The Catholic bulletin. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1911-1995, 1919-12-13
THE LITTLE HERO.

Long, long ago there lived in Haar-
lem, one of the cities of the Neither
lands, brave little boy named Peter.
His father was "sluicer"-that is, a
man whose business it is to open and
close the sluice gates that are put
across the canals to keep back the
water. When more water is wanted
the sluicer raises the gates and lets
water in; and then at night the gates
are carefully closed, for the Neither
lands are lower than the sea level and
the waters are kept from flooding the
land by means of strong bikes.
One autumn day, Peters mother
said to him: Take these cakes,
which I have just baked, to the poor
old blind man who lives across the
dixie; and make haste for you will
have just time to go and return before
the sun has SET
Peter whistled a merry tune as he
trudged along, his wooden shoes click
ing on the stones as he chartered
down the road. The old man was
glad to have a visit from his little
friend, and he thanked Peter for the
| cakes. Then Peter said goodbye and
hurried toward home. Suddenly he
stopped as he heard little trucking
sound. "Trickle, trickle, trickle." He
looked up, and then grew pale with
terror, for there pushing it's way
through tiny hole, was a stream of
water.
"A leak in the dixie" he shouted,
and, dropping his flowers, climbed
quickly up the steep bank. Come,
help! leak in the dike!" But there
was no one near to hear him. Peter
understood the danger at glance;
soon the small hole would become a
large one as the water broke through
it, and the small stream would be-
come a mighty flood, destroying all
the land.
Quick as a flash the boy threw him.
self on the ground and placed his fin
ger in the tiny hole. The water was
forced back and Peter said in delight:
"The angry waters shall not flood
AAeboitSkAA "LitS L diIi IlSlS " liCiD.
Now this was all we'll for a time,
but the dark night soon settled down
upon Peter and he suffered with cold
and fear. His hand and arm grew
numb, and then his whole body was
filled with pain; but he bravely held
on. Come, help. Gomez" he shout
ed again and again, but no one came.
The tears rolled down his cheeks, but
still the brave little lad held on "Will
no one come? Mother! Mother!' he
cried; and he thought of his mother
and father and his brothers and sis
ters, snug and safe, asleep in their
beds at home. What would happen to
them, and to all in HARLEM, if /
should give up?" he said. mo, no, |
must stay here and hold back that an
CRY sea-" And so he endured the
pricking pain of the numbness all
through the cold, dark night.
In the early morning a workman
heard groans coming from beyond the
dixie and saw small boy lying on
the ground, crying out with the pain.
In the name of wonder, boy" he
shouted, what are you doing there?"
Il am keeping the water back an
sWered Peter. ooh, tell them to come
and help mel"
The workman called to some friends
and they came running up the en-
bankment and lifted the brave little
boy in their arms Then they care
fully mended the hole and carried the
little lad to his home.
ALI this time Peters father and
mother had been looking anxiously for
him.
When the men saw the anxious par
ents, one of them said ''Your brave
little lad has saved our land. GiYe
thanks to the good God Who his
spared his life!"
Then Peter was carried into the
house, and when he had rested he told
them the whole story of the leak in
the dixie. And, though they tell tales
of many valiant heroes who fought
and died for the Netherlands. there is
no story which the children enjoy
hearing SO much as this one of the
little hero Of Harlem.