Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1892-07-29
A DOwRY OF HERRING.

French army had entered Amsterdam and
the soldiers waited In groups In the square
where they had stac3ed their guns to have
their lodgings assigned them.
Notwithstanding the inclemency of the
weather the Inhabitants had left thei,
houses and were collecting in the streets
to welcome the Iiberating army. The
greatest enthusiasm relgned In the city,
and In the evening every house was il.
Illuminated.
Near the admiralty, however stood one
house whose dirk and silent aspect con-
trasted strangely With TIE brilliant exter,
ior Of its neighbors A narrow courtyard
incosed in a high wall with porte
cochere, inteivened between tie street and
he house and all b. doors and blinds
we're nov os d securely. Tnis was the
house Of Master Woerd ~
Master " len Is rich Dutch mer-
chant Entirely taken up with his com
mercial affair, he was totally Indifferent
to the polit ca. events which so interested
MS coun.rymen, besides which he too thor
oughly understood domestic economy to
waste caodle3 after the erodlgal fashion Of
his neighber.
A. this moment Master Woerden was
seated in a comfortable armchair In front
ii d bl. ziug fire. His fur bordered robe
was folded aero s his chest, and his wolf
skin cap was pressed down upon his brow,
whose few scattered grey hairs offered nc
protection from the sharp currents of
frosty air that found entrance at every
opening Of the door.
On table Lear him stood polished
bras5 lamp. large pitcher of beer and a
Gil Y pipe Ia the chimney corner an old
servant, whose extreme Flemish origin,
occupied h,rsc!f with asionaliy stirring
and feeding the open FIRE.
Presently the doorbell rang and the ser
yant rose quickly TO answer it. A few
moments later a young man entered who
tnrew his cloak on the sofa and approach
ed the old IN.
lis that you, Will.am?" ex ,laimed
Master Wotldea Il had not expected
Jou 50 early.
II left Brock this morning, he repiiel
with i respectful salutatlon, tput tie
roads are Sc cUmbfre with soldiers and
fugitives that il has taken me all day to
ct here
bid ,ou see Van Elberg?"
The yeung nan drank d glass of beer
and sat down By tie fire before ansg ing
this question:.
~ s. sn ii, said slowly. master
IlE bt:g consents to tne marriage, but
he refuse, t. give his daughter more than
90 ductts as her dowry.'
IA 7 cried Muster Woerdcn, ftowning
heavily, then ne may keep both his
daughters and her dowry."
But, father, let me,.-
Hold your tongue, William At your
age one would sacrfoe everything to love,
but lei me tel! you owe fades away, while
money rem ms.
But Mas sr VmElherg is one of the
richest merchants in Holland, and
what he viii 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 maxlms-neVer give
more than you receive, and do nothing
for the sole benefit of OTHERS. These are
good rules fer marriage as well as for Gem
merce.
..Bu''--
LET the matter rest, my son. We will
not speak further of it now.
William knew the sef-willed obstinacy
of his father TOO we'll to reply, and
sat still in great sorrow and perplex-
ity, while the old man calmly smoked his
pip.
Again the door bell rang, and the
dogs in the courtyard began to Sark furi-
ously.
"AIl' said Master Woerden, lit must
he some danger. Look out Of the window,
William and see who it Is.
The young man did 50, saying IN tones
Of surprise
1T is a mounted mllitiaman, father"
Presently the old servant brought in a
letter, which Master Woerden received
with an air Of grert dlsquietude, but on
tearing open the envelope with impatient
fingers his face assumed its wonted ex-
preston of serenity as he read the lnelos-
ure.
That is weir he said, as he handed
the letter to his son.
It was rlqutsition from the govern.
ment for 400 900 behring's to be delivered
within a month for the use of the French
army.
.Willian." exclaimed the old man, at
ter moments riff ,ction Il have an
idea, You shall marry Van Eiberg'
daughter, and she shall have good
dowry, too.
Can it be possib!e?'
Leave it to me. As the canals are all
closed by the ice, be ready with two saddle
horses at daylight to- morrow. All, Ny
son! if you only inherit Jour father s
genlus.'
The next morning the rising sun saw
tie two travellers on their way to Brock
They arrived about midday, but were
obi ged to leave their horses at an inn
outside the village, as neither horses noI
carriages were permitted to enter its
streets. Brock enjoys in Holland an ex,
traordlnary reputation for neatEess. The
streets are paved with polished stones IN
different colors, which are arranged in
Mosaic designs. In front of each houss is
space reserved for the use of its inhabi.
tan.s, which Is Enclosed by an iron rail
irg with bright ornaments of brass ano
furnished with settees of carved wood. Sc
great is the mania for cleanliness that q
withered leaf can not fail in one of these
elegant parquets without the family rush
ing out in utmost base to remove it.
When NJ ster Woerden aid mis- son ar
rived with snowladen shoes, many covert
chances of indignation followed Their
progress towards Master Van Elberg'
house; but rs they were at once well known
and greatly respected. no open remon
STRANGE was made. On reaching Their
destination, however, the servant met then
at the door with slippers IN hand that the,
might leave their heavy shoes outside.
When the travellers entered the parlor
not only Master Van Elberg but his charm
ing daughter also received them will
much cordiality.