Los Angeles herald., 1892-07-10

by an iron railing with bright ornaments
Of brass and furnished with settees OF
carved wood So great is the mania for
cleanliness that a withered leaf cannot
fall in one of these elegant parquets
without the family's rushing out IN the
utmost haste to remove 1t.
When Master Woerden and his son
arrived with snowladen shoes, many
covert glances of Indignation followed
their progress toward Master Van Ell
here's house; but as they were at once
well known and greatly respected, no
omen rcmonstrance was made On
reaching their destination, however, the
servant met them at the door with slip
pers in hand that they might leave their
heavy shoes ontside.
When the travellers entered the par
lor, not only Master Van Elberg but his
charming daughter also received them
with much cordiality.
Clotilda wore the costume OF her coun-
try. The short, full skirt richly dec
GRATED with embroidery, the velvet bod
ice. 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 PIC
turesaue garb that daintily set off her
fair, placid features :,
"Good morning, Master WoerdenF
cried Van Elberg as he held out ms
hand cheerily to his visitor. you are
welcome. Have the French scared you
away from Amsterdam?
"They have not troubled me In the
least" replied Woerden. lyon know l
care as little for the French as for the
Prince of Orange. Politics never inter
est me. | come to propose good spec
ulation."
"That is welll What is it," returned
Van Elberg.
81 have engaged to deliver 100000
herrings in month. Can you furnish
them to me in three weeks"
"At what price?"
"Ten forins thousand.
"Ten fiorins? Yes will undertake
to supply them"
"Goodp returned Woerden, rubbing
his hands together contentedly, as the
dining room door was now open, dis
playing 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 Woerden 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.
AS they returned to Amsterdam the
next day, William ventured to ask ms
father why he had thus agreed to Master
Van Elberg's terms.
: ssMy SON." replied Master Woerde1
, grayely, 'sdonot disturb me about trities
This contract for herrings is serlou
4 p,atter. and requires all my thoughts"
3 came forth he gave his servant larg
It package of letters to mail.
2 Three days later the old man, wit
u his wrinkled face all alight with tr
umph, whispered to his son:
"Ah, William, have your dowry al
T ready for you"
: On the day appointed for the weddin
Master Woerden and his son returned t
r Brock. This time they were receive,
; with great ceremony. The wide fold
ing doors that are only opened for chris
Jennings, weddings and funerals wer
: drawn apart, and large party of friend
$ and relatives were assembled. The mas
ter of the house, however, came to NEE
them with SO pale and troubled coun
r tenance that William feared he hat
Q some bad news to make known. Maste
3 Woerden did not share his sons alarm
for he knew only too surely the cause O.
Q his hosts distress.
Z ''What troubles you, dear friend?" h,
: said, with hypocritical smile. "Yor
8 look anxious and worried!'
"Ahl am cruelty embarrassed!
!! must speak with you at oncel"
7 ''Can it be this marriage that dis
r pleases your Do you wish to retrac
Q your consentT
0 ''Oh, mol"
! ven Cnen, let US go on With the cere
mony; when that is over, and YOU
friends are amusing themselves, we car
speak at our ease of other mattersr
. Master Van Elberg hesitated. HI
would gladly have put all else aside til
: his distress of mind was explained; bu1
seeing also how much wiser it would be
to take the advice thus given him, hs
gave the signal for the marriage to 60 on
A few moments later the welded pail
) were kneeling at the altar to receive the
: church's blessing on their union, and
Immediately on the return of the party
to the house Master Van Elberg hurried
, his guest into his private room
"My friend" he said anxiously, a.
, soon as he had closed the door, 81 have
engaged to deliver 100000 herrings te
you in fifteen days, and have not YET
succeeded in getting single one. They
are all sold"
''Of course they arel" cried Maste,
! Woerden with a burst of laughter; q
J have myself bought themg'
"Ahl" cried Van Elberg, after staring
moment at his companion in utte1
amazement. What then do you ex
pect"--
THAT ypu will fulfill your engage
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