The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1897-01-04

OF the Practical Results of His Expedi-
tion-soms Exciting and Romantic Ad-
ventares-He Will Try As.in.
DR.. Nansen, the famous arctic ex;
plorer, who has recently returned from
the three year trip which took him
nearer the north pole than any previous
explorer, has been interviewed 1t his
home in Lysaker, Norway, by J. Arthur
Balm, and many interesting facts will
be found in the following extracts from
The Strand Magazine Mr.. Balm, who
was personally acquainted with the ex-
plorer, having met him previous to his
departure, was warmly received.
He ia now engaged in writing the
story Of his trip, but nevertheless talked
freely Of it.
Il have little hesitation, - says Mr..
Balm. Sin expressing the opinion that
the doctor will undoubtedly make an.
other attempt to reach the north pole.
There is a weird attraction in these
arctic regions; there is splendor in
the heavens and magnetic mystery
which hovers over large portion Of
these unexplored seas and lands. There
can be no doubt that the powerful fasci-
nation has taken firm hold Of the ad-
venturous spirit of DR.. Nansen aud over
those who have once entered the arctic
world. No fear of suffering ia Sufficient
to subdue the desire to solve the great
problem. The only cure for the arctic
fever is the discovery OF the north pole,
and it is my opinion that Dr. Nansen
will either solve the problem or perish
in the attempt.
What will become of the Franz I
asked the doctor.
She will probably be kept at Hor-
ten. may require her again soon and
cannot possibly have better ship for
arctic or antarctic work.
"'Will you again attempt TO reach
the north pole;' queried. ~.
II cannot positively soy yet, he re-
piled, i think so. But perhaps shall
endeavor to discover the south pole, first
and then make renewed attack on the
north pole on my return from antarctic
regions. / must. however, finish my
work in connection with the records of
my recent expedition before making
definite plans for another voyage.
Here is . pleasant bit of arctic ro-
nance:
"Dr. Blessing was the only unmar-
ried member Of the crew, and a roman
tic incident connected with him is not
without interest. DIR. Blessing had been
engaged to fair Norwegian maiden be.
fore he became member Of DR.. Nan.
sens party. After bis departure the
young lady naturally became very anx-
ious to communicate with her future
husband, but. although love laughs at
locks and bolts, it is not easy for Cupid
to send his messages to the icebound
regions Of the north, and for time even
feminine resource was unequal to the
task of dispatohing letter to DR.. Bless
ing, somewhere near the north pole.
lone day, however, the lady read OF
M Andree's proposition for a balloon
voyage to the pole, and she approached
him with request that he would take
q love missive, in the hope that it would
reach the object of her choice.
Though every ounce Of additional
weight was serious matter. Rallantry
prevented M. Andree from refusing the
request Of the young girl, and he tool
charge Of the letter, in the full belief
that he would meet the Fran and be
able to deliver the note to DR.. Blessing.
When finally the projected balloon voy
age had to be given up in consequence
of the failure Of favorable southerly
winds, M. Andree handed the letter t
the captain of q whaling vessel that wal
going northward, on the of chance thai
it might fall in with the Fran.
''Singularly enough, the vessel did
encounter the Fran, with DR.. Blessin int
on board. The letter was delivered, anG
thus some time before reaching the Nor
wegian coast the young doctor saw the
handwriting Of his fiancee and read hel
written protestations of love-"
I'm what did your scientific work con
sist?'
"That requires q little consideration, ;
said the doctor. Then, after a pause
1T consisted Of exact observations, ant
my expedition will be chiefly gain tt
meteorology and oceanography. We hat
to take magnetic and meteorological
observations ON sea and land, when w
found any land. We had to observe tn
tempera'Grp Of the OCEAN at oil depth
and seasons of the year, to sound, traw
and dredso and to study the characte
and distribution of marine organism. :"
1T is u popular fallacy. continue
Balm, THAT DR.. Nansen started on
solely to reach the north pole II thi
had been SO, 10 doubt the criticisms Q
those who say that the voyage was
failure would be justified. But thi
view is inaccurate and unjust to Nan
sen. What he went out to do was to ez
plore the arctic basin. and. II possible