Weekly Mail

DEPUTY SPENCER. By HOWARD FIELDING. When I opened the door I saw a card lying on the carpet. There was a daintiness and even a dignity about it, though it lay there so lowly by my threshold. I picked it up hastily and saw that it was the visiting card of Miss Grace Spencer. No lady of that name was known to me. I searched vainly in my memory, and then turned the card over idly and without ex- pecting to find anything on the back of it. Yet words were there, written with pencil, and they ran as follows: I was here at three o'clock, and will come to-morrow at half past three." There was a distinct fascination in the hand; I would warmly have contradicted any- one who had asserted that the writer was not pretty and sweet, and above reproach. Yet I did not know her, and the card could not be for me. It must be intended for a fellow named Robinson—Wilbur S. Robinson— who had had those rooms before me. It was in a western city; perhaps I would better not name it. for doing so would positively identify the principal character in this narrative, and I would not willingly do that. The rooms were in a building that had been a dwelling house, larger than the ordinary in the west, and more like those one sees in New York. It had been re-fitted and was inhabited by half a dozen bachelors. In the basement was a rather nice little res- taurant, which I mention because it is im- portant to this story. As to Miss Spencer's card, supposing that it was intended for Robinson, there was nothing I could do with it. I had no idea where Robinson was; in fact, I had never seen him. I had purchased his furniture, but the negotiations had been made through the agent of the building, who had gently evaded every question concerning Robinson except such as related to the sale of the goods. So the card was to keep or to throw away, and for some occult reason I put it into a box that contains certain valueless treasures, the souvenirs of sentimental happenings that one fancies he will always remember without material aid, and yet forgets before the roses have well dried or the gloves gone out of fashion. By next morning Miss Spencer's card was as dead as the oldest aehee in the box; and it was pure accident, not any thought of her, that brought me home by three o'clock. As I entered my parlour, however, the inci- dent recurred to my memory. It did not assume any false importance; still, I had a natural curiosity about it. Would Miss Spencer call again? Would she be what I had fancied, or a maiden of forty-nine summers selling books on the installment plan ? Promptly at half-past three there came a. gentle tap at my door. I threw it open and a young and lovely creature walked in. She did not wait to be invited; she seemed to feel no need of such a formality. She fixed upon me a glance which was at first distressingly cold. and then by a singular evolutionary process became quite friendly and confiding. You do not remember me, Mr. Robinson," said she. Well, you see," said 1. embarrassed, I'm not Mr. Robinson. That—er—may account for it." She laughed softly, sweetly, yet not altogether agreeably, as it seemed to me. Oh, yes, you are," said she. No, really, I'm not," I protested. I wish I were. Do you think I look like h!m ?" "What do you think about it?" she asked. "Why, the fact is I never saw him," I replied. She looked me steadily in the eye for about ten seconds and then said: "Neither did I." It was hard to determine whe £ ber «he was speaking the exact truth, but I was inclined to believe so. But you wish to see him?" I said, stupidly. Of course," she replied. When will he come back?" Evidently she took me for a visitor in Robinson's rooms, waiting for him. If I told her the exact truth she would go away, and I didn't wish her to do that. She was a very interesting and mysterious young woman, and I desired the pleasure of a longer talk with her. So I said that I didn't know, which was the truth, for, of course, the fellow might come back some time or other. I'll wait for him," said she, and seated herself in a large and comfortable chair. This was rather more than I bargained for. Robinson might be away seven or eight years, which would be embarrassing. It may be quite a long while," I faltered. Oh, that doesn't matter," she replied, look- ing at me steadily and with a peculiar ex- pression. This gaze she kept upon me for the next twenty minutes, during which period she spoke not more than ten words, despite my I efforts to draw her into conversation. The situation was exceedingly trying. As delicately as possible I endeavoured to find out what wa3 the nature of her errand. She would not disclose it, but the man- ner in which she ma.de her various evasions convinced me that she had no feeling against Robinson nor any particular interest in him^ personally. The thought came to me that she might be a collector, but she disclaimed that suggestion decisively. Having exhausted my ingenuity in question- ing, I told her the plain truth; that Robinson had gone away, and I had taken his rooms and bought his furniture. She shook her pretty head and gently frowned in condem- nation of what she took to be my falsehood. He bad brra-kfas»t in the restaurant down- stairs this morning," said she. He is living here still. And "—with decision—" I think I'll wait for him." Here was a situation. At first I had feared that my pretty visitor would go away too soon, and now, it seemed, she was not going I threw it open and a young and lovely creature ( walked in. away at all. I wondered whether she would stay till evening, when, as it happened, the church choir of which I was a member was coming to my apartments to rehearse— chaperoned by one of the contraltos who was the wife of the organist. I was not equal to the task of asking Miss Spencer to go away, but at quarter to six, when we had been staring at each other for almost an hour in absolute silence, I ventured to mention that it would soon be dinner time. Miss Spencer replied that she rarely had any appetite for dinner. Then I spoke of the choir rehearsal, in an ordinary, conversational tone, as if we were two society people drinking afternoon tea under the most conventional circumstances. She brightened appreciably, and I could see that my information had suggested some course of action. After a few minutes' deep reflection she looked up with a smile and asked sweetly, If those people come here, how are you going to deny any longer that you are Wilbur S. Robinson?" Here was light, but I wanted more. Suppose I don't remain?" said I. I won't let you go," said she. I'm a deputy sheriff." "You're a what?" I cried. She turned as red as a rose, but she did not weaken in the least. With a very pretty gesture she threw back her little coat and showed a silver badge pinned to the lining. "Well, upon my word!" said I. "How did this happen ?" I was Sheriff Howland's typewriter," she replied, and a few weeks ago he said I could help him more if I'd be a deputy. He said there was nothing in the law to prevent a woman's holding the office, and that my salary would be doubled. I was having a ''Oh, yes, you Me," said Bhe. I hard time taking care of my mother, and I needed the extra money. So I said all right, and he appointed me." "Good for you!" said I. "But I haven't done very well, she con- tinued. I've made one or two silly mistakes, and if I don't catch Wilbur H. Robinson I'm afraid I can't keep the position." "Are you going to arrest him?" I demanded. "No," said she, "But I wouldn't be afraid to. I've got a pistol in my pocket." "Honour bright?" said I, looking her straight in the eye; is it loaded?" She tried to tell a falsehood but she couldn't. She admitted that the weapon wasn't loaded, and that she was frightened half to death of it even so. But you see," she added, I'm not going I to arrest Mr. Robinson. I only want to serve I him with some papers in a suit. He's dodged all the men that have been sent after him. but Mr. Howland said a woman could land him. He told me to leave the card saying that I would call next day, though I thought it was not wise. Now please take the papers and don't make me any more trouble." For answer I showed her my receipt for rent of the rooms and my bill of sale of furniture. When she became convinced that I was not Robinson and that he was prob- ably beyond her reach she shed a few tears. She looked so adorable in her grief that I promised to catch this villain Robinson for her, if I had to chase him to the top of Pike's peak. If he was at breakfast in the restaurant this morning," said I, he's probably still in town. I would suggest that we go down there and eat dinner and discuss plans for his capture." She seemed to view the dinner invitation with disfavour, but my enthusiasm carried "At your service," said I, in true nawkshaw styta. her away. We went down to the restaurant, and despite what she had said about her appetite, I observed with pleasure that she made a good meal. Meanwhile, we discussed wild plans for ensnaring our victim. I derived them princi- pally from my extensive reading of detective stories, and they struck Miss Spencer—who had neglected that branch of fiction-as being very clever. She said that if I were a sheriff I should be the terror of evil doers. I asked her if, in that case. she would be my deputy, and she said very prettily that nothing would give her greater pleasure. However, we seemed no nearer to Robinson when the dinner was over than when it began. I stopped at the cashier's desk to ask about Robinson. He was shy of my questions at first, but became communicative when I told him that I was the man's successor in the rooms above. I had made little use of the restraurant as yet, and the people in it did not know me. The fact is," said the cashier. that ,h I Robinson has just had his dinner. He sat right behind you, and now I remember that he said-of course, I'm repeating his words and no offence meant-he said he was much obliged to the chump at the next table." "For buying his furniture, I suppose?" Not by a long chalk! For informing him by his conversation precisely what he was wanted for." Well, I may not have brains enough for a detective, but I possess certain physical advantage,. For instance, I can run like a scared rabbit. There was a train due to leave in four minutes and it struck me that Robin- son would probably take it. I'm afraid to say how far away the station wa.s; nobody could believe it. I made the distance with seconds to spare and served those papers on him where he sat, chuckling, at, el, in the smoking car and telling the story to a man whom I judge may have been his lawyer. As I stepped up behind him I heard him say: I thought that old restaurant would be the last place anyone would look for me, knowing that I was lying low. But I had a close call, and if it hadn't been for that talkative chump-" At your service," said I in true Hawkshaw style; and then I broke his heart with those papers. I returned to the restaurant bringing joy to pretty Deputy Spencer. I walked home with her, and we did not hurry. The choir rehearsal was well under way—by courtesy of the janitor and his pass key-when I arrived, which was quite a breach of hospitality. But I didn't care. I had made myself exceedingly solid with the sweetest girl in the world-a girl who won't be a deputy sheriff much longer if I have my way about it.

TO COMMENCE NEXT WEEK, JULY 2nd, NEW SERIAL STORY IN THE "WEEKLY MAIL." We have pleasure in announcing that we have arranged for the publica- tion of a new Story by the VERY GREATEST of MODERN SEA STORY WRITERS, W. CLARK RUSSELL. Who has surpassed himself in the handling of the striking and stirring Story of adventure in the South Seas, entitled HIS ISLAND PRINCESS. There is not a dull line in the whole Story. The reader's interest will not lag for a moment. Storm, abduction, wrecks, a fight for life in an open boat, an unexpected rescue, the course of deep and tender love, murder and treachery, tread on each other's heels in a succession of breathless incidents. His Island Princess" Is the title of Mr. Clark Russell's new Story, which, for adventure, disaster, and picturesque excitement, could hardly be equalled. It is a serial which will. attract new readers and keep the old ones. THE STORY OF ■'His Island Princess" Is related by the second mate of one of the convict ships which went out to New South Wales. Commodore Phillip is kidnapped by a Yankee in the South Seas; the American vessel is, however, wrecked, and the hero escapes alone to a lonely island inhabited by an English- man and his beautiful daughter. The former has gone partly mad, and h,,8 taught the daughter that he is heir to the Throne of England and she a Princess. This extraordinarily pic- turesque situation is made the most of by the author. W. CLARK RUSSELL IS ABSOLUTELY THE BEST WRITER OF SEA STORIES THE WORLD HAS EVER SEEN. "His Island Princess" WILL COMMENCE PUBLICATION IN THE "WEEKLY MAIL NEXT WEEK, JULY 2ND.

CANADIAN PREFERENCES. LETTER FROM THE PRIME MINIS- TER TO MR. LLOYD-GEORGE. In reply to an inquiry concerning the Canadian tariff on British goods, the Prime Minister has made the following communica- tion to Mr. Lloyd-George:—"My attention has been called to the proposal of the Canadian Government to diminish the existing pre- ference on British cloths, tweeds, Ac., British twine and cordage, Ac. His Majesty's Govern- ment do not intend to protest against this proposal, first, because it forms only part of a scheme of tariff revision which appears to be framed in a spirit of consideration for British industries, and which includes increased preference in certain other direc- tions; and, secondly, because in the absence of a reciprocal arrangement the precise nature and amount of the preferences to be given to British imports are matters which must be left entirely to the discretion of the Canadian Government." -=

SUNDAY CLOSING PROBLEM. ATTEMPT TO CONFIRM IRREGU- LAR RESTRICTIONS. The London committee of the Sunday Early Closing Association have sent the Prime Minister a resolution pointing out that many licensing benches have imposed, as a condi- tion upon licences granted by them, that liquor shaH not be sold on Sundays, that this salutary arrangement is not provided for in the Licensing Bill now before Parliament, and asking that the defect may be remedied by the insertion in the Licensing Bill of a clause explicitly conferring upon quarter sessions the power to impose partial or total Sunday closing upon the granting of a new licence or the renewal of an existing licence.

MUMBLES MYSTERY REVIVED. A strange gentleman has just visited the Mumbles and made careful inquiries respect- ing the victim of a Mumbles tragedy of some eleven years ago. In 1893 the body of a well- dressed stranger was found in Limeslade Bay, Swansea, with a shot through the head. He had stayed for a little while at the George Hotel, Mumbles, but every effort to identify him at the time failed. The gentleman now' making inquiries believes that the deceased was his brother, but the identity is not yet established. It is believed that a photograph is in existence, but it has not yet been obtained.

A DAILY OCCURBENCE -New cures reeult- ing from the use of Dr. Williams' pink pills for pale people are daily coming to light in all parts of the country. Particulars of a South Wales case are published in this issue. Dr. Williams' pink pills have cured paralysis, locomotor ataxy, rheumatism, and sciatica; also all diseass arising from impoverishment of the blood, scrofula, rickets, chronic erysi- pelas, consumption of the bowels and lungs, anaemia, pale and sallow complexion, general and muscular weakness, loss of appetite, pal- pitations, pains in the back, nervous headache and neuralgia, early decay, all forms of female weakness, and hysteria. These pills are a tonic; not a purgative. They are genuine only with the rull name-Dr Williams' pink pills for pale people-an.d are sold by chemists and by Dr. Williams' Medicine Com- pany, of Holborn-viaduct, London. E.C., at two and nine a box, or six boxes for thirteen and nine. v «13014.

4,000 MILES WEST OF JONESLAND. YET WELSHMEN MET ON SEA AND LAND. It seems impossible in these days to get out of touch with Wales and Welshmen. In a journey that took the writer over four thousand miles west of Cardiff, and covering some 9,000 miles in all, he found himself con- stantly running against his countrymen on land and sea. For this pleasant state of affairs no thanks are due to the short-sighted policy of "Wales for the Welsh," but to the broader ambition which senus Welshmen to all parts to make the best careers for which their abilities fit them. Two Southampton Welshmen bade me bon voyage on embarking on the American liner, Philadelphia. One was Captain T. O. Edwards, the energetic chief factory inspector who has charge of a wide district from Salisbury to the coast, and the other the American Vice-consul at South- ampton, an enthusiastic Welsh-speaking Welshman who rejoices in and dignifies the name of Jones. On board "I found that nearly all were Americans returning to the land of their birth or adoption But there was one exception—indeed, subsequent events showed there were two exceptions; but one was speedily made apparent. Captain Muls, the commander of the Philadelphia, was born at Chepstow, he has lived at Newport, and has a still closer tie with the Principality from the fact that his father lies buried at Aberdare. Captain Mills is a. fine type of sailor; bluff of voice, dry of wit, and built on a large physical scale, he is the embodiment of the ideal sea-captain of the novelist. But he has one fault: he is no j longer a Briton. All the captains and officers of the American Line must be citizens of the United States, and the time came when Captain Mills had to take out his papers oi naturalisation. Mr. Carnegie once asked the captain why he became an American. "To double my salary, sir," was the reply. It was a matter of course that the Phila- delphia was run on Welsh coal. This is an indispensable feature on first-class liners, and it is a matter of regret with the captains that they cannot get the use of Cardiff coal both ways. On the voyage back from New York, however, it is usual to burn American coal, which is more .smoky and less fruitful in speed results. The latter fact was admitted by Captain Jamieson, of the United ¡ States mailboat St. Louis, when the question I was put to him on the homeward voyage. As some eighteen hundred tons of Welsh coal are used between Southampton and New York, it is impossible that even a roomy ship like the Philadelphia can carry enough coal to take her both ways. For room must be found for an immensity of other things. There were about twelve hundred passengers distributed among the three classes; nine hundred of these were in the steerage, and were crossing before the Atlantic rate war made it possible for emigrants to make the voyage for two pounds apiece. There is nothing surprising in the keen competition for these emigrants. They form the most lucrative portion of the human freight on board the great liners. I was assured that the companies make no profit at all, and often lose, on the first-class pas- sengers, whom, however, they are bound to carry, except in cases like that of one of the latest Cunarders, the Carpathia, in which the first class has been abolished altogether. This statement that first class passengers do not pay is credible enough when it is con- sidered what they receive in return for their passage money. The state-rooms are large and luxurious and replete with comforts and conveniences, the food is of the bast and on a lavish scale; the service is admirable whether in the cabin, saloon, or on the deck, and the pasEengers have the advantage of sending Marconigrams from almost any part of the broad Atlantic. In fact, we have on board all the advantages of life in a first- class London hotel, without any of the irrita- tions of life on land. This is a digression from the main subject. Among the passengers were Mr. and Mrs. Paul Oeker. Mr. Oeker is a Californian jour- nalist who haS lived some years in Paris; and Mrs. Oeker, a charming lady, was proud of her descent from Judge Edwards, one of Pennsylvania's most distinguished Welshmen, and her interest in all things Welsh can only be pronounced as enthusiastic. Then as a final touch of the spirit of home, the whole of the passengers one night developed a feverish and uncontrollable yearning to sup off Welsh I rabbit. Few stood out of the frav, hut as a scarred veteran who had been worsted in many a struggle with the seductive dish in the days of yore, I was one of three or four who escaped to stride the decks in lonely lamentation of a lost digestion. We were only a small company at breakfast next morning. On landing at New York I mere'.y dallied long enough to hand in a cable. Cardiff— that's Wales, remarked the clerk, who 1 turned out to be an old Welsh metropolitan whose name I regret to have forgotten. Then followed a thirty-hour journey to St. Vmig, where I was met at the station by Mr. D. C. Lewis, who occupies an important position as one of the promoters of the St. Louis Exhibition. Mr. Lewis till recently was Oonsul-General in Brazil, but neither his residence in the South or the East of America could hide his Welsh origin. It went pretty far back, however, for Mr. Lewis's ancestors left Carnarvonshire for the States nearly three hundred years ago. Then Mr. Walter Williams, a Missouri editor who covered him- self with glory as secretary of the World's Press Congress at St. Louis, is also of Welsh descent, and bears a startling resemblance to the portraits of Williams, Panty- celyn. In the French restaurant in the World's Fair I found a Welsh girl among the waitresses, and she attended to oar table during our stay. Miss Wilson was her name; her father was a. Welsh- man. and she proudly added that her mother was a Cherokee Indian woman. I have already mentioned that Mr. J. H. Cun. dall, who was the general superintendent at the Cardiff Exhibition in 1896. is the chief assistant to Colonel Watson. the British Com- missioner to the exhibitiop, and how I found Welsh coal and Welsh prold and porphyry and slate in the various sections. In Chicago I was still in touch with Wales. Riding on the elevated car, I had occasion to ask the conductor some questions, and he, with the easy freedom of the native Ameri- can, bluntly asked me where I came from. "Wales," I said. "Are you a Welshman?" he inquired, brightening up, and on being assured that I was he continued: Then come with me to see Tom Morgan; he's a h— of a good fellow." Tom Morgan I found was the driver of the train, and he certainly filled up the description of his friend. But he was Welsh in tradition only! He had for- gotten where his people had lived in Wales, but he knew many Welshmen in Chicago. "You ought to call on Dai Davies," he said; "he is the best fellow in Chicago." Dai Davies ie the manager of a steelworks near the city, but I had not the time to look up the Welsh community which I was told T would find in the vicinity. I lost what I had to spare of leisure in a fain attempt to follow up a vague clue given me by Tom Morgan as to the whereabouts of a Welsh church. On consulting the directory later, however, I found that there are several Welsh churchcs and chapels in Chicago, and the pastors have distinctively Welsh names. Just, however, as all that glitters is not gold, so Welsh names sometimes are not as Welsh as they look. In my search for the Cymric church I turned into a shop kept by "Griffith Hughes, tailor," and explained that, as I saw he had a Welsh name, I thought he could help me in my quest. "I am not Welsh," he said; I'm Irish." The first man to whom I spoke when I boarded the United States mail steamer St. Louis for the return voyage was Mr. Richard W. Davies, of San Francisco, who was on his way to North Wales to join his wife and to look up some old friends, of whom he had heard his father and mother speak. Till he was seven years of age' Mr. Davies heard scarcely anything but Welsh spoken, and it is with him a lasting regret that he has lost his grip of the language. He is in a flourishing business in San Francisco, and his visit to Wales is the fulfilment of a desire that he has long cherished to see his native country. But, undoubtedly, the most curious expe- rience that fell to my lot on this trip occurred half-way back across the Atlantic. I A Philadelphia friend—himself married to a lady descended from a Cardiff family- called out to me one day and said that as I came from Cardiff I ought to know the gentleman to whom he was talking. I saw an alert man of fifty-five or sixty, with a grey tuft of beard on his chin. They tell me you are from Cardiff," he said. "That is true." And that you are connected with the 'Western Mail. True, again." Well, I made the first reel of paper on which the 'Western Mail' was printed in May. 1869. I was in the Ely Paper Mills in Cardiff at the time." This gentleman turned out to be Mr. John Howe, of Nutley. New Jersey. He left Cardiff 28 years ago. and started working in the Kingsland Paper Mills at Nntley. In due course he and a friend bought up those works. Mr. Howe patented a special kind of paper for bank-notes, and he is now turning out at his own works five tons a day of that particular paper. Mr. Howe was on his way to Cardiff—for the first time in 28 years—and he was accompanied by hie wife and daughter. They had friends at Ely, and in the days of their prosperity they were eager to see the humble home in which Mr. Howe lived in the old days..

A oourso of Gwilym Evans' Quinine Bitters at this ee&9on at the year is invaluable, for it strengthens the system to withstand the various climatic changes that will, no doubt, be experienced, as usual, daring the next six morths. Sold everywhere in bottles Ss. 9d. and 4a. M. each. BefIt. oubstttatw. wl796

RAID ON A BARRY CLUB. FREE DRINKS BY ORDER OF THE COMMITTEE. A case heard at Barry Police-court on Friday was one in which John Connibear, steward of the Unionist Working Men's Club, Barry Dock, was summoned for selling beer by retail without a licence; and James Johnson, of Regent-street, Barry Dock, secretary of the club, was summoned for aiding and abet- ting the first-named defendant. Mr. George David, solicitor, Cardiff, appeared to prosecute on behalf of the police, and Mr. F. P. Jones-Lloyd, solicitor, Barry, defended. The case against Connibear was taken first, and Mr. David, in opening the case, said the Unionist Club had been struck off the register, and he proposed to prove that a sale had taken place. Police-sergeant R. H. Thomas said he visited the club premises on the 6th of March under the powers of a warrant, and found a number of men drinking. They were supplied by the defendant Connibear, who took the money. In cross-examination witness admitted that defendant was a servant of the club, which was a society registered under the Friendly Societies' Act. Mr. Jones-Lloyd contended that the wrong person had been summoned. By the evidence of the prosecution it had been proved that this was a society registered under the Friendly Societies' Act, thus having for its object, not the 6ale of liquor, but provid- ing" means of social intercourse, mutual helpfulness, moral improvement, and rational recreation." The servant of a pro- perly constituted society should not be sum- moned. He asked the bench, therefore, if it was necessary for him to call any wit- nesses. Mr. Lowdon considered that there had been a case made out for the defence to answer. Defendant, ill the course of examina- tion, said he first became a member of the club, then he was appointed a member of the committee; after that he became vice-chair- man. Mr. David: What did you get for this?— Nothing, only refreshments. Defendant added that he kept the money from week to week, during which time, by the orders of the committee, he could do exactly what he liked with it. Mr. David: On one night JB13 Os. 6d. worth of free drinks were distributed, wern't there?—Yes, by the decision of the commits tee. Defendant further stated that on these occasions, if a. member did not want "free beer," but whisky, he would have to apply to the chairman. Mr. David: What authority did the chair- man have?—Authority from the committee. Mr. Meggitt: On these occasions, do mem- bers have as much as they like?—Not exactly; if the directors saw a man going a bit too far, they would stop him. So that practically they had as much as they conld?-Yc< Mr. David (to defendant): Are you as inno- cent as you are made out to be?—I am try- ing to be, sir. Defendant admitted that if a person came with a quart jug he would get it filled for threepence. Mr David: I have calculated that during 1902 you were allowed for wastage and shortage 1.6S6 gallons, which at 2s. came to £164 6s., and in addition to that you were allowed 2s. a gallon on all that was brought in, which amounted to a further allowance of £213 12s., or a total allowance during the year of JE377 18s.—I know that. In the result defendant was found guilty and fined JE10 and costs. The case against James Johnson, t.he secre- tary, was then gone into, and a similar penalty was inflicted.

FIGHTING CONSUMPTION. SUCCESSFUL MEASURES IN SOUTH WALES Throughout the country vigorous measures are still being taken to combat the con- sumption scourge, which claims, not oily hundreds, but thousands of victims annually. Much good w-.rk if being dons to fight this terrible national danger, and evidence that success is attending theese praiseworthy efforts emanates from Neath. A representative of the Herald of Wales recently interviewed Mrs. Jot;es and her daughter, Miss Leah Mary Jones, at their residence. 115, London-road, Neath. when he received unquestionable proof of what can be done in cases of consumption by Dr. Williams' pink pills for pale people. "My daughter," Mrs. Jones explained, "was delicate for years. At first, we could never understand what was the matter with her. There seemed to be no blood in her body. Her face was ghastly pale, and she used to get headaches and pains all over, but parti- cularly in the left side and the region of the heart. The doctor said she was suffering from anaemia, and gave her some medicine to take with a special form of diet. We couldn't get her to take ordinary food, as she had no appetite at all. She remained under the doctor's care for a long time, and then, as she did not appear to be getting any better, 1 sought the opinion of another medical man. who was said to be very skilful in treating cases of this kind. He gave her some tonics, which she took regularly. But one day the doctor told me what I had already began to fear- that my daughter was gOiHg into consumption. She got so low that the neighbours thought there was no hope. I obtained beef tea for her, and other delicacies which I thought Rhe would like, but she couldn't touch one of them. We could see her slowly wasting away until she was no more than a shadow of her former self. "We had exhausted all the means we could think of to bring about her recovery, and I had begun to despair of ever seeing her better. Still, they say there is a silver lining to every cloud, and so there was to mine. It made its appearance in rather an unexpected manner A friend of ours came one day on a visit from Swansea. She was astonished at Mary's appearance, and advised us to try Dr. Williams' pink pills for pale people. I told her that tho doctors had done everything they possibly could, and that I had begun to fear the worst. Look here, Mrs. Jones.' she said, 'don't talk about the wo ret happening yet. Don't say there is no remedy until you have tried Dr. Williams' pink pills. They cured a relative of mine after ehe had been given up, and they cured me. They have restored hundreds of people who were suffer- ing from anaemia to the very best df health, and I a.m convinccd that they will cure your daughter. All you want is a little patience.' My friend went out there and then, and bought a box of Dr. Williams' pink pills, and I gave them to my daughter according to the directions." At tbis stage the story was taken up by Miss Jones, now truly, as her mother declared, a far different young woman from that which her friend remembered but a few months uefore. The doctor's medicine I used to take," she said, "always made me sick, and put me entirely off what little food I was able to take. I suffered, moreover, just the same with headache and pains all over my body. Sometimes the pain in my left side was so intense I had to hold my breath until it passed. My eyes felt heavy, and I ceased to take interest in anything. The drowsy and depressed feeling hung over me for months. and it was only when I commenced to take Dr. Williams' pink pills that I felt the burden getting lighter. The pain in my side disap- peared after the first dose. The next day my appetite began to return, a.nd I was able to eat as I had not been able to for months before. My mother was astonished at the progress I now began to make. When the first box of pills was finished, she bought two more, and I kept on with them, feeling better and stronger every day. I could feel the blood rushing like a. stream through my veins. My face acquired a ruddy glow, and by the time I had got through the fourth box, I felt an altogether different person." "Yes," interrupted Mrs. Jones, "and her health has been really excellent ever since. My daughter was on the brink of the grave, and I am sure she never would have recovered had it not been for Dr. Williams' pink pills." el3014

A LOTTERY PROSECUTION. Thomas Henry Walker was summoned at Clerkenwell Police-court, London, for pub- lishing a certain proposal for the sale of certain tickets and chances in a certain lottery called the 14th Privileged Royal Hun- garian Lottery. Mr. Bodkin prosecuted on behalf of the Treasury, and Mr. Biron defended. The summons was taken out against the defendant—an advertising agent—under a statute of George IV., which forbade the carrying on in this country of any foreign lottery. Mr. Biron said his client had acted in igno- rance of the law, which was not surprising, seeing that the Act in question was not printed in any ordinary book of statutes. Mr. Bros imposed a fine of £10, with £5 5s. costs.

HIS LAST FARTHING. A farthing was the only thing found in the posseeaion of an unknown well-dreesed man who committed suicide at midnight in Garrick-street, Covent-garden. The man first endeavoured to place his head in front of the forewheel of an approaching traction van. He only succeeded, however, in knocking his bead against the wheel, causing his hat to fall off. Reoovering his balance, he grasped his hat, re-plaoed it on his head, and again laid him- self in front of the wheel-this time success- fully-.

PICTURE PUZZLE SOLUTIONS. I" PRIZES WORTH THOUSANDS TO BE WON. SUGGESTED BY AN OXFORD M.A. ANSWERS After careful eompilaltion. we estimate that the number of births for the first six month* of 1904 will be 596,811, and the estimated number of dea-ths for tjtt same period 373,209. To obtain this forecast we have had to estimate the population at this period, and also take into consideration the decline in the birth and marriage rate, and also the question of emigration and immigration. The estimated population we compute to be 42,644.198. For the first quarter of 1904 the figures work out as follows:—Births: First quarter 299,7SS 23.1 per 1,000 per annam. Second quarter 297,085 27.8 per 1,000 per anntmi- Total 596.811 27.9 per 1,000 per annum. The estimated deaths 373,209, shown 88 under: First quarter. 199,862 18.7 per 1,000 per annam. Second quarter 173,347 16.2 per 1,000 per annum. Total 373,209 17.45 per 1,000 per annttm. CASWELL'S SATURDAY No.3, should be read backwards; 34, Doctor Learoyd swayed before it. CHRISTIAN HERALD Chapter I.—A man of the house of Levi took to wife, a daughter of Levi, and she bore a son, and when she saw that he was a goodly one she hid him three months, and when she could not longer hide him she took for him an ark of bulrushes, and daubed it with slime and pitch, and put the child therein, and laid it in the flags by the river's brink. Chapter n.-The daughter of Pharaoh came to the river, and her maidens walked along by the river's side. When she saw the ark she sent her maid for it. She saw the babe. and the babe wept, and she said, "This is one of the Hebrews' children." Then said his nurse, "'Shall I bring one of the Hebrew women to nurse it for thee?" Chapter III.—Pharaoh's daughter eaid to her, "Go." The maid went and called the child's mother. Pharaoh's daughter said to her, "Take this child away, nurse it, and I will give thee thy hire." The child grew, and she brought him to Pharaoh's daughter. He became her son, and she called his name "Moses"—she said, "Because I took him out of the water." Chapter IV.—And it came to pass in those days when Moses was grown that he went to his brethren and looked on their burdens, and he spied an Egyptian smiting an Hebrew, and he looked this way and that way. and when ho saw no man he slew the Egyptian and hid him in the sand. FOCUS First set.—1, locky-er; 2. Rajah Daylight Charger; 3, Wellington S.C.P.; 4. Thomas's Rapid Plates; 5, A. Staley; 6, Newman and v Gua.rdia. Second s-e.t.-7, Edwards' Plates; 8, Benet- fink; 9. Tyo; D, Ferdinand Hrdliczka, Zieglergasee; 11, Bayer; 12, Lizar's "Ohal lenge." HANDY LIBRARY 43. Eeech; 44, Buttercup; 45, Lettuce 46, Monkshood; 47, Sweet Briar; 48, Endive. HEARTSEASE LIBRARY. Chapter VI.—Although Squire Dogberry had been her enemy, Angelina was very distressed at his awful death. But the next moment she was in the arms of her true lover, for Horace had escaped from his enraged father and had flown to her assistances The re- united couple now repaired to the registrar's office, where they were married. Just then a page rode up from Wailbrook Castle, and told Horace that his father had died of heart- failuro-on reaching home. After a month of mourning the new earl and his wife went on their honeymoon, which continues to this time. HORNER'S WEEKLY. Chapter III.—I am now at Lowo;toft, and am perfectly delighted with the place. It is quite a. paradise for children, as the magnifi- cent beach extends for miles. Yesterday I went down to the quay, where I saw heaps of fish, which were being sold by auction. To- day I visited the famous old church, St. Mar- garet's, which was built in 1365. In the tower is a bell with the inscription, "I tell all that do me see, Newman, of Norwich, new cast me." You will hear from me next at Scar- boro'. HOME NOTES. 173, Hendiadys; 191, Neonomian. 193, Unlimber; 194, Eteostic; 195. Aphthous; 196. Cracowes; 197. Unlatch; 198, Volzite; 199, Julienne; 300, Rose-bug; 2'J1, Garganey; 202, Wistiti; 203, Runaga-te; 204, Pinnatifid. NUGGETS 64, Amphitrite: 65, Curlew; 66, Bloodhound; 67. Goldfinch; 63, Unicorn; 69, Circe; 70, Hood; 71, Jupiter; 72. Nile. PEARSON'S WEEKLY 253. Polianthcs; 254, Hordein; 255, Oon- justo; 256, Dioptasc; 257, Abrading; 258, Pugaree; 259, Mosohatel 260, Fremescent; 261, Kollyrite; 262, G liadine; 263, Stratotic; 264, Tubicolae. SPARE MOMENTS 131. Noctograph; 132. Recanter; 134, Pedi- reme: 135, Entailment; 136. Abietic; 137, Bachelor; 138, Cartouch; 139, Mucilage; 140. Harbinger. SUNDAY COMPANION. Chapter I.-Therf arc many clergymen who bicycle, but I do not think any other preacher is more devoted to this outdoor recreation than I am. T spend my holidays on my bicycle, and I hope to describe in pictures and words some of my adventures. In Chapter II. I shall relate the first of my most amusing experiences. SUNDAY CIRCLE. 31. When my life's toil is ended and I cross the swelling tide: 32, Around the throne of God in heaven; 33, Under his wings I am safely abiding; 34, Forward be our watchword; 35, The sower went forth sowing; 36, Awake, my soul, and with the sun. TIT-BITS. School; 1, Easel; 2, Satchel; 3. Inkwell; 4, Form; 5, Chalk; 6, Slate. Lace: 1, Tor- chon; 2, Valenciennes; 3, Irish Point; 4. Maltese; 5, Homiton; 6. Yak. Building: Bank of England. Battleship: Implacable. WEEKLY TELEGRAPH Z.—43, Relic; 44, Boomy; 45. Chant; 46, Tinkling; 47, Mundane: 48, Linnet; 49, Bow- line; 50, Amputate; 51. Shank; 52, Star- board 53, Standard; 54, Cottage. WOMAN'S LIFE. Date: May 21st: Figures: 36; River: Hum- ber; Weather: Rainbow

BRITISH NAVAL DISASTER. DESTROYER STRIKES A ROCK: NO LIVES LOST. The Admiralty on Saturday received a tele- gram from the Commander-in-chief on the China Station reporting that his Majesty's torpedo-boat-destroyer Sparrowhawk struck an uncharted rock off Chesney Island, at the mouth of the Yang-tse-kiaug on Friday and sank. No lives were lost. The Sparrow-hawk was built at Birkenhead in 1896. She had a displacement of 300 tons, and was of 6,000-h.p., with a speed of 30.13 knots. The vessel was armed with one twelve. pounder, five six-pounders, and had two tor- pedo-tubes. Her complement was 58 men. The Sparrowhawk was attached to the China Station, and, according to the Royal Navy List, she was commanded by Lieutenant and Commander George G. Codrington. Her other officers were Engineer-lieutenant George S. Holgate and Sub-lieutenant George M. A. Rowe. A report that the destroyers Bat and Stag had been in collision off Ajaccio, and that the former had sunk, is incorrect.

WELSH DISESTABLISHMENT. MR. CHAMBERLAIN'S ATTITUDE EXPLAINED. Mr. Chamberlain in his speech to Welsh Unionists at the recent Parliamentary dinner is alleged by a London contemporary to have advocated the disestablishment of the Church in Wales. The report asserts that in reply to an interruption he intimated that disestablishment should be accompanied by a liberal scheme of disendowment. The remarkable thing is that Mr. Chamberlain not only advocated disestablishment in Wales as a policy of his own, but urged it on the Conservative party as a wise and far- sighted measure." In reply to a telegram addressed to him on Saturday by the editor of the "Evening Express," Mr. Chamberlain wired as follows; — You may state authoritatively that state- ment is inaccurate, but as dinner prirate cannot go into details. Remember, how, ,er, that I have always been in favour of dis. establishment as a theory, although not practicable policy. CHAMBERLAIN.

CHOIR STRIKE. The choir of the Carter's-green Wesleyan Chapel, West Bromwich, have gone on strike. The trouble is said to have arisen over a. letter recently sent to the organist complain- ing of the expec-se of the musical service. The choir have resigned in a body until tba, letter, which they stigmatise as offensive, has been withdrawn. Meanwhile a. juvenile choir has been formad to tide the church over the difficulty.