Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1856-08-06
CHAPTER III.


casion for fear.
CHAPTER III.
GIANT.
Peter Van der Veer brooded the strange crcum-
stance OF Casper Gedops appearance for long whiI.
and the he thought Of more firm he became in
the convection that evil hanging over him. II,
had deep dread OF that dark man-not such dread as
one VINO has dangerous secrets at stake may feel the
dread which iastens upon the mind of defenceesa man
IN the presence OF cruel enemy. On the day following
the events recorded the preceding chapter old mer
chant resolved to witch for himself and il be could
detect the enemy Accordingly after he had eaten bis
breakfast he took his station lower rooms of
the inn, and there he watched all the forenoon but he
saw nothing OF his evil genius In the afternoon he walk
ed the fort where he remained couple of hours
ana as he was coming out he passing along the
street towards the tavern From the garb and general
appearance OF the stranger he thought il must be Gel
dorp so he crossed over, and having drawn the rim of
his hat well down his face and pulled up his van
dyke, he foloEed The sackened his steps A. he
approached the nn and Van der Veer that he Vas
watching the upper windows of the building. The old
the southern gate open and having hurried over
and entered that way he gained position behind some
shrboery by the fence, where he could only watch
the movements of the suspected man. but where he could
get good view Of his face IL close by the corner
OF the inn.
Geldorp, for he it was had now stopped behind large
button-woOd tree where he doubt fancied he should
be free om observation and there he stood watched
the windows Van der Veer had doubts
cenng the identity OF the for he recognized in those
dark features the face OF the he had feared For
hs an hour Geldorp remained his post and during that
time he kept his fixed quite steadily upon the inn
At length the front door was opened and William Van
der ere came out. The youth gazed around lew mo-
ments and then started the toward the compa
ny's farm. The moment Willem made his appearance
Gedorp the alert, and the former had moved
many rods the dark started follow him. The old
merchant would have called upon his come back
but he wished the attention the other
he clambered the fence and follow ed along after
determined on account to lose sight OF the youth while
Geldorp near
Wilem had come out simply for a walk and be saun-
tered along musng upon the peculiar circumstances by
which he surrounded he heard heavy football be-
hind him, and turning he beheld the very man whom
he had noticed the day before gazing up the windows
OF his fathers He did like the looks of the
dark features and he would have hurried on to
get out OF the way but just he started quicken his
pace the man addressed him.
After indulgng in q few commonplace, though mper-
tinent remarks, to which the gentle youth vouchsafed
very brief replies the intruder that he had lived in
Amsterdam, and knew his (Wiem's) father.
Might ask your ~ ventured the youth.
"O-certainy," said Geldorp, with slight show Of hes
itation. "My name is Bronk-Corneis Bronx"
WiIem was not so blind but that he the for
impression be received that that the indivd
ua's real name.
Yes yes" resumed the stranger, assuming very ia.
mar air 81 remember your father very WE'LL you his
only child"
''Yes, Sir"
Wlem could harm in answering these simple
questions so he did not hesitate.
short silence followed, and then Geldorp resumed
Lets see-if remember rightly, your mothers name
is Theodore
"Itis," answered Wilem
"Well-lmus make it in. my way to call in and zee
your parents when can spare the time. suppose they
will remain at the tavern some time yet"
Wem said be thought very likely, and theD they
had reached point where alley turned of to-
wards Mistreet Geldorp remarked that his way Law i'm
that direction aud having bowed very politely he
of. The youth gazed after him for while and would
then have kept but he heard his pronounced by
familiar voice, and on turning he bis father He
joined the old gentleman at once and related oil that had
hturaa aU1Nk NkaV wHsk k.. IA
him.
II didn't like his looks at ALL he said at IN, close Of
his account ale & the who stood so long in
front OF windows yesterday, and sure he did not
give me his right name"
"ITe did not, my son." returned Van der veer after
they had turned their steps homeWard His name is
Casper Geldorp, and I'm he some evil You
must beware OF him, and keep your ewes OPEN
'But why do you think 50 ?" the youth asked with
some surprise What Is he Ia you you TO hm that
be should do thus'"
why" replied the old man, with some hesitation.
''msny years ago had some dealings with him and in
consequence Of hs dishonesty il became tr
me to expose him He tried hard injure me then and
am sure he would readily do IL again"
Wlem knew from his fathers manner that there was
more than this but he also knew that nothing would be
kept irom him which for his interest o know so he
asked questions
When they reached the the father and son went
10 their room where Msdane Van der Veer sat and there
the three talked the matter Willem sorely
tempted 20 ask explanation OF certain thngs shch
he saw. He would have known Why his mother was 90
ueepy moVeu AZ The recital OF beldOrps interview with
himself and why she rembed at the bare mention OF
his name but he contented himself With bearing What
was said and thus he learned that there might be occa
sion to fear the dark freebooter
Mr.. Van der Veer had been thinking Of hiring ser
vsut, and he resolved that he would do 20 at once
lie concluded 20 engage the services Of some shreud
faithful tellov In whom he could confde and Who could
help him. physically in the hour Of need
II will 60 az once" he said to his wife and son. "and
secure the man II such be found. shall let
no outside know that he s my n can come
across the one should like he may be Of great assist
ance to Us will 60 now, aud in the meantime yOu ~
main here
Van der Veer left the tavern and made his o q
Tort within which we're the government Offices. a
acquainted with the colonial secretary CorteIs n "A ~
hoveu, and TO whom he Van der Yeer stated hfs
business and AZ Grst Tenhoven shook his head but AZ
length he said perhaps IL might bo done
what would you pay the company for the exclusive
services Of one OF their best negroes ?" he aaked
III, on trial, he proves 70 be such man a. I want
will pay Vhatever you say s right OF even What roo
wish" returned the merchant
The secretary thought awhile and then told tho old
70 call in the morning
Il will see Kieit and u he Is uilling YOU shall have
one but mind you You not speak of ths about
the town, for u people knew that would et out slave
thus, We should be flooded uith applications"
Van der Neer readily promised THE for h Just the
very thing he wished and having chsted swhe on 9th
Of topics he asked the Secretary he knew ons Casper
Geldort Who lived IN New Amsterdam
Tenhoven seemed 10 hesitate hrst bot be soon an.
sssFed thst he did,