The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1892-06-04


try. The short, full skirt, richly decorated
with embroidery, the velvet bodice, and
the dainty cap, with its border of lace, the |
cold band across her dark hair, and the
heavy gold earrings thickly set with jewels,sI
made picturesque garb that daintily set
off her fair, placid features.
"Good morning, Master Woerden !!
cried Van Elberg as he held out his hand
cheerily to his visitor. ''You are welcome.
Have the French scared you away from
Amsterdam p
"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 interest
me. come to propose good speeula-
tion."
"That is well What is it?" returned
Van Elberg.
Il have engaged to deliver 10000
herrings in a month. Can you furnish
them to me in three weeks p
cat what price?'
''Ten forins a thousand"
"Ten Aorins? Yes | will undertake
to supply them
Good r returned Woerden, rubbing
his hands together contentedly, as the
dining room door was now open, displaying
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 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
Woerded made but feigned remonstrance
to these terms, and in the end conceded
the disputed point. 1t 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 mat
ter, and requires all my thoughts. y
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 large package
of letters to mail.
Three days later the old man, with his
wrinkled face all alight with triumph
whispered to his son:
"Ah, William, | have your dowry al
ready for you
On the day appointed for the wedding
Master Woerden and his son returned tC
Brock. This time they were received will
great ceremony. The wide folding door
that are only opened for christenings, wed
dings and funerals were drawn apart, ant
a large party of friends and relatives were
assembled. The master of the house, how
ever, came to meet them with so pale anC
troubled countenance that William fearet
he had some bad news to make known
Master Woerden did not share his SON.
alarm, for he knew only too surely th'
cause of his hosts distress.
''What troubles you, dear friend 2, h
said, with ahypocritical smile. "You lool
anxious and worried y
"Ahl [ am cruelty embarrassed J
must speak with you at once |"
Scan it be this marriage that displeasei
you? Do you wish to retract your con
sent? p
"Oh, no
"Well then, let us go on with the cere
mony; when that is over, and your friend
are amusing themselves, We can speak a
our ease of other matters 2"
Master Van Elberg hesitated. He woulC
gladly have put all else aside till his dis
tress of mind was explained; but seeing
also how much wiser it would be to taxi
the advice thus given him, he gave th'
signal for the marriage to 90 on.
A few moments later the welded pai
were kneeling at the altar to receive the
church's blessing on their union, and I'M
mediately on the return Of the party to thu
house Master Van Elberg hurried his CUES
into his private room.
"My friend !" he said anxiously, as soor
as he had closed the door, 81 have engages
to deliver 400, 1000 herrings to you in tif
teen days, aud have not yet succeeded il
getting single one They are all sold"
"Of course they are!" cried Maste
Woerden with bust of laughter; 81 hav
myself bought them y
"Ah" cried Van Elberg, after staring
moment at his companion in utter amaze
ment. "What then do you expect" -
"That you will fulfill your engagement
Listen to me, my friend You will on
day leave your daughter a. large fortune
and | shall do as much for my son. Tha
is all very well for the future; but for toda
they are not on equal terms | shall Civ
my son a share in my business, but yo
give your daughter only 1000 ducats.
have not wished to disappoint our children
hopes, but l have planned to compel yo
to be more just in your arrangements"
While Master Woerden thus spoke, hi
companion was becoming more and nor
bewildered.
''This is what have done" continue
the merchant of Amsterdam; "you hav
engaged to sell me these herrings at te
| forms a thousand, but | already hav
them. You can only retrieve your homo
by buying them from me. Twill sell theI
to you for fifty forins thousand. Thu
/ you will pay me 10000 forms, and we ar
quits"
alt is well u replied Van Elberg, VIII
had now regained control of his scattere
wits. "You are a skillful merchant, an
have caught me finely"
He bowed tremendously to his CON
panion, turned to his desk and drew up
check for the required sum, which he hande
! to Master Woerden with another bow.
The two fathers then returned to tn
parlor to take part in the wedding festiv
ties.
Eight days later the merchant of Broe
came to visit his daughter, who now live
; with her husband at Amsterdam. II
} found Master Woerden in great tribulatioI
"Ab. friend Van Elbergp he cried