The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1893-11-19


uuIIoIs dlSJlnctIVely. The CarriOle is
something like combination of the
American "sulky' and the English trap
perhaps more like a "One horse shay"
IL IS two-wheeled, low, and its long
shaIts, terminating Just back of the axle,
form springs for the seat which is
IN front of the axle. The seat is
low; you are compelled to straighten
out your legs, as though you were
sitting upon the floor; and your feet thus
Just reached a stout little dashboard.
This had the advantage of landing you
upon your feet, in a case of breakdown,
instead of upon your head, as when a
dog-cart or trap goes to pieces. The We
hlcle is nicely balanced and has but one
seat. Consequently you must be pas
senger and a driver in one; though a lit
tie projection behind the axle serves for
place upon which to strap your luggage,
if it be as modest as a Norwegian travel
er's should be, and also for a perch for
the sUnnyfaced, garrulous lad, the
"skydgut" or post-boy, who accompanies
you between stations, - to return your
carrio-e and pony to its owner
The Norwegian ponies which draw
these carrlOleS, or are used as saddle
horses in the roadless mountain districts,
are worthy OF a chapter to themselves.
They are little. cream-colored and stOcky,
with fine crests and fore-arms, and are
most reliable and intelligent. They are
as strong as the "sheltie' or the Curshen-
dial pony, and quite as nimble and long
suffering as the Cuban pony or Jacas. l
never saw animals in any country better
cared for; and they respond to the almost
aHectiOnate treatment they receive by
splendid speed on level stretches of road
and an almost startling pace down the
SteeDest of mountain ways. Their com
mn allfa11c Of a OF n
ever, often far more acute than that of
their foreign drivers. ] have often seen
them stop and turn about, facing the car
riOle passenger, as bit Of plucky climb
ing was reached, with a look which
asked as plainly as words: Kind sir, you
are now in Norway. viii you not dis
mount and walkl'
They are grazed like sheep among the
cliffs and crags, and will bound about
among the rocks like the chamois. When
wanted for posting relays they will scam
per at call, like an Obedlent dog from the
hillsideS to the gaarde or station They
are positively companiOnable in their ma
lures and seem to have the TeutOnlc
qualities of strength and endurance with
the Celtic strain of versatility, vivacity,
and genial enthusiasm. You cannot travel
in Norway without coming to place the
Norwegian ponies, in the panorama of
y
among the most agreeable of your ac-
Quaintances
Whether the universal mad rush Of
tourists from place to place in Norway
has influenced certain governmental regu-
lations. or whether the latter have
brought about the half-crazy dispatch in
dulged in by travellers, l am unable to say.
They both exist, and both are interesting
as a spectacle and a study. There are
tn11
rest and social pleasures are enjoyed as at
the American Newport and Bar HarbOr,
at Torquay Bideford Buxton and NAL
vern, in England, and at ROthesay and
Strathpeffer, in Scotland. Along the
splendid fiOrds are a few sunny spots with
villas and charming inns; but outside the
cities and the few delightful halting
places besides the fiords there are really
no inns in Norway. Among all her thou
SANDS of miles of noble roads are not a
score of really comfortable hOStelries.
Instead of these are what are known as
stations" They are found throughout
Norway at distances Of six to ten or
twelve miles apart and their charges for
posting by carriOle, and for some portions
of actual food and lodging, are regulated
by governmental authority
These stations or ''SkydStatlOnS" as
they are called in Norway, are subsidized
eminent control. There are two classes,
"fast-stations," where a stated number Of
carrioles, stoll-carts and ponies are re
quired to be kept by the master, and the
"tilsigelse" or 'slow stations which are
not compelled to furnish any more con-
veyauces or ponies than can be COnven-
iently kept, or procured from neghbor-
ing farms The slow stations are also
known as 'fOrbudn stations; because the
4
and perhaps days, at these. unless he
sends a "forbud, literally foregOer' or
messenger, on in advance to bespeak his
requirements. This "fOrbud" is the Nor
wegian courier, but is a far less impOs-
inc and costly one than he who provides
the chief bane and expense Of travel in
Switzerland and the Latin countries.
The "fOrbud' may be gentle old man. Il
lively lad or a robust barefOOted lass; and
in any case the insignificant fixed fee and
the triting gratuiUy you may add, are re
ceived in such profusion of bowling, hand
shaking and Mango taxi" (many
thanks y that use of the 'forbud' invari-
ably proves a convenience and pleasure.
All of these posting stations have what
is called a daybOOk (dagbOg) always lying
upon the common-room table. On its first
page is the actual contract made between
the government and the station master.
IL SHOWS now HldLy DCUS Jllt SbdllOu Sldll
be provided with. the tariff for the same,
the number and character of vehicles and
the numb Der Of horses to be in use, If
fast station. as well as the exact charge
for prescribed mode of conveyance to the
next station, each way. As the average
official rate for posting does not exceed
three cents per English mile, the tourist
can himself ascertain the expenses from
one station to another. You are also pro-
tected against imposition in the tendency
of landlords to ,detain and retain their
guests for profit. The handy daybook
stands sentinel against this. Each tray
eler. or representative of a party, before
leaving station must write his name in
the daybook and state the exact number
of conveyances engaged so that any one
following after may know if the absent
vehicles fill the required quota.
1t is creditable to these sturdy Nor
wegian folk that when a party arrives at
a fast station only to find that there is
not a sufficient number of conveyances.
though the legally required number is in
use. that good breeding rather than bully
ing and brides will universally secure
some sort of relief from your dilemma,
A Norwegian statiOnmaster is very
seldom a trucking Landlord. He is almost
always a bonder that is, a proprietor Of
large lands about the station, and q
farmer on a respectable scale, who has
been required by the government to pro-
vide posting and entertainment facilities.
In several instances coming under my
observation he is the schOolmastcr; and |