Australian Tales and Adventures.

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

Australian Tales and Adventures.

a_ No 59.-(cL;«w.)

VANDERMANMSS LUCK By Grosvenor Bunster- ♦ “ You Ist der most sensib! .womans—aoh I lady I mean -I cv-t did mat." ejaculated Hennob for hifl BDioK6| ftud tins l&st observation per* haps went farther to inspi, e tu m w , t ij B( j. miration for the lady than My other charm or attribute possessed by her

11 Oh yes. I like to seo a msfcmoke,” said Mrs. Spencer. “It looks eosy&j domestic, I think it is pleasant to see a ml 0 n one side of the fire enjoying bis pipe, wß e his wife site on the other knitting or darftig.’ l “ Aohl y»h I ” sighed the l>uk*ian, “ and mit der little pabiee in de cot it der orner —yes," and he puffed contempts ively at his pipe. It was with the utmost difieclty that the widow restrained hermerrimett. “ You pugbt to get married, it. Vender - manna,” she said presently. "Ttien your wife could mind yonr store while i. u looked after your claim.’’ “ Der Tenfel 1” ejaculated Hem ch, 11 Dat is so. I nefler did of that think b». n>—nay. But Gott in Hemmell, minejdear h.iy -who wonld baf each an oggly mans as 'lay.” " My dear Mr. Vandermanne ’ said the widow earnestly. “You don’t naderstand women. Yon,think all they care tor are good looks. Well women do cue tor go'd looks in their husbands. But what Day think good looks are something different to what yon think. Women don’t care for r>en who look like girls in disguise, who oil am plaster their hair and wear dainty monetaeles and small boots and eoent themselves. Hih 1 No, a woman likes a man to look ma y. She lores strength, force, honest courage, above all things. Now I don’t wish to llatier you Mr. Vandermanns, but yonr appearand conveys an impression of those virtues. You are neatly quite the sort of man most women could fancy."

The honest Dutchman's faoe was a study. Delight, incredulity, surprised modesty, ind withal a certain dignity of consciousness that the lady’s words were no more that truth were mirrored in Vandermann’s visage. He sat for some moments in silence, puffing at bis pipe. Then he raised his bead—the lady who was furtively watching him started and a quick blush suffused her oomely (ace. She read that in the Dutchman’s eyes which gsve her some uneasiness, and yet was not altogether unwelcome. “Mistress Spencer,”said the Dutchman, sitting bis pipe on the hob of the fireplace. “I am a man of slow thought. I h&f not the wavs of the polite world. But I wants to be truthful and honest und I wants not to say noting which shall gif offence to you.”

“ I am sure of that Mr. Vandermanns" said the widow, somewhat tremulously. “ Well then, matam ; you will not rude of me take it if I ask of you a question, though you I know not until yesterday. “By no moans sir, because I know you will not ask a question which I ought not to hear.” “Aoh! I know not that. But you must me take as lam matam. Now yuu tolls me dat I am der sort of mans a vomans could fancy.” “ 1 do," said the widow decisively. “Well," proceeded the Dutchman clearing his throat, “ Am I der sort of mans you could fancy."

“ Oh 1” cried the widow, her face aflame—- " that ia not fair Mr. Vandermanns."

11 Berhapa not, 1 am but a common mans you aee. But 1 thought—" 41 Well, now," cried the lady courageously. 14 As you have been ao straightforward with me, I will meet you on your own ground. Yea, Mr. Vandermanns, always supposing that further acquaintance confirmed my present impression of you, I can honestly say that you are the man I could fancy for a husband." He or she who could have laughed as Henrich Vandermanns knelt on one knee, and pressed the lady's hand to his lips, must have possessed a very coarse grained and unsympathetic nature. The widow at any rate admired the chivalrous act, secretly deter, mined in her own mind that the simple slowwitted Dutchman was superior to all the fine gentlemen of her acquaintance. “Matam," resumed the Dutchman," as he once more proceeded to light his pipe. 44 Will you stop here for one month, so that you may mo see, und so, also, I may you see."

44 Agreed," said the widow, 44 and now we will drop this conversation for the present.” When Mrs. Thompson came in from the bar she waa surprised and delighted to find that her favorite lodger bad developed a talent for which no person had herctof ire given him credit. He was narrating with a graphic force and eloquence which were in no wise lessened by his quaint and curious Knglish, adventure by land and sea of thrilling interest. For the first time she learned that he was of good, even noble family; that he had been a soldier and had fought in many a well contested battle; that he had travelled all over the world. She knew before, that like most Dutchmen he was a musician, and that he E assessed skill as a caricaturist. Also that e was a mechanical genius. But she bad never before heard him sing the songs of tbs Fatherland, with such a low sweet penetrating and sympathetic voice, as he now exhibited the possession of. And all this was due to the visit of Mrs. Spencer. With a laugh and a nod the good dame observed that the widow bad evoked more out of the Dutchman's inner consciousness than all the gully suspected he owned. The month passed in sober wooing, and at its termination the widow frankly avowed that she was glad and grateful for the Dutchman's offer of marriage. Hentioh had already taken the hint, and was now constructing a building in tho one street of the township which he proposed to open as a store. Never surely was there a happier man; never surely had the magio wand of Cupid so bnrst asunder the bonds of diffidence and reserve and apathy as in this case. The Dutchman absolutely became famed for a certain heavy wit. He was now known as the best dressed man on the lead. He was more hospitable than ever. Only in one respect did he exhibit the stolid obstinacy of character which had marked him for a butt when he first settled in the gully. Nobody could persuade him of bis folly in sinking the shaft in the side of the hill, on the spat known bs tho Dutchman's claim. He kept men regularly at work driving and sinking, and to all adverse commentaries upon this course of conduct turned an indifferent car.

The day of marriaco had been fixed. The widow bad gone to Melbourne and returned to Mad Tom's Gully with numerous boxt* and bnudles. Honrioh was calmly happy. In three days more be would be in poeseseton of the woman he loved with all the passionate strength of such natures, when one evening his dreams were cruelly dispelled, his happiness wrecked, his hopes scattered to tha winds. He was somewhat lata that evening, returning from bis claim. As be entered hie hotel, the lights were shining through the windows. Passing by the window ol Mrs. Thompson’s snuggery, be noted ths shadow o|

k man's bead and form. There was nothing in this; and jet an indescribable pang was felt by the honest fellow - presage surely of the dire truth which was to come to him. Entering the room he found a stranger there. The widow was not present. The . landlady was not in the bar. Where ist Mrs. Spencer, Jenny ?" asked the Dutchman addressing the girl in the bar. “Mrs. Spencer sir." said the stranger, “ has retired to her room. A little conversation we have had together has somewhat disturbed her.” The Dutchman turned and fixed his eyes on the speaker. He was a tall, handsome, but somewhat sinister person, with cold black eyes, dark complexion and unpleasant up turn of the lip, which was sufficiently exasperating in its significance. “ And who der Teufel are you?'' cried the Dutchman. Me I oh I am Mr. Spencer the lady's busband you know.'' The Dutchman staggered back, and bolding the mantel shelf by one band swayed to and fro like a drunken man. 1 '

“ Her hustbandt,” he gasped, his eves fixed upon the sneering face of the stranger. “Her hustbandt, Ihnnnr imd h’ityn‘> Nay. Not so. She haf not a busbandt. You lie."

"You are not polite sir and I decline to discuss the question with you. I refer you to the lady herself.”

Here Mrs, Thompson entered the room. Her eyes were red with weeping; she beckoned Vandermanns and, dazed and bewildered he went forth, the strangers low cruel laugh ringing in bis ears. “What ist (Us?" he demanded from the landlady. Hhe did not answer but led him to another room. There he found Mrs. Spencer her face buried in the cushions of a sofa, and, overcome by grief. What ist dis Maria," he asked with strained voice. She turned and looked at him. “Ahl Hcnrieh, Heaven is not just. Yes, my husband has returned to me. He is not dead. Think, be himself caused report to be spread of bis death by shipwreck, supplied the proofs, for years sought to confirm me in ' the truth. For what ? That he might torture me. He is the cruellest, the vilest of men.” “ I will kill him," said Vandermanns determedly. “ Hush, hush—do not speak so wildly. No dear Heerich we must part, it is our fate.” “ You will go mil fist mans 7 " ejaculated the Dutchman with Oppressed rage. " Never,” she cried. •• I could die first. But be ii my husband dssr, and we cannot marry. We mast part,” and Ae took bis great hand and pressed her lips upon it, and wept hot tears over it—pressing it to her bosom in an agony of grief. The Dutchman's huge frame was convulsed by bis emotions. For some time be was silent. Then he sat by her side.

“ Maria, mine dear," said he, “ this ist bad. Ant we need not part. You cannot marry me -etch! Dat ist bad. Bat mine dear love it yea leaf me I shall dk—yss. Listen. H you cannot be mine wife jou can be mine dear sister. You shall lit mr. goot Misdress Thompson and I'Shall lif at dst store, and yon shall be mine sister and I shall be your broder. I lot you mine tear, better than as to part mil yon. What say you Muia 1 ” Mrs. Thompson, listaing to this honest speech burst into a passion of tears. To her thought such disinteres.ed affection was more than human. It tonoked her deeply. As for Mrs. Spencer ehe threw her arms around the Dutchman's neck aid kissed him passionately. “ You good man,” she sobbed. '■ Never lived there snob a man. Yes ilenrich, I will bs your sister, you shall be my brother.” “ Goot. Und now I shall say a few words to your goot hosbandt," and he left the room.

Bui when he returned to the parlor he found the stranger pone. Kor did that unwelcome person return that night, albeit he had arranged to do so. In the morning the Dutchman sought him high andloir. Jt was later than usual when he arrived at his claim. To his surprise ho i.mnd quite a crowd around the windlass. “ What ist der matter " he asked.

41 A dead body found at the bottom of tiro sinking Mr, Vandermanns. Hoist away boys. Ah here it is. A stranger I guest.”

Vandermanns looked over the shoulder of the crowd. The corpse was swung by its waist. Its head and bust were bent backwards, hut the Dutchman caught a glimpse of the face. It was that of the stranger -Mrs. Spencer's husband. He could have sworn to that sneer anywhere, Vandermanns turned quietly away and returned to the hotel. He found his lady lova seated in the private parlor which Mrs. Thompson had given up to her. There was something in her lover's face which inspired hope. “What is it 7" she asked seizing bis hands. 44 Mine dear," he said 44 the ways of Oott are mysderious. You arc indeed and indeed ■ widow." “What? How,"

“Your husbandt ia dead M»ria. He fell down mine glaim und broke his nock, boor vollow."

What the lady thought 1 know not. Dut the light of hope and joy which came into her face almost shocked her lover, He could not quite understand the ecstaey which was superior to all conventionalism, and which was the outcome ot the knowledge that liberty from an intolerable slavery was at last a reality. Nobody but Mrs. Thompson and tho two persons most concerned knew anything about the dead stranger. The girl in the bat being cleverly cross examined exhibited no knowledge of his relations to Mrs. Spencer —she bad not beard the conversation between the two men in which that relation was disclosed. And so silence was determined upon. The coroner's verdict stated that a person unknown bad met with bis death by accidentally falling down a shaft. And them the matter ended.

Two days after the death of one hnsbanl Mrs. Spenoer took another, in the person of honest Henrich Vandermanns, Upon the morning of the wedding day the Dutobmao instructed his men to cease further sinking, and to fill in the shaft.

"My glaim has brought me look cnuff mine dear" be said to bis wife," 1 will not tempt fortune more." And so the whole gully laughed at this new specimen of cccsntricity as the part of the Dutchman, little dreaming of the facts which had moved him to the course he had adopted. Nor could anybody understand why Henrich Vandermauns enclosed the area of his ground with a neat fence, and planted trees and shrubs thereon. It was all put down to bis queer ways. But Vandermanns and his wife knew right well why this was done, and why. almost every Sunday, when they stroll down to the old claim, the honest Dutchman exclaims. “ Aoh 1 yah - mine tear. There lies mine lucky glaim." Hut by the general public all this is unknown and to this day, the inquiring stranger is informed that the mound end the enclosure ars the monument end grave of Henrioh Vendermano’s hopee and the eepulehre of hie eooentrie speculations. He ie told sarcastically, that iris the Datohman’a olaim.