A DISCONSOLATE SUITOR.

Westport Times, Volume VIII, Issue 1174, 8 May 1874, Page 2

A DISCONSOLATE SUITOR.

Many ou this Coast any have heard of the singular experiences of colonial life which come under the observation of Mr Charles Broad, now Warden at Reefton, when acting as Emigration officer at Williatnstown in the eavliest days of the Victorian diggings, but an incident which came under that gentleman's immediate knowledge within the past few weeks at Ileefton, will cope, wo think, with any of the most ludicrous talcs of the early golden times. When sitting one day iu his office adjoining the Court, he was politely waited on by an applicant for a marriage license, who was prepared, pound note in hand, to pay the required demand imposed by law, preparatory to becoming a happy benedict. The warden, being likewise registrar, proceeded to record the necessary particulars before granting the certificate; when something like Lho following conversation ensued : '•What's your name?" "Tim O'Brien." "And the girl's nunc?" " I don't know her name, sir, but my mate says ho knows her, and he believes she would just suit mo." To tin's the registrar replied that ho could not, under the circumstances, think of writing out the document. " Well! " continued Tim, if I telegraph through to Charleston, and get In know her name from my mote, will you grant it ? To this the registrar assented, and the document was subsequently prepared and handed over. Hut here the strange story only commenced and the latter portion was subsequently narrated by Tim himself on his return from Charleston, minus any better half. Arriving at Charleston he called ou his mate and interviewed "the faimale," who had turned the prime of life by a considerable distance. I

" Are you tlio girl I'm going to marry?" said he. "I believe so," was the gentle response. " Well ? but you are older than I thought," said Tim, after eyeing her carefully, " and I don't think I'll have you after all." ' Right you are," replied the fair one, and tlio ardent suitor returned to seek further advice at the hands of hia mate, who gave his opinion that he would look a darned fool going back without a wife, seeing that he has got the certificate. " Very well," says Tim, " I'll have her," and to the fair one's abode he again departed. Reaching the house, he accosted the ancient and adored one with the intelligence that he meaut to '• get spliced" to her after all. By this timo tho hand sought became uplifted, and the following was the parting salutation to Tim. " Old indeed, did you say 1 Get spliced indeed Marry you ! Never. Get out, see you blowed first." So Tim returned and remains to this day a disconsolate bachelor of Reefton, desirous of being refunded the cost of his certificate.