"Grandmother, what is this curious picture about?" said little Gertrude,
or "Trudel," as they called her, looking up from the red book that lay
on her knee, one Sunday morning, when she and the grandmother sat sadly
together in the neat kitchen; for the father was very ill, and the poor
mother seldom left him.
The old woman put on her round spectacles, which made her look as wise
as an owl, and turned to answer the child, who had been as quiet as a
mouse for a long time, looking at the strange pictures in the ancient
book.
"Ah, my dear, that tells about a very famous and glorious thing that
happened long ago at the siege of Leyden. You can read it for yourself
some day."
"Please tell me now. Why are the houses half under water, and ships
sailing among them, and people leaning over the walls of the city? And
why is that boy waving his hands on the tower, where the men are running
away in a great smoke?" asked Trudel, too curious to wait till she could
read the long hard words on the yellow pages.
"Well, dear, this is the story: and you shall hear how brave men and
women, and children too, were in those days. The cruel Spaniards came
and besieged the city for many months; but the faithful people would not
give up, though nearly starved to death. When all the bread and meat
were gone and the gardens empty, they ate grass and herbs and horses,
and even dogs and cats, trying to hold out till help came to them."
"Did little girls really eat their pussies? Oh, I 'd die before I would
kill my dear Jan," cried Trudel, hugging the pretty kitten that purred
in her lap.
"Yes, the children ate their pets. And so would you if it would save
your father or mother from starving. _We_ know what hunger is; but we
won't eat Jan yet."
The old woman sighed as she glanced from the empty table to the hearth
where no fire burned.
"_Did_ help come in the ships?" asked the child, bending her face over
the book to hide the tears that filled her eyes, for she was very
hungry, and had had only a crust for breakfast.
"Our good Prince of Orange was trying to help them; but the Spaniards
were all around the city and he had not men enough to fight them by
land, so he sent carrier-doves with letters to tell the people that he
was going to cut through the great dikes that kept the sea out, and let
the water flow over the country so as to drive the enemy from his camp,
for the city stood upon high ground, and would be safe. Then the ships,
with food, could sail over the drowned land and save the brave people."
"Oh, I 'm glad! I 'm glad! These are the bad Spaniards running away,
and these are poor people stretching out their hands for the bread. But
what is the boy doing, in the funny tower where the wall has tumbled
down?" cried Trudel, much excited.
"The smoke of burning houses rose between the city and the port so the
people could not see that the Spaniards had run away; and they were
afraid the ships could not get safely by. But a boy who was scrambling
about as boys always are wherever there is danger, fire, and fighting,
saw the enemy go, and ran to the deserted tower to shout and beckon to
the ships to come on at once,--for the wind had changed and soon the
tide would flow back and leave them stranded."
"Nice boy! I wish I had been there to see him and help the poor
people," said Trudel, patting the funny little figure sticking out of
the pepper-pot tower like a jack-in-the-box.
"If children keep their wits about them and are brave, they can always
help in some way, my dear. We don't have such dreadful wars now; but
the dear God knows we have troubles enough, and need all our courage and
faith to be patient in times like these;" and the grandmother folded her
thin hands with another sigh, as she thought of her poor son dying for
want of a few comforts, after working long and faithfully for a hard
master who never came to offer any help, though a very rich man.
"Did they eat the carrier-doves?" asked Trudel, still intent on the
story.
"No, child; they fed and cared for them while they lived, and when they
died, stuffed and set them up in the Staat Haus, so grateful were the
brave burghers for the good news the dear birds brought."
"That is the best part of all. I like that story very much!" And
Trudel turned the pages to find another, little dreaming what a
carrier-dove she herself was soon to become.
Poor Hans Dort and his family were nearly as distressed as the besieged
people of Leyden, for poverty stood at the door, hunger and sickness
were within, and no ship was anywhere seen coming to bring help. The
father, who was a linen-weaver, could no longer work in the great
factory; the mother, who was a lace-maker, had to leave her work to
nurse him; and the old woman could earn only a trifle by her knitting,
being lame and feeble. Little Trudel did what she could,--sold the
stockings to get bread and medicine, picked up wood for the fire,
gathered herbs for the poor soup, and ran errands for the market-women,
who paid her with unsalable fruit, withered vegetables, and now and then
a bit of meat.
But market-day came but once a week; and it was very hard to find food
for the hungry mouths meantime. The Dorts were too proud to beg, so
they suffered in silence, praying that help would come before it was too
late to save the sick and old.
No other picture in the quaint book interested Trudel so much as that of
the siege of Leyden; and she went back to it, thinking over the story
till hunger made her look about for something to eat as eagerly as the
poor starving burghers.
"Here, child, is a good crust. It is too hard for me. I kept it for
you; it's the last except that bit for your mother," said the old woman,
pulling a dry crust from her jacket with a smile; for though starving
herself, the brave old soul thought only of her darling.
Trudel's little white teeth gnawed savagely at the hard bread, and Jan
ate the crumbs as if he too needed food. As she saw him purring about
her feet, there came into the child's head a sudden idea, born of the
brave story and of the cares that made her old before her time.
"Poor Jan gets thinner and thinner every day. If we are to eat him, we
must do it soon, or he will not be worth cooking," she said with a
curious look on the face that used to be so round and rosy, and now was
white, thin, and anxious.
"Bless the child! we won't eat the poor beast! but it would be kind to
give him away to some one who could feed him well. Go now, dear, and
get a jug of fresh water. The father will need it, and so will you, for
that crust is a dry dinner for my darling."
As she spoke, the old woman held the little girl close for a minute; and
Trudel clung to her silently, finding the help she needed for her
sacrifice in the love and the example grandma gave her.
Then she ran away, with the brown jug in one hand, the pretty kitten on
her arm, and courage in her little heart. It was a poor neighborhood
where the weavers and lace-makers lived; but nearly every one had a good
dinner on Sunday, and on her way to the fountain Trudel saw many
well-spread tables, smelled the good soup in many kettles, and looked
enviously at the plump children sitting quietly on the doorsteps in
round caps and wooden shoes, waiting to be called in to eat of the big
loaves, the brown sausages, and the cabbage-soup smoking on the hearth.
When she came to the baker's house, her heart began to beat; and she
hugged Jan so close it was well he was thin, or he would have mewed
under the tender farewell squeezes his little mistress gave him. With a
timid hand Trudel knocked, and then went in to find Vrow Hertz and her
five boys and girls at table, with good roast meat and bread and cheese
and beer before them.
"Oh, the dear cat! the pretty cat! Let me pat him! Hear him mew, and
see his soft white coat," cried the children, before Trudel could speak,
for they admired the snow-white kitten very much, and had often begged
for it.
Trudel had made up her mind to give up to them at last her one treasure;
but she wished to be paid for it, and was bound to tell her plan. Jan
helped her, for smelling the meat, he leaped from her arms to the table
and began to gnaw a bone on Dirck's plate, which so amused the young
people that they did not hear Trudel say to their mother in a low voice,
with red cheeks and beseeching eyes,--
"Dear Vrow Hertz, the father is very ill; the mother cannot work at her
lace in the dark room; and grandma makes but little by knitting, though
I help all I can. We have no food; can you give me a loaf of bread in
exchange for Jan? I have nothing else to sell, and the children want him
much."
Trudel's eyes were full and her lips trembled, as she ended with a look
that went straight to stout Mother Hertz's kind heart, and told the
whole sad story.
"Bless the dear child! Indeed, yes; a loaf and welcome; and see here, a
good sausage also. Brenda, go fill the jug with milk. It is excellent
for the sick man. As for the cat, let it stay a while and get fat, then
we will see. It is a pretty beast and worth many loaves of bread; so
come again, Trudel, and do not suffer hunger while I have much bread."
As the kind woman spoke, she had bustled about, and before Trudel could
get her breath, a big loaf, a long sausage, and a jug of fresh milk were
in her apron and hands, and a motherly kiss made the gifts all the
easier to take. Returning it heartily, and telling the children to be
kind to Jan, she hastened home to burst into the quiet room, crying
joyfully,--
"See, grandmother, here is food,--all mine. I bought it! Come, come,
and eat!"
"Now, dear Heaven, what do I see? Where did the blessed bread come
from?" asked the old woman, hugging the big loaf, and eying the sausage
with such hunger in her face that Trudel ran for the knife and cup, and
held a draught of fresh milk to her grandmother's lips before she could
answer a single question.
"Stay, child, let us give thanks before we eat. Never was food more
welcome or hearts more grateful;" and folding her hands, the pious old
woman blessed the meal that seemed to fall from heaven on that bare
table. Then Trudel cut the crusty slice for herself, a large soft one
for grandmother, with a good bit of sausage, and refilled the cup.
Another portion and cup went upstairs to mother, whom she found asleep,
with the father's hot hand in hers. So leaving the surprise for her
waking, Trudel crept down to eat her own dinner, as hungry as a little
wolf, amusing herself with making the old woman guess where and how she
got this fine feast.
"This is our siege, grandmother; and we are eating Jan," she said at
last, with the merriest laugh she had given for weeks.
"Eating Jan?" cried the old woman, staring at the sausage, as if for a
moment she feared the kitten had been turned into that welcome shape by
some miracle. Still laughing, Trudel told her story, and was well
rewarded for her childish sacrifice by the look in grandmother's face as
she said with a tender kiss,--
"Thou art a carrier-dove, my darling, coming home with good news and
comfort under thy wing. God bless thee, my brave little heart, and
grant that our siege be not a long one before help comes to us!"
Such a happy feast! and for dessert more kisses and praises for Trudel
when the mother came down to hear the story and to tell how eagerly
father had drank the fresh milk and gone to sleep again. Trudel was
very well pleased with her bargain; but at night she missed Jan's soft
purr for her lullaby, and cried herself to sleep, grieving for her lost
pet, being only a child, after all, though trying to be a brave little
woman for the sake of those she loved.
The big loaf and sausage took them nicely through the next day; but by
Tuesday only crusts remained, and sorrel-soup, slightly flavored with
the last scrap of sausage, was all they had to eat.
On Wednesday morning, Trudel had plaited her long yellow braids with
care, smoothed down her one blue skirt, and put on her little black silk
cap, making ready for the day's work. She was weak and hungry, but
showed a bright face as she took her old basket and said,--
"Now I am off to market, grandmother, to sell the hose and get medicine
and milk for father. I shall try to pick up something for dinner. The
good neighbors often let me run errands for them, and give me a kuchen,
a bit of cheese, or a taste of their nice coffee. I will bring you
something, and come as soon as I can."
The old woman nodded and smiled, as she scoured the empty kettle till it
shone, and watched the little figure trudge away with the big empty
basket, and, she knew, with a still emptier little stomach. "Coffee!"
sighed the grandmother; "one sip of the blessed drink would put life
into me. When shall I ever taste it again?" and the poor soul sat down
to her knitting with hands that trembled from weakness.
The Platz was a busy and a noisy scene when Trudel arrived,--for the
thrifty Dutchwomen were early afoot; and stalls, carts, baskets, and
cans were already arranged to make the most attractive display of fruit,
vegetables, fish, cheese, butter, eggs, milk, and poultry, and the small
wares country people came to buy.
Nodding and smiling, Trudel made her way through the bustle to the booth
where old Vrow Schmidt bought and sold the blue woollen hose that adorn
the stout legs of young and old.
"Good-morning, child! I am glad to see thee and thy well-knit
stockings, for I have orders for three pairs, and promised thy
grandmother's, they are always so excellent," said the rosy-faced woman,
as Trudel approached.
"I have but one pair. We had no money to buy more yarn. Father is so
ill mother cannot work; and medicines cost a deal," said the child, with
her large hungry eyes fixed on the breakfast the old woman was about to
eat, first having made ready for the business of the day.
"See, then, I shall give thee the yarn and wait for the hose; I can
trust thee, and shall ask a good price for the good work. Thou too wilt
have the fever, I 'm afraid!--so pale and thin, poor child! Here, drink
from my cup, and take a bite of bread and cheese. The morning air makes
one hungry."
Trudel eagerly accepted the "sup" and the "bite," and felt new strength
flow into her as the warm draught and good brown bread went down her
throat.
"So many thanks! I had no breakfast. I came to see if I could get any
errands here to-day, for I want to earn a bit if I can," she said with a
sigh of satisfaction, as she slipped half of her generous slice and a
good bit of cheese into her basket, regretting that the coffee could not
be shared also.
As if to answer her wish, a loud cry from fat Mother Kinkle, the
fish-wife, rose at that moment, for a thievish cur had run off with a
fish from her stall, while she gossiped with a neighbor.
Down went Trudel's basket, and away went Trudel's wooden shoes
clattering over the stones while she raced after the dog, dodging in and
out among the stalls till she cornered the thief under Gretchen Horn's
milk-cart; for at sight of the big dog who drew the four copper-cans,
the cur lost heart and dropped the fish and ran away.
"Well done!" said buxom Gretchen, when Trudel caught up the rescued
treasure a good deal the worse for the dog's teeth and the dust it had
been dragged through.
All the market-women laughed as the little girl came back proudly
bearing the fish, for the race had amused them. But Mother Kinkle said
with a sigh, when she saw the damage done her property,--
"It is spoiled; no one will buy that torn, dirty thing. Throw it on the
muck-pile, child; your trouble was in vain, though I thank you for it."
"Give it to me, please, if you don't want it. We can eat it, and would
be glad of it at home," cried Trudel, hugging the slippery fish with
joy, for she saw a dinner in it, and felt that her run was well paid.
"Take it, then, and be off; I see Vrow von Decken's cook coming, and you
are in the way," answered the old woman, who was not a very amiable
person, as every one knew.
"That's a fine reward to make a child for running the breath out of her
body for you," said Dame Troost, the handsome farm-wife who sat close by
among her fruit and vegetables, as fresh as her cabbages, and as rosy as
her cherries.
"Better it, then, and give her a feast fit for a burgomaster. _You_ can
afford it," growled Mother Kinkle, turning her back on the other woman
in a huff.
"That I will, for very shame at such meanness! Here, child, take these
for thy fish-stew, and these for thy little self," said the kind soul,
throwing half a dozen potatoes and onions into the basket, and handing
Trudel a cabbage-leaf full of cherries.
A happy girl was our little house-wife on her way home, when the milk
and medicine and loaf of bread were bought; and a comfortable dinner was
quickly cooked and gratefully eaten in Dort's poor house that day.
"Surely the saints must help you, child, and open people's hearts to our
need; for you come back each day with food for us,--like the ravens to
the people in the wilderness," said the grandmother when they sat at
table.
"If they do, it is because you pray to them so heartily, mother. But I
think the sweet ways and thin face of my Trudel do much to win kindness,
and the good God makes her our little house-mother, while I must sit
idle," answered Vrow Dort; and she filled the child's platter again that
she, at least, might have enough.
"I like it!" cried Trudel, munching an onion with her bread, while her
eyes shone and a pretty color came into her cheeks. "I feel so old and
brave now, so glad to help; and things happen, and I keep thinking what
I will do next to get food. It's like the birds out yonder in the
hedge, trying to feed their little ones. I fly up and down, pick and
scratch, get a bit here and a bit there, and then my dear _old_ birds
have food to eat."
It really was very much as Trudel said, for her small wits were getting
very sharp with these new cares; she lay awake that night trying to plan
how she should provide the next day's food for her family.
"Where now, thou dear little mother-bird?" asked the "Grossmutter" next
morning, when the child had washed the last dish, and was setting away
the remains of the loaf.
"To Gretti Jansen's, to see if she wants me to water her linen, as I
used to do for play. She is lame, and it tires her to go to the spring
so often. She will like me to help her, I hope; and I shall ask her for
some food to pay me. Oh, I am very bold now! Soon will I beg if no
other way offers." And Trudel shook her yellow head resolutely, and
went to settle the stool at grandmother's feet, and to draw the curtain
so that it would shield the old eyes from the summer sun.
"Heaven grant it never comes to that! It would be very hard to bear,
yet perhaps we must if no help arrives. The doctor's bill, the rent,
the good food thy father will soon need, will take far more than we can
earn; and what will become of us, the saints only know!" answered the
old woman, knitting briskly in spite of her sad forebodings.
"_I_ will do it all! I don't know how, but I shall try; and, as you
often say, 'Have faith and hold up thy hands; God will fill them.'"
Then Trudel went away to her work, with a stout heart under her little
blue bodice; and all that summer day she trudged to and fro along the
webs of linen spread in the green meadow, watering them as fast as they
dried, knitting busily under a tree during the intervals.
Old Gretti was glad to have her, and at noon called her in to share the
milk-soup, with cherries and herrings in it, and a pot of coffee,--as
well as Dutch cheese, and bread full of coriander-seed. Though this was
a feast to Trudel, one bowl of soup and a bit of bread was all she ate;
then, with a face that was not half as "bold" as she tried to make it,
she asked if she might run home and take the coffee to grandmother, who
longed for and needed it so much.
"Yes, indeed; there, let me fill that pewter jug with a good hot mess
for the old lady, and take this also. I have little to give, but I
remember how good she was to me in the winter, when my poor legs were so
bad, and no one else thought of me," said grateful Gretti, mixing more
coffee, and tucking a bit of fresh butter into half a loaf of bread with
a crusty end to cover the hole.
Away ran Trudel; and when grandmother saw the "blessed coffee," as she
called it, she could only sip and sigh for comfort and content, so glad
was the poor old soul to taste her favorite drink again. The mother
smelled it, and came down to take her share, while Trudel skipped away
to go on watering the linen till sunset with a happy heart, saying to
herself while she trotted and splashed,--
"This day is well over, and I have kept my word. Now what _can_ I do
to-morrow? Gretti does n't want me; there is no market; I must not beg
yet, and I cannot finish the hose so soon.
"I know! I 'll get water-cresses, and sell them from door to door.
They are fresh now, and people like them. Ah, thou dear duck, thank
thee for reminding me of them," she cried, as she watched a mother-duck
lead her brood along the brook's edge, picking and dabbling among the
weeds to show them where to feed.
Early next morning Trudel took her basket and went away to the meadows
that lay just out of the town, where the rich folk had their summer
houses, and fish-ponds, and gardens. These gardens were gay now with
tulips, the delight of Dutch people; for they know best how to cultivate
them, and often make fortunes out of the splendid and costly flowers.
When Trudel had looked long and carefully for cresses, and found very
few, she sat down to rest, weary and disappointed, on a green bank from
which she could overlook a fine garden all ablaze with tulips. She
admired them heartily, longed to have a bed of them her own, and feasted
her childish eyes on the brilliant colors till they were dazzled, for
the long beds of purple and yellow, red and white blossoms were splendid
to see, and in the midst of all a mound of dragon-tulips rose like a
queen's throne, scarlet, green, and gold all mingled on the ruffled
leaves that waved in the wind.
Suddenly it seemed as if one of the great flowers had blown over the
wall and was hopping along the path in a very curious way! In a minute,
however, she saw that it was a gay parrot that had escaped, and would
have flown away if its clipped wings and a broken chain on one leg had
not kept it down.
Trudel laughed to see the bird scuttle along, jabbering to itself, and
looking very mischievous and naughty as it ran away. She was just
thinking she ought to stop it, when the garden-gate opened, and a pretty
little boy came out, calling anxiously,--
"Prince! Prince! Come back, you bad bird! I never will let you off
your perch again, sly rascal!"
"I will get him;" and Trudel ran down the bank after the runaway, for
the lad was small and leaned upon a little crutch.
"Be careful! He will bite!" called the boy.
"I 'm not afraid," answered Trudel; and she stepped on the chain, which
brought the "Prince of Orange" to a very undignified and sudden halt.
But when she tried to catch him up by his legs, the sharp black beak
gave a nip and held tightly to her arm. It hurt her much, but she did
not let go, and carried her captive back to its master, who thanked her,
and begged her to come in and chain up the bad bird, for he was
evidently rather afraid of it.
Glad to see more of the splendid garden, Trudel did what he asked, and
with a good deal of fluttering, scolding, and pecking, the Prince was
again settled on his perch.
"Your arm is bleeding! Let me tie it up for you; and here is my cake to
pay you for helping me. Mamma would have been very angry if Prince had
been lost," said the boy, as he wet his little handkerchief in a tank of
water near by, and tied up Trudel's arm.
The tank was surrounded by pots of tulips; and on a rustic seat lay the
lad's hat and a delicious large kuchen, covered with comfits and sugar.
The hungry girl accepted it gladly, but only nibbled at it, remembering
those at home. The boy thought she did not like it, and being a generous
little fellow and very grateful for her help, he looked about for
something else to give her. Seeing her eyes fixed admiringly on a
pretty red jar that held a dragon-tulip just ready to bloom, he said
pleasantly,--
"Would you like this also? All these are mine, and I can do as I like
with them. Will you have it?"
"Oh, yes, with thanks! It is _so_ beautiful! I longed for one, but
never thought to get it," cried Trudel, receiving the pot with delight.
Then she hastened toward home to show her prize, only stopping to sell
her little bunches of cresses for a few groschen, with which she bought
a loaf and three herrings to eat with it. The cake and the flower gave
quite the air of a feast to the poor meal, but Trudel and the two women
enjoyed it all, for the doctor said that the father was better, and now
needed only good meat and wine to grow strong and well again.
How to get these costly things no one knew, but trusted they would come,
and all fell to work with lighter hearts. The mother sat again at her
lace-work, for now a ray of light could be allowed to fall on her pillow
and bobbins by the window of the sick-room. The old woman's fingers
flew as she knit at one long blue stocking; and Trudel's little hands
tugged away at the other, while she cheered her dull task by looking
fondly at her dear tulip unfolding in the sun.
She began to knit next day as soon as the breakfast of dry bread and
water was done; but she took her work to the doorstep and thought busily
as the needles clicked, for where _could_ she get money enough for meat
and wine? The pretty pot stood beside her, and the tulip showed its gay
leaves now, just ready to bloom. She was very proud of it, and smiled
and nodded gayly when a neighbor said in passing, "A fine flower you
have there."
Soon she forgot it, however, so hard was her little brain at work, and
for a long time she sat with her eyes fixed on her busy hands so
intently that she neither heard steps approaching, nor saw a maid and a
little girl looking over the low fence at her. Suddenly some words in a
strange language made her look up. The child was pointing at the tulip
and talking fast in English to the maid, who shook her head and tried to
lead her on.
She was a pretty little creature, all in white with a gay hat, curly
locks, and a great doll in one arm, while the other held a box of
bonbons. Trudel smiled when she saw the doll; and as if the friendly
look decided her, the little girl ran up to the door, pointed to the
flower, and asked a question in the queer tongue which Trudel could not
understand. The maid followed, and said in Dutch, "Fraeulein Maud
wishes the flower. Will you give it to her, child?"
"Oh, no, no! I love it. I will keep it, for now Jan is gone, it is all
I have!" answered Trudel, taking the pot in her lap to guard her one
treasure.
The child frowned, chattered eagerly, and offered the box of sweets, as
if used to having her wishes gratified at once. But Trudel shook her
head, for much as she loved "sugar-drops," she loved the splendid flower
better, like a true little Dutchwoman.
Then Miss Maud offered the doll, bent on having her own way. Trudel
hesitated a moment, for the fine lady doll in pink silk, with a feather
in her hat, and tiny shoes on her feet, was very tempting to her
childish soul. But she felt that so dainty a thing was not for her, and
her old wooden darling, with the staring eyes and broken nose, was
dearer to her than the delicate stranger could ever be. So she smiled
to soothe the disappointed child, but shook her head again.
At that, the English lassie lost her temper, stamped her foot, scolded,
and began to cry, ordering the maid to take the flower and come away at
once.
"She _will_ have it; and she must not cry. Here, child, will you sell it
for this?" said the maid, pulling a handful of groschen out of her deep
pocket, sure that Trudel would yield now.
But the little house-mother's quick eye saw that the whole handful would
not buy the meat and wine, much as it looked, and for the third time she
shook her yellow head. There was a longing look in her face, however;
and the shrewd maid saw it, guessed that money would win the day, and
diving again into her apron-pocket, brought out a silver gulden and held
it up.
"For this, then, little miser? It is more than the silly flower is
worth; but the young fraeulein must have all she wants, so take it and
let us be done with the crying."
A struggle went on in Trudel's mind; and for a moment she did not speak.
She longed to keep her dear tulip, her one joy, and it seemed so hard to
let it go before she had even seen it blossom once; but then the money
would do much, and her loving little heart yearned to give poor father
all he needed. Just then her mother's voice came down from the open
window, softly singing an old hymn to lull the sick man to sleep. That
settled the matter for the dutiful daughter; tears rose to her eyes, and
she found it very hard to say with a farewell caress of the blue and
yellow pot as she gave it up,--
"You may have it; but it _is_ worth more than a gulden, for it is a
dragon-tulip, the finest we have. Could you give a little more? my
father is very sick, and we are very poor."
The stout maid had a kind heart under her white muslin neckerchief; and
while Miss Maud seized the flower, good Marta put another gulden into
Trudel's hand before she hastened after her charge, who made off with
her booty, as if fearing to lose it.
Trudel watched the child with the half-opened tulip nodding over her
shoulder, as though it sadly said "good-by" to its former mistress, till
her dim eyes could see no longer. Then she covered her face with her
apron and sobbed very quietly, lest grandmother should hear and be
troubled. But Trudel was a brave child, and soon the tears stopped, the
blue eyes looked gladly at the money in her hand, and presently, when
the fresh wind had cooled her cheeks, she went in to show her treasure
and cheer up the anxious hearts with her good news.
She made light of the loss of her flower, and still knitting, went
briskly off to get the meat and wine for father, and if the money held
out, some coffee for grandmother, some eggs and white rolls for mother,
who was weak and worn with her long nursing.
"Surely, the dear God does help me," thought the pious little maid,
while she trudged back with her parcels, quite cheery again, though no
pretty kitten ran to meet her, and no gay tulip stood full-blown in the
noonday sun.
Still more happy was she over her small sacrifices when she saw her
father sip a little of the good broth grandmother made with such care,
and saw the color come into the pale cheeks of the dear mother after she
had taken the eggs and fine bread, with a cup of coffee to strengthen
and refresh her.
"We have enough for to-day, and for father to-morrow; but on Sunday we
must fast as well as pray, unless the hose be done and paid for in
time," said the old woman next morning, surveying their small store of
food with an anxious eye.
"I will work hard, and go to Vrow Schmidt's the minute we are done. But
now I must run and get wood, else the broth will not be ready," answered
Trudel, clattering on her wooden shoes in a great hurry.
"If all else fails, I too shall make my sacrifice as well as you, my
heart's darling. I cannot knit as I once did, and if we are not done,
or Vrow Schmidt be away, I will sell my ring and so feed the flock till
Monday," said the grandmother, lifting up one thin old hand, where shone
the wedding-ring she had worn so many years.
"Ah, no,--not that! It was so sad to see your gold beads go, and
mother's ear-rings and father's coat and Jan and my lovely flower! We
will not sell the dear old ring. I will find a way. Something will
happen, as before; so wait a little, and trust to me," cried Trudel,
with her arms about the grandmother, and such a resolute nod that the
rusty little black cap fell over her nose and extinguished her.
She laughed as she righted it, and went singing away, as if not a care
lay heavy on her young heart. But when she came to the long dike which
kept the waters of the lake from overflowing the fields below, she
walked slowly to rest her tired legs, and to refresh her eyes with the
blue sheet of water on one side and the still bluer flax-fields on the
other,--for they were in full bloom, and the delicate flowers danced
like fairies in the wind.
It was a lonely place, but Trudel liked it, and went on toward the wood,
turning the heel of her stocking while she walked,--pausing now and then
to look over at the sluice-gates which stood here and there ready to let
off the water when autumn rains made the lake rise, or in the spring
when the flax-fields were overflowed before the seed was sown. At the
last of these she paused to gather a bunch of yellow stone-crop growing
from a niche in the strong wall which, with earth and beams, made the
dike. As she stooped, the sound of voices in the arch below came up to
her distinctly. Few people came that way except little girls, like
herself, to gather fagots in the wood, or truant lads to fish in the
pond. Thinking the hidden speakers must be some of these boys, she
knelt down behind the shrubs that grew along the banks, and listened
with a smile on her lips to hear what mischief the naughty fellows were
planning. But the smile soon changed to a look of terror; and she
crouched low behind the bushes to catch all that was said in the echoing
arch below.
"How did I think of the thing? Why, that is the best part of the joke!
Mein Herr von Vost put it into my head himself," said a man's gruff
voice, in answer to some question. "This is the way it was: I sat at
the window of the beer-house, and Von Vost met the burgomaster close by
and said, 'My friend, I hear that the lower sluice-gate needs looking
to. Please see to it speedily, for an overflow now would ruin my
flax-fields, and cause many of my looms to stand still next winter.'
'So! It shall be looked to next week. Such a misfortune shall not
befall you, my good neighbor,' said the burgomaster; and they parted.
'Ah, ha!' thinks I to myself, 'here we have a fine way to revenge
ourselves on Master von Vost, who turned us off and leaves us to starve.
We have but to see that the old gate gives way _between_ now and
_Monday_, and that hard man will suffer in the only place where he _can_
feel,--his pocket.'"
Here the gruff voice broke into a low laugh, and another man said
slowly,--
"A good plan; but is there no danger of being found out, Peit Stensen?"
"Not a chance of it! See here, Deitrich, a quiet blow or two, at night
when none can hear it, will break away these rotten boards and let the
water in. The rest--it will do itself; and by morning those great
fields will be many feet under water, and Von Vost's crop ruined. Yes,
we _will_ stop his looms for him, and other men besides you and I and
Niklas Haas will stand idle with starving children round them. Come,
will you lend a hand? Niklas is away looking for work, and Hans Dort is
sick, or they might be glad to help us."
"Hans would never do it. He is sober, and so good a weaver he will
never want work when he is well. I _will_ be with you, Peit; but swear
not to tell it, whatever happens, for you and I have bad names now, and
it would go hard with us."
"I 'll swear anything; but have no fear. We will not only be revenged
on the master, but get the job of repairing; since men are scarce and
the need will be great when the flood is discovered. See, then, how
fine a plan it is! and meet me here at twelve to-night with a shovel and
pick. Mine are already hidden in the wood yonder. Now, come and see
where we must strike, and then slip home the other way; we must not be
seen here by any one."
There the voices stopped, and steps were heard going deeper into the
arch. Trudel, pale with fear, rose to her feet, slipped off her sabots,
and ran away along the dike like a startled rabbit, never pausing till
she was safely round the corner and out of sight. Then she took breath,
and tried to think what to do first. It was of no use to go home and
tell the story there. Father was too ill to hear it or to help; and if
she told the neighbors, the secret would soon be known everywhere and
might bring danger on them all. No, she must go at once to Mein Herr
von Vost and tell him alone, begging him to let no one know what she had
heard, but to prevent the mischief the men threatened, as if by
accident. Then all would be safe, and the pretty flax-fields kept from
drowning. It was a long way to the "master's," as he was called,
because he owned the linen factories, where all day many looms jangled,
and many men and women worked busily to fill his warehouses and ships
with piles of the fine white cloth, famous all the world over.
But forgetting the wood, father's broth, granny's coffee, and even the
knitting which she still held, Trudel went as fast as she could toward
the country-house, where Mein Herr von Vost would probably be at his
breakfast.
She was faint now with hunger and heat, for the day grew hot, and the
anxiety she felt made her heart flutter while she hurried along the
dusty road till she came to the pretty house in its gay garden, where
some children were playing. Anxious not to be seen, Trudel slipped up
the steps, and in at the open window of a room where she saw the master
and his wife sitting at table. Both looked surprised to see a shabby,
breathless little girl enter in that curious fashion; but something in
her face told them that she came on an important errand, and putting
down his cup, the gentleman said quickly,--
"Well, girl, what is it?"
In a few words Trudel told her story, adding with a beseeching gesture,
"Dear sir, please do not tell that I betrayed bad Peit and Deitrich.
They know father, and may do him some harm if they discover that I told
you this. We are so poor, so unhappy now, we cannot bear any more;" and
quite overcome with the troubles that filled her little heart, and the
fatigue and the hunger that weakened her little body, Trudel dropped
down at Von Vost's feet as if she were dead.
When she came to herself, she was lying on a velvet sofa and the
sweet-faced lady was holding wine to her lips, while Mein Herr von Vost
marched up and down the room with his flowered dressing-gown waving
behind him, and a frown on his brow. Trudel sat up and said she was
quite well; but the little white face and the hungry eyes that wandered
to the breakfast-table, told the truth, and the good frau had a plate of
food and a cup of warm milk before her in a moment.
"Eat, my poor child, and rest a little, while the master considers what
is best to be done, and how to reward the brave little messenger who
came so far to save his property," said the motherly lady, fanning
Trudel, who ate heartily, hardly knowing what she ate, except that it
was very delicious after so much bread and water.
In a few moments Herr von Vost paused before the sofa and said kindly,
though his eyes were stern and his face looked hard,--
"See, then, thus shall I arrange the affair, and all will be well. I
will myself go to see the old gate, as if made anxious lest the
burgomaster should forget his promise. I find it in a dangerous state,
and at once set my men at work. The rascals are disappointed of both
revenge and wages, and I can soon take care of them in other ways, for
they are drunken fellows, and are easily clapped into prison and kept
safely there till ready to work and to stop plotting mischief. No one
shall know your part in it, my girl; but I do not forget it. Tell your
father his loom waits for him. Meanwhile, here is something to help
while he must be idle."
Trudel's plate nearly fell out of her hands as a great gold-piece
dropped into her lap; and she could only stammer her thanks with tears
of joy, and a mouth full of bread and butter.
"He is a kind man, but a busy one, and people call him 'hard.' You will
not find him so hereafter, for he never forgets a favor, nor do I. Eat
well, dear child, and wait till you are rested. I will get a basket of
comforts for the sick man. Who else needs help at home?"
So kindly did Frau von Vost look and speak that Trudel told all her sad
tale freely, for the master had gone at once to see to the dike, after a
nod and a pat on the child's head, which made her quite sure that he was
not as hard as people said.
When she had opened her heart to the friendly lady, Trudel was left to
rest a few moments, and lay luxuriously on the yellow sofa staring at
the handsome things about her, and eating pretzels till Frau von Vost
returned with the promised basket, out of which peeped the neck of a
wine-bottle, the legs of a chicken, glimpses of grapes, and many neat
parcels of good things.
"My servant goes to market and will carry this for you till you are near
home. Go, little Trudel; and God bless you for saving us from a great
misfortune!" said the lady; and she kissed the happy child and led her
to the back door, where stood the little cart with an old man to drive
the fat horse, and many baskets to be filled in town.
Such a lovely drive our Trudel had that day! no queen in a splendid
chariot ever felt prouder, for all her cares were gone, gold was in her
pocket, food at her feet, and friends secured to make times easier for
all. No need to tell how joyfully she was welcomed at home, nor what
praises she received when her secret was confided to mother and
grandmother, nor what a feast was spread in the poor house that
day,--for patience, courage, and trust in God had won the battle, the
enemy had fled, and Trudel's hard siege was over.
[Illustration: Chapter IX tailpiece]