The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1898-12-09


ting half a dozen into the girls hands.
She went 10 the post. and just as she
was dropping the letters in. an &C.
quainiance from one Of the neighboring
houses came there on the same crrand,
and H. the interesting conversation that
ensued poor Suze did not notice that
her letter 10 Jan fell on the ground,
and that a mischieyous little breeze,
out for a holiday. seized il and whir.ed
II away round the corner of street.
finally dropping II In water butt
which stood In a backyard.
Week followed week and there came
no sign from Jan, nor did she ever see
him coming 70 the house with mes
sages and letters. AT first She though.
il was because Jan was busy preparing
for the orchid show. but when that was
long past and still she neither saw nor
heard anything Of him. Sues heart be
gan TO ache at this apparent desertion
on the part of an old and tried friend
"You are looking pale and III, Sue"
said Mcvrouw Ten Bruggcnkate to her
one day. "You had better pack up your
things and 90 home for a week.
In vain Sue protested that she was
perfectly well. Her mistress was reso-
lutte, and in the end the girl had TO give
way and go.
well, child" said her mother. a
short. stout woman, with generous
waist and hips; so thou hast been
getting i'll up yonder. All. in towns il
is no wonder that folk are never well.
My poor head aches always with the
noise whenever i go TO Rotterdam, If
only for "A few days, But out here,
where il is quiet always and the air is
pure, thou wilt soon be well again"
Sue looked mournfully out on the
landscape. and thought it had never
looked so dreary. For away. as far as
the eye could reach. spread grazing
meadows: on the canal barge was
slowly vending its wayi and the red
caps OF the men on board made the
only bit of bright coloring in The land
scape A herd Of black and white cows,
Of which old Pet Klops. Sues father
had charge. grazed in the foreground;
pollard willows grew everywhere, and
against the horizon the sails of wind
mills whirled increasingly. The girl
shrank and shivered little.
Heaven send thou hast not the
arue," exclaimed Vrouw klops, bust
ling to the cupboard and bringing out
an infallible remedy for the malady,
"Ah these cities. They are indeed nur-
series of all evils. both of mind and
body"
Old Pet Klops was away in Amster-
dam whittier he had gone TO buy some
cows. Mynheer Cornelius, his master
bad large herds already, but he was
one of those men denounced in Scrip
ture. who are ever ready to increase
their stock OF possessions. Pet had
various errands in the city and did not
return until Suze had been at home
three days.
"Great news in Amsterdam" he said,
regarding his daughter narrowly as he
sat over his bread and cheese. Jan
yreede is. they say, betrothed to Vrouw
Sfeene, the rich widow of the grocer.
| had not thought that Jan was on the
=
Heer took first prize for orchids at The
Hague. and Jan has now n higher sal
ary. but il he marries Vrouw Steene.
he will likely give up his gardening and
take TO the shop"
"Where art thou going. Suze?" for
she was vanishing through the open
door.
IL forgot to feed the hens" the girl
answered in a faint voice.
At this precise time Jan vreede was
entering the shop of Nrouw Steene.
with a long list of articles which the
cook had desired him to order on his
way TO the station. Jan looked graver
than when Sue had last seen him. and
his brown eyes had puzzled express
sion. as il he were trying to solve some
problem which was too hard for him.
Nrouw Steene. buNom widow, with
lively black eyes and a comely visage.
was serving in her shop when he en-
tered, and her face lit up with smile
as she saw him, for Jan was always a
welcome caller, not only for his own
sake. but also because Mynheer Cor
nelius was a good customer and never
grumbled at her prices.
dag. Jan" she said and Jan, taking
off his hat, Responded: Dag, Vrouw
Steene, and how goes the We I'd with
your"
"Well enough" answered the widow
with a sigh, but the business is too
much for me. 1t needs a stronger hand
and head than mine TO keep it going As
IL should. Mynheer Vreede."
"Ah ja" said Jan. absently. "See,
Anna has given me this list to bring
you, and will be glad IL you will send
the things as soon rs possible. ! am
on my way to HARLEM. Any messages
or commissions, Vrouw Steene? You
have relatives there. believe"
Thanks" said the Nrouw. looking 1T
him critically. IL will trouble you with
small basket TO leave with my aunt
JANSEN; am always glad TO send her
few things. Are you going to call at
Me,rouw Ten Bruggenkate's house?''
ia. the IIeer has sent her some cut
tings and l am TO stay and see them
properly set"
49,, x1,, ,.,;1r hava ~ Low o.. |,