The Van Buren press., 1875-03-16
A Marriage on Speculation.

The French entered Amsterdam, the
10th of January, 1915. The soldiers
stacked their arms on the pavement, and
waited anxiousIy for their blllets for
quarters.
Despite the severity ofthe weather the
citizens turned out in targe 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 extreme
end Of the town was q single house, the
dark. forbidding appearance OF which
was in strong contrast to the brilliant ap-
pearance Of the neighboring buildings.
1t was the residence OF the rich merchant
Meister Woerdeu. He was completely
absorbed in 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 can
dies on an illumination.
At this moment when all was JOY and
nthusiasm through out Amsterdam,
Meister Woerden sat quietly in his big,
arm chair beside the nrc. On the table
there was little brass lamp, a mug OF
beer, and big clay pipe. On tbe other
side Of the Gre sat an old maid servant,
whose rotundity betrayed her Flemish
origin. She was occupied in showing
back the Goals that had fallen en- the
hearth, when there came loud knock at
the street dOer.
"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 of his
mantle and approached the fire.
GOOD evening, father" said he.
"How! William, is it your l did not
expect you back 30 soon"
IL left Brock this morning, bvt the
roads have been made so bad by the ar
my trains that we have been the whole
day on the way"
"Well, did you see Won Elburg"
YES" said the young man, seating
himself before the fire; Meister Van
Elburg consents to the marriage, but ht
adheres to his determination to give his
daughter dowry Of only four Thousand
ducats
"Well. then, he may keep his daugh
ter and his dowry." replied Woerden
with frown.
"But, father"
mot word, my son! At your age
we have more sense to sacrifice every
thing for love, and to despise riches"
- but nerr van Eiuu,g 10 the rIcncs
merchant in Holland, and what he doe.
not give now, will be ours at his death.
Nonsense" replied Meister Woerden
Am |, too, net sick? Listen, my son
You will soon follow me in my business
Never forget these tive rales never Civ,
more than you receive, and never fur
ther another mans interest to the detri
ment Of your own. Guided by these
principles, one will better his condition
in marriage rs well as in trade i"
"But, father"
"Not another word. my son--not an
other word"
William know his father too well tc
say anything more, but he could not
avoid evineng his displeasure by his man.
ner. To this, however, the old man paid
no attention; he calmly fixed his pipe
lighted it and began to smoke
Again there was q loud rap at the street
door, while at the same time the dogs
began TO bark.
"Aha - said Meister Worden, A" it 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.
at is one of the mil tia horscmen,"
said William.
"a militia horseman! What can he
want p
At this moment the maid servant en-.
tered aud handed Woerden letter. He
carefully examined the seal
From the Provisional Government"
said he.
His hand trcmblsd as he hastily open.
ed the letter and read it, but suddenly the
old tradesman's face lighted up with a
Joyous expression as he cried