The Hobelist. ALICE: EPISODES IN THE LIFE OF A MILLIONAIRE.

Waikato Times, Volume XXII, Issue 1845, 3 May 1884, Page 5 (Supplement)

The Hobelist. ALICE: EPISODES IN THE LIFE OF A MILLIONAIRE.

By DONALD CAMERON, Author of " Silverwator Bend/ " The Mysteiies of Melbourne,' 5 "In the Folds of the Serpent," &c., &c, «.Ic.

got ad -aii It an co One or two bad attempted to climb the fence, and dov-o had been set upon them. Others had rung the boll at the tradesmen's entrance, and had, after being surveyed from a lattice, been informed by mocking servants that they did not want "any greens to-day," insults which rankled deeply in the breast? of the choloric men of the party, many of whom were under the influence of whisky and ehampague. Yet — this came out later — Herbert had been wandering over the suburb "with a female and a larrikin, and had nearly been anested for disordeily conduct. He would rather do thxt, the depraved youth, than receive his father's friends. ' This intensified the feeling against him, and when the fashionable luncheon rooms began to fill there was a chorus of execration at every table. At the same moment the Avorkinen eating their dinners whenever they could gave cheeis for Herbert between their munching and their drinks, and discussed the details oi a proposed grand demonstration, while the work-girls unrolled their luncheon papers with one haud and held his portiait in the other. Byron was not the only one who woke one morning and found himself famous. The Bovine Bank was surrounded by idlers all day, in the hope to catch a glimpse of Herbert, at least of the leading actor in the drama. But no ierbert was seen that day in the city. Financial men remained in town till late in the hope that he would turn up, so that they could remonstrate witJi him, and some of them went that evening to the theatres on the chance of meeting him there. By the evening of Friday the community of Melbourne, it may almost be said of Austialia, were divided into sharply defined classes — the Giffordi&ls and the antiGiffords, the great mass and the capitalists. The demarcation was therefore all the easier. They were ically only two old parties assuming new names. So great did the excitement become that a hot-headed superintendent of one of Herbert's stations, while under the influence of strong waters, hearing an exaggerated account of the goings-on iv the city, telegraphed that he could send down by the next train twenty able-bodied young boundary riders who would defend, against a thousand puny Melbourne larrikins. The excitement on Friday reached its height when the news spread that Whinstun's roprobrate son — cherished for all that as the only offspring of a loveless union — had pui chased a revolver and sworn, after the inhibition of countless glasses of champagne, to have Heibert's life. This reached the eais of the Criffoulists as T\ork was being knocked oft, and ,i number ot young men banded themselves Jtogcther to get hold of young Whinstun and to beat him within an mch of his life. As young "Whinstun spent that night m homes of infamy never visited by the^e young -working men, to their honor be it said, ho uas iv no danger. While all this excitement was going on Herbert slept and dreamed, unconscious of the uproar. His body servant ventured to look in -when the sun -was high in the heavens — for Herbert heretofoic had not been a lie-a-bed — and dull as his senses were to the picturesque he could not but admiie the ensemble. The clothes had fallen oft Herbert's noble bust, across which lay his white arms. The light seemed to dwell lovingly on the handsome j face, lit up as the seivitor looked m with a smile of sm passing sweetness, such as few can smile. He was dreaming of Alice, and the pantomime scene had again tickled his fancy. But as the day ore on his dreams became less pleasant. The light appeared to fade, and in place of Alice, in all her loveliness, of Ebby, so mirth-provokmg, dark and threatening f oi ms loomed out oi deep dieadful shadow s, forms that, gradually assumed a likeness to Whinstun and his dead father. The sun had ceased to' shine in through the windows, and that side of the house was in shadow. The forms became more defined, the darkness moie palpable. Behind there weie othci shadows whose aspect he could not catch. Then Herbert felt as it these dread phanLomrf .approached his bod, and after looking upon him with an expiession that froze his blood, whispered together, and then sprang upon him. He felt their fingers at his throat, their heavy weight upon his chest, and in the honor of the stiuggle he woke, to find the sun had passed the meridian, and that he felt dry and feverish. He awoke to his full position, the battles he had to fight; not only that duel to the death with Whinstun, but the more terrible fight with himself to conquer and beat down this mad passion for Alice, that had like Minerva sprung up armed cap-a-pie in a single night. He dawdled over his late breakfast, thinking, without any aim to his thoughts. When that was over he wandered out and sat in the garden, screened from the street by shrubs, and tried to think clearly. He felt himself an utterly changed man. Yesterday he had had but one thought to carry out his youthful ideas of vengeance, and he had gloiied m fighting the most powerful men in Australia, and now he seemed to care nothing for it. When he tried to collect his thoughts and to shape hi^ course of action, every picture conceived in his brain — for thoughts are pictures that flash across the mind and vanish ; we think in pictures and tableaux — was suddenly obliterated as in a dissolving view, and there stood persistently out the woman who had in so brief a, time obtained mastery over him. He strove to rouse himself to obtain the m astery — in vain. Hitherto it had been his pride that he could master his passions and inclinations, and now the power seemed to have left him. He had conquered his repugnance to the work of mastering his business and that of the Bovine Bank, but this was a greater task. Aimle&slj and helplessly he thought and thought 'and evolved nothing. His mind was still chaotic. It had not yet recovered its tone and caught the rebound. While he was thus occupied he heard a great outcry at the gate. He had been informed by his servant and the housekeeper of the numerous attempts to storm the place the previous night, and supposed this was a renewal of the siege. The tones of one of the voices in altercation, however, seemed familiar to him, and he peeped round the shrubs to see if he could recognise the face. Sure enough there was Ebby hanging on the bars, while the porter, waving a great whip, threatened to cut him to pieces unless he cleared out at once. " But I tell you Mr. Gilford's a friend of mine," expostulated Ebby, keeping a wary eye on the whip — his early larrikin experiences taught him how to do that. " Oh, yes," replied the porter, "in course you're a friend — we'd lots o' them here yesterday. We treated 'eni in a most friendly manner, as we'll do you." Herbert thought it time to interfere. He was just in time to save Ebby from the porter's wrath, for while he was on the way sundry remarks, not very 'complimentary, passed between the two, and the porter's wrath was on the point of boiling over. " Why Ebby, what's the matter ?" asked Herbert, hardly knowing how to restrain his laughter.

" M.ittov. Mr. Cliffoid, he vo.il lot i»u in?' si; . "Well, you must forgive him," said Herbert, " we're aL present in a state of siege. However, Johnson, you enn always let this gentleman see me. Open the onto " Ebby walked in and shook hands with the greatest warmth, lb was easy to see by the light in his face that lie worohipped and adoied this handsome young fellow. But at the same time it was also pLiin that lie had sought him to make some important Communication. " Well, Ebby," said Herbert, when they had got into the garden, '" how do you feel this afternoon ?" " I'm well and happy," was the reply, fl except when I think of what I have to do. I must do it you know, but my heart goes down into my b00t.3 when I think of it." A cloud came over Herbert's face, but he made an effort to beat back the rebellious feelings that had entered his heart. What right had he to think of this girl, to defraud this poor fellow of his only treasure, of the love that had been the guiding star of his life ? " It's upon that subject I ventured to call," said Ebby nervous!)-. " You'll excuse me, I'm sure. I never met any man for whom I feel as Ido for you. I can't bear to be away from you." Herbert looked into the lad's face, lit up with love and confidence, and felt a twinge of conscience. Could he betray this love and trust ? "1 had a long talk with Mrs. Mostyn this morning," resumed Ebby, " and it brought matter 0 to a climax:. She declares Alice will not go upon tho stage any more. That settles my show. I won't conceal it — Alice was the attraction. It's sad to make the admission, but 1 must. All my tricks are old — have been shown before. Whenever we showed young and "old men came to see Alice, to gloat over her beauty. It's shameful to think I have lived and made money out ol such unworthy admiration. I feel degraded, diogusted, when I think of it, and yet theatrical managers live and grow rich upon the exhibition of beauty for men to gloat upon. lam glad to think Alice will appear no more, even if it rums me. At all events I can take to the &ea. A voyage to tho Pacific Islands will do mo good. But I hope it won't conio to that. 1 will make up my mind and ask her to bo my wife. I know I can get something to do. If it only brings m three pounds a w eek it will keep us. But I think 1 can make moi o than that as a canvasser. I'm nit out for that, I've got so much cheek." Herbert could not help laughing, though his feelings during Ebby's speech had been of a very pamful character. " Oh, I know you think 1 haven't cheek," said Ebb}', '' and its tiaic I haven't when dealing with some people. I'm the most nervous man in the "world with you and Alice and Mrs. Moetyn, bui, with the public, i\ ith tlioae for whom I don't care a penny, I am as bold as a lion." They wore now ariived at a retired spot in the garden where a nymph presided over fountain and ai'bor. Here they sat down, Ebby's face clearly expressing that he had some very important communication to make, and was working up his courage. " I was thinking," he managed to say at last, but in that hesitant uunnor which tells of great doubt and excitement, " that you might, but its such an extraordinary request to make for one who's only known you for a day. You think I've no cheek — you'll find it's a mistake. What do you thilik I propose ?" "I really don't know," said Herbert. "She likes you," said Ebby hurriedly. " She was talking of you all the morning, and so uas mother, Mrs. Mostyn. I can't understand Mrs. Mostyn, she's been greatly excited since last night, and docs not seem herself. Now, why— can't — you — speak to Alice about mo, just open the matter, and see whether I have a chance. It would kill me if she rofusod. [ can't bear to think of it — my heart's bound up in her. If she told you she did not care for mo, I could go to sea at once or to the bottom of the Yarra with a stone tied round my neck." Had not Herbert's feelings interfered with his perceptions he would have laughed outright at the serio-comic appearance of poor Ebby as he made this proposal. But while he spoke the whole difficulty of his position burot upon Herbert, and he experienced the most painful emotions. He liked Ebby as he had no man before, but he telt the greatest pain when he thought of Alice as the wife of any man, even Ebby. But to do what he proposed, plead for the woman for whom he felt such a mad passioxi, he could not. Ho was not stoical enough. " In love there can bo only dealings between principals," said Herbert at last with an effort. "It wOuld be silly to think of such a thing." /* I dare say, I dare say," exclaimed Ebby. " I'll have to do it myself, but it will be tough, very tough. Heigho." Neither spoke for some time, each thinking of Alice. At last Ebby sprang up and spoke. " Well, never mind that just now," he said, " I'll muster up courage I think on Sunday, if I've to take sonio whisky, though that's bad, for girls don't like the smell of it. What I want you to do is to come over and spend the afternoon. It will be so pleasant. Sufficient for the day is the evil thereof." Again Herbert found his power over himself, ot which he once had been so proud, gone. Every prudential consideration demanded that he should keep away from this girl, that he should fight that terrible love that threatened such consequences. And yet when Ebby spoke he felt as if he were being drawn to the cottage by invisible chains of steel, against which his resistance was weak as that of a child. The more he resisted the more evident became his helplessness. Perhaps in spite of all, though in courtesy he should pay a visit, he might have stayed at home that day had it not been for an occurrence that then happened* Just as Ebby had finished Herbert's servant came up. "If you please, sir/ said he, "there's several gentlemen at the gate, come in carnages, who say they must see you." " Who are they ?" queried Herbert. The servant mentioned the names of several old friends of his father, great in the financial world. Herbert's face darkened. " Did you say I was at home ?" -he asked. " Yes, sir/ replied the servant. Herbert thought for a moment. This event decided him. "Tell them," he said, rising, "that I will not see them, that if they wish to do any business with me my manager in Melbourne will do in my place." " I quite forgot, sir," said the servant, " to say that Mr. Milburn is. outside." "Then admit him but no one else/ said Herbert, " and when you have done so order the carriage to be got ready.',' From the place where they were Herbert and Ebby could hear a great alter eatio_n at the gate. Presently the servant returned,

follow cJ by the foo^iji-'jil llilb'uu, a ihlii grey-headed old man, T\ith a timi 1, neivons faue aud a retiring manner. Fus years lie had boon a rueic desk slave j ncvei going into society or to amusements. He had a couple of rooms in a back street, and took I his meals at a cheap restaurant, of which he had been the most regular customer for twenty years. Every idea had been banished out of his mind except business. Ho had lived under a hard master, and had expected every morning to receive his dismissal. He took off his hat timidly, and j stood before his young master, the sunligh I shining through the foliage creating lights and shadows on his worn face. "Well, Mr. Milburn," said Herbert with that delightfully kind tone in his voice and soft light m his eyes that charmed eveiyone, " what is the matter P Surely the business can do without me for a day." " It is not that," said Milburn, " everything is all right ; your system is too good for it to be otherwise. I've taken a great liberty, sir, but under considerable pressure. I hope you will not be offended, sir." " I offended," said Herbert with a smile that went to the old man's heart. Milbnrn had a heart, though for twenty years he had been unaware of the fact, so overgrown had it become with the briars and thorns of the world. And now under the influence of this bright-faced lad it was bursting its bands, and once more palpit tting with human feelings. To Milburn his young master was a revelation, a being from another world. " Offonded,' J continued Herbert, " offended at my old faithful manager. Not at all. Probably these men have been at you ? But sit down, Mr. Milburn. Harry," to the servant, " bring out a bottle of champagne and glasses M Mr. Milburn sat down on one of the fa ncy chairs in the arbor, trembling at his own audacity. He remembered when he had to wait in the hall, but he had to be sworn at heartily by Mr. Gilford when he chose to appear, and at the best to be offered a glass of whisky. He wiped his bald head with a red cotton handkei chief, and looked at Herbert with a steadfast, loving, admiring gaze. It was a strange picture that in the arbor, two men, one very old, one very young, having eyes only for a handsome lad who was looking out at the blue sky, unconscious of their gaze. It showed how powerful arc youth and kindness, what treasures are a good heart and a pleasant disposition. "Well, and what mission did they send you upon ?" asked Herbert when he had poured out the sparkling golden ruby wine, and the gentlomen had emptied their glasses. " Sir," said the old man, " I tremble to think of the terrible commotion you have caused in the city, and the powciful enemies you have raised up. The whole financial world, sir, the whole financial world, has banded itself together 'to crush you ! Oh, sir, will you not pau&e. You cannot fight the banks, the merchants, the capitalists. To-day we did nothing in the office ; it was crowded with old friends of your father, who went into every room to try and fmd you. They were foaming at the mouth, sir. I never thought to see men of commercial standing, pillars of the banks, so lost to the proprieties. Some of them were drunk, sir, drunk with grief and whisky. Men like them in that state, sir ; it horrified me. Pause, sir, I beg. You would not have the whole structure fall about our ears. They talk of a great commercial crisis, of the breaking of one or two of the small banks. Advances have been stopped ; tho banks are preparing for the struggle. Commerce has been paialysed, there being no accommodation. Frightened depositois are drawing out their balances, partly for fear of the issue of the fight, and partly through the ascendancy of the democrats in politics, an ascendancy that your action will strengthen. Already the people arc wild about you, and a torchlight procession and meeting arc talked of. Bank shares are unsaleable. Oh, sir, consider the value of the shares you hold, you, the largest shareholder in the Bovine Bank. I tell you, sir," continued the old man, his voice trembling with chimeras he had raised, " the foundations of credit and commerce are tottering. You can make them as inai bio or unstable as tho sand. Melbourne stands still, and the wave will pass with lightning speed over Australia. Are you prepared to ruin thousands of innocent persons to throw back the colonies for years ? Pause, sir, pause." " But what did they tell you to say to me ?" asked Herbert, whose face had assumed a grave determined expression. ■ " I was a&ked," replied the old man tremulously, "to represent these facts to you, and to urge you to withdraw from the course you are pursuing." " And what do they offer in return ?" asked Herbert scornfully. " They say," replied Milburn, " that if you object to Whinstun he will retire in a year or two, and that in the meantime gradual steps can be taken to bring about the reforms you contemplate on a moderate scale, without the convulsion that must take place if you persevere." " I know them," said Herbert lising, his fine expressive features full of wiath and scorn, " and I know what they will do. You say they are banded against me. Ido not fear them. I have marked ouii my course, and intend to follow it. 1 know all the consequences ; I have counted the Co3t. But you need not fear, Mr. Milburn. Commerce and financial operations may be paralysed for the moment — other causes, especially political inquietude, have operated unfavorably ; my action bringing things to a climax, but after Thursday next confidence will be restored, the pernicious ring that has ruled Australian finance, of which Whinstun has been the keystone of the arch, disabled if not broken, and — perhaps — the first step taken to make labor and capital work together as friends, not to be enemies as in the past. Fear not, Mr. Milburn." The old man looked up at the noble youth who stood before him ; energy, hope, ambition depicted on his handsome face, his graceful form standing out in bold relief, and Ms heart throbbed as it liad not for years. At that moment he felt what, he had lost. He had never such a youth. It was only as his star or dead world till now was setting that a light from a rising sun made it throw out a few feeble rays. "Here is the carriage," said Herbert, as the fine equipage stopped in front of the house. " Ebby, we are going for a drive. Mr. Milburn, I must? bid you good bye just now. Take no notice of what these men say. Gro on with your wort. Tell them I. am determined to pursue the course I have mapped out. It is they, not I, who will have to surrender." T4ie carriage drove up, the young men stepped in, and with a whirr the equipage drove off. The old man stood, his hat off, gazing the way it went. And long after the sound of the wheels were lost he stood there, his face strangely altered, beaming, nappy. In his soul there was but one image — the bright kind face, with its liquid 'eye's, that had smiled upon him as the horses obeyed the whip and swept away. (JFo be continued.)