The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1913-08-12
Alfred Schmidt
Pictures LuCern
Correspondent to The Gazette Paints
Vivid Word-Picture of Switzer-
land City
Lucern, Switzerland,

Lucern, Switzerland,
July %, 1913.
To The Gazette:
No mortal mind can easily portray
on canvass, nor through eloquence of
speech the richness, the grandeur, the
matchless beauty of the Alps. Man
has played with the dashing mountain
torrents and gained physical energy,
he has threaded their high poles with
wires and cables, he has playfully
wended a cog-path to the snow-capped
tops. But never has man with all his
deep intelligence and skill, fathomed
the rich treasures of beauty, the mar
velous splendour, the almost, imposs-
ible charm.
Friends, journey along for a NOM
ent to the cities of Berlin, Leipzig,
Dresden, Nurenburg, Munich, Zurich
and when we grow tired of city life
lets wander slowly on over streams of
crystal, over hills and valleys, over
crag and cliff, until we slowly sneak
around hill and lake to the wonderful,
wonderful city of Lucern.
Lucern with a population of nearly
10000, capital of the caution of that
name, lies picturesquely on the Lake
of Lucern or Vierwald-statte see, at
the effiux of the Reuss. 1t is enclosed
by well preserved walls with nine
towers, erected in about 1885, while
it's amphitheatrical situation, facing
Mt. Rigi and Pilatus and other of the
snow clad Alps of Uri, is one of the
beauty spots of this world.
The clear, emerald-green Reuss is
sues from the lake with terrific swift
ness. It's banks are connected with
eight bridges. The highest and the
most pleasing See Brucke, built in 1862
70, crosses from the business part Of
the city to the railway-station and af-
fords most charming view.
Interesting it was indeed. Wild
ducks of all types, swimming uncon-
cerned about fearing no harm, fly
swiftly in a huddle as one drops a
bread-crumb, or as l dropped bits of
these large toothpicks in the water,
thus leading the whole eager flock
across the speedy Reuss. / was told
that one should not even fool the
ducks in this country, for laws are
stringent every where. Laws are no
bylaws here. One must ever bear in
mind to tip every hotel-employe be-
fore leaving. More than once was l
sneered at for delaying my gifts until
the very last moment before taking
leave.
But / am not concerned with laws
and bylaws, customs and habits, / am
drinking deeply these days of the
clear mountain streams, the cool
wholesome atmosphere, the gentle
breezes. | am feasting on Swiss
cheese and Jersey milk, for in Berlin
had all the sour kraut, beans, and
pigs feet my American constitution
could stand, without the aid of beer
and more beer.
Last evening | walked alone up the
small hill on the North of Lucern be-
yond the old town wall which bears
the marks of over 500 winters, and
stands 21a feet by IS feet, strong and
protective.
/ asked for entrance in the towers
of the wall but was positively refused.
II WILL" said / to myself.
When the night came fast and the
golden sun lay between the snowy
peaks, when the life was city-ward,
when felt safe-I crawled up
house nearby, leaped on the wall and
found an entrance into the dingy-web-
bed tower at the highest point Of the
crest. / pretended / could not read
the signs of warning and offence, /
pried open the door and found empty
halls covered with bits of stones, dust
and relics. / went to the highest
point, and looked out Of the window
far across the city. Should I be dis
covered l knew my position. Should
the Gauls arise / would be first to
throw my Javelin. Yet should thun-
der and lightning come / may be safe
Spooky and gloomy, old and cold. 1t
caused shudder. / must take leave.
Yet no one knew what sights l saw,
what pleasure enjoyed, what beau
tiful, 'herriich" city my eyes fell up
on. was happy and in fear at the
same time.
Of the narrow escape from the Ne
vi I'll speak at another time.
Your foreign field reporter.