The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1893-09-27
A DoWRY OF HERRING.

1t was the Goth of January, 1895. The
French army had entered Amsterdam
and the soldiers waited in groups in the
square where they had stacked their
guns to have their lodging assigned them.
Notwithstanding the inclemency OF
the weather the inhabitants had left their
houses to welcome this liberating army.
The greatest enthusiasm reigned in the
city, andIin the evening every house was
Illuminated.
Near the Admiralty, however, stood
one house whose dark and silent aspec,
contrasted strangely with the brilliant
exterior Of its neighbors. 4 narrow
courtyard inclosed in a high wall, with a
porte coehere interyened between the
street and the house, and all the doors
and the blinds were now closely secured.
This wasthe house Of Master Woerden.
Master Woerden was Dutch meIch-
ant. Entirely taken up with his com
mereial affairs, he was totally indifferent
to the political events which so interest
ed his countrymen, besides which he too
thoroughly understood domestic econo-
my to waste candles after the prodigal
fashion of his neighbors.
AT this moment Master Woerden was
seated in q comfortable armchair in front
Of a blazing fire. His fur bordered robe
was folded across his chest, and his wolf
skin cap vas pressed down upon his
brow, whose few scattered gray hairs
offered no protection from the sharp cur
rents Of frosty air that found entrance at
every opening Of the door.
On a table near hia stood a polished
brass lamp, large pitcher and a clay
pipe. In the chimney corner an old ser
want, whose extreme emponpoint betray-
ed her Flemish origin, occupied herself
with occasionally stirring and feeding
the open fire.
Presently the doOrbell rang and the
servant rose quickly to answer it. \
few moments later young man entered,
who threw his cloak on the sofa and APP
preached the old man.
is it you, William ?" exclaimed Mas
ter Woerden. Il had not expected you
so early!"
Il left Brock this morning." he repli-
ed, with a 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?7
The young man sat down by the fire
before answering this question.
"Yes. sirw he said slowly. Master
Van Elberg consents to the marriage, bat
he refuses to give his daughter more than
1000 ducats as her dowry."
"Ah!7 cried Master Woerden frowning
heavily, "then he may keep his daught-
er and her dowry."
"But father, let me-"
"Hold your tongue, William. At your
age one would sacrifice everything to
love, but let me tell you love fades away,
while money remains.
"But Master Van Elberg is one Of the
richest men in Holland, and what he
will no; give his daughter in his lifetime
will surely come to her at his death.
"What them Am not | as rich as ne
Listen to me, my son. You win one day
succeed me in my business. 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 we'll as for COM
meTce."
"But-"
"Let the matter rest my son. We will
not speak further Of it now"
William knew the self-willed obstina-
cy ofhis father too well to reply, and sat
still in great sorrow and perplexity. while
the old man calmly smoked his pipe.
Again the doorbelI rang, and the dogs
in the courtyard began to bark furious
ly.
"Ah !" said Master Woerden, ''it must
be some stranger Look out of the win
dow, William, and see who it is"
The young man did so, saying in tones
of surprise:
at is mounted militiaman, father -
Presently the cd servant brough. in 9
letter, which Master Woerden received
with en- air of great disquietude; but on
tearing open the envelope with impatient
fingers his face assumed It's wonted ex-
preston Of serenity rs he read the in
closure.
THAT is welll he said, as he handed
the letter to his son.
1t was a requisition from the govern
ment for 100000 herrings to be delivered
within a month for the use ofthe French
army.
william exclaimed the old man,
after a moments reflection. Il have an
idea. You shall marry Van Elber's
daughter, and she shall have good
dowry, too"
"Can it be possible p
leave it to me- As the canals are all
closed by the ice, be ready with two
saddled horses at daylight tomorrow.
All, my son if you only inherit your
fathers genius"
The next morning the rising sun saw
the two travellers on their way to Brock.
They arrived about midday, but were