Evening star., 1943-10-31


officer. She lived there four years,
then moved to Warsaw. 1t was in
Poland's capital that she began her
education, attending a school op-
Grated by the French Ministry Of
Education. The instructions we're
all in the French language. Most of
the $50 students were children whose
parents were connected with French
missions or business firms in War
saw.
When school closed at the end Of
June, 1899, Irene's parents let her go
to Norway for a vacation. 1t had
been planned that Irene should re-
turn to Warsaw at the end Of
August. However, great was her
surprise when her mother arrived
in Oslo the latter part of August
and told her that all the wives and
children of the American officials in
Poland had been evacuated because
war was in the air. Consequently
she had to enroll in high school in
IStayanger, Norway. 1t was one Of
the oldest institutions of learning
in Scandinavia, as it was originally
started by monks about the year
1000.
When the news was flashed around
the world that Germany had at
tackled Poland. Irene was greatly
concerned because her father was
still in Warsaw. He came through
all right. however, and remained in
Warsaw until the end of March,
1910, looking after American in
terests.
Meanwhile Irene and her mother
remained in Norway where they had
an opportunity to celebrate a Nor
wegian Christmas In Norway the
people celebrate Christmas eve de-
cember 24 as we do Christmas Day.
Most business houses are closed and
at 4 o'clock in the afternoon services
are held in all churches. When
every one comes home from church
they sit down to a beautifully dec
GRATED table and eat their holiday
meal. Later the household gathers
around the Christmas tree to sing
carols and have fun opening the
gift-packages. The children do not
hang up their stockings.
The Germans were not satisfied
with their other conquests. 50 on
April 8, 1910, they invaded Norway.
They took food and clothing from
everybody and stores that were well
stocked with merchandise were
emptied within a short time. In
addition to all the looting. the in
vaders took possession Of all public
buildings, as well as the Kings
Palace. These were turned into
barracks for the Nazi soldiers, and
hay was spread on the floors on
which they slept.
Irene and her mother took inme-
diate steps to reJoin Mr.. Birkeland.
However, three miserable weeks
passed before they were permitted
to leave for Sweden, and they had
to change trains four times. As
there were no porters, they gained
considerable experience in handling
baggage.
The two travellers met Mr. Birke-
land somewhere along the line and
( headed on to Berlin, where he was
assigned to the American Embassy.
Irene stayed there for about one
and half years before proceeding
to the United States She did not
attend school in Germany, as she
had no desire to be taught by Nazi
teachers. Instead, she studied with
her parents at home.
AS living conditions were getting
bad, Irene and her mother returned
to America in June, 1941. The Jour-
ney took them through Switzerland.
Occupied France, Spain and Portu-
gal.
In Spain they had an opportunity
to see bullfight After the fight
was over, the bull was divided
among the poor, who accepted the
meat with glee,