Blackfoot news. (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1891-1902, 1892-11-26
FACTS ABOUT SWEDEN.
THE HAPPY LIFE OF a SWEDISH
FARMHOUSE
An Honest. seif-Respectlng, Courteous
FeoPle-Rlch aud Poor Alike
Give Thanks for Food
Dancing and Singing.

I " nile the doctor makes a tour aud Is
Hospitality entertained at every farm
on his wide circuit II he finds in
yaiids he of course. ministers to their
needs; but the people are healthy and
mother has usually skill enough TO
deal with their simple maladies
When the doctor comes however each
one begins to fancy a few aches or
queer feelings-it seems such pity
10 waste the opportunity. SO much
med cine is swallowed upon these oc-
casions which had better been thrown
away.
The travelling schoolmaster is q na.
tional institution. ..Elyttbara Skol,
/ err or circular schools are held
: periodically in all rural districts and
all that an be said for the system Is
that II is better then no education at
alli but as weeks or months must
| elaPse between each course OF study
high results cannot be expected
Politeness is a high characteristics
OF the Swedish nation; and Ia this
particular all classes are alike Not
/ only do the rich treat their interiors
with kind consideration but the poor
are courteous 10 the poor; self-respect
leading. as il should to respect for
| others
How true an insight into human
nature IS here displayed BY them!
The courtesy OF the Swedish bonde Is
not merely the outcome OF kindly
goodwill but is the natural result o.
his own innate honesty. His frank
open-hcarted hospitality Is married By
no distrust no doubt OF his guests
honor or kindly feeling; for he Is too
loyal himself to suspect disloyalty in
others
Life al Swedish farmhouse must
needs be happy the pAiriarchal sim
plicity OF the household obviating
many Of the seli-made trials OF SO
called civilization Bonde matrons
and maids have no time for nerves and
fancles; and where there Is no
struggle to keep up appearances,
there can be no needless anxiety 10
succeed or distress at failure
Unlike his Norwegian neighbor. a
Swedish bonde is light OF heart and
ioyiaL fond OF singing and dancing.
and thoroughly appreciating the
pleasures Of the table. He never
loses an opportunity for kalas. or
feast Not only are the public festl.
walls celebrated with great eclaL but
every domestic event serves rs the &C.
casion for grand merrymaking. A
'bronop " or wedding. lasts several
days; also betrothaL and barns.
OIL /" or christening Besides these.
there are minor festivities OF an i'm.
promptu kind which give great zest
to ordinary life
a bonde is always ready to help his
neighbor at any busy time. says the
Saturday Evening Post Il may be
the building Of a barn, or the rails.
ing Of q hassja; whatever ii IL that
calls the neighbors together, the on
portunity Is one for Teasing. All
hands work heartily until the supper
hour arrives; then the host invites
them TO enter the house. where the
house-mother stands ready 10 welcome
her guests to her Widespread table
and the grand business Of eating and
drinking begins. Not all al once
however II Is one OF the canons Of
the bonde etiquette that you should
not accept OF hospitality without de.
muir II is the proper thing to pro.
test against the honor done TO YOU.
especially II you are invited TO sit In
the 'uppermost room OF the feast"
Here again the custom Is patriarchaL
Under these circumstances the plac.
ing Of guests is work Of time but
distresses no one, for bonde is never
in hurry. At length all prelim.
mary ceremonies du y 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. tho guests rise. and
each one shakes hands with his host
and hostess saying TAX for matt
THANK for the meat'-t which
they reply. l-bekommet'- wei. |
come 10 it," The custom Of giving
thanks for food is universal from the
highest TO the lowest and Is as neces-
sary part OF grand city dinner
party as at a bonde kalas. This little |
ceremony over the table cleared with
great dispatch; the musician OF the
party takes his fiddle and strikes up a |
lively tune and the dance begins.
Some Of the prettiest national dances
are combined with singing. the
dancers keeping step 10 the cadence
OF their song.
While the young folk are thus en-
ployed the elders OF the party light !
their big pipes and sit discussing the |
state OF the crops. the prices OF cat
tie at the last fair and the prospects
OF the next So time flies merrily.
and before the party breaks up. an
other informal revel has been planned
by the pleasure loving lads and lassea.
The Popular Vehicle OF Paris.