OPPORTUNITY.

Let her Dot pass, but grasp her while you may. Today is yours; tomorrow may not be. And he who squanders all Ms time must pay The bitter penalty. Do we not see How swift the months and years are slipping by Wherein life's battle must be fought and won? How can we waste a moment, you and I, When so much lies before us yet undone? What might have been will pass beyond our ken If we neglect her, for on golden wing She quickly leaves us desolate and then Our laults and 'failings only sorrow bring. —Good Housekeeping.

IN THE APPLE ORCHARD

___ . How n Professor Mad© tove and n Mistake at the Same lime.

Fedora, in her long, white apron and big sun hat, color box and palette in hand, sauntered out into the orchard and sat down under the shade of an apple tree. A light breeze stirred the boughs, on which the sunlight gleamed in great gold patches, and countless song birds darted from limb to limb, making the air vocal with their music. One plump, red breasted fellow perched himself directly in front of Fedora and with head on one side re garded her intently. The girl returned his gaze first with amusement, then with Interest and finally with sudden inspiration. She selected a crayon from her box and dexterously jotted down a few out lines. Then she consulted the bright bits of color she had placed on her palette and with a sweep here and there of her long paint brush trans ferred the nucleus* of her small feather ed observer to a sketch card. She held It up to the light and looked at it crit ically for a moment, then laid it on the long grass beside her and leaned back against the trunk of the tree, her hands crossed loosely behind her head, her eyes resting'in dreamy contempla tion on the gleaming fields beyond. Above her the faint rustling of the wind in the leaves drowned the silence. Presently a shadow cut across the glimmering sunlight. Fedora glanced up, and a faint color tinged her cheeks. It was the professor. "If you are top busy"— he began, looking down at her a little dubiously. "Oh, no," she broke in quickly, smil ing up at him as she spoke. "I am never, busy." Fedora prided herself upon that accomplishment. "Do sit down," she went on, with a bright look, pointing to the grassy plot oppo site her. The professor hesitated for a moment, then suddenly complied with the request. "A nice day," he remarked careless ly as he sat down. "Charming," • returned Fedora, sur veying him, with a smile. It had sud denly dawned upon her that the pro fessor was a singularly good looking man to be so old—almost 40. And in epite of his twoscore years she found herself looking with approval, almost admiration, into his deep, clear eyes, above which the thick masses of brown hair waved back from an intellectual forehead. (All professors have intel lectual foreheads.)

"I don't like to interrupt you," lie said, with a doubtful glance at the in cipient sketch and Fedora's small paint stained fingers, "but there is something I wanted to say," he went on, tugging at his watch charm. "Really?" She gave a, little cough and turned her eyes expectantly upon him. I "It's—it's Important," faltered the professor awkwardly, meeting her gaze. Fedora broke into a little soft laugh, and two dimples came into her face. "What's the matter?" he said, look ing at her In astonishment, a suspicion arising in his mind that he was being reated with unnecessary levity. "You looked so—so serious," she re plied, with such a charming little grim ace and a look so profoundly innocent that the professor immediately dis missed his suspicion as unworthy. "If you don't mind, though," he pur sued, a little uneasily, his eyes on her face, "I would rather you would not—' that yon would be a little serious." "Yes, certainly," assented Fedora, with alacrity, pulling a straight face, but with a glimmer of a smile showing about her mouth. Then the professor cleared his throat and went on with a slight hesitation: "I have a proposition." He stopped short and looked at her in a helpless sort of was. "Ah, I see!" she exclaimed, with a raerpy laugh. "And you want the—hy pothesis ?" "Precisely so," returned the profess or, his face brightening. He thought that his task would not be a difficult one with such,an.appreciating ycu£g~ "woman. "' "And now to the point," he contin ued, giving her a serious look. "A point indicates mere position and has no magnitude," interposed Fedora flippantly. "I suppose not," replied the professor With slight sternness. "But it is not a problem in geometry this time," he concluded, the glint of a smile hover ing about his lips, his voice calm.

"Oh!" exclaimed tlie girl with wide eyes, as she folded both hands in her lap and fixed upon him a look of grave attention. He shifted his position a little, pulled at a tuft of grass, then looked across at her with sudden resolution and poke, "Suppose—that—a—man"— The professor stopped short and cleared his throat again in a discon certed sort of way. Fedora met his gaze with a mis chievous smile and chewed the end of her long paint brush. "Well?" she said, dropping her chin into one small hand. "That a man is"— "Yes?"

"Well—in love, you know," he blurt-

Ed out in desperation, flushing to the brim of his scholarly hat Fedora's face was suffused with sud jleu color, and she gave an inarticulate little murmur quite beyond interpreta tion. There was an interval, during which neither spoke for several minutes. The professor was the first to break the pause. "Madly, terribly, foolishly in love," he said, emphasizing the last adverb as though it included the sum total of human imbecility. Fedora shot at him a glance of bewilderment. "To think," she said, making a mental observation, "that he could be so violent." There was another pause. She dug one dainty hand into the soft turf and looked at him shyly out of the corner of her eye. The professor spoke again. "What do you think of it?" he asked abruptly, his gaze resting upon her face with suppressed eagerness. "I—don't know." She said it slowly and blushed as she spoke. A mingled expression of doubt and perplexity be-1 came visible on the professor's face as he waited for her to go on. But Fedora remained silent, her eyes ] resting dreamily upon a little white j cloud drifting across the horizon. The situation was growing awkward. The professor felt that his grasp was ) slipping away from him and went on, a little anxiously: "You know about such things-^girls generally do. Tell me—what shall I do?" He toyed nervously with a dead twig as he spoke and searched her face nar rowly for encouragement. Fedora reflected fox a moment, then nodded with decision. "It depends," she said dryly, fixing her eyes upon his with a serious look. "Yes?" The professor turned to her with a quick smile. Fedora pondered again, then dropped her eyes half timidly and twisted the corner of her handkerchief. "On—the other one, you know—the girl," she went on, with a soft blush. The professor gazed at Jier in silence, his kind eyes full of perplexity. "Does she—care for you?" asked Fe dora in a low voice, looking away. "That's precisely the point," said he, pushing back his hat. "I want to find out." "Is she pretty?" "Beautiful!" replied the professor, With enthusiasm. "She has the most magnificent brown eyes in the world and hair—how do they say In novels like spun gold, that's it," he concluded impulsively, his eyes aglow. Fedora's cerulean orbs were sudden ly misty, and her dusky brown head was averted. There was silence for a few mo ments. After a little she leaned for ward to pick a flower, her heart throb bing violently, and the color faded from her face. The professor drew a long breath and sighed. "She doesn't give me any en couragement," he ventured, regarding her with a questioning, half wistful look. "Perhaps," said Fedora faintly, as if to herself, "she cares for some one else." The professor stared at her in con sternation. "I never—thought—of—that," he said slowly, dismay stealing into his tones, f as his eyes sought hevs with an intense look as though searching her inmost soul. The pause tbat followed was unbro ken for some moments. Finally he spoke. "I hope—you have not made a mis take," he said, rising to go, "because it meant so much to me—everything." He was looking down upon her, and there was something in his eyes she had never seen there before. "There is onty one way—to find out," she said, speaking heroically, but with ! a dreary little smile. The professor's face brightened. "Well?" said he, almost holding his breath. The girl did not immediately reply. Something seemed to ctatch at her throat. Presently she lifted her eyes—suspi ciously bright—to his and said slowly, her voice half tremulous: "Just tell her—in a straightforward, manly way that you—love—her and want a—serious answer." She dropped her eyes suddenly as she encountered his look —not easy to evade. There was an inaudible stillness. Fe- j dora was lookiDg away like one in a! dream, her hands lying cold and pas sive in her lap. The sunshine circled about her red brown head in a shimmering rainbow. The professor looked across at her, his eyes full of unexpected admiration^ his .hands .knotted close together. ' *" After awhile he leaned suddenly to ward her and with a quick movement seized both her hands in his own. "Fedora, I love you. Will you marry me?" The girl gave him a swift, startled glance, and the color flamed to her cheeks, while the tears and smiles struggled for, mastery. "But—but my hair is not gold," she exclaimed, with a puzzled little laugh, looking shyly at him, "and mj eyes are—blue." "And mine," said he, taking her in his arms, "are color blind."—Chicago News.

Repairing Trolley Wires.

Each road has two or three trouble wagons," one at each car shed. The horses are trained like those of the fire department. The crews are always in readiness. Along the line, at Intervals of a few blocks, are signal boxes. When there Is trouble along the line, an alarm is turned in, and the wagon, managed by skilled electricians and wire repairers, hastens to the scene. There are 24 of these wagons, manned by nearly 100 men.—St. Louis Post- Dispatch.

THE ASHBUBTON OHAfWTAN; THURSDAY, AfßTfc 26 }90(Y

Printed and published by Hunby Willis o P«t»r Street, Aahbarfcon, for the ProprU tors, at their Printing Office, Ban** Street), Aahbarbon, THURSDAY, April 86 1800



New Zealand Insurance Company. ESTABLISH S o°*",. _ 18 5 9 CAPITAL^ONB'MILLION. THBPBBMIIEB AMd"~WEALTHIEST COIOHIAi COMPANY, ]NOTED FOB PROMPTNESS AND LIBBRALITY PAID-UP CAPITAL AND RESEEVES— FIRE AND INARMS RISKS. ALSO,— RISKS ON GROWING CROPS, IHP.KSHUVG MACHINES, Ac, AOOBPTRD AT LOWEST OURRKNT RATfIS E W. HAMMER



indigestion No Appetite, General Weakness. If your food is only partly digested then the body is only partly nourished. The blood rapidly becomes thin and filled with impurities, the nerves are easily exhausted, there is headache, restlessness, and the whole system is greatly debilitated. Mr. A. ChaufEourier, of Wagga Wagga, New South Wales, sends us his photo graph and the following testimonial: 11 While reporting for the local and metro* politan preßS in Riverina, I contracteda severe chill which developed into a general weakness oJ my digestive organs. A short course of AVER'S Sarsaparilla enabled me to continue my work all right. My appetite improved, my taste for food came back, and my general health was greatly im proved in every way." When taking the Sarsaparilla, it is best to use Ayer's Pills also. Take just enough each night to produce one goo 4 free movement of the bowels daily. Pnparcd by Dr. J. C. Ayer & Co., Lowell, Man., U.S.A. Afanjr Ttivinki "I wish to express my thanks to the manufacturers of Chamberlain's Ooli Cholera, and Diairhcea Remedy, for having pub on the market such a wonderful mcdi i cine," says W W Massingill, of Beaumont, Tfxos. 'there ate many thousands of mothers whose children have been saved frrm attacks rf dysentery and cho'pra in tanturn who must also feel thankful. It is for sale by Ashburton Drug Company ' sFot i c ¥. F ADIE3 wishing to learn the"art of Shirb I_J and Collar Ironing and Glossing, also the best method of making Starch, either with or without Ooxon'a Glos*, can do so hy applying to this office for address of advertiser. 3 261 HORSE COVERS. HORSE COVERS T BEG to remind my Customers and the general Public thab I have a large Stock of HORSE COVERS OF ALL QUALITIES AND PRICES, Inspection Invited Also a large Stock of SADDLERY, Etc, on hand. E. J.~GrUT. SADDLER, ■Pujrnptt Ptrent.



R. T. CLARK, GRAIN AND PRODUCE BROKER Tanored Street, {fexfc IV'cOonell & Compton't Stables.) AGENT for BHinga and Knowle'a Spray Lumps and Famous Insecticides* Spray Pumps, complete .. £2 Kuowles' "Sweet Nicotine" 2s per bottle. „ Kill 'Em Quick Is 9d per bottle. SJ Paris Green 2s 6d per lb. „ Helftbove Powder 2a per lb t INFORMATION GRATIS. It cannot be said of the American Blight That to the Orohardisb ib gives delight, So Spray it well withdufc compulsion With French " Kebosene Emulsion." She cherries and pears are covered with slugs, The Vines are infested with naughty wee Bugs. But never say die, have you not seen There's death in the epray of •'Swbkt Nicotine." The Aphis black and the Aphis green Are the very worst peßts the peach has eeen. They allow neither fruit nor tree to grow, ■-ITo^irhyTSo^e^SwßM Nicotine " » show. Your fruit trees will soon be nothing but stumps If you've nob got the sense to use " Knowles' Pumps." The San Joae Scale is coming your way, And your cry then will be "Let ua Spray," " Let us Spray." If you wish to destroy the San Jose Scale Pub a pinch ofSiltpetreon the tip of his tail, One of Sue Charcoal, another of Sulphur, Touch with a lighted match—Oh, Lor. ! What a buster? Catch hold of his throat and open his throttle, And dose him with " Bobdeaux " out of a bottle, When he's swallowed a pinb or a quart at the most, He'll be dead as a nail, or quail upon toast The larva of the Oodlin Moth Is more destructive than the Gotta So take my advice as soon as he's seen Give him a spray of " Paris Green." We have pests by the millions, Which give us the Dumps. They are coming in Billions, Thank "CLARK " for his Pumpa. CHEAP MONEY! OHEAP MONfiY CHEAP MONF IN SUMS JF ,€IOO ™ £10,000, ON COUNTRY, CITY, AND ■SUBURBAN FREEHOLD, Ab 4i per cent. Terms of repayment of the most character, which can be ascertain© enquiry. T7IOR FORMS OF APPLICATION AN \? FULL INFORMATION Apply to the DISTRICT MANAGER, Chriatchureh. J. H. RICHARDSON, Government Insurance Oommiasloner. MRS ALCORN has a more complete Stock than ever of Fancy Work and M terials. All the latest styles to hand Inspection lavited.



is4aT SI. M, JON XS. steeet BICYCLES. BICYCLES — B.ICYCL I S"= OAVING EECEIVID A. SHIPMENT OF THE FAMOOS " ARENA" CYCLES, I am prepared to offer these Machines at a Very Low figure to secure quick Sale and Prompt Peturns. THESE Cycles are Well Made, Upto-Date, Strong, Rigid, Light and Easy Emrilner, and fitted with Morgan and Wright Tyres, and equal to aDy;£2o in the mwket. These Bicycles are offered at the very Low Price of £16 CASE- TERMS CAN BE ARRANGED. THIS U an opportunity to secure a well-built serviceable Machine at Bed-Rock Prices. I aa) prepared to indent those Cycle?, Ladies' on Gentlemen's, a a lower price. *- . IERMS ON APPIJCATION. ORDER EARLY FOB NEXT BBAJ3OH. Agent for Miiner and Fhompson's Organs and Pianos. H. M. JONES. JUST LANDED 15,000 YAEDS WIRE NETTING IS TONS GALVANIZED ROOFING IRON. fS TONS BOLTS AND NUTS BOUGHT§ BEFORE THE RISE; IN PRIOEB IN THE ENGLISH MABKET. All orders punctually attended to. You will save money by casing on üb. W. H. COLLINS & CO., HARDWARE EMPORIUM, BIST STREET, ASHBXJRTOF, Telbphoke—H and 15. P.O. 80x—35.



WM. STEANGE J Sole Partners and) Thos. CoVßKDAlilfi [ Proprietors, J W. STRANGE & CO. TT AYE pleasure in advising Ladies resident in the country that their first shipments of Just Arrived! Autumn Just Arrived Just Arrived! & Winter Just Arrived Just Arrived 1 Groodg. Just Arrived;! Have just arrived. These useful, beauiiful, novel wad tempting linei were shipped to us direct from our London House, 139-141 Wool Exchange, E.G,>nd comprise Fashionable, M fl.t>iit" Fashionable, Useful, .*«.-•«*** o£ Useful, Novelr--—- Attractions. Novel, All Prices! Ali:Prloes|l The new goods, expressly designed for Antnmn find Winter wear, include not merely a gtand assortment of plain, every-day atuff, auoh ai ate in request all the fear round, but The IMOVESX/riEH! The Latest INQVEI/TIJeS! Latest London &nd WOV-EIV3TIIDS ! London and Continental NOVEIL/JCIICS I Continental Novelties! Novelties! i.e., Novelties In Dresses and Dress 'Goods, Blouses, Mantles, Jackets, Costumes, Gloves, Corsets, Underclothing, Sunshades, Macintoshes, Promen*de"and Evening Dresses, Opera Wraps, and ' Well worth Heaps of Well worth Coming bo JPretiy Coming to Town rJ.'hlnire ? Town fco See! to See J Bub, suppose you can't) come, that you live too far away, thab you can't spare the time for a trip to town—what,then 2 We will tell you ! Good Advice? Get Get a Good Advioe 2 «, Catalogue! Good Advice ? Catalogue 2 Get a Good Advice 1 Catalogue I They're just out, and will give yoa, in a very attractive form, some acoount) of the new goods. Having got your Catalogue read it oarefully, make yonr selection, write to us telling ua plainly what you want, enclose remittance to^value of goods, and Hundreds of Shop An Effective Ladies do! With, nis Flan. 'Hundredsof by Post? AoEffaotiva Ladies do! Plan, N.8.-REMITTANOE MUST ACCOMPANY ALL LETTER ORDERS. We will send you just what you wanff« and select the goods for 'yon at carefully as you csuld do it for yourself i you were present at the counter. W. STRANGE & CO.. MERCHANTS, MANUFACTURERS, & FAMILY DRAPERS, CHRIS i CHURCH.



DRESS AND FASHION, I Grand of Winter Fa&hionsj end Advanced Novelties, AIDREW ORB T S now exhibiting a Magnificent Stock of High clasas Novelties, Winter Jackets, Capes, Costumes, Millinery, Macintoshes, Dress Fabrics, Corsets, Umbrellas, Gloves, Collars and Ties, New Dress Materials, Trimmings, Velvets Bloase Cloths, Kid Gloves. Gents' Clothing, Hats Oaps 3 Ties, Gloves, etc. Ladies and Gents' Joots and Shoes in great variety. Blankets, Flannels, Carpets, Bogs, Linoleums, Floorcloths. Large purchases have been made previous to the great rise in Wool and other Materials, Customers will get the full benefit. DREBBMAKING—TaiIor alade Coat and Skirt Costumes—beautiful fit. ANDREW 0 R R . MELLOR' 8; ZEALANDIA BOOT STORE THE LEAUING BOOT SHOP, TH the Most RELIABLE House tot GOOD AND CHEAP BOOTS. O aim ia to give yon the bust value for littlh mokey. HONESTY is oai Polio We wil' not Guarantee you an article unless we know it) will give you every^Satit.aobion. One Trial i« all we ask—Our Goode'Sell themselves. m.*~—~—j t MELLOR, DANORED STRFP ASHBUFT3N



NOT EVEN ... AN ABSENT-MINDED BEGGAE • - . FORGETS THAT SHEARMAN BROS.' SPECIALTY IS tit Pure Ceylon Teas, Or that they keep the largest SUPPLIES in all kinds and^quftlitiea GOING, SOUTH of the line. Bat they have other LITTLE THINGS BEHIND THEM, SUOH AS GROOEEIES, IRONMONGERY, GLASSWARE ENAMELWARE, CROCKERY, BSUSHWARE, WINEB & SPIRITS. By purchasing the above Goods from us at the lowest Cash Prices our Friends will always find it PAY PAY PAY SMOKE ONLY NEW VENUS dark, QUEEN I***. A PEBMECT TOBACCO.



> For Indigestion, the best remedy is undonbtortljr Norton's Camomile Pills They can confidently v recommended as being mild in operation and absolutely free from injurious drugs Acting at once as a spl jndid tonic and a gentle aperient For nearly 100 years they ■ have j>ro ed i nequaJJed for Indigestion, Dyspepsia sick Headache and all Liver and f-toraaoh complaints Soitl in bottles, lsl£d, 2s Sd, and 11s, by a!) Medicine vendors throughout the world W~~ANTBD~ Known—That «T.~ MoiSON has received a large supply #of Summer Boots and Shoeß, suitable for the Holidays. They are all of the boat brands and makers, and neve equalled in Ashburtnn. J,M. being tba only practical and experienced Bootmaker in the towe, thus gives him superiority and facility to know beet what to get. There fore the public have no need to wonder where to go for reliable Booti and Shoe*. Discount for cash as usual. Repairs done at once. Beat Sole Leather used and work manship, at 'ihe Hall, East Street, A»h burton- WANTED KnownZwe have left out old premises in Tailored Street. Oastomers wiil find as in New Shop, Burnett Street.—Mitchem, ahd T.pwn«. Established 1876. FOR OHRISTM./S PRESENTS AND NEW FEAR GIFTS, Also WEDDIFG PRESENTS GO TO GEORGE JESSON, PRACTICAL WATCHMAKER AN JEWELLER, East Street, Ashburton, THE CHEAPESt"pIAOE IN TOWN OE WATCHES, CLOCKS, AND JIWILLEKY Of Every Description. INSPECTION" INVITED; ~~ FOR SALE PRIVATELY: I AM now prepared to treat privately for the unsold portion of Mb Isaac Sar gent's property, comprising :— Lot 2.—Knox's Farm., containing 246 aoret or thereabouts fjot 3—Greenatreet's Farm, containing 150 acred Lot 4.—North River Farm, containing 81 acres. B» W. HANMER* S. H-., GRAVES, SHAREBROKER AND FINANCIAL AGEKT, 185 HEREFORD STREET, CHRISTCHURCH. 13 ELIABLE Information on Dredging IV Stocks. Correspond«Bco Invited. Codes : Bedford McNelll's, btoreing and Neal's, A. B.C. Coda (fourth Edition. Telegkaphio Addrkss : GRAVES, Chrittchurch. , 3 217 CHEAP WINTER FIRING. NEW-MOUNT SOMEBS COAL. OUTPUT has Trcbkul during the U twelve months. IT IS USSjI) EVERYWHERE. This Coal is the Best »nd Cheapest Stmm %nd Household Coal in the market. Used in the Woollen Factory and Canto oury Flour Mills, GIVES SPLENDID RESULTS WRITE FOR PRICES 10 c. T. PARK, MOUNi SOM 88, TO ALL MY OLD CLIENTS FARMERS, AND RESIDENTS OF ASHBURTON COUNTY. > ~T BEG to inform you that I have levered X my connection with the Canterbury Mill, which was under my management for over seven years, and have PURCHASED from Mr Edwin Thomas the wakanui roller;flour mills. The Canterbury Mill, which is tht property of the Bank of New Zealand Antta Board, is still trading under the name of Rollitfc & Co., bo to avoid confusion with correspondence, I would like to atk you to address all orders to THOMAS ROLLXT3? WAKANUI ROLLER * FLOUR MILLS, ASHBURTON On and after October Ist, I shall be pleated to supply you with first-class ROLLER FLOUR, WHEAT MEAL, BRAN . & SHARPS, at lowest current rates* FOR THE CONVENIENCE OF FARMERS DOING GRISTING, I have arranged to keep a supply of Flour Bran, and Sharps at the Stores of the N.Z. Farmers 1 Association, West Street,. when Farmers, Shareholders or non-Shareholder* can leave their Wheat and get Flour, Bran, and Sharps in ezohange. rHOMAS'MUTT, WAKANOI ROLLER FLOUR MILLS 9 285 ASHBURTON. /&*§£» Sound the ' jp|[ PRMiSES PURE CEYLON OR BLENDED TEAS.