The Wellington enterprise. [volume] (Wellington, Ohio) 1867-188?, 1879-02-27
LAL.

=F AAAs
WE colonists are apt to say that there
is no twilight in New Zealand, when
waxing sentimental over memories of
the land of our birth, and recalling
many pleasant half-hour "between
the lights"
But although we have no lingering
dusk, sunset with us seems to have q
peculiar beauty, and q tender power. to
steal into ones heart. Many q time
have I, rough colonial as am, stood,
on my way home, to watch the fantas-
tic clouds and colors of the sky as night
drew on.
Such D sunset-glory lit mp the whole
sky and the scarcely sea be-
meath, one autumn evening many years
ago, as was riding home on q tired
horse after hard days pounding after
the outlying sheep.
At that time l was about thirty years
old, and had q snug billet as manager
on one Of Lulworth & Clint great runs
near Nelson. Five hundred q year,
with unlimited grub, and a sufficiently
weather-tight house on the station was
no bad thing for penniless man with
no interest; and l often plumed myself
ON my own good luck when I came
across other fellows with twice my
brains and q little money who could
hardly pay for their bread and cheese.
A beautiful sky, Sprightly," 1 said,
patting my old chestnut as he carefully
picked his way down the face of q steep
hill covered with manuka scrub and
yellowing fern; " but wind tomorrow,
and rain before tomorrow night"
Sprighuy shook his head till the bri-
die rang. and stepped out at my voice.
Winding down we went, till the inter-
minable hill ended abruptly in q level
reach of sand, along which we could
canter for q couple of miles.
The sunset colors were fading from
the high peaks we had left, but enough
light fingered on the fat to give bril-
liant hues to the rocks which lowered
above our heads or lay like fallen giants
in our path. white far out to sea, be.
yond the shadow of the shore, stretched
q long streak of amber.
rode that way twice q week, as 9
rule, sometimes oftener, but never do
remember to have met . living creature
TO exchange goodnight with till thii
particular evening, when no sooner
had Sprightly started at weary cantel
over the hat than pulled him up shor'
in sheer amazement, for there in from,
was q fellow dressed like . picture
riding 1t foot pace just in the diree
ton We were going in toe.
"Who the deuce can it beP'' wa
my first mental observation. "Ten Il
one it's some new chum come to Sd,
out the land, though III answer tina
chap don't know q sheep when he see
As neared my unconscious friend
took in the fact that he rode his hors,
like q gentleman; that his saddle, bri
die and saddle-bags were new ant
g,ossy; that. in fact, from his iaunt,
wideawake to his English-made boots
he was new chum. Riding up along
side observed white collar and
pair of dog-skin gloves, which re
moved any lingering doubts as to tn
Good evening. mate. !" called out
far tonight"
Not much farther, hope" he an
swered. turning face of almost girlis
beauty upon me, and slightly raisin,
his hat. But that is q question
should be glad to ask you; that is, i
you know this part of the country well.
"Lived here these six years, An
know every corner sheep can hid
in,n answered rather grimlv, con
trasting his high-bred accents with m
own colonialismy. --.-
"Ah! then you can tell me where !
this Wyke stationa"
"This Wyke station" 1 replied, /
my crustiest manner, lis where I hop
to be eating my supper in half an hour
time. And pray, sir, what may be- you
business therer'
The new conner turned to look NOR
closely at me.
"Why, you must be-of course 70
must be-Ralph Westcott, the very ma
am going to see."
II am Ralph Westcott," rejoinet
seeing he paused. as if expecting me t
say something.
"I thought so. Well, am Fairfa
Clint How dye do? I am awful
glad to meet you on this dreary and il
terminable mud-far." So saving, b
extended his hand with such q cordi,
gesture that felt ashamed of my beal
ish manners, and gave him . heart
grip.
Didn't the Governor write and te
you was coming out?' he asked, 9
we resumed our Journey.
Several mails back he wrote thu
you might possibly be sent out. but
never heard anything certain"
80! well. you see, Westcott, th
Governor is getting old, and closer an
more Suspicious every day. Lately b
won't even allow . fellow an opinion
his own. So one fine morning I r
marching. or rather sailing, orders, an
here am"
All this was said in the same quie
rather bored manner which had set m
back up before: still could not bel
softening to the boy when I looked .
his face and saw how unfit he woul
prove for station life.
And what do you intend to do, Nj
Clint, now that you are herer' asket
after . pause.
"Dof o, nothing that know of.
suppose I shall stay with you till l g,