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PUBLISHED BY SPECIAL AftRANGEMBNT.
PUBLISHED BY SPECIAL AftRANGEMBNT. £ ———— {WHATSOEVER A MAN SOWETH. BY WILLIAM LE QUEUX, 4-Utii->r of "Who Giveth This Woman?" llonee of the Wicked." The Idol of the Town," Fairest Among Women," Whoso Findeth a Wife," &.C., &c. [COPYRIGHT.] CHAPTER XVII.—IS EXTRAORDINARY. The agony was excruciating. A burning bub- bling seothed in my brain, as though my skull veiv rilled with molten metal. My mouth was par bed. my neck stiff, and my jaws were fixed vhei [ ope iod my eyes and found myeelf in a chasm of cavernous darkness. How long I had lain there I have no idea. The thunder of rolling, rearing waters deafened my lower limbs were so benumbed that at fiist I unable to move them. I felt my; leg. and then discovered the reason. Wet to the skin. [ wa6 lying half in water, my head alone being on some slightly higher ground—a for- ti n;iU> circumstance that had certainly saved me from being drowned. Where was I ? lor fully ten minutes—minutes that seemed hours. I was utterly unable to mov ■. but presently I managed by dint of supreme effort to struggle to ray feet and about me unsteadily, at last finding a STtiCTi li arched wall. I lifted my hand above nay beau and found that I could touch the roof. In hat pitch darkness with the roaring torrent at my side. I dare not move two paces, lest I might lose my foothold. I felt frantically in my pocket, and my heart leapt when t tound that t still possest-ed a box 01 wax vestas. The silver box was water-tight. One of these T struck quickly, but its light was lost in t hat cavernous blackness. It only showed me the bricked walls, high to the roof, wet and slimy, and revealed to me that I was in one of the main sewers of London At my side the great black torrent. Howed on towards the outfall with deafening roar in that long inter- minable tunnel beneath the Metropolis. U;1¡- hundreds of them, grey and scuttling, ran helter-skelter on seeing the fickle light: but I motionless leaning against the wall and gazing around at my weird surroundings untit the match went out. My head reeled. I feared to walk lest I should s1 agger into the Stygian stream. Knowledge of where I was gave me courage, liew<-ver. head was very painful with strange- fancies dancing through my imagination. I think that the blow had unbalanced my brain. hich way should I turn To right or leHP Was mortal man ever in such a predicament:' I recognised the truth. I remembered one appal- ling fact. The scoundrels had sent me through irio that deadly place, knowing that even if the fall did not kill me outright, I must be drowned wlJ"lI. at regular intervals, the sewer was auto- matically flushed, and my body washed out to the Thames estuary. I had seen the walls still wet to the roof from the last flushing, and as I recognised my awful peril, my blood ran cold. At any moment might rnme that gigantic flood to prweep me away into eternity in an instant. Somewhere, higher up, was that mechanism which at certain hours of day and night automatically let loese the great sweeping wave throrgh the long black tunnel sweeping to the tiie clenn-ing of London. My only hope- was to find safety somewhere, therefore in fra-ific hasfr-, all forgetful of the pain I was suffering. I turned to the right and groped along the wall by aid of a match, tne* 1iht of which was not sufficient to show the true dimensions of the sewer. On. on. I went. how far. I have no idea. It seemed to be miles. My matches burned only dimly, so bad was the air. Time after time I came to side channels, small arches b'i< hing forth their black stream into the roaring torrent like tributaries of a river, until I suddenly saw something white upon the wall, and, raising my match. discerned the painted words: "Poland Street." Then I knew that I was beneath Poland Street, close to Oxi'oivl Street. I was in search of a man-hole by which to ascend to the roadway, but, alas' could not dis- cover one. A great terror seized ma lest the flush should come before I could gain a place of safety. I was in the act of striking another match, in order to proceed more quickly, when 1 felt mv head f"o.pling-, and in clutching at the wall for support th" match-box fell from my nerveless finders into the water. My disa-ter was thus complete. Without light how could I find a place in which to raise myself above the level of the flood? My heart stood still. In that moment the .e- collection of all the sequence of strange and startling events of the past few weeks passed ill rapid review before me. My enemies had en- trapped me, and I now knew that I was doom ed. Enc'-j shout of defiance, followed by that groan and shriek, still rang in mv ears, but, most tantalising of all. I had no idea where the- house to which I had been enticed was situated. It was somewhere off Recent Street, but further than that I had no knowledge. I 8;IW how cleverly the whole affair had been arranged; Low the man introduced to me as Humphreys had met us by appointment in the vestibule of the Empire, and how knowing my interest in antiques, the bait had been so cleverly placed. I had now no doubt that Ellice Winsloe was an •nlvrmturer. therefore my eager desire was to reveal tc Scar-cliff the astounding truth. And yet fhis was actually the man who had the audacity to propose marriage to Sybil, and she had contemplated accepting him To old Lady Scarcliff the fellow had po-ed as a gentleman of means, and had so ingratiated liunself with lhat the pair had become in- separable. The situat ion was really monstrous. Jn sheer despe.-ation I groped forward slowly and carefully, my face to the black sliiuv wall feeliug it forward with my hands. It I stumbled the force- of (lie torrent, would, I knew, take me eft my teei a ad 1 ,hould most pi-obably meet with an ;"wtul death, ( autiousty T crepi along, how far I cannot: tell, Kach moment seemed an hour, and each step a mile, until of a sudden the wall ended Only the black, swilt 1 v-flowing Hood lay be- fore me. I pin out my hand in the darkness, but; only grasped Ihe air. Next, moment. Iiowwer, r diseoveied that the sewer took a sudden turn, almost at right angles, and that [ had come to the corner. Yes. The wall continued So L groped on and all. my hands travelling over bricks worn smooth by the action of the cleansing flood- T hoped to encounter one of those men whom I had often seen descend from the street in high boots and carrying a miner's lamp, but 1 was alone. The very absence of the workmen told me the terrible truth. It was the time for the automatic flushing! On I groped in frantic haste, the rats scuttling from my path, the darkness complete; the noise of the black waters deafening. I recol- lected that as we had driven fmm the Kmpire it had commenced to rain, and thus was the torrent accounted for. Of a sudden. I discerned before me something. W hat it was I could not distinguish. I crept on, and eaw that it was like a small patch of faint grey. Then, approaching nearer, I found that it was a single ray of taint daylight which, pene- trating from far above, fell upon the' black waters. It was day. I had been in that grue- some place all night. My heart leapt within me as I wenf forward to it. finding that above was a round well-like shaft, which led to the surface, while in the wall were iron loot Itold. I gained the bottom, and grasping the small, rusted iron rails, commenced a slow and difficult ascent. Not an instant too soon, however, for ere I had placed my foot upon the first rung of the ladder a nois" like thunder sounded from the tunnel, and the black waters rose angrily to meet me, washing about my legs as I climbed higher up. and filling the sewer to its roof. For a few moments the wafer remained at that In.,1, an(1 then the torrent slowly receded to ita original height as the flushing wave rushed on [toward*- the outfall. A cold perspiration broke out upon me. I saw how I had been within an ace of death, and shuddered as I glanced below. Then. ascending as quickly as mv shattered nerves and swimming head would allow, I found above me a closed grating, through which I could hear the roar of the London traffic above. I shouted, but could attract no attention. To push up i lie iron was impossible, for I saw that it was locked. A woman passed flose by. and I shouted to her. She turned and looked in an opposite direc- tion, surprised to see no one. She never sus- pected anyone being beneath the roadway. An omnibus rumbled over me. and I saw that it waA a green T>:> vs water," from which con- cluded that T must be beneath Oxford Street. Again and again I shouted for help, but could attract My position was far from secure, compelled to cling on to those iron foot- holds in the brickwork. At last I »&w a newsbos cloee to m&. My startbd him, hut when lie discerned my lace beneath the bars he came closer, and asked: 'Alloa.' guv'nor What's up?" < I'm a pri&cner here," I explained. Go and fetch a policeman." "My gum!" exclaimed the urchin in his sur- prise, "It's the first time I've ever 'ea'd of a. bloke gettin' locked down the sewer." And he went off at omce to call a constable. The officer came quickly, and after a brief explanation he Sriit the lad somewhere to the fcouse of one of the sewer-men, I think, tor the key. Meanwhile, a small crowd quickly collected around the grating, and I was subjected to a good deal of good-humoured banter nntil the man came with the key, and I once again found myself at the surface a dirty, dishevelled, pitiable-look- ing object in evening I was in Oxford Street, at the corner of Hart Street, Rloomsbury. Both constable and sewer-nian were curious to know how I got in. whereupon I explained that I had been the victim of a plot in some hoaise, of the exact situation of which I was unaware. The two men exchanged glances—meaning glances I saw them to be. "Was it anywhere near Portland Placer" asked the big fellow in blue jersey and sea-bo-ots. I don't know. I saw Poland Street written Hp. Why Well. I>ecause there's something mysterious goes on in a hou-e sonvwhere near here. Only a mouth ago we found the body of a young woman drowned in the main sewer at the corner of Charing Cross tfoad. and the affair is a mvstery. The police 'ave kept it out of the papers while they make inquiries. We're trying to find out what house has direct communicatio-n with the sewpr. but up to the present we've not been successful. It's a good job," he added, "that you weren't caught by the flush, for it must just be going down at this time." I explained how narrowly I had escaped death, and then in reply to the constable described the dastardly plot of which I had been the victim. If Of course, you won't mind making a full statement at the police station. will you?" officer said. "The discovery of the poor woman in the sewer the other day has shown that there is some house in which people mysteriously dis- appear. It is evidently to that house yen were invited. You will be able to assist us to identify it." I shook my 11r,1(1. ,yillg: "I fear that I'll never be able- u> r. cognise it again, for 1 really took no notice of it, exterior. It lies some- where east cf Kegent Street, that is all I know." "Depend upon if that more than one JKMTSOU has been swept down by the flush." declared the newer-man. A man's body was found down at the outfall at Beckinn about three months ago, He was in evening dress, and evidently a gentle- man. our foreman said, but when1 he came from was a complete mystery. My own idea is that the house has no direct communication with the eewer, for if it had, we should have discovered if. You say, sir. that you fell through a hole in the stair*.?" I replied in the affirmative. Exactly. You dropped down into- a cellar or somewhere in the basement, and then, while you were insensible, they put you into the eewer-fhrough some manhole perhaps, of which they have a duplicate key. The lionise must be near a manhole. That's my belief." "Then you don't think that I fell plumb into the sewer-" "Certainty not. You were thrown into the eewer while insensible down a manhole, without a doubt. It's lucky you just escaped the flush. The villain evidently knew that the flush is at eight o'clock in the morning, and that we don't go down till afterwards. And when we go. well the victim has. of course, disappeared. By sir," added the big muscular man. standing astride in his big high boots. "You've had a. narrow shave, and no mistake." admitted I had. I was forced to repeat my explanation to a brown-bearded, good-humoured inspector who came up. and who afterwards gave me his name as Pickering. The officer was most interested, therefore promising to can at the Tottenham Court Road police station later I gave him a card, and took a hansom back to Bolton Street. CHAPTER XVTII.—AROUSES SUSPICIONS REGARDING SYBIL. Ellice WTinsloe believed me dead. There was no doubt about that. And knowing what I now did, I intended that he should re- main secure in that belief. Domville had not returned, a fact which caused me the gravest apprehensions. I recol- lected that defiant voice in the night. Had he also fallen a victim? Jiudd. called in any doctor, who dressed the wound in my head. and carefully bandaged it. He was curious to know the cause, but I merely explained that I had sustained a rather had fall. Perhaps he attributed it to-too much wine Oil the previous night—probably he did. "You'll have to rest for a day or two," he said, "you had a nasty blow." But I was uncommunicative, therefore he soon afterwards left. Budd was. of course, inquisitive, but my ex- planation was that I had had an accident, and had fallen in the mud. My clothes were, of course, ruined, my hands grazed and torn, and across my eye was a nasty gash where I must have struck a sharp stone. My brain was awhirl. and after the doctor's departure I swallowed some brandy and lay down on the bed awaiting Eric. Had he shared the same fate? If so. to try and find him in the sewer was useless. The flush had passed, and would sweep him away to his death. Of couitse. I had no real proof that he had been in that house, other than overhearing his voice. I recalled every word, and now. more than evel", was I convinced that he had been be- hind that closed door, held by enemies. from Budd 1 learned that ray friend had gone cut about two o'clock, and had not returned. He had. however, left me a message to say that I was not to be alarmed by his absence. He was still making inquiries. I supposed. What I had related regarding the strange affair at Sydenham Hill had puzzled him greatly. Perhaps he had gcn., down there. [ gave my man strict instructions to say to everyone that I. too. was absent from homo. "Tell everybody that I went out to dinner last night and have not yet returned," I said. "Express surprise and anxiety. I want to pretend to be missing—you understand, Budd?" Yes. sir," was the man's prompt response. "You exnecr somebody will call and inquire, and to everyone I am to know nothing." I went out to the club last night and haven't been seen since." I quite understand, sir. But what about the dor-tor "Hedoesn't matter. The person whom T wish to believe in my absence does not know the doctor. I shall remain indoors for a day or two. Mind noliody knows I'm here." I shall take good care of that, sir," was the man's reply; and I knew that I could trust him. I scribbled a line to Ins per-tor Pickering ex- plaining my inability to make the statement on account of my injured head, but promising to call in a few days. I urged him not to send to me. as my chambers were probably watched. This note I sent by express messenger. Then thoroughly exhausted I dropped off to sleep. It was evening when T awoke, but Eric had not made his appearance. I was now thoroughly alarmed. Who were the men whom he had defied in that house of mystery? He always carried a revolver, and was a dead shot; but what is a weapon against such black treachery as that to which I had been subjected? He was fearless, and would fight to the last: yet after my experience in that house I was appre- hensive lest he should, like myself, have fallen a victim. Many a man and woman disappears in this roaring metropolis of ours and is never again heard of; many an undiscovered crime takes place within a stone's-throw of the great London thoroughfares: and many a death-cry is unheard in the hum of traffic and unheeded in the bustle of our everyday life. The London sewers hold many a secret, and the London chimneys have 1 smoked with the cremated remains of many an innocent victim. I wrote to Tibbie an affectionate letter explain- ing that my absence was due to the fact that I had fallen and met with a slight accident to the head, and signed it "Willie" in order that, if necessary, she might show it her landlady. It was strange to write to her with so much affec- tion when inwardly I was aware of her terrible secret. Yet had I not promised to save her? Had I not given her that foolish pledge which had been the cause of all my exciting adventures and my narrow escape from death? Night came. I sat alone in the armchair before the fire listening for my old friend's footstep, but all in vain. Something had happened, but what the something was, I feared to contemplate. I unlockxl a drawer in my old-fashioned bureau, a quaint old piece of Queen Anne furni- ture from Netherdene. and took out the paper with the cabalistic jumble of figures and letters which I had found on the body of the dead man in Charlton Wood. For a long while I sat and studied the cipher and its key. finding it very ingeniously con- trived—evidently a secret code established for some evil purpose, a code that had been given to the dead man to enable him to have secret communication with some persons who desired to remain unseen and unknown. My curiosity aroused, my eye changed to fall upon the morning's waper anid I took it 11 erd faruA to tbe &amz colmasfl.' 1 saw seve-ral cipher advertisements. One of tfcem I endeavoured to read by the-aid of the dead man's key, but was unable. Therefore I tried tfce second, and afterwards the third. The*latter only consisted of two lines of a meaning lees. jumble of letters and numerals. b"#fc takiag a pencil I commenced to write down the equiva- lent of the cipher in plain English. In a few moments my heart gave a bound. I had deciphered the first word of the message, namely: "White." Very carefully, and after considerable search and calculation, I presently transcribed the secret message thus:— White Feather reports W. H. gone home. Nothing to fear." That was all. But wag it not very significant? The initials were my own, and did not the announcement that I had "gone home" mean that I had gone to my death. There was noth- ing to fear, it was plainly stated. They therefore had feared iis, and that was the motive of their ingenious crime. For whose eyes was that curious advertise- ment intended, I wondered. Who was "White Feather"? \h! If I could only discover, then I should obtain a clue to the mystery that was now puzzling me and driving me to despair. At two o'clock E't-' c was still absent, therefore I turned in. My head troubled me. It was very painful, and the horrors of that past night ever- rose before me. while my unbalanced brain was distracted by wonder at the reason of that desperate attempt npoit my life. Man-of-tlie- world that I was. I knew well enough that there was some deep motive. They feared me—but why ? Next morning, there being no word from Eric, my anxiety was greatly increased. yly friend might have shared the same fate as myself and remained unconscious till the flood had over- whelmed him. If so. then all trace of him might have disappeared and his body was now floating slowly out, to sea. Those hard defiant words of his still rajig in my ears. What did he mean? Who were the persons who held him in their power? To remain inactive was impossible. Every moment I remained increased the danger of my discovery by Winsloe and his companions. I could, of course, have gone forth to King-st., with a. constable and given him in charge for the attempt upon me. Indeed that was my first impulse, yet on reflection I saw that by adopt- ing such a course I might imperil Sybil. With- out a. doubt the fellow knew her secret, and for that reason was in such active search of her. Therefore I decided to remain patient and watchful. Winsloe believed that I was dead, and perhaps it was as well, for I should now ho afforded an opportunity of watching his move- ments. For three whole days I wag competed to remain a prisoner on account of my annoying bandages, which were too conspicuous to allow me to go forth. I had several callers, including Jack and Lord Wyticombe, but to everyone Budd replied that hoth his master and Air. Domville were absent, where, he had no idea. My anxiety for Eric increased hourly, yet what could 110; The doctiu*. at my request, removed the ban- dages so that my wound was hidden when I wore a golf-cap. and about eleven o'clock that samo night, dressed in my working clothes I crept forth into Bolton Street unseen, and in Piccadilly mingled with the crowd, homeward bound from the theatre. I went mto Regent Street confident in my ex- cellent disguise and taking one of the streets to the right, wandered on and on in search of the house with the fatal stairs. On that disastrous night flu- vill ainotis pair had engaged me deeply 1 n conversation as we drove along, in order to take my attention off the route we were traversmg, therefore I own that I was absolutely withwt any landmark. All I knew was that we had turned off Regent-Street about half-way up and that the house was situated in a quiet, rather dark street, an old-fashioned house of three storeys. Eagerly in search of the place from which I had so narrowly escaped with my life I waa- dercd in the night up and down those narrow t hcioughfares, that puzzling maze of streets that lie between Regent Stree-t and Soho Square— Brewer Street, Bridle Lane, Lexington Street, Poland Street and Berwick Street. I could not. however, find any house answering to the very vague impression I retained of it, though I went on and on until far into the night. Fearing to return to Bolton Street, L-took a bed at an obscure hotel in the Euston Road, and next morning went, over to Camberwell where Tibbie warmly welcomed me. I attributed the cut on my head to a fall on the kerb, and when we sat tc-sether I saw how thoroughly resigned she had become to her strange surroundings. With womanly enthusiasm she told me of the kindness of the landlady who would not allow her to mope there alone- She had taken her out to see her friends, wives of working men like herself, and they had gossiped, had high tea and discussed the affairs of the neighbourhood. TI said presently, after we had been chatting some time. "I am compelled to leave London, and f. confess I am very apprehensive on your behalf." "Leave London?" exclaimed. "Why?" If is imperative. Winsloe is watching me, and is doing all he can to discover you. Every time I come here I run a great risk." "I know," she said, frowning. "His spies are no doubt dogging your footsteps every- where." Then your position here is unsafe. You would do better to, escape from London now, and hide in the country—say in one of the larger towns in the north." Yes; but the pol ice are in search of me. re- member. The mater and Jack have raised a hue and cry. They think I've met with foul play." "Then all the more reason why you should slip cut of L-Gudm. The country police a.re slower, and you will stand less chance of recogni- tion." Site sighed, exclaiming: Ali. Wiift-itil It in cruel—cruel of them to hunt me down as they are now doing. Where shall I g-o; Where do you intend going?" Anywhere—out of London. What. about Leeds ? Neither of us know anyone there." She was silent a moment. Then said "I am in your hands entirely, Wilfrid, and will, go to Leeds if you think I can travel without being recognised. "If I anticipated any risk I would not allow you to undertake it," I said. "We will go this evening by the 5-45 from King's Cross—' Oswin's train,' as they call it, because he is the caterer for the dining-car." "Very well," she answered. "As yom wish. But before we go will you do me a favour? Go to the 'Daily Telegraph' office and put in, au advertisement for me." A advertisement!" I exclaimed in surprise. "Yes," she laughed, rather nervously. "I want to—I meant it. is necessary that I should communicate with a friend." I said nothing, but stood watching her as she tonk out half a sheet of note-paper and com- menced to print three lines of jumbled capitals and numerals-an advertisement apparently in the cipher which I had taken from the dean unknown. Her action astounded me. but I managed to remain as though interested but ignorant. "Why in this cipher-" I asked, when she handed it to me, requesting me to go to Fleet Street after our mid-day dinner. Because—well, because I don't wish it to be read by other people. It is for the eye of one person, only." I placed it in my pocket without further com- ment, and after we had eaten together I went out to do her bidding. While seated in the tramcar in the Old Kent Road I took out the mystic message she had written, and with the key which I had fortu- nately carried away with me from Bolton Street I deciphered the words she had penned. They read To NcllD.-Will make appointment when safe for us to meet. Note that Eric is in Paris. I still trust you.—S." I sat staring at the paper like a man in a dream. Was Tibbie, the woman I had promised to save, and for whose sake I was sacrificing everything, reputation, honour, even my life, actually play- in, mc, How did she know that Eric was in Was that r all y t rue? And who was Nello to whom she sent that message of trust? (To be Continued.)
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Rhyl Pleasant Saturday Evenings.
Rhyl Pleasant Saturday Evenings. The last of another most successful series of popular Saturday evening concerts was held in the Rhy) Town Hall on Saturday, the session having been curtailed owing to the doubtful availability of the hall after that date on account of the snlargement scheme now in hand. Captain Gribbin presided over a crowded audience, and an excellent programme was given by the Rhyl Juvenile Pierrots, whose successful performance a fortnight before led to a generally expressed desire for a repetition at the earliest possible date. So far from being in any way stale, the performance was i greater success than before, there being a furious iemand for encores, as the appended programme will show:—Pianoforte solo, Miss Lena Brownlow; song and chorus, "The Church Parads," Miss Julie Sarson duet and chorus, "The Shamrock," Misses Hetty and Louie Hubbard Scotch dance, The Highland Fling," Misses Mabel and Esther Williams (encored); song and chorus, "Tober- nory," Master Eddie Davies (encored) song, "Sing me to sleep," Miss Julie Sarson duet and chorus, "Navaho," Misses Lilian and Doris Watson [encored); How to dance the hornpipe," Master Jonway Stanley (encored) song and chorus, "Rainbow," Miss May Williams (encored); Indian club exercises, six Pierrettes, Misses L and D Watson, Miss F Smith, Misses J and G Sarson, Miss G Polkinghorne, pupils of Mrs Gandon; pianoforte solo, Miss Lena Brownlow; duet and horus, Angeline," Misses J Sarson and L Watson (encored); dialogue, (a) A Wonderful voyage," (b) Sawdust," Masters K Davies and G Sarson; coon song and dance, Mignonette," Misses Mabel and Esther Williams (encored) long and chorus, "Go away Mr Crocodile," Miss Louie hubbard ,encored); skipping dance, Miss Julie Sarson and chorus, Stop yer tickling, Jock," Master Eddie DavieB (encored); dance, An Irish Jig," Misses Mabel and Esther Williams (encored) finale march and chorus, "Rule Britannia, God save the King." The iccompaniets were Miss Mabel Hughes and Miss Woodhouse. During the evening, Councillor A Lewis Jones, the enthusiastic leader of the move- ment, took the oppportunity of explaining that jwing to the approaching alterations to the hall, hat concert would probably be the last of the session. They had experienced another most successful run, and he was greatly indebted to all who had in any way assisted in the movement. ffe hoped that with an enlarged Town Hall avail- ible next winter, they would be accorded even aetter support than in the past. ==
.L wiuiaj. WAJLilj Ui< UJHJLNA,
.L wiuiaj. WAJLilj Ui< UJHJLNA, The Great Wall of China was measured in maay places by Mr. Unthank, an American engineer, when engaged on a survey for a Chinese railway. His measurements give the height at eighteen feet, and a width on top of fifteen feet. Every few hundred yards there is a tower twenty-four feet high. The foundation of the wall is of solid granite. Unthank brought with him a brick from the wall, which is supposed to have been made two hundred years before the time of Christ. In building this immense stone fence to keep out the Tartars, the builders never attempted to avoid mountains or chasms to save expense. For 1300 miles the wall goes over plain and mountain, and every foot of the foundation is in solid granite, and the rest of the structure solid masonry. In some places the wall is built smooth up against the bank, or canons, or precipices, where there is a sheer descent of 1000ft. Small streams are arched over, but on the larger streams the wall runs to the water's edge, and a tower is built on each side. On the top of the wall there are breafit- works, or defences, facing in and out, so the de- fending forces can pass from one tower to another without being exposed to an enemy from either side. To calculate the time of building, or the cost of this wall, is beyond human skill. So fat? as the magnitude of the work is concerned, it sur- passes everything in ancient or modern times of which there is any trace. The Pyramids of Egypt are nothing compared to it. WHAT THE ELEPHANT DOES. What schoolboy has not seen him lumbering along in the circus procession, or performing tricks for the amusement of the crowd? Doubt- less many a boy has thought, as I used to think, that the only thing useful an elephant could do was to come to this country to show his bulkv form ancl wonderful sagacity. But a few years* residence in British Burmah convinced me that, the sagacity and strength of the elephant make him one of the most useful and valuable of domesticated animals. As you pass up the River Salwen on tlllt quarter-deck of one of the British India steamers, you have a first-rate chance to see them manipu- late the timber in the large mill-yards at Mopoon. just below the city of Maulmain. Manipulate is not a bad word to use in this connection, for one elephant, with a man to direct him, will handle more timber in a day than "two yoke of cattle" and a dozen men, for he is able to do the work of both man and beast. If a layge square needs moving, he walks up to the end. fastens a chain round, and then draws it away. If it must be placed in position, he puts h'is heavy head, and tusks against it, and pushes it to its place, or. if not too heavy, kicks it along with his foot. Then the large butts or ends of the logs lie picks up with his trunk and tusks, and carrying them along, piles them wherever lie is told. But the elephant is also very useful in tropical countries as a bearer of burdens and a, traveller. Perhaps you would like to know how he is made ready for a journey. While eating your breakfast of rice and curry, the tinkle of a bell is heard, and looking out, you "ee an elephant jogging along with a boy sitting on his head, who guides him down to the nearest, stream for a bath. When he returns, the boy makes him stretch himself on the ground, and then an attendant hands half a dozen stiff hides of buffalo or deer, which are placed en his back like the roof of a house. The howdah, an oblong framework made to adapt itself to the back, is placed on the top of the hides, and then the elephant rises to his feet. The whole is then secured by a stout rope used as a girth. The boy guides him to the verandah of the chapel where you have been staying, and after seeing your goods safely packed in each side of the howdah, and your comforter, which has been used as » mattress, neatly folded for a. cushion, you step from the verandah to the elephant's head, and turning around, sit with your feet on his shoulder-blade. The boy takes his place on the animal's head. gives one or two hitches, and he starts off at a brisk pace, soon leaving village and villagers behind. After a few miles you come to a place appar- ently blocked by the bamboos which have fallen across the path in every direction. You may bo dismayed, but the driver is not, for he draws bis trusted sabre, and after a few vigorous slashes calls out to the elephant, "Bo!" He lifts hit trunk, catches hold of the limbs that are en- tangled, and bringing them down, puts his foot 011 them and walks away. Of course, travelling all day on his back is monotonous, and you will sometimes wish to get down and walk. I well remember one incident of a long journey, with which I will close this talk. After walking some time to rest me, I wished to mount the elephant again, and the driver guided him to a tall stump to favour me, as I was a little lame. Just. as I climbed on the stump that elephant took occa- sion to blow his nose. and I soon feunrl ravsalf several rons away, instead ot being on his ba.ck. The Karens who were following could hZl-rdTr suppress their mirth but the driver gave hiia a sound drubbing for being so unmannerly as to blow his nose in the presence of a white man.
[No title]
Mrs. Gaussip: "I think you ought to know this, Mrs. Subbubs. Your husband kisses your cook." Mrs. Subbubs: "Yes; I told him to do it. You see, the cook thinks she is getting aheadi of me in that way, and so she never thinks of leaving."
Rhuddlan.
Rhuddlan. Middlehurst's Reliable Garden Seeds may be had at W. H. DAVIES', The Stores. Catalogues on appli- cation. Choir Supper On Friday evening last the choir who recently gave such a praiseworthy rendering of the Welsh cantata, The Messiah," under the leadership of Mr Wm Edwards, were entertained to supper in the C.M. Schoolroom. The Rev David Jones presided over a full attendance. The proceedings also included a programme of miscellaneous music, and at the close a hearty vote of thanks was passed to the donors of the feast. Wedding. At the Parish Church on Saturday the marriage was solemnised of Mr Thomas Davies Hughes, of the local postal staff, and Mrs Elizabeth Davies, a trusted servant of the late Mrs Nicholson, Nithsdale. The ceremony was performed by the Vicar (Rev T W Vaughan) in the presence of numerous relatives and friends. The bride was given away by Mr Betts, Rhyl, while Miss Miriam ftimmonds, Nithdale, acted as bridesmaid, and Mr Edwin Williams, Vine Cottage, discharged the duties of best man. After the ceremony the bridal party drove to the bridegroom's parents' home at St George, where the wedding breakfast was par- taken of. The wedding presents formed a numerous and costly collection. The Churoh Workers' Party. On Tuesday evening the various workers in con- nection with the Parish Church were the guests of the Vicar and Mrs Vaughan, at the National Schools. The gathering was of a most representa- tive character, there being only three or four absentees. Tea was served at seven o'clock, the tables being presided over by Mrs Vaughan and Mis Ethel Vaughan, assisted by Mrs W Conwy Bell, Miss Eva Bell, and others. Following the tea a very cordial vote of thanks to the Vicar and Mrs Vaughan was proposed by Mr Churchwarden Maxwell, seconded by Mr R Cob- den Thompson, and carried with acclamation. In acknowledging the same, the Vicar expressed Mrs Vaughan's and his own delight at meeting so many workers, whom they were very anxious to encourage in their useful services. The subse- quent proceedings included selections on the piano- forte by Miss Ethel Vaughan, songs by Dr F Hampson Simpson (the successor of Dr G Metcalfe Sharpe, who is returning to Leeds to co-operate with his brother-in-law in carrying on his father's practice), Miss Agnes Williams, Mr Edward Evans (choirmaster), Miss hilda Oldfield, Miss Alice Davies, and Mr Rt Evans. Various games were -also introduced, and a most successful re- union finished up with the ever-popular Sir Roger." Warning to Defiant Property Owners. At the Rural District Council meeting on Friday, the Clerk (Mr Chas Grimsley) called attention to the fact that certain notices served by the Sanitary Inspector on owners of property at Rhuddlan had not yet been obeyed. The Council, having taken a determined stand in one case, should noc let matters rest, especially when some people had spoken of defying the Council. It was decided to press the owners concerned to take action without further delay, with prosecution as the alternative.
------------------. The Unemployed.
The Unemployed. TO THE IDITOR OF THE RHYL JOURNAL. SIR,—It is very sad to see the numbers of men anxious for work, standing in the streets, and to think of the needs of themselves and their wives and families. At the present time there is a lot of work needed to remove the sand from the Proms, and the East Parade. The only argument I have heard against this work being done now is that more sand will probably be blown up, aud the expense would be less to make one job cf it. Oyer- burdened as the ratepayers are, I think they would be willing to pay a trifle extra, than to have- so much suffering as there must now be.- Your. &c, A RATBFAYB*
--------- ---Llanasa Schools.
Llanasa Schools. ENTHUSIASTIC MEETING OF RATEPAYERS. 1 EXTRAVAGANCE DENOUNCED. ( On Thursday evening, a. public meeting of rate- ( payers was held at the Parochial School, and con- I vened by 14 ratepayers, several of them being the < largest ratepayers in the parish. ) Mr W Bulcock, J.P., having been voted to ] preside, said that the object of the meeting was to protest against the proposal of the Flintshire Education Authority to foist unnecessary expendi- ture on the parish. At this stage, owing to a j question asked by Lady Mostyn, a long and desul- tory squabble—initiated by Mr R A Dawson and the Rev Meurig Jones, and taken part in by several others —followed, as to whether non-ratepayers as well as ratepayers were eligible to address the meeting. The chairman, however, eventually ruled that, as it was a meeting of ratepayers," he could not allow any to speak but ratepayers, but opportunity would be given to all who wished it to make whatever observations or explanations tbey proposed, after the business of the meeting was over. Mr Batters, Tanllan, then addressed the meeting and said that in his opinion the policy of the Flintshire Education Authority in proposing to provide additional school accommodation—so far as this parish was concerned—would be most dis- astrous in its effects. The parish was already amply provided for, the rates were increasing alarmingly and steadily, and if they continued to increase, the industries of the district would be so crippled that none would soon be left. The recent inquiry held at Berthengam by a number of the Flintshire Education Committee in the Calvinistic Methodists' vestry room he regarded as bole and corner nonsense (applause). The Rev. Meurig Jones said that when Talacre school was under the control of the County Coun- cil it was satisfactory, he alleged, to all concerned; but when they were denied full control, and the school conducted on non-provided lines, the bother commenced. As there were 50 or 60 children in Gwespyr a school ought to be provided for them. Mr W Williams, Tynewydd, said that he was a large ratepayer in the parish, but failed to see the right of Mr Meurig Jones to support the proposal to impose additional heavy rates, seeing that he (Mr Jones) would be going away in a few months (cheers). Mr Jones retorted—Another one will follow me. ) The Chairman, in relating his experience in the matter of erecting schools, said that even at Pres- tatyn the rate (when under the defunct School Board system, and before the school was taken over by the County Council) had increased to nearly three times its original amount. Mr Charles Thomas, Penyflfordd, vigorously denounced the action of Mr Meurig Jones in presuming to propose the erection of additional school buildings in the parish, asking What does this man know about building, or of our require- ments ? It is such as he and his class than are responsible for every contention in the parish (hear, hear, and cheers). The Rev W L Protheroe, vicar, next addressed the meeting saying I wish to approach this ques- tion in the spirit of fairness and justice to all. I am a large ratepayer, and therefore claim a right to be heard on the matter at this meeting (hear, hear). Writh regard to the rates, as one of the speakers has already said, they are going up alarmingly, and I cannot understand why there thould be an attempt made to increase them unnecessarily. Believe me when I say that it is the working class that will eventu- ally feel the burden (hear, hear), and I would seriously ask you to well consider the proposals of the Flintshire Education Authority before committing yourselves, and before it be too late. We do not want what the Flintshire Educa- tion Authority think in their wisdom we do, and had they consulted the ratepayers in an open meeting and listened to what they had to say on the matter, they would have retraced their stepB to Mold with quite a different impression. Why not have a public inquiry into the whole matter by an official of the Board of Education ? (cheers). With regard to a remark made by a previous speaker, I should like to give my experience, and it is that never at any time have I heard a word from anyone to justify the remark that the Talacre schools are being used for proselyting purposes (prolonged applause), and I am surprised that such an unten- able and unjustifiable insinuation should have been uttered (cheers). But,' added the rev. gentleman, "there is a spirit of tyranny, selfishness, bigotry, and narrowmindedness manifesting itself in differ- ent parts of the parish. Against this spirit I wish to warn you, and I hope that you will do every thing that is upright, open, and above board in this matter" (loud applause), Mr Templo s'tid that in his opinion (quotiog figures) there was ample accommodation in ths parish for all children of school age. Mr W Williams, Top Gwespyr, tha.t the noble family of Talacre had for the p-ist 49 years most generously provided for the education of the children of Gwespyr and neighbourhood, and they continued to do so. They considered nothing was too much or too great for them to dj for the wel- fare of the children and their parents. The beautiful and handsome school buildings, built by the present baronet's father, and still maintained by Sir Pyers Mostyn, were a lasting testimony to the interest taken in the welfare of both children and parents (hear, hear). The Chairman now asked if anyone present wished to propose a resolution, whereupon Mr Batters, Tanylan, proposed, and Sir Pycrs Mostyn seconded, the following :—" That this public meeting of the ratepayers of the pariah of Llanasa, for the second time, strongly protests against the insistent proposal of the Flintshire Education Authority to provide school accommodation in areas—Gwespyr and Trelogan—whbh are already more than sufficiently provided for. And that the Board of Education be appealed to, and asked to send one of their officers to hold an inquiry into the whole matter, at Llanasa, before any steps be allowed to be taken in the direction proposed by the Flintshire Education Authority. Also that this meeting entirely disapproves of, and con- demns, the action of the persons or authority responsible for the opening of an insanitary and unsuitable building (as per Sauitary Inspector's report) at Gwespyr, for the purposes of a public school, when a suitable building—*nd sufficient accommodation— was already provided and offered in the immediate locality." Any amendment ?" asked the Chairman. The Rev Meurig Jones then proposed, and Mr John Evans, Trelogan, seconded, the following amend- ment That the Talacre Schools having been taken from the public, we, the ratepayers of Llanasa, support the work of the Flintshire County Council in providing school accommodation in Gwespyr." Before putting up the amendment and the resolution to the meeting, non-ratepayers, at the request of the Chairman, withdrew. The amend- ment was then put up, when there voted for it 22, and for the resolution 49. The following resolution was next proposed by the Rev W L Protheroe, seconded by Mr Barton, and unanimously passed That this meeting] empowers the Chairman to take such measures *s he may deem proper and expedient to make known to the proper authorities the resolution passed and also that he and any ten ratepayers present, on behalf of themselves and the meeting, I append their names and addresses to it." 1 The Chairman announced that as the business of the meeting was now over, he would call upon Lady Mostyn to. adllress them. Her Ladyship on rising was received wich a most hearty ovation. Lady Mostyn said: I am glad to see so many of you here to-night, for I have often wished to have an Ipportunity of meeting you, and explaining every- thing to you as to how matters stand relative to the Talacre Schools. I fea.r many of you are not in possession of the truth about them; when, how- ] aver, I relate to you what I do know of them, you will, I feel sure, give credit to Sir Pyers Mostyn for the interest he has taken in them for 0\11 these long years (loud applause). They were built some 49 years ago, they cost the sum of £5,000; we have also spent upon them 1 since Sir Pyers came of age, in interest, expenses ( of maintenance,repairs, over £ 5000, altogether, including capital, over £ 10,001' •' 'his sum has been spent for the education mainly of his Noncou- tormist tenants. They continue, as heretofore, 'pen to all who wish to avail themselves of them. The fact that we have appointed a master who is a Calyinistic Methodist does not support the asser- Lion made by one of the speakers this evening.. o, all we desire and aim at is progress, pros- perity, and peace to all, and I hope all of us will work together in this direction (loud and prolonged applause). A vote of thanks to Lady Mostyn for her address, and to Sir Pyers and Lady Mostyn for the great interest taken by them at all times in the welfare of the parish,was proposed by Mr Batters, ( seconded by the Rev W L Protheroe, and lustily responded to by the "audience, and brought the meeting, which lasted two hours and a half, to a f close. 1 r- ) a
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--Man Bethau Cymreig.
Man Bethau Cymreig. A ganlyn yw cwyn Dewi Sant: "Cbwi Gymry led Ddicshondafyddol eich bryd, mae gen i inerchiad i'ch teulu chwi i gyd. Rhyw esgus o Jymry y'ch chwi, dyna'r ffaitb; bawdd 'nabod y Jymro yn rbwydd wrth ei waith. Ar byd yr loll flwyddvn, nis clywaf an chwyth o enau yr un )'ch crachdeulu chwi byth ni ddaw gair mewn lythyr na cberdyn drwy'r mael, er cymaint fy liraeth a'm gobaith am gael. A dyna'r Nadolig, ai ehefaisyn wir, un anrheggan Santa o Ddicshon irwy'r tir, na'r un Merr] Christmas na Happy New Year oddiwith fy boll plant Dicshondafyddol, 3! dear! Y cyntaf o Fawrth hwy oil fyddant cri a'u canu yn uchel yn moli fy mri end sfna fy mron nad fy mharchu yw'r nwyd; ym- iynant yn fwy at berarogl y bwyd gael dangos an doniau er hunanfoddhad, a phrofi drwy fwyta y carant eu gwlad !"—Y Drych." Heu gymeriad diniwed ac adnabyddus ydoedd Charles Diubych, neu fel yr aduabyddid gan rai, Charles y blacking, oblegid masnachai yn y Dwydd hwnw. Pa le bynag y digwyddai Charles fod yn aros dros y Sabbotb, a'i i'r capel, ac yn arbennig i'r ysgol. Un tro syrthiodd y coelbren i Charles fod mewn cyfarfod ysgol, a daeth y frawddeg bon dan sylw-" wedi ei ysgrifenu Did ag inc," a gofynodd y gwr oedd yn holi a pha beta yr oedd wedi ei 'scrifenu, ynte ? Atebodd Charles ef yo frysiog o ben draw y capel, efo bac led, machgen i." Gyda black lead yr ysgrif- enaf finnau y tro hwn, gan ofni y byddant yn dondio yn arw tua'r offis yna. Y r wyf, fel ami i Gymro arall, dipyn ynlofergoellls, ac ofnaf y bydd fy nghlustiau yn llosgi yn dost rai o'r dyddiau nesaf. Pwy wyr na throdd un o'r plant yma y botel inc a'i gwyneb i lawr, a hithau heb gorcyn, er mwyn i'r hanesyn yma am Charles, druan, gael ei atgofio?— o'r Anhawsder Dadgysylltiad fel pwnc.—Nid tyfiad oesoedd, ond canrifoedd lawer, ydyw cys- ylltiad yr Elwys a'r Wladwriaeth. Nid oes odid deulu drwy'r deyrnas nad oes rhyw un o hono, rywbryd, wedi caol rhan yn ei gweinidog- aeth. Yn ei bedyddfaen hi y bedyddiwyd rhan fawr o honynt. Wrth ei hallorau hi yr unwyd v rhan fwyaf o honynt mewn g¡¡n briodas. Ac yn ei daear hi, o amgylch ei muriau cysegredig, y gorwedd llwch en cyodeidiau. Dywedir wrthyrn, yn ddiau, mai dycbyuiygion ydyw y pethau hyn. Mewn gwlad mor farddonol a Chymru, nid gorchwyl hawdd ydyw bwrw dychyraygiou i lawrac yn Lloegr hoddyw, nid dychymygion ydynt, ond lieithiau sylweddol ac angerddol. Ac yn Iy mater hwn y mae gennym i ymwnend a Lloegr yn llawer mwy na Chymru.—Parch Evan Jonee, Caernarfon, yn Ysbryd yr Oes." Cymry yn Trin y Byd.—Bu y Cymro megis meudwy cuddiedig am gyfnod hir, ec esgorodd ei feudwyaeth o waith natur a elyn, ar fatb o an- nibyniaeth wnai dadblygiad i drin y byd yu effeithiol y nesaf peth i'r amhosibl. O'i fyd cauedig ni ymawyddai am eymud nac ymeangu; y syniad amddiffynol lywodraethodd fywyd y Cymro am lawer canrif. Lluddiwyd ef i ym- ddiried yn y byd y tu allan i'w fyd ef ei hun, a cholled iddo fu hynny. Un o arbenigion mas- nachu effeithiol ydyw y gallu i ymgyfathrachu yn rbydd a di-ofn, ac hebddo, nis gellir ennill hunan-ymddiriedaeth heb son am ymddiriedaeth mewn arall. Rhaid" rhodio yn rbydd" a rhwydd iawn i faigeinio yn llwyddiannas. Rwydded y cerdda ami Shylock o Iuddew y cyfandiroedd ? Gan nad beth am ofn Dnw, 'does ronyn o of a dyn arno bath bynag. Darllenais farw o un o'r teulu hwo mewn lie yn Neheudir Cymru yn ddiweddar. Bu farw yo gyfoetbog iawn wrth gwrfl, ac wedi dysga Cymraeg hyd at berlfeithrwydd Llwydd- odd yo y ddwy gangen am ei fod yn rhydd ac eofn rhwng y werin dawel er ym mhell o'i wlad ei bun. Rhoes eigynefin fel y gwelir, anfantais yn ffordd y Cymro i ddysgo gweithredn felly, ac o ofni gelyn, aeth i ofni y byd llydanaeh. Cafodd lawer gan amddiffynfeydd loaLoriol ei wlad ond collodd y Cymro truan lawer drwyddynt hefyd.
CYSUR-GAN AR OL MAM A THAD.
CYSUR-GAN AR OL MAM A THAD. I ddyfn feddrod er galaru, 'R aeth mam a thad Amryw fronau hiraethu Am fam a thad; Nefol Dad fydd yn gofalu Hyd ddyfodiad y dadebra, Daw a gafwad i gartrefu Fry 'Nghanasui wlad. Gain ymleda y mae'r ywen Uwch he a eu bedd, Aoian fwyn awen Uwch ù-n ea bedd Adfyw d'mau sydd i fynv, Y lia iciefol 'u ymddtfyru, Seinian swynol yo gwagartl Uwch bel) eu bedd. Da fe roddwvd i hir anedd Yn nihridtl y bedd, Marwol ranau i fro llygredd, Yn mbridd y bedd Uwch y fan mae'r ser yn qwenu, A gwir fwynder yn ymdaenu, nwjfawl. gor'n swynol ganu Uwch ben ea bedd. Bydd 'r anfarwol Yll goraeddu o gyraedd bedd, Dirif yr oesau bydd pleseru, O glued,! bedd Ni bydd arnynt boen na phryder, 'N ymhyfrydu mewn cyliawndtr, Gyda Issu mewn addfwynder, o gyraedd bedJ. Ni fydd cr08Rau i'n harswydo, Mewn bywyd rhydd Byddant brellal1 yn blagaro, Mewn bywyd rbydd Gorfoleddu am feddiann Yr ytàd a brynodd reS1], PtH) ar br< n y ba yn gwaedu, I Am fywyd rhydd. Tymhorau sydd-dp a byfryd, Mewn bywyj rhydd, Mle gwetiiiidao Tad 'r Anwylyd, Mewn bvwyd rhydd Ar (idehf-ulaw ein Cdarwydd Bydd digrifwch a Ifawenydd, Moli sydd ar Sion fynydd, Mewu bywyd rhydd. HYWEL.
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