The Cardiff Times

MAESTEG. BURIAL BOARD.—At the last meeting of the Llangy- nwyd Burial Board, the Revs. J. Lewis, W. B. Morgan, and Mr. Ferrier attended as a deputation, appointed by a public meeting of ratepayers, to request the Board to abandon the site for a cemetery selected in Llangynwyd. and to choose one of the three named in the memorial presented by the deputation. Mr. Barrow, the chairman, said that the request was quite a fair one, but he wished to correct a false notion which had gone abroad-that the ratepayers were to select the site. That was the work of the Board, and they would do so. The Chairman read from the Act, page 164, to prove this. The Rev. W. B. Morgan said the sentiments of the ratepayers should be regarded. To this Mr. T. Major quite agreed, but. he thought the opinion of thirty-one—the number in this public meeting—did not represent the feelings of the rate- payers of the entire parish. To ascertain the views of all the ratepayers, a poll must be taken. Mr. Ferrier, one of the deputation, said he was willing to canvas the district on this question, and this was contemplated in the public meeting. The deputation then retired. Mr. Chivers thought that, as this was a public question, the public should have a voice in the matter. By a financial statement, he showed that the public would eventually have to pay for the cemetery. After a long discussion, the Board finally appointed Messrs. Morgan Jones, D. Grey, T. Thomas, and the Chairman, as a committee to inspect the sites named in the memorial, and report thereon at the next meeting. VERY SUDDEN DEATH.—While Mr. T. 1< Thomas, clerk, was engaged waiting in the office of the Llwydarth Tin Plate Works on Wednesday morning, he fell down and died instantly. He was a very active young man, a member of Zoar Church, and generally beloved. He has been for years the main support of his widowed mother,

SWANSEA LAW CASE. In the Court of Chancery on Mondav, before Vice- Chancellor Bacon, the case of Heartley and Nicholson was heard. The plaintiffs were Mrs. Heartiej and her hus- band, the Rev. Charles Heartley, of Swansea, Glamorgan- the defendants were Mrs Heardey's brothers. V\ liiiam and John Nicholson. The father of the plaintiff Heartley, William Nicholson, senior, now deceased! resided in Sunderland, and was the owner of several shares in the Ryhope Colliery Company, a private co- partnership carrying on businc-s iu Rvhope Tua. stell and Burdon, in the county of Durham. By his:will the testator left £ 3,OOU in 1 rust for Lis daughter, Mrs Heartley; he also bequeathed one share of four, five hundred, and twelfth shares in trust for her. The bill prayed for the due investment and orotection of these trust legacies, but also sought a d. ciaration that plaintiff in addition to the 6hare bequeatL^d by the will was entitled to one other share, or four five hundred and twelth shares in- the colliery company. This demand was made on the ground that the te.nalor cUlÍng his life- time had given such share to Sirs. Heartley, retaining only to himself the legal estate as her trustee. On the 11th February, 1S65, thefirst plaintiff received <x letter from her father in which referring to one share of the Ryhope Colhery be said, You may now consider titat you share this to yourself, from 2nd January, to re- ceive dividends upon." Such share war- wurth £2,000, and the dividends were from the above date regularly re- mitted by the estator to the plaintiff. It was contended by the defendants that the share given to the plaintiff was the one specifically bequeathed by the will. There appeared for the plaintiffs Mr. Kay, Q.C.. Mr Cole, Q.C., and Mr. Romer Mr. Jacksuu, Q.C. iand Mr. Chitty, Q.C., and Mr. Caldicott were for the defendants. The Vice-Chancellor, who had reserved his deckion now gave judgment. He said that the testatoi kaa constituted himself, trustee of one share, his acta m respect of it mu, t admit of no interj r,U:i m other than that some ocber person had became beneficial owner, and tii^w ail the interest he retained was held in trust for tae donee. In applying this test his Honour could by the testut.r which would aimioot it His Honour aid not hesitate 10 say that from the 11th of l ebruary the tesai or intended the plaintiff to have as her own property tue share in ques- tion, but he failed to fulfil that dedre or to complete the intention. He must, therefore, come to the coiiclueim that there was no fact showing that it was at any time within the intention of the testator to retain the share m his own name only as trustee for ihe plaintiff. The order wouidj be that the defendants a" executors ofi the testator, should pay into court the sum of £ 3,000 and should be declared trustees of the one colliery share left in the will. Costs of both parties to come out of the testator's, I residuary estate.

S ISRAEL MORT, OVERMAN 3 A STORY OF THE T* SOUTH WALES COAL &IR0N DISTRICT 1e fit —— t BY MR. JOHN SAUNDERS, AARAOA OF "ABEL DRAKE'S WIFE," "IIIRELL," ETC. tit H* [PflBIilBIIED BY SPECIAL ARRANGEKKKT. [ALL RIGHTS RESlS&VED.j ft BOOK III. i TA. CHAPTER VI.—EVIL OMEKS. U K, sent for the report offered, had copies made of_ is, J again with renewed energy to seek for capitalists (J ^5 ^PITAL by its aid, but all the while the iron had J Into its soul; he was, in fact, AT last hopeless. J, JI^^HE reasoned to himself—men who were so strongly 4 «vi i d to htlP him as this Mr- Knight arid bis employers ^^ently were— if they couid not help him, was it likely F) ,J others would ? it ANSWER was simply, decisively, fatally, NO! J W?E ^AS sitting one night afcer despatching important >1 various directions, when his aged housekeeper JL LQI and began to tell him of things tae superstitious D \,N'LERS HAD been telling her, and which had made her YT^OIFORTABLE. One wsB that a PIGEON had lighted on sheaves of the pulleys over the shaft c»f the mine the toll-1" RQORUI>'G. and excited so much AHUM among the 4(LFLERS that they refused to go .down, and said they were something was K°iaS to happen. HU/^YTHING e'se?' demanded Israel inqaiet scorn, whicti VU woman—HT rst-lf HDL a believer—on her mettle, H I E '> Mr. Mort, you may laugh, AS you always do, at 4 tales, hut the ckcks have be-n crowing just before F A.QRL "R last night, «nd the night before that, •! L^.FC,VFERYBODY knows that's a sign of warning that some- I; « GOING to die.' Ii ITOF CAN you be such an old fool ?' was Israel's ungai- W? only comment. 4 A • i' UTOL» T the wife of the foreman of the SMITHS D nQ;. F > AQD didn't the cocks, that couldn't possibly e N OF. ACJ WHILE she liwd, stop directly the breath was ou 1 INVU ,ODY '• The husband killed one in his awger and THJR„' HUT the rest went on all the same fciil she died, an 1 C.?,S,RE lllute. Ah, Mr. Mort, if you would only read .Pete BIble you'd SEE things differently. Think of St. | T' AND his cock crowing." dn'v ?°T up and walked about, partly to silence t r {(TOI.V the old woman, partly to dissipate the gloom} AN, U8 THAT aifeeted him, before she should be silly A ?TO fancy he was influenced by what she had saia. « .^OCK at the door came like a relief. b« AA ,QINE *N shouted Israel, who made it his pride to 0IN°LY and accessible as ever to his workpeople ana labours. Thomas, the rebellions Deputy of twelve WELL WHO CAME IN LOOKING WONDERFULLY STRONG STOWING THE SAME RESOLUTE FRONT, THAT SEEMJ *MN 5 HILLS KUT GOD, AND TO FIND THAI FEAR EVER SWALLOWED <VR PERFECT LOVE THAT CASTETH OUT FEAR •»>F MORT, I HAVE A WORD OR TWO TO SAY, THAT YR>U• HJO-, BE PROMPTED BY HONEST CONVICTION O TKF. Afterthe young man from London had le t FE10V6J1 FEIT A strange inclination to go all over xt,fol- POJNSTLS TRACK- WHAT I exoected to discover, I CA"N,^ but I find marks OT danger, PL^EDBY J ENT POMTS, in di;-tricc« ivhere we sel. P, • IS ME ATIXIOUS and careful. The upshot is, ? NOW dangerous—decidedly dangerous. LH S •I -P1 PLACES where none ought to be, and «-VR°°H> P°°H I nonsense.' OJIOE.LT.IS true. I know my duty, and now V once only—to say this to YOU; but shall SPEIK to no one else, because I t« W-! DO ALL you can, and yours is the responsibil y. TA^ ,Y°U good evening.' I WHO had turned away, did not answer THIS salu- te '•01 PERhaps know he had actually g°NEJ ^OR TO R?.AIFL turned he looked surprised, and moved as it to but stopped.. to tv, Couhl be the meaning of those bodmg cries did^ry dlff«rent quarters ? He was a fool to ask. hat »ttd0 yVle?n? Why, nothing! He would go to bed, if the^Q time more usefully iu sleep than m thinking >AJ^? SO to his bedroom, undressed, and lay down, but A to s-eeP- j ? 8 P'U,> the Virginia Creeper, whose red TJVIA S. *1 kind HI glory over the front of the house at MTHH.TNOD> WAS outside his window. It had got loose 'HE high wind that had been recently growing up, now and then lashed with such sudden AND M- tiii-n I? I ^LENCE against the window, as if it were J. cted by SOME voiceU»ns monster who wished to give an TS ,T)UTfind no other way of doing so than this. TH« FT*6 S.heart binned within him, to find himself for }.AJ time in his life moved by influences which he A!LD held, in the most boundless con- FOR ALL THAT HE COULD NOT SLEEP, NOR PUT ASIDE THE ^SE OF MISGIVING OF DANGER. A W:HY NOT GET UP AND GO AND BEE THAT ALL IS NGHT ? HE /WDEALY REFLECTED, AND RECOVERED AT ONCE HIA EQUANIMITY 5 STRENGTH AT THE THOUGHT OF ACTION. LAE OVERMAN. LUSTY, WHO WAS, OF COURRE, IN BED, LIVED °T FAR 0FF E0 ISRAEL WENT THERE, AND CALLED OUTSIDE THE ^TAGE FOR HIM TO COME DOWN.. Anything the matter, master ?' asked a. voice that J?ST&ED muffled with the nightcap that almost covered head that was thrust out of A chamber window, M &ns"'er to the summons. 'HO, but I have thought of something that must be lJeen to. Come quickly THEY were soon at the mine. The engines were hard ^ORK, not in bringing up coal, but in pumping up J^TER. The coal in the fire grate close by was burning ^^HTLY; the night-dpputy BUSY in the office. ,-ISRAEL and the Overman went dowa in the cage, and at bottom found the stableman looking after the horses, TO an reported all well. further on, iu the principal level, they found repairers Work, replacing such portions of the rotten props as be got at in the daytime without disturbing the FIBERS. IN fact, the night shift bad been put off by the ^MAN on the present occasion to allow of these repairs, HE explained more than once to Israel; who seemed, displeased to find the night shift of colliers °t AT WORK as usual. The repairers also reported all well. "r^sently they turned out of the central level into one r7ttch narrower and lower roofed, where they were soon topped by a door, placed there to prevent the artificial ^current passing along the level except when the work „*he mine might require ventilation.. JHEY passed through that door, and closed it after them, D advanced towards another door, and were about to _PEA IT, when, to the surprise of Israel and the horror of T UstyT IT opened, as if with volition of its own, away from EM J WHIIE THE air thus admitted came in A strong cur- towards them. •LUSTY, who was as superstitious as he was irreligious, R~OD as one paralysed, and for sorae time could scarcely •WT^^D, much less answer Israel's question, WHO can be there ?* Some one is F ISR Overman's credulity and utter helplessness, is SI** ^OUSHT it prudent to offer a brief explanation. 'IT T CROSS current of air of some kind—A pure accident. GO on.' JONM0T FOR all you c'luld give me, Mr. Mort. Not if < say the miue should be all my own to-morrow.' ^&CK here, then—coward that you are!—till I come Ve*rfae^ went forward, holding his lamp so that he might *fte* a ^ood ^c.°^ °ut for any stalking figure, but returned j minutes, looking angry, puzzled, but also than ever in gloom. fr^HING ran past their feet into a stall, separated V \Y A eanvas screen. The Overman under- LIFT^ that incident it was A rat; he sprang after it, J 'he curtail, and disappeared. OR I^K J-UD ^'TTLE time for further reflection on the sense TNATSX^ Y °F his Ovtrman'S pui-suit of the rat. Whether toal U J 0PEUT (L his lamp to see batter where the ani- THE L GON.E TO, or whether he had fallen and broken 8CSJ^*T J THE lamp, was never to be known; but W)L J HEM gone more than half a minute, when • EAR^ A fearful explosion—»nd simultaneously a THEN ^1VE5I 0 ,E ^URST from the stall across his eyes, and LEM,^ AN. DARKNESS seemed to enter on the unchal- ^ED possession of the mine. AWNVN .I, ?HAPTER VII.-AT LAST. C I phenomena of Nature, few are 4AMR.T than tho. E attending the explosion of fire- th(» KI-NJ^ MINUE- ,IE SUDDEN raising of the temperature, AINTR ?? DG ,LME' ,E ^ASH as of the most brilliant light- S°UI" LAS ° MOST tremendous clap of thunder; WIF.,1 ,EFLRUPL^1 through all the levels of the roaring whirl- or RI! F FLA.BALQG atmosphere, breaking down, overturning, °R destroying whatever it chances to meet-doors, trams S- H°RFFS~U11 leaches the shaft, and bursting up F T«EPT?WER F.NDUFURY^F A volcano, belches forth caatn W^1QL hrattice-work, forming the ASING of the shaft, stone, coal, etc., while lifting from X VERY foundations the staging, ENGINE-beams, machi- **CRY, ANCJ other erect.ioHs at the mouth 0f the pit. 8ERIFTSEEI?8 AT,SNCTL TIMES AS IF NAture WERE no lifeless con- COAL J underground earth, and rock, and water, and WD • G.AS' BLICH AS WE habitually think of, when the TIENT^SU M connexion with a MINE, but a vital, sen- ^UTRAFR^U1*' I'A^EJJ1' AT ordinary times, feels kerself ^WBSIDI "eyond endurance at last, and summons all her her PATITT CES A^D T° sweep HER enemies out of MEN ARE thrown down without even BLIND ~^LNS_OF A single second of time; are stricken FIRE WV?MTTILAES permanently; their clothes may take N'I the wearers are scorched sometimes to a cinder. RSDIKY? emptrature after an explosion is occasionally IFIWTI -0 H!GH as to convert the coal at the sides of the m/f ln-t0 Coke- <leatr 1JDOORS' FOR CHECKING and guiding the wind, being whe.rt-T the ventilation is reversed; and so the stalls filled • Q0^IERS may still be at Work in safety get them steam and carbonic acid, which overpowers ,00» WHILE retreat or movement of any kind becomes ^RECLUEUTIY impossible. TOR ?'EJER ,HF^» indeed, may still exist in the mine has FA^°NTEHD with AN enemy as deadly as the fire-damp, and *?°re insidious—that is, the carbonic acid gaa, just WH' KI. WN the choke-damp, or after-damp, A has HO explosive tendencies, but simply suffocates SM I)6• HI eathing life. It has neither taste nor FL E LSJ, FTT first breathed unconsciously and so steals ay the faculties that MEN often die before they can W-1-W 4REY AR? assailed.^ l. /j'n a tew minutes after the explosion, people began gather abont the pit's month, narrating to thZfwit, rT?ome> what sounds they had heard from e,vera^ homes, and others what they had seen and how fearful bad been the vomiting of the'shaft, t>>o ■ x °/e movable COD tents of the pit, including ttm £ the shaft, seemed to have been lifted from pvl °ttom with awful force, and shot forth into space. eTSry one said, and with a h9.1f-feeling of coagra- Was. less endangered—through the in fk'o i than might have been expected. Had it been i,W° or three hundred lives must have been e. yherea«, on the present occasion, there wag not t shift, so that in all not more than a dozen the facts inl the bo f imonir/'4'0!rnii^rr'rl a II ve eun"»~T are mostly taken from Vife' a b' ck t. whieh iÀe author hsa w a«kAewle4 £ e himself othemte in4»bt«d. -=- -th his bov helper, would i r», ««»t»b tjew £ £ I' raV<1 ib idmself thek employer, and the U bdow in the mine. d d remarkable at the pit- The state of things was indwa beeI1 snapped and mrvnth. Ponderous iron shewr, h vo0d. Immense bolts wn asunder like so much mate intQ the most a afanchions of iron ha" Pf eXtreme agony. # A fnCfi«iic shapes, contorted as l j a gap jn the bnck- f'Tl rSmney standing near exhibi rj?h6 atm0Sphere 1 It Extending from the ^^flstand sulphur, which W°a still filled with clouds of c Heavy detached ThP bfstand'rs inhaled at everyabok, even to raises of metal and '»a8onr/11Ljred yards. Crowds were tVio distance °f more than a und—east, west, north, Heen in every direction for and children, fnd south-dense throngs ^meI^moutb. There they coming and meeting at the p^ Mund thoge m. formed mto innumerable ^,ow_ Wiveg were cry- fortunates wnose relative8 {atherg for S0I1S, youth- i„(r for husbands, „rS_ for their brothers tacle wa8 that presented In strage contrast with^^ the muultudef where a at one point of the °utsks nothing of the calamity score or two «f boys, thi their fnends were m so near, knowing, peA«ll-ge o £ youthful and abounding danger, feeling only the.th surpriging skiU, the game of life, were Pm"s?i °'iT,ciine one after another, in riipid and sliding down a steep te(j on ari iron slab, and balanced unbroken successi of the metal, and tne joyou3 on a single lron rail—:cne o am0Mg the crowd, aCd°nd^in^1a newUpang t° the sorrowing hearts that heard leyan, and otber^ mourners, while one, exert themselves m comf^^ t oat had b ought him, began standing up mjd aftmvards to address them, and to gfng with them a hymn o the explosion was Among those who heard iAe roa.^ beUeved he Israel's old lent wings to her aged feet. wasinthepit. Supere th mine, convinced She came hob j1iD| t be reaiised. thf fell upon all when they heard from her the truth. even if a descent were ra,B™8 absent biJi^ it ra iropo«»bie tnat after a careful e^ £ (^d ,{ they eould) lt wou d any one could g<et a there wfcre so many old only be to go to c mme 'that more explosions would reservoirs M B"1 ^the" spoke; another explosion sent the crowd scattering in all direticons, lest the flying debris might kill T T liplieve there may be cause for hope, and that I Sa^,ii,*n<r to sacrifice my life, if necessary, in the attempt rt^SnTSddSinailow a tone that only the two could hear, Depend on me not to harm you or your position.^ to tajte tbe re3p0nsibility, you can, but you are warned. I'd do as much as most men for my employer, btfe: afe right. The task is more dangerous than even the collier's known heroism would justify. I say that to clear vou. But it does not seem exactly the same to me, S regard* myself. I am called here. You give me autho- rity, then?' Reef; Thomas turned to his wife, took her in his arms, 'wS" demist! « !»ve »o sarily a thing w. need ver,[ see hoHe will Kward us And jS'e ™eU. If we never meet again, rear up our child m thine own spirit, and I can ask no more. t t She clung to him for a moment m siknt. bitter Du all bitter-anguish; then, put him from her, smiled, put her hand on her breast, and said to him— 41 am comforted. Go.' riVwd up In a wonderfully short space of time they nog P something to allow this Christam soldiei, this one and file of the forlorn hope, to go down. fili A roDe was about bis waist. He grazed his hand they were raw and bleeding all over wit te ^P fnUi«ions of his form against the sides in his descent, which his hands could alone prevent from being da°|^°t or fatal. But he felt not the smart. He only longed t rTO more and more swiftly down. «table- g TT* reached the bottom in safety he found the statue I?ng dei .mow hi. horses, as if g»«du.g them toThe.rete is oMiged to pause on account of the Wring and he is able to advance. He passes the level, where all is terrible silence and partial ruin. Everv instant he expects to find his way barred by the fallen coal, and masonry, and CaHe "worm3 his way through holes, he squeezes his way between the roof and great heaps of debris, he calls, but ^H^trhjiToiie level, but finds it impassable on account °f Henries another, and advances in it, but with a sort of instinctive feeling Israel is not there, and at last, after vainly shouting, returns without exploring it to the end, third^ ve £ aniTa cry escapes him-he se es daCommeSg his soulto^od-for the atmosphere here is to the last degree oppressive and dangerous—life and death a question of perhaps a, few seconds less or more of delay-he stoops to examine them. He touches one of these, and there is a groan He to moistens the lips of the senseless man with tea. The man revives, and, half unconsciously, faintly appeals t«> him for help. He is one of the carpenters. ltees Thomas grasps him, lifts hun with a more than mortal strength, and moves away. „ Suddenly his strength is shaken. He hears a far-off voice calling. It is Israel's, he is sure of it. He would 4ve the world to be able to put this man down and go back, but he cannot. No j before God he feels he must n°A new danger affects him. His way is barred. A fall of earth has taken place, and shut them m as m a trap. He stoops, and bending oyer the boay he has been gSSSdthoughfsuch as on^y these'momeuts clninspire; p^s from this Ie find mine ag free from fit k Therepeated explosions, driving the air to the gas as it is. ine p gurj;ace, had been naturally fol- shaft, andso up to the^su^ tiU the lowed by a great d with ifc int0 the innermost re- cessesthe deadly choke-damp, and leaving the approaches comparatively free. and moves on. He passes, as Again he atld he heaw the latter, m he expected he .hpuia x what he a faint, JgJvS?nor stop to investigate.. 8aR ?theSp-Hght shows his lace. Israel knows him But the lamp hring back ^to him new life. an' Hal SRtes Thomas!^ words on Rees Thomas's lips but the Such were th cudcfeulv obliged to be shifted to pass burden he bore w le ai)(j be had the inexpressible under some no* el n()t heard him, and might SfSifbSt Of hi^f^Sd the W of the sf ssfotht r? sidto then, without a mom precious can of tea, Rees SL^pIdSfrb^L'Swul nature of the manashewent. H pother vie before Israel, ougnt » q satisfaction; but he could notaBswer it *1 the respon8ibility before God determined he wouid more onjy to and man of saving only Israel, ix o be saved through his mean piaCe where Israel lay, He found, when he go yfc wa3 a dreadful business, three other bodies n-ar hi faceg) and try to reCOgnize the groping about to see t for he could not for the them, as he was obliged Jo do, moment tell which was the t^e three. He had Lusty the Overman.wason left Igraeij and crawled back to the place wnere there died. ,„r,m'rv>r Ha also was Another of the three was a repairer. lie aiso w dThe third was tbemanheBought. his iast Israel had turned on his lace, auu x hope expired with the "boundless But there he was, and, to lvees xn relief still living. He felt the heart beat, he felt the slow but still warm breath on his own cheek when he knelt. Israel Israel Mort Be of good cheer A friend is with thee who will not-leave thee. A friend Dost thou hear ?' V^ry'Taint was the_ utterance of these words, and dubious in their expression. uviprid of Av one whom thou hast yet to know—the Friend ot >.11 Sd. He ifc is who sends me here. Drink! ^Israel's burnt and feverish lips clung unconsciously to the can, as the lips of a famished babe will cling to its mother's breast when nourishment comes at last. 'Better? You are better ?' Ay.' Then, with strange wonder in his eyes, he gasped out, Rees Thomas.? Thee Ay, God be praised But be silent now; concentrat all thy latent powers of life within. Have faith. Now then.' He took Israel across his lap, looking down upon him for one moment as he did so with a look of love, devo- tion, and heroic purpose, that Israel was too ill to catch more than the faintest reflection of; but even that sufficed to confound him utterly. He closed his eyes with the words— God help me What manner of man is this ?' Then Rees Thomas found he was once more bearing along a senseless burden, knowing not whether to life or to death. CHAPTER VIII.—A CHARACTER IN REVOLUTION. CAN character be changed suddenly—in a space of time so brief that a man can say, Thus I was up to a certain time—thus I am since that time passed over me ?' Or, in other words, what is this but to ask, Can the current of a man's daily and worldly life, fed, as it is, from innumerable sources of his past oareer-of his indi- vidual desires and aims-of his peculiar experiences, temptations, errors, truths, ignorances, knowledge—of his fierces battles against his fellows, while sympathising with them in their traditional belief in the necessity of main- I taining all those things that injure or destroy other and nobler kinds of sympathy-can all these powers and in- fluences be at once not largely modified only, but abso- n lutely changed in their essential naturt-reversed, just as if a strongly-flowing river, with its tributaries, were to turn, as by its own volition, and go back the way ltcame, in search of some newer and nobler channel through which alone it could henceforward pass ? .r Could such a question have been put to Israel Mort a few minutes before his eventful midnight visit with his assistant to the mine, he would probably have won- dered for a brief space at the strangeness of it-have asked bimself if any influences could change him-have smiled at the absurdity, and then forgotten it. And yet even new, as Rees Thomas bears him along in arms that tremble with their too great burden, yet cling to it as if with the instinct of the possession of some new and most valuable treasure—something which, n oulyit can be saved and borne to the upper world, and to the freshness and glory of day, shall make the Deputy s own life more precious in hi« own eyes while Israel is thus being born back towards the thaft, from which faint glim- merings of ligiit now begin to reach them and illumin- their way, his whole being is in a state of revolution, how- ever little conscious he may be of the fact. The inevitable slowness of the Deputy s movements causes much time to pass, which in itself tends to Israel s recovery. He has frequently to be put dovvn and taken up again, in order to pass over, under, or circuitously by the diffi- culties of the way.. t On one of these occasions, Rees Thomas has felt uncer* tain as to his route, and gone away a few steps to explore closer. Returning, he found, to his astonishment. Israel sitting UD with his back against a mass of fallen rock. The Deputy held his lamp to Irael's face, and the illu- mination cast there by the dim light was as nothing to the inner radiance that almost transfigured the fire-scarred, storm-beaten face of the Deputy as he met Israel's faint smile, and listened to the half-inarticulate words, slowly and laboriously uttered- I thought you had left me to my fate. I shall never leave you till I have placed you in His hands whose servant I am, and whose service will yet be yours. Come.' Israel gazed on the Deputy's features with ail the wonder and earnestness that were possible to him under his physical state-gazed as if this were a problem he must master at any cost, and yet could not; then shut bis eyes. strove to rise, but was unable to lift his weight; then again knew no more till a few minutes later he found him- self near the sump, or water-pit, looking up through the shaft wistfillly to tl:e faint light at the top. Glancing round for the Deputy, he saw him coming toward him with a pitcher of water. Israel drank from it, drank again and again, and was wonderfully refreshed and would have gone on drinking while a drop remained in the vessel, but the Deputy took it from him with gentle force, and dashed the remainder in his face. Israel gasped for a moment between his anger and the shock, but presentily found himself so much strengthened, that he was able, with the Deputy's assistance, to stand upright; though he trembled like one who leaves his bed for the first time after weeks of an exhausting and dan- gerous illness, and he knew he should utterly collapse and fall if Rees Thomas' arms were but for a moment withdrawn.. 'Couldyou, do you think, sit astride the bar 1 had rigged up to deseend with, you being oil one side the rope, and I the other?' Yes,' feebly responded Israel, if—— I know; if I hold you. Of course I shall hold you. Then he led him toward where the rope hung, and which was quivering with the latest of the many anxious signals of enquiry passed from above; and after a minute or two Israel was not only safely seated on the crossbar, and his hands clenching the rope, but had a rope so securely lashed round his waist and shoulders, that even if he again became insensible he might be borne safely UD to surface, The Deputy now took bis own seat, blew a shrill niercing note on the whistle that hung round Israel s neck shook the rope above their heads as well as he could while he and Israel lessened the tension by supporting themselves a moment on their feet, and after a brief and agitating pause they found themselves swiftly moving UPToo swiftly for the rope swayed to and fro with its burden, till the men struck violently against first one ^^rhe^Deputy, however, soon recovered his presence of mind and with a strong stick managed speedily to keep Sem both tolerably safe, by keeping them from touching th^Take'care suddenly cried Israel, in a. voice that sp^rned almost like his own strong one come back. Take car?r Thei? are pieces of iron and lumps of earth falhng ^etwaingof the rope and the injured state of the shaft were indeed making their upward course exceed- £ gaiy perilous- Again he rose, and stronger than before ^Tak^lreT^AirnrimTtoo late a heavy piece of iron was loosened by the rope near the top of the shaft it struck against the side, rebounded a little towards the centre and so fell, till it struck the Deputy on the head at the'moment he was just touching with his outstretched stick the wall of the shaft. The stick fell from his grasp, the head dropped, the hand that held by the rope relaxed; a moment more and he would have fallen from the deadly perch, but that Israel clasped him suddenly in his arms; and held to him in spite of the dizziness and blows and injuries that the renewed oscillation caused and against which there was now no help but patient endurance, and hope that the top might yet be reached alive; held to him. even while he was himself almost unconscious of anything but the dull confused sense of one painful shock after another; and so they reached the surface. Strong hands, anxious faces, and earnest hearts were there ready to receive them, while others kept off the swaying, agitated, turbulent crowd of people, from which rose every instant some anguished dreadful question that no one could answer, from those who vainly strove to get to the pit's mouth, so that they might know at the earliest moment one way or another the fate of the missing ones. The group at that moment nearest the shaft was an im- pressive one. The Deputy was lying on the ground within a. dark circle of forms, on which fell the first faint rays of a cold daybreak. Israel was on his knees sup- porting him; and with eyes that seemed to flash and burn in the wonderful intensity of the fixed, despairing, defiant, yet tender and anguished gaze. Could God live and let this man die ? seemed 'he ques- tion for one moment. And then the next—Would He not spare him, even for his own gain, to be still so served ? And yet again, was be, Israel, so utterly helpless, and worthless alike to God and man, that he could offer no- thing, do nothing to keep the life in there that was so swiftly hurrying away? The Deputy's eyes had been for some time closed, but now they opened a little, while his lips oozed -with foam but as he slowly recognised Israel, a smile, such as only his Divine Master, Christ, could have inspired, broke over it, and his lips moved, though to Israel's distress no sound came with the effort. Try again,' he said, with a touching effort to modu- late the returning harshness of his own voice, while I listen.' He bent down, and succeeded in hearing a few words. Israel—my—my—wife—and—' They are mine if you die. I swear it;' interrupted Israel, perfectly conscious of what he was saying; yet doing it as ifit as if it were the most natural thing in the world for him or anybody else to do and wholly unconscious of — thinking, caring nothing about—-the sudden revolution of his whole being consummated in this solemn under- taking. Did I not say ?-' burst ont the Deputy with a flash of enthusiasm that overmastered for a moment the deadly faintness that possessed his whole frame- He paused, breathless; his face again clouding, his eyes half closed. What ?' asked Israel. That you are mine—bought with my blood, and now belonging to Him who bought me and all of us. Living or dying, I claim you for Him "Hid head dropped on his breast. Israel felt his weight increase, and gently lowered him nearer, nearer still, to that mother-earth, which seemed again to yearn for her child, till at last he lay prostrate; Israel bending over bita rigid as a statue of stone, and with an expression on his face that seemed to be as stern and immovable as if his lineations were indeed carved on the stone. A low whisper of He is dead was now heard from among the bystanders; and it was taken up and repeated, again, again, and again, till the crowd, that had become suddenly silent, as aware of the tragedy which they could not get close enough to see,- became agitated with comment, discussion, and increasing but vague alarms as to the extent and consequences of the calamity. (To be eontinued in our next).

LIFE PRESERVERS.—DEAR SIB.—As for your Europa Infants' Life Preservers, their eliects are wonderful. I always keep them by me, and whenever there's any dia. tnrbance of whatever kind in the health of any of my younger children a dose or two of your invaluable Powders brings them round quickly, I recommend them all I possibly can.° Yours, &c., Thos. Thomas, Onager, Ton foundry, ilhondda Valley.—The Europa Life Preservers being the ONLY SAFE MEBICINE to give infants, mothers are invited to give them a trial. They have wonderful power in re- lieving, and as if by magic curing the Irritation of Teething Convulsions, Inflamation of the Lungs, Fits, Costiveness Sour Breath, Leoseness of the Bowels, Constant Vomiting, Whtezing in the act of breathing, Bronchitis, Small-pox, Scarlatina Measles, and Fevers of all sorts. Sold in packets at Is.. l|d. and 2s. 9d. each, by all Medicine Vendors everywhere, or free by pest from the Inventer and Sole Proprietor B. A. GEORGE, Peatre, Pontypridd, for IS or 34 stamps.—London Agente: Barclay 4tud Boas, an¡J Mather, 14? No MORE PILLS OR ANY OTHER MEDICINE. consumption, and all nervous, billious, stomach, and liver complaints m everv stage are only aggravated and accele- rated by drugs of every description, but perfectly curable by DI1 BARRY'S health-restoring RKVAMSNTA ARABICA FOOD, as proved by thousands ef cases which had been considered hopeless; such as indigestion (dyspepsia), coach, asthma, consumption, habitual oonstipatien, diarrhoea, all gastne derangements, haemorrhoids, liver complaints, flatulency, nervousness, bilious- nesS,[ evers, sore throats, diptheria, catarrhs, colds, influenza, noises in the head and ears, rheumatism, gout, impurities, eruptions hysteria, neuralgia, irritability, sleeplessness, acidity, palpitation, heartburn, headache, debility, dropsy, cramps, spasms, nausea, and sickness, even in pregnancy or at sea, sink- ing fits bronchitis, scrofula, tightness of the chest, pains at the pit of the stomach, and between the shoulders, &c. We quote a few eut of 76,000 cuies :—Cure Iso. 46,270. Mr James Roberts, of thirty years' diseased lungs, spitting of blood hver derange- ment, and partial deafness.—Curo No. 1.771- Lord Stuart de Decies. Lord-Lieutenant of Waterford, of many years dyspepsia. No 49 832 Fifty years' indescribable agony from dyspepsia, nervousness, asthma, cough, constipation, flatulency, spasms, aiokness. and vomiting. — Maria Joly." In Canisters, fib 2s: Ub, 3s (3d; 2ib, 6s; 121b, 28s; 241b, 50s. Also Du BAKRY'S RAVALKNTA BISCUITS, 1 lb, 3s Oil 2Hb 0s." 241b., 60s. They may be eaten at any time, either dry or soaked in chocolate, coffee, water,'milk, tea, wine, &c. They soothe the most irritable stomach and nerves, removing nausea and sickness, even in pregnancy or at sea, heartburn and the feverish or acid bitter taste on waking up, or caused by omens, garlic and even the smell left by tobacco or drinking. They im- prove'the appetite, assist digestion, secure sound, refreshing sleep, and are themselves more highly nourishing than Extract of Meat. They are invaluable to persons is the office, on the road, rail, or at sea, or te any one who has not the means of cooking the Reralenta Foed.-Alse BARRV'S REYAMSTA ARABWA eHeco- LATE POW&KII is paeksd in tin Canisters; For 12 aups at 2s; for 24 cups at 3s 6d for 48 cups at 6s; for 288 cups at 36s for 57€ cups at Ks. Costing about one penny per cup. The 28s, 30s, 50s* and 55s tins are sent free ef carriage in Esglani en receipt of Post Office Or-der.—DTF BARRY and Go., 77, Keuentrstreet, Lon don: also sold by all res pea table Grocers and Chemists. No Boease required. Cardiff, If Jffapp and Adam, Xok

LLANDAFF. PETTY SESSIONS.-At the Petty Sessions on Monday, before Mr. T. W. Booker and Mr. C. W. David, Henry Govier was charged, on remand, with stealing a flannel shirt, the property of Barnett Lyons, on the 8th of December last. He was committed to the Quarter Sessions for trial. ROBBING A BROTHER.—Henry Fullinglove was charged, on remand, with stealing a waistcoat, value 2s., from his brother, on ihe 31st December. The charge, reduced to that of illegal pawning, being proved, he was fined £5 and costs, or in default three months' imprisonment. BREACH OF THE LICENSING LAW.—William Williams, William Taylor, Francis Taylor, Richard Helsworthy, James Williams, William Watts, and Joseph Julein, were charged with being present in the Greyhound Inn, Canton, during prohibited hours on Christmas-Day.— Police-Sergeant Pritchard found the men in the house at 5.40 p.m. They were discharged on payment of costs.

ELY. CHRISTMAS TREE AT THE ELY SCHOOLS.—This treat was given on Tuesday, the 5th inst., and was eagerly and greatly enjoyed by the children. Each child had some toy from the tree, and oranges were afterwards distributed by the matron. After some glees and songs, which were well rendered by the matron, teachers, and some of the elder children, the evening was brought to a close by the exhibition, by Mr. Hodgson, of his magic lantern, with which the children were highly delighted. On the 7th the young children at the union also had a Christmas tree. Dr. Sheen has to acknowledge fur- ther contributions, as followsThe Misses David, the Cottage, Llandaff, JS1; No. 960, Bute Lodge, per Mr. S. Weichert, 21s.; the Misses Adams, Crock- herbtown, 6 dolls Mr. S. Treseder, Christmas trees Mr. and Mrs. J. Ward, Tower Brewery, Ely, 10s.; Keman Catholic Priest, os. Altogether £8 lis. 6d. was subscribed, of which about ES has been spent, and Dr. Sheen proposes fo use the balance in buying books for the Union Hospital Library. Dr. Sheen takes this oppor- tunity of acknowledging most gratefully the kind manner in which so many friends have responded to his appeal on behalf of these poor children, the monotony of whose lives is so seldom broken by a treat of this kind that they look forward to it for days with almost feverish anticipa- tion. The dining-hall at the schools, in which the tree was placed, had been most tastefully decorated for the Christmas season/under the superintendence and direc- tion of Mrs, Harris, the matron.

PENABTH. BCHOOL BOARD.-—At the adjourned meeting of this board, held a few days since, under the presidency of Mr. John Batchelor, the clerk was directed to make in- quiries of the trustees of Lord Windsor respecting the terms for another site than that suggested at the last meeting, and also obtain a definite answer from the trustees of the Wesleyan Chapel, Maughan-street, re- specting the terms on which they were prepared to dis- pose of the chapel referred to.

ST. MELLOWS. GOOD TEMPLARS.—On Monday evening last a public meeting was held in the National Schoolroom, under the presidency ot the Rev. W. Evans, vicar, to receive a deputation from the Independent Order of Good Tem- plars, Newport, and to hear their views expounded, and the desirability of opening a lodge in the place. The attendance was large, and the meeting passed very suc- cessfully. After a few appropriate remarks by the Chair- man, various members of the Newport deputation were called upon to speak, to give recitations, and to sing. The Rev. G. Reeves, D.D., gave a very able address in exposition of the objects, the methods, and the advan- tages of the Templars.

TRE HERBERT. STEALING ;COAL.—At the Treherbert Petty Sessions oulalonday, before Mr. Gwilym Williams (Stipendiary), the Rev. D. W. Williams Fairfield, and Mr. Thomas Joseph Ty Draw, Eliza Evans (12), Sarah Jones (19), and Miriam Jones (13), all from Cwm Clydach, were charged with stealing coal, the property of Mr. William Purge, on the 5th inst. Police-constable Chorley said his atten tion was called to the defendants on the day in question by Mr. Matthews, the manager of tho Cwm Clydach Colliery. The three were carrying three baskets fuil of coal. He asked them where they had the coal, and they said it was "under the screen." The defendants now denied taking the coal from under the screen, but said that they had collected it on the tip. The value of the coal taken by Elizabeth Evans was two pence, and that taken by the two others a penny. The defendants pleaded guilty to the charge, and were fined five shillings each, including costs- Eliza Kennedy Dinas (aged 11), was charged with steal- ing^ coal, the property of the Dinas Colliery Company. P.C. Hallett said he saw the defendant carrying a bucket full of coal on the 1st instant. She said she had picked up the coal by the boiler, and added that her father had sent her. Her father denied sending her to pick ceal, but admitted having sent her to pick coke. When asked whether she wished the charge to be tried by their worships, or to be sent before a jury, the mother promptly asked which was most expensive ?" Deciding to have it decided by their worships, after being cautioned not to do ".the same thing again, the defendant was fined 5s. COWARDLY ASSAULT.—William Griffiths, Treherbert, was charged with assaulting ElizabethjMorgan, Peny- renglyn, at Penyrenglyn, on the 16th of December.—The complainant said she heard a fight in the road on the night in question, and went to see if her husband was there. Defendant came up and struck her in the eye, without having received any provocation whatever,giving her a black eye. He was not drunk, although he had been drinking.—Fined 40s and costs. SERIOUS CHARGE OF CUTTING AND WOUNDING.—John Barret. Gilfach Goch, was charged with feloniously cut- ting and wounding Robert Homes, Gilfach Goch, last Sunday. Catherine Homes, wife of the prosecutor, who was too ill to appear, said that the defendant sent his little girl by prosecutor's door,' telling her to call witness bad names. Witness sent the little girl away,when defendant came out and hit her, giving her a black eye. Some one called witness's husband to come to defend his wife. Her husband came, and defendant struck him on the head, cutting him severely. P.O. James said he saw the complainant. There was a deep, long cut on the arm below the elbow, and one above the elbow. The upper lip was cut right through. There were three cuts under the left eye, and a very serious cut on the forehead. The defendant, who spoke with a strong Irish brogue, said the witness was beastly drunk," and annoyed him, kncck- ing him with a stone on the elbow, and cutting his finger seriously. He pushed her away, and she fell down. She followed him to the door of his house, aud afterwards her husband came out and challenged him to fight. He went out, and in fighting the prosecutt ix fell down. De- fendant was remanded till Wednesday, at Pontypridd, for the attendance of the prosecutor and the medical man.

MOUNTAIN ASH. LOCAL BOARD.—The fortnightly meeting of this Board was held on Monday, the members present—G. Wilkin- son (in the chair), E. Evans, J. W. Williams, D. Williams, J. Griffiths, E. Thomas, G. Brown, J. Edward, Thomas Edward, D. Morgan, L. Edwards, and D. James. -The Clerk laid before the Board the contract of R. Pearson, for the erection of new pumps, which was duly signed.—Tenders for the paving, curbing, and channelling of High-street were received from David Edwards, E. Evans, and Messrs. Richards and Evans, of Mountain Ash. Thatef the first-named being the ilowest waa accepted.- -The contract for road work was discussed, as great complaints are made from time to time. The duty of the Board, it was said, was, before giving out the contract, to see that they were giving money for work that was actually done. Several members spoke discouragingly of the way in which some of the contract work was carried out, and blamed their surveyor for the state of things complained of. Two ten- ders for the road work were received, that of R. Pearson and R. John. The Board, after some consideration, re- solved that the work be given to R. John, at X95 per annum. Plans of two cottages, from Mr Sydenham Holly- man were presented and passed. The finance report showed in bank .S83 2s. lid. to the credit of the Board. All bills presented were ordered to be paid, and cheques were signed for the several amounts.'

MERTHYR. DARING BBRGLARY.-At the Police-court on Saturday, Michael Rynn, aged 21, was charged with breaking into and entering the house of David Price, at Quaker's-yard, on the Hh instant, and stealing therefrom four shirts, handkerchief, and a pair ef gloves. It appeared that the prisoner tried to dispose of the goods at a house in Troedyrhiw, when he was suspected, and wa& given into the custody of Police-constable Parsons, whose subse- quent enquiries resulted in the discovery of the theft. Prisoner was committed for trial. He had just left Usk gaol. ALLEGED FALSE PRETENCES.—'At the Police-court on Monday (before Mr de itutzen), John Morgan Jervis was brought up on remand charged with obtaining by false pretences the sum of 8s 6d from one John Bent ley. Mr. D. R. Lewis prosecuted, and Mr. Plews defended. At the outset it was stated by the prosecution that one of the two charges brought against prisoner at the last hearing of the case would be abandoned, and that the remaining charge and a new one would now be dealt with. Mr. Bentley gave evidence, and was subjected to a severe cross-examination by Mr. Plews, who afterwards delivered.a forcible address on behaif of the prisoner, and urged that all the evidence of value- if any had been given—had been given by prosecutor, and it remained uncorroborated. Mr. de Rutzen, however, thought it would be advisable for the case to be consi- dered by a jury, and defendant was committed for trial, bail being allowed.

ABERDARE. FiBE. -On Friday evening a fire broke out on the premises of Mr. 5 Da vies, rgrocer, Commercial-street. It appears that some masons had been engaged through- out the day in repairing a portion of the house, and about ten minutes after they had left sparks were seen issuing from the chimney. The alarm was given, and it was found that a quantity of soot in the chimney had taken fire, and that being connected with a flue in the shop some waste paper, which had been placed in the grate, soon became ignited, the result being that a quantity of composite candies, tea, sugar, &c., were consumed but with the prompt application of a bucket or two of water, and using a L'Extincteur," the fire was soon got under. In another moment, a large stock of matches which lay near the grate would have been ablaze. Above and beneath the shop were situated the printing works of the Taian of Gweithiwr,"

CAERLEON. CHRISTMAS TREE AT THE INDUSTRIAL SCHOOL.—This annual treat was given on Friday last by Mr and Mrs F. Moggridge, and it was most thoroughly enjoyed. After the tree had been cleared of its treasures, the children were regaled with a plentiful supply of tea and cake, and at the close some buns were distributed among them. Mr and Mrs Moggridge; the Rev. L. Evans (Vicar), Miss Lemon, and others were present, and all eeemed deeply interested in the comfort of the scholars. i he school had been very tastefully decorated for the Christmas season, by Mr and Mrs Harding, Miss Hughes, j' whom great credit is due neither should Mr and Mrs Counor be overlooked, for their efficient management of the establishment is worthy of all praise.

NEWPORT. SENTENCES OF PRISONERS CONTRASTED.—At fhe County Petty Sessions, on Saturday, Mr. S Cartwright and Er. Thomas Cordes, M.P., occupied the bench. Among the cases which came on for hearing was a charge preferred against John Knight, an aged farm labourer, in the employ of Mr. E. C. Duitield, of Penbow Castle farm, of stealing a hay-pike, the property of his master. The evidence of prosecutor showed that he had n.iissed a pike, and spoke to old John about it. The reply of the prisoner was first that he had put the pike in the barn. Prosecutor could not tind it, and the following morning he again asked John about the pike, when he replied that he knew nothing about it. In the interval he had acquainted Police-constable Rowen of the loss, and that officer discovered the pike at the house of prisoner. Sub- sequently prisoner took the prosecutor to his house, and explained exactly what he had done, and how the pike came to be there He had taken a bolten of straw and stuck the pike into it in order to carry it home on his shoulder. When his master made inquiry he feared telling the truth lest his mastes would be angry, but lin- tended bringing the pike back at the first opportunity. Police-con stable Rowen, however, teok the prisoner in charge. In answer to the Chairman, it was stated that nothing was previously known agrinst the prisoner. He pleaded guilty to stealing the straw, but had no felonious intention with regard to the pike. Prosecutor said he would have given John the straw if he had only asked for it. The poor old man appears to feel his position most acutely, and repeated to the Bench precisely how the circumstance had happened with him, and there was an apparent truthfulness in his statement. He was sent to gaol for 2S:days' hard labour. The sentence startled those in the Court, and on the prisoner being lemoved to the police-station a large num- ber of sympathisers followed.—The next case was that of a little boy,: named Williarx Phillips, and his mother Elizabeth Lowe, a shopkeeper, who were charged, the former with stealing,! [and the latter with receiving, knowing to have been stolen, a quautityof swedes from a field belonging to Major Heyworth, at (Wainawr, llisca. The theft was clearly proved. He had drawn the turnips and thrown them over the fence into his mother's garden. From thence they were taken to a pig's cot, trimmed off, and then placed into the shop to be sold. 'i he woman, when visited by the police, covered over the turnips with a cloak, and endeavoured to hide them, thus showing her complicity in the theft. The Bench viewed the matter as a trespass, and imposed a fine of 5s Go on the boy, and 10s 6d on the woman, with the alternative of 7 und 14 days' imprisonment respectively. SCHúOL HOARD.—On Monday the ordinary monthly meet- ing of this board was held at the Town-hall on Monday. Mr Samuel Homfray in the chair. Present—Messrs. Osborne, Christophers, F. J. Mitchell, W. Vaughan, Charles Lewis, Rev. J. W. Lance, with Mr George Batchelor, clerk. The minutes of last meeting were read and confirmed. The Clerk stated that the new bye-laws had been sent to the Education Department, and that the time allowed for inspection was up on the 4th of the present month. A letter bad been received from the Town Clerk, notifying that the Corporation would allow the use, of the Council-chamber for holding the meetings of the board, and that the meetings of the Corporation com- mittee could be held in the borough court-room on Tues- days. On the 18th of December the Clerk stated that he had written a letter to the Education Department in refer- ence to the town clerk's bill of charges for the last school board election, but had not received a reply. It was men- tioned that the board had no funds in hand. OIl the motion of Mr R. N. Osborne, seconded by the Rev. J. W. Lance, it was unanimously resolved to raise the salary of the Clerk to the Board from £ 30 to £100 per annum, such salary to include all charges for the use of offices. On being informed of the decision of the Board, the Clerk returned thanks for the consideration the Board bad given to his application. The resignation ef the Rev. Father Richardson as a. member of the 'Board was announced on the ground of ill health. A general ex- pression of regret was made by the members. Some formal business was transacted, and the Board separated. NARROW ESCAPE FROM DROWNING.—An old man, named Jones, residing on Barrack-hill, whilst proceeding 9 to his house on Monday night, fell into the canal, where it runs between the nail factory and the stone stile. At this place there is no protection whatever, and it is a most dangerous locality. The old man cried for help, and, fortunately for him, Miss Matthews, d&ughter of Mr Matthews, shoemaker, Commercial-street, and her ser- vant, who had been on bus-mess to Barrack-hill, were passing at the time. Miss Matthews and her servant, at some personb1 risk, and after a great amount of trouble, rescued him from his dangerous position, and fearing that he might fall in again kindly saw him through the wicket gate. PRESENTATION TO A DEFEATED CANDIDATE.—On Mon- day evening a number of the leading members of the Conservative party met at the rooms of the Association, Saving's Bank Charpbers, Stowhill, for the purpose of presenting Mr. Thomas Colbourne, solicitor, with a testi- monial, as a token of the appreciatiqp and esteem in which he is held by a large section of the community,and for the gallant manner in which he contested, although unsuccessfully, a seat at the Council Board, in the in- terests of his party. The presentation, which' consisted of a handsome silver' salver, value 70 guineas, was made in suitable terms by Mr L. A. Homfray, and feelingly acknowledged by the recipient.

CHEPSTOW. BOARD OF GUARDIANS.—The weekly meeting of this Board was held on Saturday last. Present-Messrs. W. A. E. Seys (chairman), and J. Taylor (vice-chairman), G. Roberts, A. Cadle, T. P. Williams, F. Bullock, T. Per- kins, C. Rymer, &c. The master reported the number of inmates as 125. against 131 last week, and 126 the corre- sponding week last year. Vagrants relieved, 21. Balance in hand, X299 9a. 4d. A SHOCKING STORY.—At the Board of Guardians on Saturday, it was reported that a man aged 53, named Siplin, a resident of Redwick, near Newport, had been found in a most deplorable condition on the road near Chepstow, and when brought to the house he was literally covered with sores and vermin. It turned out that the man was the owner of some cottage property in Caldicot, yet had brought himself to this condition. MONMOUTHSHIRE RIFLE VOLUNTEERS.—The 1st MOIl- mouthshire Rifle Corps have won the adjutant's prize. This is the eighth successive year in which the prize has been won by our local corps; and the fact is another proof that our volunteers still keep up that state of effi- ciency which has again and again called forth the eulogiums of the several inspecting officers. There were several useful prizes added by the tradesmen of the town, the chief winners being Corpls. Virgo and Marment, Perrett and S. Dickenson, Sergfcs. Jas. Chappell, John Chappell, and W. Rapson. YOUNG MEN'S CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION.—A lecture in connection with this institution was deli vcred on Monday, by the Rev. W. Barker, vicar of Holy Trinity. Subject, The taste of the people." The rev. gentleman is well known as a very able lecturer, yet the attendance was very meagre, proving conclusively that the taste of Chepstow folk is not in lecturing. There were, however, one or two causes operating against the attendance on Monday last.

MONMOUTH. SAD CASE OF THEFT.-At the Monmouth County Police Court, on Saturday, before Major G. G. Tyl.r and Dr George Willis, an interesting and respectable looking girl named Martha Brown, aged 1G, was charged with having stolen a quantity of fancy silk scarves, value 13s. the property of her master, Mr John P. Tif- fins, Perthyre Mills. It appeared that the prosecutor bad brought thethingsfor selection by his wife and that the prisoner took them. She pleaded guilty to the charge, but her master giving her au excellent character, and re- fusing to press the case, she was let off, the whole of the articles having been recovered. COUNty COURT.-At the Monmouth County Court, on Monday, there was only one case of any general interest, and that was T. R. Hyam v David Evans, Innkeeper, Monmouth. Mr T. G. A. Williams was for the plaintiff, and Mr Gardner for defendant. Mr Williams said it was an action to recover JE41 Is 8d for goods' sold and delivered. The plaintiff carries on business in three different places in Monmouth—one at Wyebridge, one in Glendower-street, and another in Monnow-street, as a corn merchant, timber merchant, and soda-water man- ufacturer. In the month of April, 1870, the plaintiff's cousin, Mr W. Hyam (who was then carrying on the businesses in Monnow street and Glendower-street) died, and from that time Mr T. R. Hyam, the plaintiff, has carried on all three businesses. At the time of the death of Mr W. Hyam, the defendant owed him £ 90 3s 8d, and after that ,he became indebted to the sum of £ 6217s, a portion of which he paid and left a balance of Cll ts 8d. His Honour: "That has nothing to do with the £ S0 3s 8d." Mr Williams: "I will endeavour to show your Honour. That is a question that may arise. I have no doubt that Mr Gardner will say that the sums defendant paid to Mr Hyam after his cousin's death were paid in discharge of the debt due to him, the plantiff, atid not in discharge of the debt due to Mr Hyam, his cousin." His Honour: "He received the money on account of the £ 90 3s 8d." Mr. Williama: He did. I shall prove conclusively that at the time the money was paid he was told that it would be placed to the accouat of the estate of the late Mr. William Hyam. and he (defendant) assented to it, with one exception. I thought it neces- sary to explain that to your Honour. In March. 1873, a writ was issued against defendant to recover this sum. His Honour It is simply a question of appropriation of payment. Mr. Williams In March, 1873, a writ was issued to recover this sum. and shortlv after it was served it was ascertained from Stubbs that defendant bad given a bill of sale. Mr. Hyam did not wish to throw good money after bad, so be took no further steps in the affair. This was a. most disreputable and dishonest proceeding, either in one thing or the other. He must have known he owed either to the estate or to Mr. Hyam, the plain- tiff, something; whichever it was, he must have known that the bill of liale would cost the plaintiff a consider- able sum of money. No language can be too strong to denounce such a proceeding, and I shall never hesitate to do so. Mr. Williams, proved the facts he had advanced, and the Judge returned a verdict for the plaintiff on both issues—damages, j342.

WAUNURLWYDD. THE ENGLISH BAPTIST CAUSE is progressing so favour- ably here, that it has been determined to proceed with the erection of a new chapel in a convenient spot. NEW SCHOOL.— Mies Ann John, a provisionally ap- pointed certificated teacher, will commence duties to-day in the Rhosfelen Schoolroom. An Infant school is greatly required in the neighbourhood, as the distance in winter ie too great to send the little ones to the Board bobool.

RHYMNEY. JUBILEE SERVICES.—On Sunday and Monday services were held at Fennel Baptist Chapel, to commemorate the payment of the debt remaining on this large and beauti- ful chapel, of which the Rev. James Matthews iss the energetic and respected minister. Sermons were delivered on the occasion by the Revs. O. Waldo James, Merthyr, H. Lloyd, Casbach, J. Lewis, Maesteg, and M. James. Bassaleg, who, we understand, was the first ordained pastor of this prosperous and influential church. At the T? 6erv^Ces an address was delivered by the_ Rev.Mr James, on the history of the church, from its origin to the completion of the present enlarged and commo- dious chapel In about twelve months after the forma- I tion of the church, the Rev. Mr James Firth undertook its pastoral duties, and his ministry proved very success- I xui, for within a short period the chapel then in existence became too &mall for the number of its worshippers, and when an application was made for a site to build a new when an application was made for a site to build a new chapel the manager of the Rhvmney Iron Works I peremptorily refused the application, and it was not until the said application was sent direct to the board of directors that the request was granted. In consequence of the innumerable difficulties with which they bad to contend, the building of the chapel occupied two years before it was completed, which cost the church upwards of £ 1,300 but this is not the real value of the chapel, as, according to the description given by Mr James, a great deal of voluntary labour was given by both males and females, members of the congregation, in carrying stones and making mortar. The number of members still continued to increase under the pastoral care of.Mr James, as it did also the pastorate of Torwerth Glan Aled. the Rev D. Jones, and its present able minister, which necessitated another enlargement at an additional cost of upwards of £800, making i the whole, exclusive of interest, which during this period was very heavy, a sum of £ 2,100. Tee last bill with regard to this sum was publicly burnt before a crowded audience on Monday night by Mr John Harvard, the indefatigable secretrrv of tue church. The bill amounted to £ 170 8s. 2d., audit is gratifying to learn that in the collections made during the proceedings a surplus of £ 22 19s. lid. was brought in. The Rev. J. Jones (Mathetes), in concluding the meeting wished to inform those present that the jubilee services not only cleared away t.he debt remaining on the cha->el building, but also that of the dweliing houses and the cemetery attached to the Baptist chapel at Tafarrvau Bach. The meetings were attended by a very large num- ber of people. Ou Monday evening the Rhyinney United Choir, under the conductorship of Mr T. C. Jones, was present, and rendered We never will bow down," But thanks be to Cüd," and Worthy is the Lamb."

BRIDGEND. INDECENT ASSAULT ON A YOUNG GIRL,-At the Police court on Saturday, Rachel Lewis charged Thomas Williams, porter on the Ogmore Valley Railway, with an offence of this kind. Mr. Simons, ot Merthyr, appeared for the defence. Complainant, a domestic servant at Merthyrmawr, had been out walking on the previous Sunday evening, having in her care a little girl, a relative of her mistress. In the course of the walk the defendant, in company with two other men, passed her. The former returned, and committed an assault of an in- decent kind. The complainant resisted, and she returned home and told what had happened. The offence was traced to Williams. Mr. Simons contended that the assault was not intentional—that the girl aud her companion were amusing themselves by slid- ing upon some ice, and his client, following h<-r example. accidentally tripped her and fell across her person. The brother of defendant was called, and denied that he was with his brother at the time stated, and, indeed, not until more than an hour later, when they met at home.- The Bench considered the charge proved, and they sent defendant to gaol for a month's hard labour, and ordered him to pay the costs. F-,A LECTURE.—A lecture was delivered at the Baptist Chapel on Monday by the Itev. D. Oliver Edwards of Ebbw Vale. His subject was the ''Proverbs of the People." The chair was ably filled by the pastor.

SWANSEA. DR KENEALY.—It is understood (Vide Advt. in to- day's (J'niaciffurwr) that the Editor of the Englishman will take the part of a president at an Eisteddfod to be held in the Alusic Hall, on Whit Monday. Undoubtedly this year great curiosity will be excited to see Dr Renealy. CIlARGE OF CRUELTY.—At the Borough Police-court on Saturday, before Messrs J. T. Jenkin, N. P. Cameron, and M. B. Williams, Edwin Hughes was charged with cruelly ill-treating a horse by working it in an uufit state. Inspector Horsey, of the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, deposed to seeing the defendant in High-street, leading a horse attached to a cart laden with coal. The animal was working very uneasily, and it stopped twice on the level road. He asked the defendant if the animal had any sores, and he said no. Witness was not satisfied. He examined the horse, and found that it was blind, old, and in a very low condition. On its withers he saw two sores, each about the size of a half- a-crown piece from which matter was discharging freely. There was a piece of canvas on the sores, and it was completely saturated with matter. Fined 10s. and costs. Joan Davis. the master of the previous defen- dant, was charged with permitting the horse to be worked in a unnfit state..Fined A:2 and costs, or a month's impriEonmtent. STEALING SAND.—John Jones, an old man, was charged with trespassing on land belonging to his Grace, the Duke of Beaufort, and taking away a quantity of eand. P.C. 81 proved that on the ISth ult. whilst on the Burrows, on the Sketty-road, he saw the defendant taking sand and throwing it into a waggon, and on speaking to the defendant about it he said he didn't' know that he was doing wrong. He was fined Is, ordered to pay 6d damage, and costs, or four days' imprison- ment. lOuR SHIPPING TRADE.—The monthly meeting of the Harbour Trust takes place to-day. From the monthly statement of the trade of the port, we find that during the month of December the income on the general harbour estate was £3,529 13" lOd against £ 3,786 5s 9d in the corresponding month of the previous year, while the expenditure was £ 3,468 Ss Gù as compared with £ 3,147 15s 5d in the same month of 1873. On the South Dock estate the income was £ 106 Is 3d, as against £ 972 Gs 8d in the corresponding month of last year, and the expendi- ture (including £ 750 for hydraulic power, and stores for one quarter), £ 1,923 6s 8d, as against £ 1,924 13s 9d in December of the previous year. The comparative in- come and expenditure shows a falling off in the receipts of the gent-ral harbour estate during the pa&t six months of £1,100 Is 5d, compared with the same period of 1873. while the receipts for the bix months on the South Docks estate give an increase of £322 Is lOd, against the re- ceipts of the corresponding period of the previous year. The total shipping rates received during December was £ 1,654 8s, against £ 1,481 7s lid in tae same month of 1S73. ALLEGED BREACH OF THE MARKET ACT.—William McHale was summoned for selling two cattle out of the market. Mr. Smith appeared for the complainant, Mr. Evan Davies, and Mr fcmith defended, and took a technical objection that Davies had no legal authority to lay the information. Considerable discussion took place upon this point between the learned advo- cates and- the Bench, during which Mr Smith said the reason why the objection was. made was this. Complaints were made from time to time of certain acts connected with the market, and, on behalf of the interests of the public as against the lesaeo, they wanted to have every case taken before the market com- mittee, that they should decide whether an information should be laid or not, and then the committee would have control over their lessee. If Mr. Fowler's ruling was right (the learned stipendiary having held that although a common informer or volunteer was net clothed with the authority to lay an information, yet if he-was personally aggrieved or pecuniarly aggrieved, he might lay an information on a general principle), then the instant.; the lease was signed the lessee would have the power to enforce a penalty by that Act, and the Market Committee would have no control whatever. Mr. Fowler said the question was whether the instrument (the lease) had not divested the body corporate of their privilages and rights. Ultimately the case was adjourned for a fortnight. SINGULAR CASE OF MISTAKEN IDENTITY.—John Davis a respectably dressed man, was charged on remand with being concerned with another man, not in custody, in stealing a meerschaum pipe, value lis, the property of Mrs S. Cornish. Caer-street. It will be remembered that the evidence of the prosecutrix on the previous occasion showed that the accused and another person went into the shop en the night of Saturday week, between half- past eleven and twelve, and that the pipe in question was missed after they had left, and the prisoner was given in custody. The prosecutrix swore then and now that the prisoner was dressed in a white slop, a white round hat, and a pair of moleskin trousers. When apprehended on the charge by Detective Stadden, he said he could prove that he was not in the shop on the night in question. He could bring two young men who were with him till after eleven o'clock. Several witnesses were called, who proved seeing the accused on the night in question after eleven o'clock, and they all swore that he was dressed in a dark jacket and clothes similar to the suit he now wore. There could not be the slightest doubt from the respectability of the witnesses called and the straightforward manner in which they gave their testimony that the prosecutrix was mistaken in the pri- soner. Mr Fowler said he thought this was a case of mis- taken identity. No doubt same person *r other had obtained a pipe from the prosecutrix in the way she had -described, but he thought that every one I who had heard the case must come to the conclusion that the man before them was not concerned in the guilty act. He was therefore discharged. The accused asked what ¡ remedy he had for false imprisonment ? Mr. Fowle i said the Bench could not give any advice 111 the matter. ANOTHER RAID UPON MILK SELLERS.—Rees Powell was changed with unlawfully selling adul- terated milk. Head Constable Allison stated that w 1 m! he the Defendant in Waterloo-street, with a horse and cart, and asked him for f Pml°f,milk\ supplied it, and witness gave two-thirds of lu to Mr. Morgan the public, ac^ayst, and! marked the bottle 19, and gave the boy one-third, markedr 110. Defendant told witness that his father kept cows. Mr. Morgan, analyst, handed in his certificate, which showed that there had been an addition of 12i per cent, of water. The defendant's father was in court" and having, been sworn, saidbe kept nine cows, and sect his son about town to sell milk. For the last six weeks he had been short of milk, and had only milked one cow during the past week, and had to buy milk to supply his customers. Defendant had just bought ten quarts of milk before Mr Allison saw hiin.—Mr Fowler: Of whom did your SOD, buy the milk ?—Witness: Of a person named Preese. He believed it to be pure milk.—Mr Fowler said the Bench had decided to adjourn the case to ascer- tain what took place between the defendant and Freese. Remanded till Monday.—Harriet Lane was charged with selling adulterated milk on the 4th January. Mr Allison proved buying a pint of miik of the defendant, WHO keeps cows, and giving a portion d it to Mr. Morgan, for analysis. Mr. Morgan's certificate showed that there had been an addition of 10 per cent of water. Defen- dant said she bad not adulterated the milk. She had purchased 6 quarts of milk of Mr. f hallacombe. which- she took home and mixed with her own, as she was it the habit of doing. In answer to this Mr. Allison, Mr. Morgan said he had analysed nfty samples of milk, but where he had had the slightest- uoubt in the matter no complaint had been made. In reply to Mr Fowler, be said that the food on which the cow was kept did not affect the quality of the mnk so much as it did the quantity. In answer to Mr Phillips he stated that unless he detected an adulteration of six per cent. of water he had no complaint to make. Reply- ing to another question by Mr Fowler, he said he had taken the usual standard as his minimum-the one adopted by Mr Wanklyn, of Londoh, and other analysts and among them the analyst for Gloucester and Chelten- ham. Mr. Wanklyn, of London, had lately been carry- ing on experiments in the various unions in London on behaf of the Govevnment, anJ witness had his report, in which he stated the ordinary quality of pure miik, and he (Mr. Morgan) had adopted that standard. Mr. Fowler said Le should like, considering that these cases were cases where the percentage of water was verv low, to have further time to obtain more information on the subject. He did not all suggest that Mr. Morgan's analysis was not correct, but he should like to be further satisfied on the matter, and bad asked those questions with that object. The cases, with about eight or nine others, were then adjourned till Monday next. APPLICATION FOR TRANSFER OF LICENCE.—Joseph Henry John applied to the Bench for the transfer of the license of the Leopard Inn from Thomas Harris to him- self. Mr. Allison said the applicant had been convicted in that court for drunkenness and disorder^* cunduct. Mr Fowier Within the last year? Mr Allison • Ve* I am sorry to-say it is so. Applicant tiiere had been a complaint against him since he had kept a public-house. Mr. Fowier ssiJ the Bench thought they would be departing from their duty hi regard to- licenses if they acceded to the application. Tneirobiect was to place the management of public houses in the bands of thoroughly temperate men. Applicant wished to know if he got references as to chaiacter w hether the bench would consider the matter again ? Mr. Fowler said be could renew his application on any future occa. sion.—Application refused. EXTESSKJN OF HOURS.—Mr. Richard-?, landlord of the Meimaid public-house at the Mumbles, applied to the Bench on Wednesday for an extension of time on the occasion of a dinner at his house. The sppliccation was granted. STEALING A CURRANT LOAF.—At the Borough police- court onWednesday, before Mesrs. J. T. Jenkin and J D Llewelyn, Thomas Rees, a lad of fifteen" was charged with stealing a currant loaf, value 2 s., the property of Mr. Morgan Davies. Marv. Davis stated that her father keeps a shop in California- row. About 9.c 0 on the previous night, on going into- the shop, she saw the prisoner on top of a sack. She caught hold of him, and tried to detain him. when he laid hold of her throat and struck her on the side of the head. He dropped the loaf, and ran away cut of the shop. The- accused was apprehended in Caroline-row, and when charged with the. offence said he knew nothing about it. The Bench sentenced him to a month's imprisonment. with hard labour.

HIRWAIN. THE "NEW YEAR'S JUVENILE OFFERING."—A few years since an appeal was made by the Rev ll. Robinson. of the JVussion House, London, to his juvenile suppor- ters, for a New Year's gift. The appeal was responded to v laismg nearly £ 400 the first year, and in seven years the £ 400 had grown to more than £ 4,400; and as the two missionary ships, namely, the Eilengowan steamship, and the sailing ship John Williams, are now given over to the juvenile friends to support from year to year, Mr Robinson hoped that this year the turn total would not be less than £ 5,000. The juvenile friends of the Mis- sionary Society at Nebo Church took up the cause heartily, and by means of collecting cards the handsome sum of 219 5s had been collected by last Monday.

PONTYPRIDD. FUNERAL OF Mr. J. A. GWTNNE.—The body of Mr. J. A. Gwynne was on Tuesday carried to its final resting-place at Llanwonno parish church. The funeral was attended by many of the most respectable inhabi- tants of the district, some of whom had travelled a con- siderable distance to pay their last tribute of respect to a faithful public servant.

BRYNMAWR. NEW BOARD SCHOOL.—Tho Brynmawr School Board has entered into a contract with Mes-is. Foster rnd Brothers, builders, of Abergavenny, at a cost of 14 800 to erect an undenominational school, :.nd now there are some 40 masons and labourers at work. The site chosen. adjuins the police-station, and is right opposite the Urnnn Hotel, Ring-street, a most suitable and convenient p:ace for such a building. It is intended to be a mag- nificent structure, and will certainly do much to beautify tLe improving town of Brynmawr. The architects are gentlemen of great ability from Milsborc.ugh, Durham.

STRANGE SCENE IN THE ABSilDARE POLICE COURT. At the Aberdare Police-court on Tuesdav, Mr. Simons appnea for a transfer of the licence of tbe Salutation, Cttioin-street, to Mrs. Jones, the former licensee. The tacts ot the case are, no doubt, familiar to our readers, w.o wnl remember that, on a former application being' made, Mrs. Jones was told that, befoie she-could obtain a transfer, she must procure a protection order. This- !Cr panted by the Merthyr magistrates some time 7 tact which seemed to surprise Mr. Rhvs, who ^mg it, rose, and was leaving, when hew'asaskei by Mr. Simons if he were going. He did not condescend to answer, and left the court. Mr. Simons, knowing it would be useless to continue his application, remarked— "I must renew my application when there will be a stationary magistrate, and not a peripate ie one." This-* observation caused considerable laughter,

MARVELLOUS CURES have been I-tov- ry Pcirin HI Essence of Horehound and Coltsfo >t A vcr fa Is to relieve the most distressing cough, soothes the ch-js- pr, an easy ex- pectoration, gives strength to the lungs. A siugie dose gives niagicU relief. 9^3 BEWARE OF PIRATICAL IMITATIONS OF ALLCOCK!s PORODS PLASTER.—Owing tO the wor.oerful sale these celebrated plast,ers have obtained by their curative properties in lumbago, sciatica, rheumatism, pains in side and tack, and, in short, all pains and local affections, some unprincipled parties have bee* manufacturing and offering for sale spuriws plasters, put up in such a manner so as to deceive the unwary, and, as sole agent for Great Britain and Ireland, I can guarantee non genuine save they bear on the Revenue Stamp, in white It tters, the words—" THOS. ALLCOCK & Co., POROUS PLASTER," and the public, by never pur- chasing unless this is on, will secure to;, themselves the gemnne Porous Piaster. Henry D. Brandreth, Liverpool, sol., ageaafc or Europe and the Colonies. Dealers in spurious plasters wih be prosecuted. 3335 MASSACRE OF THE INNOCENT-,— Parents valuing their children's safe-y will avoid Ko«thing Asciidnes oMv&ining opium, so frequently fatal to infants, and will ns oi-ly •' Srja>M»K,s TEKTHIKG POWDERS," which are safest und be-t. facing free from opiuai. Prepared by a Surgeon (uot a Gbcuiist< formerly attecKed to ^children's Hospital, whose name, Sre.iman,' has bat one "ii* m it. Trade Mark •* A Gum Unit Refuse all others. Al-o Stedman's Faod for Children, the very bes. without excep- tion, trakiog nerve, bone, and muscl, 3d. to 4s. 6d Highly rccommended by the Lady Icosan ilillxtnk, Ashfield, Suffolk. PopfftBead, iiuxton, Loadon. && ;t<.