Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1874-11-04
A MARRIAGE ON SPECULATION.

The French entered Amsterdam thu
| 20th Of January, 1915. The soldiers
! sta cked their arms on the pavement, anC
waited anxiously for their billets fol
quarters.
Despite the severity of the weather
the citizens turned cut in large number;
to welcome and admire the veterans il
their rags. There was general rejoicing
throughout the city which for the most
part was Illuminated At the extreme
end of the town there was single house
whose dark, forbdding aspect was iu
strong contrast to the brilliant appear
ance of the neighboring buildings. II
was the residence Of the rich merchant
Meister Woerden. He was completely
absorbed in his commercial operations,
and neither knew nor cared to know what
was going on in the political world; and
then, he was too familiar with the rules
of economy to think of squandering
candles on an illumination.
At this moment when all was JOY and
enthusiasm throughout Amsterdam,
Meister Woerden sat quietly in his big
arm chair beside the fire. On the table
there was little brass lamp, mug OF
beer, and big clay pipe. On the other
side of the fire sat an old maid servant,
whose rotundity betrayed her Flemish
origin. She was occupied in showing
back the Goals that had fallen out on the
hearth, when there came loud knock
at the street door.
"Who can that be2 Go and see,
said the old merchant to the maid, who
had risen to her feet.
A few moments later a stalwart young
man entered the room. He threw of
his mantle and approached the hre.
"Good eyening, father, said he.
"How? Is it you, William | did not
expect you back so seOE.
II left Brock this morning, but the
roads have heen made so bad by the
army.tralns that we have been the whole
day on the way" nr .,
SWell, did you see Van Elburg2"
"Yes" said the young man, seating
himself before the fire; "Meister Van
Elburg consents to the marriage but ne
adheres to his determination to give his
daughter dowry of only four ta0psand
ducats."
"Well then, he may keep his daughter
aud his dowry," replied Woerden, with
frown."
But, father"
mot word my son AT your age
we have no more sense than to sacrifice
everything for love, aud to despise
riches.
But Herr Van Elburg is the richest
merchant in Holland, and what he does
not give now viii! be ours at his death. -
"Nonsensei' replied Meister Woerden.
"Am /, too, not sick7 Listen, my son.
You will soon follow me in my business.
Never forget these two rules: Never
give more than you receive, and never
further another mans interest to the
detriment of your own. Guided by these
principles, one will better his condition
in marriage as we'll as in trade.
"But, father"
Not another word, my son, not an
other wordl"
William knew his father too well to
say ANYTHING more, but he could not
avoid eviucing his displeasnre by his
manner. To this, however, the old man
paid no attention; he calmly filled his
pipe, lighted it, and began to smoke.
Again there was a loud rap at the
street door, while at the same time the
dogs began to bark.
AHA" said Meister Woerden, il
must be stranger or the dogs wouldn'
bark so. Go and see who it is, William.
The young man went to the window.
at is one Of the militia horsemen,
said William.
"a militia horseman, What can he
want2"
AT this moment the maid servant en-.
tered and handed Woerden letter. He
carefully examined the seal
From the provisional government,
said hs.
His hand trembled as be hastily open
ed the letter aud reed It, but suddenly the
aid tradesman's face lighted up with a
iovous expression as he cried
HGood-goodl accept"
The letter contained an order for four
hundred thousand hernngs for the army,
70 be delivered within month.
William" cried tie old man, l
have a capital thought. You would
nary Wan Elburg's daughter, and haVs
a handsome dowry with herr
"Yes, father, | would; but
"Well. leave the matter to me, in
terrupted the old man But see that
there are two horses ready for US to'mor
row morning. early.
The next morning at sunrise tsthel
and son we're on the high road from
Amsterdam to Brock, which they reached
about midday. They repaired imme
diately 10 the residence of Van klburg
wbd when be saw them enter, cried out
"A 4 GOOD morning, Meister Woerden
] A. al r--... a. Dorfavouc9 If