“ALMA.”

Wairarapa Standard, Volume XX, Issue 2050, 1 April 1887, Page 1 (Supplement)

“ALMA.”

As Okigixal Acstualian muiiy BY HAROLD STEPHEN’. M.P. or SEW SOUTH WALES. (.1/1 Itigitt flsterr, </.) DRAFTER XX.W.-(rosTixuin.l "Tae—m is tki rtngaa beyond Snob's Gaily. A aboil tba tafarnaaiat mat of ntaiiiiki aotoiy." “ Why Aoi'l yon root thorn Mt, thM?” “ Wd, yoi soo it’s handy to bava them together, aadrr yow thumb, so to say. Besides, ■HUM as it awy seam to yon, wa have oily ana af ita ezistcaee a very short lima.” “ Aadlha hoahrangm wan eaught then ?” “ Yea. I Ml tba party to go on to the UonMain Hat whilst I Went to Forest Creek to H|Wt the septate.” Mr. Tucker did not kaaw that the priaoaeta bad escaped on the ■amiA^t.. 1 " Haw are the wounded men getting on ?” aM Dast, mote for the eake of making Wmamaallna that ter any intereat he took in writ vctttn.

"Alright— aone of them were badly hart. Tba mwin, Hony Lasealles, got the wotrt ol it." " Who Aid you «y T” oaked Dart, startled into attention. “ Harry Luteal lee. Ha was leiutenant, but was ■ risarg* this trip, owing to the sickness of the eowoendvr.” "By Otorge!" exclaimed Dirt, “ I riwMl'l wonder if I knew that young fellow I Do yM know whether he coomb from New Booth Wake?”

"Tm, I believe be doee," replied Tucker. "The captain picked him op a few weeks ago ia Heftonroe. This was only hia aeoond or third trip." “And too iay ha was badly wounded ?’’ "Not badly, bat worse than tbe_others. By all accounts he's not hid such a bad lime ol it at the Mountain Hut, for they say that he has been nursed by his s veetheart, a Ifiaa Alma Simething or other— I forget the other name, but I her Christian aptna was A’ma, because I’d oarer heard the ■(■ a before."

Hn waa a revelation ! Dart ciuld scarcely believe his ears, and he pil'd the constable with questions, until the man began to suspect that he, too. most be id love with Miss Alma Bomathiog or other. How long would it taka him to gel to the Mountain Hut, Dirt ashed at la- 1, and caul Ibe find the way

aaribT "B you’re smart yon may get there by ■uadown," replied Tucker. “ And, as for fading the way, you can’t miss it, if yon ■lrik to tbs main road.’

“ Then let ui push on at once," cried D.irt, erging bri horse to a canter, and thus putting a stop to the oonveoaticr. It wee. however, considerably past sundown when he finally drew rein at (he Mountain Uni, for his horse had come a very long dritaaaa, aad, for the last lew miles, had eaksidsd into a walk. Hitching hie bridle to a verandah-poet, Dost walked into tba bar, and asked (or Mr. Laaeslln. " He Ml this afternoon, sir, (or Melbourne,” replied Ibe. K gby, to whom the question bad been addressed. "Aad tba young lady. Miss Afana, did she go with him 7 ” "Oh deer no, air—the left with her uncle by the eoaeh at mid day.” " On receiving thia information, Ur. Dart Tiedvger astonished the landlady and one or two hmngvra in the bar, by an expletive so forcibly delivered (bat Mrs. lligby afterwards declared that it made the glatses on the aonntee rattle ee if it bad been a peal ol Ihander.

Then ha jammed hia bat down over his eyes, moodily ont into the bush, and eat down on a fallen tree, there to meditate ever Us bad luck and corse his wily

CHAPTER XXXVI. m MOIESSOa 41 THE il'Jl'SI'IN UDT. Whan Mrs. Brown announced to Professor Tmfcni upon bis arrival at AUalia that his ■tMalnd been staying for the lest ten days g| the Mountain Hut, he clenched his teeth aal looked wicked. H Wbal made her go there? he asked. •• Bm there been any row here ? ' “Met a bit of a row," replied Mrs. Brown wtth virtuous indignation. " She went there aB along o' that eseort robbery, and took Buuia with him." * fha aaaost robbery 1 What do you mean, VWMhf What has my niece got to do with ■Woman yourself, Mr. Sager I" retorted Ifen Mis an. her faaa aflame at the insult— nak in life as “ woman” fa te (orgiveoeu. « otto kw p • dalaiilb |*«r head in tbia township. Sm Maafll Booh eoavenation may maSf fee tha Hkn of etaaehnrs as SaSanjMi London atasata.bat it won’t suit Mam as I UU yon." to offend, Mrs. Brown," intend!”interrupted th- Indy MttM indignant. “ Ton didn t intend. nHW HA yen do it then, answer me iMAf

“ I assure yon I meant no disrespect, I was not aware that the term 1 woman' was regarded as a reproach.” ” You were not aware I Then the sooner you learn you own language claimed Mrs. Brown, bouncing out of the room, and slamming the door behind her. Clearly it was necessary to obtain some further information, so Stephen Tredegar 10l owed the irate Indy in o tie kitchen, whither she had betaken herself, and was making a tremendous clatter amongst the pots and pons as he entered. “ I must again ask you to forgive me, Mrs. Brown, ’ he said with humility. “ Y’ou will not be so illnaturrd as not to forgive when yon are assured that no offence was meant 7”

Mrs. Brown, who, it was evident, was not very easily placated, grunted something which was quite uniotelligsble, accompanied as it was by the clashing of iron ; but which the Professor chose to assume was meant as an acceptance of bis apology. “Have you any idea,” said he, “what caused my niece to go to the Mountain Hut?” ■' There was a little furrin chap came over here with Susie to fetch her things—a doctor be said he was—and he said as how yop was to be told it was his fealt she went.’ “ A foreign doctor I We do not know any foreign doctors.” “ Not that I believe him though,” continued Mrs. Brown. “ From what I'veheern tell since. I b'lieve Miss Alma jist went there to nurse her sweetheart.” “ To nurse her sweetheart ? Good heaven I What do yru mean'?” “ Which I spoke plain enough for anybody founder-tand me,"retorted Mrs. Brown, who wag still very far from being in an amiable state of mind. “ I said—or leastways I thought 1 said—that over there abe went to nurse her sweetheart, and I am not a-goin’ to depart from that sayin’ to please nobody.”

NfV.r in bis life bad the Professor found it so difficult to ccntrol bis temper, but he knew that sny outburst on his part would so excite the lady as to render all further questioning nseless; so, os mildly as was possible to him, he asked whether she knew the name of the gentleman she assumed to be bis niece’s sweetheart.

“ Which he is the captain of the gold escort, and bis name, so fur as I’ve heerd, is something like Lasiell.” Ur. Stephen Tredegar was not in the habit of using bad language, but on this occasion be did indulge in a lew naughty words which bad better be left to the readers imagination. Then, being a man of prompt action when the necessity arose, he proceeded to pack his portmanteau, and a trunk which belonged to his niece. That done, be called in Mrs. Brown and asked her whether she had any objection to lei Susie accompany Alms to Melbourne, offering to give her ten pounds on account of the girl's wages in the event of her consenting.

“ Make it twenty, and I’m agreeable,” said the lady, who, in view of the share that Susie had taken in liberating the prisoners, felt only too glad to get rid of her tor awhile. ” You won't be long away, I suppose 7” ‘ You shall have twenty—here 1s the money. If we do not nturn in two months, I will send Susie back to yon by coach. Now, oblige me by making up a bag or box ol bet clothes. lam going to get the innkeeper to drive me over to the Mountain Hut, and I'll call for them immediately."

There had been an awful to do when morning came and it was found that the prisoners had escaped, having previously placed their manacles on their captors, thus adding insult to injury. The wrath of Sergeant O’Moro was especially something terrible to witness. He had been roused by a man who officiated as groom, and, at first, was too contused to understand anything. His tongue was furred, his head ached dreadfully, and he felt a strange sensation of nausea which was quite new to bis experience. A sight of his wrists, when he attempted to raise a hand to his aching head, gave him tba first inkling of the truth, and, as the whole tremendous situation gradually dawned npon him, he slipped off the bed on to his feet, and swore such fearful oaths in Irish that his hearers were struck dumb with admiration.

Of course, nothing oculd be done. There was not a horse to be had (or love or money, and pursuit on foot would be worse than useless, so he was obliged to wait for the coach, and pass the intervening time in anathamaUsing the Mountain Hut and everybody connected with it. Upon Susie, the erst while gallant O’More was especially hard. Ha openly accused her of hoonssing himself and his men, and threatened to arrest her on the spot. But here Harry Laaocllea interfered. He pointed out that there was absolutely no proof whatever of the truth of this assertion, and, stated that, (or hia part, he thought it more probable that whisky had more to do with their sleep than drug. The sergeant demanded what the b’ank business it waa of hia, whereupon Hairy recommended him to keep a civil tongue in his head, or it might be the worse for him, and suggested that, if he had any suspicion of ho enssing, he had better seenre some evidence such as might be afforded on examination ol the pots, dm., tor instance. The sergeant had not thought of this before, but would not acknowledge his indebtedness for the suggestion; which, however, he did not disdain to adopt, and collected the dregs ol the cups and ol the sauoepan which he took with him for analysis in Melbourne.

The departure of O’Mora and hia troop, at last restored something like peace to the estaMishment, and all bauds began to breathe more freely. Alma and Harry had felt very anxious (or a time, but on the following morning, they bad almost come to regard the mailer as a good joke, and were laughing over their recollections of the sergeant’s forlorn appearance, when Susie ran into the parlor in a tremendous state of agitation. “ Oh. miss I Oh, sir 1” she cried. “ Here’s Mr. Eager loomin' up the road in a buggy P The arrival of this gentleman bad, of course, been expected to take place at any time; and, indeed, Alma and Harry had wondered that they bad been left in peace for so long a time ; still neither oonld hear that he waa actually on the spot without a feeling of trepidation. " Shall I see him first, dear 7” asked Harry, of Alma. “ Or will you 7 Or shall we receive him together?”

For the moment, Alma felt disposed to run away, and leave her lover to bear the brunt of the firas onslaught; but she reflected that Harry was still weak, and very unfit to cope with such an antagonist as her uncle, and she bravely determined to face him alone. “ I will see him first, Harry,” she said. “ Go now to your room, and join ns in about a quarter of ao hour. 1 won’t have yon worried, while yon are so weak, it I can help it.” When the Professor entered—cold, stern and silent as the statue of the Commeudatore in Don Giovanni Alma arose to meet him.

” Good morning, uncle,” she said, kissing his unwilling check. “ I suppose you were surprised to find that I had come here ?” " Very much ao indeed,” replied the Prolasaor, frigidly.

“You see, I learnt that Harry—yon remember Harry Ltaeellea, uncle?—l heard that Harry lay here badly wounded, with no one to none him ; and, of course, I bad to come to him, yon knowl" This, Alma delivered as defiantly as she waa able; but her heart beet feet, and she felt dreadfully afraid.

" I see no ‘ of course ’ about it, said the Professor, grimly, “ I am not aware that it is the usual practice for young ladies to act as nurses to young men of their acquaintance.” “Oh. but Harry is different, you know uncle,” retorted Alms, “ I know nothing of the kind. I believe you met by accident, and became acquainted without any formal introduction. You struck up a boy and girl friendship, which lasted for A few days, and then the young man disaopeared; and, I mast say, I had hoped that we should never be troubled with him again.” This was terrible I A boy and girl friendship I Alma felt the insult keenly, but she did not know bow to reply. H»r uncle continued;

“ The yonng man appeared to me to be forward and impudent, with the manners of a snob, and the appearance of a swell-mob’s-man.”

This was too mnch I Alma flashed a furious glance at the Professor, and, -in ringing tones retorted;

" You arc ctnel and unjust I Every word you have said about Mr, Harry Lascelles is wickedly false, and you know it I” Stephen Tredegar felt that he bad gone too far. It had been his policy hitherto to laugh at the love affair between the yonng people, and treat if as a mere folly, which would be forgotten by the time they arrived at the years of discretion. Now, in a moment of irritation, ho had done more mischief than be could easily repair. He essayed to apologise.

“ It ia yon who are unjust to me, Alma. lam not eruel or false; nor am I knowingly unjust. I admit that prejudice against the young man has perhaps made me look upon him with a jaundiced eye,and attribute to him faults which be does not possess : but what I said was honestly meant at anyrate. I only met him onoe or twice, and, on each occasion, we were placed in a position cf antagonism towards one another. 7ou will forgive me, therefore, if I have been mistaken in my estimate of his character.” Alma, half molified, yet scarce convinced of her uncle’s sincerity .stammered something in reply, to the effect that she was glad to hear the explanation, and hoped that be and Harry would learn to know one another better in the future.

She bad scarcely ceased, when Harry earns in, and walked up to Mr. Tredegar, with outstretched baud.

“ How do you do, sir?” be said. “ I hope yon are not angry with your niece for coming here to nurse me; for, without her care, I should have fared very badly; as Dr. Biumgarten will tell you, if you ask him.” The Professor could not refuse the young man’s hand, but he only just touched it, and bowed coldly. " You will forgive me for laying, that I cannot help regretting that Miss Tredegar thought it necessary to come here. She is scarcely of an age to undertake the duties of a hospital nurse, without laying herself open to remark ; neither is a bush public house s fitting place lor a young lady to stay in, at any time.”

mere idea of marriage would be profanation.” “ Yet the affection, which I then told you subsisted between us, has stood the test of nearly a year's separation,” said Harry. " I regret to hear it. I had hoped that you had, both of you, outgrown this calf-love long ago. Now, as formerly, sir, I tell you that 1 have other views for my niece, and that I must respectfully decline the honor you propose to confer upon ns.” “ And now, as formerly, Mr. Tredegar, I tell you that I will never give her np, and that she, also, will be true to me I” retorted Harry, defiantly. “ I suppose you calculate upon making use of this mad freak of the silly girl’s to damage her reputation in the eyes of society, and so force her into the only marriage that will be possible for her," said the Professor.

” Fortunately, sir,’’said Harry, with a very poor attempt at a laugh— 11 fortunately, the world is never likely to heat of your niece’s kindness.” He oould not bring himself to speak of her as Miss Tredegar, and, as yet, he had not the courage to use her Christian name.

"Sirl” exclaimed Horry, furiously enraged, " yon are—” “ Stop, sir 1” interrupted the Professor. “ My niece is here." Indeed Alma had entered just in time to prevent a very serious quarrel, which both the men desired to avoid at that moment. She had heard the voice of her lover raised in anger, and his flushed face told the rest of the story. “ We are quite ready, uncle,” she said. “ I hope Harry has explained everything to yonr satisfaction.”

11 1 oannot say that he has," said the Profeeaor. “ StU there ia do time for farther discussion, as the coach will be here in a minute or two. Mr. Lssoelles, oar address in Melbourne will be at the Fort Phillip Club hotel, (or a few days, at any rate. I wish you good-bye, and hope that when we next meet you will be quite recovered in every way." As he said this Mr. Tredegar walked out of the room, leaving the lovers together, ft was not policy to offend his niece, and he rightly calculated that this action on his part-would do much to establish him in her good opinion, whilst no possible harm could result from permitting the young peoplp to enjoy the felicity of a few last words together.

“We shall meet soon, Harry ?’ J ashed Alma. ” Yon will call at the hotel as soon as you get to town ?" “Of course I will, darling. I shall start this afternoon, and reach Melbourne in a couple of days. I must take my time, you know, tor I am not strong enough yet to stand a very long day’s journey.”. Just then the coach drove up to the door, and there was time only (or a long, loving kiss before Alma had to point out her luggage, say farewell to Mrs. Rigby, and taka her seat.

“ The world, Mr. Lescelles, hears everything 1 ' returned the Professor. 11 You may take it as a general rule that precisely those things which you would wish to keep most strictly hidden, arc the most talked of. 1 have not the slightest doubt that, before the week is out, we shall see a full account of my niece’s freak in the Melbourne papers.” “ It is lucky then that her teal name is unknown here," said Harry, “ It is lucky, sir : but, that it will leak out in coarse of time, I have no doubt whatever. I hope you have recovered from your wounds?’’

Harry stood for a long time in the verandah gazing after the coach, which, however, was soon hidden from view in an immense cloud of dust, and then he, too, made preparations for departure. / But he had over-estimated his strength, and when on the following morning he arrived at Kilmore, he fainted as he dismounted from his horse, and was imperatively ordered by the local surgeon not to attempt to pursue his journey for at least three days. The delay was maddening, but he consoled himself by writing a letter to Alma, which was so bulky that it required treble the usual amount for postage.

CHAPTER XXXVII. A STOBE-HODSB OF GOLD. On bis return to Silver Creek, Bertie set to work in earnest. He was determined to make as much money, is] as abort a time as possible, so he drove in his piok with feverish energy, and managed somehow to de as much work as be and Dart had hitherto done together. He was madly anxious to rehabilitateghis character, which he considered could only be accomplished by the conviction of the real offenders. He was also very much in love, and longed to be able to put himself tight with the world, so that he might claim the lady without exposing her to the sneers and slights of censorious acquaintances. He still thought that he and Seth should have continued the pursuit of Johnson, and he never doubted (or a moment that the police would fail to capture him. It behoved him, therefore, he thought, to be ready to start at any moment, when the news arrived of their failure, and Dart could no longer oppose to his resolve the proposition that the work would be more efficiently performed by those who were accustomed to it.

“ Yes, Mr. Tredegar—thanks to Dr, Baumgarten, and, above all, to your niece, I am getting quite strong again. “ That is fortunate,” said the Professor, soldly, "as yon will be better able to dispense with the services of your nurse, Alma, my dear, will you be so good as to pack up your things without delay, and tell Susan to do the same 7 The coach will be here in balf-an-hour, and there is no time to lose." "The coach, ancle I exclaimed Alma. “Are we not going back to Alsatia ?’’ “ No, my dear, we go on to Melbourne, at once. 1 have brought over the things you left behind, and also a box for Susan. You may tell her that her mother has consented to her accompanying ns.” Alma and Harry exchanged an eloquent glance, this news transcended their expectatations. Harry must necessarily go to town, almost immediately, and they would, of coarse, meet again very soon. Very joyfully the girl r»u away to fulfil her uncle's behests, little thinking that their ultimate destination was Sydney, and that he lolly intended to to remain as short a time as possible in Melbourne.

At supper, on the evening of their return, Bertie propounded this theory to Seth, and asked his opinion about it. “ Wa-al, I dunno,” replied the youth, pensively laying down his knifo and fork. “Thut’s points in favor of the perliee, an' thur’s points again ’em. Ytr see, they knqws the lay o’ the land, and Australia ain’t like America—a man can’t live in the bush, ’cos there’s mostly no water, an’ no game ter speak of. He’s bound ter make for some settlement, an’ then they kin learn about him easy enough. It's agi’n ’em, though, and they’re ez full of oonsate ez an egg is of meat. Altogether, I think it's even bettin’ they overhauls him.”

There occurred a pause after she had left, for each of the gentlemen waited for the other to begin. Some explanation, and settlement of thtir future relations, was imperative, and each hesitated to speak; Harry, because he scarcely knew what to say, and the Professor, because he made it a rule in each oases to await his opponent’s attack. As might be expected, the younger man gave way, and, with some hesitation and stammering, asked the other whether he remembered the last conversation they bad had together.

11 Don't yon think we should have stood a better show ?” “ I dunno ez I do. For sartin we’d make arter him like we meant to hev him, but then there's a big reward offered, an’ a Solioeman hez a mighty keen scent fur the imes. No, I guess they’ll do thur level best. Ef so be they do jack up the game, why in course we kin chip in; but it seems to me out furst biz is to make our pile," “There I agree with you, and make it quickly, too.” “ Then let's take a look at the pool tomorrow. I’ll bet my life there’s a nation lot o' gold washed down over the rooks into that same pool. See here, arter dinner you lights jet pipe, an’ we goes for a smoke ez usual. Then I’ll jiet shin up the old tree, an’ roost thar, whilst you prespect in the water. Nobody can’t come anigh us ’itbout me a-seeing of ’em, and, et we find it’s a sure thing, why jest sell out this yer claim an’ put our pegs in down below.” On the following day they acted upon this suggestion, and were richly rewarded for their trouble. Bertie found in fact, a veritable treasure, lying almost on the surface. He unearthed two or three fair-sized nuggets, and the sand yielded a splendid prospect of find gold; whilst from the formation of the ground it seemed reasonable to expect that a considerable area would prove equally auriferous. Seth was in a state of the wildest excitement. He kept climbing up and down the tree until his trousers were torn to rags, and indulged in yells of delight at every fresh discovery. Bat it would not do to attract attention to their proceedings by too long an absence from their ordinary work, so, after a oouple of hours had been spent in this agreeable manner, Bertie insisted upon returning to the claim, having previously removed all trace of hie labor in the pool. Dart came home that evening and reported his failure. He would have followed his uncle to Melbourne, but had cot sulliciect money with him, and there did not seem to be any immediate necessity for harry as he calculated upon being able to ascertain his sister a address from Harry Larodles. On hearing of the result of Bertie's prospecting in the pool he at once agreed that it would be advisable to shift their pegs down there and sell out of their present Of™. so > when they had finished their supper all (three adjourned to the public-house further up the oreek, at which the oonvivially moaned of the miners were wont to assemble of an evening.

" Well, really, Ur. Lascelles,” replied the Ftofesesor, with a fine smile; considering the lapse of lime, I think you must give me credit tor an extraordinary memory. I cannot say that I do remember what ooonrred on the occasion to which you allude.” Stephen Tredegar knew well enough that the yonng man would not believe him, but that was of no importance in bis eyes. He sought to embarrass bis adversary, and, if possible, cause him to lose hie temper—a method ol procedure very much in vogue in the diplomatic world.

"Yon cannot surely have forgotten that I told you that your niece had consented to become my wife?" said Harry waxing very ted in the lace.

" Pardon me," returned the Professor, with a most aggravating smile; now you remind me, I do remember that you made some such statement. You see, I looked upon the thing as so utterly absurd, that I had forgotten all about it."

“ 1 do “o* »ee where the absurdity comes in,’ Harry said, striving hard to avoid (bowing his wrath. ” When a gentleman makes a proposal for tha hand of a young lady to her father, or guardian, it is usually regarded as a matter for grave discussion, and in no way a subject for laughter," “ Yon speak like a book, Mr. Lasoelles; but yon seem to forget that the oases are scarcely analogous, I am inclined to think that laughter is the most ssnsible way in which to reoeive a proposal of marriage under suoh circumstances as yon made it to me. Cue surely may be permitted to laugh at the idea of two children entering into suoh an engagement.”

“ I was Mo child, sir I” retorted Harry, furiously. “I was a man, able to know my own mind, and force others to understand that 1 expected to be treated with the respect due to a gentleman I” “ If yon will have it so, I will concede the point, although I believe you were not of age at the time, hot my niece was, and is, a mere child, in connection with whom the

As usual, the bat was crowded, as also was the adjacent billiard-room—for, notwithstanding that the diggings was only in its babyhood, ao to say, it already boasted the possession of a billiard-table, over which large sums of money changed hands nightly. Certainly the table was of an obsolete pattern, with huge pockets, and cushions padded with felt, whilst the balls were of different sizes, and —one might almost say —shapes ; but, nevertheless, it was undenialy a billiard-table, and served quite suffioiently well for gambling purposes. Our friends found they they could not have arrived at a more opportune moment, for two or three speculators from Forest Creek were in the bar, " shouting” fer all hands, and endeavouring to ingratiate themselves with the diggers. On preoeiving the new comers, one of these gentlemen at once invited them to join him in a drink, and they soon struck up an acquaintance which opened the way to business.

“ Yon are located on the creek?” asked their new friend, after they had drank his health, in some villainous mixture which the landlord termed “real Glenlivat.” “ Yes, wo had the last claim in the Gully,’’ replied Bertie. “ Have you had any luck ?" “ Hither; ours is reckoned as rich a claim as there is on the Creek.” “ Well, it you want a sleeping partner let me know,” said the gentleman from Forest Creek. “My name’s Jones—Piebald Jones, they call me at onr diggings. You see, there’s Black Jones and Sandy Jones, and, as my hair is rather mottled they call me Piebald Jones.”

Mr. Jones seemed in no way displeased at the laughter which followed the announcement of the queer title conferred upon him, and readily joined in the merriment, adding that it didn’t matter to him what the boys called him, as long as it was meant in a friendly spirit. " See now, Mr. Jones,” said Bertie, after a minute’s consultation with Dart, “ you offered yourself as our partner, how would it suit you to buy us right out altogether ?” " I don’t mind, if the claim suits. But why are you leaving a good thing 7” 11 Because we have got a better thing elsewhere,” replied Bertie. “ Oh, I see I Well I’ll just skirmish round and find cut a little about the place and look you up to morrow. What do you want for the claim? ’ “ A thousand pounds," said Bertie. "It is honestly worth a great deal more, but we are in a hurry, and if you bring us the money to-morrow we will hand over possession a I once.”

“That’s (air enough,” said Mr, Pieball Jones. “ I like your style—name your prici and stick to it. It saves a lot of trouble i i business, and prevents people from losing their tempers. Now we’ll have anothti round if you please. Landlord, ask tbs gentlemen what they will take 1” It was long past midnight before our friends were permitted to leave the “ Gay and festive” scene, for Mr. Piebald Jones stuck to them like*a leech, and refused to let them go, as long as he was capable of speech. Both Bertie and Dart had drank warily, but it must be confessed that master Seth, who always comported himself as if he were a full grown man, was most outrageously tipsy. He was a great favorite with the diggers, who delighted to listen to his accounts of marvellous adventures among the Indians and in California, and, whilst Bertie and Dart had been engaged with their new acquaintance, Piebald Jones, Mr. Seth Parkins, seated upon a barrel, had held forth to an admiring circle of friends, who insisted upon his taking a full share of each round of drinks that was ordered. It resulted that when they left the inn he, to his immense surprise, tuund that his legs were no longer under the control of his will, but persisted in going in every direction but the right one, until they finally got twisted up with a verandah post, and brought him to the ground. “ Gosh!” he exclaimed, when Bertie and Dart ran to his rescue, “ thish yer game be-be-boats me. I dunno—hie I—wa’s the mar er wi m’ legs! Mus’ a got pizened somehow—hiol You'll egsouaha me," he added, after they had lifted him up, and would fain have supported him. “ You’ll egsoushe me—l don’ want no pawin’ biznish -hie! Guess I kin walk 'sh ehtraight ez you.” Here his errant legs once more took control, and ran away with him down the hill, finally depositing him, on the broad of his back, in a tale race. From thenoe ho was extracted by his companions just ia time to save him from suffocation, and fairly carried homo and put to bed.

Once upon a time we.owned two monkeys. One, a female hailing from Java, answered to the name of Jenny ; the other, Jocko, a red cicsted male, cdme from India. Jenny had lived with us for a year or two before wo became possessed of Jocko, and she had somehow acquired very dissipated habits. She was usually permitted to come into the dining-room after dinner, and participate in the dessert; but for fruit or nuts she oared nothing if she oould obtain a glass of wine. On occasions, when strangers were present for instance, she was indulged to an undue extent, and got moat lamentably drunk. If Darwin had seen her in that condition, he would have been well convinced of the truth of his theory that man is descended from the monkey. Jenny would laugh and chatter at first, then lose her temper, and try to bite, and finally become maudlin and sleepy—precisely after the fashion of an intoxicated human being. But she enjoyed a splendid constitution, and always awoke the next morning “as fresh as paint," and ready to get drunk at the first opportunity. • Now, when Jocko came, he also was introduced at dessert lime, and it happened onoe that he became intoxicated. The next morning, on visiting him, we found him sitting on his haunches, with his hands clasped over his head—evidently suffering from a violent headache. Nothing that we could say or do would induoe him to eat, drink, or even move; and, when at last we became too pressing in our attentions, Master Jocko commenced pelting us with pebbles. From that time forward he was a teetotaller. So rabidly good-templarist was he, indeed, that he would fly into a violent passion if any species of intoxicating drink were offered to him.

I have related this anecdote because Jooko’s condition precisely serves to illustrate the state to whioh Mr. Seth Parkins was reduced by his debauch. He, too, awoke with a violent headache, and lay all day groaning in agony; bat I regret to say, he did not follow Jooko’s example of total abstinence for the future.

The resalt ot Piebald Jones’s enquiries proved so far satisfactory that after a very onrsory examination of the claim, he closed the bargain, and paid over the required sum to Bertie and Dart.

For their part, as soon as the transaction was concluded, they struck their tent, and repitohed under the memorable box-tree, pegging out a claim which embraced the whole of the pool underneath the waterfall.

® For a few days, just to give the thing a start as be said, Dart worked willingly enough with the others, and, indeed the results of their labor was so astounding that it was almost impossible to think of anything else. They had come on a veritable store-house of gold, and, in one week, obtained more than all other claims in the gully combined had returned since the first ground was broken. (JV he continued.) ( '.970^