The Lake County times. [volume] (Hammond, Ind.) 1906-1933, 1907-05-22
Come all the Way to East
Chicago From Chris
tiana, Norway.
MAKE THE TRIP ALONE
Grandparents in Europe Force Diet
of Fish Balls and Goats Cheese
and Boys Rebel.

Because they didn't like fish balls
Nnsh pudding" cheese made OF goats
milk, and other delfeacfes of a Nor
wegian farmers daily bill of fare, two
little Chicago boys ran away from the
home of their maternal grandfather in
Norway and came alone all the way to
their father in Chicago.
The two "runaways" who made the
remarkable journey are Christian and
Lawrence Christensen, and years
old respectively, sons of C. Christian
sen, building contractor living at
East Chicago.
The little fellows, both of whom were
born in Chicago, accompanied their
mother to Norway last Christmas to
their grandparents on a farm near
Berum, a provincial town north of
Christfania. All was joyous during the
first few weeks the Chicago youngsters
spent in the land of their ancestors.
Then they told their grandfather they
couldn't 'go" fish balls, and that they
preferred Chicago roast beef and
mashed potatoes.
Resolve to Strike on Food.
There was'plenty Of fruit, bread, and
milk to eat. Also there was ski run
ming and all sorts of winter sports
while the snow lasted, but the fish
dishes and the goat cheese" persisted
in appearing on the table to the great
disgust of the young Americans.
When they could stand it no longer
the youngsters held council of war
UP in the mountains.
IF grandpa tries to make me eat
that fshy stuff again I'll run away"
Lawrence said to his brother.
IF you go away. I want to go with
you" lisped Little Christian.
With this matter settled. the boys
set off for their grandfather's house
where another fish dinner was await
ing them.
WnIlOped by Their Grandfather.
Il won't eat that" said Lawrence,
his younger brother backing him up
with the assertion that he'd die first"
before he would !. touch a bite. Mrs
Christensen, mortfffed at the conduct
of her sons, demonstrated with them,
but to no purpose.
The grandfather, a stern old peas
ant, grabbed the youngsters by the
nape of the neck. pushed them out of
the house, and carried them to the
woodshed, where he thrashed them
roundly.
| That same day the boys disappeared
and after much worry and a week
spent in searching. Mrs. Christiansen
| found the boys at the house of a dis
| tant relative in Christiania Meanwhile
Lawrence had written to his father in
East Chicago, asking for money for
steamship passage for himself and his
| brother.
The money was sent at once, and
Mrs. Christensen, who will remain in
| Norway all summer, sent the unruly
youngsters off as first cabin passengers
on the Oscar II. after she was as
sured by Lawrence that he would take
good care of his brother"
Favored by Ships Passengers.
On the steamer the boys were the
idols of all the cabin passengers, who
loaded them down with attentions.
When they arrived in New York the
customs officials demanded to see the
contents of the little telescope satchels
the boys carried as baggage.
The inspection caused amusement
when the satchels were found filled
with all sorts of fruits and nuts, which
| the mother had provided for their en-
joyment on the ocean voyage.
When the weary little travellers ar
| rived at the Polk street station in Chi
| cago, their father was not there to
meet them. as he did not know when
they would arrive. William Corner
head of the Gerner Piano company
who was at the station to meet a
sister, found the little fellows in the
depot and took them to his house in
| Edgewater. Two days later Mr. Corner
found the address of Mr.. Christensen
| 10 60