Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1909-04-24


1t Is an unusually pretty sight watch these trek
schniten gliding along the waterways which
run like some intricate lace pattern this land
All the work. OF simple household is done as they
move on, laden with the burden of traffic, or stopping
to take up passengers going from village another
Little gardens are often made to Sprout with beauty
the poops bed of tulips opening their brilliant cups in
the moist air, lettueeheads and other vegetables
making squares OF greenery in the broad boxes filled
with earth. which placed midway of the flat decks
In the cold these rekSchuiten remain notion
less for months, locking like monster birds aighed
amid snow and ice to wait in patience for the
of Spring.
Toward the latter part of a November. not so verv
long ago, rekSchnit from Friesand venured to the
lower country with cargo of peat for Dordrech Good
Jan the owner of the boat and father of the family
living there had hoped return his northern country
before the Winter in; but just they nearing
their destination Jan, with Jefrow 1Donka, his wife,
oost and katinka the twins OF twelve years. Trdchen
the girl of nne and little Fulin aged four, found
himself held fast by mass of ice. With sinking
heart the father who knew the signs of Winter well,
realized that months must pass before the boat would
be freed from its bondage
What must be done? Jan himself could get work
in Fresland where he known, and so could Joost
the boy; but it hard indeed for them leave the
mother and the little Twas the only way how
ever, and SO it decided that they should CO. taking
with them the old gray mare Jettchen, that had towed
them with such patience along the weary miles.
When Jan had given his parting kiss to his wife
and left her sobbing, with Fuln in her arms he turned
to take leave of Katnka who stood outside with Joost
Putting his hands upon her shoulders, he looked at
her earnestly and said:
Remember look to you, Kanka, to take care of
mother and the little You strong and brave
and good and when far away I shall not think of
you as HELPLESS girl, but as my little man, who takes
Joost's place"
Katinka's heart swelled with pride, No comparison
could be so DEAR incentive strong to her.
That Winter the hardest that Holland had known
for many years. Jan found it very difficult send a
sufficient sum of money for the actual necessities OF
the dear in the ceocked boat far away Jefrow
Donka fell ill, too so that more than the usual amount
was needed.
for medicines and food Her skating was in her
own land almost unparalleled for sswiftness. She had
praced with Joos from their earliest years, and had
often beaten him In race.
As she sped along her basket on her her CAP
the tght-htting red hood she darted like bird past
the sleepy old windmis which turned their wheels a:
if to ward off the fierce November blasts. and hurried
like some spirit of the Winter wind along the iey
path Over and over again she would pick ont some
skater far ahead and herself the task of passing him
her feel exultant
One day, returning from one of these expeditions.
heavy basket on her arm and her little heart almost
heavy within her for the home seemed to be IN
creasing every day, Katinka became aware Of large
highly colored advertisements posted all ALONG her way
which announced a skating match to be held TIL
Dude Mas the next day.
There to be prize of fifty forms for the frs
race and after the announcement were the ors Con
testants from ten to thirteen years. This was to b
followed by races among the Leyden and Utrecht stu
dents His Highness, the Cosnt of Waspik was t
"Ohw thought Katinka, I'll Joost were only here
He would show these heavy Southerners what rea
skater of Friesand world have chuckied over his pip
if Joost were here and this przeas win he would
How much pains he took to teach Joost and me. an
Joostr' FEE
Katinkas brain rceled with sudden thought OF
to win that fifty forms for the dear home
such need! Whv should she not enter ire rae
disguised Joost? The posters did not that tn
race was only open to boys, but she knew that wa
Her brain worked quickly Had not her father caiie
| her his little As little man, She Believed th;
| she could win this prize.
| reached