Omaha daily bee., 1893-12-17
RIVALS OF OUR OWN NIAGARA
Waterfalls Twenty Times Higher Than Those
of Americas Freak of Nature.
SCENES OF GRANDEUR AND sUBLIMITY
Wakeman Continues His Wanderings
Among tho Magnificent Scenery of Nor
way-Quaint C~hurchyards aud
Curious Customs.

copyrighted tS9jby Ed Jar l.. WGkemdn.l
LONDON, Nov. 8.--[Correspondence of The
BEE. There is much about Norwegian
scenery, scenes and incidents worth relating
discursively, which Is likely to prove helpful
to succeeding travellers in their experiences,
or entertaining to readers who can only
travel in this stern and mighty land of the
north by the not unpleasant journeyings of
fancy with kindly tempered writer's for their
willing guides.
There are no oadside shrines, save of
natures exclusive handiwork, in all Nor
way. Indeed one travelling along the grand
stone road ways almost feels a longing for
those mute connecting links of human and
spiritual interest. Groups of peasants
kneeling before cross OF effigy or beside con-
secrated fountain, are here never seen.
The only objects by the wayside to
possibly pique curiosity or interest
are upright stone posts on which are
cut or painted enigmatic figures. Not
even an antiquarian sentiment can be con-
jured by these. Their significance is very
great, however, to the landed proprietors,
for they relate with nice exactitude the num-
Der Of meters each is compelled to keep in
perfect repair in summer and wholly clear of
drift snow and other instructions in winter.
All law is enforced with absolute impartial
ity in Norway, and that is why the country
has the finest roads in the world ana has
also been transformed, in scarcely more than
a generation of time, from a nation of
drinkers and almost soduen drunkards. with
| all accompanying evils, to a land of sobriety,
cleanllless, amplitude and content,
Jordbaert, or stra wberries, almost consti-
tute a national dish in Norway. Indeed, /
have often thought that these matchless
berries,
"a the sweeter they are Vice."
are a providential compensation and pro
vision to the folk of tho high ATTITUDES.
have found them in my wanderings growing
wild in greatest luxuriance in high lati,
tudes in Norway, the highlands of Scotland
and the Shetland and Orkney islands, even
in dreary Labrador and in Manitoba, where,
in the early days, | saw miles of the then
trackless p%rairies crimson in hue from the
ripening fruit. They are so universal and
plentiful in their wild state that there is nc
necessity for their cultivation. The markets
of Bergen, Stayanger and Trondhjem arc
fairly odorous with the delicious fruit. Al
every station, at every home and IN every
hotel in Norway they are secura BILE morning
noon and night, anu at all places rich cream is
served with them. Wherever traveller MAJ
go, upon busy or unfreqnented highways, OF
ever along lone mountain paths, they are
everywhere for the picking, and If one is too
lazy to help himself 10 natures largess, blue
eyed, haxen-haired children are every wher,
at hand with tempting baskets, which are
yours for the most trifling return in coin yol
are willing TO besIow. Indeed so universal
is this custom of strawberry giving ana sell
ing that q perfect duplication of Norwegian
childhood in summer would be formed, il
painting or sculpture, by the figure of
ragged, smiling-faced, yellow-headed urchil
standing at the roadside with Upheld baske
of ~iordoaert in tiny, horny a and hope
fun, expoctant look in kindly eyes Of blue.
Norwegian "yeyards.
The tiny Norwegian grayeyards beside III,