The herald and mail. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 1873-188?, 1874-11-06
A MARRIAGE ON SPECULATION,

rejoicing JnrOuRlOub the City, which
| for the most part was Illuminated. At
the extreme end of the town there was
single house, whose dark, forbiddiDg
aspect was in strong contrast to the bril-
liant appearance of the neighboring
buildings. 1t was the residence of the
rich merchant Meister Woerden. He
was completely absorbed in his CONNER
| cial 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 illu
Mutation.
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, a 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 a loud
knock at the street-dOor.
"Who can that be? Go and see, "
said the old merchant to the maid, who
had risen to her feet.
n 10" uOuGuI5 ldJ6T SIdlWdTG
young man entered the room. He threw
off his mantle and approached the fire.
Good evening, father" said he.
q" How? Is it you, William? I did
not expect you back so soon."
81 left Brock this morning, but the
roads have been made so bad by the
army-trains that we have been the whole
day on the way"
WALL Ala vo,, eoo Van LIIDrrc, 90
Yes" said the young man, seating
Elburg consents to the marriage, but he
adheres to his determination to give his
daughter a dowry of only four thousand
ducats."
Well, then, he may keep his daugh-
ter and his dowry," replied Woerden,
with frown.
"But, father"
"Not a word, my son At your age
we have no more sense than to sacrifice
every thing for love, and to despise
riches"
"But Herr van Elburg is the richest
not give now will be ours at his death. 1"
Nonsense ~ replied Meister Woer-
den. cam /, too, not sick 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 prir ciples, one will better his con
dition in marriage as we'll as in trade"
"But, father"
"Not another word, my son-not an
other word p
William knew his father too we'll to
say any thing more, but be could not
avoid evincirg his displeasure 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, cit
must be, a stranger, or the dogs wouldn't
bark so. Go and see who it is, William"
The young man went to the window.
cit is one of the militia horsemen,"
said William.
GA militia horseman! What can he
won't? ?"
At this moment the maid-servant en-
tered and handed Woerden a letter.
He carefully examined the seal.
"From the provisional government"
said he.
His hand trembled as he hastily open
ed the letter and read it, but suddenly
the old bridesmaids face lighted up with
a joyous expression as he cried
GoOd-gOod I accept"
The letter contained an order for four
hundred thousand behring's for the
army, to be delivered within month.
William" cried the old man, 81
have a capital thought. You would
marry Van Elburg's daughter, and have
a handsome dOwry with her?"
eyes, 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-
morrow morning, early"
The next morning, at sHnrise, father
and son were on the high-road from
Amsterdam to Brock, which they reach
ed about midday. They repaired i'm
me3iately to the residence of Van Ell
burg, who, when he saw them enter,
cried out:
"Ah. good-morning, Meister Woer-
den Have you fled from the ParIez-
UOuS? In any case, You are welcome"
Ono, | flee from nobody. You know
have nothing to do with politics.
come to propose a good speculation to
ou."
eyes? What is it ?"
81 have an order from the govern
meut for four hundred thousand her
rings, to be delivered within a month.
Can you furnish me with that number
in, say three weeks ?"
cat what price ?"
HTen forms a Thousand"
"Teu fOrins Yes, 1 will furnish
them"
Very we'll, and now to dinner; I
am half famished. At the table we will
talk of another matter"
WOerden introduced the subject of
the marriage, but Van Elburg could |
not ne persuaded to increase the dowry
ne had offered to give his daughter to
the amount of a single silver. They |
decided that the wedding |
should take place that day next week. |
The following day, Woerden and his |
son retired home. Hardly had they
left Brock when the yOnng man asked |
"Then, father, you have changed |
your mind ?"
Glow so ?"
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 ques-
tons"
When the wedding-day came, Woer-
1eu and his son returned to Brock.
Van EibuTg received them kindly, bat
be was so Hurried and nervous that
William feared he had some bad news
for them. His father, however, bad no
such misgivings the old fox knew too
We'll tho cause of his colleagues dis
tW b- q manner.
"Whas is the matter, Meister Van
Elburg?" he asked, with sardonic
smile. ''You seem to be worried about
"Ah, my friend, I am greatly embar-
-asscd. / must speak with you."
"WhRt is it? Have you changed
rour mind with regard to the marriage.
Speak frankly it is not too late"
"No no it is another matter en-
irclv."
"Well, then, let us first proceed with
he wedding ceremony. Afterward I
hall be quite at your service"
The company, therefore, repaired 10
..:xl,N,o~!,~r oburob oOI II, n fnyr MIN