The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1905-10-11
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mas, picturesque village built on
terraced promontory, with small white
houses, surrounded by trees and gar
dens, while crowning the hill stood the
church. 1t was an hour when folk in
lower latitudes were abed; but In
Hemnas the villagers were up and
about, all evidently enjoying the in
describable light that poured down IN
a soft gold and purple flood from the
north.
Many, even the natives, are unable
to sleep soundly in this strange light
which permits one to lie in bed and
read through all hours of the night
even with the blinds down. In these
high ATTITUDES tree fruits do not ripen
but during the brief summer a great
variety of berries are to be found, ahd
wild and domestic flowers flourish In a
surprising way. Neither soil nor climate
lends itself to farming, SO the hardy
natives turn to the sea for their har-
Jest. During summer the men, aided
at times by the women, are busy pre-
pairing their boats and nets for the
fishing. which Is carried on during
the darkness of the long, trying winter.
Away from Norway, there is a pretty
general belief that the Scandinavians
are distinctly blond, but while there
may be more light-haired, blue-eyed
people among them than, say in Bel
gium, dark hair is not uncommon. In
the district of Sogn, in Western Nor
way. the people are tall and dark, and
they are as emotional and qulck-tem-
pered as the Celts of Connaught. The
fishermen, who comprise the most part
Of the coast population in Nordland'
are physically sturdy, and on shore
the men seem heavy and even dull;
but a transformation Is wrought when
they stand on the decks of their boats
At the tiller, or managing sail or net,
these men seem the embodiment OF
physical activity and mental alertness.
At such times the observer can well
believe the traditions told OF the pro-
genitors of these sailors, who, as Vik-
ing freebooters, devastated the coast
of Britain and the continent.
Norway's compulsory education laws
ere active in the remotest villages, and
80 these fisherfolk are able to read and
write. Some of the young men, but
very few, break away and seek u
broader culture to the south, but as a
class they cannot be said to be intel
lectually hungry.
The Lutheran is the state church OF
Norway; indeed, other denominations
cannot be said to exist in the north'
The clergymen, holding their parishes
by government appointment, are, as
rule, an intelligent, self-denying
class. and their influence is a potent
factor in forming the character OF
their congregations. Despite this Chris
tan influence, the Nordman fisherman
Is distinctly superstitious. This may
he said of most men who live by the
sea, but these people have superstl-
lions that have survived, despite the
church, for 900 years, and can De
traced back to the times when Thor
and Odin were the ruling gods, anu
Valhalla was the haven of the Morse
man. Certain premonitions of death
are believed to be infallible. one Oh
these is the sight of a man seated
In the half of a boat and rowing
through the storm. When this VISION
Is reported, men say, "He has seen
Draugen and is sure to be drowned.
On black nights, when the north winds
are in battle with the white waters,
and the weird cry of the loon cuts
through the storm, the bravest feels
A chill at his,heart. "rhat is Draugen
calling for his preyW they whisper
At times when they would break away
and try to live ashore, they hear, win
eyer-increasing pitch, the call OF the
waves. and they are again drawn back
TO the sea, as the needle is drawn to
the pole.
CURING GOLDFISH.
When in spring the fishing boats re-
turn from Lofoten, the catch is cleaned
and spread out to dry on the sur
rounding little rocky islets that dot
the surface of the fjords like mon
strous water fowl. On these islets
there are huts on which the cod livers
are tried out, the crude fluid being sent
away for refinement. At such times,
no matter the direction Of the wind,
the air is heavy with the odor Of cod
!ivers. This odor is said to be very
healthful, and perhaps it is, but, like
many other good things in the phar-
macy. it is not calculated to induce a
habit by a pleasant appeal to the
senses.
Summer is devoted to curing the
fish, which 6y the early fall is ready
for the market, and then comes the
one gala period in the fisherman's
dreary year.
Outside the rutted mountain trails,
there are no roads in this part of Nor
way; the sea is the one great highway
and avenue of business and neighbor-
ly communication. and the boat is the
one vehicle for rich and poor.
To add to the human interest of the
picture, the Lapps, although only
nominally Christians, often come down
from the mountains to attend church.
The condition of the snow has much