Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1876-07-06


those in the carvings. they at least
ought to be---so charming, so droll, so
satisfactory are they!
In st. Andrews Church. of which
young JAMS mother had so many ten
der memories, stands a large carven
pulpit. OF peculiarly daring design
for artists who work in wood. 1t rep
resents a rocky crag near the sea-shore.
just beneath the crag lies fishing
boat, in which stand the figures of the
apostles Andrew and Peter. Behind
them on the right, their tishing-nets
hang upon IA tree. The apostles are
looking earnestly at figure of the
Savior, which stands in an attitude as
if reckoning them; as if saying: ''Fol-
low me, and will make We fishers of
men," Two of the cleverest artists
in the Netherlands gave much time
and talent to this delightful carving
Van Hool did the foliage. the nets,
the rocks: Van Gheel the figures
of the apostles and the Savior.
The latter figure seems to have genu-
inc inspiration in it; the sculptor has
wrought marvelously. bringing effects
out Of stubborn wood rarely obtained
before. When evening light--the last
, ray of the declining sun, reflected
through the stained glasses of the
church, and softened to the delicacy of
summer twilight-falls gently upon
this group, the sacred figures seem to
have all the supreme finish of marble
hay, more, they appear to live.
So thought the good mother Anne
ken, as on the appointed day, one year
from the time when she had sent forth
her child into the world to give his
genius scope. and to escape from his
hard-hearted father, she led the feeble
and now quite subdued old Jan Kan
merck into st. Andrews Church. AS
the couple came in view of the pulpit
memories, endearing and solemn. came
to them; the specters Of their vanished
youth rose up before them. not in
knocking shape, but as good spirits,
come to cheer them on the path of life.
| Old Jan remembered how he had seen
1 the fair maiden standing near the pull
pit, with her hands folded, and her
/ eyes closed in prayer, and how he had
sworn to win her for his wife. He
was glad he had come into the church,
and then-he thought of his son.
AT that moment there was a joyful
cry from the mother. and young Jan,
wonderfully improved in voice, In
manner, and in health, rushed into her
arms. a hundred kisses, and half Il
| hundred words sutliced 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 aston
| ished beyond measure. He stepped
back, trembling and, shading his eyes
with his hands, he looked long mt the
youth.
"lIey day, son. he said we thought
we had lost you! But here you are back
again, and no word of repentance
Old Jan tried to be severe, but his
voice softened at every word.
Father" said the youth, 81 bring
you a peace-offering.
Just then Gasker Willems came hob
bling up, bearing "A large box, which
! he placed upon the cathedral floor.
Young Jan opened it, and took from it
a piece of wood carving
"QuicklyW said Gasker Willems,
after he had been greeted; "look at
this before the beadle sees us, for it is
IA time when many stroll into the
church. Quickly, and then let us all
go to my house"
Young Jan stepped to a 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 pull
pit, before which they stood at that in
slant. But this was not all.
In front of the miniature pull
pit stood maiden, with eyes down
cast. and hands folded in prayer; and
near her, watching her reverently, with
parted lips and expectant air, was a
brave young bargeman, exactly like
those one may see every day on the
Scheldt In this carving old Jan and
his wife saw the story of their first
meeting told. rs the mother had 80
often told it to her son.
Father" said the youth, "tbis and
another like it, have been my year s
work. The fellow to this has been sold
to a prince for large sum OF money
and the prince wishes to help me IL
study until can help myself more.
But / shall not need him. and neither
mother nor you will ever work more,
for the princes bounty, with my flu
ture work. will he enough for all of us.
Father, will you take my offeringy'
Old Jan bowed his head and took the
carving He set it down upon the
cathedral floor, and took his son to his
arms.
Il was an old brute he said
s. loo, d;J 7 .,a, la.oun. sucb "A arnIlu.