Читать книгу Grand Deceptions - G. S. Willmott - Страница 20

England is a Nation of Shopkeepers Napoleon Bonaparte

August 1860

George and John had exhausted the gold from the shaft and the Banshees had been successful in laundering all the stolen gold through the mine. It was now time to close it down, though it had earned the reputation as the most lucrative gold mine on the Victorian goldfields. As soon as they walked away, there was a rush to secure a claim from expectant diggers.

George had decided to use his share of the loot to open a large general store on the main street of Ballarat, Lydiard Street.

Lydiard Street Ballarat 1860

He simply called it “Georges”. It was a triple fronted two-storey store, stocking everything from miner’s supplies to women and men’s clothing, kitchen equipment and furniture. From the beginning, George ensured the business lived up to its motto of Quod facimus, Valde facimus (What we do, We do well)

Georges became the place to shop in Ballarat. It was profitable from year one.

After the fourth year of operation, George decided to open another store this time in Melbourne. He leased a beautiful building in Collins Street right in the middle of the “top end of town”.

Georges Department Store

George had gone from being a gold miner left penniless by his crooked partner to high society retail magnate. His social status in Melbourne society was at an all-time high and the young society women showed significant interest in this confirmed bachelor.

One young lady, Mary Branson, caught George’s attention. She was a beautiful redhead with steel blue eyes and alabaster skin. She had been well schooled at Queens Girls Grammar and could hold an interesting conversation.

George decided if he was ever to marry, this was the woman he would commit his life to.

The Governor’s Ball was to be held at Government House on December 1, 1868. George was delighted to receive an invitation. He wrote a letter to Mary and got his butler to hand deliver it to her residence in Toorak where she lived with her parents and younger brother Arthur.

Mary’s mother Anne answered the door and took the letter. The butler waited for an answer.

Anne called, ‘Mary, come downstairs dear! There’s a letter for you, hand delivered I’ll have you know.’

‘Who from, Mother?’ Mary called back.

‘I don’t know. You’ll have to open it and see.’

The young beauty descended the stairs and took the letter from her mother. She opened it while the butler and Anne looked on.

November 1, 1868

My Dear Mary,

I would be honoured if you accompanied me to The Governor’s Ball on the night of December 1.

Could I ask you to either accept or reject my invitation by writing your answer on this card.

My butler will return it to me.

Yours Sincerely

George Griffith

Mary asked for a pen and wrote:

I would be delighted to partner you to the ball, George.

Thank you

Mary

Mary handed the envelope to George’s butler who bowed his head and departed.

She described to her mother the contents of the letter, rather excited as George was one of the most eligible and richest bachelors in Melbourne.

December 1, 1868

Mary was almost ready when George’s carriage pulled up outside the Branson home in St Georges Road Toorak. He was asked by the maid to wait in the foyer of the magnificent house. Mary’s father entered and introduced himself as Sir Frederick Branson. As it happened, Sir Frederick was being quite informal as he could have introduced himself as Chief Magistrate.

‘So, I believe you’re a shopkeeper, George?’

‘Yes, sir I suppose I am.’ George mentioned his store and its address.

‘I’ve been inside your establishment. Very impressive I must say. How’s business?’

‘Beyond all my expectations sir, as is the Ballarat Emporium.’

‘Oh, so you have two shops?’

‘Yes, sir, I began in Ballarat, and after four years of profitable trading, I decided to open the Collins Street store.’

‘Excellent. Well here she is, looking as splendid as ever.’

Mary glided into the foyer as though she was on ice. Her hair was arranged up with a diamond tiara and she looked beautiful in her emerald green ball gown. George was so totally captivated the only word he could utter was ‘hello’.

‘You two have a very enjoyable time if you get to meet the governor, say hello from me,’ said Mary’s father.

The handsome young couple walked down the front steps and into their waiting carriage for the short trip to Government House.

Once seated in the carriage, George began to relax and conversed freely with the red headed beauty. The carriage made its way down the long gravel driveway, pulling up outside the impressive building. Two footmen assisted them out of the carriage and they were ushered into the Grand Ballroom where other distinguished guests were present drinking champagne and talking among themselves.

Soon after they arrived and were offered a glass of champagne, the governor, John Henry Thomas Manners-Sutton, 3rd Viscount Canterbury GCMG KCB, together with his wife Georgiana entered the room. Once they were announced, they began to mingle with their guests.

John Henry Thomas Manners-Sutton

Eventually, the Governor and his wife approached George and Mary and began a conversation.

‘I must say you are a handsome looking couple. May I inquire of your names?’ said the Governor’s wife, Georgiana.

George introduced Mary and himself.

‘So, Mary, your father is the Chief Justice. I know him well but had no idea he had such a beautiful daughter,’ said the Governor.

‘You flatter me, Your Excellency.’

‘And George, it is George isn’t it?’

‘Yes, Your Excellency.’

‘George, what do you do?’

‘I’m a retailer, sir; I own Georges in Collin Street.’

‘Then I congratulate you as it is a fine establishment. My wife and I have both shopped there. Incognito of course.’

The Governor and his wife moved onto the next couple leaving Mary and George quite pleased with the conversation they had with their illustrious hosts.

It was a lovely night. George and Mary danced as though they had been dance partners for years. It was a natural connection, not only on the dance floor but also in their conversations throughout the evening.

The night came to an end when George’s driver drove the couple back to Mary’s home. He got out of the carriage and opened the door for her. When they reached the top of the steps, George asked for permission to kiss Mary goodnight. She agreed.

George was in a euphoric mood upon returning to his luxurious apartment on the top floor of his department store in Collins Street.

By the time he entered his bedroom he had decided that he would do all in his power to make Mary his wife.