Page 1 Advertisements Column 6

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 7, Issue 369, 12 November 1863, Page 1

engaged to tea at six o’clock that' evening. True, but he had time enough to ride as far as his friend Magister’s ; he wouldn’t stay there beyond a few minutes ; should he go or riot ? Twice was his horse’s head turned up the river, and as often down. He couldn’t decide. “ I’ll toss for it,” he exclaimed (he had a habit of soliloquising aloud) drawing a shilling from liis pocket ; “ heads advance, tails turn ■” it was heads,'and he went ahead briskly. Once he dismounted to pluck astriug of clematis, which in great abundance adorned the wayside with its white cruciform flowers, creeping arid twining about in the brown fern, and making the air redolent with its powerful aroma. Magister was at home, and just about to sit down with his family to tea. Of course Mr. S. would dismount and join them? Mr. S. pleaded haste—looked at his watch—rhum’d and haw’d—and finally dismounted to partake of a cup, as he was very thirsty. The duration of time is long or short according to the circumstances in which we are placed. If we are happy, half an hour is like five minutes ; if we are unhappy, subjected to bodily anguish or acute suspense, five minutes appears to be half an hour or even more. Our friend Jacob was so comfortable that he didn’t note the progress of stealthy-footed Time, which waits for no one, and when he again consulted his watch he was surprised and shocked to find that his few minutes had extended to nearly an hour, throwing him too late for his engagement. He might even yet be in tolerably good time if he rode quickly home ; no, it wasn’t worth while, he was certainly too late, and yet, &c.: — a word or two from his friends decided him that he accomplish the thing, and had better just rest a little longer and return by moonlight. Jacob and Magister were old friends ; had been mates at the same village school some twenty years ago. Fortune had, after years of separation, thrown them together* in this “ Ultima Thule” quarter of the globe, but, although so near each other, they did not meet as often as they wished. Now that they were together there was much to talk of, old associations to be reawakened, &c. What wonder then'that time passed pleasantly and swiftly ? The cottage clock on the mantlepiece pointed to nine when Jacob arose to set out. Wouldn’t he stay the night ? No, he must go home ; had to meet his friend Toby iu the morning before lie left Wanganui for the diggings. Couldn’t.he start in the morning in good enough time for this ? The moon was obscured by dense clouds^—“ the way was long, the night was dark ” —he had better remain ; and, to be brief, remain he did ; it wasn’t in his nature to resist such kiud entreaties, especially from an old schoolmate. Did Jacob enjoy himself? Certainly he did, and sang several songs, one of which ran thus : REMEMBRANCES. I remember, I remember, The house where I was born, The little window where the sun Came peeping iu at morn ; He never came a week too soon, Nor hroxight too long a day ; But now I often wish the night Had borne my breath away I I remember, I remember, The roses, red and white, The violets and the lily-cups, Those flowers made of light ; The lilacs where the robins built, And where my brother set The laburnum ou his birthday — The tree is living yet! I remember, I remember, Where I was used to swing, And thought the air would rush as fresh As swallows on the wing ; My spirit flew in feathers, then, That is so heavy now, And summer pools could hardly cool The fever on my brow ! I remember, I remember, The fir-trees dark and high ; I used to think their slender spires Were close against the sky ' T t was a childish ignorance, But now ’tis little joy To know I’m further off from heav’n Than when I was a boy.

Mr. Sobersides %va.s, in liis own opinion, perfectly sober wlieu be retired to bed. Towards morning be dreamt be was excessively tliirsty, that like tbe mythical Tantalus he stood immersed to tbe chin in cool clear water, which vanished whenever he sought to drink. Then it rained heavily, and he opened wide his parched jlips, but never a drop entered his mouth. A voice awoke him from his misery ; it ! was the Magister. at his bedside. Was it late 1 No, early enough ; but—it was ! raining very hard. This was a cruel disappointment to poor Sobersides, who 'was sober enough uow whatever he was when he went to bed. What should he do 1 Hide through the rain and be laid |up foi a week or two, or miss seeing his dear friend Toby, who was about to lea ve Wanganui perhaps for ever 1 For once Jacob was decided ; he would go, maugre ' the min ; ancl an hour later he, encased l in Magister’s. old waterproof coat, was * galloping along the now muddy road. ißespattered from head to foot with dirt lour friend reined in his panting steed 'only on reaching the Hospital. The is soon told. Mr. Jacob’s decision ; jhad come too late ; his friend had started ■’ an hour sooner than the anticipated time, s and poor Sobersides, for his Damon like friendship, was laid up for a week.