The Topeka state journal., 1909-03-24
THE EVENING STORY
CUPH,s PIPES
(By Marion Dexter.)

anu Dy unanimous consent, especially
his own. the leading citizen of the lit
tie painted village of Dykheld.
Therefore when he impaired to his
fellow citizens the information that he
had bought large tract of land in
America, where fortunes were to be
made in an incredible hurry, half a
hundred very substantial and phleg-
matte Hollanders marshaIed their
Families after grave deliberation and
embarked with him, after selling their
queer little painted houses and tulip
gardens and cows with true Dutch
thrift
Jan Vanderstreet did not like this at
wonderful collection of pipes, famed
throughout all GeIderIand and even
beyond that beautiful district. He also
took with him what he valued almost
as much as his pipeS-his very buXom
and still blooming wife, his blooming
daughter, Ankle, and his blooming or
phaned niece, Johanna de Koop.
The only member of the party of
Holland adventurers who was not
truly substantial according to sound
Dutch standards was Dirk Van Pelt.
Mynheer Vanderstreet had frowned on
his admission as a member of the SOL
emn exodus. But Dirk had cunningly
used such un-Hollandlike haste in put
ting his entire patrimony of one thou
sand dollars into the speculation that
he had an interest in 1t before the
more deliberate Mynheer knew it.
Jan Vanderstret did not like this at
all. The trouble was that Dirk was al
together too fond of Ankle. If the
broadshouldered, sturdy. handsome
youth had only exhibited enough sense
to be fond of some one not in the Van
derstreet family, the Mynheer might
have felt quite glad to have him in the
party, for DirR was not at all disagree
| able to anybody. with his kind smile
and his readiness to help every one
who needed 1t.
Mynheer Vanderstreet determined to
keep close watch during the voyage;
but what could one do on shipboard?
Could worthy Dutchman of five and
sixty be expected to go on guard over
his daughter when all the men folks
were smoking their pipes on deck, tell
ing tales Of the past and speculating
about the future? Truly not.
The chaperonage of Ankle was
therefore, left to her mother. But even
on shipboard that industrious Dutch
one has a huge stocking and a ball of
yarn, also a set of knitting needles in
hand, it is not always convenient to
follow a will-o'-the-wisp of a girl.
L Besides, Johanna was always with
her cousin, and lovemaking, when a
third person is present, is not so easy
to carry on-at least so argued Mis-
tress Vanderstreet, forgetting that
expresses as clearly as speech what is
in ones heart, and that a pressure of
the hand may convey an assurance of
love just as plainly as if one said
aloud, 81 love you"
Although Dirk had little oppor-
tunity of telling Ankle of his love by
word of mouth, that he was her de-
voted slave and wished for no greater
Ankle knew what was in his heart,
because she returned his love.
BY the end of the voyage Dirk
knew that her heart was in his keep
n 10
the soil of the prairie a living that
would entitle him to old Wander
streets respect.
Busy days followed the arrival of
the Hollanders in the little Iowa set
tlement. Ground was broken, teams
purchased, grain sowed and houses
erected.
The Vanderstreet residence was the
most pretentious in the place. but the
cottage built by Dirk Van Pelt was as
pretty a little Dutch home as any ro-
mantle girl would wish.
Vines were planted and soon grew
about the porch, a bed of tulips flaunt-
ed gayly-colored blossoms in the front
yard, and a kitchen garden f1ourished
in the rear.
Things soon prospered with Dirk,
and after six months of anxious wait
ing he ventured to call on Jan Wander
street to ask for the hand of his
usual promptness, imme ediateIy gave
Dirk to understand that he wished to
hear no more of the matter. and very
politely intimated that the doors of
the Vanderstreet residence would be
closed thenceforth to him
Disappointed but not discouraged,
Dirk went slowly home vowing to
himself with genuine Holland deter
the girl he loved.
His resolution was strengthened by
the sight of Ankle standing at the
window holding out a letter. which
G. In Tafn
The letter told him that she would
be his, with or without her fathers
blessing, and bade him have patience
Dirk continued to work his little
place industriously. hoping to hear
from Ankle. But three weeks elaps-
ed before he had an opportunity Of
talking with her. He left her presence
feeling much encouraged and fell
was awakened from sweet dreams of
his love by the cry of fire.
Throwing on his clothes, he rushed
from the house. The town was al
ready aroused and down the streets
the people came running. in all stages
of dress, the clatter of their wooden
shoes making as much noise as the
modern fire engine.
at is Jan Vanderstreet's!" some one
screamed. "The place is doomedI"
On hearing these words Dirk ran
faster than before and outstripped the
crowd. When he reached the house
ne the IdIIllIy coming out, laden
with plunder. and heard Mistress Van
derstreet exclaim: mo more must we
go back. 1t is not safe and it is bet
ter to lose ones goods than ones life"
"But my pipes: My precious pipesr"
cried old Jan, all his phIegmatic rest
fulnesa gone "I must get theml"
His wife seized him firmly by the
arm.
'That you shall not do. Everything
is afire. 1 will not let you risk your
life for a set of worthless pipes.''
worthless pipes!" thundered Jan.
"How dare you speak so? They are a
- 60 T