Girls often declare that boys have all the fun. Well, they certainly do
seem to get the larger share of it in a good many ways. Then, when they
grow up, they are very apt, too, to carry off all the honors, the
literary fame, the military glory, the professional success, while the
girls are left at home to do worsted-work.
Now and then, however, the girls come to the front in art, in
literature, in science, and even in war. You all know how Joan of Arc
led the armies of France to victory, and how Moll Pitcher stood at the
mouth of her cannon, pouring confusion into the British ranks.
Not so great as these women of martial fame were the "Milkmaids of
Dort," but still they have their place in history. If any of you ever go
to Holland, the land of wooden dikes and windmills, it is quite possible
that you may find yourselves some day in the ancient town of Dort, or
Dordrecht. It is a grand old city. Here among these antiquated
buildings, with their queer gables and great iron cranes, many an
interesting historical event has taken place.
In the centre of the great market-place of Dort stands a fountain, and
if you will look close you will see upon the tall pyramid a _relievo_
representing a cow, and underneath, in sitting posture, a milkmaid. They
are there to commemorate the following historical fact:
When the provinces of the United Netherlands were struggling for their
liberty, two beautiful daughters of a rich farmer, on their way to the
town with milk, observed not far from their path several Spanish
soldiers concealed behind some hedges. The patriotic maidens pretended
not to have seen anything, pursued their journey, and as soon as they
arrived in the city, insisted upon an admission to the burgomaster, who
had not yet left his bed. They were admitted, and related what they had
discovered. The news was spread about. Not a moment was lost. The
Council was assembled; measures were immediately taken; the sluices were
opened, and a number of the enemy lost their lives in the water. Thus
the inhabitants were saved from an awful doom.
The magistrates in a body honored the farmer with a visit, where they
thanked his daughters for the act of patriotism which saved the town.
They afterward indemnified him fully for the loss he sustained from the
inundation, and the most distinguished young citizens vied with each
other who should be honored with the hands of the milkmaids. Then, as
the years went by, the fountain was erected, and the story commemorated
in stone.