Middletown transcript., 1892-06-09

large party OF friends and relatives
were assembled. The master of the
house, however, came to meet them
with SO pale and troubled counte-s
| nance that William feared he had some
bad news to make known. Master
Woerden did not share his sons
alarm, for he knew only too surely
the cause Of his hosts distress.
"What troubles you, dear friends"
he said, with . hypocritical smile.
/" You look anxious and worried ]"
"Ah! am cruelty embarrassed /!
must speak with you at once r
"Can it be this marriage that dis
pleases your Do you wish to retract
your CONSENT"
Oh, no |"
"Well then, let US 60 on with the
ceremony when that is over, and
your friends are amusing themselves,
we can speak at our ease of other
matters ?"
Master Van Elberg hesitated. He
would gladly have put all elae aside
till his distress Of mind was explained );
but seeing also how much wiser it
would be to take the advice thus given
him, he gave the signal for the mar
riage to 60 on.
a few moments later the welded
pair were kneeling at the altar to re-
ceive the church's blessing on their
union, and Immediately on the return
of the party to the house Master Van
Elberg hurried his guest into his pri-
vate room.
"My friend r he said anxiously,
as soon as he had closed the door, i
have engaged to deliver 10000 her.
rings to you in fifteen days, and |
have not yet succeeded in getting q
single one. They are all Sold"
"Of course they are ~. cried Master
Woerden with burst of laughter, Il
have myself bought them" !"
"Ah," cried Van Elberg, after
staring moment at his companion in
| utter amazement. What then do
you expect
"That you will fulfill your engage
ment. Listen to me, my friendl
You will one day leave your daughter
| a large fortune. and I shall do a.
much for my son. That is all very
we'll for the future but for to-day
they are not on equal terms. l shall
give my son share in nay business,
but you give your daughter only 1000
ducats. / have not wished to disap-
point our children's hopes, but / have
planned to compel you to be more
just in your arrangements"
While Master Woerden thus spoke,
his companion was becoming more
and more bewildered.
"This is what I have donel" con-
tinued the merchant of Amsterdam /;
you have engaged to sell me these
herrings at ten forins thousand, but
! already have them. You can only
retrieve your honor by buying them
from me. I will sell them to you for
City forms thousand. Thus, you
will pay me 10000 forms. and we are
quits"
"It is well T. replied Van Elberg,
| who had now rsgained control Of his
scattered wits. "You are o skillful
merchant, and have caught me finely
He bowed tremendously to his
companion, turned to his desk and
drew up check for the required sum,
which he handed to Master Woerden
with another bow.
The two fathers then returned to
the parlor to take part in the wedding
festivities.
Eight days later the merchant of
Brock came to visit his daughter, who
now lived with her husband at Amster-
dam. He found Master Woerden in
great tribulation.
"Ah, friend Van Elberg r. he cried
in despair. What shall do? The
fishermen are bringing in my herrings,
and cannot find single cask to
pack them in. They will all be
spoiled r
"Ah," returned Van Elberg coldly.
You bought all the herringd and I
have bought all the casks. I could
sell them to you at an exorbitant
price, but as I wish to keep my word
about giving my daughter her dowry
Of 1000 ducats, I will only charge
you the amount you SO skillfully made
out of me in that other matter. You
are very cunning, you merchants of
Amsterdam, hut we of Brock have
positive genius, you see."
But you got the idea from me !"
responded Master Woerdon proudly.