Welsh Newspapers
Search 15 million Welsh newspaper articles
16 articles on this Page
[PUBLISHED BY SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT.]…
[PUBLISHED BY SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT.] THE IRON HAND. By J. MACLAREN COBBAN, Author of "Pursued by the Law," "The last Aiive," "The Angel of the Covenant," "The Mystery of the Golden Tooth," &c., &e. [COFTBIGHT.] I SYNOPSIS OF PREVIOUS CHAPTERS. I CHAPTERS 1. and II.-The scene opens in a ?rio?y shop at Fmborough, where an old Bentlemaa is wishing to buy an ancient ste?i gauntlet. But it is already sold to the manager Z: the County Bank, Mr. Lidmore. After the gentleman's departure Lefroy informs his wife, Julia, but Mr. Lidmore has bought the gdantlet. They plan to leave for London, and afterward, ?0 out for a stroll. During the following night &e gauntlet is stolen. In the morning Le?oy i- iwak^n^l by bearing voices. He thrusts his head «utof the window and finds that the £ °"versatl^ taking place in the room overhead between two u.en oZe of them Mr. Lidmore and it concerns himself. The superintendent of police joins the fwo men and Lefroy hears more. The bank ,afe ba, been robbed, and £ 30,0°0 st^en; Tr^ manager gives details of how he bought the steel eaunttor and of how it was found caught in the ?pof the patent lock. Lefroy is suspected, and fi-o his wife as h? accomplice. He rouses hi* wi? and gives herr ten minutes to get ready. An 3," the coachyard below  DJlne in a high trap to carry Mr. Lidmore 3 "friend" to Re-dbeck-a distance of twenty miles. Lefroy orders a mare for himself and proffers to Wd the mre's head while the ostier goes to tho bar. Lefroy ges nis wife and child into the trap, springs in him-df, and they are off! Sron they hear oriM of "Step thief i CHAPTER III- THE CHESTNUT MARE. -HH Stop ? i- 1 StDP thiet!" Th?  The,.  „d »:.h jnmhr -et, he gathered the reins in one hand, and took h?sei?3 t. ?he ??? ??? ???? ?P?-t flick sent the _a at a ?pank;nl pa,,? :Fortunately .1 u- .-? f?- jj,?, for Lefroy's cnanc^ of( • r.oPrip mere wcic people about, for the early and such -&S were in the streeb were rather puzzled by the an(j frightened cries that souncie mare than incited to by the pace of the. ery mare, than incited to Jy efforts to arrest ti -io man. He made straight for the north and the Red bee* ™ but he ? ?u he rather held the mare in than let her go, tIll he, Iw* as about clear of tne t town. ?i?-.y ?d him pa3t the end of the poli oo_tati?on; b\l ?y then t the e„d of the JKut »d he 'V- had <?-<ii.tance ???g dashed past a bare-headed sergeant without being noted M any.lung but » furious driver, "fhe sergeant, perÜap gazed more curiously and The sergeant, pe"^ gzgJe™oman in the dog- intently when ?s??th,?atthe?  ? her cart with the i \t a baby?) in her arms, was leaning a £ £ man's s houlder in airited? And why •cfctera running away Lefroy had little more than passed the P?olice- i again the cry, Svopbim,. sclatter on j ,t.t.? ?t Mt u?n ,'??,'° ,?? .?t ? SDrne wa.y behind. with the msured clatter on the vi1lg stones of g?allopin,- hoofs. Then he ? niygave the mareo her head, but t4Duchecl 1 h? ?th the whip. To that urgent appeal she responded at onc by laying herself out in a racing gallop, whioh made the do-cart sway and .swing, and bmmd oyer the road like a huge ball. By that time the road had quite loiely; th'ere were no MUses on either u_except on the a great solitary eTlSing out ^pojj tthhe e s'•e'af. ^l-alaft, diiappeared; the road dipped -Rnd r05e; and too, ui* aJi pi eared; the road dipped ■and rose; and as the mare. rove up to t j P0f A full mile of road lay unrolled beneath his eye, with IWthing moving on it but the dust and the shadow of a morning clQud. He had outdistanced horse pursuit as well as ped^trian, and then he set himself to baffle it. He gradually brought tha mare to an casy, swinling pace, that cx>uld have excited ao ocmv ^Tent and he took the next turning westward from the Redbeck-rcad. After three or four m?te3 be turned north again, and .then again west, taking apparently any byways th?t si??we? d tJM?m '? selves open to admit the dog-cart. Julia had re00veroo from her faintness, with mth '■ C?On-idered awhile in silence. When he turned off the highrDad she looked at him, and uttered a low question. Where are we g<?in,?" He aniwered her with an excl to:neit and Hfe answered her with an excitement I wih! apparently, a gla d ness, which surprise d ?' Wa are going," said he, to have a day in the country. Aren't the sunshine and the wind del.ghtM  ?T in the country!" she exchumed in astonishment. "What good will that be? Are vou eoingr mad, N ed, or am I?" I am not ?d' ?li? Ta? quite clear about what we are doing. ??W: have driven og?. ?e said. "with some- one eÜe's horse and trap, and P?P? ^as Us shoutin? 'S?p thief!' didn't they? What doe. it all mean?" ? '?1 w??st goin? to tell you—as I promlsed." said he. The Bank has been robbed. I over- fceard the bank manager and another man and the police superintendent talking about it this morning in the hotel room just over us. The patent safe has been broken open, and tens of thousands of pounds stolen!" "But what has that got to do with usi she asked, while she looked at her husband as if she were sure his mind must be deranrred I "y o'Te heard of the patent lock of the safe, that seized hold of any strange hand that tried to -open it?" he asked. Ye3. Well 7" she answered It held in its grip a steel gauntlet !—our precious gauntlet!—for it is gone from, the window!" said he. "And they think you must have been there with the gauntlet?" she exclaimed. "They think you were the robber?" Just ao," he answered in a. tone of matter-of- fact. But," he reminded him. "you said it was a matrer of life and death for us both and you said you want to send me away. What does that an?I m ?, They think I c?uld not have forced the safe without an accomplice, and they know of only one acoomphce I could have in the world you, my IOTe." w? I'm glad of that," said she, for then I must stay with you. He shook his head "You are very strange to me, Ned, she said, almost in tears. "Why don't you confide alto- gether in me? Have you really done anything we must run away for If you have, tell me., dear; I shan't blame you; I shall only love you and help you. Surely you know that." These words almost moved him to tears in his turn. It is just because I know that, my sweet- heart, said he, that I haven't yet told you all I want to do. I have been afraid you mightn't do as I wish. But you will—won't you?—like a dear, good, obedient wife." You still want me to go away?" said she. "Why?" e>. Because." he answered, if we kept tog-ether we should both be arretted, both tried, and both, perhaps, sentenced—if the case went against us, as it very well might. That would be a double punishment—a treble punishment for me. If you were away safe and well I should cheerfully endure whatever happened but if you were with me it would be a hell of torture to know, and to imagine, all you were suffering. She considered; and she shivered at the prospect. But we have got away together," said she. "Why can't we keep away?" Again he shook his head. We should be caught in a, day or two. Besides, I must try to clear myself. I must face it out." Then," said she, when you've get rid of me you mean to let yourself be caught?" "No," he answered; "when I've done all I want to do to-day, I shall drive back, and give myself up." She turned and looked at him with something of wonder and fear in her eyes. How" —she said-"how can you be so stern with yourself? You'll be stern with me next!" He smiled. "Listen," said he. "This is what I want you to do:—I'll drive you as near to the Junction as I dare; you'll take the train to London, and go and lire at Hammersmith. You remember there are good friends there the money I'll give you will keep you going for a while, and they'll help you to get something to do. I'll write to you as often as I can, 'poste resta te, Hammersmith.' And I think, sweetheart, you'd better take your maiden name again mine might get you into trouble. You will pass again as Miss Julia Galotti." Then," she exclaimed. "vou don't want me to take Baby with me! Oh, Ned, I can't agree to that! My precious!" hugging to her bosom the sleeping bundle. Listen, sweetheart," said Lefroy, in his calm, insistent voice. "I have thought it all over. Baby would be a terrible burden and embarrass- ment to you, especially at first, and would almost certainly lead to your identification as my wife." (She shivered again, as if she felt the hand of the Law upon, her.) And it will probably be only for a little while we need be parted." "What are you going to do with her then? She can't stay with you-if anything happens!" cried the mother. Look round you," answered Lefroy. Don't you see where we are?" MWhy," she said," "this is the road to Culleton isn't it?" It is," he answered. "That's where we going—to my old nurse, Martha. She will take care of the baby till this trouble is past and we can come together again, my love." Julia bared her sleeping baby's face and kissed it softly, while she pressed its form close to her bosom. "What do you think of my proposals, sweet- heart?" asked Lefroy. "Do you agree with them ?" I don't see what else there is for me to do," she answered, in a depressed voice. "I can't think for myself. But," she broke out. "it does seem so bitter! We were so happy last night with. the thought of going back to London, and .now we're in this position—through no fault of un It is too horrible! Perhaps I was too happy I And we should not have gone out for a walk! That must have been when the gauntlet was stolen!" I don't think it was," said her husband, quietly; "but it's no use discussing that." And," she added, the policeman saw us fingering bank-notes when we sat happy on that bench 1 Even that may be brought forward against us! It is too—too horrible! It is more than I can bear!" Her husband reduced the mare's paco to a walk, and putting his arm about his wife and laying her head on his shoulder, he sought to comfort her with calm and cheerful words. Pre- sently she was calmed, if not cheered; and, as he drove the mare on, Julia brooded in silence over her child. They had frequently driven out to Culleton for a refreshing Sunday with the breezes and scents of the moorland, and as they approaohed ti.e place now the memory of those innocent joys came as a refreshment to the spirit, a tonic to tiie nerves. The simple pleasures whioh had been theirs would be theirs again—must be theirs again! And with that mutual promise in their eyes husband and wife looked at each other and silently clasped each the other's hand. Arrived at the little farm on the high moor- land, the time they had together was all too brief. Martha was surprised, but glad, to see them. She was alone in the house, her family being all abroad in the sweet moorland breeze, harvesting crops and gathering peats for the winter. She was easily persuaded to take charge of the baby, and easily satisfied with Lefroy's reasons for the surrender. "Trouble has come upon us, Martha," said he. "You will hear quite soon enough what it is. Julia must go to London, and I must go back to Finborough. I'll make up a parcel of back to F 'n i ?rou g Baby's things—yes, we did come away in a hurry, as you see. But I know y{)U'U believe in me, and will believe in me still, whatever you may hear about me." They ate some breakfast; but their hearts were too full and their mouths too dry for food to taste well. Then they went out into the solitude cf the cpen air to take farewell of each other, under the vast blue canopy of heaven, and, as it were, in the presence of God. Often had they declared to eath other how good it was to be there, on that high moorland, up above the work-a-day world, amid the sweet influences of sun and sky and wind, where the lark trilled aloft and where the dust and grime of the common ways of life and business never seemed to penetrate. They were young to be thus moved, but their married lines had not been cast in pleasant plaoee. They were young,, very young—mere children, indeed, in their experience ot the worid tor he was but four-and-twenty and she was barely turned twenty —ages at which neither men nor women have come to themselves. They went out side by side, she carrying the baby close in her arms, and looking to the full the lovely, gracious, and bountiful mother. Her husband regarded her with hungry, regretful eyes. They sat down on a green bank with the sun upon them, and the scented breeze playing about them. Mum! Mum! Mum!" murmured the baby, digging a chubby hand into her mother's soft neck and foolishly fingering a stray tress of bright hair. A sob rose in the mother's throat, and tears welled in her eyes and brimmed over upon her cheek. Edward took her hand and pressed it. 0 God!" The acutest spasm of the grief of parting was upon him, and it wrung from him that cry; but he set his mouth with a grim resolution, and complained no more. His wife turned her tearful gaze on him. She had probably not guessed till then how terribly his heart was torn. My poor boy!" said she. It must be worse for you than for me!" "Don't let us talk of that!" said he; but he tossed back the tell of black hair from his forehead, and swallowed a hard lump in his- thr-oat. Oh, the pity of it! Oh, the gratuitous cruelty and derision of the fate that had suddenly come upon them! But he strove to shake off the sense of all that. and to talk comfortingly and cheer- fully to the wife of his love. We must be brave and hopeful," said ho. and tr.ed to smile. In lightsome days he had been fond of playing with two French phrases to describe her. "Ma Julie, men adoree!" he had been wont to say; and then, "Ma Julie, ma dorco." So he now murmured in Engish, My JuIi:! My sweetheart! My Juiie! My golden!" She laid her head on his shoulder, and while her bosom heaved under the oppression of grief «he sighed out her love for her husband. "My dear! My dear! Oh my dear!" "You will be aione, Julia!" he murmured. ( Very much a:one! The thought of it all, and of your loneliness, may grow unendurable to you! You may be tempted-overpoweringly temptoo- to love another!" The suggestion was enough. You are my lov-,?r husband!" she an- swered. -1 am yours only !—yours always :-yours for ever! He pressed her choek to his, and kissed her on the mouth, and no more was said. They sat a little while longer, breatilit,- the sweet and vivi- fying air. and humbling their souls before high Heaven. if by any means the terrible fate that threatened them might be averted; but no miracl e happened, and no cancelling or comforting word came out of the blu&, sun-lit void; the heavens I were as little to be entreated by their silent agony of prayer as by the loud demonstration of the priests of Baal on C'armol. "We must go!" said he; and they returned to the house. In a few minutes they were on tha road again, without the baby; and the chestnut mare wa-" trotting swiftly towards the Junction. As they neared the station, Ned Lefroy reduced the mare's pace to a walk. lie drew forth his pocket-book, and handed it to Julia. "You'll find the money in there," said he. "It is not really very much, but it will do for a. while, with care. "Dut." said she, "you are not keeping any for yourself. "Never mind that I don't need a?v, i sad he, with a smile. "If I get off I can easily raise money; if I don't get off--then it doesn't matter And so the question was dropped; and the mare continued her steady progress to the station. To enter the railway bounds the road dipped over the shoulder of a hill. At the top of the slope. within easy view of the station, Lefroy drew up. ';1 think, said he, "this is far enough." ".Must it be, then?" asked Julia, turning tear- ful eyes on him: that was her final appeal. "Is there no other way?" "No other that I can find, Julia," he answered. i He got down, and helped her cut of the dog-cart Pressing her close in his arms when she descended, ha murmured passionately, "My love! My dear!! My own! Be brave! Be stron- I" He handed her the little portmanteau, and j looked long and earnestly into her eyes. j 6he murmured, in a choking voice. ,"No! No!" he exclaimed, fiercely, "Not that! word! God bless you and keep you, my •wn She turned away with burning eyes; and he stood there, a smothered volcano of seething rage and passion, and watched her dear form pass down the slope. Would he over forget how she seemed j to glide down, away from him, and how she Jet the little portmanteau pull at her arm! Not onoe did she turn for a final look; and he thanked her for that. Another demonstration of farewell would have been the touch unendurable; he! would have had to call her back, to stay for ever by his sid,) With greedy unwavering eyes he watched her pass upon the platform, and disappear to get her ticket. When she reappeared, she was followed by j a tall, fair man. who wore heavy, clumping boots, f and who kept his attention rivetted upon her. He i admired her probably; and resentment and jealousy rose and surged in Lefrcy's bosom. Anon the train came in. «julia found a third-class car- riage. The tall, fair man followed in his heavy, dumping boots, and entered the same compart- ment. The door was shut, and the train steamed away. CHAPTER IV. I THE GIRL WITH THE WHITE FACE. Letroy wa.tchcd the train out of sight; and still he continued to gazei at the distant spot where it had disappeared, as if his thought had reached the bounds of the world, and could not be. recalled. At length he took the reins in his nerveless hands, turned the chestnut mare, and let, her trot homo- ward-home-ward for herself, but deathward for h'm, her driver; for his heart was gone, and the clutch of the Law, with all its doubt and cruelty, awaited him in Finborough. It was late in the afternoon when lie, drove into the town. The o'nestnut mare was tired, and went at a slow, swinging trot, so that there was plenty of time for anyone to note his arrival. But no ono noted him, until he entered the street where was his shop. Even there no one stopped him. Here and there a man looked casually, and then looked again as if in surprise, and then stood still. That was all. (JuiÜ quietly he drove into the George Inn yard, to the palpable astonishment of the ostlers. He from wha-e hands Lefroy had tak"n the mare in the morning recovered himself fi. t: and sprang to the beast's head. At the same time the landlord dashed out of the bar-parlour, with wrath on his face, and vituperation ready upon his lips. "So" said he, "you've thought better of it, j and brought the mare back?" "I never meant to d9 nnything els-o," answered Ldro:v. "1 am sorry that urgency compelled nl(> to take it without asking your leave." "You'll have to answer to the police for it," said the landlord, evidentlv hkcn aback by Le- froy s quiet and setf-po?e?sed dGmeanour. "I suppose I shall," said Lefroy. "And you'll have to pav for it. tQO:" rapped out the landlord, determined to be angry. "I? it's not LorsE—a?d trap—stealing it's very near it "Oh. yes. I'll pay for it." answered Lefroy, and turned to enter his house. watched in silence by the men in the yard. He passed into the archway and tried the door. It would not yield. "The police," said one of the men, "have locked the house up." Lefrov hesitated. Then he returned into the yard. He saw that the window from which he had looked in the morning was still open. He entered that way. He cast his eyes round the room, and noted its disordcr-the unmade bed, the tumbled crib of the baby, the open cupboard, and the open chest from which Julia had taken her clothes to oack the small portma-iiteali-and unbidden the old text rose in his memory: "Behold, your houso is left unto you desolate:" Then the sense of his unmerited disaster swept over him again, and he sat down and wept. That did not imply the slightest slackening in his purpose; it was merely the protest of over-taxed nature. Lefroy was as calm and resolute as ever, when, some minutes later, the key sounded in the shop door, the door opened, and a sergeant and two policemen—one of whom was in plain clothes— entered and came towards him. Evidently they had been informed of his return, and had come to arrest him. He did not protest, he did not even question their right to have his keys and to go in and out as they pleased. "You are Edward Lefroy—the man that kept this shop?" said the sergeant. "I am Edward Lefroy," he answered. "I have to arrest you, Mr. Lefroy," said the sergeant, "on a very serious oharge-breakillg into the County Bank in this town." "Yes," said Lefroy, "I've heard something about that. I've heard that a steel gauntlet from my shop has been found in the grip of the safe. But I don't know how it got there. I know only that it was taken from this shop." "I must warn you, Mr. Lefroy," said the sergeant, "that any statement you may make now will be in evidence." "I have no statement to make," said Lefroy, "beyond what I have said." "Where is your wife, Mr. Lefroy?" asked the sergeant, looking around. "She is gone away," answered Lefroy. "Where is she?" "She's not here," answered Lefroy. "That should be enough for you." "It will make your case all the worse, Mr. Lefroy," said the sergeant severely, "that you have hid your wife out of the way." "Never mind that," said Lefroy. "Let us get on with your business." So he was taken into custody. On his giving his word that he would go quietly, he was allowed to' walk in company with the plain-clothes officer, while the sergeant and the uniformed policeman followed a yard or two behind. And thus he passed to the police station without popular demon- stration of any sort. They were interested in Lefroy at the police station, and they were not unkind. They dis- covered that he had scarcely tasted food or drink all day, and they set both before him. He had given no thought to the need for either, but when he saw them, he partook with an appetite. Then he slept—slept calmly and soundly through the night; for he had a clear conscience, Julia was safe in London by then, and he had put away fear for himself. Ho woke early and refreshed; and with the fresh day ho gave fresh consideration to his posi- tion. He knew he should appear before the local bench of magistrates, and that he would be either sent for trial at the next assizes or set free: Set free h3 knew he ought to be, and set free he thought he would be. on going over every fact that could be arrayed against him. But he did not take into account two things—prepossession and prej udice on the part of the magistrates. He had a hint of both as soon as he appeared in court at ten o'clock, and his heart sank under a weight I of misgiving. There was a full bench, for the whole town was talking of the case—talking with a unanimity that Finborough had not known for half a century. So Lefroy in the dock found him- self looking at a row of ten faces, each one of w.hich was charged with suspicion, dislike, and solemn stupidity. To the natives of Finborough and of the country round about all strangers are foreigners, to he avoided and boycotted unless they come as visitors with plenty of money to spend, when they are gladly welcomed, and fleeced. These men on the bench were representative of tho native mind and sentiment. They were mostly tradesmen, and as t ràdesmcn and natives they had regarded Lefroy! with an aversion of peculiar intensity. First of all, they had disliked his name; there was some- thing forei-n-ven French-about it. Next, their wives had hated Lefrcy's wife; she was much too good-looking to be quite respectable. Thirdly, they had all suspected Lefroy himself; he was evi- j dently too well-educated and too well-spoken for his position and ho kept a shop whore he sold outlandish things that were not "marked in plain j figures," but that had quite a speculative and fancy value which gave fine elbow-room for cheat- ing. Therefor: they were prepossessed against him when the cr.me with which he was charged was noised abroad through the town the day be- fore. Their prepossession made them prejudge him. and find him promptly guilty of what was laid to his charge—heinously guilty-for Mr. Lid- more, the bank manager (who was one of them-! selves) had been cruelly rut by the robbery; it had whitened his head, and added twenty years to his life. When Lefroy, then, noted the aces, of these men, he ceased to hope for freedom from them; ho saw he was condemned already. And he was bound to admit dispassionately, when he heard Let forth the presumptive evidence against him, and saw the pathetic and tearful face of Mr. Lidmore in the witness-box, that his case sc-emed one of the worst that could bo conceived. He was one of the very few to whom the bank mana- ger had shewn the secret of his safe; he had been with the bank manager late in the afternoon, and he knew he would be out all the evening; and. moreover, there was the glaring fact that his steel gauntlet had been found in the clutch of the gafe—and there was the gauntlet held up and handed round for inspection. After that the evidence of the policeman, who had seen him and his w.fe fingering bank-notes in the park, did not seem of much consequence. Then his defence, when he came to make 11 seemed even to himself poor and absurd. The steel gauntlet had been stolen. When? He could not quite say; perhaps while he and his wife went out for their walk in the park. But more probably, he thought, after that; for he woke in the middle of the night, and heard a sound (which ha set down to the cat), and just after that he missed the gauntlet when he looked ] for it. and discovered the hole in the shop door. lIe first knew that he was suspected of the robbery from the talk he overheard from the inn room above him. The magistrates smiled grimly; that, and the rest, seemed a cock-and-bull story. If he was calmly and strongly conscious of his innocence, why did he try to escape in the morn- ing? He did not seek to escape, he answered: "If I had wished to escape," he said, "I need not have come back as I did last night." Why then had he made free with the horso and trap, and dri ven madly through the. town? He wished to remove his wife from the disgrace and anxiety of the charge that was impend.ng. Had he given his wife any moaev? He had given her all he had —except a few shillings. Then one of the magis- trate asked a question which plainly deciaied his bias. "What?" he said. "All the thirty thousand? Lefroy hesitated an instant, as if he hardly un- derstood the question; then he answered: "All 1 had was the money I got for the sale of my business, besides a few pounds I had saved." But he SAW clearly that the general impression was that he was a smooth and daring villain who had cleverly contrived to get his wife sent out of the way with all the plunder. The issue was not in doubt for a moment; he was committed for trial at the next Assizes. In the afternoon, when he was on the way to the gaol of the county town, a strange thing hap- pened. ^Together with another prisoner and a couple of policemen he was seated in a third-class carnage in the railway station of Finborough. The train was about to start when the door of the compartment was suddenly plucked open, and a young woinan-a mere slip of a girl, indeed- stepped in. "Here! cried one of the pol icemen. "There's no room here; this is reserved J" "Oh, never mind her," said the other policeman "it's only Sulky Sal-Tippy Haynes's girl. How go OF, it, Sal?" "None the better for seeing" you," said Sal, glowering, and taking possession of the seat im- mediately opposite to Lefroy. Lefroy recognised the girl. She was poorly dressed, but she was notable. She had large dark eyes, and a remarkably7 white face; and he had I seen her sitting in the police-court all the morn- ing, listening to the evidence, and frequently turning her sombre eyes on him. When the door I was locked and the train was started she sat quite stiil. with her eyes cast down. The policeman, who I had greeted her when she entered continued to address to her some gay badinage of his class; but he desisted when he found that she either made no reply at all or retorted quietly in kind. The train rumbled on. stopping at every station the windows were closed, and what with the silence and the heat, first one policeman nodded in slumber and then the other. When there could be no doubt about their being both aound asleep, Sal leaned forward to Lefroy. and, turning her black eyes and white face earnestly upon him, she spoke in a low voice. "I say, I am sorry for you—awful sorry—be- cause I know you ain't done it. Would you liko to know who done iti" she asked with a iferce jerk of the head. "I would!" answered Lefroy. "W eli," she answered, "my father, Tippy Hayncs. was in it. though there was more and bigger nor him that I don't know. But I'll find out, and send you word. I'm going to get out at the next station. I've only come in the train to tell you." "And I can only thank you, my girl," said Lefroy; "I've nothing to give you." "Don't want nothing said she. (To be continued.)
[No title]
MAKQOIS OF ANGLESEY'S THEATRICALS.—The Marquis of Anglesey on Saturday brought his present theatrical season to a close with performances of the farce Box and Cox" and "The Other Danger," a drama written by his lordship. It is announced that his lordship has in rehearsal a drama entitled "A Beater of Women," in which he and Mr. E. 0. Freshwater have collaborated. A criticism of the rather curious title of the drama in a local paper has been replied to by One of the Authors," who ends his letter as follows:—"To take a sudden fright at the title of a book or play before either reading or seeing the moral or point aimed at, seems to be consistent with the somewhat contracted views of the national character." AMBULANCE WORK ON THE GREAT CENTRAL RAILWAY.—One of the directors of the Great Central Railway Company, Colonel Clement Royds, M.P.. has presented to the staff a shield to be com- peted for annually, in connection with ambulance work. The first competition for this shield, which is a very handsome one, took place in the Board Room at London-road Station in the latter part of last week, and extended over two days. Fifteen teams entered, with the result that the team from Hull secured the trophy after a very close contest. The Newton team was placed second, and the Penis tone team third The competition was con- ducted by Dr. Chadwick, of Heaton Chapel, an official examiner of the St. John Ambulance Asso- ciation, who reports that the work performed by the men generally was of a high standard, and he mentions the Hull and Newton teams as being par- ticularly smart. The Hull team having won the shield will retain possession of it for twelve months, and they will now enter the International Railway Ambulance Competition, which will shortly be held, in which representative teams from the different railways in the country will take part. FLORILINE !—FOR THE TEETH AND BREATH.- Thoroughly cleanses the teeth from all parasites or impurities, hardens the gums, prevents tartar, stops decay, and gives to the teeth a peculiar pearly whiteness and a delightful fragrance to the breath. Price 2s. 6d. for the liquid, or Is. per jar for the Flonline Powder," of all Chemists and Perfumers.
COOKERY FOR WORRIEDI HOUSEWIVES.
COOKERY FOR WORRIED I HOUSEWIVES. By MRS. ALFRED PRAGA. I ("THE CAREFUL COOK"). II.—FISH COOKERY MADE EASY. The proper cookery of the cheaper sorts of fish is a thing but little understood in England; and when I say the proper cookery I mean that: which lies outs:de of fish boiled or fish fried. Thero are numerous other ways, however, which are infinitely more appetising than the two I havo just named, and into the mystery of these I pro- prose to initiate you. TURBOT AU GRATIN. I specify turbot for this dish, but i.1- reality any white fish, such as haddock, cod or hake, is ex- cellent when cooked as follows:—Take a piece of turbot weighing from lib to llb. Placo it in a dean stewpan. Add just enough milk to cover; it, an onion notched in order to allow the juice, to escape, and a good sprig of parsley. Simmer slowly until the fish is cooked and quite white. Then place it on a clean hot fireproof china dish, and reserve on the plate-rack. Strain the milk in which it was cooked into a clean stewpan; thicken it with loz. of butter and loz. of flour kneaded together, and stir over a slow fire until of the i consistency of thick cream. Then add pepper and salt to taste, and stra,n it through a heated gravy strainer on to the dish. Sprinkle the top thickly with breadcrumbs, place a bit of butter here and there, and put in a hot oven until the sauce has set and is just golden brown hero and there; then take out and serve at once. HADDOCKS WITH CHEESE SAUCE. lake two good-sized haddocks and boil them till dono in salted water. Take them out, drain them, free them from skin and bone, and flake them into pieces of a suitable size. Mea.nwhile, place rather bettor than half-a-pint of milk in a clean stewpan. add to it a small onion notched in order to let the juice escape, a bit of parsley, and a tiny bit of mace. Cover the pan, draw it to the side of the fire, a.nd simmer very slowly until the milk taste-s strongly of the flavouring-, but take care that it does not reduce even in the slightest degree. Then strain it through a fine stra ner into a clean stewpan. Ti [eken it with loz. of flour and loz. of butter kneaded together, and stir until tho sauce leaves the sides of the stewpan. Then add to it loz. of finely-grated Dutch or Cheddar or, in fact, any sort of cheese. Stir until the cheese has quite melted, by which time the sauce should be of a deep yellow colour. Then add pepper and salt to taste, and the flaked haddock. Mix the fish very lightly, yet thoroughly, with the sauce, but take care not to mash it or break it in any way. Make very hot, then empty into a hot fireproof china dish, sprinkle the top thickly with breadcrumbs and grated cheese, place a tiny bit of butter here and there, and put the dish in the oven until the cheese has melted. Then take out and serve at. once. Note, that not only haddock, but cod, hake, brill and turbot are equally nice when cooked in this V. ay. WHITING A LA PORTUGAISE. I I his is a delicious way of cooking that some- i what insipd fish, the whiting. Take threo: medium-s.zed whiting and cook them in a little stock, or, if stock cannot be afforded, then in a. little water, together with an onion and a bit of parsley. Do not boil them. Simmer them till tender, and do not let them over-cook; they should be just cooked and no more. Then strain them carefully and place them in a hot fireproof china dish; pour oyer thm half a bottlo of tomato catsup. Sprinkle the top thickly with finely- j minced parsley and minced shallot. Plaoe a few tiny b ts of butter here and there make very hot in the oven, and allow the sauce to just set; then serve at once. Not only whiting, but haddocks, are excellent when cooked in this way. The quantity of tomato catsup used must, of course, be increased if the fish are of larare size. STUFFED FRESH HERRINGS. Split the herrings open, clean them, and bono them very carefully, but leave in the rocs. Butter a fireproof china d:sh rather thickly. Place the herrings on this, put a few tiny bits of butter on each, and bake in a moderately hot oven till done. Meanwhile, take. just lib. of freshly- boiled, floury potatoes, add to them rather better than a wineglassful of quite boiling milk, and a bit of butter about the size of a small walnut. Mash the potatoes until quite white and light, then stuff the centre of each of the herrings with potato, shape this neatly with a knife or a. fork, and sprinkle w?th 6ne!y-mincGd parsley, place a tiny bit of butter on each, and replace the dish in the oven until the potato has become nicely browned; then take out and serve at once. HERRINGS A LA MAITRE D'HOTEL. Take six fresh herrings, split them open, clean! them carefully, and bone them, but do not removo the roes. Butter a fireproof china dish thickly, arrange the herrings on this, place on the centre of each a smaH teaspoonful of finely-minced pars- fey and shallot, put a bit of better on top, sprinkle thickly with breadcrumbs, and dust lightly with pepper and salt. Cook in a moderately hot oven j for from fifteen to twenty minutes. If the fish are of large size allow a little longer time for cooking. Take out and serve at once. Mashed potatoes may be handed with them if liked. MackerelalEO are delicfous when cooked according to this recipe. Of course in the latter case a larger amount of butter, parsley, etc., will be required. Bloaters, if spLt and cooked in this fashion, will be found far more appetising than the usual fried or grilled bloater. COD WITH MACARONI. I I Vhen a small piece of cold boiled cod has been! left over from a previous day it may be turned into a very dainty and appetising dish as follows: Take the cod, freo it from skin and bone, and flake it into smallish pieces. Make a sauce with half- R-pint of milk ajid loz. each of flour and butter; stir till of the consistency of thick cream, then add j pepper and salt to taste and a tiny grate of nut- meg. Add also the cod, and make very hot, stirring all the time in order to avoid burning, then add from loz. to 2oz. of freshly-cooked .nto lin. leiig-  li  Make? macaroni previously cut into lin. lengths. Make very hot. Dish up on a hot dish, garnish with: savoury croutons, and serve at once. The savoury croutons are made as follows:—j Take a sufficient number of slices of stale bread —those from a tin loaf are best. Dip each into milk and then into finely-mineed onion and minced parsley. Have ready a saucepan half-full of c?ariEcd beef dripping. Wa?t until the blue smoke is rising from this, then add the crutons and fry till of a light golden brown hue. Take out, drain quickly on clean paper. Arrange round the fish and serve. I COD IN THE FLEMISH FASHION. Cook a piece of cod as directed above, then in- stead of the macaroni add to it three hard-boiled eggs cut into quarters, and two large onions sliced and fried. Make all hot together, garnish with the fried croutons, and serve at once.
A MESSAGE FROM LIVERPOOL.I
A MESSAGE FROM LIVERPOOL. A LIVERPOOL RESIDENT'S ADVICE TO CHESTER. The following will prove interesting reading to Chester people:- Mr. James Roberts, living at Brookfield's Cot- tages, Victoria-road, Aigburth Vale, Liverpool, is j a member of the LiverpoGI Police, and is greatly respected. Our police force in Liverpool is noted as being one of the smartest in the world, and we are not a little proud of it. It is safe to say that the heart of every member is in the well-being of his town and this is further evidenced by Mr. Roberts's statement, which he gives in the inter- ests of others. We give herewith a letter received from him on the 19th January, 1901, and we respectfully draw the reader's attention to the sub- sequent statement appearing beneath t: "19th January, 1901. Dear sirs,—Constant ex- posure to all kinds of weather had a bad effect upon my kidneys. I used to suffer from fearful pains in my back, and when I had occasion to bend a pain seemed to dart right through me, and I had to hold my hands to my hips before I could straighten myself again. I was frequently very giddy, and even light-headed, through this kidney trou ble. "I was beginning to think it was going to be a 'case' with me. when I first heard of Dean's Back- ache Kidney Pills. I had been trying all kinds of medicine which sympathising friends had recom- mended to me, but none of them did me any good. I do not think, therefore, that I should have used Doan's Pills had it not been for the fact that they claimed to be a special medicine for kidney dis- oiders, and that several people in Liverpool had told of their cures. I found that the good name Doan's Backache Kidney Pills had gained in Liverpool had been earned by merit alone, for they did me more good than any other medicine I have ever taken—indeed, it is no exaggeration to say that they quite cured me. "I give this in the hope that it may be the means of persuading others to try what I have proved to be such a splendid medicine.—I am, dear sirs, yours faithfully, (Signed) James Roberts." Mr. Roberts's subsequent statement, fourteen months after the aoove; -A correspondent, vaifng to us respecting Mr. Roberts's testi- monial, says that on meeting Mr. Roberts a few days ago, he said, in reply to your correspondent's enquiry: "Yes; the good Doan's Backache Kid- ney Pills did for me over fourteen months ago has lasted right up to-day. Only on one occasion have I had a slight return of the backaches, and that was following a heavy cold. A dose of Doan's Pills, however, soon dispelled the trouble. They are reliable, however severe the trouble may be. It was a good day for me when I got some of the Pills, for I have been a different man since. Any- one who tries them will, I feel sure, be able to say I a vear hence—or five years hence, for that matter -tho same as I do: 'Yes. Doa.n. s Pills cured me, to stay cured; I am still well to-day.' If you are ill, write and tell us your symptoms. We shall be pleased to give you the best advice in our power, free of charge. Your letter will be treated in strictest confidence. Doan's Backache Kidney Pills are'two shillings and ninepence a box (six boxes for thirteen shillings and ninepence). Of all chemists and drug stores, as posted tree on receipt of price by the proprietors, Foster- McClellan Co., 8, Wells-street, Oxford-street, Lon- don, W.
[No title]
FIRE IN A RAILWAY TUNNEL.—Several barrels of petroleum stored in the tunnel of the Cheshire Lines Railway at Liverpool caught fire on Sunday afternoon, and in a few mmutes a dense mass of smoke poured into St. James's underground station, causing great alarm. A railway employe named James Weddon was overcome by the smoke and removed to the hospital, where he soon recovered. The fire was allowed to burn itself out. Bradleys sell all Fur Elastic Felt Hats, at 3/9, as comfortable as a cap; really 4/6 goods. Other prices in Hats, 1/11, 2/6, 2/11, 4/6, 4f11.-Bradleys. Foregate-street and 70, Brook-street, Chester.
ATHLETIC NEWS. I
ATHLETIC NEWS. I FOOTBALL NOTES. I On Saturday Chester journeyed to Sale to meet Sale Holmfield in the replayed semi-final tie of the Cheshire Senior Cup. The large crowd was evidence of the great interest in the match. Chester had failed to beat their opponents at home, and consequently their chances of victory, away wpre never looked upon as bright. They played with the wind in the first half. Dennison started for Holmfield, and the home quintette were soon at work, Thomas taking a pop at goal, but the ball went a few inches too high. Chester made the paco. They attacked finely, and after an unsuccessful attempt Sherman found tha not in the first five minutes. Sale played in a de- termined fashion. Garside experienced hard luck. Tho Chester forwards got away smartly. Kelly got ahead and drove hard, Penlington throwing out. The backs failed to clear, and for a time were hard pressed. At length Dennison gained posses- sion, and executed a brilliant run. Matters looked bright from the Sale point of viow. Copeland was making a bee-line for goal when he was fouled. The leather was well placed from the free kick, and Dennison put on the equalising point. By this time Holmfield found their legs, so that the relief the Cestrians got was only momentary. Garside sent in a lovely drop shot, and the backs were lucky to get the ball away. Copeland and Garsido indulged in some neat passing, enabling Thomas to get in a strong shot. Half-time: Sale one goal, Chester one. In the second moiety the visitors were com- pletely outplayed, and kicking with the wind Holmfield continuously attacked. Once Delanev broke away, but Penlington rushed out and cleared. From midfield Garside dribbled down, and when tackled sent to Blackwell. Ho trans- ferred to Drinkwater, who drove hard, Eardley saving amid the cheers of the Chester spectators. Of the many corners which fell to the lot of Sale only one was turned into good account by Drink- water. The ball was netted by Garside, who was given offside. Eardley fisted out in fine style from Thomas. As the match drew to a close the Chester custodian played a splendid game. Sale's j third goal was scored by Copeland. Result: Sale Holmfield three goals, Chester one goal. "There's many a slip 'tlv x the Cup and the 'club,' to misquote an old proverb and never more than now will the Cestrians realise its truth. j One cannot help thinking that they might have carried the day on the first occasion had they had a little more cohesion among the forwards; but Its no use crying over spilt milk. Sale are now almost c2rtain to beat Winsford and win the Cup, and well they will have earned it. The competition for the Chester and District Junior Cup was brought to a conclusion on Satur- day at Whipcord-lane, when Chester Garrison and Wrexham St. Giles's decided who should possess i the coveted trophy. Fine weather favoured the' occasion, and there was a good attendance of Ji spectators. 1 The Garrison had the wind for the first half in the r favour, and after two minutes' play they opened the scoring. They kept up their attack I for some t Imo, but all they got was a number of ineffective corners. Wrexham were then seen to advantage, and the equalising shot was sent from A. Rogers. The play fluctuated from end to end. but the soldiers were the most dangerous. Several times they had the goal at their mercy, but erratic shooting spoiled everything. The. Saints shaped hotter than their opponents, and wore more methodical in their attacks. Just before the in- terval they were awarded a penalty kick, from which E Hughes gave them the lead; and in- stead of crossing over with a substantial lead. as they should have done. the Garrison found them selves at h^lf-time in a minority of one. After a quarter of an hour's quiet play the "Tommies" mad a. a charge, and. sweeping awav the enemy's defence, rushed the ball into the n"t, thus equalising. Tho Welshmen pressed hard, but ten minutes had passed before they regained the lead, one of the defenders heading the ball into his own goal. This mishap proved the undoing of the soldiers, for afterwards they seemed to have lost heart, offering but feeble re-sistanc-c) to the! vigorous onslaughts of the Saints. The foul-ill goal camo from Bennett Hesby, and the fifth, sixth and seventh in rapid succession from A. Rogers (2) and Vesey. The game thus cndnd in a decisive victory for Wrexham by seven goals to two. Mr. J. Blaylock, vice-chairman of the Chester and District Association, presented the Cup to! tho successful team. He said the game had bf?" carried out in a sportsmanlike spirit. Hfe had had j much experience of football, bat lie had seldom seen such a lot of young lads play such a pretty game. They played football pure and simple, and trusted to foot and head work, and not to th<- vigorous manner in which they could throw m'n down. He sympathised with the losers. They had not played their ordinary game. Ho hoped" they would do better next time. A. Rogers, captain of the Wrexham team, responded. Shotton Juniors had Ewloe as visitors on Satur- day. After some end-to-end play Board got the ball and put in a good shot. which Cooper planted between the uprights. J. Thomas sent in a grand I shot, but Haswell cleared, and shortly afterwards Cooper scored number two for the home team, and! at the interval Shotton led by two goals to in). On re-starting, Ewloe made a sudden onslaught, upon the home goal, but could not penetrate the defcnce. The home forwards transferred play t.) tho other end, where Beard beat Haswell with a Lghtning shot, and the Juniors won by three go.ds to nil. H. Haswell. in goal, played a grand gome. Shotton Juniors have entered in the medal rom. petition, which takes place at Northop on East-er Monday. Connah's Quay Reserve again tried conclu¿;o;: with Saltney Reserve, on the former's ground. On the previous Saturday, the Quay contingent just managed to scramble home by a two to one I majority, but on this occasion the visitors had a much better team. Early Saltney bombarded the home goal", but it was not unt-I the game had been in progress about 15 minutes that the visitors' forwards scored a grand goal, which gave the home custodian no chance. Shortly afterward-, they added another. With the exception of Tread- well, the home play was of a very ragged descrip- tion, many good openings being lost by the erratic shooting of the forwards. At the interval the visitors led by two goals to nil. On resuming, Saltney, who were now playing down hill, ht.. ally made rings round the Quayites, and early 'I again scored, although Treadwell made a grand I attempt to divert the course of the ball. From a sudden breakaway the home forwards managed to propel the ball between the uprights. From the centre kick the visitors came away in gra?d style, their short, quick passing quite mystifying the home team, who, to stave off further disaster, adopted tiie one back style of football, with the result that all interest in the gam& was at a dirt- count. The visitors were returned victorious by three goals to one. Mold Amateurs and Flint met on the Mold Recreation Ground on Saturday afternoon. The game speedily assumed au interesting aspect, for from a pass by Jim Millington, Peters was abi" to draw first blood for the Amateurs. After a period of play in midfield the chemical men came aggressive, and Fletcher was caDad upon to repel a shot from their left wing. With the ar- rival of half-time the score stood at one goal to nil in favour of the Amateurs. I With the wind in their favour the home team had I matters all their own way, and Peters notched a second goal soon aft2r the start. Upon the centre kick their forwards again made tracks, and Barker forced a corner, from which Lloyd headed a third goal. Later on McGregor, the home centre-half, who throughout the afternoon had played a grand gmne. eluded several of the Flint men and com- pletely beat the Flint goalkeeper with a shot at, 30 yards' range. An interesting game ended with the score—Mold Amateurs four goals, Flint nil. The report of the commission appointed to en- quire into the circumstances of a disturbance which occurred on the Little Sutton ground a few i weeks ago was presented at a meeting of the Chester and District Association, over which Mr. J. Blaylock presided, on Monday evening. It was recommended that the Little Sutton Club be ordered to provide prop or dressing accommodation for the referee, and exhibit posters warning spec- tators against unruly conduct. It was also recom- mended that P. Bradley, C. Swift and R. Fal-y, of the Little Sutton Club, be suspended until they appeared before the association; and that. J. Rary, acting captain in the match, bo suspended until October 1st, and A. F. Braum, J. Benyon and J. Lloyd until the end of the current season. The lecommendations were adopted. I COMBINATION. RESULTS UP TO DATE. ^Goals-v. P W. L. D. FORACAT-P'S Wrexham 23 17. 2.. 4. 71.1<J.. >>^ Oswestry 25 14. '.). 2.D5.38.<0 Bur?Iem Port Vale .22. 12. 5. 5.(?.30.2') ) 8 34 Nantwich .23.12. 7. 4. 1) t"sI Birkenhead 21.12.. 6. 3.41.28.27 Witton Albion 23 10. 6. 7 45. 39.27 Middlewicb. 25. 8.. 9.. 8.3D. 01 .24 Chester If, 8. 4 7.41.. 32.2-S Rhyl 20. 7.11. 2 4.3.5(1 16 *Banor 21. 5. 8. 8.41.. 62,16 Newton-le- Willows .22.. 6.13. 3 42. 65.15 *Winsford .22. 5..13. 4.38. 53..1:! Tranmere .23. 3.1.") 20,. 57.11 Chirk 21. 4.15.. 2. 28.50.10 *Two points deducted. White Star Wanderers I withdrawn-record expunged. CHESTER & DISTRICT FOOTBALL LEAGUE DIVISION 1. RESULTS UF TO DATE. f G s—, P. W. L. D. For Ag-st. its. Helsby 13 8. 3. 2.43. 20.IS Druids Reserve .10. 8. j. I 27..11.17 Wrexham Vics 10 7. 2. 1.41.13.15 Connah's Quay 13. 6. 5. 2.33.37.14 Rhyl Reserve. 9. 3.. 4. 2.12.22. S Chester Reserve. 7. 2. 3. 2 20.25. 0 Gresford .13.. 1.10. 2.27.50. 4 Cambrian Athletic f). 0. 7. 2.. 27.47. 2
Advertising
E PPS'S COCOA. E PPS'S COCOA. E PPS'S COCOA. E PPS'S COCOA. Grateful — Comforting'. Prepared from the finest selected Cocoa with the natural flavour preserved. It is far and away the | most nutritious beverage you can take for breakfast and supper.
BILLIARDS. I
BILLIARDS. I HELSBY v. Alis V ANY. I The return billiard match played between teams I representing the Helsby and Alvanley Reading- rooms, took place at Helsby on Friday evening, the home team winning by 59 points. In the first game played at Alvanley on the previous Wednesday the home team won by 12 points, so that on the aggregate Helsby won by 47 points. The following are the scores HELSBY. ALVANLEY. F, R. Griffiths (capt.) 100 H. Wright (capt.). 90 A. E. Smith. 100 A. Fisner. 60 T. Lloyd 100 E. Noden 68 J. Davies 100 L. Greenway 79 J. Bibby. 63 T. Booth. 100 R. Jones 93 J. M. Harnaman 100 55G 497 The following are the scores in the match played at Alvanley :— HELSBY. ALYANLET. F. R. Griffiths (capt.) 100 H. Wright (capt.) 70 A. E. Smith. 79 A. Fisher. 100 T. Lloyd 80 E Noden 100 J. Davies 100 L. Greenway. 93 J. Bibby. 100 T. Booth 75 R. Jones 67 J. M. Harnaman 100 526 538
[No title]
INTERNATIONAL FOOTBALL.—The last and most important of the Association Internationals was played at Sheffield on Saturday, when Scotland beat England by two goals to one.
POINT-TO-POINT RACES.I
POINT-TO-POINT RACES. I WIRHAL MEETING. I [BY OUR OWN RKPOKTEII.] This popular fixture was held on Saturday, and proved very successful. There were one or two showers of rain in the morning, but towards noon the weather cleared up and the elements were extremely favourable for the remainder of the day. The races were run this year over three miles of stiffish country at Irby, a delightful, old-world spot in the Wirral Peninsula, commanding a fine view of tho Mersey. There was a large attendance of members and friends of the Hunt, among those present being Mr. Clunie Dale, Mr. Eric Brocklc- bank and party, Mr. R. Johnson Houghton, Mr. Kevin Byrne, Captain Hobson, Mr. H. E. Wilbra- ham (Delamere House), Mr. T. Lonsdale, Mr. T. Royden, jun., Mr. Hugh Melly, Mr. Wignall, Mr. Maxwell Glegg, Mr. Gordon Lockett, Mr. Percy Churton, Captain Waldwyn, Mrs. Reid and party, the Messrs. Bushell, Mr. and Mrs. C. B. Ismay, Messrs. Midwood (2), Mr. B. Glegg, Mr. W. Paul, Mr. Roy Laird, Mr. Hugh Laird, Mr. Latham, Mr. A. Tyrer, Mr. W. Duckworth, Mr. Walter Glynn and party, Captain Locke, Mr. Jerome Smith, Mr. Hinde and party, Mr. Cowie, Miss Evans and party, Mr. Eaton, Mr. Edmondson, Mr. Sherwood, Mr- Tate, Mr. E. W. Pierce, Mr. H. Sutton, Mr. J Bretherton, Mr. Cooper Bland, Mr. Stuart Downs, Mr. T. B. Forwood, Mr. 1'. Sanday, Mr. N. Forwood, Mr. Lewin, Mr. W. Carter, Mr. Tom Davies, Mr. James Ball (Shotwick), Mr. H. J. Stretch, Mr. H. J. Nield, &c. The going was heavy, but fortunately there was very little plough land to ride over. There were five events on the card, and excellent racing was witnessed, the feature of the proceedings undoubtedly being the success of Mr. C. B. Ismay. The Members' Heavy W eight Race attracted a field of six, and Captain Hobson cleverly steered Air. Ismay's Blue Rock to victory. For the next event, the Open Race, thirteen went to the post, and a keen struggle ensued, Mr. Ismay finally gaining the verdict of the judge on his Nugget 11., which was the popular favourite. It was disappointing to find only three runners in the Farmers' Race, which easily fell to Mr. Rayner's Carnew. In the Members' Light Weight Race the irresistible Mr. Ismay scored another success on his ehesnut Toffy, after being closely pressed by Captain Hobson on Springbuck. An exciting finish was witnessed in the Ladies' Plate, Mrs. C. B. Ismay's Elastic and Miss Y. Watson's Lucifer running a dead-heat. Mr. Kevin Byrne acted as starter, Mr. Clunie Dale as judge, and Mr. Wignall was the clerk of the scales. Details:— MEMBERS' HEAVY-WEIGHT RACE for a silver cup all horses to have been" regularly hunted during present season with the \Virral Harriers, the Cheshire, or Sir Watkin Wynn's Hounds. Catch weights, over list. Mr. C. B. Isn'ay's BLUE ROCK Capt. G. W. Hobson 1 Mr. Roy M. Laird's Volunteer .Owner 2 Mr. W. Duckworth's Torpedo 0wner3 Mr J. Westgate's Topcroft (t Mr. E. G. M'Andrew's Roofis Owner 0 Mr. W. H. Mid wood's Tommy Owner 0 Blue Rock and Tommy made most of the I running. Tommy fell at the last fence, and Mr. I Ismay's representative won easily. OVEN RACE, for CI5. Catch weights, over 12st. 71b. Mr. C. B. Ismay's THE NUGGET II.Owner 1 Miss Forester Addie's Rajah .Mr. N. Forwood 2 Mr. A. R. Midwood's Stealaway .Owner 3 Mr. E. W. Dixon's Canadian .Capt. Hobson 0 Mr. G. W. Morrison's Little Queen Owner 0 Mr. W. Watson's Cheap Jack Owner 0 Mr. T. B. Forwood's John .Owner 0 Mr. P. Sandya's Monarch Owner 0 Mr. R. Mann's Frank Capt Waldwyn 0 Mr. A. V. i\ÍeJd's Lilll'1.vadv Owner 0 Mr. W, H. Midwood's Lottery .kir. L-tig by 0 Mr. H. E. Bushell's Orfis !Owner 0 Mr. Lewin's Jack .Owner 0 The Nugget II. came to the trout two fences from home, and won a good race by four lengths; several lengths separated the second and third. FARMERS' RACE for £10. Mr. S. Rayner's CARNEW Owner 1 Mr. H. J. Stretch's Tipperary Boy Owner 2 Mr. H. J. Nield's Pearl Mr. Nield, jun. 0 An easy thing for Carnew. MEMBERS' LIGHT-WEIGHT RACE, for a Silver Cup. Catch weights, over 12 stone. Mr. C. B. Ismay's TOFFY Owner 1 Capt. Hobson's Springbuck Owner 2 Mr. F. W. Wignall's Her Ladyship Mr. B. Johnson Houghton 3 Mr. H. G. Johnston's Lady Kitty Owner 0 Mr. F. Clunie Dale s Chaperone..Mr. Stevenson 0 Mr. W. Watson's Spinning Girl .OwIlcr 0 I Mr. W. Duckworth's White Star .Owner 0 I Mr. W. Paul's Kathleen Owncr 0 Mr. J. A. Rigby?s Red Rose Owner ol White Star made the running at the start, but she fell a mile and a half from home in the road, and though Mr. Duckworth re-mounted, he had no chance. The others kept pretty well together until half a mile from home, where Toffy and Springbuck took it up, the favourite eventually winning by two lengths; six lengths between the second and third. LADIES' PLATE, for a Silver Cup. Catch Weights, over list. 71b. Mrs. C. B. Ismay's ELASTIC .Mr. Bower Ismay + Miss Y. Watson's Lucifer Capt. H. C. Bickford t Miss H. Watson's Windermere Capt. Watson 3 Miss Babington's Lady Bird Mr. R. Juhnson Houghton 4 Mr. R. J,,hiison   'c-lson 0 vlis,; Owen's Fernery Mr. 0 This was a splendid finish to an excellent day's sport, a good race resulting in a dead heat for first place.
CHESHIRE YEOMANRY. I
CHESHIRE YEOMANRY. I The Earl of Chester's Imperial Yeomanry Point- to-Point Races were held on Monday. The sky in the early portion of the day was marred by some threatening clouds, but fortunately the weather was favourable and the meeting proved most I s.ujcessful. The starting and finishing posts were at Newbold, and the circular course, of three miles and a half, was marked out over the farms of Mr. S. Denson, Newbold Mr. James Blake, Cal,f,-iey Hall; Mr. Challinor, Golbourne Manor and Mr. Richard Fearnall, The Lea. It was over a good, hunting country, and perhaps the most difficult iumps were Golbourne Brook, which had to be crossed twice. There was a large attendance of the county families, and among those present were :— The Duke of Westminster, who brought with him a party including Mr. Reggie Corbet, M.F.H., j and Mrs. Corbet, Captain Neil Haig, Mr. Hermon, Mr. Massey, and the Rev. Mr. Prodgers, chaplain to the Earl of Chester's Yeomanry Lieut -Colonel the Earl of Harrington, commanding the Cheshire Yeomanry, who was warmly congratulated on his quick recovery from the ill-effects of his recent accident Lieut -Colonel the Hon. G. Ormsby Gore, commanding the Shropshire Yeomanry Lord and Lady Arthur Grosvenor, Captain H. M. Wilson, M.F.H., Lord Kenyon and party, including Colonel Itivei-s Lnti Miss Bulkeley, Major and the Misses Kearsley, Captain Foster, Mr. Gurney, Mr. Kynaston, and Captain Noel Money the Earl of Enniskillen, the Hen. Cecil T. Parker, Colonel Wilford LLoyd, Lord Cole, the Rev. the Hon. A. R. Parker, Colonel and Mrs. James Tomkinson, Mr. W. H. Verdin, Sir Walter Corbet, Major H. Heywood-Lonsda.le, Captain J. P. Heywood-Lonsdale, Mr. George Barbour, Mr. J. Birkett, Mr. G. St. Quintin, Mr. J. H. Stock, M.P. and Mrs. Stock, Captain Featliorstonhaugh, Mr. De Knoop, Major J. M. Gordon, Major 0. M. Leigh, Mr. Granville Farquhar, Mr. H. E. Wilbraham, Mr. and Miss Ureev.shields, Mr. J. Howard, the Messrs. Tint-ley, Mr. and Mrs. Gordon Houghton, Mr. J. T. Sykes, Captain Hobson, Captain and Mrs. E. W. Swetenham, Mr. C. T. Threlfall, Mr. F. E. Cotton, Mr. T. F. Linnell, Mr. R. T. Richardson, Captain Tibr y, Mr. R. C. Drury, Mr. Dewhurst, Mr. Henry Davenport, Mr. S. H. Sand bach. Major Kirkpatrick, Mr. Reginald Dixon, Mr. Ferguson, Mr. H. Hewitt, Mr. R. Fearnall, Mr. John Jones (Saighton), Mr. Tom L. Dodd, Mr. J. L. Hughes, Mr. S. Challinor, and many others. The pleasant nature of the pro- <;ee<iings was enhanced by the delightful music of the band of the Earl of Chester's Yeomanry Cavalry. Messrs. R. Bolland and Sons, Ltd., purveyed a high-class luncheon for 200 guests. The first of the four events on the card was the competition between teams representing the Earl of Chester's Imperial Yeomanry and the Shrop- Imperial Yeomanry, tor a cup, value XJZO. Tho race was ridden in hunting costume, the Cheshire representatives being distinguished by a green sash and the Shropshire representatives by a paie blue sash, and when tho twenty-two competitors were drawn up in line at the starting post, the spectacle was a pretty one. They all kept well together for a considerable part of the journey. and in the end Cheshire were declared the, winners by the narrow margin of ten points. Thus they re- peated the victory they achieved against the Lancashire Hussars the other day in the Moyrell country. For the Earl of Harrington's (:m) there was the excellent field of ten. The "booking" fraternity were well represented ou the ground, and the Duke of Westminster's I Rainbow II. was speedily made the favourite, with Major Gordon's Fullers second favourite. The Duke rode a judicious race, and won amid loud cheers in a cantor. Six started for the Earl of Chester's Regimental Cup, presented by the Duke, and his Grace was again the winner on Carden, but he of course handed the trophy to tho owner of the second horse, Captain Neil Haig. An unfortunate accident occurred in this race. Captain Wilson's Weaver, ridden by Mr. Hermon, fell at the last fence, when apparently sure of second place, and broke its back, having to be destroyed. Captain Wilson has experienced wretched luck this season, and he received much sympathy on his loss on this occasion. A "bookie" caused much amusement in this race by calling the favourite "The Gardener," and as he was merrily laying the odds of three to one when the Duke was coming home an easy winner, he will doubtless have cause to remember his gardening" exeroise. The concluding event on the card was tiie Earl of Chester's Cup, open to non-commissioned officers and troopers of the Earl of Chester's Yeomanry. The first prize was awarded to Corporal Burston. but probably Trooper H. Fearnall, who came in second, would have received the judge's verdict but for the fact that through a misunderstanding he was carrying 161b. overweight. The steward5 were Lieut.- Colonel the Earl of Harrington, Major Lord Arthur Grosvenor, Captain H. lVI." Wilson, I M.F.H., Lieut.-Colonel the Hon. G. Orinsby- Gore, Major Lord Kenyon, and Captain the Duko of Westminster. The Earl of Enniskillen dis- charged the duties of judge, assisted by Mr. J. Birkett, Mr. G. St. Quinton, Colonel Rivers Bulkoley and Mr. R. Cmbet. Lord Enniskillen was also starter, and Mr. Birkett derk of the scales, while Captain E. W. Swetenham was clerk of the course. Details:- EARL OF CHESTER'S IMPERIAL YEOMANRY V. SHROPSHIRE IMPERIAL YEOMANRY. Cup, value 1:25. Ridden in hunting costume. Heavy weights 14st. 71b. and over; light weights 12st. 71b. and over. Teams:— CHESHIRE :—Welter weights. j Capt. N. W. Haig's Patsy Gwyer .Owner Capt. H. M. Wilson's Baronet Owner Col. Earl of Harrington's April Fool Lieut. G. C. Lees-Milne Light Weights. Major Lord A. Grosvenor's Grimsby Ownor Capt. Duke of Westminster's His Grace ,Owner Capt. R. W. D. Phillips's .Owner Capt. H. M. Wilson's Hobbs .Major O. M. Leigh Col. Earl of Harrington's Barclay Lieut. J. V. Hermon Capt. Duke of Westminster's The Boy Lieut. \V. Massey Col. Earl of Harrington's Miss Bob Lieut. N. Verdin Col. J. Tomkinson's Lord Essex. Owner SHROPSHIRE Welter Weights. Lieut.-Col. Hon. G. Ornihby-Gore'.a De Wet, Owner Major Lord Kenyon's Crystal Owner Major Sir W. Corbet's Top'eTn Owner Major H. Heywood Lonsdale's Peace Day, Capt. W. Tayleur Light Weights. Major F. Hurt-Sitwell's Saucy Jack .Owner Capt. J. P. Heywood-Lonsdale's Selection .Owner Capt. J. P. Heywood-Lonsdale's Dalby, Lieut. J. Lloyd Capt. J. P. Hey wood-Lonsdale's Approbation, Lieut H. Gurney Lieut. W. R. O. Kynaston's Lady Bird IT., Owner Lieut. R. C. Donaldson Hudson's Harmony, Owner Major H. Lonsdale's The Toredon, Capt. R. T. Jones The competitors kept well together for a consider- able part of the journey. The only one not to finish was Hobbs, which fell when going well. Capt. R. T. Jones (Shropshire) on The Toredon came in first, Lieut. Donaldson Hudson (Shropshire) second the Duke of Westminster third, and Col. Toinkinson fourth. After this the Cheshire repre- sentatives had the advantage, and finally they were declared the winners by 155 to 145 points. YEOMANRY CUP, value k25, presented by the Earl of Harrington for horses that have never won a race, Relirneiitiitiid lolut-to-Poiiit racesexcepted (in which case there was a penalty, 71b. for a winner of one race, and 101b. for two or more races) to be the property of, and to be ridden hy, officers now serving with the Imperial Yeo- manry, or officers who served with the Imperial Yeomanry in South Africa; catch weights, lost, and over. Ridden in colours. 1;; 10 Capt. Duke uf West-minsters RAINBOW 1L. Owm'r 1 13 7 Capt. G. W. Hobson's Spring Buck Owner 2 13 0 Capt. H. M. Wilson's Red Deer Lieut. V. Hermon 3 12 13 Major J. M. Gordon's Fullers .Owner 0 13 0 Lieut. H. W. Hard man's Bomb Nut Owner 0 13 0 Lieut. C. Dewhurst's Recruit Owner 0 13 0 Lt. -Col. P. Hargreave's Bob..Major Tilney 0 12 10 Captain Holford's Zealot Mr. Massey 0 13 0 Captain E. John's Windsor .Lieut. Heap 0 lo 0 Captain Power's My Rejected Owner 0 Rejected shewed the way at the start, with Hain- bow in close attendance, and Springbuck, Fullers and Zealot well placed. Bomb Nut refused early in the race. Rejected lost the first place at the brook, and the running was then made by Rainbow, Fullers, Zealot and Springbuck. At the brook the second time Zealot went the wrong side of the post, and the race then rested between Rainbow, Fullers, Springbuck, aud Red Deer. Fullers, how- ever, could not stay, and Rainbow won in a canter from Springbuck a bad third. EAUL OF CHESTER'S REGIMENTAL CUP. presented bv the Duke of Westminster. Catch weights, lost, and over. For horses tjiat had never won a race, regimental and point-to-point races excepted (in which case there was a penalty of 71b. for a winner of one race, and 101 b. for two or more races.) Ridden in hunting costume. Capt. Duke of Westminster's CARDHN. Owner 1 Capt. N. W. Haig's Long Tom Lt. W. Massey 2 Capt. R. W. D. Phillips's ——— .Owner ;) Lieut. G. C. Owner 0 Capt. J. J. J. De Knoop'sCefn.O\Vller 0 Cap! H. M. Wilson's Weaver Lieut. J. V. Hermon 0 Carden, Weaver and Long Tom made most of the running. Banshee fell early in the race, and Weaver fell at the last fence, when holding second position. Carden ran out an easy winner. EAKL OF CHESTER'S CUP, presented by Captain II. M. Wilson; together with £ 15 to go to the winner, the second to receive £ 7, the third to receive C5, and the fourth to receive presented bv the Officers of the Regiment. Open to non- commissioned officers and troopers of the Earl of Chester's Imperial Yeomanry, for horses that have been through the training of 1902, or for horses that have been the property of non-com- missioned officers and troopers of the Earl of Chester's Imperial Yeomanry before February 1st, 1903. Owners riding allowed 71b., and horses that went through the training of 1902, 71b. allowed in addition. Catch weight, 13st. 71b. Distance about 2,1, miles. To be ridden in colours. Corporal Buston's KING DICK .Sergt. Rutter 1 Trooper Fearnall's The Gift .Owner 2 Corpl. J. Salmon's True Boy Owner 3 Corpl. Thompson's Sally Yap OWIler 4 Trooper McGregors Loyola Owner 5 Sergt. Jones's Plough Boy .Owner 6 Corpl. Astall's Martin .Owller 0 Trooper Kitchen's .Owner 0 Trooper Hull's Lily Owner 0 Trooper Thelwall's Jolly Girl. Owner 0 Trooper Piggott's Lady Trustful Owner 0 The field soon spread out, and tinally King Dick I came in about four lengths in front of The Gift; a j bad third.
Advertising
CUT THIS OUT. CUT THIS OUT. SPRING CLEANING, I 1903. ORDER FORM I for Carpets on. and return. Name Address If to be relayed Yes or No" RICHARD JONES, BRIDGE STREET, CHESTER. j
[No title]
MR. CHAMBERLAIN'S DENIAL.—Mr. Chamberlain's i attention has been drawn to a newspaper statement j to the effect that the Government will go to the country in the autumn on the question of an enormous extension of local government in Ireland and that their scheme, which has the support of Mr. Chamberlain, will provide for the establish- ment of a legislative council in Dublin. The Colonial Secretary, commenting on this statement, said:—"The statement is absolutely untrue, both as regards myself and as regards the Government generally." The "Irish Times," discussing the rumoured concession of Home Rule, says we can assure our readers on the highest authority that there is no truth in all these speculations.
-  1 A CENTENARIANS DEATH.…
 A CENTENARIANS DEATH. I THE KING'S OLDEST SUBJEtT I Mr9. Margaret New\ tha well-known centen- jj arian, died at Guernsey on Saturday in her Ilith I year. Mra Neve, who had travelled much iu ? her younger days, was (says the "Westminster Gazette") a most interesting personage, spoke several languages, and had a good memory of many stirring incidents which occurred during her life. She resided at her charming estate in St. Peter's Port with two niooes. Mrs. Neve. who. had no children, was a widow for over fiftv years. Occasionally visitors to Guernsey, anxious to meet and greet this old lady, would call at her pretty house, invariably neat and tidy, and there would receive a courtly welcome and a cup of tea poured out by the centenarian's own hand. Of late, as age crept on, and infirmities so long absent at length began to develop, Mrs. Neva became more retiring, but she retained a keen interest in the affairs of the island. Her eyesight, of all her faculties, she retained tho longest, and she was wont to mend her own stockings and do other needlework long after she passed her hundredth year. As became the oldest subject of tho Sovereign, Mrs. Neve was intensely loyal, "nd among her most cherished possessions was a signed photo- graph of the late Queen sent to tho old lady in exchange for one of her own, wiLen used to hang at Windsor or Osborne. It wai her delighted cus- tom while the lato Queen lived to send her Majesty a oongratulatory telegram on her birthday, aucl Queen Victoria returned the compliment OIl each anniversary of the old lady's birth. It is not. known whether Queen Alexandra. maintained this interchange of messages. Mrs. Neve had travelled considerably in the coursa of her long life, her last long- journey being undeitaken when she wa? 92! She then went to Cracow, in Poland, to see Kosciusko's monument, and also to Russia, her only companion being her sister, who was then 89 years of ago. Her days were spent in simplicity, and as much of them as possible in the open air. She knew every flower by name in her garden, and tended each with care. Early in the morning sfie might be found pulling up buttercups or weeds; then- sho would go indoors and read for a couple of hours French or Italian history. Milton and DantE" were her favourite books, next to the Bible, of ] which she was a devoted tucbnt After her din- I ter at two o'clock the centenarian would enjoy a, nap till four; then she would talk and knit and have her tea. She always concluded the day as she began it. by reading family prayers—when the light was good, without glasses—and retired to bed about ten o'clock. Once a week until quite i?e- ccntly Mrs. Neve gave a luncheon party, at which I her favourite guest was often her great-nephew, I over a hundred years younger than his ItO?t. After j the meal tho old lady would conduct her guests J to the meadow to see the cows and poultry, walk- ing thither quite unaided and without a stick. ■ Not so very long ago she went up a step-ladder into a loft to look for something she wanted. Altogether. Mrs. Neve was one of the most re- markable women of the throe centuries in which she lived.
[No title]
MRS. MAYBRICK'S RELEASE.—The Home Office authorises the announcement that Mrs. Maybrick will be released in July of next year. A life sentence means in the ordinary way twenty years' imprison- ment, from which, for the highest possible good conduct record, there is an abatement of three months of every year. By the date named Mrs. Maybrick will have been imprisoned fitteen years, Mrs. Maybrick and her mother, the Baroness E. von Roqur- are engaged in litigation with respect to their ownership of lands worth £ 1,500.000 in Kentucky and Virginia. and Mrs. Maybrick's evidence is vital to their claim. The Home Office intimation was made in order to enable the suit to be postponed till she was free.
Advertising
VITADATIO W 8 S ???E?ir? B t)U THE MIRACLE WORKER. ANOTHER CANCER CURE. Neerim South, Gippsland, Victoria, August 21st, 1902. To Mr. S. A. PALMER, Dear Sir,—I feel it only right that I should send you my testimony as to the merit of VITADATIO. I had been a very great sufferer for years, having undergone several operations. After the last operation 1 got very ill indeed, suffered intense pain, coidd not sleep; in fact, got so ill my friends all thought I must die. I did not know then what was the matter with MC. I was sent to the Melbourne Hospital; my i husband thought I would have died before reach- 1 ing there. After being ill in the H-cspital for six. weeks they informed me that I had Cancer, aid. told my friends I had only a short time to iivcl, there was no hope of my getting better. I was I then less than five stone in weight, and was taken from the Hospital to a friend's house in an ambulance, so ill that I could not move rnvself in bed without assistance. My hiend (Mr. Newton) persuaded me to try VITADATIO, which I felt Jj rather loth to do. However, in the end he pre- 1 vailed, and 1 did try it, and thought it was going f to kill me straight out, for it seemed only io increase the pain but after taking it for about 1 eight or nine weeks I began to throw up pieces of j stuff resembling lights. I would retch for hours at a time, and the quantity of stuff that came up j was just wonderful. I was taking VITADATIO for a long time; I think I took in all between ( forty and fifty bottles. When I started taking: I VITADATIO my friends said, If it cures you I il will be as wOlderfnl as the raising of Lazam." ] It is now twelve months since I took any, and I am now doing all ray own work (general house- hold work). I think it is only right that 1 should j tell what VITADATIO has done for me for the sake of any who may be suffering in the same way. Yon may make what use you like of this. There are a great, number of my friends i who can testify that every word here is true. I | am a very different woman to what I was Ailiezir started taking VITADATIO, and I have taken no other medicine.—Yours sincerelv, (Mrs.) A. E. OLVER. Tyler Street, Preston. Vic.. September 5, 1902. S. A. PALMER, Esq., Dear Sir,—I have much pleasure in certifying to the truth of Mrs. C. Olver's testimonial. t have known the family for a number of years. Mrs. Giver has been a great sufferer. She was brought to my house in an ambulance from the Women's Hospital in a hopeless condition. Her (le-ire was to die and be free from torturing pain. She was too far gone for any help from the, •. medical or surgical profession; my wife and 1 persuaded her to try VITADATIO, arguing that if it did no good it could do no harm. After taking VITADATIO for a week or two she seemed to be worse, yet she continued until I I ttit, by little her appetite came back. and after a terrific struggle with vomiting and pain, began to mend, and is now I believe thoroughly cured from cancer. Mrs. Newton would gladly answer correspondence relating to Mrs. Olver's case. We are satisfied VITADATIO cured Mrs. Olver. Yours truly, (Councillor) JAS. C. NEWTON. Obtainable locally from ALFRED EVANS, Wholesale Grocer, Chester, 85, St. Anne-street; 1. Lower Bridge-street; 51, F oregate-street; 52, Brook-street; 40, Watergate-street; 118, Northgate- street: and at Buckley and Connah's Quay. Also from BOOTS, Cash Chemists. FROM ALL CHEMISTS & GROCERS. The price of Medicine is 4 (J and 2j!) per bottle. For further particulars, I S. A. PALMER, I MOUNT PLACE, BROOK-ST., MANCHESTER Correspondence invited. Write for Testimonials,