The Wilmots: a South Australian story

Front matter

THE WILMOTS: A SOUTH AUSTRALIAN STORY. BY EFFIE STANLEY. LONDON : ELLIOT STOCK, 62, PATERNOSTER ROW. 1877. CONTENTS. CHAP. PAGE I. The Arrival in South Australia - - i II. Mr. Wilmot's Decision .... 8 HI. The Father's Grief— The Landing - - 12 IV. The New Home 19 V. What the Doctors said - - - - 27 VI. The Friend's Visit 32 VII. At Mrs. Peters' ------ 43 VIII. A Game at Bezique 47 IX. An Unpleasant Ride to Adelaide - - 55 X. Mr. Thompson's Visit to Mrs. Jones - 61 XI. A Postponed Visit 69 XII. Returning Good for Evil . . . 74. XIII. An Arrival at Mrs. Peters' - - - 83 XIV. Mr. Summers Pays a Visit to Thornwoods — Its Result 87 XV. "Just on the Boundaries of the Spirit Land" 96 XVI. Progress 102 XVII. What a Picture said CONTENTS. IV CHAP. PAGE XVIII. Wanted — A Companion - - - - 115 XIX.. Mr. Lindrum 122 XX, Found — A Pencil-case - - - - 128 XXI.

Two Letters of Importance to the Inmates of Thornwoods - - - - 133 XXII. The Denouement 142 XXIII. Love's Young Dream 149 XXIV. Mr. Wilmot brings Home a New Wife - 157 XXV. A Double Wedding 164 XXVI. Setting Sail for England - - - 173 XXVII. Herbert Enters into Rest - - - §jhe Arrival in $outh Australia'. THE good ship Hecla had finished her trip from England to the sunny shores of Australia, and was now riding at anchor in Port Adelaide. The pas sengers were busy making their farewells and looking after their respective luggage, which the sailors were hauling up from the hold. They had had, upon the whole, a pleasant and prosperous voyage. The companion ship had been congenial, and the captain, who was much esteemed, had done all in his power to contribute to their comfort and amusement. But few very miserable days had been encountered, and though caught once or twice in what was more than a gale, the good ship had battled bravely through.

Sometimes, indeed, an unwary passenger had been washed by an audacious wave which, leaping over the bulwarks, had taken him by surprise and given him an impromptu and not at all welcome bath ; and the wind would come up sighing at the misdemeanour of his comrade, and perhaps whisk off a hat or two by way of setting a better example. But, as I said, the voyage taken altogether had been very pleasant, and though it was now a thing of the past, the conclusion of it was destined to leave its effects for many a long day in one family at least. A little group of ladies and gentlemen were standing E about on the poop, some on the companion steps, merrily chatting with each other. Most of them so engaged would perhaps never see or even hear of the rest again, but they had been good friends for the last three months, and had many pleasant words for the last few hours of ship life.