Page:Australian Emigrant 1854.djvu/215

Rh of it, and the lady—I thought her an angel then—appeared to favor my suit. In those days I was not the outlandish looking fellow I am now. I laid out three months' pocket-money on a costly ring and longed for an opportunity to declare my passion. It soon offered, and so did I: with this result. One day, after a tete-a-tete, 'Will you favor me, dearest,' said I, seizing her hand, 'by wearing this poor trifle for my sake—will you, in short, consider yourself engaged?' Here I felt myself choking. The lady smiled as she replied, 'Oh, certainly I do.' 'Then permit me,' said I, still retaining the hand I had grasped, but rather taken aback by the easy conquest, 'to imprint one kiss upon those''I declare if you do' said she, all in a pucker, 'I'll tell John.' It turned out that the little minx had been engaged for months to John: I forget his sir-name, but as you value my friendship, never christen any of your youngsters John; it has a most hateful sound to me."

Ten years are passed away. Let us visit again the station of Lan-lan-borin. We left it emerging from the surrounding wilderness. Accompany us yet a little further, indulgent reader, and fear not but we will bring thee to our friends in safety. We know their district well: every hill and valley, each water-course and lagoon, we know their bearings every one; they are as familiar to us as the streets of our native town. Let us hasten towards yonder columns of smoke rising in silvery lines through the trees. Can that comfortable and picturesque homestead be the place we seek? Even so. Industry and energy have overcome all obstacles, and the wilderness "blossoms as the rose." See the surging corn in the spacious