The Portland daily press., 1863-04-16
MISCELLANY.
THE DUTCH MERCHANTS.

On the evening oil the zotn VI Jahuary
1895, the city of Amsterdam was thrown into
an unusual state of hustle and confusion by
the entrance of the French army under
Pichegru. While the troops with stacked
arms awaited their bilets and rations, the
citizens fastened to illuminate in honor o.
their arrival, and in spite of the piercing cold
thronged to welcome the heroes.
Amid the general rejoicings, one house
alone remained with closed doors and dark
ened windows. 1t was the dwelling OF the
wealthy merchant Werden, who, wholly occu-
pied in business, cared little for politics, still
less for the arrival of the French, and was far
too careful Of his money to waste II like his
neighbors in illumination.
Wrapped in his fur dressing gown, a seal
skin cap drawn closely over the few gray
hairs time had left upon his head, he had
wheeled his easy chair close to the chimney
and he rubbed his hands over the bright coal
fire, seeming lost in reyery, from which mel
Their the beer can nor the long clay pipe on
the table at his side had power to rouse him.
ALI at once the silence was interrupted by a
violent ring at the house bell. The old man
started, and turning to a stout red-cheeked
servant, who, seated at a respectful distance,
was occupying herself in knitting a stock
ing :. :, ,.,,,, , ,, a.,.
comes to disturb us at this unreasonable hour. y
In few minutes tall young man entered
and throwing off his cloak saluted the old
man as father.
"Hal is it you, Wilhelms did not expect
you back so soon"
81 have lust returned from Brock" replied
the other and should have arrived long ago,
had not the road been SO encountered with
troops and idlers.n
"Have you seen Van Elberg?"
EYES," answered the young man, taking his
seat BY the fire, sand he consents TO my union
with his daughter, but refuses to give more
than four thousand ducats for her dowry."
"Then he may keep both ducats aud daugh-
ter said the merchant, angriy.
"But consider, father"
~Consider what?' interrupted Worden.
"There is nothing to consider. knew that
at your age love outweighs gold, but time will
teach you that when poverty comes in at the
door, love soon flies through the window"
"Yet, father" argued the young man, "Van
Elberg is one of the richest men in the coun-
try, and sooner or later his daughter must
have his fortune"
"Tut, tut said Werden. "Van Elberg
knows we'll what he is about but cunning as
he is, he shall not put a bad bargain on me.
As for you, Wilhelm, have promised to give
you up M business, and now recommend
your taking word of advice with 1t; never
slider your transactions; rely on it, that it is
the only way to prosper in business as well as
love. And now we will drop the subject
The young man knew his fathers humor
too well to press the matter further, at least
at that moment.
As he sat broodng over his disappointment,
the bell rang, aud the tread of a horses feet
was heard in the courtyard while the watch
dog commenced furious barking.
= ~e.I.- 4
Mynheer Werden, "theres no mistake in the
dogs bark"
He WIS interrupted by the servant bringing
In package.
"Commissariat Department. said her mas
ter with no little surprise, as he opened it but
an expression OF uneasiness which had at first
slightly contracted his features, changed into
one Of pleasure as he read on:
San order TO deliver four hundred thousand
herring for the use Of the French army" he
continued, "a very acceptable commission.
Wilhelm! you shall marry Van Elberg's
daughter, and he shall give her a handsome
dowry in spite of himselfp
@How say you, my dear father ?" replied
the son unable to believe his senses at this
unexpected transition.
"Leave all to me, Wilhelm" said Werden.
"Order our horses to be saddled at daybreak,
and mind that am called in time, for we
must be at Brock before twelve O'Clock, and
now, goodnight"
The rising sun saw our travellers on the
road TO that celebrated village, where cleanli-
ness Is carried TO such an extent, that before
entering the streets both father and son, in
compliance with an invariable custom, were
Obliged TO dismount and leave their horses to
the care of q servant AT the door of Van
Elberg's house, they were required to do what
few years later neither Napoleon nor the
Emperor Alexander were exempted from, and
taking of their boots replaced them with
slippers before they were allowed to enter the
room where he sat with his daughter Clotilde.
"Good morning, Mynheer Werden," said he,
shaking his friend warmly by the hand.
AHaye you been frightened out Of your good
city by the French, that you honor me so
early with friendly visit2'
mot at all, Van Elberg," said the other,
81 care nothing about the French, and as /
never NEEDLE with politics, it is quite imme-
terial TO me who governs our town. But
come to make you a proposal. have under
taken TO furnish the colnnissariat four hun
bred thousand herring on this day month,
and j wish 10 know if it would be convenient
for you to procure them for me in three
weeks
AT what price p asked his friend.
"Ten guiders per thousand"
"Ten guilders," repeated the other, "you
shall have them"
"Draw out the contract then, said Werden,
"and when it is signed / shall be happy to
partake of your hospitality, for my ride has
given me an appetite Then turning to Clo-
tide, he continued, II have come TO arrange
another matter too, which we can discuss ai-
ter dinner
1t was in vain that, during the evening,
Werden tried every way to change his friends
resolution respecting his daughters fortune.
After long discussion he was obliged TO
give up the point, and the marriage was at
length fixed to take place the following week
Next day, when Wilhelm and his father
returned home, the former could not refrain
from expressing some curiosity concerning
the cause of this sudden change in his pros
poets.
"What do you mean?" asked his father
slave you not given up the point about his
daughters fortune?r
II should have thought you knew me bet
ter" replied Werden. looking slyly at his son
"But no matter--it is sufficient that you mar
ry the girl you like"
Once more at home the merchant shut him
selfin his office until evening, when he APP
peared with a packet Of letters, which were
Immediately sent by post.
On the day appointed for the marriage, Will
helm and his father arrived at Brock, where
they found large party OF friends and rela-
tions assembled TO meet them. Van Elberg
welcomed them with cordially, but there
was an expression of care and embarrassment
on his face that at first made the bridegroom
fear fresh obstacles to his happiness. The
oldar yVardar bauavar in M yav sharad b;s