CHAPTER III.

Observer, Volume 3, Issue 68, 31 December 1881, Page 248

CHAPTER 111.

•' Ring out false pride in place and blood." A year has almost passed away, and it is New Year's Eve, 1881, at Slioddyville. John Shoddygvass, Esq., J.P., again sits at the open window, looking out upon the same distant liills ; the same glad sunshine, and smoking the old pipe. A year has made little change in Shoddygrass. He is a shade greyer, a little older, and somewhat more careworn. Mrs Shoddygrass has gone the way of .all flesh. A handsome marble monument, enclosed by massive iron railings, bears witness to her numerous virtues as a wife and a mother, as well as to the deep lament of John Shoddygrass, by whom this memorial was erected to the dear departed. For though her affectionate husband has no veneration for the graves of the soldiers, lie thinks it was only proper and becoming in a man of his wealth and standing to record in enduring marble and gilt letters the love and affection he entertained, towards Mrs Shoddygrass. No wonder, then, that he sits musing to-day on the mutability of all earthly things. Young Fashleigh has come into a baronetcy and £5000 a-year, and married 'that gal of StnckupV amidst great pomp, rejoicing, and general congratulations, and some other shadows have crossed the doorstep of John Shoddygrass. Augustus Albert Edward Shoddygrass, Esq., 8.A., has not written lo his affectionate father for nearly a. year, and the latter is growing uneasy at his long silence, though lie has continued to scud the regular remittances. Moreover, a disagreeable rumour has reached him that the young scapegrace has turned to evil ways, has set up a mistress, and is leading a fast life at some fashionable watering-place. 'Who'd a thought it?' soliloquises the old man. ' There's that young Fashleigh been an' carried off that gal as I meant for Ghis, Avith them there thirty thousand acres and all the sugar. To think as old Si uckup 'd be a party to sich a swindle arter lic'd promised to keep the gal for Gus ! But it's the way of all on 'em. They cares for nothing but a haristoeratic name and'plcnty o' tin. Bah !' and the amiable Shoddygrass expectorates fiercely at a terrier dog basking on the verandah, takes another drink of whiskey, and puffs furiously at his pipe. 'But I'll have my revenge on 'em for it ; if I don't my name's notShoddygrass! I'll get a hoverdraft from the bank and snap up that there block as Stuckup's trying to buy from the Maoris. I'll cut him out, cuss him,' and old Shoddygrass jingled the coins in bis pocket ' and ' sool-'em'd ' his dogs on a buggy and pair that he observed in the distance. '1 wonder what Gus is a-doin' all this time. I wish the young beggar 'd come home. I begin to feel lonelyish, I do. Wonder who the girl is ! Some actress, I s'pose. He'll soon get tired of her, and then he'll come back. He'll be as big as me now, and want to be boss. Lot's see. All the gals about here'll be a-settin' their caps at him, but it won't wash. I'll show 'em that he's better'n a barrynit. I'll take him home agin ; I'll get a long pedigree invented, shewing as the SJioddygrasses is desccntcd from Julius Sneezer or Willy the Corncurer, or ax the Agent-G-en'ral to get me a C.M.G., and then I'll marry Gus to a real live lord's daughter ; I will, by !' The reverie is suddenly interrupted by the sound of wheels in the stable yard at the back | and the joyous barking of old Nero, the veteran dog on the station. Mr Shoddygrass slowly knocks the ashes from his pipe, rises from his chair, and is going out to sec who his unexpected visitors can be, when a tall, handsome young man, leading a fair blueeyed girl, burst's into the room, and the pair flop down on their knees on the carpet. It is only by an effort that old Shoddygrass saves himself from stumbling over them. 'Father, your blessing, this is my wife,' breathlessly exclaims the young man. 'Why, what the devil's the meanin' o' this 'ere ?' says Mr Shoddygrass, starting back, and j gazing with wild eyes^and terror-stricken face on the woman's features. ' Father, forgive me ; I did not dare to write. I married this young lady for love. Don't look so startled — believe me she is in every way worthy of me and of you— she is good, and beautiful, and honest, and — and"- — He is stopped by the frightened look on the old man's face. Shoddygrass seems as if he were going of in a fit of apoplexy. ' Who's this 'ere gal— tell me, I say— what was her name ?" gasps the old man. ' Grace — Grace Marsden. 1 ' Her mother's name, her maiden name, you idiot," roars Shoddygrass.' ' Sir, my mother's maiden name was Shoddygrass—Mary Shoddygrass,' replies the young lady meekly. ' Then, by the living Jingo, Gus, you've been an' gone an' married your fust cousin — you've married them there poor relations o' mine !' gaaps old Shoddygrass, as if he were announcing some awful calamity, ' an' all the fat's in the fire.' The guilty pair hang their heads, and the unfortunate cause of this mishap takes refuge in tears. For the first time since old Shoddygrass laid the mortal remains of his Avife in the marble mansoleum his rough heart is touched. He makes a movement forward, grasps Gus by both hands, releases them and embraces the bride, and then cuts a little caper on the carpet. < Well dang it, arter all,' he says, ' one's relations is relations, specially when they marries into the family, ain't they, Gus ?' and she's the very pitcher o' Mary, bless her ! ' Mrs Marsden and Grace's sister are in Auckland, 1 rejoins Gus. 'They came out with us in the mail steamer, but I didn't like to bring them up here until I broke the news to you.' ' Telegraph for 'em to come np by the first train. Tell Hodger to ride to the telegraph station as fast as he can travel,' says old Shoddygrass. ' Relations is relations arter all, and there's plenty for all on us. I'd like to see ole Stuckup or them Flashleighe stick up their noses at any relations o' John Shoddygrass, Esq., J.P., that's all.' People say there never before was such a merry New Year's Day at Slioddyville in the memory of the oldest inhabitant. Ring in the love of truth and right, Ring in the common love of good. THB JBND.