PRESENTED TO COLONEL PAUL BERISFORD, Commander of the Sixth Legion,

Te Aroha News, Volume IV, Issue 160, 10 July 1886, Page 8

PRESENTED TO COLONEL PAUL BERISFORD, Commander of the Sixth Legion,

FOR HIS UNEQUALLED GALLANTRY AND COST' SUMMATE GENERALSHIP IN THE AFGHAN WAR AND THE SIEGE AND STORMING OF OABUL, BY THE OFFICERS OF THE BAST INDIA COMPANY. Calcutta, September 17th, 1842. "Paul Berigford !" exclaimed Clarence/ as he drew back from the sword. " Why»he was the doctor's brother. He was edu~ r cated at West Point, resigned and went to India, where his grandfather had distinguished hhnaeif before, and there he waa killed. Can it. b© that this man was one of his comrades ?" The inyscery about the hermit waa intensified, and more than ever Clarence feltthat it would be not only imprudent, but highly improper to attempt to pry further into his affairs. He went out into the garden, and waa trying to forget the inscription of tha sword, when his host summoned him to dinner. "It is not often that I have a visitor to. eat with me," said tho heimit, as he took a seat opposite to Clarence, " but man is the one auiraal who readily adapts himself to his environments." " You had a lady visitor not long ago,'* said Clarence, as he poured himself out & second goblet of milk. " Yes ; and in my heart I thanked the storm that sent her to* me. I never met a more beautiful nor a more womanly woman, and I belieye I have eeen them of all racesin my time." "Your judgment is, not a fault there, said Clarence, his heightened colour dhow ing his delight. "And yet," continued the hermit, "sh© is betrothed to about as mean a wretch as I ever met with : and let me add, IVe had no little experience with mean men in mv day." * " One does not have to go far to find ; them, Mr Duke. But as to the young lady, we should not forget that love is blind." " Love ! Surely you do not imagine that Miriam Bereeford loves that creature ?" " Why should I think to the contrary ?'* " Because fire and water will not mix,, Mankind is divided into races and species,' and each mates of its kind j but thesa people have nothing in common. Men donot adorn a brass candlestick with a diamond. Why, sir, such a marriage would be more than the violation of one of nature's most harmonious laws— it would be a sacrilege," saii the hermit, with the eloquence of intense earnestness. " Still, what you so strongly oppose ia<. being done every day," said Clarence, witha sad shake of the head. " But that is the fault of those who could; prevent it." " Who could prevent in this case ?" " You !" exclaimed the hermit. "I ?" " Yes, you." "You overestimate my power." "If you will not do it, then I over eeti* mate your manhood. You have the Borisford blood in your veins ; has it degenerated by blending with the Ashworth current?" "I hope not." "I must think to the contrary unless you prove it to me by marrying Miriam Berisford. But let the subject drop. We, can discuss it later on," said the hermit* again resuming his meal. " As you wish," replied Clarence court©* ouely. " But later on I must be gettingback if I would sight Willowemoc befor* dark." "For twenty .five years I have not in* vited a soul to spend a night in my cabin who could find another resting-place* Surely you will not refuge my first invitation ?"' " I have no wish to do so, but if I remain I fear I shall be causing my friends at Beris* ford Manor a needless anxiety," said Clarence. " As to that I can Bend them word.' On the instant the hermit took a pencil and memorandum book from his pocket* and pencilling a fow words, he called out : "Czar ! Czar ! Come for a message." The hound bounded in, and into a pocfeek attached to his collar his master placed the note and said : " Take it to Jim at once." The dog gave a bark and dashed out with all speed. •■'With such intelligent dogs aa that,'* said Clarence, " I can see how you can get along without speaking company." "Be is a fine fellow. Do you smoke? No ? Well, I have given the idle habit up. Come, let me show you my plantation. '* Over and about the valley Clarence wa& led, his wonder, not at what he saw, bufe what he heard, increasing every moment, for his guide showed himself to be a man of amazing culture. The sun waa getting when they returned to the cabin. A great fire waa lit in Clarence's room, and' they had just risen from an ample supper and were sitting before it, when a low rajy came to the door. In response to the permit to " Enter {** *. black man of middle-age came breathlessly? in. ' ' What's up, Jim ?" asked the hermit. "Oh ! sir, another man, named John Pen* field, has been found killed at the HangingBock !" cried the black man. " Killed ! How ?" asked Clarence. " Everyone says it was a three-edged dagger that was driven into his heart," vras. the reply. v

ply. (To be Contimied.)

To thb Public— l, the und«roigned, do thifc day make the following statement, m hopes that others who have gone through a, similar afßtotion may profit thereby:— For many month*, have I been sick ; so bad that life vras a burden. The mental depression and physical prostration were something that cannot do described. Doctors and patent medicines I have tried without any relief, but getting worse all the time. As a, forlorn hope I called on Dr. Speer, Palmerstoik Buildings, Queen-street. He examined me, andl without asking a question, gave me every symptom I had. Said, ho would treat me. ' Fro** the first teuspoonf ul of his medicine I felt relief,, and have been constantly getting .better aw* since. Words cannot express my gratitude. The above statement I make without aajr ■olicitation, and I am willing to verify the urn% before a J.P.— Respectfully your», R. ATUlflMg Charlotte-street, Eden Tdrmce.