THE STORY-TELLER.

BROOKLEBANK’S TENT.

A TALE OF UNFOUNDED ACCUSATION. “ Why somebody—yourself, I suppose, Mr. Brocklebank—had folded two packets into one parcel. This has been done in two instances ; so that what we took for two packets, according to the label out side, were really four.” *“ I am confident I never did so,” answered Brocklebank almost angrily. I need not describe the joyous leap which my heart gave as I listened to this most welcome intelligence. It is enough to say that everybody present crowded round me and shook me by the hand. When I say everybody, I do not mean Mr. Fry. lam not sure that he was not rather disappointed ; certainly he looked sourer than ever, but he had the civility to blurt out —

“You are well out of it, Parker.”

As we returned to Iron Bark gully, the rain ceased, and the sun shone out glori ously, as if to celebrate my restoration to innocence ; and a couple of hours later, Langford and his mates having tempor arily admitted me to membership in their digging party, I was busily engaged in shovelling “wash-dirt” into the “hopper” of their cradle.

And now for the conclusion of my tale, which may appear somewhat surprising, but which I assure the reader is strictly true, as are all the main facts, of this narrative. I have altered the names of persons, but otherwise my story is a story of real facts, and some of these who were working on Iron Bark Gully in 1852 may possibly read this article, and be able to attest the truth of its statements.

I had worked very pleasantly and amic ably for some days in Langford’s party, sharing Adamson’s tent at night, when one evening Brocklebank took me aside, and told me he wished to say a few words to me privately. I had seen very little of him since the supposed robbery ; I had fancied he rather avoided me, and not only me but all his former acquaint ances. He no longer came out, as before, to gossip at the community-fire which burnt before his establishment, but as soon as business was concluded he shut himself up in his store, and remained invisible till morning. When he took me aside that evening, I was struck by the altered expression of his countenance. His face was flushed, and there was an unsteady light in his eyes. 'I should have. supposed that he had been drinking, but that I knew him to be a strict teetotaller, and that there was not a drop of intoxicating fluid in any of our tents, for in 1852 all spirit-selling on the diggings w r as carried on clandes tinely, and was therefore shunned by such steady respectable folks as most of our neighbors were. “My dear friend,” said Brocklebank, taking me by the hand, “ I have never been able to forgive myself the misery you underwent. The thought has haunted me day and night—” “Don’t say anything more about it now,” I entreated. “You begged my pardon the other day until I was quite ashamed. It was, I dare say, a whole some lesson for me. I shall have more pity for other supposed criminals in future.”

“ Not,” pursued Brocklebank musingly, as if in soliloquy, “that I am personally responsible for your sufferings. The crime lies at other men’s doors.”

I did not comprehend this last observa tion, but he proceeded to say— “ And now I am going to beg a favor— a favor which I scarcely venture to ask of you after what you have undergone. I want you to sacrifice a night’s rest and keep watch in my tent to-night. I have received information,” he added, sinking his voice to an impressive whisper, “that to-night my store is to be attacked and plundered. I have plenty of arms. Will you come, Parker ?” “ I shall be delighted,” I said, warming at the prospect of an adventure in which I was more likely to play the part of thief taker than thief. “But wouldn’t it be well to tell Adamson, Langford, and the others, so as to have a strong paity here to meet the scoundrels ?”

“No, no,” he said mysteriously, grasp ing me by the wrist, “on no account. Don’t say a word to them. I will tell you why, to-night.” I could not, however, keep the duty which I had undertaken to fulfil altogther a secret, for I was obliged to tell Lang ford and Adamson that I was going to sleep in Brocklebank’s tent. “ Mercy on the lad !” cried the old Scotchman. “Why I should hae thocht ye’d had enough of Brocklebank’s tent by this time. What does he want wi’ ye ?” “He wants me for company. He’s rather nervous,” I replied evasively. “ There’s something queer about Brock lebank,” observed Langford. “He’s grown very silent and very strange during the last few days. I hope he isn’t going to stop payment. There are twenty ounces of our hard-earned gold in his hands.”

“ Nae fear o’ that,” answered Adam son.

With these few words he lighted his pipe, and whistling to his dog, stalked forth, gun in hand, to look after a chance opossum. “Well, Parker,” said Langford, I sup pose you’d better go, but for goodness’ sake don’t get into another mess.” “ I think there’s no fear of that,” I re plied laughingly. “I don’t like Brocklebank quite as well as I did,” observed my mate — “ there’s a curious suspicious look in his eyes, and he sometimes scowls at me as if I had committed a crime.”

With these words our conversation ter minated, and soon after I went into the Royal Liver Store for the night. Brocklebank was sitting on a flour barrel, reading a book by the light of a candle. The flushed and excited look which had characterised his face earlier in the day had disappeared : his manner was calm, deliberate, and business-like. After what he had told me during our late interview, I was not surprised to see a capped and loaded revolver lying by his side, although I had been given to under stand by Langford and others that our part of the diggings was almost as free from crimes of violence as an English country village. However, he made no allusion, to the weapon at his side, and for a considerable time we sat conversing on various topics unconnected with the business for which I had visited his tent. Ry degrees the sounds produced by Euro pean civilization became fainter } the last

digger discharged the contents of h'S gun or pistol previous to reloading it, and even the dogs began to grow sleepy , arid Australian Nature reasserted her reign in the melancholy moping cry of the more poke, or Southern «wl, and the ceaseless chatter of the bull-frogs in an adjacent swamp. Then Brocklebank, quietly closing his book, and laying his hand upon his revolver, addressed me thus : [to be continued.!

THE ASHBURTON HERALD

i Monday, March ’i$ } ißso



Edmiston Bros. & Gundry. CLEARING SALE OF HOUSEHOLD FURNITURE, PIANO, 150 VOLUMES BOOKS, Ac. Messrs, edmiston bros. & GUNDRY have received instruc tions to sell BY PUBLIC AUCTION, At Miss Steane’s, on WEDNESDAY, 24TH MARCH, The whole of the Sitting-room, Bed room, and School-room Furni ture ; a First-class Piano, and 150 Volumes of Books. Sale at 1.30 p. m. EDMISTON BROS. AND GUNDRY, 212 c Auctioneers. THURSDAY, 25th MARCH. ASHBURTON MUNICIPAL RESERVES. Messes, edmiston beos. and GUNDRY have been favored with instructions from the Borough Council to LET BY PUBLIC AUCTION, at their rooms, East street, on THURSDAY, 2 sth MARCH, the following very VALUABLE SECTIONS in the Township of Ashburton for a term of 21 years— T. S. 210, West street, next to Messrs. Jameson Bros’. Store. T.S. 211, corner of Baring Square. These sections are first-class BUSINESS SITES, being close to the railway station, sidings could be easily obtained. Also, Reserve No. 1689, Fronting "Wills street, Cameron street, and the East Town Belt. This Reserve has been divided into -ten ots, upon six of which are erected SIX TWO-ROOMED COTTAGES. , These .lots will be let separately on 14 years’ lease. Sale at 1.30 p.m. EDMISTON BROS. & GUNDRY, 584g-151c Auctioneers. TURNIP SEEDS. 0 N 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 V. 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 50 to 100 acres. Price from £2 15s. per acre. EDMISTON BROS. & GUNDRY, 106 c East Street.



Educational. 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. Dean of Christchurch, and J. P. Restell, Esq. 124c-569g Business Notices. REMOVED TO WAKANUI ROAD, Next to Post Office. JOSEPH WARD, FAMILYBUTCHER, BEGS to inform the Publi« 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, 3M per lb. JOSEPH WARD, S92a* 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, SW. EDWARD TAYLOR, Saunders’ Buildings, 119 c ASHBURTON.



M. NEALAS, BOOT AND SHOEMAKER, AND IMPORTER, S 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. 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 Hd. per mile for Saturday return. They are as under— Longbeach to Ashburton, ordinary 55., return Bs. Waterton to Ashburton, 3s. Cd. ordi nary, 6s. return. Ashton to Ashburton, 3s. ordinary, 6s. 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 3 p.m. THE “Herald” is published every evening, thus giving every day’s news. This is better than buying a Six penny weekly. early. 'ASTE PAPER for Sale, 3d. per lb. at the Herald Office. Apply 50a LABOR MARKET. i EiJiSTRY OFFICE FOR MASTERS AND SERVANTS, AT THE ‘ EVENING HERALD ” OFFICE. Farmers 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 “Herald” Registry Office, and paying 1 h 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. I3ROMISSORV Note Forms, in Books § of 25, unstamped, for sale at the Herald Office. Price 2s. 6d. es-oh. nnEACHERS can obtain the X PLICATION TABLES, printed on gummed papei, n any quantity at the Herald Office, East street, near the Railway Station.



Auctioneers. 1/fR. JOHN LLOYD CRAWLEY.. -LvJL 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, Wakanuißoad, Ashburton. A. THIELE, I > EGS 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-5700 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-526a Moore street, Ashburton. 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’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 Vats, etc. LOCKSMITH, BELLHANGER, GAS FIG TER. Artesian Wells, Beer Engines, Pumps, <fcc. 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! BOOTS! T. CHAMBERS WHILE THANKING the public of Ashburton and surroui ding dis tricts for past favors, begs to infi rn them that he has received, and to arrive, at his place (if business, East-street, a WELL-ASSORTED STOCK OF LADIES’, GENTLEMEN’S, AND CHIL DREN’S BOOTS AND SHOES Of all descriptions. T. 0. also calls special attontu i to -the Measure Department, and imites 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 Shoos, and Running Shoes. WORKMANSHIP UNSURPASSED. A PERFECT FIT GUARANTEED



T. CHAMBERS, PROSPECT BUILDINGS, Next to Montgomery’s, East-street. MEDICINE . ASTRINGENT, a certain cure for Diarrhoea in Children or Adults, Is. 6d. and 2s. Cd a Bottle. CAMBRIDGE’S BLACK CUR RANT COUGH ELIXIR, Is. Gd. and 2s 6d. 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. 6d.



Business Notices. TINWALD BOOT AND SHOE SHOP. 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. C. PERCY COX, L AND AND ESTATE AGENT ANT VALUATOR, ASHBURTON. MONEY TO LEND ON 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, BRUSHWABE, 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. 41a T. Bullock. THE undersigned has the following PROPERTIES to LET with a pur chasing clause, or FOR SALE on liberal terms of payment— . 1 £A ACRES good WHEAT LAND, JLt/U a ]] 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. fc'A ACRES, partly improved, near Wins leny. This will be sold very cheap, and on very liberal terms. TOWN PROPERTIES. V7ALUABLE 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 J- Others. —FOR 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. T) ALL PROGRAMME CARDS in x> very neat styles, with Pencils. and Ribbons, printed at the Herald Office, East street, near Railway Station.



Business Notices. VALUE EXTRAORDINARY. THE Great Bargains OP THE SEASON. GREAT CLEARANCE SALE FOR THIRTY DAYS. ORR 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 irely a new Stock, ORR 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 6d. and Gd., worth 9d. Brown Hollands, 7d. to Is. COSTUMES. 56 Costumes at 215., worth 355. Gd., a Bargain. 64 Print Costumes at 7s. Gd. to 12s. Gd., 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. 20Dozen Stays at 3s. Gd., 45., 4s. 9d., to ss. 6d. CLOTHING. Men’s Suits at 15s. under usual prices. Boys’ Suits at 15s. Gd. 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. Gd. 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 BIAS BEEN OPENED IN CON NECTION WITH OUR CLOTHING DEPARTMENT, HAVING MADE ARRANGEMENTS WITH MESSRS. CRAIGHEAD AND CO. (LATE OF EDINBURGH AND SAN FRANCISCO), PEACTICAL TAILORS, TO M.UCE 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. ORR AND CO. IMPORTERS ASHBURTCN AND RAKAIA.



Commercial Kilters. JUST ARRIVED— SECOND SHIPMENT OF jgTATIONERY, STATIONERY, DIRECT FROM THE MANUFACTORY. Now Opening Up. A CHOICE ASSORTMENT OF Commercial AND Household STATIONERY.



THE Largest and Finest Lot ever opened up in Ashburton, AND Equal to 'any exhibited in the Colony. WEEKS & DIXON, Printers, Publishers, AND COMMERCIAL, LAW, AND General Stationers, Guardian Offic*, EAST STREET ASHBTRTON.