The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1892-06-04
Select Sturp.
A DOWRY OF HERRING

where lItl lldu bhSA SuhS W ''%'N
their lodgings assigned them.
Notwithstanding the inclemency of the
weather, the inhabitants had left their
houses and were collecting in the streets to
welcome this liberating army. The great
est enthusiasm reigned in the city, and in
the evening every house was Illuminated.
Near the admiralty, however, stood one
house whose dark and silent aspect con
trasted strangely with the brilliant exterior
of its neighbors A narrow courtyard
incIosed in high wall, with porte cochere,
interviewed between the street and the house,
and all the doors and blinds were now
closely secured. This was the house of
Master Woerden.
Master Woerdon was rich Dutch mer-
chant Entirely taken up with his COM
mercial affairs he was totally Indifferent to
the political events which so interested his
countrymen, besides which he too thor
oughly understood domestic economy to
waste candles after the prodigal fashion OF
his neighbors.
At this moment Master Woerdon was
seated in comfortable armchair in front
of blazing fire. His fur bordered robe
was folded across his chest, and his wolf
skin cap was pressed down upon his brow,
whose few scattered gray hairs offered no
protection from the sharp currents OF frosty
air that found entrance at every opening
of the door.
On table near him stood polished
brass lamp, a large pitcher of beer and a
clay pipe In the chimney corner an old
servant, whose extreme embonpoint betray-
ed her Flemish origin, occupied herself
with occasionally stirring and feeding the
open fire.
Presently the doorbell rang and the ser
want rose quickly to answer 1t. A few
moments later young man entered, who
threw his cloak on the sofa and approached
the old man.
"Is it YOU, William ?" exclaimed Mas
ter Woerden II had not expected you so
early y :. /,
II left Brock this morning." he replied
with a respectful salutation, "but the roads
are so numbered with soldiers and fugitives
that it has taken me all day to get here.
"Did you see Van Elberg?'
The young man drank a g Ass of beer
and sat down by the fire before answering
this question.
ayes, sirr' he said slowly. "MasteI
Van Elberg consents to the marriage, but
he refuses to give his daughter more than
4, 900 ducats as her dowry."
"Ah !" cried Master Woerden, frowning
heavily, ''then he may keep both his daugh,
ter and her dowry."
"But, father, let me-
"Hold your tongue, William; at youI
age one would sacrifice everything to love,
but let me tell you love fades away, while
money remains.
"But Master Van Elberg is one of the
richest merchants in Holland, and what he
will not give his daughter in his Lifetime
will surely come to her at his death
"What then? Am not as rich as he
Listen to me, my son. You will one day
succeed me in my business. Remember
then these two axioms: never give more
than you receive, and do nothing for the
sole benefit of others. These are good
rules for marriage as well as for commerce.
"But" t.
oI4et the matter rest, my son. We vii
not speak further Of it now.
William knew the self willed obstinacy
of his father too well to reply, and sat still
in great sorrow and perplexity, while the
old man calmly smoked his pipe.
Again the doorbell rang, and the dog
in the courtyard began to bark furiously
"Ah !" said Master Woerden, ''it mus
be some stranger. Look out of the win
dow. William, and see who it is.
The young man did so, saying in tone
of surprise:
at is mounted militiaman, father y
Presently the old servant brought in ;
letter, which Master Woerden received
with an air of great disquietude; but OF
tearing open the envelope with impatien
fingers his face assumed its wOnted expires
sion of serenity as he read the inclosure.
"That is we'll p he said, as he handed
the letter to his son.
1t was a requisition from the govern
ment for 400, 900 herrings 10 be delivered
within month for the use of the Frencl
army.
"WiIliam |" exclaimed the old man afte
moments reflection, "I have an idea
You shall marry Van Elbergs daughter
and she shall have good dowry too"
"Can it be possible ?'
"Leave it to me. As the canals are al
closed by the ice, be ready with two saddl
horses at daylight tomorrow. All m.
son if you only inherit your father
genius !"
The next morning the rising sun saV
the two travellers on their way to Brock
They arrived about midday, but were oblige'
to leave their horses at an inn outside tn
village. as neither horses nor carriages wer
permitted to enter its streets Brock enjoy
in Holland an extraordinary reputation TO
neatness. The streets are paved with pol
ished stones in different colors, which ar
arranged in mosaic designs. In front
each house is a space reserved for the us
of its inhabitants, which is inclosed by a
iron railing with bright ornaments Of bras
and furnished with setteessf carved wooc
So great is the mania for cleanliness that
;. withered leaf cannot fall in one Of thes
elegant parquets without the family S rush
ing out in the utmost haste to remove i
When Master Woerdon and his so
arrived with snowladen shoes, many cover
gIances of indignation followed their pr;
; gress toward Master Van Elberg's hous'
but as they were at once well known an
greatly respected, no open remonstranc
, was made On reaching their destination
however, the servant met them at the doc
7 with sinners in hand that they might leay