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f '——————————————— 40 „ From the Fall till Spring I By CLIVE R. FENN (Author of The White Flag," &c.) There was the prospect just ahead of a chcery baud clasp, and the thought of the welcome awaiting him just there in advance through the night, atoned in some measure to Charteris for the long and rather tedious journey from town it was a slow journey, jest before the annual summer holiday, and there was a late start, while at Portsmouth, where the boat for the Island was to be taken, the traffic was slightly disorganised owing to a Royal visit. It was charming though to be at last passing over the strip of sea lighted up by the moon. lie ought to have arrived in time for dinner instead it would be ten o'clock by the time he saw the Russells, ere he would see Sybil again. But there was the Island, with the lights of Hyde twinkling gaily as though with a con- sciousness of the happy instinct of life down there in the sunny south. There was a murmur of voices on deek words caught his exr, such Words as, We will go there certainly." The water lapped at the bows there were the curious dark fantastic shapes of the night around—such a wonderful summer night, soft and warm. It was magnificent to live just for that one moment in that wonderful nocturnal panorama, with the ideas which came. One could hear the heart-beat of the world. There was a train ride on the other side sleepy children were opposite, and the handles of toy spades protruded from the rack. The carriages were stiff, straight, uncomfortable but it .vas pleasant to ride in them all the same, for he was going to see her, and there were picture above tbe rack of hotels, of sra. fronts, oil suggesting the most brilliant features of life, its early summer mornings, its thoughts which uc so far away that they bring despair. In the town there was a short walk to the house where they were staying. It was long after ten o'clock, hut everything was delightful. despite the fatigue of the long journey hre was the scent of the sea people were lounging on the esplanade, by garden walls. So glad to sec you His host was smoking a cigar on the ver- andah, rcclining in a lounge chair. It was a {Saturday night—a Saturday night of peacc, or calmness, with the suggestion, the hope ahead, of a Sunday morning oi" perfect brilliancy with the sound of church bells coming through the glamoured blue haze. Aud how is Mrs Russell—and Sybil 7" They are inside. Co in and speak." Charteris entered, ami emotion was keen. It was merely to glance at her again. Some- times a pleasure is so keen that there comes a dread, a tremor of doubt. The only securitv might be in death. Rut the telegram he had had that morning, that summons, Coma end spend a few and to obey which he had quitted all the work of an errant poll- ti cia?i—that message seemed to hold out a hope, j Would she single him out after all ? It was dangerous to entertain such a. hope, because the aftermath, the possible sensation of disillusionment afterwards in the event of disappointment would be worse than deatu. And the old S::W;B would bring tears, and the return to the great city. to the dust. the horror, the eternity of labour—that would bring grief. She was a very beautiful girl, aud as her en- tered th'- room she rose from the piano where she had been playing a lively air. Good evening," lie said, in a voice he tricu to render calm. Good evening. Paul," she said, holding out her hand. We weren't half sure that- you would com" Why. when the telegram came he could hardly contain himself for And as he glanced at her, at her be-iutiful bf?nrG' her wonderful eyes, he felt how impossible It was. She would never accept him. He was not worthy to he glanced at by her,/and a ear came of life itself in which it was possible to suffer so much. He felt as though he was the eery edge of the world. He saw her agam on one Sunday afternoon in the garUen < garden on the river. She was saying. the carnations were better this summer- e was carrying a Japanese sunshade they. sat down 011 a rustic scat ou a terrace, whICh overlooked the river: he would have have kissed her hand, but instead came a com- monplace remark her hair was loosened by the wind. But she held the secret oi all pos- sible happiness for him. You had a long journey down;" said Mrs Russell, over supper. the train w;:s three hours la-to. Sybil sat down at the piajio and played again. I am so tired, Oll know," she said. I will talk to-morrow." Mr Russell cam in. and sat down just inside the French windows and talked politics. whiLst Charteris Wf nt back in idea to all the old times of beilliane" to the ma,c:n:iiccnt old days, to the scenes whore he had seen her. She .W.7.8 tlwa-vs the central figure. To be only ft friend like that was to be ever on the threshold of a. tragedv. Sometimes it wr.s to suffer too ex- tremely. There was the river one can j min- ing, a i'ew boats on if, the hush ot the m hour, and then later in the day a ho.iday gala craft passing and a huge steamer cio -u. with pleasure seekers making its wavmajes i ally down to the great Metropolis. Mando 1 were being played on board- Througn havoc of the emotions in that vast wilderness of the memory, there was only one central figure. He had longed for the times when he shouicl see her again. In the night times, with thca strange cries, the sound of a railway engine whistling weird and sad, there :ame b:1.ck agam the shadow of some old idea. She was standing ou an emerald lawn which was dotted ivn-li flower beds, ou a brilliant morning in *vV*e' with the scented air seeming to pulsate with a music coming from the country of dreams. And again in Paris she was there in the spriog.. Paris, the capital of romance, of brilliancy, ot tears—a capital which suggested so much more than could be grasped, whether teen in all the charming environment of early summer, or in some rainy autumn time with the Champs lllysees deserted, the coloured placards wet and torn, the cafes under the trees deserted, the glory departed till the spring. And forming so curious a contrast to that afternoon in the gar- den was the scene of departure for an ocean voyage. All That coming and going, that dash and bustle And she would be for months away Day after day. It was in those times of'waiting that death seemed like a good, a true friend, a refu", There was one rescue from suffering, one resource. There were after- noons when there seemed to be nothing else beyond that one thought, days when work, the sometime panacea, failed. "as there nothing he could do for her to show what he felt ? He had seen that garden in summer and in winter, when the river was brilliant and when it was sad. There was that day when her little sisters had accompanied him to a spectacle, ODe of the shows of the world. Yet it was selfish to want so much. to long tor something which, like the stars, was so far away. But there was that afternoon in the garden- She had said. You "an cornc round the garden with me if you like." The gardener was arranging pink geraniums in a large new green vaso the hose was lying on the grass, spluttering and in the aviary un- der the verandah the little yellow birds chirped and sang. and sang. She was going away—to Ireland, the land of cromlechs, of romance, of old traditions buried away in remote green fastnesses. Save us from our memories and we may yet. be men. Sup- pose she forgot all about him Suppose the dream was to end there for cler 0 You should have a better opinion of your- self," she had said. But the next morning she would be gone earlyby the express from a great terminus, and then out to the north-west across the sea. How clear it all was IIow all the past came back in a momentary hash, that memory ivhieh was so infinitely plea.-vaut. and' xrt :0, memory which 'lou-ht.tears. She was stand- ing at entrauce to a greenhou e, with the) sunlight- on a multi-coloured sunshade and on her hair a strand oi hair had broken loose and floated in the wind. Yes, ag-;iln, if he were never to see her again, it there was tin hope, there still was death, that-comfortable end, that end to the saddest despair. It there were never to be that announcement that Miss Svbjl iS:ma Russell was engaged to him. Than "her soft voice, her graceful form, there was nothing more. 0 You a re strangely silent to-night," she said. V:u»iv>g round from the piano. The piece she had just- played was a German melolv called, Vollcrnes Gluck" {" Lost lin ppiness.') Am I ?" he said. It was dusk in the room, and his face could T<ot be seen. Charteris ha.s had i long" journey," said Mr Russell. He is tired." I Oh, not at all. Do play that piece again." Did you like it ?" Extremely." When she said Good-night," it was on the verandah he had strolled out onto the balcony alone. She shook hands like an old comrade. Good-night." "What a beautiful night • he said, and be glanced down there into the street., where people still lingered a tune came up. Out there was the sea in the faint I'ght. grey and Mysterious, die sea which hid carried her the winter before to the Tropics. Sybil,' exclaimed, just as she was going, Would not you listen to me I am getting on. I am working hard. I would die for you." Oll, you talk nonsense," she exclaimcd, lightly. But I; would." How absurd :Paul.y«r;do make me laugh." I remember everything you have said." I am sorry that you have such a gjod memory." Vnu are offended f" Not at all." U was I u a.s trr-mjf T take a liberty. 1 bww. Init think of i.u or cry dav, every honr. wvrry rninuie." I XTRRRZ tor I uu not worth •k. Then she was gone. Ah, that night! What thoughts came down there in that silence where every sound seemed mysterious, instinct with a wonderful, an eerie charm. In the morning they walked to church over. ? hill and across fields in which grasshoppers chirrupped. On the other side of the corn fields where the golden sheaves were stacked could be seen the blue waters-of the bay. Russell was a good friend, his every action instigated by chhalrous motives. May be it was well that he had the key of the world. Very pleasant was that service in that iar-auav countryside church. By contrast with the vivid white sunlight without, it was almost dark m the edifice, for the stained glass windows showing calm grave-looking saints were in heavy colours. They were calm; it might have been thought to look at them that they were never perturbed, that they could always gaze at the world steadily and long. rr.„T,„ They sauntered slowly back home. There was a wonderful hum of summer in the air, a magic glow, and all around there were enchant- ''ball I carry vour book ?" he said, and vourn he went'on, addr essing a younger sister. Oh, thanks. She put up her sunshade. Wo are going to Cowes to-morrow, said Mr Russell. By coach, father she asked. Yos; it. will be a lovely ride." There was nothing which could possibly have exceeded the charm of that day. \Vhat, c3uld the rest signify, the town, the theatres, the vestiges of the old despairs ?" At tea time as they were sitting on the ver- andah, after an afternoon walk. a messenger came up from the station with a letter. It had been sent on hv Charteris's man. He opened it and found an enclosure, a letter from a firm of lawyers, apprising him that a wealthy relative in Australia had died, leaving him every tiling- He handed the letter to Russel without a word. Money could not do evcrvthing, although he had imagined at one time that it could He felt elated, but then there returned the oid sensation of misery. Thev stopped at about one o clock on the following dav, and had tea at an old-iashioned hostelry, after a stay of a few hours at Lowes where "the scene was resplendcnt, m the ex- treme nigger minstrels were singing the very latest songs in front of the chief hotel people were strolling about in yachting costumes; in the brilliant sunshine everything was idealised, dazzling. A: foreign prince drove by m a landau, with outriders. rio IKS seen IP the crowd where fortune-tellers and necrom, incers were hard at work, were many celebrated people, a diplomatist, a famQus poii r^m- hut Charteris was only thinking of her all the tune, mid of t-ticit one idon.. Perhaps, with that money, I coulu get into Parliament, and then she might have me. En route home, Sybil declared her intent,on of leaving the coach and going back the short distance that remained across the fields. You can come too u you like, Paul, she said^n^ coming," exclaimed Claire, her Charteris jumped down with alacrity, and assisted the two girls to descend. Farewells were waved, and as the (ouch roHcd on, the three companions set off across the fields. There were stiles to be crossed, and at one of them Sybil gave a cry of pain. Charteris, who had just helped her sister over, turned ill alarm, to see Sjbil stooping down to examine her foot; she" was leaning back against the stile. You are hurt he exclaimed anxiously, going up to her. So," be said quickly I could not ei ag- gerate when you are concened-" But on that occasion, as on others, she laughed it off she could not 1 cgard it serious- ly so it seemed and as he had doue in the old days five years before at Emhurjt, when they had been boy and girl together, so now he loved her more each day. And the thought that nothing he could do would conceivably change matters embittered life. He was not good enough he had never achieved anything— never-never done anything more than the crowd —perhaps that was why she held hm in good- scorn. It. would be somebody else who would win the victory—somebody who had no old re- membrances of those days now so far away—the spring time at Emhurst, the hewn ash stumps round which bluebells bloomed in March. Always would he be with him in mind, in all the days, all the seasons but the dream would be all. A couple of days later he maxie a last attempt. Might there not be any hope he pleaded. I would wait for years." How can I, JEViul she said, and she touched his arm. You know," she Avent on, and there he thought, a ring of sympathy in her vroice we can be friends." Yet nothing more." Because we have been friends and all that it does not seem to me certain that we should he happy together always. Vt on't you be satis- fied, Paul ?" I must be" he said. Sybil, I haven't pained you ?" No." You never could t.hink of me ?" "Never," she said firmly, and at that mo- ment-that moment of intense grief—it seemed to him that she had never looked more grace- ful, more beautiful, in her life. Forgive me," he said brokenly. I ought not to have troubled you. My only excuse is that I have loved you all my life. I have been clnmsy it is foolish, it is ungallant. I-ask you to forget." Again there was only one remark. I am very sorry." What have I done, then ?" "Nothing that I know of." I am not disgraced No, no, no, Paul it is not that. I can't help it, really. Wccan be good friends, can we not? You are notgoing to do anything des- perate 1 There was a shade of the mocking spirit in her tone. He shook his head, You don't know," Be said; it is a tragedy to tlle." 13 And then shortly afteiwards he feigned an important erg-igeni"nt. and left. It. is better," h said 4. good-bye," and when Russell with the best of intentions and I the most perfect good-nature tried to detain him, he met the hospitable insistence with a shake of the head, an avowal that he must go. There wa-< nothing else to be done, nothing, and the law of the world was to bow and depart. He went back to London to his chambers, to the old round, the round which seemed so purposeless now„now that there was no hope. It was all rather strange, the return, the ride through a night country, past a hundred countrv«ides, the crowded brilliant terminus, the cab, the wet glistening streets, the strange U'gs^d on arrival he sat down and thought — looking out of the open wiudow into the great ritv whose murmur was getting softer further „How would it he with the years ? Strange lights seemed to fall into the large mirror at the far end of the room. and in it he thought that he saw her, radiantly beauti- ful. fair spring in a countryside. His reflections were strangely broken into, hv the so lnd of music coming from the other side of the quadrangle there were lights in a window, and a piano was being played In a hours the city would bo waking up once' more, people stirring, new thoughts conii-itr the rattle of harness m mews, the re- sumption of the old routine. It wis odd to glance out at that mysterious nano-ima, to see in it all that there was, the srointr and the coming, the arrivals at hotels, of t i"i who had seen the sunrise in other lands the sound of church bells, the thought oi the mouutiii" and of impressive scenes in dim lit Cathedrals• liut beside? all that, there was oue country- i. „ was remembered as clearly as *a s< i*n' in a ballroom amidst the brilliant" lights, or a »!ri.¥c of a theatre—a countryside where there was' silence and calm, the hollyhocks in cof'-{re Vaidens, quaint old farmhouses, with fowls whIch appropriated the roadway, and the S woods, with, too, the scent of burmng wood, and all the far-away sensations of a place wbich did not (rouble about the life of CitiC3 and the stir of tbe worid- \nd yet there was work but. still in the midst of n life in which there was action, that old fit-cam aiwav.s returned—strange, insistent, nlonr with the thoughts of the night and of the morning, the refrain of n song, I will hang m- harp on a vc^picfj willow a re- membered interior, the pictures, the books, the coloured lights of the candles on adinner-tahle, the suggestions evoked by the sight of a photo- graph, a girls face. or of some scene iu the gallery of an old-time palace. For in that countryside there bad been much thought, the fore-gathering of friends in the even ing, the chat about the doings of the great world, the explorations, the ware, and then the walk back along quiet country lanes, rather sad with tall poplars standing out against- the grey night sky. After all in one corner of the world, there was everything, life, idea, thought, despair, possi- bility. So that was the end Nothing really signified now, now that he realised that- she could never cure. The former feeling of despair was dulled into a calm melancholy, a sense of the impossible, a strength in the memory of what had bpc-n. The p sst was a dream friend- nothing more. In that ivory tower of thought shc always came back to him—always. lie had guarded some of her letters time was nothing and the notion of old age—alone-did net frighten 111m, Can one be alone in a vast city where there arc so many things which might be done ? The garden of the memory was always a refuge. He t !:nl,lf.t :Ig"lin (I( what had hap- JI.¡¡nd. of how she J. ol;(.d nn a certain <,y.lin"" at n dinner party across the tioweis "h" wore a black dre-s with diamonds. She had said. Yes. I want to g" to the races very much." Tii it yetr ended.—s ully. Wealth had brought distract i( n, — metre, acquaintances, but ."ll,1' I lioiiiMt of her m* £ s always there. He Jill: travelled much, and now he enlarged his itin- crary, seeking changee, oblivion, the oblivion which never came. In a moment of solitude, in the gleam of the firelight, in a crowded alon, on board a steamer, or at. a foreign place in the pleasant dreamy days of that distant June on the garden terrace with the moon majestic,sad, up there, of the wet Whit Monday, all the genial rush of that Bank Holiday, the talk of friends about future doings, the tune of The Holy City," which was played. All the lights and shades of a few minutes' conversation in the drawing-room one wet April afternoon came back, and such a remembrance seemed to tinge the whole world. the streets of London in August when lavender was being sold, the scenes in other places, the chats at night-time wit,h friends. There would never be anything really worth striving for—nothing but that conjured up vision of that summer, that seaside place, the sunlit sea, the crowd and music at Cowcs Regatta, the brilliancy and glamour of that tiulc; and yet at first in a desperate way he had tried to go forward, to realise the world, and to feel with it, and though he couJd not engage in some work which brought fame im- media.te and lasting, and did more besides, likj the musician who brings new feeling, new light into the world, yet in Parliament he did man- age to gain a name. His strength lay perhaps in that detachment from lite which came in time, that curious independence which enabled him to go on unflinchingly where others failed. Sentiment.—all that, so tar as action went, was placed on one side it would never hamper movement again It was only at times that the old anguish would return, at moments when the power of the world bad lost its grip, moments of disenchantment, desolation. Then again, in the moving tableau of mpmory,hesaw her fair hair, her laughing eyes she was coming towards him or once again he was meeting her in the hall of a house. He heard some two years after that she was at Baden, and he avoided that place during his autumn jaunt. The world is pretty wide, after all, for since that farewell in the Isle of Wight he had never seen her—never. And he never would again. Some thing, were not to be some things had to be accepted, and that was one. Yet sometimes the stony indifference of all besides to a tragedy galled and chafed to others these things mattered not: they went in to dinner with easy nonchalance, for life was passing just the same, and trains were de- parting, racing through strange night-times into early morning country-sides where labour- ers—perhaps the most honest of us all—were trudging to labour in the silence of the dawn. Around there was all that intense excitement of life which it was a, pity not to look at whole- minded and without that sense of desolating despair which clogged initiative and rendered everything null. Chance likenesses he caught in the thorough- fareL; of the great world, among the busy marts —people who passed and were never seen again. Perhaps she saw too, some of the things which he saw, heard the same tunes, thought perhaps now and then of the charm of those old days. There was one thing which he drea,ded-the announcement :n the papers of her marriage. Any day it might be there—any day. It would have to be read and bruited abroad, and commented upon. People would lean back in club lounges and drawl out. Yes, a good match," while he would have to act the indiffer- ent who cared nothing, who had never thought of her as other thau a pretty sight—the belle of a season whose eventual choice would he n, useful canvass for conversation. How would it be then? When someone exclaimed, All, by the ivay, Chartcris, have you heard the news ?" And when that fact was shouted into his ear, how hard it would be to reconcile it. with the world, with all that was passing, with Paris in the early morning time its dreams of the past, its ideas of the future, when better things might. come I Yet nobody knew of that scc-rct. It was the perfumed garden entrance to which is commanded by one only; ingress is barred to all besides. Another twelvemonths passed, and April came again. There was a wonderful glamour over the commencement of the season, and the Marchioness of Down whose reception opened the entertainments and festivities of the year, was honoured by Royalty and by all the elect and mingling in that crowd, Charteris ex- changed a word'here, a salutation there. It was not in his mind then that he should by any chance meet her in the brilliantly illuminated salons, when suddenly he felt a, touch on his arm.anda familiar voice—Russell's—exclaimed My dear fellow, how are you ? You haven't been treating us at all well lately do you know and" he went on, linking his arm in Paul s, without giving him opportunity for reply or protest. "I don't know whether we can for- give you. AH last winter-oh, 1 don't know how long TV ell, we were in Egypt. I was so ill that it was only chanee,.dthough with all my business it was awkward enough for me to be away. Now, tell me all—but no, don't— not now. Here are my people." And Paul found himself face to face with those friends of a few years back. Mrs- Russell came forward, saying something cordial, and winning, and then he saw Sybil- Sybil, more graceful, more beautiful, than of old. "Paul," she said. holding out her hand, how long it hao been The voice was so soft, so melodious, 'and in that melody there was a regret. Sybil Only one word, and then he stopped and looked at her wonderingly. How you have changed she murmured. And the sea. and that- parade, and the music of those old days, and the church bells that Sunday morning, and the garden Then, a.? he said not a word, she went on. Why did von go away 1" lie faltered. I was bound to go." Were you ? And she looked at him with reproach in her eyes. I think it was rather unkind. Do you like Parliament ? Tell me about it, please I want to know. Are you busv now ?" You know I was in the House ?" Of course." Then as he looked into her eves he began to dimly understand that he had been hastv, that he need not have despaired—not quite so soon. How icaxliiv was the sorrow of that long lapse forgotten Is it true ?" he said passionately, and then as she inclined her head, he exclaimed. Sybil, I have always thought of you." And I of you," she murmured. Then he tried to take :1. lighter vein, because of the milieau, of the music starting afrosh. The bazaar that summer, and the French comedian who sang Ninon, Nina, Ninette do you remember ?" Y'es, yes," and she laughed merrily "1 remember him." And the Island that summer, a.nd all that 1" "Yes," she answered, "all that too—all that too. Paul, will you forgive me because I was unkind ?" It has made the truth so much finer," he said.
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THE TRAMP TROUBLE. PROPOSED DETENTION OVER SUNDAY Aberystwyth Proposal. At a meeting of Aberystwyth Board of Guardians on Saturday, it was reported that four communications had so far been received in reply to the Board's resolution forwarded to Unions iu Cardiganshire, Montgomeryshire, and Carmarthenshire asking for co-operation in the detention of tramps at Workhouses over Sundays. It was pointed out that country people were troubled by tramps when going to places of worship. The regulation was carried out at Cardigan and Machynlleth as far as accommodation permitted, but no act-on was taken iu other Unions. Town Council and Guardians. The Local Government Board in forwarding correspondence from the Aberystwyth Town Council in reference to the appointment of rate collector for Aberystwyth parish in the place of Mr H. Attwood. who resigns on Christmas Day, advised the Guardians to defer taking any further steps to fill the vacancy until the Hoard had arrived at a/decision in regard to the Town Council's application for transfer of powers. In one letter, the Town Clerk stated that. although the Guardians were fullv aware of the Council's application they had passed a resolution to advertise for candidates. He respectfully submitted that no good reason was assigned by the Guardians to justify the effort they were making to deprive the Council "f the rigbt to appoint an assistant overseer. I he G uardians appeared to have wholly mis- conceived the efleet of the appointment being made by the Council. In the circumstances he was directed to appeal to the Local Govern- ment Board to refuse their sanction to the Guardians' appointment. Assuming ( the Council's application was granted, it was their intention to consider how far it might. by pos- sible to effect an improvement on the present arrangements for the collection of local rates. If the power to appoint a collector was retained by the Guardians that wouldfiot be practicable. The Local Government Board's suggestion was adopted, and the matter was deferred for a fortnight. -The Workhouse Master reported having re- ceived numerous Christmas gifts for the inmates, including delicacies of various kinds, and the donors having been thanked the Rev. T. A. Penrv suggested that it would be better if the presents were distributed throughout the year rather than that they should be given all at once, which might have a bad effect on the inmates. Newport. At Saturday's meeting of Newport Board of Guardians ( Mr T. Duttield presiding it was reported that the number of tramps relieved during the past fortnight was 490, this being an increase of 21 on the corresponding fortnight of last year. Of these 112 were relieved at the lodging-houses of the town. Nurse;; Edith Lilian Gilder and Kate Fowler were appointed charge nurses at the Workhouse. On the motion of Mr Evans, permission was granted to the inmates of the Workhouse to attend the panto- mime at the Lyceum Theatre on Friday next, Mr Sidney Cooper (the lessee of the theatre) having invited them.
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"f- _4_ A meeting of the creditors of John Thomns, collier. G. Quay-row, Abere-«naid, was held on Saturday a t Merihyr. The liabilities amounted to £ Wj 19s 2d, the The debtor attributed his failure to ljlres.s of himself, his wiie, and children: to the death ef his wife and one son to the of £ 20::nd time ra working l Ip";e1, ;:nl 10 ;,ressure J ¡:. PI '1: t )!
Progress of Newport. .
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Progress of Newport. RETROSPECT AND FORECAST. Mr John Macaulav, general manager of the Alexandra (Newport; Docks and Railways, who is largely responsible for Newport's pro- gressive policy, contributes an interesting article to the Newport Christmas Annual on How Newport is Advancing." It is ob, vious, says Mr Macaulay, that Newport pos- sesses the first great essential to commercial success, viz., an unsurpassed geoprapliical position, in that it is situated close to the estuary of the deepest tidal commercial, river in the United Kingdom, and is adjacent to a country rich in mineral deposits. Its possi- bilities as an important distributing centre were soon realised, and the rapidly increasing demand for coal from the almost inexhaustible measures of the South Wales coalfield, to which it is in close proximity, provided a- great stimulus, (or which, over hrdf a century ago, it was not backward in making provision for the construction of docks to deal with the larger vessels, which were then cornmenciug to visit the port. In the early seventies the ship- ments of coal at Newport amounted to about half a million tons per annum, the dock area being only eleven acres. The population of the town at this time was about 27,000, and the ratable value under £ 100,000. The subsequent increase in the population and the prosperity of the town as a whole have followed closely the development of the dock undertaking, from which it is evident that the former is chiefly dependent on the latter. Dock Expansion. In the last 30 years the dock area has increased about fivefold, and the population and ratable value have increased in almost the same ratio. The expansion of the dock area means that there has been a corresponding increase in the volume of trade dealt with at the port, which has necessitated the provision of greater quantities of materials and more labour of every kind more work dvne means more people required to do it, which implies an increased amount paid for wages and expenses of all descriptions. Increased demand reacts upon the sources of supply, and so the cycle of interacting conditions continues to expand until the limit of the impulse creating it has been reachf-d. Unless the impulse is penodi- cally renewed retrogression must of necessity set in, and signs were not wanting a few years since that Newport's prosperity was flagging for want of a fresh incentive. It. musi be a source of satisfaction to those who have the interest of the town at heart, and who have followed the course of recent events, to know that in addition to the many facilities which have beeinprovided for the increasing maritime trade of the port one of these impulses towards an immediately greater development is about to take effect; that the needs of the near future are being anticipated by taking in hand further important, works and other extensive measures, which, if successfully carried through, will place the continued prosperity of Newport on a progressive basis for many years to come. In a few months the dock area will have multiplied twelve-fold since its inception, and in the com- paratively short space of 2t years the area will be nearly three times what it is at the present day. By that time Newport will not- only have the largest wet dock in the world, but the largest lock. Deep Water Entrance. The imperative necessity for a larger lock and for 11 deep water cntraucc channel is so evident to all ho have studied thegrowth of the South Wales ports that the first step which is about to be taken in the construction of what may be termed the most important of the company's domestic works, marks a noteworthy period in the history of the port. This lock will be 1,000 feet long and 100 feet wide, and will be capable of admitl ing the la gest cargo vessels afloat over a very long ranga of tides, giving direct ingress from and egress to the Bristol Channel. In addition to this a new quay over a third of a mile long is about to be constructed ou the south side of the South Dock Extension. It is to be completed in the record short period of eight months, .so that by Augcstnext we may hope to see this quay equipped with its com- plement of -ibout 20" quick-lilting cranes, and provided with!extensive siding-and warehouse ac- commodation.brought into use. At the same time four large lqdrauJie coal hoists, capable of hft- ing 20-ton waggons to a height of 50ft. above quay level, which are about to be erected on the north-west side of the same extension, will be ready to commence operations, A Strenuous Policy. With such developments in progress and about to be taken in hand it must be obvious to ail that the Alexandra Company is pursuing a strenuous policy to increase the prosperity of the port, and it .s only reasonable to expect, as indeed it is necessary to observe, that these who are interested in the welfare of the town should courageously support in a practical way the example which is being set them, and by co-operation and staunch patriotism help to make Newport the flourishing place its position entitles it to be. It is the aggregation of indi- vidual effort that tells, and with the splendid facilities that are being-provided there should be no lack of cuterprising spirits to carry for- ward and enhance tlie prestige of the town. If there is anything in the saving that the spirit of enterprise is contagious there should not be many worthy of the name of soldiers who do not decide as a good resolution for the New Year to fight for and win prosperity and dis- tinction for their native or adopted town.
---Rush to Get Married. .
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Rush to Get Married. STRANGE SCENES AT GIPSY WEDDINGS. On a sequestered acre of marshland, within a mile of Woking, there is a Romany encamp- ment, where bustle and excitcment, have reigned supreme for over a week. The spirit of Hymen has possessed the dusky tent dwellers. A sudden desire to get married seized ten of the stalwart nomads, and ten gipsy maidens have been led to the altar at the parish church, which is situate in Woking village, about two miles from Woking town. Most of the brides and bridegrooms had already passed through the Romany marriage ceremony, but as this is not legally recognised it became necessary to have the .weddings solemnised at the church. There are several difficulties to be overcome before one can stand in the presence of the gipsy king or queen. First of all there is Tinker's-lane—rendered almost impassable by mud, pools of water, and barbed wire. Then. at the fringe of the camp a watchdog snarls at the sound of every strange footfall. When I arrived in camp. (says the Daily News correspondent ) the wives wore busy discussing the new situaticn in the absence of their bus- band. who vrere engaged in the fields getting their Christinas produce ready for market. One dark-eyed maiden spoke hy]y of her plunge into matrimony. My young man," she said, "had been courtin' me for three years. tie purposely joined our camp so as to be near mo. One evening in the autumn he catne to me with tea's in his eyes and said he had saved up enough money to rent a small house at Chobharu. 1 said, 'No,' at first, but when lie pulled up his sleeve and showed me the words [loyc Clara tattooed on his arm, I felt be must really love me, so I said So last week we agreed to have a Christmas honeymoon. We went to the church and got married. As I eouldn t write I signed with a cross, After the wedding a lady district visitor invited us to tea-—ye called it oar-wed- ding breakfast—and when we got back to the encampment, ou: friends made a big lirc and we all sat round it and. ate anothcr hearty meal." Chnrming was the rustic simplicity with which the newly-married bride told the story of her wedding day. The gipsy weddings have created a mild sensation in W oklt1 g v 111e ge, Many of the villagers turned out to see the bridal processions pass through the streets, the happy couples dressed in their Sunday clothes. In some cases, however, the bride and bride- groom were so poor that the vicar generously lent the couple some boots for the occasion The vicar performed the services free of charge, the lady district visitor acting as witness to all the marriages The dwellers speak very highly of the vicar, and also this lady, who a special favourite at the Sunday school, where the children those all"ady marded constantly attend. The.e dwellers belong to a well-known Surrey tribe, and are connected with two equally well- known gipsy families named Williamson and Lbker. Years ago they were moie peripatetic and gregarious, but of years they have shown an inclination 1 o split up info parties aud to live contentedly in (jv'ed spots,
---'"..-.----..---------.--M.P.'S…
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M.P.'S UNIQUE TOUR. Sir John Bcthell. M.p. for the Romford Division of Essex, will take advantage of the brief Parliamentary recess for making what is almost a unique tour of his vast constituency In his election address lasf-, January be ex- pressed the opinion that it was incumbent upon a member of .Parliament to visit his con- stituency at least once a year, and give an account, of his stewardship. On January 7th Sir John will commence a tour of his division, and every night for nearly three weeks, with the exception of intervening Sundays, will address meetings in some part of tho vast district which forms the Romford Dirision. On several occasions two meetings will be ad- dressed each evening. Sir John stipulftes that condemnatory resolutions can be moved, and that each meeting will elect its own chair- man. When there is a conflict of opinion at the meetings the Press are to act as scrutineers. The Romford Division is the largest in the United Kingdom, and there arc no fewer than 46,000 electors on the register. It comprises the populous districts of East Ham and If ford, and extends from tbc boundaries of West Ham down to Dagenham, in Ussex.
--'" -------------_---FIRE…
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FIRE AT SKEWEN. Shortly on Sunday morning a lire war. discovered hi i.he loci.-up shop of Mr David Lloyd. Now-road,. Skewen. Tho dis. covery was made by Mart in I' \1 r. s. collier. who lives in a portion of the premises, but this portion does not. communicate with the shop. An alarm was given the police brigade, which under t he command cr P.S. Jones was promptly on 1he scene, and with the willing help of a number of civilians they: oori extinguished the flames. The damage, which is main'y on the *1 O.'k. is cnvre/J !r>- 1'¡"n (
Mosely Commission. .
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Mosely Commission. SCHOOL LIFE IN AMERICA. Barry Teacher's Impressions. CHILD STUDY DEPARTMENT. Writing from Chicago on December 10th, Mr J. A. Jones, of the Itomilly-road Schools, Barry, who is a member of the Mosely Com- mission, states Since writing from Toronto I have visited Niagara Falls and the city of Buffalo, and have travelled about 900 miles. Every picture of the mighty torrent that I have seen beggars the description. It would be impossible for the artist. to depict or the pen to adequately portray the awe-inspiring grandeur and magnificence of the scene Yet. even here industrialism is raising it,rgannt inartistic head, and besides this miracle of nature are now found factories and electric power centres, worked by miniature falls caught at the edge of the great avalanche. All lovers of the beauti- ful must regret this, and many Americans, in conversation, have expressed their disgust that the river is being gradually despoiled in firs way. Buffalo is the second city in New York State, with nearly 400,000 inhabitants. It has a very good system of education, with excellent school buildings. A high school we were privi- leged to visit has an attendance of 1,?00 chil- dren, and the buildings actually cost £SOl,OJ) sterling. It relies entirely upon public support, and is tree to all pupils who pass an entrance examination. Buffalo has a fine public library, which is utilised to the best possible advantage in promoting a love for reading among chil- dren. A special branch is devoted to juveniles, who are encouraged to visit the library and choose their own books. Besides, each Saturday at 11 o'clock in the morning there is a-story telling hour. A specialist in story-teWn;; is engaged to interest the chil- dren in some book and the lecturer is assisted by having illustrations thrown on the scr een. In this library build ing also is a natural histoiy museum with Mr Cummins at the head. School children are taken in classes tothts museum, and are taught natural history by this gentle- man, who uses clbe specimens for Illustrative purposes. I was present at one of these lessons, which form no doubt a most valuable adjunct, to school work. At an evening school which we visited there was a class of men and women learning English. Most of them were Germans, who had only just- settled in the country, yet you should hear with AThat gusto they sing our National Anthem and salute the Stars and Stripes. The tune we employ for the National Anthem is also used here for the American and German National Anthem respectively. It is in this city of Chicago, however, that one sees the American spirit at its best. This modern Babylon has indeed a very mixed popu- lation. Many of its most worthy citizens are engaged in trying to improve their fellows. To- day we attended conference on truancy and juvenile crime. It is evident that England and Wales are far behind in dealing with this ques- tion, and it will interest readers of tho South Wales Daily News to know that many of the cities of America have separate courts lor juvenile offenders, and that they have judges to preside over them who arc specialists, and arc chosen because of their knowledge of children. It is now proposed to connect the • child study department of the Board of Education for Chicago with the juvenile court, so that judges may be afforded opportunity to gain fuller "knowledge of the children who come before them. The child study department is a wonderful institution, and here we saw children being tested by two competent men. Each child examined is re- ported upon to the head teacher of the school he crshc attends, and the teacher then invites the co-operation of the parents in dealing with the case on the best lines. A record is kept of all defects, and the child is periodically examined to further test its progress. On Sunday morning I went to hear one of Chicago's greatest preachers, who is a Welsh- man named Jenkin Lloyd Jones, but who has beer. in America since he was 12 months old. He greeted me with Daboch,' and appeared by his accent to be a North Walian. By his careful pronunciation of 11 in Llweliyn he betrays his nationality, and in conversation showed himself to be a great admirer of the Right Hon. D. Lloyd George. The Rev. J. Lloyd Jones presides over an institutional church, and the church programme will show what a gigantic church it is. Its officers include, besides the usual officials, a Congress stenographer. librarian, charity worker, super- intendent arts and crafts, musical director, superintendent domestic science department, chairman charitable section, chairman of the social section, chairman of the education section, and manngc" of the magazine dis- pensary. These will give a remote idea of the all-embracing character of the work done at this church, the building of which cost £50,000, and the money was all obtained before a single stone had been laid. In his sermon on De- velopment of character as illustrated by Shakespeare's Henry the Fifth,' the Rev. J. Llovd Jones showed that he has the native fervour and brilliant eloquence of a Wclsu- man."
,THERE WAS NO ELOPEMENT.I
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THERE WAS NO ELOPEMENT. Amusing Evidence in Slander Case An amusing action was brought before Mr Justice Buckndl on Friday by Mr Mark Kash- man, tailor, residing at Cricklewood, and Mrs Rose Kashman, his wife, against Mr Lewis Flack, also a tailor, to recover damages for an alleged slander. Defendant denied that he uttered the Words complained of. Mr Abrahams, for the plaintiffs, said the de- fendant had paid considerable attention to Mrs Kashman, and had even gone so far as to try and persuade her to leave her husband and elope to America with him. Mrs Kashman did not entertain the suggestion, and told her husband what defendant had said. The defen- dant, in a workshop, in the presence of several people, imputed improper conduct to Mrs Kashman. Mr Mark Kashman, one of the plaintiffs, said on Dec. 29 last, when the defendant entered his workshop, he told him "he could not work with him any more." Defendant asked why, and witness replied that he could not have him because of defendant's conduct towards wit- ness's wife. Defendant then uttered the words complained of. Mis Kashman was called, and stated that I there was no ground for the suggestion that she had been guilty of impropriety. The defen- dant had tried to make love to her. Defendant: When did I propose love to you?— When you came into Mrs Abraham's room last year. last year. Have you answered my love which I pro- posed to you ?—No. I did not. Defendant then gave evidence in support of his case. He said he turned Mr Kashman out the workshop, this action was the result. II e had never said anything against the plain- tiff or his Wile. Witness was proceeding with his evidence volubly, when Mr Jtislice Bucknill said Stop Stop You are an express train, and I can't get it down." Mr Abrahams (in cross-examination) Have you ever suggested to her to go away with you? Defendant: What, me The father of a family of four do that ? (Laughter ) Mr Abrahams Don't ask me that. (Renewed laughter.) After other evidence had been given the jury returned a verdict for the plaintiffs for £10. His Lordship thought it a very reasonable and proper verdict, and entered judgment for the plaintiffs for that amount, and costs.
---------------SEEING THINGS…
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SEEING THINGS FOR HIMSELF. Mr Burns's Adventures. One never knows exactly where Mr John Bums will turn up next. A few days ago he was engaged in rescuing some children from a watery grave. The other night he was at a fire in the Clapham-road.. on Satur- day. "Last night," writes a "Tribune representative, I Raw the right hon gentleman in the House of Commons at half-past ten. and again at one o'clock this morning I came across him on the Embank meat adjacent to Charing Cross-bridge. The Cabinet Minister was scarcely recognizable, though he had turned up his coat-collar, lie had been making a round of visits to Salva- tion and Church Army shelters, and he Was at this moment about to mingle in thp wretched crowd that nightly gathers at the Salvation Army rendezvous under Charing Cross bridge. Mr Burns believes in what he sees with his own eyes, and he fully realizes that he must see much in this way if he is to deal effectively with the derelicts of our social system. While Mr Buns stood unobserved among tbs crowd ;i tramcar drew up, and t he right hr>n-gentle- man bad the satisfaction of seeing t he conduc- tor refuse to allow an intoxicated man to pro- ceed as a passenger. As the car moved off one of the passengers caught sight of Mr Burns, and remarked to the company Why, there's John Burns. He's out looking after things. That's the sort of man to have about' —and the observation evidently voiced the general sentiment."
---__------BARRY BUILdER'S…
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BARRY BUILdER'S AFFAIRS. Deficiency Estimated at £2,700. ■A meeting of the creditors of Joshua Prout, buildor, Barry Dock, was held on Saturday at Caidiff Official Receiver's. The Official Receiver (Mr George David) intimated that there had not been time to get out a printed statement. Tbe Y3riclus items of account having been read out, it appeared the gross liabilities amounted to £7.2.0418;; 4d. of which 17s 5d was ex- pected to rank for dividend. The gross assets were returned as £1,428 4s 5d, preferential claims flOg 12s 5d, and assets available for realisation 8d, lcavingadoficiencyof £ 2,725 5s 9cl. Thirty nine creditors with claims amounting to £3.0333., lid were represented at the meeting. The Official Receiver said there had been no time to investigate the statement, lie thought, the posit ion of affairs wns one that required careful investigation and a good deal of expla- nation. According to his own information bank- rupf manv years JUIO was in t ho position of having n substantial surplus. Air tJ. E. Dove:" was appointed trustee, nnd the following were elected a committee of in- spection — J. ('Mcggitt i Harry Dock), C. Maker. Ar!Morgan. J. M. Jer.ning*. and í L¡ f V-.v
A Forgiving Husband. .
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A Forgiving Husband. SEQUEL TO A NEWPORT ELOPEMENT. Mr Lyndon Cooper mentioned to the New- port County magistrates on Saturday the case in which Rosina Charlotte Morris and Hy. Reeves were charged with stealing a tin hat-box and other articles from John Morris, the female prisoner's husband. Mr and Mrs Morris, he said, were married at Newport in November, 1904, Morris being at the time a widower without children. They lived at Bassaleg, where the husband was en- gaged as a railway shunter. Some months ago the male prisoner, who was working at the sewage works, went to lodge with them, and on October 15th Mr and Mrs Morris came to Newport. Mt Morris called at his (Mr Cooper's) oflice about a certain matter, and arranged to see her later, but she did not turn up. Subsequently he found Reeves had taken away his wife,and that they were living as man and wife at Bristol, having taken with thern various articles belonging to the husband. This formed the basis of the charge. Morris gave evidence in support of Mr Cooper's statement, adding that the night he missed his wife he walked up and down the town for two hours. After their marriage they had adopted a baby, and the little one was left with a neighbour at Bassaleg when they left for Newport. An argument took place in Court between the female prisoner and her hus band,as to theowner- ship ct the articles, and it transpired the male nrisoner had knitted one of the shawls for the baby, but the husband bought the woo!. Mrs Doody, Jones-terrace, Rogerstone, said she saw the lodger leave the house, on the day in question, with a tin box and John Allen. porter at Bassaleg, said atthe request of Reeves he labelled the box for Newport. Police-Sergeant Barry said he received pri- soners into custody from the Bristol police.and learned they had been living at Eldon- road, Bedminster, Bristol, as man and wife. He produced pawn tickets showing some of the missing articles were pawned in the names of Henry Reeves, Rosina Reeves, and Mrs Reeves. When charged, the female prisoner said all the things belonged to her except the in box. while Reeves said he knew nothing about it. Mrs Morris said she would like 1 o give, the reason why she left her husband, but the magistrates' clerk informed her it would not do her any good. She went on to allege the articles were given to her before she married. Her husband never gave her sufficient money to keep them, and she was obliged to take in odgers. Mr Cooper, after consulting his client, said the latter, despite the wrong that had been done him. desired to be generous, and was willing to take his wife back and give her another chance. After considering their verdict in private, the magistrates fined the wife 20s and Reeves 40s. The Magistrates' Clerk (to prisoners): Are you going to pay the fine The wiie looked pleadingly at her husband, and the latter dipped his hand in his pocket nnd placed some money on the table. With this the husband's sister, who was nursing the baby at the back of the court, became very eloquent and proceeded towards the well. That's it. is it she remarked. Fitter work for you to pay what you owe me for what I have done while she was away." She then handed him the baby, with the re- mark, I will have nothing more to do with you." The. husband took the child, and in response to his wifc's Couae her, Jack." he handed her the baby, and husband and wife chatted agree- able together. They were apparently happy while the husband's sister and some of the neighbours were expressing themselves rather forcibly.
Alleged Assault in Train.…
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Alleged Assault in Train. CANTON WOMAN AND RUSSIAN SAILOR. Further evidence in the case in which Frederick Theodore Heislop, a Russian seaman was charged with indecently assaulting Mary Jones (39), Pontcanna-place. Cardiff, was heard before the Newport county magistrates on Saturday. Replying to Mr L. Hornby, who prosecuted. Mrs Jones repeated the evidence already given showing that she left Newport on November 27th in a train shortly after 10 o'clock at night. Just before the train left the station prisoner came into the compartment, and shortly after the train had started he rose from the seat, put his arms round her neck, and tried to kiss her. She pushed him away, but he again came to her and tried to lift her dress. He told her to lie down, but she again pushed him off and tried to reach the communication cord. He then exposed him- self, and they struggled for some time. Eventu- ally she jumped to the door with the view of getting out, and found that it was a corridor compartment. In the next but one com- partment there were two gentlemen, and she complained to them of prisoner's conduct. When she arrived at Cardiff she told the station officials, and showed them her torn dress. Prisoner was under the influence of drink. Replying to Mr T. John, Cardiff, who de- fended, Mrs Jonc-s denied that there was another man in the compartment when the prisoner came in. She shouted, and made a noise when prisoner assaulted her, and thought that the men in the other compartment had failed to hear her, because of the noise of the train. She denied that prisoner was sleeping, and that she tried to take his ring. The state- ment that she asked him for 5s, or she would make it hot for him, was also untrue. Ernest Albert Birch, Bristol, said he was in the 10.10 p.m. train, Newport to CardifT, en the date in question. Complainant came into his compartment in a nervous condition, and made a complaint of having been assaulted by the prisoner. Mr John: Why didn't you go intQ" the prisoner ?—Would you tackle a drunken man ? I don't think you would.. Henry Edmunds, Canton, Cardiff, an inspec tor on the Great Western Railway, said on arrival of the train at Cardiff, the complainant said to him she had been assaulted by prisoner. Prisoner was under the influence of drink when he saw him step from the train. The woman did not say it was an indecent assault, but he understood that was what she meant. P.C. Shapland said on December 18th he reo ceived the prisoner from the Hull police, and in answer to the charge he replied, "I am innocent. It is a false charge." The prisoner repeated it was a false charge, and said he as quite innocent. He was committed for trial at the Quarter Sessions oa January 2nd. Bail was allowed.
---------TOO MUCH INSPECTION.
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TOO MUCH INSPECTION. Criticism of the Central Welsh Board. Mr II. A. Tilly. C.C.. an ex-chairman of the Rhl Frban District Council. secretary of the St. Asaph Diocesan Association of Schools and Conservative agent for Flintshire, and an ex- schoolmaster, was one of the speakers at the annual prize distribution in connection with Rhyl County School on Friday evening. Referring to the Central Welsh Board balance sheet he said that a sum of something like £5,000 a year was expended on examinations and inspectors. Be was not opposed to examinations altogether, but he was strongly of opinion that examinations were overdone, and to spend £5,000 a year in that way upon the comparatively few county schools they had in Wales was a watte of public money. (Applause.) That sort of work could be done much better by the staffs of the schools than by a very expensive and elaborate staff of out- side inspectors. (Applause.) At least half that sum of money might be applied to assisting the local governing bodies in the direction of school equipment, &c., and might also prove a source of assistance to those assistant teachers whose salaries badly needed increasing.
|PENTREBANE FARM BURGLARYI…
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PENTREBANE FARM BURGLARY PENTREBANE FARM BURGLARY A Second Arrest, Last, evening P-C. Histon, of TJandaflf, arrested a youth named Wiilim Brooke-, of Littleton-street, Canton, Cardiff', on suspicion of being concerned in the robbery at Pentre- hane Farm, St. Fagaus, early in the week. Arthur Wall, Canton, was charged in connec- tion with the same robbery on Wednesday, and remanded on bail till next week. Brookes was on Saeurday taken before Mr Edgar David at the offices of Mr Evans (Llandaff magistrates' clerk), and was also remanded on bail till Mondayweck. The artieles alleged to have been stolen are two clipping machines, an over- coat, jacket, a whip and three ferrets, the pro- perty of Mr Edward Akcrs, of Pentrebane Farm.
TEN THOUSAND MOURNERS.
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TEN THOUSAND MOURNERS. A Footballer's Funeral. The funeral of Harry Myers, the captain of the Keighley Football Club, who died from injuries received on the field, evoked a striking demonstration of public sympathy on Saturday! A crowd estimated at 10,000 lined the two mile route from Ingrow to the cemetery, and there were present the Mayor of Keighley, repre- sentatives from the Yorkshire County Com- mittee, the Referees' Society, and players from Dews bury, Bradford, Bramley, and other places. The Keighley team acted as bearers, and ji crowded memorial service was held at the iveighlcy Parish Church.
GERMANY'S JOHN BURNS.
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GERMANY'S JOHN BURNS. Herr August Babel, the German Socialist leader, who lias led the opposition to the Kaiser s Colonial schemes, is 66 years old. and in appearance.tosume extgnt. recalls our own John Brims. He wa.s bom «t Cologne, and was apprenticed to a carpenter at Leipzig. In 1871 he was elected to the German Reichstag as member for'one of 1 lie divisions oi Saxonv, and a > csr afteiwards .je w as sentenced to two jye;iis' imprisonment in a for tress for the | crime of bisnltirg th- C.-rt.c-.ii Empire. H<- |
Funeral Stopped. .
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Funeral Stopped. STRANGE EVIDENCE AT AN INQUEST. Mrs Margaret Benbow, the widow of a com- mercial traveller, of Rochester-square, Camden- road, X.W., died last Sunday under circum- stances that were considered sufficient to justily the Coroner in postponing the funeral, which had been fixed for Friday. The purpose of the postponement was to afford Dr. Bernard Spiilsby, pathologist at St. Mary's Hospital, an opportunity to make a post-mortem examina- tion. During the inquest that was opened on Satur- day by Mr Walter Schroder, an application was made for the burial order, to enable the funeral to take place that afternoon. After consultation with the doctors the Coroner granted the order. The circumstances of Mrs Benbow's death were related in evidence. Mr Ellis Griffith. M.P.. represented the executor of her will and Mr II. S. R. Henriquea appeared for Mr Edward Buckingham South- well, her nephew. Mr Southwell, who was the first witness, described himsslf as of independent meansi. living in Cranfield-gardens, N.W. Mrs Benbow, he said, had been addicted to drink for vears. He understood that she had recentlv made a new will, an earlier document being in the custody of her solicitor. He had visited her every day for eight or nine days prior to Fri- day, the 14th inst.. when he last saw her alive in bed. She was attended by a Mrs Lewis, a nurse, who slept in the same room, but during the last (our days before his aunt's death Mrs Lewis bad been ill. The Coroner Who waited upon thern ?— I think Mrs Lewis used to wait upon Mrs Benbow and Mrs Benbow upon Mrs Lewis. Mr Henriques Will you tell the Coroner why you did not go to the house after Friday ? -Because Mr Jones, the deceased's executor's solicitor, informed me that if I went to the house again he would give me in charge. A trained nurse was in attendance on Mrs Ben- bo ,v from Friday. A letter was then read which, it was statedc had been written by Mr Maurice Jones to wit- ness, alleging that he had forced intoxicating liquor upon his aunt and left her in a dependent condition with insufficient attendance. Mr Henriques Did you force intoxicating liquor upon your aunt ?-Xo, never- You knew she was in the hands of a compe* tent doctor ?—Yes. Also of a nurse '!—Yes. You have become a bankrupt ?—Yes, quite recently. Margaret Brazendale, a hospital-trained nurse, described what she saw and heard when first called to attend the case. She arrived soon after 10.30 on Friday morning, December 14th, and was told that there were two patients, who, it was alleged, had been neglected. She was instructed not to allow Mr Southwell to enter the sick room. There was commotion in the house at the time of her arrival, and there was a.great deal of clrsing and swearing. The Coroner It was going Oil in the room occupied by the ladies —Yes. Who did you see I saw Mrs Benbow in bed and Mrs Lewis in another bed. Anyone else in the room ?—Yes. Dr. Fletcher, Mr Southwell, Mr Merton J ones and Mx Maurice Jones. Continuing, the witness said she was directed by Dr. Fletcher not to give much stimulant. but. as much milk as possible. She took away a bottle of brandy from the tray on the table by the bedside, a bottle of whisky^ half a bottle of gin. a bottle of porter and a bottle of claret, which were all on the tray on the table, and on the floor near the bed were other bottles—bottles of stout, three bottles of claret. As she was removing them Mrs Benbow exclaimed with an I oath, "Woman, put them She was very much the worse for liquor at the time, and continually asked for alcohol. On Saturday she showed symptoms of exhaustion, and died on Sunday morning. During her illness she said. I have been robbed of thousands of pounds, but did not mention any names. One night she continually talked about a. Mr Geyer. a trustee of her marriage settlement, against whom she was bringing an action. Replj ing to a question by Air Griffith, the witness said Mrs Benbow seemed to have an idea. that her nephew had been robbing her. Dr. John G. Fletcher, of 5. Camden-road, said he first, saw Mrs Benbow on November 26th and attended her on tbrce days for muscular rheumatism. On examination' on December Gth he found that she was suffering from chronic alcoholism and congestion of the lungs and kidneys. On Friday, the 14th, he was asked to take away two bottles—one of stout and one of milk—lying at deceased s bedside, for the pur- pose of analysis, as there was a suspicion of poison. The Coroner Who had suspicions ?—Mr Maurice Jones and Mr Merton Jones. Did they say by whom '-—I could not remem- her positively any names beiug mentioned, but the inference was that they referred to lli Southwell. What- was the result of the analysis ?—Ihav« been informed that there was no arsenic of other poison in it. Dr. Bernard Spillsbv then gave evidence at to the post-mortem examination he had mad" of the body. Death was due to snvcope from pneumonia, accelerated by alcohol. There was no trace of any irritant poison, but he was not prepared to swear that there was no narcotic poison. The Coroner Dr. Spilisby has expressed, a very guarded opinion, and he says an irritant is not in the stomach, but he does not express any opinion as to a narcotic. To have an analysis of the contents of the stomach I must give time—not less than a fortnight. It was therefore decided to adjourn the in- quest.
STEALING A BRIDE.
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STEALING A BRIDE. Moscow Betrothal Tragedy. All Moscow is talking of a betrothal tragedy which took place here a few days ago (savs the corresponden t of the Globe.") A young and well-to-do Siberian trader, who had returned to Moscow lately, fell in love with a flower-- seller. The couple pleased each other, and the betrothal was to take place at the house of an aunt of the youne lady. The happy youth made up his mind that the betrothal should be carried out with the fullest observance of ail the Russian ceremonial usual on such occasions. All the relatives on both sides were invited to the betrothal a band of musicians was engaged.. and nothing was left undone to celebrate th* occasion fittingly. At 6 o'clock in the even. ing the bridegroom, attended bv one of hif sweetheart's relatives, called on' her lo con- duct her to her aunt's house. In the true Russian stdc the other invited guests ha4 also assembled at the bride's house in ordet to make the journey altogether in merr, vein. The bride and bridegroom took theif places in the first sleigh, which drove o rapidly. When ths little troop of sleighs had reached Kondratyeff-street, four armed men. wearing masks, threw themselves on the party, drew revolvers, and called out, Halt, or you arc dead men At first the guests thought this was one of the common cases of attempted extortion ofmonev bv street ruffians. However, the highwaymen 'threw themselves only on ths foremost sleigh, dragged out tb« bride, threatened to shoot the lover, who tried to defend her, and then pushing her into another sleigh they drove awav rapidly in darkness, and were lost to sight before thtf astonished guests could sound an alarm. SLnca then nothing has been heard of the 3 oung gir? The incident throws a lurid light on RussiaT customs.
ICARD SUPERSTITIONS.
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CARD SUPERSTITIONS. An Onlooker Who Brought Ill-luck tt Players. Mr Edward Dicey has an interesting articlc on whist in the Pall Mall Magazine" fol next month. i.ard-pia> ing, he says. gives an observe? an insight into one of the many curious phases of human nature—the almost universal belief in luck even amidst educated men of mortha.D average intelligence. One player J knew well—I must admit, he also behoved in astrology—who absolutely reluscd to play cards during- one special inontii IV \ear'ecause hc ^'1 reason to believe thau that month was unlucky to hiui. Yet he waf> on; of the most level-headed card-plaver* I have Known, and in ordinary matters a maja of great common sen:se. •'I was at one time intimately acquainted with a club where the stakes played for were comparatively high, and the piav was conse- quently very good. and where the players wero. with hardly an exception, hard-headed who were keeu about winning, and who were at the same tim- a singularly social, kindiv. and liberal-minded body of men. Amongst the members was a very pleasant, q' iet old gentle- mnn, whose only occupation was to spend his days at his club, and especially in the card- room. At the period when I first knew him he had ceased playing cards himself, but was extremely fond of watching other people play. He was the most inoffensive of spectators, never made comments or criticisms, and simply amused himself in watching the fall of the cards. Gradually, however, experience showed—or was imagined to show—that any player whose cards he overlooked held bad bands with, as it was asserted, an extraor. dinary regularity. lIe invariabiy asked permission beforehand before sitting down beside a player, and thfll moment the player held bad cards he offered, without being asked, to leave the table—an. offer which, I am ashamed to say. was invari- ably accepted. To put the fact plainly, he was tabooed from watching card-playing, because he was supposed to bring ill-luck by the mere fact of his vicinity."
FIRE ON A PASSENGER SHIP.
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FIRE ON A PASSENGER SHIP. Exciting Race for Life. Halifax, Nova Scotia, Sundav.— tirp ùroke outinthestokch^e of the coasting steamer Strathcona last night as the vessel was ent«r- ing Fort Dufrenn. The captain drore the steamer full < peed to the land two miles avrav and beached her. Many of the pa mongers and <ew. all of whom were Vved. <-senp«i onl% ■:i1 i-M: v ••