CHAPTER XVI.

Waikato Times, Volume I, Issue 178, 28 June 1873, Page 2

CHAPTER XVI.

All that glisters is not-gold, Often have jou heard that told. • When the Banker went down to hit bank on- the -morning - after Gerard had been- put on- board ship, he felfc rather moreeasy in his mind than he had for the last two days. It irat. quite certain now that be would Bare a short time in which he might get assistance. Alter all, bia affairs could not be in such a bad condition as John would make out. He oouldv not understand how his credit with hit London agent had* fallen so low. He had left matters tahis clerk & good deali lately ; he must see to things himself in future. He would; go up to town, and take with him all his available securities, and get an advance from one of the great; London private* banka. AH bankers hare an interest in keeping up one oi thejr own class. Mistrust, once begotten, may spread wide and deep. He would transfer at once to the bank who made out the advance, and then he would pay out Messrs Brown./, and Bostock. As for that nonsense about casting away hii ship, John/ could norer have taken him seriously ; the thing was absurd. The Arthur's Bride had gone to sen, a-nd 1 would- be nextr heard of at Liverpool, and the young gentleman, her compulsory passenger, would have a pleasant sea voyage ; and! afterwards, they would. have a good laugh together over theftbiurd mistake that had been made ; fort he would himself* see the authorities in London, and, with* the money in bis . hand, would soon explain the dishonour of hi* ion's draft. 7es, all would be well. He had weathered many storms, m his day ; he- would weather the last one too,, and the rest of hit life should pass in calm and peace. He would selL the whole concern to a, joint-stock bank, and live quietly on» his means. For he must have plenty — if he could only realise them. First, then, he would go<to the bank, and, seethat all was in good trim, and give John his ' instructions ;„ then he would post to the railway station, and reach London* so that he might be in Lombard street by ten q'clock next ■ morning, in time to> set about hi* affairs. When he reached the bank door be found it was doted ;. it was bar«]y ten ; but John was not thert, at usual, waiting for the stroke of the clock to throw open the door and shuttevs. Some one else was standing there, however — a little man in gray, with a quiet, placid face, patient, but %, little anxious ; liis dog ttood beside him, a smooth-basW,. black-and-white dog, of somewhat depressed and MlfrconSCIOUB mien. The man's face brightened «up as he saw MrRowlands. John, the clerk, now came leisurely to the door. There was something about his bearing, a sort, of freedom uod indifference,. that Rowlands had not noticed before in him. The little man in gray was standing afc the counter when , the- safes were opened and the books taken out. 'Well, Thomas,' said the banker, 'What can, I do. for you ? ' ' I want the money for thit, if you please,' said the man,, laying upon the.tabJa*n,old and' ragged note. ' You've had tint note a good while? '• taid the banker,, looking at it. • Yes, indeed ; my father gave it me when T was married ,„ twenty years ago,.Mr Rowlands ; and my son's going to.bomarried too, Mr Rowland?, and I'm going to give him the > tame.' 1 And you * anl a new not» in exchange for the old 'one ? * ' Nagoet,' iijh! the man sheepishly ; 'I want the money;. dim papier.' ' Stupid fellow !* said John, pushing forward ; 'you don't want? gold 1 ; you'll onJy,»pond)t, or get robbed, jaerhnps. Here it a new note for you, Thomas, bach} and tell your son tokeep it fifteen years like you.' The man didn't Bay anything, but he stood there doggedly,, not taking up either of the notes. ' Pon't you mean to take the note ? ' taid the banker,, looking sternly at him. Thomas, was dreadfully frightened- It was a shocking; thing to offend Mr Rowlands ; one didn't know what might happen after. But to lose five pounds— ah, that would.be more dreadful still 1 Shonai treroblrd, therefore, but stills stuok to the counter, and whilst Thomas Davies of Hendrestopd there waiting in the bank, William Jonet of Tyddynmaur enme in very quietly and timidly, and presently Morris. Evans of the Fandy crept in also ; and they both had ragged notes in their lianas. And after them came a few more, so. that there was quite a little crowd afa the counter. 1 The banker looked at his dork, who looked blankly back. ' Give Thomas his gold, John,' said Me Rowlands, walk* | iog...into his private room to rouse himself for the occahion. Now, indeed, if he had lost the confidence of tbe tjoqntry people, he was utterly shipwrecked. Rowlands' notca had always passed current at fair und market more freply even than gold. Bank of England hdte» had no chance with them. All the banks of the county charged sixpence or more for changing a Bank of England note, and John Jonw

consequently wouldn't look at them. It was astonishing \rhat a quantity of notes Rowlands kept afloat. Certainly, by law, his circulation was limited to a fixed amount ; but, practically, the matter was left to the banker's conventional conscience. The only cheek upon him was, that ho was reqiuied to make a declaration before n justice of the peace as to the amount he had m circulation John always preparcdJhiß declaration, miil.Rowlands would take his affidavit onUiTsh'ength of John' insurance that it was right. In this •nay, neither was damaged But Rowlands knevr well thut when once a 1 umour to his discredit had gained currency amongst his countrymen, that nothing ihort of an impression more vivid and startling would drive the idea outof their heads. If he could make* • sudden and risible display of wealth, •omct'n'ng that would make them all talk find wonder, he might yet be saved. Btit he had barely enough gold for the ordinary business of >ttie day. Bon lands peeped out of his ('oor : the c luntmg-house was now crowded with men ; the air was hot and stilling ; they were beginning to be clamorous All of a sudden the banker's face brightened ;he had seized an idea. He came out of his room quite brisk and confident ; he walked round the inside of the counter, smiling, and rubbing his hands. ' Well, my friends,' he cried, ' and so you all want gold ! Are your daughters going nil to be married ; or is it the old cow that is dead, and you want to buy another v Well, whatever it is, you shall have jour gold. — Come, John, bach, let us get ready for these good people. Run down to Mrs Jones, the gardener, and ask her tor two or three of her peck measures.' John, howe>er, had no occasion to go; half-a-dozen eager Tolunteers started off for the gardener's shop. They returned, bearing two baskets only. 'Only two!' cried Kowlands. 'Well, they must do till we get some more.' The new bronze-money had just come in, and Rowlands had received a consignment of two cases of halfpence, bright new money, not yet seen by anybody in Wale* With tlie help of John, he emptied the contents of these cases into a basket, which they filled within a few inches; upon these lie poured half a-dozen bags of sovereigns. ' Now,' he cried, ' which are the strongest three men amongst you ' ' There was a little dispute as to this, but finally, Evan, John, and William were selected as the representatives of •41 he county side. come inside the counter, and help to lift this money ' The three men and John, with immense difficulty, lifted the basket on to the counter. ' Now,' said the banker, passing his hands through the gold, and letting it glide in golden streams between his fingers — 'now, who will come first to be paid ? — John, you'll be filling the other basket.' To all those men standing there, Rowlands had been such a pow er, so much of their prosperity in life had depended upon him, that only the overpowering fear of immediate loss of money would have nerved them to oppose or attack him. Nobody came forward. The popular idea of the immense resources of the- banker wai confirmed. Who could afford to be the enemy of the man who measured gold m peckbaskett? All that day the public-houses of Aberhirnant were filled At least three hundred times in the day had each of the three men who had helped to carry the gold to repeat the wonderful story. When Rowlands went up the street, he was cheered and run after by the crowd. The man who had pecks of gold was almost a derau-god! 1 And master,' said John, ' the women will como tomorrow.' But as Rowlands stood by his bank door, faint with the thought of the danger he had to narrowly escaped, lute eoemed again to want to try another fall with him. The Hen Doctor came swiftly up the street towards the bank. ' Ah, now,' thought Rowlands, he must have hit notes changed, and that 'will leave me without n coin.' But the doctor was pale, haggard, overcome by intense emotion. ' Evan Rowlands ! ' he encH, ' I've been robbed ! My notes are all gone ! you'll pay n c, won't you, in spite of that ? You know jou had my money. Come Mr Rowlands, bach, do say you will.' 1 Indeed, doctor, I'm sorry to hear of your loss,' said Rowlands, giving a great sigh of relief, however ; ' but it is absurd to think I should give you gold for notes you haven't got. I can stop payment ' ' Stop payment ! ' shrieked the doctor ; ' not till I've got my notes back.' ' Hold your tongue, silly fellow, nnd hear me out ; I can stop payment of the notes, if you will tell me their numbers.' 'Numbers, diamtl ! Nonsense 1 what do I know about numbers ? I want my money. Can I have it, if you please ? I know how much it is exactly.' ' Doctor, you haven't a penny to your credit, as you know rery well. I'll lend you a trifle, if you like, just to carry you on ; and if you'll give me full particulars of your los*, I'll stop payment of the notes. More I can't do ; so good day to you, doctor ' 'I'll be revenged for this,' answered the doctor with a scowl as he hurried away.

A Lady ox Luxury.— Mrs Fawcvtt, wife of Professor Fawcett, M P. for Brighton, recently delivered a lecture at Birkenhead, the subject being ' Luxury, its Uses and Abuse s In the course of her lecture Mrs Fawcett said that a deai r e for luxury not only stimulated industry , but was nn incentive toTMirds tbe cultivation of the virtues of prudence and forethought. Had the high wages lately earned by workmen engaged in the coal and iron trades been spent in obtaining tetter houses, the formation of a fund against a rainy d?v, and the superior education of children, the money could no . have been better disposed of, as the result would have benefitted the children, accustoming them to a higher standard of comfort, at which, in after-life, they w<,uld aim. Referring to Ihe pleasures of the working classes, Mrs Faw cett said that their favorite sports would compare well with those of the wealthier classes, who amused themselves by slaughtering tame pigeons, or perform the heroic feat of standing in a cart and bhooting an ox. Continuing to allude to the working classes, the lecturer observed that if they would practice the prudence and restraint of the professional classes, they -would cause an immediate and permanent increase on the price of labor, and would give a practical solution to many of the most perplexing social problems of the day. To that, however, were opposed the present poor-lnw system and the mass of public opinion supporting it. Would it never be recognised that a system which tends to the multiplication of hungry mouths without a corresponding multiplication of beef and pudding necessarily produces poverty and its accompanying squalor ? As was taught by that long-neglected ecience, political economy, there was no escapp from the consequences of a reckless disregard of economic liw. Proceeding f o the second part, of her lecture, Airs Fauoett said that the use of luxury appeared more striking and more important than its abuse. It could not be denied that luxurious habits made slaves of tbon who indulged too freely in them ; resulted in the loss of independence and strength of character, and deadened sympathy towards the misery of others. She was justified, then, in saying that the benefits the use of luxury produced were capable of outweighing the evils of its abuse created Luxury was, therefore, a powerful movement for the amelioration of the condition of society. Pulmonary Consumption. -An admirably written volume was published not long since by Longmans & Co, London, on that destructive malady which almost defies medical treatment in its amelioration. Dr Henry MacCormac, of Belfast. Ireland, is the author. It would lead to reforms in regard to preventing a disease which is often actually induced by violations of the laws of health. There are two forms of consumption, namely— that whicii is hereditary, being transmitted from parents to their children, and that which is induced. The latter is the main topic discussed by Dr MacCormac, which, he is perauaded, has its origin in rebreathing expired air. Those of a delicate organisation should sleep alone, and if possible in spacious rooms. That would ensure a larger supply of pure uncontaminated air. On retiring, never omit raising the window sash slightly When the dormitory is small, if not carefully ventilated, oxygen, the essential element that supports life, is quickly exhausted, and the individual takes back into the lunsjs »arl>onic acid gas, v/hich destroys life Thus the whole system becomes dennged, the air cells ulcerate, and with the destruction of those, the whole branchial region falls into disease. Frenh atmospheric air was intended to be inhaled. It is the source of vitality ; therefore be in no apprehension from expnsme to its influences. When the air is charged from excessive humidity avoid unnecassary exposure ; but clear weather, a bright sun, and airy sleeping rooms promote health and longevity The Title of " Prkmikr "—The term " Premier," to denote the chief of the Cabinet, is not very ancient. It is usually said to have been first applied to Sir Robert Waipole, and in a rlerosatorv sense But in a book published anonymously in 1711, it is used to designate Roger Mortimer and Rolwri de Vere, " Prime Ministers " in the reigns of Edward 11. and Richard II There is also a somewhat s'-arce pamphlet, en'itled "A Shoit History of Prime Ministers in Great Britain," fWed in 1783, in which the name is applied to other royal favo irites. and to them only — -from Odo, Bishop of Baveux, stepbrother of William 1., to Thomas Wont worth, Earl of Straffor.l. The author mentions that ten of his heroes died by the axe and three by the halter. In a speech made by Walpole shortly bofore his resignation in 1742. he complains of being called " Prime Minister "as an insult. Since that time the following Premiers have died in office :— Mr Pelham, Lord Rockjngham, Mr Pitt, Mr Percival, Mr Canning, and Lord Pahnerston There have been, in all, forty-two distinct Administrations since Walpole's resignation. There h-ive been twenty-nine Premiers, of whom ten held office twice, and two (lord Chatham and the late Lord Derby) three times. It was remarked in a magazine two or three years ago that all the Prime Ministers, fiom Walpole down, excepting Mr Disiaeli, have Km iW'end-ints <>f lvlw lid I There is some little doubt about Sir Kobert Peel's pedigree, but the assertion is probibly true of the rest. Apt Qiot\tion.— "Happy is the country that has no history," as the schoolboy said on being flogged the third time for not knowing nho was Henry Yl.'s wife.

I Inherited Peculiarities — The following le'ter from jMr Huggins to Mr Darwin appears in Nature:— "l wish to communicate to you a curious c.iae of an inherited mental peculiarity- I possess an Engl'sh mastiff, by name Kepler, a son of the celebratad Turk out of Venus I brought the dog, when six weeks old, Irom tin- stable m winch he was born. The first time 1 took him out he st.uted back in alarm at the first butcher's shop he liuil e\er seen. 1 »oon found he liad a voilcnt uulipathv to butchers and butchers' shops. When six months ol I. ;i servant look him with her on an errand. At n short distance before coining to the house, she had to pass a butcherY shop ; the do;; threw lnmselFdown (being led with a string), and ncithci coaxing nor .thWats would make him pass the shop The dog was too ' heavy to be 1 carried; and m a crowd (ollectfd, the servant had to return with the dog more than a mile, and then go without hint. This occurred about two years ago. The antipathy still continues, but the dog w ill pass nearer to a shop than he formerly would. About two months ago, m a little book on dogs published by Dean, I discovered that the same strange antipathy is shown by the father, Turk. I then wrote to Mr Nichols, the former owner of lurk, to ask him for any information he might have on the point. He replied — 'lean say that tie same antipathy exists in King, the sire of Turk, in Turk, in Punch (son of lurk out of Meg) and in Pans (son of Turk out of Juno). Paris has the greatest antipathy, as he would hardly go into a street where a butcher's shop is, and would run away after passing it. When a cart with a butcher's man came into the place where tha dogs were kept, although they could not see him, they all were ready to break their chains. A master butcher, dressed privately, called one evening on Pans's master to see the dog. He had hardly entered the house before the dog (though shut in) was so much excited that he had to be put into a shed, and the butcher was forced to leave without seeing the dog. The same dog, at Hastings, made a spring at a gentleman who came into the hotel. The owner caught the dog and apologised, and said he never kn-w him to do so before, except when a butcher came 111 1 lis house. The •jentlcman at once said that was hi 3 busmen. So you see t .at they inherit these antipathies, and show a q vat deal of breed.' — William HiGOiyg" The Power Of Tears.— Young women are full of tears ; they all weep as bitterly for the loss of a new dress as for the loss of an old lover. They will weep for anything or for nothing. They will scold you to death for accidentally tearing a new gown, and weep for spite that they cannot be revenged on you. They will play the coquette in your presence, and weep when you are absent. They will weep when they cannot go to a ball or a tea-party, or because their parents will not permit them to run away with a scamp ; they will weep because they cannot have everything their own way. Married women weep to conquer ; tears are the most potent arms in matrimonial warfare. If a gruff husband has abused his wife, she weeps, and he relents, and promises better behaviour. How many men have gone to bed in wrath, and risen in the morning quite subdued by tears and a curtain lecture ! Women weep to get at their husband's secrets, and they also weep when their own secrets have been revealed. They weep through pride, through vanity, through folly, through cunning, through weakness. They will weep for a husband's misfortune while they scold him. A woman will weep over the dead body of her husband, while her vanity will ask her neighbours how she is fitted with her mournings. She weeps for one husband that she may get another. The " Widow of Ephcbus " bedewed tho grave of her spouse with one eye, while she squinted love to a young soldier with the other. A shocking occurrence is reported from Manchester Three men in the employment of a firm of earthenware dealers, two of whom were volunteers, were amusing themselves with rifles yesterday afiernoon, making a pretence of taking aim nt each other and snapping blank cartridges, when one of the number, named Albert Roberts, employed a3 a packer, who apparently must have contemplated suicide, handed his rifle to a companion named Thoma3 Walters, and a»kcd him to ttim at his neck. Waiters did so, but was horror-stricken when, having pulled the trigger, to snap a blank cartridge as he supposed, the rifle went otf with a loud report, and his companion fell. The rifle had been loaded with ball, which passed through Robeits's throat, severing the windpipe, and causing instantaneous death. It is buppos>ed that Roberts had smuggled the ball cartridge into the breach unobserved by his companions. That he intended self-destruction would appear from the following note which was found crumpled up m his hand immediately after death. The words marked in italic had been underlined by the writer :—": — " Manchester, 4th March, 1873 — lam very glad jon have saved me the trouble of shooting myself. I know you are anxious to become a marksman in the corps Perhaps I w ill be of service to you by making a target of myself. Wishing success to your first shot, I remain, yours respectfully, Alfred Roberts. Addressed, Mr Tom Walter." Rfligious Mania. — A singular case of religious mania is reported from Leicestershire. A few days ago. it seems, the Rev W. March, late curate of Melton Mow bray, ai rived at Melton from an excursion in Ireland, and went to the house of a friend, Mr Anderson, plumber, Sherrard-street, Melton. Early the next morning Mr Anderson was aroused by Mr March calling upon him to take out his right eye. On Mr Anderson going to him, he found he had cut off his right hand, and was in the act of injuring his ri^ht eye. Drs Powell and Roberts arrived and amputated the arm. During the operation Mr March was remarkably calm, and complimented the medical men on their skill. Near to him, on a table, was found a Prayer-book and Bible, the latter being open at the passage where it is said '• If thj right hand offend thee, cut it ofl," i*c. Mr \lar"h is progressing favorably. " Sale by Candle " Reference having been made in I The Times to this anciei t cistom, our Dorchester coriespt'adeut repot ts that th<- | lactice of letting by inch of candle still prevails in the county of Dorset. At the annual letting of the pai ish meadow of Broadway, near Weymouth, which occurrt I a few weeks ago, an inch of candle was placed on a board nine iuches square, and lighted by one of the parish officers. The biddings were taken down by one of the parish officers, and the chance of taking the meadow was open to all while the candle was burning. The last bidder betoi c the candle went out was the incoming tenant. This year the candle was extinguished suddenly. The land, about two acres m extent, was in 1624 presented to the poor by William (<ould, the object of the gift being to keep the poor from working on the highways. The New Maxser Rifles — A letter from Berlin to the Cologne Gazette says that March 28 was an important day in a military point of view. The Emperor, w lth a numerous suite, was present at the exercise of four companies of the Foot Guards, one company being armed with tho new Manser rifle, this being the first time that a company thus armed had manoeuvred before the Emperor. The results are stated to have been surprising ; in half a minute seven salvos were fired, and it is said this number might be doubled if need were. Two French militiry attaches who were present watched the manoeuvres with the greatest interest. Wonderful Story of a Cat. — During a recent galo the brig Blue Jacket, of West Jlartlepool, from Rouen to Shields, was abandoned off Flamborough Head. The crew was taken off, but a cat was left on board. This cat bad been given as a kitten to the captain twelve months ago by a lady named Mowbray, living in West Uartlepool, and had never been ashore since that time. The other aay the cat made its appearance at Mrs Mowbray'a house, having swam ashore from the wreck, and travelled thence on foot. It was in a very emaciated condition. Recently, in a church m New York, the parson, having several persons to marry, said, after entering the building, " All those who want to be married will please rise," whereupon every single lady present instantly rose from her seat. The world is full of slander; and every wretch that knows himself unjust, charges his neighbour with like passions, and by general frailty hides his own.