The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1876-07-26

stand the figures of the Apostles An
drew and Peter. Behind them, on the
right, their fishing nets hang upon a
tree. The apostles are looking earnest
ly al figure of the Savior, which
stands in an attitude as if beckoning
them; as if saying "Follow me, and I
will make ye fishers of men," Two of
the cleverest artists in the Netherlands
gave much time and talent to this de-
lightful carving. Van Hool did the
foliage, the nets, the rocks; Van Gheel
the figures of the apostles and the Sa-
vior. The latter figure seems to have
genuine inspiration in it.; the sculptor
has wrought marvelously, bringing ef-
fects out of stubborn wood rarely OBJ
tanned before. When evening light
last ray of the declining sun, reflected
through the stained glasses Of the
church. AMI softened to the delicacy of
summer twiligbt-falls gently upon this
group, the sacred figures seem to have
all the supreme finish of marble-nay
more, they appear to live!
SO thought the good mother Anneken,
as on the appointed day, one year from
the time whea she had sent forth her
child into the world to give genius
scope, and to escape from his hard
hearted father, she led the feeble and
now quite subdued old Jan Kammerick
into st. Andrew church. As the couple
came in view of the pulpit, memories,
endearing and solemn, came to them;
the spectars of their vanished youth
rose up before them, not in mocking
shape, but as good spirits, come to
cheer them on the path Of life. Old
Jan remembered how he had seen the
fair maiden standing near the pulpit
with her. hands folded and her eyes
closed in prayer, and how he had sworn
to win her as his wife. he was glad he
had come into the church, and then-he
thought of his son.
At that moment there was joyful cry
from the mother, and young Jan, won
derfully improved in voice, in manner,
and in health; rushed into her arms. A
hundred kisses, and half hundred
words suficed for them; for the good
little mother had kept herself informed
of all her sons progress, through the
medium of old Gasker Willems. But
the father was astonished beyond meas
ure. He stepped back, trembling; and,
shading his eyes with his hands, he
looked long at the youth.
"Hey day, sonl" he cried; "we
thought we had lost you'll But here you
are back again, and no word OF repent
ance2"
Old Jan tried to be severe, but his
voice softened at every word.
"Father," said the youth, 81 bring
you peace Offering"
Just then Gasker Willems came hob
bling up, bearing large box, which he
placed upon the cathedral floor. Young
Jan opened it, and took from it a piece
of wood carving.
"Quioklyl' said Gasker Willems,
after he had been greeted "look at
this before the beadle sees US, for ID is
time when many stroll into the church.
Quickly, and then let us all go 70 my
house."
Young Jan stepped to point near
the pulpit, where the light still fell with
some sharpness, and held up the carving.
Then the astonished parents saw that it
was an exact reproduction, on tiny
scale, but done with SURPRISING finish,
of the pulpit before which they stood at
that instant. But this was not all. In
front of the miniature pulpit, stood
maiden, with eyes downcast, and hands
folded in prayer !; and near her, watch
ing her reyerently, with parted lips and
expectant air, was brave young barge
man, exactly like those one may see
every day on the Scheldt. In this carv
ing old Jan and his wife saw the story of
their first meeting told, as the mother
had no often told it to her son.
"Father," said the youth, "this, and
another like it, have been my years
work. The fellow to this has been sold
to prince for large sum of money
and the prince wishes, to help me- to
study until I can help myself more. But
shall not need him !; and neither moth
er nor you will ever work more, for the
princes bounty, with my future work,
will be enough for US all. Father, will
you take my offeringa"
Old Jan bowed his head, and took the
carving. He set it down upon the ca
thetlral floor, and took his son to his
arms. -
81 was an old brute," he said "how
did I ever become such scoundrel2"
On the way to Gasker Willems, where
the party took supper, the good moth
or told the husband of her stratagem
to help her child. Old Jan said but this:
ga good wife i good thing; but l
have not merited one
Gasker Willems, who was bringing up
the rear with the carving in his arms,
said:
"Say rather that you have merited
nothing like the rest of US but that
God is good, and moves in mysterious
ways and that your tough heart could
only have been softened by the strata
gem which He sent into the mothers
mind |"
"Well, we'll - said old Jan, "I must
try and get grace enough to thank Him
properly st. Nicholas.