Montpelier examiner. [volume] (Montpelier, Idaho) 1895-1937, 1914-02-27

hope by any argument to convince
those who have not yet learnt the lesson.
Thousands are now accustomed to take an an
nuaI holiday in the Alps, but most Of these. haV-
ing only a few short weeks at their disposal stay
at a hotel There are, however maryland their
number lie interchangeable go out with
their families and spend the whole season in the
mountains yet who grow weary of continual hotel
life, and seek after something that shall be not
only Independent but less expensive, for 10
many the question of expense looms larger every
year. Such can hardly do better than take fur
nished chalet In the hills. There are many such
to be found, and although rents tend TO Increase,
they cannot yet be said to be excessive. The
Swiss have realized the fact that there is grow
ing demand for welLappointed chalets In good sit.
nations so that many have recently been built and
others are being adapted
Those thinking OF taking such chalet for the
winter months would be well advised to see that
it stands at an altitude or not less than $500 feet
above sea level Should It be lower there will be
some risk Of fogs from the plains and lakes ris-
ing above it, and Of wet mud taking the place OF
firm, dry snow. Il may be remarked IN passing
that for housekeeping purposes 1t is useful to
choose a place within easy reach of some town
such as Montreux Interlaken, though much
shopping is best done by post. II the house Is
large 1t will sometimes happen that the owner VIII
retain few rooms for his own personal use In
this case he will almost always be glad to give
help whenever 1t is asked for. The average Swiss
village let 1t be said does not usually provide the
Injuries of Capua, but the visitor will quickly
discover where to obtain everything that he needs.
He win soon find that his chalet can be managed
with remarkably little servant power. Central
heating" may be called necessity, and. in
private house where the ventilation be proper
ly attended to. 1t does not produce the STIFFNESS
that Is such undesirable feature in SO many
hotels.
"At Rome as at Rome" ID a useful motto for
those who live away from their country. The
Swiss peasant has his opinions and his own
way of ookingsat life. Therefore, visitor should
not be angry with him when he finds that he has
fixed notion that all foreigners semtmil-
Iionaires. liz 1t surprising that the villagers, be-
ing intelligent IL somewhat narrow and unedu-
Gated, should look upon the gems de sejour who
come from afar and live In nice houses, and, so
far as they can see, do work whatever, as
almost inexhaustihe gold mines? They would
hardly be human II they did not use their oppor-
tunities Of making hay while the sun shines; only
1t rests with each visitor to that he does not
personally contribute unreasonahy large share
| of the hay.
The dweller In hotels sees but side OF Swiss
characteristic outside; for though the Swiss may
| be businessli1Ee, he is emphatically not obsequ-
| ous by nature. On the contrary he Is vigorously
| independent The father OF q large family will
| be grateful TO receive any crumbs from the rich
mans table, in the shape of discarded clothes for
the use OF his boys provided that they are offered
| as from an equal to an equal for he Ia very SEN
| sitivs. But in short time of the boys will
| probably bring basket Of eggs TO thank mon.
| sieur and madame" The writer was once asked
| TO photograph some girls. and few days later a
/ message came from the chiidren's mother. Might
| she do some OF the household washing free of
/ charge in return?" That Is not such bad kind
/ Of independence At least 1t compares favorabIy
| with q variety that is to he met with which
/ thinks to show It's independence In rough man
ners but liz not above taking everything It can get
without making any adequate return. Take him
/ all round the Swiss peasant 10 an interesting and
| a good man TO deal with. Suspicious at first, and
sensitive always. he responds warmly when he Ii
| treated With tact and sympathy
One OF the very drst questions that occur To :
possible chalet dweller is: win there be plenty
/ Of congeniai society. or shall we be duli?" To
which the reply must be made that the amount Of
society depends largely On the place selected. and
its nature on ones self. It Ii always possible to
ascertain beforehand the number and size Of the
/ hotels In the village, and these may be looked
upon az fairly reliable index OF the visiting pop
| uiation. Moreover it has been the writer's ex.
| perience that hotel keepers far from looking
! aakance at chalet dwellers, welcome them and
| willingly allow them the use of their skating
| Kinks and toboggan runs on very moderate terms.
Many chalets are now built with open FIRE
place in the drawing ROOM where cheerful wood
| Ares may be lighted. And. let 1t be remembered.
| that In most places. wood Is SO plentiful that
| within few minutes walk of the chalet sackfuls
Of Or cones and armfuls of sticks and logs may be
collected nor is 1t possible to exhaust the supply.
Yet in the daytime artificial heating can often be
dispensed with Day after day the sun shines In
eloudiess beauty. and it Is possible to SIT out on
the balcony reading hour after hour. So dry Is
the air that snow eyaporates with the heat more
| rapidly than It melts, that unless the thaw be
| very pronounced there Is total absence Of
'slnsh" Last winter. week OF at the be-
inning OF December was followed By six weeks OF