Evening Express

OLD SAILORS TALK OF i STORMS. After the big storm, when with the drift of tha sea the dead were being picked up along the coasts, the sailors grouped together to talk it over. In one of these groups Old Slip John Thomp- son. who has followed the sea forty years, was holding forth. "Do I know anything about the force of a big wave?" he said, repeating the question of the write! "I do. I ought to. Thirty-six years ago a wave made a wreck of my life, and wherever I have been, at sea, or on land, I have thought about it every day since. "With my two brothers I was on the Western Metropolis in 1862, when it, with other Govern- ment transports, was on the way from Fortress Monroe to Fort Fisher. We were going to assist in the capture of the fort. But when we were three hours out a gale sprung up which soon turned into a hurricane. We were blown out to sea 900 miles. "The second day out the big wave hit us. I have never seen a wave like it before or, since, The first mate, myself, and my two brothers wera on the bridge. We saw the wave coming. It looked as high as a mountain. When I saw it looming np at first it looked a long way off, but m next moment it nearly swamped us. I threw myself down flat and grasped a support- ing iron, which trembled as the set struck us. The water blinded me. and the force of the wave smashed my foot against the bridge, and I thought it was broken in two. "I looked up just in time to see my brother Joe and the mate carried out to sea. Jim, my oldest brother, didn't have time to grasp the rail of the bridge before he was knocked into the water and lost. "That wave swept everything before it clean. It took the pilot-house, the bridge, the com- passes, the boats, everything moveable, from etem to stern. Nothing was left of the bridge bat the four iron posts which supported it, one of which saved my life. Even that post was bent and twisted by the shock and tied to the "hip only by its lower fastening." "No cue can tell the power of a wave," said able seaman John Dunn. who has been buffeted by many a storm since he was cast by a wave on the coast of Maine in 1860. when the North American was wrecked on Leena rocks. "When one big wave will stagger a ship of 10,000 tons. stop it and almost turn it back in the face of a hurricane, how can any one tell how much power is back cf it? There's one thing certain, and it's an old seaman that tells it. When a big wave hits a ship, breaks over lt and sweep her decks from stem to stern. everything on that deck is torn away. I've seen the chain lashings of the spare anchor twisted short off by a wave, and anything that will play with metal like that is not going to have any mercy with woodwork. "I was on the Celtic, from Boston to New Orleans, in 1370, when in the November stcrm of that year the main chains were snapped by a wave as if they were made of tinder instead of iron. But Kelly here," said Dunn, 110dding to a man at his right, "can tell you about the Guiding Star and the wave that swamped her when she was lost." "I can," said Kelly, able seaman. "I was second mate of the Guiding Star when she went down off the coast of Florida in 1865, and of her 3(() passengers and crew only one boatload of twelve people were saved. "We battled the waves for twenty-four hours before the Star went down," he said. "Eight of us were laying tarpaulins on the decks to keep the water out of the cabins, when a wave came along as high as the crow's-nest and struck the ship side wise. It swept the captain off his feet and broke his back against the mainmast. Then it lifted him again as it went back and hurled him down the hatchway. That wave broke my leg and made me lame for life." continued Kelly, us he limped across the room to prove his words.

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ABDU1 S ANCESTRY. A SLAVE WHO BECAME MOTHER OF A SULTAN. The Sultan of Turkey, recent host of Wander- ing Willie of Germany, and permanent problem of European diplomats, has Christian blood in his vein—the best that flowed in France. He is, too. related to Napoleon Bonaparte. This is the story — Aimee Buc de Rivny was the daughter of a rich French pianter living in Algiers. She was own cousin of that extraordinary girl, Mdlle. Josephine Tascher de la Pagerie, who became the first Empress of Napoleon. M. de Rivny did not wish to rear his daughter in the rude surroundings of a colony and sent her to Nantes, where, in the cloistered calm of a convent, :he received the education befitting her rank and grew into a girl of eighteen, beau- tiful and high spirited. Her course completed, Mdlle. de Rivny wished to re-visit her parents, whom she had not seen —^uch were the dangers in those days cf the Mediterranean passage-since she was four years old. On the voyage the ship whereon Aimee was a passenger strained her seams in a stcrm and foundered. Her passengers were taken off by a Spanish vessel, but were thus saved from drown- ing only to meet a worse fate. For before the ship reached a haven in Majorca she was cap- tured by pirates, who robbed her of everything worth stealing and made the beautiful girl a captive. She was sold to the Bey of Algiers, who would have liked to keep her. but did not dare. She was too beautiful. And in the East even the walls have ears and the housetops tongues.' So with a heavy heart, but with the outward seem- ing of pleasure, he sent the girl. unharmed and courteously treated, a present to the then Sultan. Imagine the feelings of the convent-bred young French girl thus destined for the harem of a polygamous infidel, and thrust amid sur- roundings whose very luxury served but to accentuate their hatefuiness. She yielded at last, however, to the persuasions of a white prisoner, who represented to her the hopeless- ness of resistance. Thus, in 1787, she became the wife of Hamid 1. and reigning Sultana of Turkey. In 1789, a few months after the death of her husband, she gave birth to a son and heir, who ruled as Hamid II. till 1349. The present Sultan. Abdul II Hamid, succeeded Hamid III., son of Hamid II. This is not an exceptional case in Turkey. Most of the families of this proud race or +he Seljuks have intermarried with beautiful Chris- tian captives—Venetians, French, Spanish, even British. It is because of this mingling of races quite as much as their originally splendid stock that the Turks are such a fine, handsome, and manly raca in physical appearance, to which rule Abdul Hamid himself, with his grave, bearded face, is no exception. The French Saltana never changed her reli- gion. Probably no one cared whether she did or not. Though placed upon the very pinnacle of possible achievement for a woman, she had no personal authority over Mussulmans such as a Christian Queen exercises over her subjects. In Turkey women do not trouble themselves much about religion. Thus it happened that on her deathbed the Sultana, Aimee desired to be once more bap- tized. Hamid n. could not refuse the dying request of his mother. One stormy night a lond knock sounded at the gate of the cloister of Antonius. It opened to slaves of the Sultan, Islamites, who sought that the holy Prior of the great faith should go with them. Where? They did not know or were forbidden to tell. "I fear nothing, said the Prior. "For cen- turies cur people have worshipped under the protection of the Sultans. They will worship here when I am gone. Lead the way'" He was led, by dark ways he knew not, lO a maa-niiicent apartment. A pale, slender man splendidly robed, stood by the bedside of an aged woman, whose laboured breath pro- claimed her desperate case. "Mother." said the robed man, "here is a priest of your conviction. Let it be as you desire. Agony was painted upon the face of this true Mussulman, yet truer son, when from a corner he saw the priest administer the last sacrament t.o h~s in Other: nor couid he see the ceremony to its end. When the sign of the cross was made above the forehead of the dying Chris- tian the Sultan threw himself upon the ground I. that his eyes m'ght not behold th.3 symbol of the Mua of Sorrow-

I Tiro. h. Co).by Evans was i;>-tailed Worshipful Master of the St. Peter's Lodge of Freemasons (Carmarthen, No. -476) on Tuesday evening. HAVANA. Cream of the! Market. Bocks. Morale's, Alvares's, Marias, Villa's, Cuba's. &t\—Cigar Stores. 100, Queen- street, and 70. St. Mary-street, Cardiff. t;260 On Tuesday evening "Sir" John Archdeacon, Grand Primo of England of the E.A.O.B., paid a visit to Merthyr, and opened a new Provj»s»al Grand Lodge at the Market Tn"

Cardiff Sketches and Romances—No 36. By J. PURCELL. WHAT THE MISTLETOE HEARD. On an oak in a forest on the plains of Landes grew a piece of mistletoe which some few years ago was brought over from Bordeaux to Cardiff. It was hang up at Christmas time in the end of the terrace at Elderwyn, and here is an account of something it saw on that occasion. We will let the mistletoe speak for itself: — The house was brilliantly lighted but ths terrace on which I was hung was left in dark- ness It was a night midway between Christ- mas and Xew Year, and Mrs. Plassey had invited all her friends to a party, which was to serve the double purpose of celebrating the twenty-first birthday of her daughter Eleanor aud the engagement of the latter to Captain Fowkcô, in addition to which it would be made to take the place of the usual party given by the Piasseys at this time of the year. During the evening I witnessed many curious scenes on the terra.ee beneath me. Young Claude Plassey, for instance, who was scarcely fifteen years of age, managed to entice no fewer than half a dozen, girls under my protecting foliage. kissing them, too. Some of the young ladies said nothing, whilst others were, or pretended to be, quite shocked. 'Oh you rude little thing—how dare you?' cried Miss Davies, 'I'll tell your mother.' "'Hoity toity!" cried Claude, 'mother knows all about it; I've made a bet with her that I'd kiss all the young ladies at the party, and I'll do it. Wait till you s2e?' "Claude won his bet easily enough. Indeed he kissed some of them many times, so often, indeed, that I felt quite ashamed. But what grieved me most was what- I saw in connection with Mi-s Eleanor. Quite early in the evening Captain Fowkes. her affianced husband, got her under my wings and kissed her passion- ately, called her 'my darling,' and many things of the kind. But she was as cold to him as the snow on the ground below. Whilst he poured out his love she listened without sptealung a word, and it was easy to see that, on her side at least, there was no love. 'Do say you love me once, Eleanor,' he pleaded, 'I've waited long enbugh, goodness Knows. 'Am I not going to marry you. Captain Fowkes?' 'Captain?' Why not even do me the favour to call me by my name? Have I been so bad to you?' "'Alfred,' then; I suppose I must begin to practise your name. But let us go inside now— tli?y will wonder what has become of us.' "They went away, and about an hour later Eleanor came out alone. Scarcely had she appeared when another gentleman, coming from I know not where, clasped her in his arms and kissed her again and again. 'Oh, she criej, 'how have you come here?' "The very tones of her voice showed me at once that here was the real sweetheart. She might be going to marry Captain Fowkes. but her love was given to thi3 George. 'Is it true. Eleanor, what I hear? Tell me it is not true—you are not engaged to this Fowkes ? 'Hush, hush George, and go away—no g cd can come of your being here to-night.' 'But, answer my Question. E.eanor— for God s sake, taka me out of suspense. I've been travelling day and night for the last three days in hopes of seeing you before it was too late. Will you not speak now?' 'What can I say, George? You know I love you, an1 yoa know also how powerless I am. God help me. I have promised to be his wife.' 'But you will not keep that promise. Eleanor—you shall not. You ve promised me a hundred times, and I cannot give you up.' 'Aou must, George; you must go away and think no more about me; I'm not worth any one's thoughts, dear.' 'Can you not wait another year for me. Eleanor? By that time I am certain that every cloud shall have passed from my name.' "'A ou know very well, George. that it will kill me to marry this man, hut it is impossible for me to hold out any longer against the entreaties of my mother and the commands cf entreaties of my mother and the commands cf my father. I tell them over and over that I do not love Captain Fowkes. but I might as well speak to the dead. Oh. do go away, George.' 'Never, Eleanor; I tell you I shall not stir uutil yoa promise to wait for me.' 'I cannot promise, George; I am almost worn into the grave with worry, .r.d I cannot hold out any longer. Even Captain Fowkes is preferable to stopping in this house—if I could only go a way and hide myself from the world.' 'You must come away with me to-night, darling; I've everything prepared-a coach outside which will take us far enough before morning. Oh, Eleanor, do listen to me; I can- not live without you—you must come.' 'Hush, George, there is someone coming- hide yourself at once.' "He had scarcely time to get into the shade of the pillars at the end of the terrace when Captain Fowkes appeared. 'So I've found you, dear,' he said, 'watching the play of the moonlight on the snow, I see; you must really come inside, Eleanor, or I shall he put to the expense of a heavy doctor's bill after we are married.' "As he spoke he snatched a kiss. and I'm sure I heard something which sounded like pro- fanity at the other end of the terrace. But Eleanor seemed glad enough to accompany her companion into the house. As soon as they had gone George came from behind the pillar and took a few steps forward as if to follow them. but quickly retreated. Two other figures, ill thÐ penon of Mr. and Mrs. P_assey, appeared 011 the scene. 'I tell you what it is. Tom.' said the lady, 'Eleanor must be got to name the day to-night. I've been watching her countenance all the evening, and I am sure that if we don't mind I she wiil withdraw. Her face now as she went into the drawing-room had something in it which made me tremble.' 'But 1 t is Fowke" who must get her to name the day; I can't do it; and you can't, it appears. Do you think she loves that fellow Pearson yet?' 'I'm afraid so; the only way to get him out of her head is to marry her at once. It really must be done, my dear.' "'I suppose so; I'i! talk to Fowkes and get him to press her 011 the point.' 'Where do you think Pearson is passing his time now a days? Do you know. I sometimes fancy that he was never, guilty of th3 crime imputed to him.' 'Oil, you sometimes think anything. AVhat more do YOU knov; now than when the thing occurred? Pearson. I ve heard, is in Italy, and I suppose enjoying himse'f. He was always able to do that, at any rate.' "'He.was a pleasant feilow. and one of the last men any one would dream of as a cheat. What I've been told since is that Pearson scarcely ever played at cards, whilst his opponents 011 the occasion were known to be 111 veterate gamblers.' "'Nonsense, Tom; you'd believe anything. Who has put that nonsense into your head?' 'Why, Major Lawrence has just said so, and Fowkes did y,ot contradict him.' 'Oh, Captain Fowkes is too polite to say anything reflecting on his rival. But let us go inside.' "The next colloquoy I listened to on the terrace was once more between Eleanor and George Pearson. As soon as the coast was clear the young lady came back, and George came out from his hiding place. 'Now Eteancr, darling.' he said, 'you must make up your mind to come with me. I would not press you to it, God knows, were it not for this Fowkes. Nor would I willingly have your name linked with mine until I could clear my- self if I did not feel that in marrying Captain Fowkes you would suffer a. still greater degra- datic.J1. Come, Eleanor.' 'But, consider my mother. George—it would break her heart—and my poor father! He was one.' "She stood like one in a maze, evidently hesitating on what course to adopt. 'If I do. George, where will you take me to?' 'To my aunt's in London, from whose house we can be married in a day or two. Yon are twenty-one now, darling, and need consult no always good to me before the last couple of months.' "Just then one of the French windows of the terrace creaked. George and Eleanor retired behind the pillars at the end. and Captain Fowkes. smoking a cigar and accompanied by another gentleman, appeared. They began to speak in low tones "'Well, what luck, Fowkes; I hope you've got the day fixed?' 'Not yet; but the night is young still—don't be so impatient, man.' 'Impatient; I've waited patiently for months, and don't feel inclined to wait much longer. I am going abroad for a. spell to-morrow, and this may be my last chance of talking to you. I really refuse to renew those bills again, and 1 you know what that means to you. Gad, if I were to let out to Pearson the little fake you played on him he'd give me the amount twice over." 'What have I got to do with the fake, as you call it?' "'Don't be a fool, Fowkes; do you think I "'Don't be a fool, Fowkes; do you think I don't know all about it? Who was it that paid that. Italian count to get those cards up Pear- son's sleeve? I know very well, my friend. I traced the notes. Hnd can prove they were some I had passed over to you on the same day.' 'Oh. hold your tongue, man; if anyone were to hear you, I should be lost. Let's talk this matter over in the bedroom.' "'As you wi-II; Lut I tell you again that if the cash is not forthcoming I shail go to Pearson with my ston," "No need to do tlut-Pearsoll is here," came a voice from the end of the terrace. With quick steps George confronted the two conspirators. "So it is to you, Fowkes, that I um indebted

COMICALITIES. "They're raked In a, pretty rough-looking lot r this morning, haven't they?" said the stranger, to the reporter in a police-court. "You're look- ing at the wrong lot." answered the reporter. "Those are not the prisoners; those are the lawyers." "Yes," meditated the Sultan of Turkey, "it is quite out of the question for me to become a Christian. I have been reading of the Western fashions. Just think of my having to provide new summer toggery for a harem the size of mine." And he ordered another massacre. The longest day is in June, they say! The shortest in December. They did not come to me that way; The shortest I remember. You came a day with me to stay. And filled my heart with laughter; The longest day-you were away- The very next day after. "Yesterday," said Jobson, "I refused a 1 oor woman a request for a small sum of money, and in consequence of my act I passed a sleei.ess night. The tones of her voice were ringing in my ears the whole time." "Your softness of heart does you credit," said Mabson, "Who was the woman?" "My wife." "How is your window-garden getting on?" "Not at all well." "H'ow is that?" Didn't you water it this summer?" "Oh, yes. I watered it every morning and the passers-by as well." "Did nothing ever come up?" "Only a policeman, once." The young doctor and his friend the chemist were sitting at the club window when a. richly. dressed lady passed by. There goes the only woman I ever loved," remarked the young M.D. "That so?" queried the other. "Then why don't you marry her?" Can't afford it," replied the doctor; "she is my best patient," There is a great deal in the theory that people often cough because they have nothing else to do. There is very little coughing in a theatre where every one is so interested he forgets he has a cold. There is a great deal of coughing at every Church service. Would the same people cough if taken to a theatre where their minds would be taken off their afflictions ? Don t pick quarrels before they are ripe. Don't owe any person a grudge; pay as you go. Don't prolong a quarrel; make a fight of it and then quit. Don't think that bright men spend all their time reflecting. Don't forget that man's chief end is the one with the head on. There seemed to be a rather acrimonious discussion going on as I went by headquarters." "Yes," said the Salvation Army captain, sadly. Brother Jones, who beats the drum, happened to say to Brother Smith, who does mcio of the preaching, that actions speak louder than words." — .—■ —■» U_ I

OUR DAILY CARTOON. INSEPARABLE. FATHER CHRISTMAS: "Once again, we are here, old friends, and once again I heartily congratulate you upon your excel- lent work. Why. man you've become an institution as fixed as I am!"

SOMEONE MAD BLUNDERED, and evesy man knew Yet they rode on—the famous Six Hundred we mean who charged 10,000 Russians at Balaclava, though cannon volleyed in front of them, to the right of them, to the left of them. And why rods they? Because they had learned to obey orders. And yet they knew someone had blundered. Aye, it was a blunder to send men to the death in that fashion. Britons iho world ever will ever honour the Light Brigade. And they will honour, too, men who lead others, not to death, but to life and health. Page Woodcock's Wind Pills have restored thousands to health, and made life worth living. Mrs. Lawrence (a farmer's wife) writes from Mid-llasen, Lincolnshire"For a long time I 1Iid-ltasen, Lincolnshire"For a long time I suffered severely from Indigestion and Wind in the Stomach, having had to call in the doctor. After he had prescribed for me for some time, he (the doctor) said. 'I can do nothing more for you.' My husband urged me to try your Wind Pilis: the same evening he brought me a box and I commenced to take thcin. I11 a few days I was quite well and able to get up. and now en.ioy excellent health. My mother, who suffered in the same way,-took them with the same good result." For Indigestion, AVind in the Stomach, Liver Complaints, Biliousness, Spasms, Sick Headache, &c„ they are far and away the best and safest remedy. Being purely Vegetable, Tasteless, and Mild and Tonic in their action, they may be taken with perfect safety by the most delicate of either sex. Page A\ oodcock's AA iud Pills are sold by all Me licine Vendors at Is. gd. and 2s. 9d.; post free for price from Page AVoodcock, Lincoln. E7155—8

TWO OF A KIND. Patrick O'Mars, a private in the 9th Regulars, went to the colonel of his regiment and asked for a two weeks' leave of absence. The colonel was a severe disciplinarian, who did not believe in extending too many privileges to his men, and did not hesitate in using a subterfuge in evading the granting of one. "Weil, said the colonel, "what do you want a two-weeks' furlough for?" Patrick answered"Me woifs is very sick, and the children are not well, and if didn't mind she would like to"*have hrfe home for a few weeks to give her a. hit. of assistance." The colonel eyed him for a few minutes and said:—"Patrick, I might grant your request, but I got a letter from your wife this morning saying that she didn't want you home; that you were a nuisance and raised the devil when- ever you. were there. She hopes I won't let you have any more furloughs." "That settles it. I suppose I can't get the fur- lough, then?" said Pat. "No; I'm afraid not, Patrick. It wouldn't be well for me to do so under the circumstances." It was Patrick's turn now to eye the colonel, as he started for the door. Stopping suddenly, he said: — "Colonel, can I say something to yez?" I "Certainly, Patrick: what is it?" "You won't get mad, colonel, if I say it?" "Certainly not, Patrick, what is it?" "I want to say there are two splendid liars in this room, and I'm one of them. I was never married in me loife."

HORLICK'S MALTED MILK WILL STAMP OUT TUBERCULOSIS in infants. Read the official returns of the Royal Commission, and you will find that the chief cause of this disease, which occasions so much mortality among chil- dren. is the common cow's milk that is left on your doorsteps, and appears so sweet and wholesome. In many instances its analysis will show that the germs of Tuberculosis are present in it. If the cow which supplies your nursery is suffering from the complaint, as it often is, the chance that it will be transmitted to your child is overwhelmingly great. You can secure absolute protection from this danger by using only HORLICK'S MALTED MILK, which il sterilised and absolutely pare. Foods which require added milk offer no protection. Horlick's is dissolved simply in warm water. Ask your Chemist for it. Price Is. 6d., 2s. 6d., and 11s. A free sample will be sent. on applica- tion, by Horlick and Co., 34, Farringdon-road, London, E.C. L15125 At Tonyrefail Annual Eisteddfod, which was held la-st Saturday, Mr. William George (" Myfyr Dyfed "), of Tylorstown, succeeded in gaining the chair, out of fourteen, for a poem on "The 014 Grey-headed Minister." PHILLIPS'S is. 6d. TEA is a Triumph ot th* Tea Blending Art. It is distinctly superior to the so-called" finest teas." Have you tried it? e2 Mrs. Carver, of AVenallt, near Carmarthen, died at her residence on Monday night, at the age of 55 years. Scotia Restaurant. Duke-street, Cardiff.—Finest Mincemeat at Wholesale Prices—Is. per lb. For Quantities from TIbs. to 131ba., lOd. per lb.; 141bs. and upwards, ad. per lb.

FOOTBALL P R I Z E COMPETITION. 0. A £100 FOR THE WINNER. IN TIm ABSENCE OF CORRECT SOLUTIOH. £10 FOR BEST COUPON. SUPPLEMENTAL PRIZES. 1—An OEIGINAL CARTOON frem the "Even- ing Express" by Mr. J. M. STANIFCRTH. Framed and Mounted by Mr. A. FREKE, Photographer, Ac., 12. Duke-street, Cardiff. 2—Jib. Tin of ARCHER'S GOLDEN RETURNS. by the weil-known firm. IiFNRY ARCHER and. CO.. 170, 172. and 174. Borough, Lon- dou. S.E. S—TWO TICKETS for the Orchestra Stalls or Dress Circle at the THEATRE ROYAL, Cardiff, to see "The Belle of New York." 4-TWO TICKETS Tor tlte Talcony at the GRAND THEATRE. Cardiff. 61 6 A» tta Option ttw 7 rHE 'WSISTERN MAIL" MUSIC FOLIO 8 OF 88 SOMQS AND SACRED 9 80L06. 10 Or either of the following well-bound, 11 cloth-covorad Standard Works: — 12 SHAK3PEAE E'S COMPLETE PLAYS 13 AND SONNETS. 14 VANITY FAIB. by Thackeray. 15 I THE OAXTON8, by Lord Lytton, 16 f ERNEST MALTRAVEHS. by Lord r: Lytton. 18 ALICE, or THE MYSTERIES, by Lor4 19 Lytton. 20 TVANHOE. by Sir Walter Scott. 21 THE SCARLET LETTER, by Hawthorne. 22 MARY BARTON, by Mre. GasVell. 23 LAYS OF THE SCOTTISH CAVALIERS, 24 by Aytoun. 25 JANS EYRE, by Charlotte Bronte ? Thursday.j COUPON. MATCHES PLAYED DECEMBER 24. Coupon must reach this office by one p m. cnthbdayof play. i:ireetions for marking Coupon Strike out name of losing club and givd points of triunar and lo-jer. For a draw strike out neither, but give points if any. SEND TWOPENCE IN POSTAGE STAMPS WITH EACH COUPON. vatpu li"-oiiit!t cored Points Scored _L——— ly Winner. by Loger. CARDIFF V. BARBARIANS. ABEKAVON V. MOBRISTOIN. NEWPORT V. WATSONIANS. LLANELLY V. TUDHOE. I NAME ADDRESS CONDITIONS. The prise of £ iiw will be given to the com- petitor who predicts the actual scores in each of tne matches in the appended coupon. If no competitor succeeds in giving the actual scores, ±110 will be given to the competitor whose predictions are the nearest to the actual rewults, or. in the event of a tie, the money will be divided. If any of the selected matches are postponed or abandoned the JSIM prize will not be awarded, but under any circumstances the £ 1U will be given to the best coupon. The Supplemental Prizes will be awarded in the order given above. Competitors may send in as many coupons as they like, but every coupon must be accom- panied by 2d. m stamps. rhe winners will be announced on the Tues- 0 day of each week. Envelopes containing Coupons must be marked ontside, Football Competition." No person in the employ of the Western Mail Limited is allowed to compete. I

Have vou Tried PHILLIPS'S Is. 6d. TEA? It I is a Triumph of the Tea Blending Art, and is distinctly superior to the so-called "finest teas." P2190—1 Richard Rees. haulier, Craig, Pontypridd, was charged under the Vagrancy Act, 1898, with living wholly or in part on immoral earnings. The Bench declared defendant to be a rogue and vagabond, and sentenced him to six weeks' imprisonment.

f" 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:- Shakspearo's Complete Piays 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 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 fo.lowing 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 you will receive either of the above books. If you canuot 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 hook, even though he be the holder of a selected number, until every reader has received abook. PURCHASERS of AA'EDNESDAY'S "Evening bearing the Following Numbers Printed in Violet Ink on the Top Left-hand Corner of Pago 2 are Entitled to a Book:- 1 451847 452074 455597 455820 459084 45926J 459474 459763 453444 463503 463768 463914 464200 469477 469611 469801 469974 470186 475576 474074 474747 475246 475754 476664 = -==- I

LOCAL NEWS ITEMS. A shed at the rear of a general dealer's shop occupied by Mr. Edward Patten, at Cardiff, and IFed for the storage of paraffin, was destroyed by fire on Wednesday evening. The CASTLE HAIRDRESSING SALOONS, 100. Queen-street, and 70, St. Mary-street. el Choral music of a really high class is not often to be heard, and we have, therefore, less hesitation in notifying that a great treat will be provided at the carol service at St. James's, Swansea, this (Thursday) evening. Time is Money.—You save it by going to the Castle Hairdressing Saloons. e7224-3

A GOLDEN OPPORTUNITY. The (, Texas Judge was perturbed. He had given .the case of., Sam Harris, charged with horse-stealing;, to. the jury at 9 o'clock that morning, and now it was close on 10 at night, with no sign of the twelve men. With the weak defence put up there was every reason to expect a quick verdict, and his honour was about to investigate the matter when the jury filed into the court-room. "Vfall, hev ye feUers really reached a verdict?" queried the judge sarcastically, ae he took his seat and prepared for business. "Ye bet, Jedge!" was the hearty reply of the foreman. "We've reached thirty or forty of 'em." "Thirty of forty of 'em?" echoed his honour in astonishment. "That's wnat we hev," continued the fore- man. "We've got vardicts agin ha:f the town, an' if we hadn't got so tired and dry we might hev found a few more." "But—I don't exactly understand ye." "Wall, it's like this, Jedge. When we got sot down we figgered it wuz a mighty good time to git stjuar with sartin bad folks we knew of, an' we purceeded to do it. We found Jim Perkins, who owes me twenty dollars an' won't pay it, guilty of fraud; we found Bill Bangs, who shot Juryman Smith's dawg last week, guilty of" Stop right thar' broke in the Judge, as he pounded with his fist until the windows jarred-" stop right thar'! Don't ye know ye hadn't any right to find vardicts agin anv one but the prisoner?" And-and can't ye do nuthin' to those fellers we found guilty?" Sartinly not—sartinly not! Now, render yer vardict in this case afore I'm tempted to fine ye all lOOdols. fur takin' up the court's time!" Come-come to think of it, Jedge," stam- mered the foreman, looking around sheepishly, "we wuz so busy argerin' the other cases that we clean furgot this. Come on, boys, an' we'll go back agin." And back they shuffled to the jury-room, leaving his honour too dumbfounded to speak. He didn't fully recover his voice again until ten minutes later, when they had brought in a verdict of conviction and been discharged. Then he ground his teeth together savagely and exclaimed: — Wall, ye kin bhoot me fur a Chineyman if I ever sot eyes on a bigger passel of idjets than those twelve critters! Yere they"re wasted nearly fifteen hours of my valuable time and made me miss two dawg fights and a game of poker! Whoop! if I ever get one of them before me I'll make his ha'r riz right up through his hatl"

For Boys and Girls. The "Evening Express" Boys' &ad Girls Club (establisfied Mareh 21, 1898), is formed for the purpose of promoting principles or kindness among young people, and tor the mutual interest and instruction of its members. t Boys and Girls, wherever resident, are eligible for membership, provided their age be not lees than six or more than sixteen years. The Club now numbers 3,306 members. Intfnding member:, must fill up the Coupon published every Saturday, and forward it to Uncle Joe, Evening ixpress," Cardiff. Their names and addresses will be published, and each new Member is entitled to a. beautifully-designed Only Club Members are eligible to com- pete for the Prizes given in this column. The winners must apply to Uncle Joe personally or by letter. Competitors must 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.

SANTA CLAUS." Yesterday the great treat commenced, and this afternoon it comes to a conclusion. No doubt a number of Uncle Joe's poorer Nephews and Nieces were there enjoying themselves, and Uncle heartily wishes the whole Club could have been at the Park-hall to witness the scene. It was a. truly inspiring one, and Miss Matty Carr might well look radiant and happy. It is an easy matter to pass compliments and write pretty things, but Uncle Joe knows well how hard Miss Carr has worked. From the outset she has thrown herself heart and soul into the work, and I am sure her only regret is that she was not able to arrange for the feeding, clothing, and entertainment of all the poor children of Cardiff. Uncle Joe is truly pleased that so many of his Nieces and Nephews con- tributed and collected, and he earnestly hopes that next year many more will come forward and aid this noble cause.

NEW MEMBER. Dear Uncle Joe,—I wish to become a member of your club. I think it is a very good idea. I am fourteen years of age. Dear Uncle, as I was looking at your paper, the "Evening Express," the other day, I noticed what a great number of nieces and nephews you have, and may you have many more. Dear Uncle, I can say no more.—From your would-bs Nephew, GILBERT JAMES GRIFFIN. 47, Wells-street, Canton. PLEASED WITH HIS CERTIFICATE. Dear Uncle Joe,—I hope you are quite well, also your members. I am writing to say I am very pleased with the certificate. I shall have it framed as soon as possible.—I remain your loving member. H. WATKINS. 57, Colum-road, Cardiff. No. 2,828. —

A DOG STORY, Here is a story showing the sagacity of the dog, vouched for by the "Leisure Hour" On the high road between Bordeaux and Arcachon a certain mongrel collie is known to, and much respected by, hundreds of people on account of its almost human intelligence. It invariably accompanies a couple of bullocks that draw a cart loaded with charcoal into Bor. deaux, and returns with it empty to the locality where the wood is burnt. Although the cart is in charge of a man, the oxen are practically in charge of the dog. The animal walks on ahead leading the bullocks, and always strictly observing the rules of the road. When the slow-moving beasts have to turn to the right, the dog barks on that side of them, and when to the left he barks on the other side, the oxen having perfectly learnt their part, and being quite willing to obey a quadruped many times smaller than themselves. The dog learnt his business by observing his master, who was much surprised one day to find his companion so accomplished. To lead a bullock-cart, and to know exactly what to do on meeting other traffic, seems as near an approach to human reasoning as can be attained by the intelli. gence of the brute."

LINES TO A CHILD. Dear little face, With placid brow and clear, uplifted eyes. And prattling lips that speak no evil thing, And dimpling smiles, free of fair-seeming" lie-! Unschooled to ape the dreary world's pretence! Sweet imager of cloudless innocence! The tenderest flower of nature's fashioning. A dewy rose amidst the wilderness, Amidst the desert a clear-welling spring- So is thy undissembling loveliness, Dear little face! Dear little hand! How sweet it is to feel against my own The touch of this soft palm, which never yet The taint of soul-destroying gold hath known! Here Nature's seal of trustfulness is pressed, Even as her loving touch the lily bleached, With stinless purity—even as she set The golden flame upon the daffodil. And heaven's clear blue upon the violet, May her best gifts be for thy clasping still, Dear little hand! Dear little heart! That never harboured any ill intent. That knows no bitterness, nor doubt, nor care But only young life's nestling wonderment, And strange, new joys, amidst thy incomplete, Unfledged emotions and affections swet! Veiled, by the unlived years, thy field; but there The sowing for thy harvest hath begun. When thou shalt reap and bind, may no despair. Rise from that ground betwixt thee and the sun Dear little heart! ROBERT BURNS WILSON.

THE ELEPHANTS JOKE. An amusing story is told of an elephant and a constable. The day was very windy, and the constable stood in the shelter of a. large build- ing looking in an opposite direction from that in which the elephant was appearing. The circus had given its performance for the week, and men and animals were on their way to the next town. The performing elephant was started on in advance of the others. He and his keeper were walking quietly along in the very early morning. The only disturbance was the elephant's apparent determination to walk on the footpath. His keeper drove him from the sidewalks several times, but, like a mis- chievous little boy, he would go. When the elephant reached the corner where the con- stable was he touched the constable on the arm with his trunk. The constable, turning, saw the huge beast at- his shoulder, and, frightened almost to death, began running down the street, and the elephant after him. The keeper called and called, but the animal paid no attention. The elephant ran until he reached an open gateway, into which the con- stable rushed, shutting the iron gates after him. The keeper says that the elephant fairly chuckled, as though he had had a great deal of fun.

WE SPEAK THE TRUTH! Sufferers from Gravel. Lumbago, Piles, Pains in the Back, Dropsy, Wind and Water Com- plaints, Diseases of Kidneys, Bladder, Stone. Sciatica, Rheumatism, and Gout, will find a positive Cure in Holroyd's Gravel Pills. Try a Small Box, and if not satisfied your money will be returned. Price Is. lid., of all chemists, cr sent free for 12 stamps, from Holroyd's Medical Hall, Cleckheaton. Yorks. Don't be put off. If you cannot get them, write the proprietor, and a box will be sent next post. The Blood is the source from which our systems are built up, and from which we derive our mental as well as our physical capabilities. If the blood is diseased the body is diseased. Sufferers from Scrofula, Scurvy, Eczema, Bad Le~s, Skin and Blood Diseases, Pimples, and Sores of any kind are solicited to give Clarke's World-famed Blood Mixture a trial to test its value. Thousands of wonderful cures have been effected by it. Sold everywhere, at 2s. 9d. per bottle. Beware of worthless imitations and substitutes. ell AN EXCLUSIVE PRESENT.—A DOROTHY BOX of CHOCOLATE, marked with Name. from Is. 6d., 2s.. 2s 6d., to 5s. e.7000—2 A Triumph of the Tea Blending Art- PHILLIPS'S is. 6d. Tea. Have you tried it? It is distinctly superior to the so-called finest t—uL." AI:t!.II4-1 ) EBusiness$cftires5es* srrop ——— THAT ——— COUGH BY USING A MOST _r—^ GIVES WONDERFUL INSTANT SPECIFIC RELIEF FOR IN COUGHS, jjjjBljl|y WHOOPING MOiniNERS coiGH' CB-VP COUGH SOL° BY CHILDREN I — llYTIIRr CHEMISTS- TWO SIZES:- SIS Irk 1 U la | TWO SIZES:— Is. Hd. and 2s. 9d. *{| Is. l^d. and 2s. 9d. Is. lAd. and 2s. 9d. ,¡j Is. l^d. and 2s. 9d. PER BOTTLE. PER BOTTLE. t BEVAN AND COMPANY (LIMITED) ARE WALES' CHAMPION FURNISHERS CARDIFF. SWANSEA. NEWPORT AND PONTYPOOL el876

THE GOOD OLD TIMES. From the household book of the Earl of Northumberland it appears that my lord and lady had set on their table for breakfast, at seven in the morning, one quart of beer, as much wine, two pieces of salt fish, six red herrings, four white ones, or a dish of sprats! What vould many lady's maids say now to such "shocking vulgar fare" l' Forks were not used in England till between the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries. The half-b u barous Persians now take the meat up with their fingers, just as the English did before that period. When Tom Coryate, the tra- vcller, introduced from Italy the practice of eating with a fork he got the nickname of "Furcifer." The luxury of paved streets was not known in London till the eleventh century. In 1090 Cheanside was of such soft earth that when the roof of Bow Church was blown off by a ?ale of wind, four beams, each 26ft. long, were so deeply buried in the street that only about four were seen above the surface. Holborn was not paved till 1417, before which time it was impassable on account of the mud. Smithfield was paved in 1614, and it was only in 1762 that paving the streets was ordered by a general Act of Legislature. It was not before 1414 that the streets were lighted, when lanterns were used for that purpose.

AN EXCLUSIVE PRESENT.—A DOROTHY BOX of CHOCOLATE, marked with Name, from 13. 6d.. 2a., 2s. 6d., to 5s. e7000—1 On AVednesday the inmates of the Llandovery Workhouse were entertained by Mrs. F. H. Perkins, of Tonn, Llandovery, to an excellent1 dinner. At the conclusion of the dinner a JIb. of tobacco was presented to each of the smokers, and to each of the non-smokers and females ilb. of tea and lib. of pugar. The second annual entertainment given by the pupils of the St. David's Intermediate School was in every respect a great success. The Rev. Chancellor Smith, D.D., canon in resi- dence, occupied the chair. PHILIilPS'S Is. 6d. TEA is a. Triumph of the Tea Blending Art. It is distinctly superior to the so-called lfneet teas." Jlave YOU tried it? e2 i

O T XXEATH AND QONS JLl/o 13 m I, 1 LARGE STOCK OF MAGNIFICENT GRAND AND COTTAGE jpiANOFORTES AND ORGANS ir At tnpplitd to her Majesty the Queen an4 all the Royal Family, THE LATEST CREATIONS OF THE HIOHEMI CLASS MAKER*. THE FINEST THAT HAVE EVER BBffl PRODUCED, THE NEV HIRE SYSTEM, L ENORMOUS DISCOUNT FOR CASH. SHIPPERS SUPPLIED ON THE BEST EXPOBf TEEMS. 51, QUEEN-STREET, CARDIFF. 70, TAFF-STREET, PONTYPRIDD. 31. WINDSOR-ROAD. PENARTH. MANUFACTORY: LONDON. &758 JMPORTANT NOTICE THE pUBLIC BENEFIT BOOT COMPANY Have for years past given a souvenir of the year's trading at this Festive Season in lieu of the Old-fashioned Almanack. Their enormous turnover is absolutely done on goods PLAINLY MARKED at cash prices, so that the Christmas Present is really GIVEN A WAY Last year the Company gave a unique present to each and every customer, consisting of ft Quarter of a Dozen CHINA pLATES. -A- And they were appreciated so much that thou sands have requested the Company to repeat the Gift this Christmas. Consequently, for months past, the Potteries have been busy, and THE JpUBLlC JgENEFIT BOOT 0OMPANY Hereby announce that customers making a Purchase from DECEMBER 19th to DECEMBER 24th INCLUSIVE, Will receive a Gift of THREE CHINA PLATES. TELL YOUR FRIENDS! PARTICIPATE IN THE UNEQUALLED VALUE AND SPLENDID GIFT. BOTTOM PRICE! WEAR GUARANTEED! JpUBLlC JJENEFIT BOOT COMPANY LOCAL BRANCHES: — 90 QUEEN-STREET. CARDIFF. 79, ST. MARY-STREET, ditto. STOW-HILL, NEWPORT. 16, VICTORIA ARCADE, SWANSEA. 61830

FOR SAILORS' FRIENDS. I FOREIGN ARRIVAL. AND MOVB., I MENTS OF LOCAL STEAMERS. Earl of Dumfries left Bilbao for Cardiff 20th. Rosehill arrived Bilbao from La. Rochelle 21st. William Symington arrived Port Said 19th. G. E. Wood left London for Newport 20th. White Jacket arrived Havre 20th. Saxon Briton left Bilbao for Newport 21st. Mercedes arrived Tampico 21st. Matthew Bedlington passed Gibraltar for Key West 19 th. Eddie arrived Avonmouth from New YorJj 18th. Parkgate left Algiers for Arzew 19th. Lesreaulx left London for Cardiff 20th. Aberdare left Lisbon for Huelva 20th. Pontypridd arrived Antwerp 20th. Nethergate left Grimsby fer Genoa 18th. Rochefort left Honfleur for Cardiff 21st. Taff arrived Blyth 21st. Carlo arrived Ayr 21st. Llanthony Abbey passed Constantinople for Newport 20th. Melrose Abbey arrived Dieppe 20th. Eureka arrived Huelva 21st. Tintern Abbey arrived Cadiz 20th. Garth arrived St. Nazaire 20th. Watlington arrived Dunkirk 19th. Ashby arrived Antwerp 20th. Haxby left Philadelphia for Rotterdam 19th. Leven arrived Barry 20th. Preston left the Tyne for Genoa 20tn. Skidby left Philadelphia for Avonmouth 19tt Activity arrived Bordeaux 20th. Eureka arrived Huelva 21st.

CADBURY'S COCOA has a world-wide reputa. tion as a delicious, strengtheuing beverage, and a valuable nutritive food. TJie Lancet says it represents the standard of highest purity Always insist on having CADBURY'S—sold oniy in Packets and Tins—as other Cocoas are often substitutea for the sake of extra profit. e2 Printed by the Proprietors, Western Mail Limited, and published by them at their offices, St. Mary-street, Cardiff; at their offices. Castle Bailey-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. Davies, Llanelly, in the County of Car. marthen THURSDAY, DECEMBER, 22. 1M.

for the stain upon my name? By Gad, I ve suspected something of the kind. and now, you miserable hound, I shall expose you to your regiment and to all the world." "You will? Who i. going to listen to an evesdropper—where is your witness?" 'Here is his witness, Captain Fowkes: cried Eleanor, coming forward; "I've heard every- thing, and in half an hour from now every one of my mother's guests shall know your villainy." "The Captain and his friend with ill-sup- rr;)s3¡d oaths, turned on their heels, and in twenty minutes had left the house. "The morning after George Pearson took me. the mist'etoe, down, and since then I have been hung up in his library, where about a thousand times a year I see him kissing Eleanor. They seem to fancy that it is always Christmas." I