Norwegian By-ways

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated.1903 Excerpt: ... CHAPTER XVII. STUEFLAATEN. The splendours of the Gudbrandsdal culminated at Stueflaaten. During its wild swift course the romantic river fell in many a picturesque cataract: all the rush and sparkle of the stream adding to the enchantment of some of Norway's most striking scenery. In the bed of the precipice the water swirled round great boulders of rock. The steep sides and banks were distinguished by a wealth of ferns and bracken and small weeping birches, charms that looked deliciously cool and refreshing on the hottest day. Great mountains towered upwards, huge walls that closed in the valley, cutting the blue sky with sharp clear outlines. And then at Stueflaaten the valley widened. The mountains fell away in overpowering masses, leaving a large amount of triangular plain overrun by small trees and apparently little cultivated. A long upward climb brought us to the old familiar station, loved for the sake of past association. Some years had elapsed since we last saw it, but every stone and turning was remembered. There stood the original house, a long low building, with rooms little better than cubicles; and beyond it the new station, enlarged and altered, towering above the parent building, an imposing wooden structure. The place was quiet and seemed deserted, but we presently found it was only the calm heralding a storm; a mild storm, it is true. As our little horses drew up at the larger building, a tall substantial woman ran lightly down the steps to meet us. Here, apparently, we were still to find ourselves far from the madding crowd, in undivided possession of the place. "The station has been enlarged since I was here," I remarked, as a hint to claiming the privileges of an habituS. "It may be so," returned the woman. "I am only here since last y...