Page 1 Advertisements Column 6

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 7, Issue 374, 17 December 1863, Page 1

dreams take their character from the workings of the mind previous to sleep; but this is not always the case—as.often the exception as the rule, perhaps. In the present instance however, it wa3 somewhat true, for Jacob’s thoughts, whilst he smoked, had been far away from, where he stood ; and now that he was asleep his dreams took the hue of his waking thoughts. Whilst he was bodily ensconced between clean, cool sheets, unconscious of everything, he was, in spirit, walking in his native village, visiting old friends who were not a little surprised on seeing him. He heard the bells of the village church ringing for servise, and with others he entered the old familiar pew. The minister ascended the pulpit but instead of the one he expected to see, it was the Rev. Mr. of Wanganui; and he, in a short time became transfigured into Mr.. Fitzgerald who deliverd an eloquent oration on the Native poiicy of New Zealand. All this while the bells were riuging. The church seemed infested with bees which would buzz about Jacob’s ears, and at length stung him as he strove to drive them off. This was the conclusion of the whole matter. Jacob was himself again; When he awoke from his stinging dilemma he heard the hum of mosquitoes and the tinkling of a bullock-bell in the home paddock. . . . “ The lato riser snores away the best portion of his existence, for the early morning is the pleasantest part of the day. Then the air is cold with the dews of night, and nature breathes forth her first and sweetest ex- ! halations,” so said Jacob to himself as he slowly threaded the narrow garden-paths bordered with gooseberry bushes hung with young fruit and glistening with pearly dew drops. There was no lark at heaven’s gale singing, but the bush at band was vocal with the notes of a hundred feathered members of Natures Choral Society, from the full rich tones of the pretty mock-a-mock (korimako) I to the piping of invisible birdlets amongst the foliage. Fiom the garden Mr. Sobersides went to the stockyard, where he was permitted to try his hand at milking ; hut he only succeeded in squirting the precious fluid up his coat sleeve, or into his waistcoat and occasionally into the pail. The usually patient Crummie, too, feeling disgusted either at sight of so much spilt milk or at having tier teats tugged so awkwardly, made as violent a protest against such proceedingsas her in-limbo condition permitted, which was just sufficient to induce our amateur milker lo think he had better desist. Breakfast was at length ready. One must expect but pkrn fare iu the bush, nevertheless, Jacob thought this morning’s meal was excellent. His walk in the garden, to say nothing of his arduous labour in the stockyard, had given him a keener appetite than he usually had but even without it he could have enjoyed the fried bacon and eggs, tea with a quantum sufficit of cream instead of watery milk (wh'ch one commonly gets in town), and <j !a gow pancakes supplemented with delicious fieli butter. . . • Whatever were Mr.

Sobersides faults aud failings (and who is infallible ?) he certainly had the merit of being a regular attendant at church on Sundays ; and now it being Sunday he was really glad to learn that there was to be preaching in a valley some miles distant, and still better pleased when bis host proposed to accompany him thither after dinner. Jaco b enjoyed this important meal as he had done the first ; especially did he relish what- he believed was a gooseberry and rhubarb pie, but which was really composed of gooseberry and dock —(Mem. in transitu. The rhubarb and dock belong to the same tribe of plants.) Half an hour’s ride brought our friends to their destination just iu time to join in the Opening psalm. With some difficulty they obtained seats. The aspect of the congregation, the music for the psalmody was led by a harmonium played by a young man of the neighlourhood—and the practical, easily comprehended sermon to which he believed he bad payed great attention impressed Mr. Sobersides so favourably that he resolved to return on the first opportunity. It would 1 e highly uncharitable to insinuate that Mr. Jacob Sobersides was at all influenced in forming this de'crminatiou by tlie_sigl.it■ . f a very pretty female face, containing two blight dark eyes, which sometimes met his <raze for au instant, such an occurrence was, we may be sure, purely accidental every time it happened, which somehow was about every five minutes. And ot couise thoie s no preventing such-like coup d'ceil accidents which are after all not worthy of much notice; indeed, the less notice people take of them the better —for some. W hen church was dismissed the scene outside was Yery animated. Some hurried hither and thither after their horses, whilst others looked on or assisted the ladies to mount. Mr. Jacob was not behind the rest in gallantry ] be caught, after much trouble, the horse of a spinster lady, whom to mount required a tremendous exertion of physical strength on the part of her less able than willing squire. This done, he bade adieu to his friend and i prepared to mount, when he was accosted by an elderly lady, accompanied by a very ;young one, who invited him to tea. Now jJacob bad resolved to be in town in time ■ for the evening service, but his faint refusal 'of the lady’s invitation was not. accepted l-y i her ; and, to her repeated invitation, he at length yielded, fi aring to offend her, ami i! wishing to iive as far as in b m lay, at peate j with all women. Which way he went is a matter of indifference, aud as we were net jiuv ted we cannot accompany him.