A Colonial Reformer, Vol. 3 (of 3)Boldrewood, Rolf
History
A Colonial Reformer, Vol. 3 (of 3)
Boldrewood, Rolf
Australia -- History -- 19th century -- Fiction
It is seldom that we have to chronicle so dramatic an incident as
that which has just occurred in our midst, and which was fraught with
deep interest to one of our most respected residents of old standing
in the neighbourhood. We refer to the sudden and wholly unexpected
matrimonial arrangement made by Miss C—y W—n, the daughter of mine
host of the old-established well-known family hotel, the ‘Cheshire
Cheese.’ It would appear that Mr. Henry Homminey, the successful
Hawkesbury agriculturist, was about to lead the blushing fair one,
with the full consent of the family, to the hymeneal altar, on Friday
last. ‘All went merry as a marriage bell,’ till on Thursday evening
Mr. John Windsor, cattle manager at Rainbar for Ernest Neuchamp, Esq.,
appeared at the ‘Cheshire Cheese,’ and joined the family party. He had
been formerly acquainted with the bride-elect, but stated that he had
merely come to offer his congratulations, and pass a pleasant hour.
He was warmly welcomed, and the evening passed off successfully. At
the appointed hour next morning the happy bridegroom appeared with his
friends, who had mustered strongly for the occasion, but, to their
dismay and disappointment, they were informed by Mr. W—n that the
bride’s chamber was empty, and that she had not attended the family
matutinal repast. Mr. Homminey’s feelings may be imagined but cannot
be described. He at once started in pursuit of the fugitives, but
after riding a few miles at a furious pace, his horse showed signs of
distress, and he was persuaded by his personal friends to wend his
steps in the direction of Richmond. Much sympathy is felt for his loss
and disappointment. But, since the days of earliest classic records,
the man of solid worth has occasionally been eclipsed, in the eyes of
the fair, by the possessor of the more ornamental qualities with which
Mr. Windsor is credited.
‘Well done, Jack!’ shouted Mr. Banks, as he finished the concluding
editorial reflection; ‘and well done, Ben Bolt! He must have polished
off that hundred and eighty miles, or else Jack would never have been
up to time. It’s a good deal to depend on a horse’s legs. Well, Carry
Walton’s a stunning girl, and it will be the making of Jack. He’ll go
as straight as a die now.’
‘I must say I feel much gratified also,’ assented Ernest. ‘I should
have been afraid of some of the old reckless spirit prevailing over
him, if he had lost our friend Carry. How I feel assured of his future
prosperity. He is a fine, manly, intelligent fellow, and wants nothing
but a sufficient object in life to make him put out his best energies.’
‘Jack’s as smart an all-round man as ever stepped,’ said Mr. Banks,
‘and with a real good headpiece too, though there’s not much
book-learning in it. He’d fight for you to the last drop of his blood,
too. I know that.’
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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