The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1892-03-09
FONDA weLLA.
A Reminiscenoe of "wyandot Dewdrop's"
Trip Over the Ocean.

a "Reminiscences of "wyandot Dewdrop's"
Trip Over the Ocean.
DEAR HOWARD FRIENDs-This time we
will try to entertain the young readers
of the fifth page with an account of our
little Belgian friend, Fonda Wella, whom
we first met on board the steamer Noord-
land while crossing the Atlantic.
Fonda Welia was deck bOy on the
Noordland, his duty was to sweep, sweep
all the day. from early dawn until late at
night-that is as long as he could see to
keep the deck clear OF paper, nut shells,
truit rinds, etc.
Fonda was an exceptionally bright boy.
from the interior of Belgium. where
Flemish is spoken, that language and
French he spoke fiuently; he understood
some German and English, but could speak
little of either. The height OF his ambi-
tion was TO learn English well and then
get a position somewhere in America,
where there was no king or queen and
everybody was free TO live and act as they
pleased. Liberty was the grand idea"
in FOndas mind, to get away from the
ship some time while she lay in port at
New York and live in a republic was the
dream of his life.
And this is why Fonda Wela was so
anxious to enjoy liberty. He was work
ing for the captain at 3 a month with the
understanding that he was TO keep busy
all day and every time be was found
chatting with the passengers 90 cents
would be deducted from his wages. Poor
Fonda That was his weak spot. He
loved fun and 1t was very hard 10 keep
quiet when there was so much to emuse.
You know, my little readers how hard it
sometimes Is IN school to keep quiet an
hour and half ct a time, or during the
service at church how you long for the
minutes to fly and the time to come for
you to laugh and play and talk and have
q jolly time.
Belgium is a very populous coun-
work and they receive very small
wages, and 3 a month seemed an enor-
nous sum for a bov of his age to earn
he was ''fve-teen" he said bad went to
school and could read and write, and was
now earning money for his poor widowed
mother, and was very anxious not TO have
q deduction made from his wages
But how could Fonda help it; he was a
popular parsonage on deck with his sailor
suit and cap and foreign ways, and he
was approached on every side. At first
he merely answered questions and went
on sweeping, but at length ne was drawn
put, and 1t was a common sight to see
Fonda leaning on his broom, the center
Of an admiring group, explaining to them
the intricacies of the sails iiboom, bows
life-5oats and the various other interest
Ing objects on deck. Or giving an &C
count of life among the lower class of
people in Flanders. his home, and the
struggle Of his mother with poverty
Fonda's language was very broken and
scarcely Ineligible, at least to
a person speaking only one
language. Some words were French
some English and German, but that only
made him more interesting, and soon the
first deduction was made from his wages.
That kept him quiet for a while, the
thought OF having so much less to give
bis mother made him feel badly. 1t would
not do to have such a downcast deck boy
a kind hearted lady sent him across the
deck to bring her chair and gave him
dime. This started others to send him
on imaginary errands, and soon he had 30
cents, as much as he had lost and he was
happy.
One day Fonda informed IS we must
call him Frank, that Fonda in English was
Frank, and that he was now Frank Wella.
But no, we could not call him ANYTHING
but Fonda; he would always be Fonda
Neila TO US our bright Be- 0ian deck boy
Our last day on thesteamer was a happy
one Tor Fonda Wella ne was rememb ered
on all sides with silver coins and enioined
TO be an honest boy and faithful to his
employers and he would become a noble,
exemplary man. And to complete Fonda's
happiness one OF the influential American
passengers offered him lucrative position
IN the land of liberty" if Fonda would
first gain the consent of his mother.
Fonda Wella has the right principle, and
1t is earnestly hoped ne will live up to
that standard and become useful man.
Comet" Eureka and 'Sorrowing
Family, / deeply sympathize with you
In your bereavement, and well / can.
Only a few short months ago my dear
mother WIS taken to that bourne where
no traveller Ger returns, and well do
remember the comforting words of
"Comet." 1t is sad, ineffable sad, to part
with dear ones forever on this earth to
know that we shall never more see that
dear familiar form, nor hear that we'll
remember voice speak our name, nor in
greeting clasp that hand that is forever
still now. It seems as II we never can
Danish those sorrowful thoughts OF the
dear departed dead; yet there is no sor-
row heaven cannot heal, no wound so
deep but Gods love will make whole
If we could only bear in mind those
glorious words. BLESSED are the dead
that die In the Lord" aAnd TODAY shalt
thou be with me in paradise" God does
not look upon death as we with dread
forebodings, but considers that the begin
ming of life departure from ali the trials
and WOrriaa of earth into roolroa nj ofarnal