The Evansville journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ind.) 1866-1870, 1869-01-19
CHRIsTMAs IN HOLLAND.

ordered him to fix her skates.
How clumsy you are, Klaasl
IT'S the straps.
You NAV kiss me, Klaas-on the
forehead only. Well-if you like, you
NAV kiss me on the cheek.
This. the first touching of her he
loved. stirred his quiet Dutch heart to
its core. He was alive with hope, snd it
only wanted a rival to force him into
knowing the best or the worst.
Il will hold out the handkerchief
this very night, said Klaas.
And il was az he stood near her on
the ice. that very Christmas Eve,
about two hours after she had donned
her skates for the first time that Win
ter, and when they once more stood
Ia the light of the Star of Bethlehem,
that he whispered, Katrine, / have
handkerchief for you"
"A p"
Handkerchief, Katrinel"
Hop she said; and gliding few
PAGES from the crowd, she reached the
bank of the ice bound canal.
In quiet Holland they have very
simple way of declaring their love.
The youth offers the fair onea knOtted
handkerchief, within which there are
several pieces of money. IF the girl
takes the handkerchief and opens it.
it is a sign that the youth is accepted,
and that he may speak
So Klaas offered his handkerchief,
and Katrine took it; and at this mo-
ment Gratland came down upon them
like a barge. Was it fortunate or not
that, as Katrine let the handkerchief
fall, it dropped through a small hole
in the ice, Clipped to enable. the
storks, sparrows, and dogs of Am
sterdam to slake their daily thirst.
Gratland saw nothing, aud sus
peeted nothing; and the three re-
turned to the herring merchants
house. 81
But Klaas knew he might hope.
Long before the ice melted, they
had INDUCED In many a long talk
upon their prospects. OF this she
was determined, that she never would
marry any man but Klaas yet, on the
other hand, she knew we'll that she
could not be mistress of her own ae-
tions until she was twenty-fve-six
long years to wait.
And what Katrine, if Mynheer
wills that yeu shall marry another
nan?"
Then will not marryp"
Klaas shook his head, for we'll he
knew how severe the law was upon
disobedient daughters.
As for Katrine. she loved him daily
more and more. the climax being
given to her affection when he put
the broken leg of the stork in splints
for in Holland, they mend the
lorr 81 ., - 60 10,
they are broken; and, indeed, these
household friends of the HolIanders
have been seen with wooden legs
elegantly turned and painted.
It was in February that confusion
fell upon both of them; for, one fiBt
morning. Katrine was shocked By
seeing Mynheer Jan Stooken. the
aansprecker. step rather gingerly into
her kitchen.
This aanspecker is a sort of official
undertaken, who goes from house tC
house of the friends Of dead person
announcing the decease. He is MOI
pleasant TO look upon, being, in fact
uniformed In black Grape cloak
white collar bands, and a three. cor
nered has; but he is man of some
education, some tact, and it frequent
ly happens that he is well-to-do il
the world. aH4-0l
Jan was known to be fairly rich.
As Stooken entered the kitchen
Katrine thought that her old Aun
Bridgette was dead. aud that Jal
hah come with the news; but the mex
T4oment she was undeceived, for be
smiled. Now, when the aanspreekel
Is on duty he never smiles; and
indeed. so habitual is gravity to him
that aansprecker5 have been known
who have never been seen even Il
wrinkle their mouths.
Jan Stooken smiled. so Katrine was
for a moment, relieved; but the mex
her dismay was tremendous. for Jai
Stooken produced the Handkerchief
OF declaration.
She would have nothing to do will
it, and told him to begone, in vote
so loud that it brought poor Klaas u
to see what was ailing. He turne,
very pale, but never word said he.
AS for Jan StOOken, ne muttere,
something about Mynheer Gratland
and he took his departure.
Katrlne and klaas were now des
perate; and that night, Mynhee
Gratland heard all both. had to say
certainly not a great deal, but yer
much to the purpose.
Dutchmen do not get into violen
RACES; but when it is remarked tina
Mynheer broke his pipe, the reade
should have proper knowledge c
the indignation the respectable her
ring individual experienced.
And the words charity dog" an
mother-left, and orphan beggar,
were heard BY Klaas. f--1-.'
| will never come to this hous
again" said KIaas, until l am rich.
Thou richl" cried (fratland.
Ay: and do thou remember, Kai
riEe, hat thou hast promised"
Yes. Klaas, said the girl, SUI
missively.
And Klaas was gone. the merchar
looking after him; while Katrin
buried her fair head In her hands.
Katrine, look up; do you kno
how rich Mynheer Jan Stooken is I
"a | care not for Jan Stooken"
His uncle, who was a diamoni
cutter. is dead"
want no diamonds.
Nay-had Klaas been rich / won
gladly have seen him my son-in-la
for he is well behaved, well-spoke
aud a shapely man, with bright brain
but what is a man without money!
He is Klass. replied Katrine, 81
in voice which, though low al
timid, had a something in it whit
seemed to say that she would be fait
full
KIaas did not leave Amsterdam
He was a good workman, aud soon
found another master, he living in &
house Of Friesland widow.
" I'll be rich, y he said, " and soon
Hn deter mined LIE nnanu q man b