Australian Tales - Setis

Matt got a grant of land, and in time grew wealthy and influential. Some
of his descendants are now filling positions of honour and usefulness in
the colony, as you are aware, sir. My uncle and aunt unfortunately drank
themselves to death. My sister's children and my cousin's all prospered
amazingly. They are well known in the south, and in the west country,
for their hospitality and other sterling virtues. Their descendants are
branching off in all directions, and some of them are becoming lights in
the land. So you see, Mr. Boomerang, that my coming out here as
pioneer, was — through God's blessing — the means of establishing two
families in respectability and affluence; in removing them from poverty
to a ‘land flowing with milk and honey.’ ”
I freely expressed my opinion on his interesting narrative, and on the
useful lessons it was calculated to teach, to young men especially;
showing the advantage of strictly pursuing the path of duty with manly
courage and perseverance, and of acknowledging God in all their ways. I
then said, “I should like to hear a little of your marital experience, Mr.
Dovecott, if you have no objection to relate it.”
“Come in and have some supper, sir,” said the old gentleman, with a
significant glance at me. As we walked towards the parlour, he added, “I
will finish my story by and bye, if you wish to hear it; but I must first
persuade Mrs. Dovecott to go to bed, for there are some subjects which I
must allude to that would touch her feelings acutely. She is as tenderhearted
as a little ‘budgery ghar,’ bless her! It would be improper for me
to praise my wife, I know, but I must say that she is a model woman; in
short, the nearest resemblance to an angel that I ever saw. That is a fact,
Mr. Boomerang.”
Chapter V.
“NOW, my precious koh-i-noor, you had better go to bed, for Mr.
Boomerang and I want to have a chat upon a subject which would not
delight you,” said Mr. Dovecott, addressing his wife, after we had
finished supper. “You will forgive me for staying up an hour later than
usual, I am sure, for it is not often that our old friend spends a night with
us.”
Mrs. Dovecott rose, made a few pleasant remarks on the advantages of
retiring early to rest; then intimated to me that I would find extra bedding
behind the door if I needed it, shook hands with me, and retired to her
chamber.
“Take the sofa, and make yourself comfortable,” said my host, at the
same time he threw himself into an easy chair and began to rub his nose,
his usual expedient for stimulating his ideas in drowsy seasons. “You
wish to hear some of my conjugal experience, sir, but it will be
comparatively little that I shall be able to tell you before the midnight