The Hancock Jeffersonian. [volume] (Findlay, Ohio) 1857-1870, 1867-06-21
THE BUSHRANGERS.
AN AUSTRALIAN SKETCH.
by THOMAS McCoMBIE.

During the year 1910, as | was
idling away the sultry afternoon oI
a Sydney Summer day, l was rather
rudely interrupted by the boisterous
entrance Of an old acquaintance, who
had Just come down from the Bath.
urst district with his wool. The
very sight of a settler in town on his
annual cruise is refreshing to me; it
is even something of Il relief from
dull care TO witness the zest which a
settler, alter twelve months solitary
confinement in the bush, enters into
the gaieties and pleasures of town
life. 1t appears to you almost sim
gular the relish he has for what has
long ago pdlled your appetite. From
very sympathy, You begin to have a
little enjoyment Of what before was
all but sickening from surfeit.
William Bcatle Alexander was
from the part OF England in which |
irst opened my eyes upon the high,
way Of life. lie had, however, been
two years in the colony before me -
At home, he was cutting, dashing
fellow. He dressed in a smart sport
ing or Newmarket coat; galloped
about to races and fox hunts; and
spent his fathers money at aIgreat
rate. His father died in com.
paratiycly poor circumstances.-
The neighbors, ever ready with
their opinion, predicted that the
sporting Bill Alexander would soon
run through what little money he
had, and go to ruin. Much to theiI
surprise, they were disappointed.
Alexander started for New South
Wales. When he arrived in Sydney
and walked on shore to deliver his
letters of introduction, such an eX-
traordinary swell had not been seen
lor many day in that town. The
people ot Sydney see everything and
say little. He saw it would not ga
down. He was no fool; and he made
a pretty shrewcd guess that he was
set down for thorough ass. After
looking round for some weeks, hC
bought sheep and went up the coun
try. People shook their heads; ant
those who took the trouble to speal
on the subject, gave it rs their opin
ion that Alexander would soon b,
seen in Sydney again, disgustcd will
the BUSH Alexander could eeplain
Ily that no one cared the sixth part o
Il straw for him. He, therefore
adopted the most prudent system. -
He looked after his sheep; and, wit
the sole exception of week or tw,
dissip patton, when he made his annua
Journey down with his wool, he wa
steady and industrious. In fact, h
was fairly transformed into the coo
calculating, and thrifty sheep-iarme
, OF Australia.
IL was, perhaps, natural that, bein
from the same part OF our faro
: ratherland, Alexander should attac
himself to me when he came TO Syt
ney. II was, however, an awilwaI
4, thing for me; as, being neither riC
nor of noisy and dissipated habits,
put me fairly out Of my way. Ale
e. ander, It true, would willingly ha'
@. paid my share in any expensive lar
lg but this, again, l would not, OF cours
!, for a moment hear of. l did not Ii
: to give in to it; but it had hither
been out of my power to get off, A
- exander was a good hearted fello
He. doubtless, considered me du
y and wished, rs he expressed 1t,
to laugh the parson out OF me. 81
=, could not be angry with poor Al'
ne ander; and l had always taken
- extravagancies in good, part. 1t
an happened, however, that Mt this p
o. ticular period I was laboring unC
o.; great mental depression, caused
il. the news of the melancholy death
beloved relative in my tar off faith
" land
4 I was not by any means pleased
ID having my melancholy reverie
} rudely broken in upon; and after
anl first warm greetings had passe(
,its informed Alexander of the sew
dispensation under which / was
to boring. AS usual, he attempted
"a, Iaugh it OIL; but my manner was
on serious, thathe very soon took
leave. He came and sat with
oor however, an hour or two every mo
ing during his stay in town.
mr. gave me o pressing invitation TO