The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1912-10-07
jUSILIkt UHOSTS
The Norwegian Vardogrs and
 Their Curious Warnings.
A STUDY IN PSYCHIC FORCE.

Xcices and Sounds and Visions That
 ForeteII to Those Properly Attuned
 to the Phenomenon the Speedy Com
 ing of Relatives or Friends.
 In Norway, or at least in certain
 parts of it, there is well known
 phenomenon, instances of which are of frequent occurrence, known locally by various names. but in the east of the
 country commonly called vardogr. By this term is understood a certain prop
 erty. attaching itself to particular per
 sons. by which their arrival at par ticular place, most frequently their own home, is announced beforehand by distinctive sounds, such as are usually or naturally made by the per son in question.
 It is only limited number of per sons to whom this property is attach ed who have a vardogr." as the phrase is, and the premonitory sounds are not always heard nor by all per sons. Very often it is only members of the family or near relatives who no- tice them at all Much more rarely the person is seen instead of being heard some time before his or her rival. It is to be particularly noted that the idea of the vardogr is not one which is confined to the uneducated classes. It is equally recognized and its reality admitted by persons of eda- cation and culture.
 The following interesting account was. given by Miss F., schoolteacher in the town of Drammen:
 ''1t is nothing unusual to find people in Norway who have a vardogr-that is to say. that one can hear or see them before they really come in person. Such cases are found in nearly every family, but in some more frequently than in others. In the cases of my father and eldest brother it happens SC often that we do not think it in the least remarka ble. remember one par dcular instance which shall relate.
 I've expected my father home from a long voyage and got word that he had arrived at a little harbor in the firth, but at the same time there came message saying that unfortunately he could not get home for several days. as the ice prevented him from com ing up. We were very much disap- pointed. because we were just then about to have a family gathering. When we had assembled in the even ing we talked about how delightful it would have been if father could have come My mother then took a book and read aloud. while we children worked. when we all heard the kitchen door open and fathers well known step come in. He put down a box which he was carrying. and we heard him speak to the servant. who sat in a side room
 "'Oh. there is papar shouted three or four of US together and rushed out to the kitchen to be the first to wei come him. But there was no one there We ran in to the servant, but she had heard nothing. We thought that perhaps he had gone out again, but no-there was no one. So distinct ly had we all heard him, however. that my youngest sister. who was rather burst into tears, thinking it must be a warning that something l had happened to him. It was the first l time she had heard his vardogr. but 1 my mother. who was well accustomed l to it, said very calmly:
 "'Go to bed. children It was only | papa's vardogr. and now we know for | certain that he will be home for to- | 
 "Sure enough. an hour afterward we had him safely home. Now. since he | has got older. and especially since he | gave up going to sea, we hear him | much more seldom. But in his youth | his mother heard him constantly and | sometimes even heard him knock on 1 her window and cali her by name ] Sometimes it woke her by night, and | she would rise and go to open the i 1oor, but there was no one there the l first time. An hour later he would | actually come. That happened partic- l