The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1874-10-29
A MARRIAGE on SPECULATION.

quarters
Despite the severity of the weather
the citizens turned out in large numbers
to welcome and admire the veterans il
their rags. There was general rejoicing
throughout the city, which fer the mos
part was illuminated. At the cXrem,
end of the town there was single house
whose dark. forbidding aspect was il
strong contrast to the brilliant appear
ance of the neighboring buildings.
was the residence of the rich merchant
NciSter Woerden. He was completely
absorbed in his commercial operation:
and neither knew nor cared to know what
Was going on in the political world: ano
then he was too familiar with the rules OF
economy to think of Squandcring candles
on an illumination.
Al this moment, when all was JOY and
enthusiasm throughout Amsterdam
Nci>trr Wocrden sat quietly in his big
armchair beside the fire. On the table
there was little brass lamp, a mug OF
beer and a hig clay pipe On the other
side u1 the fire sal 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 >trcrt-dour
Who can that be? 60 and see" said
tho old merchant to the maid, who had
risen to her feet.
y few moments later Il stalwart young
man entered the room. He threw off his
mantle and approached the fire.
"t'npt. evening. tathcr.' said he
!i"W: Is ii you, William: did not
expect YOU back SO SOON
- lett Brock this morning, but the
roads have been made SO bad by the
army-train> that we have been the whole
day ON the way"
Well, did you see Van Elbcrg?"
e.. said the young man, seating
himself before the fire; Mestcr van Ell,
burg consents to the marriage. but he
;,lhcrc> 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 n trnwn.
" But, father"
Not Il word, my son! At your age
We have no more sense than to sacrifice
everything for love, and to deSpise
riches"
But Herr van Elburg Is the richest
merchant in Holland, and what he does
" Non~ense.' replied Meister Woer-
den. " Am |, too, not sick? Listen, my
son. You will soon follow me in my bust
mess. Never forget these two rules
never give more than you receive, and
never further another mans interest to
the dctrlmrnt of your own. Guided by
thr>" principles, one will better his con-
Jjtlnn III marriage as well as in trade
" but. tatncr---
Not another word, my Son-not
another word"
William knew his father too we'll to
LAY anything more, but he could not
avoid evincing his displeasurc 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 loud rap at the
street door, while at the same time the
dos began TO bark.
Ana" said Mcistcr Woerden, at
must be a stranger. or the dogs wouldn't
bark 50. 10 and see who it is, William"
The young man went to the window.
- 1t is one of the militia hOrsemen,'
said William.
a militia horseman. What can he
WANT
Al Il.s moment the maid-servant en-
tered and handed Woerden letter. He
carefully examined the seal
" From the Provisional Government, !"
said lie.
His hand trenlhlcd as he hastily opened
the letter and read it, but suddenly the
old tradcSman's face lighted up with a
JOYOUS expression as he cried
"Good-gnod! l accept"
The letter contained an order for AGO.
oO0 hcrringS for the army, to be delivered
within a month.
" William cried the old man, 81 have
capital thought. You would marry
Van Llburg's daughter and have hand
some dowry with herr"
Yes, father, | would; but"
VI ci!, leave the matter to me-" inter-
rsptcd the old man. But see that there
are t"o horses ready for us tomorrow
morning, early
The next morning at sunrise, father
AMI son were on the high-road from Am
stcrdam to Brock, which they reached
about midday. They repaired imme-
diately to the residence of Van Elburg,
vino, when he saw them enter, cried out ::
All, good morning, Meister Woerdcn!
Have you fled from the Porlezrousa In
any case, you are welcome
No, flee from nobody. You know
have nothing to do with politics. come
to propose a good speculation to YOU"
" Yes: What is it,"
- have an order from the Government
for 100000 herrings, to be delivered with
in month. Can you furnish me with
that number in, say, three weeks."
- twhat price,"
" Ten forms thousand"
Ten florins Yes, l will furnish
them"
Very well, and now to dinner; am
half famished. At table, we will talk of
another matter"
Woerden introduced the subject of the
marriage, but Van Elburg could not be
persuaded to increase the dowry he had
offered to give his daughter to the amount
of a single silver. They nevertheless de.
cided that the wedding should take place
that day week.
The following day Wocrden and his
son returned home. Hardly had they
left Brock when the young man asked:
Then, father, you have changed your
mind"
How 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 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 no such misgivings; the
old fox knew too we'll the cause of his
colleagues disturbed manner.
What is the matter, Meister van Ell
burg!' he asked, with sardonic smile
:. GU seem to be worried about some
thing"
All, my friend, l am greatly embar
raised: l must speak with you"
What is it: Have you changed YOU