Weekly Mail

DEATH OF A BARRY MAN IN SOUTH AFRICA. By the death of Mr. John Westall, late of Barry Dock, which took place on the 18th of August at Lower Gvielo, Rhodeeia, a romantio and interesting cartsr was brought to a close. Mr. Westall left Barry for South Africa nearly eight months ago, &nd. having made his way to Rhodesia, he obtained a lucrative appoint- ment in connection with the Northumberland Gold Mine. Mr. Westall had had wide expe- rience of mining and tunnelling in different parts of the world. He spent some yeare in India, where be held an appointment under the Indian Government. He it was who had charge of a gang which penetrated the final cutting between the two headings for th Severn Tunnel under the late Mr. T: A. Walker, the well-known contractor; and under Mr. Walker he also carried out important sections of railway and other works in Buenos Ayree. At Barry Mr. Westall carried on busi- ness as a baker and confectioner.

SAD DEATH AT LLANELLY. An inquest was held at Llanelly on Saturday morning, before Mr. Buckley Roderick, touch- ing the death of Mr. Benjamin Sutherland, who died at his residence, Upper Park-street. early on the previous day. From the evidence it appeared that on Thursday afternoon the deceased gentleman went to the Swansea Castle Inn, not far from his home, where he was supplied with a bottle of beer. Going out through the back way he fell down the cellar, the door leading to which was insecurely fastened. The deoeased sustained serious injuries to his head, and was conveyed home in ,n unconscious state. Dr. Roderick and Dr. H. H. Roberts were summoned, but the injured man did not rally, and died early on Friday morning. After hearing the evidence the jury returned a verdict of "Accidental death," with the rider that care should be taken that cellar doors of this description were securely fastened.

I I. I .t.. THE FIRE WAS BURNING HOT. V 1 in all the jewellers' shops, plug could we find; w 9aPtain shouted, "Cheer up, boys, Veve left the hose behind!" jj-n up the gutter spout he rushed, ls Whiskers tied in knots, o robbed some hokey-pokey on cool the chimney pots. (3) At last we got the fire alight. And swallowed all the smoke, We couldn't reach the windows, so We smashed up all the coke; We cheered ourselves—with bated breath, We knew not what about. And never left till all the pubs Were faJrly gutted out. (4) We drew our faithful choppers out, And put 'em back again, And thanked our lucky starll we'd all Got water on the brain; Our fireproof whiskers turned to (h)air As the roof turned inside out; We shut our eyes, and looked and looked- Lake idiots, no doubt.—(CHORUS.) Spoken after 1st verse.—I forgot to ask him where the fire was, but wrote a letter at once to the turncock, and sent a man round to the wheelwright's to see when the engine would be finished. As it happened, the horees were out doing a funeral job! When they came home I had to take 'em to the farrier's, and after that we made a start. When we got there we found the fire was on the fourth storey, and our ladder only reached to the second. So we had to wait till the Are got down. or call again to-morrow. Captain gave us three weeks to consider, and in the mean- time.—(CHORUS.) time.—(CHORUS.) Spoken after 2nd verse.-Wonderful man our Captain—got three medals and a dog-bite. Made a patent fire-escape, all out of his own head. Swears in fourteen languages. He only left us once while he went to have his boots cleaned. Then somebody went and put hot water on the fire, which, of course, made it ten times worse. And in the meantime.— (CHORUS.) Spoken after 3rd verse.—Then came the wel. come order-single men go home, married men stop out for a change. I was one of 'em, and it was hot work-stotiping out all night, but duty's duty, whether it is or not, and, besides.—(CHORUS.) I the theatrical and music-hall singing rights of this song are reserved. This song must not be cut out or sold ppfcrt from this newspaper.

[COPYRIGHT.] That Other Man. — By WILLLVV NORTH, of "The Queen of the Gipeics," "With Life in Hand," "The Story Wonderful," "Tales of the Dale Land," "The Baron's Daughter," &c. ^^SIS OP PRECEDING CHAPTERS: Dick beQ.8I!e1, a wealthy young man, engaged to parried, ie warned in a mysterious note j,8-* he must not marry his sweetheart, °r ^arm befall them. The «h rn*n £ is reinforced by an attempt to °°t him and an attempt to lure him into ^ill-race in the river. He determines to f^^lt a friend, Dr. Smithson, of Black- While in town Dick visits his clun, his coat is taken by another member. Envue(* -Pa&e> who is found murdered on the bankment. It is clear that the brion,3 murderer mistoek Page for a. ussel. After the murder Rusael, Smithson, c a Captain Wainwright return to the and await developments. A beauti- j^y-^nstralian girl, named Josephine Mason, uving with Sir Francis and Lady Morran, )IatL(I"a parents, and she cornea into contact th Dr. Smithson in an amusing way. CHAPTER vn. A PIC-NIC PAETY. '• Fitzroy Smithson did not show at his tjjJT ^at afternoon, for it was obvious to all be waa ill at ease in the company in VJJj1 he found himself; indeed, Lady to \Tan> in pitying him afterwards, waa wont look**8" that the poor man appeared to Ho equal distrust upon any woman 8Pok« to him as upon any particularly d })Ílng portion of the dainty lunch pro- lled. \.}¡ 1).t no one cared much about the doctor *hii ^ay' for Maud was radiantly happy, Itfe ^ick's face wore a provoking look of r bliss; and that waa enough to render (»KjP^Qrity of those present more than ()lSfled with life. Captain Wainwright there was little to iwa'd, save that he proved a very charming who could talk fluently on any Ijjj'^t, and whoae handsome military '7\5rance won faTOUr f°r him from all. *> you shoot. Dr. Smithson?" questioned ."rancia, determined to draw his future «5? ■law's greatest friend into the conversa- ''It »» °-' returned the doctor, briefly, to the kv of his host. now> that ie a pity. The birds are in to condition this morning. I was going that if you cared to take a gun-" obliged; but I aee quite enough of Wi every day without going round distri- it through iron tubee." Francis and the old Eector gazed at one ^i] *n mute horror at this brutal remark, ^e the three ladies each felt distinctly Portable, and Dick tried to blunder ■rj the breach. "ilia uppose Jack means he prefers to kill ^ctims in another way. These doctors "O^rrible chaps." paper sort of logic," growled Dr. t}je ^on. "Why should a man want to kill Wrf6686 that lay the golden eggs?" t Morran wae distinctly displeased, and V> turned to Captain Wainwright and began tio gage him in conversation, to the exclu- of the obnoxious doctor. t and Maud were deeply engaged, while tvr° sportsmen were earnestly diacusaing j0~tlerits of a new dog. Vr^16 glanced at the outcast critically. It *"°° bad of him to sit there looking so °haly bored. She wished he would go toij^a perfect death's head at the feast, she herself. Still Smithson, wish you would tell me 1116 °f this Httle flower; it has eo often tr z ed me » ser companion glanced at the little spray ll? held out towards him, and it seemed to ti. that his tone was pityingly contemp- ous Over. Cattle eat it, and it ia invariably tfj Cribed at length in every elementary guide tv botany. Board School children know! t Josie only laughed, a delightfully .aucii of utter amusement. the see, I never went to a School Board," B q plained. he only answered, solemnly: 4i(j •, • of course not. I never supposed you vie made a little gesture of despair. He the most hopeless man she had ever tap to entertain. b. r- Smithson, do you smoke?" gently. VL 1 1 you I should light my pipe/' e do^-tor inclined his head ever so slightly '-rpT Lady Morran and her daughter. "QP ^ith all these wo—ladies afjout?" W rtainly. Look, the other men are light- ly** already. Oh, what a terribly grim- es lag pipe! It is clay, is it not? Did you it yourself?" I The doctor only grunted and began to puff diligently. "Do you know I have the gift of second sight?" ran on Joaie. "N onsense I don't believe it." "Well, I don't know if you call it second sight, but I can see through lots of things and people." "I never heard of a woman who couldn't." "And," went on Josie, taking not the slightest notice of his interruption, "by this wonderful power of mine I have divined the fact that in your breast-pocket you have a fat little book, which, by the way, is putting your coat out of shape.' "Well, and if I have?" "If you have, then I should put my back against that tree trunk, smoke your clay, and peruse the fat little book. Then you won't feel as if you were just wasting your time on frivolous people who don't even know elemen- tary botany." And as she spoke Josie very deliberately turned her back upon her companion and joined in the conversation between Lady Morran and the Captain. She hoped the doctor would be annoyed, or would. at least, feel the rebuke and be humbled; but, alas! and, she had known it, he was neither sorry nor ashamed. "A very curious young woman," he told himself, as' he took the fat little book from Ijia pocket and began to read. Meanwhile, Lady Morran was quite charmed with Dick's other friend. She was the last woman in the world to care for any man's society save her husband's. Ynt. Captain Wainwright was one of the brightest com- panions she had ever met, and he had an inexhaustible fund of anecdotes about all the people she knew; not ill-natured gossip, that her ladyship abhorred, but perfectly harm- less and good-natured. "I have had the pleasure of meeting you on more than one occasion, but, alas for me! it was a case of distant admiration, and passing in a crowd." "And have you known Mr. Eussel for long? I wonder he never brought you to us before." "No, oddly enough, I only met him quite recently. His friend, Dr. Smithson, on the other hand, I have long known-a. marvellous man." His hostess smiled. "Wonderful, it may be, yet surely strangely difficult to entertain." "Pay no heed to that; he is out of his element here, though, doubtless, the change is good for him in many ways. Now, if you had a pestilent slum handy through which policemen feared to go and into which an ordinary doctor never put his nose, then you would see Smithson at his best." "You mean he works so hard?" asked Josie. "I think it is play to him; he revels in it. He has a fascination for the criminal, while. the criminal's wife and children adore him, and he, in return, slaves for them, spends his whole life-" "I am quite happy, thanks; and, as I've told you over and over again, Dick, your dis- gusting cigars are as bad as the abominable French cookery you indulge in." Then Lady Morran smiled gently. "He has such pretty ways, has youl, marvel- lous doctor." And even Captain Wainwright looked crest- fallen. "Well, all I say, Sir Francis, is that the dog will never have a mouth, and their new- fangled tricks will make no difference. You may teach a dog not to run in, but you'll never teach him not to break his game." "Well, at least, I shall try. A good dog and a clever one." "You may try as often as you like, but you'll not succeed," persisted the Rector. "Now, don't, Frankie," and Lady Morran held up a warning finger. "You are going to argue about dogs, and you know you mustn't. They are worse than politics, without being interesting. Tell me, Rector, how is Mary?" "Much the same, much the same. Poor child! She lies in that hot room tlf hers pant- ing for fresh air, but Dr. Kirkup says the temperature must be kept up, and what can we do?" "Open the window, and tell your doctor he's a fool." Everybody startled, and while some gazed in horror Josie turned away to hide a smile. He was a very quaint picture at this moment was this philanthropic doctor, his short legs stuck straight out in front of him, compass fashion, his back set stiff and square against the tree, his hat off, showing his prematurely grey head, while his beard seemed to bristle with indignation. "My dear sir," stammered the Rector, quite dismayed under the speaker's frown, "our doctor-" "Is a fool by his own showing." The Rector gasped. "I should have thought professional etiquette "Eubbish! A silly French word I never let interfere with my patients." The Rector drew himself up stiffly, for the man's bearishness was intolerable. "I might point out, sir, that my daughter is not your patient." "Oh, nonsense! What is that to do with it? If Sir Francis here had a fit, as he probably will do if he sits in the hot sun smoking vile cigars, do you think I should send footling off for his own doctor because I'd not been professionally retained? Or, if you found a man who wanted your sort of doctoring in a hurry-they do sometimes—should you want a certificate to certify he was one of your parishioners? Some sky-pilots do, but you don't look that sort." The Rector was rather breathless by this time, though partially pacified. "Your arguments, at all eventa, sir-" "No, I never argue; and I'll come down and see the child to-night. You needn't tell your man." And, though the Rector wag not at all sure that the proposed visit was either correct or desirable, there was something so terribly akin to a sledge-hammer about this ferocious stranger, yet something so well calculated to inspire confidence, that the Rector, being a man of peace, determined to let matters drift. I The luncheon was well over, yet still the sportsmen lingered, too comfortable to wisn to resume their self-imposed work just yet. "Why, Maud, I had almost forgotten. See what I have'brought you?" And, reaching into the luncheon basket, Maud's mother brought out a handsome, gaily-beribboned box of bon-bons. "And I, too, quite forgot. Thanks, Dick; you never sent me this kind before." "I didn't send them this time," returned Dick, "though I am tempted to claim the credit of so doing." "Never sent them? Why, of course, you did, you silly boy, and you've forgotten. There was your card with them, and my address scribbled on the back." "Nonsense, Maudie! Now I have found you out receiving presents from unknown admirers." Maud pouted. "You shouldn't disbelieve me, you rude boy. The truth is, you are so accustomed to order- ing me sweets wherever you go that I believe you'd do it in your sleep. Besides, if you didn't send them, how did your card get there?" "Some stupid joke by some silly Johnnte who wanted to say he had made you a present, and knew you would not accept it in any other way. Don't you see, he has got hold of one of my cards. There are plenty of them knock- ing about." Dr. Smithson leant forward, and, without the slightest apology, took the box from the girl's hand, opened it, and then, to the dis- gust of its owner, smelt the contents. "Dick is quite right-wonderful smart fellow, Dick; it is a joke, in the worst possible taste. Have nothing to do with the sweets, Miss Morran-nasty, unwholesome-looking things." "But why, Dr. Smithson? The sender will never know, and we may as well enjoy them." "Oh, yes, he would; he'd be sure to know. But if you want my real reason—well, you shall have- it: I want these goodies for myself." "My good Jack, the country air has got to your head! You never touch sweets." The doctor smiled blandly at the little group watching him in amazement. I True enough. There, by the gate, stood the four, and with them a young keeper. "Nay, I shall go round," he was saying. "though it be two miles out of my road. They r have no right to put that horse out; he's mad, mias, that's what he is." "Oh, nonsense," Dick began. But Captain Wainwright cut him short. "I'm not so sure about that, Russel. I read of a most extraordinary case only the other day. And, then, there is one Darwin quotes. I believe there is something in the idea that horses get possessed at times." "What is the matter? What are you waiting for?" This from Lady Morran. "Oh, mammy, isn't it too bad? Old Greg has turned some terrible horse out, and Wil- liam says we mustn't cross the field, or we shall all be eaten up!" "It doesn't look a very terrible animal," remarked Lady Morran, looking at a monster farm-horse which was standing sullenly not very far away. "That is just what I say," burst out Dick. "A stupid old brute like that is not going to turn us back. Look here. You people wait here while I turn it back, then we can all cross in a body." Maud clapped her hands. "That is fun; quite an adventure! Don't let it hurt you, Dickie." But the doctor broke in: "Don't be a fool, Dick; don't be a etupid fool. A mad horse is a devil incarnate, as you ought to know. Nice ending to our pleasant walk, eh, Lady Morran? Now, do as you are told, Dick man, and come away." It was more than Dick could stand, and already the gate was half-open. "Why, Dr. Smithson, I believe you are afraid," said Maud, with the scorn of one who had ever been protected from all danger. "Quite right, my dear; quite right. I am terribly nervous with horses. To tell the truth, I never get into a cab without trembling—beastly, uncertain brutes, to call man's generous friend." The keeper had turned away, having given his warning, and Lady Morran made as though to follow. "I forbid it, Dick. Dr. Smithson is quite right." The horse turned, trampled the hat under foot, then spied his fresh enemy." "Quite true. I don't eat sweets myself, but I like my pockets full for the little ones, else how make friends with them, since the nearest way to a child's heart is through its mouth." "But, doctor, surely you wouldn't give nasty, unwholesome things to children?" "My dear Miss Moran, children have stomachs like ostriches. Don't you worry about them; and thank you for the sweets." With which the doctor rammed the big box in his pocket, and went on with his book. Dick Russel looked thoroughly uncomfort- able, while Sir Francis was really angry, and started from the ground with an exclamation. "Really, I must say-" "What, dear? Really, you must go back to your beloved birds? Well, if you must, then give me your hand first, Frank; I am tired of sitting." And after that Maud's father let the matter of the bon-bons drop. No sooner had the sportsmen left than Dick, who had no intention of sitting there all the afternoon, suggested that they should walk to the Hunting Tower, an ivy-clad ruin, which was, perhaps, not very interesting, but which at least served Dick's purpose of breaking up the party. So to the Hunting Tower they made their way, and this time Lady Morran kept the curious doctor by her .side, being determined, in the goodness of her heart, that Josie should not suffer that infliction twice. It was not a pleasant walk, though Dr. Smithson was clearly bent upon being as attentive as might be, and his unhappy com- panion grew very rebellious that Dick should have inflicted this terrible friend upon them. "It is quite a long walk, is it not, Dr. Smith- son? But we are nearly at our goal, only two more flelds, then up the hill and through the wood. You'd never believe there was a romantic spot so close. I expect the children have got there long since." Her companion pointed ahead. "No, there they are, waiting for us at the next gate." I "Really? I wonder why?" "Very well, your ladyship," with mock resignation; "your word is law. But next time Jack goes a walk with me he must have nursie with him. Do you hear, Dr. Fitzroy?" Dick was too sweet-tempered to be really angry, but his tone was taunting, none the leas. Yet, the next moment, he added hastily: "By Jove! I didn't mean to drive you to it. What are you doing. Jack?" Even as they had turned away the doctor had slipped through the gate, slammed it after him, and was now speeding across the field with quite remarkable agility for one of his build. "Good Lord! the fellow is mad! He is chasing the horse!" Add then Captain Wainwright spoke. "He is not mad; I knew he was plucky, but I didn't look for this." "The child! Good God!" and Lady Morran hid her face in her hands. The explanation was simple enough after- Vrds, but at the time the whole thing was a mystery. Only, in some strange way, a little child had appeared upon the scene, and was some way across the field. The horse waa galloping towards her, and after the horse migfot be seen the quaint figure of Dr. Smith- son, going strong, "windmill fashion," as Dick afterwards described it. "Come back, Miss Mason," and Dick caught Josie by the arm. "What good can you do?" And after that the girl stood still, grasping the top of. the gate with both hands. "He'll be killed!" she gasped. "No, he won't," Dick answered, gruffly. "He is the sort of man who always comes out top." The race was almost over, and, of course, the horse had won, for he was almost on the child by now. "Yo-ho!" shouted the doctor, in pursuit. And then he hurled his precious silk hat right between the horse's legs. "By Jove! he's in earnest this time! Fancy Jack endangering hie hat!" Dick grasped his stick and started off, ready to back his friend up, if needs be. The horse turned, trampled the hat under foot, then spied his fresh enemy, and came for him in the way that only those who have seen a horse at such a time can understand. Jack waited, looking absurdly small before that monster; then, as it rushed at him, ears back, eyeballs rolling, lips drawn up. and teeth gleaming in the sun, the doctor clubbed his umbrella, and caught the horse across the nose with the handle with all his might. The brute stopped, shook its head, then came at him again. The watchers marvelled, for this time the umbrella, which was clearly stouter than they had imagined, had fallen across the horse's knees, while the doctor's right hand fist had been, dashed into one gleaming eye. The horse did not go down, as another is supposed to have done on a certain occasion, but it staggered visibly; then once more renewed the attack, though scarcely with such fierceness as before. And once more the man who was frightened of horses met it with his fist, while even Dick marvelled that his hero could strike so hard. Three times this happened, but the third time the horse stood longer than usual, shaking its head. There was the doctor's chance, and, springing forward, he commenced to belabour the brute cruelly. Blow after blow he rained upon it, now on the head, now on the forelegs, and then the end came. For the horse had had enough of this treatment, and it turned tail and galloped off, only, as it passed the child, who had stood there all the time watching the battle with child's blissful ignorance of danger, the brute snatched at her fiercely. But the doctor was ready, and caught the little one up in his arms, and was hunting for his wreck of a hat, which he picked up with a woe-begone expression, then strolled off to the gate without so much as looking over his shoulder. On the way he met Dick. "It was grandly done, old man." But the other cut him short. "For goodness' sake, don't talk rot, and. Dick, as you love me, don't let those women chatter. If there's a thing I hate, it is an exhibition of this sort, especially when it ends in spoiling a good hat." "I tell you what I've been puzzling about. Why didn't Jack's umbrella break? There are not many sticks that would stand the trea.t- ment he gave it." "My dear Mr. Eussel, Dr. Smithson is about as wideawake as most men." "No, no, Crystal. Drop the 'Mr. r in private, or you'll be giving the show away in public." The famous detective smiled in a pitying sort of way at the idea that he, Crystal, the famous detective, could make such a blunder. "As you will, sir. But if you will permit me may I suggest that you should drop the 'Crystal' in private for the same reason. As I was saying. Dr. Smithson is very wide- awake. and that old umbrella of his has brought more than one man to the ground. He's a wonderful man, sir. a wonderful man. Why, I could tell you tales about Dr. Fitzroy Smith- son and his adventures that would surprise you; and yet what a strange, nervous fellow he is! I warrant your lady friends find him a puzzle." "Well, anyway, it gives me a delightful sense of security to have you two handy. It would take a clever man to do me any harm now. But, of course, this can't last; so you must find me some way out of my trouble. Do you see? Have you any clue, Wain- wright?" Captain Wainwright, or, rather, Mr. Crystal, smoked thoughtfully. "You must excuse me, Russel; it is a trifle early to talk just yet. At least, I think we may say that all is right for to-day." "In which case you say a good deal more than the truth," and Dr. Smithson came into the room. "Hullo! That you, Jack? Lord, how you startled me! What is the matter now?" "Everything." Dick Eussel was sitting upright, and his face was pale. He had suffered too much during the last week to take any word of warning lightly. So he waited with tightly-pressed lips—waited, that is. until his patience would hold out no longer, for Jack seemed strangely loth to speak, and silence at such a time hurt. "Speak, man! What is the good of keeping me in suspense? Out with it." "YeS, it is pretty bad," returned the doctor, somewhat gruffly. "They are going to hit you in a fresh place—hit you where it will hurt more than anywhere else. Upon my soul, I don't like talking of it. But you have got to know, old man, so you must just brace your- self up for a knock-out." "Jack, good heavens! Jack, you mean Maud." And Jack, who was filling his disreputable clay, nodded quickly, without looking up. (To be continued.)

THE "CONSCIENTIOUS OBJECTOR. A man applied to Mr. Bros, at Clerkenwell Police-court, London, on Monday, for a sertifi- cate of exemption from vaccination for his child. Mr. Zros: How old is the child? The Applicant: Nearly four months. It is my first child. Mr. Bros: Then why do you object to have it vaccinated ?—I have a conscientious objection to vaccination. I believe it will be prejudicial to the health of the child. Mr. Bros: You know that smallpox is common in Tondon now?—I understand it. Mr. Bros: It's all very well to say you under- stand it. The child may get smallpox and die. You don't seem to care what risk the child runs Smallpox is now very serious in Londdn, and you don't seem to care much about it. You have been vaccinated, and have been kept free from smallpox. Your child is unvaccinated. It may gyt smallpox and die. Don't you care? -I understand the responsibility. Mr. Bros- That's it. This silly Act allows such persons as you to have exemption certifi- cates. Take your certificate, but if anything happens to the child the responsibility is upon you.

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