Western Kansas world., 1893-07-15
A DOWRY OF HERRING.

Dam anu UDc SOluicIS "dlOOu III SIOOp'
in the square where they had stacked
their guns to have their lodging:
signed TO them
Notwithstanding the inclemenCY ot
the weather, the inhabitants had left
their homes and were collecting in
the streets to welcome the .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 enclosed in high
wall, with port ecochere, interyened
between the street and the house, and
all the doors and blinds were now
closely secured. This was the house
of Master Woerden
Master WOerden was rich Dutch
merchant Entirely taken up with
his commercial affairs, he was totally
Indifferent to the political events
which so interested his countrymen,
besides which he too thoroughly Un-
derstood domestic economy to waste
candles after the predigal 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, and his wolfskin 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
polished brass lamp, a large pitcher
of beer, and clay pipe. In the
chimney corner an old servant whose
extreme embonp0int betrayed her
Flemish origin, occupied herself with
occasionally stirring and feeding the
fire
Presently the door bell rang and
the servant rose quickly to
answer it. A few moments later a
young man entered who threw his
cloak on the sofa aud approached the
old man.
lis that you, William?" exclaimed
Master Woerden. 81 had not eX-
pected you so earlyi"
II left Brooks this morning." he
replied, with respectful salutation,
but the roads are so numbered with
soldiers and fugitives that it has
taken me all day to get here"
"Did you see Van Elberg?"
The young man drank a glass of
beer and sat down by the fire before
answering this question.
Eyes, sir!" he said slowly. "Master
Van Elberg consents to the marriage,
but he refuses to give his daughter
more than 4, 900 ducats as her dowry"
''Ah!" cried Master Woerden,
frowning heavily, "then he may keep
both his daughter and her dowry."
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 re-
mains"
But Master Van Elberg is one Of
the richest merchants in Holland, and
what he will not give mis- daughter in
his lifetime will surely come to her
after death"
what then? Am not as rich
as he? Listen to me, my SON You
will one day succeed me in my Dusi-
ness. Remember, then, these two
axioms-never give more than you
receive, and do nothing for the sole
benefit of others. These are good
rules for marriage as well as for COM
merce
"But--"
'tLet the matter rest, my son. We
will not speak further Of it now"
William knew the self-willed obsti-
macy Of his father too well to reply,
and sat still in great sorrow and per.
plexlty, while the old man smoked his
pipe.
Again the door bell rang and the
dogs in the courtyard barked furi-
ouSly.
uAhm said Master Woerden, sit
must be some stranger Look out OF
the window, William, andisee who il
is"
The young man did so, saying in
tones of surprise
"It is a mounted militiaman,
father"
Presently the old servant brought
in a letter, which Master Woerdeu re
ceived with an air of great Dispute
tude; but on tearing the envelopt
with impatient fingers his face as
sumed its wonted expression Of seren
ity as he read the enclosure.
THAT is WE'LL" he said, as h'
handed the letter to his son.
1t was requisition from the Gov
eminent for 400, 900 herring to be de
livered within a month for the use o
the French army
"Williamp' exclaimed the old man
after a moments reflection. 81 hav
an idea! You shall marry Van El