CAPTAIN ALTEN'S Torpedo Expedition.

Waikato Times, Volume 2537, Issue XXXI, 13 October 1888, Page 1 (Supplement)

CAPTAIN ALTEN'S Torpedo Expedition.

AN INCIDENT OFTHE WAR IN 1891 BY MRS W. RATTRAY. CHAPTER I. It was tlie year IS9I, and the dark cloud of depression, that so long overshadowed New Zealand, had been blown away from our skies, and the glorious sun of national prosperity was shining in tropical splendour over our lovely islands. Auckland especially—that queen of cities in the Southern Hemisphere—had felt and benefitted by the change. Owing chiefly to efforts in and around her, the ridiculous education laws had been improved and altered, making it possible for practical, sensible notions to be inculcated into those of our children who would have to work for their daily bread. The keen ktiife of retrenchment had been carefully, thoughtfully and system atically applied. Not by ignoraut amateur gardeners, but by those whose long experience in the native and cultivated New Zealand garden, had taught them just how, where and when to trim their fruit trees ; irradicate useless plants; and encourage the growth of everything likely to improve and benefit the whole of their large domain. The grand mineral resources of the colony had been most fully developed, and the result of all this attention and care had been a marvellously swift transition from the struggling gloom of poverty and distress, to the welcome daylight of riches and comfort. But if the proverb is true ; when things are at the worst, they will mend," equally true must the converse be, "when the summit of the mountain is attained, the next step is the descent." It seems impossible for any length of time to maintain an even balance at the top of the tree. A breath of wind shakes those slender branches, a gale brings the whole tree down. After all these moralsiing remarks by way of preface, let rae now tell my story.

It was the month of May, and rather chilly, yet the sun was shining on the gaily decorated city of Auckland. Flags were flying in the cold breeze blowing from the ranges ; banners were waving, festooons, wreaths and flowers were freely lavished on various prominent buildings. Especially did S. Mary's, Parnell, present a gay and attractive appearance. The Church was very prettily decorated, the papers said, and every spectator in the crowded building was fully prepared to endorse the statement.

Of course, no less nn occasion than a grand wedding, could have called that gorgeous array of well-dressed ladies, and uncomfortable-looking gentlemen to Church on a week-day afternoon ! and the motley crowd in the back-seats, sideaisles, on the steps, in the Churqh-yard, round the gates, extending down the road for some distance, waa . certaiply not drawn there by the prospect of a good address from the Bishop of the Diocese.

Hark ! the sound of several carriages driving in quick succession along the well-kept road. A sudden movement in the throng at the gate, a swaying forward, and the gaze of hundreds of curious eyes was fixed on the bride's mother, magnificently dressed; then the eight bridesmaids (they were once more the fashion) and four small children—two pages and two little fairies. The eight fascinating maidens who gathered in the porch to follow the bride into the sacred edifico were attired in pale blue silk, covcred and most artistically draped with some transparent gauzy material of a delicate cream colour, looking not unlike a spider's web, spun over the subdued azure of the distant horizon. Great sprays of blush roses, with diamond dew-drops on them, held the fabric in place, and wreaths of the same flowers, fastened by diamond pins (gifts of the bridegroom) were worn ill the hair. Tho bride herself was robed in pure white plush, open in front, revealing a bodice of rare lace, which was carried down an under-skirt of satin, the whole of the design on the lace being traced in larsre and small pearU. The same costly lace appeared under the long train, which had an exquisite border of lace worked in, a wide Grecian pattern round it. Even for wealthy Auckland, tho whole turn-out, dresses, carriages, and later on, the so-called afternoon tea was magnificent. The afternoon tea was merely a preliminary to the splendid banquet at seven o'clock, which the bride's father—a merchant prince—gave to an immense number of wedding guests. Some gourmands growled that the tea spoilt t'ne dinner, but they managed to investigate the contents of a fair nu-nber of dishes ; and dispose of a good qu in.tity of appropriate wines. And so Clemence (.'ornwny wan uni'od in bonds of holy matrimony In Howard Alton, and the happy pair tnr>l< tin; live o'clock tr.rn to Mi-wi', where a private iesi'llice had been placed at their disposal. The next ri-iy they enntiniird their journey down smtU to Wellini'toii. Citjmenco «1 e t fr -1 tile sci, :»nd a* riilw.iy u't'iioiuaiun'ioii het'iveo the two ianjust cities in !hu Nortji Island was now

; an accomplished fact, that, of course, allowed the bride to choose the land route. ■ But Mr Alten was a busy, important citizen, anil could only spare a month for his honeymooD. They returned to Auckland, and took up their abode in the large house off 8. Stephen's Avenue, which had been specially built by the bridegroom for his dearly loved wife. It commanded a magnificent view of the harbour, and was furnished within in the handsomest style. Every luxury, every comfort that wealth could procure, and ingenuity devise, was there, yet all was dominated and modified !»y the most refined taste. Used as Clemenee was, now, to riches, and the lavish display of the objects of usefulness and luxury they purchased, she exclaimed with genuine delight : " Dear Howard ! how good you are to me ! Everything is truly beautiful !" Mr Alten felt himself well repaid for the time he had devoted to making her special suite of rooms, a perfect fairy bower, the embodiment of poets and artists' fantasies. He imprinted a kiss on the pretty sparkling face, and said : '• Well, darling, I trust we shall spend many peaceful, happy years in our pretty home !" And even then, the shadow of the black future seemed to hover around them, and Clemenee shivered in her husband's warm clasp. "Cold, little one?" he said, "come down to my study, there's a grand fire blazing away there, and I give you a free pass, so that you may enter any time you please, without let or hindrance !" She laughed merrily. " And rummage over your papers and books, and generally turn things upside down !" And the two sat and chatted gaily until the dressing-bell rang, and they remembered that their parents were coming to dinner. "I hope my mamma-in-law will think I have taken good care of you, Clemenee," said Mr Alton. " I am awfully afraid uhe may find fault with me!" and he iried to invest his handsome, happy face with an air of apprehension. "I've got a mother-in-law, too!" said his wife. " I hope she won't think I've let you smoke too much, or that I have not seen your socks were always properly aired. I believe the last thing she told me was to be sure Howard did not get damp things on his feet, he took cold so readily. If she only knew how we waded about in the swamps and wet grass, where we were bent on exploring the country for ourselves !" " Goodness me ! Clemenee, don't tell your mother, how many of those ridiculously grand dresses you called your trousseau, were utterly ruined, fernhunting !" The two had thoroughly enjoyed a most unhackneyed tour, and had Mrs Alten known where her husband would persuade her to venture, she would have substituted some plain serge or homespun dresses for the magnificent silks, plush or velvet costumes, which, combined with other costly materials made up what her mother had arranged as proper habiliments for her only daughter on her bridal tour. The evening—necessarily rather a trying one—passed off very well, and the next day Clemenee and her husband began their usual routine of business and pleasure, office work and calls, operas, dinners and dances. And Auckland went on prospering and increasing wonderfully. But the bulk of the people made a stumbling-block of their money, and churches and chapels were very nearly deserted. And so July drew to a close, and August came on very cold and wet and stormy, and still the good people of Auckland pursued the even tenour of their golden way, and the theatres and opera-houses, the billiardrooms and ball-rooms were nightly filled with attentive listeners, with gaily robed and lightfooted votaries, with gamblers and pickpockets hovering on the outskirts of this ultra-civilisation. And so August 4th came. {To be continual).