Evening Express

COMPLETED STORY. Misadventures of Melville Jones—No. 7. BY J. LOUGHMORE. Author of The Bells of Castle Grange," "Mickey Morfjan," &o., Att. IHt. JONES BECOMES AN ACTOR AND MAKES HIS FIRST APPEARANCE IN THE GREAT MELODRAMA, "BY THE SKIN OF HIS TEETH." As I have already stated, the coolness which for some time had existed between Jones and myself entirely disappeared after that jotlrney to Rhyl. He was very much pleased with the oratorical effort he had made, though he some- times regretted that he had allowed the cham- pagne to get such a hold of him. But, looking I at the thing as an episode, this for me was the best part of it. I would not have missed for worlds the horrified expressions on the faces of that thousand teetotalers when it finally dawned upon them that the orator they had been applauding was undoubtedly drunk. The arrest of Jenldn Jones as a supposed Fenian turned out a more serious affair. That elo- quent gentleman was able to establish his identity very clearly, and threatened to send over an American fleet to demand from Great Britain satisfaction for his wrongful arrest. The police made some efforts to trace my friend Melville and myself, but entirely without suc- ;ess. No one knew that we had been at Rhyl, ind, although the papers had a good deal About the bogus temperance orator and his friend, it never entered into anybody's head to Associate Jones and myself with the incident. But this police business was entirely distasteful co me. and I was resolved to make one more effort to induce Jones to give up the force and turn to something more agreeable. "Do you know, old man," said I to him one day, "I believe you would make a splendid actor. I've always thought so, and after that ,great effort of yours at Rhyl I am sure of it." "Do you really think so, Elwin. Upon my -word. I believe I should." "And besides, my friend, you, who want to get an insight into every department of our social system, would find the stage an admir- able means of continuing your studies. You now know as well as any man what a police- man's life is—why not try that of an actor?" "It has long been in my mind to become a mummer, and a-s soon as the first opportunity comes I shail take your advice. Which reminds me that you might look out for something for me." "All right, old chap. I know some people in the profession, so you may take the matter as arranged. Give in your resignation at once. In a month's time my friend had thrown aside his policeman's uniform for ever, and was once more installed under the paternal roof. Before presenting himself at his father's house he had got rid of ite beard, and now looked almost as young as when he started out to study what he called sociology. Having got him once more to myself, and being able to enjoy his companionship every day, I was in no hurry to carry out my promise of fixing up matters for him in the theatrical way. At the best he would, as an actor, be a good deal away from Cardiff, and I loved my friend too well to be able to bear him iong out of my eight. After a few weeks, however, he began to jet impatient, and threatened that if I did not soon carry out my promise he should set about the matter himself. He wis very stub- born sometimes, and I knew hat I should have to give in. As a matter of f,.ct, I had long seen the only opening he would be likely to obtain in the theatrical world, and it needed only a few minntes' conversation to settle the matter. An old friend of mine, known in his early days as Sam Stubbs, but lately as George Montmorency, had taken to the stage. He was no actor, as he himself acknowledged, but he was great at shifting scenery, and could manage a show with any man in England. Now, George had very little money, and he ffae looking out for a partner who would help him to take round a certain play amongst what is known in the profession as "fit ups," that is amongst the Smaller towns v. here ti er* is no regular theatre, but where 'he Town-hall or a simliar building can be made to serve the' same purpose. In such cases the impre- sario has to carry his own scenery and acces- j Bories, sometimes even to the footlights. Mont- morency, as he wonid now insist on being sailed, was in Cardiff at ;,hat time, so I sought him out. "And when are you starting your won- derful tour, Stubbs?" I asked. "Do you allude to me, sir? I know no one of the name of Stubbs. I would not know a man of such a name. But if you wish to know when Mr. George Montmorency begins his tour the said George Montmorency informs you that he cannot say. He is. in fact, short of a paltry fifty pounds of her Majesty's money, which neither Jew nor Gentile seem to be willing to lend him." "And if an old friend of Mr. Montmorency's were to put him in the way of finding that £ 50 what would he say?' "Mr. Montmorency, sir, would cherish such a friend in his heart of hearts; he would em- brace him as I do you. and proclaim before all the world and the Principality of Wales that he had found a man." "Well, George, I shall arrange that little matter for you-what did you say the name of the play was?" 'By the Skin of His Teeth,' and a very good title too—but not too gocd for the play. Come oil to my 'digs,' and I'll find it for you. It's a. wonderful drama, full of duels and hair- breadth escapes, crammed with wit and humour seasoned by murder, aud replete with all the latest devices in love. Why, I have written most of it myself-so you know wha,t to ex- pect." I was not then in a humour to listen to my friend's play, so I told him what I wanted, and he agreed at once to take on Melville, giving him a salary of 30s. a week, and in consideration of an advance of L50 one-fifth cf the net pro- ceeds of the tour. We sealed the agreement over a bottle or champagne, for Stubbs always liked to augment his joys as well as drown .his sorrows by the flowing bowl. The next day ,,¡ introduced him to Melville Jones, and they were both wonderfully pleased with each other. "Why. Mr. Jones, my dear friend," said George, shaking him warmly by the hand, "you are just the man I wanted. But you have one fault, Jones—one very bad fault- you're too good-looking. The girls of the com- pany will always be quarrelling about you, but you must keep them at a distance, my boy. -Never kiss them except in front of the audience, and if you must flirt why you'll find dozens of girls in every town we go to who will be dying of love for you." "Oh, I'm not afraid of the girls, Mr. Mont- morency "D Mr. Montmorency! Caii me George, plain George-are we not partners, man? But you were about to remark "That I've had a very extensive acquaintance with the fair-OT, rather, the unfair—sex, and nothing they can do in the future can affect me in any way." "So much the better. Bui, don't be too sure. Melville—don t be too sure, my boy -one meets very queer people on the. road, and even the hardest hearted sometimes succumh-eh. Elwin ?" "Don't fear for my friend. George. Get him -1: no id his part. and everything else will arrange itsdf." "Quite right. And now. Mr. Melville, we will proceed to business- I've drawn up short agreement on the lines indi- cated by our mutual friend. 80 if you read y it over we will settle the little matter at once. Wc must be ready for the August Bank Holi- day, and there is a good deal to do yet. These scenic artists are the most inveterate Jews— want paying for everything they do, and liberal doae-i of liquor be-ides. The agreement was found to be correct, and then and there the matter was clinched. Jones handing over the JB50 to the exuberant and very grateful George. On Bank Holiday the great melodrama, "By the Skin of His Teeth." was announced to be played for the first time in the ancient town of Neath. Jones was word-perfect in his part, but. as there wad only time for one rehearsal, most of the members of the company arriving only on the previous Saturday Montmorency was in a fever of excitement lest he should break down. He had no fear of his not becom- ing useful ultimately, but it was ag^.nst all reason that he should acquit himself well on I his first appearance. Jones, however, was abso- lutely confident that he was going to make a I great success, and was fully conscious of the honour done him in allowing him to create a part. It was really through gratitude that Montmorency allotted to him one of the most I important pans in the play, that of a captain of dragoons, who time after time rescues the heroine, and finally marries her. The part of the heroine was taken by a certain Katey Connell, a little Irish girl, who had been three or four years on the stage, and was already well up to the tricks of the trade. She seemed to be proud of the fact of having to act with such a good-looking fellow as Melville, who was, moreover, a gentle- man and who never seemed to swear in the presence of ladies Melville, on the other hand, was very grateful for the pains Katey seemed to take with him, though in his heart he thought there was no occasion for anything of the kind. "Whatever you do, Mr. Jones, avoid stage fright. It would upset the whole show and ruin the business." Stage fright! Was it likely that a man who had faced a thousand teetotalers at Rhyl should be frightened by a Neath-hall audience? But if Jones was not frightened, something else equally disastrous took place. He com- pletely forgot his words, and when he came on in the first love scene he stared at Katey without having a word to say. The prompter shouted, so that everyone in the hall heard him. but Jones only became more confused. It was here wh-re Katey's tact came in. She immediately improvised a part to suit the cir- cumstances. "So this is the silent captain? Well, is it not queer? I've often heard of you, captain, but never till now could be made to believe that on first meeting a young lady you had to stare at her for fully five minutes before you could speak. Take courage, mon capitaine; don't let such a time elapse before speaking to me. I'm not in the least formidable, though a little forward—so say something nice to me." The audience were thus made to think that the captain's silence was part of the play. Then Katey laughed heartily, and in an under- tone told Jones to read his part, whilst she continued her banter. "I've been told, captain, that you have a parcel or message for me: surely you can deliver that? What. is that 1 see in your right pocket?" Here Jones put his hand mechanically into his pocket and pulled out his part. "But. captain, dear, don't be so shy. I've heard that you carry a book of dialogues with you with which to begin conversation with strange young ladies. I'm sure that is the very book you have in your hand. Let me see-- can you not read something nice out of it for me? Do read." Jones came to himself at last, and, having given a glance at the book, he looked up &S if waking from a reverie, and directing himself to Katey said:- "Excuse me; I really did not see you before. Let me see, you are Miss Everard, the daughter of my old friend Farmer Everard?" "At your service, sir." And then Jones. gradually recovering from his fright, went on with the scene, and that part of the play was saved,, the. audience think- ing that his bashfulness and awkwardness was a really fine piece of acting. Montmorency was in the wings during the excitement of this scene, at one moment foam- ing a.t the mouth with fury, and the next tremb- ling with apprehension. When, at length, the curtain came down, the emotional George rushed at little Katey Connell. "By gad, little woman, you're worth your weight in gold. You've created a new part and got us out of a terrible fix. In future Jones's silence must be a part of the play." Poor Jones was at this time sitting down on a basket almost crying with vexation. He could not have believed that he, of all men, should be struck with stage fright. He had almost decided that his theatrical career ha.d come to an end when Montmorency came up to him and, with a cheery voice, told him to be of good heart. "You'll make an actor yet, my boy; and now that the first act is over you'll go swimmingly through the rest. But, whatever you do, stick to the book and have a glance at it now and again." In the next act things went all right for a time, though Jones, having to deal with other members of the company, received very little outside help In the last scene of this act, after a struggle with two men, he was to be thrown over a cliff, but in the excitement of the moment Jones would not allow this part of the performance to go on. He struggled like a lion with the two men, and would not be thrown over. notwithstanding the continual sotto voce expressions of his antagonists, who damned him for a fool and swore to leave the stage if he did not give over struggling. It is very probable that they would have carried out their threat if Montmorency had not rushed on as a tramp and helped the other two to throw him over by main force. The acting in this scene was very realistic, and the audience applauded loudly. Not for long, though, for Jones, who was supposed to have fallen a depth of fifty feet, showed his head above the painted edge of the cliff, and the illusion was broken. He had to fight two duels in the last act, but these being comparatively straightforward affairs, he acquitted himself well. He came out well. too, in the last scene of all. where he had to denounce the villain, and finish up by marrying Elsie Everard—in other words, -Katey Connell. "Thank God. that's over," said Montmorency, when the curtain had fallen. "I've suffered a martyrdom, but, by Jupiter, everything has come off better than I expected—we must have a gallon of beer." And over that beer the company waxed merry, and again and again drank success to thu great drama and long life to the principal author. (To be continued.) I —.

r MEN'S FICKLE FASHIONS. Men make chronic complaint that women are always changing the fashion of their cloth- ing,, whereas the truth is that ever since women have worn drapery the manner of making it has varied little. They have always worn a skirt and bodice The width, shape, and ornamentation of these have altered from age to age, and even from season to season. But, however, cunningly women might, for the lake of variety, change the details of their attire, the fundamental basis has always been a skirt and bodice, and so probably it will always be for the ordinary and universal dress of the female sex. The i marked and radical changes in clothing have been in that of men, not of women. Examine any book of costumes and you will be surprised to see through how many changes of srarb man has passed before the present practical but ugly costume of the "lordly" sex in civilised land3 evolved itself from his multifarious, tentative moultings. Of course, such vast change.s-far beyond woman's fanci- ful freaks in mere decoration-took time for their accomplishment. How long wa,3 he in getting from the bear- skin to the tunic and tights, from tights to kneo-breeches, and in elongating these into the trousers of the present day? Let men read uu a little on this subject, and they will have to admit that while they from the begin- ning have been boxing the compass in a sar- torial way, women's garments have in prin- ciple remained the same.

CADBURY'S COCOA has a world-wide reputa- tion as a delicious, strengthening beverage, and a valuable nutritive food. The "Lancet" says it represents "the standard of highest purity." Always msist on having CADBURY'S-eold only in Packets and Tins—as other Cocoas are often substituted for the sake of extra. profit. e2

C COMICALITIES—ORIGINAL AND OTHERWISE. I "You have an immense amount of hay," observed the visitor at the Clover-meadow farm. "Ya-as," said Farmer Redneck, "but ther ainte a dang thing t' feed it to but bicycles." Injured Innocence: Yes; she has been saying all manner of wicked things about me. Consolatory Friend: You should not heed her, dear. She merely repeats what other people say. The fierce competition of commercial travel- lers in these modern days extends to the form of their advice notes. It is all important that these should oommand some attention from the customer, and much ingenuity is expended both on their appearance and on their contents. An appeal to the trader's sense of humour is a favourite device. It is on the principle that one Edinburgh firm has recently sent a card to the shopkeepers on whom their travellers are about to call, saying, "Mr. So-and-So will offlict you on the — inst." Tom: Did you over have a race on your wheel? Jack: Once. Tom: How did you come out? Jack: Two weeks after. on crutches. "I see," said the elderly boarder, "that the paper says the foe retreated doggedly. I wonder what sort of retreat that was?" "Pre- sumably," said the Cheerful Idiot, "they took to their barks." Miss Ollabrod: There's a clever sculptress down this way. You ought to see what she can make out of butter. Miss Ritchley-Greest: She's a good one if she can make as much out of it as my pa makes out of oleomargarine. For the last eight days a creditor has been ringing every morning at ten o'clock at the door of his debtor, who each time puts off paying his bill. "Come back to-morrow," said the debto ragain. The respectful creditor, hoping to please the prodigal, says: "If you wish it, sir, instead of calling at ten o'clock, I'll come later." "Don't do that," cried the other; "come at ten o'clock sharp; it wake^ me up." His Wife: You would not have half the nervousness you do if you would give up smoking. Himself: Oh, I couldn't live without my pipe. His Wife: Yes, you could. You told Millie Perry you could not live without her— before you met me. Edwin: Is this canned chicken or canned lobster, Carrie? Carrie: I couldn't tell you. Edwin. The label was torn off the can when I opened it. "Of course. I will be homelier some day, dear," she whispered. "Impossible," he replied gallantly, and he marvels that she sent his presents back. Mother; Now, Tommy, take this piece of bride's cake, put it under your pillow and dream on it. Tommy: I'll do a good deal more I dreamin' if I eat it. I Mr. Tag: You can't dictate to a lady, can you, now? Mr. Wag: Yes, if she's your short- hand writer. Mr. Tag: Right; but she takes you down just the same. "How did you put in your vacation, Jonesby?" "Sitting in an easy chair, mostly." "And dozing?" "Hardly. It was my dentist's easy chair." Johnny: Pa, what does it mean, "Art is long"? Pa: Hum-ur-oh, yes; it refers to their hair. They always wear it very long, you know. The late Mr. Gladstone's example of travelling in a third-class carriage was followed by quite a number of city magnates. To cure him of a habit so disastrous t ohigh dividends, a director got three sweeps, gave them free tickets, and put them in beside the statesman; but seeing through the trick, the G.O.M. hurried to the booking-office and secured four first-class tickets, for himself and the sweeps. At the next meeting of directors one of the items in the accounts bore reference to the upholstering of a first-class carriage.

A STRANGE CODE. Upon the rocky shore at Odde, Norway, where a year ago he met his tragic death, a beautiful tablet has just been unveiled to the memory of Lieut. Count von Hahnke, of the German Navy. It is something more than that. It Is a memorial for future wonderment of the strange code of ethics which irrevocably decreed that this young man should take his own life, it is a memorial of the remorse and repentance of the Emperor who drove him to self-destruction. For the German Emperor was present in per- son at the unveiling ceremony, and in the deep waters of the fjord an entire fleet from the great haven at Kiel swung to their anchors as the last salute was fired. And by the personal and sympathetic order of King Oscar the great Norwegian ironclad Harold Haarfager repre- sented the Scandinavian Navy. THE CAUSE-THE 171PEROR STRUCK HIM. The German Emperor was upon his yacht, the Hohenzollern. It was just a year ago. These who have shared the imperial outings shrug their shoulders when these are men- tioned. A strange character, this Emperor who can feel remorse! Impetuous, self-willed, confident, he is a survivor of the fourteenth century in the nineteenth. He has the rude tastes of a mediaeval baron. Who would amuse him must be prepared to endure rude horse-play. "A Hohenzollern never wears a dressing- gown," he has said. Nevertheless there was once a Prussian monarch whose ideals were of the artist and the literary man of the salon., not the camp. He was so eminent a king that he is still known, spite of his dressing-gown, as Frederick the Great. Upon the Royal yacht young Count von Hahnke was commissioned as a iieutenant. He was a bright and lovable fellow, only twenty- two, the son of General von Hahnke, .Chief of the Military Council. The Emperor loved him; he has shown it. A mediaeval baron had a rude idea of what is seemly in jest. This is the trait of Kaiser Wilhelm. He puts a low value upon women, and does not conceal the fact. Like Napoleon, he looks upon them a.s the breeders; of soldiers. It was in something like this spirit that, one years ago at Odde, Emperor William permitted himself to make, in young Von Hahnke's hear- ing, a slighting remark at the 'expense of his mother, the honoured wife of General von Hahnke. The young man was wild with the sudden anger of youth and high breeding, an anger that was noble. It became him well, as a man, and as an officer. He replied with spirit to his Tmperor, and William responded angrily by slapping the lieutenant's face. They say the whole party were more or less d run Jr. Of course, the lips of every witness are dumb, and we do not know if this be true. But what-aver the riot of the moment before. every one was sober now. A circle of white, tense faces was about the two actors in the strange drama. In their excitement it seemed to the me nwho looked on as if their breath came in sobs. They could hear their hearts beating like trip-hammers. The Emperor had been insulted. It is difficult for an American to realise what this means in Germany. To his subjects Wil- helm is not merely the Chief Executive, their most exalted and most responsible servant; he is their lord, their master. Awe haloes him about. Majesty sjts visibly upon him. To have resented an insult-for this there was but one reparation. Death! Every officer in the little circle of white- faced men had the same thought. Von Hahnke must die; must die by his own hand. The same code of "honour" in Germany that compelled him to fight a duel with his equal after such an insult, imposed on him the duty of self-destruction after such an insult from the Emperor. He was free to choose time, place, circum- stance. But die he must, and in such a way a-3 best to shield his Emperor. This was the codo. So "Von Hahnke walked the dock of the yacht a dead man. In the full tide of his young strength, he looked out through the gr?at fjord that ga-hes the rugged coast, he felt upon his doomed body the kiss of the sun- light, the air was like a rapture to his lungs. Never had he known how sweet was life.

THE BICYCLE ACCIDENT. The Count von Hahnke took his wheel ashore for a bicycle ride. On nther occasions he had enjoyed his favourite exercise with a group of gay com- panions. Now no one seemed to note his set- ting out. He went like the walking manikin of a dream. The mist of death-in-lifo was al- ready about him and the other cfficer- gazed on him with awe. He was never seen again. The steep Norwegian hills are fanged with cruel rocks and at their base the sea is always hungry. Down a steep road a bicycle rider came at foarful speed. One would have thought him bent on ^elf-destruction. Just as the road took a sharp turn about the cliff he saw a pony cart ahead of him. That is the story, but maybe pony, cart, and all are but myths invented to save an Emperor's feelings. To pass them the wheelman swerved, lost control of his mount and dashed over a precipice to the fretting waves 300ft. below. Where Von Hahnke went over the cliff is the spot now marked by a tablet whose un- veiling was honoured by an Emperor, a King, and two fleets. For a king can do no wrong. If the man who is the king does wrong, the fact must be concealed. A lie is the truth-if, indeed, a king can do no wrong! But might it not be fairer to say that an Emperor can do wrong, and that he can feel remorse? Perhaps no moment in the brief and troubled rule of Emperor William better becomes him than the one when he stood, bare-headed and reverent at the tablet by the steep cliff over the roaring fjord at Odde.

What delicious bread! Where did you get it from?" Oh. we buy it from Stevens, at any of their branches, or they will call." e6700 "ADVICE TO MOTHERS."—Are you broken in your rest by a sick child suffering with the paid by cutting teeth? Go at once to a. chemist and get a bottle of Mrs. Winslow's Soothing Syrup. It will relieve the poor sufferer immediately. It is pleasant to taste; it produces natural. quiet sleep by relieving the child from pain, and the little cherub awaked as bright aa a button. Of all chemists, la. Hd. per bottle. A Triumph of the Tea.. Blending Art,- PHILLIPS'S is, 6d. TEA. Have you tried it? It is distinctly superior to the so-called linest teaa." Ø36

OUR DAILY CARTOON. I Wayward. DAME CARDIFF: Firmness of character is very commendable, but carried too far becomes ridiculous obstinacy. He is enjoying his whistle now, no doubt, but later on he will sadly have to pay for it.

DAILY RACING I COMPETITION. Entrance Fee One Penny. In response to numerous requests, we have decided to make the following alterations in our racing competition:- (1) We have reduced the entrance fee from Twopence to One Penny per Coupon. (2) We shall have a daily competition when- ever the racing permits. (3 Each day we shad publish a Coupon con- taining Three Races (instead of live, as heretofore), to be run on the following day. (4) Coupons, accompanied by a fee of One Penny for each Coupon, must reach this Office by Twelve o'clock of the day on which the races are run. (5) The whole of the entrance fees, subject to a. small deduction for expenses, will be awarded to the competitor whose predic- tions are adjudged by the Editor to be nearest to the correct result, or, in the event of a tie, the money will be divided. (6) We shall publish each day the result of f the previous day's competition, together with the Coupon for the succeeding day's competition. CONDITIONS. Opposite the name of each Race in the Coupon write the name of the horse you select. Place the Coupon in an envelope, bearing the words, "Racing Competition," and addressed to the "Evening Express" Office, Cardiff. Send as many Coupons as you like, but every Coupon must be accompanied by an Entrance Fee of ONE PENNY in stamps. Sums of One Shilling and upwards may be in postal orders, j Write your name and address clearly in the space provided for that purpose on each Cou- pon. The decision of the Editor must be accepted as absolutely final. No member of the "Evening Express" or "Western Mail" staff is allowed to compete. RACING COUPON. TO BE SENT IN BY NOON ON WEDNESDAY. BACK. WINNING HORSE. Th<> Great Ebor Handicap. The Welter Handicap. MIU lu 1 he Fiilm outhSelling Welier Handicap Name Address The GREAT EBOR HANDICAP PLATE. One mile and three-quarters. age st lb Major Fenwick's Barford 5 9 0 Sir J Miller's Pinfold 3 8 9 Mr Pio Torterolo's Cartouche III. a 7 10 Mr A F Calvert's Liscarton 3 7 10 Mr G H Pitimmer's Carnatum 4 7 10 Mr Jersey's Dancing Wave 4 7 9 Mr Jersey's Uniform 5 7 8 Mr J H Ilouldsworth's Locarno 3' 7 7 I Sir J Miller's Invincible II 3 7 5 I Mr A Alexander's Bavelaw Castle 3 7 2 1 Mr F Hardy's Bonny Winkfield 3 7 1 The WELTER HANDICAP. Six furlongs. 'I age st Ib Lord Durham's Hellebore 4 11 0 Mr A Eccles's Archangel. 4 10 2 -I Lord Howe's High Treasurer ,5 10 2 The remaininc entries are continued in the next column. Mr F Alexander's Bob White 5 9 12 Mr A Eccles's Postula 3 9 12 Lord Durham's Dubuque 3 9 11 Sir J Blundell Maple's Forcett 4 9 10 Mr Ross's Athel a 9 8 Mr W Taylor Sharpe's Autocar 3 9 4 j Lord Derby's Rissoto 3 9 3 Mr A E Aston's Bedlight 6 9 1 Mr A D Cochrane's Beckhampton 6 9 1 Mr C J Cunningham's Amberite 5 9 1 Lord Carnarvon's Riff Raff 4 9 0 Mr E C Clayton's Boy of Egremond 3 8 13 Mr D Seymour's Lady Fisher 4 8 12 Lord Dunraven's Kirschwasser 4 8 12 Mr F Hardy's Privado 4 8 11 Mr H F Clayton's- Degrammont 4 8 8 Mr J R Eastwood's Harem Queen 588 Mr S G Pickering's Necromantic 3 8 6 Mr Vyner's Serapion 3 8 6 Mr J Scott's Morpejth 4 8 61 Mr J Ryan's Cruiskeen 3 8 4 Mr E Cassel's Grassmarket 3 8 2 Mr C B L Fernandes's Precis filly 3 8 2 Mr Douglas Baird's Grasse 3 8 1 Lord Rosebery's Alizarine 3 8 1 Mr W Brechin's Haberdasher 4 7 13 j Mr J Snarry's Lilypink 3 7 7 i The FALMOUTH SELLING WELTER HANDI- CAP of 150 sovs. One mile. age st lb Capt. E. W. Baird's Teredo 5 9 8 Mr. W. I'Anson's Durannus 5 9 7 Mr C Hibbert's Glaring 4 9 4 Mr. G. Maclachlan's Martha III 5 9 3 Mr. R. W. Armstrong's Arline a 9 2 Mr. W. B. Dyson's Half Pay 6 9 2 Mr. F. Lambton's Her Ring (71b. ex.). 3 9 2 Mr. R. Browne's Grafton Belle 4 9 0 Mr. W. F. Lee's Lomax 4 9 0 Mr G Maclachlan's Sisyphus 4 9 0; Mr G Maclachlan's Buddler 3 8 11 Lord Penrhyn's Palinurus 3 8 11 Sir J. B.undcll Maple's Johannis 3 8 10 Mr. Huntington's Thorngill 4 8 10 Mr. A. E. Aston's Bramley 4 8 8 j Mr. A. E. Aston's Mandale 4 8 7 1 Mr. H. W. Langley's Primero 386 Mr. J. M. Hanbury's Bob Stay. 3 8 5 Mr. T. Leader's Sir Hew 3 8 4 Mr. G. Dodd's Brymbo 3 8 4 Mr. J. S. Diggle's Golden Quartz 3 8 3 Mr. J. Snarry's Muskham 3 8 0 Mr. D. McDonald's Morocco 4 8 0

IX THE COURSE OF ONE S LIFE. Without knowing anything about it. we breathe into our lungs an extraordinary col- lection of things during the course of a life- time. Going daily to work most people will, at one time or another, inhale the following: Fine particles of silica lifted from the road by the wind; minute atoms of chalk, lime, clay, soot; particles of dead and decaying animals; hairs, fibres of straw and hay, stable manure (tho chief constituents of town dust); frag- ments of wood as sawdust and fine chips; fibrs? of linen and cotton; feathers; the dust from volcanoes, which is so fine that it travels round the globe; portions of food, moth-cells, seeds of vegetables, pollen, and many volatile sub- stances of flowers; and salt, which comes from the ocean, and is found in ths air of every spat on the earth. Then there are the millions of microbes, dangerous and harmless. In the outer country air there are only two or three of these to a I gallon; but 85 have been found in a four- roomed house, and 580 to the gallon in a one- roomed house. They are of infinite variety, and among the dangerous ones are those from which we get consumption, bronchitis, catarrh, influenza, small-pox, typhus fever, measles. scarlatina, dipththeria, and erysipelas.

ONE MOMENT. PLEASE! Sufferers from Gravel, Lumbago, Piles, Pains in tne Back, uropsy, wd and Water Com- plaints. Diseases of Kidneys, bladder. Stone, Sciatica, Rheumatism- and Gout. will find a positive Cure in Holroyd s Gravel Pills, iry a Small Box. and if not satisfied your money will be returned. Price Is. lid., oiall chemists, or sent free for 12 stamps. fr0™ Holroyd's Medical Hall, Clec.kheaton, Yorks. Don t be put off. If you cannot get them, write the proprietor, and a box will be sent next post. At the monthly meeting of the Barry Gas and Water Committee, held on Monday at Barry Docks (Mr. J. C Meggitt in tfie chair), the engi- neer and manager (Mr. Harris) reported that during the past four weeks 108 ordinary and pre-payment gas meters and 128 cooking stoves had been fixed in the district, and 97 houses fitted up- also, that 135 gas services and 24 water services had been laid.—The water engineer (Mr. E. W. Waite) reported that during July 19.000.000 gallons of water had been used, the rainfall being G.70in. against 1.24 in 1897. the average for the past ten years being 2.70in. Mr. T. Hughes, Cardiff, the public analyst, presented a certificiU.e showing that the water supply at Biglis waft in an eminently satisfac- ¡ tory condition.

OUR FREE GIFT OF BOOKS TO EVERY READER OF THE "EVENING EXPRESS." We are presenting gratis to every regular reader of the "Evening Express" one of the following high-class, cloth-bound, and gold- lettered standard works of English literature:- Shakspeare's Complete Plays and Sonnets; "Vanity Fair," by Thackeray; "The Caxtons," by Lord Lytton; "Ernest Maltravers," by Lord Lytton; "Alice, or the Mysteries," by Lord Lytton; "Ivanhoe," by Sir Walter Scott; "The Scarlet Letter," by Hawthorne; "Mary Bar- ton." by Mrs. Gaskell; "Lays of the Scottish I Cavaliers." by Aytoun; "Jane Eyre," by Char- lotte Bronte. The books will be given away at the rate of 24 every day until every reader has received one. Upon the top of the Second Page of the "Evening Express" each day will be found a number, printed in violet ink, which number will be different in every paper that is printed. Keep this number till the following d £ y, and see if it is given in the list printed below. If your number is given, take it to either of our offices at Swansea, Newport, Merthyr, or Cardiff, and you will receive eisther of the above books. If you cannot con- veniently call, tear off the purple number and send it to the "Evening Express" Office, Cardiff, with your name and address and twopence towards the cost of postage, and the book chosen by you will be forwarded to your address. No person is entitled to a second book, even though he be the holder of a selected number, until every reader has received a book. Purchasers of MONDAY'S Evening Express" Bearing the Following Numbers Printed in Violet Ink on the Top Left-hand Corner of Page 2 are Entitled to a Book; — 653724 653911 655555 655728 658399 659596 660472 661543 665556 665942 666166 666666 666960 670666 670900 671306 671711 672000 675256 676111 676661 677177 677776 678810

A SUCCESSFUL DINNER GIVER. Lady Jeune, who gives the most successful dinner parties in London, thinks that parties U,) to the number of-twelve are the best as making pos3ible intercha.nge of general conver- sation. But by inviting onjy twelve the ave- rage hostess would never get through her dinner list in the season. Lady Jeune for the last two or threa years has adopted the device of setting her guests at two tables, her husband, Sir Francis, presiding over one, herself over the other. Many object to this arrangement from tha idea that the company at the other table is more amusing than their own. But any- thing is better than the long table, with man and woman seated alternately as if they were presently going into the ark, most of them looking as if they wished they were there.

BON-BON COIN PURSES. A number of young women have been noticed lately using their little bon-bon boxes for coin purses. As one box is sufficient for bon-bon use, and as nearly every one is likely to have several in these days of much giving of silver trinkets, the idea is not bad. The boxes are secure, and slip easily into the tiniest jacket pocket for ready reply to the conductor's demand.

CUSHIONS FOR WICKER CHAIRS. In making cushions for the popular wicker furniture, it will be found that nothing is more durable than velveteen and the different varie- ties of the fabric sold under various similar names. Being a cotton fabric, it does not gather moths, and both its dyes and texture I are almost wear-proof. The beautiful tints in which it is shown make it available for any scheme of decoration.

How is it after eating Stevens's bread vou want to oontinue with it? 3d. per loaf, delivered. Have You Tried Phillips's Is. 6d. Tea? It is II. Triumph of the Tea Blending Art.andu distinctly rciBerior to th" finest t*a»." el636

FOR BOYS AND GIRLS ONLY. 11 ———^ The "Evening Express" Boys' and Girls' Club (established March 21, 1893) is formed for the purpose of promoting principles of kindness amongst youn? people, and for the mutual interest and instruction of its members. Boys and Girls, wherever resident, aro eligible for membership, provided their age does not exceed sixteen years. The Club has now 2,550 members. Intending Memoers must fill up the sub- joined Coupon, and forward it to Uncle Joe, "Evening Express," Cardiff. Their names and addresses will be published, and each new Member is entitled to a beautifully designed Certificate. Cardiff Members must call for their Certificates at the "Express" Offices, St. Mary-street. Other members must forward one penny stamp for pcstage. Uncle Joe is always pleased to hear from bis Club Members on any matter of interest, whether relating to school or recreation, and he invites questions and answers. Only Club Members are eligible to compete for the Prizes given in this column Children writing to Uncle Joe must always add to their names their official number as Members of the Club. I desire to be enrolled a member of the "Evening Express" Boys' and Girls' Club. and I hereby promise That I will always be obedient to my parents, and kind to the aged and infirm. 'lllat I will try and help less fortu- nate children. That I will be kind to animals, 'xjat I will try and do something every day to make things happy for those round me. Full name, Age .— Address Proposed by [Write very plainly in ink.] Special Notice. Uncle Joe wants his Nephews and Nieces who have not had certificates to note that they may call for same on or after TUESDAY next (not before), he having made arrangements s whereby the certificates can for the future be supplied without any delay. i < Our Holiday Prizes. < The time for sending in the following is ex- tended to the end of August. Now, then, Boys and Girls, wake up, do! Prizes for our Photographers. Uncle Joe happens to know that some of his Nephews and Nieces take an interest in photo- graphy. He has seen one or two pictures taken by them, and been very pleased. Uncle will give a prize of 2s. 6d. for the best photograph 1 sent in; and a book for the second best. The photograph in each instance must be accom- panied by a statement signed by the sender's parents that the same is his unaided work. Prizes for our Artists. Many of Uncle's Nephews and Nieces draw if they don't photograph. Well, make a draw- ing of the house in which you are staying and send it in. along with a statement signed by your parents that the drawing is your own unaided work. First prize, 2s. 6d.; second, a. book. Prizes for Essayists. Two-and-six to the Nephew or Niece over nine who writes the nicest essay on "My Summer Holiday"; a book for the second best essay. Two-and-six to the Nephew or Niece, aged nine or under, who writes the nicest essay on "My Summer Holiday"; a book for the second best essay.

SOMETHING ABOUT GARDENS. I Uncle Joe has pleasure in commending the subjoined notes by Mrs. Nisbet, in a little magazine called the "Churchworker, to senior readers of his column living in the country. "Now that summer is here, may I put in a plea for our Sunday School children, and ask that, when and where it is possible, teachers should invite the members of their clashes to walk round their garden on Sunday afternoon when school is over? "Nothing is more softening and refining for children than to be taught to admire Nature. We all know how innate the love of flowers is in children. "My experience is chiefly with country chil- dren, and I must add with girls, as regards sarden afternoons. I doubt if as much plea- sure with so little trouble can be given in any way to country girls, as by letting them spend half an hour walking about a garden with some one who will talk to them intelligently about it. At our old home it was the great treat for the upper classes of girls to come to our garden after school on Sunday afternoons, and they watched with the greatest interest the gradual flowering of the fruit trees, and the bursting of the different flowers, and then perhaps came the gathering of a bunoh of flowers for each girl. "I do not think that until it has been seen it can be realised, how delighted country girls, to whom one might think a garden was only a garden" and nothing more, are to be invited to see your trees and flowers, and how, if you suggest it, they will sit quietly down and tal md want no amnsemelltof any lynd. Only last week I had seventeen village girl 'rom twelve to sixteen years of age with -ne ii 5ur garden. 1. told them how I wanted them tc ise their eyes and see the wonders of the ipring, and I told them also how Wordsworth lad spoken with sadness of Peter Bell, to whom- "'A primrose by a river's brim, A yellow primrose" as to him, And it was nothing wore,' 3w1 how I wanted them to have more pleasure in Nature than that, and I was glad to see how they all took in the idea at once. "Every one of these village girls called a celandine a buttercup, and, though mistletoe grows in other gardens in this place besides ours, not one of them had seen it growing, and when one girl propounded the idea that it grew on an apple tree, her statement was re- ceived with great doubt by the others. "This only shows that we must not think that, because girls live in the country, they have learnt to know about country things. I believe that it is generally from want of thought that one's gardens are not as much used as they might be, and also on account of the feeling that there is so little to show in them; but it is the interest in Nature that wants cultivating, not necessarily the love of a large mass of flowers. So I hope that any teacher who may read this will take heart. and if she has even quite a small garden, she will make the trial of at ail events one garden afternoon for her class during this summer."

"PETER'S PARADISE." A Lovely Book for Next to Nothing. Uncle Joe wants to call the attention of those members of the Club who have not bought "Peter's Paradise" to what those who have bought say about it. Everybody who has purchased tne book is delighted, and no won- ùer., Uncle Joe has never seen so beautiful a book for twopence, nor has any one else. You get it, and judge for yourself. "Peter's Paradise" is a charming coloured pic- ture-book, published at Is. 6d.. but which the proprietors of the "Evening Express" are offer- ing to Uncle Joe's Boys and Girls at the ridi- culously small sum of 2d. per copy. "Pet«f's Paradise" is a description in picture and verse of the Crystal Palace, and Uncle Joe aasurei his Nephews and Nieces that they are never likely to pick up a prettier book at 89 small a price. If you are a Cardiff member, and want "Peter's Paradise." you must bring to the "Evening Express" Offics twopence and your Club certificate. The certificate is to let the clerk at the counter know you are a bona-fide member of the Club. Don't be afraid. He will not keep the certificate. You will be able to take it home again, and with it this beauti- ful book, "Peter's Paradise." Distant members must send threepence extra for postage of the book. Non-members must pay threepence if they want the book, and sixpence if they want it by post. No member of the Club can havf, "Peter's Paradise" for twopence without proo ducing his or her certificate.

THE THUNDERSTORMS. [BY ARTHUR MEE, F.R.A.S.] The thunderstorms of Thursday and Sunday, August 18 and 21, may fairly be described as somewhat of a novelty so far as Cardiff is con- oerned. Cardiff lies low-not so much from humility, it is to be feared, as from geo- graphical- situation; -The "Welsh Metropolis is not more than three or four dozen feet above sea level, and this fact in itself does not invite the elements. Moreover, Cardiff has the channel to south and hill country to the north, and, as lightning is said to favour either the sea or the mountains, this fact again is in favour of Cardiff. The result of aJ this is that we have but few serious thunderstorms. This year, however, we have had several exceptions, whilst South Wales, as a whole, has suffered severely from the bolts of heaven. The thunderstorm of Thursday, August 18. was in some ways inte- resting, but not. perhaps, to such a degree as its successor. At noon the sky became pheno- menally and ominously dark, so dark, indeed, that it was impossible to work indoors even i.i a room with large windows without artificial light. It seemed strange to have to re.y on electricity and gas at high noon in the middle of August in a. to-Nn ordinarily so bright and free from smoke as Cardiff. The storm that ensued kept to the westward, but in the evening there was a more severe visitation. This was at its worst about eight o'clock, when Cardiff seemed to be at the centre of a triang.e, with a thundercloud at each angle. There was one to the north-west, another to the north, another to the south. The two former kept pounding at one another in impressive style, whilst the southern one joined in finely at intervals. Heavy rain accompanied the outburst. But the grandest display by far was on Sun- day night, and probably no finer.exhibition of lightning has been seep in Cardiff or even in Wales for many years. The storm worked up from the soJth-ecst, and by eight o'clock was very manifest. Half an hour later it was stTere, and so continued tLl ten c'elock, when it very gradually passed away to the westward. The outburst was accompanied by heavy rain and hail (some of the latter of great size), and the temperature after the storm was consider- ably i educed. The lightning was vety magnificent. The flashes, I should think, must have averaged quite one a second. The lightning was of all forms. There were bands and ribhons and chains; there were sheets; and there was what seemed like globs lightning-great dazzling I srlotches with little lightnings darting out in all directions. My readers have seen pictures of Jnpiter holding in his hand a bunch of J thunderbolts. So here there was a central mass with hmaller lightnings twiddling away in all c'.rections. It may seem infra dig. to use such a word as "twiddling" in connection with something so awful and solemn as a thunderstorm. But I confess I never saw such lightning as on Sun- day night. Blinding as it was. there was often something quite amusing about it. It skipped and darted about, dodging and twisting and turning, as though possessed by some weird sense of humour. Sometimes it seemed to fairly envelope and waltz round the spectator. Several flashes traversed from one-fourth to half the heavens at an apparent altitude of 30 or 40 degrees. It was a sight long to be remem- bered. The vast bulk of the discharges, even when most brilliant, were a long way off. Counting a mile for every five seconds between flash and report, the lightning was never nearer than a mile from my situation. It was usually three or four mi.es, and frequently so far that no thunder was to be heard at all, although the lightning at that very time was of a most vivid character. The great bulk of the storm must have been worked out in the higher reaches of the atmosphere, which accounts for some of the wonderful cloud effects, the latter being quite beyond my limited powers of description.

■ ii — ■ ii — PHILLIPS'S Is. 6d/ TEA is » Triumph of the Tea Blending Art. It jjb distinctly superior to tha so-called flneit tea* Have you tried it? el636 so-called flneit teM." Have you tried it? el636

DISCIPLINING "EPH." When the stranger drove up to the gate the old man was out in the yard examining a number of saplings, and hardly seemed to notice him. He tried one after another until he found one that seemed to suit him, when he produced an axe and a pig knife, and pro- ceeded to make a club of considerable weight, and with several ugly knobs on it. Then, as he was about to proceed up the road, he noticed the stranger and stopped long enough to say; "Ef ye've got anything ter say to we folks here ye better talk to the ole woman, not bother me. I'm likely to be busy night onto the hull afternoon." Then he passed up the road, and the old woman came out of the house to see what was wanted. I "Looks as if there was going to be trouble," suggested the stranger, following the old man with his eyes. "Reckun ye're right, stranger," replied the r old woman. "There'll be a power of trouble afore the old man gets back." "Row with the neighbours?" inquired the stranger. The old woman shook her head. "He's arter Eph," she said. "Eph?" "Yes, Eph," she repeated. "Eph's our boy, an' last week he licked Cy Williams over to the next farm, an' since then he's been gittin' sort o' rambunctiouslike. Afore that the ole man could handle him like a boy oughter to be handled, 'cause he didn't know his own power an' strength, but since then there ain't been no doin' nothin' with him, and so it's just come to beatin' some sense into him or lettin' him run the whole township, includin' his pore ole pa," "But surely he isn't going to use that club on him," protested the stranger. "That's just what he's going to do." "Poor fellow." "Meanin' Eph, when you say that?" she inquired. "Certainly," he answered. "Well, don't you waste no time in being sorry for' Eph," Jhe said with emphasis. "Eph takes arter me, he does, an' if you feel that you oughter be sorry fer anybody you just pile your sympathy on the ole man. He ain't likely to get outer bed for more'n four days after he catches Eph, an' his speret'll be com- pletely broke. I'm sorry for him, but it can't be helped. There ain't nothin' short o' this that would convince the ole man that Eph takes after his ma good and strong, an' it's time he learned it."

THE NEW YORK BOW. The eccentricities of society are always amusing, and the social philosopher might write a volume on the changing method of greeting and of hand-shaking adopted by the beau monde. A new bow has made its appear- ance among the most fashionable members of New York society, which differs amazingly from the old. Instead of a movement forward, the man turns his head sharply at an angle, bends his body sideways, and in saluting the lady takes his hat off at the same angle as that in which he moves his head, so that the hat is carried over to a line rather below the level of the shoulder. The woman bows in a .somewhat similar fashion, but in a very non- chalant manner. Both parties to the salute incline the body to the right in passing, so that there is no danger of oollision in close quarters, which there certainly would be if there were no "rule of the road."

How is it after eating Stevens's bread von want to continue with it? 3d. per loaf. delivered. "If the blood is diseased the body is diseased." —Rt member that the blood, whether pure cr imr.ure, circulates through the organs of the human body-Lungs, Heart, Stomach. Kidueje, Brain. If "'t is laden with poiscnous matters it RVieads disease on its course. In cases of Scrofula. Scurvy. Eczema. Bid Legs. Skin and Blood Diseases. Pimples, and Sores of all kinds. J the effects of Clarke's Blood Mixture are mar- vellous. Thousandq of wonderful cures have been effected by it. Clarke's Blo id Mixture is sold everywhere, at 2a. 9d. per bottle. Beware worthless imitations and substitute"

— ————— HARNESSING A SHARK. The bottom of tbo shallow lagoons of the outer Florida reef, 10ft. beiow water, is often pure white, so that dark objects resting upon it stand out with startling distinctness. One of the frequenters of the reef is a shark known as the nurse. a huge fellow, 9ft. or 10ft. in length, win seeks the seclusion of the shal- lcws and apparently goes to sieep-at least pre- tends to, as he is seen lying perfectly quiet for hours, often permitting a boat to sail over him. Naturally so sluggish a fish is easily cap- tured. and on one occasion, after waching the sharks swimming round the lagoon and refus- ing to leave the white shallow bottom, it occurred to a party of boys that the nurse shark would make an admirable steed, and inllLediate plans were formulated to capture one The sharks were most plentiful near a long nairow island, and here the boys made their headquarters. The mode of transportation was extremely primitive. Their boat in which they crossed from the main island where they lived was the wooden casing of an arch some masons had been making, a boat-shaped affair, blunt at both ends. This had been caulked and provided with rowlocks, and it the boys made frequent excur- sions. The plan was to sail the boat quietly over the sharks, then lower a large slip-noose down, and take one by the head. The rope was thrown into the boat, and, all being ready, the boys started on their expedi- tion They soon sighted a black spot which told of the presence of a school of sharks, and a few minutes later were quietly drifting over them. Not a word was spoken, and the greatest caution was observed as one of the boys held the boat in place while another lowered the noose. Unfortunately an oar dropped overboard, and with a whirl of their tails the big fishes were off in every direction. 1.1 the excitement of the moment a third boy seized a spear and hurled it at a shark that was passing beneath the boat. The weapon took effect, and the next moment the line, which was fastened to the spear-handle, stiffened out with a jerk. whirling the boat round and round and throwing the boys down violently into the bottom. When they picked themselves up they found the flat-bottomed boat dashing along at a rapid rate. They had secured a steed, though not in the manner anticipated. Up the reef the shark swam, now pulling the boat dangerously near the water and sending out a big wave on either side, then turning with a rush to avoid a coral bank, and racing back to the starting-point. Ali this was very exciting. One boy held the line) by bracing back; another took an oar and attempted to steer the craft in its wild race, while two boys were merely enthusiastic passengers. Suddenly the shark turned again, an I the boy at the bow, rising to see what new direction it was taking, lost his balance, and was jerked overboard. Before his companions realised fully the situation, he was being towed along on the surface by the demoralised shark. The reef boys were as much at home in the water as on land, so that the unforeseen accident simply added to the sport. The remaining lads rowed the boat across the lagoon, cutting off the shark. They soon picked up their companion, who had pluckily heli the line during the exciting tow. The shark, wearying of dragging the boat, was quicly run a-shore.—From "Chums."

"What delicious bread! Where did yon get it from?" Oh. we buy it from StevenB, at ajiy of their branches, or they will .ji.ll." e6?00 IMPORTANT TO MARRIED LADIES.—Send Stamped Addressed Envelope for most valuable Particulars and Testimonials (which are guaranteed genuine under a penalty of £ 1,000).— Beware of imitators—A. D ASM AIL, Box 387, Langdale, Walthamstow. London. Established Printed by the Proprietors, Western Mail Limited, and published by them at their offices, St. Mary-street, Cardiff; at their o cee. Castle Bailey-street. Swansea; at the shop of Mrs. Wesley WIlliams. Brlùgend-all in the County of Glamorgan; at the "Western Mail" Offices. Newport; at the shop of Mr. J. P. Caffrey. Monmouth, both in the County of Monmouth; a.nd at the shop of Mr. D. Davies, Llanelly. in the County of Carmarthen. TUESDAY, AUGUST 23, 1898.