New-York tribune., 1900-06-24

ner is given at the Legation each week ana
there are TOO frequent musicals and balls in the
spacious drawing rooms Of the American MIN
ister's residence. At the function given by MI
Thomas last winter to celebrate Washingtons
Birthday the Crown Prince of Sweden and Nor
way who Will one day be King of both coun-
tries was the guest of honor and led the merry
dance with the chateIaine of the Legation.
But Mr. Thomas is prouder Of the little colony
in the backwoods of his native State. grown IN
the three decades Of It's life from fifty TO two
thousand souls that calls him father and ap-
plauds him for his part in bringing them to this
promised land than Of all the honors that have
come to him from other sources one sees on
every side in New Sweden evidences of thrift and
wellbeing, and it is notable, too, as being the
only successful agricultural colony founded IN
New England since the Revolution The people
live there in peace and accord, such accord that
a solid vote was cast for the Republican ticket
in the last campaign. and such thing as
divorces and family quarrels are practically un-
known. 1t is truly a modern Arcadia, but the
thriving and prosperous condition the colony
enjoys was purchased at considerable price.
THE SHARE OF THE WOMEN.
From the moment the emigrant train halted
on the hilltop and, pointing the distant
ridges of the township, Mr.. Thomas said "Det
utIofvade Landet" the promised land" all
united men, women and children, to make the
wilderness which held for them such great
promise to bloom the rose. The Swedish
women indeed according to Mr.. Thomas, have
contributed as much to the success of the colony
as the men. and their devotion and faithfulness
have stood every test.
Once riding through the woods of Aroostook
Mr. Thomas met a matron of the colony walk
ing briskly along with a heavy sack on her back
and in passing noticed a lively commotion inside
the bag.
What have you got in there?" he asked.
-Four nice pigs" replied the woman.
Where did you get them?'
Down river. two miles beyond Caribou" she
replied, smiling.
Caribou is eight miles beyond New-Swedeu
and SO this devoted wife had walked twenty
miles, ten miles with this great load on her back
and at the end of the journey was placid merry
even, and able to congratulate herself upon hav-
ing such nice pigs In the whole length and
breadth Of the land there is no more creditable
colony, more loyal and patriotic people and
yet for the fatherland, for the land of their
birth and for its King, they have a tender affec-
ton 1t is not TO be doubted that the four royal
cheers given for Oscar Of Sweden on their thir-
tieth birthday will be as enthusiastically re-
peated for President Mckinley who. through
the American Minister at Stockholm, has sent
them such hearty greetings and such earnest
wishes for their future happiness and we'll
being.
Tomorrow in New-Sweden the American and
the Swedish flags will blend their brilliant colors
with the green of the oak and maple the pct-
Uresque costumes Of the Swedish naidens will
give added color to the sylvan scene, and looking
| about the forest, now the home of happy indus
| try, it viii be difficult TO remember that only
thirty years ago the moose roamed here, the
| bear prowed and the silence of night was broken
! only by the hootiugs of the Arctic owl. This is
! the translation Of The Kings letter:
As Mr. ". Thomas. Envoy of the United
/ States OF America at my court, has announced
/ his intention to visit the colony of New-Sweden
/ in the State of Maine, founded by him, which
! colony the coming summer proposes to celebrate
! a festival commemorative OF thirty years pros
! porous existence. I wish hereby kindly to re-
quest the said Envoy, Mr.. Thomas, TO express
! my warm well wishes both for the still surviv-
| ing native Swedes and their posterity in the
| colony, and also for the continued progress and
| prosperity Of this new home land so vividly re-
! calling the former "Old Sweden"
OSCAR, King of Norway and Sweden.
| Stockholm's Palace, April , 1900
(Translation copyrighted. 1900