Wolfert Webber, or Golden Dreams

by Washington Irving

year of grace one thousand seven hundred and--blank--for remember the precise date; however, somewhere early part last century,--there lived ancient city Manhattoes worthy burgher, Wolfert Webber by name descended from old Cobus Webber Brill[1] in Holland, original settlers, famous for introducing the cultivation of cabbages, and who came over province during the protectorship of Oloffe Van Kortlandt, otherwise called "the Dreamer "

[1] The Brill is fortified seaport of Holland, Meuse River, near Rotterdam

The field Cobus Webber first planted himself cabbages had remained family, who continued same line of husbandry praiseworthy perseverance our Dutch burghers are noted The whole family genius, during several generations, was devoted study and development of noble vegetable, and concentration of intellect may doubtless be ascribed the prodigious renown Webber cabbages attained

The Webber dynasty continued in uninterrupted succession, and never did line give more unquestionable proofs of legitimacy The eldest son succeeded looks territory sire, and had the portraits line of tranquil potentates been taken, presented row of heads marvelously resembling, in shape and magnitude, the vegetables over which they reigned

The seat of government continued unchanged family mansion,-- Dutch-built house, with front, or rather gable end, of yellow brick, tapering to point, customary iron weathercock top Everything building bore the air of long- settled ease and security Flights of martins peopled the little coops nailed against its walls, and swallows built their nests under the eaves, and everyone knows house-loving birds bring good luck dwelling where they take up their abode In bright summer morning in early summer, delectable to hear their cheerful notes sported about pure, sweet air, chirping forth, as it were, the greatness and prosperity Webbers

Thus quietly and comfortably did this excellent family vegetate under the shade of mighty buttonwood tree, which by little and little grew so great as entirely to overshadow their palace The city gradually spread its suburbs round their domain Houses sprang interrupt their prospects The rural lanes vicinity began to grow bustle and populousness of streets; in short, with all the habits of rustic life they began themselves the inhabitants of city Still, however, they maintained their hereditary character and hereditary possessions, with all the tenacity of petty German princes midst empire Wolfert last line, and succeeded patriarchal bench door, under the family tree, and swayed the scepter fathers,--a kind of rural potentate midst metropolis

To share the cares and sweets of sovereignty he had taken unto himself helpmate, one excellent kind called "stirring women"; , she was one notable little housewives always busy where nothing Her activity, however, took one particular direction,--her whole life seemed devoted to intense knitting; whether at home or abroad, walking or sitting, her needles were continually in motion, and even affirmed that by her unwearied industry she very nearly supplied her household with stockings year This worthy couple were blessed with one daughter who was brought up with great tenderness and care; uncommon pains taken with her education, stitch in every variety of way, make all kinds of pickles and preserves, and mark her own name on sampler The influence of her taste was seen also family garden, where the ornamental began to mingle useful; whole rows of fiery marigolds and splendid hollyhocks bordered the cabbage beds, and gigantic sunflowers lolled their broad, jolly faces over the fences, seeming to ogle most affectionately the passers-by

Thus reigned and vegetated Wolfert Webber over his paternal acres, peacefully and contentedly Not but that, like all other sovereigns, he had his occasional cares and vexations The growth native city sometimes caused him annoyance His little territory gradually became hemmed in by streets and houses, which intercepted air and sunshine subjected eruptions border population that infest the streets of metropolis, make midnight forays into his dominions, and carry off captive whole platoons noblest subjects Vagrant swine would make descent, too, , gate was left open, and lay all waste before them; and mischievous urchins would decapitate the illustrious sunflowers, the glory garden, lolled their heads so fondly over the walls Still all these were petty grievances, which might ruffle the surface mind, as summer breeze will ruffle the surface of mill pond, but disturb the deep-seated quiet soul but seize trusty staff that stood behind the door, issue suddenly out, and anoint the back aggressor, whether pig or urchin, and then return within doors, marvelously refreshed and tranquilized

The chief cause of anxiety to honest Wolfert, however, growing prosperity city The expenses of living doubled and trebled, but double and treble the magnitude cabbages, number of competitors prevented the increase of price; thus, therefore, while everyone around him grew richer, Wolfert grew poorer, and , life of him, perceive how the evil was remedied

This growing care, which increased from day to day, had its gradual effect upon our worthy burgher, insomuch implanted wrinkles brow, things unknown before family Webbers, and it seemed to pinch up the corners cocked hat into an expression of anxiety totally opposite tranquil, broad-brimmed, low-crowned beavers illustrious progenitors

Perhaps even not have materially disturbed the serenity mind had he had only himself wife to care for; but his daughter gradually growing to maturity, and all the world knows that when daughters begin to ripen, no fruit nor flower requires looking after no talent at describing female charms, else fain would I depict the progress 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, opening breath of sixteen summers, until, in her seventeenth spring, she seemed ready to burst out of her bodice, like half-blown rosebud

Ah, well-a-day ! Could I but show her as she was then, tricked out on Sunday morning hereditary finery old Dutch clothespress, her mother had confided to her the key ! The wedding dress of her grandmother, modernized for use, with sundry ornaments, handed down as heirlooms 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 entrance of soft valley of happiness, it would sanctify the place The-- but pooh ! for an old man like me prosing about female beauty; suffice it , 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 evident she began to languish for some more interesting occupation rearing of sunflowers or pickling of cucumbers

critical period of female existence, heart within damsel's bosom, like its emblem, the miniature which hangs without, is apt engrossed by single image, new visitor began his appearance under the roof of Wolfert Webber Dirk Waldron, the only son of poor widow, but boast of more fathers than any lad province, mother had had four husbands, and this only child, , though born in her last wedlock, he might fairly claim the tardy fruit of long course of cultivation This son of four fathers united the merits vigor of all his sires If he had great family before him likely great one after him, had only to look fresh, buxom youth that formed the founder of mighty race

This youngster gradually became an intimate visitor family He talked little, but he sat long He filled the father's pipe when empty, gathered up the mother's knitting needle, or ball of worsted, when it fell ground, stroked the sleek coat tortoise-shell cat, and replenished the teapot daughter bright copper kettle that sang fire All these quiet little offices may seem of trifling import, but when true love is translated into Low Dutch eloquently expresses itself They lost Webber family The winning youngster found marvelous favor eyes mother; the tortoise-shell cat, albeit the most staid and demure of her kind, gave indubitable signs of approbation visits; the teakettle seemed to sing out cheering note of welcome at his approach; and sly glances daughter rightly read, as she sat bridling and dimpling, and sewing by her mother's side, she was not whit behind Dame Webber, or grimalkin, or the teakettle, in good will

Wolfert alone saw nothing of going on Profoundly wrapt up in meditation growth city cabbages, he sat looking fire, and puffing his pipe in silence One night, however, gentle Amy, according to custom, lighted her lover outer door, and he, according to custom, took his parting salute, the smack resounded so vigorously long, silent entry startle even the dull ear of Wolfert slowly roused to new source of anxiety It had never entered into his head mere child, who, as it seemed, but the other day 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 fact, and really found that while he dreaming of other matters, she had actually grown woman, and, worse, had fallen in love Here arose new cares for Wolfert kind father, but prudent man The young man was lively, stirring lad, but then he had neither money nor land Wolfert's ideas all ran in one channel, and no alternative of marriage but to portion off the young couple with corner cabbage garden, the whole of barely sufficient support family

Like prudent father, therefore, he determined to nip this passion bud, and forbade the youngster the house, though sorely did it go against his fatherly heart, and many silent tear did it cause bright eye daughter She showed herself, however, pattern of filial piety and obedience She never pouted and sulked; she never flew face of parental authority; she never flew into passion, nor fell into hysterics, romantic, novel-read young ladies would do Not she, indeed She was none such heroical, rebellious trumpery, I'll warrant ye 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, either kitchen window or over the garden fence