The silver messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1890-1912, 1908-08-18


1000 to 5000 ducks, each in pens
bordering on the canal of 500 each.
Tons of small sardine-like fish are
fed to them until such time as they
are ready for market, when they are
quarantined to get rid Of the fishy
flavor. Enormous quantities of ducks
eggs are used in confectionery and
in the making of delicious bread. |
was informed that the annual profit
from each bird averaged so cents, so
that the ndustry-barring the smell
is not to be sneezed at. OF course,
II one travels to Volendam by the
railway this unpleasantness arising
from the duck farms is considerably
lessened; but, for all that, the Trek
schuit, l am happy to say, still -four
ishes.
The habitable part of the village is
built on either side of the dyke, which
forms a barrier to keep out the waters
of the Zuyder Zee, and is about mile in
length. Midway along the dyke is the
harbor that shelters every weekend an
enormous fishing fleet. This fleet
together with the tiny cottages all
huddled together about the harbor and
the fsher-folks in their quaint cos
tunes, are source of immense at
traction to artists of whatever nation
atty.
Many impressions by different
writer's have been published, but none,
to my mind, gives a full idea of the
charm of the place No one could
ever be dull in Volendam. What with
the bright red roofs and gayly- painted
doors and windows of the cottages.
the white or tawny sails of the fishing
smacks, the endless variety of coolr
In the clothing worn by the natives,
the fascinatingly beautiful reflections
OF the shipping in the water of the
harbor, even the filthy canals contrib
uting their quota of weirdly-distorted
images Of the many-gabled and tiled
houses on their banks, a veritable
feast of color is spread before the be-
holder.
The population of Volendam is al.
most entirely Roman Catholic; hence
Sunday is a regular show day. and ON
that day the people are most assid-
uous in their church-going, many of
the houses displaying patriotic flags
We We're fortunate in having a bean.
titully fine Sunday, when from early
morn until the evening the scene on
the dyke was Of the most brilliant and
Kaleidoscope character. the fisher.
folk-men, women and children-in
holiday costumes passing to and from
their church, the men and bows walk.
ing together, as also the women an6
girls, the children in the matter of
dress being exactly like the parents
the boys in the same wide. baggv
trousers, coats and tall hats as the
men, and the girls with spotless white
head-dress, very full skirt and bodica
OF some contrasting color with its
pure white chemisette. This fashion
was told, never varies in STYLE win.
ter or summer.
What one fails to understand {,
that, In a country Offering such ad.
Vantages in natural effects and its
really wonderful treasures stored in
the different museums so OPENLY and
gratuitously displayed, so much do.
mand for the glaringly vulgar danbs
obtains. The picture postcard craze
mas much to answer for in Holland
But-'to return to our muttons." If 10
the custom in Volendam to nav Foe
10 any man, woman or child aoti,,
as model. Photographers also ao
the same, so that the sum total ex.
pended during busy photogranbio
week amounts to considerable iter,
Ihls, | think, is a sufficient reoso4,
Tor want of progress in tbe ,Iaoa
Anyone with unprecedented ewes 90
see the effect of this system IN an
generalization Of many of the neonio
VINO prefer "sponging" to actual VOL,
AS fishing village it is uninue 90
among its inhabitants there are ~
men OF physically fine asnect -,
features bearing gri,,,,. ~"
, .erInihed look to make the best os
HE. One could not view these NO.
without considering the history Of ~
nation OF which these Volendar,,,,s-.
are the backbone as well as an i,,a,,I
tant national asset. No nation ~
ever experienced more cruel hrTo.
lngs In the past than the Hollanders.
out having seen these splendid ay
amples of men, one wonders NO To-
er why they ultimately prevailed aps
came out on top. When the time oa ~
for our departure we made the no 1ll,e
sary preparation with much regret ss
although We had walked the dvLo s s
some portion of each day. somat All ior
new always presented itself ana ing
both truly felt that the latter nar+
the old saying; God made the go VI
Try and man made the town." did not
apply to Volendam. 'u nut
III