Australian Tales - Setis

paid — for he had a receipt in full, and he carried his title in his
a title perfectly free from flaws, clearer than sunlight. He expected the
ancient messenger to call for him, and convoy him to his new possession
very soon; indeed, he lived in daily anticipation of the signal to shuffle
off his mortal clogs, and soar away home. Why then should he let his
heart be troubled because he did not possess a super-abundance of the
world's goods, seeing that he could carry no luggage with him to his new
settlement? He saw occasionally some wealthy neighbour pass away
from commercial scenes as suddenly as if he did not possess a pound
note; one day worth tons of gold, and perhaps toiling with all his might
to make another ton, the next day in his coffin — and not personally
worth one of the brass-headed nails which studded the top of his narrow
tenement. Why then should he overstrain his nerves in the race for riches,
which after all yielded comparatively little solid comfort, and were held
with a very uncertain tenure?
Thus reasoned Mr. Lemonpip whenever he reflected upon money,
which was not often, for he had generally more sterling subjects for
reflection. Still I hope it will not be supposed that he was one of those
moody mortals who are always groaning about worldly vanities (which
are out of their reach), condemning rational appropriation of wealth, with
short-sighted envious policy, expressing contempt for riches, honours or
distinction, and a lugubrious disapproval of innocent recreations! Far
from it; Mr. Lemonpip had a goodly share of common sense in his head,
as well as philanthropy in his heart; and one glance at his honest face
would have sufficed to assure the intelligent beholder that he did not
belong to that mischievous corps of misery-mongers and impostors. He
did not affect to spurn money, for he knew its value, and would gladly
have possessed a little more of it, if he could have got it honestly — for
the sake of helping those who were in need. He properly viewed money,
and the influence it commands, as talents which are bestowed upon
certain honoured individuals, to be appropriated by them to God's glory,
and the welfare of the world; and he pitied those persons whom he
sometimes saw rolling in wealth, and selfishly clutching it as if it all
belonged to them, forgetting that “the silver and the gold are the Lord's,
and also the cattle upon a thousand hills.”
Such was Mr. Lemonpip — or, to give the substance of the foregoing
delineation in a few words, he was a Christian. I wish I could say as
much of his wife, of whom I must give a brief description: it will not be
necessary to say a great deal, however, for the reader has doubtless
formed an opinion of her from the few colloquial extracts I have already
given. The old nursery rhyme is a tolerably apt portraiture of Mrs.
Lemonpip.
“There was an old woman, and what do you think,