THE STORY-TELLER.

ON THE WEST COAST OF AFBICA. Continued . Carried back to the old manor house, for some weeks I hovered between life and death, during which time Kitty Heathcote nursed and tended me with more than a sister’s care. At length the doctor reported that his patient was out of danger,.and my stern old uncle, who throughout had refused to see me, sent a message to the effect that I was to leave his house as soon as I was able to travel.

This edict of the old man’s was received with great regret, not only by me, but by another as well. Yes, the fickle-hearted Kate had given up her flirtations, and was fickle no longer. That “ pity,” which is so justly said to be akin to love, had worked the spell, and now she, in her turn, loved with far greater affection than she had before simulated. Ay, loved —Kitty loved ; and I it was that she loved ! What a heaven there was in the thought ! My inexorable uncle had no more terrors for me—my wound no more pain. The only worthy thing was to endeavor to deserve her. But that was not to be done by trying to in duce her to desert her grey-haired old father in his last days, for the man whom he was about to drive from his doors. I scorned the thought that could suggest such a course. No ; there was nothing for it but to go afloat again, and abide the chances and changes of a few years. A request to be appointed to a vessel serving on that fatal station, the West Coast „of Africa, was only too willingly granted by the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty. It may well be deemed a strange choice for one whose highest hopes were just arriving at a climax. Under the circumstances that existed immediately before the duel, it would not have been so extraordinary. The coast is the well-known refuge of the hopeless ; there they commit suicide honourably. But, on the other hand, I trusted to an unusually strong and well-tried constitu tion to preserve me unscathed from the virulent attacks of the deadly fevers and malaria of the African swamps. Besides, there was a strong, ungovernable motive that impelled me thither. Of this none knew.

After the duel, James Trail Wither ington was never seen again. A bundle of papers were found in his trunks. The old steward for Lome reason brought them to me. All scruples at opening them were removed by the suggestion of the obvious unfairness of the duel. An ex amination at leisure proved conclusively t'aat my suspicions were after all correct. He had been sailing under false colours, and was indeed a slave-dealer, the Govern ment appointment being altogether a myth. Some of the papers showed con clusively that not only did he carry on this revolting trade, but that he did so very unfairly; so much so, indeed, that on two occasions he had narrowly escaped paying with his life the penalty of his injustice. Anri now, if I couid (I thought) but just put a stop to his slave-dealing pro pensities, it would prove to him conclu sively the fallacy of his ideas concerning the incompetency of Her Britannic Ma jesty’s naval service. At the same time it would be possible to obtain that satisfac tion to which he invited me, and of which he, in so cowardly a manner, defrauded me. There was my motive. After a most painful parting from Kitty, the father still unrelenting, and three months passed away, I found myself in command of a fine despatch gun boat ves sel in the Bight of Benin. No time was lost in endeavouring to find Witherington, but no such person was known. In all his papers the names had been care fully blotted out, but many being in his own handwriting, there was no doubt as to whom they referred. It was, there fore, quite possible that he was trading under another name. One Miguel Antonio dos Santos, a noted slave-dealer, was said to answer his description exactly. From Witherington’s appearance and knowledge of the language he might well have passed for a Spaniard. He was reported to have gone to Cuba, but there is no reliance to be placed on any informa tion as to slavers and slave-dealers. It seemed probable, however, that this was the case, for during two years nought could be seen or heard of him,. and so I nearly gave up all hope of meeting him. In the meantime we had tolerable success in our cruising operations, haying captured a, very fair number of prizes, but on the whole nothing occurred worthy of jjarticular notice. Towards the end of our three years’ commission the doctor and I landed with our rifles one day for the enjoyment of a little shooting. We wandered a long way down the coast, from the flats of the old Calabar river to where the usually low coast rises into red sandstone cliffs of some height. From the summit of these cliffs the sharks could be plainly seen rising and falling with the long ground-swell of the ocean. As they basked in the sunlight, their sharp black dorsal fins appearing above the sur face, we tried a few shots at them, but with no great success.

(xo be continued.)

Heroine of Philanthropy.

Many years ago a young lady—an or phan of good family and an heiress to boot —began to have grave doubts whether life was not a more serious matter than the traditions of her class had hitherto led her to suppose. Now, just when she was beginning to be haunted by a vague longing to make her life noble and useful, came the well remembered cholera plague, and the opportunity she desired presented itself. She left her luxurious home, volunteered as an amateur nurse, and tended the sick and dying through all the horrors of the loathsome malady. One might have thought that her bitter experi ences in the cholera wards would have made her long for her former luxurious life. But, no. She now determined to take up the study of medicine, and had already passed her preliminary examina tions, when she met, loved, and married Mr. Nathaniel Heckford, a young medi cal man. The husband and wife, both equally full of philanthropic enthusiasm, then resolved to establish a hospital where one was sorely needed — in the east of London, Mrs, Heckford cheerfully de voted a great part of her fortune to the purpose, and the hospital sprang into

being without the public finding a six pence. It went through the usual vicissi tudes which attend institutions of this sort; but after Charles Dickens wrote that brilliant account of it called “ The Star of the East ” its prosperity was secured. To make a long story short, the connection between the Heckfords and the hospital came to an end, Mr. Heck ford died, and his wife went to Naples. There she helped to promote a society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, and moreover wrote a novel called “Ex celsior.” Then she went in for adven turous travels, going through Arabia, and the wildest parts of India, often accom panied merely by one guide. She tried to practise medicine among the women of the Zenanda, but, finding it impossible to overcome native prejudices, abandoned the idea. Since then she has disappeared from civilised ken, the latest news re ceived of her, being, that she is with a party of colonists in Africa, busily en gaged in learning ostrich-farming winch she fondly imagines will furnish some of our redundant female population with a means of earning their livelihood.

The San Francisco Mail. —The Ash burton portion of San Francisco mail arrived by special express at 8 o'clock last night. Owing to the detention of the Kotomahana by the southerly gale she was not able to reach Lyttelton till late in the afternoon, instead of early in the morning, as was expected, and as she would have done had the weather been propitious.

Tight Lacing. —Tight lacing should be encouraged in every possible way. It kills off the foolish girls, and leaves the sensible ones. No healthy girl ever laces.

He’d a Critic at Home. —At an auction sale of miscellaneous goods the auctioneer put up a wolf-skin dressing gown, and invited bids. An old man inspected it closely, seemed to think that there was a bargain in it, but yet he hesitated to bid. “ Don’t you want that ? asked the auction eer. “ Yes, kinder,” was the reply. “ Then why don’t you bid and take it V’ “ Well, I’ve bought heaps o’ things in dry goods and so on,” slowly rejoined the old man, “ and I never yet took home anything that the old woman theught was worth the price. If I got that ’ere robe for a song, she’d grab it up, pull at one end, chaw at the other, and call out ‘ Cheated again, mor’en half cotton. ’ That’s the reason I darn’t bid. ”

The Clydesdale Horses. —If proof be wanting of the favour with which the Clydesdale horse is year by year rising in public estimation in England, it will be found in the fact that whilst the value of pedigree cattle has within the last year or two depreciated from 50 per cent, to 200 per cent., the value of the Clydesdales— not including fancy show animals has steadily increased. At the Lawers and Keir sales (two noted homes of the Clydesdale), held in October last, very fair prices were realised. Although perhaps not quite satisfactory to the owners, they were far in advance of those obtained at any sale of a similar description of the English cart horse.

Dickens’s Children. —There are now surviving five children of the late Charles Dickens. The eldest son of the great novelist bears the same name, and is the well-known proprietor of “ All the world round. ” His other sons are Henry Field ing Dickens, banister, well known on the Eastern Circuit; Edward Bulwer Lylton Dickens, now a successful sheep farmer in Australia ; Kate Dickens, wife of C. A, Collins, the author of “A Cruise upon Wheels ; ” and Miss Mary Dickens. Two sons are deceased—viz., Walter Savage Landor Dickens, who died while serving as an ensign with the 42nd Highlanders in India, and Sydney Smith Dickens, who died a lieutenant in the navy.

THE ASHBURTON HERALD

(Thursday, April 15, ißßo.>



NEW PRINTING MACHINERY, FOR JJRINTING LADIES’ AND GENTLEMEN’S VISITING CARDS FROM COPPER PLATE. 'tdOMV. <»risnjcvivX jumT ASHBURTON. Specimens and prices on application at the EVENING HERALD AND GUARDIAN OFFICES, ASHBURTON. Conveyances. THE LONGBEACH COACH ! GEORGE WILLCOCKS respectfully acknowledges the liberal support which he has received during the short time his Coach has been running, and solicits a continuance of the Same. The fare 3by Willcocks’ coach are exactly 3d. per mile ordinary fares, and per mile for Saturday return. They are as under— Longbeach to Ashburton, ordinary 55., return Bs. Water ton to Ashburton, 3s. 6d. ordi nary, 6s. return. Ashton to Ashburton, 3s. ordinary, ss. return. Wheatstone to Ashburton, 2s. 6d. ordinary, 4s. return. SINGLE FARE RETURN ON SATURDAYS. The coach leaves the Booking Office, Quill’s Commercial Hotel, each day at 3.15 ; Post Office, 3.30. " 292 g ECOOKSON, Wills Street, runs the . MAIL COACH from Ashburton Railway Station to Green Street, Alford Forest, and Mount Somers, every Tuesday and Friday, returning Wednesday and Saturday at 8 p.m.



Alfred Harrison. IMPORTANT SALE OF STOCK AND FARMING IMPLEMENTS. WEDNESDAY, 21st APRIL. At 12 o’clock. ALFRED HARRISON has received instructions from the owner (who is leaving the district) to sell BY PUBLIC AUCTION, At his Yards, on the above date, WITHOUT THE SLIGHTEST RESERVE, 1 bay Horse, Punch, syrs. 1 grey Horse, Prince, syrs. 1 black Mare, Flora, 3yrs. All first-class Heavy Draught Horses. 7 Cows, reared by the owner, and thoroughly good milkers ; all to calve about end of August. 1 Reaper and Binder, McCormick, new 1 Reaper, Samuelson, in good order 1 D.F. Plough, Reid and Gray 1 S.F. Plough, Blythe 1 S.F. Plough, Hornsby 2 Sets Harrows 1 Two-hoi’se Power and Intermediate, complete 1 Chaff-Cutter, Bentall’s, 3-knife Patent 1 Light Cart and Harness Swingletrees Plough and Leading Harness Collars and Haimes Horse Covers Cheese Press and Dairy Utensils Hurdles, Posts, Wire And Sundries, too numerous to particu larise. The Auctioneer would call special at tention to this sale, the Stock and Horses being well bred and in splendid condition ; the Implements, also, are in excellent order, and will be sold ABSOLUTELY WITHOUT RESERVE. Sale at 12 o’clock sharp. WEDNESDAY, 2ist APRIL. ALFRED HARRISON, 322 c Auctioneer. Business Notices.



SATURDAY, MARCH 13. OPENING NEW STORE, East Street, Near Bullock, & Co’s. JAMBS CLARK Begs to inform the Public of Ashbur ton and Surrounding Districts that he is commencing business as GENERAL STOREKEEPER, FRUIT ERER, BAKER, See., And trusts by supplying good quality articles at moderate prices, to share public support. Note the Address — JAMES CLARK, PROSPECT BUILDINGS, East Street, Near Bullock & Co’s., Ashburton. 163 c



M. NEAL AS, BOOT AND SHOEMAKER, AND IMPORTER, IS CLEARING OUT the whole of his Present Stock at REDUCED PRICES, next to Taylor’s Bakery, where he has opened with a Large Stock of Boots of every description. Note the address — M. NE A L AS, EAST STREET. ASHBURTON. 2T9C RUBBER STAMPS, RUBBER STAMPS, Made to order, any shape or size, and SUPPLIED AT REASONABLE PRICES. Vz N.Z. tei it felt) TXTEEKS & DIXON, the only makers in Ashburton of these useful Rubber Stamps, for stamping paper, goods or linen. East Street —Near Railway Station— Ashburton.



Edmiston, Gundry & Co. FOR SALE, BY PRIVATE TREATY. THE undersigned have for sale by Private Treaty, the following Pro perties : R.S. 28216, 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 gorse fences. 128 ACRES at Chertsey, all securely .■ p enced, and is at present sown with turnips. . This property 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 be 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 Q OUTH 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. NEW TAILORING ESTABLISH MENT. CRAIGHEAD & Co., MERCHANT TAILORS, HAVE opened those premises situated in Tancred street adjoining Messrs. Orr and Co’s General Store. A SPLENDID ASSORTMENT OF TWEEDS, FANCY GOODS, &e., &c., JUST ARRIVED. Mr. Craighead’s experience as Head Cutter in connection -with First Class Tailoring Establishments in Edinburgh and San Francisco has extended over a period of ten years, and from the immense success which has always attended his efforts to please, he. is prepared to guarantee a perfect fit in every case. TANCRED STREET, (Next Orr and Co.’s. CRAIGHEAD & CO. 982 a , NEWS AND MAGAZINE AGENCY. STATIONERY AND FANCY GOODS DEPOT. RE-OPENING. HM. JONES begs to inform his „ customers and the public generally that he has re-opened part of the premises lately occupied by A. Weston andK. Sando and Co. for the sale of Newspapers, Magazinse, Stationery, Fancy goods, Toys, &c. English and Colonial papers. Periodicals, &c., by each mail. Licensed to sell Stamps. Lowest prices—Terms cash. Agent for “ Ashburton Guardian,” “Ashburton Herald,’, “Ashburton Mail,” “Lyttelton Times,” “Canterbury Times,” Daily “Press,” “Weekly Press,” “Otago Witness,” “Australasian,” “Town and County Journal.” Subscribers to “ Canterbury Times” and “ Weekly Press” can obtain their copies at the above Establishment. *l2lc LOST AND FOUND, a Sensational Story, by an Australian author, on sale at “Herald” and “Guardian” Sta tionery Depot. BRACELETS, Earrings, Scarf Pins, and a variety of Fancy Goods, must be cleared out at once. Weeks & Dixon.



Auctioneers. MR. JOHN LLOYD CRAWLEY. Auctioneer, Stock, Land, and Commission Agent. Farms, Town and Suburban Sections, for Sale and to Let. J. LLOYD CRAWLEY, AUCTIONEER, Offices, Saunders Buildings, Ashburton. 737 a Business Notices. BREAD!BREAD! Co-operative Bread and Biscuit Factory. Triangle, Wakanui Road, Ashburton. A. THIELE, BEGS to inform the public that he is now in a position to SUPPLY BEST BREAD, 6d. per 41b. loaf, unsur passed. Delivered daily to all parts of the Borough, also, Confectionery, &c. Mixed Biscuits reduced from Is. to Bd. per lb. Wedding Cakes made to Order. 986a-570a TO FARMERS, LIVERY STABLE KEEPERS, SPORTING MEN, AND OTHERS OWNING HORSES. GEORGE KIDD, Moore Street, BEGS to announce the fact that the PRICE for SHOEING hacks and light draught HORSES is now REDUCED to 7s. per set, and that all horses of this description will be specially attended to by himself. Horses liable to cut are shod on a prin ciple of George Kidd’s own invention, which has proved an effectual cure for brushing. All kinds of blacksmith’s work, and repairs to agricultural machinery of any description done on the shortest notice. GEORGE KIDD, 75c-52Gg Moore street, Ashburton. PUBLIC NOTICE. BOOTS! BOOTS! T. CHAMBERS WHILE THANKING the public of Ashburten and Burrourding dis tricts for past favors, begs to inft rn them that he has received, and to arrive, at his place of business, East-street, a WELL-ASSORTED STOCK OF LADIES’, GENTLEMEN’S, AND CHIL DREN’S BOOTS AND SHOES Of all descriptions. T. C. also calls special attentic r to the Measure Department, and imites the gentlemen of Ashburton to inspect the superior class of Sewn Boots and Shoes h@ is now making. Riding Boots, Shooting Boots, Walking Boots and Shoes, Cricketing Boots and Shoes, and Running Shoes. WORKMANSHIP UNSURPASSED. A PERFECT FIT GUARANTEED T. CHAMBERS, PROSPECT BUILDINGS, Next to Montgomery’s, East-street. MEDICINE. QAMB RIDGE’S ASTRINGENT, a certain cure for Diarrhcea in Children or Adults, Is. 6d. and 2s. 6d a Bottle. CAMBRIDGE’S BLACK CUR RANT COUGH ELIXIR, Is. 6d. and 2s 6d. a Bottle. CAMBRIDGE’S ORANGE QUIN INE TONIC WINE, 2s. 6d. and 4s. 6d. a Bottle. CAMBRIDGE’S EXTRACT OF BARK, CURES SORE, TENDER, and CRACKED NIPPLES. CAMBRIDGE’S ESSENCE of RENNET, 3 Drops will turn a pint of milk into delicious sweet curds, Is. and 2s. 6d. a Bottle. J. M. CAMBRIDGE, Chemist, MEDICAL HALL. N.B.—Teeth carefully Extracted. 2s. 6d. REDUCTION IN THE PRICE OF BREAD. EDWARD TAYLOR has reduced the Price of his best Bread to sd. Cash at shop, and if delivered by cart, old. EDWARD TAYLOR, Saunders’ Buildings, 119 c ASHBURTON. Ball programme cards in very neat styles, with Pencils and Ribbons, printed at the Herald Office, East street, near Railway Station, j LABOURERS requiring work can secure first opening by applying early at Herald Registry Office, on pay ment of Is. ITT ANTED KNOWN—That Visiting Vy Cards, plain or mourning, can be obtained printed in various styles, at the “ Herald ” and “ Guardian ” offices, near the Rai w ay Station CHINIQUY’S LECTURES.—Just Ar rived; New Edition H. M. Jones, aring Square. A



Business Notices. Guns! Guns! Guns! POWDER, SHOT, CAPS. OEE 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 Reasonable Prices— From £2[los]_to £25. ORR AND CO



Business Notices. TINWALD BOOT AND SHOE SHoF BOOTS! BOOTS!! THE Undersigned begs to draw the at tention of the public to his well as sorted stock of Ladies’, Gents’, and Chil dren’s Boots, which he has just received, and will dispose of CHEAP. Motto— “ Small profits and quick returns.” All kinds of Boots made and repaired on the the shortest possible notice. 382 g C. HAWKINS, Bootmaker. M. McCALLUM, AND JEWELLER Every description of Jewellery made to order and repaired. Electro-plating and Gilding. Hair plaits and Devices done. Watches and Clocks accurately Repaired. Diamonds and every description of Stones substantially Set. Clocks from 7s. fid. each. Do., with alarm, 15s. CASHEL STREET, Next Bank of Australasia, Christ church. 221 c ANSTEE’S DINING ROOMS, TANCRED STREET, ASHBURTON. THE Proprietor begs to inform visitors to Ashburton, and the travelling public generally, that the best accommo dation for Boarders in Ashburton is to ba had at the above establishment. A LIBERAL TABLE & MODERATE CHARGES. MEALS AT ALL HOURS ■ ... Is. BEDS Is. BOARD & LODGING ... 18s. & 20s. PRIVATE REFRESHMENT ROOMS FOR LADIES. PROPRIETOR, J. G. ANSTEE. 985 a PAPERHANGING WAREHOUSE, TANCRED STREET, Ashburton. J. R. CHAPMAN PAINTER, PAPERH ANGER SIGN-WRITER, Etc., Has much pleasure in stating that, owing to the large increase of Business, he is now Importing from the Manufacturers— PAPERHANGINGS, WHITE LEAD LINSEED OIL, WINDOW GLASS, BRUSHWAEE, And all the necessaries of the Trade, and is therefore in a position to compete with any house in Canterbury for price and quality. Every description of work-in the trad® executed under personal superin tendence. Competent workmen sent to all parts of the country. ESTIMATES GIVEN. 251 c T. Bullock. r§IHE undersigned has the following - 1 - PROPERTIES to LET with a pur chasing clause, or FOR SALE on liberal terms of payment— "| ACRES good WHEAT LAND, U 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. VTALUABLE 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. TO Railway Employes, Mechanics, and L Others.—FOß SALE, cheap, Lot 78, situated on East Town Belt. Terms, £5 cash ; balance by monthly or quarterly payments. . T. BULLOCK. FOR SALE, Cheap, Dwelling-house of 7 rooms, situated on the East Belt, near the Parsonage—For particulars apply to T. Bullock. 206 e ASHBURTON COPPER, ZINC, IRON, & TIN PLATE MANUFACTORY. JOSEPH HYDE (Late Foreman at the Malvern Works England, and the Canterbury Works, Christchurch, New Zealand) BEGS to thank his friends of Ashbur ton and surrounding districts for the liberal support accorded him during the past two years, and to intimate that he has opened NEW BUSINESS PRE MISES in Moore street (next Mr. Neate’a chemist shop) where he is prepared to execute every description of Plain and Japanned Tinware, Lamps, Gas Reflec tors, Chimney Tops, Portable Washing Boilers, Baths, Cheese Vats, etc. LOCKSMITH, BELLHANGER, GAS FITTER. Artesian Wells, Beer Engines, Pumps, &c. Steam Kettles, Hot Closets, made on the premises. Estimates given for Spouting. . All work done under J. H.’s personal Superintendence, and guaranteed. J. HYDE, Moore Street Ashburton. B RAWING PAPER, all sizes, just opened at WEEKS AND DIXON, East street.