Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1892-06-01
A DOWRY OF HERRING

A DOWRY OF HERRING
1t was the goth of January, 1895. The
French army had entered Amsterdam,
and the soldiers waited in groups in the
square where they had stacked their
guns to have 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 iberating army.
The greatest 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
contrasted strangely with the brilliant
exterior Of its neighbors. A narrow
courtyard inclosed in high wall, with
porte cochere, intervened between the
street and the house, and all the doors
and blinds were now closely secured.
This was the house of Master Woerden.
Master Woerden was rich Dutch
merchant. Entirely taken up with his
commercial affairs he was totally indif-
ferent to the political events which so
interested his countrymen, besides which
he too thoroughly understood domestic
economy to waste candles after the prodi-
gal fashion of his neighbors.
At this moment Master Woerden was
seated in comfortable armchair in
front of blazing fire. His fur bordered
o1o lal Ii hoo
his wolfskin 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 a polished
brass lamp, large pitcher of beer and
clay pipe. In the chimney corner an
old servant, whose extreme embonpoint
betrayed her Flemish origin, occupied
herself with occasionally stirring and
feeding the open fire.
Presently the doorbell rang and the
servant rose quickly to answer it. A few
moments later young man entered,
who threw his cloak on the sofa and ap-
preached the old man.
''Is it you, William" exclaimed Mas
ter Woerden. 81 had not expected you
so early!"
81 left Brock this morning" he re-
piled, with a respectful salutation, "bnt
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 glass of beer
and sat down by the fire before answer
ing this question.
Eyes, sir" he said slowly. Master
Van Elberg consents to the marriage.
but he refuses to give his daughter more
than 1000 ducats as her dowry"
"Ah!" cried Master Woerden, frown-
ing heavily, then he may keep both his
daughter and her dowry."
"But, father, let me-
Hold your tongue, William; at your
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 life
time will surely come to her at his
DEATH"
"What then? Am not I as rich as he?
Listen to me, my son. You will one day
succeed me in my business. Remember
then these two axioms- give more
than you receive, and do nothing for the
sole benefit of others. These are good
rules for marriage as well as for COM
merce."
"But''-
"Let the matter rest, my son. We
will not speak further of it now"
William knew the self willed obsti-
macy 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 doorbel rang, and the dogs
in the courtyard began to bark furi-
ously.
"Ah!' said Master Woerden, sit must
be some stranger. Look out of the
window, William, and see who it is"
The young man did so, saying in tones
of surprise:
"It is mounted militiaman, fatherr'
Presently the old servant brought in
letter, which Master Woerden re-
ceived with an air of great disquietude;
but on tearing open the envelope with
impatient fingers his face assumed its
wonted expression of serenity as he read
the inclosure
"That is welll" he said, as he handed
the letter to his son.
1t was a requisition from the govern
ment for 100000 herrings to be deliv-
cred within Il month for the use of the
French army.
"Williamv' exclaimed the old man
after moments reflection, 81 have an
idea! You shall marry Van Elberg's
daughter, and she shall have good
dowry too"
"Can it be possible?"
leave it to me. As the canals are
all closed by the ice, be ready with two
saddle horses at daylight tomorrow.
All! my son! if you only inherit your
fathers genius"
The next morning the rising sun saw
the two travellers on their way to Brock.
They arrived about midday, but were
obliged to leave their horses at an inn
outside the village, as neither horses nor
carriages were permitted to enter its
streets. Brock enjoys in Holland an
extraordinary reputation for neatness.
The streets are paved with polished
stones in different colors, which are ar
ranged in mosaic designs. In front of
each house is a space reserved for the
use of its inhabitants, which is inclosed
by an iron railing with bright ornaments
Of brass and furnished with settees of
tarved wood. So great is the mania for
cleanliness that q withered leaf cannot
fall in one of these elegant parquets
without the fa1nilys rushing out in the
utmost haste to remove it.
When Master Woerden and his son
arrived with snowladen shoes, many
covert glances of indignation followed,
their progress toward Master Van FL
berg's house; but as they were at once
well known and greatly respected. no