River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1922-05-04
~ FW
Switzerland


To those who have journeyed In
Switzerland the word Easter" con-
jures far more than vision of tower
ing peaks or snow-clad mountain
ranges shining in an eternity of SHOWS,
and Of lakes as blue as lapis lazuli
framed by emerald vineyards climbing
up Alpine meadows. 1t recalls to one
wildly the popular fetes and national
dances of the people which bring joy
to their hearts after the long, hard
Alpine winter is past.
Despite the shadow of their noun
tains and their. eternal struggle with
nature in the form of disastrous ava
lanches or similar catastrophes, the
Swiss are buoyant people and apply
themselves to merrymaking with the
same zest they display in their work.
Next to August l, when they celebrate
the birth of their confederation, much
as we do our Fourth of July, to which
it is equivalent, Easter is looked for
ward to more than any other festival
of the year.
From the time the first blossom ap-
pears on the meadows preparations for
Easter are in progress in every iso-
lated peasant home and in every
chalet in the hamlets and towns
nesting at the foot of the mountains.
One of these Swiss homes is typical
CT all tlie rest If il is old enough
IL has acquired the rich sepia and
burnt sienna tones characteristic of
the country, and frequently on its
front walls is motto or legend
in black gothic letters that proclaims,
to all who behold, the sentiments of
those who dwell therein, or it tells the
year in which the owner caused it to
be built by what master-builder. In
addition to the garden space about
it there is pear tree trained ZIP in
front against the balcony, while the
lodges of the two-storied balconies are
adorned with pCtted plants blooming
profusely. 1t is in just such COM
Portable peasant home that Vreneli.
the eighteen year-old daughter, can be
pictured in the act of announcing that
she has found the first "AIpenrosli,"
as the little Alpen rose is called.
Reveals Coming of Easter.
Instantly there is great excitement
In the family circle, and they all gath
er round her to view the rich red bios
sons.
Now comes EasterI" cries the
grandmother excitedly. Behold our
resurrection flower!" she adds rever-
emily. leaving her chimney corner for
the first time in months. She has had
q busy time through the hard Alpine
winter knitting wooden stockings, and
there are many pairs of feet to provide
for.
Mother, aren't you glad?" asks
Vreneli. Mother smiles and signs good
naturally as she thinks of the busy
days ahead. not only for Easter, but
the preparation for Vreneli's wedding
soon thereafter, judging by the atten-
tons of one Jean.
The boys are already dancing jig
with their smaller brothers and sisters
--Kathlei, Jaggi, Babeli and Seppli-
while yreneli with shining eyes takes
her place at her spinning wheel TO
weave more treasures for her beloved
"hope chest"
Grandmother, mother and vreneli
ransack all the boxes and trunks in
the attic for bits of colored fabrics
to dye the children's Easter eggs
which will figure so conspicuously in
The egg contest on the last school day
before Easter. But at last they are
all colored, dozens Of them. and the
glad day arrives. It is an exciting
event for old as well as young, and
they all go 10 the school house TO wit
ness il. Even father leaves his cows
and sheep long enough to in,isilge in
this pleasure.
Few Eggs go the Limit"
The teacher stands. The children in
row and then divides thew into TIVE
ra,,c Isos.h s.itfl1 has = AiSttsi o.,