THE CHIMNEY CORNER.

THE- DISRUPTION A TALE or TRYING TIMES.

CHAPTER XXX— continued.

Sir John, after some inquiries as to the student’s health, remarked— ‘ Well, Mr. Duncanson, I am glad you feel yourself in the way of recovery, and I hope you will not only recruit your health of body, but your spirits. You seem dejected, but that will never do. You must not allow petty annoyances to harras you.’ Mr. M’Quirkie —‘ Perhaps, however, Sir John, Mr. Duncanson may have annoyances not of a petty sort. There are, you know, some troubles proof against all philosophy.’ ‘Mr. D.—“l don’t think mine will prove of that kind. Indeed some in jurious and unfounded reports are al most all I have to complain of.’ Sir John —‘I have heard something of these; but, even were they true, they need not vex you much. I dare say some of your old friends, the high flying Non-intrusionists, will think differently and make great offences of a trifling slip or two ; but you have no such injustice to fear among the reasonable people of the Moderate side.’

‘ 1 assure you, Sir, I have nothing to fear among reasonable people of any side.’ Sir John —‘ Yes ; but I suspect you will only find reasonable people among the Moderates. The other party are so fanatical and self-righteous that they cannot afford to be charitable in the best sense of the wqrd. They cannot think leniently of slight faults, and practise the poet’s maxim— Gently scan your brother man. Still gentler sister woman. Mr. D —‘ lam sorry to say, Sir John, I cannot agree with you in that opinion. I believe there are reasonable people to be found in all parties; but I don’t wish to throw myself on any body’s leniency. The reports which I learn are in circulation to my prejudice are totally false, and all I ask from my friends is fair play.’ Sir John —‘ Then you don’t admit that you have got into rather an unfor tunate scrape as to some money which is said to have been taken off you.’ Mr. D. —‘ Oh yes, sir, I confess the misfortune, but deny the disgraceful circumstances with which suspicion has colored it. The case is this—[Here Mr. Duncanson related particulars with which the reader is already acquainted, and went on to say]—The only error I acknowledge was the attempt to keep a matter secret ivhich I conceived was not properly anybody’s business but my own, and I have been punished for it I think too severely.’

Sir John —‘ Well, Mr. Duncanson, I am proud to hear your explanation. For my part I am perfectly satisfied with it.’

Mr. M'Q. —•' So am I. Malicious people may call it ingenious merely, but I consider it satisfactory—indeed I do. I feel confident it would bring you off with flying colors in any Church court, always supposing that no proof to the contrary should appear.’ Mr. D.— ‘ I care nothing for mere legal exculpation. If I could only clear myself from court censure and not from the taint of suspicion, I should dare to hold up my face, the verdict I claim is not “not proven ” but “ not guilty.” If there could be any evidence to stain my name, I should not wait for its appearance, but anticipate condem nation by shrinking out of sight.’ Mr. M‘Q. —‘Why should you? The worst of it would be a trifling cost of character .’ The words in italics were uttered with a peculiar emphasis to re mind Mr. Duncanson that lie had used them on a former occasion, and ap plied them in a manner not likely to be soon forgotten or forgive. But the sneer they conveyed passed without re tort, for just at the moment of its birth the company were surprised by the abrupt entrance of Dr. Snapper dudgeon. The Doctor came equally uninvited and unexpected, and without any anticipation of meeting with his chief enemy the Baronet. He was, however, not the man to be put out of countenance by such a rencontre. In the full glow of insolence, he stared about when he was shown into the room; making a constrained bow to Sir John, he passed Mr. M'Quirkie without the slightest notice, and, ad vancing to Mr. Duncanson, shook hands as cordially as if he had always been on the most friendly terms with him. The Baronet immediately rose and departed hurriedly, followed by his sycophant M'Quirkie. The Doctor threw himself into the chair which Sir John had left vacant, and roared and laughed immoderately. “ What a treat! what a treat!” he vociferated, and roared and laughed again till his face became swollen. Meantime the student sat looking at him with a mixed feeling of surprise and indignation, and at the first pause in the Doctor’s explosive merriment, calmly] said— ‘ Will you be so good as to let me know, Doctor, to what I owe the honor of your visit ?' The Doctor stared again in astonish ment at the rebuke implied in this question, and replied—Tuts, tuts ! don’t go off at half-cock, my good fel low. My visit is a friendly one.’ CHAPTER XXXI. Then Yre came in wkh Sturt and s'rife— His hand was aye upon his knife. Dunbar. ‘My visit is a friendly one,’ said Doctor Snapperdudgeon, as he started from his chair, and with his coat-tails tucked under his arms, paced up and down the room, indulging anew in un restrained merriment at the sudden retreat of Sir John Baldwin and Mr, M'Quirkie. At length, when he had exhausted this humor, he turned again to Mr. Duncanson, and said— ‘ Now, my good fellow, you and I are to be friends henceforward. You must be done now with the sour-faced Evan gelical squad, I’m pretty sure ; so I’ve come to give you the right hand of fellowship,’ ‘ Your observations, Doctor, are as uncalled-for as your friendship is tm ’ was all Mr. Duncanson was allowed to say in answer, when he was interrupted by the Doctor, who guessed at once the nature of the reply, and was not inclined to hear it out.

‘Nay, hold!’ he exclaimed, ‘I know not what you intend to say, but you are wrong—far wrong—and you must take time to think. You mean to tell me that you still hold the same

views and mean to stick to the same party. But I know better. The thing is impossible quite impossible. A man may go with the Pharisees, and be a Pharisee himself, let him be as black at the bone as Satan, as long as he keeps a smooth surface, and is not caught tripping; but not a moment longer. If you don’t cut them they’ll cut you, so you must be done with them either way. And so much the better. You were too good for them —too good for them. You were never of the true puritanical kidney, and I liked you all the better, though you may think I was no friend of yours. And neither I was. I couldn’t, sir, I couldn’t, when I saw you trying to make yourself one ot that fanatical crew. But you’ve done with them now, I know you are; I know you must be, so don’t stultify yourself on the other side. Come frankly out as a hater of humbug, cant, and hypocrisy, and a friend of the good old order of things in Church and State; and my word for it you will have nothing to fear from attacks of a per sonal nature.’

‘We don’t understand each other, Doctor. You are laboring under some gross mistake as to my position and inclinations, or you would not hold such language to me. I am not aware of any personal attacks I have to fear. Surely you don’t intend to insinuate that my character is in danger ? ’ ‘ Not if you take the right course — if you can despise the silliness of screw ing a hat-stick into your face —and have the sense to know the friends who can defend you.’ ‘Why should I need to be defended? What have I done ? ’

“ Weil, what a simpleton you are to be sure ! No offence, you know but really you speak like a child.’ ‘ Perhaps I do ; but I have yet to learn the meaning of your hints. You are just about the last person I should have applied to for information, but since you have thought proper to visit me of your own accord, and to inti mate obscurely something affecting my good name,, I beg you will be kind enough to explain yourself Have you heard anything to my disad vantage ? ’ ‘ I’m not deaf, Mr. Duncanson —I don’t wear cotton in my ears, so I can’t help hearing what everybody is talking of. But don’t be afraid. It’s nothing that can keep you back if your case is properly managed ; and, if you leave it to me, I’ll confound your enemies, and and make the boldest of them sing small. I daresay you know that lam the man that can do it, and I will. I, as your minister, am your natural pro tector you know, and you may depend on me to the utmost. Only there’s to be no more long faces, mind; no more herding with canting people. But you must tell me the whole affair yourself, that I may be armed at all points in your behalf.’

£ What affair do you allude to ?’ ‘ Oh, you don’t know then ? You are not aware that you have been re ceiving a large sum of money in a mysterious way, losing it in a mysteri ous way, seeking for it mysteriously, and recovering it very mysteriously ? If you don’t know all this, I say it is prodigiously mysterious. Isn’t it, eh ? Now, you need not blush so much, my good fellow. It’s no great matter after all. Iv’e been in many a worse scrape myself. Upon my word, I have. Your case is not a bad case if it be well managed ; but all depends on that; otherwise it may be serious enough.’ ‘ I will take my chance with it, with out any management.’ £ Indeed ! Then you are a greater fool than I thought you. How do you think it possible you can escape with a clear character ?’

‘ Because I have done nothing to tarnish it.’

‘ Ay, you may say so, but see if you will get anybody to believe you. For my part I can’t; and what is more, I may feel it my duty to say so publicly.’ * Why then did you offer but a minute ago to defend me ?’ ‘ Because I expected you would be reasonable.’

‘ That is, you thought I would ad mit myself to be guilty ? In that case you would be ready to assert my in nocence ; but seeing I maintain it my self, you make a matter of conscience of holding the reverse ?’ ‘ Precisely. That is the very position of the case. Had you been candid and admitted freely that you had stepped aside a hair’s breadth or so, I would have lent a hand cheerfully to white wash you. I can look indulgently on piccadilloes, and should have taken a pleasure in protecting you against the pretenders to immaculate virtue. I should then have some hope of seeing you become a respectable, liberal minded, social, professional brother. But seeing the puritanical stand you are disposecd to take, I give you up as a bad subject, But for all that, I am not done with you. No ; I give you fair warning that since you won’t have me as a friend, you may expect to have me for an enemy.’ (To be continued—commenced on y»ly 2b.)

A New Motive Power.

The development of the practical application of electricity has proceeded so rapidly of late years that we cease to express surprise at any results accom plished by its aid. it cures people of all sorts of ailments that never would be cured by drugs, and bye and bye it will probably do all the work, and leave us merely to superintend the wires. The latest idea—an American one, we need scarcely say —is to pave the streets with iron blocks in sections, and to charge them with electricity in such a manner that carts, wagons, fire-engines, &c. —especially &c. —will be able to dispense with horses, for they will merely carry an electric engine, and, taking the current from the road on which they run, will move about in any desired direction. Horses may, it seems, still be available, but nothing is said as to the effects of a thunderstorm while they are travelling over the iron coated roads.

THE ASHBURTON GUARDIAN, THURSDAY, OCTOBER 14, 1880.

Printed and published daily, at the Guardian • Office, Saunders’ Buildings, East street, Ashburton, by James MucLkan Dunn, residing at Tancred street, Ashburton, Thursday, October 14, 1880.



Another. — A new side school in Timaru capable of holding 300 pupils will be opened in a day or two. On Board. —The amateuas who played “Pinafore” in Wellington last week have tendered a complimentary benefit to Miss Leaf. The piece selected is “Pina fore,” and the performance will take place on the quarter dock of the ship St. Leonard’s, now loading for London. DO you Want the News of the Day? Read the Ashburton Guardian, Price, One Penny.



Business Notices. IMMENSE ARRIVALS OF NEW GOODS AT ORR & CO.’S. We are now showing THE LARGEST STOCK OF NEW SPRING GOODS EVER OFFERED IN ASHBURTON. Ex HALCIONE, AT LYTTELTON, AND NEW LONDON, AT MELBOURNE. ALSO, rjIHE Stock in the Assigned Estate of Messrs. Edmiston, Gundry, and Co. valued at £2,000, Which will be SOLD at about HALF-PRICE. CONSISTING OF CARPETS, MATTING BLANKETS, GROCERIES, IRONMONGERY, CHAIRS, MATTRESSES &c ORR AND CO. September Ist] 18801 841c-1820



Business Notices. X &ATB.ST FIRST PRIZE SEWING MACHINES At the Sydney International Exhibition of 1879-80, after a contest extending over Six Months, and the severest tests yet applied to Sewing Machines in the World The Judges have Endorsed the Verdict of the People AND AWARDED THE ONLY FIRST PRIZE FOE, SEWING MACHINES TO THE NEW DAVIS VERTICAL FEED MACHINE ON EVERY POINT, AND OVER ALL OTHER MACHINES. Show Rooms, EAST STREET, NEXT UNION BANK OF AUSTRALIA. READ THE AWARD. “The New Davis Sewing Machine, being a complete departure from the ordinary style of Sewing Machines, pos sessing all the advantages of such ordinary Sewing Machines, and in ad dition an increased range of work, with the greatest simplicity of construction, and reduction in number of working parts, we consider it entitled to first place in awards.” PRICE, WITH TREADLE, £7 10s. Volumes could express no rhore than this award, won by SHEER MERIT in competition OPEN TO THE WORLD, he opportunity being fully availed of. Samples of Work and Illustrated Catalogues forwarded post free to any part of the Colony of New Zealand. Full instructions gratis, and a liberal time payment system. Every Machine guaranteed We will show the Machine in operation, making up samples of the following list of work, which the “Davis” does WITHOUT BASTING. COME AND GET SAMPLES. The Machines Will he Shown with Great Pleasure. Plain and Scallop binding. Bind dress goods with the same material, either scallops, points, squares, or straight. Bind folds without showing the stitches. Bind folds .without showing the stitches, and sew on at the same time time. It will put on skirt braid and sew on facing at one operation, without showing the stitches. Make French folds. Make French folds and sew on at the same time. Make Milliners’ folds with different colors and pieces of goods at one operation, and sew on at same time. ’ It will gather between two pieces and sew on at the same time. It will cover the cord and sew it in between edges at the same time. It will do felling, bias or straight, either on cotton or woollen goods. It sews from lace to leather without changing stitch or tension. For tucking, cording, braiding, quilting, ruffling, fringing, embroidering, shoe fitting, tailoring, dressmaking, and family use, it has no eqnal. It will make wide and narrow hems, hems all manner of bias wollen goods, as soft merino, crape, or goods difficult to hem on other machines. It will fold hems with cords enclosed, and stitch them down at one operation. It will cover the cord and sew the sleeve in at one operation. It makes a more elastic stitch than any other machine. It will sew over uneven surfaces as well as plain. It will gather without sewing on. It will gather and sew on at the same time. It will gather between two bands, showing the stitches on the right side at one operation. It will fell across seams on any goods. It does not change length of stitch on scroll work. It will make plaited trimming. It will make plaited trimming and sew on at the same time. It will make plaited trimming, either scalloped or straight. It will turn a hem and stitch on trimming at one operation. PURCHASERS WILL BE INSTRUCTED tO DO ALL THE ABOVE WORK.



Business Notices. GRATEFUL COMFORTING EPPS’S COCOA. BREAKFAST. BY a thorough knowledge of the natural laws which govern the operations of digestion and nutrition, and by a careful application of the fine properties of well selected cocoa, Mr. Epps has provided our breakfast tables with a delicately flavoured beverage which may save us many heavy doctor’s bills.. It is by the judicious use of such articles of diet that a constitution may be gradually built up until strong enough to resist every ten pency to disease. Hundreds of subtle maladies are floating around us ready to attack wherever there is a weak point. We may escape many a fatal shaft by keeping ourselves well fortified with pure blood and a properly nourished frame. — See article in the Civil Service Gazette, _ Made simply with boiling water or milk. Sold only in packets or tins, labelled ; JAMES EPPS AND 00., HOMOEOPATHIC CHEMIST, LONDON. 91°g *ar THIS ADVERTISEMENT SHOULD BE CAREFULLY READ AND RE MEMBERED BY EVERYONE IN TERESTED IN FENCING. THE PATENT OVAL SAMSON FENCE WIRE Has now been before the public for four years, and during that time 5,000 TONS HAVE BEEN SOLD Giving very great satisfaction, in proof of which we hold numerous testimonials from well-known colonists ; and the demand is daily increasing to such an extent, that numerous spurious imitations have lately been introduced in the various markets of Australia and New Zealand, for the sole purpose of damaging the reputation of the Patent Oval Samson Wire. The Samson Wire By using the Patent Oval Fence Wire you get a better and cheaper fence than any other, and the best proofs are the mitations already referred to. comprehensive circular as to its advantages, with numerous testimonials from well-known colonists, will be posted to any address on application. The state Forests of Victoria are fenced with the Patent Oval Samson Fence Wire; the one at Dookie is, without doubt, the best Wire Fence in Australia, and people come from great distances to see it. PRICES GREATLY REDUCED The public, when purchasing, are there fore cautioned to see that each coil bears a tin tally thus : PATENT OVAL SAMSON WIRE, IN OVAL ; And the Patentee’s Tally or Trade Mark : M B R IN' PADLOCK. Manufactured by the Whitecross Wire Company, Warrington, England. Was patented and introduced four years ago in Victoria, New South Wales, Queensland, and New Zealand ; and the principal claim set fourth was its being made Oval to prevent fraud. Yet, in the face of these patents, firms—many of respecaltry standing—have, for the sake of a paltry commission, lent themselves to the intro duction of various spurious imitations, which render them liable to actions at law, and annoyance and disappointment to the users. We would point out to intending pur chasers that any person erecting Oval Wire Fences, other than the Patent Oval Sam son, renders himself liable for damages. The Patent Acts on this point are very explicit; therefore, after this notice no excuse can be made. Wehave had instancesbrought under om notice where sornepersonshave been so un principled as to mix the Spurious Oval Wire amongst the Patent Oval Samson in order to make a sale, and damage the the.reputation of the genuine article. We have a great aversion to take legal proceedings in this matter, but shall be compelled to, in self-defence, unless these practices are at once stopped. ADDRESS : M 1 Lean ' Bros. & Rigg 3 * IMPORTER , 69 ELIZABETH STREET, MELBOURNE j TRADE MARK : M B R IN PADLOCK. We 'undertake through our agents, to deliver the Patent Oval Samson Wire at any port in Australia or New Zealand, ither direct from England or Melbourne. Inquiries by . telegram promptly answered. REWARD.—Fencers throughout the Colonies who can give information as to the erection of Oval Wire Fences, other than the Patent Oval Samson Wire, will find it to their advantage to communicate with Messrs. M’Lean Brothers and Rigg, 69 Elizabeth Street Melbourne.



Medical. Keating’s Powder. Keating’s Powder. Keating’s Powder. Keating’s Powder. Kills Bugs, Pleas, Moths, Beetles. This Powder is quite harmless to ANIMAL LIFE, but is unrivalled in destroy ing fleas, bugs, cockroaches, beetles, moths in furs, and every other species of insect. Sports men will find this for destroying fleas in their dogs, as also ladies for their pet dogs. THIS ARTICLE has found so GREAT a SALE that it has tempted others to vend a so called article in imitation. The PUBLIC are CAUTIONED that the tins of the genuine powder bear the autograph of THOMAS KEATING. Keating’s Worm Tablets. Keating’s Worm Tablets. Keating’s Worm Tablets* A PURELY VEGETABLE SWEETMEAT, both in appearance and taste, furnishing a most agreeable method of administering the only certain remedy for INTESTINAL or THREAD WORMS. It is a perfectly safe and mild preparation, and is especially adapted for children. Sold in tins by all Chemists and Druggists. Proprietor, THOS. KEATING, London. '956c ENO’S FRUIT SALT, , THE PHYSICAL BASIS OF LIFE. GOOD FOOD. How to enjoy good food; that would other wise cause : Bilious headache; disordered Stomach, Poisoned Blood, &c.-r-use. ; ‘ ENO’S FRUIT SALT. A NATURAL APERIENT. ENO’S FRUIT SALT, when taken with water, acts as a natural aperient, its simple but natural action removes all impurities, thus preserving and restoring health. Ifits great value inkeep ing the body in health were universally known, no family should be without it. Fagged, weary, And worn OUT !! ! Anyone whose duties require them to under go mental or unnatural excitement or strain— ENO’S FRUIT SALT is the best known remedy. It acts like a charm. It allays ner vous excitement, depression, aud the injurious effects of stimulants and too rich food. Its power in aiding the digestion is most striking. It also restores the nervous system to its proper condition (by natural means). Use ENO’S FRUIT SALT. You cannot overstate its great value in keeping the blood pure aud free from disease. ENO versus — An «- sufficient amount of exercise frequently deranges the liver. ENO’S FRUIT SALT is peculiarly adapted for any constitutional weak ness of the liver. A world of woes is avoided by those who keep and use ENO’S FRUIT SALT. —“All our customers for End’s Salt would not be without it upon any they having received so much benefit from it.— Wood Brothers, Chemists, Jersey, 1878.” Every travelling trunk, and HOUSEHOLD in the world ought to contain a .Bottle of ENO’S FRUIT SALT, prepared from Sound, Ripie Fruit, as a Health giving, Cooling, Sparkling, and Invigorating Beverage for any Season. It is the best Pre ventive and Cure for Biliousness, Sick Head ache. Skin Eruptions, Impure Blotd, Fevers, Pimples on the Face, Giddiness Feverishness, Mental Depression, Want of Appetite, Sour ness of Stomach, Constipation, Vomiting, Thirst, &c., and to remove the effects of errors in Eating and Drinking. ENO’S FRUIT SALT.— From the Rer, Dr Hurst, Vicar of Collorly;—“I have nsed your Fruit Salt for many years, and have verified your statements. The thanks of the public are due to you for your unceasing efforts to relieve suffering humanity. Long may. you live to be a blessing to the world.” ENO’S FRUIT SALT.—“After suffering for nearly two and a half years from severe headache and disordered stomach, and after trying almost everything and spending much money without finding any benefit, I was recommended by a friend to try ENO’S FRUIT SALT, and before I had finish '1 one bottle I found it doing me a great deal of good, and now I am restored to my usual health; and others I know that have tried it have not enjoyed such good health for years.—Yours most truly, Robert Humphreys, Post Office, Barrasford.” Agents for New Zealand, MESSRS. KEMPTHORNE, PROSSER, AND CO. TEEDMAN’S SOOTHING POWDERS CHILDREN CUTTING TEETH. CAUTICN TO PURCHASERS. The value of this well-known Family Medi cine has been largely tested in all parts of the world, and by all grades of society, for upwards of FIFTY YEARS. Its well-earned exten sive sale has induced SPURIOUS IMITA TIONS, some of which in OUTWARD APPEARANCE so closely resemble the ori ginal as to have deceived many purchasers. The proprietor therefore feels it due, to the public to give a special caution against the use of SUCH IMITATIONS. Purchasers are therefore requested carefully to observe the four following distinctive characteristics, without which none are genuine : Ist—ln every case the words JOHN STEEDMAN, CHEMIST, WALWORTH, SURREY, are engraved on the Government Stamp affixed to each packet. 2nd —Each Single Powder has directions for the dose, and the words, John Steedman, Chemist, Walworth, Surrey, printed thereon. 3rd—The name, Steedman, is always spelt with two EE’s. 4th —The manufacture is carried on solely at Walworth, Surrey. Sold in Packets by all Chemists and Medi cine Vendors. Sold by Kempthorne, Prosser and Co., Auckland. .63 THE ASHBURTON GUARDIAN. gUBSCRIBERS in the Country ' are Particularly requested to communicate j with the Publishers if their papers are hot properly addressed. The Humber of Sub scribers has increased so rapidly that* un less great care is taken in giving orders as to address and how to be sent, the papers may be left at the wrong place. All orders will receive prompt attention.