The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1868-08-12
Ten Pounds Reward.


Just above it, and willowy ait, in who's
dead water the pike love to lie, below It
with sycamores, beech and aspens over
hanging the sparkling river from thu
smooth green lawns which form its banks
The village is small, free from the defle
ment of lading and unlading barges- The
clean little inn, the Swan" with its gay
garden running down to the waters edge
kept by one Thomas Beck, famous for hi
former strength and skill as an oarsman
famous for that fishing craft which every
spring secures him the best catch o
Thames trout famous for the home-breweC
ale which flows so softly down the parcheC
throat of the exhausted rover, who, mind
ful of "Old Beck's tap" has resisted the
allurements of the Jolly Young Water
man" four miles-and such miles, against
q current running like mill dam-lowel
down famous up to last summer, for hi:
two pretty, buxom daughters, whose face:
cheered the eye, as the beer they served
did the throat of the weary, blistered
thirsty waterloo.
As their father held the inn and the
ferry, and was the proprietor of a whole
hotilla of pleasure boats and fishing punts
Susan and Betsy Beck were considered
good matches by the Sons of the Thames,
for miles up and down the river, many
of whom entered for these watermen's
badges, with purse of gold, and loss of
freedom but they turned up their pretty
noses at all but Joe and Harry Hamilton,
two brothers, who were natives of the
same village, and who, growing up with
them, had developed calmly and naturally
from playmates into lovers.
Two fine young fellows the Hamiltons
were, and well known for skilful and plucky
rowing from Henly to Rosherville, but
they were not rich for though they occa-
sionally won considerable sums at different
regattas, the money went, as money earned
that way will-some in beer and skittles,
the rest in backing themselves for other
matches which they did not win.
Now, old Beck had no objections to the
Hamiltons for son-in-laws they we're
good enough lads, and all that, he would
observe, but the men who married his
daughters must be able to keep them as
they had used to be kept and when
Joe and Harry could each show a wherry
on the river, and fifty pounds in the bank,
he would add duplicate boats and ffties,
and then they could each take an appren-
tice and live comfortably, and have Miss
Beck
This was the state of affairs when first
made the acquaintance of the persons
concerned, some four or five years ago,
and l came to take great interest in this
double courtship, for Joe Hamilton is my
trainer and especial friend. Every morn
ing and evening during my stay at Paul
sham, we scull over certain course
together, he preceding me with critical
eye and constant advice, as, Don't pull
so much with your arms put your back
more into it; left-pull your left" etc. |
took great fancy to Joe the first time l
ever saw him, he was so delightfully."- blunt
and free from sycophancy.
Il KNOW" said |, on that occasion, as
put on my jacket after my experimental
performance before him, and fishing,
own, for compliment, for at that time
did not know It'll know that | am
bad sculler."
Well, sir" replied Joe, it isn't that
you are bad sculler you can't scull at
all"
Harry was just as outspoken as Joe
and yet, though the pair ate together, and
whenever practicable, worked together, no
one ever heard them squabbling. When
they disagreed in opinion, they did not
quarrel-they tossed. never knew two
such brothers. There was something so
in the simple character of the
men and their love affairs, that to watch
their fortunes was like reading an interest
ing novel in annual parts, for their course
toward prosperity and matrimony was a
zig-zag. The first year knew them they
won their stipulated wineries, Joe at
Putney, and Harry at the Richmond re-
gatta, and put five pounds in the savings
bank.
The next summer being long and fine
one, water excursions were constant, and
The Hamiltons having new boats of their
own to take pleasure parties out in, IN
creased their balance to forty pounds.
The next winter, however, being severe
and the following summer wet, they had
10 encroach upon this sum, and so on.
When | got to my old lodgings at Paul
sham last July, therefore, one of the first
questions | asked Joe, who was awaiting
ny arrival, had reference to his matrimo-
lial prospects.
"Oh that's all settled, SIR" said he.
"Settled l'' l cried. Are you married,
hen ?"
81 am"
" And to Susan Beck ?"
Surely; and so is Harry to Betsey. But
will tell you all about it while you are
having your smoke after the spin to the
Willows and back. know you are long
ng to get on the river"
-Four hours later, when / was lying on
he Swan Lawn, with blister on each
land, raw place elsewhere, and cigar
n my mouth, Joe told me his story.
What we wanted, you know sir" he
,egan. "was hundred pounds between
Is. Well, we were lucky last summer;
or what with the ladies' who took Rose
'ank Villa, and who lived on the water
lmost-the gentleman you were so kind
S to recommend me TO, who came down for
essons in sculling-an outrigger which
Harry picked up for couple of guineas,
nd which brought us about five shllings
day right through the season, and an
pprentice who took some of the work off
ur hands, we did very well, and put aside
tidy sum. Then, in the winter, some
entlemen came here to look for a good
lace for the new water works they are
alking of having and kept me rowing
hem about half the day rare good job
hat was. Altogether, when this season
egan, we had got our savings up to seven
Y mounds and that made ms very fidOetv