The St. Mary banner. (Franklin, Parish of St. Mary, La.) 1889-1931, 1901-03-30
THE GIRLS OF NORWAY.
FINEST PHYSICAL SPECIMENS TO 8:
FOUND IN THE WORLD,
Her Splendidiy Developed Muscular Pow
ers Due to the Extreme Dryness and Sc.
verify OF the Climate Some of Her Terri.
fYinQ Oufdnnr Anus Anaanta

ers Due to the Extreme Dryness and Sc
verify of the Climate Some of Her Terri
tying Outdoor Amusements.
Writing from Christiania a CORE
spondent of the Indianapolis Sentine
describes what he calls the finest ply
slcal specimens of girls to be found II
all the world. He says that the mos
remarkable being in the Old World /
undoubtedly the Norwegian woman
Taking her cue from the peasant ant
middle classes. she has developed he
muscular powers to the finest degree
possible. She is probable develop
ment of the extreme dryness and sew
Gritty of the climate here. In England
the enervating dampness has helped
aa much as the extreme cold in Russis
has to make women the slaves OF the
heated house habit. Here the persis
tent outdoor exercise has developed
healthy compilations and brilliant eyes
in the younger generations of women
who are little giantesses compared
with the girls of other countries. Ever
tbc daughters Of the best people in
Norway have the walk and gait of the
Telemarken peasant child.
The sledge is great vehicle in Nor
way in the winter time In fact. it
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
vehicle is called the spidsslaede and is
| built more on the style of a boat than
a sleigh.
Often a 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 part of the Nor
wegian 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 a sleigh,
and even many who do, have a great
time skiing. Skiing means getting into
rair OF snowshoes and going wherev-
er you please to the limit of your own
locomotive capacity. The ground here
is always snOw-covered during the
winter. Skiing is enjoyed by the wo-
men as much as by the men. l have
seen these remarkable women shoot
of q mound and catch their balance
below with the airy grace of the dan
seuse. In pace competitions they have
not matched the men yet, but in jump
Ing 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 harmonic
Ing cclors are used. One of the pref
tiest combinations of girl dress was
seen recently. She was a leading
athlete. IN height about feet inches;
In form most symmetrical. Her cos
tune was Of an olive-green woollen
material, daintily embroidered in sill
yer at collar and girdle. She wore a !
fur hat ornamented with a blue and |
silver arrangement, model Of hap
piness and health, to my thinking.
Dressed like this the Norwegian girl
is ready for any kind of wholesome
sport.
The most terrifying outdoor amuse-
ment l have ever seen is called kjael-
king. 1t is thrilling to be even a spec
tator of the sport. The woman who
INDUCES in kjaelking sits on the sledge
n front, straight and immobile. Be-
hind her is the man, with his feet
firmly planted on the runners, but
ready to jump out quickly at a sign of
danger. Tucked under his right arm
is long pole. pointing out behind
With this for a rudder he laughs at
the risks ahead.
Every one in the sledge is prepared
Tor emergencies. They're Off, Bump
ety-bump goes the sledge, turning
curves up and down hill that are so
near to precipitous descents as to seem
% tempt death. l have been tobog-
gaming in America, but it is child's
sport compared to this. It is like
sail on rapidly flowing
liver to the descent of Niagara Some
If the hills down which the kjaelkers
sweep are so steep that the movement
S swifter than that of an express
rain. Surely the passengers must be
lashed to pieces, for a little further
Nothing but a little snowbank inter-
'enes between the track and a sheer
lescent' of thousands Of feet But
without such risk as this the Nor ,
vegians would think the sport tame 1
ne.
Life depends upon the Guickness |
nd dexterity of the pole wielder. Just
8 a catastrophe seems certain the
ole sweeps out and the kjaelk swings |
side from the abyss and continues it's G
hrilling career in another direction 8
'aster and faster, until the speed be- 2