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

} the motley, self-seeking herd of gold
hunters. | told Brocklebank of my i'll
fortune, and asked him what | had
better do.
"Do nothing to-day" he said, kindly.
"Iou are tired with your weeks travel
ling. Take it easy. You can make
yourself useful by helping me in the
store.
was delighted at these words, and
FELL to work with alacrity. Before two
hours had elapsed found mysei dis
pensing slices of bacon at three shill-
ings pound, and assisting sturdy dig
gers, seated on a tree-stump in front of
the Royal Liver, to pull on refractory
pairs of new boots. Our distinctive
flag bearing as it. em blem the fabu-
lous bird which forms the crest of the
good town of Liverpool, waved grace
fully overhead in the sunshine, and my
spirits rose as | once more found myself
of some use in the world.
In those primitive days there was
little coin current on the diggings. Mi
ners paid for their stores in virgin gold
just dug from the soil. Storekeepers
made large profits by these transactions,
for, owing to the insecurity ofthe roads,
the value of gold was from five shillings
to ten shillings an ounce lower on the
diggings than it was in Melbourne.
forget the exact price now, but | think
tha gold purchased in Bendigo in 1852
at three pounds five shillings and three
pounds ten shillings an ounce, was worth
three pounds fifteen in Melbourne. In
these systematic days, when the small
est margin of profit attracts spectators
to the most distant goldfield, such
difference seems almost incredible.
Some of the storekeepers We're sad
, rogues, and, not content with their fai
profits, cheated the hard-toiling miner,
who visited their establishments BY
. means of false weights and other devi.
, ces ; but Brocklebank was, l am sure,
thoroughly u, right and honest in al
his dealings. His plan of procedure
: when gold transaction took place was
. at once business-like and simple. He
weighed the gold carefully in his scales,
, and kept each parcel in aseparate paper,
2 with the name of the seller, the date of
3 transaction, and the precise weight of
9 the contents, marked legibly upon it.
All these packets were kept in tin box,
which at night was deposited in little
| secret chamber under the flooring of the
A tent. soon discovered that Brockle-
) bank was much liked and respected by
4 the surrounding population. Men would
# come in, and sell several ounces gold
h take away only few shillings' worth
ii of goods in exchange, and leave thu
s balance in his hands to cover futur,
Of transactions. 81 can trust you, Music
ID Brocklebank," | heard a rough old dig
g. ger say, ''and my COLDS deal safer il
r, your big store than in my bit of shant,
e, yonder."
AS for myself, l felt highly please,
a. that Brocklebank should trust me,-a
as entire stranger,-so implicitly, and
he resolved to work as zealously a | coul
lg in his service while under his roof, as
lie practical proof of my gratitude.
After the sun had set, and all Hor
"' had been suspended for the day, three {
four OF the inhabitants of the adjacel
&C. tents strolled across to the Royal Live
ut Store, and sitting down in front of TIL
establishment on Il gigantic prostra
ok log, in one end of which perpetu
lk fire was burning, lighted their pipe
and proceeded to discuss the news
l the day. The conversation was most
of a monotonOus character, and refer
)" ed chiefly to mining topics. How Tom
lg new windlass had given way, no
Harry had picked half-ounce nugg
al out of his "wash-drt," how Dick hi
ly tumbled down thirty-foot hole whi
IL out 'possuming the previous night.
ed was much impressed with the decen,
IT. and respectabiity of our visitors. b
~ fore left England, and even after N
Mt arrival in Melbourne, ! had pictur,
life on the diggings as an existence
d; wild excitement, where the perpetu
as anticipation of fabulous gains, and Il
ou sight of lucky gamblers shovellirg OF
d, the yellow metal, would keep the bra
er in state of fever. In actual fact, Ir1
Bark Gully was most prosac, sob
n place. Men worked from six to six, al
in took it rs coolly as navvies on piecewor
he that is to say, they went at it with
nd will. Work over, they made the
tn dampers, washed out their socks NJ
,of shirts, or lounged round an open-o
.. fire discussing the local gossip. Brockl
ry bank, however, informed me in {
rs course of the evening, when we we
le, alone together, that the little commul
ty gathered together at the head
Iron Bark Gully consisted of eXceptiC
ok ally quiet and respectable people, Sew
or al of them came from South Austral
D." colony which has always maintain
ace high reputation, and one or two
those standing by our log-fre We're 81
, | stantial Adelaide tradesmen, who ha
ike ing been smitten by the universal e
der demic, had deserted their shops, a
rds come to seek speedicr road to fortu
ith One of these adventures, Il chemist q
CO. druggist from Rundlc Street, Adelai
nd, took my fancy Immediately, and
ray soon became very intimate togeth
on. He advised me to be in no hurry abe
,re, beginning gold-diggiug. There Y
ties plenty of time, and plenty of gold
any in spite Of all the croaklng one hea
was Then, by way Of consoling me for
on loneliness, he hinted that if, in
If IA days, ! should be unable TO find
hat, friends, and he thought it very lii
by that might never find them, he VIC
ked try and INTRODUCE me to some rcspe
ling Bile mates.
sess- Butthese prudent observations sea
3en- ly satisfied my youthful ardor,
the travelled sixteen thousand mi - to