The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1905-04-07

operated by ten or twelve men. But
what attracted the attention Of Miss
Andersen was that there were women
working in the, woodward, skirts turned
up over bare feet in wooden shoes, drag
cling huge slabs from the logs to pile up
to sell. Here, too; were bits Of children
Juggling at wood-cart full of chips, to
Bundled in rags to protect their tender
bodies from the biting cold, fed on
black bread and salt pork; never to 20
to school, because Of the ignorance and
hardship OF their parents-h great a
tragedy! Never to go to school! The
phrase rang thru Miss Andersen IS mind
on the homeward drive, ana with it
came tumultuous memories Of other
things-the freedom of the big, beauti-
thetic signs Of the subsection of 'Suo-
mi, - the stamping out of her language,
her literature, with such riches Of folk
lore as few peoples can boast, her re-
|ligion-everything that tended to the
destruction Of her personality, if not to
her very soul. There was vivid picture
Of the great iron fence around the Fin
nish church at Helsingfors, built almost
to the. roof, without gate, to, keep out
recollection of this ;broken-hearted peo-
pie passing by on their way to the round
domed cathedral; there were memories
Of the persecution, death and exile Of
hundreds of Firms" Oh, how cruel it
was, and how ignorant 9 tyranny.
K + melodies III stde:S, - -.
.l..That evening" says Miss Andersen,
| IT was the guest .'ef honor at dinner
given at the hotel. a quaint and wooden
hostelry built after the fashion of Fin;
nish edifees, butt elegantly furnishe d
within. The diningsroom with its carved
Of its walls, hangtngs Of damask and
velvet, and perfectly appointed table,
was very diferentE from the huts Of the
people out there in the cold, black for
est. We gathered around the board, a
party of about thirty cultured people;
and as course followed course and the
light from the quaint old silver Candida
bra glowed In the wine, much merry
laughter and gay. conversation were. en-
dent of the afternoon. Then men and
women adjourned to the parlors for cot
fee and cigarets,. and passing from
group to group I soon found myself
Seated upon a corner sofa with Herr
'Backman, a postal official, and an en-
PERTAINING talker. To him I was tell
ing the story Of the days drive, and all
the thoughts it evoked. Those poor
little chiidren!;' I exclaimed impulsive-
ly. 'There ought to be someone to see
that they are sent to school. It is dread
full for women and children to live and
work like that!' Herr Backman re-
joined that there were schools for such
as they if they cared to go; but inter
rupted warmly that they could not go
because it was too hard for their par
ents to make living.
49,. A Surprise. "".~.:-'~
z Cat that minute two plainly dressed
men walked quietly thru the room to-
ward me, but they were instantly noted
and the gay company turned curlousiy
to look at them. AS I finished speaking
they stood before me and one of them
placed his hand on my shoulder. saying
gently, as if doing disagreeable duty.
My lady, in the name of the govern.
ment, you are. under arrest!' Thought
he was one of the guests playing Joke
for handouts, laughingly glancing from
one to the other. But they were secret
Iservice men andssit was no joke. Herr
Baekman sprang to his feet, protesting
that I had said nothing seditious, but
that he was guilty; DR.. Wuorio ran up
drawing the dagger that every Finland
1 or carries; the guests sprang to thell
feet and pressed around in frightened
ring, drawing their daggers and loudly
protesting that no harm had been done
but if there had been they were willing
to be placed under arrest in my stead
The excitement and din were 50. grea1
that the uniformed police rushed il
from the street and promptly arrested
DR.. Wuorio, Herr Backman and severa
} others. No. said the officers, - tn,
young lady is the one we want. She i
!. a political agitator.' Then to me
l.Come, you must follow u.s.. All tn