The Wichita city eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1872-1883, 1882-08-10
From the German.
A TRUE SERVANT.

A TRUE SERVANT.
In Holland, where the Rhine flows into the
sea, there lived in 1866 an admiral who I'M
derstood the sea rs well as general does the
land His name was Mcheal uadrian Ruy-
ter. Il name honored by every true Holian-
der. He WAS born at Vlessingen in 1907.
His parents were poor people, and wished
to train their son to trade; but be longcd
to venture upon the sea and become a sailor.
Accordingly, he sailed on Il ship which
traded with Morocco. The merchant who
followed the good maxim, ''Your own eyes
are better than another's glasses" himself
sailed with the ship, and soon found that the
sailor, Ruyter, was very useful, and, what
was more important, true man. He there
fore trusted him in many ways in which it
is not usual to trust ship boy.
Once, when the annual fair at Morocco
was near, the merchant became so sick that
he could not make the voyage to Africa. He
resolved, 81 will trust to no one but Ruyter
the ships cargo which / viii send TO the
market of Morocco
Then, he summoned him TO his presence,
and said; ''Micheal, you see how am sit
uated. I cannot go to Morocco. My book
keeper is an old man. What, think you,
should do -
'.Send another trusty man, Mynhecr,' said
Ruyter.
.Right" said the merchant. "But whom
shall send?"
"That you must Know better than /, Myn-
heer," was Ruyter's reply.
at is an important business" said the
merchant.
Il know it is said Ruyter.
.'Hear - said the merchant. "You must
undertake the business. You must be my
supercargo.' Thus he is called who has
charge OF merchandise sent by the sea-
So it was arranged. Ruyter received cloth
ing and pay suited TO his rank. The sailors
looked surprised when their young comrade
come on board as supereargo /; but they
thought. ..The merchant is no fool, and he
has chosen the right man." This was soon
evident The ship sailed away, landed at
Morocco, and Ruyter arranged in the mar
ket-place his goods. which consisted of fine
woollen cloths.
There ruled in Morocco ut that time a hey
or prince, with despotic power. The prop
erty and lives OF ali the subjects were at his
disposal, and also of all who came into the
| country for the purpose of trade. There
was neither right nor justice. No mans
head rested very firmly between his should
ers.
One beautiful morning, the hey himself,
came and stood before Ruyter's booth. He
examined the cloth, and piece of superior
quality pleased him greatly.
..What is the cost g'' asked he.
Ruyter named the price his master had
fixed.
They hey offers half Of it.
81 am not q cheat'' said Ruyter, "who
asks half more than the thing is worth, that
he can at last take the half OF what he has
asked. The price is fixed. Besides IL is not
my property. l sm only my masters SER
want
"Do you not know" said the hey, ''that l
am the master of your life p
II know that well, Herr Bey," said Ruy.
ter; "but know also that / have not asked
over much, and that have duty, as a SER
want of my master, to care for his interest,
] and not to think of myself. That will do
unto death, and you shall not have the cloth
penny cheaper. Do what you are willing
| to answer for before God
The merchants when they heard the words
were full of fear. ''Good-bye, Ruyter,''
| thought they, ''yOu will never see another
| sun RISE
| They were mistaken. The hey looked up
on the handsome young man with angry
eyes. All waited for the briei command
..ofr with his head" But he said IL give
YOU until tomorrow for reflection. Ii you
do not change your mind, make your will"
| Then, he went away. Ruyter calmly put
the cloth in its place, aud began to wait on
other customers.
Now arc an uproar among the merchants
'.For heavens sake, give him the cloth -
cried they. IF he cuts OF your head. and
he will DO it as sure as you hive, then your
life, and all OF your masters goods AM; the
ship besides are lost. And what will become
of us? Give it, tits but trife, and save the
rest and yourself"
81 am in Gods hands," said Ruyter. ''He
who Is not true in small things, how shall he
be true in great things: If my master loses
through me penny, am not faithful SER
want. l shall not yield hair"
On the following morning, Ruyter stood
in his booth. The hey approached, and
looked grimly at Ruyter. Behind him walk
ed one who vas clothed in garments red as
blood, and had broad-sword in his hand.
The people of Morocco knew him, and
stunned him as fire. He was the public ex-
ecutioner. The hey raused before Ruyter's
booth, and looking sternIy at him, cries out,
"Haye you as yet come to any eonclusion.'
"Yes,v said Ruyter. Il shall give the
cloth not penny less than asked yester-
day. If you wish my like. take it; but