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| author | Roger Frank <rfrank@pglaf.org> | 2025-10-15 02:33:24 -0700 |
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| committer | Roger Frank <rfrank@pglaf.org> | 2025-10-15 02:33:24 -0700 |
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diff --git a/26952-h/26952-h.htm b/26952-h/26952-h.htm new file mode 100644 index 0000000..206468b --- /dev/null +++ b/26952-h/26952-h.htm @@ -0,0 +1,4770 @@ +<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Strict//EN" +"http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-strict.dtd"> +<html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"> +<head> +<meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html;charset=iso-8859-1" /> +<title> +The Project Gutenberg eBook of Eric, by S. B. C. Samuels. +</title> + +<style type="text/css"> +/*<![CDATA[ XML blockout */ +<!-- + p {margin-top: 0.5em; text-align: justify; margin-bottom: 0.5em;} + body {margin-left: 11%; margin-right: 10%;} + a {text-decoration: none;} + h3 {text-align:center; font-weight:normal; font-size: 1.2em;} + .pncolor {color: silver;} + .footnote .label {position: absolute; right: 84%; text-align: right;} + .footnote {margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%; font-size: 0.9em;} + .fnanchor {vertical-align: super; font-size: .8em; text-decoration: none;} + div.ce p {text-align: center; margin: auto 0;} + .figcenter {margin: 2em auto 2em auto; text-align: center;} + hr.mini {width: 2em; margin-top: 0.5em; margin-bottom: 0.5em; border:none; border-bottom:1px solid black; clear:both;} + div.la p {text-align: left; margin: auto 0;} + .caption {font-size:.8em;} + table {margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; clear: both;} + .blockquot {margin-left:5%; margin-right:5%;} + .pagenum {display: inline; font-size: x-small; text-align: right; position: absolute; right: 2%; padding: 1px 3px; font-style: normal; font-variant:normal; font-weight:normal; text-decoration: none; background-color: inherit; border:1px solid #eee;} + div.ra p {text-align: right; margin: auto 0;} + hr.major {width: 65%; margin-top: 2em; margin-bottom: 2em; border:none; border-bottom:1px solid black; clear:both;} + hr.minor {width: 35%; margin-top: 1em; margin-bottom: 1em; border:none; border-bottom:1px solid black; clear:both;} + hr.silver {width: 100%; margin-top: 2em; margin-bottom: 2em; border:none; border-bottom:1px solid silver;} + h2 {text-align:center; font-weight:normal; font-size: 1.4em;} +// --> +/* XML end ]]>*/ +</style> + +</head> +<body> + + +<pre> + +The Project Gutenberg EBook of Eric, by Mrs. S. B. C. Samuels + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: Eric + or, Under the Sea + +Author: Mrs. S. B. C. Samuels + +Release Date: October 18, 2008 [EBook #26952] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK ERIC *** + + + + +Produced by Roger Frank, Juliet Sutherland and the Online +Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net + + + + + + +</pre> + + +<div class='figcenter'> +<img src='images/cover.jpg' alt='' title='' style='width: 414px; height: 475px;' /><br /> +</div> + +<hr class='silver' /> + +<div class='figcenter'> +<img src='images/illus1.jpg' alt='' title='' style='width: 343px; height: 487px;' /><br /> +<p class='caption' style='margin: 0 auto; text-align:center;width: 343px;'> +<span style='font-variant: small-caps'>Froll’s Antics</span>.—Page 54.<br /> +</p> +</div> + +<hr class='silver' /> + +<div class='figcenter'> +<img src='images/title.jpg' alt='' title='' style='width: 340px; height: 525px;' /><br /> +</div> + +<hr class='silver' /> + +<div class='ce'> +<p style=' font-style:italic;'>THE SPRINGDALE STORIES.</p> +</div> + +<hr class='minor' /> + +<div class='ce'> +<p style=' font-size:2.2em; margin-top:.8em; margin-bottom:1.0em;'>ERIC;</p> +<p style=' margin-bottom:2em;'>OR,</p> +<p style=' font-size:1.8em; margin-bottom:1.2em;'>UNDER THE SEA.</p> +<p>BY</p> +<p style=' font-size:1.2em; margin-bottom:1em;'>MRS. S. B. C. SAMUELS,</p> +<p style=' font-size:0.8em;'>AUTHOR OF “ADELE,” “HERBERT,” “NETTIE’S TRIAL,”</p> +<p style=' font-size:0.8em; margin-bottom:3em;'>“JOHNSTONE’S FARM,” “ENNISFELLEN.”</p> +</div> + +<hr class='mini' /> + +<div class='ce'> +<p style=' margin-top:2.4em;'>BOSTON</p> +<p>LEE AND SHEPARD PUBLISHERS</p> +<p style=' font-size:0.8em;'>CHARLES T. DILLINGHAM NEW YORK</p> +</div> + +<hr class='silver' /> + +<div class='ce' style=' font-size:0.8em;'> +<p>Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1870,</p> +<p>BY LEE AND SHEPARD,</p> +<p style=' margin-bottom:2em;'>In the Office of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington.</p> +<p>Electrotyped at the</p> +<p>Boston Stereotype Foundry.</p> +</div> + +<hr class='silver' /> + +<div class='ce'> +<p style=' margin-top:2em;'>AFFECTIONATELY DEDICATED</p> +<p style=' font-size:0.8em;'>TO</p> +<p style=' margin-bottom:2em; font-style:italic;'><i>FRANK EDWARD SAMUELS</i>.</p> +</div> + +<hr class='silver' /> + +<div class='ce'> +<p style=' font-size:1.4em;'>THE SPRINGDALE STORIES.</p> +</div> + +<div class='ce'> +<p>COMPLETE IN SIX VOLUMES,</p> +<div style='margin-top:1em'></div> +</div> + +<table summary='poetry' style='margin:0 auto'><tr><td> +<p style='margin: 0 0 0 0.0em;'>1. ADELE.</p> +<p style='margin: 0 0 0 0.0em;'>2. ERIC.</p> +<p style='margin: 0 0 0 0.0em;'>3. HERBERT.</p> +<p style='margin: 0 0 0 0.0em;'>4. NETTIE’S TRIAL.</p> +<p style='margin: 0 0 0 0.0em;'>5. JOHNSTONE’S FARM.</p> +<p style='margin: 0 0 0 0.0em;'>6. ENNISFELLEN.</p> +</td></tr></table> + +<hr class='silver' /> + +<div class='ce'> +<p style=' font-size:1.2em;'>PREFACE.</p> +</div> + +<p>The story of the travels of Eric and his +friends on the continent of Europe will, I +trust, be interesting to my young readers. +Many of the incidents described are actual +facts, and the descent of Eric, in diving armor, +to the bottom of the sea, will be found to possess +some items which will be worth remembering.</p> +<p>The sights, sounds, and sensations which I +have described, are such as any submarine diver +of experience has seen, heard, and felt, and +therefore will be instructive in a certain way.</p> +<p>The finding a box of gold by the divers is +not of often occurrence, although valuables are +reclaimed from the ocean in this manner occasionally.</p> +<p>The lesson taught by Eric’s honesty in trying +to find the owner of the money, and its +influence on his accusers, when he is unjustly +accused of theft, will be worthy of attention to +all my young friends who have a name to +make.</p> +<hr class='silver' /> + +<div class='ce'> +<p style=' font-size:1.4em; margin-bottom:1em;'>Contents</p> +</div> + +<table border='0' width='500' cellpadding='2' cellspacing='0' summary='Contents' style='margin:1em auto;'> +<tr> + <td align='right' style='padding-right:1em;'><span style='font-size:small;'>CHAPTER</span></td> + <td></td> + <td align='right'><span style='font-size:small;'>PAGE</span></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td valign='top' align='right' style='padding-right:1em;'>I.</td> + <td valign='top' align='left'><span style='font-variant: small-caps'>Leaving the Castle.</span> </td> + <td valign='bottom' align='right'><a href='#I_LEAVING_THE_CASTLE'>9</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td valign='top' align='right' style='padding-right:1em;'>II.</td> + <td valign='top' align='left'><span style='font-variant: small-caps'>“The Hague.”</span> </td> + <td valign='bottom' align='right'><a href='#II__THE_HAGUE'>23</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td valign='top' align='right' style='padding-right:1em;'>III.</td> + <td valign='top' align='left'><span style='font-variant: small-caps'>The City.</span> </td> + <td valign='bottom' align='right'><a href='#III_THE_CITY'>30</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td valign='top' align='right' style='padding-right:1em;'>IV.</td> + <td valign='top' align='left'><span style='font-variant: small-caps'>Allan’s Story.</span> </td> + <td valign='bottom' align='right'><a href='#IV_ALLAN_S_STORY'>39</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td valign='top' align='right' style='padding-right:1em;'>V.</td> + <td valign='top' align='left'><span style='font-variant: small-caps'>“Seeing the Elephant.”</span> </td> + <td valign='bottom' align='right'><a href='#V__SEEING_THE_ELEPHANT'>50</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td valign='top' align='right' style='padding-right:1em;'>VI.</td> + <td valign='top' align='left'><span style='font-variant: small-caps'>A Dutch City.</span> </td> + <td valign='bottom' align='right'><a href='#VI_A_DUTCH_CITY'>62</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td valign='top' align='right' style='padding-right:1em;'>VII.</td> + <td valign='top' align='left'><span style='font-variant: small-caps'>Under the Sea.</span> </td> + <td valign='bottom' align='right'><a href='#VII_UNDER_THE_SEA'>70</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td valign='top' align='right' style='padding-right:1em;'>VIII.</td> + <td valign='top' align='left'><span style='font-variant: small-caps'>Thrilling Experience.</span> </td> + <td valign='bottom' align='right'><a href='#VIII_THRILLING_EXPERIENCE'>92</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td valign='top' align='right' style='padding-right:1em;'>IX.</td> + <td valign='top' align='left'><span style='font-variant: small-caps'>Uncle John.</span> </td> + <td valign='bottom' align='right'><a href='#IX_UNCLE_JOHN'>106</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td valign='top' align='right' style='padding-right:1em;'>X.</td> + <td valign='top' align='left'><span style='font-variant: small-caps'>Strasbourg.</span> </td> + <td valign='bottom' align='right'><a href='#X_STRASBOURG'>120</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td valign='top' align='right' style='padding-right:1em;'>XI.</td> + <td valign='top' align='left'><span style='font-variant: small-caps'>Eric in Trouble.</span> </td> + <td valign='bottom' align='right'><a href='#XI_ERIC_IN_TROUBLE'>135</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td valign='top' align='right' style='padding-right:1em;'>XII.</td> + <td valign='top' align='left'><span style='font-variant: small-caps'>“A Friend in Need is a Friend Indeed.”</span> </td> + <td valign='bottom' align='right'><a href='#XII__A_FRIEND_IN_NEED_IS_A_FRIEND_INDEED'>145</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td valign='top' align='right' style='padding-right:1em;'>XIII.</td> + <td valign='top' align='left'><span style='font-variant: small-caps'>The Real Thief.</span> </td> + <td valign='bottom' align='right'><a href='#XIII_THE_REAL_THIEF'>153</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td valign='top' align='right' style='padding-right:1em;'>XIV.</td> + <td valign='top' align='left'><span style='font-variant: small-caps'>Percy, Beauty, and Jack.</span> </td> + <td valign='bottom' align='right'><a href='#XIV_PERCY_BEAUTY_AND_JACK'>159</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td valign='top' align='right' style='padding-right:1em;'>XV.</td> + <td valign='top' align='left'><span style='font-variant: small-caps'>The Last.</span> </td> + <td valign='bottom' align='right'><a href='#XV_THE_LAST'>167</a></td> +</tr> +</table> +<hr class='silver' /> + +<div class='ce'> +<p style=' font-size:1.6em;'>ERIC.</p> +</div> + +<div style='margin: auto; text-align: center; padding-top: 2em; padding-bottom: 1em'> +<a name='I_LEAVING_THE_CASTLE' id='I_LEAVING_THE_CASTLE'></a> +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_9' name='page_9'></a>9</span> +<h2>CHAPTER I.</h2> +<h3>LEAVING THE CASTLE.</h3> +</div> + +<p>Olendorf is not far from Hamburg. +The broad and sparkling Elbe washes +it on the western side, and with the rugged +mountains and the weird grand, old forests +upon the north and east, seem to shut the +little town quite in from the outer world; +yet Olendorf had been an important place +and on account of its grand old fortress, +Castle Wernier, was a bone of contention +throughout the French and German wars; +and between the French, who were resolute +to hold the fortress, and the barons of +Wernier, who were equally resolute to +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_10' name='page_10'></a>10</span> +regain it, the castle suffered severely; and +when, long years after, peace was declared, +the last baron of Wernier died, and the castle +came into the possession of Adele Stanley, +his great granddaughter, it was merely a +grand old ruin.</p> +<p>Adele’s father rebuilt the tower and a +couple of wings, and furnished all the habitable +rooms, intending to have his little Adele +and Herbert spend their childhood there. +But while Adele was yet almost a baby, her +kind father died. Then she lost her mother, +and was for a long time a wanderer among +strangers in a foreign land; and the old castle +had been uninhabited, except by Gretchen, +the gardener’s wife, and the owls in its dark +turrets. Now, however, the long windows +were thrown open to the fresh breezes and +sunshine; merry laughter rang up from the +garden; children’s voices echoed among the +ruins, and children’s feet danced through the +long corridors, keeping time to the music of +the happy voices. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_11' name='page_11'></a>11</span></p> +<p>Adele and Herbert Stanley were at the +castle with their young guests from New +York—Eric and Nettie Hyde. They had +spent the summer months there; “the happiest +months in their lives,” they all declared. +Now, alas! the merry season was +drawing to a close. Adele was to go to her +grandfather’s home in England, Herbert to +school at Eton, Nettie with her mother to +New York, and Eric was to travel in Holland +and the German states with his uncle, +Dr. Ward, and his cousin, Johnny Van +Rasseulger.</p> +<p>Such a busy day as it was to be! But +just now all care was forgotten, even to the +regret at parting, in watching the absurd +freaks of little Froll, the monkey. Her real +name was Frolic; but who ever heard children +call a pet by its real name?</p> +<p>Mrs. Hyde called to Nettie, requesting her +to do an errand. At the sound of her voice +Nettie ran towards her, exclaiming,— +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_12' name='page_12'></a>12</span></p> +<p>“O, mamma! Adele has given us such a +splendid present, to take home with us!”</p> +<p>“What is it, my dear?”</p> +<p>“I love it so dearly! It’s—it’s—”—here +Nettie’s voice trembled a little, and her heart +knew its own misgivings—“it’s—Froll, +mamma, the little darling!”</p> +<p>“And who <i>is</i> Froll, the little darling!”</p> +<p>“That dear little monkey,” answered +Nettie, pointing to Froll, now close at +hand.</p> +<p>“O,” exclaimed Mrs. Hyde, retreating +hastily, “I dislike monkeys, and I cannot +have one travelling with me.”</p> +<p>“But, mamma—” said Nettie, piteously.</p> +<p>“You need not think of it, my dear; it is +quite impossible,” was the decided reply, to +Nettie’s disappointment.</p> +<p>“But may not Eric take her?”</p> +<p>“Uncle Charlie must decide that question: +if he has no objections to travelling with an +animal that is never out of mischief, I suppose +Eric may take charge of her.” +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_13' name='page_13'></a>13</span></p> +<p>“But then, mamma, Eric will be gone a +whole long year—”</p> +<p>“And as you have lived nine whole long +years,” interrupted her mother, smiling, +“without a monkey, or a desire for one, +don’t you think you could survive the separation?”</p> +<p>Nettie didn’t then think she could; but +a while after, when Froll chased her with +a paint-brush dripping wet with red paint, +and then completely spoiled a pretty landscape +view that Herbert was painting for +her, she changed her mind, and decided +that a voyage from Hamburg to New York +with such an uncontrollable creature would +be, to say the least, inconvenient.</p> +<p>To be sure, papa was to meet them at the +Hague, and he might be willing to look to +her safe transportation across the Atlantic; +but she had not much faith in this argument, +and, making a virtue of necessity, resigned +herself with becoming grace to her mother’s +wishes. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_14' name='page_14'></a>14</span></p> +<p>Looking back upon the pleasant summer +months at Castle Wernier, the children +thought time had never gone so quickly. +They were soon to be parted from each +other, and their pleasant German home and +every object took a new interest to them.</p> +<p>“The value of a thing is never known till +we have lost it,” Herbert said, sorrowfully, +thinking how lonely Adele and he would become +when parted from their companions.</p> +<p>“Nor how dear a place an old castle is, +until we are forced to leave it,” said Eric.</p> +<p>“I remember thinking once,” said Nettie, +“that this place was horrible. It was when +we were all so frightened about the ghost.”</p> +<p>“And all the time I was the ghost,” +Adele added; “and I used to think it very +hard that I couldn’t speak to you, not knowing +that I was frightening you all out of +your wits.”</p> +<p>“I suppose more than half the ghosts we +read about are only people walking in their +sleep, as Adele did,” said Herbert. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_15' name='page_15'></a>15</span></p> +<p>“Of course,” said Nettie; “but if we stay +here all day, talking about ghosts, what will +become of our pets and toys?”</p> +<p>As Herbert and Adele were to start for +their home in England when Mrs. Hyde +and her children left the castle, all their pets +were to be disposed of among the gardener’s +children, that is, all but Froll, for Eric +was sure that uncle Charlie would not object +to having the little creature for a travelling +companion; and as Mrs. Hyde would not +allow Nettie to take her with her, Froll was +to make the tour of Germany with Dr. +Ward and the boys.</p> +<p>There were the pony, and the rabbits, and +the canary bird, of all which Gretchen’s +children were to take the utmost care, until +the dear <i>Fraulien</i> and the young <i>Herr</i> +should come again. And many and loud +were the expressions of affectionate regret at +the children’s departure, oddly intermingled +with exclamations of delight at the appearance +of numerous toys, which Mrs. Nichols +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_16' name='page_16'></a>16</span> +and Mrs. Hyde had decided must be left +over from the packing.</p> +<p>Then the garden must be visited in every +nook and corner. Particular directions must +be left with Hans concerning their choice +flowers and favorite plants.</p> +<p>And then there was the grand event of +the day—the packing up of their own individual +treasures, in the shape of books and +toys. They worked hard all day, and were +very proud of their work when all was accomplished; +but, in the dead of night, when +they were fast in the “Land o’ Nod,” old +mauma, who was prowling around the trunks +and hampers to see if all were secure, +seemed rather suspicious of one, and knelt +down on the floor to examine it, giving it a +little shake, by way of test.</p> +<p>“Dear heart alive!” she exclaimed; “just +you look here, missis, please. All those +little flimpsy toys and things to bottom, an’ +the heavy book stuck in any ways to top, an’ +all of ’em jolting roun’ like anything!” +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_17' name='page_17'></a>17</span></p> +<p>Poor tired Mrs. Hyde could not help +smiling, as she leaned wearily over the two +hampers the children had filled, and gave +directions to mauma and Gretchen about repacking +them.</p> +<p>The two women soon accomplished what +it had taken the children all day to perform; +and to their faithful exertions was owing the +safe arrival at Fifth Avenue and Ennisfellen +of the toys.</p> +<p>Early in the morning the children were +aroused to prepare for their journey. They +were all in high spirits, and thought dressing +and breakfasting by candle-light the “greatest +fun in the world;” though it is doubtful +if they would have held to their opinion had +the practice been continued permanently.</p> +<p>“Nobody wants breakfast so early,” Nettie +said, as she laughed and talked in excitement.</p> +<p>“I’m sure nobody wants to lunch on the +train,” shouted Eric, across the hall.</p> +<p>“The train, indeed! Why, we shall be +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_18' name='page_18'></a>18</span> +aboard the steamer at noon. I like to travel +on these European steamers,” Nettie called +back.</p> +<p>“I am so glad we are all to travel together +to the Hague,” said Adele’s sweet +voice. “How quickly you dress, Nettie! +But where <i>can</i> my other boot be?”</p> +<p>“I’m sure I don’t know; let’s look for it. +Here ’tis.”</p> +<p>“No; that’s your own.”</p> +<p>“Sure enough; and I’ve been all this time +doing up yours. Shouldn’t wonder if we did +miss the train. And it’s in a knot, and I can’t +untie it. Mauma, mauma, bring another +light here, quick! and you’d better hurry, +Adele.”</p> +<p>“Nettie, did you mean the train was in a +knot?” called Herbert.</p> +<p>“No, it’s <i>not</i>,” said Nettie, quickly; and +then they all laughed merrily. For, though +Nettie’s remark was not particularly brilliant, +there was enough in it to amuse the happy, +excited hearts around her. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_19' name='page_19'></a>19</span></p> +<p>The breakfast received a very slight share +of attention. The boys were constantly running +below to “see after the horses,” and +Nettie was dancing about, in everybody’s +way, assuring them all that they would certainly +lose the train, and begging Adele, for +her own safety, to keep close to her, and not +to be nervous on any account.</p> +<p>“I know somebody will forget something!” +she exclaimed for the fiftieth time. +“Be sure, all of you, to remember.”</p> +<p>“Not to forget,” interrupted Eric, mischievously.</p> +<p>“The carriage has come to the door, Herr +Von Nichols!” Gretchen announced, through +her tears.</p> +<p>All the Werniers, the ancient holders of +the castle, had been Herr Vons; and as Mrs. +Nichols was a Wernier, Gretchen had adopted +the villagers’ fashion of bestowing the title +upon the husband.</p> +<p>The servants were in the hall, sorrowfully +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_20' name='page_20'></a>20</span> +awaiting the departure of their kind +patrons.</p> +<p>“Good by! Good by!” the children +shouted; while the mournful group bade +them “God speed.”</p> +<p>“Who’s forgotten anything?” said Nettie, +crowding into a corner of the carriage.</p> +<p>“I think you have, my dear,” answered +her mother. “Where is your sacque?”</p> +<p>Nettie looked quite dismayed.</p> +<p>“O, I packed it, mamma. I forgot I was +to wear this dress.”</p> +<p>There was a general consternation at this +confession, until mauma drew the missing +article from under her shawl.</p> +<p>“Here ’tis, Miss Nettie. I ’spects you’d +want it.”</p> +<p>“I’m ever so much obliged to you, mauma,” +said Nettie, eagerly seizing the sacque, +and putting herself into it, while Mrs. Hyde +rewarded the faithful old colored woman +with a grateful smile. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_21' name='page_21'></a>21</span></p> +<p>“I was so busy remembering for the +others, mamma,” Nettie said, apologetically.</p> +<p>“Perhaps it would be as well for you to +attend more particularly to yourself, my +dear,” was her mother’s mild rebuke.</p> +<p>Mr. Nichols and the boys were busy +stowing boxes and parcels in various hidden +compartments of the carriage. Just as Mr. +Nichols announced that they were ready to +start, Eric thrust his head in at the door, +exclaiming, funnily,—</p> +<p>“Mamma, Nettie is so anxious, suppose +you all just feel inside your bonnets, to make +sure that your heads are here?”</p> +<p>“Don’t detain us, Eric,” his mother said, +smiling at the frank, joyous face.</p> +<p>“All right, mamma. This is my load: +let me see,—Mrs. Hyde, Adele, Nettie, +and mauma. Go ahead, Carl.”</p> +<p>The coachman drew up his reins, and the +spirited horses, after curvetting and prancing +for an instant, dashed down the avenue, +Adele’s and Nettie’s white handkerchiefs +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_22' name='page_22'></a>22</span> +floating on the breeze, in a last adieu to +Wernier.</p> +<p>They were followed immediately by another +carriage, containing Mr. and Mrs. +Nichols and the boys; and, except for the +group of sorrowing servants, watching the +fast-disappearing carriages, Castle Wernier +was left alone.</p> +<hr class='major' /> +<div style='margin: auto; text-align: center; padding-top: 2em; padding-bottom: 1em'> +<a name='II__THE_HAGUE' id='II__THE_HAGUE'></a> +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_23' name='page_23'></a>23</span> +<h2>CHAPTER II.</h2> +<h3>“THE HAGUE.”</h3> +</div> + +<table summary='poetry' style='margin:0 auto'><tr><td> +<p style='margin: 0 0 0 0.0em;'>“The sun rode high, the breeze was free,</p> +<p style='margin: 0 0 0 0.735835172921266em;'>High dashed the diamond spray,</p> +<p style='margin: 0 0 0 0.0em;'>And proudly o’er the dark blue sea</p> +<p style='margin: 0 0 0 0.735835172921266em;'>The steamer ploughed her way.”</p> +</td></tr></table> + +<p>Aboard of the Hague, the children, +watching the distant spires and domes +of Hamburg “melt into air” as the vessel bore, +with almost imperceptible motion rapidly towards +the North Sea, began to realize that +they would see no more of Wernier. And +though their sorrow but faintly came home +to them, they were sad and thoughtful.</p> +<p>Adele whispered mournfully to Herbert, +“O, let us go below! It is so like going +out in the Europa, with dear mamma, before +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_24' name='page_24'></a>24</span> +she died in the wreck. O, Herbie, I cannot +bear the cruel, cruel sea. Take me +below.”</p> +<p>So Herbert and Adele went to the cabin, +and Eric suggested to Nettie that they should +follow.</p> +<p>“No,” said Nettie, “I like to stay here. +Eric, see that boy look at you; I think he +wants to speak.”</p> +<p>Eric looked around, and saw a boy of his +own age steadfastly regarding him. When +he caught Eric’s eye, he bowed and hastened +forward, holding out his hand.</p> +<p>“Eric Hyde?” he said.</p> +<p>“Yes,” said Eric. “Do you know me?”</p> +<p>“I never <i>saw</i> you before; but I know +you, for all that,” said the boy.</p> +<p>“How?” said Eric, astonished, and interested, +too.</p> +<p>“I knew you by your voice. I used to +live next door to you in New York. I was +blind then, and auntie sent me out to Hamburg, +to the famous oculist Dr. Francis. He +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_25' name='page_25'></a>25</span> +has given me my sight, and I am going +home alone. Auntie doesn’t know about it +yet; she only knows that the operation +was performed two months ago, and that +Dr. Francis had no doubt of its success. +Won’t she be surprised to see me walk into +the parlor, and to hear the whole story from +me?”</p> +<p>“Hurrah!” cried Eric, excitedly, tossing +his cap high in the air.</p> +<p>“I remember you well,” said Nettie; “I +am Nettie Hyde. Don’t you, Eric?”</p> +<p>“Yes,” said Eric. “I used to pity you +so! Isn’t it just jolly!”</p> +<p>“Do you know,” said the boy, whose name +was Allan Ramsdell, “I never saw a steamer +before to-day! I have been blind so long, +ever since I was four years old. I’ve got +the key of my state-room here, but I don’t +know where to go to look for the room.”</p> +<p>“I’ll show you,” volunteered Eric. “And, +Nettie, if you will go down for Adele and +Herbie, we’ll go all over the steamer.” +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_26' name='page_26'></a>26</span></p> +<p>Nettie ran quickly into the cabin, eager to +impart the news of their new acquaintance. +Mrs. Hyde was glad of anything that would +interest Adele, and urged her to go upon +deck with Herbert. Mr. Nichols was resting +from the fatigue of the ride. Mrs. +Nichols, always feeble, did not feel equal to +the exertion of climbing the companion way, +the stairs from the upper deck to the cabin, +and Mrs. Hyde wished to remain with her; +so the children began their exploring expedition +alone.</p> +<p>The great steamship was now out in the +blue sea. The wide decks were gradually +being cleared of passengers as they sought +their narrow state-rooms, and as the children +were quiet and orderly, no one interfered +with them.</p> +<p>“This is the dining-hall,” announced Eric, +as the five heads peered in at the door of a +long saloon, where tables were ranged for +the accommodation of the passengers.</p> +<p>Behind this saloon was the kitchen, a hot, +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_27' name='page_27'></a>27</span> +steaming place, where men, mostly cooks, +in dirty white jackets, rushed helter-skelter +into each other and around the room.</p> +<p>“Too many cooks spoil the broth,” said +Herbert, in an undertone, which remark so +tickled the others that they all ran off laughing, +till they met a stout, dignified “yellow +man,” holding the store-room keys, and wearing +a cleaner jacket than the others. He was +the steward, and, being cross, scolded the +children roundly for getting in his way. In +the lower cabin were the steerage passengers. +These had no saloon with tables arranged +for their accommodation. They ate plain +bean soup from tin mugs, and hard ship +biscuit from their hands, and their table was +a long board, let down from above by ropes. +They stood around the board while eating, +and when the meal was finished, the temporary +table was drawn up out of the way.</p> +<p>By the time these observations had been +made Mrs. Hyde joined them; and after +speaking kind congratulations to Allan, and +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_28' name='page_28'></a>28</span> +inviting him to attach himself to their party, +she warned the children of the approach +of dinner, and requested them to prepare +for it.</p> +<p>Allan was very grateful to Mrs. Hyde for +her kindness, and thanked her politely. He +travelled with her to his aunt’s door, and +was such a gentlemanly, companionable boy +that they all became very much attached to +him. It would be pleasant to take the +trip from Hamburg to the western coast with +our party; but that is impossible, as Eric +has considerable journeying to do in another +direction, and we are to accompany him. +But the voyage was a pleasant one, and the +children saw and learned many new and +wonderful things before they reached their +destination. We must not forget that little +Froll left Hamburg snugly packed in a +cage, and intrusted to mauma’s care for the +voyage. She was quite a favorite aboard +the vessel, and made much merriment by her +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_29' name='page_29'></a>29</span> +absurd pranks, and at Hague was safely +landed, and transported to the hotel.</p> +<p>At Hague, too, the Hydes and Allan +Ramsdell left the vessel, after a sorrowful +parting with Mr. and Mrs. Nichols and +Herbert and Adele.</p> +<hr class='major' /> +<div style='margin: auto; text-align: center; padding-top: 2em; padding-bottom: 1em'> +<a name='III_THE_CITY' id='III_THE_CITY'></a> +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_30' name='page_30'></a>30</span> +<h2>CHAPTER III.</h2> +<h3>THE CITY.</h3> +</div> + +<p>It would seem strange to us to hear our +native city called “the Boston,” and +stranger still to hear the staid old capital +called by more names than one.</p> +<p>Eric, and Allan, and Nettie were quite +confused in the capital of Holland by the +variety of names given it.</p> +<p>“Hague,” “The Hague,” and “La Haye” +they had heard, but upon their arrival they +found its inhabitants calling it “<i>Gravenhaag</i>,” +which, Mrs. Hyde explained, meant +“The Count’s Meadow.”</p> +<p>“What a comical place!” Nettie exclaimed, +as they glided along through “canal streets” +to the hotel. “Mamma, if our streets were +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_31' name='page_31'></a>31</span> +like these, wouldn’t you fret for our precious +necks every time we looked out of a window? +And I don’t suppose you would ever let us +go out to play, for fear we’d drown.”</p> +<p>“Still, it is very pleasant gliding under +these shady trees; and if you look about, +my dear, you will see there are also carriage +roads, with sidewalks.”</p> +<p>“Yes,” said Eric; “we’ve passed several.”</p> +<p>“I like these boat roads best,” said Allan, +“they are so novel.”</p> +<p>“Where are we going, mamma?” asked +Nettie, “and how far?”</p> +<p>“To the <i>Vyverberg House</i>, my dear. I +do not know the distance.”</p> +<p>“Is it a mile?” asked Eric, of the boatman.</p> +<p>He shook his head, saying, “<i>Nein</i>.”</p> +<p>But you are not to think that he meant +nine miles, for “<i>nein</i>” is German for “no.”</p> +<p>The Vyverberg House was at the north +end of Gravenhaag; so our friends had a +fine view of the town, and learned much of +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_32' name='page_32'></a>32</span> +its history from the sober old boatman, who, +very fortunately for them, spoke English +well.</p> +<p>He pointed out the moat, which surrounded +the city and formed its principal +defense, and the drawbridges which crossed +the moat.</p> +<p>“How different from Hamburg!” said +Eric. “There, a strong wall fortified the +town, and most of its streets are now built +upon its old walls of fortification.”</p> +<p>“The canals were similar to these,” said +his mother. “You did not notice those +particularly, because you always rode in Mr. +Nichols’s carriage.”</p> +<p>“But this is a much better looking town +than Hamburg, mamma.”</p> +<p>“Yes, indeed; the buildings are much +handsomer here,” she assented.</p> +<p>“O, how lovely!” “How splendid!” cried +Nettie and Allan in a breath, as they came +upon a fine open space, ornamented with a +lake, and wooded island in its centre. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_33' name='page_33'></a>33</span></p> +<p>“This is the Vyverberg,” the boatman +said.</p> +<p>“Mamma, how good of you to bring us +here!” cried the children; “it is perfectly +splendid!”</p> +<p>Well might they say so. The square +containing the lovely lake and island was +surrounded by the handsomest and chief +public edifices of the city, the finest one of +them all being the former palace of Prince +Maurice, now the National Museum, celebrated +for its gallery of pictures.</p> +<p>The Royal Museum and other famous +buildings were there; but that to which our +party’s attention was most closely drawn was +the hotel.</p> +<p>It stood facing the lake, a broad, comfortable-looking +brick building, with heavy balconies, +and frowning eaves and ornamental +stucco work surrounded its doorways and +windows. Between it and the avenue lay a +beautiful garden, and just beyond the building +was a small shady grove. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_34' name='page_34'></a>34</span></p> +<p>“Mamma,” exclaimed Nettie, “I <i>do</i> think +the Germans and Dutch have the most exquisite +gardens in the world.”</p> +<p>“They are certainly very beautiful,” said +Mrs. Hyde. “Here in Holland great attention +is paid to the culture of flowers. Indeed, +some of the finest varieties are raised here, +and Holland bulbs are among our choicest +varieties.”</p> +<p>“Mrs. Hyde, I suppose I am very +stupid,” said Allan, blushing, “but I do not +know what ‘bulbs’ are.”</p> +<p>“No, indeed, Allan; you show great good +sense in asking about whatever you do not +understand. That is the way to learn. +Bulbous plants are those which have a round +root, and produce very few leaves; they are +such as the tulip, hyacinth, crocus, and +others. They are nearly all ornamental and +beautiful from the very large size and brilliant +color of their flowers. Holland tulips +were once so much in demand as to bring +almost fabulous prices. A gentleman in +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_35' name='page_35'></a>35</span> +Syracuse gave a valuable span of horses, +and another exchanged his farm, for a bed of +the tulip bulbs.”</p> +<p>“Thank you, ma’am,” said Allan. “It is +very interesting. When I am a man I +think I will be a florist. I am very fond of +flowers; they were a great comfort to me +when I was blind.”</p> +<p>As Allan ceased speaking, the boat +stopped, and they were landed upon a +short flight of stone steps. Eric gave +directions for the baggage, and then all +proceeded to the hotel.</p> +<p>A carriage was approaching them quite +rapidly, and Nettie suddenly, with a cry of +joy, sprang forward, directly in the way of +the horses. If Allan had not, at the risk +of serious injury to himself, immediately +sprung after her and drawn her back, she +would have been run over.</p> +<p>“Let go of me, Allan; O, let me go! +It is papa!” cried Nettie. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_36' name='page_36'></a>36</span></p> +<p>A gentleman in the carriage stopped the +horses, and leaned anxiously forward.</p> +<p>“Is the little girl hurt?” he asked of +Allan, in German.</p> +<p>Poor Allan did not understand him, and +could not answer. But there was no need, +for in another instant, exclaiming, “Why, ’tis +my own little girl!” the gentleman leaped +from the carriage, and Nettie was in her +father’s arms.</p> +<p>Meanwhile Mrs. Hyde and Eric, who +had been separated by carriages from them, +and had only seen Nettie spring before the +horses, and Allan go after her, were very +much frightened. They now appeared upon +the scene, and finding the child sobbing in a +gentleman’s arms, concluded, of course, that +she was hurt.</p> +<p>“My darling!” cried poor Mrs. Hyde, in +agony, “O, is she hurt, sir?”</p> +<p>“No, ma’am,” said Allan, “she is not +hurt, at all!”</p> +<p>“Alice!” said Mr. Hyde to his wife. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_37' name='page_37'></a>37</span></p> +<p>He had but just landed from the American +steamer, and was on his way to the hotel, +not knowing of the arrival of “The Hague,” +when he first saw Nettie and Allan. He +was overjoyed to find his family thus unexpectedly.</p> +<p>“O, Eric, Eric! I am so glad!” she exclaimed, +in relief; “but Nettie!”</p> +<p>“My little rash, excitable Nettie is safe +and sound in papa’s arms,” he said. But +the tremor in his voice showed how nearly +Nettie had escaped severe injury. “Eric, my +boy,” he added, “have you no word for papa?”</p> +<p>Eric, white and faint, could not speak a +word, but clasped his father’s hand convulsively.</p> +<p>“And where is my daughter’s brave protector +and deliverer?” Mr. Hyde asked, +looking around for Allan.</p> +<p>The boy, who had bashfully retreated +behind Mrs. Hyde, was brought forward and +introduced as “our neighbor the blind boy, +whose sight is now restored.” +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_38' name='page_38'></a>38</span></p> +<p>“He is travelling home with us,” Mrs. +Hyde added, when her husband had warmly +thanked him.</p> +<p>Quite a crowd had collected around our +travellers, and so eagerly and sympathetically +inquired what had happened, that Mr. +Hyde was obliged to tell them, briefly, the +incident, as he led the way to the Vyverberg +House.</p> +<p>It was but a few steps, and they were +soon in the hotel, where the words of congratulation +floated after them from the +crowd; and presently a hearty cheer followed, +when the good Hollanders understood +that the little American <i>Fraulien</i> had +found her father.</p> +<hr class='major' /> +<div style='margin: auto; text-align: center; padding-top: 2em; padding-bottom: 1em'> +<a name='IV_ALLAN_S_STORY' id='IV_ALLAN_S_STORY'></a> +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_39' name='page_39'></a>39</span> +<h2>CHAPTER IV.</h2> +<h3>ALLAN’S STORY.</h3> +</div> + +<p>Poor Nettie was mortified enough by +the result of her impulsive act. She +was quite frightened by the crowd, and their +joyous cheering filled her with terror, for +she did not understand that these honest, +kindly people were filled with joy because a +little girl’s heart was made happy.</p> +<p>Her parents talked to her kindly and +seriously of the necessity of learning to +govern her impulsiveness, and Nettie promised; +but, alas! the promise was broken +again and again, until she learned by hard +and terrible experience to be a careful, +thoughtful child. She now found that she +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_40' name='page_40'></a>40</span> +had spoiled every one’s pleasure for the +day.</p> +<p>Her mother suffered from a nervous headache, +brought on by the fright and excitement. +Her father was obliged to leave, +when they were comfortably established in +the hotel, in order to transact some important +business, and had taken Eric with him, +starting immediately after their dinner.</p> +<p>When he went off with Eric, Mrs. Hyde +went to her room to lie down, forbidding +Nettie to leave the parlor, that she might +feel assured of the child’s safety.</p> +<p>Allan had a letter to write to Dr. Francis +and his friends in Hamburg; so Nettie +was obliged to amuse herself.</p> +<p>She obtained permission from her mamma +to take Froll out upon the balcony, and +played with her for a little while quite +happily. But by and by Froll spoiled all +the fun; for she <i>would</i> climb up the blinds +and mouldings to the utmost limit of her +chain, which was just long enough to admit +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_41' name='page_41'></a>41</span> +of her reaching the window-sill and thrusting +her head into the room where Mrs. Hyde lay. +Now, Mrs. Hyde was really afraid of Froll, +and these performances were not calculated +to cure her headache. She spoke to Nettie +once or twice from the room; but finding the +monkey’s visits repeated, she sent Allan +down to tell Nettie that, if Froll came up +to her window again, she must return to her +cage, and Nettie to the parlor.</p> +<p>“I won’t let her go up again,” said Nettie. +“Now, Froll, be good; <i>do</i> climb down the +other way, after this cake. See, Frolic, +see!” and she threw a little fruit cake over +the railing.</p> +<p>Quick as a flash, Froll went after it; so +very quickly, as to pull the end of the chain +from Nettie’s hand.</p> +<p>Before the child had time to think, the +mischievous monkey had seized the cake, +and was travelling quickly up the blinds +and moulding, over the sill, and, as Nettie +drew a frightened breath, in at the window. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_42' name='page_42'></a>42</span></p> +<p>“O, dear!” said Nettie; “now I’ll have to +be punished. It’s silly of mamma to be so +easily frightened.”</p> +<p>Her mamma, meanwhile, had just fallen +into a doze. The rattling of the chain +startled her; she opened her eyes, and saw +the ugly little black monkey perched close +beside her. She was quite startled, and +very angry with Nettie, of course: after +securing the monkey safely in her cage, she +called Nettie to her, and speaking quite +severely, told her to return to the parlor, to +sit down on the lounge, and neither to rise +from it, nor touch anything, until her father +and Eric came home. Poor Nettie! It was +very dull indeed for her, and before long she +was sobbing quite bitterly.</p> +<p>Meanwhile Allan finished his letter, and +took up his cap, meaning to take a walk +around the square. Looking into the parlor, +and seeing Nettie’s distress, he resolved to +give up his walk and to comfort Nettie.</p> +<p>“I wouldn’t cry, Nettie,” he said, so softly +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_43' name='page_43'></a>43</span> +and kindly that she stopped crying, and +looked up at him. “I will stay with you +now. I’ve written my letter.”</p> +<p>Nettie’s face lighted up instantly, but fell +again as she exclaimed,—</p> +<p>“But it is not fair, Allan: you told Eric +you should take a walk; mamma is very +unkind and unjust, too! I could not help +Froll’s going up that time.”</p> +<p>“O, Nettie,” said Allan, “don’t ever speak +so of your mother, so kind and good. My +mamma is dead, Nettie; and if yours should +ever be laid away in the cold, cold ground, +you would feel so dreadfully to think you +had wronged her!”</p> +<p>Nettie was crying again.</p> +<p>“I <i>do</i> love mamma, and it was very bad +of me to speak so; but, O, dear! I never +<i>do</i> do anything right. I don’t see why I +can’t be good, like Adele.”</p> +<p>“I know what makes Adele so good and +gentle,” said Allan. “She loves the Lord, +and tries to please him.” +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_44' name='page_44'></a>44</span></p> +<p>“But <i>I can’t</i>!” said Nettie, piteously.</p> +<p>“O, yes, you can, Nettie. Every one can.”</p> +<p>“Grown-up people can, I know.”</p> +<p>“And children too,” said Allan, earnestly. +“Let me tell you a story auntie used +to tell me, when I was blind.”</p> +<p>Nettie assented, and Allan repeated the +story of “Little Cristelle,” unconscious, the +while, that he was fulfilling the teaching of +song in ministering to Nettie.</p> +<table summary='poetry' style='margin:0 auto'><tr><td> +<p style='margin: 0 0 0 0.0em;'>“Slowly forth from the village church,</p> +<p style='margin: 0 0 0 0.735835172921266em;'>The voice of the choristers hushed overhead,</p> +<p style='margin: 0 0 0 0.0em;'>Came little Cristelle. She paused in the porch,</p> +<p style='margin: 0 0 0 0.735835172921266em;'>Pondering what the preacher had said.</p> +<br /> +<p style='margin: 0 0 0 0.0em;'>“‘<i>Even the youngest, humblest child</i></p> +<p style='margin: 0 0 0 0.735835172921266em;'><i>Something may do to please the Lord.</i>’</p> +<p style='margin: 0 0 0 0.0em;'>‘Now what,’ thought she, and half sadly smiled,</p> +<p style='margin: 0 0 0 0.735835172921266em;'>‘Can I, so little and poor, afford?’</p> +<br /> +<p style='margin: 0 0 0 0.0em;'>“‘<i>Never, never a day should pass,</i></p> +<p style='margin: 0 0 0 0.735835172921266em;'><i>Without some kindness kindly shown</i>,’</p> +<p style='margin: 0 0 0 0.0em;'>The preacher said. Then down to the grass</p> +<p style='margin: 0 0 0 0.735835172921266em;'>A skylark dropped, like a brown-winged stone.</p> +<br /> +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_45' name='page_45'></a>45</span></div> +<p style='margin: 0 0 0 0.0em;'>“‘Well, a day is before me now;</p> +<p style='margin: 0 0 0 0.735835172921266em;'>Yet what,’ thought she, ‘can I do, if I try?</p> +<p style='margin: 0 0 0 0.0em;'>If an angel of God would show me how!</p> +<p style='margin: 0 0 0 0.735835172921266em;'>But silly am I, and the hours they fly.’</p> +<br /> +<p style='margin: 0 0 0 0.0em;'>“Then the lark sprang, singing, up from the sod,</p> +<p style='margin: 0 0 0 0.735835172921266em;'>And the maiden thought, as he rose to the blue,</p> +<p style='margin: 0 0 0 0.0em;'>‘He says he will carry my prayer to God;</p> +<p style='margin: 0 0 0 0.735835172921266em;'>But who would have thought the little lark knew?’</p> +<br /> +<p style='margin: 0 0 0 0.0em;'>“Now she entered the village street</p> +<p style='margin: 0 0 0 0.735835172921266em;'>With book in hand and face demure;</p> +<p style='margin: 0 0 0 0.0em;'>And soon she came, with sober feet,</p> +<p style='margin: 0 0 0 0.735835172921266em;'>To a crying babe at a cottage door.</p> +<br /> +<p style='margin: 0 0 0 0.0em;'>“It wept at a windmill that would not move,</p> +<p style='margin: 0 0 0 0.735835172921266em;'>It puffed with its round red cheeks in vain;</p> +<p style='margin: 0 0 0 0.0em;'>One sail stuck fast in a puzzling groove,</p> +<p style='margin: 0 0 0 0.735835172921266em;'>And baby’s breath could not stir it again.</p> +<br /> +<p style='margin: 0 0 0 0.0em;'>“So baby beat the sail, and cried,</p> +<p style='margin: 0 0 0 0.735835172921266em;'>While no one came from the cottage door;</p> +<p style='margin: 0 0 0 0.0em;'>But little Cristelle knelt down by its side,</p> +<p style='margin: 0 0 0 0.735835172921266em;'>And set the windmill going once more.</p> +<br /> +<p style='margin: 0 0 0 0.0em;'>“Then baby was pleased, and the little girl</p> +<p style='margin: 0 0 0 0.735835172921266em;'>Was glad, when she heard it laugh and crow,</p> +<p style='margin: 0 0 0 0.0em;'>Thinking, ‘Happy windmill that has but to whirl</p> +<p style='margin: 0 0 0 0.735835172921266em;'>To please the pretty young creature so!’</p> +<br /> +<p style='margin: 0 0 0 0.0em;'>“No thought of herself was in her head,</p> +<p style='margin: 0 0 0 0.735835172921266em;'>As she passed out at the end of the street,</p> +<p style='margin: 0 0 0 0.0em;'>And came to a rose tree, tall and red,</p> +<p style='margin: 0 0 0 0.735835172921266em;'>Drooping and faint with summer heat.</p> +<br /> +<p style='margin: 0 0 0 0.0em;'>“She ran to a brook that was flowing by,</p> +<p style='margin: 0 0 0 0.735835172921266em;'>She made of her two hands a nice round cup,</p> +<p style='margin: 0 0 0 0.0em;'>And washed the roots of the rose tree high,</p> +<p style='margin: 0 0 0 0.735835172921266em;'>Till it lifted its languid blossoms up.</p> +<br /> +<p style='margin: 0 0 0 0.0em;'>“‘O, happy brook!’ thought little Cristelle;</p> +<p style='margin: 0 0 0 0.735835172921266em;'>‘You have done some good this summer’s day:</p> +<p style='margin: 0 0 0 0.0em;'>You have made the flowers look fresh and well.’</p> +<p style='margin: 0 0 0 0.735835172921266em;'>Then she rose, and went on her way.</p> +<br /> +<p style='margin: 0 0 0 0.0em;'>“But she saw, as she walked by the side of the brook,</p> +<p style='margin: 0 0 0 0.735835172921266em;'>Some great rough stones, that troubled its course,</p> +<p style='margin: 0 0 0 0.0em;'>And the gurgling water seemed to say, ‘Look!</p> +<p style='margin: 0 0 0 0.735835172921266em;'>I struggle, and tumble, and murmur hoarse.</p> +<br /> +<p style='margin: 0 0 0 0.0em;'>“‘How these stones obstruct my road!</p> +<p style='margin: 0 0 0 0.735835172921266em;'>How I wish they were off and gone!</p> +<p style='margin: 0 0 0 0.0em;'>Then I would flow, as once I flowed,</p> +<p style='margin: 0 0 0 0.735835172921266em;'>Singing in silvery undertone.’</p> +<br /> +<p style='margin: 0 0 0 0.0em;'>“Then little Cristelle, as bright as a bird,</p> +<p style='margin: 0 0 0 0.735835172921266em;'>Put off the shoes from her young, white feet;</p> +<p style='margin: 0 0 0 0.0em;'>She moves two stones, she comes to the third;</p> +<p style='margin: 0 0 0 0.735835172921266em;'>The brook already sings, ‘Thanks! Sweet! Sweet!’</p> +<br /> +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_46' name='page_46'></a>46</span></div> +<p style='margin: 0 0 0 0.0em;'>“O, then she hears the lark in the skies,</p> +<p style='margin: 0 0 0 0.735835172921266em;'>And thinks, ‘What is it to God he says?’</p> +<p style='margin: 0 0 0 0.0em;'>And she tumbles and falls, and cannot rise,</p> +<p style='margin: 0 0 0 0.735835172921266em;'>For the water stifles her downward face.</p> +<br /> +<p style='margin: 0 0 0 0.0em;'>“The little brook flows on as before,</p> +<p style='margin: 0 0 0 0.735835172921266em;'>The little lark sings with as sweet a sound,</p> +<p style='margin: 0 0 0 0.0em;'>The little babe crows at the cottage door,</p> +<p style='margin: 0 0 0 0.735835172921266em;'>And the red rose blooms; but Cristelle lies drowned!</p> +<br /> +<p style='margin: 0 0 0 0.0em;'>“Come in softly; this is the room.</p> +<p style='margin: 0 0 0 0.735835172921266em;'>Is not that an innocent face?</p> +<p style='margin: 0 0 0 0.0em;'>Yes, those flowers give a faint perfume:</p> +<p style='margin: 0 0 0 0.735835172921266em;'>Think, child, of heaven, and our Lord his grace.</p> +<br /> +<p style='margin: 0 0 0 0.0em;'>“Three at the right, and three at the left,</p> +<p style='margin: 0 0 0 0.735835172921266em;'>Two at the feet, and two at the head,</p> +<p style='margin: 0 0 0 0.0em;'>The tapers burn; the friends bereft</p> +<p style='margin: 0 0 0 0.735835172921266em;'>Have cried till their eyes are swollen and red.</p> +<br /> +<p style='margin: 0 0 0 0.0em;'>“Who would have thought it, when little Cristelle</p> +<p style='margin: 0 0 0 0.735835172921266em;'>Pondered on what the preacher had told?</p> +<p style='margin: 0 0 0 0.0em;'>But the wise God does all things well,</p> +<p style='margin: 0 0 0 0.735835172921266em;'>And the fair young creature lies dead and cold!</p> +<br /> +<p style='margin: 0 0 0 0.0em;'>“Then the little stream crept into the place,</p> +<p style='margin: 0 0 0 0.735835172921266em;'>And rippled up to the coffin’s side,</p> +<p style='margin: 0 0 0 0.0em;'>And touched the corpse on its pale round face,</p> +<p style='margin: 0 0 0 0.735835172921266em;'>And kissed the eyes till they trembled wide,—</p> +<br /> +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_47' name='page_47'></a>47</span></div> +<p style='margin: 0 0 0 0.0em;'>“Saying, ‘I am a river of joy from Heaven;</p> +<p style='margin: 0 0 0 0.735835172921266em;'>You helped the brook, and I help you;</p> +<p style='margin: 0 0 0 0.0em;'>I sprinkle your brows with life-drops seven;</p> +<p style='margin: 0 0 0 0.735835172921266em;'>I bathe your eyes with healing dew.’</p> +<br /> +<p style='margin: 0 0 0 0.0em;'>“Then a rose branch in through the window came,</p> +<p style='margin: 0 0 0 0.735835172921266em;'>And colored her lips and cheeks with red;</p> +<p style='margin: 0 0 0 0.0em;'>‘I remember, and Heaven does the same,’</p> +<p style='margin: 0 0 0 0.735835172921266em;'>Was all that the faithful rose branch said.</p> +<br /> +<p style='margin: 0 0 0 0.0em;'>“Then a bright, small form to her cold neck clung;</p> +<p style='margin: 0 0 0 0.735835172921266em;'>It breathed on her till her breast did fill,</p> +<p style='margin: 0 0 0 0.0em;'>Saying, ‘I am a cherub fond and young,</p> +<p style='margin: 0 0 0 0.735835172921266em;'>And I saw who breathed on the baby’s mill.’</p> +<br /> +<p style='margin: 0 0 0 0.0em;'>“Then little Cristelle sat up and smiled,</p> +<p style='margin: 0 0 0 0.735835172921266em;'>And said, ‘Who put these flowers in my hand?’</p> +<p style='margin: 0 0 0 0.0em;'>And rubbed her eyes—poor innocent child—</p> +<p style='margin: 0 0 0 0.735835172921266em;'>Not being able to understand.</p> +<br /> +<p style='margin: 0 0 0 0.0em;'>“But soon she heard the big bell of the church</p> +<p style='margin: 0 0 0 0.735835172921266em;'>Give the hour; which made her say,</p> +<p style='margin: 0 0 0 0.0em;'>‘Ah! I have slept and dreamt in this porch.</p> +<p style='margin: 0 0 0 0.735835172921266em;'>It is a very drowsy day!’”</p> +</td></tr></table> + +<p>“O,” said Nettie, drawing a long, deep +breath, “I think, Allan, that it’s the most +beautiful story I ever heard. Do you know +who wrote it?” +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_48' name='page_48'></a>48</span></p> +<p>“No,” said Allan. “I used to think it +was auntie’s own; but I asked her once, and +she said, ‘O, no, indeed!’ and that she did +not know who wrote it, but thought it was a +translation from the German.”</p> +<p>“Adele would have liked that so much!” +said Nettie thoughtfully, “and she would +have been just like little Cristelle, too.”</p> +<p>“Yes,” said Allan, “I think she would; +and that would have been because both of +them were trying to please the Lord. Don’t +you see, Nettie?”</p> +<p>“But after all, Allan, it is not a true +story.”</p> +<p>“It’s an allegory,” said Allan. “It means +that if we do every little simple kindness for +the sake of helping others and pleasing the +Lord, that we shall be children of the Lord, +and live in heaven with him.”</p> +<p>“Then, Allan, you are one of the ‘children +of the Lord;’ for you do kind, generous +things all the time, and—”</p> +<p>“No, no, Nettie,” said Allan, hastily interrupting +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_49' name='page_49'></a>49</span> +her. “I am very selfish, and I +have to try very hard, and pray to the Lord +Jesus to help me to be good.”</p> +<p>“But you <i>do</i> give up for the sake of others, +you know; now this afternoon—”</p> +<p>“I am having a delightful time, and enjoying +myself hugely,” said Allan, interrupting +her again, and laughing merrily. +“I’ll go and get my checker-board, and we’ll +have a game.”</p> +<p>Thus, thanks to the kind-hearted Allan, +the afternoon wore pleasantly away, and +when Mrs. Hyde and Eric returned, Allan +and Nettie were both very happy, and in the +midst of an exciting game. Mrs. Hyde had +slept off her headache, and was giving orders +for tea on the balcony, to the children’s intense +satisfaction.</p> +<hr class='major' /> +<div style='margin: auto; text-align: center; padding-top: 2em; padding-bottom: 1em'> +<a name='V__SEEING_THE_ELEPHANT' id='V__SEEING_THE_ELEPHANT'></a> +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_50' name='page_50'></a>50</span> +<h2>CHAPTER V.</h2> +<h3>“SEEING THE ELEPHANT.”</h3> +</div> + +<p>“‘You must wake and call me early, +call me early, mother dear,’” sang +Nettie, as she leaned over the balcony railing, +gazing out upon the lovely lake and +island before them; for Mr. Hyde had explained +that, as his time was exceedingly limited, +he could allow them only three days to +explore Havenhaag, and at the end of that +time they must leave for New York.</p> +<p>“So we will begin with the Royal Museum +to-morrow morning,” he added; “and all +who are up in good season can take a trip +with me, in one of those shallops, around the +lake.” +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_51' name='page_51'></a>51</span></p> +<p>After the children had retired, Mr. and +Mrs. Hyde held a consultation about Eric. +They expected the arrival of Dr. Ward and +their nephew daily, and were in hopes of +seeing them before the steamer should sail. +But there was just a chance that the doctor +might be delayed at Paris; and if it should so +happen, what would Eric do?</p> +<p>His parents were unwilling to disappoint +him by taking him to New York without +making the desired tour of Germany; and +they disliked the idea of leaving him, a young +boy of thirteen, alone in a strange place.</p> +<p>But his father at length decided to let him +remain at the Vyverberg House, in case the +doctor should be detained until after they had +sailed.</p> +<p>Eric was a thoughtful, reliable boy, and +old enough, his father said, to learn to depend +upon himself.</p> +<p>Mrs. Hyde felt some misgivings as to this +course at first; but her confidence in Eric was +so great, that she soon consented to it, and +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_52' name='page_52'></a>52</span> +having once decided in favor of the plan, she +would let no thought of it trouble her.</p> +<p>You may be sure that the three children +did not need an “early call” in the morning, +for they were up and dressed with the daylight, +having a romp on their balcony with +Froll, who frightened several of the occupants +of adjacent rooms by trying to get in +at their windows.</p> +<p>Nettie told Eric how Froll had got her into +disgrace, the day before, by the same trick.</p> +<p>“I think,” said Eric, “that she must once +have belonged to an organ-grinder, and have +been taught to climb up for money.”</p> +<p>“Very likely,” said Allan. “But you had +better break her of the trick. People, as a +general thing, are not fond of the sudden appearance +of a black monkey at their chamber +windows.”</p> +<p>“Here’s papa!” cried Nettie. “Now for +our sail!”</p> +<p>“Isn’t Mrs. Hyde coming?” Allan asked.</p> +<p>“Here she is! Good morning, mamma, +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_53' name='page_53'></a>53</span> +and—O, Eric, mind Froll!” cried Nettie; +but too late, for Froll had darted from him, +and gone in at an open window above.</p> +<p>There was a breathless silence.</p> +<p>Mr. and Mrs. Hyde were very much annoyed, +and the children were alarmed for the +safety of their pet.</p> +<p>While they were momentarily expecting a +scream of terror from the occupant of the +room, Froll reappeared at the window, and, +with a grin and chatter of defiance, tumbled +out, and clambered down towards the children, +with a pair of gold-rimmed eye-glasses in +her hand. A night-capped head, thrust out +after her, was withdrawn again hastily, as its +owner’s eyes encountered those of Mrs. Hyde.</p> +<p>Saucy Froll perched herself upon the top +of the parlor blind, stuck the glasses upon +her nose, and peered down at the children, +who greeted this manœuvre with an irresistible +burst of laughter, in which their father and +mother joined.</p> +<p>The owner of the glasses again thrust his +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_54' name='page_54'></a>54</span> +head out at the window, minus the nightcap +this time, and seeing the monkey, laughed as +heartily as the others.</p> +<p>Leaning forward, he could reach the chain, +which he caught; and then Froll was made +to surrender her plunder; after which she +was committed to her cage in disgrace.</p> +<p>The sail on the lake was delightful. The +water was as smooth as glass, the air fresh +and cool, and the little island in the lake’s +centre was crowded with song birds, whose +sweet, merry notes rang musically over the +water, and were echoed back from the shore.</p> +<p>After breakfast they prepared to visit the +places of interest in “Gravenhaag.”</p> +<p>Mr. Hyde led the way to the National +Museum, occupying the Prince Maurice palace—an +elegant building of the seventeenth +century. Numerous guides offered their services, +and when one had been engaged, our +party followed him up a broad, solid stairway +to the famous picture gallery. Most of the +paintings were old pieces of the German masters, +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_55' name='page_55'></a>55</span> +and did not interest the children so +much as their parents, for they were too +young to appreciate them. But in one of +the rooms almost entirely covering one end, +was a grand picture, so vivid and natural +that Nettie was quite startled by it at first. +It was a picture of a young bull spotted white +and brown, a cow lazily resting on the grass +before it, a few sheep in different attitudes, +and an aged cowherd leaning upon a fence. +The background of the picture was a distant +landscape, and all the objects were life-size.</p> +<p>“That picture is Paul Potter’s Bull—a +highly prized work of art,” said Mr. Hyde. +“When the French invaded Holland, Napoleon +ordered it to Paris, to be hung in +the Louvre.”</p> +<p>“I suppose it didn’t go, as it’s here now,” +remarked Allan.</p> +<p>“Yes, it was carried there, and excited +much admiration. But when Holland was +free of the French, and Germany victorious, +the painting was reclaimed.” +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_56' name='page_56'></a>56</span></p> +<p>The children could have staid, gazing +with delight upon it, for a much longer time +than was allowed them. The guide soon +led the way to the Royal Museum of Curiosities, +and they reluctantly followed. The +collection of curiosities was in the lower +part of the building, and here they saw all +kinds of Chinese and Japanese articles, +which, the guide informed them, was the +largest and best collection of the kind in the +world.</p> +<p>There was enough here to interest our +young folks, and old folks, too.</p> +<p>All kinds of merchandise and manufactures, +and most interesting and complicated +toys, model cities, barges gayly-colored and +filled with tiny men at work on tinier oars, +pagodas, shops, temples, huts, houses, +vehicles, and men, women, and children in +every variety of costume, engaged in every +conceivable employment.</p> +<p>So fascinating was this Museum that the +entire morning was most agreeably spent in +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_57' name='page_57'></a>57</span> +it; and there was but just time, before leaving +it, to look into the historical department, +where were many objects of interest, and +among other things the armor and weapons +of De Ruyter, the famous admiral. At any +other time these would have possessed great +interest for the boys; but now they rather +slighted them for the unique toys of China +and Japan.</p> +<p>After their dinner and a half hour’s rest, +the children paid a visit to the king’s palace; +for Gravenhaag, you must know, is the +favorite residence of the king and court.</p> +<p>Nettie and the boys walked very carefully, +and held themselves very properly, such a +thing as a visit to the king’s palace not +being a daily event with them. Although +she would not have missed going for anything, +Nettie was a little alarmed at their +situation, as they drew near to the palace, +a large Grecian building, with two wings, +forming three sides of a square. She had +an idea that whenever kings were displeased +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_58' name='page_58'></a>58</span> +with people, they ordered their heads to be +cut off; and she wondered if he <i>would</i> be +pleased to have their party looking at his +possessions. Her fears were groundless, +however.</p> +<p>As they reached the square, they saw, near +the entrance to the palace, a fine-looking +man, well dressed and gentlemanly, who +smiled kindly at the children, and, seeing +their eager scrutiny of the palace, politely +invited them to enter it.</p> +<p>The boys were delighted, but Nettie declared +that she was afraid of the king.</p> +<p>“O, the king will not trouble you, my +little maid,” said the stranger, in excellent +English: “walk in, walk in!”</p> +<p>He held out his hand to Nettie, and was +such a kind, pleasant-looking man, that +Nettie’s fears vanished. She gave him her +hand, and the two boys followed her into the +palace. Yes, actually <i>into</i> it, when, a few +minutes before, she had hardly dared venture +a terrified glance at the outside, and +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_59' name='page_59'></a>59</span> +was momentarily expecting the stern command,—</p> +<p>“Off with their heads!”</p> +<p>Their new friend led them to a lovely +garden, gave them flowers and fruit, and +chatted gayly with them all the time. Then +he took them to several apartments of the +palace, and finally into the drawing-room.</p> +<p>The children noticed that every one made +a respectful bow to their kind escort, and +concluded that he must be some great nobleman; +but judge of their surprise, when they +found themselves being presented by him to +a beautiful, pale lady, quietly dressed in +black.</p> +<p>“Alicia, my dear,” said their nobleman, +still speaking in English, “I have brought +these young American travellers to see you. +My little friends,” to the children, “yonder +lady is the <i>Queen of Holland</i>.”</p> +<p>Wasn’t <i>that</i> enough to confuse the best +bred child in the world?</p> +<p>Poor Eric had a faint idea that he must +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_60' name='page_60'></a>60</span> +kiss the queen’s toe, as a mark of courtesy, +and stepped forward, with a dizzy singing in +his ears, to do so. But he was saved from +such a ridiculous situation by the gentle +queen, who smiled and extended her hand; +then Eric thankfully remembered that it was +the queen’s hand and the pope’s toe. So he +bent gracefully forward and kissed Queen +Alicia’s white fingers.</p> +<p>Allan, of course, did the same. And +Nettie had no time to consider what she +must do, for the queen had kissed her quite +warmly at first, and their strange guide had +drawn her to his knee.</p> +<p>“Why did you fear the king, little maid?” +he asked, so kindly that Nettie confessed +her idea of majestic temperaments. How +he laughed! and how the queen laughed, +too!</p> +<p>“Now, I suppose you will want to go to +mamma,” he said, soon afterwards; and giving +them each a gold coin, added, “Keep +these to remember me by, and you can tell +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_61' name='page_61'></a>61</span> +your friends that the <i>King of Holland</i> gave +them to you.”</p> +<p>The children were perfectly amazed, and +could not speak their thanks properly; but +of this the king took no notice. He led +them to the entrance on the street, and then +kindly said, “Good by.”</p> +<p>Mr. and Mrs. Hyde, who had become +quite anxious over their long delay, were +much relieved to see the children come +safely home just before tea-time. They +were quite as much astonished, by the account +of the visit, as our young folks had +supposed they would be.</p> +<p>Tea, on the balcony, and some quiet +music in the evening, finished up the day; +and when the tired children sought their +pillows, they quickly fell asleep.</p> +<hr class='major' /> +<div style='margin: auto; text-align: center; padding-top: 2em; padding-bottom: 1em'> +<a name='VI_A_DUTCH_CITY' id='VI_A_DUTCH_CITY'></a> +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_62' name='page_62'></a>62</span> +<h2>CHAPTER VI.</h2> +<h3>A DUTCH CITY.</h3> +</div> + +<p>It would take too long to mention all the +sights seen and famous places visited +by the travellers in Gravenhaag.</p> +<p>They were admitted to the palace of the +Prince of Orange, and saw his famous collection +of paintings and chalk drawings. +They went over the <i>Binnenhof</i>, which is a +collection of ancient stone buildings, containing +a handsome Gothic hall, and the prison +in which Grotius and Barneveldt were confined, +the churches, synagogues, and the +royal library, and walked on the <i>Voorhout</i>, +a beautiful promenade, with a fine, wide +road lined with shade trees and furnished +with benches, to the <i>Bosch</i>, a finely wooded +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_63' name='page_63'></a>63</span> +park belonging to the King of Holland. In +its centre, reached by winding walks among +the trees and beautiful lakes, stands the +<i>Huys in den Bosch</i>—house in the wood—the +king’s summer palace.</p> +<p>After visiting all these places, and the +printing establishments and iron foundery, +Mr. Hyde, finding he had another day before +the steamer sailed, took them all to Rotterdam. +They went by railway to the city, +and drove around it in an open carriage, like +a barouche, which was waiting at the depot. +Mr. Hyde, who had been there before, was +quite familiar with the place. He ordered +the coachman to drive through the High +Street; and soon the children found themselves +on a street considerably higher than +the others, lined with shops, and looking +very pleasant and busy. Mr. Hyde told +them it was built upon the dam which prevented +the Maas River from overflowing.</p> +<p>“And this is the only street in Rotterdam,” +said he, “which has not a canal in its +centre.”</p> +<div class='figcenter'> +<img src='images/illus2.jpg' alt='' title='' style='width: 352px; height: 486px;' /><br /> +<p class='caption' style='margin: 0 auto; text-align:center;width: 352px;'> +<span style='font-variant: small-caps'>The Queen of Holland.</span>—Page 61.<br /> +</p> +</div> + +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_64' name='page_64'></a>64</span></div> +<p>When they had gone the length of High +Street, they came to street after street, each +having a canal in the middle, lined with trees +on both sides, and exhibiting a medley of +high gable fronts of houses, trees, and masts +of shipping.</p> +<p>“Dear me!” cried Nettie; “I wouldn’t +live in such a place for the world. It’s +pretty to look at; but think of having those +ships going by right under the drawing-room +windows. They make me giddy.”</p> +<p>“How many canals!” cried Allan. “They +go lengthwise and crosswise through every +street but the High.”</p> +<p>“And these clumsy bridges,” said Nettie +again, pointing to the drawbridges of white +painted wood which they saw at every little +distance; they were made of large, heavy +beams overhead, and lifted by chains for the +vessels to pass through.</p> +<p>Under the trees, beside the canals, were +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_65' name='page_65'></a>65</span> +yellow brick “sidewalks,” as Nettie called +them; but they were really quays, for the +landing of goods.</p> +<p>Between the trees and the houses, on a +coarse, rough pavement, among carts, drays, +and carriages, walked the foot passengers +quite frequently. For though there were +sidewalks close to the houses, little outbuildings +and flights of steps to doorways were +continually in the way, and it was “impossible +for one to walk straight along, or at all +fast, on any of them,” as the children said.</p> +<p>“Mamma,” said Nettie, “I should think +they would break their necks every minute. +Just look at those canals, right in the street, +and nothing to keep people from falling into +them. What do they do in dark nights?”</p> +<p>“How do they light the streets, papa?” +asked Eric.</p> +<p>“By oil lamps, hung on ropes from the +houses to the trees,” said Mr. Hyde. “They +have gas on the High Street.”</p> +<p>Allan’s attention had been attracted by +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_66' name='page_66'></a>66</span> +some curious little structures outside the +lower windows of several of the houses.</p> +<p>“What are they?” he asked.</p> +<p>“Looking-glasses,” said Mr. Hyde.</p> +<p>“Looking-glasses, papa! <i>Outside</i> their +windows?” exclaimed Nettie.</p> +<p>“Yes, dear; they are hung so as to reflect +the passing objects to the people inside.”</p> +<p>“Then they can see whatever is going on +in the streets below, without coming to the +windows,” said Eric.</p> +<p>“What a funny custom!” exclaimed +Nettie, again.</p> +<p>The only building they visited was the +Church of St. Lawrence, where they saw +the famous great organ, a splendid structure, +larger than the great organs of Haarlem +and Boston. It is one hundred and +fifty feet high, mounted upon a colonnade +fifty feet high, and has five thousand five +hundred pipes.</p> +<p>In the market-place they saw a statue of +the great scholar Erasmus, and “the house +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_67' name='page_67'></a>67</span> +where he was born,” which is now, alas! a +gin-shop. From the <i>Boomptjes</i>, a fine quay, +planted with rows of beautiful trees, and +surrounded by elegant, dark brick mansions, +our party chartered a little sail boat, and +went out upon the Maas.</p> +<p>The beautiful, quiet Maas, with Rotterdam’s +green, woody banks in view; the blue, +blue sky, seen clearly in the limpid waters; +the steamers coming and going, and birds +flying around, adding their sweet notes to +nature’s harmony—this beautiful picture +was one remembered by the children all their +lives. To-morrow’s parting hung its shadow +over them, and softened their hearts to the +true beauty everywhere expressed.</p> +<p>The sun had set when they reached the +Vyverberg for the last time.</p> +<p>“Mamma,” said Eric, regretfully, “I +almost wish I was going home with you +all.”</p> +<p>“Uncle Charlie may come to-night,” said +his mother, cheerfully. “At any rate, he +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_68' name='page_68'></a>68</span> +will soon come. You would then wish you +had staid.”</p> +<p>“Yes, I know,” said Eric. “But it is very +hard to let you all go home without me, for +all that.”</p> +<p>Very careful directions were given to +Eric, and he was placed under the care of +the landlord until he should hear from his +uncle.</p> +<p>The evening was very short to Eric, who +lingered by his mother, and could not bear +to leave her side, knowing he should see her +no more for a long, long year.</p> +<p>Long after Nettie and Allan had left them, +he staid with his parents, listening to their +last kind advice, and sending little loving +messages to his cousins and schoolmates.</p> +<p>In the morning he saw them off with a +heavy heart. His father’s last kind words, +Allan’s affectionate greeting, Nettie’s tears, +and his promise to his mother that he would +remember his prayers and daily chapter in +the Bible, and would try to make his travels +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_69' name='page_69'></a>69</span> +a useful, profitable study, and to keep himself +truthful, honest, and kind, were mixed +up with a hearty, homesick longing to go +after them. His eyes filled with tears as the +stretch of water between him and his dear +ones rapidly widened; he turned from the +wharf with a sorrowful face, slowly and +sadly retracing his steps to the hotel.</p> +<p>“How dismal it will be! how lonely and +dismal without them!” He thought and +murmured sorrowfully,—</p> +<table summary='poetry' style='margin:0 auto'><tr><td> +<p style='margin: 0 0 0 0.0em;'>“Alone, alone, all, all alone!”</p> +</td></tr></table> + +<hr class='major' /> +<div style='margin: auto; text-align: center; padding-top: 2em; padding-bottom: 1em'> +<a name='VII_UNDER_THE_SEA' id='VII_UNDER_THE_SEA'></a> +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_70' name='page_70'></a>70</span> +<h2>CHAPTER VII.</h2> +<h3>UNDER THE SEA.</h3> +</div> + +<p>Eric had been but a few minutes in the +parlor at the hotel, and was trying to +amuse himself with little Froll, when there +came a tap upon the door, and the servant +entered with a card.</p> +<p>Eric read the name,</p> +<table summary='poetry' style='margin:0 auto'><tr><td> +<p style='margin: 0 0 0 0.0em;'>EMIL LACELLE,</p> +</td></tr></table> + +<p>and written underneath,</p> +<table summary='poetry' style='margin:0 auto'><tr><td> +<p style='margin: 0 0 0 0.0em;'><i>No. 365 Vyverberg House.</i></p> +</td></tr></table> + +<p>“Who in the world,” thought Eric, “is +Emil Lacelle? and what did he send this to +me for?”</p> +<p>The waiter explained that the gentleman +was waiting, in his room, up stairs; and Eric, +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_71' name='page_71'></a>71</span> +with Froll on his shoulder, started for No. +365.</p> +<p>The door stood open, disclosing a pleasant +room, with various kinds of odd-looking +armor lying around: seated by a table was +a gentleman dressed in black, whom Eric +recognized at once as the one whose glasses +Froll had stolen.</p> +<p>This gentleman was looking for Eric, and +said at once, when he entered the room,—</p> +<p>“I am pleased to see you, monsieur,” and +politely requested him to be seated.</p> +<p>“Do you speak French?” he asked.</p> +<p>“Not very well, sir,” answered Eric.</p> +<p>“German?” inquired the stranger.</p> +<p>“Yes, sir,” said Eric.</p> +<p>“And English?”</p> +<p>“Yes, sir; I am an American.”</p> +<p>“I am a Frenchman,” said Mr. Lacelle. +“I want you, if you please, to do me a little +service.”</p> +<p>“I will do anything that I can for you,” +said Eric. “I am very much obliged to you +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_72' name='page_72'></a>72</span> +already for being so good-natured about your +glasses.”</p> +<p>“Do not mention it!” Mr. Lacelle exclaimed, +with the natural politeness of a +Frenchman. “I have taken quite a fancy to +your playful little beast.” And he coaxed +the monkey to him, and gently stroked her +soft hair.</p> +<p>“What is it that I can do for you, sir?” +asked Eric. He was beginning to like Mr. +Lacelle very much.</p> +<p>“I have a letter to write to America, and +am not enough of an English scholar to undertake +it. Now, therefore, if I tell to you +that which I want written, would you be +so very kind, if you please, as to write for +me, it?”</p> +<p>“Yes, indeed; with much pleasure,” said +Eric; thinking the while, “No wonder he +does not like to undertake a letter in English, +when he speaks the language so clumsily.”</p> +<p>Mr. Lacelle, still holding Froll, brought +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_73' name='page_73'></a>73</span> +forward a traveller’s writing-desk, filled with +perfumed French paper, and then placing it +before Eric, and saying politely, “At your +convenience, <i>monsieur</i>,” he reseated himself.</p> +<p>Eric arranged the paper, took up a pen, +and after writing the date, sat waiting for his +instructions.</p> +<p>“For example, what do you say to two +gentlemen?” asked Mr. Lacelle.</p> +<p>Eric was completely puzzled, and could +only say, “Sir?”</p> +<p>“Pardon me!” exclaimed the Frenchman, +“to <i>one</i> you would say ‘sir;’ but to two, +would you say ‘sirs’?”</p> +<p>“Yes,” answered Eric, but, recollecting +some letters he had copied for his father, +added, “O, no: it’s <i>Messrs.</i>”</p> +<p>“Exactly!” said Mr. Lacelle. “I thank +you. That is fine.”</p> +<p>He appeared quite relieved, and began +dictating. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_74' name='page_74'></a>74</span></p> +<div class='blockquot'> +<div class='ra'> +<p style=' margin-right:2em;'>“<span style='font-variant: small-caps'>The Vyverberg, at the Hague,</span></p> +<p><span style='font-variant: small-caps'>Holland</span>, October 21, 186-.</p> +</div> + +<p>“<span style='font-variant: small-caps'>Messrs. Brown and Lang</span>:</p> +<p>“I have given to myself the pleasure of examining +the sunken yacht in the Zuyder Zee; +and my opinion it is, that that vessel is injured +not in the least, and that I can right +her for the sum of two hundred dollars.</p> +<div class='ra'> +<p style=' margin-right:2em;'>“Most respectfully to you, Messrs.,</p> +<p style=' margin-right:2em;'><span style='font-variant: small-caps'>Emil Lacelle,</span></p> +<p><i>Submarine Diver.</i></p> +</div> + +<div class='la'> +<p>“<span style='font-variant: small-caps'>To Messrs. Brown and Lang</span>,</p> +<p style=' margin-left:2em;'>New York City.”</p> +</div> + +</div> +<p>“Is it quite correct English?” he asked, +anxiously.</p> +<p>Eric rewrote it, transposing some of the +words. Mr. Lacelle was very grateful for +the boy’s assistance. He was by no means +ignorant, but his knowledge of English was +rather limited, and he was too sensitive to be +willing to send off a peculiar letter.</p> +<p>Mr. Lacelle’s history would be very interesting, +had we time to give it minutely; but +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_75' name='page_75'></a>75</span> +there is only space to say that he was the +younger son of a noble French family, whose +circumstances during his youth were so unfortunate +that he was thrown upon his own +resources at a tender age, and had, by great +energy and perseverance, become a wealthy +and famous man.</p> +<p>Eric knew that “sub” meant under, and +“marine” the sea, but he did not understand +exactly what it all meant; so he asked Mr. +Lacelle, whose explanation and subsequent +conversation, we will render in readable English.</p> +<p>“A submarine diver is one who goes beneath +the water of the sea: professionally +he examines and clears harbors, removing +obstructions, such as rocks, &c.; draws up +sunken vessels, examines wrecks, and brings +up from the depths of the ocean money, +jewels, and articles of value.”</p> +<p>“But tell me,” cried Eric, eagerly, “how +does he breathe? what protects him in the +water? how—” +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_76' name='page_76'></a>76</span></p> +<p>“I will tell you all about it,” said Mr. +Lacelle. “There are several divers here in +the house. We are going to the Zuyder Zee, +near Amsterdam, to-morrow, and you shall +go too, if you wish.”</p> +<p>“O, thank you, sir,” said Eric. “I would +like to.”</p> +<p>“Meanwhile I will tell you,” proceeded +the diver. “We wear an armor such as +this,” he explained, pointing out the several +pieces to Eric, as he noticed them. +“In the first place an India-rubber suit +like this. You will observe that it is made +entirely water-proof, by being cemented down +in the seams, wherever it is sewed.”</p> +<p>Eric looked with interest upon the clumsy-looking +dress, which was made entirely whole, +except the opening at the sleeves and neck, +and was cut away above the shoulders, like +a girl’s low-necked dress, to admit the body +of the wearer; the legs were footed off like +stockings, and the wrists of the sleeves were +terminated by tight, elastic rubber bands; a +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_77' name='page_77'></a>77</span> +similar band surrounded the neck, which +was also finished with a flap of white rubber +facing.</p> +<p>“You see,” continued Mr. Lacelle, “we +put ourselves into this suit, drawing it on +from the top. It is perfectly water-tight. +Upon our feet we wear shoes such as these,” +pointing to a pair of heavy leather shoes, +with broad, high straps and buckles, and +lead soles half an inch thick. “They weigh +twenty-five pounds.”</p> +<p>“Why!” exclaimed Eric; “I should call +that something of a load.”</p> +<p>“The weight is imperceptible in the water,” +the diver explained, and, showing Eric a +couple of box-shaped canvas bags, added, +“We wear these also, filled with weights, +just above the waist, one before and one +behind.”</p> +<p>“But you haven’t told me yet how you +breathe in the water,” said Eric.</p> +<p>“I am coming to that shortly. Upon our +heads we wear a helmet, made of copper, +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_78' name='page_78'></a>78</span> +completely covering head, face, and neck, +and firmly inserted between the rubber facing +and the tight band about the neck of the +dress, just above the shoulders. To the +back of the helmet is fastened a rubber +hose, attached, above the water, to the pump, +which keeps the diver supplied with air; and +there is a glass window in the front. A +half-inch rope, called the life-line, is securely +adjusted to the diver, and by it he is +lowered into or drawn from the water; and +by it, also, he signals to those above for +more air, for withdrawal, or anything he +may require.”</p> +<p>“This helmet is heavy enough,” said +Eric, lifting and examining the curious structure. +“There is a valve inside: what is that +for?”</p> +<p>“To let the air, which the diver breathes +from his lungs, into the water,” Mr. Lacelle +replied. “This machine in the case,” pointing +to a high black-walnut case, “is a three-cylinder +air-pump; two men in the vessel, or +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_79' name='page_79'></a>79</span> +on the shore, keep the pumps constantly in +motion by means of the crank attached to +the wheel.”</p> +<p>“Why do they have more than one +pump?” Eric inquired.</p> +<p>“One pump,” answered Mr. Lacelle, +“would not supply enough air; it would +work like a water-pump, sending down the +air by jerks, and the receiver would be exhausted +between the supplies of air. Two +pumps would send down the air puff-puff, +like the pumps of a steam engine; but three +pumps, constantly in motion, send down, +through the hose, a steady and continuous +stream of air, enabling the diver to breathe +freely and fully.”</p> +<p>“And can you go down into any depth of +water?” Eric asked, with intense interest.</p> +<p>“Not lower than one hundred feet, usually, +the pressure of the water is so great. +I have been down one hundred and fifty-six +feet below the surface; but that was +something very remarkable.” +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_80' name='page_80'></a>80</span></p> +<p>“And did you never have any hair-breadth +escapes, or thrilling adventures?” inquired +Eric.</p> +<p>“No,” answered the diver, with a slight +laugh and shrug of the shoulders, “I never +did, and never knew any one who did, although +I have read of many such incidents, +altogether too marvellous for belief. You +see,” he continued, “we know that the least +carelessness would probably cost us our lives, +and we are minutely accurate about all our +equipments. And,” lowering his voice and +speaking reverentially, “I always commit +myself to the guidance and tender care of +the good Shepherd.</p> +<p>“‘They that go down to the sea in ships, +that do business in great waters,</p> +<p>“‘These see the works of the Lord, and +his wonders in the deep.</p> +<p>“‘They cry unto the Lord in their trouble, +and he bringeth them out of their distress.’”</p> +<p>Eric listened, and his respect and esteem +for the diver grew tenfold more. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_81' name='page_81'></a>81</span></p> +<p>Mr. Lacelle continued:—</p> +<p>“It is a strange business. The danger +fascinates some, but the peril is never lost +sight of. I put on the helmet, for the first +time, more than ten years ago; and yet I +never resume it without a feeling that it +may be the last time I shall ever go down. +Of course one has more confidence after a +while; but there is something in being shut +up in an armor weighed down with a hundred +pounds, and knowing that a little leak +in your life-pipe is your death, that no diver +can get rid of. And I do not know that I +should care to banish the feeling, for the +sight of the clear blue sky, the genial sun, +and the face of a fellow-man after long hours +among the fishes, makes you feel like one +who has suddenly been drawn away from +the grasp of death.”</p> +<p>“Were you ever in great danger?” asked +Eric.</p> +<p>“I think the most dangerous place I ever +got into was going down to examine the +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_82' name='page_82'></a>82</span> +propeller Comet, sunk off Toledo. In working +about her bottom, I got my air-pipe +coiled over a large sliver from the stoven +hole, and could not reach it with my hands. +Every time I sprang up to remove the hose, +my tender would give me the ‘slack’ of the +line, thus letting me fall back again. He +did not understand his duties, and did not +know what my signals on the life-line meant. +It was two hours and a half before I was +relieved, and there was not a moment that I +was not looking to see the hose cut by the +ragged wood. It’s a strange feeling you +have down there. You go walking over a +vessel, clambering up her sides, peering here +and there, and the feeling that you are alone +makes you nervous and uneasy.</p> +<p>“Sometimes a vessel sinks down so fairly, +that she stands up on the bottom as trim +and neat as if she rode upon the surface. +Then you can go down into the cabin, up +the shrouds, walk all over her, just as easy +as a sailor could if she were still dashing +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_83' name='page_83'></a>83</span> +away before the breeze. Only it seems +quiet, so tomb-like; there are no waves +down there—only a swaying back and forth +of the waters, and a see-sawing of the ship. +You hear nothing from above. The great +fishes will come swimming about, rubbing +their noses against your glass, and staring +with a wonderful look into your eyes. The +very stillness sometimes gives life a chill. +You hear just a moaning, wailing sound, +like the last notes of an organ, and you cannot +help thinking of dead men floating over +and around you.</p> +<p>“A diver does not like to go down more +than a hundred and twenty feet; at that +depth the pressure is painful, and there is +danger of internal injury. I can stay down, +for five or six hours at a time, at a hundred +and fifteen or twenty feet, and do a good +deal of hard work. In the waters of Lake +Huron the diver can see thirty or forty feet +away, but the other lakes will screen a vessel +not ten feet from you. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_84' name='page_84'></a>84</span></p> +<p>“Up here you seldom think of accident or +death, but a hundred feet of water washing +over your head would set you to thinking. +A little stoppage of the air-pump, a leak in +your hose, a careless action on the part of +your tender, and a weight of a mountain +would press the life out of you before you +could make a move. And you may ‘foul’ +your pipe or line yourself, and in your haste +bring on what you dread. I often get my +hose around a stair or rail, and generally +release it without much trouble; the bare +idea of what a slender thing holds back the +clutch of death off my throat makes a cold +sweat start from every pore.”</p> +<p>“I suppose you find many beautiful +things,” said Eric.</p> +<p>“I wish I could describe half the wonderful +and beautiful things I find,” cried Mr. +Lacelle.</p> +<p>“There are flowers, the most exquisite +that can be imagined; groves of coral, beautiful +caverns, with floors of silver sand, +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_85' name='page_85'></a>85</span> +spiral caves winding down, down, down, +covered with beautiful, delicate plants, and +leading to beds of smooth, hard sand, which +shine like gold. Feathery ferns turn silver +and crimson beneath your hand, and beautiful +fish glide around you, or rest in the +water, with no motion save the gentle pulsation +of their gills as they breathe.</p> +<p>“I have stood upon the bottom of the ocean, +and gazed up, awe-stricken and bewildered, +at the wonderful masses of coral above my +head, resembling forests of monstrous trees, +with gnarled and twisted branches intertwined; +and when I have considered that it +was all the work of insects so tiny that +millions of them were working at my feet, +and I could not see them, I have compared +my own littleness in the universe with the +wonderful work of the least of them, and +have felt my own insignificance.</p> +<p>“And curious things have happened, too. +I was once examining an old wreck off +South America. It was an old Spanish +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_86' name='page_86'></a>86</span> +frigate, supposed to have valuable jewels +and a large amount of money aboard.</p> +<p>“I was walking over the wreck one day, +and, being disappointed in not finding any +treasure, was about returning, when I observed +a curious heap of shells, close to one +of the stanchions. I picked off a handful +from the top of the heap, which was about +two feet high, and regularly piled in a conical +form, and seeing the shells were of a most +beautiful pink color, and very delicate, I filled +my pockets with them, and then, touching the +life-lines, was pulled up.</p> +<p>“The divers in my employ were delighted +with them, and as they were just the right size +for buttons, one of the boys went down, with +a large bag, to bring off the rest.</p> +<p>“I told him just where to find them; but +when he came up, he declared there were +none to be seen anywhere.</p> +<p>“I was sure he had not followed my directions; +so I went down again; and judge my +surprise when I found he had spoken truly. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_87' name='page_87'></a>87</span> +<i>There was not one to be seen.</i> The little +wretches, disgusted with the disturbance I +created, had all crawled away.”</p> +<p>“How curious!” exclaimed Eric. “Could +you not find any of them?”</p> +<p>“Not a vestige of them.”</p> +<p>“It was singular—wasn’t it?”</p> +<p>“Yes. I have learned many singular +things since I have gone under the sea. For +instance, water is a very powerful conductor +of sound, much more so than air. We often +blast rocks under the water—”</p> +<p>“How can you?” interrupted Eric. “What +keeps the powder dry?”</p> +<p>“We have water-proof charges prepared.”</p> +<p>“But how can you fire them under the +water?” persisted Eric.</p> +<p>“By electricity,” responded Mr. Lacelle. +“A report of blasting rock a little distance +off, will scarcely disturb us upon the land; +but under the water it is very different. We +were once blasting rocks near the coast, and +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_88' name='page_88'></a>88</span> +another party were at work three quarters of +a mile from us.</p> +<p>“Our charge was set, and ready to go off; +I sent word to our distant neighbors that we +were about to blast, and they had better come +up until it was over. My courtesy was repaid +by a very profane answer, accompanied +with a request to ‘blast away.’</p> +<p>“So the charge was set off; and the unfortunate +divers in the distance were hauled +out of the water more dead than alive. I +afterwards learned from them that the shock +was tremendous.”</p> +<p>“When you blow up the rocks, do you +place the charges under them?” inquired +Eric.</p> +<p>“O, no; that would have no effect: holes +are drilled in the rock, and the charges +placed within them.”</p> +<p>“And when the rocks are blown, what do +you do with the pieces that come off?” asked +Eric. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_89' name='page_89'></a>89</span></p> +<p>“We grapple them with hooks and chains, +and draw them to the surface.”</p> +<p>“It is very interesting, and I am very +much obliged to you for telling me so +much,” said Eric. “I wish I could learn +<i>all</i> about it.”</p> +<p>“Well, my boy, you shall go with me to-morrow; +and, if you’re not afraid to venture, +I’ll take you down beneath the sea with me. +It is quite safe near Amsterdam.”</p> +<p>“O, thank you, sir,” said Eric, eagerly, +grasping the kind Frenchman’s hand.</p> +<p>“I must go now to the palace,” said Mr. +Lacelle. “I have an engagement there. +Will you do me the honor to amuse yourself +here until I return?”</p> +<p>“Thank you,” said Eric again, with a +joyous smile; for Mr. Lacelle’s room was +stored with ‘curios’ from the bottom of the +sea, and Eric knew he could spend a long +time very comfortably there.</p> +<p>He was careful to secure Froll in her +cage, that she might do no mischief; and +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_90' name='page_90'></a>90</span> +then he had a thoroughly good time, examining +the sea things; and as they were all labelled +with name and date, and the place +from which they were taken, he gained much +useful information.</p> +<p>Before night a letter came from his uncle, +saying that Johnny was quite ill, and had +been unable to travel to the Hague; but he +was now so much better, that they would +probably join Eric in a day or two.</p> +<p>“I shan’t mind waiting,” said Eric to himself; +“and there’s nothing now to prevent +my going to Amsterdam to-morrow; but I +wish uncle Charlie could be with me too.”</p> +<p>Then he remembered that he had been left +under the landlord’s care, and must obtain +his permission. So he sought him out, and +made known his request.</p> +<p>The landlord of the Vyverberg was a kind-hearted +German. He was quite fond of his +little American guest, and readily consented +to his plan for the morrow, telling Eric that +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_91' name='page_91'></a>91</span> +Monsieur Lacelle was a remarkable man, and +he could not be in better hands.</p> +<p>“I think this is just the jolliest country, +and full of the jolliest people in the world,” +was Eric’s mental comment before he fell +asleep that night. Indeed, there are few +people more kind-hearted, thoughtful, or +hospitable than the Dutch and Germans.</p> +<p>Eric’s parents were anxiously wondering +how their boy fared alone in Gravenhaag.</p> +<p>Could they have seen him as he read his +promised chapter, and knelt to commit himself +to God, or afterwards, falling asleep, +his last thought of the kindness of the people +around him, their own sleep would have been +far lighter, and their prayers would have +blessed the good foreigners.</p> +<hr class='major' /> +<div style='margin: auto; text-align: center; padding-top: 2em; padding-bottom: 1em'> +<a name='VIII_THRILLING_EXPERIENCE' id='VIII_THRILLING_EXPERIENCE'></a> +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_92' name='page_92'></a>92</span> +<h2>CHAPTER VIII.</h2> +<h3>THRILLING EXPERIENCE.</h3> +</div> + +<p>Early in the morning they went to +Amsterdam, or Amsteldamme, as the +Germans call it, because it controls the tides +of the Amstel River.</p> +<p>The city of Amsteldamme is situated on a +marsh, and all its houses and buildings are +erected on piles, which are driven from forty +to fifty feet into the earth.</p> +<p>“How many canals!” was Eric’s first remark, +when he obtained a good view of the +city.</p> +<p>“Yes,” said Mr. Lacelle. “When I was a +boy, I counted the bridges across the canals, +and there were two hundred and fifty. The +city is divided by the canals into ninety +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_93' name='page_93'></a>93</span> +islands. Those high walls were once ramparts, +but have since been converted into +public walks. They are planted with trees, +and make excellent promenades.”</p> +<p>“But suppose there should be another +war,” said Eric; “what would their defence +be?”</p> +<p>“They could easily flood the surrounding +country.”</p> +<p>“What splendid streets these are!” said +Eric, as they passed through one and another +with rows of beautiful shade trees, +handsome little stone bridges, broad, clean +pavements, and long lines of elegant mansions.</p> +<p>They were indeed very beautiful streets, +not easily to be surpassed in all Europe.</p> +<p>“I should think,” said Eric, thoughtfully, +“that there would be danger to the people +here in having so much water in their town. +Do the dikes ever give way?”</p> +<p>“Very seldom. The people watch them +very faithfully, and whenever a break is +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_94' name='page_94'></a>94</span> +discovered it is instantly repaired. There is +a very interesting story connected with the +dikes of Holland, which I will tell you, to +show you what great service a little boy did +his country.</p> +<p>“The little hero, Peter Daik, was on his +way home, one night, from a village to +which he had been sent by his father on an +errand, when he noticed the water trickling +through a narrow opening in the dike, built +up to keep out the sea.</p> +<p>“He stopped, and thought of what would +happen if the hole were not closed.</p> +<p>“He knew—for he had often heard his father +tell of the sad disasters which had come +from small beginnings—how, in a few hours, +the opening would become bigger, and let +in the mighty mass of water pressing on +the dike, until, the whole defence being +washed away, the rolling, dashing, angry +sea would sweep on to the next village, destroying +life and property, and everything in +its way. Should he run home and alarm +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_95' name='page_95'></a>95</span> +the villagers? It would be dark before +they could arrive; and the hole, even +then, might be so large as to defy all +attempts to close it. What could he do +to prevent such terrible ruin—he, only a +little boy?</p> +<p>“I will tell what he did. He sat down on +the bank of the canal, stopped the opening +with his hand, and patiently awaited the +passing of a villager. But no one came.</p> +<p>“Hour after hour rolled slowly by; yet +there sat the heroic boy in the cold and darkness, +shivering, wet, and tired, but stoutly +pressing his hand against the water that +tried to pass the dangerous breach.</p> +<p>“All night he staid at his post. At last +morning broke, when a clergyman, walking +up the canal, heard a groan, and looking +around to see where it came from, seeing the +boy, and surprised at his strange position, +exclaimed with astonishment,—</p> +<p>“‘Why are you there, my child?’</p> +<p>“‘I am keeping back the water, sir, and +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_96' name='page_96'></a>96</span> +saving the village from being drowned,’ +answered little Peter, with lips so benumbed +with cold that he could hardly speak.</p> +<p>“The astonished minister at once relieved +him of his hard duty, and the poor little +fellow had but just strength enough left to +alarm the villagers, who flocked to the dike, +and repaired the breach.</p> +<p>“Heroic boy! What a noble spirit of +self-devotion he had shown! resolving to +brave all the fatigue, the danger, the cold +and darkness, rather than permit the ruin +which would come if he deserted his post.</p> +<p>“There is a beautiful poem on the subject +by Miss Carey. I will repeat a few of the +last verses.”</p> +<p>Then Mr. Lacelle repeated in a clear, +mellow voice, whose slight foreign accent +lent it an additional charm to Eric’s ear,—</p> +<table summary='poetry' style='margin:0 auto'><tr><td> +<p style='margin: 0 0 0 0.0em;'>“So faintly calling and crying</p> +<p style='margin: 0 0 0 0.735835172921266em;'>Till the sun is under the sea,—</p> +<p style='margin: 0 0 0 0.0em;'>Crying and moaning till the stars</p> +<p style='margin: 0 0 0 0.735835172921266em;'>Come out for company.</p> +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_97' name='page_97'></a>97</span></div> +<p style='margin: 0 0 0 0.0em;'>He thinks of his brother and sister,</p> +<p style='margin: 0 0 0 0.735835172921266em;'>Asleep in their safe, warm bed;</p> +<p style='margin: 0 0 0 0.0em;'>He thinks of his father and mother;</p> +<p style='margin: 0 0 0 0.735835172921266em;'>Of himself as dying—and dead;</p> +<p style='margin: 0 0 0 0.0em;'>And of how, when the night is over,</p> +<p style='margin: 0 0 0 0.735835172921266em;'>They must come and find him at last;</p> +<p style='margin: 0 0 0 0.0em;'>But he never thinks he can leave the place</p> +<p style='margin: 0 0 0 0.735835172921266em;'>Where duty holds him fast.</p> +<br /> +<p style='margin: 0 0 0 0.0em;'>“The good dame in the cottage</p> +<p style='margin: 0 0 0 0.735835172921266em;'>Is up and astir with the light,</p> +<p style='margin: 0 0 0 0.0em;'>For the thought of her little Peter</p> +<p style='margin: 0 0 0 0.735835172921266em;'>Has been with her all the night.</p> +<p style='margin: 0 0 0 0.0em;'>And now she watches the pathway,</p> +<p style='margin: 0 0 0 0.735835172921266em;'>As yestereve she had done;</p> +<p style='margin: 0 0 0 0.0em;'>But what does she see so strange and black</p> +<p style='margin: 0 0 0 0.735835172921266em;'>Against the rising sun?</p> +<p style='margin: 0 0 0 0.0em;'>Her neighbors are bearing between them</p> +<p style='margin: 0 0 0 0.735835172921266em;'>Something straight to her door;</p> +<p style='margin: 0 0 0 0.0em;'>Her child is coming home, but not</p> +<p style='margin: 0 0 0 0.735835172921266em;'>As ever he came before.</p> +<br /> +<p style='margin: 0 0 0 0.0em;'>“‘He is dead!’ she cries; ‘my darling!’</p> +<p style='margin: 0 0 0 0.735835172921266em;'>And the startled father hears,</p> +<p style='margin: 0 0 0 0.0em;'>And comes and looks the way she looks,</p> +<p style='margin: 0 0 0 0.735835172921266em;'>And fears the thing she fears;</p> +<p style='margin: 0 0 0 0.0em;'>Till a glad shout from the bearers</p> +<p style='margin: 0 0 0 0.735835172921266em;'>Thrills the stricken man and wife—</p> +<p style='margin: 0 0 0 0.0em;'>‘Give thanks, for your son has saved our land,</p> +<p style='margin: 0 0 0 0.735835172921266em;'>And God has saved his life!’</p> +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_98' name='page_98'></a>98</span></div> +<p style='margin: 0 0 0 0.0em;'>So there in the morning sunshine</p> +<p style='margin: 0 0 0 0.735835172921266em;'>They knelt about the boy,</p> +<p style='margin: 0 0 0 0.0em;'>And every head was bared and bent</p> +<p style='margin: 0 0 0 0.735835172921266em;'>In tearful, reverent joy.</p> +<br /> +<p style='margin: 0 0 0 0.0em;'>“‘Tis many a day since then; but still,</p> +<p style='margin: 0 0 0 0.735835172921266em;'>When the sea roars like a flood,</p> +<p style='margin: 0 0 0 0.0em;'>Their boys are taught what a boy can do</p> +<p style='margin: 0 0 0 0.735835172921266em;'>Who is brave, and true, and good;</p> +<p style='margin: 0 0 0 0.0em;'>For every man in that country</p> +<p style='margin: 0 0 0 0.735835172921266em;'>Takes his son by the hand,</p> +<p style='margin: 0 0 0 0.0em;'>And tells him of little Peter,</p> +<p style='margin: 0 0 0 0.735835172921266em;'>Whose courage saved the land.</p> +<p style='margin: 0 0 0 0.0em;'>They have many a valiant hero</p> +<p style='margin: 0 0 0 0.735835172921266em;'>Remembered through the years,</p> +<p style='margin: 0 0 0 0.0em;'>But never one whose name so oft</p> +<p style='margin: 0 0 0 0.735835172921266em;'>Is named with loving tears.</p> +<p style='margin: 0 0 0 0.0em;'>And his deed shall be sung by the cradle,</p> +<p style='margin: 0 0 0 0.735835172921266em;'>And told to the child on the knee,</p> +<p style='margin: 0 0 0 0.0em;'>So long as the dikes of Holland</p> +<p style='margin: 0 0 0 0.735835172921266em;'>Divide the land from the sea.”</p> +</td></tr></table> + +<p>They had now come to the Y, an inlet of +the Zuyder Zee, where several of the men +under Mr. Lacelle were at work.</p> +<p>“Here we are,” said Eric, gladly. “Here +we are! Now for my ‘thrilling experience,’ +as the newspapers say.” +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_99' name='page_99'></a>99</span></p> +<p>There was a tent close by, into which +they stepped to change their dress for the +diver’s costume.</p> +<p>“Nobody would know me now, I am +sure,” said Eric to himself, when, with +much difficulty, and considerable help from +the attendants, he emerged from the tent +arrayed in the suit. “I can hardly drag my +feet along, they are so heavy; and I’m decidedly +glad that my every-day hat is not +like this helmet.”</p> +<p>Mr. Lacelle had given him particular +directions about diving, and now the life-line +and air-hose were adjusted, and the +brave boy stood beside the professional diver, +waiting for the descent.</p> +<p>The signal was given, and soon Eric was +going down underneath the blue, cold waves. +He could not see Mr. Lacelle; it seemed as +if he were never to stop going down: the +water sang around his ears; and seeing +nothing but water made him giddy and +faint. He thought he must certainly smother, +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_100' name='page_100'></a>100</span> +and, for an instant, was thoroughly +afraid.</p> +<p>Then he remembered that, at a single +touch of the life-line, the men above would +instantly draw him up, and, feeling quite +at his ease again, began to look about him. +To his great joy he saw the bottom, and +was presently upon it, and walking towards +Mr. Lacelle.</p> +<p>Suddenly a sound like heavy peals of +thunder reverberated through the water. +At a motion from Mr. Lacelle, Eric looked +quickly upward, and saw a school of tiny +fish, darting with great velocity towards +them, and several large fishes in pursuit of +the little ones.</p> +<p>On they came, straight towards Eric and +Mr. Lacelle; but just before reaching them, +they turned sharply off in the opposite +direction; as they turned, the noise increased +to a heavy peal, and ceased as they passed +from sight.</p> +<p>“How wonderful!” exclaimed Eric, involuntarily; +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_101' name='page_101'></a>101</span> +and his voice sounded like roaring +and screaming, though he had spoken +quite softly.</p> +<p>Mr. Lacelle then held at arm’s length a +small cartridge, which he signalled, by the +lines, for the men above to ignite. Almost +instantly it exploded. Eric was perfectly +astounded by the effects of the report.</p> +<p>It seemed as if huge rocks had fallen upon +his helmet; and such a crashing, rending +sound as accompanied the shock! It was +quite as much as he was able to bear in the +way of noise. Mr. Lacelle told him afterwards, +that the noise of the report in the +air would be no louder than that of a common +fire-cracker.</p> +<p>Eric hoped that Mr. Lacelle would make +no more experiments in sound, and the diver +did not seem at all anxious to do so.</p> +<p>It was rather awe-inspiring, Eric thought, +to be walking easily about at the bottom of +the sea, knowing that around and above +him lay the mighty element of death. And +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_102' name='page_102'></a>102</span> +there, under the water, the eighth psalm +came into his mind, and he realized its beauty +as he had never been able to before.</p> +<p>He walked around, picking up shells and +curious plants, and being careful to keep +near Mr. Lacelle, who was making some +calculations about the building of a huge +bridge, contemplated by the king. Several +large fish swam lazily up to Eric, eyed him +curiously, and let themselves be patted upon +the back.</p> +<p>“How amused Nettie would be!” he +thought, and wished the huge fish were less +inquisitive, as he did not particularly fancy +them. He was quite interested in the flowers, +which were as brilliant and beautiful as any +upon the land, when suddenly he discovered +a heap of shells quite similar to those which +Mr. Lacelle had described the day before. +He put several handfuls of them into his +diver’s basket, and then, moving off a few +steps, he watched to see what they would do.</p> +<p>When all was quiet, they moved slowly at +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_103' name='page_103'></a>103</span> +first, then more rapidly, and all crawled +away in the same direction.</p> +<p>“That is very curious,” thought Eric to +himself. “I wish I knew what they are.”</p> +<p>When he moved again, something struck +his foot. Looking quickly down through +the window in his helmet, he saw a small, +square box, made of tin, and fastened with a +padlock. A key was in the lock, and Eric +turned it and opened the box, wondering +what it could contain. The lid flew back, +and disclosed an inner cover, on which was +painted a coat of arms, with the name “Arthur +Montgomery” engraved beneath. A +spring was visible, and, pressing it, Eric disclosed +to his astonished vision a number of +English sovereigns—gold coins worth about +five dollars apiece.</p> +<p>His first impulse was to show the prize to +Mr. Lacelle, but he could not readily attract +his attention. So, putting the box in his +basket after safely locking it, he busied himself +with gathering the beautiful flowers +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_104' name='page_104'></a>104</span> +within his reach, and storing them in his +basket to press for his mother.</p> +<p>Suddenly he felt himself being drawn up +slowly towards the surface, and, turning his +head, saw that Mr. Lacelle was also ascending.</p> +<p>He knew that they were being drawn up +because Mr. Lacelle wished him to catch the +return train to Gravenhaag, and had cautioned +the men at the pumps not to let them remain +under water more than half an hour; +but he was extremely surprised to find that +the time had passed.</p> +<p>On reaching “terra firma,” so much +hurrying had to be done in changing his +armor for more convenient land apparel, that +he entirely forgot the box of money until +seated beside Mr. Lacelle in the carriage. +Then he showed it to him.</p> +<p>“That <i>was</i> a find, for so young a submarinist,” +said Mr. Lacelle. “It is yours, +my boy; divers consider themselves entitled +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_105' name='page_105'></a>105</span> +to all such unexpectedly discovered valuables.”</p> +<p>“But,” said Eric, eagerly, “the owner’s +name is upon the box; and see! here is a +letter addressed to ‘Arthur Montgomery, +Bart., Clone, Lancaster County, England.’ +I think I ought to return it.”</p> +<p>“Yes,” said Mr. Lacelle, pleased with +Eric’s honesty, “conscientiously you ought; +but you are not obliged to by law.”</p> +<p>“I would much rather,” said Eric, earnestly. +“Will you please to inquire about it, +and see that it reaches the owner?” Mr. +Lacelle promised, and, seeing Eric safely +aboard the cars, bade him good by, and left +for Amsteldamme.</p> +<hr class='major' /> +<div style='margin: auto; text-align: center; padding-top: 2em; padding-bottom: 1em'> +<a name='IX_UNCLE_JOHN' id='IX_UNCLE_JOHN'></a> +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_106' name='page_106'></a>106</span> +<h2>CHAPTER IX.</h2> +<h3>UNCLE JOHN.</h3> +</div> + +<p>When Eric returned to Gravenhaag, +whom should he see but his uncle, +Mr. Van Rasseulger? And he being the last +person in the world that Eric would have +thought of meeting there, of course he was +decidedly surprised.</p> +<p>“Uncle John!” he exclaimed, joyfully. +“Who would have thought of seeing you +here?”</p> +<p>“You wouldn’t, I’ll wager, young man, or +you’d not have gone wild goosing it over the +water at Amsterdam.”</p> +<p>“I’ve had a glorious time!” exclaimed +Eric. “I’ve been walking upon the bottom +of the Zuyder Zee.” +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_107' name='page_107'></a>107</span></p> +<p>“It’s high time somebody arrived to look +after you.”</p> +<p>“But, uncle John, it was perfectly safe. +Mr. Lacelle is an experienced diver; and +the landlord under whose care papa left me +gave me permission. Besides, nothing happened—”</p> +<p>“How stout and healthy you have grown!” +exclaimed Mr. Van Rasseulger, interrupting +Eric. “If Johnny has improved as much +as you have, I shall send him abroad frequently.”</p> +<p>“How is Johnny? He was ill when uncle +Charlie wrote to me.”</p> +<p>“Ill!” exclaimed Johnny’s fond papa, instantly +growing anxious. “What did the +doctor say, Eric?”</p> +<p>“Only that I must wait here a day or two, +until Johnny was well enough to come on.”</p> +<p>“And where were they when he wrote?”</p> +<p>“At Paris,” said Eric.</p> +<p>“I meant to stay with you to-night,” said +his uncle; “but I believe I shall take the +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_108' name='page_108'></a>108</span> +boat to Antwerp to-night, and catch the Express +to Paris. I must look after my boy.”</p> +<p>“O, please take me with you,” pleaded +Eric. “Mr. Lacelle is going to stay at Amsterdam, +and I shall be terribly lonesome +here, all alone again.”</p> +<p>“Well, get your things together. Can +you be ready in two hours?”</p> +<p>“In ten minutes,” cried Eric, gayly: +“mamma did all my packing before she left. +I’ve only to tumble a few things into my +travelling-bag, and to feed myself and Froll.”</p> +<p>“The little monkey? I’ve made her acquaintance. +We’re quite good friends.”</p> +<p>“Uncle John, if you haven’t seen the doctor +or Johnny, how <i>did</i> you find me?” said +Eric, who had been puzzling himself with +this question for some time.</p> +<p>“Entirely by accident,” replied his uncle. +“I arrived here about two hours since, and, +finding all your names on the register, supposed +I had stepped right into a family party; +but then I learned that your father and mother, +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_109' name='page_109'></a>109</span> +and that bundle of mischief called Nettie, +had gone home, and that <i>Mynheer</i> Eric had +gone to Amsteldamme to explore the mysteries +of the bottom of the sea. I was so +frightened that if there had been a chance +of hitting you, I should have gone directly +after you.”</p> +<p>“I wish you had,” said Eric, “in time to +have gone down into the water.”</p> +<p>Mr. Van Rasseulger, for all his talk about +Eric’s expedition, was heartily pleased with +his brave little nephew, and was thinking to +himself such an honest, energetic, courageous +boy would make his way well in the world.</p> +<p>Eric had no idea that he was a particularly +interesting boy. He was large and strong +for his age, easy in his manners, and had +a frank, joyous countenance, surmounted +by thick, brown, curly hair. His eyes were +very honest eyes indeed, often opening wide +in a surprised way, when they saw anything +not quite right, and blazing and flashing upon +the aggressor when they witnessed wrong, +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_110' name='page_110'></a>110</span> +cruelty, or injustice. He had been brought +up upon the creed, “First of all, <i>do right</i>; +and <i>be a gentleman</i>.” And being thoughtful, +careful, and obedient, he was trusted +and respected as few boys of his age rarely +deserve to be.</p> +<p>Of course he had his faults. No young +lad is without them. But the difference +between Eric and other boys was, that when +he became conscious of a fault in his character, +he immediately set about overcoming it, +and therefore soon got rid of it. But he was +obliged to keep a very careful watch over +himself, for little faults creep into one’s character +faster than the little weeds spring up in +the flower garden, and, like the weeds, too, +if at once removed are almost harmless, but +if allowed to spread and flourish they soon +spoil the entire character, as the weeds spoil +the garden.</p> +<p>While we have been moralizing, Eric has +eaten his supper, neatly packed up the few +things left about, and, with Froll and his +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_111' name='page_111'></a>111</span> +travelling-bag, starts from the Vyverberg for +Paris.</p> +<p>A very common-looking steamboat took +them to Antwerp. There is not much to relate +of their journey, for Eric’s adventures +had so tired him that he slept all the way, +only awakening to take the cars at Antwerp, +and rousing once again to know they were +passing through Brussels, and to hear his +uncle say that the finest altar in the world +was in the cathedral there. They arrived at +Paris about noon of the next day, and, after +considerable trouble, found that Dr. Ward +had taken rooms in a hotel in the <i>Place +Vendôme</i>, whither they at once repaired.</p> +<p>Eric wanted to give his uncle and cousin +a surprise. So Mr. Van Rasseulger did not +send up their names, but they stole softly up +the stairs, and opened the door.</p> +<p>Johnny was alone, lying upon the floor, +with a very fretful, discontented expression +upon his countenance.</p> +<p>He turned his head towards the door, and +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_112' name='page_112'></a>112</span> +there, upon the threshold, blushing and laughing, +stood Eric; and, better still, behind +him was papa. The child uttered a joyful +cry, and sprang into his father’s arms, who +hurried to meet him, exclaiming,—</p> +<p>“My boy, my Johnny-boy, what is the +matter?”</p> +<p>“It’s only the mumps,” said Johnny, reassuringly, +and holding out his hand to Eric. +“O, ain’t I glad you’ve come!” he added. +“It’s awful dull here, uncle Charlie is away +at the hospital so much.”</p> +<p>“Well, how have you been, excepting the +mumps?” inquired his father, relieved enough +to find nothing serious the matter with his +petted boy.</p> +<p>“Bully!” exclaimed John, very improperly. +“See how strong I’m getting, papa!” +and he threw out his fist suddenly, giving his +father a very uncomfortable punch in the side.</p> +<p>“I’m glad you didn’t illustrate on me,” +said Eric, laughing. “Uncle John, are you +a tester?” +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_113' name='page_113'></a>113</span></p> +<p>“I’m an <i>at</i>testor, certainly,” replied his +uncle. “Johnny, if you demonstrate your +power of strength so forcibly and practically, +some one will apply oil of birch to you.”</p> +<p>“Then I’ll be in first-rate running order,” +retorted Johnny, “and you’ll have to take +me to Strasbourg.”</p> +<p>“Indeed,” said his father, “I think so.”</p> +<p>As they all sat, merrily talking, Dr. +Ward returned, and was pleased and surprised +enough to find his unexpected guests. +His greeting was very cordial.</p> +<p>Eric he was particularly glad to see; he +had been worried about leaving him so long, +alone, at the Hague; and Johnny had been +too ill to travel or to be left with strangers, +and Eric was too inexperienced, his uncle +thought, to go from the Hague to Paris +alone. So it was quite a relief to find him +safely at hand.</p> +<p>“And now,” he said, after talking about +home affairs for quite a while, “I see my way +out of a dilemma. I have been anxious to attend +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_114' name='page_114'></a>114</span> +two or three medical lectures at Heidelberg, +and if you will look after the boys for +a day or two, I can have my desire.”</p> +<p>“Certainly; I will for a day or two. At +the end of that time I must go home. +Here’s this dutiful boy of mine, with never +a word for mamma, Annie, or Adolphe.</p> +<p>“Well,” said Johnny, remonstrating, “you +took me so by surprise, papa, that I forgot +all about them.”</p> +<p>“Your filial affection must be strong,” +said his father, laughing at him.</p> +<p>Johnny did not like this, and proposed to +Eric to take a walk, and “see Paris.”</p> +<p>While they were gone, Mr. Van Rasseulger +arranged with the doctor to meet them +again at Heidelberg; meanwhile he would +keep the boys with him for a week. They +would leave Paris the next day, if John was +well enough.</p> +<p>Dr. Ward thought he would be.</p> +<p>Mr. Van Rasseulger explained that he +had been obliged to visit Rotterdam and +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_115' name='page_115'></a>115</span> +Hague suddenly on business, and must go +to Vienna, in Austria, and start for home, +within a fortnight.</p> +<p>“Don’t neglect to take the boy to Munich, +and show him to his grandfather; and don’t +forget your promise to ‘make him as hearty +and strong as Eric,’” he said.</p> +<p>Poor little Johnny, in the interval between +his own birth and that of his baby brother,—a +space of seven years,—had been petted +and pampered, and almost thoroughly spoiled. +His temper had suffered with his constitution, +and he became a delicate, sickly child. +His parents, while living in New York, had +lost three boys, and fearing to lose Johnny, +too, had sent him to travel abroad, under +Dr. Ward’s care. Mr. Van Rasseulger was +a native of Germany, and thought there was +no air so invigorating as that breathed in on +German soil. He had great hopes of its +curing John’s delicacy; and Dr. Ward +thought that a strange country and traveller’s +hardships would be excellent aids in +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_116' name='page_116'></a>116</span> +restoring the boy’s natural health and good-nature.</p> +<p>Meanwhile, Eric was seeing Paris under +Johnny’s guidance. To be sure, he could +not see much in a day; but he took a look +at the war column in the <i>Place Vendôme</i>, +saw the <i>Palace of the Tuileries</i>, the <i>Jardin +des Plantes</i>, and entertained his little cousin +with an account of his visit to the King of +Holland, and his submarine diving, both +of which Johnny thought very wonderful. +Eric was not much concerned at seeing so +little of Paris at the time, for he knew that +the doctor intended to spend a month there, +after visiting Munich. He bought a guide-book +while out with Johnny, and then they +returned to their rooms in time to see the +doctor start for Heidelberg.</p> +<p>“Eric,” said Johnny, when Dr. Ward had +gone, “I must show you the American railway +here.”</p> +<p>“Why?” said Eric; “I’m sure that is the +last thing I came to Paris to see.” +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_117' name='page_117'></a>117</span></p> +<p>“Now,” said Johnny, importantly, “I +suppose you think you know just what it is; +but you’re quite as mistaken as if you were +a donkey without ears.”</p> +<p>“John!” said his father, reprovingly.</p> +<p>“That was only a ‘simile,’ papa,” answered +Johnny, roguishly, as he led Eric +out again.</p> +<p>Sure enough, when they reached the railway, +Eric found that his idea of it had been +far from correct.</p> +<p>“It is nothing at all but an omnibus running +upon rails,” he said: “I don’t see why +they call it American.”</p> +<p>“It isn’t anything like as nice as our street +cars—is it?” answered Johnny, with a flourish +of national pride quite pardonable in so +young an American.</p> +<p>Just then the conductor, supposing the +two boys wished to be passengers, saluted +them politely, exclaiming, “<i>Complete, complete!</i>” +and the omnibus rolled off along the +rails. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_118' name='page_118'></a>118</span></p> +<p>“What did he mean?” asked Eric, quite +puzzled.</p> +<p>“He said the coach was full,” Johnny +replied. “They are never allowed to carry +more passengers than there are seats for.”</p> +<p>“That is still less and less like an American +railway,” said Eric, laughing, and thinking +of the crowded cars and overstrained +horses he had so often seen and pitied, +wearily perambulating the streets of New +York.</p> +<p>“Let’s have some cake and coffee,” Johnny +proposed, as they were strolling towards +home. “I think French coffee is hard to +beat.”</p> +<p>“When I was your age,” remarked Eric, +“mamma almost decided to live in Paris; +but I am very glad she did not, for I think +New York a great deal nicer.”</p> +<p>Johnny led the way to a café—that is, a +coffee-house,—and here they regaled themselves +with rolls and delicious coffee.</p> +<p>Eric was shocked to see Johnny appropriate +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_119' name='page_119'></a>119</span> +a couple of cakes and two lumps of +sugar, left over from their repast, and convey +them to his pocket.</p> +<p>“Why, Johnny!” he exclaimed, in a tone +of mortification.</p> +<p>“They all do so,” said John, laughing. “A +Frenchman thinks he has a right to everything +that he pays for. Watch the others.”</p> +<p>Eric looked around and saw several +Frenchmen, who had finished their lunch, +following John’s example.</p> +<p>“Well,” said he, “if I should do that at +Millard’s, how they <i>would</i> all stare!”</p> +<p>Johnny was quite pleased with his own +importance in being able to show Eric +around the city, and proposed several places +that they “ought to see.” But the afternoon +was waning, and a damp, chilly breeze sprang +up, which Eric knew, from experience, was +not at all good for the mumps. So he very +prudently hurried Johnny home, holding +forth Froll’s loneliness as an additional inducement.</p> +<hr class='major' /> +<div style='margin: auto; text-align: center; padding-top: 2em; padding-bottom: 1em'> +<a name='X_STRASBOURG' id='X_STRASBOURG'></a> +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_120' name='page_120'></a>120</span> +<h2>CHAPTER X.</h2> +<h3>STRASBOURG.</h3> +</div> + +<p>“Uncle John,” said Eric, the next +morning, “do you think of going +through Strasbourg, when we leave for Munich?”</p> +<p>“No,” said his uncle; “I have business to +attend to on another route.”</p> +<p>“But, papa,” expostulated Johnny, “we +want to see the great clock in the Strasbourg +Cathedral.”</p> +<p>“It will be impossible for me to go,” Mr. +Van Rasseulger said, very decidedly; but +seeing that both the boys were greatly disappointed, +he added, “If you could be a sober +boy, Johnny, I might trust you alone with +Eric, and you might go to Switzerland by +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_121' name='page_121'></a>121</span> +the Strasbourg route, meeting me at Lucerne.”</p> +<p>“By ourselves? O, how jolly!” Johnny +exclaimed, turning a somersault upon the +floor.</p> +<p>“But the question is, my boy, <i>Can</i> I trust +you?”</p> +<p>“O, papa!”</p> +<p>“I will consider it, John. I can trust Eric, +but your inclinations are apt to be rather unsteady.”</p> +<p>That was certainly true, for Johnny’s inclination +just then was, back parallel with +the floor, heels at a right angle with his +head.</p> +<p>“But I think I will try you,” continued his +father. “I shall put you under Eric’s care, +and require you to obey and refer to him. +You may start to-morrow morning, which +will give you time to spend a day and night +at Strasbourg, and to meet me at Lucerne, +on the evening of the day after to-morrow.”</p> +<p>“Hurrah! hurrah!” screamed Johnny, +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_122' name='page_122'></a>122</span> +leaping to his feet, “hurrah for Strasbourg and +its wonderful clock! Three cheers for—Good +gracious!”</p> +<p>The excited boy’s exuberant spirits went +up with Eric’s guide-book to the ceiling of +the room, and returned in bewilderment as +the unfortunate book came down in a basin +of water in which he had been sailing his +magnetic ship.</p> +<p>“An encouraging beginning that,” remarked +his father, gravely.</p> +<p>“I didn’t mean to, Eric,” Johnny said +quite meekly; “I guess ‘twill dry in the sun.”</p> +<p>“Then you had better put it there,” said +Mr. Van Rasseulger; “you are tearing the +leaves by holding the book in your wet +hands.” Johnny spread the guide-book upon +a sunny window-seat, listening with interest +to Eric’s proposal.</p> +<p>“I must study the route on the map down +stairs; and if you are willing, uncle John, I +will go out now with Johnny and get the +tickets.” +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_123' name='page_123'></a>123</span></p> +<p>“Certainly,” said his uncle; “but my advice +would be to study a dry guide-book and +the map before getting the tickets; there may +be a choice of routes.”</p> +<p>This was excellent advice, as the boys +soon found. There were three routes, and +some time elapsed before they decided upon +one.</p> +<p>At length they chose the shortest of all, +as their time was limited and they wanted it +all for Strasbourg. Their choice, therefore, +fell upon the most direct route, it being +straight across the country of France, and +for a distance of about two hundred and fifty +miles traversed by rail.</p> +<p>They consulted with Monsieur Richarte, +the landlord, and their uncle, and decided to +take an early train on the following morning. +A ride of eight hours would suffice for the +journey, and their early start would enable +them to have a few hours for sight-seeing in +the day and twilight.</p> +<p>But tourists should always allow for detention. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_124' name='page_124'></a>124</span> +For although Mr. Van Rasseulger saw +them safely aboard the early train in the +morning, an accident detained them at Vitry, +and when they reached Strasbourg it was night—a +dark, rainy, dismal night.</p> +<p>They rode directly to the principal hotel, +a large, roomy, comfortable-looking place, +and immediately after supper proceeded to +their room for the night.</p> +<p>Before retiring, Johnny looked out from +between the crimson window curtains, to see +what he could of the city; but little was visible. +Opposite the window was a little two-story +house, with queer stagings about the +chimneys. He called Eric to look at them, +saying he guessed the chimneys were being +rebuilt.</p> +<p>“No, Johnny,” said Eric. “You will find +those stagings upon almost every house here. +They are erected by the house-owners for the +especial accommodation of storks that build in +the chimneys and are the street scavengers of +Strasbourg.” +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_125' name='page_125'></a>125</span></p> +<p>“Are they?” said Johnny, sleepily; “well, +let’s go to bed.” They were both very tired +and sleepy boys, and prepared for a good +night’s rest.</p> +<p>“I think I shall sleep well,” Johnny remarked.</p> +<p>“And I’m sure I shall,” said Eric. “I’ve +travelled nearly six hundred miles since night +before last.”</p> +<p>But they were destined to disappointment, +for from the large, open fireplace in the +room there issued, all night long, a continuous +wailing, moaning, rustling sound, caused +by the wind; added to which were the dismal +groanings of the old storks and piping of the +young ones.</p> +<p>It seemed to Eric that he had but just +fallen asleep, when Johnny was shaking him +and hallooing in his ear.</p> +<p>“Eric! Eric! it’s a splendid morning! +Get up quick. I want to go out and see the +sights. Hurry up!”</p> +<p>“Yes,” said Eric. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_126' name='page_126'></a>126</span></p> +<p>Johnny scampered down stairs, and before +long Eric joined him in the hall, where the +impatient boy was walking on his hands, with +his heels in the air, by way of diversion.</p> +<p>“All ready?” he cried, and resumed a position +more convenient and becoming for a +promenade, as they started.</p> +<p>They had a fine, breezy walk.</p> +<p>Strasbourg is not far from the Rhine; and +one of its tributaries, the graceful, sparkling +<i>Ill</i> River, which, as Johnny suggested, is a +very <i>good</i> stream, washes the city’s walls and +supplies it with water.</p> +<p>This city is famous for its immense fortifications, +its Minster, or Cathedral, and the +Astronomical Clock of the Three Sages.</p> +<p>Its form is triangular, and the entire city +is enclosed by a bastioned line of ramparts +and several outworks.</p> +<p>There are seven entrance gates, and on the +east side is a strong pentagonal or five-sided +tower.</p> +<p>There is a network of sluices, by which +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_127' name='page_127'></a>127</span> +the surrounding country can be inundated. +Strasbourg is one of the most important fortresses +and arsenals of France, besides being +its principal depot of artillery. It is pleasantly +situated, but most of its streets are +narrow, with lofty eaves-drooping houses.</p> +<p>The boys were surprised to hear its inhabitants +speaking German instead of French, +but learned that the town was originally +German, and was ceded to France in one of +the Louis XIV. wars, when it became the +capital of <i>Bas Rhin</i>, a division of France, +on the eastern frontier.</p> +<p>In many of the streets of Strasbourg are +little wooden bridges, similar to canal bridges. +These are built over the Ill, which intersects +the city in all directions.</p> +<p>When Eric and Johnny took their stroll, it +was market-day, and, even at that early hour, +the streets presented a lively scene.</p> +<p>Carts and drays were the stalls in the open +street, and people were buying and selling +at a great rate. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_128' name='page_128'></a>128</span></p> +<p>The fish stalls were surrounded by storks; +but the people seemed to mind them no more +than the birds minded the people. These +storks are great favorites with Germans. In +Strasbourg they are as tame as our domestic +hens, and it is very comical to see them strutting +importantly about, as if they had as good +a right to the sidewalk as the other citizens.</p> +<p>The boys returned to the hotel with ravenous +appetites, but, hungry as they were, +could not appreciate the described daintiness +of a most apparently unpalatable pie, called +<i>pâté de foie gras</i>; so they were obliged to +content themselves with other edibles and fragrant +French coffee.</p> +<p>“Now for the minster!” said Eric, as they +arose from the table.</p> +<p>“The <i>minister</i>?” exclaimed Johnny; +“what for?”</p> +<p>Eric laughed.</p> +<p>“Not <i>minister</i>, but <i>minster</i>. A minster +is a cathedral church.”</p> +<p>“I don’t care much about the minster, +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_129' name='page_129'></a>129</span> +then,” said Johnny, running up stairs on all +fours. “I’ve seen cathedrals till I’m sick of +them. But this clock <i>is</i> curious, and I’m +anxious to see it.”</p> +<p>“Johnny,” expostulated Eric, “walk properly. +You ought to have been a monkey.—And +that reminds me,” he added, “I +must feed Froll and fasten her, that she may +do no mischief while we’re at the cathedral.”</p> +<p>Little Froll received an ample breakfast, +and her silver chain was securely fastened. +Then the boys left her.</p> +<p>When they had been gone a while, and +her breakfast had disappeared, Froll became +lonesome, and cast her eyes about to see with +what mischief she might best employ herself. +But thoughtful Eric had placed every temptation +out of her reach.</p> +<p>Meanwhile Eric and Johnny were viewing +the wonders of the famous astronomical +clock.</p> +<p>This clock is in the Strasbourg Cathedral. +It was built in the cathedral, before its completion, +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_130' name='page_130'></a>130</span> +in the year 1439, and was invented +by Isaac Habrecht, a Jewish astrologer.</p> +<p>European clocks were first invented in the +eleventh century, by the Saracens, and used +principally for monasteries. They were very +rude, simple affairs, and sometimes would +only “go” when somebody pushed the pendulum, +which was rather inconvenient than +otherwise.</p> +<p>So wise mathematicians tried to make +improvements; and some succeeded, among +whom was Isaac Habrecht, who, in the fourteenth +century, invented the most wonderful +clock in the world, and called it the “Clock +of the Three Sages,” because once in every +hour the figures of the Three Kings of the +Orient came out from a niche in its side, and +made a reverential bow before an image of +the Virgin Mary, seated just above the dial-plate, +on the front of the clock.</p> +<p>It is built of dark wood, gilded and carved, +and is sixty feet high. In shape it is somewhat +similar to a church, with a tower on +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_131' name='page_131'></a>131</span> +either side of the entrance; and these towers +of the clock are encircled by spiral staircases, +which are used when repairs are necessary.</p> +<p>When Isaac Habrecht invented this wonderful +clock, he meant it to run forever, +always displaying to the good people of +Strasbourg the days of the month, places of +the sun and moon, and other celestial phenomena; +and while he lived it worked admirably: +but when he had been dead a while, the clock +stopped; and as nobody else understood its +machinery, it had quite a vacation.</p> +<p>After a while, however, the good people +of Strasbourg took it in hand, and it was +repaired and set going—only to stop again. +Thus it went on until Napoleon’s time.</p> +<p>Strasbourg, originally a German town, was +ceded to Louis XIV. in 1681; so the clock +was French property, and Napoleon decided +it must be brought to life again. Under the +most skilful French and German machinists +this repairing took place. It was eminently +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_132' name='page_132'></a>132</span> +successful <i>this</i> time, and, when completed, +was a great improvement on the old clock.</p> +<p>It will now give not only the time of +Strasbourg, but of every principal city in the +world; also the day of the week and month, +the course of the sun and planets, and all the +eclipses of the sun and moon, in their regular +order.</p> +<p>In an alcove, above the dial, is an image +of the Saviour; and every day, at noon, +figures of the twelve apostles march round it +and bow, while the holy image, with uplifted +hands, administers a silent blessing. A cock, +on the highest point of the right hand tower, +flaps his wings and crows three times; and +when he stops, a beautiful chime of bells +rings out familiar and very musical tunes.</p> +<p>A figure of Time, in a niche on one side, +strikes the quarter hours from twelve to one; +and four figures—Childhood, Youth, Manhood, +and Old Age—pass slowly before +him. In a niche, on the other side is an +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_133' name='page_133'></a>133</span> +angel turning an hour-glass. The clock is +in the south transept of the cathedral.</p> +<p>Persons travelling abroad usually take +Strasbourg on their route, to visit its cathedral,—the +spire of which is the highest in +the world, being four hundred and sixty +feet high,—and to see its wonderful astronomical +clock.</p> +<p>Eric and Johnny were very much pleased +with the famous clock. The guide who explained +and told its history to them was +very good-natured, and even allowed them +to ascend the tower of the cathedral, which, +usually, is not allowable.</p> +<p>Here they had a most magnificent view, +which I cannot attempt to describe, and only +advise you to go and see it for yourself.</p> +<p>Before leaving the cathedral, they bought +two photographs of the wonderful clock, intending +to send them home, with a description +of their visit to Strasbourg.</p> +<p>By the time their explorations were finished, +Johnny declared that he was so +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_134' name='page_134'></a>134</span> +hungry, he could almost eat one of those +goose pies. The morning was quite gone. +It would soon be time to take the train for +Lucerne, and they must have dinner.</p> +<p>“Won’t Froll be glad to see us back!” +exclaimed Johnny, as they reached their +room; “she doesn’t like to be left alone.”</p> +<p>Eric had bought some nuts for the little +creature, and went with them straightway +to her cage.</p> +<p>The cage was just as he left it; the silver +chain was there, too, fastened to one of the +bars and to the tiny collar; but the collar +hung dangling at the end of the chain, and +Froll was nowhere to be seen.</p> +<hr class='major' /> +<div style='margin: auto; text-align: center; padding-top: 2em; padding-bottom: 1em'> +<a name='XI_ERIC_IN_TROUBLE' id='XI_ERIC_IN_TROUBLE'></a> +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_135' name='page_135'></a>135</span> +<h2>CHAPTER XI.</h2> +<h3>ERIC IN TROUBLE.</h3> +</div> + +<p>A thorough search was instantly +made; but neither around the room, +nor behind the furniture, nor upon the gallery +roof, were any traces to be found of the +lost Frolic.</p> +<p>“It is too bad,” cried Eric, in perplexity, +while Johnny looked ready to cry. “We +must speak to the landlord, and ask him +what we are to do.”</p> +<p>Eric’s German was by no means perfect; +but he managed to make the good-natured +landlord understand their trouble. He made +inquiries of all, directly; but no one had +seen the little monkey since the boys had +left her. He did not think it at all likely +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_136' name='page_136'></a>136</span> +that she had been stolen, for no one could +get to the boys’ room without being noticed +by some of the servants, and he was quite +sure that she would return safely to her +comfortable quarters; so he advised the boys +to leave the window open for her, and to go +at once to the dinner he had been for some +time keeping for them.</p> +<p>His sensible advice was unwillingly followed; +but Froll took no advantage of the +window left open for her benefit.</p> +<p>Eric and Johnny waited and watched impatiently, +until it was almost time to start +for the train. Then Eric left directions with +the landlord, in case the monkey should be +found and captured; promising to send for +her. He was just going to call Johnny, +when he heard his voice, crying, excitedly, +“Eric, Eric!” and hoping Froll had returned, +ran quickly up the stairs.</p> +<p>“See there, what I found on the floor,” +exclaimed Johnny, as he entered the room, +and held up before Eric’s astonished gaze a +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_137' name='page_137'></a>137</span> +jewelled ring, that flashed and sparkled in +the sunlight.</p> +<p>“Good gracious!” exclaimed Eric; “on +the floor of <i>this</i> room?”</p> +<p>“Yes,” answered Johnny, “on the floor, +just where you’re standing. It’s a mercy we +haven’t stepped on it. Don’t you think so?”</p> +<p>“We must find the owner at once. Isn’t +it splendid!” said Eric, admiringly; “three +diamonds and an emerald; it must have cost +a fortune.”</p> +<p>Just at this juncture the door opened, and +the landlord, followed by a French officer +and a civilian, entered the room. The landlord +exclaimed, in German,—</p> +<p>“I beg your pardon, young gentlemen, +but a serious loss has occurred in the house, +and as you are about leaving it, perhaps you +will be kind enough to let us inspect—”</p> +<p>“<i>Ah! mon Dieu! il y ait!</i>”<a name="FNanchor_1" id="FNanchor_1"></a><a href="#Footnote_1" class="fnanchor">[1]</a> screamed +the French civilian, darting towards Eric +and John, and, snatching the ring from +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_138' name='page_138'></a>138</span> +Johnny’s hand, displayed it triumphantly +before the landlord and the officer.</p> +<p>“I found it on the floor,” said Johnny. +“Is it yours?”</p> +<p>“A likely story!” muttered the Frenchman.</p> +<p>“I’m very glad you’ve got it,” said Eric, +with dignity. “My cousin found it on the +floor a minute ago, and we were on the +point of taking it to the landlord when you +came in.”</p> +<p>Eric spoke slowly and distinctly, and with +an air of honest truth that at once convinced +the landlord. But the excitable +little Frenchman, who had been clasping +the precious ring, and murmuring, “<i>Ciel, +ciel! ah, ciel!</i>” in an incoherent way, now +sprang at Eric, and grasping him by the +collar, exclaimed, angrily, “O, you fine +fellow! you wicked one! where is my—my +gold?—my gold? where is it?” and he gave +the boy a series of shakes.</p> +<p>Eric’s anger was fully aroused. With +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_139' name='page_139'></a>139</span> +flashing eyes, “How dare you!” he said, +indignantly, and, turning upon the Frenchman, +flung him with some violence against +the wall.</p> +<p>This made the little Frenchman still more +furious; he would have sprung again upon +Eric, but the officer interfered. Johnny, +with his eyes almost starting from his head, +had terrifiedly regarded this little scene, +doubling his fists to aid in Eric’s rescue.</p> +<p>Eric turned indignantly to the landlord,—</p> +<p>“What is the meaning of all this? Are +two defenceless American boys, your guests, +to be openly insulted in your presence without +protection?”</p> +<p>“Count D’Orsay has been robbed of his +diamond ring and a sum of money,” explained +the landlord. “He insisted that no +person should leave the hotel without examination. +That is why we came to you. +He has found the ring in your hands, which +is very astonishing, and he now suspects you +of having the gold.” +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_140' name='page_140'></a>140</span></p> +<p>The landlord spoke gently, and seemed +grieved to be obliged to hurt their feelings, +as he knew his implied meaning must.</p> +<p>Poor Eric’s face flushed hotly with shame +and anger, while Johnny cried, furiously, +“Eric, Eric, for pity’s sake send for papa! +He will teach that hateful Frenchman what +it is to call us thieves.”</p> +<p>“Be quiet, John!” said Eric, imperiously. +“Come here.”</p> +<p>“Now, sir,” turning to the landlord, +“please to let your officer search us, and +then our baggage. Do it at once, for we +are to leave Strasbourg directly.”</p> +<p>“Indeed!” sneered Count D’Orsay. “Perhaps +you will not leave Strasbourg for the +present. Search them, officer.”</p> +<p>The officer advanced reluctantly, and, by +his expression of sympathy, showed himself +much more a gentleman than the titled count, +whose habitual politeness had been driven +away by Eric’s powerful thrust.</p> +<p>The landlord, although deeply sympathetic, +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_141' name='page_141'></a>141</span> +and convinced of their honesty, was powerless +to resist Count D’Orsay. He was a German +innholder, and the count a wealthy, influential +French nobleman, with a proper warrant +for searching his house. So he could +in no way protect the boys from the indignity +put upon them. But he hailed with +joy Johnny’s suggestion to send for his father, +deciding to do so at once, if they should +be detained.</p> +<p>Of course no gold was found upon either +of them, except that given to Eric for tickets +and hotel expenses, and none was found in +their baggage.</p> +<p>But just as they were preparing to leave +the place, having been released by the officer, +Count D’Orsay uttered an exclamation, and +pointed to a <i>fauteuil</i>—an easy chair—by +the window.</p> +<p>“<i>Celui-là!</i>”</p> +<p>The officer stepped to the chair, and found, +tucked between the cushion and the arm, a +silk purse, full of gold pieces. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_142' name='page_142'></a>142</span></p> +<p>Eric and Johnny were horror-stricken, and +the good landlord was dumb with astonishment.</p> +<p>The French count held up the purse triumphantly, +and jingled the gold before Eric’s +eyes, exclaiming, tauntingly,—</p> +<p>“It is mine, and I have it. The <i>prison</i> +is yours, and you shall have it.”</p> +<p>“Eric, Eric,” cried Johnny, in agony of +terror, “they <i>can’t</i> send us to prison. We +haven’t done anything. We didn’t know the +money was there, or the ring. O, what shall +we do? Send for papa!”</p> +<p>Eric’s face was very white, and his hand +trembled visibly, as he wrote his uncle’s address +on a card, and requested the landlord +to send for him.</p> +<p>Count D’Orsay wished them to be at once +conducted to prison: but this the landlord +would not allow, and the officer declared was +unnecessarily severe. They might remain in +their room, with a guard, and the landlord +would be responsible for their remaining. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_143' name='page_143'></a>143</span></p> +<p>As soon as the detestable Frenchman had +gone, Johnny threw himself at full length +upon the floor, crying violently. Eric could +not comfort him, but sat at the window, with +a proud, defiant face and swelling heart.</p> +<p>Presently the kind landlord came again to +them.</p> +<p>He had sent word by telegraph to Johnny’s +father, and received a return message. Mr. +Van Rasseulger would be with them by +night.</p> +<p>This was comforting. And gradually the +boys thought less and less of their trouble, +and became quite interested in making conjectures +with the landlord as to when and +how the money and jewels came into their +room, and if Froll’s disappearance could be +owing to the same cause, or in any way connected +with it, and if she would probably +return at night.</p> +<p>“It’s an ill wind that blows nobody good,” +said Eric; “and perhaps, by being detained +here, we shall find her.”</p> +<div class='figcenter'> +<img src='images/illus3.jpg' alt='' title='' style='width: 347px; height: 486px;' /><br /> +<p class='caption' style='margin: 0 auto; text-align:center;width: 347px;'> +<span style='font-variant: small-caps'>Eric and the French Count</span>.—Page 143.<br /> +</p> +</div> + +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_144' name='page_144'></a>144</span></div> +<p>“I don’t care what they do when papa +gets here,” said Johnny, whose faith in his +father’s power was limitless. “He’ll just +<i>fix</i> that Count D’Orsay.”</p> +<p>Meanwhile Mr. Van Rasseulger was whizzing +rapidly towards them in the afternoon +train, and another powerful friend was coming +from an opposite direction.</p> + +<hr style='width: 10%; border:none; border-bottom:1px solid black; clear:both; margin: 2em auto 1em 0' /> + +<div class='footnote'><a name='Footnote_1' id='Footnote_1'></a><a href='#FNanchor_1'><span class='label'>[1]</span></a> +<p style='font-size: small'> O Heaven! he has it!</p></div> + +<hr class='major' /> +<div style='margin: auto; text-align: center; padding-top: 2em; padding-bottom: 1em'> +<a name='XII__A_FRIEND_IN_NEED_IS_A_FRIEND_INDEED' id='XII__A_FRIEND_IN_NEED_IS_A_FRIEND_INDEED'></a> +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_145' name='page_145'></a>145</span> +<h2>CHAPTER XII.</h2> +<h3>“A FRIEND IN NEED IS A FRIEND INDEED.”</h3> +</div> + +<p>One, two, three, four, five, six, sounded +a deep-throated bell upon the evening +air, and then a chime of bells played Luther’s +Chant.</p> +<p>“O, dear!” groaned Johnny; “that’s the +wonderful clock; I wish we had let it alone.”</p> +<p>“Hark!” exclaimed Eric.</p> +<p>His quick ear had caught the sound of +footsteps upon the stairway leading to their +room, and he fancied them to be his uncle’s. +He was right. The door opened presently, +and Mr. Van Rasseulger was with them.</p> +<p>“Well, what is all this nonsense?” he +exclaimed, grasping Eric’s hand, and drawing +Johnny into his lap. “A good-natured +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_146' name='page_146'></a>146</span> +guardian lets you off for a good time, and +you get into trouble the first thing.”</p> +<p>Eric related all that had occurred, a little +embarrassed at Johnny’s admiring remark,—</p> +<p>“You ought to have seen him spin that +little dancing Frenchman against the wall, +papa. I wish I’d been big enough! I’d +have thrashed him!”</p> +<p>“Hush, Johnny,” said his father. “Go +on, Eric. You say he found the money in +the fauteuil. How in the world did the +things get into this room?”</p> +<p>“That is just what puzzles everybody,” answered +Eric, earnestly. “Uncle John, how +<i>could</i> it have got there? and the ring, too?”</p> +<p>“Where did you find the ring, Johnny?”</p> +<p>“Right here, sir, upon the floor, by Froll’s +cage;” answered Johnny, getting up and +standing in the place.</p> +<p>“It is very mysterious, certainly,” Mr. +Van Rasseulger said, “and the strange circumstances +give the man strong grounds for +suspicion against you. Of course, it is +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_147' name='page_147'></a>147</span> +absurd to think that two little boys would +have committed such a robbery; yet the ring +was found in your hands, and the money +concealed in your room, and therefore you +are accused.”</p> +<p>“But, papa, can’t you take us away? We +didn’t do it.”</p> +<p>“You silly boy, I <i>know</i> you did not do it. +But would you not rather stay and prove +satisfactorily to all that you did not? I +should not wish to take you from here while +the faintest shadow of a suspicion lingered +that you were guilty.”</p> +<p>“Nor would I wish to go,” said Eric, +proudly.</p> +<p>“Well, then we’ll stay,” said Johnny, +dolefully; “but I think it is dreadfully unjust +to spoil all our good time. We Americans +wouldn’t do so to a Frenchman.”</p> +<p>“I’m afraid we would, under such suspicious +evidences,” said his uncle. “But you +needn’t worry about it, boys; every cloud has +a silver lining.” +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_148' name='page_148'></a>148</span></p> +<p>“It isn’t pleasant to know we can’t go out +of our room,” said Eric.</p> +<p>“No: I must arrange about that,” Mr. +Van Rasseulger answered. “I will write a +note to the American consul, and get you +released.”</p> +<p>Eric started suddenly to his feet.</p> +<p>“I am sure I heard Mr. Lacelle’s voice,” +he said.</p> +<p>“You couldn’t have,” said Johnny. “You +left him at Amsterdam.”</p> +<p>“I did, I know I did!” persisted Eric. +“There it is again: that is he! O, Uncle +John, go out and tell him about it.”</p> +<p>His uncle left them, and before long returned, +actually bringing Mr. Lacelle with +him.</p> +<p>The diver was surprised beyond measure +to find his favorite Eric in Strasbourg, and +highly indignant at the circumstance which +detained him.</p> +<p>“You are the most honest boy that +ever lived,” he cried, and told Mr. Van +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_149' name='page_149'></a>149</span> +Rasseulger about the box of sovereigns. +“But come, tell me all about this,” he +added.</p> +<p>Eric again related the incident, beginning +with his discovery of Froll’s disappearance, +and ending with the charge of theft and +threat of prison.</p> +<p>Johnny, who despite his dislike of Frenchmen +in general, cordially liked Mr. Lacelle, +was surprised to see his gradually increasing +excitement as Eric’s story progressed. +At its termination, he started to his feet, +and rapidly pacing the floor, exclaimed, +joyfully,—</p> +<p>“<i>Ha! a bon chat, bon rat!</i>”<a name="FNanchor_2" id="FNanchor_2"></a><a href="#Footnote_2" class="fnanchor">[2]</a></p> +<p>“What have cats and rats to do with it?” +thought Eric.</p> +<p>“He is crazy!” thought Johnny.</p> +<p>“Ah!” thought Mr. Van Rasseulger, +“can he see through the millstone?”</p> +<p>“Eric, your good name shall be cleared of +all suspicion. Give me your hand!” exclaimed +Mr. Lacelle. “I congratulate you, +lad! I know who did the mischief.” +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_150' name='page_150'></a>150</span></p> +<p>“Do you?” exclaimed the astonished boy.</p> +<p>“Yes, my friend,” answered the Frenchman, +and darted from the room.</p> +<p>“Here’s a go!” cried Johnny, thrusting +his hands into his pockets and striking an +attitude; “he knows, and he hasn’t told us +what he knows, and I think <i>his</i> nose ought +to be pulled.”</p> +<p>“Do be still, Johnny,” said Eric, “it’s no +time for jokes. Uncle John, what could he +have meant?”</p> +<p>“I am totally in the dark,” replied his +uncle.</p> +<p>“I wish Froll would come back,” murmured +Johnny.</p> +<p>“I have it!” cried Eric, suddenly, rushing +from the room, by the guard at the door, +and after Mr. Lacelle.</p> +<p>“Well,” said Johnny, “I wish I had!”</p> +<p>Count D’Orsay’s conscience was not quite +easy in regard to the manner in which he +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_151' name='page_151'></a>151</span> +had persecuted the two friendless American +boys. His suspicions had been aroused +merely by the fact that they were about to +leave Strasbourg; and the discovery of the +missing articles in their possession had +seemed at the time to prove their guilt conclusively. +But upon reflection, the honest surprise +expressed in little Johnny’s eyes, and +Eric’s look of proud, indignant disdain, haunted +him with suggestions of their innocence.</p> +<p>Might it not have been just possible that +they did find the ring upon the floor, and +did not know of the money’s concealment? +But, then—how could it be so? How +could the ring and money have happened in +their room, and for what purposes? Yet, +again, if they did intend to steal, they had +given up everything. He had lost nothing; +and the French government would not thank +him for quarrelling with an American just +at that time. He would send word to the +landlord to dismiss the policeman and let the +boys have their liberty. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_152' name='page_152'></a>152</span></p> +<p>Just as this conclusion was reached, there +came a tap at the door, and the waiter entered +with Mr. Lacelle’s card, followed closely +by Mr. Lacelle.</p> +<p>Count D’Orsay expressed great pleasure +at the unexpected visit; but Mr. Lacelle, +waiving all ceremony, explained that he had +come to clear his dear American friends +from the disgraceful charge against them.</p> +<p>He then spoke rapidly, in French, to the +count, who appeared at first surprised, then +credulous, then convinced.</p> +<p>With sincere regret, he asked to be allowed +to apologize at once, and begged +Mr. Lacelle to tell him of some way in +which he could make some amends for his +unjust accusation.</p> +<p>“I wish you to be thoroughly convinced,” +said Mr. Lacelle. “Place the articles upon +the table, open the window, and conceal +yourself behind the curtain.”</p> +<p>Mr. Lacelle did so.</p> + +<hr style='width: 10%; border:none; border-bottom:1px solid black; clear:both; margin: 2em auto 1em 0' /> + +<div class='footnote'><a name='Footnote_2' id='Footnote_2'></a><a href='#FNanchor_2'><span class='label'>[2]</span></a> +<p style='font-size: small'> “To a good cat, a good rat!”</p></div> + +<hr class='major' /> +<div style='margin: auto; text-align: center; padding-top: 2em; padding-bottom: 1em'> +<a name='XIII_THE_REAL_THIEF' id='XIII_THE_REAL_THIEF'></a> +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_153' name='page_153'></a>153</span> +<h2>CHAPTER XIII.</h2> +<h3>THE REAL THIEF.</h3> +</div> + +<p>Eric, when he reached the hall, was +called by the landlord, who said,—</p> +<p>“I am having the rooms searched, at Monsieur +Lacelle’s request, for your little monkey. +Will you come with me? We may catch her +more easily.”</p> +<p>Eric was very glad to assist in the search. +When nearly all the front rooms had been +thoroughly examined, to no purpose, the little +truant was found at last in the upper +story asleep, on a soft cushion, in the sunlight. +Eric stole up softly and took possession +of her.</p> +<p>She awoke with a loud chatter of defiance, +and tried to escape, but Eric held her fast. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_154' name='page_154'></a>154</span></p> +<p>The landlord then ordered a servant to +close all the windows in the front of the +hotel, excepting those of Count D’Orsay, +whose room was above that of the two boys.</p> +<p>Eric hastened, at his request, for Froll’s +collar and chain, which were fastened upon +her, and then she was released upon the +balcony under the window of the boy’s room, +the landlord, Eric, Johnny, and Mr. Van +Rasseulger watching her movements with intense +interest.</p> +<p>Meanwhile the count and Mr. Lacelle +were stationed behind the window curtains, on +the lookout for the marauder.</p> +<p>Presently there was a sliding, scrambling, +shuffling noise, and the thief came in through +the window—not Eric, nor Johnny, but a +being very insufficiently attired, and possessed +of a long black tail; no less a personage +than the little monkey, Froll.</p> +<p>She walked straight to the table, climbed +upon it, seized the ring, purse, and a gold +pencil which Mr. Lacelle had laid there. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_155' name='page_155'></a>155</span> +Then she withdrew to the window, but to +her rage and disappointment it was shut +tight, and the two gentlemen confronted her.</p> +<p>The little beast recognized Mr. Lacelle, and +coolly handed him her stolen freight, which +was quickly restored to its rightful owner.</p> +<p>Thoroughly convinced of his unjust cruelty +to Eric and Johnny, Count D’Orsay descended +to the balcony, offering sincere and earnest +apologies.</p> +<p>Eric and Johnny, by turns hugging and +scolding Froll, freely forgave the indignity +put upon them, and shook hands cordially +with the mortified count.</p> +<p>Mr. Lacelle was in his glory. He shook +hands with the monkey, stroked the boys’ +heads, and called Mr. Van Rasseulger “my +dear” in his excitement; telling everybody +how he had instantly surmised the true offender, +on hearing of Froll’s disappearance, +and recalling the scene at Gravenhaag, when +she had stolen his glasses, climbing in then +through the open window. Finally he expressed +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_156' name='page_156'></a>156</span> +an opinion that Froll had formerly +belonged to an unprincipled master, who had +trained her to climb in at windows and take +away valuables.</p> +<p>And here we will take an opportunity to +remark that this was really the case, and that +Eric subsequently learned that the man of +whom Mr. Nichols bought her was arrested +and imprisoned for practising with another +monkey the same trick.</p> +<p>Count D’Orsay could not be pacified until +Mr. Van Rasseulger promised that the boys +should visit him at the <i>Hôtel D’Orsay</i>, on +their return to France.</p> +<p>His conscience smote him for his unjust +severity and unkindness, all the more for the +frank, confiding way in which the two little +heroes begged him to forget the incident.</p> +<p>When they shook hands cordially with him, +a glad cheer ascended from the throng of +servants and spectators, whose honest hearts +took a lively interest in the affair.</p> +<p>The boys and Froll were made much of; +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_157' name='page_157'></a>157</span> +and Mr. Lacelle delighted Johnny for hours +with accounts of the wonders of the sea, so +that the young gentleman, completely fascinated, +made up his mind to be a submarine +diver when he grew up.</p> +<p>Froll’s collar was tightened, and she was +fastened to her cage, after having a bountiful +feast of nuts.</p> +<p>When the evening was about half spent, a +waiter brought a large parcel to the door. It +was addressed to “The Two Young Gentlemen +at Room No. 37,” and contained books, +toys, games, and confectionery, of which the +count begged their acceptance.</p> +<p>“This has been a day of adventures,” said +Eric, as he and Johnny were retiring late at +night.</p> +<p>“Yes,” answered Johnny, sleepily, nestling +between the sheets, “it has been a day +of adventures, beginning with the wonderful +clock, and ending with—Froll’s—Froll’s—the +count—” and with a little more indistinct +muttering, Johnny was fast asleep. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_158' name='page_158'></a>158</span> +Eric had read his chapter, and said his prayers +with Johnny; but now, as he looked at +his little cousin asleep, a sudden impulse +seized him, and falling upon his knees by the +bedside, he prayed that his influence over +Johnny might always be for good, and that +God would bless the bright, loving little boy, +and make him a lamb of His fold for the +good Shepherd’s sake.</p> +<hr class='major' /> +<div style='margin: auto; text-align: center; padding-top: 2em; padding-bottom: 1em'> +<a name='XIV_PERCY_BEAUTY_AND_JACK' id='XIV_PERCY_BEAUTY_AND_JACK'></a> +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_159' name='page_159'></a>159</span> +<h2>CHAPTER XIV.</h2> +<h3>PERCY, BEAUTY, AND JACK.</h3> +</div> + +<p>Mr. Van Rasseulger decided to +take the boys to Heidelberg, and there +await Dr. Ward. It was inconvenient for +him to do this, but he was unwilling to let +them travel alone with the monkey again, +for Froll was certainly a serious trouble.</p> +<p>So on the morning of the following day +they took the steamer for an eighty mile sail +down the Rhine.</p> +<p>The landlord, Mr. Lacelle, and Count +D’Orsay bade them an affectionate adieu, after +the two former had been sincerely thanked +for their kindness to the young strangers, +and the latter had begged them to renew their +promise of a visit before they returned to +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_160' name='page_160'></a>160</span> +America. To Mr. Van Rasseulger he extended +an urgent invitation to visit him, whenever +it should be convenient to him.</p> +<p>Just before they left, Mr. Lacelle requested +Eric’s address, saying that he had +written to Mr. Montgomery about the box of +money, and would forward his reply to Eric.</p> +<p>The boys were not sorry to leave Strasbourg, +because Mr. Van Rasseulger had told +them he should propose to the doctor to obtain +horses there, and travel on horseback +through the Black Forest, and over the mountains, +to Munich, in Bavaria.</p> +<p>They were enchanted with this idea, and +during their sail down the Rhine lost much +of the beautiful scenery about them in mutual +conjectures as to whether uncle Charlie +would like the proposition. When they +reached Heidelberg, the doctor was already +there, waiting for them.</p> +<p>He was quite well satisfied with the plan, +and said he would give the boys two days to +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_161' name='page_161'></a>161</span> +explore Heidelberg, and would meantime be +making the necessary arrangements.</p> +<p>The boys did not like Heidelberg particularly, +and Eric’s shoulders were shrugged expressively +when his uncle told him he was to +be a student in the university, after his school +course was completed.</p> +<p>The only building of which they took any +notice was the Church of the Holy Ghost—a +large structure with a very high steeple, +divided so that Protestant and Roman Catholic +services were held in it at the same +time.</p> +<p>But perhaps the picturesque old town +might have had more attraction for them, +had not Dr. Ward and Mr. Van Rasseulger +been looking up good horses to purchase for +the journey.</p> +<p>They soon found just what they wanted—a +large, powerful horse for the doctor, and a +couple of small horses, almost ponies, for the +two boys.</p> +<p>It was amusing to see the different evidences +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_162' name='page_162'></a>162</span> +of delight manifested by Eric and +Johnny.</p> +<p>Eric’s face flushed with glad emotion, and a +quiet “Uncle John, how good you are!” +was all that he said.</p> +<p>But Johnny danced around the horses, wild +with delight, throwing his cap in the air, +dancing and hurrahing with all his might, +and bestowing kisses indiscriminately upon +his good papa and the dumb animals.</p> +<p>One of the horses was coal black, with a +white star upon his forehead, and one white +foot; he was for Eric.</p> +<p>Johnny’s was a bright bay, with four white +feet and a white nose: and the doctor’s was a +chestnut-colored horse, with a darker mane +and tail.</p> +<p>Of course the first great question was, +what they were to be called.</p> +<p>“I have named my horse ‘Perseus,’” said +the doctor, “in honor of the illustrious slayer +of the Gorgon Medusa, and the deliverer of +Andromeda.” +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_163' name='page_163'></a>163</span></p> +<p>“I’ll call mine ‘Jack,’ in honor of papa,” +said roguish Johnny.</p> +<p>“And mine,” exclaimed Eric, “shall be +Bucephalus.”</p> +<p>Eric had just finished reading a classical +history, and was greatly interested in the account +of Alexander’s power over Bucephalus.</p> +<p>These names were soon abbreviated to +“Percy,” “Beauty,” and “Jack.”</p> +<p>After the horses had been duly admired, +Mr. Van Rasseulger took the boys with him, +selected saddles, with travellers’ saddle-bags, +rubber cloaks, a couple of blankets, and two +tin boxes for provisions, with an inside compartment +for matches. The rubber cloaks +were made with hoods, which could be drawn +over the head, completely protecting it.</p> +<p>Dr. Ward provided himself with similar +apparel, and numerous little things which the +boys had no idea would be necessary, and +even Mr. Van Rasseulger overlooked.</p> +<p>The next morning everything was in readiness. +The blankets, light overcoats, rubber +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_164' name='page_164'></a>164</span> +cloaks, and a change of clothing, were made +into a roll, and strapped behind the saddles. +The tin cases were filled for luncheon, and +deposited in the saddle-bags, and the boys +declared themselves in readiness.</p> +<p>But when the doctor presented them each +with a light knapsack, a tiny compass to +wear upon their watch chains, and a pocket +drinking cup, they instantly discovered that +they could never in the world have got along +without them.</p> +<p>The horses were pawing the ground, impatient +to be off, their long manes and tails +floating in the cool morning breeze, their +noble forms quivering with life and excitement.</p> +<p>Johnny, divided between regret at parting +with his father, and delight at the novel +excursion; Eric, eager and excited, with +mischievous Froll, demure enough just now, +seated composedly upon his shoulder; the +doctor coolly testing the saddle girths, and +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_165' name='page_165'></a>165</span> +Mr. Van Rasseulger seeing them off, happy +in their pleasure.</p> +<p>“Be good and kind to my boy, as you +have always been, Eric,” he said, bidding +his nephew “good by.”</p> +<p>“You mean, uncle John, as you have always +been to me,” Eric replied, with gratitude +beaming in his eyes. “And Johnny is +a dear little fellow; no one could help being +good to him.”</p> +<p>“I hope he will grow like his cousin,” +said Mr. Van Rasseulger, with a hearty +smile; “and, Johnny-boy, you must be very +obedient to uncle Charlie. Do right, be a +gentleman, and grow stout and healthy for +papa.”</p> +<p>“We will write from Baden and Ulm,” +said the doctor. “We ought to get there by +next week.”</p> +<p>After a few more words of parting they +set off, and were soon out of sight.</p> +<p>Three hours later, as Mr. Van Rasseulger, +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_166' name='page_166'></a>166</span> +on his way to Vienna by rail, passed a turn +in the road, the three travellers were in sight +for an instant, apparently in good spirits and +prime condition.</p> +<p>He was extremely pleased with this unexpected +view of them, and for some time after +they had again disappeared the wealthy New +York merchant lay back in his cushioned +seat, building hopes of high promise upon the +future of Johnny’s life.</p> +<p>Poor Johnny! he had been almost spoiled +at home, but under the doctor’s firm guidance +and Eric’s good influence, was wonderfully +improved. The bright, merry little fellow +was exhibiting his true character, long hidden +by ill-advised indulgence.</p> +<hr class='major' /> +<div style='margin: auto; text-align: center; padding-top: 2em; padding-bottom: 1em'> +<a name='XV_THE_LAST' id='XV_THE_LAST'></a> +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_167' name='page_167'></a>167</span> +<h2>CHAPTER XV.</h2> +<h3>THE LAST.</h3> +</div> + +<p>Up the banks of the beautiful Rhine, +through picturesque hamlets, over +high, rugged mountains, and in the glory and +grandeur of the forests, our horseback travellers +sought and found the best of all treasures—health +and happiness.</p> +<p>The Swabian Mountains, and the Schwarz +Wold, or Black Forest,—a group of mountains +covered with forests,—through which +they rode thirty-seven miles, required from +them the greatest endurance.</p> +<p>Nevertheless, upon the woody mountains, +steep and difficult to climb as they were, +they found several thriving villages, where +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_168' name='page_168'></a>168</span> +they were kindly received, and where all +their wants were generously supplied.</p> +<p>But on one occasion, when a violent storm +arose, and they were near no village, they +were obliged to take shelter in an empty +barn, and there remained through the night, +sleeping, with their horses, upon the hard, +board floor, with their knapsacks for pillows.</p> +<p>And Johnny had one thrilling adventure.</p> +<p>They had encamped for the night upon +a small plateau, and, before dismounting, +Johnny rode back to the edge, and was looking +down upon the plains beneath, when +suddenly he felt the ground give way from +above where his horse was standing, and in +an instant horse and rider, covered by a bank +of sand, were sliding helplessly down the +mountain. The shower of sand smothered +their cries, and neither the doctor nor Eric +noticed their disappearance at first. But +presently Eric, turning to speak to him, exclaimed,—</p> +<p>“Where in the world is Johnny?” +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_169' name='page_169'></a>169</span></p> +<p>The doctor looked hastily up. Seeing +the fresh earth at the edge of the plateau, +he rushed to the spot, examined it, and exclaiming, +“Heavens! the child has fallen +down a slide!” prepared to descend in the +same place.</p> +<p>“Eric, stay up there, and take care of +the horses,” he said, and was soon out +of sight.</p> +<p>Eric secured the horses, and then crept to +the place from which the doctor had disappeared. +He found, just beneath him, a long +line of large troughs, open at both ends, and +overlapping each other like shingles. It extended +entirely down the side of the mountain, +and to his horror Eric saw at its foot a +lake.</p> +<p>“O, Johnny, Johnny! my dear little +cousin! And uncle Charlie, too—they will +surely be killed!” he cried, in agony. For +he knew at once that they had gone down +a timber slide, and was afraid they would +be drowned in the lake. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_170' name='page_170'></a>170</span></p> +<p>And now I suppose I must tell you +what a timber slide is.</p> +<p>The Black Forest Mountains are covered +with large and valuable trees, which are +felled and sold by their owners; and as it +would be decidedly inconvenient to take +horses and carts up the mountain, and +utterly impossible to get them down with a +heavy load of those giant trees with sound +necks, an ingenious Swiss invented the +cheap and rapid way of getting the trees +off the mountain by means of a slide, +formed of immense troughs lapped together, +and terminating in the lake, where the +heavy logs are chained together and floated +to a railway or wharf, just as they are done +in our own country by the loggers of the +Maine forests and other woody regions.</p> +<p>Of course a descent in one of these +slides, under ordinary circumstances, would +be extremely dangerous to human life and +limb. But it fortunately happened that +neither the doctor, Johnny, nor Jack were +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_171' name='page_171'></a>171</span> +seriously injured, for the slide had been disused +for some time, and in consequence of +an accident, somewhat similar to Johnny’s, +had been partially removed, and a high, +soft bank of sand lay at its new terminus.</p> +<p>Johnny and Jack were pitched violently +into this, and rescued from their very uncomfortable +position by a party of English +travellers encamped near by.</p> +<p>Many were the exclamations uttered at +the marvellous and sudden entrance of our +young friend upon the quiet beauties of +the twilight scene, and bewildered Johnny +scarcely knew whether to laugh or cry.</p> +<p>His first anxiety was for Jack, but the +English gentleman who drew him from the +sand-bank would pay no attention to the +horse until he was convinced that Johnny was +unhurt. Assured about this, he patted and +soothed poor frightened Jack, and walked +him carefully over the soft greensward, +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_172' name='page_172'></a>172</span> +to see if he appeared at all lame; and then +Johnny was delighted enough to hear the +horse pronounced all right.</p> +<p>Johnny had several pretty bad bruises, +which the Englishman, who was a physician, +dressed for him.</p> +<p>By the time this was done Dr. Ward, +whose descent had been much slower and +more careful than Johnny’s, reached them, +and his anxieties were at once quieted by +Johnny’s assurance that it was</p> +<p>“Just the jolliest coast I ever had.”</p> +<p>After examining both Johnny and Jack, +to assure himself of their well-being, and +heartily thanking the Englishman for his +kind assistance, the doctor asked permission +to leave Johnny under his care until he could +get Eric and the horses from the top of the +mountain.</p> +<p>The new friend willingly undertook the +care of Johnny, and the doctor hastened up +the mountain to relieve Eric’s anxiety. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_173' name='page_173'></a>173</span></p> +<p>Johnny seated himself near the door of +the tent, and a young man of the party +brought him some grapes. Jack neighed +wistfully for his share, for Johnny had made +a great pet of him, always dividing his fruit +with him.</p> +<p>“I’ll give you some, Jack,” he said, walking +towards the horse. “Gracious, how +stiff and sore I feel.”</p> +<p>While Jack was champing his feast with +great satisfaction, an English boy, of Johnny’s +size, came towards them.</p> +<p>“Is that your horse?” said he.</p> +<p>“Yes,” answered Johnny; “isn’t he a good +one?”</p> +<p>“<i>Is</i> he a good one?” asked the boy.</p> +<p>“I guess he is,” said Johnny, hotly; +“there isn’t a better horse anywhere.”</p> +<p>“But papa’s groom told me,” persisted the +English lad, “that a horse with four white +feet and a white nose was worthless. He +says,— +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_174' name='page_174'></a>174</span></p> +<table summary='poetry' style='margin:0 auto'><tr><td> +<p style='margin: 0 0 0 0.0em;'>‘One white foot, buy him,</p> +<p style='margin: 0 0 0 0.0em;'>Two white feet, try him,</p> +<p style='margin: 0 0 0 0.0em;'>Three white feet, deny him,</p> +<p style='margin: 0 0 0 0.0em;'>Four white feet and a white nose,</p> +<p style='margin: 0 0 0 0.0em;'>Take off his skin and throw him to the crows.’”</p> +</td></tr></table> + +<p>Johnny detected a roguish glitter in his +companion’s blue eyes, and with a corresponding +twinkle in his own, merely answered,—</p> +<p>“My old nurse says,—</p> +<table summary='poetry' style='margin:0 auto'><tr><td> +<p style='margin: 0 0 0 0.0em;'>‘There was an old woman went up in a basket</p> +<p style='margin: 0 0 0 0.0em;'>Seventy times as high as the moon.’</p> +</td></tr></table> + +<p>I suppose you believe that, too.”</p> +<p>This ready answer pleased the other, and +they were soon fast friends.</p> +<p>“What is your name?” Johnny asked.</p> +<p>“Arthur Montgomery,” was the reply.</p> +<p>Johnny wondered where he had heard +the name before; but though he was sure +he had heard it, he could not remember +where. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_175' name='page_175'></a>175</span></p> +<p>He began to feel quite tired and sleepy +before the doctor returned for him, and his +bruises ached badly. Once he would have +cried and worried every one about him, if in +such an uncomfortable state; but now he +bore the pain like a Spartan.</p> +<p>The doctor came at last, and after thanking +the Englishman again, he led the tired horse, +with weary Johnny upon his back, to a +wood-cutter’s cottage near at hand, where +they were to pass the night.</p> +<p>Eric welcomed them with tears of joy in +his eyes.</p> +<p>“O, Johnny, what a narrow escape you +have had!”</p> +<p>“We ought to be very thankful,” said the +doctor.</p> +<p>“Yes,” said Johnny, sleepily, “I am +thankful!”</p> +<p>He woke up just before Eric went to bed, +and said,—</p> +<p>“That boy said his name was Arthur +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_176' name='page_176'></a>176</span> +Montgomery. Where have I heard that +name, Eric?”</p> +<p>“Why,” exclaimed Eric, “that was the +name on the box of money I found!”</p> +<p>“I knew I’d heard it somewhere,” murmured +Johnny, dropping off to sleep again.</p> +<p>Eric ran to tell his uncle.</p> +<p>“Ah,” said the doctor, quite pleased to be +able to return a good deed, “we will see +them in the morning.”</p> +<p>But in the morning the English travellers +had disappeared, and our party could find no +trace of them.</p> +<p>Eric was much disappointed. Now he +would be obliged to wait patiently for Mr. +Lacelle’s letter.</p> +<p>Johnny and Jack were not injured by their +descent of the mountain, whose only effects +were some pretty sore bruises, which Johnny +tried not to mind, and an obstinacy in Jack’s +disposition that no human powers of persuasion +could ever remove. He could never, +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_177' name='page_177'></a>177</span> +after that memorable slide, be induced to go +near the edge of any kind of an embankment; +and he always declined going aboard +a steamer, until Beauty and Percy had gone +safely over the gangway.</p> +<hr class='silver' /> + +<div class='ce'> +<p style=' font-size:1.2em;'>Miss VIRGINIA F. TOWNSEND’S BOOKS.</p> +</div> + +<div class='ce'> +<p style=' font-size:0.8em; margin-bottom:3em;'>Uniform Edition. Cloth. $1 50 Each.</p> +</div> + +<p>BUT A PHILISTINE.</p> +<p>“Another novel by the author of ‘A Woman’s Word’ and ‘Lenox +Dare,’ will be warmly welcomed by hosts of readers of Miss Townsend’s +stories. There is nothing of the ‘sensational,’ or so called realistic, +school in her writings. On the contrary, they are noted for their healthy +moral tone and pure sentiment, and yet are not wanting in STRIKING +SITUATIONS AND DRAMATIC INCIDENTS”—<i>Chicago Journal</i></p> +<p>LENOX DARE.</p> +<p>“Her stories, always sunny and healthful, touch the springs of social +life and make the reader better acquainted with this great human organization +of which we all form a part, and tend to bring him into more intimate +sympathy with what is most pure and noble in our nature. Among +the best of her productions we place the volume here under notice. In +temper and tone the volume is calculated to exert a healthful and +elevating influence”—<i>New England Methodist</i></p> +<p>DARYLL GAP; or, Whether it Paid.</p> +<p>A story of the petroleum days, and of a family who struck oil.</p> +<p>“Miss Townsend is a very entertaining writer, and, while she entertains, +at the same time instructs. Her plots are well arranged, and her +characters are clearly and strongly drawn. The present volume will not +detract from the reputation she has heretofore enjoyed.”—<i>Pittsburg +Recorder</i></p> +<p>A WOMAN’S WORD, AND HOW SHE KEPT IT.</p> +<p>“The celebrity of Virginia F Townsend as an authoress, her brilliant +descriptive powers, and pure, vigorous imagination, will insure a hearty +welcome for the above entitled volume in the writer’s happiest vein. +Every woman will understand the self sacrifice of Genevieve Wen, and +will entertain only scorn for the miserable man who imbittered her life +to hide his own wrong doing”—<i>Fashion Quarterly</i></p> +<p>THAT QUEER GIRL.</p> +<p>“A fresh, wholesome book about good men and good women, bright +and cheery in style, and pure in morals. Just the book to take a young +girl’s fancy, and help her to grow up, like Madeline and Argia, into the +sweetness of real girlhood, there being more of that same sweetness +under the fuss and feathers of the present day than a casual observer +might suppose”—<i>People’s Monthly</i></p> +<p>ONLY GIRLS.</p> +<p>“This volume shows how two persons, ‘only girls,’ saved two men +from crime, even from ruin of body and soul, and all this came about in +their lives without their purpose or knowledge at the time, and not at all +as they or anybody else would have planned it, but it comes about well +and naturally enough. The story is ingenious and graphic, and kept the +writer of this notice up far into the small hours of yesterday morning.”—<i>Washington +Chronicle</i></p> +<div class='ce'> +<p style=' font-size:0.8em;'><i>Sold by all booksellers and newsdealers, and sent by mail, postpaid, on receipt of price.</i></p> +<div style='margin-top:1em'></div> +</div> + +<div class='ce'> +<p style=' font-size:1em;'>LEE & SHEPARD Publishers Boston</p> +</div> + +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_178' name='page_178'></a>178</span></div> +<hr class='silver' /> + +<div class='ce'> +<p style=' font-size:1.4em; margin-bottom:.8em;'>LEE AND SHEPARD’S HANDBOOKS.</p> +</div> + +<div class='ce'> +<p style=' font-size:1.2em;'>ARE YOU INTERESTED IN BUGS?</p> +</div> + +<p>INSECTS; How to Catch and how to Prepare them for +the Cabinet. Comprising a Manual of Instruction for the +Field Naturalist. By <span style='font-variant: small-caps'>Walter P. Manton.</span> Illustrated. Cloth, +50 cents.</p> +<p>“Nothing essential is omitted: every boy who has any taste for natural +history should have this neat little volume. The many ‘Agassiz +Clubs’ which have sprung up amid the youth of the country, should +add it to their libraries.”—<i>Chicago Advance.</i></p> +<p>“OF INESTIMABLE VALUE TO YOUNG BOTANISTS.” +<i>Rural New-Yorker.</i></p> +<p>FIELD BOTANY. A Handbook for the Collector. Containing Instructions +for Gathering and Preserving Plants, and the Formation +of a Herbarium. Also Complete Instructions in Leaf Photography, +Plant Printing, and the Skeletonizing of Leaves. By <span style='font-variant: small-caps'>Walter +P. Manton.</span> Illustrated. 50 cents.</p> +<p>“A most valuable companion. The amount of information conveyed +in the small compass is surprising.”—<i>Demorest’s Monthly.</i></p> +<div class='ce'> +<p>“EVERY NATURALIST OUGHT TO HAVE A COPY FOR IMMEDIATE USE.”</p> +</div> + +<p>TAXIDERMY WITHOUT A TEACHER. Comprising a +Complete Manual of Instruction for Preparing and Preserving +Birds, Animals, and Fishes; with a Chapter on Hunting and Hygiene; +together with Instructions for Preserving Eggs and Making +Skeletons, and a number of valuable Recipes. By <span style='font-variant: small-caps'>Walter P. +Manton.</span> Illustrated. 50 cents.</p> +<p>“We would be glad if all teachers would take this little book, study +it faithfully, become interested themselves, and interest their pupils in +this wonderful art.”—<i>Practical Teacher.</i></p> +<div class='ce'> +<p>HOW TO ENLARGE THE ANT TO THE SIZE OF AN ELEPHANT.</p> +</div> + +<p>BEGINNINGS WITH THE MICROSCOPE. A Working +Handbook, containing simple Instructions in the Art and Method +of using the Microscope and preparing Objects for Examination. +By <span style='font-variant: small-caps'>Walter P. Manton, M.D.</span> Small 4to. 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