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

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
thickly set with jewels, made a pic
turesque garb that daintily set off her
fair, placid features
.'Good morning. Master Woerdenr
cried Van Elberg as he held out his
hand cheerily to his visitor. lyon are
welcome. Have the French scared you
away from AmsterdamY
They have not troubled me in the
least" replied Woerden. "You know l
care as little for the French as for the
Prince of Orange. Politics never inter-
est me. come to propose good spec
ulation."
THAT is well! What is it," returned
Van Elberg.
Il have engaged to deliver 100000
herrings in month. Can you furnish
them to me in three weeks"
cat what price?"
''Ten forins thousand.
"Ten forins? Yes! will undertake
to supply them" o
"Goodp' returned Woerden, rubbing
his hands together contentedly, as the
dining room door was now open, dis
playing the plentiful breakfast which
awaited them.
After partal1ing 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. It 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, "do not disturb me about trifes.
This contract for herrings is 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 a 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 Il hypocritical smile. You
look anxious and worriedr"
''Ah! am cruelty embarrassed! l
must speak with you at oncer'
"Can it be this marriage that dis
pleases you? Do you wish to retract
your consentY'
sob, mol"
We'll 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 matters!"
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
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 private room.
"My friendW he said anxiously, as
soon as he had closed the door, II have
engaged to deliver 100000 herrings to
you in fifteen days, and l have not yet
succeeded in getting single one. They
are all Sold"
"Of course they arev' cried Master
Woerden with burst of laughter; 81
have myself bought themr'
"Ah!' cried Van Elberg, after staring
a moment at his companion in utter
amazement. What then do you ex-
pect"-
"That you will fulfill your engage
ment. Listen to me, my friend! You
will one day leave your daughter large
fortune, and shall do as much for my
son. That is all very we'll for the future;
but for today they are not on equal
terms shall give my son share in
my business, but you give your daugh-
ter only 1000 ducats. l have not wished
to disappoint our children's hopes, but I
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.
'sThis is what have doner continued
the merchant of Amsterdam; "you have
engaged to sell me these herrings at ten
forms thousand, but ! already have
them. You can only retrieve your honor
by buying them from me. l will sell
them to you for fifty forins thousand.
Thus, you will pay me $1,000 forins.
and we are quits.
ut is wellr' replied Van Elberg, who
had now regained control of his scat
tered wits. "You are skillful mer-
chant, and have caught me finely"
He bowed tremendously to his COM
panion, turned to his desk and drew up
o 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 fes-
tivities
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!' he cried in