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Holand, Hjalmar Rued, 1872-1963 / Wisconsin's Belgian community : an account of the early events in the Belgian settlement in northeastern Wisconsin with particular reference to the Belgians in Door County
(1933)
Chapter VII: Belgian characteristics and customs, pp. [81]-97
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WISCONSIN'S BELGIAN COMMUNITY west through the dense forest-the forerunner of the road his grandson snappily describes as "County C". The baying of a dog broke the stillness of the evening and a gruff voice admonished, "Allez, Shep !" "Good, the old man is home," said Amia to himself. Any lingering doubt he may have had was dis- pelled a moment later by the loud, "Bein voila, Amia!" bellowed in Macceaux's jovial voice. "Is it really you, my friend, or do I dream? Quelles nouvelles?" Then without waiting for an answer, "Sacre bleu, but you are welcome." He came for- ward in greeting and now with a friendly slap on the back, he invited "Venons, Amia, un petit gouter-que? Then we will visit-that bench out- side-a pipe-a friend- it is a different evening already. But, Amia, you look tired, you drive your- self too-" 'No, no, Baptiste, it is not the work that wearies me. That is why I have come to ask your counsel-but let us drink first to our health-my trouble will wait." "You see, Baptiste," he concluded later as they sat together on the bench in the darkness, "I come to you with his problem because I know you can help me. You have been married these many years, you. To myself I have said, "He has a wife and five daughters surely such a one will under- stand women." "Mais, Amia," rejoined Baptiste sadly, "you do not comprehend. A wife and five daughters, true and that makes six reasons why I cannot help you. Me understand women? No, no. Amia I am too honest to accept the compliment. At first I had thought to do so, but now - truly I do not expect to live that long. Let me call my Odile. Possibly she can describe the malady. Odile! Odile! Venez ici !" Obedient to his summons came "la femme Macceaux" from her kitchen to listen in turn, to Amia's recital of his domestic difficulties. When he had finished, she said sadly, "Me, 86
Copyright, 1933, by H. R. Holand.| For information on re-use, see http://digital.library.wisc.edu/1711.dl/Copyright