Knoxville journal. [volume] (Knoxville, Iowa) 1874-1986, 1874-10-29

of single silver. They nevertheless de-
cided that the wedding should take place
that day week.
The following day Woerden and his
son returned home. Hardly had they
left Brock when the young man asked:
Then, father, you have changed your
minds"
How sof"
"Have you not decided to accept the
dowry offered by Meister van Elburg?"
"Let me manage the matter in my own
way, my son, and ask no questions.
When the wedding-day came, Woerden
and his son returned to Brock. Van Ell
burg received them kindly, but he was
so nervous that William feared he had
some bad news for them. His father,
however, had TO such misgivings; the
old fox knew too well the cause of his
colleagues disturbed manner.
aWhat is the matter, Meister van Ell
burgs' he asked, with sardonic smile
" You seem to be worried about some
thing"
"Ah, my friend, am greatly embar-
raised. / must speak with you"
"What is itg Have you changed your
mind with regard to the marriage?
Speak frankly; it is not yet too late"
mo, no; it is another matter en-
tirely."
"Well, then, let us first proceed with
the wedding ceremony. Afterward /
shall be quite at your service"
The company, therefore, repaired to a
neighboring church, and in few min
utes the young people were husband and
wife. When they returned to the house
Van Elburg asked Woerden to go with
him into his private room.
My friend" began Van Elburg, when
he had carefully closed the door, sin
accordance with our agreement should
within two weeks from now deliver to
you 100000 herrings. Thus far, how
ever, have not been able to procure a
single one There are none in the mar
ket; they have been all bought up"
Certainly they have; / bought them
up myself, replied Woerden, smiling.
"But-but-how about my contract"
stammered Van Elburg.
You will fulfill it. Listen, friend
Van Elburg: you will some day leave
your daughter a handsome fortune; /
shall leave my son at least as much; it is
therefore unnecessary to discuss their
future. This, however, is not true of the
present. | shall soon give my entire
business to my son, while you give your
daughter only four thousand ducats. i
could not oppose the wishes of the young
people; but, when / consented to their
union, determined to compel you to do
your duty toward them. With this
object in view ! contracted with
you for 100000 herrings at ten forms
thousand, although / then had
all the herrings in the market. Now, in
order to comply with the terms of your
agreement, you must buy from me, and
my price is fifty forms thousand; you
have, therefore, only to pay over to me
the sum of 10000 tlorins, and we shall
be square"
While Meister Woerden was arriving
at this mercantile deduction Van Elburg
regained his wonted equanimity.
a see, | see" said he; "you are a
clever tradesman. | am fairly caught,
and must bide the consequences" 4.
Their conference ended, the two old
merchants reioined the wedding compa-
ny as though nothing unusual had &C.
CURED between them.
A week later, Van Elburg went to Am
sterdam, ostensibly to see his daughter.
Now the tables were turned.
"Ah, Meister," cried Woerden, on see
ing his colleague from Brock, " am in a
terrible dilemma. The time is approach
ing when must deliver the 400, 900 her
rings, and not a cask can | find to put
them inp'
"That does not surprise me" answered
Van Elburg, smiling; =" you bought up all
my herrings, and / bought up all your
casksr'-Iranslatedf for Appseton's Journal.
~