Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1892-08-24

| wool on. L 1uteC are lOI rugs tuQ DCO
coverings. In some districts they are
used to make coats for winter wear,
the wool acting as lining to the gar
ment, and as trimming, for 1t forms
fringe to the wrists and bottom to the
coat.
! Self-helpful as he is, however, the
farmer cannot supply all his needs; and
when a country fair is held, which hap
pens two or three times every year, he
I never fails to attend it, taking with
| him all the produce of his farm winch
can be spared, and returning laden
with sugar, salt, coffee, tobacco, and
corn brandy, which it is now not law
| full for him to make at home.
There is, indeed, little bonde can
not do for himself. He grows fax for
I his wife to spin and weave. hops for
the annual olbrewing. and if he lives
upon ford. he grows also hemp
enough to supply him with nets. The
skin of his cattle gives him shoe-leath-
or, and their wool provides him with
clothing. Bat for all that he is fain to
acknowledge that some few things can
be done best by tradesmen-only few.
He can tan leather with anyone, but he
wonld rather not try his hand at con-
yertng 1t inSo boots. And he need not.
Twice year a shoemaker makes the
rouud of ali the outlying farms and
hamlets. staying at each house for sew
ersl days until, in fact, he has supplied
every man, woman, and child on the
premises with shoes to last for six
months. In the same way a tailor
comes round once in six months. As
soon as he is seen approaching, the
housemother bustles out to receive
him with due honor; aud while some
of her maidens prepare a meal for the
traveller, others fetch out the bales of
cloth, the fruits of months of busy
spinning and weaving. Then follows a
grand cutting out, fitting on, and
stitching; and when the itinerant
tailor journeys on to his next custom
eT, he leaves behind him houseful of
simple folk delighted with and never
tired of admiring their new garments,
and praising the skill which has made
them fit so cleverly.
In many parts Of rural Sweden teach
ing and doctoring are carried on in the
same eurions manner. Once in long
while the doctor makes tour, and is
Hospitality entertained at every farm
on his wide circcit.
The travelling schoolmaster is
national Institution. "Flyttbara Sko-
Ter" or circular schools, are held peri
odically in ali rural districts; and all
that can be said for the system is, that
1t is better than no education at all I,
but as weeks or months must elapse
between each course Of study. high
results cannot be expected.
Poiteness is a striking characteristic
Of the Swedish nation, and in this par
tcular all classes are alike. Not only
do the rich treat their interiors with
kind consideration, but the poor are
courteous to the poor; self-respect
leading. as it should. to respect for
others; for
manners are not Idle, but the fruit
or loyal natures ana OF loyal minds"
How true an insight into human
nature is here displayed by
our poetl The courtesy of the
Swedish bonde Is not merely the
o ItcOme of kindly goodwill, but is the
natural result OF his own innate hon
esty. His frank open-hearted hospi-
tality is marred by no distrust, no
doubt of his guests honor or kindly
feeling; for he is too loyal himself to
suspect disloyslty IN others.
Unlike his Norwegian neighbor, a
Swedish bonde is light of heart and
jOyial, fond of singing and dancing,
and thoroughly sppreciating the pleas-
ures of the table. He never loses an
opportunity for kalas, or feast Not
only are oil public festivals celebrated
with great sclat, but every domestic
event serves as the occasion for grand
F.hrn1Tnr. IL
ding, lasts several days; also a be
ing Besides these, there are minor
festivities OF an impromptu kind.
which give great Zest to ordinary life.
A bonde is always ready to help his
neighbOr at busy time 1t may te
the bUildtng OF barn, or the raising
of hassia; whatever 1t is that calls the
nelghbOrs together, the opportunity is
one for feasting All hands work hear
tily until the supper hour arrives; then
the host invites them to enter the
house, where the smiling house mother
stands ready to welcome her guests to
her Widespread table, and the grand
business OF eating and drinking
begins. Not ali al once, however
1t is one of the canOns of bonde
etiquette that you should not accept of
hospitality without demur. 1t is the
proper thing to protest against the
honor done to you, especially if
you are invited to sit in the upper
most room of the feast" Here again
the custom is patriarchsl. Under these
circumstances the placing of guests is
a work of time; but this distresses no
one, for Il bonde is never in bury
At length all preliminary ceremonies
duly observed, the company apply
themselves vigorously to the pleasant
duty of clearing the dishes set before
them; the hostess waiting upon them
herself
supper ended. the guests rise, and
each one shakes hands with his host
and hostess, saying, ''Tak for matt
"Ihanks for the meal'-to which they
reply, "Val-bekommet" -''Welcome to
it. D." The custom of giving thanks for
food is universal, from the highest to
the lowest, and is as necessary
a part of grand city dinner
party as at bonde kalas
This little ceremony over, the table is
cleared with great dispatch; the musi-
clan of the party takes his fiddle and
strikes up lively tune, and the dance
begins. Some of the prettiest national
dances are combined with singing, the
dancers keeping step to the cadence
of their song.