The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1867-11-15

said that | with an emphasis on the
pronoun) had always respected his feel
ings and treated him like a gentleman,
which ii could be plainly seen | was
myself, in spite Of my blue serge shirt.
| Alone we should have been as coscy us
could be together, away from that surly
brute ofa Liverpool horse-corser; and
could | oblige him with the temporary
, loan ofthirty shilings? he had miscal-
culated the expenses of the road, and
his funds were in the Union Bank at
Melbourne. | was such n cOnfding
youth in those days that | lent Mr..
Baldwin the money without qualm.
He copied an address which / gave him
very carefully in his pocket-book but
though fifteen years have since elapsed
| have never heard from him. Perhaps
the perusal of this narrative may recall
the circumstance to his memory.
AS for Fry, he was mOro3e horr IDLY
morosc, but, really believe, thorough
ly honest. After the parting with Bald
win, which he characterized as IL good
radiance of bad rubbish, we traversed
numerous gulies and ranges in search of
man whom Fry knew. / may here
observe that the aspect of the diggings
was very different to what had expec-
ted. Except in the neighborhood of
the Government Camp, where the
storekeepers' tents, with their gay flags,
presented the aspect of country fair
there was none of the crowd and hustle
which | had anticipated. The whole
area Of the gold-field was as large, per-
haps, as the area of London, aud the
aurilerous valleys or hollows, which
lay parallel like streets, were separted
by wide unduating tracts offorest coun-
try.
At length, just as it grew dark, we
reached Iron Bark Gully, wearied and
! hungry. 1t was here that Fry's friend
lived, and, after numerous inquiries at
all the diggers' tents we passed, we
learnt that Brocklebank kept the Royal
Liver store, near the head of the gully.
1t was almost dark, and | had tum-
bled down several times among the
tree-stumps from sheer fatigue and wea-
riness, when we reached Brock klebank's
establishment. 1t consisted of Il large
tent with boarded sides, and was quite
a mammoth editlce compared with the
tiny residential dwellings which lay
scattered around it.
l felt very friendless and dlspirited
upon our arrival, for | could not reckon
that Brocklebank would extend his
hospitality to me as well as to Fry, and
| had no fancy for sleeping alone out OF
doors wrapped in my blankets, though
in company had done so for severa
p successive nights. On hearing Fry.
voice, Brocklebank came to the door o
f his tent, and | was at once prepOssesset
a by his quiet gentleman-like appearance
He was II young man Of twenty-four
|, with Il pale, handsome face, and large
q dark, expressive eyes.
q "This," says Fry, in the most ungra
a cious way, pointing to me rs if | wa
). IL cur-dog, sis IL chap | came up tn
e road with. ! don't know anythin
about him." he added, in an audibl
:. whisper.
. "liave you no friends on Bendigo ?
4 asked Brocklebank, kindly.
"None that | can find tonight" +,
), piled, blushing like schoolgirl, "bu
i | hope to find them in day or two"
a SIme whispered conversation too
! place between Fry and BrOckleban
after this.
q Il must take the poor boy in,"
heard the latter say.
:, "Well, don't hold me responsible,
a growled the former ; IL know nothin
!, of him."
. | don't think Fry had any specit
:, animosity against me, it was merel
;, his natural crustiness but felt so III
: Cry with him that could have rushe
:. upon him and assaulted him on the spo
), My wrath, however, was dissipated b
Brocklehank saying, in pleasan
voice.
y "Come in, Mr.. Parker, don't be afraid
can give you Il shake-down, and 4
;, soon rs | get a pot Of tea ready 80
:. shall have some sardines and soft brea(
' which | dare say will be Il treat afte
', the rough fare of the road"
slept that night like dozen hun
=, ming-tops. Only those who have lai
" for several successive nights under TIL
" " cold sky of Il Victorian September, an
:, have woke up drenched, perhaps, wit
" rain, can appreciate the delight of roo
overhead, albeit only Il roofof canvas
Next morning, after breakfast, Fr
rose, and addressing his felow-town
T. man in his usual curt, morose styl
" said,--
/, "I'm off to Eagle Hawk" this was
is gully some two miles diatantl "to loo
f. after my mates. See you again to-mo
in row. You'd best find your mates too
l. he added, bestowing Il parting CLAN
es on me.
ly After the departure of surly Fry
nj breathed more freely, and felt less Ii
~ an iuerloper. Nothing could be kind
v than Brocklebank's manner towar
m me he could not have treated me wi
yo more consideration if had come rec
mmended by his most intimate lrier
W, instead of being mere waifand str
mn of the great Australian immigratic
all Although he was keeping retail sto
to and selling glasses OF lemonade, bolt
X, of pickles, and diggers' boots to q
ch chance pas-er-by, learnt that he "
an young man of highly respectable GO
for nectons in Liverpool, the son o
nd Nonconformist minister, and I'll
ch like myself, he had been drawn out
icy a spirit of adventure. pre- entity asl
,ch him how | had better set about find
lly my friends, On hearing that poss,
tty ed no more special address than B
yas digo, he shook his head, said that