The Pulaski citizen. [volume] (Pulaski, Tenn.) 1866-current, 1880-03-11

MADE UP FROM THE BEST CLIPPINGS.
The Little Hero.

The Little Hero.
In the year 1859, there lived on the
shore Of the German Ocean, in the
province OF North Holland, = poor
fisherman of the name OF Dirk
Dauneker. he had b family OF
young children, the usual secompa
niment Of y poor mans lot; but he
was lucky in having wife who
made the best of their humble con
dition, and spared no effort to
brighten and cheer her good man
in his lsbors.
4 The Daunekers were honest, God
fearing people, and were respected
~ sll the community. Yet they
were poor, and it was with difficulty
that they could procure their daily
store Of bread and cheese. The
sea supplied them with fish, but OF
meat they had none.
Dirk Dsuncker's ancestors had
been fishermen, and some had found
a last resting-plsce in the blue Wa
tiers which had supplied their daily
wants in life. His father had per-
ished in a storm twenty years be-
fore, and he himself had narrowly
escaped being drowned. 1t had left
a vivid impression upon his mind,
and he shuddered to think of it,
though a score ofyears had elapsed
since then.
He had six children, four boys
and two girls, all as psle-faced as the
most ardent Hollander could have
desired.
They were remarkably good, sen
sibie children, the oldest being just
sixteen. and the youngest about
seven, and their parents we're as
proud as they we're fond of them.
The fourth child. Hans by name,
was the mothers pet. He was just
ten years old, and had a sweet, visit
full face, such as any painter would
have been eager to transfer to can
vas.
He was q quiet, thoughtful child
and warm-hearted. He loved to
listen to the stories his father would
tell of the dangers of a fisherman
life; but best of all to those relat
ing TO the terrible iDrosds Of the
sea upon his native land. He pom
dered over them gravely, and often
spoke to his parents of them.
Sometimes his father, smiling at
his wise remarks, would say,
"My little Hans, when you are
a big man like me, you will be a
fisherman and sail my boat"
But Hans would reply gravely,
"No, When l am a man l shall
ask the king to let me watch the
dykes, aad will keep back the sea
and save nay country from suffering
and sorrow"
Young as he was, Hans watched
the dykes. Every day and every
night, before he said his prayers
and went to bed, he would go out
to the dyke in front of his fathers
hut and examine it carefully; and
as soon as he was up in the morn
ing he would repeat his search.
His mother watched him wistful-
ly, but said nothing. Yet she new
er ceased to fear that the sea would
take him from her.
The winter that brought little
Hans tenth birth day was 3 wild
and stormy season. Such q constant
and unbroken succession of gales
had not been known in the Ger
man Ocean for a century. The king |
sent orderf to the low countries to |
-a.nb Tho dapoo Nth non ooloaa ooro
and an increased force was stationed
along the coast, with orders TO be |
in readiness to repair any sluice at
a moments warning. Night and
day a watch was kept all along
the coast.
But the best Waterman there
was little Hans Dauneker.
He went his ronnds regularly and
his eye never passed over q square
inch of the embankment without
thoroughly it's condi-
ton.
One night, about mid winter, q
wild storm was passing along the
coast. 1t VAS fearful storm, and
had been raging with undated vio-
Ience for three days.
"It's bad time" said Dirk Dsune-
ker, gloomily.
Yes, replied the other. elf the
iykes can stand this, we need fear
nothing else"
The mother looked at little Hans
put he said nothing, and sat with
lis eyes fixed dreamily on the fire.
Presently he arose and went into
he outer room. There he wrapped
himself in his warm coat, and lit
lis fathers lantern. He was leav-
ng the house, when his mother who
lad followed him silently, laid her
land upon his shoulder.
where are you going, childT
he asked.
ITO look at my dyke, moth
r." he replies.
''On such a night rs thisT'
81 could not sleep, mother, unless
did so. must do my little work
or home aud fatherland."
The mother could not refuse him;
o she laid her hand on his head
nd said tenderly. r,
"May heaven bless and keep the
hid
Then little Hans went out into
he storm. He soon reached what
e called his post, and found every
hing safe and secure. Something,
e knew not what, urged, him to go
eyond his usual walk; and he kept
n towards tho north flashing his |
intern along the aide of the dyke.
nd examining the earth wall With
Dxious eyes. He vas very cold,
ut he could not turn back. Some
ling kept urging him onward 9
inward. :
He had been walking for more j
Ian an hour, when he suddenly
aused, and bent down toward the
round with a cry Of alarm.