Little Philippe of Belgium Page 4

  "Goodbye, Mamma. I shall be home soon. Do not worry," said Philippe.

  He threw his arms about his mother's neck. The big car stopped beforethe door. The gentlemen jumped out.

  "He will be back in two or three days," said the Englishman to MotherYvelle. "We shall take good care of him. Have no fear."

  Bundling Philippe into the car, the two gentlemen waved cheerily to theBelgian woman. She stood and watched them as they disappeared down theroad.

  "What is that?" cried the American, looking in surprise at his feet.

  The lap robe of the car was moving.

  "What can it be?" exclaimed the Englishman.

  They lifted the lap robe. There, crouching on the floor of the car andlooking up at them with friendly eyes, was Philippe's dog, Trompke.

  "Trompke!" cried Philippe, "How did you get in? Shame!"

  The puppy's tail went thump, thump! on the floor.

  "Oh, I'm sorry," said Philippe. "I'll take him back if you'll stop thecar."

  "Never mind," laughed the Englishman. "Let him go along. He must havejumped in while we were saying goodbye to your mother."

  "He would not let me go off without him," said Philippe. "He is so usedto coming along."

  So Trompke made the fourth traveler.

  Along the smooth roads they motored. They passed tall poplar trees andwell-tilled fields. They passed busy farmers. Everybody works inBelgium. It is an industrious little country.

  They were soon in Antwerp. It is a short drive. They found the city lessbeautiful than Brussels. It seemed bristling with excitement andbusiness. Some of the streets were picturesque and charming. Others weredirty and filled with rough people.

  Philippe told his friend travelers that the most interesting place tosee was the water front.

  "It was there that the supplies, sent from your country during the WorldWar, arrived," said the boy, looking at his American companion. "That isthe port through which thousands and thousands of vessels pass eachyear."

  They drove to the docks. Flags were flying from ships of almost everynation. There were miles and miles of masts and funnels. The air wasfull of busy noises.

  "Did you know," asked the English gentleman, "that Antwerp is the secondmost important shipping port in Europe? Hamburg alone is moreimportant."

  ANTWERP IS THE SECOND MOST IMPORTANT SHIPPING PORT IN EUROPE]

  After they had left the docks, they wandered about the city on foot.

  THERE WERE MILES AND MILES OF MASTS AND FUNNELS IN ANTWERP HARBOR]

  They saw the house where the great painter, Rubens, lived.

  HOME OF RUBENS, ANTWERP]

  It was growing late, and they talked of resting at a hotel beforedinner. They were crossing a noisy street, on their way to a hotel, whenPhilippe suddenly saw Zelie and Tom.

  The boy stopped. The two gentlemen were already on the opposite side.But Philippe stood stock still in the middle of the street and clutchedhis fat little puppy until the dog squealed. He had seen Zelie and Tom!But only for a moment.

  Zelie was pushing the big organ. They had disappeared from sight, downan alleyway.

  Only for a moment did Philippe stand still. Then he gathered his witstogether. Off he dashed, after Zelie and Tom. But even though Philippehad followed almost immediately, they had now completely disappeared.

  Thinking that he had been mistaken in the direction, Philippe turnedaround quickly and started down another street. Oh, he must find Zelieand Tom. He had missed them so. He wanted to talk with them again.

  Frantically he turned, and once more he ran down the alleyway. There wasa group of children playing on the curb.

  "Have you seen a man and a girl with an organ?" asked Philippe inFrench.

  The children did not understand. They giggled. Philippe realized that inAntwerp most of the people speak Flemish. He repeated his question inthat language.

  "Yes," replied one of the children. "They went very fast down that way.They went past the church toward the station."

  Calling back his thanks, Philippe darted off in the direction given.Asking questions as he went, he finally arrived at the railway station.Puffing and panting, he dashed up to the station master.

  "Have you seen--a tall man--and a girl--with an organ?" puffed Philippe.

  The station master smiled at the wild face of the boy before him.

  Then he pointed to a train just chugging away and replied, "They are onthat train which is leaving the station."

  Philippe's face fell. His heart pounded.

  "Where is that train going?" he demanded.

  "To Ghent," replied the station master, smiling. "It is too late tocatch it now."

  "When does the next train leave for Ghent?" asked Philippe.

  "There is no train for Ghent tonight--only a freight train which leaveshere in an hour," the man answered.

  GHENT IS A VERY OLD CITY, AND IN SPITE OF ITS STORMY HISTORY, RETAINS MUCH OF ITS ANCIENT SPLENDOR]

  The boy thanked the station master and turned away quickly. Philippeknew that he would not be allowed to ride on the freight train. But healso knew that he was going to follow his friends to Ghent if he had toboard the train secretly and hide.

  And that is just what he did. A wild idea had come into his head. Whyshould he go back to Brussels with the two gentlemen? Why should hebegin all over again that dull life in the market place? Why not runaway and join Tom and Zelie? They were not far. They were in Ghent. Yes,Philippe would go to Ghent.

  So, huddled between boxes and crates, the boy and his puppy sat still inthe stuffy freight car and waited for it to leave the station. Finallyit pulled out, and Philippe knew that he was on his way to Ghent and tohis friends.

  Then he began to think of the thing he had done. What would the twoforeign gentlemen think? What would his father and mother do when thegentlemen returned to Brussels without their boy?

  Philippe smiled to himself as he thought, "I shall write to them. Theywill be pleased when I send them great sums of money."

  Poor Philippe! Little did he know what awaited him! Little did he dreamthat much trouble lay between himself and his return home.

  He only knew that at last he was off on his adventure. Young Philippewas now going forth into the world like a knight of old. But instead ofriding a steed, this knight sat huddled in an old freight car with a fatpuppy in his arms.

  SAT HUDDLED IN AN OLD FREIGHT CAR]

  Chapter VIII

  A DIFFICULT JOURNEY

  Belgium has more miles of railway than any other country of its size inthe world.

  Philippe was having a noisy ride, huddled up in the corner of a freightcar. He was tired out from all the excitement of travel during the day.Even the sounds of passing trains, the swaying motion, the puff-puffingand shrill whistling all around him could not keep him awake. Philippeand Trompke slept.

  Philippe did not know how long he had been sleeping when he suddenly satup straight. The train had stopped. The boy rubbed his eyes. All wasblack around him. He could feel the soft coat of Trompke beside him.

  He felt for the door of the car and opened it. Then he jumped out,followed by Trompke. He found himself standing beside the freight car.It was night. They were in the middle of a field, far out in thecountry. The rest of the train had, no doubt, gone off and left thembehind.

  He was alone. Probably the rest of the freight train was now in Ghent.But his car had been left in this deserted place for some reason whichPhilippe did not know.

  He started across the field toward a farmhouse. He was very hungry! Ifonly he might go in and ask for something to eat. But it was very lateat night. The people were surely asleep, and he must not awaken them.

  There was a barn near the house. Philippe decided to sleep there. Hecould go to the house in the morning and ask for food. So he climbed upinto a hay loft. The hay was soft and sweet; snuggling down, the boyand the dog were soon asleep. It must have been nearly dawn, whenPhilippe was awakened by voices below him. Not stirring, he li
stened. Heheard two men, who had entered and were unharnessing a horse.

  PHILIPPE SLEPT IN THE HAY]

  "It was the best fair of the year," said one.

  CANAL AND SHEEP, A VIEW OF BELGIAN COUNTRYSIDE]

  In Belgium there are many fairs all the year round.

  "Ah, ho, hum!" yawned the other man. "But we stayed in Ghent so long!Now we shall have only a short time to sleep before starting the day'swork."

  "Never mind," the other man declared, "it was worth the drive. Andbesides, the fair is leaving Ghent tomorrow."

  Philippe put his chin on his elbow and listened. Then the man began tosing:

  "I wouldn't be a lettuce With my head all thrown about."

  "That was the song that the gypsy girl sang; wasn't it?" asked theother.

  "Yes," replied the first.

  Philippe could hardly believe what he heard. That was his song! He hadtaught that song to Rose! Zelie must be singing his songs at the fair inGhent.

  Philippe was about to call down to the men. Then he stopped. They mightmistake him for a tramp. They might do him some harm. No; he must becareful.

  Then, yawning sleepily, the two men stamped out of the barn. Philippeheard the door closing behind them.

  The only sound now was the crunch-crunching of the horse. But even thatdid not remind Philippe of his hunger. He could think of only one thing.He must reach Ghent as quickly as possible! He must find his friendsbefore they left. He must join them at the fair in Ghent.

  Philippe rose and went down into the barn. The men had locked the door;but there was a tiny window above the horse's stall. Through this, theboy first pushed Trompke. Then he started to climb through it himself.

  "Come, Trompke," he called. "We must walk to Ghent. There is no time tolose. We must get there before the fair moves on."

  HE STARTED THROUGH THE WINDOW]

  Dawn was in the sky as the boy and his dog trudged wearily along theroad. They were in the famous flax-growing district of Belgium. Therewere many glistening canals and rows of tall trees. They crossedbridges and passed low farmhouses with red roofs. But not once didPhilippe stop.

  Though his legs ached, never once did the boy give in. Trompke's tongueswept the ground. He was too tired to bark even at birds and chickens.

  They passed fields of flax. This flax is sent to the factories of Ghentwhere it is made into fine linen.

  The word "Ghent" is taken from the French word "gant," meaning "glove."Ghent was once famous for glove making. But today the lace and linentrades are more popular.

  At last Philippe could see the outline of houses in the distance. It wasbright sunlight now. There was smoke curling up from chimneys. Peoplewere cooking breakfast in Ghent.

  HARVESTING GRAIN BY HAND IN BELGIUM]

  Philippe could not let himself think of that. To the market place hewent.

  "Where is the fair?" he asked a passerby.

  "It left Ghent last night," was the answer. "It will be in Bruges(=broo'jez=) for three days, and I only wish I could go there and seeit again."

  Philippe did not hear the last remark. He had already turned. Everythinghad begun to whirl about him. But he stumbled on, on.

  "We must follow them to Bruges, Trompke," he said, bravely.

  But Trompke lay down on the sidewalk with his head between his paws. Histongue was lolling. His eyes said, "Not I! I stay!"

  But Philippe was already walking away. Trompke arose wearily andfollowed. What dog has the right to refuse the commands of a boy? It istrue that in this case the dog was more sensible than the boy.

  For Philippe was completely worn out. He was so tired and hungry, hecould scarcely think. It would have been better had he rested awhile.

  But all he could think of was finding Tom and Zelie and joining them.

  Chapter IX

  THE CITY OF SISTERS

  Philippe approached the great Convent of Ghent. This convent isdifferent from most convents. It is like a little village where eachsister has her own cosy house. These sisters have given up the life ofthe world. They live their own lives in this City of Sisters. They spendtheir time making beautiful laces, doing charity work and going tochurch.

  Philippe had heard of the convent in Ghent. He had seen some of thesisters in Brussels at times. He knew they were kind and he determinedto enter one of their homes and ask for food.

  At the gate of the convent, Philippe met an elderly sister. She wore along black gown and a snow-white cap. Her face was ruddy and wrinkled.She smiled at Philippe and stopped.

  "You look tired, little one," she said.

  Philippe answered, "I have walked many miles. I am hungry."

  The sister then led him into her wee house. It looked like a gingerbreadhouse. It was like all the other houses at the convent. It was made ofbrick.

  "Come, let me give you some broth," said the sister kindly.

  And she gave Philippe a bowl of delicious broth. They sat together inher neat little room.

  When Philippe finished the broth he said, "Thank you, my sister. You arevery kind." Then he told her his story.

  "I must go on to Bruges," he finished "For the fair is in Bruges, and Ishall find my friends there."

  THE GREAT CONVENT OF GHENT]

  The sister looked serious.

  "My boy, does your mother know what you are doing?" she asked.

  Philippe shook his head slowly and said, "But I shall write to her nowif you will please give me a pen and some paper."

  After he had written to his parents, the boy looked up and found thegood sister's gaze upon him.

  "Why don't you give up this idea and go home?" she asked.

  But Philippe laughed.

  "Oh, no," he replied, "I could not do that now. Why, Tom says I shallmake great sums of money! Tom is a fine fellow! Oh, my parents will beglad that I went, when I make them rich."

  But still the sister seemed worried.

  "Stay with me a day or so," she urged. "You are worn out with your longwalk. Let me give you rest and food. Then perhaps we may find a way tosend you to Bruges."

  Philippe patted her rough, capable hand.

  "Thank you, my sister," he said, "but I must waste no time."

  Then the sister arose and went to a little table. She took from adrawer a linen bag. From the bag she brought forth some money.

  SISTERS OF THE CONVENT]

  Handing it to Philippe, she said, "Take this, little one, and ride toBruges on it. That way you will reach your friends quickly and save yourstrength."

  Philippe hesitated at first.

  Then he took the money and said, "I can never thank you enough. But Ishall return this money to you. You shall see."

  After Philippe had washed and prepared to leave, he said to his newfriend, "I have heard so much about the fine lace which is made by thesisters of the convent. May I see some of it?"

  The good woman smiled and led the boy to another room to show him herwork.

  But suddenly Philippe started and looked about him with troubled eyes.

  "My sister!" he cried, "I had a little dog. I almost forgot about him!"

  "I saw your little dog," the sister answered. "He came in with you. Butnow he has disappeared."

  Philippe began calling, "Trompke! Trompke!"

  The sister helped him search the house.

  "I cannot imagine where he went," exclaimed the sister.

  Then they saw a strange sight.

  From the big workbasket, where the sister kept her lace, came Trompke.He was completely wrapped in beautiful lace. He looked like a bride. Histrain was long and flowing. Upon his head was a lace cap. His dog facepeered forth anxiously.

  HIS DOG FACE PEERED FORTH ANXIOUSLY]

  His tail stirred the lace train as it wagged, as if it were asking,"Were you looking for me?" For, you know, dogs speak with their tails.

  Trompke waddled up to Philippe and continued to talk in tail language asif he were saying, "I was fast asleep in the workbasket. I was
verytired. The lace was soft."

  As soon as Philippe recovered from his amazement, he fell on his kneesand began to untangle the lace from the dog's body.

  "Oh, Trompke! Shame, Trompke!" he cried.

  But the sister was laughing so hard that her kind, red face grew evenredder than usual.

  "Do not scold him," she said, "He did no harm. Oh, what a funny sight!"

  And again the good sister went into peals of laughter. Her mirth startedPhilippe to thinking. A plan was forming in his mind.

  Suddenly he jumped to his feet and exclaimed, "My sister, I have thoughtof a plan!"

  The sister wiped the tears of laughter from her eyes. She listened tothe boy.

  "It suddenly came to me as you were laughing," he said, "that if thesight of Trompke seemed so funny to you, why would it not be funny toothers?"

  The sister gave signs of exploding again at the mention of lace-gownedTrompke.

  But Philippe went on, "Give me some of your lace. I will dress Trompkeas a bride in the market place of Bruges. People will stop. And whenthey stop, I shall sell them your lace. I shall be able, then, to repayyou."

  The sister looked into Philippe's eyes. She seemed much interested inwhat he had said.

  She replied, "You have thought of a very clever plan. You are one whowill make much of your life. That is plain to see."

  Without wasting any time, the sister and Philippe prepared for the boy'sjourney.