The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1892-09-07
A DOWRY OF HERRING.

A -DUWKl VI HERRlNG.
It was the goth of January, 1895.
The French army had entered Amster-
dam and the soldiers waited in groups
in the square where they had stacked
their guns to have their lodgings as
signed them.
Notwithstanding the inclemency of
the weather the inha bitants had left
their houses and were collecting in the
streets to welcome the 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, 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 Woerden was a rich Dutch
merchant. Entirely taken up with
his commercial affairs, he was totally
Indifferent to the political events which
so interested his countrymen, besides
which he too thoroughly understood
domestic economy to waste candles
after the prodigal fashion of his neigh
bors.
At this momentIM Master Woerden was
seated in comfortable armchair in
front of a blazing fire. His fur
bordered robe was folded across his
chest, and his wolfskin cap was pressed
down upon his brow, whose few scat
tered 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, large pitcher of beer and
a 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 en-
tered, who threw his cloak on the sofa
and approached the old man.
as that you, William?" exclaimed
Master Woerden. Il had not expected
you SO early!
Il left Brock this morning." he re-
piled, with respectful salutation, shut
the roads are 50 numbered with soldiers
and fugitives that it has taken me al
day to get here"
"Did you see Van Elberg?"
The young man drank a glass OF beer
and sat down by the fire before answer
ing this question.
ayes, sir!" he said slowly. master
Van Elberg consents to the marriage,
but he refuses to give his daughter
more than 4,000 ducats as her dowry."
"Ah!" cried Master Woerden, frown-
ing heavily, "then he may keep bott
his daughter and her dowry."
"But. father, let me-
"Hold your tongue, William. A
! your age one would sacrifice every
/ thing to love, but let me tell you low
| fades away, while money remains"
"But Master Van Elberg is one o
the richest merchants in Holland, ant
what he will not give his daughter ii
his lifetime will surely come to her a
his death"
"What then? Am not l as rich a
he? Listen to me, my son. You vii
one day succeed me in my business
Remember then these two axioms-
never give more than you receive, ant
do nothing for the sole benefit of others
These are good rules for marriage a
we'll as for commerce"
"But"-
"Let the matter rest, my son. W
will not speak further of it now."
William knew the self-willed obstir
acy of his father too well to reply, an
sat still in great sorrow and perplexlty
while the old man calmly smoked n
pipe.
Again the door-bell rang, and th
dogs in the courtyard began to bar
furiously.
aAh!" said Master Woerden,
must be some stranger. Look out
the window, William, and see who
is"
The young man did so, saying
tones of surprise:
at is a mounted militiaman, father
Presently the old servant brought
r letter, which Master Woerden r
ceived with an air of great disquietud
but on tearing open the envelope wi
impatient fingers his face assumed
wonted expression of serenity as
read the inclosure.
"'That is WE'LL" he said, as he hand'
the letter to his son.
1t was a requisition from the Cover
ment for 100000 herrings to be d
livered within a month for the use
the French army.
"William!" exclaimed the old ma
after moments reflection. 81 ha
an idea! You shall marry Van Elbers
daughter, and she shall have go
l dowry, too"
"Can it be possibleP"
"Leave it to me. AS the canals q
all closed by the ice, be ready with t'
saddle horses at daylight to-morro
All! My son! if you only inherit yo
fathers genius!"
The next morning the rising sun 81
y the two travellers on their way
Brock. They arrived about midds
but were obliged to leave their hors
at an inn outside the village, as neitl
horses nor carriages were perm lifted
enter its streets. Brock enjoys
Holland an extraordinary reputati
for neatness. The streets are paw
with polished stones in different colo
which are arranged in Mosaic desig
In front of each house is a space
served for the use of its inhabitan
B which is inclosed by an iron rail
with bright ornaments of brass
furnished with settees OF carved Wo
So great is the mania for cleanIln
that withered leaf can not fall IN