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- 3?? _- -? I (YJ [ALL RIGHTS…
3?? -? I (YJ [ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. ] r1 S n-y'YT? 0' THE? Hl[u?lla ?x or, THE LITTLE WHITE WITCH M 101 By MADGE BARLOW, M /?\ Author of Crag Cormac," "The Cairn of the Badger," &c. /?\ I CHAPTER I. I HOW ALL THE TROUBLE BEGAN. I If Andy Bamfylde hadn't risked his life to save an unknown woman from being trampled to death by a pair of runaway horses hitched to a furniture van this tale of the love of Flyn o' the Hill would not be the tale it is, a record of the passion and the foolishness of love. It was a far cry from Andy sprawling in a Wliitechapel gutter, and Andy unconscious in a hospital ward, to Flyn in Culsheen at the back of Beyond, which lies somewhere on the western rim of Erin. But Fate, to whom distances are as Lothing, took this accident of the streets and made it the starting-point of a series of accidents seriously affecting the peace and happiness of Flyn, whose sur- name was Macara. There was no card on his person, no mark on his frayed linen. They did not know what to call him till he opened his eyes in hospital and called himself John Salter, that name being as good as another for public purposes. His native modesty shrank from contemplation of the newspaper paragraph headed "Heroic Rescue." And besides, "he did not wish his titled cousin to hear of it, for that exalted personage, and Sylvia, his wife, were Andy's pet aversions. The exalted one would be sure to blame him, and perhaps come fussing and fuming about his bed and bewailing the singular inopportune- ness of the occurrence. Lord Horace Dark-. ingtnn and he agreed best when farthest apart. lie awoke with hazy memories of a large crowd, somebody slobbering orer him, shrill f.alk of the ambulance, a glimpse of a stretcher, and a big policeman who handled him gently before he was wafted into ob- livion. As soon as lie could collect his thoughts he asked to be told the truth con- cerning his injuries, and Nure Dora Bland held his hand and obliged him, seeing that lie was not one to swallow soothing lies. His hurt, she said, was internal. An operation might benefit him or might not. At any rate, it offered a fighting ehsnce, and the other way lay death. Andy bade her send at Ol1C to an address in a fashionable quarter and inform a certain Eric Cheveral that a person named John Salter was in parlous case and wished earnestly to speak to him. Cheveral and Bamfylde were staunch com- rades who had raced together along the rose- strewn paths which tempt the feet of idle youth. They had "gone wild/' as their rela- tives phrased it, been continually out of pocket, always in scrapes laughable enough to outsiders but abhorrent to those who had to pay the piper. Their escapades, in short, were natural to young blood allowed to "gang its ain gait" without the wholesome and corrective dis- cipline of hard work. And^i"relatives cast him off, Eric's followed suit, but in the latter instance the casting off was merely force of habit, and when their tempers cooled they received him back to favour. The only one of whom Eric stocd in awe was Uncle Gideon, proudest Cheveral of them allT" a childless widower, gouty, irascible, dicta- torial, inclined to treat his heir as though he were still a child in the nursery. Andy looked forward to no fat heritage. Lorcl Darkington, the head of his house, having a yotmg and dashing wife, hoped to carry on the succession in the direct line, nor did the passing of the unfruitful years damp that ardent hope. At the time of the street accident Eric and his other self had newly returned from South I Africa, where their crazy idea of successfully running an ostrich farm had fizzled out in- gloriously. They brought homo as the result of twelve months' adventure empty pockets, a fund of animal health, a complexion like a Ka llir's owned by Andy, a beard of tawny gold owned by Eric, of which he was mightily vain. On landing in England and reviewing their position they decided that Uncle Gid and Cousin Horace should be ap- proached separately aud asked to put their unwanted and untinanced kin in the way of earning aij honest living and being a burden to nobody. b Eric's uncle promptly showed him the door, because beards were an abomination to old Gid, and Eric flatly refused to shave when offered fourpcnce and the adqress of the nearest barber. On such slight rocks did their friendship split. Andy's cousin. Horace, was on impe- cunious peer, and his wife the rather fast and extravagant daughter of an acute at- torney. Rumour said he married her in can- cellation of a debt, but rumour lied. He married for love, and was quickly dis- illusioned. Horace's scheming brain nursed a plan into which Andy fitted. As a last favour he promised to get him the stewardship of Flyn Macara's Irish property, Paradise Hill, on condition that Andy, in turn, did him a ser- vice. On learning the nature of the service Andy hemmed and halved till it was pointed out to him that beggars cannot be choosers, when he pulled a wry face and muttered that he would see what he could do. Re- member," said his lordship, "it's a sure tliiug, and if you pull it off and are faithful I'll treat you handsomely." He added craftily. Sylvia doesn't believe you will. She says you hfsve neither wit, brains, nor beauty, ind a baboon from the Zoo would serve my purpose equally badly." Your wife's generally nasty," drawled Andy, the spark in his eye assuring Horace that the gibe had put him on his mettle and made him dependable. "What if the Macara is obstinate and hold:, tight? he asked. In that case we share and share alike. I'U fix it, never fear." Brisk correspondence between Darkington and Paradise Hill refilled in Andy" 's ap- pointment, and Flyn Macara wrote briefly to him, arranging the date of his arrival, and warning him that if he didn't arrive punctually he need not arrive at all. He voted the letter "a beastly stiff 'un," and lamented his destiny. Lying on his back, bemoaning the loss of his future bread and butter, a harum-scarum idea entered his head. Why shouldn't hi" brother castaway personate hiin and fill his place till he was able to relieve him and ]]is ]I(, wa-- ib-le to ?Ci??eve ii-in --nd The Darkingtons had gone abroad, the dis- agreeable employer didn't know Andrew Bamfylde, Eric would enjoy the frolic, and if he discovered Horace's fjeheme and cared to frustrate it, why he was welcome to do so, and it would be a joke to see Horace's phiz when he found cut. These musings were interrupted by the entrance of Cheveral, curious as to the strange John Salter's reason for sending for him. At sight of the figure in the narrow bed he uttered a dismayed exclamation, and Salter raised a warning finger. "Old chap." whispered Eric, what dees this mean? \Vhy are you here under an as- sumed name? What has happened? Andy told him. a(\ charged him to keep hip knowledge to himself. "It's like you," groaned Eric, "to smash yourself to pieces for the sake of somob^y who wouldn't be missed cut o/ the world. Was there nobody CIPS of account, on the spot to play the rescuer? Man, ting most of the hard luck, and it isn't fair to me." "I'm jolly glad you aren't in ny sliooe. 'Ric. I'd hate you to have a monopoly of iirsc Dora. T'hera she is, near the door. Ever see a face so piquant, eh? She's to be mine entirely till I'm cured or coffined, and I'm determined to survive the operation if nlv for the pleasure of being tended by her." "The operation'" Eric bleached. "Is it Sf) bad as that?" Bad could be worse. I mightn't have even the fighting chance." When they call it a fighting chance it's a mighty poor one," muttered Eric. "All the same, I've a conviction that rn pull through. I won't die in hospital, too tcan ending. No, I'll live, but it'il take time to set me on my legs again, and while I want you to trek to Ireland all.1 hold the stewardship in trust for me." 1- "You have nothing particular to do, and you may as well be Andy Bamfylde pro tern. John Salter lends you the name, he having no present use for it. Practice your blandishments en the Macara, pile on the soft sawder. You've a jewel of a, way with you, and it will stand us in good stead on the day of explanations and apologies." "Has Macara seen you?" Neither me, nor my photo, nor my handwriting. Horace managed the whole business, and I was engaged through him as a compliment to Sylvia, who knew the Macara in earlier years." "It's a fool notion, Andy." But with possibilities of fun for you. 'Ric, you must start .at once. That bossing Flyn commands me to be punctual on pain of losing the job, and if I lose it where shall I get another? Horace will be furious. I wish you'd oblige, old fellow." "Hasn't your cousin a shooting lodge in that neighbourhood? It would be fat in the fire if we met." "Sylvia's own daughter to the de'il, but you needn't fear they'll cross your path. Their latest domestic row was fierce, and after he'd got me the Paradise Hill vacancy he dragged her off to durance vile in a chalet in the Black Forest, where flirtations and bridge parties are unknown." "Let us hope they'll both remain in the chalet. I'm yours to dispose of. Banish me to Ireland. I'll not do you any dis- credit." Had he foreseen the troublous con- sequences of his action he would hardly have consented thus readily. Andy thanked him with relief and grati- tude, and silence fell upon them—a pregnant silence teeming with thoughts their heart;<; were too full totter. They avoided each other's eyes, and feigned interest in the ward. After a time Andy moved restlessly. "Perhaps I ought to tell you a secret. There's a girl in it—a girl over the water." "There's a girl in everything on this -,ver i?i iid the seet,et. blessed earth, sonny. Never mind the sccret. I'm fed up on girls, the kind that throw themselves at one's head and the kind that are thrown, like Gid's Clodagh Farrell. Is there an intermediate type, I wonder? "Of course there is. Nurse Dora belongs to it." "You're in love, I believe." "I think I am, 'Ric. She's a dear. We'll take her into our confidence, and she'll answer your letters for me, and wire you the result of the operation, and be in etery respect a valuable ally." "Then by all means conf.de in Nurse Dora." "She'll be as true as steel. Wish I wasn't such an ugly beggar." "I have hope of your cheating the entire college of surgeons when you rave in that fashion," laughed Eric. "Don't talk to tire yourself. Be sure I'll act my part to perfec- tion once you're through the operation safely." "But—but you can't wait, and the Irish train service isn't exactly O.K. Allowances have to be made for travelling emergencies, and-" "Must I go immediately?" asked Eric aghast. "FlvlI Macara's orders leave 116 no option. You must." They averted their faces, ashamed of a sudden wave of emotion which engulfed ] them without warning. I "Depend on me to do my best, said Eric, f gulping a lump that rose in his throat. "Itn write to John Salter, and you'll reply by proxy, and Heaven grant you may soon join me to help wind up our little comedy—sort of tragi-comedy, isn't it? Your pretty nurse is approaching—the signal for in-a to make myself scarce, I suppose." "Yes. We have to say good-bye here and now. "It's the toughest thing ever imposed upon me. Andy." "But you'll tackle it, 'Ric. Shake, matey, and luck .attend you." Their lia.ids met in a close, affectionate grip. Dora Bland came to the bedside, and her tact and sunshiny words eased the wrench for them. A minute later Eric was in the street, feeling dazed by the rapidity with which the episode had begun and ended. Andy emerged from a horror of loneliness to find Dora Bland still at his pillow. "I've tricked old 'Ric." he said weakly; "but I'm not sorry. He'd have gone pre- judiced against the Macara, and it's bad to .cara, it's bid to start with a prejudice. I want to tell you a tale of woe. nurse, and when I've finished youTI say if you think I'm to blame for hiding sometlijng from 'Ric. Sit in his chair, and you'll hold my hand, maybe. I've just become conscious of a—a sort of all- overishness." CHAPTER II.. I THE MAN WITH THE CROOKED I'Ol'T; I Dumped on the platform or a country station seven miles away from the village of Culslieen, Eric looked around for a jarvey, and saw none. On top of his baggage the solitary porter reclined and sucked a strnw while awaiting suggestions as to its disposal. Being questioned, the porter said that the only side-car which plied for hire was owned and driven by Paddy Power, familiarly called Tatthcrs; but Tatthers had brown- kiltie's. and couldn't put a leg under him, and the gentleman would have to hoof it to Paradise, or remain where he was. Leaving his luggage with the Job's comforter, Eric took a stick out of a strapped bundle and prepared to "hoof it." Night gloomed upon the land, but the skhad a premise of stars, and by-and-by there would be light. The wildness of the landscape did not appal one who had seen teo many of eatth's wild spots to marvel at a corner of Con- naught yet its all-pervading melancholy made itself felt, and he wondered if Horace's object in consigning Andy to such a quarter was to tempt him to commit suicide. Staring from right to left, and into the indistinct distance, Eric cheerfully cursed my Lord Darkington. He walked briskly, whistling and nourish- ing his staff, serene as a who recks not of troublesome relations, slack pockets, and perils lurking in his path. But the slightest recollection of Andy had a sobering effect, against which his innate happy optimism was not oof, though he tried un- easily to assure himself For two-thirds of the long road he met nobody. Then a fork confronted him, Un- decided which road to travel, he awaited the near approach of another pedestrian bearing down upon him from the opposite direction, a short, thick-set man, wearing clerical garb and uncle ric-al muddy gaiters, and whose countenance was round and humorous. "First turn on the road to your left, said he, in response to a courteous query. "Mount the ditch and you'll see Paradise 3Til 1 chim- neys quite plainly." Eric mounted the ditch and saw the chim- neys. Do I pass through the village of Cul- sheen? he asked. "No, Culsheen lies behind There are no houses between you and the Hill, but be- yond it lie Lord Darkington's shooElIg lodge, Doctor Mallard's residence, Tallyho, which belongs to the Joyce-Duffy family, and vari- ous smaller demesnes scattered here *and there. You'll have heard of Mallard, f).D.?" "Who hasn't?" murmured Eric, agreeably ready to say what was expected of him. Is the learned Doctor a bachelor? he added. "A widower Is sir. His spinster sister keeps house for him and is very hospitable." Any fimily? "Two daughters, Miss Cathy (he blushed) and Miss Ella." You, I presume, art the rector of the parish "Oh no, merelv the curate, Michael Keenc. Doctor Mallard is in charge, but "—naively —" hi* scientific pursuits debar him from netive duty except when the bishop is a?cut. I suppose you know Flyn U?cara, Mr. Keene? Queer sort, I believe." Mr. Keene grew 6o rosv. awd his kak bristUi so alarmingly that Eric hastened t. I say he meant no offence, earning the retort, that of course he mightn't be personally responsible for his bad manners, but the query was offensive. Having rebuked him the curate allowed his indignation to sub- side, and smiled again. By the way," ventured Eric in chastened accents, did you say the Misses Mallard were beautiful? I didn't, but Miss Cathy is—is——" Michael Keene took off his hat and paused as though at a loss for words, his eyes upon the stars. Don't speak," Cheveral implored. "That mute eloquence is a perfect answer. Good- night, and God bless you." The curate gazed after him resentfully, conscious of being fascinated against his will by a winning personality. He upbraided himself, standing in a sloppy puddle. Micke"y" he said sternly, you're growing gabby. Much refreshed, Eric plodded on, and at the turn he rested with one foot on a meadow stile while he lit a cigar in shelter of the hodge. As he struck a match he heard furious footsteps splashing among the ruts of the hilly road above him, and a rumble of oaths which ceased abruptly when the swearer saw him and halted to inspect him. The tints of this man were bold and vivid, red of his skin, white of his teeth, over-ripe crimson of the full mouth lifted corner-wise to show the teeth as if it were cut crookedly in the dark. His fashionable clothes defied criticism, and he smelt of brandy. "'I'm sitting on the stile, Ma-ary," he sim- pered, sticking his thumbs into his waistcoat pockets, and planting his legs wide apart. Condemn and perish you! If you must haunt stiles at night why not sing or shout to let people know you're alive and no ghost? I shouldn't have a chance of making my- self audible when you are about." I don't always curse my foes aloud as I was doing just now, but I've had provoca- tion. I've suffered a lot, and to-night cap- ped all. It was terrific, stunning. I got blind, blazing drunk to kill the sting, and I can't kill it. It gnaws, and gnaws, and gnaws till I have to rave or go crazy." He clenched his hands, raised them above his head, and dashed them down vehemently. His black eyes were like smouldering fires. Eric noticed a crape band on his rakishly tilted hat. The outburst had a calming effect. He shed maudlin tears. You're off the track for Culsheen," he remarked. I'm not going to Culsheen. Moving up the road." You're not Darkington, because I've seen him. And you're not one of Mallard's visit- ing crew. Who the dickens are you? "Is that any business of yours?" Strictly speaking, it isn't, but I'm inquis- itive." He rucked his brows and scanned the ciuiet smoker earnestly. Of a sudden he slapped his thigh and swayed forward, im- perilling his balance. By Gad! I have it. You are Flyn Macara's latest." Eric neither assented nor denied. The latest, and I'll wager the worst. A Eprig of nobility who has coma a cropper and finds it convenient to retire to the wilderness for a season. I object to the arrangement. You're too picturesque and ornamental to have hanging around and doing me out of my rights. I'll make your job too hot to hold you. Mind me, sirrah, Flyn may rule Paradise Hill and you, but I rule Flyn." "Your remarks are very amusing. Hope you'll often give the Hill a look in." "It doesn't pay to cheek me," cried the man with the crooked mouth. "If you stay you'll learn that, but you won't stay. You'll trip where your predecessors tripped, and get your walking papers same as they did, three of 'em in a twelvemonth. I dOTI,'t ex- pect to see you next time I call." "Then you'll be disagreeably surprised," said Eric. "I've an amazing faculty for sticking like a limpit." He rose and resumed his journey. The man pursued him and clutched his coat. "Turn while you are able," he panted. He was really very drunk. "Would YOU have the little white witch steal the heart out of your body, suck it dry, and fling it back in your face? That has been done to mine. I have no heart left. She has it, and when I beg her to give me hers she will not listen. They are pitiless, the white witches." Eric thought him mad as well as tipsy. He shook him off, and left him standing motionless and staring-eyed. At last he reached his destination, a square-built house crowning a shadowy height, approached by a privet-bordered path so steep and narrow that he said they must needs love the Macara consumedly who would climb it for the pleasure of beholding him. Gnarled ivy covered the house front. Its windows were unlit. Of its surroundings lie saw only a blur of meadow land on his left, a dimmer blur of towering rock behind it, and on his right a glimmer of flowers like tall, pale lilies in a garden. The air was faint with the aromatic odour of wet sv.eetbrier. Lifting the knocker, he rapped loudly till he heard cautious movements in the hall and two voices conversing in under- tones, a basso profundo and a treble. "He's come back," said the treble. "He won't come back to-night," replied the basso. "He's had a lesson." To which the treble rejoined, "I tell you he's come back." Cheveral guessed that they spoke of the man with the crooked mouth. "Who's there?" cried both in unisonu "The new steward," bawled Eric. "You're not expected till to-morrow." "Am I to sit on the doorstep meanwhile?" "You could sleep for a night in the village." "I will not." "Do," said the troble. "There's a sweet gentleman." "And the steward's cottage will be readv in the morning," added the basso. If you've walked seven miles another mile won't kill you." Inl a temper Eric recommenced his assault on the fcnocker, as a result of which the door hurriedly opened an inch or two, and he squeezed in sideways. They were respect- able old servants, evidently husband and wife. Stung to rebellion by the tongue of his bettef half, Albert Jaffe snatched a lamp off a bronze pedestal and marched towards the dining-room. (To be Continued).
PERPETUAL MOTION. I
PERPETUAL MOTION. I No doubt many of us since our days on the "Science side" at school have wondered whether we should ever claim the proud dis- tinction of having successfully solved the problem of perpetual motion. To the aver age man it is fairly evident that unless a machine is provided with energy, or some sort of force, it will not work, yet there have been from the earliest times men whose sole aim in life has been to invent a ma- chine that, once it is started, shall run for ever. Many, clever contrivances have been in- vented with this object in view, and perhaps the nearest approach to perpetual motion ever aehieved by man was the invention of a scientist named Strutt, whose device derived its energy from radium emanations. Radium is a wonderful fount of energy, but since this commodity is so rare and precious, it is hardly likely that it will ever be put to practical use.
ANIMALS THAT HUNT,
ANIMALS THAT HUNT, The sporting instinct is not confined to human beings, 11 is a rat will kill off all the young ducks or chickens he can find, «o too will a fox, though he can carry away but one of his xictims. Weasels, stoats, and otters kill not only to satisfy their hunger. but apparently from sheer bloodthirstincss. The parasites which live on the skin, or even in the fiesh of other anirnata, gradually weaken their hving homos, w that they die j from exhaustion. Sometimes, like the idmeu^on fly, they lav their e. "I in another creature, often a fat caterpi!!ar?. sc that ttie young, when hatched out. can live upon a-i unwilling but powerless host, wh( pines away as the iiitrii-der fioiiritihes.
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Sir William Henry Marling, Bart., has died at Stanley Park, Stroud, aged 84. In recognition of the part played by its members in the war, the University of Paris has gent a. bronze medal to the University of Cambridge. To and a circus, 60 Ross (Hereford) cohoolboys went ea. etsnka. CambQwwoll and Wandsworth (Jouncils are arraik,-izg ï.x 11 street markets each.
I' PENSION PROBLEMS: IHOW…
I' PENSION PROBLEMS: HOW TO SOLVE THEM. By AN EXPERT. Progress of the Administrative Offensive for Efficiency—Addresses of the Pensions Regions -About ithe National Scheme for the Employment of the Disabled—Free discharge for Sailors. FREE ADVICE TO OUR READERS. From time to time during the past few weeks, I have made several referei "es to the new scheme set on foot by the Ministry of Pensions some little time ago, by which, foi the purposes of better administration, the country i.s split up into Regions or areas. As I have a profound belief in the great good which will result to pensioners from this scheme, I have been closely watching its evolution. The latest information I have secured shows that the following Regions have been sot up. The addressee of the same are appended, for the sake of reference: F-outh-Eastern. — 18, G rosvenor-gardens, London, S.W.I. Scotland.—Adelphi Hotel, Coekburn-street, Edinburgh. Ireland (South).-41, Upper Fitzwilliam- st,cot, Dublin. Ireland (Ulster).—Grand Central Hotel, Belfast. Wales.—A ngel-buildings, Ca rdiff. South-Weslem.—Clifton Down Hotel, Br'stol. North-Western. — 13, Piccadilly, Man- chester. Northern.—•14, Clayton-street West, New- castle-on-Tyne: Ea,st Midlands.—Black's Factory. Stonoy- street, Nottingham (to be established shortly). Y orl;:shirc.-G> Boar-lane, Leeds. From this you will see that ten Regions have been set up. In reality each Region is a miniature 'headquarters ot the Ministry of Pensions, and all matters relating thereto, except policy, will be dealt ivith from these different headquarters. In ptactise this will mean that the Local War Pensions Com- mittee in these Regions, iiist, >ad of referring matters of administrative difficulty and so on to London will refer them to their Regional headquarters, with a conseq uent saving of time. Various business that can only be attended to locally, such as inquiries relating to claims for alternative pensions will also lie carried out in the specified Regions, and this again will save time to all the parties concerned. When the scheme is complete a. system will be at work whereby many of the delays which have been subject of complaint in days gone by will be done away with. This re-organisation, coupled with the recent revision of pensions in favour of pensioners, is another proof th: t the Government arc determined to do the utmost that they possibly can to see to it that the men—and their del)eii(leiits-ii-ho have suffered for the country tdiall have the square dea!. In this, as in every other re- s pect. the garment of helpfulness has to be lut in accordance with the amount of finan- cial cloth that it has available. If even the present arrangements do not come up to the level of our wishes-—;ind there is really n<« end to our wishes- we must remember that aur dear old country is staggering under a H'ry heavy load of debt, and that even i-L Government cannot c-pend money which it uoes not possess. Unfortunately, the echemo that was set on foot by the Ministry of Labour for th employment of disabled men Was seriously interfered with by the railway strike. Yon may remember that this national scheme wati inaugurated bv Royal Proclamation. and that it appealed to employers to give employment to as many disabled ex-service men ae possible over a ccrtahi percentage of a total number of their employees. The Minister of Labour, Sir Robert Horne, b throwing himself into pushing forward th's good work. It is a national obligation, and 1 am pleased to learn that, the progress made in the iirst fortnight after the scheme was launched was very satisfactory, especi- ally when it is borne in mind that many employers have to make special arrange- ments before they (.an undertake to employ their due proportion of men. By September 2o, 1,453 iirinis, with a total of. 172,Ool work- people, had given the necessary under- takings, while on the same date 2,037 under- takings were under consideration by local employment committees. Any employer who gives the necessary undertaking is entitled to have his name placed on the King's National Roll, and to use on his stationery the seal indicating that he is taking his part in the scheme. Full particu- lars of it can be obtained from any Employ- ment Exchange, and if you happen to be an employer who for one reason or another has not yet heard of the schemc. it will be your duty, as well as your privilege, to join at onco in thin new off c tis' .-(-this time on behalf of the Boys themselves. v. Men in the Xavy should make a note of tho following information. Tho Admiralty have arranged to give a free discharge to a limited number of i-i eii of all ratings. But before a man can obtain his discharge ir this way ho must producc evidence that civilian occupation awaits him. The pro spect which he forfeits of continuous eiii- ployment with a pension at the end of it., by leaving the Navy, iÑ also to be pointed out to him, and he wjii hc then left to make his own choice. Whatever your trouble or difficiilty-if it is due to a disability arising out of your war service, consult, your local War Pensions Committee. ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENTS. I Sapper D., La Flaqjic, France.—New dis- ablement pension rates are as from September 3, and in your case there should be a proportionate allowance made for a motherless child. I think von should wriU and put yourself in the hands of the secre- tary ot the War Pensions Committee for the town where you reside iu civil life. N. F. II., Newport Pagnoli.—If your brother was under the age of 2(i at the break cf war or at the date of his joining the scr-ice, if later: had not married; ami has left no dependent in receijit of pension, your father or mother should apply to youi local War Pensions Committee for a parents' fiat rate pension of 5s. Ask the post oliice for the address. Ouv Pensions Expert if, anxious to assist sailors and soldiers and their wives and de- pendents in dealing with intricacies of the War Pensions System. Address your queries to "Pensions Ex- pert." c/o Editor of this paper. All essen- tia! facts should be stated as briefly as pos- sible, such as name, number, rank, rcgi- 1 rnent ef soldier, name alld rating of sailor, particulars of families and separation al- lowance and (in inquiriú." cOlJcerning civil liabilities) pre-war -or pro-enlistment ilJ. come, present or war income, and full lia- bilities. Do not send any documents, birth certificates, or discharge papers, etc. Wiii correspondents please make a point of sending their regimental uumber, rank, name, and regimentr ¡
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Major-General S. W. Scrase-Dic-kins, who led the 23th. Scottish Brigade at the Battle of Leo, has fiied, aged 57. Eishop Garbett, the new Bishop of South- wark, has lwell enthroned at Southward Cathedral. Cliiiianier. who have been employed in clearing up the battlefields in France are being repatriated at the rate cf 500 a day. It is intended so to improve the liamour of St. Malo that a regular passenger steam- ship service with England may be possible. Count Tcrauchi, the former Premier cf ¡a;JalJ and one time Governor-General of Lore. is ill, aui little jaop4 of hit recovery is entertained.
I IN THE GARDENT, ixliii…
I  IN THE GARDENT, ixliii ? THIS WEEK IN THE GARDEN. f W "The ripest peach is highest on the tree.Anon. (I ,k. Clematis.—Layering a good means ot increasing all clematis, and this is the best time to do it. When pegging down the stems, work a little good soil immediately round the area, and fasten the s hoots so that there is a decided bend in the sterna to check the flow of sap allJ induce the de- velopment of roots. ♦* ♦ Taking Ivy Cuttings.—Ivy is valuable for covering stump of trees and walls, making arbours, etc. It is used effectively for raised beds, narrow borders and in other ways, and could be made useful in many dilapidated parts 'Jf gardens. It is very easy to propagate. Cuttings Gin. to 8in. in length, of recent growths, root readily in pots of sandy soil, whilst old shoots of similar length root as easily if placed under a north wall. Anemone and Ranunculus. —In all, ex- cept heavy and wet soils, autumn planting of the St. Brigid and aliicd anemone roots is desirable. To secure a uniform depth of planting, the simplest method is to remove about 3in. of the surfacc soil, set out tho roots 3in. to 4in. apart according to size, and carefully replace the soil. In doing this, mix i, some old potting soil to im- prove -the ground. as both anemone and Ranunculus delight in light, rich soil. -x. Lifting Dahlia Root When frost de- stroys the flowers and foliage of the dahlias, cut down the stems to within about, 1ft. of the ground. Tie a label with the name clearly written to each stool.. vS hen storing in i frost-proof shed or Welltr cover the tubers with coarse sand. old light soil, or any similar material, to prevent exces- sive drying and shrivelling. The Cold Frame.—Make up a bed for cuttings of light sandy soil not more than 1ft. from the glass. Spread a thin layer of sand over the surface to tsickle into the holes, made with a stick when dibbling in the cuttings. Important cuttings to insert now are lavender, rosemary, brooms, tea roses. cistns, helianthemuuis, cotoneasters, veronicas and olearias. Labelling Plants.—As the time for lift- ing. dividing and replanting clumps in hardy flower borders is approaching, the different groups or single plants should be labelled. It is useless to trust to memory. When lifted and stood on one side it is easy, for instance, to mix the diffeicnt Michaelmas daisies, confuse the numerous colours of phloxes and forget which are tali or dwarf heleniums. Pruning Vines.-Carv cut this work as soon as the foliage has fallen from the rods; otherwise, if delayed, there is a risk of bleeding. This, as a rule, tends to weaken the vines when excessive, and should, if pos- sible, be avoided. Early Planting -Get on with this work before the rains of autumn and winter ren- der the soil pasty and adhesive, or else it is more difficult to carry out the operation. The trees, also, have not so good an oppor- tunity of becoming established as when the planting is oone early. 1;: Planting Black Currants.—Choose moist positions when planting these. It may hap- pen that there are suc h places in gardens where other things w ould not be successful; in these the black currant usually grows and crops well. On moist land the fruit given is finer than when the position is a dry one, and keeps fresh and in good con- dition longer. Leaves —Endeavour to get a good bulk of the-c under cover as soon as fallen. In ad- dition to the great value of these as a pro- tection against frost, they are extremely useful for mixing with stable manure when making up hotbeds early in the year. Oak, beech, or elm tree leaves are most valuable. Rhubarb.—Most of the foliage, if not all, will have now died, and should be removed, together with any weeds. A layer of finely- sifted ashes should be spread over the crowns as a protection against slugs. Theii give a liberal covering of short manure and decayed leaves in equal parts, so as to en- rich the soil and for protective purposes. .f d d Roots for forein- should now be lifted an d allowed to remain on the ground for several days. Now is a good time for making new plantings. Old clumps may be divided for this work, and strong portions only should be planted. Allow from 3ft. to 4ft. between the crowns, and 5ft. to 6ft. between each row. No pulling should be done in the first season of planting. < Chrysanthemums.—For the next two months chrysanthemums are a. feature of most cool greenhouses. Do not crowd the plants or the lower leaves will turn yellow. Leave some of the latest flowering sorts in a sheltered spot outside. Give all the ven- tilation possible, and do not spill water about tie house when watering. Malmaison Carnations. — Transfer the ycung plants now in 3in. pots to pots 6in. wide. Use a compost of three parts of fibrous loam to one part cf leaf-mould and coarse sand, adding a little wood-ash. bone- meal, mortar rubble, and soct. « For prefer- ence, place the plants en a light shelf or stage in a ceol greenhouse. Rather than crowd the greenhouse, however, grow Mal- maison carnations in a frame until the chrysanthemums are over. » L,tpageria.-For a cool or cold green- house, the white and red-flowered lapagerias are desirable climbers or creepers. They are not vigorous-growing and leafy. Peat should be used, mixing in coarse sand. leaf- mould and fibrous loam. Plant now, and whether grown in large pots or tubs or planted out in a bed, made up on or under the stage, will depend on local circum- stances. Shading on G lass.— The shading which was necessary for greenhouses and frames during the summer can now be dispensed with, and should be removed without delay. The days being much shorter, and the sun less fierce, the majority of plants need all the light possible now. There arc excep- tions, of course: it would be folly to expose the tender growth of the ferns, for instance, to even the autumn sun.  fruit ttc-ez. Root Pruning.—Some young fruit trees, though making much s?rou, growth, often fail to fruit. This is to some extent charac- teristic ot certain varieties, and though root-pruning may check the strong grov.th of such sorts, it will not make them produce fruit while voung. Well-known sorts which should fruit but do not may have treatment. The trees must be lifted with caTe. and after long bare roots have been cut back, should be replanted. In planting, nee that the rpots are even, and work the soil among them, Turnips.—Late-sown rows will continue to make new growth for several weeks yet. If room allows use the hoe frequently between the rows, but do not attempt to force.. growth by using manures. Savoys.—If the earliest-sown plants show signs of bursting cut them for immediate use. If the cutting is done with care a further supply of greens may be expected later. Celerv.—The late rows are still worth at- tention. Keep the soil constantly moist by the free use of fairly strong manure water, also keep a sharp look out for slugs, which from now onwards are likely to be trouble- some. # Winter Greens.—Do not be in too great a hurrv in commencing to use the more hardy varieties of kale, for in the event of a severe winter these often prove valuable, when other more tender kinds of winter "egebhl('s faiL En ♦ I) I T r i be lifte(i Endive.—Haif-grown p!&ntR may be Hftcd. and replanted hi cold frames filled to withm a foot of the top with ordinary garden soil. Plant fairlv close, and gire afterwards suffi- cient water to settle the soil about the roots. Carrot. If not already akn up no time should now be lost before getting the mam crop into winter quarters. The largest and best-shaped should be stored between layers: of Foil or ashes, but split or undersized roots may be nut into boxes for early use. Leeks.—These are quite liordy and may be expected to keen growing until the end of the year. Unless the demand for these is great, raids should not be made on the rows too eft en until after Christmas. It is in January and February that this crop proves its worth.
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Lord Allenby has postponed his visit, to Egypt. French post offices will close on Sundays. Folkestone Harbour is now open for com- mercial traffic. Stothert and Pitt and Torrance and Sons, Bath engineers, have agreed to amalgamate. Employees at Paris drapery stores threaten to strike.
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Fined 10s. at Willesden for allowing her do- to be.oiit without muzzle or collar, a woman said the policeman was annoyed be- cause lie did not catch the dog after a long chase, but the dog was sorry afterwards and -waited quietly iu his kennel for the con- stable. Next year's Church Congress will be held at Southend. An outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease has occurred on a farm, at Lawford Heath, near Rugby. Restrictions will immediately be imposed on the movement of Live stock. Aged 75, Sir William Ouartu* Ewart. a leadiii- linen manufacturer, died at Belfast.
Ir ITHE POULTRY YARD
I r I THE POULTRY YARD Helpful Hints for By "COCKCROW." m) I Poultry-keepers do not need much telling to economise, for they find the cost of keep- ing birds so expensive that thev are for evei t-cjieming to reduce the bills connected with their runs. Much food can be saved by getting rid of birds that do not produce eggs in sufficient numbers to pay for their keep. Only the very best layers should be retained, and all those which might be termed as "dud" birds should be "weeded out" and got ready fcr killing. Many poul- try-keepers possessing such birds are hang- ing on to them until the time comes for sending birds to market for the Chrstmas trade, thinking tbev will secure better juices for them then than now. It is prob- able that the increased price obtained at Christmas will not indemnify one for the extra trouble and cost of keeping the birds. I BAD LAYERS. it is well to begin at once to T^eea out those birds which are poor layers. To find those which are good layers with perfect accuracy is only possible by means of trap- nests, but those people who keep birds on a small scale do not usually go in for such devices, and therefore other methods have to be .\dopted. A he-n; that is a good layer is not as a rule massive in limbs, but. rather the reverse. Towards the abdomen it is fairly wide, owing t.) the abnormal develop- ment of the cgg-p^oducing organs. Although this is true of all prolific layers, no matter what their breed may be, it is particularly noticeable in those of the Mediterranean varieties, such -as,W.Eite Leghorn pullets. A good layer usually stands high in front, its back sloping sligiitjy towards the tail. Its eyes are large and bright; its comb is a rich, healthy red. The pelvic bones aro straight and thin, and there is rather a wide gap between the points of these and the breast bone. I GOOD LAYING BIRDS. I The good laying bird is very active, quitu unlike the poor layer, who is lazy and lays about nearly all day. The good bird is of restless disposition. It may possee-s an appe- tite that seems insatiable, but remeii-ber that a prolific layer is naturally a gros.1 feeder, because it cannot lay eggs in quan- tity if the raw material is not at hand. If you have birds that do not possess the good qualities here detailed you may depend upon it that they are not good layers, and it is your duty in these times, when foodstuff's have to be economised, to use them for table purposes. Good prices are even now obtain- able, and as foodstuff's for the birds are so dear it will lessen the cost of keeping them considerably. WATCH EXPENDITURE. I To return to the question of economy, it I is natural that the desire of all poultry- keejx'rs is to reduce the cost of keeping birds. A pound Treasury note is to-dav only worth a little more than 8s. That i. to say, that for a sovereign now scarcely half the amount of goods are procur- able to what were purchasable for the same amount of cash years ago. Hence the reason for thinking most carefully before buying anything. Poultry-keepers have always wel- comed hints on the matter of economy, and especially -do they appreciate them at tho present, time. At this season of the year much food for the birds is obtainable abso- lutely free of all charge if you will only tal;e the trouble to collect it. Pl',EE FOOD. I How many poultry-keepers realiso that acorns CUJI be used in the birds' mash? At this season of the year acorns are very plen- tiful, and if you like to take the trouble t8 collect them, you can reduce the cost of the birds' mash .very considerably. Only use scorns that are properly ripe, and do not give them to the birds in the fresh state. Many people believe that aeoms reaily poison the birds, and that if they eat them the eggs they lay are likely to be of a greenish tint. If you are one of the people who argue thus, then the danger can be re- moved or avoided in two ways. One way is to ccok them and the other way is to store them. If you intend to give the birds acorns you are advised to adopt the lafter method of avoiding any danger that might exist. When you have gathered the fruit of the oak tree, place them in a heap out- doors and cover them with some litter. Leave them covered like this until the woody shells have decayed, and then uso them as you require them. Wash and clean off all the husk, and put them through a mincing machine, and mix them with the birds' mash. It is usual to allow one-tenth part of the mash to be of acorns. They are wholesome and useful, and no bad results accrue from them. If, however, birds that aTe fed on acorns should develop constipa- tion Ðr diarrhoea, give them a little butcher's fat or greaves. t I SMALL-SCALE FATTENING. According to one writer there is a veTy large constituency oi poitltry-keejiers who have no desire to enter upon a scientific fattening industry, but who at the same time would like to know how to make tha best of the few waster pullets or exces* cockerels which they consume at their owii table. To such the following hints -ia v be of service: Keep the sexes apait-in fact, out of sight of each other. Do not pen them up closely; on the contrary, arrange, if possible, to leave them where they are ac- customed to be, simply limiting their area. of travel. Feed with fattening meal every two hours during the day, giving only rust as much as they will eat, and allowing nc food to lie about. Let a clean supply of water and a box of good grit be always at hand. At night give a heavy- feed of sound white oats, so as to last them well through until the mcrning. A few days of this treatment will make a wonderful difference to chickens, and the same method will answer equally well for old fowls. I might add that the meal, when given, should have been mixed with hot water, and should be only crumbly moist—not sloppy. TURKEYS TEAT WINK. Sir John Bland-Sutton, senior surgeon at the Middkrsex Hospital, recently delivered an address, his subject being muscles, with particular reference to the inuscies of the eye. hie taid that all animals, except, men and m?ukeys, p?sse?cd a thud evehd. Ma?y people would have nohcc'd how birds, not,al)l v the tiz -r l?ev, notably the turkey, operated this third lid by means of g?,.c?a! jnusciee. The tur?pv was constantly winking without krowmo- o -Li t -I z 1 -11 o ? v 1 n thatjtdid?. The third lid in this case was au opaque white curtain, but in certain animal-, and m some iihe". th( third lid was a transparent covering. The lizard of trans-Caspian deserts used its transparent lid as a protection against sand, while the American fish known as the star- gazer used it effectively for watching its prey. It was intere.-tmg to note ihnt the prey was secured through the or)e^at;on of powerful electric muscles, and considerably over 50 small swimming nsh so caught had been found in the interior of a star-gazer
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At Lemvig (Jutland) three acres cf the town are in ashes the result of fire. French customs dutv on the importation ef motor-cars will be reduced from 70 to 4.5 i;r cent. On «Hi,a} Dt Mombasa ?Ea?t Afuca) the &?. Berwick Castle (5,81)1 tons) WM on iire; Be,?v,-ick Ca-s,,Ie (5,8?i t-iiis,, was cii
NO SMOKING.
NO SMOKING. What with the prohibition of this and that the world will speedily become an un- happy place to live in. In addition to the workings of Pussyfoots in connection with our consumption of beverages, we are threatened by similarly equipped interfering persons who desire to stop our smoking. This agitation against smoking is nothing new, for James 1. was only one of many of his day who did their level best to make the pipe illegal. Again, in the year 1G61, the authorities of the Canton Berne, in Swit- zerland, decreed a new commandment to be read in the churches between the seventh and eighth commandments. It was this: "Thon shalt not smoke!" In Queen Victoria's time it was the worst of crimes to smoke at Windsor or at any palace where she was in residence, and the present Pope will not allow any smoking at all inside the Vatican. The kite Mr. Glad- stone would probably have haa a fit if any. one had suggested smoking in committee. Yet nowadays, even in Grand Committee, pipes as well as cigars and cigarettes are discuss-cd. At the Stock Exchange there has always been a rule against smoking before four o'clock, but members took to breaking this rule, and in 1910 the committee made a new rule that smoking should be absolutely pro- hibited in the house. Some of the smokers were very mn<:h annoyed, and next day, after the rule was enforced, protested by lighting bonfires of brown paper. Members of the committee were also hooted. Every taxi-driver has a cigarette hanging in the corner of his irouth, but the old hansom driver never smoked cn duty, and nothing locks worse than to see the driver of any public conveyance t-moking. Just before the war the Prefect of Parisian Police made an order that no tramcar, omnibus, or taxi- driver should smoke when driving, but of late the order is widely disregarded.
GIRLS AND MEN.
GIRLS AND MEN. Many people have doubts as to the lasting value of Platonic friendship, but it is uni- versally true that the sexes demand com- panionship from each other. Just as a cousin is more exciting than a sister, so a friend is more thrilling than a cousin. To be quite candid, a girl loves to have a man dancing attendance on her, it adds much to the joy of life to have someone to take her abcut—someone "to do things with." Note how different is the entry into a restaurant of two girls by themselves compared with the confident appearance of the maiden with a cavalier in her train. And every normal man feels lonely without some woman in his life, to be interested in his career and his dreams of success. It is true that as soon as a man and girl start telling each other secrets without the warning cry, "This is for your ears alone," they ureell on the road labelled "Friend- ship." The outlook of girls Oil friendship with men has been revolutionised by the war. In the old days wiseac-res shook their heads and said the thing was impossible. It frequently led to disaster and heartache for the girl. To the man it was a pleasant in- cident in the intervals of work. But the war has taught girls the friendship of work —a very different thing from the friendship of leisure. They have driven cars under shell-fire in France, and waited for hours at stations for the arrival of hospital trains, they have nursed the wounded in Gnllijioli, and tended the sick in Mesopotamia. And thus has a different cameraderie come about.