Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-08-12

OF Norway. Neither had any brothers
or sisters; consequently they were con-
slant playmates, for there were no 9th
err children within a couple of miles.
Since the country was rocky and not
very productive their parents were very
poor. But neither Jean nor Elsa had
ever known luxuries, and what we do
not know Of we do not covet. Besides.
there is an Inconsistencies of depriva-
ton in childhood, and so long as chill
dren have enough to eat, though of the
plainest food, and enough clothing to
keep them warm they are content
But there came a time with Jean
when he began to think of his future.
This was when he was seventeen years
old. One day, standing with Elsa on
a high ridge overlooking the Atlantic
ocean, he said to her:
ELSA, it will not satisfy me to re-
main here with father and mother to
work this little farm. There is barely
enough for them to be made out OF it.
and / feel that 1 must go out into the
world to make something for myself"
A frightened look came to Elsa's
face. This was the first intimation she
had that she and Jean would not live
near each other always as they had
lived.
where would you go, Jean" she
asked.
IF one sails westward from here in
a few days he will reach some islands
called Britain. They have king there,
as we have here, and mobiles, but 1 IN
derstand that the people are active,
for
men to make a good living. But if one
continues on southwestward he will
come to a great continent called Amer
lea. The people there have no king.
no mobiles. All are on the same level
so far as the law is concerned. To
that land people of small means from
all nations are f1ocking. There is plen-
ty of land there which is very rich,
and great factories where people work,
and those who are skilled receive
wages that are unheard of here in
Norway. I am thinking of going to
America to join in the battle for for
tune"
But, JEAN" cried the girl, "you are
not skilled at any work, and in no
country are farms given away. Hav-
farm, what will you do to earn liv
ing? And where will you get money
to pay your way?'
IT am now of a proper age to learn
a trade, and as to the means for the
Journey 1 shall work my passage.
shall go on a ship to Hamburg, for
which 1 have the money. There, I I'M
derstand, there are great vessels sail
ing to America. They need many per-
sons to wait on the passengers, and 1t
will not be difficult for me to secure
one of these places"
How did you learn all this?''
Lars Olsen told me; he has been to
Hamburg
Elsa was looking out to the west |
ward, and Jean saw tears gathering in
her eyes. He put his arms about her
and kissed her. The boundary between
childhood and youth had been passed. |
From that moment they were lovers,
though they Were still unconscious or
the change.
Don't cry, Elsa" said Jean. when
[ have become a skilled workman l
will send for you to come over the sea
and be with me-"
How could 1 go over there and be |
with you, Jean? That would not be
right
But 1 will then be a man and you
d woman; we can be married"
This ingenious proposal did not seem !
20 give comfort to Elsa. She said that |
it would be a long while before Jean |
could send for her, and even then she |
could not leave her father and mother, |
who were every day becoming more |
dependent upon her. This made Jean |
feel ashamed, for he knew that he, too, |
was needed at home. But Jean look
ed further into the future than Elsa |
and had more resolution to break the |
barriers between him and success. Be
sides, he looked forward to the day |
when. having become n skilled laborer,
he could earn more than he needed for |
himself and could send money TO his
parents.
1t was a sad day for all when Jean
departed. His mother begged him tc
stay, but his father approved of his
going.
"Goodby. my son." he said. at have
heard of that great country beyond the
sea where the people are the govern
ment and where the workingman
must be educated for what he does
the same as the lawyer, the doctor and
the priest. And they. tell me that
when he learns his trade he is protect
ed by the trade unions against the
of those who are unskilled.
Go. and God grant that you may pros
per-
Elsa went part way on the road
with Jean and when they parted sur
prised him by encourage him instead
OF giving way to repining.
at Will not seem long. dear Jean.
before Aou will be building houses or
railroads or ships. and every day you
will earn more than you need, so that
you can send money 10 your father and
mother to buy them comforts they
sorely need in their old age"
But l shall not be satisfied. sweet
heart, till / have esrned no. only