The public ledger. [volume] (Maysville, Ky.) 1913-1968, 1916-03-27

melodeOns and very occasional plano
forte I'm one OF the several self styled
capitals Of Rlverina, and despite both
facts the mother was a lady OF most
gentle blood. The son could either
teach or tune the plano with certain
crude and idle skill. lie had once sung
tenor in Bishop Methuen's choir, but,
offended by word OF wise and kind
ly advice, was seen no more In sur
plice or I'm church. IL will be perceiv-
ed that Oswald Melvin had all the ag-
gressive independence of young Aus.
tralia without the virllity which leav.
ems the truer type. Yet lie was neil
ther a base nor an unklnd lad. Ills
bane was morbid temperament,
which he could no more help than his
sallOw face and weedy person. Imagi-
nation he certainly had, but 1t fed on
strong meat for an unhealthy mind; 1t
fattened on the sordid history of the
earlier bushrangers; its favorite fare
was the character and exploits OF Stln-
garee.
"Stingaree," he would say to his
mother, us the greatest man in all
Australia"
With a few even younger men who
admired his standpoint and reveled In
his store Of criminous annals or with
his patient, inscrutable mother Os.
wald Melvin was another being. His
language became bright and plctur-
esque, his animation surprising. A
casual customer would sometimes see
this side OF him and carry away the
impression Of q rare young daredevil.
And it was one such who gave Os-
wald the first great moment OF his
bush life.
Not been down from the back
blocks for three years." he had asked
as he showed tremulous and dilap.
idated bushman how to play the in.
strument that he had bought with the
few shillings remaining out OF his
check. Been on the spree and going
back to drive within until you've
enough to go on another? How ] wish
you'd tell that TO our high and mighty
lord bishop of all the back blocks! |
should like to see his face and hear
him on the subject But 1 suppose
he's new since you were down here
last? Never come across him, ehi
But OF course you heard how good old
Stingaree scored of him the other
day after he thought he'd scored OF
StingareeF'
The within driver had heard some
thing about It. Young Melvin plunged
into the cOngenial narrative and
emerged minutes later IN dusky glow
"You never knew him, did your
whispered Oswald.
'Knew him? I've been taken pris
oner by him." said the within driver
with the pause of man who hesitates
to humiliate himself. but is lost for
the sake OF that same sensation which
Oswald Melvin loved TO create.
Here's a man who's been stuck NJ
by Stingaree!' Oswald cried, shaking
hands in his delight "Do keep -
eye on the show, mother. and let him
tell me- all about II.
''Not for met put in the within dirty
er when offered liquor. II should like
drink of tea out Of n cup II Pm to
have anything"
Mrs. Melvin left them with u good
humOred word besides her promise.
The tremulous tramp sat In Mrs
Melvin's own chair.
Now fire awayw cried Oswald.
Very WELL" said the within driver
1T was only the other day in a dust
storm away back near the Darling, as
bad one as ever l was out In.
was pushed and done for, gave it up
and said my prayers. Then l practi-
cally died In my tracks and came to
life in a sunny clearing later in the
day The storm was over. Two cOves
had found me and carried me to their
camp, and as soon as | saw them |
spotted one for Howie and the other
for Stingaree!"
Aud how long were you there?"
About a week"
what happened thenT
They waited for the next duststorm
and then cast me adrift I'm that"
"YOu must have done something to
deserve IT," Oswald cried.
81 did" was the reply, with hanging
head. II tried to take him"
Take your benefactor-take him |
"Yes-the man who saved my life"
Melvin sat staring. IL was a stare |
OF honestly incredulOus disgust Then |
he sprang to his feet, a brighter youth |
than Aawa-.arsesss. al
cloud His vlllainous hero was heroic
villain after all
II was certainly a battered and |
hangdOg figure that stole away into
the bush. Yet the creature straighten-
ed as he strobe into starlight indebted
by earthly illumination. His palsy left
him Presently as he went he began
lingering the new melodeon In the
way or a man who need not have /
sought elementary instruction from Os.
wald Melvin. Aud now a shining disk
oiled one unwashed eye.
stingaree lay part Of that night
beside the milk white mare that he
had left tethered In a box clump quite
near the town. At sunrise he knelt
and shaved on the margin OF a govern
ment tank before breaking the mirror
by plunging In. And before the next
stars paled he was snugly back in
older haunts, none knowing ~ his
descent upon those OF men.
There or thereabOuts. hidden like the
needle In the hay ana yet ubiquitous
In the stack. the bushranger remained