Smyrna times., 1875-01-20

her feet.
A few moments later stalwart young nan
entered the room. He threw of his mantle
and approached the FIRE.
Good evening, father" said he.
"How2 Is it you, WilliamS | did not
expect you back so soon.''
Il left Brock this morning, bat the roads
have been made so bad by the army trains
that We have been the whole day on the way"
We'll, did you see Van Elburg?"
Yes, said the young man, seating himself
before the fire, "Msister Van Elburg consents
to the marriage, but he adheres to his determ-
natien to give his daughter a dowry of only
four thousand ducats"
"Well, then, he may keep his daughter and
his dowry, replied WOerden, with frown.
"But, father"
no more sense than to sacrifice everything for
love and to desDise riches.
but Herr Van Elburg is the richest mer-
chant in Holland, and what he does not give
now will be ours at his death"
'NonsRRse!" replied Msister Woerden "Am
l, too, not sickP 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 man's s
interest TO the detriment of your Owa. Guided
by these principles one will better his condition
| but, father"
'Not another word, my son-not another
word -
William knew his father too we'll to say any
thing more, but he could not avoid evincing
the displeaSure by his manner. To this, how
ever, 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 dogs began to
| bark
Aha" said Master Wosrden, ''it must he
a stranger, or the dogs wouldn't bark so. Go
and see who it is, William"
The young man went to the window.
''lt is one Of the militia hOrsomen," said
William
"A militia horseman? What can he waHt?''
At this mOTent the maid d-servant entered
and handed Woerden letter. He carefully
examined the SEAL
From the provisional government" said
he.
His hand trembIed as he hastily opened the
letter and read it, but suddenly the old trades
man S face lighted up with joyous expression
as he cried:
| I'Gond-goOd accept
The letter contained aH order for four hun
drnd thousand herrings fer the army, to be
delivered within month
William" cried the old man, 81 have a
capital thought You would marry Van
E!hurg daughter and have a handsome dowIy
with her ?"
''Yes. father I would; but
We'll, leave the matter to me, interrupted
the old man. but see that there are twc
horses ready for us tomorrow morning early. >
!, The next morning at sunrise father and sor
were on the high road from Amsterdam tC
Brock, which they reached about midday
They repaired Immediately to the residence oil
Van Elburg, whe, when be saw them enter
cried out:
4 "Ah, good morning, Meiater Woerden
Have you fed from the Rarle.vous ? In AM
case you are welcome"
mo; flee from nobody You know
t have nothing to do with politics. l come Il
( propOse a gnod speculation to you"
Yes? What is it ?"
'I have an order from the government 70
four hundred thousand herrings to be delivered
3 within a month. Can you furnish me will
that number within three wesks?"
a "At what price ?"
"Ten forms a thousand"
''Ten forms! YOs, | will furnish them"
s VERY WELL and now to dinner; l am hal
t famished. At table We will talk of anotho
3 matter"
n Woerden introduced the subject of the m al
$ riaRe, but Van Elburg could not be- persuade
to increase the dowry he had offered to Civ
his daughter to the amount of a single stver
e They nevertheless decided that the weddin
J. should take place that day week.
h The following day Woerden and his son RI
It turned home. Hardly had they left Broe
when the young man asked:
z Then, father, you have changed you
IS mind2'
n "How so?''
"Have you not decided to accept the dowr
}, offered by Meister Van Elburg2"
a "Let me manage the matter in my own wa!
d my sOn, and ask no questions"
When the wedding day came Woerden an
l. his son returned TO Brock. Van Elburg !,
|. ceived them kindly, but he was so hurried an
r nervous that William feared ne had some ba
" news for them. His father, however, had +
l. such misgivings; the old fox knew too we
a. the cause Of his colleagues disturbed manne
y "What is the matter, Meistsr Van Elburg
!, he asked with a sardonie smile. "You see
D. to be worried about something
"Ah, my friend, | am greatly embarrassed
[ must speak with you"
"What is it? Have you changed your mir
with regard to the marriage. Speak frankly
it is not yet too late"
Ii "NO, no; it is another matter. entirely"
r "Wsi, then, let us first proceed with IL
ly wedding ceremony. Atterward | shall
quite at your service.
he The company, therefore, repaired to a neigl
H. boring church, and in a few minutes the your
g. people were husband and wife. When ths
10 returned to the house VaR Elburg askG
d. Wosrden to go with him into his private room
a "My friend" began Van Elburg, when
ct had carefully closed the door, ''in aecerdau,
ce with our agreement should within two wesl
81 from now deliver to you four hundred thousar
D. herrings. Thus far however, have not bes
al able to procure single one. There are mol
to in the market they have been all bought u
!; "Certainly they have. l bought them 1
OF myself" replied Woerden, smiling.
an "But--but--how about my eontraot2 stan
msred Van ElburR.
n. "You will fulRll IT, Listen, friend VI
.r- Elburg, you will some day leave your daught
he a handsome fortune; shall leave my son
Iss least as much it is therefore unnecessary
IN discuss their future. This. however, 10 n
,r- true Of the present shall sOen give my 9
sh tire business to nay son, while you give 20