The Shasta courier., 1864-02-06
THE DUTCH MERCHANTS.

On the evening OF the 2Oth OF January,
1875. the city of Amsterdam was thrown into
unusual hustle and confusion by the en-
trance of the French army under Pichegru.
| While the troops with stacked arms awaited
their b.llets and rations, the citizens hasten.
ed to illuminate in honor of their arrival, and
in snite of the piercing cold thronged to wei.
come the heroes.
Among the general rejoicings, one house
alone remained with closed doors and dark
ened windows 1t was the dwelling of the
wealthy merchant Worden, who. wholly oc.
cupied in business, cared little for politics.
still less for the arrival of the French and
was TAR too careful of his money to waste it
in illumination.
| Wrapped in his fur dressing gown, 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 tevery, from which ne-
ther the beer nor the long clay pipe OH the
table beside him had power TO rouse him. i
! All at once the silence was interrupted by
/. violent ring at the door bell The old man
started, and turned to stout, red-cieeked
servant, who, seated ut a respectful distance
was occupying herselfin knitting stocking
See who il is, Jaqueline, said he, "that
comes to disturb US at this unreasonable
hour.'
In a few minutes tall young man enter
ed, and throwing off his cloak, saluted the
old man as father.
'Ha! is it you, Wilhelm? | did not ex-
pect you back so soon''
Il have just returned from Brock = re
piled the other, and should have arrived
long ago, had not the road been so encum-
bered with troops and idlers.
Have you seen Van Elberg?''
Yes, ~ answered the young man, taking
his seat by the IRE. '.apd he consents 70 my
union with his daughter, but refuses to give
more than four thousand ducats for her
dowryn
:. Then he may keea both ducats and
daughter" said the merchant, angrily.
{. But consider, father
"Consder what ~ interrupted Worder.
There is nothing 10 consider | know hat
at your age love oItveighs gold, le1 .fac.
will teach you that when poverfycomes in 1T
the door, love soon flies through the win
dow"
Yet, father" argued the young man,
" Van Elberg is one Of the richest men in the
country, and sooner or later his daughter
must have his fortune"
- Tut. tat, :" said Worden g Van Elberc
knows we'll what h4 is about, but cunning as
he is he shall not put bad bargain on me.
As for you, Wilhelm, have promised to give
you up my business, and now recommend
your taking word of advice with it never
give more than you receive, and always con-
slider your transactions; rely on it, that 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 brooding over his disappoint-
ment, the bell rang. and the tread of horses
feet heard in the courtyard, while the
watch deg commenced furious bark
- 1t is certainly stranger this time
said Mynheer Worden, . there's no mistake
in the dogs bark"
He was interrupted by the servant bring
ing in package,
. Commissariat department ~ said her
master, with no little surprise, as he opened
it; but an expression of uneasiness which
had at first sligl tly contracted his features.
changed into one of pleasure as he read on
AN order to deliver four hundred thou
sand herring for the use of the French ar
my, he continued. very acceptable com
mission. Wilhelm! you shall marry Van
Elberg's daughter, and he shall give her
handsome dowry in spite of himseif''
" How say you, my dear father?' replied
the son, unable to believe his senses at this
unexpected transition.
" Leave all to me, Wilhelm" said Wor.
den "Order our horses to be saddled at
daybreak. and mind that am called in time.
for we must BE ct grceck before twelve o
clock, and NOW good night.
The rising sun our travellers on the
road to that celebrated village, where cleanli-
ness is eariied to such an extent, that before
entering the streets, both he and son, in com
pliance with an invariable custom, were
obliged to dismount and leave their horses to
the care OF a servant. At the door Of Van
Elberg's house they were required to do what
a few years later neither Napoleon nor the
Emperor Alexandsr were exempted from,
and taking off their boots replaced them with
slippers before they were allowed to enter
the room where be sat with his daughter Clo
thil le.
= Good morning, Mynheer Worden," said
he. shaking his friend warmly by the hand
. Have you been frightened out of your good
city by the French that you honor me SO
early with a friendly visiI?'
: Not at all, Van Elberg." said the other
81 : Ssie stDput lut ITeucQ, anu as L
never meddle with politics. it is quite imma-
terlal to me who governs our town. But /
come to make you a proposal. l have under
taken to furnish the commissariat 100000
herring on this day month. and wish to
know if it would be convenient for you to
procure them for me in three weeks
AT what price?''
- Ten guilders per thousand
:. Ten guilders." repeated the other, q you
shall have them
- Draw out the contract, then said Wor-
den, :. and when it is signed shall be happy
to ,partake e your hospitality, for my ride
has given me an appetite" Then turning to
Clo:hilde, he continued, .. / have come to
arrange another matter, too, which 7se can
discuss after dinner"
1t was in vain that. during the evening.
Worden tried every way to change his friends
resolution respecting his daughters fortune.
After long discussion be was obliged to