The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1900-07-27
The Wooing Of Ante Vessels.

4
L
| Ante Vessels was the prettiest giri
on the street When she put on her
! wooden shoes and gay striped apron and
| went to the annual picnic Of the Hell
landisch society at Burlington park with
her long yellow hair braided down her
back even the old men said it made
them feel young again. She was like a
| breath of fresh air from the Zuyder Zee.
they said. blowing in among the smoke
and SCOT of the big dirty city. As for
the young men-it would take a three
volume novel to tell what they said and
thought and did.
| Antics mother had three rooms to rent
in the house they owned and occupi d.
Antics father, Deidrich Vessels, was a
market gardener. He grew vegetables
on ten acres of land out in Harlem and
| went out each morning to take care OF
his growing crops. He made money and
saved 1t, and the money that came in
from the roomers was added TO the sama
store. 1t would all be Antics some day.
So she was an heiress as well as a
beauty. It was thrifty and happy
Dutch household.
Deidrich Vessels was anxious TO see
| his daughter married and settled in life.
| In fact, he was quite willing to give her
/ the benefit of his own expert nee and
pick out a husband for her who would
prove honest. kind and economical. His
choice was Paulus Van Vert. commonly
shortened into Paul Vert. Paul had be IN
born in Chicago, but he come of good
| Holland stock, and Deidrich Vessels
knew him as an industrious young fell
| low who was one of the best coopers
on the West Side land had already be-
gun 10 lay up money With the idea of
starting a shop of his own.
Antje herself had no objection what
ever to Paul. He was agreeable and
| pleasant, and if he did not spend much
| money in taking her out of an evening
| or on Sunday that was because he was
| saving it for the future.
| 1t was pretty well understood along
the street that Ante and Paul were 10
be married some day. Even the young
men had begun to take it for granted
| Then Mrs. Vessels rented her bedroom
| on the ground floor to a new boarder
and the trouble began.
The new boarder had plenty of money
to spend. When Deidrich Vessels had
| asked for references before taking him
into the house ne had pulled out bank
book which showed a credit of 81 400 In
his name. He had a big case of books
in his room, and sometimes of an even
ing ne played a. guitar and sang his own
accompaniment to the latest love bal
lads. Also the new boarder blossomed
out in clothes apparently so expensive
and gorgeous that frugal Mrs Wesse.s'
thrifty instincts were badly shocked He
was in business on State street, he said
He was obliged to be at work at
o clock, and he closed his office up when
he pleased. Usually he got home at 1880
O clock. There was an air of mystery
about him and his work which was in
teresting, If not fascinating.
He paid his rent a month In advances,
and that helped him in the good graces
of Mrs. Vessels. Then after a few
weeks had passed he began to pay at
tention to Ante. Deidrich himself was
obliged to admit that no one could blame
him for that. Ante rather liked It, It
was pleasant enough to be asked to go
10 the theatre one or two evenings a
week, and surely girl is no worse for
an excursion trip across the lake once
in a while especially when her escort
is a good looking young man with plenty
of money to spend.
Paul Vert was the chief ob1ector. II
got SO that when Paul called after SUP
per on Saturday night he sometimes
found that AnIe had gone out to the
theatre or a summer garden with Mr.
Alkenberg. That was the name of the
star boarder.
What is his trader? asked Paul of
old Deidrich Vessels. How does he
make all this money he is so fond of
spending?'
And Mrs. Vessels would reply with
just touch of pride in her voice that
Mr.. Alkenberg lis in business on State
street" which was all she knew about it.
One evening Mrs. Vessels went to the
front door to answer a knock, and found
beggar standing outside. She was
about to close the door in his face when
he spoke.
4 thought Mr.. Alkenberg lived here"
ne said
HIS door opens on the SIDE" she ex-
planned, and then went back to tel
Deidrich about the queer looking man
that had called to see their boarder
Half an hour after Alkenberg himself
Knocked and came in.
Did you see that beggar that came to
see me?" he asked. 81 make it rule
never to refuse a beggar and somebody
coming out here to me-
You don't know anything about this
Alkenberg," he said to her 'You don't
know how he makes living or where
he gets the money he is so free in spend
ing. For all you know he may be
gambler, or even worse"
Antje laughed and told him he was
Jealous. Finally he QUIT coming to Sc.
Antje altogether. Then of course. Al
kenberg made the most of his oppor-
tunity.
One afternoon when Ante had not
seen Paul for nearly a month he came
to the house and asked her to go down
town with him She asked his rea son
but he declined 10 give it,
If you don't come with me you'll
never forgive yourself" he sad
He was SO terribly in earnest about it
that Antje finally consented. They rode
downtown on cable cars and got off at
state and aMdison streets
Ante. said Paul, keep your eyes
open as We walk along and see II you
can find anybody you know"
The usual crowd was on the stree.
Along the edge OF the curb stood a
number of flower merchants and takers
with toys and shoestringx 70 sell rers
and there sat a beggar. a little shapele So
heap, upon the sidewalk, with a cripple !
hand holding out a tin cup.
Antje thought Paul must be crazy
when he stopped fl front of crippled /,
beggar, whose red hair showed tnrouxa /
the holes in MS old hat The poor crea- /
ture was terribly crippled with disease.
One OF mis- legs was bent under him and 4
one arm was carried in sling. Ills
right eye was covered with Treen
patch and ri. clothes were worn ana tat i
tered.
Antie felt sorry for the POOR wfe.ob. /
But Paul poked the beggar Vfth his 70 :.
Get Up. Mr.. AIkenberg." he said. 7 ve .
brought Anje down to see how yosl
ma X the money Won SDarS 81 f-ensy