A Dutch Boy Fifty Years After
AM BOK: BIOG
ON OF A PERS
STRA
Bok . . .
k at the
rthplace at Hel
randm
r [Transcriber's not
ok is happiest
CTION OF T
MAINSPRING OF SOME OF THE EFFORTS OF T
ling that turbulent sea. On this island once lived a group of men who, as each vessel was wrecked, looted the vessel and murdered those of the crew who re
y-odd years. By royal proclamation he was made mayor of the island, and within a year, a court of law being
ren of tree or living green of any kind; it was as if a man had been exiled to Siberia. Still, argued the young
d; "we can make this island a spot of beauty if we will!" But the practical seafaring m
the words were destined to mean--"I will do it myself." And that y
s; "the severe north winds an
sland he did so. He planted trees each year; and, moreover, he had deeded to the island government l
e sea, and, spent and driven, the first birds came and rested in their leafy shelter. And others came and found protection, and gave their gratitude vent in song. Within a few years so many birds had discovered the trees in this new island home that they attracted the attention not only of the native islanders but also of the people on the shore five miles distant, and the island became famous as the home of the rarest and most beautifu
p of land the women and children would come to "the square" and listen to the evening notes of the birds of golden song. The two nightingales soon grew into a colony, and within a
e had been only barren wastes. Artists began to hear of the place and brought their canvases, and on the walls of hundreds of homes throughout the world hang to-day bits of the beautiful lanes and wooded spots of "The Island of Nightingal
young attorney went to the island and planted the first tree; to-day the churchyard where he lies is a bower
one man do. Bu
ur trees," she said, "I will raise our children." And within a score of years the young bride sent thirteen happy-faced, well-brought-up children over that island, and there was reared a home such as is given to few. Said a man w
d them all together and said to them, "I want to tell you the story of your fath
f your father's work, and each, in your own way and place, to do as he has done: make you the world
orked at the colony until towns and cities sprang up and a new nation came into being: The Transvaal Republic. The son became secretary of state of the new
f a small parish; and when he had finished his work he was mourned by k
scued a half-dead sailor, carried him to his father's house, and brought him back to a life of usefulness that gave the world a
her husband owed, at his life's close, a shelf of works in phi
him to be regarded as one of the ablest preachers of his land, s
er followed the footsteps of his father. Another daughter, refusing marriage
r's simple but beautiful work and the remembrance of their mother's message. Not one from that home but did wel
. The grandchildren have gone to the four corners of the globe, and are now the generation of workers--some in the far East Indies; others in Africa; still others in our own land of America. But each has tried, according to the talents given, to carry out
ore beautiful and better be
RD W
RI
SYLV