Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1892-07-23

Clotilda wore the costume of her coun.
try. The short, full skirt, richly deco
rated with embroidery, the velvet bodice
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 picturesque garb
that d%aintily set off her fair, placid feat
ures.
"Good morning, Master Woerdenl'
cried Van Elberg, as he held out his
hand cneerily 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 rs little for the French as for the
Prince of Orange. Politics never inter
est me. come to propose a good specu-
lation."
"That is well! What is it2" return ed
Van Elberg.
AZ have engaged to deliver 400, 000
herrings in a month. Can you furnish
them to me in three weeks2"
"At what pricel"
"'Ten florins a thousand"
"Ten horins2 Yesl l will undertake
to supply them"
"Goodl' returned Woerden, rubbing
his hands together contentedly, as the
dining-room door was now open, display
ing 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 yonng girl,
who shyly turned her eyes away from
him as hi 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 q
felgned remonstrance to these terms,
and in the end conceded the disputed
point. 1t wa then decided that the
marriage shoald take place in eight
days.
As they returned to Amsterdam the
next day, William venturel to ask his
father why he had thus agreed to Master
Van Elber5's terms.
"My son." replied Marter Woerden
grayely, "do not disturb me about tri-
fles. This contract for herrings is a
serious matter and requires all my
thoughts"
Once more in his W house, Master
Woerden shut himself up for hours in
his 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 alight with triumph,
whispered to his soa;
"Ah, William, [ have your dowry all
ready for you"
On the appointed day for the wedding
Master Woerden and his son returned t.
Brock. This time they were received
with great ceremony. The wide fold.
ing doors that are only opened for chris
Jennings, weddings and funerals werr
drawn apart and a large party of friend
and relatives were assembled. The mas
ter Of the house, however, came to NEE
them with SO pale and troubled a coun
tenance that William feared he had somt
bad news to make known. Master Woer
den did not share his sons alarm, for hi
knew only too surely the cause of his
hosts distress.
"What troubles you, dear friend2'
he said, with Il hypocritical smile. "Yol
lOok nnyiCuS and wopriad ~
"Ah? l am cruelty embarrassed
must speak with you at once"
"Can it be this marriage that dis
pleases you2 Do you wish to retract
your ~consent?'
sob, mol"
swell, then, let US go on with the
ceremony when tdat is over aud yolr
friends are amusing themselves we can
speak of other matters"
Master Van Elberg hesitatel. He
would gladly have put all else aside till
his distress of mind was explained; but
seeing also now much wiser it would be
to take the advice thus given him, he
gave the signal for the marriage to q
on.
A few moments later the welded paiI
were keeling at the altar to receive thu
church's blessing on their unlon, and i'm
mediately on the return of the party t.
the house, Master Van Elbers hurried
his guest into his private room.
"My fr.enI," he sal a~nxiou:ly, a;
soon as he had close | the dor, II have
engaged to deliver 400, 900 herrings to
you in fifteen days, an | | have not YET
sIcceede in getting a single one. They
are all sold"
"of course they are criel Master
Woerden, with a burst of laughter; 6.
have myself bought themi'
"Ah," cried Van Elbcrs,a after stariug
a moment at his com1alion IN utter
amazement. "Whlt then do you ex
pect-'
"That you will fulfill your engage.
ment. Listen to me, my friend. Yol
will 4 day leave your dau ghter a large
fortune, aud l shall do as much for my
son. That is all very well for the future,
but for to-day they are not on equal
terms. I shall give my SOL a share in
my business, but you give your dau lighter
only 1000 ducats. l have not wished to
disappoint our childten's hopes, but l
have planned to compel you to be more
just in your arrangements"
While Master Wocrden thus spoke his
companion was becoming more and more
bewildered.
"This is what | have done" continued
the merchant of Amsterdam; ''you have
engaged to sell me these herriues at ten
forms a thousand, but l already have
them. You can only retrieve your honor
by buying them from me. / will sell
them to you for fifty forms a thousand.
Thus,you will pay me $4,000 forms, and
we are quits"
ait is well" replied Van Elberg, who
had now regained control of his scattered
wits. "You are a skilfll merchant an /
have caught me finely"
He bowed cere n~oniously to his con-
panion, turned to his desk and drew u
a 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 i1the wedding festivi
ties.
Eight days later the m9rchan. Of Brock
came to visit his d~lughter, who now
lived with her husband at Amsterdam.
He found Master Woerden in great tribu
lation.
Sab, friend Van Elberg!" he Grief in
despair, "What shall do2 The fisher
men are bringing in my behring's, and [