Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1906-12-26

tenance to many Of the SEiss peasantry
They are supported by thdr goats, while
the cows supply the milk and cheese. In
the spring, when herd is removed TO
the Alps, the herdsman dresses himself In
all his finery. He selects hk faYorite and
handsomest COW, he adorns her with
crown of flowers. and ties lbs largest bell
to her neck The COW is SO proud of her
self that she refuses to ID any other
COW get ahead. Another carries the milk
ing stool and they all WEIR changing
bells. Singing the yodel be- drives the
goats aud cows up the mouubins. Some
of these ascents are extremely hazardous.
The places are so steep thel cattle are
lifted with ropes aud pianks
more daring man is the giess mower.
who stumbles among rocks ant crevasses
to gather food for the cows aid initiate
for cheese Like a channels, he makes his
ascent from hill to crest, cuis the hay,
ties 1t 10 bundles. and them hnrls 1t
down from the summit. He Belongs to
the same class as The ,mountaiteers who
risk their lives scaling jagged focks aud
traverslng treacherous glaciers With tour
lists to earn livelihood.
Others work at hax. which u no light
task The fax Is left until the seeds are
grown. The pulling then begins; 1t is
laid 10 dry, and is collected Id bundles.
The seeds are removed by drawing the
fax through iron combs The women
along with the men work at hatking the
fax They not only weave their own
clothes, but Increase the family store by
weaving the woof aud warp In their own
homes and return IL to the seller. The
greatest pride of peasant girl Is 70 have
a wardrobe of linen she has nlade herself;
and peasant man is exceedingly proud
of his wifes Accomplishment. The wom
en- in st. Gall teach very small girls to
do the handsome Swiss embroidery, so
much admired by tourists from all parts
of Europe aud America Fire or six Is
none too young for these children to be-
gin The older ones work all winter sell
ing thel: tine work TO the wholesalers.
In summer time they go TO the large
cities. and are hired to work before the
shops to attract strangers Ii the east
ern cantons many of the peasants work
in the silk factories part OF the year.
They are either employed haidling the
silk looms or in milking the COWS on their
smitll farms. Their leisure Is given to
tire family Is often engaged with this
work.
Their chief recreation is foutd in the
Alpine clubs. Late in the fall and early
spring. after the tourists IRE gone or
before they come, large parties start out
to ascend the steepest mountains. Their
daring often results in death. Several
families or groups of young people, go
off together climbing, rompins and send
ing their folk airs up the mountain
heights.
The ge- al outlook Of the country is
pros pervps. The well-to-do bring this
about ~ being successful hotel keepers
and engineers. attracting thousands TO
their beautiful land. The pes 'nts. though
simple livers, are usually happy, because
they are masters OF their small farms
Swiss Railroads.
America has always been interested in
railroads, and is recognized among all
nations as having the greatest lines Of
railroads and the ablest engineers. But
our country has a close rival In tie
Swiss, who haze made the finest raft
ways, tie great number Of mountain
roads and essayed many Of the most diff
hcult feats 10 engineering. The Alps are
a blessing to Switzerland, and for man!
reasons. They have protected the Swiss
frnrn Invasion made different peoples