The Portland daily press., 1892-05-21
A DOWRY or HERRING.

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 liberating 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 it's 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.
t 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 q 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 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, a 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.
SIS it you, William" exclaimed Mas
ter Woerden. 81 had not expected YOU
SO early!'
~ left Brock this morning." he re-
piled, with a respectful salutation, "but
the roads are so numbered with soldiers
and fugitives that it has taken me all
day to get here"
''Did you see Van ElbergT'
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 as rich as he?
Listen to me, my son. You will one day
succeed me in my business. Remember
then these two axioms-never give more
than you receive, and do nothing for the
sole benefit Of others. These are good
rules for marriage as well as for CON-
MERGE"
"Bpt"-
"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 doorbell rang, and the dogs
in the courtyard began to bark furi-
ously.
"Ah!' said Master Woerden, t'it must
be some stranger. Look out of the
window, William, and see who it is."
The young man did SO, saying m tones
of surprise:
sit is a mounted militiaman, fathern'
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 Enclosure.
''That is well!" he said, as he handed
the letter to his son.
1t was requisition from the govern.
ment for 100000 herrings to be deliv.
cred within a month for the use of the
French army.
William exclaimed the old mar
after moments reflection, Il have ar
idea! You shall marry Van Elberg's
daughter, and she shall have gooi
dowry too"
Can it be pcssi6le?'
Leave it to me. AS the canals arr
all closed by the ice, be ready with twt
saddle horses at daylight tomorrow
All! my sonl if you only inherit you;
fathers genius!"
The next morning the rising sun saw
the two travellers on their way to Brock