Montpelier examiner. [volume] (Montpelier, Idaho) 1895-1937, 1906-04-13
In Norway's Old Capital
Sights OF Christania VIII Repay Traveller for Time
Taken in Journey to the North
Especial Correspondence

With regret for the loss Of pleas
ures proved in lovely Stockholm, with
anticipation for the joys Of town un-
tried, with solid nights ride across
country, we three emerged from the
sleeper, wide awake to the interest
and novelty of Norway's capital, re-
nowned for its busy shipping port,
and its fair harbor of long arms and
deep dents, which lend beauty I'M
rivaled amid the glories of this earth.
The Crown Prince paid us visit,
and for miles away the country flock
ed to the city. Peasant and farmer
ratified in, till sidewalk and curb
were packed with surging humanity.
Flags fioated from palace and cot
sage; the booming of cannon, the rat
tie of hoofs, and the advance of the
royal guard proclaimed the noble en-
try. The ladies held a charity ba-
zaar, in his honor, and radiant signs
flashed out their greeting. The great
structure never had more than push
ing room, for the crowds which
swept on to this interesting center.
Norway's fairest girls, arrayed In ma
tional emblems, allured the buyer to
their dainty booths, which famed in
colors gay. Stalls outside satisfied
the coarser taste for fries, for yards
of sausage and schooners of beer.
Within, the buyer could choose from
list that included an iced cake or
cart wheel. Many of the heavier
goods took their chances, being loan
ed as advertisements by the city
merchants. And a mint of money
was made in lotteries. This was the
Norwegian magnet. 1t riveted the
Matron till she was dragged away,
with purse depleted Kroner after
kroner she passed over to the beguil-
ing maid, who encouraged her weak
ness, as she took just one more
chance deep down in the well-flled
churn, or in the revolving wash ma
chine, to draw up only a blank.
where one in scores might find a
magic number.
Town Rich In Relics.
The town was rich in relics. and
the Matron browsed in odd corners
and fished up twisted candlesticks
OF brass. and wooden f1atirons three
feet long, guided by a crank, which
must have slid over the table like a
snowshoe, while its deep carving of
heroic scenes was imprinted In the
clothing. Pewter plates depicted
glories never before dreamed. and
the Matron will go mourning to- the
grave, for certain grand platter.
carved in luxury, and stabbed with
the date 1884. which grinned at her
behind closed glass just before train
time. All Christiania has an idle
way of locking its doors and going
home to dinner between and 4. The
city is practically dead No power
on earth could uproot a proprietor.
At this trying hour she spied the
grinning figures which exulted with
sardonic joy in their antiquity. How
she beat and clamored at the case
ment! How she longed to smash the
glass window! How she sees today,
will always see, that battered pewter,
with its giddy scenes. and staggering
figures on the margin, 1884.
Wondrous Viking Ship. E
But If ones soul is lost to such a
baub1e, what sentiments. must over
whelm the beholder rs he stands be-
fore that wondrous viking ship whose
history runs back 1000 years, whose
ribs and thwarts and rudder defied
the lapse of ages, as they lay wrapped
for centuries in their mantle of blue |
clay! Now exhumed, the ragged |
edges read US ancient history. The
t.vYP vr y