CHAPTER XIII.

Waikato Times, Volume XIX, Issue 1565, 15 July 1882, Page 5

CHAPTER XIII.

" The lightest straw fcho balance turns ; The smallest jnufc' h a waiehouso burns ; The slightest slop out of the path, Leads to a day of doom and wialh." In the morn of life, when luve'.s our dicam, Ko shade in store ajipoars to bo : J-Jut beyond love's bright deceivinggleam, Lies life's daik, dreary, tioubled sea,'" Tho afternoon bun was shining up m (Iritty (iully, bathing in its warm light the gieat goldfield of Cirit ; but not the field we have scon in tho past. Had tho ghost of J met risen now it would not have recognised tho spot where its pooi clay mot so untimely a fate. A great change had come over Grit The miners who had had their being on Giitty (Willy then, had "folded their lenhs, 1 ' and "silently fled away." On the whole plain, there was not a* tent to be seen : in their stead arose substantial brick and wooden houses. The street of tents had vanished ; and in its place was a fine thoroughfare, in the midst of which tho Garryowen hotel, a costly struoture of brick and stone, rose, displaying a lower of considerable height. Thero wore grocers and drapers, and banks; in f.ict, iill the signs of civilised existence, even to the gaol, a granite and brick s<tiucture, that frowned over the reserve — as the spot set apart -as sacred from the intrusion of brick, was called. The gaol covered f.ha site of what had boon the "Camp" in tho eaily d'tys, wh.ero.Mr Ihinakum's 1 enemy, tho Commihsioncr, lived. Tho remains of tho great alluvial diggings could be seen in the miles and miles of yellow uugraswd country on every sido. Another feature in the landscape told of the great change that had taken place. Tho stacks of engines rose in every dii potion, telling of spots where shafts had been sunk deep into the earth in quest of lode?. Tho field was indeed altered. The sturdy alluvial digger was no more ; his place was supplied by Avretched fossiokers and , Ghiuamen. A now order of meu had been created ; the quartz miners. The onco restless hordes of goldseekers had either Fettled down into quiet citizens, or gone off to other fields to pursue their feverish life. In two respects, however, Grit had not changed ; indeed, so far us these wero concerned, they had become intensified. It was redder and more glaring than ever. Save the dingy green of a deoaying.gum ,tree here and there, not a vestige of verdue was to be seen. The denuded surface had been red enough and Staring in the past, but now tho color was aggravated 'by the' briek n buildings that, aro.se: everywhere. <Red dtM. too, rose inqlouda pp. th,e ,slijjh test < motion, ,s,q that the inh^bit ; an't^jbad,alitt%rapr,e than, their share of- that quantum, dust,", eraryzone is supposed to* swallow. during\,theu\

In regard to drinking, Grit had in no manner changed. Glancing along its principal street — the Parade, as ie \va« proudly called — tho eye rested on a public house every second building. The Garryowen was of course, the gi eat hotel; but further down the street was another, not much inferior, tho Patnot. Tho was much plate glass about this hotel, and a certain air of freedom and openness that well accorded with tho idea of patiioti&tn, And who, of all men, think you, was landlord of the Patriot ? Who, but our esteemed friend .Bunakum, (ho great thinker, tho mighty speaker. Theie be stood at tho door as large as life, debcantiug upon tho political questions of tho day. He had changed but very little ; lih attire was still loose and ungraceful— great minds are not troubled about such trifling matters— and the m irk of brandy was upon his face. Ho was, however, a trifle stouter, and, on tho whole, looked (i more respoiibiblo and respectable person. Buuakum had sevei .il reasons foi standing at his door. Tbo pi imary one was that which prompts tho spider to wait at the outside of his not to sei/o upon tho silly flics that may come within his icacb. Bunakum knew evoiyouo, and thoiefoie it would be thought mean of anyone whom ho siiluted, uott) no in aud have ti diink. Then Bunikum's oratory was of Mich a kind, that ho must bo a haivlhcaited, clo^e-flbted wrefch, who refused to " .shout " Thorn avoic no doubt, other ic.iPons why Bunukum stood outside ; but the one i-> sufheiont. Bjyond taking his drink at tho bar, he did little inside. He had provided a fair teniptro-s thcie. who was quite able to de'aiu the fii'b, onco ho had iuvcigled them past the dooi^tep. This fair charmer was named Miggic— her suinamo no one knew. Maggio was voluptuously beautiful, had .soft clear skin, very takin'.', though | romincnt features ; a .splendid cani.i«jo , .md gl >.ssy black hair whi'jh was done up c\ciy clay in a now aud entrancing stylo. ;\s she never declared herself in favor of any of her numerous swains in particular, it miy be taken for granted th.it she was very popular. To many of tho lough, haidwoiking miners, she was a sent of " revelation," and their thoughts by day/their doams by night, were about the beautiful siren. "When the Giitli/ Galhi Tmiiiprt had fallen into tho hands of J lector Macinuis, and Bunakum was thrown again upon ths world, his fiionds, Hector included, came to tho conclusion, that above all things, ho was suited to become a landloirl. Under this impulsion they fixed him in the Patiiot Hotel, aud ho fully justified their good opinion. JIo talked bomb ist with liis customer-, all day, and at night drank until consciousness \va«, lo^t wlion his able man-servant tiundlcd him oft' to bed to sleep away tho fumes of brandy. So IJunakum lived and piospurcd, and made money, although it was evident from his way of life, and the quantity ol <udent spiiits he drank, that an insurance, over his life would not be a sifo one How ho had manairod to last so long was a wonder even to his fiicnds. " . Gentlemen, '' said Bunakuin, solemnly, " Thoro can bo no doubt the present is ono of tho great ciisibcs of Grit. I).) I not remember th.it p-loiious era when the Gnt/t/ On//// Tntmpil was established, which diovc the tyrant of tin-, field, the Commissioner, off theplacr, find made him eventually lesign his poiitnu I And now he icturns to seek your suiirages — the man who trod upon you in tho days that are pn&fc. Gentlemen, if he is elected, T humbly beg jouhave mo buiied in tho deepest giave in the Bick Greek (Jometeiy , there let mo rest in peace. Death «.oonor than disgrace. How can I Lvo and hec this vilhiiu tuumph ovor the meu of (( 1 l lt. ]lcisofthat p irty which would hound you down. He is a nominee of the squntteis. Such men as he shut up the lauds which we should have had Why hare not I a piece of my native eaitli .-" ISjcaive they consphed against me, and drove me into the public lino Tlio oligarchs did it gentlemen, tho vile oligaiehs. Thoy'\e swallowed us up, aud he's their tool. Down with him, or bury me ! And who stands against him - Hector Macinuis, gentlemen, tho noble lleetor, who has chnnpirmed youvcuiso, who has made the Gi itltj Ga/hj Ti innpt t 1 expected throughout tho land, lie must bo returned. " Ah," continued Ban-i-kum, noticing a group approaching, " How mo you, Jack ? (.{lid to &os you, gentlemen." The group consisted of <i number of young mincis, who wcio tikiug a stroll down tho Parade boforo going on the % nijrht shift. They were all stionsf, handsome, manly fellow- ; but tho centra figure was the uuibt bti iking. He a\ms a sti ong, but gracefully - foirnod young fellow ; rather tall, but so splendidly proportionods that there was nothing awkward iv his appearance. His face was open and manly, and was graced with a short brown board, ciisp an I curly. His dreys — a white tightly-fittiug moleskin trowhcrs, secured with a scarf, and a icl crimean shiic — set off his finely formed limbs to great advantage. l J uihaps hii greatest attraction, however, wa-* a very genial smile, that lit his face like a gleam of funshiue, and roguish, pleasant cyos, whoso twinkle went to the heart of everyono. This was none other than our horo, Jack. Few young maidens with hearts to let, cnuld icsist this Bamo attractive young fellow Jack was on protly fair tevms w ith his father, although lie did not live with him, The groat sorrow of his eaily days had been washed away by the waves of tinfe, and, save au occasionial n't of sadness, when he passed the spot wheie had been the tent iv which his mother had come to so terrible an end, now occupied by a splendid stove ; ov \\ hen he gazed on her lowly grave in the now unused cemetery — for a new one had been formed about a mile out of town — there was no recollection of the past. Some people said ho was a sad dog, very fond ol womankind, and very much in love w ith Bertha, the daughter of the rich quartz miner, Mr White, who was now the wealthist man on the goldticld of Giit. It may be mentioned that the Patriot fotol had thiee distinct missions to fulfil iv Grit. There was first the bear, which was indiscriminately the gathering ground for loafers, politicians, and the general public— particularly, the young and impressible, who came to gaze on Maggie's charms. Then there were two snug parlors, where young juch could play at that faucinating and essentially Gritty game, "Yankee grab" for drinks, and money, if they liked, while smiles of Maggie fully made up for the loser's sorrows. Behind this there was a select room, where gamblers of higher degree in sin, we mean, : ( assembled daily aud uightly to 100 and be , loed; varying ;the; entertainment with, poker, "hazard and the like. There was also a billard' room, and a large h'alUwheife' thobpartlbrs'dined, and 'wliere ''"gfetft'Ymeeting'a^erS |t 'l(ejd.' 'Bunalcum* Jfajda sneciaV fBrte*foi: getting! up inWitfg'i :;fnfif'as M tfief tfftft WHiucE'

Headers of tho Bible will remember a ( passage where a wise captain divided his troops, so that if tho adversaries escaped one or two .companies, they were sure to fall into the hands ot the third or fourth. Upon those principles, Bunakum proceeded. Those who escaped the bar, were .seized by the little back room and Yankee giab ; those who passed through the liar and Yankee grab ordeals were certain to fall into the "select room" and 100 ;so that none escaped. A judicious division of forces is of incalculable value. But what was to be done with that rapidly-increasing section of adveisaties known as the teetotallers, who, thanks to tho untiring ellbrts of Obidiah Sweetcoin foit, weie becoming a power in Gut ? The meeting-half caught them, so that every ad\ ersary was properly provided for. It may be as well to explain here, that the temperance movement was orginated in Grit by Obadiah's respected father. The pubhcian party grew so strong, that it stiuck that worthy another paity could bo raised up in opposition, and be of a alue to the men who gave it life. Therefore he foimed the United Sociable Society of Liquor Abominators, Giitty Chilly District, of which he became the Worshipful Grand Honourable "Worthy Head blaster ; &o that lie was known m Gut as Obadiah Swectcomfoit, Ksq., \Y. G.H.W II M. of the U.S.S.O.L A.G.G D. This society having so much of moral weight on its side, did become a power ; and the woi thy foundei thought himself booked foi a seat in parliament, when the incident we have alluded to omired, and he was sent to the next woild to start a teetotal society theie. Great was the lujoidng of the other paity, who now thought their troubles over. Their gladncs--, however, was of slioit duration ; toi Obadiah Sweoloomfort, jim,, more than touk his father s place, and so vigoiously contested the battle, that three letters woie added to his title, and he had ahead y drafted out a Vei missive Bill that made the publicans lauly shake in their shoes*. Ijtinakum was the greatest opponent of this movement which ho diataefcerised as an attempt oi the Commissioner, although that gentleman had left (hit— to interfere with the libeity of the subject. Hothiew the "grand old name ot libcity" pictty successfully in the faces of the teetotalleis. His followeis declaicd people were not lipcfoi a I'm missive Bill. Nor were they likely to be, so long as d linking habits weie encouraged by such men as Bunakum. "I hope Jack," said Bunaknm, "that you aie sound upon the question at issue, which w ill be decided to-nionow. Nev er was thcio a contest so fi aught witli consequences as that upon w Inch w c have now ent"ied." '•Alwiy- huping upon the same old thing, .said Willie Godnch, Jack's, mate, a lithe, himKomc, dcvd-inay-caie young follow. "You depend we'ie all with you ' " Will you see the libeity of the subject tiii'iiiilcd upon .' ' and Bunakum, stamping on the giouiul as if liberty was beneath Ins feet. " No !" was the reply. '• Will you fjco the country o\cniden by proud .squattois V "Xo 1 " " Will you be bound hand and foot by Übadiali ttweetuomtoit and his watci-dnnkcLs .'" •'Ts T o!' "Talking of that," siid Willie, with a liylifc laugh, " I doiffc think we should .stand heie and take a shingle ofl Bunaku m's loof. What do you say, boy-a — a shilling in, and the winner shouts '! All assented. Jack did not like to hold out, but il was evident lie would have pieioued to have gone on. It was with a soi t ot savage self- vexation that he followed the others. 31c was pcifactly conscious that all the money went in "giabbing," and that he lived in a hand to-mouth way. because he hadn't strength to rcfn&c. He knew Obadiah had gathered money together by living steadily, and that he was in a lav better position than himself. How could lie evvr hope to be able to ask Beitha of old White, if he went on in tins way, spending more than he earned, m tolly? But, although he knew it was wrong, he wout in. We often arc perfectly conscious wo aic doing wrong, but lack the power to hold back. Company leads us into evil, and we seem poweiless to lesist. There was also another reason why Jack did not want to go in. It was well known in Giit that Maggie was •struck" on Jack. Now Jack was very impressible ; and, although his eaily fancy for Beitna had ripened into a passionate attachment, ho could not resist being loved by a woman, at whose feet all his companions weie ica^y to fall down and worship. A young man finds it vciy difficult to resist the admiration of a pretty girl. I was quite evident, when Jack went in, that Maggie made an exception in his favour. Instead of casting similai smiles around, she gave her sweetest to Jack, and took his hand. Willie at once called for "her bones," which, of course, resulted in the usual chaff. Jack wanted to have the shake in fionfc of the bar, but Maggie and the others ' at once demanded it should take place ,in the little room. So they went in, and Maggie held Jack's hand and talked soft nothings to him, while the rest shook off. " Seven teen's the main," said Willie, handing Jack the box at the close of the entertainment. " There , Jack, beat, that, and let Maggie go for the present." '■ I'll throw for him," said Maggie, and she proceeded to dextrously manipulate the dice. Two sixes were managed the first time, and the final tlnow bi ought up six at which there was considerable cheering. Then" Willie at once proposed a " dry shake," that is, one without drinks. Jack knew himself booked. All his resolutions to give up dice throwing and cards were scattered to the winds, aud there' he stayed a willing victim to the charms of Maggie and the dice-box, Not but that Jack knew he jwas r losing time and monej'. He luiew|ife too well, but had not the power to 'resistf?' for it would beunplcasaut aud unsociable. How hkillfully Maggie attended to tfie v company, mid Jack in particular ; Kow carefully she 'saw that too many, dry shakes did not take place. _ It is to be presumed the fellows sat down expecting to win, something, but in that they were disappointed, i " The .house" swallowed all the winning's, and a jrood deal ,more. , It ib'the ense in all pn&lic-house -gambJipg, that the player^ rise up ppbfer, than tEey^sat down,, whichever. iyay fortune may turn ; poorer -in pocket, pogrer in,' health. But they have^/been.' amused. Ho r w inteutly Maga'ie looked ,at ~\ Jacll^the while. .She felt in her sSiil th*&£stie* loved; hrfi^asishe.had^everloy^a^anothei^jrnan,*

as her property. And Maggie did not think that was difficult. She knew Jack liked <her. Of course, there was the love affair with Bertha, but then Maggie considered that Bertha's father was rich, and would never dream of an alliance with the young miner, who worked in one of his best claims — the Hesperus Extended. So, on the whole, she felt very easy. There was a slight divertisetnent when Hector Macoinnis, Bunakum, and several other leading characters passed through to have a look at the hall and see the preparations for the monster meeting that was to be held there that night, There was a slight effusion of red in Hector's face as he noticed Jack, and the hitter's countenance darkened. Though years had elapsed. Jack never could forget the past as regarded Hector; that he was piimararily responsible for what had occurred. And there always appeared to be a shadow over this man. He had aged very much ; he was grave end studious in appearance, but that might have been caused by the thought he had to give to that now great organ of public opinion, the Gi ittij Gully '/) itmpet. Still, neither he, nor Jack could ever get rid of a feeling ot bitter antagonism. Though Jack clu l not care sixpence about politics, he had entered into the present contest with spirit, and taken up the side of the Commissioner, Mr Miall, seeking to obtain the votes of Jus fcllow-workeis against ti ector. St 11 the play went on, and Jack lost, until hib last shilling was gone. Then he threw the dice-box away from him in a .sort of rage. " I won't ploy any more," said J.ick, just as he heaid tho Bunakum paity, after examining tho hall, settle down to a game of 100 in the select room — " I'm stumped." "Go on," said Willie, "I'll lend you some." " 111 lend you some, Jack," said Maggie pressing his hand. "No, 1 won't borrow," said Jack, with an unusual h'rmnes-s ; "I'll try my luck to-morrow. " "Oh, go on," said the party, "we'll trust you." " No," snid Jack, with a giiui determinatiou. " Besides, it's time to work ; it's after four." lleluctantly enough the party withdrew, and, after Jack had squeezed Maggio's hand they departed to go on tho night shift. " Jack is going against me," said Hector to Banakum, just after the latter had been looed ior CJ- 7s Gd. " Yeb," b lid Bunakum, dealing out the (ard-<, " but I don't think he can do much except amongst hi«j own lot.' 1 " L wish he had cleared out of the distriol," t>aid Hector in a low tono. "Oh, he'll be cleared out soon enough,"' said Bunakum, dextciously turning up a trump thsit suited his own hand.