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

udlHty Gap Will LIS D0TueT u ldCt, tuo
gold band across her dark hair, and the
heavy gold earrings thickly set with
jewels, made a picturesque grab that
daintily set off her fair, placid features.
Good morning, Master Woerden! -
cried Van EiDerg, as he held out his hand
cheerily to his visitor. You are welcome.
Have the French scared you away from
Amsterdam?'
'.Chey have not troubled me in the
least" replied Woerden. ''You know
care as little for the French as for the
prince of Orange. Politics never interest
me. | come to propose a good speeula-
ton"
That is well. What is it?'' returned
Var Eloerg.
Il have engaged to deliver 400, 900 her
rings in month. Can you furnish them
TO me in three weeks"
''At what price?"
stTen forms a thousand"
"Ten forins Yes! will under axe to
supply them"
Good" returned Woerden, rubbing
his hands together contentedly, as the
dining roo n door was now open, display
ing the plentiful breakfast which awaited
thf m.
After pal taking literally of the good
things before him, for the long ride had
sharpened his appetite, Master Weerden
glance significantly at the young girl,
who shyly turned her eyes away fro m him
as ne 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
Woerdan made but a 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.
A they returned to Amsterdam the next
day, William ventured to ask his father
why he had thus agreed to Master Van E.
bargs terms
My son." replied Master Woer5en
gravely, do not disturb me about
TRIES. This contract for herrings is
serious matter ard requires all my
thoughts
OGce more in his own house, Master
own room, and when he at length came
forth be gave his servant a large package
OF letters to mail.
Three days later the old man, with his
wrinEied face alight with triumph, whis-
"Ah, William | have your dowTy all
ready for you"
On the day appointed for the wedding
Master Woe1den and his son returned to
Brock. This time they were receiH e with
great ceremony. The wide folding doors
that are usually opened for christenings,
weddings and funerals were drawn apart,
and a large party Of friends and rela-
tives were assembled. The master Of the
house, however, came to meet them with
so pale and troubled a contenence tn 1T
William feared he had some bad ne VS. to
make known. Master Woerden did not
share his sons alarm, for he knew only
too surely the cause OF his hosts distress.
''What troubles you, dear frieno! he
said with hypocritical smile. "You look
anxious and worried"
''Ah! | am cruelty embarrassed. /
must speak with you AT cnce!''
Can it be this marriage that disnleases
you? Do you wish to retract your con-
sent ?"
"Oh, no!
"Well, then let us go or with the cere-
monies; when that is over aud your friends
are amusing themselves We can speak at
cur ease Of other matters.
Master Var Elberg hesltated. He would
gladly have put all else aside iii
his distress of mild was explained; bu'
seeing also how much wiser 1t would be
to take the advice thus given him,
he gave the signal for the marriage to 60
on.
A few moments later TIE welded pair
were kneeling at the altar to receive the
church S blessing on their union, and i'm
me9iatelY on The return of the party to the
house Master VanElberg hurried his guest
into his private room.
MY friend" he said anxiously, as
soon as he had closed the door, 81 have
engaged to deliver 100000 ..heIrings to
you In fifteen days, aud | have not yet
succeeded in getting a single one. They
are all sold"
"Of course they are!" cried Master
Woerden, with burst of laughter; Il
have myself bought them.
All" cried YanEiberh, after staring a
moment at his companion in utter amaz9-
ment. "What then do you expect
That you will fulfill your engagement.
Listen to me, my friend. You will one
day leave your daughter large fortune,
and | shall do as much fer my son. That
is all very well for the future, but for to-
day they are not on equal terms. | shall
give my son share in my business, but
you give your daughter only 400 ducats,
have not wished to disappoint our chill
dren's hopes, but | have planned to compel
you to be more just in your arrange
ments.
While Master Woerden 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 these herrings at 10
forms a thousand, but | already have
them. You can only retrieve your honor
by buying them from me. | will sell
them to you fer 50 forms thousand.
Thus. you will pay me 10000 forms, and
we are qilts,
1T is WE'LL" replied Van Eiberg. who
had now regained control of MS scattered
tits. You are a skillful merchant and
have caught me finely"
lie bowed tremendously to his com
panion, turned to his desk and drew up 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 in the wedding festiyi-
ties.
Eight days later the merchant Of Brock
came to visit his daughter, who now lived
with her husband at Amsterdam. He
found Master Woerden in great tribul>-
ton.
"Ah, friend Van Elberg" he cried IN
despair, What shall we Go? The fisher
men are bringing in in my herrings, and
can not find single eask to pack them
in. They will all be spoiled