CHAPTER XVI.

Waikato Times, Volume XIX, Issue 1568, 22 July 1882, Page 5

CHAPTER XVI.

A shadow falls upon my soul v Wherever I may be. " The bell of death appears to toll— 'Tis all a mystery. In the bright glare of busy clay, j In night's dark solemn hours, v An incubus makes me its prey, And ever o'rc me lowers. j, Farewell ! 0, peace ! that round me played. I I see thy parting gleam. ' f Welcome, dread Frankenstein, I've h made j ' v Thon art, alas, no dream. fc Beautiful starlit night had fallen' * upon Grit. The grim expanse of clay ' had t disappeared' in the deep shadows of night, * and now there 1 was only an 'indistinct a landscape formed of ghostly trees which* >* lifted theft, branched , to the "dark' bMV '" sky; ai^tl dim* hills "whose^ outline arosd, M J 1 like ' limbs'"-; "6s "gia'hjis^mtb * the' *" 'darkn'ess.f Iri^midsVbf \alirtheaightf. " ;of'"fche !< tcAvn u formed ';« /gbrt' \of/raiiianjb' oasis', Svhilenie're andailereAbhtlieHulls;', |

forth and annihilate all the empty arguments which had been advanced by his opponent the previous night. On the walls and gum trees in and around Grit, gigantic bills printed at the Trumpet office, had appeared, calling upon the " free and independent electors to roll up " and hearken to the utterances of of the friend of the miners : and although the meeting was called for eight o'clock many were already wending their way into Grit. From the suburbs — from the innumerable gullies where the engines throbbed and the stampers clattered, — they come in knots, talking animatedly of the coining contest. There were many reasons why they came in so early. The principal one was they wanted to share in the apod things going, for the Patriot hotel was open that evening to all — electors or otherwise. Soon the precincts of the hotel were crowded to suffocation. Although Maggie was assisted by several others, it took all their time to supply the wants of the thirsty patriots who clustevd in the bar. Amongst the ardent votaries' at the shrine of liberty were two very dilapidated persons, in whom the reader will recognise the Irishwoman who gave her name at the inquest on Janet, as Bridget, and her worthy helpmate. Time had evidently dealt unkindly with the pair, or what is most probable they had dealt unkindly with time. Clothes the worthy couple appeared to disdain. What they did wear was certainly not for the choicest, and had a flavour which would not agree with sensitive olfactories. The woman had become bloated and ugly, and the man had shrivelled up into a perfect weasel. Both were fervent in their attention to colonial beer, pewter after pewter of which they experimented itpon with ama/ing avidity and great gusto; having, evidently, a rabid desire to see the bottom. They occupied a seat to themselves, which was fortunate, as had such a thing not been to hand they must have reclined on the floor. No compunctions visited the barmaids for serving them. Had not everyone a right to become glorious if they pleased on so auspicious an occasion ? "Dinny," said Bridget, with a leer, " devil a sixpence I've got. Have you a copper about you !" ' ' Not a farden, " repied the man. i " Well, it's time he was 'round, anyhow," said the woman, " and then I'll be bound we'll get what we want.", , And here the two laughed a drunken! i laugh. ? Ah me ! Here within were the laugh" of the drunken, the stench of a dirty humanity gathererd together, the heat j of gas, the bad language of the assembled host ; without, the stars shone pcscefully, paling their light as the holy moon arose behind the dark mountains, and began to flood the world with light. 0 ! what a contrast. But there was a buzz of voices, a low murmur, and then a tremendous cheer was heard outside, and immediately taken up by those within. Hector Maeinnis had come. Into the hotel he strode with a proud step and a beating heait, ca&ting pleased glances around at the crowd of men assembled to do him honor, to hear him speak. No human being can become such a focus of atti action without feeling flattered and please.d. Although Hector Macinnis, in reality, despised these men, and looked, upon himself as immeasurably their superior, yet their adulation pleased him highly. He felt that he was a leader of men. Standing at the threshold of that house, astiange light burned in his eyes, a fiery joy entered into his heart. The culmination of his fate had come. This was what he had dreamed of for years. His ambition was about to be gratified. It seemed certain now that he would be elected to Parliament, and then he knew that the road was open to him ; that he Avould make his mark. He felt within himself the power to lead and command men far superior to these. The opportunity was all that he wanted, and that had come. Standing on the threshold ! What a bright and glorious vista opened before his mental gaze — what scenes of triumph and enjoyment ! Not the sensual, but the intellectual ; not the fleeting, but the eternal ! Stay ! What is this ? His face changed rapidly ; the pleased smile vanished, and a frightened expression came into his eyes, and he looked around as if something horrible were about to seize him. . Why was this ? Because his eye fell upon Bridget. He noticed the drunken leer upon her face, the satyr-like expression of her husband's. He saw this, aud the beautiful vision melted into the air, and before him appeared darkness infinite. Other faces weie conjured up by these. A horrible face in the agony of death started up amidst the glitter of gas and the vapors of the smokes— a face whose accusing eyes searched into the inmost depths of his soul, and tortured him until he writhed in anguish. A handsome manly face, too, grew out of the vacancy ; a face that threatened ; the face of a man who seemed capable of doing what he threatened. Hector Macinnis averted his eyes, and moved on with his satellites, amongst whom, of course, was Bunakum, well primed, who had had any number of electoral rolls and addresses under his arm. Hector's party wondered a little about the sudden change in his face, but as he was a rather peculiar man at the best of times, they said nothing. He was not to get off so easily. Bridget tottered over to him as he passed by, and clutched his coat. Hector turned round with a horrified expression. The very presence of this loathsome creature made him ill. N "I want you, Misther Macinnis," said the woman, with a peculiar laugh. "How dare you," cried one or two of Hector's most ardent supporters — ardent with liqaor also. "Don't interfere with her," said Hector, in a troubled voice. > But niether his appeal nor that of Bunakum was of any avail. The, unfortunate woman was.seizpd.by a hundred hands, lifted bodily, and hurled outside with her husband, where they were taken hold of by the innumerable loafers there congregated, who, ou understanding that these .creatures had sought to insult the majesty of liberty, at once to .set to avenge her cause. .Hector hurried "into >the room where the meeting was to be held,' but Bunakum rushed 1 out" and mingled' in the,f ray.' "He had told Hector ►he^ould'save theoldi<wonian,ibut ihs manner* of saving -was.y.e'ryi.peculiar.^ JYe. ! VoiVt^speci%tbut'We,will?'say that^if he' ?t6Skill6ißrldget ? t6Skill6iBrldget, r lie .obuld ,^iot liavea^Qpi»d[betteifenieasu^es.'-;^ p''± ;" -, - sJtTbeitwp"ppor^creatwe^w_eafc(as water,

and having assulted various persons. The constables seized their prisoners, who were nearly beaten to death, and with a noble "Come along, you vagabonds," desired them to walk to the lockup ; but as Bridget and good man could not stand tip, the limbs of the law gave hem an -.extra shaking, As this had no effect, ithe constables were alarmed, and, calling sa cab, drove their helpless charges to the 'hospital, a splendid building, which the generosity of Grit had built, and which Uad sheltered many sorely-troubled 'spirit and homeless creature, after the glamour of the golden days was gone. In the meantime Hector had taken his seat on the platform, and the magnates of the town who favoured the moVe-on faction of politics, nad also gathered there, while the general public were filling up every available inch of space, squeezing and fighting for the best places, like all true Britcns. Hector's supporters now and then gave vent to their feelings in cheers. But it must not be supposed that his party had it all their own way. The Standstill party, who believed in lotting things remain as they were, had had a roll up very early, and the moment the doors were opened, they made a rush to secure the front seats, so that they could howl down the candidate. What reason they had ts think howling down a candidate could make him alter his opinions, or would interfere with his election, we know not. They kept very quiet, until the time having arrived, a miner rose to propose their respected friend, Mr Bunakum, as chairman. This elicited a storm of cheers and hisses, hooting, screams, brays, and other sounds in which British electors indulge as a means of arguing questions with one another. A person rose, and proposed Mr White as chairman, whereat the uproar was doubled. People rose en masse, jumped upon the forms, and for the space of ten minutes, Hector could not have heard his own voice. To vary the proceedings, several electors proceeded to knock their ideas into each other's heads and noses, but only (succeeded in drawing blood, — bad, no doubt, and therefore, better got rid of. But Bunakum was equal to the occasion. He took the chair amidst a 6torm of cheers, fast followed by a volley of hooting. Mr White then appeared on the platform, but the uproar became so terrific— for all hated 'him, as he was rich and prosperous— that ho returned rather percipitately, receiving one or two octogenarian eggs as" a parting evidence of goodwill. > By this time British endurance had been pretty Avell worked out, and evpryone felt that a little respite would give them wind for the encounter. Bunakum seeing this, boldly stepped forward, and began his address :—: — "Electors of Grit, however yon may be divided upon the great question that is now throeing your vitals, I am sure you will listen to me, one of the oldest defenders of freedom. I, who have only one desire, to bo buried In defence of your liberties." (Cheers, with several cries of " Bunkum," which could be understood either as complimentary, or the reverse.) " Miners of Grit, you can appreciate the conduct of those who have oome here tonight to interfere with the sacred rights of liberty." (Cheers and groans.) "'But one thing, I trust that you will listen "quietly to what Mr Macinnib has to advance. It cannot harm you to listen to him, and when he has finished, his opponents can come forward and uphold their views. Gentlemen, I have the honor to introduce your future mtmber of Parliament, Mr Hector Macinnis." Cheers and counter cheers. Somewhat pale, but with a triumphant glitter in his eyes, Hector Macinnis stepped forward to speak. Rut the moment he opened his mouth, the standstill section at once Rtarted an uproar, and for the space of half an hour the room was transformed into a sort of Bedlam. Men fought like mad cats ; forms were torn up ; heads battered ; noses put out of shape ; lamps smashed ; tables overturned, and the devil was to pay generally. Hector Macinnis took his seat, quietly waiting until the tumult had subsided. A strong guard of his supporters had been posted around the platform, for a rush was feared. Nor was the anticipation incorrect. The Standstills poon saw that their roariDg was of little effect ; that they would lose their voices, and that Hector Macinnis would triumph. To do the thing properly, would be to mob the platform, and at once put an end to the meeting. With this view a determined rush was made. For a time it was strenuously resisted, and a hand to hand combat took place, with varying results. The Standstills weie in a phalanx. Behind and before them was the eenmy. It became evident that if they could not storm the platform, all would be soon over. The police stood by quietly ; it was a rule with them never to interfere in political meetings, unless the emergency were extraordinary. {To be continued.)