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price； thus； therefore； while everyone around him grew richer；
Wolfert grew poorer； and he could not； for the life of him；
perceive how the evil was to be remedied。
This growing care； which increased from day to day； had its gradual
effect upon our worthy burgher； insomuch that it at length
implanted two or three wrinkles in his brow； things unknown before
in the family of the Webbers； and it seemed to pinch up the corners
of his cocked hat into an expression of anxiety totally opposite to
the tranquil； broad…brimmed； low…crowned beavers of his illustrious
progenitors。
Perhaps even this would not have materially disturbed the serenity
of his mind had he had only himself and his wife to care for； but
there was his daughter gradually growing to maturity； and all the
world knows that when daughters begin to ripen； no fruit nor flower
requires so much looking after。 I have no talent at describing
female charms； else fain would I depict the progress of this little
Dutch beauty： how her blue eyes grew deeper and deeper； and her
cherry lips redder and redder； and how she ripened and ripened； and
rounded and rounded； in the opening breath of sixteen summers；
until； in her seventeenth spring； she seemed ready to burst out of
her bodice； like a half…blown rosebud。
Ah； well…a…day！ Could I but show her as she was then； tricked out
on a Sunday morning in the hereditary finery of the old Dutch
clothespress； of which her mother had confided to her the key！ The
wedding dress of her grandmother； modernized for use； with sundry
ornaments； handed down as heirlooms in the family。 Her pale brown
hair smoothed with buttermilk in flat； waving lines on each side of
her fair forehead。 The chain of yellow； virgin gold that encircled
her neck； the little cross that just rested at the entrance of a
soft valley of happiness； as if it would sanctify the place。 The
but pooh！ it is not for an old man like me to be prosing about
female beauty； suffice it to say； Amy had attained her seventeenth
year。 Long since had her sampler exhibited hearts in couples
desperately transfixed with arrows； and true lovers' knots worked
in deep blue silk； and it was evident she began to languish for
some more interesting occupation than the rearing of sunflowers or
pickling of cucumbers。
At this critical period of female existence； when the heart within
a damsel's bosom； like its emblem； the miniature which hangs
without； is apt to be engrossed by a single image； a new visitor
began to make his appearance under the roof of Wolfert Webber。
This was Dirk Waldron； the only son of a poor widow； but who could
boast of more fathers than any lad in the province； for his mother
had had four husbands； and this only child； so that； though born in
her last wedlock； he might fairly claim to be the tardy fruit of a
long course of cultivation。 This son of four fathers united the
merits and the vigor of all his sires。 If he had not had a great
family before him he seemed likely to have a great one after him；
for you had only to look at the fresh； buxom youth to see that he
was formed to be the founder of a mighty race。
This youngster gradually became an intimate visitor of the family。
He talked little； but he sat long。 He filled the father's pipe
when it was empty； gathered up the mother's knitting needle； or
ball of worsted； when it fell to the ground； stroked the sleek coat
of the tortoise…shell cat； and replenished the teapot for the
daughter from the bright copper kettle that sang before the fire。
All these quiet little offices may seem of trifling import； but
when true love is translated into Low Dutch it is in this way that
it eloquently expresses itself。 They were not lost upon the Webber
family。 The winning youngster found marvelous favor in the eyes of
the mother； the tortoise…shell cat； albeit the most staid and
demure of her kind； gave indubitable signs of approbation of his
visits； the teakettle seemed to sing out a cheering note of welcome
at his approach； and if the sly glances of the daughter might be
rightly read； as she sat bridling and dimpling； and sewing by her
mother's side； she was not a whit behind Dame Webber； or grimalkin；
or the teakettle； in good will。
Wolfert alone saw nothing of what was going on。 Profoundly wrapt
up in meditation on the growth of the city and his cabbages； he sat
looking in the fire； and puffing his pipe in silence。 One night；
however； as the gentle Amy； according to custom； lighted her lover
to the outer door； and he； according to custom； took his parting
salute； the smack resounded so vigorously through the long； silent
entry as to startle even the dull ear of Wolfert。 He was slowly
roused to a new source of anxiety。 It had never entered into his
head that this mere child； who； as it seemed； but the other day had
been climbing about his knees and playing with dolls and baby
houses； could all at once be thinking of lovers and matrimony。 He
rubbed his eyes； examined into the fact； and really found that
while he had been dreaming of other matters； she had actually grown
to be a woman； and； what was worse； had fallen in love。 Here arose
new cares for Wolfert。 He was a kind father； but he was a prudent
man。 The young man was a lively； stirring lad； but then he had
neither money nor land。 Wolfert's ideas all ran in one channel；
and he saw no alternative in case of a marriage but to portion off
the young couple with a corner of his cabbage garden； the whole of
which was barely sufficient for the support of his family。
Like a prudent father； therefore； he determined to nip this passion
in the bud； and forbade the youngster the house； though sorely did
it go against his fatherly heart； and many a silent tear did it
cause in the bright eye of his daughter。 She showed herself；
however； a pattern of filial piety and obedience。 She never pouted
and sulked； she never flew in the face of parental authority； she
never flew into a passion； nor fell into hysterics； as many
romantic； novel…read young ladies would do。 Not she； indeed。 She
was none such heroical； rebellious trumpery； I'll warrant ye。 On
the contrary； she acquiesced like an obedient daughter； shut the
street door in her lover's face； and if ever she did grant him an
interview； it was either out of the kitchen window or over the
garden fence。
Wolfert was deeply cogitating these matters in his mind； and his
brow wrinkled with unusual care； as he wended his way one Saturday
afternoon to a rural inn； about two miles from the city。 It was a
favorite resort of the Dutch part of the community； from being
always held by a Dutch line of landlords； and retaining an air and
relish of the good old times。 It was a Dutch…built house； that had
probably been a country seat of some opulent burgher in the early
time of the settlement。 It stood near a point of land called
Corlear's Hook；＇1＇ which stretches out into the Sound； and against