THE STORY-TELLER.

BROOKLEBANK’3 TENT.

A TALE OF UNFOUNDED ACCUSATION. ££ l have this clay received information of a most startling character.” ££ Indeed ! ” “ You saw me talking to Superintendent Roberts, did you not 1 ” <£ l don’t know Superintendent Roberts,” I returned.

£t No, I forgot, you are a new chum. Well, Roberts gave me some very valuable information. You will be astonished, as I was, when you hear it. We are living, Mr. Parker, in a den of thieves and mur derers. ”

“ I have always understood,” I replied, ££ that there are a great many bad charac ters on the diggings, but—” “ I am not speaking generally, I allude to our own immediate neighborhood—our own so-called acquaintances, companions, and friends. I will begin with Fry.” “Fry ! 1 thought you knew his family in Liverpool, and that his father was .a highly respected horse-dealer there? ” “So I believed, but I was mistaken. Fry is a thorough-paced villain. He has already been twice convicted of burglary. ”

. “ Good Heavens, can this be true ? ” “ I have all the documents io prove my assertions tied up in this bundle,” con tinued Brocklebank, in the most business like tone. As for that old Scotchman, Adamson— ” “Adamson! I should have believed him to be a most worthy old fellow.” “ Mr. Parker, you are very young, and appearances are deceitful. Adamson i 3 a desperate character, an escaped prisoner from Port Arthur, a monster stained with innumerable crimes. But the Langfords, in spite of their plausible outward aspect, are the worst wretches of all. From their earliest years they have pursued a career of Hark !” he ex claimed, springing to this feet, and grasp ing his revolver, “they are coming now.” He pointed his weapon towards the four corners of the tent, and continued, “They are coming from north, east, south, and west.” Ashe spoke his face changed, his eyes glittered with the bale ful glare of insanity. I once more be held the terrific figure which I had be lieved to be the offspring of a brain op pressed with nightmare, but which I now perceived, too plainly, to be a sad reality. Brocklebank’s exclamations were not altogether based on delusion. Rapid foot steps were without doubt approaching the tent, for the bull-dog began to growl ominously. A moment later I heard a well-known voice saying, ‘‘Down, Boxer ; don’t you know us, old fellow ?” “It’s Langford,” I remarked, in an ex planatory tone, being convinced by this time that Brocklebank was laboring under some unaccountable delusion.

The words were scarcely out of my mouth, when he uttered a sharp cry of anger, and suddenly seizing- me by the collar flung me on my knees. The next instant I saw the muzzle of his revolver pointed at my head. “Parker,” he Bhouted, “ you are a traitor, a traitor and a villian ; you are in league with the rest of the gang. I must kill you. ” My chances of escape would have been small, for the whole of this terrific scene had been enacted in a few seconds ; but at that critical moment, when the homi cide’s hand was on the trigger, the frail canvas door of the tent was thrown open, and Langford and Adamson burst in. Langford immediately threw himself on Brocklebank, while Adamson seized the wrist of the murderous hand -which held the revolver. The shot which, a few moments earlier, would assuredly have penetrated my brain, passed harmlessly through the roof of the tent. After a brief struggle the unfortunate maniac, for such I now plainly perceived him to be, was secured, and held in safe custody till daylight. Langford lost no time in communica ting with Melbourne, -where Brocklebank, who had been settled for several years in the colony, had many friends, who held him in high estimation. We afterwards learnt that, some years before, when at home in Liverpool, he had shown symp toms of mental derangement, but that he had apparently been perfectly cured. The doctors recommended him, on his re covery, to seek a totally new sphere of action, and he had accordingly emigrated to the southern hemisphere. Since his arrival in Victoria no one had detected in him any traces of insanity, but the seeds of that fell malady had evidently only lain dormant, and had suddenly sprung up in full vigor. A few days later, after a care ful medical examination, the poor fellow was removed from Iron Back Gully to the Lunatic Asylum at the Yarra Bend, near Melbourne. lam not aware what became of him subsequently. It was doubtless in the confusion of mind common in cases of approaching insanity, that he had forgot ten where he had placed the two parcels of gold which had caused me so much trouble.

As for myself, I shortly afterwards heard news of my London friends, who came out by the John Taylor, but found out that neither of them was a suitable companion for one who was determined to serve a steady apprenticeship to the trade of gold-digging. Hard manual labor did not suit them ; they only stayed three weeks on the mines, and then gave up the profession in disgust. They afterwards obtained more congenial occupations, the one as assistant in a ready-made clothes mart in Great Bourke street, the other as advertisement collector to a Geelong newspaper of limited circulation. I was, therefore, well content to remain in com pany with Langford and Adamson. I worked for twelve months with them, and could not possibly have fallen in with pleasanter or more trustworthy com panions. None of us, however, made our fortunes at gold-digging. We toiled steadily and perseveringly, we seldom sank a hole that had not some gold in, yet, on reckoning up our earnings at the end of the year, we found that we had prospered about as well as Victorian day laborers in constant employment, that is, we had earned about ten shillings a day apiece. Notwithstanding this compara tive ill-success, I shall always recollect with satisfaction the time I spent on the Bendigo gold-field, for I laid in a stock of vigorous health and self-reliance, which are better worth having than a tin dish full of nuggets. At the same time I never see an alleged thief in custody without re membering that I once stood in that pain ful position, and thanking God for my providential escape. CQUCIiUDED.

THE ASHBURTON HERALD.

(Tuesday, March 23, 18S0.



Edmiston Bros. & Gundry. CLEARING SALE OF HOUSEHOLD FURNITURE, PIANO, 150 VOLUMES BOOKS, &o. \/fESSRS. EDMISTON BROS. & iVI GUNDRY have received instruc tions to sell BY PUBLIC AUCTION, At Miss Steane’s, on WEDNESDAY, 24111 MARCH, The whole of the Sitting-room, Bed room, and School-room Furni ture ; a First-class Piano, and 150 Volumes of Books. Scde at 1.30 p. m. EDMISTON BROS. AND GUNDRY, 212 c Auctioneers.



THURSDAY. 25th MARCH. . LOTS 5G & 57 TREVORTON. OWNER LEAVING THE PROVINCE. Messrs, edmiston bros. & GUNDRY will sell BY PUBLIC AUCTION, at their rooms on THURSDAY, 25th MARCH. LOTS 56 & 57 TREVORTON. Sale at 3/30 p.m. EDMISTON BROS. & GUNDRY, 181 c Auctioneers.



TURNIP SEEDS SALE by the undersigned— Green Top Yellow Aberdeen Purple „ „ Devonshire Grey Stone Mammoth Purple Top White Stone Stubble Grass and Clover Seeds. White Clover Red ~ Timothy Alsike Lucerne Gorse Italian Rye Cocksfoot Perennial Trefoil &c., &c., &e. Building Material. 100,000 FEET OF ASSORTED TIMBER White & Black Pine Black Birch T. and G. Flooring Y.D.L. T. and G. Lining Totara Kauri, &c., &c. COALS AND FIREWOOD IN ANY QUANTITY. EDMISTON BROS. & GUNDRY, East Street. Agents for the SOUTH BRITISH FIRE & MARINE INSURANCE COMPANY. Capital £1,000,000. Risks taken on all kinds of Property, Growing Crops, Grain in Stack, Thresh ing Machines. EDMISTON BROS. & GUNDRY, East Street. Farms for sale in blocks of so to 100 acres. Price from £2 ISs. per acre. EDMISTON BROS. & GUNDRY, 106 c East Street. LABOURERS requiring work can secure first opening by applying early at Herald Registry Office, on pay ment of Is. TIT ANTED, those in search of employ- W ment, to call and enter their names at Herald Registry Office, on pay ment of Is. ANTED KNOWN—That Money can be saved by purchasing your Sta tionery and Account Books, for cash, at the “Herald” and “Guardian” Whole sale Stationery Dep6t, Saunders’ Build ings, near Station. SERVANTS requiring situations, call and get your names entered in the Herald Registry, Is. WANTED KNOWN, that Envelopes and Notepaper can be obtained wholesale or retail, at unusually low rates at the “Herald” Office, East-street North. f,42 mm R, OTICE—The “Ashburton Herald is a Gazette for all notices under tl: Debtors and Creditors Arts TO FRUITERERS, CONFECTIONERS, AND OTHERS. FANCY Show Cards, neatly printed ! “Finest Lemonade ancl Cordials” —on Sale at the Herald Office.



Educational. M ISS GOODGER begs to inform the Ladies of Ashburton that she opens a Private School on MONDAY, March 15, at Mr. Jones’, Stationer, Baring square. Terms: English ... ... One Guinea. French ... ... ~ Music ~ Referees : The Very Revd. De.an of Christchurch, and J. P. Restell, Esq. 124c-5G9g Business Notices. REMOVED TO WAKANUI ROAD, Next to Post Office. JOSEPH WARD, FAMILYBUTCHER, BEGS to inform the Public of Ash burton that he will Open as above on Saturday next, and intends selling for cash at a REDUCTION in PRICES. First-class Beef, 3d. to sd. per lb. First-class Mutton, 2d. to 3d. per lb. Legs, 3?jd per lb. JOSEPH WARD, 892a* Butcher. 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, s|d. EDWARD TAYLOR, Saunders’ Buildings, 119 c ASHBURTON. Sfe. SKA Wmm. M. NEALAS, 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 . NEALAS, EAST STREET. ASHBURTON. 219 c 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 soiicits a continuance of the same.



The fares by Willcocks’ coach are exactly 3d. per mile ordinary fares, and l|d. per mile for Saturday return. They are as under— Longbeach to Ashburton, ordinary 55., return Bs. Waterton 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. ' ' 202 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. THE “Herald” is published every evening, thus giving every day’s news. This is better than buying a Six penny weekly. WASTE PAPER for Sale, 3d. per lb. at the Herald Office. Apply early. 50a LABOR MARKET. i E3ISTRY OFFICE FOR MASTERS AND SERVANTS, AT THE ‘ EVENING HERALD ” OFFICE. Earmers requiring hands can engage men through the “Evening Herald ” Registry for 1/- each, prepaid. LABORERS REQUIRING SITUA TIONS can engage through the “ Herald ” Registry Office by paying 1/-. SERVANTS REQUIRING SITUA TIONS can get them by applying at the “Hei'ald” Registry Office, and paying 1/- ENGAGEMENTS will be POSTED UP every day at 12 noon and 4 p.m., by numbers given to the applicants, who will learn the address on enquiring. SPECIAL or URGENT WANTS will be inserted in the “ Evening Herald ” in the registry column on payment of Six pence additional in advance, for each issue. Further Particulars on application at the “ EVENING HERALD” REGISTRY OFFICE. SAUNDERS’ BUILDINGS, EAST ST., ASHBURTON. PROMISSORY Note Forms, in Books of 25, unstamped, for sale at the Herald Office. Price 2s. Gd. evoli. nnEACHERS can obtain the MO.>XT- X PLICATION TABLES, printed on gummed paper, : any quantity at the Herald Office, East street, near the Railway Station.



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. THIEL E, J">EGS to inform the public that he is * now in a position to SUPPLY BEST BREAD, Gd. 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. 98Ga-570c 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.



ASHBURTON COPPER, ZINC, IRON, & TIN PLATE MANUFACTORY. JOSEPH HYDE (Late Foreman at the Malvern Worts 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’s 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 Yats, etc. LOCKSMITH, BELLHANGER, GAS FIT TER. Artesian Wells, Beer Engines, Pumps, Ac. 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. PUBLIC NOTICE. BOOTS! 800 TS! T. CHAMBERS WHILE THANKING the public of Ashburton and surrour ding dis tricts for past favors, begs to infi rn them that he has received, and to arrive ; at his place (d business, East-street, a WELL-ASSORTED STOCK OS' LADIES’, GENTLEMEN’S, AND CHIL DREN’S BOOTS AND SHOES Of all descriptions. T. C. also calls special attenth i to the Measure Department, and invites the gentlemen of Ashburton to inspect the superior class of Sewn Boots and Shoes he 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. QAMBRIDGE’S ASTRINGENT, a certain cure for Diarrhoea in Children or Adults, Is. Gd. and 2s. 6d a Bottle. CAMBRIDGE’S BLACK CUR RANT COUGH ELIXIR, Is. 6d. and 2s Gd. a Bottle. CAMBRIDGE’S ORANGE QUIN INE TONIC WINE, 2s. Gd. and 4s. Gd. 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. Gd. a Bottle. J. M. CAMBRIDGE, Chemist, MEDICAL HALL. N.B.—Teeth carefully Extracted. 2s. Gd.



Business Notices. TINWALD .BOOT AND SHOE SHOP. BOOTS! BOOTS!! TjHE Undersigned begs to draw tlie 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. C. PERCY COX, AND AND ESTATE AGENT ANT ' VALUATOR, ASHBURTON. MONEY TO LEND 03V APPROVED FREEHOLD. SECURITY Agent for Union Insurance COMPANY OF NEW ZEALAND. 717 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 be 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, PAPERHANGEP 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, BRUSHWAFE, 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 trade executed under personal superin. tendence. Competent workmen sent to all parts of the country. ESTIMATES GIVEN. 41 a T. Bullock. mHE undersigned has the following -L PROPERTIES to LET with a pur chasing clause, or FOR SALE on liberal terms of payment— ”| Kf\ 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. TO Railway Employes, Mechanics, and Others.—FOß SALE, cheap, Lot 78, situated on East Town Belt. Terms, £5 cash ; balance by monthly or quarterly payments. T. BULLOCK. Drawing paper, ail sizes, just opened at WEEKS AND DIXON, East street. Ball programme cards in very neat styles, with Pencils and Ribbons, printed at the Herald Office, East street, near Railway Station,



Business Notices. VALUE EXTRAORDINARY. THE Great Bargains OF THE SEASON. GREAT CLEARANCE SALE FOR THIRTY DAYS. ORE AND CO. HAVING resolved to clear out the Balance of the Bankrupt Stocks purchased by them during the Season (amounting to over ten thousand pounds) regardless of cost so that they may commence the Autumn Season with en tirely a new Stock, ORE AND CO. Will also offer several cheap lots pur chased by them during the late depression. Special Bargains. 90 Pair Twilled Kaiapoi Blankets at 4s. under the usual price. Kaiapoi Flannel at Is. 4d., Is. 6d. to 2s. English Flannel at Is., Is. 2d., Is. 6d., to Is. 9d. Prints at sd. and 6d., worth 9d. Brown Hollands, 7d. to Is. COSTUMES, 56 Costumes at 215., worth 355. 6d., a Baigain. 64 Print Costumes at 7s. 6d. to 12s. 6d., worth 20s. 1700 yards Dress Goods, Alpaccas, at Bd., lOd., and Is. MILLINERY. Trimmed and Untrimmed Hats at half price. 2 Boxes Flowers, sold at Gd. per spray. Ladies’ Underclothing at very much under usual prices. 20 Dozen Stays at 3s. 6d., 45., 4s. 9d., to ss. 6d. CLOTHING. Men’s Suits at 15s. under usual prices. Boys’ Suits at 15s. 6d. to 355. Youth’s Suits at a little over half-price. Braces, Ties, Collars, Socks, and Shirts, unusually cheap. 20 Dozen Harvest Shirts at Is. 6d. to 2s. Gd. BOOTS Men’s Boots still sold at Bankrupt prices. Youth’s Boots in great variety. Ladies’ Kid Boots at old prices. 1 Case Children’s Boots at Is. and Is. 6d., a bargain.



TAILORING DEARTMENT. WE HAVE MUCH PLEASURE IN ANNOUNCING TO THE PUBLIC THAT A Tailoring Branch. HAS BEEN OPENED' IN CON NECTION WITH OUR CLOTHING DEPARTMENT, HAVING MADE ARRANGEMENTS WITH MESSRS. CRAIGHEAD AND CO. (LATE OF EDINBURGH AND SAN FRANCISCO), PRACTICAL TAILORS, TO MAKE UP ALL ORDERS EN TRUSTED TO US IN THE VERY BEST STYLE. A PERFECT FIT GUARANTEED. SCOTCH, ENGLISH, and COLONIAL TWEEDS IN GREAT VARIETY. THE CELEBRATED BLARNEY TWEED (CORK) KEPT IN STOCK. FANCY COATINGS IN GREAT VARIETY. SUITS from £4 4s. DRESSMAKING DEPARTMENT. Dresses, Costumes, and Jackets made up to order, under the superintendence of a first-class Dressmaker. WEDDING & MOURNING ORDERS PUNCTUALLY ATTENDED TO. ORE AND CO. IMPORTERS ASHBURTCN AND RAKAIA



Commercial Printers. JUST ARRIVED— SECOND SHIPMENT OF gTATIONERY, STATIONERY, DIRECT FROM THE MANUFACTORY. Now Opening Up.



CHOICE ASSORTMENT OP Commercial AND Household STATIONERY. TELE Largest and Finest Lot ever opened up in Ashburton, AND Equal to 'any exhibited in the Colony. i o ■ WEEKS & DIXON, Printers, Publishers, and COMMERCIAL, LAW, AND General Stationers, Guardian Ofjic*, EAST STREET ASHBTRTON.