THE STORY-TELLER.

BROCKLEBANK’S TENT

A TALE OF UNFOUNDED ACCUSATION. As may be imagined, I passed, both physically and mentally, a miserable night, though the bodily inconvenience ■was trivial compared with the shame which consumed me. I lighted a small fire at the foot of a tree, and after eating the remainder of my biscuit, and drinking a pannikin of cold water, rolled myself in my blankets, and lay down. 1 had not the heart to buy tea or any other pro visions at the Royal Liver Store, for I felt that the proprietor would naturally believe the brazen-faced culprit was spend ing the proceeds.of his villany ; and I deter mined not to go elsewhere, lest my ac cusers should suspect that I meditated flight. I had just covered my head to shield my face from the keen south wind, which was whistling among the trees, when I heard a gentle womanly voice say ing, close by me— “ Mr. Parker, my husband has bid me bring you a pannikin of nice hot tea. He saw that you had none.” “Thank you, Mrs. Langford, I don’t want it. ”

“And he says you had better go and sleep in his mate’s tent.” “ No, I am resolved to stay here.” “ At least drink the tea to please me,” she urged. “Perhaps you will drink it if I tell you, that though the others think you are guilty, I believe you are inno cent. ”

“ Why do you think so, Mrs. Lang ford?” I said uncovering my face, and raising myself on my elbow. “ I cannot tell ; but you have not the face or the manner of a thief. lam sure you are innocent, and, I pray God you may be proved so. There, I will set the tea by your side ; drink it, it will keep you warm. Goodnight.” “ Good night,” I murmured, and felt comforted. There was one person who thought me innocent. For a long time I could not go[to sleep, and as I lay awake I wondered whether anybody was keeping watch. The howl ing of the wind among the trees made so much noise that my ears were unable to detect any stealthy movement of human feet; but I afterwards learnt that morose Fry—without any feelings of personal animosity, but simply as a matter of duty —had posted himself in a mimosa bush in my immediate vicinity, and kept his finger on the trigger, of his revolver, lest I should make a sudden spring from my hard couch, and attempt to fly under cover of the darkness.

At length I sank into an uneasy sleep, from which I was awakened about dawn by a sensation of extreme chilliness. I looked around ; the wind had lulled, and a steady soaking rain was coming down. I got up, shook myself, and as my fire had been quenched by the wet, walked over to the public fire in front of the Royal Liver. This fire had so thoroughly pentrated into the heart of the big leg which formed its basis, that nothing short of a tremendous thunderstorm could put it out. I piled a heap of chips on the red embers, and presently produced a cheer ful blaze, which afforded some warmth to my chilled limbs. By degrees the scat tered inhabitants of the gully rose from their beds, and began leisurely to make preparations for breakfast, the day being too wet to admit of any “ sinking ” oper ations. Amongst others, Mr. Fry made his appearance, looking more sour than ever, which was, no doubt, in some mea sure due to his self-imposed sentinel duty. Shortly afterwards the whole company, whom I designate as the Court of Inquiry, assembled in Brocklebank’s store. An animated discussion appeared to be taking place, and presently I heard Langford’s voice—

“ Well, we must not let the poor fellow starve. Fry, just go and ask him to come inside. ”

“ I wouldn’t, if I was you,” answered Fry. “Nonsense, man; we’re not bar barians.”

So Mr. Fry put out his head, and said, very gruffly— “ "You’re to came inside.”

1 would have refused, but the steady chilling rain, and my famishing condition, for I had not eaten a good meal since the previous morning, overcame my fortitude, and I obeyed the summons. “Guilty or not guilty, Mr. Parker,” observed Langford, “you must have some breakfast. ”

So I sat down on a packing-case apart from the others, and silently ate the food which was proffered me. As soon as I had finished, Langford said —

“We have decided, Mr. Parker, to have this case investigated by the police. Will you be kind enough to accompany us to the Camp ?” “ Certainly,” I answered. “My wife and Adamson,” continued Langford, addressing Brocklebank, “ will take charge of the store while we are away.” “ And ye must leave us the tin box, Mr. Brocklebank,” observed Adamson, a shrewd-faced old Scotsman. ‘ 1 Mistress Langford and I purpose to give it a searching examination.” “ Oughtn’t we take it to the Camp ?” asked Brocklbank, who had the box in hand.

“ I don’t think it’s necessary,” replied Langford ; “ the police had better return here, and examine it on the spot.” “ Very well,” said Brocklebank. “Here’s a strange thing,” he suddenly exclaimed, as he turned over the separate packages. “Another parcel of gold is missing.” “ Then Mr. Parker can’t be the thief,” exclaimed Mrs. Langford joyfully. She had just entered the tent. “You know, John, that he was watched all night, and that he never stirred.” “ He wasn’t watched all night,” growded Fry. “How’s that, Fry?” asked Langford. “I thought you undertook ” “To watch him?” interrupted Fry. “So I did; but I fell asleep in that mimosa bush for an hour and a half by my watch. He’d plenty of time,” he added, with a sour glance at me, to help himself if he pleased. ” The extreme improbability that a thief would steal Brocklebank’s parcels of gold one by one occurred to my mind, and must have occurred to every reflecting person present. But as I had determined to say as little aspossible, I kept silence. Shortly afterwards we started for our destination. Flo attempt was made to keep me in formal custody, and to the eye

of a chance passer-by we were simply a parLC of blue-shirted, cabbage-tree-hatted diggers -walking along briskly together ; but I noticed that both Brocklebank and Fry had their revolvers in readiness, and that they never suffered their eyes to stray from my person. We had reached the camp, and Lang ford had begun to narrate to the police superintendent there a circumstantial ac count of the supposed robbery, and was pointing out the painful suspicion which attached to myself, when the clatter of a horse’s hoofs was heard, and a moment later we saw Mrs. Langford, with her hair streaming in the wind from under her bonnet, and a heightened color in her cheeks, cantering towards the police barracks. She was evidently a practised horsewoman, for she was seated calmly and securely feminine fashion on a mascu line saddle, with one foot in the stirrup, and the other resting gracefully on her sreed’s shoulder.

“John, my dear,” she exclaimed breathlessly, as she stopped her horse and alighted without assistance, “Adamson wanted to ride old Jack, but I wouldn’t let him. I determined to bring the good news myself. Mr. Parker is innocant. The parcels of gold are all right.” “All right?” cried Brocklebank. “How can that be ?”

[to be continued.l

THE ASHBURTON HERALD.

i Saturday, March 20, iß£o.



Edmiston Bros. & Gundry. CLEARING SALE OF HOUSEHOLD FURNITURE, PIANO, 150 VOLUMES BOOKS, &o. VfESSRS. EDMISTON BROS. & ixl_ 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. LOTS 56 & 57 TREVORTON. OWNER LEAVING THE PROVINCE. Messrs, edmiston bros. & GUNDRY will sell BY PUBLIC AUCTION, at their rooms on THURSDAY, 2.5 th MARCH. LOTS 56 & 57 TREVORTON. Sale at L3O p.m. EDMISTON BROS. & GUNDRY, 181 c Auctioneers.



TURNIP SEEDS. SALE by tho 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 AfC. , <£SC. y Gorse Italian Rye Cocksfoot Perennial Trefoil &c. 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 50 to 100 acres. Price from £2 15s. 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 mcnt of Is. WANTED, those in search of employ ment, to call and enter their ' names at Herald Registry Office, on pay > of Is,



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-5G9a Business Notices. REMOYED TO WAKANUI ROAD, Next to Post Office. JOSEPH WARD, FAMILYBUTCHER, BEGS to inform the Publie 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, 3<jl. to sd. per lb. First-class Mutton, 2d. to 3d. per lb. Legs, 3M per lb. JOSEPH WARD, 892a* Butcher. REDUCTION IN THE PRICE OF BREAD. I 7 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. ON SALE, at Clark’s Provision Stores, fine POTATOES, 141 b. for Sixpence, retail. 195 c m. HI m M. NEALAS, BOOT AND SHOEMAKER, AND IMPORTER, JS CLEARING OUT the whole of his I Present Stock at REDUCED PRICES, next to Taylor’s Bakery, where he has j 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 lid. per mile for Saturday return. They are as under— Longbeach to Ashburton, ordinary 55., return Bs. Waterton to Ashburton, 3s. 6d. ordi nary, Gs. 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 a 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. LABOR MARKET. REGISTRY 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 !/-• 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. I3ROMISSORY Note Forms, in Books of 25, unstamped, for sale at the Herald Office. Price 2s. 6d. eeAh. mEACHERS can obtain the MU.uT 1 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. THIELE, IT) 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. 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 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 FITTER. 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! BOOTS! T. CHAMBERS WHILE THANKING the t cblic of Ashburt®n and surrour ding dis tricts for past favors, begs to inb rn them that he has received, and to arrive, at his place of business, East-street, a WELL-ASSORTED STOCK ov LADIES’, GENTLEMEN’S, AND CHIL DREN’S BOOTS AND SHOES Of all descriptions. T. C. also calls special attenth 1 to the Measure Department, and inc ites 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. 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. Gd. a Bottle. CAMBRIDGE’S EXTRACT OF BARK, CURES SORE, TENDER, and CRACKED NIPPLES. CAMBRIDGE’S ESSENCE of RENNET, 3 Drops will lurn 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!! rfIHE Undersigned begs to draw tlie at- M 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, r AND AND ESTATE AGENT ANT 1-/ 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 bo had at the above establishment. A LIBERAL TABLE & MODERATE CHARGES. MEALS AT ALL HOURS ... Ib. 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, Etl., Has much pleasure in stating that, owing to the large increase of Business, he is now Imforting from the Manufacturers— PAPER HANGINGS, WHITE LEAD LINSEED OIL, WINDOW 7 GLASS, BRUSHWAPE, 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 superio. tendence. Competent workmen sent to all parts of the country.



ESTIMATES GIVEN. 43 a T. Bullock. THE undersigned has the following PROPERTIES to LET with a pur chasing clause, or FOR SALE on liberal terms of payment — I ACRES good WHEAT LAND, all ploughed and ready for cross ploughing for wheat ; situated about three miles from the township. OfJ ACRES, near the above ; also good V § WHEAT LAND, ploughed once and ready for cross-ploughing. fe'A ACRES, partly improved, near Wins low. This will be sold very cheap, and on very liberal terms. TOWN PROPERTIES. VT 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. Drawing paper, ail sizes, just opened at WEEKS AND DIXON, East street. 13 ALL PROGRAMME CARDS in 13 very neat styles, with Pencils and Ribbons, printed at the Herald Office, East street, near Railway Station,



Business Notices. YALUE EXTRAORDINARY. THE Great Bargains OF THE SEASON. GREAT CLEARANCE SALE FOR THIRTY DAYS. ORE AND CO. HAYING 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 sd. and 6d., werth 9d. Brown Hollands, 7d. to Is. COSTUMES. 56 Costumes at 215., worth 355. 6d., a Bargain. 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, 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. Gd., 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 M 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. A CHOICE ASSORTMENT OP Commercial AND Household STATIONERY. THE Largest and Finest Lot ever opened up in Ashburton, AND Equal to any exhibited in the Colony. o— —— WEEKS & DIXON, Printers, Publishers, and COMMERCIAL, LAW, AND General Stationers, Guardian Ofpicj, EAST STREET| ASHBTRTON.