New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-10-02
FIsHERMENs HOUSES, vOLENDAM.

white sometimes with red and blue. and from
elbow to wrist invariably made Of dark blue
stun. On the head is a large white cap. with
lace. out Of which drops a long curl Of light hair
on each side The stockings are blue or black.
and wooden shoes on the feet. The chill
dren's costumes are equally characteristic.
1t must be confessed however, that Marker
has lost the charm Of unaffected simplicity. 1t
is on exhibition every day and no longer has
its life of homely isolation and contentment.
The light-haired bLe-eyed women court obser-
walton and eager 10 draw strangers into
their houses and to exhibit their household
gods The children. no longer shy and demure.
crowd about the incoming tourist and beg for
pennies There are so many tips to be had from
sight -seers that the fishermen are losing inter-
est in their calling and remain on shore, idlins
away their time. Curiosity-shops have been in
PRODUCED and the natives posing for anna
teur photographers at every town. Marker has
lost its charm Of primitive innocence and is rap
idly degenerating into costume show for the
excursion trade. 1t seems destined to share the
fate Of Clovey in North Devon. where Kings
ley caught the inspiration for The Three Fish
ers" but where men no longer work and women
weep while the harbor bar is moaning, for 1t has
become the daily goal Of trippers. and every
native has learned the vulgar tricks of the ex-
cursion traffic
1t was with a feeling of relief that cut myself
adrft from the throng of sght-scers and bar
gained with the skipper of fishing boat TO take
me and a valued Tribune associate to Nolen-
dam. 1t was the cleaaast boat in which nave
ever sailed. and the cabin under the haii-dech
fairly shone from constant securing. The SKIP
per and his mate were big. sinewy hsherheh'
with good nature beaming from their swlrthy
faces, and they had brignt-eyed apprentice oi
ten. dressed like themselves. in dark pasgy
trousers and tight jacket. They knew their
trade With a few vigorous thrusts OF the pore
the boat showed out from the shore. me
mainsail was raised in a moment. ana the Jio
and staysails were run out. and as soon as the
mouth Of the harbOr was passed every yard Oh
canvas was drawing. and the trim little craft
vas scudiing toward the mainland. Inc TAI
masts of the fishing fleet damned together a'
the bottom Of the little port were soon lost III
the rich mists Of sunlight. The breeze fresh
ened and the boat bowled along right merri!y
over a smooth sea that was puisating with only
the faintest breath Of life.
To ears strained by the ceaseess refrain of
the grim medi eval hymn "Wilhelmus. when
had been for five days the fantastic undertone
Of the bOisterous Amsterdam carnival, the swirl
Of the waters under the keel Of the fishing boat
was sweet music. and there were no discordaht
sounds There was no clank Of steering CHAINS.
no rumble Of machinery, no splash OF propeller
blades and no clatter Of noisy voices from an
excursion party. The has deep undertones
Of it's own when one is close TO the water to near
them and under the intense light Of the midday
sun it il an ever-changing field OF luminous
color ranging from Opalescent green to steel
gray. Tranquil is the delight Of listening TO the
measured dip and rebound Of the boat and 10
the whispers % the sea. and OF watching the
delicate effects of light and shade IN the face Oh
the waters The pleasure is transitnry. for the
boat is speeding toward the fishing port under a
fresh breeze. but the memory OF ii will brighten
many a coming London day Of fog and smudse
Volendam is now close at hand. with an open
ing in the brealwater barely large enough to let
in fishing boat The port s formed by cir
cult of piles, with tips painted white, and behind
is the dixie lined with quaint houses. with tiled
roofs. for the distance of half a mile. with dark
red and gr zen as the dominating cOlors. on one
side is an unpretentious church. and restau-