The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1881-12-31 00:00:00

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I

MY AUSTRALIAN VOYAGE,
AND WHAT CAME OF IT.

"Do not run away, Saunders, or you will lose the
story. If you are wanted, Darrell (the second -mate)
will be sure to call you."
The severe etiquette which prevails in the mercan-
tile marine, equally with the navy, rendered it impos-
sible for Mr. Saunders to persist in his first intention
after his superior officer had expressed so decided an
opinion, and he, consequently, resumed his former
position.

just as she was putting her foot on the ladder, the
captain interposed, saying—
" Pardon me preceding you, my dear young lady,
but I wish to satisfy myself, with my own eyes,
that nothing we require has been forgotten. I shall
return in one moment and will then help you down,
myself."
The captain, as he spoke, hastily descended into the
boat, scarcely, however, had he done so, than, unfor-
tunately, by accident, the rope by which it was made
fast to the ship was severed, and in an instant it had
drifted away in the darkness. A faint exclamation
escaped Miss Brereton, as she preceived what had
occurred. In my ignorance of nautical affairs, I
endeavoured to reassure her by saying—
" The men have oars, and will quickly pull back to
the ship."
"Impossible !" exclaimed Mr. Darrell. "To at-
tempt to go about in such a sea as this, is quite out of
the question. They must keep the boat before the
wind, or she will swamp instantly. lam sorry, Miss
Brereton, that you should be separated from your
aunt, but there is no help for it. You must go with
us in the pinnace, and we must lose no time, for, from
the ugly lurches the vessel is giving, it is evident her
end is near. Possibly we may come up with the long-
boat, in which case, as soon as the weather moderates
a little, I can put you on board of her."
No more was said. I assisted Miss Brereton into
the pinnace, and took my seat in it at the stern;
the sailors followed, Mr. Darrell coming last. We
pushed off from the ship, raised the small sail we car-
ried and steered in the direction the other boats had
taken, but, although the moon had by this time risen,
the night being cloudy, we could see nothing of
them. It only remained therefore, to shape our
course in conformity with the captain's instructions,
and to hope that the following morning we might be
so fortunate as to sight the long-boat. The pinnace
was what is termed "half-decked," so that the waves
which broke continually over her bows caused us but
little inconvenience. Still, notwithstanding the care-
ful steering of Mr. Darrell, who had taken the tiller,
we every now and again shipped a rather heavy sea
amidships, drenching to the skin those who occupied
that part of the boat, and necessitating all hands turn-
ing to to bail her out. Miss Brereton was not exposed
to this discomfort, being under the shelter of the deck,
and being well wrapped up, she did not suffer from
the cold. When, after an anxious night, the day at
last broke, we looked in e;very direction for the other
two boats, but could sec neither of them, although
Mr. Darrell again and again swept the horizon with
his telescope. It seemed indeed, as if by some strange
fatality I was destined not to be separated from Miss
Brereton, and it was not in human nature for a man
placed in the circumstances in which I found myself,
to preserve towards the woman he loved that studied
courtesy of manner which I had hitherto assumed, in
order to conceal the real state of my feelings. It is
true that, by an intense effort of self-control, I re-
frained from uttering one word which involved a
breach Of the troth I had, as I conceived, plighted to
my cousin • still, Miss Brereton could not fail to per-
ceive that I loved her, and doubtless, this being the
case, she was surprised that I hesitated to avow the
regard I entertained for her.
Day succeeded day with but little occurring to vary,
the monotony of our voyage. To hardship and ex-
posure we were necessarily subjected, but we suffered
from neither hunger nor thirst, happily escaping, in
this respect, those terrible experiences which so many
shipwrecked persons have had to relate. The sailors
behaved admirably, and the pistol with which I had
provided myself proved to have been an entirely un-
necessary precaution, for the most unbroken order and
discipline prevailed -during the whole time we were in
the boat. At the expiration of eight days after we had
left the ship we were so lucky, one day, as to sight a
vessel bearing down upon us. When she came near
enough to perceive our signals of distress, she fired a gun
to let us know that we were seen and then lay to
until the pinnace ran alongside of her, when she took
us all on board. The captain of the barque showed us
every kindness and consideration, and we soon re-
covered from the effects of the hardships we had
endured. The vessel proved to be bound for Liver-
pool, and in about six weeks we arrived at that port.
I gave each of the four sailors who had been in the
boat with us ten pounds, and offered to lend Mr.
Darrell whatever money he required. He informed
me, however that he had a sufficient sum with him
for all immediate wants. Miss Brereten was abso-
lutely penniless' for both her jewels and money had,
before she left the ship, been placed in a small bag
belonging to her aunt, which that lady had taken
with her. This circumstance, of course, subjected the
young lady to no inconvenience, as I placed my purse
at her disposal. , When we landed we had neither of
us any other clothes than those we wore; and
consequently, we spent part of the morning
in purchasing such articles of dress as we
absolutely required. This done, we came up
together to London, Miss Brereton's friends, as well
as my own, being resident in the metropolis. She
was, naturally, very uneasy about her aunt and most
anxious to learn if any tidings had been heard of her.
When we arrived at the Euston Station we took a
cab and drove to Kensington, to the residence of her
aunt's married sister, knowing that if she had arrived
safely in England she would be there—which indeed,
proved to be the case. Mrs. Morland had, in fact,
been over a week in London' for both the long-boat
and the yawl had reached the Cape a fortnight after
the wreck, and their respective occupants had taken
passage there for England by a steamer arriving in
port some days earlier than the sailing vessel by which
Miss Brereton and .I. had been rescued. Leaving
aunt and niece to the interchange of mutual congra-
tulations upon their meeting in safety upon the
shores of their native country, I took my leave, pro-
mising to call again on the following day. I would
have avoided doing so—for every moment I passed in
the society of the woman I loved, believing that she
never could be mine, only added to my misery—but it
was not possible, without being -guilty of gross
discourtesy, to decline Mrs. Morland's most pressing
invitation.
After leaving Kensington I drove to my uncle's
house at Olapham, where I arrived about five
o'clock in the evening. I found my uncle alone in the
library. He was not a little surprised and delighted
to see me, and listened with breathless interest to the
relation of the adventures I had met with since I left
home. When I had concluded my narrative
after congratulating me upon my safe return, he
said—

brief pause in the conversation "I love you! I have
loved you almost from the first moment we met. If
you can consent to accept my hand, you need not
doubt that my whole heart goes with it:"
The answer I received may be guessed when I state
that a few weeks later a double wedding took place on
the same day—my cousin and Mr. Barton being the
one couple, and Lydia and myself the other.
Some years have now elapsed since then; but the
First of January never comes round without recalling
vividly to my mind the eventful incidents of one
anniversary of the,clay.

THE DECLINE OF MEMEL.—Vice-Consul Richter
states, as an "undeniable fact," that the celebrated
and long flourishing port of Memel is gradually
decaying, Of all the German towns with a popula-
tion of more than 10,000 inhabitants Memel alone has'
gone back, the census on the Ist December, 1875,
showing a population of 20,057, whereas the last, on
Ist December, 1880, was only 19,602. This unfavour-
able result is accounted for by the emigration of
carpenters bricklayers, and common labourers, who
went to Libau and Riga in search of employment and
better wages.
THE VOLUNTEER RETURNS.—The Returns for the
Volunteer Forces for the year ending October 31, 1881,
have now been made up, and we understand (says the
Volunteer Service Gazette) that they give an increase of
1,600 in the enrolled strength, etnd 3,223 in the efficient
strength, over that of the previous year—the total en-
rolled strength, for 1880-1 being 208,137, and the
number of efficients 200,161. These figures' if correct,
as they probably are substantially, though they have
not been finally checked, show not only some increase
in the enrolled numbers, but a very considerable
reduction in the proportion of "non-efficients."
A LARGE ROPE.—A rope of extra large size has
recently been made for a firm in New Zealand, where
it is to be used in hauling up ships when they run
aground on the soft mud bottom there, which they
occasionally do. This rope is a 21-inch white manilla
hawser, 120 fathomslong, and composed of nine strands
of 316 yarns to the strand. Another rope for the same
purpose is a 15-inch hawser of the same material and
length, and composed of nine strands with 164 yarns
to the strand. When it is remembered that 12-inch
ropes are the largest ordinarily made, the magnitude
of those just described becomes apparent. The two
ropes were manufactured by Messrs. Frost Brothers,
of Shad well.
A ROYAL. PRESENT.—By command of Her Majesty
the Queen, Messrs. Game and Son, purveyors to Her
Majesty, of Nicholas-lanie, London, last week for-
warded to Berlin a baron of beef weighing 3601 b.,
which Her Majesty desired should form a portion of
the Christmas entertainment provided by the Crown
Prince and the Crown Princess of Germany.
EXPECTED HIGH TIDES.—In the months of
January, February, and March of the year 1882,
owing to the moon in perigee and new moon occuring
in each month, within a very short interval of time,
the tides that follow the new moon will be unusually
high, especially those of February 20th and 21st, and
of March 20th, 21st, and 22nd; and should the wind
at the time be such as to favour the progress of the
tide waves the tides will be exceedingly high in the
Thames —Nautical Magazine.
PRIVATE BILLS IN PARLIAMENT.—The number of
Private Bills which have been deposited for next Bes-
sion exceeds the number last year by 91, no less than
323 Bills having been brought forward as against 232
last year. The number of Provisional Orders, which
increases yearly, is far beyond that of any previous
year.
WEIGHTY QUESTION.—The other night a muddle-
headed old lady beard the sound of music out of
doors, and wondered what could be the cause of such
a thing at that unearthly hour. They told her it was
the knits • whereupon she naturally proceeded to,
inquire whether they were Trey or Avoirdupois.—
Fun.
MEMORIAL TO THE LATE SIR GEORGE COLLET.—
An eastern window has just been added to the parish
church of Stoke-next-Guildford to the memory of this
gallant officer by his former comrades, the officers
of the 2nd Queen's. The window, a perpendicular 4
one, has large figures of the Saviour in the centre, ,1
with the four Evangelists in the other principal com-
partments, the arms of the deceased, and a suitable '4
inscription.
THE LATE LIEUTENANT IRVING, R.N.—A memo-
rial cross has just been erected in the Dean Cemetery,
Edinburgh, to the late Lieutenant Irving, R.N., who
was one of the officers in Sir John Franklin's expedi-
tion, and whose remains having been disoovered by
Lieutenant Schwa,tka of the American Search Expedi-
tion in 1879, were brought to Scotland and deposited
In the Dean Cemetery, on the 7th of January last.
The cross is made of Oraigleith stone, and is cut in the i
shape known as an lona Cross. It s decorated with
panel work, illustrative of the voyage of the Erebus
and Terror, and rises with its cairn, to a total height
of 141 t. Gin. An.inscription on the shaft of the cross
sets forth the circumstances under which Lieutenant
Irving met his death, and on the front of the base
is the motto, Decorum est pro patrid mori. The monu-
ment, has been erected by surviving relatives of the
deceased officer.
CHRISTMAS DAY IN NENVGATE.—On Christmas Day
the Lord Mayor of London, in accordance with a
very ancient custom, supplied, with the sanction of the
Prisons' Commissioners, a substantial dinner, consisting
of roast beef and plum pudding, to the officers of New-
gate Goal and the prisoners therein detained, whether
upon remand or commitment for trial. This is the
last occasion upon which this old custom will be
observed, as Newgate, after Saturday, the 31st inst.,
ceases to be a prison of detention, all prisoners
remanded or committed after that date being sent,
the women to Westminster, and the men to Clerken-
well House of Detention and other gaols.
IN LUCK.—lie sat on a window-sill in the Post
office and jingled forty cents in change, and when
another boy asked him if he was going out to look for
Christmas presents he replied :—" No, I hain't. I'm
in luck this year."—" How !"—" Well, my sister is
down with the measles, and she can't expect anythinff
but medicine. Ben run away two weeks ago, and 1
won't have to get him anything. Marn pulled my
hair yestelday, mud rho htICIT,r, guLlCup tvr auly
Christmas presents."—" But there's your father ! "
" Oh, yes. I expected I was stuck on the old man,
and was kinder looking around for a nice pipe, but
this morning he gave me one on the ear; and
that settled his Christmas goose in a second. There
'ere forty cents are going to be used to buy a good boy
a heap of peanuts, taffy, chestnuts and candy, and the
good boy is jist my size and age."—Detroit Free Press
Christmas Number.
BRAVERY REWARDED..742r. Joseph Rafferty

A STORY OF NEW YEAR'S DAY.

BY W. C. M.

I was left an orphan at an early age, both my
parents having died when I was still so young that I
have .retained no very distinct recollection of them.
My father had held, for many years, an appointment
as manager of an insurance company, and had enjoyed
a liberal salary ; but, being a convivial man, and
fond of society, he lived pretty well up to his income.
When, therefore, his affairs came to be looked into,
it was found that the etly provision he had made for
me was a policy on his life for fifteen hundred pounds.
By his will my uncle was appointed his executor and
my guardian, and most conscientiously did he fulfil
his trust. He invested .the money to which I was
entitled so judiciously that the income derived from it
not only defrayed all the expenses of my education,
lint left a small surplus, which continued accumulat-
ing until I came of age.
When I quitted school, try uncle procured for me a
situation in a mercantile house in London., There I
remained some years, rising gradually in the office
until I occupied the post of confidential clerk. With
the senior partner of the firm I became a great
favourite, and my position was, in all respects, a
inost satisfactory one. Just at this time, however, an
&ent occurred which was destined to change the
whole current of my future life. The business of the
house was principally with Australia; and it so hap-
pened that shortly after a large shipment of goods had
on one occasion been made to that colony by our firm,
the consignees became bankrupt. It was deemed
necessary, consequently, to send out to Melbourne
some person in whom implicit confidence could be
placed to look after the interests of the house ; and I
was selected for the duty. Mr. Smith, the gentleman
of whom I have spoken, intimated that if I was suc-
cessful in my undertaking the reward of my efforts
would be a junior partnership on my return to Eng-
land. This was, naturally, an additional stimulus to
my zeal; and I resolved that I would devote all my
energies to the task before me. As the business was
pressing and admitted of no delay, it was arranged
that I should sail for Melbourne by the first vessel
leaving London for that port; and I made prepara-
tions for doing so.
From childhood my uncle's house had been my
home, and there had latterly grown up between my
cousin Ellen and myself a feeling warmer than that of
mere relationship. I was, in fact, or perhaps I should
rather say, I believed myself to be, in love with her,;
but I had made no avowal of my sentiments. The
day before the one on which the packet in which I
had engaged a berth was to leave London, it hap-
pened that on returning home from business in the
afternoon I found my cousin alone in the drawing-
room. Our conversation naturally turned upon my
impending journey, and she seemed so grieved at
parting with me that, carried away by my feelings, I
said more than I had intended. After touching upon
the advantages I should derive from my visit to Aus-
tralia if my mission were successful, I added these
significant words—
" And, Ellen, if all goes well, I shall have some-
thing to say to you when I return home, to which I
hope you will lend a favourable ear."
My cousin coloured deeply as I spoke, for, of
course, she understood me, and replied, in a low,
tender voice—
" You need not fear, Edward, that I shall refuse to
accede to any request you are likely to make."

We were still sitting oTtr our wine when, suddenly,
the vessel experienced so violent a shock that every-
thing on the table was swept to the floor, and, but for
the fact that the chairs were strongly fastened in
their places, the occupants of them would have been
unable to retain their seats. The ship heeled over
to one side frightfully, and it was evident that
she had been what, in nautical parlance, is termed
"taken aback," owing to the sudden chopping
round of the wind, and had, consequently, been
thrown upon her beam-ends—one of the most dangerous
things which can happen to a vessel. The captain
and mate exchanged one meaning glance' and then,
without uttering a single word, rushed from the
cabin. Mr. Knox followed them instantly, and I was
about to do so, when Miss Brereton, pale, but com-
posed—(her aunt was inarticulate with fear)—said to
me—

"Mr. Newton, do not keep us in suspense. Let me
know the worst at once ! "

"I will do so," I responded briefly, as I hurried
up the companion-way. As I ascended it I heard
two terrific crashes one after the other, at intervals of
a few seeonds, which made every timber in the ship
quiver as though it were a thing of life. When I
reached the deck, what a spectacle presented itself to
my eyes! The main and mizen masts had already
gone by the board, and, in another moment the fore-
mast experienced the same fate. A confused mass of
spars and rigging hung over the leeward side- of the
vessel, which the angry waves dashed with fearful
force against the hull; for the tempest had now broken
in all its fury upon the devoted ship. The captain
was shouting out his orders through a speaking-
trumpet to the men, who, armed with axes, were
making desperate efforts to clear away the hamper
with which the wreck was encumbered. It was a
work of difficulty and danger, but in a few minutes it
was accomplished, and then the vessel slowly righted
herself; but being totally dismantled, she drifted like
a mere log upon the bosom of the ocean.
"The worst is past !" I heard the captain say to Mr.
Saunders, who stood near him. "The wind is now
astern, and there is no longer any
,clanger of the vessel
falling into the trough of the sea."
"I I hope not I" was the reply of the mate. "But,"
he added, "had not the well better be sounded? The
mainmast, after it went overboard, struck the ship
with consisierable force amidships below the water-
line, and we may have sprung a leak."
"Well th3ught of!" rejoined the captain. " Let
it be ascertained at once what water there is in the
hold."
Whilst this order was being carried out, I returned
to the cabin, in conformity with my promise to Miss
Brereton, and informed her what had occurred, adding
that the captain appeared confident that the vessel
would outride the storm. Having, so far as was in
my power, relieved her anxiety as to our present con-
dition, I again went on deck, wl*re I found the ship's
carpenter, who wore a very grave face speaking in
an undertone to the chief mate. What he said I
could not hear, but it was evident that his report
must have been unfavourable, for I heard the order
promntly given to rig and man the pumps. This was
done, and the sailors worked at them steadily for
about a quarter of an hour ountil at last they ceased
tc w, although wherefore I could not guess.
5 near the captain, but of course forebore in
such an emergency to worry him with questions of
any kind. I did not, however, remain long in igno-
rance of the nature of the difficulty. The second
mate, whe had been down in the hold to endeavour
to ascertain the extent of the injury the ship had
sustained, came aft to make his report.
"I cannot find. the leak, Sir," he said, "and if I
had'done so, I fear it would have been impracticable
to stop it, for the water is coming in so quickly and in
such quantities that already it is bubbling up
through the grain in the main hatchway, which has,
as you see, completely choked the pumps. What is to
be done?"
Before the captain could reply to this most startling
communication, the crew came aft in a body and the
boatswain—who seemed to have been selected as
their spokesman—said respectfully, but with deter-
mination—
" The ship is sinking, Sir, and we must leave her at
once if we do not want to go down with her. Will
you give orders for the boats to be lowered ? "
"Are you sailors, and ask such a question ? "
demanded the Captain, indignantly. "What boat
could live in such a sea as this ? " Listen to me, my
men; there is no immediate danger of the ship's
foundering, for she is built in compartments and
will keep afloat for some hours at least, Already the
fury of the gale has, in some measure, abated, and
before morning, I doubt not the wind will have
so far moderated that the boats can be launched
in safety. At present it would be madness to attempt
it. Let there be no undue hurry or confusion, for
we have ample time before us to make all
necessary preparations; and, thank God, there is
room enough and to spare, in the three boats for every
soul on board." Then, turning to the chief mate, the
speaker continued, "You, Saunders, will take charge
of the yawl, and it will be your duty to see that it is
properly equipped and provisioned. Darrell, to you
the same instructions apply as regards the pinnace.
The longboat I shall take command of myself. And
now, my lads, to work !"
The sailors, reassured, by the cheerful tone in which
their commander had spoken, gave a hearty cheer and
addressed themselves to their respective tasks. The
captain was silent for a few moments, as if in thought,
and then said to Mr. Knox and myself—
" Gentlemen, I propose to distribute the passengers
and crew amongst the boats as follows. In the
longboat, which is considerably largei than either
of the other two I shall take Mrs. Morland
and her niece, and twelve of the crew. Mr. Knox,
a place for you will be found in the yawl, with
Mr. Saunders, and eight of the sailors; and
you, Mr. Newton, will accompany Mr. Darrell
in the pinnace with the remaining four men of the
ship's company. My object in making this arrange-
ment is that the presence of a passenger in each of the
last two mentioned boats may lend a moral and, if
need be, a physical support to the authority of the
officer commanding it. I do not anticipate any
trouble in this respect, for my crew are all very steady
men, and some of them have sailed with me several
voyages. Still, nothing breaks down the barriers of
discipline like a shipwreck, and it is always well to be
prepared for the worst. I trust that you both per-
ceive, and acquiesce in, the propriety of the course I
purpose pursuing in this matter."
"Certainly" was Mr. Knox's prompt response.
"I am entirely at your orders, Captain. Dispose of
me as you think best."
I could, under the circumstances, do no less than
signify also my willingness to comply with the
Captain's wishes, although it cost me a severe pang to
learn that at so critieal an emergency I should be
separated from the woman I loved. I had, as I have
already stated, for some time past longed for the
termination of our voyage, in order that I might no
longer be tormented by the struggle between my
passion for Miss Brereton and the impossibility—con-
sistently with honour—of my making an avowal of it.
But then I had never contemplated such a parting as
the present one, and I felt it keenly.
My reflections were abruptly broken in upon by the
captain saying—
" Have either of you gentlemen firearms of any
kind?"
"I have a revolver," I replied.
"Take it with you, then," was the response. "And
see that it is loaded and in order before you leave the
ship. And you, Mr. Knox?"
"I have none."
"Well then, I will lend you a brace of pistols"
rejoined the captain, "and if we all meet safely in
England, as I trust we may, you can then return
them to me. Anti now, whilst you are making your
preparations, I will break to the ladies the news of
the intended abandonment of the vessel. It will be no
easy task, as regards Mrs. Morland, at all events."
As he spoke the captain descended into the cabin,
whither Mr. Knox and I followed him. Mrs. Mor-
land received the communication made to her with
more fortitude than I had anticipated, whilst the self-
control and resolution of her niece were such as to
elicit a well-merited compliment from the captain,
who, after desiring the ladies to hold themselves in
readiness to leave the ship whenever called upon to
do so, returned to the deck.
My preparations were soon made. I secured in 51
leather belt round my body some of the more im-
portant papers in my desk, together with the money
I had with me, amounting to about two hundred
pounds in Bank of England notes. I put on my
warmest clothing and a heavy overcoat, in the inside
breast pocket of which I did not forget to place my
revolver. The rest of my baggage was necessarily
abandoned, for I was well aware that every available
foot of space in the pinnace must be utilised for the
isnt odreaegde,
wasof wmaotsetr a
na nx
ido
ups r
toov i stiaoknes .
with her, and I had considerable difficulty in con-
one Morfs her 311°trrivannkds'
vincing her that the captain would not for one
moment entertain such a proposition. I advised her,
however, to provide herself with plenty of wraps and
shawls, aware that, mild as the temperature was in
those latitudes during the day, she would be sure to
find it chilly in an open boat at night. As I was
leaving the cabin Mrs. Morland said—
"Of course you go with us, Mr. Newton?"
"No ! " was my reply. "It has been arranged
that I am to occupy a place in the pinnace."
As I uttered, these words I fancied that the cheek
of Miss Brereton perceptibly paled, but she made no
comment upon them, and I said nothing further on the
subject. When I went on the deck I found that the
;wind had—as the captain had predicted—considerably
:abated, and, a little after midnight, although there
was still a heavy sea on, owing to the ground swell
after the storm, the waves no longer ran so high as to
render it dangerous to attempt to launch the boats. It
was fortunate that this was the case for the vessel had,
by this time, slink so deep in the water that it was
obvious that she eould not remain afloat much longer.
The longboat, the yawl, and the pinnace were
successively lowered and made fast alongside. The
captain then, addressing the two mates, said—
" Gentlemen, you both know the course to steer. 'As
near as I can make it we are now about six
hundred miles from the Cape, and with a favourable
wind, we ought to sight land in ten days or a fort-
night. The boats are fully provisioned for a month,
so there is no danger of your running short of either
food or water. Mr. Saunders, if you are ready, you
had better put off at once, and you, Mr. Darrell,
will follow, for I shall be the last man to leave the
ship."
The order was promptly obeyed by the chief mate,
and Mr. Darrell only waited for me. Mrs. Morland
had already taken her place in the longboat and I
was assisting Miss Brereton over the ship's side, when,

, dra'
tood

Nothing more paned between us, for, at that
moment, my aunt entered the room and her presence
precluded our continuing the conversation. Still, I
knew that the words I had just uttered had, in
honour, pledged me to Ellen as strongly as though I
had formally engaged myself to her • and I did not
doubt that she, on her part, considered herself equally
bound to me. No further opportunity of any
private interview with my cousin was afforded me,
as I left England the following day, which was the
first of the new year.
After a prosperous voyage of a little over three
months, I landed at Melbourne. There I devoted
myself zealously to the performance of the duty I had
undertaken. I obtained, with some difficulty, pos-
session of the goods our firm had sent out; but, a
commercial panic prevatling at the time, I had to
delay for a longer period than I had anticipated any
attempt to dispose of the consignment. In fact
the large number of faiTures, just then, had thrown
upon the market considerable quantities of imported
merchandise of every description, which at forced
sales could only be realized at a heavy loss. I
waited, consequently, a few months until the crisis
was over and confidence had begun to revive, and then
was successful in selling the goods at fairly re-
munerative prices. When, finally, my business was
completed and I had remitted to my employers bills
of exchange for the whole of the money coming to
them, there was nothing further to detain me in the
colony; so I at once took passage for England, being
anxious to return to my native country, from which
I had been absent very nearly a whole year.
The vessel on board which I was a passenger was a
ship of six hundred tons, and had accommodation for
sixteen persons in the cabin. On this occasion, how-
ever, she carred only four. These were a Mrs.
Morland, a widow, and her niece, Miss Brereton, a
young lady about twenty years of age; a Mr. Knox, a
man somewhat past the middle period of life, who
had been a sheep farmer, and who, having realized a
competency, was returning to England to visit his
friends ' • and, lastly, myself: Miss Brereton was alovely
girl, and her personal attractions were enhanced, in
my eyes, by the singular amiability of her disposition.
Her aunt, although, so far as I could judge, a good
hearted woman, had a decidedly irritable temper; and
I could not but wonder at, and admire the unvarying
patience with which her niece bore with her infirmity.
At first, indeed, I attributed this to the circumstance
that Miss Brereton was probably entirely dependent
upon Mrs. Morland ; but such I learnt, subsequently,
was not the case, she having an income of her own.
Being the only two young persons in the cabin, this
young lady and myself were thrown very much
together. I promenaded the deck with her; I read to
her; I played chess with her ;- and, before I was aware
of my danger, she had awakened in my breast senti-
ments very different to those I had ever before experi-
enced towards any woman. It was only when, one day,
I observed the chief mate, who was a good-looking,
gentlemanlike man, paying her, as I thought, rather
particular attention, that the unreasoning jealousy this
circumstance roused in me, awakened my mind to the
consciousness that I loved her. I was both pained and
humiliated by the discovery, for was I not already
pledged to my cousin? It is true I had not in explicit
language asked her to be my wife, but the terms in which
I had expressed myself during our last interview had
been such as could bear but one construction • and I was,
I knew full well, as much in honour bound to marry
her as if a positive engagement subsisted between us.
What right had I then to permit the image of another
woman to usurp the place in my heart which that of
Ellen—and Ellen alone—should occupy? I had de-
ceived myself as to the nature of the sentiments I
entertained for my cousin, but that was my fault, not
hers, and it was but just that I only should pay the
penalty of the mistake. The path of duty lay clearly
before me, and I was resolved that I would pursue it
whatever might be the cost to myself. This decision
arrived at, I immediately proceeded to act upon it. I
not only ceased to seek, but, as far as courtesy would
permit, I avoided, the society of Miss Brenton. She
was, naturally, surprised at the alteration in my
demeanour towards her, and it was evident, was hurt
by my apparent indifference. Indeed, from various
little circumstances, I had scarcely a doubt that the
attentions I had paid her had led her to believe
that I entertained a serious regard for her, which she
on her part was not unwilling to reciprocate. The
khowledge of this fact made it all the more difficult
for me to follow the line of conduct I had marked out
for myself. Nevertheless I persevered, longing—para-
doxical as the feeling may appear—most anxiously for
the time to arrive when, the voyage being over, I
should see Miss Brereton no more; for then I. should
be spared the daily, hourly misery of my mina being
agitated by a never-ceasing conflict between inclination
and duty.
We had been a little over two months at sea without
the occurrence of any particular incident to vary the
monotony of the voyage. One afternoon, however, as
I was passing through the round-house to the quarter-
deck, I heard Mr. Saunders, the chief mate, say to the
captain, after looking at the barometer—
'The glass is going down rapidly, Sir."
"Yes," was the reply; "we shall have a storm
before many hours are over, I have no doubt."
I was somewhat surprised at this remark, for to my
landsman's eye, the day appeared to be a remarkably
fine one. The sky was perfectly clear in every direc-
tion except the west, and even there I could see only
along, narrow streak of cloud near the horizon which
did nct appear to be at all of a threatening character.
The mate, however, was evidently not of my opinion,
for again addressing the captain, he said—
"Had we not better take in canvas, Sir?"
"Well, no, not yet, Saunders, I think," was the
reply. "If the breeze freshens presently, you can
furl the top-gallant sails and reef the spanker, but
at present the vessel carries her canvas easily. Be
sure, however, that everything is made snug before
sundown, for I daresay we shall have a rough night
of it."
The captain as he spoke, went down into the cabin,
and I said to ale mate who stood near me—
"So you expect we shall have a storm tonight,
Mr. Saunders ? "
"Yes," was the response, "and I should not
wander if it were to prove a severe one, for we are
now in the latitudes in which heavy weather may be
expected at this time of year, and to be frank with
you, Mr. Newton, I have rarely, in my experience,
known the barometer to fall so suddenly. Of course
you will say nothing of this to the ladies, for there is
no occasion to alarm them beforehand."
I was impressed by the gravity with which Mr.
Saunders had spoken, for he was, I knew, a man of
courage and resolution, and not likely, therefore, to
exaggerate an impending peril. I consoled myself,
however, with the reflection that the Captain—an old
and experienced seaman—did not seem to share his
chief officer's apprehension that the storm would
prove to be of an exceptional chracter. I remained
on deck for a couple of hours, during which time the
wind gradually rose- but still there were no signs of
imniediate bad weather when, dinner being an-
nounced, I descended into the cabin. The captain sat
at the head of the table, whilst his chief officer occupied
as usual, the seat at the other extremity. The meal
was, it appeared to me, unusually prolonged on this
occasion, and I observed that Mr. Saunders seemed
anxious and uneasy at the delay. Indeed, when the
dessent was placed on the table, he rose from his seat,
saying that he would just take a turn on deck and
see how the weather was looking, ,and then come
down again. Mr. Knox had just begun the relation
of an adventure he bad met with when a young man
in Australia, and Captain Watson, before the mate
had left the table, interposed to prevent him doing so,
saying, good-naturedly—

master

of the Leighton Buzzard Union-house, and formerly
serjeant-major in the 24th Foot, has just been awarded
by the War Department, with the approval of the
Queen, a silver medal and an annuity of £l5 in recog-
nition of his long rind meritorious service in the 24th,
including participation in the Kaffir war and Abys-
sinian campaign. Mr. Rafferty was twenty-two
years connected with -the 24th Regiment, and he
became master of the workhouse at Leighton Buzzard
on his retirement from the army exactly eleven years

"You arrive quite opportunely, my dear Edward,
for we give, as usual, a party to-night, this being
New Year's Day."
True enough it was so; I had, until that moment,
scarcely given the circumstance a second thought ; but
my uncle's words recalled to my mind the fact that,
by an odd coincidence, I had set foot once again upon
my native shores on the anniversary of the day I
had quitted them. Ah ! how eventful had been my
experiences during that brief year.
"You will only just have time," continued my
uncle, " to dine and dress before our guests begin to
arrive, so I will detain you here no longer. You will
find everything undisturbed in your old rooms."
"I will go upstairs immediately," I said ; "but I
should like first to see my cousin. Ellen is quite well,
I hope."
"Quite well ! " was the reply. "But you had
better wait a little while before you seek her; At
present she is in the drawing-room with Mr.
Barton."
"Mr. Barton! " I exclaimed.
"Yes," said my uncle, "the gentleman to whom
she is engaged." Then, perceiving my surprise, he
added, " Ah, I had forgotten that; of course, you
were necessarily ignorant of the fact, as I had not
mentioned it in any of my letters. He is a most
eligible husband, and I am in every way well pleased
with Ellen's choice. The marriage will take place in
less than two months now,"
For a few moments I was almost stunned by this
intelligence, and sat blankly gazing at my uncle,
scarcely realizing the full import of his words. When
at last I grasped the fact that Ellen was promised to
another, and that I was free to woo and win the woman
I loved, my emotions almost overpowered me. Mastering
them with effort, I rose, and saying that I would seek
my own apartment, I left the library, for I longed to be
alone that I might commune uninterruptedly with my
own thoughts. On reaching my chamber I threw my-
self into my eaay-chair and abandoned myself to the
reflections which the news I had just heard naturally
suggested. Ellen was engaged. She had then, evi-
dently, not regarded what had passed between us at
our last interview as seriously binding upon her.
Oh I had I but known this earlier, how much un-
happiness I might have been spared I However,
regrets were idle. Thank Heaven, it was not yet too
late to avail myself of my release from the fetters
which honour had hitherto imposed upon me. Now,
without doubt or remorse, I could plead my suit to
Miss Brereton and I resolved that I would avail my-
self of the earliest opportunity which presented itself
of doing so.
When I descended to the drawing-room I found my
cousin alone in the conservatory. After the first
greetings were over between us, I said—
"I have to congratulate you, Ellen, upon your
engagement."
She blushed, and looked at me curiously far a
moment to see if any latent sarcasm lay hidden in my
words, but quickly perceived that they were uttered in
all sincerity. So inconsistent, however, are fuguently
human emotions that my cousin was,obviousinat once
gratified to find that I had no intention of reproach-
ing her with having broken faith with me, and morti-
fied to discover that I was so little heartbroken by her
having promised her hand to another. Being, never-
theless, a thoroughly good-hearted girl, the former
feeliog predominated, and although we had ceased to
be lovers we remained the best ot friends.
The party lasted until a late hour, but I retired
early, for, worn-out by the bodily fatigue I had under-
gone and the mental anxiety I had suffered, I was
glad to seek the quiet of my own apartment. When
I rose the following day my first duty was, of course,
to present myself at the office of my employers. I
did so, and my reception was a most gratifying one.
"We are more than satisfied, Mr. Newton," said the
senior partner, "with your management of the busi-
ness intrusted to you, and you may consider yourself a
member of the firro,,dating from yesterday, the first
day of the New Year. The new partnership deed
shall be drawn up immediately. In the meantime the
perils and hardships you have undergone in the service
of the house render it but a simple act of justice that we
should insist upon your taking a holiday of a few
weeks to recruit your health, so we shall not expect
to see you at the office, after to-day, until the begin-
ning of next month."
I accepted this kind offer without hesitation, for I
felt the need of rest before again resuming my
business duties, which would, however, in future be
necessarily of a more agreeable character than pre-
viously. When I left the city I went direct to Ken-
sington and found Mrs. Morland and her niece the
only members of the family at home. The former
lady, shortly after I had been there, quitted the
drawing-room under the pretext that some household
matters claimed her attention, and Miss Brereton and
I were left alone together. I was too much agitated to
express myself gracefully; in fact, a man can scarcely
help a certain degree of nervousness en such occasions,
whatever reason he may have to anticipate a favour-
able answer to his proposal.
"Miss Brereton—Lydia," I said, abruptly, after a

ago.
RAILWAY REPRISALS.—GeniaI Traveller (offerin9
pouch). "Take a pipe of honeydew, sir? you 'll find
it good, I think."—Topsawyer (loftily). "Thanks,
no; I only smoke cigars." (After a pause). "By the
way, won't you have a cigar? G. T. (drily). "Thanks,
no ; I only smoke tobacco."—Fun.
CHRISTMAS AT HAWARDEN.—A Chester telegram
says :—The Premier has spent Christmas at Hawarden
Castle, all the members of the family being at home
for the occasion. On Tuesday evening the right hon.
gentleman, with Mrs. and the Misses Gladstone and
the Rev. Stephen Gladstone, were present at some
amateur theatricals given in the Hawarden boys'
school-room, by the local gentry, in aid of the Shotton
Reading-room.
AVERAGE PRIGES or BRITISH CORN.—The follow-
ing are the average prices of British corn for the
week ending Dec. 24, as received from the inspectors
and officers of Excise :—Wheat, 445. 4d. • barley, 31s.
6d. ; oats, "21s. id. per imperial qr. dorrespending
week last year :—Wheat, 425. Bd.; barley, 3113. 3d.
oats, 20s. 3d.
A " BIT " OF A CHARACTER.—GentIeman (in want
of groom) : "Well, Snaffle, your late employee gives
you an excellent character, but he says you leave on
account of some quarrel with the other servants.
How was that ? "—Snaffles: Well, sir, beggin' your
pardon, sir, but a 'ed groom may 'ave some feelinet
sir. An%some on 'em actially 'ad a roomer, sir, as I
was wot you might call a-makin' hup to the sculrrY•
maid, sir I "—Pun.
CASES or LONGEVITY.—The list of deaths in The
Times of the 23rd inst. contained some remarkable
illustrations of prolonged existence in nine persons--
viz., six gentlemen and three ladies, whose united ages
amounted to 763 years giving an average of more than
84 years and nine months to each. The oldest was a
gentleman who had reached the great age of 93 years,
the youngest of the same sex being 80. Of the ladies,
the oldest was 88, and the youngest 81 years of age.
The septugenarians averaged 74 years and eight
months.
WEEDY WALKS.—The best way to keep walks clear
of weeds, is by watering the path with a solution of
salt and water, or with gas water, about a pound of
salt to the gallon of water (says Land and Water).-
This done once or twice in the spring will keep down
all the weeds; and what is better still, it will drive
away the worms, which cause such disfigurement to
paths. There is a nasty smell with gas water, but it
soon blows off; care must be taken that in watering
the paths none is sprinkled on the grass.
DIFFICULTIES IN THE WAY.—The Jaws of Maine,
U.S., present some curious anomalies. Thus, one statute
forbids any medical student to practise who has not bad
practical experience in the dissecting-room ; while it
is illegal to utilise any subjects for dissection except
the bodies of executed criminals. How these are to
be obtained is a puzzle, seeina that another law for-
bids capital punishments. This reminds the St.
Louis Globe Democrat of a singular decision of some
county commissisners, who resolved—" First, that we,
build a new gaol; secondly, that we build a new gaol
out of the material of the old gaol ; thirdly, that we
use the old gaol until the new gaol is finished."
KING KOFFEE'S GOLD AXE.—The gold axe of ging
Koffee, of Ashantee, lately sent, for an unexplained
reason, to the Queen, has been, by Her Majesty's
• order, deposited in the South Kensington Museum,
(says the Atheeecum). It is a triangular blade of iron,
apparently cut from a piece of boiler plate, roughlY
stuck into a clumsy handle of African oak. The
handle is coverel with leopard skin part of whicht
immediately above the blade, is deeply soiled, appal.'
ently with blood. Bands of thin gold, enriched with
uncouth chevrons and lunettes en repousse, are placed
round the handle. The sheath of the blade, which is
of tiger skin, accompanies this hideous implement, and
attached to it is the sole element which has anything
like artistic merit. This is a nondescript object el;
beaten gold, shaped like a large cockle-shell with curved
horns extended from the binge and not inelegantlY,
decorated with lines and punctures en repousse an°
open work Of quasi scrolls.
A LIFELESS FORM TURNED TO STONE.—The laced
Journal has the following, which calls to mind tbe
days when the Cardiff Giant excitement was at
height : "The body of a young lady was buried
fifteen years ago in a cemetery six miles east of the
Tillage of Afton, in New York. It was removed lAA
Thursday to the new cemetery in the village. Whei:
the coffin was ready to be removed from the grave a
was found that the body was petrified and require,.
the united efforts of four men to raise it, and could 13°41
have weighed less then 400 pounds, although in life 013;
would not have weighed more than 125 pounds. Tp.
clothing was decayed and resembled a veil like texteur
over the body. The hair, which in life was v
abundant, was still in a perfect state of preservatiot
The features were a little shrunke, led the ha... 117:
retained their position, folded across the breno
Another body which was buried about six years 01,,
in the same cemetery not fifteen feet distant,
removed, but with no signs of petrification.


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