Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1888-01-07
JIRKA AND BLlNKA.
by Mrs. W. j. Hays.

Bremen steamer DuSuY preparing Tor de-
parurc stood two girls quite alone among
The many household groups. The Jena
was an emigrant vessel, and though it also
carried merchandise, its heaviest freight
consisted of human beings.
Here might be seen every age and all
grades of people, from the sailllul, capa-
bic mechanic TO tie idle good-for- naught,
10th i'll search of something better than
they could find at home; grandmothers and
toddiing babies, strong men and young
girls, i'll caps and bare heads, in faXen
braids and shorn locks, gay with bright
kerchiefs and hutterug ribbons. They were
laughing and chGtttrIng--they We're also
signing and sobbng but the two girls
standing i'll silence alone and apart were
watch ng the busy sailors. or glancing
out at the distant ships and the blue ocean
before them.
ELSE, Else, WHY dost thou look so sad?"
whispered the little girl to the tail young
woman beside her, whose blue eyes were as
moist as violets after a spring rain. art
thou not glad uncle has sent for US? Didst
thou not say so Yesterday
Yes, Christina, | said so: but | am
thinking of the two we leave in the church.
yard. Who will put wreaths there this
summer"
Zach. thou must not looi, backward,
Fritz says, but only forward"
No matter what Fritz SAYS" answered
tho other. drawing herself up proudly, and
Miping her eyes with the corner of her
pretty apron.
But, Else, he is kind to me. Do you
know what he has given me for a farewell
gif2'
No, Tina, no; and | care not.
Tina said nothing more, but only opened
her eyes in establishment; big people were
very queer. she thought, for no one could
be nicer than the great, tall, friendly Fritz,
their ne ghbors son; but Else now pointed
out to her that the steamer was in motion,
that the ang-plank had been drawn in,
and all the friends of the departing ones
were waving handkerchiefs and throwing
kisses.
Alas, there was no one to do that for
them, and Else's face grew very white, SO
that Christina begged her to come down
and look at Fritz's GIT, but Else would not.
So long as the day lasted she would stay
where she could see the dear land of her
birth, and it was very nice. Tina thought,
10 see the many ships and The blue waves
"Nunderschon!
But pretty soon she began 10 be weary
and sleepy, and Else had to take her to the
crowded cabin, where, amid a throng OF
CRYING children and Gathering of spoons
and cans. they were to sleep. No dainty,
comfortable stateroom this, but only
berth among those which, tier upon
tier, were on all sides; but Tina was de-
lighted. "Such fun," said she, "to b.
slowed away like a bundle on shelf"
Only Else now must look at her precious
possessions. And Else did look inside the
basket which Christina hid SO carefully
placed in the corner of the berth, and saw
Two guinea pigs, with brown and white
fury coats and pink noses, nestled down
in the warm hay. Aren't they pretty"
guer!ed Tina, looking wistfully up i'll her
sisters face. Are they not precious little
iears? l have named them Jinka and
Rlinka, and l shall feed them on the good
sweet meal We have brought with us for
our own porridge. See; they nibble out OF
my hand, they are so tame and loyable.
Oh, think lieber Fritz was so good to give
them to me. Why is it, Else, Won will no.
speak of Fritz, and would not take the
blue ribbon he offered you as We came
aNay?"
Little girls cannot understand every
thing" was all Else replied; and in little
while the weary madens We're asleep,
dreaming OF their cottage home, rs the
great ship tossed and the engine thumped
and the land was left far behind them.
Three months after the Jena arrived in
New York an old man was reading news
paper i'll a sunny and bright looking car
tebtSi D slop. AHiltt Tue lltltr o. Huitfu5
and nails and piles of shayings IL child was
building house with the hts of wood
about him, when the old man laid down
mis- paper and said, "Howy. would You like
to go down to Castle Garden with me-"
"Oh, yes, grandpa, and TO Washington
Market; you said you'd take me with You
the next time you went"
All right. Get your hat and colae. II
The child obeyed with alacrity. 1t Vas
always treat to go downtown with his
grandfather, whose white hair and ruddy
face and pleasant greeting met welcome
everywhere; besides, loose pennies always
seemed TO be lying in grandlather's pockets
ready to pop out for peach or banana.
This morning grandfather seemed to be
in rather more Of hurry than usual, and
locked his shop door and started out as if
business were pressing. But Horny knew
that business was not pressing for he had
heard grandfather complaining of a
strike" or some such thing, which was al
ways bother, and that what he wanted
was good workman.
Evidently now he was i'll search OF one,
for he went at once to the employment
office for emigrants at Castle Garden, and
began talking earnestly with several men
Thom Horny cared very little about, his
chief anxiety being to get outside and look
at the water from the Battery, and then to
go on TO the market. so he did not notice
that grandfather had seemed to be much
pleased with young man who had but
Just arrived, and whose fresh fair face and
honest manner made grandfather engage
MIN to work for him on the spot.
No; ali that Horry cared Tor WAS to be
dancing along beside grandfather on the
pavement, and be asking the why and
wherefore Of everything he saw. And i'll a
short tine he was doing this thing when,
on a crowded corner, he came upon some
thing which very much interested him. 1t
was a sad looking little girl with "A basket
in her hands, u d out of the basket came
little pink nose.
"Oh, grandpa" said Horny. do look!
See what that girl has in her basket. Why,
do believe they are guinea pigs-the dear,
cunning little things. Oh, grandpa, can't
/ have some guinea-pigs: | have wanted
some for ever so long. And see, the girl
offers them TO us. Sic will sell them.
Flease buy them, grandpa
Guinea-pigs! What do YOU want OF
such things, child? You can't eat them"
mo, but | can keep them all for my very
own, and fe I'd them, and build "a house tor
them"
What's that you say?" said grandfather,
pricking up his ears little.
"Yes, would build house for them"
"Are you sure?" said grandfather, who
liked to have the boy do useful things
Indeed am. What will you sell them
littIa oirlrn