Gallipolis journal. [volume] (Gallipolis, Ohio) 1837-1919, 1854-01-05

Well, by some unexplained necromancy,
he discovered what was going on; and
laying his pipe down one morning just
after Winnefreda came from the gale
ry, he sWore a monstrous great big
Dutch oath, that defied translation,
ending with 'dunder and blixen,' that
she should be married to Sebritz Van
SteigIer, and the lieutenant might go to
the 'diyil.'
Confusion, anger, incipient love and
unexpressed resolutions, were each in
turn called into activity by this unex-
pected explosion of parental powder
She felt that Steinburg was necessary
to her happiness, the very instant an
obstacle interposed. However, she had
the discretion to smother the tornado
rising in her bosom. Women always
exhibit their superiority over the sterner
sex, in the management of their afec-
tions, by concealing their real feelings.
Among other peculiarities of this
abrupt old father, he had established a
habit of extreme regularity, so that his
movements were all regulated mechani-
cally for each returning day. After
smoking breakfast being over, he put
on his best coat and went straight to the
burgomaster's hall. Hans Van Wezzel
was an alderman in function. On ar
irving he entered a closet with two
doors, where his coat was exchanged
for an official gown. Itwas invariably
suspended on particular nail, and well
known to all gentlemen of the court, as
it was to the pages in attendance, on
account of its awfully deep pockets
One of them, however, was superior in
capacity, on account of its being exclu-
sively devoted to tobacco. 1t was, de
facto, magazine in which generous
stock of the best article which the mar
ket afforded was kept for his own use
and behoof.
In these degenerate days, when
smoking is considered in the aspect of
an accomplishment rather than solemn
episode in the life of solid man, it is
quite impossible to understand the
character of ancient putting, as prac-
ticed in Amsterdam. When leaving
home, the burgomaster always added a
handful of leaves to the remnant re-
naming in the bottom, of the previous
days provisions, which was a foresight
reduced to custom, and by this means
he was never made unhappy by finding
himself on short allowance for his pipe.
Young people never lack for ex-
redients when their affections are called
into play. The burgomaster peremp-
torily and absolutely forbid Winnefreda
from speaking or even looking at the
lieutenant. This was not all; for he one
evening told the young aspirant how
inveterately he hated epauletts and
swords and those who wore them
Scarcely had the sentenced left the
lips of Van Wezzel, than the brave
blood of the Steinburg began to boil.
High words ensued, and had it not been
for the immediate interference of the
daughter, one or the other of them
might have been damaged. The lieu
tenant was ordered to quit the house
instanter, and never return to it, on
penalty of broken skull.
Van Wezzel could see as far into a
milestone as any one; and knowing the
perversity of the sisterhood, when their
hearts are palpitating under tender
partiality for some body-who may be
nobody to papas and mamas-resolved
to bring long contemplated match be-
tween Sebrits Van Steigler and his
daughter to a close, without inquiring
whether his daughter would dutifully
oblige him or not.
Here the story can be economically
shortened by passing over long series
of family events previous to the mar
riage. Steigler was perfectly indifer-
cnt, being willing to be hung or mar
ried, as his uncle thought best, for Sc
curing the family possessions and a
name that never passed for less than a
million of guilders at the Jew bankers.
Winnefreda was never allowed to
make her accustomed visits to the pic
ture gallery, nor hold any kind of COM
munication with her lover, under pen
atty so terribly severe, that she was
careful not to give rise to any suspicious
as to the true state of her heart. By
urging and flattery, the old burgomas-
ter succeeded in lighting up show of
gallantry in Steigler. He knew that
money was a god exceedingly worship
ped in Holland, and, moreover, that
marrying cousin was an easy way OF
securing funds.
1t was decided, after long meditation
by Van Wezzel, that the day of days
which was designed to keep two of the
largest estates together, should be SOL
emnized at a specified period, in quiet
manner, quite private because it would
be unattended with expense. No one
was to be invited. The priest and the
parties, with himself and wife, were
considered quite sufficient for legal pur-
poses; and as for the world, what peo-
pie might say, was of no consequence
to posterity.
Sebritz Van Steigler became con-
slant attendant, to the surprise of Win
nefreda. In order to carry out de-
sign of some consequence to her happi-
ness, she seemed to acquiesce in the
preparation; but it alarmed her on dis
Towering that the affianced bIockhead
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