Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1909-05-20

,, ana uie III 'he:c UaVcIIiig houses
Il Is an unusually pretty sight to watch these TEX
SCRATCH gliding along the narrow waterways. which
run 'ks some intricate laGe-paern oyer this land
All the work. OF simple household is done they
move on. laden with the burden OF traffic stopping
to take up passengers going from one village to another
Lii se gardens are often made to sprou with beauty on
the poops bed OF tulips opening their brilliant cups in
me moist ar, or lettuee-hcads and other vegetables
making squares OF greenery the broad boxes flied
with earth which are placed midway OF tie fiat decks.
In the cold season these rcksrhnitcn remain motion
less Tor months locking like monster birds alightcd
aid snow and ice to wait III patience for the return
OF spring
loward the latter part OF November. not very
iohg ago TfRSchW IRON iTiesand rcntured to the
lover country with cargo OF peat for Dordrecht Good
living there had hoped return his northern country
before the Winter set III; h u:t rs they were nearing
1her acstinatior ian, WIN Jchro# Donka his wife
oost and katinka the twins OF twelve years Trdcher
the gil OF nine, and little Fulin aged four found
himself held fast hy mass OF ice. With a sinking
heaTt the father. who knew the Signs OF Winter well
realized that months must pass before the boat would
be freed from its bondage
Wna' must pc done: Jan himself could get work
the boy; but it was hard indeed for them to leave the
mother ana the little ones was the only way. how
ever and so it was decided that they should go taking
WIN mem the o!d gray mare Jechor that had towed
them with such patience along the weary miles
When Jan had given his parting kiss to .hs wife
and lett her sobbng with lun in her arms he turned
to take leave OF katinka. who stood outside with oost
Putting his hands upon her shoulders, he looked at
her earnestly and said
kemenhcr: | look to YOU: hatinka. to take care OF
mother and the little ones You strong and brave
and good and when am far away shall not think Of
YOU helpless girl but my little man, who takes
Joost's place"
katinkaS heart swcled with pride. No comparison
could he so dear, no incentive so strong to her.
hat Winter was the hardest that Holland had known
Tor many years. Jan fo1nd it very difficult send
sufficient OF money for the actual necessities ii
the dear ones in the ice locked boat far away efrow
Donka fell il, too so that more than the usual amount
was needed.
Every day katinla would skatc down to Dordrech'
for medicines and food Her skating N her
own land almost unparalleled for swiftness. She had
practised with Joo from their earliest years and had
often beaten him in race.
As she sped along hey basket on her arm, her cap
with its stiff little frill like band Of hoarirost under
the tighthtng rcd hood. She darcd like bird past
the sleepy old windmis which turned their wheels q.
u to ward off the fierce Novcmbcr blasts and hurre
Ike some spirit of the Winter wind along the icy
path over and over again she wou'd pick ont some
skater far ahead and set herself the task of passing him
This in most cases, she did with IN case that made
her feel cx'lan:.
Ono day, returning from one Of these expeditions
heavy basket on her arm and her little heart almost as
heavy within her. for the home cares seemed 10 be III
creasing every day, katinka became aware of large