Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1892-12-16
a Oowry Of Herring.

Notwithstanding the inclemency OF
the weather the inhabitants had left
their houses and were collecting in
the streets to welcome this liberating
army. The greatest enthusiasm
reigned in the city, and in the even
ing every house was Illuminated.
Near the Admiralty. however, stood
one house whose dark and silent as
pect contrasted strangely with the
brilliant exterior of its neighbors A
narrow courtyard inclosed in a high
wall, with a porte cochere intervened
between the street and the house,
and all the doors and blinds were now
closely secured
Master Moerden was a rich Dutch
merchant. Entirely taken up with
his commercial affairs, he was totally
Indifferent to the political events
which so interested his couDtrymen,
besides which he too thoroughly un-
derstood domestic economy to waste
candles after the prodigal fashion of
his neighbors.
At this moment Master Woerden
was seated in comfortable armchair
in front Of a blazing fire. His fur
bordered robe was folded across his
chest, aud his wolf skin cap was
pressed down upon his brow whose
few scattered gray hairs offered no
protection from the sharp currents of
frosty air that found entrance at
every opening Of the door.
On table near him stood a pol
ished brass lamp, large pitcher and
a clay pipe. In the chimney corner
an old servant, whose extreme EN-
bonpoint betrayed her French origin,
occupied herself with occasionally
stirring and feeding the open fire.
Presently the doorbell rang and
the servant rose quickly to answer it.
A few moments later young man
entered, who threw his cloak Oh the
sofa and approached the old man.
us it you, William ?" exclaimed
Master Woerden. Il had not ex-
pected you so early -
Il left Brock this morning." he re-
piled, with Il respectable salutation,
but the roads are so numbered with
soldiers and fugitives that it has
taken me all day to get there"
do you see Van ElbergT'
The young man sat down by the
fire before answering this question.
"Yes, sir ~ he said slowly. Master
Van Elberg consents to the marriage,
but he refuses to give his daughter
more than 1000 ducats as her dowryn
"Ahm cried Master Woerden,
frowning heavily, then he may
keep both his daughter and her
dowry.n
But, father, let me -"
Hold your tongue, William. At
your age one would sacrifice every
thing to love, but let me tell you love
fades away while money remains"
But Master Van Elberg is one of
the richest merchants in Holland,
and what he will not give his daugh-
ter in his lifetime will surely come to
her at his death"
What then? Am not / as rich as
he? Listen to me, my son. You will
one day succeed me in my business.
then these two aXioms-
never give more than you receive,
and do nothing for the sole benefit of
others. These are good rules for
as well as for commerce.
But
Let the matter rest, my son. We
will not speak further of it now"
William knew the self-willed OBJ
stinacy of his father too well to re-
ply, and sat still in great sorrow and
perplexity, while the old man calmly
smoked his pipe.
Again the doorbell rang, and the
dogs in the courtyard began to bark
furiously.
"Ah - said Master Woerden, 1T
must be some stranger. Look out of
the window, William, and see who it
is"
The young man did so, saying in
tones of surprise
1T is mounted militiaman,
father -
Presently the old servant brought
in letter, which Master Woerden
received with an air of great dis
quietude but on tearing open the
envelope with impatient fingers his
face assumed its wonted expression
of serenity as he read the inclosure.
That is well - he said, as he
handed the letter to his son.
1t was a requisition from the Gov
ernment for 400, 900 herrings to be de-
livered within month for the use of
the French army.
William - exclaimed the old man,
after moments reflection. Il have
an idea You shall marry Van FL
berg's daughter, and she shall have a
good dowry, too"
Can it be possible :"
Leave il TO me. AS the canals are
all closed by the ice. be ready with
two saddle horses at daylight to-mor-
row. Ahl my son! if yon only in
herit your fathers genius p
The next morning the rising sun
saw the two travellers on their way to