Evening Express

OTJR MAGAZINE PAGE TOR MEN. WOMEN. AND CHILDREN.

n, ldl*% COMPLETED STORY. ffiE PRESS GAW^YI€TOL "r surnm -firm odnring the month of June, 1809. the Ammwic= brig Sarah, of and from Norfolk, T2,, Metered the port of Liverpool with a full cargo. She was commanded by Captain Wil- liam Brown, and his first mate was Tom Mac- donough. a true-hearted Yankee sailor, who hailed from somewhere in the little State of Delaware. After the brig had been duly entered at the Custom House, she was soon cleared of her cargo, and within one week after her arrival she was loaded for home. One pleasant evening-the one preceding the day on which the brig was to sail—Tom Mac- donough took a stroll up into the town, was seized by a press gang, and in less than half an hour found himself on board an English frigate, which lay at the mouth of the river. A fine set of men," said the English cap- tain, as he ran his eyes admiringly over the stalwart forms of the impressed seamen. "They will just fill up the list of our main-topmen." Are you the commander of this frigate?" asked Tom. addressing the man who had just spoken. Captain Downie, at your service," replied the commander, with much gravity. Then, sir, of you I demand my immediate Telease. I am second in command of an American brig now ready for sea, and no power in England can legally detain me." That wop't go down, youngster," returned the captain, with a sneer. You are a little po young for such an office. The king needs men, and you must take your chance with the rest." Do you mean to say that I am to be detained on board your ship?" Certainly." "Then. sir," replied Tom, while his eyes flashed fire, you will do it at your peril. Already have your people run up a heavy reckoning, and the day shall yet come when your king will have to settle it. I am exempt by your own laws from impressment, and you know it." The captain showed a little anger as our hero spoke, but, turning to one of his lieutenants, he said: "Mr. Monson, have these men's names entered, and then station them and mess them"; and, without further remark, he walked aft to his cabin. In a moment Tom's mind was made up, and without resistance or remark of any kind he allowed his name to be entered on the purser's books, and his station and mess to be assigned him, after which a hammock and bedding were served out to him. and he was directed to "turn ill" as soon as possible. The frigate was well guarded by sentries, there being two upon the poop, one at each gangway. and on the forecastle, and one en the bowsprit, besides those which were stationed at various posts below, so that no further notice was taken of the newcomers after they had received their bedding, excepting to give the sentinels addi- tional caution with regard to watching well that no one left the ship unless he was passed >y the officer of the deck. Tom's hammock was already clewed, and, laving hung it up, he turned into it without andressing. The night was warm and sultry, and as a means of giving a circulation of fresh ur the gundeck ports were lowered, and from ihe place in which our hero swung he could iook out upon the water at it sparkled beneath :he beams of the bright moon. Tom lay c!uiet antil midnight, but as yet he could think of no means of escape. Shortly after tint hcur had passed he heard the relief guard called, and in some ten mionutes the corporal of the first guard came down upon the gun-deck and unlashed the hammock which hung next to his own, which operation being performed he pro- ceeded to undress himself, hanging his clothes, as he did so, upon the clews of his hammock. The four hours' duty had given the corporal an excellent appetite for sleep, and in less than five minutes after he touched his mattress he began to snore. "Now or never," thought Tom, "is my chance," and with this idea in his mind he slipped quietly out from his hammock and proceeded to divest himself of his own clothes, which, having been accomplished, he very un- ceremoniously substituted those of the snoring corporal in their place, and then sat down upon the breeching of a. gun to meditate further upon his plans. One bell struck, and the sentinels passed the usual "All's well." Then Tom heard the cor. poral as he started to go his rounds, and ere long he descended the main-hatch ladder to visit the posts below. No sooner had the marine officer passed the galley than our here r 3prang up the ladder and gained the spar deck. Thq officer of the deck was aft upon the starboard side, the sentries were walking their posts with regular tread, while the old quarter- master stood upon the poop, with his night- glass under his arm. The sentries performed their work upon the gang-boards raised even with the bottom of the hammock nettings and running forward from t'he ladders. The lar- board gangway was shaded from the light of the moon by the awnings, and, walking delibe- rately up the ladder, Tom looked over the ship's side. "Sentry," said he, in a mumbling sort of a tone, "what boat is that at the boom?" "The second cutter," returned the marine, showing by his manner that he had no sus- picions of the spurious corporal. Tom immediately walked aft to where stood the officer of the deck, and, being re-assured by the mistake of the sentry, he pulled his cap down over his eyes, and, touching his visor respectfully, remarked: "I should like to overhaul that second cutter, sir, for I think there is rum aboard of her." Tom knew he was playing a desperate game, but liberty was to be the result of success, and he flinched not a hair. "Ha! the villains," uttered the lieutenant. "Up to their old tricks again. Go. corporal, get down into the boat, and if you do find rum in her they'll catch it." Tom started quickly forward, but just as he got abreast of the foe-hatchway he saw the Simon-pure corporal's head rising above the combings. The marine descended no higher, for with one blow of his fist Tom sent him back whence he came, and then sprang quickly out through the port upon the swinging boom, and, having reached the place where the second cutter's painter was made fast, he hauled th boat up, and leaped into her. The flood timt was setting up the river very strongly, and. quick as thought. Tom oast off the painter and rapidly dropped astern. "Help! help!" shouted cur hero. xt the top of his voice; "the boat's got loose." "Get out a coxjple of oars, you 1 u\J:nr. cried the officer on the deck, as he jumped t pcn the poop on hearing the cry, where he ai*'vtd just as the cutter was sweeping nasi the quarter. "You can hold her against the tide." Tom did get out a couple of oars, tut the moment he got them balanced in the rowlocks he commenced pulling for dear life, and. to the utter consternation of the lieutenant, the brcu began rapidly to shoot up the river. All tb,- sentries on deck were immediately tailsi !>on the poop, and their muskets were fired at the deserter. Only two of the balls whistud near the boat, but neither of them did any hjim. On the next moment Tom heard the third cutter called away, but he knew the men were all sound asleep, in their hammocks, and so he felt secure. It was ten minutes before the third cutter cast off from the ship, and long ere they reached Tom he had gained the shore and was running at a remarkable speed towards the city, which he reached in safety, and before two o'clock he was on board his own brig. The next morning the Sarah dropped down with the ebb tide, and as she passed the frigate Tom saw the second cutter swinging in her usual place, and, as he gazed upon the proud flag that floated at the Englishman's peak, he murmured to himself: "If I live. I'll some day take the pride from those proud tyrants." How literally was that saying fulfilled! Tom Macdonough had been Decatur's favourite mid- shipman at the Siege of Tripoli, and "wherever Decatur led he dared to follow." Subsequent to that brilliant chapter In the page of our history occurred the event which is embodied in our sketch; but five years afterwards, on the 11th of September, 1814, Thomas Macdonough met one of England's proud fleets on Lake Champlain. At the first broadside, the British Commodore, Downie, fell, and at the end of a fight, which lasted two hours and twenty minutes, without intermission, Commodore Thomas Macdonough was the conqueror of Champlain. He had gained a proud victory- he had. indeed, humbled the pride of the tyrant, and that day's achievement forms one of the brightest pages of the history of America. Commodore Thomas Macdonough-the hero of Tripoli-the Conqueror of Champlain! He was a noble and true-hearted man, and a terror to all enemies of his country. Peace to his ashes, and everlasting honour to his memory!

PEBISUASIYE ELECTIONEER- ING. The electioneering methods in vogue in many arts of Italy are of a highly original kind. !be Government is preparing a reform of the Sectoral law, and. by way of illustrating the leed for reform, a Milanese newspaper publishes ome documents of a remarkable character. One II a declaration of an elector at Marigliano, in which he describes his experiences on the day of the last general elections. In the afternoon of the previous day he was induced by promises and threats-to go to the house of one of the candidates. On arriving there he was quickly that up. together with 200 other electors, and prevented from leaving until he had been con- ducted-neact morning to the polling station and made to-vote for-the candidate by threats and promisee. The prisoners were taken singly to the voting station and made to vote, and they were not allowed to go free until they had voted as was desired. The interesting feature of the matter as- that the candidate was a magistrate, and that, the police were employed to watch over the imprisoned voters and to conduct them to the poll on the next day. The pri- soners did not suffer, for an excellent dinner with a liberal allowance of wine was provided for them, and nothing was. neglected to make their captivity agreeable. Nevertheless, some zngrateful persons telegraphed to the prefect, protesting against the employment of the police < 'or the seizure and imprisonment of innocent doctors. The protest seems to have produced ao effect, aa it became necessary to repeat it .ater on in violent term'3. Yet there are people who pretend that Italians are not ripe for representative government.

AUSTRALIA. At the close of the last century there were supposed to be 1,000,000 aboriginas in Australia There are now less than 100,000, and among them are still some cannibals.

AN OLD LAW STUDENT, Dr. Martin Van Buren Stevens, 71 years old, is a law student at the State University of Kansas. He •expects to graduate next spring. He has already received degrees from other colliges.

PHILLIPS AND CO.. TEA SPECIALISTS, Sell a Tea at Is. 4d. per lb. which they guarantee to be superior in all respects to that sold at ''present-giving shops" up to 2s. 6d. per lb. Buy ill), of PHILLIPS'S Is. 4d. and compare it with preeeot-giTing tea." It will at least be instruc- tive, aad will open your eyee as to how the v,fcing Is done." There is really no mystery about :t. It's a mere commercial trick, after alL el A systematic use of Gwilym Evans' Quinine Bitten will preserve high spirits, clear brain elastic step, rich blood, bright eyes, and strong nstves. Aold in bottles 2s, 9d. and 4a. 6d. each. e4519—1 A SPOTLESS COMPLEXION.—Suipholina Lotion dean off all imperfections in a. few inlays, P) raplefl, Ronghne&s, Tan. Umcomfortable fekit Jijsflmreweata entirely fade away, leaving a hjaqiifal 0kin. Shilling Bottles of SolpboMn* 0-4

CURIOUS CONDENSATIONS. Mexico has had 55 Presidents since 1821. Of these sixteen have died violent deaths. Australian rabbit skins are being converted into sealskins for the American market. New theatres to be erected in Paris will here- after have to be approachable from all sides. Among the Chinese a coffin is considered a neat and appropriate present for an aged person, especially if in bad health. French counts have nine equal pearls in their coronets, while the British baron is entitled to a cornet of four big pearls. The old custom of watchmen calling the hour at night is still retained in two localities of London, namely, New-inn and Ely-place. Kangaroo tails have appeared again in London. The shipment of 500 last year was quickly sold for soup, as was that of 1,000 tails this year. The once vast tea trade of the Chinese port of Amoy is decreasing so rapidly that it seems likely to disappear altogether before very long. A Japanese Admiral receives, by a recent ordinance, 6,000 silver dollars a year. a vice- admiral 4.000 while first. and secahd-c.ass captains get 2,496 and 2,263 respectively. A Swiss paper relates that near the Beatu- shohle. on the Lake of Thun, an eccentric hermit has built a cottage, in which he dwells, shut off from all the world, his food being brought to him by a servant. He is a well- known millionaire of Basle, afflicted with the mania that someone intends to poison him.

PHILLIPS AND CO.. TEA SPECIALISTS. Sell a Tea at 1s. 4d. per lb. which they guarantee to be superior in ail respects *.o thu, aoid at "present-giving shops" up to 2s. 6d. per lb. Buy Jib. of PHILLIPS'S 13. 4d. and compare it with "present-giving tea." It will at least be instruc- tive, and will open your eyes as to how the thing is done." There is really no mystery about it. It's a mere commercial trick, after all. ei PEPPER'S QUININE AND IRON TONIC, embracing, vivifying, sustaining, dispels depression, cures indigestion. neuralgia, and all aches or pains. Pepper's, the only real tonic. Shilling bottles. e-5 Be Advised. Tiy Gwilym Evans' Quinina I Betters, the Best Kemedy of the Age for Various Ailments. At this season of the year no on* should be without it. Sold in bottles 2s. 9d. and 4s. 6d. each. e49W—5 Wonderful Medicine.—Kernick's Vegetable I Pills euro headache, indigestion, nervous debility, <4e.; 7id., Is. lid., and 2s. 9d. per box^- Sold everywhere. m-w.s.

COMICALITIES—ORIGINAL AND OTHERWISE. In the early part of the Queen's reign a story was current that her Majesty once asked the Duke of Wellington what kind of boots he was in the habit of wearing: "People call them Wellingtons, ma'am," he answered. "How absurd!" her Majesty proclaimed. "Where, I should like to know, would they find a pair of Wellingtons?" "How unlucky you have always been with your love affairs," said M'Bride pityingly to his friend Tenterhook. "On the contrary," replied Tenterhook, "every girl I ever fell in love with has married someone else." "Weyler!" exclaimed one Spanish citizen, con- temptuously. "He's a regular Don Quixote." "No," answered the other. "He isn't Don Quixote, nor Sancho Panza, nor yet Rosinate. If he is anybody in that combination it's the mule." "Willie, where are those apples gone that were in the storeroom?" "They are with the ginger-bread that was in the cupboard." Madame Theosophia: Tell me, have you never seen a Vision? Never welcomed some strange Spirit from the Unseen World? Mrs. Sinclair: Never. But then I entertain so little. Crawford: Well, your moving to the suburbs will make one person happy. Howson Lott: Who's that? Crawford: The man you bought the housa from. An Edinburgh lawyer was given to swearing. One night his Emall boy was sitting by him. studying arithmetic. The father broke out, "What on earth ails you? Why can't you sit still—wriggling and writhing every minute." "It's all your fault," blubbered the -boy. "Why is it?" 'Cos I asked you last night how much a billion was, and you said it was fa- lot. The teacher asked me the same question to-day, and I said the same thing. And that's why I can't keep still." Marie: Have you. given him any opportunities to propose? Helen: Yes, but I couldn't tell him they were opportunities. I Literary Man (writing): The most essential point in our intercourse with children is to be truthful ourselves. Every other interest ought to be sacrificed to that of truth. Tommy: Father. Mr. Caller is coming in at the gate. L'terary man (angrily): If he asks for me tell him I'm out of town. (He resumes his writing.) When we in any way deceive a child, we not only set a very pernicious example, but also cur influence ovjr him for ever. Mrs. N. has a nice little daughter named Nancy. On one occasion Nancy came to her mother and said: "Mamma, do you like stories?" "Yes," said her mamma, "if they'ro true stories." "This is one. Do you get cross when people tell you nice, true stories?" "Why, never. It isn't good manners to get cross when a person tells you a nice true story." "All right," said Nancy. "Once upon a time there was a little girl, and she got :nto the pantry and ate almost all the jelly in a glass. That's a true story, mamma, and me was the little girl." Willie: I was kept in to-day for throwing a plug of paper at another boy. Mamma: And wasn't that perfectly just? Willie: I don't think so, mamma, when I missed the boy by a foot. First Theatre-goer: "Mrs. De Style, who went on the stage, after a divorce scandal, has failed to make expenses." Second Theatre-goer: "Well, it wasn't much of a scandal, anyhow." Miss De Boney (school-teacher) I am in- formed that you loudly spoke of me on the public streets as an old maid." Bad Boy (much scared): "N-n-o, ma'am. I said y'r mother was an ole maid." The Sweet Young Thing: "I wonder why he is called the best man-l mean the man at the wedding who is not getting married?" The Savage Bachelor: "Because he is the best off."

YANKEE FOOTBALL. "MAKING A TIGER TEAM-" There is some warm football these days at Princeton. Each afternoon the 'Varsity lines up against the "scrubs" for an hour's lively practice. The contests are red hot, and you can readily imagine the zeal the players put into their work when you consider that they are fighting out the battle for a final resting-place secure on the 'Varsity team. They work like demons to make a favourable impression on the coaches and captain, and their ambition to make an impression carries them into all sorts of diplomatic tactics to excel the other fellow opposing on the line. This diplo- macy may not always be regulation foot- ball, but it certainly does make an exciting game of it. One of the "new" plays consists of a very animated push in the back of the neck with the fist. In a recent game Fort's neck was in the way of one of these pushes, and a few minutes afterwards two water- carriers were hustling buckets of water to him as he lay on his back in a comatose condition. A sponge bath brought him to his feet again, and he took his place in line without a murmur. It's part of the game. Before the footballists begin practice a little "falling on the ball" is indulged in by all the men. As the ball haDoens near them they pounce on it like a recon- centrado after a piece of nice roast beef. The play must be seen to realise how utterly ludicrous it is. It looks like they were afraid the ball would crawl into a hole in the ground, or sneak away and hide itself behind a bunch of grass. When they land on the ball, after a descent resembling the fashion a cat has when it falls from a ten-storey building, they embrace it and hug it as if they badn't seen the dear thing for ten years. These men, flopping the Delsarte all over the field, are a spectacle worth seeing. After they have flopped and hugged until they are tired, instead of going home, they line up for the game. Fortunately, these practice games are short. If the games were much longer there might not be enough men left to make up a team. Perhaps they are shortened to save the doctor for the big games. At any rate, they play long enough for a spectator with excitable nerves. The details of the game that appeal most to a spectator are those intervals of wait when the doctor and water-carrier rush in to save the pieces. These occur often enough to make the game interest- ing, and a suggestion from a person not familiar with the game is that each man laid out should count a score for the other side. The real mixed-up playing-advancing the ball, rushing centre, going around the end, mass plays, <&c.—is done with a rush that could scarcely be followed by any person but an expert, and it seems im- possible to run around after the man with the ball. The interference of the Tigers is too good for such an attempt, and even the doctor gets tired. In the game referred to above one little fellow was seen to kick the ball between the posts for a goal on the 'Varsity side; one of the "scrubs" found a lost ball and ran away with it across the field with everybody else after him till he touched it down behind the goal. If one didn't know the game a little, and had suddenly come upon this scene, he should have joined the chase after the man with the ball and yelled "Stop thief!" for, verily, it must have looked that way.

QUICK BACKSLIDING. There was a "big revival'' one winter among the coloured Jolks near Southern Pines, North Carolina, under the powerful preaching of Br'er Johnsing, who mined rhetorical hell-fire upon his hearers, and depicted the "terrors of the Judgment" to them in most graphic language. Scores of the darkies pretended to have "done got religion sure nuff. As niual among thcae excitable creatures, these conversions were attended with hysterical shrielrings, having the "power," failing, &c., uni..il a very r-indemonium prevailed for about one week. Then Br'er Johnsing was called home by the death of a. child. Leaving, he promised to return the next Sunday to baptise the young converts by immersion. On Sunday morning hundreds of people, black and white, stood shivering upon the banks of the creek where baptismal eervicss were to be held. By what means Satait had re-captured these souls none knew. but when Br'er Johnsing asked for the the baptismal services were to be held. By what lone, lame darky responded. "Yer go home. yer," called Br'er Johnsing in disgust, "dew yer spoee I'm goin' tew git myself all over wet for one darn old black uigg-all. hey?"

PHILLIPS AND CO., TEA SPECIALISTS, Sell a Tea at, Is. 4d. per lb. which they guarantee to be superior in uil respecia to iji.u ncud at "present-giving shups" up to 2s. 6d. per lb. Buy Jib. of PilILLIPS S ls. 4d. and compare it witfl "present-giving tea." It will at least be instruc- tive, and will open your eyes as to how the thing is done." '.there is really no mjstery about it. It's a mere commercial trick. after all. c2 The Little English Liver Tonic.—Kernick's Vegetable Pills; dose, one small pill; yjd. is. lid., and 2s. 9d. per box.—Of ail stores. LIVER COMPLAINTS.—Dr. King's Dandelion and Quinine Liver Pills, without Mercury, are a patent remed": removes all Liver and Stomach Complaints, Biliousness, He-.daches, Sickness. Shoulder, Pains, Heartburn, Indiges- tion. Constipation. e—3 Gwilym Evans' Quinine Bitters is always effi- cacious and genuinely successful in all cases of Indigestion, Nervousness, Weakness, Low Spirits, and Sleeplessness. Sold in bottles 2s 9d. and 48. 6d. each. e4919-2 IAlPOKTANT TO MABRIKD LADIES.—Send Su-.mped Addressed Envelope for most [ valuable Particulars and Teatimonials (which are guaranteed genuine under a penalty of £ 1.000).—Bavara of imitators.—A. DASMAIL, Box 387. Langdale. Walthamstovr, London. Established half a century. e7W4 j

ISSOXXIA AND ITS CUKE, Insomnia is not a disease itself, but the effect of an unhealthy condition of body or mind. When the cause is removed the insomnia may be expected to disappear. Every physician has had stubborn cases of it, which would not yield to any treatment and for which a change of air or of scene became necessary. But such cases as these should not occur, and do occur only when the sufferer has neglected precautions that should have been taken when the trouble first began to appear. The day should be going by in which busy, active, strong men are suddenly taken ill while at business and carried home in a cab to die of heart failure, apoplexy, or paralysis. Things like these would not happen if men took cara of themselves. Of course, death knocks at every man's gate sooner or later. But when a man apparently strong is stricken down suddenly with a violent attack of some malady, and is dead almost without warning, it shows that the man has neg-ectcd himself. And so insomnia results from causes which can be removed if attended to in season. The most common cause of insomnia is found in the digestive organs. Either un- suitable food, causing insomnia as a feature of indigestion, or insufficient food, causing ths patient to be kept awake by hunger. There are few things which can be univer- sally recommended as diet for sleeplessness, since what will agree with one man will dis- agree with another. But two things that may almost always be recommended are lettuce and celery. The lettuce should be taken in the form of salad, in which plenty of olive oil should be used, something like three-parts of oil to one of vinegar. The lettuce is good for the stomach, and especially good for the intes- tinal tract, on wh'eh it exerts a soothing effect. The celery is especially good for the nerves, for which it is tranquilising and calming. Never go to bed hungry is an important rule. Some people are hungry at bedtime, and never know it. They attribute the feeling to their nerves, to fatigue, to anything except its real cause. Then they lie awake and wonder what causes their insomnia. Others become hungry three or four hours after going to bed and arise in the morning with a bad headache. Nine cases of insomnia in ten would be cured by a midnight lunch. We need to take a lesson from the animals, all of which sleep after a hearty meal. We may take a lesson, too, from mechanu.s and other working-men around the city. When they have an hour at noon for lunch, they make haste and eat their meaJs and then take a nap for the remainder of the hour. We may take a lesson fram the babies. They always nurse before sleeping. What sort of meals should be eaten at night is a que3tion which must be determined in each case for itself. It often occurs that the reverse of a victim's usual habits will cause relief. A person who is strong and hearty and eats many meals will ofte nsleep most soundly after a light supper late in the even- ing. On the other hand, a person whose appetite is small and whose ordinary meals are light may eat a welsh rarebit at midnight and drink a bottle of ale with it and sleep peacefully. So simple a thing aa a glass of water at night may cauie a person to sleep. Many people drink too little water, not enough to supply the demands of the system for fluid. Everyone needs a certain amount of it, and the best time to drink it is at night. The habit which some children have of begging fcr a glass of water at night, some- times after they are in bed, is perfectly natural, and it is wrong to tcold them for it. It is a perfectly natural demand of the system and should be respected. A plate of ice-cream, eaten slowly before bed- time, will induce sleep in some victims of insomnia, and a glass of porter, which is usually tetter for this purpose than ale or beer, will often cure others. Bathing is sometimes the key to a case of insomnia. A cold plunge will relieve some cases when the shock is not attended by any disa- greeable effect. A warm bath is better for others. No general rules can be laid down as to the kind of baths to be u-ed, as it depends wholly on the idiosyncrasies of the individual. But for the average person a tsp d bath is usually best.

When asking for Cocoa, insist on having CAD- BL lii SJ—sold only in Packets and 'ima—a* other Cocoas are often substituted for the sake of extra profit. e3435—1

FOOTBALL PRIZE COMPETITION. £100 FOR THE WINNER. IN THE ABSENCE OF OOBEECT SOLUTION. £ 10 FOR BEST COUPON. SUPPLEMENTAL PRIZES. i-Au ORIGINAL CARTOON from the "Evening Express" by Mr. J, M. STANi- FORTH, Framed and Mounted by Mr. A. FREKE, Photographer, Ac., 12. Duke- street, Cardiff. 2.-ilb. Tin of ARCHER'S GOLDEN RETURNS, by the well-known fJrm, HENRY ARCHER & Co., 170. 172. A 174,Borough, London, S.E. 3—TWO TICKETS for the Orchestra Stalls cr Brea* Circla at the THEATRE ROYAL, Carliff, to iee "The Tree of Knowledge." 4.—TWO TICKETS Uio Ti^lcony at the GRAND THEATRE. Cardiff. 51 6 At the Option ot the Winnera:— 7 THE 'WSSTKRN MAIL" MUSIC FOLIO 8 OF ? HONGS DUETS. AND SACRED 9 I SOLOS. 10 I Or either of the following well-bound, 11 cloth-covered Standard Works:- 12 SHAKSPEARE'S COMPLETE PLAYS 13 I AND SONNETS. 14 I VANITY FAIR, by Thackeray. 15 t THE CAXTONS, by Lord Lytton. 16 J ERNEST MALTBAVERS, by Lord 17 Lytton. 18 ALICE, or THE MYSTERIES, by Lord 19 Lytton. 20 IVANHOE, by Sir Walter Scott. 21 THE SCARLET LETTER, by Hawthorne. 22 MARY BARTON, by Ur1". Oaskell. 23 L kYS OF THE SCOTTISH CAVALIERS, 24 by Aytoon. 25 JANE EYRE. by Charlotte BronU. 26 Wednesday.] COUPON. MATCHES PLAYED OCTOBER 29, 1898. Coupon must reach this office by one p.m. en the day of- play. directions tor marking Coupon Strike out name of losing club and give points of Hinner and loser. For a draw strike out neither, but give points if any; SEND TWOPENCE IN POSTAGE STAJffPS WITH EACH COUPON. ■mr t -I ,"xi I'oiuts cored)Poiut* Scored MAICH. I by \vi„nerj by Loser. CAR L, IPI V. GUY'S & THOMAS'S H 0 SPIT ALS. BLACKHEATH V. NEWPORT. NEATH: V. SWANSEA. ABEKAVON V. LLANELLY. NAME ADDRESS CONDITIONS. The prize of MOO will be given to the com- petitor v.'ho predicts the actual st,ores in each of the matches ill the appended coupon. If no competitor succeeds in giving the actual secres, L10 will be ghen to the competitor whose predictions are the nearest to the actual results, or, in the event of a tie, the money will be divided. If any of the selected matches are postponed or abandoned the £100 prize will not be awarded, but under any cri-cumstances the £ 10 will be gLNen to the best coupon. 'lhe Supplemental Prizes will Le awarded in the Lrdcr :riler! above. Competitors may send in as many coupons as they like. but every coupon mu.t be accom- panied by 2d. in aUi nips. The winners wiil be announced on the Tues- day of each week. Envelopes containing coupons must be marked outside, Football Competition." No person in the employ of the Western Mai! Limited is aHbvred to compete.

A Triumph of the Tea Blending Art- i is. 6d. TEA- H iTC you tried it? It ;« distinctly superior to the so-called finest teas." c2180-3

———naaa—wa—■—— OUR FREE GIFT OFJBOOKS 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: — 8 Shakspoare'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," bj Sir Walter Scott; "The Scarlet Letter," by Hawthorne; "Mary Bar- I ton," by Mrs. G ask ell; "Lays of the Scottish Cavaliers," by Aytoun; "Jane Eyre." by Char- lotte Bronte. The books will be given a way at the rate of 24 every day until every reader has received one. Upcn the top of the Second Page of the "Evening Express" each uay 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 day, 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 yon will recoiva either of the above bocks. If you cannot con- veniently call, tear off the purple number And send it to ths "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 thoueh he be the holder of a. selected numOei, until every reader has received a book. Purchasers of YESTERDAY'S Evening Express" Bearlnp tne Following Numbers Printed in Violet Ink on the Top Left-hand Comer of Page ? ire Entitled to a Book: — 137067 137177 140020 140170 143569 143737 143898 144244 148093 148211 148381 148488 148636 153143 153313 153533 153683 153863 157466 157876 153118 158688 159199 159791 —— I

BETTING OX THE RAIN. One of the most curious forms of gambling in the world is rain-gambling" at certain seasons of the year in Calcutta. The principal rain-gambling den is near a well-known bazaar. No one who has not visited the place can have any conception of the vast crowds which at every hour of the day, and far into the night, pass in and out. jThe great majority a.re Mawaris, who are born speculators but there are, as well, plenty of well-to-do Europeans, Eurasians, Jews, Armenians, and Greeks. All swarm into the small courtyard where this strange form of gambling is carried on, through a narrow entrance barely three feet wide. The tar-famed tank with a spout falling into the courtyard is the one spot where all eyes are fixed. The tank is about; six feet broad by four feet wide and nine inches deep, with the spout opening inward, some three or four inchea from the bottom. From this it will be soen that it requires a pretty heavy downpour for at least ten minutes to cause the spout to flow. Intermittent drizzles, which partly fill this tank, do not count, as the shower to fill it must pour down uninter- ruptedly, and then the bets are won or lost. Chances are taken either for or against the spout running. A grey-haired, wizened old man is the owner of the den and there is another similar place across the road, only smaller. On the roof, over the fifth floor, there is a Email square watch tower, in which are stationed five or six men, whose duty it is to scan the horizon closely, and report on the formation of rain clouds. On these reports the odds l-lsa or fall. » A bet made and won one day is always paid the following morning. Everything seems to be on the square, and, indeed, there is little opportunity for cheating. The odds range as high as 75 to 1 on some days even in the rainy season. Many have made a fortune in a single day. Cne person recently won over £ 5,000 in the course of a few weeks. But he worked the system on scientific principles.

EPPS'S COCOA.—GRATEFUL and COMFORT- ING.—" By a thorough knowledge of the natural laws which govern the operations of digestion and nutrition. and by a careful application of the fine properties of well-sheeted COCOA, Mr. Epps nas provided for our breakfast and supper I a delicately flavoured beverage which may save us many heavy doctors' bills. It is by the judicious use of such articles of diet that a con- stitution may be gradually built up until strong enough to resist every tendency to disease. We may escape many a fatal shaft by keeping our- selves well fortified with pure blood and a pro- perty nourished frame."—"Civil Sen-ice Gazette."—Mado simply with boiling water or miUf.—Hold only in packets and pound tins, by Grocers, labelled—" JAMES EPPS and CO., iAd., Homoeopathic Chemists. London." e7121—m.w.f. Homoeopathic Chemists. London." e7121—m.w.f. A Fair Proposition. We do not want money unless we can give good value. Upon that- basis-ihe^basis?oi^)iiest Dealing- has bton built up the largest pill business in theewodd. Dr. Williams' Pink Pills for Pale-People can harm no one: but we will notsell them to people whom we do not believe tbey will Cur ft. TELL US HOW YOU ARE: ASK US THE IMPORTANT QUESTION. We have a very complete organisation for answering of it. Describe as fully as possible the nature of your ailment, or, if yen-only feel out of sorts," the way you feel. We will tell you whether Dr. Williams' Pink Pills for Pate People hwe cured people similarly troubled, or not. All we ask in return is, thai you mention the name of this paper when you write. Address—Dr. Williams' Medicine Company, 46. Hotbocn Viaduct, London, U. 5 Some disorders 2 that have been < | cured by CD? WILLIAMS 'MA S Paralyses, S J Locomotor Ataxy, j f Rheumatism and S $Sciatica9$ i impoverishment oft | the Blood, S f Scrofula, f Ricketsf | £ Chronic Erysipelas9 # ? Consumption, £ S Anaemia9 # J indigestion and j a Loss of Appetite9 S J Palpitations9 j £ Pains in the Backf S # Neuralgia, j ( Eariy Decay9 j Ladies9 Weaknesses9$ J Hysteria. j j —— j t These Pills are a t | Tonic9 5 | They are not | P-argative. ASTONISHING CURES IN WALES. EPILEPTIC FITS AND HYSTERIA. A story of a truly marvellous nature has been plaoed beyond the shadow of a doubt by the investigations of a re- porter of the Merthyr Express." The prin- cipals in this thrilling narrative are Mr. Thomas Parker (41), a moulder employed under the Ebbw Vale Company, and Mrs. Mary Parker (31), his wife, who reside at Glyn House, Morning Star, near Newtown, Ebbw Vale. Mrs. Parker plunged at once into her story, after the reporter had explained the object of his visit. I am only too delighted," said that lady, to make known to the world my extra- ordinary story. I suffered for a number of years from great weakness and pains in the head, and for a week at a time I have lain aa one dying. I was very hysterical, which would be followed by fainting, hot flushes, and cold sweats. I tried all kinds of remedies, and waa under doctor's treatment for years, but without benefit. I became despondent, and I had given up all hope, when relief came." In what way, Mrs. Parker?" My husband and I read of a case in the Merthyr Express' of a child at Blaina having been marvellously cured by taking Dr. Williams' Pink Pills for Pale People. I resolved to try them, and I bless the day I did so." What was the effect?" Simply marvellous. After taking three boxes I felt quite strong and active, and able to eat anything. Work became a pleasure to me, and I do not know what it is to suffer from headache or feel weak. I have no need to be at all par. ticular about my diet, as I fear no pain after food." You are quite certain your cure is attri- butable to the use of Dr. Williams' Pink Pills?" I have not the slightest hesitation in saying so," promptly replied Mrs. Parker. "In fact, there can be no" doubt about it, as I have taken no other medicine since I commenced with Dr. Williams' Pink Pills. I highly recommend them to all my friends who are in poor health." "Are you acquainted with anyone who has derived benefit from using Dr. Williams' Pink Pills?" queried the reporter. Yes," eagerly replied Mrs. Parker, my husband has also experienced great benefit from them." Indeed! In what way, Mrs. Parker?" Well! ten njonths ago he had an epileptic fit. and that left great weakness and loss of appetite. And even when he felt inclined to eat he feared to do so because he suffered so much from indigestion. He also had pains in his back, with a cold chilly feeling. I would have to rise in the middle of the night and apply hot salt. We hardly knew what a night's rest was, and I began to lose hope, and feared that early decay was setting in. After taking a few boxes of Dr. Williams Pink Pills he began to re-gain his strength, and is now able to eat anything." What induced him to take Dr. Williams Pink Pills?" The great benefit I obtained from them. We cannot speak too highly of these wonderful pills." £ TOO LITTLE BLOOD. £ r Too little blood! That 13 J what makes men and. women £ £ look pale, sallow, and languid. # That is what makes them what makes men and women £ look pale, sallow, and languid. # That is what makes them # drag along, always tired, x never hungry, unable to ? J digest their food, breathless S • £ and palpitating at the heart & 5 after slight exertion, so that r it is a trouble to go upstairs. f They are Anwmic," doctors J J tell them; and that is Greek forhaving "too » little blood." <' Iff: Are you like that? Are your gums pale instead of being scarlet? K Pull downyour eyelid-is the # lining of it blood-shot and # J pale? That is where "too J little blood" shows. More J anaemic people have been £ 2 made strong, hungry, ener- 4 w getic, cheerful men and # J women by r CDS WILLIAMS'M\ TTO'lls ffi IhAL.TE, ILeopue. £ than -by any other means. € They are the finest tonic S S IN THE WORLD. £ ALL SEVEN WORDS. There Is no part of the United Kingdom where there are not people who have been cured of some more or less serious ailment by Dr. Williams' Pink Pillsfor Pale People. All these cures, however, have been effected by In case of doubt it is the genuine Pills, like this j- M Df> WILLIAMS-'m "to^Dr^ Vviuiil™' No one is cured by a sub- (m 'YHfolNK Mm *¥bmmMstwns stitute: to obtain the genuinefil ([IllLLS |w\ Comftany, Pills, it is only necessary to M Iff *6, Wn ttarfuc*, look at the package, and see London, fn~ that it bears (in red letters on dosing the price9 pink paper) the Seven Celebrated Words 28. 9dy or for six Dr. Williams' Pink Pills for Pale People." boxes, 13.. 9d.

For Boys and Girls. The "Evening Express" Boys' and GirM Club (established March 21, 1898) is formed for the purpose of promoting principles of kindness amongst young people, and for the mutual interest and instruction of its members. Boys and Girls, wherever resident, are eligible far membership, provided their age be not less than six or more than sixteen years. The Club is now 3,272 members. Intending Members must fill up the Coupon published every Saturday, 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 may call for their Certificates at the "Express" Offices, St. Mary-street. Other members may forward one penny stamp for postage. Only Club Members are eligible to com- pete for the Priaes given in this column; The winners must apply to Uncle Joe personally, or by letter. Competitors mus- in every case append full name, address, age, and Club number, otherwise they will be disqualified. Uncle Joe is always pleased to hear from his Club Members on any matter of interest, whether relating to school or recreation, and he invites questions and answers. Unless notice to the contrary is posted in the "Western Mail" vestibule. Uncle Joe can see his Nephews and Nieces daily between 4.30 ana 5.30 p.m. (Saturdays and Sundays excepted.)

OUR COMPETITION. Here is another gentleman who has been in a row. Please put in the missing features, add your name, address, age, and club number, j and send in by next Monday morning at latest. A book for the beat attempt; another for th4 second. Notc.-Thig is a separate competitior from that of Monday and Tuesday. Anothei pc-or wounded man will appear on Friday.

GRANDMOTHER'S FIND. Whrvt did grandmother find to-day. Up in the garret chamber dim, Where the cobwebs hang their draperies grey, And the afternoon's light steals softly in? What was the treasure she prizes so?— A baby's cap from the long ago. A dear little bit of muslin and lace, Yellowed and worn with the touch of years; But, oh, she can fancy the winsome face. And her soft blue eyes are dewy with tears— The dear little face of her first-born boy- And her pale cheeks flush with a mother's joy. 'Tis sujh a queer little quaint device, With sewing the fairies might have done; Beyond all value, beyond all price. Is the baby cap of grandmother's son. for over his grave the daisies are white; But graudmotúer's heart is happy to-night! "For, oh!" she says, "he is happy, I know, And heaven re-echoes with pattering feet; And I sometimes dream that I see the gleam Of the golden curls and the faces sweet. Oh! better a home up there for him. Where sorrow can never enter in!" Wonderful relics we've found to-day, Up in the garret chamber dim; Silks in lavender laid away. That dames in the old times courtesied in. Garments of many an old-time beau, Worn in the days of the long ago. Grandmother's spinning-wheel spins no more, Silent it stands in its corner dim; Quiet its rest, its labours o'er. And the afternoon light steals softly in. But the wee little cap in grandmother's hand Has drifted her back to babyland. "Friendly Visitor" (S. W. Partridge and Co.). PLY. Fly was a little dog just one year old. He was an Irish fox terrier and was only sixteen inche3 in height. But he was an active little body, never still a minute. His mistress, Dotty Parker, was only five years old herself, and she and Fly went and had their pictures taken. But they were not very good, for Fly insisted en barking at the man because he had a cloth over his head and pecked through a camera, which proceeding Fiy did not like. One bright summer morn Dotty thought she would tako her pet out to walk without his chain. When crossing the street Fly ran in front of a cable car and had both his fore legs broken. For four long weeks Wotty nursed him with tender care, and by that time he Was wcll enough to limp around. Then Dotty became ill with diphtheria, and it was thought that she would not live. Poor little Fly was greatly distressed because he could not see his little mistress, and used to sit outside the door and cry One day the doctor said that if Dotty was moved to the country she would get better So the next day the little invalid was taken a way with her father and mother and *h« traced nu-se, and left Fly at home alone The poor dog mourhed more than any one thoughl for his little mistress, and when Dotty cams back he was so weak and sick that he coubi hardly raisa himself out of his bed. But liE managed to drag his thin "ittle body up tc her room and scratch at the door. All va; noise and bustle within, and poor Fly coulo not make himself heard. Whep at last the door was opened he lay in a heap on the flooi —C;€p.d. DOLLY'S FATE. Down among the dead men Dolly lies to-day, Among the crabs and lobsters. And fish they call the "cray!" "I really wasn't cruel; She had a pleasant dolly's fate; I used her—don't you tell it!— I used, my doll for fait! "I put hsr on my fishing line And hod-cd her in the back, I only thought she's Mke a bath. She was 100 very black! "Put, oh! the crabs and lobsters, Who thought that she wa.s food, I pulled them out by scores ani scores, Though Dolly's only wood. "You think I'm- mean? Well p'r'aps I am, But if you're fond of fish 1 Come ar mnd on Friday, if you please; We'll have a lovely dish!" '—

ABOUT BOOMERANGS. Very remarkable as a weapon of attack is the simple peace of bent wood known as a boomerang. It came originally from New South Wales, where the natives employed it chiefly for the killing of wild fowl. Formed of thin curved wood, it is about two feet in length, slightly rounded on one side and flat on the other. Its behaviour during night appears at first inexplicable, a clever thrower being able to cause the boomerang to travel a considerable distance and then return to him. It can also be made to work along close to the ground, which it will actually hit and rebound from several times. It may even be used to I strike objects hidden behind a tree and uuseea by tha thrower.

GOOD HEALTH WITHOUT DRUGS. 3.—THE WORK OF LIFE. Dr. Tibbies' Vi-Cocoa is not in any sense a medicine. It is fcimply a nourishing beve- rage, and in that respect it plays a most important part in the prevention of functional i disorders. In these important organs and 1 others, it has a wonderful faculty of giving power to the involuntary muscles of the body. By involuntary we understand those muscles not controlled by the will. Those muscles which carry on the work of life without our consent, and unless looked at carefully, m many instances, without our knowledge; such as the beating of the heart when asleep, the breathing of the lungs, the action of the kidneys, and the digestive process. Dr. Tibbies' Vi-Cocoa acts on these in a nourishing and strengthening sense, conserves the strength of these involuntary muscles, prevents undue waste, and by its beneficial action gives health and vigour to men and women. As people become more intelligent, they see that they should try and prevent disease. It seems strange, when one comes to consider it, that the efforts of medical science are directed to curing, when preventing would seem to be a more rational proceeding. Dr. Tibbies' Vi-Cocoa has proved itself vic- torious over every other food beverage in the market to-day. Anyone can satisfy themselves on this point, and if anyone who reads this is suffering from a deranged or sluggish liver, let him or her leave off gulping down spirits. beer, tonics, drugs of all sorts, and try and prove this most wonderful Food Beverage, which will do more to promote and maintain a healthy action of the liver than all the so- called remedies. To the sedentary brain- worker who sits hour after hour in a stuffy room, coining his thoughts into current litera- I ture, to the lawyer poring over his brief—or reading hard; to the quill-driver; we say, take to Dr. Tibbies' Vi-Cocoa, and you'll find after a week or so of Dr. Tibbies' Vi-Cocoa you'll be in that happy state that you won't know you have a liver, and your life will be full of sunshine. The unique vitalising and restorative powers of Dr Tibbies' Vi-Cocoa are being recognised to an extent hitherto unknown- in the history of any preparation. Dr. Tibbies' Vi-Cocoa can be obtained from all Chemists, Grocers, and Stores, or from 60. 61, and 62, Bunhill-row, London, E.C. I Merit, and merit alone, is what we claim for Dr. Tibbies' Vi-Cocoa, and we are prepared to send to any reader (a postcard will do) who names the "Evening Express" a dainty sample tin of Dr. Tibbies' Vi-Cocoa free and nost paid. e7067—16

Gwilym Evans' Quinine Bitters, an Energysinsf Pick-me-Up Tonic. Sold in bottles 2s. 9d. and 4s. 6d. each. Caution: Avoid Imitations. See the name Gwilym Evans on Label. Stamp, And Bottle. 04919-3 Have you Tried PHILLIPS'S Is. 6d. TEA? It is a Triumph of the Tea Blending Art, and is distinctly superior to the so-called finest teas." e2180-1 I I Printed by the Proprietors Western Mail Limited, and published by them at their offices, St. Mary-street, Cardiff: at their offioos. Castle Bailtsy-street, Swansea; at the shop of Mr Wesley Williams, Bridgend-all in the County of Glamorgan; at the Western Mail Office, Newport; at the shop of Mr. J. P. Caffrey, Monmouth, both in the County of Monmouth; and at the shop of Mr. Wm. Levies. Llanellv, in the County of Car- i mar then. WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 26, 1898,