The National tribune., 1909-12-16

vices upon you. My Ibsen friend. she
thought, was one of these without
doubt who finding / would have none
of him as a guide, was bold enough to
ask me, supposed rich American, for
money anyway. One reason why 1
failed to grasp the situa,loh at once
was that this was absolutely our first
experience of the kind since putting
foot on Norwegian soil. During our
driving, whenever we came upon a
gate, a crowd of little children seemed
to spring up suddenly from nowhere,
who flew to open 1t for us, evidently
expecting the small coin which we
threw to them from our seats In the
Istolkjaerre, but never before had a
grown person asked us for money. I
am certain it must be a very unusual
thing, as the Norwegians are too self
respecting and proud to beg, even when
very poor, and, of course, 1t is quite
possible that this man was not Nor
wegian at all, in spite of his being
enough like Ibsen to be easily taken
for his twin brother.
There are in this city, of course, the
usual art galleries and museums of
various kinds; but as Norway Is not
Especially celebrated for its art, and as
we had before us the wonderful collec-
tions of Amsterdam, Brussels and Ant
werp, we felt no very keen interest in
way, We would content ourselves with
what we had already accomplished in
the way of indoor sightseeing.
1t was a perfectly lovely day, and
late in the afternoon 1 said to Eliza
BETH Lets go down to Dronnigen for
supper" "All right" replied she,
lets" Dronnigen, favorite niece, is
the ford, not far from Chrstiania
which you reach by boat, and where
there is nice restaurant, frequented
in the Summer by the swells of Nor
ways capital. So, at the proper time,
we betook ourselves to the pier from
which the boat left, and after short
sail found ourselves in Dronnigen. The
view from the windows of the restau-
rant was very pretty, and Elizabeth
and l enjoyed watching the parties of
men and women who kept coming and
going. In plain sight of the restaurant
was the chateau of Oscarshall, built
by one of the early Oscars and lived in
by most of the Norwegian Kings since,
and which is now being renovated for
the young prince; for you remember
Queen Maud and King Haakon have
a charming little boy. The chateau
looked very pretty, its white tower
showing above the green trees which
surround it.
We like this hotel very much, and
can recommend it to you, If you ever
come to Christiania. 1t is what is
called family hotel, and seems to be
all on two floors. 1t is kept by a Miss
Peters, Norwegian, 1 believe, but she
doesn't look it. and her English is
quite perfect The dining-room is small,
and one maid serves us all. This maid
is decided character. cannot con-
ceive of anything disturbing her perfect
equanimity. She evidently has her lit
tie method, and nothing would induce
her to change it. She moves around
with absolute quietness and delibera-
ton, no matter how many are wait
ing to be served and 1t Is really re-
markable how she manages to get
everybody started as soon as she does
Fortunately, the guests Of the house do
not all come to their meals at the same
time, and that helps lot, of course.
At the first supper we took in the house
very chatty, interesting Englishman
sat opposite to US. who told us many
entertaining things of Norway. We
have never happened to meet him at
the table since. The food is excellent,
the people we see look like a very nice
class-mostly Norwegians. An Amer
| lean girl from Texas turned mp the
other day, but we had no conversation
with her. For a quiet hotel, of perfect
comfort and not very expensive, / can
recommend the Westminster, tho Bad
eker does not star 1T. % @
We leave Christiania Tomorrow
afternoon at 5:35. 1 had hoped to con-
clude our Norwegian experience in this
letter, but 1 find I cannot. My next
will contain our good-by to this land
of the Midnight Sun, and the story OF
our adventures in journeying to Co
penhagen-if We have any.
Lovingly, Sailor Aunt"