The home journal. (Winchester, Tenn.) 1858-188?, 1875-11-25
A GAME OF SPECULATION.

! Mestcr Wocrdcn, the rich merchant
of Amsterdam, sat quietly in his big arm
chair beside the fire. On the table there
was n little brass lamp, q 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 on the hearth, when
| there came loud knock ut the street
door.
"Who can that be? Go and sec"
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.
"G0od evening, father" said he.
GLOW? Is it you, William" ] did
not expect you back 50 soon"
"I left Brock this morning, but the
roads are 50 bad that we have been the
whole day on the way"
"Well, did you see Van Elburg? ?"
eyes" said the young man, seating
himself before the fire; Mcister Van FL
burg consents to the marriage, but he
adheres to his determination to give his
daughter dowry of only four thousand
ducats."
"Well then, he may keep his daugh'
ter and dowry," replied Woerden, with
a frown.
"But, father"
"Not word, my son. At your age
we have no more sense than to sacrlflct
everything for love, and 10 dcspist
riches"
"But Herr Van Elburg is the richest
merchant in Holland and what he does
not give now will be ours at his death"
"Nonscnse !" replied Meister Woer'
dcn cam |, too, not sick? Listen,
nv 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 con
dition in marriage as well as in trade"
But, father"
"Not another word my son-not an
other word !"
William knew his father too well t.
say anything more, but he could no
, avoid evincing his displeasurc by hi
manner. To this, however, the old maj
$ paid no attention; he calmly filled HI
I pipe, lighted it, and began to smoke.
| Again there was loud rap at tn
street door, while at the same time th'
n dog began to bark. ~.
"Aha I" said Meister Woerden, -
n must be stranger, or the dogs wouldn'
bark so. Go and see who 1t Is, VIII
n liam"
n The Young man went to the window.
f "A horsemanl What can he want z
At this moment the maid-servant en-
J.. tered. and handed WOerden letter
: He carefully examined the seal.
q "From the government" said he.
= Ills hand trcmbled rs he hastily opcne'
d the letter and read it, but suddenly tn
: old tradesman's face lighted up with
q ioyous expression as he cried:
II "Good-good accept"
II The letter contained an order for fol
hundred thousand herring for the arm
" to he delivered within a month.
It William" cried the old man,
y have capital thought. You wou
n marry Van Elburg's daughter, and ha
1t handsome dowry with her"
of "Yes, father, | would but"
"Well, leave the matter with M
to interrupted the old man. But see Il
es there are two horses ready for us tom
of row morning early"
d. The next morning, at sunrise, fail
IA. and son were on the high road from A
be sterdam to Brock, which they reacl
en- about midday. They repaired inn
diately to the residence of Van Elbu