Knoxville journal. [volume] (Knoxville, Iowa) 1874-1986, 1874-10-29
A MARRIAGE ON SPECULATION.

stacked their arms on the pavement, and
waited anxiously for their billets for
quarters.
Despite the severity of the weather,
the citizens turned out in large numbers
to welcome and admire the veterans in
their rags. There was general rejoicing
throughout the city, which for the most
part was illuminated. AT the exreme
end of the town there was single house,
whose dark, forbidding aspect was in
strong contrast to the brilliant appear
ance of the neighboring buildings. 1t
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
armchair 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-dooT
"Who can that be? Go and see," said
the old merchant to the maid, who had
risen to her feet.
A few moments later stalwart young
man entered the room. He threw off his
mantle and approached the fire.
"Good evening, father" said he.
"How? Is it you, William? | did not
expect you back so SOON"
a 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"
"Well, did you see Van Elberg?"
"Yes," said the young man, seating
himself before the fire; Meister van Ell
burg 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 frewn.
but, father"
"Not word, my son! At your age
we have no more sense than to sacrifice
everything for love, and to despise
riches"
Dub van is tHc IICHcst
merchant in Holland and what he does
not give now will be ours at his death"
Nonsensem replied Meister Woer-
den Gam !, too, not sick? Listen, my
son. You will soon follow me in my BUSH
ness. 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 con-
dition in marriage as well as in trade"
but, father"
"Not another word, my son-not
another wordp
William knew his father too well to
say anything more, but he could not
avoid evincing 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 u loud rap at the
street-door, while at the same time the
dogs began to bark.
"Ahaw said Meister Woerden, :" it
must be stranger, or the dogs wouldn't
bark SO. Go and see who it is, William"
The young man went to the window.
1t is one of the militia horsemen,"
said William.
"a militia horsemanl What can he
want?"
At this moment the maid-servant en-
tered and handed Woerden a letter. He
carefully examined the seal.
Prom the Provisional Government"
said he.
His hand trembled as he hastily opened
the letter and read it, but suddenly the
old bridesmaids face lighted up with
ioyous EXPRESSION AS he cried:
"Good-good! ! accept"
The letter contained an order for 400
900 herrings for the army, to be delivered
within month.
William cried the old man, " have
a capital thought. You would marry
Van Elburg's daughter and have hand
some dowry with herr"
Yes, father, | would; but
"Well, leave the matter to me- inter-
rupted the old man. "But see that there
are two horses ready for us tomorrow
morning, early"
The next morning, at sunrise, father
and SON were on the high-road from Am
sterdam to Brock, which they reached
about midday. They repaired imme-
diately to the residence of Van Elburg,
who, when he saw them enter, cried out:
"Ah, good morning, Meister Woerden!
Have you fed from the PdTtezo0ns! In
any case, you are welcome"
No, / fee from nobody. You know
have nothing to do with politics. come
to propose good speculation to you"
Eyes? What is its"
81 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.
AT what pricey"
aTen forms thousand"
"Ten forins Yes, 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 De
persuaded to increase the dowry he had
offered to give his daughter to the amount