The Portland daily press., 1892-05-21

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 ara ar
sanged in mosaic designs. In front of
each house is q 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
carved wood. So great is the mania for
cleanliness that withered leaf cannot
fall in one of these elegant parquets
without the family's rushing out in the
utmost haste to remove it.
When Master Woerden and his son
arrived with snowladen shoes, many
covert chances of indignation followed
their progress toward Master Van FL
berg's house; but as they were at once
well known and greatly respected, no
open remoastrance was made. On
reaching their destination. however, the
servant met them at the door with slip
pers in hand that they might leave their
heavy shoes ontside.
When the travellers entered the par
lor, not only Master Van Elberg but his
charming daughter also received them
with much cordiality.
Clotilda wore the costume of her coun-
try. The short, full skirt richly dec
Grated with embroidery, the velvet bod
ice, and the dainty cap with its border
of lace. the gold band across her dark
hair, and the heavy gold earrings
thlckly set with jewels, made pic
turesque garb that daintily set off her
fair, placid features.
Good morning, Master Woerdenp
cried Van Elberg as he held out his
hand cheerily to his visitor. "You are
welcome. Have the French scared you
away from Amsterdam"
"They have not troubled me in the
least" replied Woerden. "You know l
care as little for the French as for the
Fance of Orange. Politics never inter
est me. come to propose good spec
ulation."
THAT is WE'LL What is it?" returned
Van Elberg.
81 have engaged to deliver 100000
herrings in a month, Can you furnish
them to me in three weeks%
"At what price?"
"Ten forms Thousand"
"Ten forms? Yes! will undertake
to supply Them
"Goodv' returned Woerden, rubbing
his hands together contentedly, as the
dining room door was now open, dis
playing the plentiful breakfast which
awaited them.
After partaking literally of the good
things before him, for the long ride had
sharpened his appetite, Master Woerden
glanced significantly at the young girl,
who shyly turned her eyes away from
him as he began to discuss the question
of the young folks marriage. Finding
his host firmly insisting on giving his
daughter only the dowry he had before
fixed, Master Woerden made but a
feigned remonstrance to these terms.
and in the end conceded the disputed
point. 1t was then decided that the
marriage should take place in eight
days.
AS they returned to Amsterdam the
next day, William ventured to ask his
father why he had thus agreed to Master
Van Elberg's terms.
''My son." replied Master Woerden
gravely, edo not disturb me about trifes.
This contract for behring's is a serious
matter, and requires all my thoughts
Once more in his own house, Master
Woerden shut himself up for hours in
his own room, and when he at length
came forth he gave his servant large
package of letters to mail.
Three days later the old man, with
his wrinkled face all alight with tri-
umph, whispered to his son:
'Ah. William, have your dowry all
ready for you"
On the day appointed for the wedding
Master Woerden and his son returned to
Brock. This time they were received
with great ceremony. The wide fold
ing doors that are only opened for chris
Jennings, weddings and funerals were
drawn apart, and large party of friends
and relatives were assembled. The mas
ter of the house, however, came to meet
them with SO pale and troubled coun-
tenance 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 friend?' he
said, with hypocritical smile. "You
look anxious and Worried"
"Ah! am cruelty embarrassed!
must speak with you at once!"
"Can it be this marriage that dis
pleases you? Do you wish to retract
your CONSENT"
sob, mop
well then, let us go on with the cere-
mony: when that is over, and your
friends are amusing themselves, we can
speak at our ease of other mattersv'
Master Van Elberg hesitated. He
would gladly have put all else 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 marriage to go on.
A few moments later the welded pair
were kneeling at the altar to receive the