River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1901-08-29
Bergen, Norway, July 10, 1901.

Bergen, Norway, July Is, 1901.
This is an enchanting place, very
interesting town, combining the old
and the new, the new predominating,
as the building craze struck the city
hard, and no money has been spared
to make the place attractive. The
taxpayers are finding considerable
fault, however, and quite mum Der
initiate the milllonaires OF New York
city by living outside of the city linn
its where the surroundings are beau
tiful and taxes are lower
During the summer months the
population emigrates to the country,
every farm house for miles around
having city guests, the farmers fami-
ly living in one room, in the base
ment, or any other corner, the other
rooms being rented A large number
of the farmers have built nice houses
for the purpose OF summer renters
and the rent derived gives quite rev.
enue TO the people who have 20 work
very hard to make poor living. 1t
would surprise the American farmer
to see what can be accomplished from
a small piece of ground, but every
straw is taken care of and nothing is
wasted. The hay crop has been very
good and is nearly gathered. On ac-
count of the hilly country no machines
can be used and to cutit all by hand is
quite task. They not only make hay
while the sun shines, but | have seen
men and women working away for
dear life cutting hay at II o'clock in
the evening, no moonshlne, either.
IL person did not have a watch it
might be difficult matter to guess
the time, as there is very little differ
ence between night and day, as you
know. One does not hesitate to take
a promenade at Top m. and walk
for several hours without getting lone
some, as the people at large do not
seem TO retire until midnight during
the summer. Taking everything into
consideration the people here seem TO
get more out of life than we do at
home, at least in the cities, and |
don't believe very many die from over
work. In Bergen the population is
not the distinct Norwegian type, bru-
nettes being found almost as often as
blondes. One might almost imagine
being In an American city. The eli
matte conditions are favorable TO
long life, sea breeZes and mountain
air giving color and health. This
morning / called on harnessmaker
for strap for my valise. | have
known the old fellow since childhood. |
He said his family wanted him to quit |
working at the bench, but he thought |
work was better than leisure. | re-
marked that | thought it proper for
him TO work, as he was comparative |
ly young man yet, to which he replied |
he was only SO years old. | should |
have taken him TO be man OF go, as |
he showed no sign Of old age. | have |
met several past so who seem to be |
strong and active In business yet. l
got glimpse Of the German emperor |
yesterday as he landed from the Ho-
henzollern, He evidently enjoys his
stay in Norway, as he comes up every |
summer and moves around very much
like any other tourist when on shore. |
An acquaintance Of mine had the |
pleasure last summero OF an invitation |
to visit the i'm perlal ship, He lives out
of town near the sea shore, and one
evening the emperor was out with
some Of his officers In a small launch |
and landed accidentally at the end Of |
the garden which goes clear down to |
the water. The family did not recog
nize der crosse kaiser-merely thought |
the party consisted Of some officers on |
stroll, invited them In and talked |
with them freely; treated them to |
some wine and cake, as customary. |
The officers seemed to have good |
Time and hnally invited Mr.. and Mrs. |
A. and two Others to call the next day |
at certain hour and inspect the ship, |
which they did, and to their amaze
ment the emperor met them person
ally at the gangway and entertained |
them for nearly an hour In right roy
al manner. This is fact and goes to
show how the fellow feels at ease
when in "Gamle Norge The old
story about William and the pilot is
familiar. On his first visit to Norway
he was standing on the bridge, as he
often does as admiral OF the German
navy. The mountains rose on each
side and apparently in front so no es-
cape seemed possible. 1t is said the
emperor became nervous and finally
ordered the ship stopped when the old