbara Skol.
er" or circular schools. are hold
periodically In all rural districts; and
all that can DO said for the system is.
that 1t is better then no education AZ
oil; but rs weeks or months must
elapse between each course OF study,
high results cannot DO expected.
Politeness is high characteristic
OF tho Swedish nation; and In this
particular all classes ara alike Not
only do the rich troat their interiors
with kind consideration. bat the poor
IRE courteous to the poor; self-respect
leading Us 1t should. 10 respect for
others
How true nm insight into human
nature Is hero displayed by them!
The courtesy OF the Swedish bonde is
not merely tho outcome OF kindly
goodwill. but is the natural result OF
his own innate honesty. His frank
open hearted hospitality lis marred by
no distrust no doubt OF his guest s
honor or kindly feeling; for he Is too
loyal himself 10 suspect disloyalty in
others.
Life Mt n Swedish farmhouse must
needs be happy, tho palriarchal sim
phcity al the household obviatin.
many OF tho sell-ma6e trials OF SO
called civilization. Bonde mutrons
md maids have no time for nerves and
fancies; and where there Is no
struggle to keep up appearances.
there can BIO no needless anxiety 10
succeed. or distress at failure.
Unlike his Norwegian neighbor n
Swedish boude is light OF heart and
iovial. fond of singing and dancing.
and thoroughly appreciating tho
pleasures OF the table. Ito never
loses an opportunity for kalas. or
feast Not only nre tho public festi.
walls celebrated with great eclat but
every domestic event serves rs tho oc.
casion for grand merrymaking A
.'brollop" or wedding. lasts several
days; also n bctrothal and n barns.
OIL" or christening, Besides these.
there arc minor festivities OF an i'm
promptu kind which give great zest
10 ordinary life.
A bondc is always ready TO help his
nclghbor ut any busy time says the
Saturday Escning Post 1t may DO
tho building OF n barn or the rails.
ing OF n hassia; whatever IL Is that
calls the neighbors together. tho OPP
poriunity is one for fcasting. All
hands work heartily until the supper
hour arrives; then the host invite,
them 10 enter the house. where tho
house mother stands ready TO welcome
her guests to her Widespread table,
and the grand business OF eating and
drinking begins Not nil ut once
however 1t Is one OF tho cnnous OF
tho bonde cti luo,te that you should
not accept OF hospitality without do.
muir il Is the proper thing TO pro.
test against tho honor done to YOU.
especially II you arc invited TO sit In
the 'uppermost room OF tho feast "
Here again tho custom /, pairiarchnl.
Under these circumstances tho plnc-
Ing Of guests is u work OF time but
distresses no ono for bondo is never
in hurry. Al length. all prelim.
mary ceremonies duy Observed tho
company apply themselves vigorously
TO tho pleasant duty OF clearing tho
dishes set Icforc them; tho hostcss
waiting upon them herself
Supper ended the guests rise and
ench ono shakes hands with his host
and hostess saying. TAX for matt
THANK for tho meal'-,o which
they reply. 'Nnl.bekommc,'-'.W Wei.
come 10 it." The custom Of giving
thanks for food is universal from the
highest 10 tho loves. and Is ms neccs-
sary II part OF n grand city dinner.
party MS ut II bonde knlas This little
ceremony over tho table cleared with
great dispatch tho musician OF the
party takes his fiddle and strikes up u
lively tune and the dance begins.
Some OF tho protiiest nat onal dances
nro combined with singing. tho
dancers keeping step TO tho cadence
OF their song.
While tho young folk ARE thus en-
ploycd tho elders OF tho party light
their biz pipes and sit discussing tho
state OF tho crops tho prices OF cat
Ito II. tho last lair and the prospects
OF tho next So tlmo flies morrlly
and before tho party breaks up mn.
other Informal rrvcl has boon planned
by the pleasure loving lads and lnsscx