THE CAMPBELLS OF GLEN SHEILA.

Otago Witness, Issue 2437, 28 November 1900, Page 58

THE CAMPBELLS OF GLEN SHEILA.

A PLAIN TALE OF FARM LIFE. By Azile. ' Will you catch Florrie and saddle her for me, Colin? Mother finds she lias run short of soda, and she willfret if she 'has none of her nice scones and panoakes for-father when he comes home tired from the cattle sale." "All right, Mollie, when I've finished feeding the calves. Shall I finish the milk cans for you?" asked Colin, a well-grown, ruddy, freckled-faced, , good-natured young fellow, nearly out of his teens. "Oh, no ; I've only to scald them now and throw some feed to the young ducks and chickens," and Mollie, who looked warm, hurriedly" retreated back to the wash house. Picking up a bucket, she popped it into the boiler, lifted it out full of boiling water, poured it into one of the eight big, heavy milk cans in which the milk went to .the ■factory. Then she lifted the can upon the edge of the boiler, turned it round deftly, so that the boiling water swirled all round the can, and back into the boiler. Then the can ■was set on a rack in the sun to air, and the same process was repeated with the other seven, quickly and easily, showing that she was 'well used to the daily performance. Mollies old grey mare A Florrie, was ready,

saddled with a well-worn side-saddle, when ' Mollie ca-me out, her faded print changed for a neat, but well-darned blue riding habit. "When are you going to get your new riding- habit, Mollie? That one is getting decidedly shabby. I thought you would have saved enough 'hen money' by this time." ■Mollie flushed, but made no reply. ,"You don't mean to say you've spent it, and us such chums and never told me?" asked Colin, astonished. "Why, what did you buy, Mollie? Stu-ely never that suit for me?" as a suspicion struck him, Molly looked so funny. "Yes," said Mollie, sbame-facedly. "Well, I never. It was too bad ; you'd more need ofahabit. You're a brick, all the same, Mollie. I'm proud of you. You're a sister in a thousand. There's not a selfish atom in your composition," and he looked lovingly, with tears in his eyes, at Mollie, as she bent from 'the saddle and patted his cheek. "Never mind, Colin, I'll get a new habit some day." "Isn't it horrid to foe so hard up thai we can't even ge^ decent clothes?" groaned Colin dismally. "When you make thai fortune you dream of we'll dress 'in silk attire and siller ha'e tf> spare,' as the song says," and Moliie cantered off, leaving Colin watching her with proud and .admiring eyes, for Mollie looked her beet on horseback. Many a one turned again to look after her as she passed them, a picture of glowing health with her rosy cheeks, her blue eyes sparkling and her dimples showing as she smiled at their friendly greetings. Mollie and Colin were the eldest of a family of eight. Their father was Archibald Campbell, of Glensheila, a farm of 500 acre 3on the Matatira River, in Southern Olago. Times had been bad, low prices ruled, and he had been very unfortunate. A flood in the Mataura had drowned a lot of his sheep, spoiled his fences, and left over 100 acres, by a change of channel, as an island in the river. A year afterwards all his steading and stacks were burned. All hands were busy threshing — in spite of a high wind— when a spark from the engine set fire to some straw. Tnen all was confusion. Everyone hurried to put the" fire out, but the wind fanned it,'" and, the flames went flying up the newlybuilt- straw stack, and everything was in a blaze." ■. Some outbuildings near, having shingle roofs, caught -fire, and in spite of frantic endeavours barn, .stables, and all went: They managed to save some harness, the buggy, drays, and implements, hnt ■ all his grain was burned except one >v dray'load of bags of oats that waj just going to the barn from the mill. - ■"• Next year some of ■ his oats got shaken out by a gale before they were ripe, and he was overtaken by o.ther minor evils that befall a farmer and make his life anything but a bed cf roses. If he has a balance at the bank no man can take matters more philosophically than a larmer, but if he has a heavy s&ortgage, and things over which he he.s no control all conspire to ruin him, it, is no wonder that he growls a, little^aiide feels inclined to iuxse the fates that play him such tricks. Archie Campbell had had a struggle from the fir3t, for when the farm was left him by his father 30 years ago he had to mortgage it for £-1500 -ta pajr his sister . her -share. - Some year& afterwards he me"t and fell in love with pretty, delicate Marion Riddell, governess to a neighbouring runholderV children. He met with many rebuffs at first, but he was persevering, , and " she learned to love him in spite of his plain way 3 when she saw the true gold beneath his homely exterior. Young swells who" came to visit her master could make love to the pretty governess fast enough on every occasion, and waylay her to do it when she tried to keep out of their way. They seemed, however, to be unable to pronounce the word "marry," though love came glibly enough from their tongues; so plain, kind, good-natured, unassuming Archie Campbell won his heart's desire. Some of 'the farmers' wives prophesied ruin, "piano-playing, painting, and such like useless things would not make good butter and cheese, and what use is a farmer's wife if she can't do that?" So they argued. Love, however, was blind, and Archie never found any imperfections in his wife, or her buttei or cheese, al?d being possessed of a high spirit, s-he determined to learn all the mysteries. Archie engaged an experienced woman to teach her, and she soon learned. She was fortunate in getting a servant who was strong and willing, and appreciated her mistress's gentle ways and courteous manners. They managed to reduce the mortgage to £1000, but the ever-increasing expenses of a family prevented any more being paid off. They were happy, however, in spite of this debt, 'and thought they would do better when the children grew up, but "man proposes, God disposes." The Fates were making ready to "pour the vials of their wrath on poor Archie's head. Fire, water, and wind combined against him, and -left him nearly ruined, and he had to arrange- for a further mortgage of £300. It was a heart-breaking position to be in after so many years of toil, but nobly did he take up his load and right loyally was he assisted by his wife and family. Adversity brings many hidden virtues to light, and it changed MolHe from a careless girl of 19 to a thoughtful woman with a determination to do everything in her power to help. They dispensed with their servant, and Mollie took all her work, for Mrs Campbell was not strong enough to do much. Colin, who was. a well-grown boy of 17, had till then been little inclined for hard work, but he now thrust himself most vigorously into the work of the farm. They kept only one man, so there was plenty to be done. The second boy, Leonard, was very fond of. bees. As he was not robust enough for any very severe labour, he determined to try to make money out of his bees, in which he took a great interest. "He made boxes on a new plan, so that he could get the honey without smoking and billing the bees with sulphur, as is the prevailing fashion in. most farms. Mrs Campbell was inclined at first to fret and pity them, but they would have none of it. "Why should we be pitied for doing as our ancpstors, the Campbells of Glensheila. did for hundreds of years'? Perish the thought! " said Colin, with a face so tragic that they all laughed heartily, till Mysie, the ciirly-haired five-year-old, .tumbled off the sofa, and her twin brother Aichic followed,' as was his wont, and tbey had to ba consoled by the: promise of a ride on j?lorrie.