The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1909-07-08

shoes making as much noise as the
modern fire engine.
ut is Jan Vanderstreetsw some one
screamed. "The place is doomed"
On hearing these words Dirk ran
faster than before and outstripped
the crowd. When he reached the
house he found the family coming out,
laden with plumber, and heard Mistress
Vanderstreet exclaim: mo more must
we go back! 1t is not safe, and it is
better to lose ones goods than ones
lifep'
But my pipesl My precious pipes"
cried old Jan, all his phlegmatic rest
fulness gone. II must get themr'
His wife seized him firmly by the
arm.
"That you shall not do. Everything
ts afre. / will not let you risk your
life for set of worthless pipes"
Worthless pipesw Numbered Jan.
How dare you speak so2 They are a
part of my life. l have been collect
ing them all my life long, until now
more than hundred hang in my rack.
And must / lose them all because Of
your hard headedness? Let me 90, 1
say; let me gor'
He struggled wildly in her grasp,
but 1t was in vain. Mistress Wander
street was very strong and a nobly
determined woman and held him in so
firm a grip he could do naught but
writhe and groan.
Dirk Van Pelt had a great emotion
and reached a great determination
with an almost American swiftness.
he knew that the rafters of the blaz-
ing house would fall in soon-might
tumble in crimson ruin at any mo-
ment. But not in vain did he have in
his veins the blood Of the wonderful
race that cut the bikes and drowned
their beloved land rather than yield ii
to the invaders.
He went to tank Of water and wei
his coat Throwing it over his head
he plunged into the burning house, not
needing the shrill cry of distress which
, issued from the lips Of the trembling
Ankle.
Five minutes Of dreadful suspense
followed, during which the rafters fell
in and sent the sparks flying upward
In a mad shower. Surely no one could
live in such place. Ankle, moaning
! piteously, sank to the ground, heed
less Of the crowd of spectators, and
burst out into wild weeping.
Suddenly a shout of joy arrested hel
attention, and, sitting up. she saw
through a mist Of tears the form OF
! Dirk issuing from the burning house
He staggered like a drunken man un
held the precious pipes, not one O.
which was missing.
Straight to the man who had refused
him his daughters hand stumbled
Dirk Van Pelt. Then as old Jan tool
the burden from him the young mai
fell senseless at his feet.
When he opened his eyes, Jan Van
derstreet was standing by him, tear
streaming down his cheeks. He tool
Dirk's hand, saying brokenly: -
house one can soon acquire, but sucl
a treasure Of pipes-ah, that takes
very lifetime to acquire. Such a dee,
as yours. Dirk, is worthy of any re
ward. What can l do to repay you?"
Raising himself on his elbow, Dirl
summoned Ankle who was hoverinj
near. Then, with a determined glance
he signified to her father what rewar,
he wished
49," said Jan slowly, you sti
want Ankle? I have already told yol
she was not for you, but-take hel
Dirk Van Pelt. She is yours. All, wha
a collection of pipes! What coloring
What noble bowls and what gran,
stems~
ankle is worth all the pipes tina
ever were made or ever will be made,
protested the happy lover, holding he
hand tightly in his own and gain
adoringly into her tender blue eyes.
perhaps so, perhaps So" muttere
Jan absently, but such pipes a
nine lie turned and summoned
man to help him carry the rack O
matchless pipes to a place Of safet
and left the lovers still looking happil
into each others eyes.