THE CHIMNEY CORNER.

THE DISRUPTION A TALE OF TRYING TIMES.

CHAPTER XXXIII. Happy the man whose wish and care, A few paternal acres bound. Content to breathe his native air, On his own ground. Poi'E.

At the sight of his new visitors Mr. Bacon was as much overjoyed as Robin Aflect himself, and instantly mustered courage to decide against Robin’s de parture. Turning to the factor and his worthy confederate, the minister, he said —‘I’ll consider the matter; I’ll consider it; but in the meantime Mr. Afleck will remain.’ As he said this, he and Robin advanced a few steps to meet their approaching friends, and left Messrs. M'Corkle and Smuggerly dumbfoundered. These worthies, find ing themselves foiled for the time, and treated with as little consideration as they deserved, slunk off to renew their carouse, and concoct ulterior measures, while Stiffriggs and Mr. Duncanson re ceived a hearty welcome to Auchter bardie. The student was exhausted by the journey, and much in need of re freshment and rest, and Robin, with the help of Neddie, was not long in making preparations to render him as comfortable as the ill-furnished con dition of the house would admit. Mr, Bacon was soon on the most familiar and cordial terms with Stiffriggs, who began to perceive that the Laird, though an eccentric, flighty man, was by no means without a vein of good sense and right feeling. In fact, a re volution seemed taking place in Mr. Bacon’s ideas ; they now began to flow in a natural and healthy channel, and the effect on his whole appearance and demeanour was observable at a glance. Robin Afleck’s shrewd remarks on the neglected condition of his estate, and on the palpable bondage in which he was kept by M'Corkle, the factor, had sunk deep into his mind, for the found a response there in his own long smothered convictions ; and now, with the example before him of honest Rin gan Stimperton’s manly independent bearing, he became like a new man. His entire position appeared to him in a light in which he had never viewed it before, and with characteristic impetu osity of temper he resolved he would reform it altogether. While he sat with his guests revolving these thoughts in his mind, a heavy knock came to the door, and thepoorLaird’snew-born cour age sank to his heels, for his habitual subjection to M'Corkle made him ap prehend his re-appearance as a slave dreads the appearance of an angry task master, He was, however, relieved when John Braiden, one of his humblest tenants, [was announced by Neddie as desiring to have a word with him. John was immediately requested to walk in, and kindly invited to take a seat among the company. The honest man was at first reluctant to comply, and felt uneasy in the presence of strangers, but by degrees his shyness melted under the genial influence of a frank reception. On his entrance he intended to demand a private audience of Mr. Bacon, but after finding himself among people who at first sight inspired him with confi dence, who were likely to understand him better than the Laird, and to sympathise with him thoroughly, he discreetly preferred to state his case in open court before them all. He waited only for a hint to tell bis errand and then proceeded in homely phrase to say— ‘ I’m an auld tenant o’ yours, Mr. Bacon, and gude kens I’m but a puir ane, but I’m like to be puirer noo than ever, and an ootcast in my auld days.’ ‘ What is the matter, John ?’ inquired Mr. Bacon with concern. ‘ What is the matter ? Has any misfortune happened to vou ?

‘ Misfortune ! aye, a sair misfortune- D’ye no ken, sir, I’ve lost my farm ?’ ‘No, indeed, John; I never heard of it. How can that be ?’

‘Just as I jaloused, sir, it’s just as I jaloused. The deed has been dune oot o’ your kennin’, ’because ye talc nae tent o’ what^ une in your name on your ai- pro p erty .» ■ 'nd who has your farm been Ou,'to a man they ca’ M'Corkle.’ ‘ Is he -any connection of the factor’s ?’ . . ‘He’s just the factor himsel, sir; fient anither, better or waur.’ ‘ Ay, this is a curious business ; really very curious. I must have it inquired into.’ ‘ Aweel, sir, the mair ye inquire ye’ll find the mair to surprise ye.’ ‘ You don’t mean to say that M'Corkle has been taking any more of my farms into his own hand ?’

‘No exactly that, sir. He has nane besides, that I ken o’, but the Fat-holm which he aye keeps in his ain haund ; and what he pays for’t ye’ll ken yoursel’. But maist a’ the lave o’ your grun’ is held noo by freens 0’ his ain or o’ the minister’s. Look ye owre yer rent-roll whan ye please, and ye’ll find that maist a’ the tenants ye ha’e are M'Corkles or Smuggerlies. I’m just aboot the last auld tenant to the fore on the Auchter bardie estate; the vera last, I daur say, that’s nae kin to the factor or the minister, and no willing to snool to either the ane or the ither o’ them.’

‘Upon my word this is a state of things I can’t and won’t submit-to,’ said the Laird; and rising and walking through the room in a fever 01 excite ment, he took a few turns and then added somewhat sternly— ‘ Why did you never tell me of these doings before ?’

4 Because, sir,’ answered John Brai den, timidly, ‘ as lang as the wrangs I had to suffer—and they ha’e been neither licht nor few—were onythmg short o’ ruination, I was obliged to thole them for fear o’ something waur; for nae tenant o’ yours was e’er kent to compleen against M'Corkle without being made to repent it. There was Boagholes, and Drumsheuchead, and Dykend a’ men wi’ families like mysel’, and a’ sober and weel doin’—they stood up against the hated body, and what made they o’t ? Ruin, ruin ; nae thing but black ruin ! As lang as I had onything to fear fae him, I was glad to keep a calm sough ; but that’s by. He has done his warst to rae|noo, and that raak’s me bauld to speak oot.’ ‘ But did you give him no provoca tion ? ’ ‘ Provocation ? Ay, plenty o’ that, it seems, his way o’ judgin’; but nane justly, if I'm no a slave, and ha’e ony jicht to think for mysel’. He cam’ to

me alang wi’ Mr. Smuggerly—they’re never separate, but continually prowlin’ aboot like a couple o’ hounds as they are, and the de’il hunts wi’ them, or I’m mista’en—to get me to sign a petition in favor o’ Lord Aberdeen’s Bill anent Kirk affairs. Noo I kenn’d naething aboot the Bill, and wantit naething ado wi’t when I saw wha was drivin’ to get it pass’d; so I just refused aff aloof. That was a’ my faut, sir—at least a’ that e’er I had ony guess o’. M'Corkle warned me I wad repent it; and if I dinna, it’s no but that he has made the punishment heavy eneuch.’ ‘ Gentlemen,’ said Mr. Bacon, turn ing to his guests, ‘I am ashamed— deeply ashamed—of this. You must think I have been acting a very silly part in permitting such iniquities to be perpetrated by anyone acting in my name. And so I have—there’s no denying it. But I will put an end to them. I will henceforth look into my own affairs, and take personal cognis ance of the treatment which my tenants receive otherwise I should be unworthy of a landlord’s privileges.’ ‘ Your resolution is noble,’ said the student; ‘and I hope you will begin to act on it by doing justice yet to Mr. Braiden.’

‘Of course, Mr. Duncanson —of course,’ replied the Laird, ‘ I am determined he shall have justice; but upon my word I don’t know well how or where to begin. I have been used to leave everything so much to M‘Corkle, that I have no experience of business matters. I am afraid, there fore, I must consult him before I can learn in what way this oppressive transaction can be cancelled or com pensated.’ When poor John Braiden heard this lame and impotent conclusion, he turned up his eyes in despair; but he was instantly relieved by the impression it made on the rest of the company. Stiffriggs, who had been sitting pre viously with his eyes flashing indigna tion and his teeth clenched, now turned to him with a beaming counte nance, and shaking him warmly by the hand, said, *lf Mr. Bacon likes to tak’ my advice, I’ll let him see a way of settin’ you richt withoot ever consultin’ M'Corkle.’

‘ Ay, to be shure ! ’ exclaimed Robin Afleck, without reserve or hesitation — ‘to be shure. Consult M‘Corkle! Consult Sauten rather ! ’

‘ Well, then, Mr. Stimperton,’ said the Laird, addressing Stiffriggs, * what do you think can be done ? Can John be kept in possession of—what’s this you call it, John ? ’ ‘ The Baregang, sir,’ replied John., ‘Ay, the Baregang. Can’John be kept in possession of the Baregang, even suppose M'Corkle should have drawn out a lease of it in favour of him self?’

‘ Certainly, sir,’ answered Stiffriggs ; ‘ If sae be your pleesure, for there’s nae lease o’ your grun’ can baud with oot it be signed by you, unless ye like yoursel’. But I’m hauf-thinkin’ there may be a better way o’ settlin’ the matter. It seems M'Corkle bauds anither farm they ca’ the Fat-holm. Is’t as gude as the Baregang ! ’ “ It’s worth ten o’t,’ exclaimed John Braiden.

‘ls his lease maist oot?’ inquired Stiffriggs. ‘Why, the fact is,’ answered 'Mr. Bacon, “I am not aware; but J,ohn will know perbapsy ‘Yes,’said John, ‘the rinnin’ lease o’ the Fat-holm is just oot at the next term, the same as mine; but maybe the crafty sneckdrawer may ha’e anither drawn oot to keep his grip firm.* ‘ That’s o’ no nae consequemce,’ an swered Ringan, ‘ the Lalvd hasna signed it,’ ‘ Me,’ exclaimed Mr. Bacon, ‘it is impossible. I never signed a lease in my life. IM'Corkle never asked me.’ ‘ Wee), that’s just eneuch. For my pairt I think it’s no richt for a factor to farm a single acre hirnsel’. He should ha’fe nae job in haund but lookin’ after tb.e estate.. Still, whether M‘Corkle happen to contirme factor or no, I wad propose, Mir. Bacon, that _ you should let him ).ia’e the Baregang if he likes, but onl.y on condition that he shall pay th e same rent that John Braiden has been payin’ for’t, and that John should get the next tack of the Fat-holm at M'Corkle’s present rent. That wad be but even-haunded justice.,’' ‘Tc shall be done, Mr. Stimperton ; it shall be done,’ replied the Laird in au ecstacy of delight at the proposal. (To be continued—commenced on July 26.)

THE ASHBURTON GUARDIAN, TUESDAY, OCTOBER 19, 1880.

Printed and published daily, at the Guarduttt Office, Saunders’ Buildings; ' Easl street, Ashburton, by James MAcLeAn Dunn, residing at Tancred street, Ashburton, Tuesday, October 19, 1880,



Long Hair.- —In one of his recent lec tures, Dr. Erasmus Wilson exhibited the photograph or a woman thirty-eight years old and sft sin high, whose tresses, when she stood erect, enveloped her entire form in a veil, and trailed several inches on the ground. The longest fibres measured 6ft 3Hn. Thirty inches is the moan length for females, and 3ft is considered a re markable length. This instance is ex ceeded, however, by two American women —one whose hair measures 7ft Gin ; and another the wife of a druggist' in Philadelphia, whose luxuriant chcvelure is almost as long, and so thick that when seated upon a chair she can cover herself with it. Holloway’s Ointment and Pills.— Diseases of the skin, ringworm, scurvy, aundice, scrofula or king’s evil,sore heads, and he most inveterate skin disease to which the human frame is subject, cannot be treated with a more safe and certain remedy than Holloway’s Ointment and Pills, which act so pcrculiarly on the constitution and so purify the blood, that these diseases are at once eradicated from the system, and a lasting cure obtained. They are equally efficacious in the cure of tumors, burns, scalds, glandular swellings, ulcerous wounds, rheumatism, contracted and stiff joints, these medicines operate mildly and surely. Ihe cures ffected by them are not temporary or apparent nly, but complete and permanent.



THE ASHBURTON GUARDIAN, Price One Penny, CAN be obtained from the following Agents, who will receive orders >- Intending Subscribers will please fill up forms, which can be obtained from any of the above Agents. They will also oblige by stating on the back of the order to which agent they pay their subscriptions.



Business Notices M EDICAL HALL, ASHBURTON. Established 1874. J. M. CAMBRIDGE, CHEMIST. PARTICULAR ATTENTION PAID TO THE PURITY OF DRUGS. TEETH CAREFULLY EXTRACTED. PRESCRIPTIONS ACCURATELY PREPARED. Open on Sundays, 10 to 11 a.m., 2 to 3 and 7 to 8 p.m. 319 Marsh & Groves. T7IANOY BREAD AND BAKERS, PASTRYCOOKS AND TIONERS. BISCUIT CONFEC FAMILIES WAITED ON DAILY. Wedding and School Calces always on hand. Tancred Street, Ashburton. 312 Horse Bazaar Stables, Burnett Street. H. MUIR, PROPRIETOR, HAS much pleasure in informing the public generally that every atten tion and civility will be paid to custo mers. Saddle Horses and Buggies on hire at Lowest Rates. Commodious Loose Boxes for Entires Oats, Chaff, and Hay on Sale. jV; A.—Parcels and telegrams received here "Will command immediate attention. ,io HUGH MUIR. TEN PER CENT. DISCOUNT AT EVERETI BROS. & CO. HAVELOCK STREET, E. B. and Co. will give 10 per cent. Dis count, or, in other words, will take off TWO SHILLINGS for every Pound’s worth of goods purchased. TERMS-CASH. From this day, October [sth, until further notice. EVERETT BROS. & CO. BOOTS! BOOTS! BOOTS 1 To Meet the Times. C HAWKINS, the Cheap Boot and , Shoemaker, TINWALD (opposite the Post Office), has determined to CLEAR OUT his large and well-selected Stock at sweeping prices. Only one trial will convince the public of the genuine cheapness of his Stock. His own make equally reduced. Come and see for your selves. jar- Note the address— C. HAWKINS, PRACTICAL BOOT & SHOEMAKER Opposite the Post Office, Tinwald. Note—No connection with any other shop. 815 c CHANGE OF PROPRIETARY. mHE UNDERSIGNED has much J- pleasure in announcing to the in habitants of Ashburton and district that he has TAKEN OVER the BUSINESS of Mr. J. S. SAVAGE, East street, Ash burton, and respectfully solicits a con tinuance of the patronage so liberally bestowed on his predecessor, trusting by keeping a choice assortment of all classes of FRUIT, CONFECTIONERY, &c., to merit a fair share of the public support, T. BENNETTO, FRUITERER AND CONFECTIONER, East street, Ashburton. 814 c Removal. CABINETMAKING & UPHOLSTERING ESTABLISHMENT, REMOVED TO BURNETT STREET, Opposite the Mail Office. Cheapest House in Town for New and Secondhand Furniture. JOHN MEECH, PRACTICAL CABINETMAKER, UPHOLSTERER PAPERHANGER, &c. Drawers from 30s. and upwards, Dressing tables and Washstands 10s. and upwards. ATT. KINDS OP REPAIRS. Furniture Renovated and Repolished, or Exchanged. GOOD PRICE GIVEN POR SECONDHAND FURNITURE. 248 c



Business Notices. IMMENSE ARRIVALS OF NEW GOODS AT ORE & 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, fpHE Stock in the Assigned Estate of Messrs. Edmisxon, 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-182d



Business Notices. T, 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 FOR SEWING MACHINES TO THE NEW DAVIS VERTICAL FEED MACHINE ON EVERY POINT, AND OVER ALE 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, m ids. Volumes could express no more 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. 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 trimmin . 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. 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 famiW iiHfi. it has no pnnal. © u & w SOLE AGENTS FOR ASHBURTON.



Business Notices. GRATEFUL COMFORTING " EPF S' S COCOA. BREAKFAST. BY a thorough knowledge of the natural laws which govern the operations of digestion and nutrition, and by & 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 vs 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 CO., HOMCEOPATHIC CHEMIST, ~ LONDON. Medical. Keating’s Powder. [ Keating’s Powder. ! Keating’s Powder. I Keating’s Powder. Kills Bugs, Fleas, Moths, Beetles. This Powder is quite harmless to ANIMAL LIFE, but is imnvallqd in destroy ing fleas, bugs, cockroaches, beetles, moths in furs, and every other species of insect. Sports men will find this invaluable for destroying fleas in their dogs, as also ladies for their i 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 INTE S T 1 NA L 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. 9S<se ENO’S FRUIT SALT. THE PHYSICAL BASIS OF LIFEr GOOD FOOD. .... How to enjoy good food that would other wise cause Bilious headache, disordered Stomach, Poisoned Blood, &c. —use ENO’S FRUIT SALT,. VV 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. If its great value in keep ing the body in health were universally known, no fata should be without it. FAGGED, WEARY,. AND WORN OUT !I! 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 and free from disease. ENO versus STIMULANTS. Ah "it*. 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 Eno’s Salt would not be without it upon any consideration, 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, Ripe 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 Blood, 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 Rev. DrHuist, 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 'I 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 hot enjoyed such good health for years.—Yours most truly, Robert Humphreys, Post Office, Barrasford.” Agents for New Zealand, MESSRS. KEMPTHORNE, PROSSER, AND CO. • ' STEEDMAN’S SOOTHING POWDERS FOR CHILDREN CUTTING TEETH. - CAUTION TcT 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 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 : . i . 1st —In 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, i 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, 1 Surrey. ' ■ Sold in Packets by all Chemists and Medi cine Vendors. Sold by Kempthorne, Prosser and Co., Auckland. 63