Democratic Sentinel, Volume 14, Number 51, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 9 January 1891 — Among the Lapps. [ARTICLE]

Among the Lapps.

Lapland is so far out of the world that the natives seem almost like another race of beings. Their manners and customs are very peculiar, and many are extremely unpleasant to more civilized people. An English traveler thus speaks of some of their curious table habits: “I was taken into one ot the Lappa’ huts. In the center a wood-fire was burning brightly on some stones, and at first the smoke was very unpleasant,but soon one became accustomed to it, and it served the useful purpose of driving away the winged plague which had followed us all day. “The man proceeded to boil Borne coffee, which in a few minutes was set before me, together with a woodea bowlful of reindeer's milk. The coffee was not very palatable, but under the circumstances worse fare would have proved acceptable. The milk I found too thick and rich to drink much of. “A sugar lmif was produced from beneath in a corner, and a few pieces chipped off and handed to me. “I accepted them with my politest smile, accompanied by a bow; but when I proceeded to sugar my coffee in the orthodox style, the action caused much amusement to the juvenile Lapps, who roared with laughter, and appeared to enjoy the fun immensely. “I found that I ought to have eaten the sugar separately, as they did, and they evidently considered my way of sweetening coffee irresistibly funny. “Cakes were then served to each one. These were ahout the size of a penny bun, but of the consisteney of putty or dough, which they somewhat resembled in appearance. Sour cream was eaten with them. So ill-tasting were they, that a mouthful gave me ‘ quite a turn,’ and I was glad to smuggle the" remainder underneath the rug on which I was sitting. “I did not like to throw it away, for fear of offending my hosts, but trusted to the sharp noses of the dogs to get me out of the difficulty.”