Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1893-11-30


shapes, and at every conceivable angle.
Extending from this farther along the
highway. with perhaps u return" at the
end which abuts hcroad the whole form
ing a sort Of open and still somewhat pro-
iected station.yard, Is series OF substan-
tlnl sheds. low. deep and capacious, in
which may stand travellers carrioles and
ponies; and where ali sorts Of odds and
ends may be temporarily stored Usually
across the way are three or four lesser
buildings, often arranged so as to form the
remaining side of the qtiadraugle-liGe sta
ton. In one may live family or two
who serve the bonder in the lields, upon
the heights with the herds, or still assist in
the manifold duties imposed by summer
travel.
Another structure may have simply one
huge. long room, where lowly peasant or
other travellers are lodged in hunks against
the wall, or upon straw and fir branches
upon the earthen floor. This will also be
provided with long deal table, some rude
pottery and cooking utensils, and q fire
place where such us are sheltered here
may prepare their own food. Besides
these there is always the storehaus or
storehouse. 1t is an odd structure, strongly
built, setting upon uncemented squares Of
hewn stone, several feet above the ground
to escape earth-damp. frequent freshets,
and accumuations of snow. Its stories
project each beyond the other to the roof
which is still an unaccountable projection,
the whole having at a distance the appear
anee Of an unwieldy pasoda. In this
grain and all the many supplies for
man and beast against the severe needs Of
the dark and almost unending Northland
winter.
One other structure to be often found at
most Of these stations is interesting from
its uses, II is a bell-tower or belfry, in
| which is placed bell, and occasionally
two or three, though the latter never form
chime. These bells are in common use
| on nearly all Norwegian farms. whore the
| bonder's lands may lie at long distance
| from the gard. The bell is used for calling
| tina farmfolk from the fields or mountains,
| or to convey various orders and directions
| or intelligence to those absent from the
farm house or station. Indeed il has all
manner OF uses. If the station, keeper is
| absent when travellers arrive and demand
| his attention he is thus notified. The APP
| proach of the dreaded Lensmand or cir
cuit-riding constable, who is also sort OF
a magistrate, is thus heralded People are
brought by it from great distances in the
mountains to merry-making, weddings or
| funerals. And often at "slow" stations,
whera the supply of horses and stoll-carts
| Is almost always matter of accommoda-
/
| live miles away in unseen hooks and glens,
the station-bel tolled in q certain jerky.
| preemptory manner by the master will
bring pony and cart from invisible retreat
far more speedily than heetest lad or even
less effective bullying and brides.
You are not ushered into, but you enter,
large common room at these stations.
| There is the bare floor; round or square
deal table, perhaps possessing cover
often strewn with guide books in all Ian
guages and quite selection of books,
pamphlets and magazines lett behind by
travellers; and upon which also invariably
lies the open day-book, in which all COM
plants and praises are freely recorded; a
few strong chairs; the horse'hair sofa
which smiles a grim welcome to you in
all lands, and u guudily painted bureau or
chest of drawers, which usually bears the
name of the station masters wife and the
date of her marriage. This is the entire
furnishing; but everything is winsomely
clean, and the window seats are aglow with
plants and flowers. If you secure a single
apartment In this more capacious portion
OF the station, there will only be room
enough within it TO dispose of your scant
luggage beneath your bed, and to disrobe
while sitting upon its sharp, bunk-like
edge; for your wash-basin and soap will
stand upon your single chair. II party
can occupy the same room, and all donot
desire to retire at the same moment, a little
more space for individual action may be
secured. For myself, soon learned that
away next the roof of these old inns there
were cosy, roomy places with huge old
beds, though ascending and descending
required the agility and precision of the
hOd.carrier's step.
Your meals are taken in comfortable
room containing only a long table, some
stout chairs, and window lodges filled will
flowers. Good tea, poor coffee, fair butter
oceans of cream and milk, half dozen
varieties OF cheese and excellent bread
with an abundance of fresh eggs, art
always 10 be had. There are wild straw
berries of wonderful sweetness and flavor
morning, noon and night. Fresh meat il
rarity at some stations, though haunchei
of mutton, hot or cola, are common
while at nearly all stations trout anC
salmon are provided to repletion. The
entire establishment is simple, humble
clean and good-without the element o.
good cheer. The station-master's wife il
an overworked body who plods anS
courteseys apparently the day and night
through. Her great blue eyes are grave
wondering and wearied to such degree
that you fear she is about to burst into
tears.
: There are two or three fiaxen.hairet
maidens who plod, and duck their headi
and are eternaily shaking hands with yot
ii you are kindly disposed or bestow tn,
slightest gratuity. If it is an importan
station there is porter, q shock-headed
tlreless, smileless man of all work, with
face OF that leathery whiteness which
comes from loss of sleep. The skydsgut
: or post-boys, the only ever merry-lacet
: folk of Norway, sleep with the cattle, Gu
in the understandable dungeon regions o
the kitchen, and are endlessly dancing
! about the stations upon petty missions
! providing the only enlivening spirit o
spectacles from one end OF Norway Il
! another.
But il meagre rest and entertainment
are within these curious mountain eeries
what wondrous outlooks are given from
2 every hower-crowded window. Lott,
peaks CLEAN above the clouds in the uppe
. sunlight. Tremendous precipices loon
! above smiling or blackened valleys
Measureless forests of eternal green stretc
2 away 10 purple distances. Ridges of froze
! fjelds seem impossible thresholds :
worlds OF unspeakable desolation. FL.
: sures and gorgeous streak with black tn
u sides OF misty mountains. Almost every
I where above all flame and pulse til
! ghostly glacier lights and even beating Ell
: trance TO your almost dreamless slice
u comes the far, faint yet omnipresent an
:, solemn voices of marvellous, mighty waite
: falls. EDGAR l.. WAKEMAN.
,