The Aberdeen Democrat. (Aberdeen, South Dakota) 1???-1909, 1903-06-05
that 5ea-Washed
Kingdom

Sweden. therefore we VIII Couay
make a little trip thraugh Sweden's
nearest neighbor, Norway. 1t is Sit
uated west of Sweden. In the north
it is separated from Russia by Var
anger ford. This country is still
more mountainous than Sweden, and
the oceans 60 deep, deep into the Land
under the name OF iords. Nothing
can surpass the beauty of these fiords
OF which the three, Teldstiord, Kris
tiana and Sogne ford are most known.
And now we must imagined deep, Wild
ing waters, whose shores consist Of
steep mountains crowned with stately
fir and pines. Insunshine orin moon
light their brooding silence is scarcely
broken, save by a lone tisherman's
boat that swiftly glides over the
waters, or rests at given fishing places.
OF late years as the railroads have
increased, tourists, mostly English
men, go to the fiords to enjoy quiet
sport. Only around Kristiania is the
surface of the land smooth and tit for
agricultural purposes. Otherwise it
is with great effort that the farmers
gain a little farm land in the deep
valleys. The harvests are not very
abundant there. Thus the Norweg-
ian must seek other resources, anG
he finds them in the mountains, in
the woods and from the depths of the
Atlantic. l can also add, from the
surface of it. For the Norwegians
are masters as shipbuilders, and their
ships sail on all waters exchanging
their W produce for that of other
countries. Big fleets of fisherman
gather every year during February
and March. There they get the fine
cod fish that later is put on the mar
ket in many different forms. In good
years about Is millions of fish a be
taken. just think of it. That is
to fish for the world.
AS for religion, the one of the state
at large is the same as in Sweden, the
Lutheran. Any religion is free to
build it's church> therein. Politically
Norway is united with Sweden unGer
the same king. He has about
as much absolute power as our COVER
nor. In foreign politics. Sweden and
Norway try to pull together, yet not
without difficulties at times. They
have their different armies and diff
erent government at large. In Nor
way the greatest power rests with the
stovthing, | believe, that every year
assemblies at the capital, Kristiania.
that city is very beautiful, situated
on the ford which gears its name, it
is surrounded by beautiful; wood land
and farming fields. At the terminus
of a wide. straight street, Carl
Johannsgade, is the royale castle.
And to get there you pass the univer-
slty TO your right. II | remember
correctly, it consists of three impos-
ing buildings, with massive pillars,
somewhat resembling the Masonic
temple in Aberdeen. Anybody that
visits Cllristiania should also visit
OScaiShal, "a gem Of a castle. built by
King Oscar l, and situated not far
from tic capital. | will not try to
describe the beauty or that place as l
saw it. Ii Was in June and the castle
~. A, -,
nesile,' in d bed OF blooming roses
a li liiacs. taat filed the sunshiny
day with their perfume. We were
permitted to enter the castle for a
consideration to the keeper. Its in
tario! decorations and furniture bore
WitcsS OF the taste and wealth of its
royl! owner HAT had been. the pres
eat kings father, who passed out Of
existence July 8, 1859.
The inhabitants of Norway are in
;na.:.y ways different from those of
sweden. suppose that depends to a
great extent upon the countries
themselves, SO differently builded by
mother nature. The majority of the
N~orWegianS are stern and silent. they
are easily offended, very hard to make
free with. The somberness of their
home country rests over them long
after they have found Il home in til,
comparatively sunny America. AS
far as freedom is concerned there are
at present many ''hitches'' to that
blessed state, both here and in the
old abodes. l, for my one part, have
just commenced to learn, that we
are just as free as we think ourselves
to be. ii we e the thing at large
we are all free, wherever our present
abode is, to do the best we know how
both for selves and others. Til,
brotherhood of man exists the worle
over. And when we commence to re
cognize that truth individually, ther
Norwegians and Swedes, Welshmen
Yankees and all will be happy to
gether.
NV frct h,1chona roo, $500