THE STORY-TELLER.

WHITTEN ON SAND.

Four romantic girls sat together in a pleasant parlour one day. They were all country girls, and it so happened that they were very soon to part. One said, “ And probably if we ever see each other anywhere, we will all be married women. ” “ You may,” said the tallest of the group, a black-eyed, very handsome girl, “ but I doubt if I shall. I never will marry any one but a distinguished man— a man of high position in society and of very great talents. I don’t think I shall ever meet any one quite distinguished enough to suit me.” “ What I should care for,” said the girl who sat next her, a blue-eyed morsel of a creature, “would be height. I must have a tall man. ” “ And I should only be contented with a man who was very handsome,” said another; “ something really superb. I’m no beauty myself, and I want some good looks in the family. ” “ All that I should desire would be that my husband should be a good talker” said a fourth. “ I care more for a talent for conversation than for any other that a man can have.”

At this moment a fifth girl entered the room, and took a vacant chair beside the others. She was the hostess, and had been out to see about tea.

“ Talking about 3 r our future husbands?” she said. “ I here declare, that sooner than be an old miad, I’ll have any one who asks me. I’ll be married, even if I’m not quite suited in every particular, before I’m twenty.” “Good!” said the first who had spoken. “Now I’ve something to pro pose. Let us take that blank-book we were looking at, and write in it each a description of the man we should choose of all the world for a lover. Ellen can keep the book, and when we are all married we will see whether the descrip tion tallies with our choice. ” “It is a splendid idea,” said Ellen; and ran to bring the book. Then they all gathered about a table, and the tall dark beauty wrote on the first page the words that follow “December—, 18—.” “I, Bella Norton, aged eighteen, declare that it would be impossible for me to marry any but a man of the highest social position, who had achieved distinction for himself in some profession or by some wonderful deed. Personal appearance would be nothing to me. If no great man ever asks me to marry him I will remain single. ” This she read, amidst the applause of her friends. And the blue-eyed girl seized the pen ; “ If I ever marry,” she wrote, “it must be a very tall and finely built man. Ido not think little men ever are splendid. “ Fanny Bose, aged fifteen.” December—, 18— “Never be ashamed of your senti ments,” said the next in order, putting back her long curls. “I, Netty Grey, here record my inten tion to marry only a fine man. He must have a handsome face, or let him never offer himself to me. I am sixteen years old. “ December—, 18—,” “ December—, 18—,” wrote the fourth —“ I am nineteen, and know my own mind. I will have no husband who is not a brilliant conversationalist.

“Jean Brown,”

“ And I ” wrote the young hostess, — “I Ellen May, will have any nice man whom I can like. I don’t intend to be too particular. lam seventeen. ” And she also added the date.

Having laughed awhile over the record, the young girls shut the book solemnly into the bureau, and obeyed the sum mons of the tea-bell.

It was a merry evening, and the last they ever spent together as girls. In a few days Ellen May was the only one of the five left in town.

At first they corresponded regularly, but after awhile their letters grew fewer, and in time only occasional. She heard, however, of the marriage of each in turn. As for herself, she did not marry. She lxad offers but none of them suited her, despite her recorded resolution ; and at the age of forty was yet single. So that four letters which, strangely enough reached her in one day, were all addressed to Miss May instead of to Mrs. Some body. These four letters were from the four friends. Each had written to the other, they had resolved to come and pay her a visit, and they would be with her on Saturday with their husbands. Neither had ever seen the others husband; it would be a general meeting and introduc tion. Miss May, on the receipt of these let ters, first cried and then laughed, and then set to work to put her house in order, and to get ready some of the things “ the girls ” liked in old times. As the day approached, she grew quite nervous ; and when early in the afternoon four black silk dresses fluttered upon her porch, she really felt as though she should run away and hide herself. However, that would not do, and so the four ladies met the next moment in the little parlor. They had all changed, but they were fine looking women still. Time had not done his worst. “But where are the husbands?” said Miss May. “ Coming up by the evening train to tea,” answered a chorus. Then the bonnets were removed and chat began ; and after awhile Miss May went to the old book-case and took out the old blank-book, and, amid much laughter, read what had been written so many years before. “ Has it been carried out ? she asked. “ Is your husband great, Bell ? Yours tall, Fanny ? Yours very handsome, Nettie? And, Jean, does yours converse so well? ” Silence fell upon the group. No one answered. At last “And have you \ never had an offer, Ellen ? ” said Bell— 'now Mrs. Smith. Ellen looked down. \ “I've had five,” she said; “but I—some how I liked none of them. However—l —l’ve just accepted a gentleman—a per son of suitable age, quite rich, very hand some, highly educated, and of good family. I could not feel content to marry an ordinary person. ” “ So you carry out your intentions,

said Mrs. Smith, with a laugh. “ Well, I congratulate you. And now, girls, I con fess I did marry a great man. Mr. Smith is—a—a tailor, and he’s very nice and good-looking. I found, somehow, I cared more for that; the distinguished men were so personally unattractive.” “ Candid confession is good for the soul,” said Fanny, now Mrs. Hope. “ Small as I am, my husband is just my height; but he is such a dear fellow you can’t think—and girls are so silly.” “ I suppose it is my turn,” said Nettie, now Mrs, Clark. ‘‘ I declared in yonder book that I’d have a handsome man, or none ; but dear Horace is not handsome. He met with a dreadful accident in his youth, and broke his nose aud put out one of his eyes, and spoiled his face alto gether ; but he has such a fine mind and such a good heart that he is only dearer to me for his blemishes aud Mrs. Clax-k put her hankercliief to her eyes. Jean—now Mrs. Hudson—said no thing. “ Perhaps your husband is a fine con versationalist,” said Bella, with a smile. “I think he would be,” said Jean, trifling with her fan, “ If—if—well, to confess the truth, my husband never spoke a word in his life ; he was born deaf and dumb. But he’s just the dearest soul and so fond of me ! ” “ Good ! ” said Bella. None of us can laugh at the other ; but since matters are as they are, what do you say to burning that book before the gentlemen come in. ” Every one agreed. Later in the day, the husbands appeared upon the scene, and Miss May’s suitor also arrived to take tea with them ; and any unprejudiced observer must have admitted that of all men Mr. Smith was perhaps the least dis tinguished : Mr. Hope, the shortest ; Mr. Clarke, the plainest, and Mr. Hudson, the dumbest they ever met; while Mr. Porter, who was about to marry the lady who had declared her intention of taking anyone who offered, was distinguished, handsome, tall, and a good talker.

THE ASHBURTON HERALD.

I Wednesday, May 5, 1880.



Business Notices. T. R. HODDER & CO. HAVE much pleasure in announc ing to their friends and the public generally, that their stock of WINTER DRAPERY, MILLINERY, MEN’S AND BOYS’ CLOTHING, HATS AND HOSIERY, BOOTS AND SHOES, IS NOT TO BE SURPASSED FOR QUALITY AND ASSORTMENT, Each Department being replete with everything suitable for the season. JUST TO HAND— A Very Large Assortment of Melbourne Clothing, MADE ESPECIALLY TO ORDER. T. R. HODDER & CO. having been encouraged by their greatly increased trade in the Clothing Department, have ENLARGED THEIR PREMISES, Enabling them to keep a Larger and More Varied Assortment.



Tailoring In all branches by most experienced hands. SUITS, RIDING TROUSERS, HABITS, &c., made on the most im proved principle, at the shortest notice, and as cheap, or cheaper, than any house in Canterbury. T. R. HODDER and CO., seeking to Encourage Local Industries keep a well assorted stock of Kaiapoi, Roslyn, and Mosgiel Manufactured Goods. Boots and Shoes, Imported and Colonial make, from the best Christchurch and Dunedin Manufacturers. T. R. HODDER & CO., while not pro fessing to sell everything at COST PRICE, are prepared to meet EXISTING COM PETITION and to encourage all Cash Purchasers. An experience of twenty six years Colonial storekeeping has taught our Firm the value of a Cash Grocery Business, which they have found succeed so well in Ashburton since bringing down the prices of many leading commodities, which course they are still prepared to continue and show their preferring PROMPT CASH, rather than risk long credit with large profits. Ironmongery AND Crockeryware AT LOWEST PAYING RATES. Sole Agents for Singer’s Sewing Machines Sole Agents for Wanzer Sewing Machine. Agents for Norwich Union Fire Insurance Company. T. R. HODDER & CO. 407 c BEST NEWCASTLE COALS LAMBTON COLLIERY. 50s. PERTOK 1 A PER CENT. DISCOUNT - LU for CASH. SPRINGFIELD COALS 40s. PER TON. 10 Per Cent. Discount for Cash. To be delivered in my yard. Accounts to be paid monthly. 359° b 773 g C. PERCY COX.



Edmiston, Gundry, & Co. FOR SALE, BY PRIVATE TREATY. THE undersigned have for sale by Private Treaty, the following Pro perties : R. S. 2821 C, 7,8, 9, containing 686 acres, which will be sold in farms of 100 acres and upwards. This property is within 4 miles of Ashburton township, is very good land, and will be sold on very reasonable terms, viz, 10s. per acre cash and the balance at a low rate of interest on a term of years. 210 ACRES on Gould and Cameron’s run. This property is partly fenced with goi’se fences. 128 ACRES at Chertsey, all securely fenced, and is at present sown with turnips. This pi’operty will be sold at a low price on easy terms. 125 ACRES at Greenstreet, securely fenced with live fences, and sub divided, and a permanent stream of water. 285 ACRES at Greenstreet, to be sold or let on a purchasing clause in one or more blocks. This is excellent land, and laid down in English grass, and well watered with creeks. This would make a capital farm, and will bo sold on very liberal terms. 210 ACRES close to the township of Ashburton, with good dwell ing-house, stable, granary, &c. This property will be let for a term of years at a low rent. 500 ACRES at Orari, in one or more blocks. 150 ACRES at Tinv aid. A capital farm, being all fenced and ready for cropping. There are three creeks running through this pro perty. 150 ACRES at Ashton. A well com pact farm, together with house, stables, &c. Price very low. 800 ACRES at Mount Possession. 1500 ACRES near the spread Eagle Hotel. T.S. No 879, Ashburton. T.S. 301, 302, Burnett-street, Ash burton. T.S. 247, Kermode Street, Ashbur ton. T.S. 182, 183, opposite Church, Tinwald, a bargain, &c. EDMISTON, GUNDRY, & CO., Auctioneers and Estate Agents. Agents for the gOUTH BRITISH FIRE & MARINE INSURANCE COMPANY. Capital £1,000,000. Risks taken on all kinds of Property, Growing Crops, Grain in Stack, Thresh ing Machines, &e. EDMISTON, GUNDRY, & CO., East Street. Business Notices. FINE ARTS. ART UNION. A SPLENDID Collection of OIL PAINTINGS and Water Color DRAWINGS, by Mr. Clarke, of Rakaia, are to be disjmsed of by Art Union. The pictures are on view at the shop next to Mr. Street’s, Saddler, Rakaia. Tickets, 10s each, can be obtained at Mr. Street’s Saddler, Rakaia, and of THOS. A. GATES, Picture Frame Maker. 48c-7700 Ashburton.



PATRONISED P.Y ALL CLASSES. THE GREATEST OF THE AGE. NINEK S TRADE n\U MARK. PURE EXTRACT of KEROSSNE WILL IF [LAMP IS UPSET. Burns in any Kerosine Lamp ; gives a brighter light, lasts longer, is free from smell and free from danger. Sold by all respectable grocers and storekeepers throughout the colony. The next time you want Oil for your Lamp try a tin of “ Niner’s Extract.” Sold in pints, quarts, half-gallon and one-gallon tins. Wholesale and Retail Agents for the Ashburton District— O R R AND CO., Ashburton and Rakaia. 31Gc-735g



JUST ARRIVED Young Ladies’ Journals for APRIL, and other Magazines. H. M. JONES, Stationer, 3GOc East Street and Baring Square. WANTED KNOWN —That Money can be saved by purchasing your Sta ionery and Account Books, for cash, at the “Herald” and “Guardian” Whole sale Stationery Depdt, Saunders’ Build ings, near Station.



Business Notices. NOTICE. WESTERFIELD MILL. TO FARMERS, BAKERS, & OTHERS. rjpHE Westej'field Mill is now in full work, and the public can be supplied with FIRST-CLASS FLOUR on most reason able terms. Every attention will be given to Public Gristing, and farmers from a distance can have grist done immediately after de livery. Apply to the Miller, HENRY BOWERS. Grain stored on liberal terms. 389c-79Gg grass Ashburton steeplechase MEETING. SATURDAY, MAY 29th, 1880. List of Officers : President : E. G. Wright, Esq., M.H.R. Vice-President: W. C. Walker, Esq. Stewards : Mr. Hay T. Smith Mr. John Carter Mr. JL. E. Corsbie Mr. R. Friedlander Mr. Neil M‘Lean Mr. J. Hunt Mr. E. Saunders Mr. A. McLean Mr. E. S. Coster Dr. Ross Judge : Mr. M. Stitt. Starter : Mr. John Carter. Clerk of the Course : Mr. E. Saunders. Clerk of the Scales : Mr. E. F. Wright. Hon. Secretary : Mr. J. Wilkie. Hon. Treasurer : Mr. C. C. Fooks. Handicait'Er : Mr. H. P. Lance. FIRST RACE TO START AT 12.30 P.M. 1. Ashburton Handicap Steeplechase, of 40 sovs., added to a sweepstakes of 2 sovs. each for acceptors ; over about 3 miles of fair hunting country ; nomination 2 sovs. 2. District Handicap of 20 sovs., added to a sweep of 2 sovs. for acceptors ; 2 miles ; nomination 1 sov., for district horses only. 3. The Wakanui Stakes, of 20 sovs.; weight for age ; open to all horses ; 2 miles ; entrance 1 sov. 4. Farmers’ Steepechase, of 15 sovs.; about H miles ; weight for age ; en trance 1 sov.; for district horses only. 5. Hack Steeplechase, of 5 sovs.; 1 mile ; catch weights ; entrance 1 sov.; for district horses only. Rules and Regulations : The N.Z. Grand National Rules strictly adhered to, except where specified. A district horse shall mean a horse commonly resident in the County since March Ist, 1880, and the bona fide pro perty of the owner ; and “ owner ” shall mean a person or persons commonly resi dent in the County of Ashburton not less than six months previous to this meeting. The decision of the Stewards on all dis puted points shall be final. No protest will be received unless 2 sovs. be deposited, which shall be forfeited if the protest be considered frivolous. Nominations for the Handicaps to be sent to the Secretary at Quill’s Hotel not later than 9 p.m. on Thursday, May 20tli. Weights will be declared on Tuesday, May 25th. Acceptances on night of general entry, Wednesday, May 26th, at 8 p.m. All entries to state age, color, and name of the horse, and the colors of the rider. JAMES WILKIE, Hon. Sec. 791 g Ashburton Steeplechases.



T. Bullock. mtlE undersigned has the following J- PROPERTIES to LET with a pur chasing clause, or FOR SALE on liberal terms of payment— ACRES good WHEAT LAND, all ploughed and ready for cross ploughing for wheat ; situated about three miles from the township. ACRES, near the above ; also good WHEAT LAND, ploughed once and ready for cross-ploughing. ACRES, partly improved, near Wins low. This will be sold very cheap, and on very liberal terms. TOWN PROPERTIES. T 7 ALU ABLE BUSINESS SITE in Bur * nett Street, being T. S. 177, next the “ Mail” office. PART of T.S. 139, Peter Street. This will be sold cheap, and on liberal terms. mO Railway Employes, Mechanics, and Others. —FOR SALE, cheap, Lot 78, situated on East Town Belt. Terms, £5 cash ; balance by monthly or quarterly payments. T. BULLOCK. gjlOR SALE, Cheap, Dwelling-house of IP 7 rooms, situated on the East Belt, near the Parsonage—For particulars apply to T. Bullock. 206 c f|IHE “ Herald ” is on every Tea Table a in Ashburton DO you Want the News of the Day? Read the Ashburton Herald IT is only a Penny, is to be got every where in Town, along the Railway ne, and of th a Country Agents.



Business Notices. Dissolution OF Partnership. o ORE AND CO., ~|3>EG to announce that they intend to DISSOLVE PARTNERSHIP on Ist SEPTEMBER. They will therefore, on Saturday, May Ist, offer the whole of their superior stock, amounting to over £20,000 worth of DRAPERY, IRONMONGERY, AND GROCERIES, AT COST PRICE. The reductions in price extends to every Department in our Business, And we trust our Customers will pay PROMPT CASH DURING SALE. All Goods will be marked in plain figures with Red Ink. f $ ? All outstanding accounts must be paid at once so that partnership accounts may be adjusted. ORR & CO., ASHBURTON & RAKAIA April 24th, 1880. P.S. —A Large Shipment of Drapery Goods just opened up ex Pallala. Guns! Guns! Guns! POWDER, SHOT. CAPS, ORR AND CO. JJAVE now on hand a very fine assortment of BREECHLOADING DOUBLE AND SINGLE-BARREL GUNS, And as these have been imported direct from the manufacturers, we are prepared to Sell at the most’ ReasonablejiPrices— From £2 10s to?£2s. ORR AND CO



Business Notices. ]Sp w GOODS. N EVV GOODS NEW GOODS, Stationery. NEW GOODS, Letter Balances, NEW GOODS, Damping Brushes. NEW GOODS, Water-wells. NEW GOODS, Carbonic Paper. NEW GOODS, Account Books. NEW GOODS. Small Morocco Ledgers. NEW GOODS, Yellum Address Labels. NEW GOODS, Thick Commercial Envelopes. NEW GOODS, Pocket Pen & Pencil-holder, 1/- NEW GOODS, Foolscap from IG/6 per ream. NEW GOODS, Lead Pencils. NEW GOODS, Ink Bottles. NEW GOODS, Drawing Papers. NEW GOODS, Strongest Liquid Gum. NEW GOODS, Memo. Account Books. NEW GOODS, Gum Tickets. &c. &c. &c. WEEKS AND DIXON, Wholesale and Retail Stationers, Opposite Railway Station, Ashburton. OFFICE AND HOUSEHOLD STATIONERY? PAPER BAGS, ACCOUNT BOOKS, &c. Commercial and Law" Stationery Notepapers in great variety Envelopes of the new r est styles Inkstands and Bottles Pens and Penholders Pencils and Pencil Cases Account and Pocket Books, Etc. Biscuit Bags Flour Bags Milliners’ Bags. Wholesale and Retail. LIBERAL DISCOUNT FOR CASH. WEEjKS AND DIXON Saunders’ Buildings,) EAST S T R E E ASHBURTON.



Business. Notices. FURNITURE ! FURNITURE ! J Made to Order by OHARLES jg RAD ER, PRACTICAL CABINETMAKER, FURNITURE DEALER, Ac. Chests of Drawers, 3ft. Gin. x 3ft. Gin., with five drawers, Price 70s. Scotch Chest of Drawers, with six drawers, Price £5 10s. Kitchen Cupboard, from 30s. Do. with Dresser, from 40s. Venetian and other Blinds, Curtain Poles, Oxford and other Picture Frames made to order. Furniture repaired and renovated. GREAT SOUTH ROAD, TINWALD, Beyond Clark’s Grain Stores. For Sale, a Light Waggon, nearly new, in good order, Price £22. A good chance for anyone requiring a useful conveyance cheap. ■ 346c-747gt HALLO! HALLO! QUILL AGAIN. REDUCTION IN PRICES. BOTTLED WINES & SPIRITS. T. QUILL, SEEING the necessity of a Wholesale Bottling, Wine, and Spirit Store in Ashburton, has determined to supply that want, and therefore begs to submit the following list of Prices, every article guaranteed to be of the best and purest description. PRICE LIST. Brandy Flasks, 2s. and 4s. per flask. Fine Old Port, per Bottle, ss. and 6s. Superior old Dry Montelado, (old Sherry) ss. & Gs. I Very old Scotch Whisky, per Bottle ss. Fine old Irish Whisky, per Bottle, ss. Superior old Jamaca Rum, per Bottle, -ss. Fine old Martelle’s Dark Brandy, per Bottle, ss. Hennessey’s Brandy, per Bottle, 6s. Superior Square Gin (J.D.K.Z.), per Bottle, Gs. Superior Old Tom (Swain Booth’s), per Bottle, ss. All other brands equally Reduced. QUILL’S Assorted Dozen of Best Wines and Spirits for £3 10s, containing— -3 bottles Brandy 2 bottles Whisky 2 „ Port 2 ~ Sherry 2 ~ Rum 1 ~ Old Tom (Ready packed, and forwarded to any part of the County on the shortest notice.) One trial will prove to Quill’s customers the quality of his taps. COMMENCING MONDAY, APRIL. 26th Open from 7 a.m to 6 p.m. during winter months. Note Address— T. QUILL’S, WHOLESALE BOTTLING STORES, Commercial Hotel, (Near Railway Station), Ashburton. 751 a DON’T! PLEASE! DON’T! STOP ! DO STOP ! STOP before you give your next order for a Suit of Clothes. IF you want Style, Fit, and Quality, try the Undersigned. READ the following, then call and in spect the Goods. (YARDS READY) 350 T 0 350 f CUT. 5 JUST ARRIVED—The best Stock of Winter Cloths to be got for money. SUPERIOR in quality to anything ever yet shown in Ashburton. ( SAMPLES ) 70 10 70 f SELECT FROM ) Comprising the following : German Cloths, plain and fancy, the „ most fashionable Beaver Cloths, suitable for Winter Scotch Tweeds, assorted Mosgiel ~ ~ Kaiapoi ~ ~ West of England Cloths Bedford Cords Irish Frieze, &c., <fcc., &c. CALL and inspect this Splendid Assort ment before you order. MOTTO: Small Profits and Quick Returns. Terms—Cash. ITYLE and Finish second to none. •gCONOMY £1 Is. Cash for a Pair of Trousers £3 15s. Cash for a Tweed Suit. The Address is— G. J. F. LUBLOW, THE TAILORING DEPOT, Triangle, Ashburton, Between Post Office and Baldwin’s Central Hotel. 782g-380c Ball programme cards in very neat styles, with Pencils and Ribbons, printed at the Herald Office, East street, near Railway Station. THE PENNY made the postal system of England a success. So has it made the Herald. Everybody buys the Herald.