The Literary echo, and Pawcatuck advertiser. [volume] (Westerly, R.I.) 1851-1854, 1852-08-12
B. L. THURSDAY, AUGUST IL, 1852.

nau not seen, the DeatlnS OF MS nearI
would have assured him that this was
Clotilda Van Elburg.
Hidden in the damask curtains of the
window, she had watched the entrance
of the father and son, and she was now
gone to summon Van Elburg, with whom
she soon entered the room.
Clotilda was dressed in the costume
of her country. Her dark auburn hair
was drawn back from her forehead, on
which reposed little golden ornament,
and confined at the back of her head by
a set of golden wire, profusely ornament
ed with precious stones. Two enormous
Maltese cats, to whom Clotilda was
much attached, trotted along beside her
themselves continually against
her dress.
"Ah, good day, Master Woeden,"
cried Van Elburg, holding out his hand.
You don't mean that you, too, have run
away from the French"
ooh, no, my good friend. You know
that I don't concern myself about poll
tics 1 care as little for the French as
for the Prince of Orange. No; it is on
business that have come to see you"
"And what is this business ?"
"My dear friend, l have an order
from government for four hundred thou
sand behring's, to be delivered within a
month. Can you engage to furnish them
20 ,,,o ,r,tb,n &braa xyoolys -,
"Ah what ratei"
" Ten forms the thousand"
" Ten forms Yes, l will make the
agreement"
" Let us then draw up the contract
and sign it i; after that hope you will
give us some breakfast, for am almost
famished. While we are eating, l will
tell you the second object of my visit. |"
In saying these last words, Master
Wooden threw a significant look at
Clotilde, who blushed and lowered her
eyes.
During the repast, in fact, Wooden
spoke of the marriage of his son, and
agitated again the question of the dowry
Of the future wife. Van Elburg, how
ever, would not increase by one silver
the sum he had named, and Master
who in truth cared very little,
after arguing the matter for few mo-
ments, gave up the point, and the mar
riage was fixed for the eighth day from
the agreement.
The next day William and his father
returned to Amsterdam. Hardly had
they left the town and resumed their
horses, when William exclaimed
Father, how could you change your
mind SO SUDDENLY"
"About what 20
I" Why, the dowry."
Master Wooden looked sideways at
his son.
William" said he, rusquely, "Do
you take me for fool But let me
alone, and do not ask questions upon
subject which you do not understand.
The matter is getting serious ten
forms the thousand for herrings is very
dear, and here am l with an engagement
on my hands for four hundred thousand
at that price. I have need of all my
wits"
In fact, from this moment the lips Of
the worthy man remained firmly closed.
William rode beside him, also silent,
but with his heart filed with joy at
finding himself so near the realization of
his fondest hopes. AS soon as they en-
tered the house the old merchant hasten
ed to his study, where he locked him
self in. These singular circumstances
made William exceedingly curious, but
he was quite unable to solve the mys-
terry.
Toward night Master Wooden issued
from MS cabinet with great package of
letters to throw into the post-ofice.
Three days after, when William return
cd home at night, his father with JOY
hiding in every wrinkle of his old face,
came to meet him, exclaiming:
"Child, have got your dowry."
The marriage day arrived, and again
did master Wooden and his son take the
road to Brock. This time, however,
they entered the house Of Van Elburg
by special door, having two leaves
richly carved in oak. This door, follow
ing the custom Of the country, was
only open on three solemn OCCASIONS
baptism, marriage or a funeral. They
fonnd n large number of friends and re-
lations already assembled in the grand
saloon. The master of the house made
his way through the crowd and ap-
preached the new guests but his face