Montour American. (Danville, Pa.) 1866-1920, 1901-05-09
THE GIRL FNORWAY
SHE is THE FINEST PHYSICAL SPECI'
MEN IN THE WORLD.

Fresh Air and Vigorous Exercise
Which She Equals and Sometimes
EKceIs the Men.
Writing from Christiania, a correspond
ent Of the Indianapolis Sentinel describes
what he calls the finest physical speci-
mems of girls to be found in all the world.
He says that the most remarkable being
in the old world is undoubtedly the Nor
wegian woman. Taking her cue from the
yeloped her muscular powers to the finest
degree possible. She is d probable devel-
opment of the extreme dryness and sever
ity of the climate here. In England the
enervating dampness has helped as much
as the extreme cold in Russia has to make
women the slaves of the heated house
habit Here the persistent outdoor exer-
else has developed healthy compilations
and brilliant eyes In the younger genera
ton Of women, who are little giantesses
compared with the girls of other coun-
tries. Even the daughters Of the best
people in Norway have the walk and gait
of the Telemarken peasant child.
The sledge is a great vehicle in Nor
way in the winter time. In fact, 1t seems,
rather than the train, to reach all the
avenues of traffic. The delights OF sleigh
driving in Norway exceed those Of the
touring pleasures of any other country
during the cold season.
All the family tumbles in for drive,
from the biggest to the smallest. The
I;oIa L.. thA cpi1ccloaAn onH il
built more on the style of boat than a
sleigh.
OFTEN big, lively girl stands in front,
with her father behind her, holding the
reins, and the rest of the family tucked
up in the rear end of the vehicle enjoying
the tour. The little sturdy pony kicks
along through the snow, evidently as
pleased to be out as any of the family,
for one must always consider the pony q
part of the Norwegian household. The
rapid turns that are made en- route would
ruin the nerves Of the ordinary society
woman, yet it is seldom that accidents
occur.
Those who do not maintain sleigh and
even mapy who do have great time ski
ing. Skiing means getting into pair OF
snowshoes and going wherever you please
to the limit of your own locomotive ca
paoity. The ground here is always snow
covered during the winter. Skiing is en-
joyed by the women as much as by the
men. have seen these remarkable wom-
en- shoot off q mound and catch their bal
ance below with the airy grace of the
danseuse. In pace competitions they have
not matched the men yet, but IN jumping
they hold the highest record. This is
due to the fact that in their ankles the
women have the strength of men, while
they are lighter In weight.
For competitions the women dress both
becomingly and cleverly. Their skirts are
short, and warm harmonizing colors are
used. One of the prettiest combinations
Of girl and dress was seen recently. She
was a leading athlete, in height about 5
feet 8 inches, in form most symmetrical.
Her costume was Of an olive green wool
en- material, daintily embroidered in sill
yer at collar and girdle. She wore fur
hat ornamented with a blue and silver
arrangement, a model Of happiness and
health, to my thinking. Dressed like
this the Norwegian girl is ready for any
kind Of wholesome sport.
The most terrifying outdoor amusement
/ have ever seen is called kjaelking. 1t
is thrilling to be even a spectator of the
sport The woman who INDUCES in
kjaelking sits on the sledGe in front,
straight and immobile. Behind her is the
man, with his feet firmly planted on the
runners, but ready to jump out quickly
at q sign Of danger. Tucked under his
right arm is long pole, pointing out be-
hind. With this for a rudder he laughs
at the risks ahead.
Every one in the sledge is prepared for
emergencies. They're off! Bumpsty
bump goes the sledge, turning curves up
and down hills that are SO near to precip-
itous descents as to seem to tempt death
] have been tobogganing in America, but
it is child's sport compared to this. 1t is
like comparing sail on a rapidly flowing
river to the descent Of Niagara. Some OF
the hills down which the kjaelkers sweep
are SO steep that the movement is swift
er than that Of an express train. Surely
the passengers must be dashed to pieces,
for q little farther nothing but low
snowbank intervenes between the track
and sheer descent Of thousands Of feet.
But without such a risk as this the Nor
wegians would think the sport q tame
one.
Life depends upon the quickness and
dexterity of the pole wielder. Just as a
catastrophe seems certain the pole sweeps
out, and the kjaelk swings aside from the
abyss and continues its thrilling career In
another direction, faster and faster un-
til the speed becomes too great for even
the Norwegians, and prudence prompts
the guide to slow UP and gain control Of
the flying sledge. Switched into ham
mock of snow, the kjaelk's speed slackens
with a suddenness that nearly throws out
the occupants. A severe shaking up, how
ever, Is merely an incident, and without
the slightest sign of fear or discomposure
the occupants Of the sledge settle in their
seats and resume the giddy fight again,
and when the sledge at last stops ON the
low ground the ride is over. One such
ride in day is sufficient even for Nor
wegian's taste. As l watched the sxtraor-
dinary sight could not help comparing
the Norwegian girls idea Of fun with that
Of some Of our languid society women Of
America. 1t is only necessary to look at
the cheeks and eyes Of the kjaelkers and
call TO mind the appearance OF our deli
cate butterflies Of fashion at home to de-
eide which class Of women enjoys life
most.
Character In Hair.
To read character in the hair, texture
as well as color must be observed. The
finer the hair the gentler the birth or the