The daily morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven, Conn.) 1894-1907, 1902-12-08

anything. except spoons whitfield out OF
reindeer antlers. He trades skins with
the Norwegians for the cloth. When
the weather gets too cold, the tent IS
covered with turf. There he and his
whole family, including the dogs sleep
When any stranger calls he is always
invited to stay all night. The Lapp
sees no improperly in asking him TO
sleep with the family, because no Lapp
ever takes his clothes off. They sim
ply wear off.
In the middle of the room is a circle
of stones, in which is fire. The fire
together with a few wooden bowls,
horn spoons and some iron pots con-
stitute the entire furniture. The only
way that light can get in, is through
the skin curtains, and then only when
the curtains are pulled aside. A few
guns, spears, nets and dried reindeer
cheese hung from the poles constl-
tutes the equipment of this veritable
witches cave with a cauldron in its
midst.
The family meal is taken without
ceremony. All squat on the floor, tear
into the common soup bowl catch as
catch can style. The dogs join III the
function with great zest and relish.
After the meal, ladies and gents join in
the pipe of peace. The dogs do not use
| tobacco.
THE collection" is a sacred institu-
ton amongst the Lapps. The collection
is the central feature of the church
service. A collection is taken up when
the baby is christened and another at
the funeral. At the wedding the bride
groom always gives feast OF helndeer
meat, petrified cheese and frequently a
little braendevin (brandy) on the SIDE.
| The collection is the great feature OIL
| the wedding The father of the groom
chips in few reindeer, and the guests
are coaxed for contributions With the
| energy of a Salvation Army officer, put
with less noise. The only symptoms OIL
energy ever shown by the Lapp IS at
his wedding in taking up the collection.
If the guest is mot prepared, ne IS
urged to give a sort of verbal promls-
sorry note, agreeing to contribute few
hides at some future time. Skins,
spoons. pots, bowls, dogs, knives or any
old thing goes at the wedding collec-
ton.
Of course the Lapp has ghosts-lots
Of them. During the eight weeks even
ings, he watches the moon and stars
which are his only clock. The arctic
aurora borealis, with its forks OF llgh'
shooting about in the sky, is a dance
of the spirits, to the mind of the Lapp
Then there Is the Troller, the EVl
Spirit of the woods. The TrOller lug:
off children and is guilty of all sorts o
mischief. The Troller is, to the Lapp
what the Jibbenainosay is to the Lou
isiana darkey. The homes of the Troll
Ter in lonely places are marked b!
heaps of reindeer horns and bones
When Mr.. Lapp passes one OF thes
; haunted spots he invariably goes
long way around.
The coniurer, with his diVining drum
Is the medicine man. of the Lapr
This solemn individual goes about tell
, ing fortunes by means of drum o.
which is a bit of iron and some hero
glyphics The iron, responding to tn
incantations of the soothsayer, point
5 to this or that figure as the operate
, directs. The fortune teller carries b
: of small magnet in his hand Whic
: does the work, but the awestricke
r Lamp does not know that. He listen
. to his horoscope and pays the price
soup bones or skins, according to tn
} bargain.
E Betwixt the winter seasons, when h
= attends his weekly preaching matinee
. and the summers in the mountain
g when he is busy conjuring up ghosts
e brighten himself, the mountain I.apr {
Norway does not lead such a monotf
/. nous life after all.-William f. JOhnso
a in the New Voice.