ON AN AUSTRALIAN FARM.

Horowhenua Chronicle, 2 June 1910, Page 4

ON AN AUSTRALIAN FARM.

CHAPTICK vrn. SANDWICH KS AND CO.UMERClAliS. " All cud (!;> \vi' a 1 j it <>' a snack,' 'old John said alter a long silhiice .and glared at 1 lit> pi)i't.ma 11 - teanw "My -love, so could I, Father," Peter pill in /'l'm as 'hungry .as .a Willi'.' " We brought ]ilt-nt v u'itih lis," Airs l>isliu i/...l said, "if we can find 'tlu 1 bag it's in." "We'll soon I'alind it. Klahser!" and old John proceeded it'o drag the luggage almit. Tilly and I'olly came to .liis assistance, and ill ;i lew moments all kindi-f of ('utilities were being handed round. Old Joliii displayed rare confidence in tlie sandwiches, a.iK.l at:- six and s.'Vfiii at a time. "Look at r'al.lier!" Peter guffawed, st. tiding a wllnde ,s."i.:ie int;t his mi'ii nioiii'li. "Don't look a\t. Father; .look at youn-udf!" Tilly advised, and. Peter, nnuiMe to control his viable .faculties, hroke out and l:st the greater part of his .sconv. lint what, was Peter's loss was ,\l ilia's gain. "Peitor!" cried indinii'intly. and jumped up to rid her l:ip id' Peter's lunch. Poter laughed .stMiie more, and tried another scon: l . The c:)inpaitinent looked like a Sun lay school treat on circuit. "Ask those gentlemen." .Mrs Dashwood whispered to Tilly, "if they would have s .nu'thing to rait." "No, Mother," Polly replied with hash In 1 countenance, "you ask them yourself." Airs Dashwood then called uikmi Till v. Tilly was not so bashful as Pol I v. Tilly made no hones about inviting the two strangers tit break a. crust." "Would yon gentlemen." she said in clear, linn te-nes, "care'to have a sandwich ?" Tiles.' eonimerekils were neirly stunned. It was more- than they expected. They coloured to the roots of their hair. Hut recovering they smiled most .ingratiaitiuudy and said "thvv would, very much." Tilly lraiiuhxl them some .sandwiches, and they smiled again, and thanked her severil times. "Wmld you Laklie sorine 'omeniade beer?" old John int|uii*e*:l of the coinmereinls, holding up a couple of hottles for tlieni to examine. 'I hey shook their heads, and said "they w.aild rather the .sandwiches." "Ni'U can i:av' br;:;th, you know! ' perasied old John. Tliev .''.lk'tok their heads again .and -miled. "I!y crikey. I'll have a drink of Unit, father," .and Peter, staggering unci;.' .the motion of the train, made 1: • ,vay to the basket oil' licpbeer a,!;. I lifted a bottle to his head. "Just"Took at him! . . . Peter!" I illy protested. "There are- plenty id' glasses there!" put Peter wasn't t> be deterred. \\ itli his head tilt.':! ba'dc, and the neck (i'l the battle half-wav (':i.wn his throat:, he ro.lled (lie whites of his eyes about and glared at. her like a thirsty poddy. Then with a gasp like . tn engine letting off steam, lie put down the emptv battle. "llow ('•:> 'ii gr, lad?" e'd Jrltn asked, spilling out a glass for himself. "Not.-too good, lather," Peter replied, with a. malevolent in'in rit Tilly, who was nspe.nsible for the brew. "A bit soapy. Ha! Ha.' l,, i('!i drank plenty of it, then," Polly put in. "I was dv'id thirstv. Ha! Ha! Ha!" and Peter started i n the sandwiches. "lie's very unkind, miss," one cf the commercials ventured, with a winning smile at Polly. Polly blushed, but made no reply. I suppose he didn't leave much in the. bc.tt.le ' the other commercial remarked, smiling at. Tillv. ' wonder he lelt the bottle," IJII v remarked shortlv. Moth coiniiierci.ils Laughed in an obliging, condesceirling sort of way. Peter looked up, and stared hard at them. Peter had seareelv noticed their preseii"" -• r ... \*j.; ■ . came to him of "sp ; el"-c" 'uideard shai pels, and he reiiienibere'' Villus ho had heard .about "well travellers." Peter',s i' ". ij>i i'i ■]• s were roused. He was alert and upon his guard. He to warn his parent, jind frowned and made facial contortion" it c'd Jo'"'. Hut old John failed -tak« the •'int. Peter leaned ovei : iim | s(|iiee/,ed his knee. Olfl J:',!;n s.t.ared ,'it his ''on. Peter signifiesntlv touched the part of himself wlier-' us sovereign belt, lay concealed from the eyes ol the world, at the same time glancing knnwinglv in the direction if the strangers. Old John un:lery,'':o:l. He started to Mrm.lv, and bestowed a searching rize on the eominercia ltravellers\ Ho thought harder. He loaned • a;;k, and with half-closed eves carefully studied the actions of the suspects for finite a. while. His vi<dInnc'e was soon rewarded. He observed them exchange knowing IcoJvs and smiles under cover of the periodicals they were pretending to lead. Old John wanted no more He was convinced they wen. wolves Hi sheep's e'othifng. He leaned forward, and. in a. series of whispers flint nods communicated the discovery to his wife and Maria. I hey in tilrn passed the word to the others. "Isn't it terrible- to think H-ev are allowed to go about like that?" •Mrs Dashwood said, witli a look of great aiinreheusion. Old John placed » finger to his lips, to caution her to be diVreet. Ue.'ltir.r spread himself over James and spluttered the iintelligence into Ins ear, and told him to'wa,toll lii.s ]M>"kets. James said "Mats!" and slioved Peter from him. Old .Mm with. a. significant look at .Mrs Dashwood orew his coat ti'dit acros,s his chest .and buttoned it up. I lien collecting the. Itags and baskets tlnafc had been opened for the

A SERIAL STORY

By " Steele Rudd. ,,

purpose of providing the liiuoher.ai, secured tiirin all, and placed them under his eye. .Mrs Dashwood nudged Polly and Tilly to sit olos:> to her, .and for tlu> remainder of the journey the two commercials were, under a shadow. ' After passing through mile upon mile of siiHKildering, s-nm'kiw'j; waste hn.:!« over whii'h a fierce -bush fire had obviously been i-aging for many days, after flying ])iivit ..lullangangerin.a, and Niccoloconjoorooroo, and Bibln'.-ack, mvl Howe, any many other strange places, large •siiibiirhan residences with luxuriant gardens and white paling fences ai'iout them began to shew up. A surif small shops took shape; p::i(\striaiis and motors .and bikes,began to come along in numbers, and tin* ascending spirs of l::flty churclies elevated on hills, and vi iuiifs : f hi ic.k smoke curling into tho sky could be seen from tho windows. Tiin.ugili the last cutting the iirain rushed, thin the great city in all its age, in all ts youth, n all i.'s glory, in. all its grime, in. all its grandeur and in all its d'irt and dust burst full before our country frieiu'.'-f. Excitement! There was excitement! Non.? of them could remain '■•till a -minute longer. Not even Granny, who wcko up and wished to know where she. was. find hc-vv long slid had beon asleep. They were all in a. Hurry. The train stopped. Peter tried, to opL'ii the <lo::r, and discovered i't" was locked. "We're locked in!" .oily cried with alarm. "UA-ed in?" echoed old Jr.hn. "By Jovu we are. Father!" Peter cried. Old John "tried" the door; then he put all 'his strength to it, and nearly slnved ithe trarn down:. "Von don't get out for a while," one of tho commercials called cut. "Who we.r' it lucked tbt door?" old John demanded suspiciously of him.

All tlij family tiinuvl their eyes on tho simple men. '•'Pint's wh:it they've been up to!" Pi'ler niu.tvfiTil in -an. u-iidrr-ti.ue. "Well. Ah'll sa aba.!iit it," old .lohii .said threateiiiingly. Th (.inimercial men .smiled, and begin collecting 'their bjliMigiings. The door flea , (/pen and a r.iiKvay porter liounced in. "Tickets please!" he- cried, .s-harjj-ly. ' "Tickets," I'olly and Tilly re|>.'ited, locking to old John. "T'iiet door wer' locked," old John s-aiil, iirldressiiig the pm-ter. "It's not locked now." -was the short nns'iver. "Got your tickets?" "Ah-h," and old John started ■fumbling in his pockets. "You don't gt'it out till she d'laws into the platform," tin , official volunteered, l'ciliii'ing filter's t'agerlit'ss to alight. Old Jolin searched the pockets of his roat and vest without success, thiMi preoerded calmly to dig doKii in::> the recesses ol hi.s trousers. ""What th' (loore did All do wi' 'n no'w!-'" hi? murmured. "I saw you get thorn from Mr John-sou, Father." Peter remarked. 'His others regarded old John, with anxious eyes. The portor regarded him as an outrage. "Can't you find them?" he- saisl, impatiently. "Ah put 'n some.whe.res." anftwerrd old John, screwing -mid twisting his body ab'.ut to fit his big baud into his pockets. "You surely can't have lost the-rn. Kat/ber?" -Mrs Dashwnod inui mured, with iiLcreasod lanxiety. "Oh-h, Ah baint ha' lost 'n,' : old John answered with characteristio oonfideiK'o. "Ah'vo got 'n WKHIIW.'ItMVS." "Sure they ain't 'n this pocket, Kather?" I'eter suggested, taking a grip of his parent's black ccat, aii'd starting to go through him. "You haven't got them. Mother?" Tillv suggested, looking at Mrs Dashwood. Mrs Dasljwnod shook lirr head, and said .she- hadn't even seen them. "Hα! Ha! Ha!" I'-ter cried,. "Vlnt's this?" and he held u|) a toiith brush that he extracted from 1 t! - ' coait: jxicket. "Tiu ! !i.: ; r' 'n." said rid John "Don't lie plaving -the fool, I'elter!" Tillv raid, looking disgustedly i't her broMicr. The official lost patience. "I "Mii't wait en you all night," he snappad. "I'll come back after I ('(ille-.'t ti!ip next." And out he dartr-d. ban<ri"<r and locking the door after him. The I'amilv gathered anxiously about old John, all endeavouring to assist him to search for the tickets hv asking him useless fjiiestions a:bnii.t them. "Oh-h. Ah bed them." old John assured firs tone and then the rt'nor. "Ah ,hod them raht enonf." He (took oilit his ponderous leather purse. "J'i'N'it kee»p a eye on they c,ha.])s," ho miMiibled cautiously. IY^or, straightening himself \w. •IVind soiiitry over t;'ie commerciiil gc'iitleiren. while his parenib emptied the contents of thai, purse, on to t.liEwushioin.s and examined them; but wibhoiit succe.'sS. I'eter broke into Laugh. Tilly promptly rebu'kwl him. "There is nothing to laugh at, Peter!" she said warmly. "I was going to a«k father a miction, , ' I'eter answci'ed with a chudvle. "Whfl.t wer , it. hdP" said ti'w narent. stuffing a roll of bank notes hack iiiito his nurse. "Do you think." Peter asked, "was inhere a.nv chance of vou putting them in that necket Tilly sewts on your *hirt. Katber?" "Idiot!" Tillv hissed at Pater. Old John's band suddenly went f.-uf in .the locality of Miat po'c-kelt-. "But tbpit wer' oopsahde down," be mumiblcd, ns .he became conscious of the absurdity of searching in that quarter. "Ha! Ha! Ha!" Petor lanirbefl. "d,i:l you see him going to feel if tl:ry were in it!"

The port: 1 ! , bounced i,into the carriage, again. "Have you found tlicinP" he asked, with >\i stern 100 kin bis eye.

"Well, if Ah hed Ah'd give Mi to you," old John answered, with a huge smile. "Are you sin , : , you had th'cMiiP" was t.!;e piTtiM-'s next question. "Well, Ah'iii sun* Ah paid for them." f-'nid old John, coinineiiciiig to snircii himself all over again. "Of eciirtf. , . oilier had .them!" Tilly chipped in. "Dr> yon th.ink he would try to travel without tickots," and acklcd : "T.!k« iiiKolem-e of dlice!" "Well, if you like to pu't i.t tliat way, miiss," the official retonk'd wi'th a li'iKty leer, "what's he bicn doing i'f i;e ha.sn't got them—what ha\'e y: 11 all bi v .Mi iloiiigP" Mrs Dasiluviuid «ud Maria and Jamex all »taited up in the same hira.th t:> dt'l'eiui eld .]cil:m :vm:L the family honour. Hu.t the porter had lir-.Mi entangled in arguments of tk< kind licf^re. "Oh. look here," he sni])p«l, cutting them short. "I'm net here to 1.-.inisv with vow. If you lKiven't guit yV'iir tickets. mi«!:er, you mui-'.t p.iv ":i"ain. W.herc did you get in?" "Pay .again?" Mrs Dashwrod ga-ip^d. "!':»v twice?" IVoin 'Maria. "I):m't you, father!" Tilly advised. "Let them send and .ask Mr Johnson if he issued theiii!" "Ah-li, , 'suggested old John, "von nvk ahaht Ml- Hr.'ll tell V." "Oh, you'll have to see tkeSjM.!" i'he ixM-iti-r jirked out. and ripening the door cominanded I'lkmii to follow him to ithc magnate's office. Thev seized their luggage, and like Brown's cows followed him. S:!ine of tliein looked ralemn, some looked convicted of bigamy; some locked aniusL'd.

Tilly and Polly.hid their faces wii.lt things they were carrying, and tittered. "Gikklu'css gr:r.'i(iiis me!" Tilly v.iid. "whai'i on earth da people think of us!". , The great platform along wlrc-i they tvailed was throngucl with O' , " l)!e." Kiiinc of tlr.Mii sMrair.b'iiig and jostling tor possession of i some nrhiiiii up mul down peering into railway carriages. S'lir.e liuggiiig long lost biTithiM'.s and f.fteis, 'ind a irresi't number .sM.r:t;:j; curifMislv at (blue, cortege that Ir-;op cd at the heels of that n,r railway man.

Ho'el porters mid buirduvs lions: 1 touts thru.'it their i-iiiiU miM) old John's hand, and into the limuls of every member of tde f.t ily, and ,shouted the virtues oi tlionrespective establishments into tin ; r e:irs. The crowded .shelves oi tl'O oik'ii book-stalls with their glniing, (la tin <2; placards invi t i njj; poo pie to purchase the "newe-it 1 wonder" in the literary line arrested the wnn-dt-riny: of mii - mutual friends. Milt ti 1 :? porter- was in n linrry. and t!iev were pot permitted to linger mid loi.'k. i They were approachinc; the door of tiie S.M.'.s office. Old .John suddenly .'topped. "Ali-li, hold on." lrj .said with a .sa'ile. Old John seemed to have remembered F-:nnetliiii<r. "Ifuve yon fi und the'in, father?" the family cried, with joyful expectation in their eyes. Old .John took a tob:vcn poii'ih from his pncket, out of which he slowly extracted (the missing 'tickets'. "That he 'n," he said, handing then: to the porter. "A \cry stupid place to pti.fc tickets!" the porter leiuarked disappointedly, as lie, hmided -hack U'le return halves. "Ha! Ha! Ua!" laus-lie.-l Peter, "von trot tlieni, eh, I'-tdher" "Oil, Ah knew Ah bed 'n somne-wli-ercs," said old John. And t.hey turned end departed.