The evening call. [volume] (Topeka, Kan.) 1891-1893, 1893-07-07
IA DOWRY OF HERRING.

French army had entered Amster-
dam and the soldiers waited in groups !
in the square where they had stacked
their guns to have their lodgings |
signed 70 them.
Notwithstanding the inclemency OF !
the weather, the inhabitants had lett /
their homes and were collecting in
the streets to welcome the .liberating
army. The greatest enthusiasm
reigned in the city, and in the even
inc 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 a port ecOchere, INTERVIEWED
between the street and the house, and
ali the doors and blinds were now
closely secured This was the house
Of Master WOerden.
Master Woerden was a rich Dutch
merchant. Entirely taken up with
his commercial affairs, he was totally
Indifferent to the political events
which 90 interested his cOuntrymen,
besides which he too thoroughly un-
| derstood domestic economy to waste
candles after the predigal fashion OF
his neighhors.
Az this moment Master Woerden
vas seated ia a comfortable armchair
in front Of 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 III
nrotection from the sharp currents o
frosty air that found entrance al ever.
opening Of the door
Ona table near him STOOD
polished brass lamp q large pltcnel
Of beer, and clay pipe In th'
chimney corner an old servant WhOS'
. extreme embonp0int betrayed ne
Flemish origin, occupied herself WIFI
occasionally stirring and feeding tn
fire.
Presently the door bell rang an
the servant rose quickly
I answer III. a few moments later
! vonng man entered who threw n
Cloak Oh the sofa and approached tn
+ old man
us that yol, William" eXclaime
Master Moerden. IL had not e.
pected you 50 early"
III left Brooks this morning, q
- replied, with respectful salutatlol
hit, the roads are SO numbered Wit
soldiers and fugitives that 1t NJ
taken me all day to get here.
nDid YOU See Van Elberg?"
The Young man drank a glass
hear and sat down by the fire Deto
answering this question
uYes. sir." he said slowly. "Mast
Van Elberg consents to the marrlae
I. Hit he refuses to give his daught
more than A, 900 ducats as her dOWry
s. ..Ahm cried Master Woerde
frowning heavily, 'then he may Ike
both his daughter and her oo"ry-
Y nBut, father, let me-
& Hold YOUR tongue, William.
- vonr ape one would sacrifice ever
. thing To love, but let me tell y
lave fades away, while money
yyss mains"
aagg .But Master Van Elberg is one
Its the richest merchants in Holland, a
ap what he will not give his daughter
IL his lifetime will surely come TO
NJ after death.
.sWhat then? Am | not as r
as he? Listen to me, my son.
- will one day succeed me In my bu
ness. Remember, then, these |
ayioms-never give more than
,n+ receive ana do nothing for the S
Viii henett IF others. These are g
oa' rules for marriage rs well as lot q
II merce
vi. rLet the matter rest, my son.
1905 viii not speak further or 1t now.
! tn op' William knew the self-willed OBJ
g I Z. g nacv of Ills father too we'll TO rel
esti- ana sat still in great sorrow ana
oqT ,.1oy,tv while the old man smoked
|. III 4, pipe. n nropd
nm dors III the courtyard barked I
-. ously. u7on
- p,ust ~ some stranger, LOOK on
|FEi the window, William, andlsee WI
81 isl
> The young man did So saying
,n tones Of surprise
Ii 6u ! 1T Is 4 mounted mllltian
father
hila. Presently the old servant orol
in letter, which Master Noerael
- ceiyed with an air Of great dlsq
~ tude: but on tearing the ehNe
a. with impatient fingers his lace
Ill sumed it, wonted expression OF sc
- INV AZ he read the enclosure
D. 70. THAT IL we'll" he said. as
ms. handed the letter TO his son.
sinca IL was a reQuisition from the
infor- eminent for 400, 900 herring to o
! II a I'd liyered within a month for the u
!, Se6. the French army.
" uWilliamn. exclaimed the old
Hs,:'ss after a moments reflection. i
ass.T al idea. You shall marry var