The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1892-09-07


"That is well. What is it?" returned
Van Elberg.
81 have engaged to deliver 100000
behring's in month. Can you furnish
them to me in three weeksP"
"At what priceP"
"Ten florins a thousand"
"Ten forinsP Yes! 1 will undertake
to supply them"
"0ood!" 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 mar
riage. Finding his host firmly insist
ing on giving his daughter only the
dowry he had before fixed, Master
Woerden made but a feigned remon-
STRANGE to these terms, and in the end
concealed the disputed point It 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
trifies. This contract for herrings Is
serious matter and requires all my
thoughts"
Once more in his own house, Master
Woerden shuts 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 alight with triumph,
whispered to his son:
"Ah, William, have your dowry all
ready for YOU"
On the day appointed for the we'd
ding Master Woerden and his son re-
turned to Brock. This time they were
received with great ceremony. The
wide folding doors that are only opened
! for christenings, weddings and funerals
were drawn apart, and large party
of friends and relatives were assem-
bled. The master of the house, how
ever, came to meet them with so pale
and troubled countenance that
! William feared he had some bad news
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 friend!" he
said with a hypocritical smile. "You
look anxious and worried!"
"Ah! l am cruelty embarrassed! I
must speak with you at once!"
"Can it be this marriage that dis
pleases you? Do you wish to retract
your consent?"
"Oh, mol"
"Well, then, let us go on with the
ceremony; when that is over and
your friends are amusing themselves
we can speak at our ease of other mat
ters."
Master Van Elberg hesitated. He
would gladly have put all else aside
till his distress of mind was explained;
but seeing also how much wiser it
would be to take the advice thus given
him, he gave the signal for the marriage
to go on.
A few moments later the welded
pair were kneeling at the altar to re-
ceive the Church's blessing on their
union, ard Immediately on the retuln
of the party to the house Master Van
Elberg hurried his guest into his priv
te room.
INV friend" he said anxiously, as
soon as he had closed the door. 81 have
: engaged to deliver 10000 herrings to
you in fifteen days, and have not yet
succeeded in getting a single one.
They are all sold."
"Of course they are~ cried Master
Woerden, with a burst of laughter; q
have myself bought themp'
"Ah!" cried Van Elberg, after staring
a moment at his companion in uttel
amazement. "What then do you ex
, pect"-
s "That you will fulfill your engage
ment. Listen to me. my friend You
3 will one day leave yoAr daughter {
< large fortune, and I shall do as muct
for my son. That is all very well fol
t the future, but for to-day they are no
4 on equal terms. l shall giv6 my sol
t a share in my business, but you Civ,
your daughter only 1000 ducats.
a have not wished to disappoint ou
:, childrens' hopes, but have planned t.
" compel you to be more just in you
arrangements"
J While Master Woerden thus spok
}, his companion was becoming more an
n more bewildered.
IS "This is what / have done," con
70 tinued the merchant of Amerdan
avou have engaged to sell me thes
d herrings at 10 forins thousand, but
already have them. You can onl
l. retrieve your honor by buying theI
E. from me. will sell them to you fc
Of 80 fiorins thousand. Thus, you wi
pay me $4,000 forins, and we al
a. a; quits" r,,ou,. ,,,b
8 had now regained control of his sea
I'd tered wits. "You are skillful mel
chant and have caught me finely"
He bowed tremendously to his con
re panion, turned to his desk and dre
70 up a check for the required sum, ,whie
v. he handed to Master Woerden wit
IT another bow.
The two fathers then returned
w the parlor to take part in the weddlr
TO festivities.
y, Eight days later the merchant
es Brock came to visit his daughter, WI
er now lived with her husband at Amste
to dam. He found Master Woerden
in great tribulation.
on "Ah, friend Van Elberg!" he crl
ed in despair. what shall l doP L
rs, fishermen are bringing in my herring
Is. and can not find a single cask
e. pack them in. They will all
Is, spoiledP" =,
ng @Ah," returned Van Elberg cold
nd "You bought up all the herring anC
ID. have boug hit all the casks. Icould $
ess them to you at an exorbitant prio
ne but as wish to keep my word abo
he Giving nv daughter her dowry of 4, {