American Falls press. [volume] (American Falls, Idaho) 1907-1937, 1914-02-26

11a make itself felt, but each individual
FS%< has to find it out for himself in the
|~SI school Of experience; nor must he
- hope by any argument to convince
those who have not yet learnt the lesson.
Thousands are now accustomed to take an an
nual 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 is ever increasing-who go out with
their families and spend the whole season in the
mountains. vet who grow weary of continual hotel
life, and seek after something that shall be not
only more independent but less expensive, for to
many the question of expense looms larger every
year. Such can hardly do better than take a tur-
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 a grow
ing demand for well-appointed chalets in good SIT
nations, SO that many have recently been built and
others are being adapted.
Those thinking of taking such a chalet for the
winter months would be well advised to see that
1t stands at an altitude of not less than $500 feet
above sea level. Should it be lower there Will be
some risk of fogs from the plains and lakes rs-
ing above it, and of wet mud taking the place OF
arm, dry snow. 1t 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 OF Interlaken, though much
shopping is best done by post. If the house Is
large it will sometimes happen that the owner VIII
retain a few rooms for his own personal use. In
this case he will almost always be glad to give
help Whenever il is asked for. The average Swiss
village. let it be said, does not usually provide the
luxuries of a Capua, but the visitor will quickly
discover where to obtain everything that he needs.
He will soon find that his chalet can be managed
with Remarkably little servant power. Central
heating may be called a necessity, and, in a
private house where the ventilation can be proper
ly attended to, it does not produce the STIFFNESS
that is such an undesirable feature In so many
hotels.
AT Rome as at Rome" is a useful motto for
those who live away from their country. The
Swiss peasant has his own opinions and his own
way of looking at life. Therefore, a visitor should
not be angry with him when he finds that he has
q nxed notion that all foreigners are semimll-
lionaires. Is it surprising that the villagers, be-
ing Intelligent If somewhat narrow and unedu-
Gated, should look upon the gems de sejour who
come from afar and live in nice houses, and, so
Tar as they can see, do no work whatever, as
almost inexhaustible gold mines? They would
hardly be human if they did not use their oppor-
families of making hay while the sun shines; only
Il rests with each visitor to see that ne does not
personally contribute an unreasonably large share
Of the hay.
The dweller in hotels sees but one side OF Swiss
character-the outside; for though the Swiss may
be businesslike, he is emphatically not obsequ-
ious by nature. On the contrary, he Is vigorously
INDEPENDENT. The father of a large family VIII
r. U0 XE8IeIUl 10 any NAAhh1o ANOAA
mana table, in the shape of discarded clothes for
the uee of his boys. provided that they are offered
Is from an equal to an equal, for he is very SEN
sitive. But in a short time one OF the boys VIII
probably bring a basket Of eggs TO thank mon
sieur and madame" The writer was once asked
q nhotorraph some girls, and a few days later a
meesaee came from the childrens mother: Might
abe do some of the household washing free OF
charge In return?" That is not such a bad kind
Of independencel At least, it compares favorably
With 1 variety that is to be met with, which
thinks to show it's independence in rough man
ners. but is not above taking everything it can get
without making any adequate return. Take him
all round, the Swiss peasant is an interesting and
4 good man to deal with. Suspicious at hrst, and
sensitive always. he responds warmly when he is
treated with tact and sympathy.
Ono OF the very first questions that occur 10 q
posaibae chalet dweller is: viii there be plenty
OF conGenial society. or shall we be dulY' Tc
which the reply must be made that the amount Of
society depends largely on the place selected anc
It's nature on ones self. 1t is always possible tC
ascertain beforehand the number and size of the
hotels In the village, and these may be looked
upon Is q fairly reliable index of the visiting pop
ulation. Moreover, it has been the writer's ex
p~erience that hotel keepers. far from looking
aakance at chalet dwellers. welcome them ane
Willingly allow them the use of their skating
Kinks and toboggan runs on very moderate terms
Many chalets are now built with an open fire
place In the drawing room, where cheerful Woo
Area may be lighted. And. let it be remembered
that Ia most places, wood is so plentiful tina
within 4 few minutes walk of the chalet sackful
OF Or comes and armfuls of sticks and logs may b.
b collected: nor is it possible to exhaust the supply
r Yet IN tho Daytime artificial heating can often b.
dispensed with. Day after day the sun shines il
: cloudless beauty. and it is possible to sit out OF
4 the balcony reading hour after hour. So dry 1
|, the air that snow evaporates with the heat NOR
rapidly than it melts. so that unless the thaw b
very proneunced there is a total absence o
'slush." Last winter, a week of snow at the be
" inning Of december was followed by six weeks o