Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1906-04-03

on the canal, tempted to end all my
earthly troubles, but voice seemed to
say, Don't despair; brighter time is
waiting for you" Once in a while
walk out into the country to open my
heart and find relief in tears. Even
here in this small room it has been a
relief to communicate with you, not
withstanding the great distance
between us. Sleep has almost for
saken me, and my dreams are often as
if wild animal were trying to kill me
by strangulation. Oh, Dirk, everything
looks so dark. live in hope that work
will soon come; and | am not the only
one. Thousands of people are without
work. l often wonder how it is that all
those hungry men and women do not,
in their depair, commit some awful act
on themselves or others.
You write that references and tes-
timonials are not necessary to get work
in America. But here, with the best of
testimonials, cannot even get work at
S2.40 per week. You state in your
letter that if 1 were at Ratley / could
get all the work l wanted, which
depresses me when [ think of the fact
that have not the means to go there
| also note your statement that / must
not think that America is q golden
dreamland. All l want is my healthy
and strong body to work-any kind of
honest work that may earn my living.
| never tried to rest on my past record
as a on-commissioned officer. 10
play the gentleman has never been in
me-. From my early boyhood on, L
have been used to hard work.
Dirk, my every ambition is to get
enough money to buy a ticket to Amer
lea. With this letter | write to Mr..
Dewitt, of whom so many speak as
willing to help. If he would lend me
enough money to get TO New York, l
would, if necessary, be willing to walk
all the way from there to Hatley. l
have tried hard to get a place on a
vessel to work my way to the new
world, but the first question they ask
me is care you sailorg" If one says
no, that means no. The trip across the
ocean, passage and landing, costs
about S100, but it will be long time
before | can save that amount, even
should get work. am learning of a
friend, the rudiments of the English
language. Now l must close with
promise not to lose courage. My best
regards to all.
Yours very truly,
JOHN VAN DYK.
The tone of the mans letter shows
that he is sincere 1t is such people
that are needed in this country, rather
than the thriftless, criminal classes of
Southern Europe The man, if it were
possible for him to, come here, would
no doubt set to work at hard labor,
save his money and in time build for
himself home. The writer of the first
letter, Rev. P. Vanderkam, has within
the past few years performed two-fold
duty. Besides ministering to the relig-
lous life OF his Pensioners he has been
largely instrumental in building up a
Hollander colony near Hatley. The
eastern part of the county, though
containing good soil, is sparsely set
tied, as compared with other sections.
There is an opportunity for thousands
of hard working people to acquire
lands, build themselves homes and
contribute to the county's prosperity as
well as to their own. Recognizing this
fact, Mr.. Vanderkam has set to work
to induce his fellow Hollanders to move
to this county. They are coming fast
and are highly desirable class of
settlers. The Hollander, as a rule, is
slow and deliberate in action, but when
he moves he moves right. He is con-
servative, saving, frugal, industrious
and not given to many of the habits
which lower our citizenship.
As suggested by MIR. Vanderkam,
donations of money for fund to pay
this mans way to Hatley might be a
donation winch would in time be re-
turned to the doners several fold, other
than in direct financial way Many q
man, afterwards recognized as leader
among men, worked his way to this
country in the steerage and the country
was blessed with his coming. Any
contributions given Mr.. Vanderkam
will be rightfully expended.