The Cardiff Times

FUN FOR A CHRISTMAS EVENING. By Professor Hoffmann I (Anteo* oi Modern Magic," 41 Dj a wing-room Amassment a," &c.) The general appearance of the Dwarf. Ic is Christmas time, and the boys and girls are home for the holidays. What shall we do to-night is the question in home circles all over England and the enjoyment of young peoplo innumerable, and not a few of older i growth, depends upen its receiving the right sort of answer. Such an important matter is not to be settled without some amount of diacuBsion indeed, I have known it discussed at such length that bedtime arrived before the debate WAS concluded, and nothing had been done at all. To render such an unfortunate occurrence less likely for the futnre, I have undertaken to describe a few f the many ways of having a good time on a winter's evening. First and foremost comes the roand game," and one of the best of roand gamea it UA.NTEE GO ROUND. This ia an old game, but is not as well known as it deaetves to be. It is absurdly simple, tut creates an unlimited amoont of fnn ana excitement. Any number may take part in fact, the more the merrier. Each player i9 provided with three counters or lives," for which he pays some trifling amount, say a penny each, or as may be agreed. The cash thus obtained forma a pool, to booomo the property of the winner. An ordinary pack of cards ia used. A dealer having been selected (either by catting, or by dealing a preliminary round of faced cards for first knave "), gives one card face down to each player. The object of the players is to avoid being left, at the close of the round, with the lowest card ace in tbis game being lowest. The player on the left of the dealer looks privately at him card. If it is a moderately good one, say a six or a seven, or even a five if many are playing, he says Content," or "Stand." If not, he pagoes, it, face down, to his left hand neighbour, who is bound to give his own card, however good, in exchange. Each playsr has the option of passing on the card he holdB in like manner. The only case in which a player has the right to refuse to exchange is when he holds a King, in which ease be pro- nounces tba mystic word Bo I" or 11 Stop and tha owner of the card offered is left with it ou his hands. Should a player called upon to exchange base given a lower card than the one be rc-ceives, however small the latter may be, he of course stands, knowing that be is safe for that round. When it comes to the turn of the dealer, should be deaire to exebauge, he doss so by cutting the remainder of the pack, a.ud taking the top card of the lower heap. The chances of tornfsg up a safe card are in his favour, bat to counterbalance this advantage, should he turn op a King (though this Is the beat card in the ordinary way), he becomes ths loser for that round a rale of tbe game baing, Cut a King and go in." In any other oaae the holder of the lowest card out is the loser, atfd has to ear- render one of his three lives. If there are two lowest cards, alike in value, bath pay. When a flayer has lost all his three lives, he is oat," and no further cards are deah-to him. He may, however, come in again by pur- chasing one or more lives from players who are disposed to sell. The price ia a matter for agreement, the valuo of the outstanding Uvea naturally increasing in proportion as they grow fewer in number. The player who lives longest taka3 the pool. If two only are left with one life each, they may either play ont or ftgree to divide. Much of tb. fun of tbe gamo lies in its carious ups and downs. It is by no means an un- common thing to tlod a player who has kept bis three lives until a comparatively late period lose them in three successive rounda while a player who has lost two of hia lives at a .quite early stage may ultimatnly prove the winner of < be game. Of a diSer-ant kind, but not less provocative of fun, is THE FEATHER GAME. For this game the only requirement is a aniall piece of swan or gooae-down. Tho players, seven or eight in riumbor, oil on chaiis or st^cis in a oirole, as close together as thoy poosibly can. One of the P»rty, taking the piece of down, holds it aloft, and blows it towards the opposite side of the circle. The person towards whom if Hosts blows it in the direction of soma- body elae, wUo blows it away in tutu, and so the gantic goes on till there is a frtilare to kesn the feather up the unlucky wight on Whom, or nearest to whom, it fftils, luvving to pav a fat sit, or contiibute a fine of sonic nominal amouiit to a prizu fnud, the winner 158ing the person who nt the cloae 01 the game baa had the smallest number of failures. In All games of Ibia jaonS it ia paPJ"\ ig ap. point a leader or nmpire, who shall start the #ame and shall have full authority to decide any (lf-puied Question. On the same principle, though different in detail, is JACK'S ALIVE I Jack" is in this case the name given to a slip of thin wood, fivo or six inches lonit, or a broadly-folded paper spill. This, after being fairly lighted, is blown out again, and is then handed, while still omonldering, from player to player, with the impressive statement, Jack's alive f" Tho player in whose hands Jack dies, or, in plainer language, the glowing spark goes out, has to pay a forfeit, and as this may bap- pun at any moment, there is extreme anxiety to pass Jack on before it does happen. Of course, Jack's death is nly temporary. He ia bronsrbt to life again, i.e., re-lighted, and tbe game pro- ceeds. It must be frankly admitted that neither of the games I have described is an intellectual form of amusement bat in that very fact lies their chief chasm. Curiously enough, too, it is found that nobody enjoys au absolutely idiotic game more than highly intellectual persons, who pet ItS excited over the absurd contest A8 the youngest juvenile. And the fun is nearly as great for the lookers-on 808 for the players. To nea Itoat and elderly Ollole James puffing like a locomotive to prevent the descent of the fs&ther on his marble brow, or wildly endeavour- ing to pass on Jack before the vital spark i3 extinct, is an experience not to be forgotten and if Uncle James happens to be, in his calmer moments, day an eminent K.C., or a Doctor of Divinity, the humour of the situation is still more irresistible. An amusing diversion, cf a quieter kind, is DRAWING BLINDFOLD. e Each player is provided with pencil and paper, I and blindfolded. Some object of a simple kind, snob as a bouse, a donkey, or a pig, ia named by the master of the ceremonies and eash I player tries his best to depict it, with more or I less striking results. The pig's ears will be found to have got into his month, or the chimney-pots of the honso to be floating into space above it. Somewhat similar in idea is a game known as TAILING THE DONKEY. The material for this diversion (procurable at any toyshop), consists of a goolt-sizad picture of a donkey, bnt niihont a tail, the missing ap- pendage being supplied separately. In naa, the effigy of a donkey is pinned up against a door or screen. The player, standing some seven or eight feet away fiom it, armed with the tail and a drawing-pin, takes a good look at the picture, so as to get its location well into his mind. He is then blindfolded, and, advancing to the donkey, pins on the tail in wha.t be imagines to be its proper position, the curious places iu which he actually attaches it exeiting huge delight among the juveniles. When there are one or two energetic spirits in a bouse party, they may arouse the rest in a very effective way by organit-ing a "freak" exhibition. It is wonderful what can be done with a little crepe hair and a few grease paints, or even a shilling colour-box in the production of monstrosities A false beard is the only absolute essential of a very Bnperior bearded lady," and a spotted boy can be produced in a few minntaa by the aid of a few dota of court-plaater of variona colours. If there is a (Jog, of an acoommodatmg tarn of mind, attached to the eatablisbment, be may be trans- formed, with the aid of a little juclicions make- up, into a fearfnl and wondarfnl objeot, entitled THE WHAT IS IT ?" If the dog ia one of the short and smooth- haired varieties, a few coloured wafers, artis- tically applied, will mako a remarkable change in his appearance. In the case of a long- haired dog, the hair may be twisted, with the aid of a little stiff paste, coloured red or Lice, into ecoantcie to Its and taila, sticking up in various directions. A Toby collar will add to the effect. If the" what-ia-it ?" can do a few tricks, so much the better. Another very effeofrive item, of a mote ambi- tioua kind ia THE GIANTESS. The manufacture of a giantess is a much simpler affair. Tho head portion consista of a young lad, seated astride on the ahonldera of some older member of the company. The legs of the latter are concaaled by a lady's skirt, fastened round his body. The nppar part of the fisure should be draped in a cloak or cape with armholes, through which the unseen performer passes his hands into a muff carried in the uacal way. Thus disposed, the arms hold fast the legs of the other performer, and keeps him secure in his elevated position. The head, wearing, say, tv picture hat, or a bonnet of the Salvation Army older, should be made up after some more or less fantastic fashion* With necessaiy alterations in poiat of coatame a giant may be exhibited in place of the giantean, but this will be found a little more trouble some. but this will be found a little more trouble I some. THE- DWARF. I The general appearance of the dwaif (subject to variation in point of ooatnme and make up), ia as shown in our illustration, He is exhi bi ted standing on a table in front of a pair of drawn w?ndow curtains, the necessary arrangements being made before the spectators are admitted. His aocompiiBbmente are many and various. He will hold a conversation, not alwaya too politely, with the Bbowmao } amoke a pipe, sing a song, make a speech, or danee break- down. A special feature of bia performance is the mobility of biR lovier limbs. If he desires i to scratch his nose, or take his bat.cff, be can do KO with either foot as easily as other people find it to do so in the ordinary way. The leader will naturally deaire to know how it's done." The table, which should have a hanging cover, is placed close in front of the drawn cartaina. There are in reality two psrformers, who place themselves, having tirat taken their coats off, the one behind the other The foremost, whom we may call the dwarf proper, stands close behind the table, which abouict bo of sueta a height that when he leans siipbtly forward, with his palms resting flat on the top, his arms shall be straight. These form the legs of the dwarf, The second performer, who shooid be the taller of tha tvto, or should increase hia height by standing on a hassock, planes himself close behind the first with, his I arms eitondad over the shonlderB of the latter, these forming tho arms of the dwarf. The curtains are pinned together behind the neck of the foremost performer so as to oonceal the other. The rest is mainly a matter of coatnma. Over tbe" feet" of the dwarf stockings (or socks) are worn, and over these some form of shoe or slipper, i,iiJch can be readily dropped off whon the divaif desires to ur& thefoot 'in sourio t abuoimnl' way. Tho legs may be clotbeti III t, i,air (it lildy's knickore, the walat of the garment boinit drawn op under the ebin, and 1 buttoned behind tba bead. SfHe arma" should be passed through the armholes of a child's pinafore, also tiecTrontd the neck of the visible nerformer. A hat of some fanciful kind will complete the costume. If a lady frfend can be induced to act as ooatnmier, the reacJt will De much superior to anything likely to be achieved by tbe unaided masculine intelligence. I may remark, in conclusion, tbat the success of all entertainments of tbis kind mainly depends on the quality of the showman." He should have the gift of the gab," a keen sense of humour, ana plenty of confidence Last, but not least, the show should be wall rehearsed beforehand. A little extra pains taken in the pseliminary arrangements will be repaid tenfold in the lucieaaed attractiveness of tbe perform- ance.

MY SAD, SWEET CHRISTMAS, \1 BY "CARMEN SYLVA tt (H.M. THE QUEEN OF ROUMANIA) (Author of "A Roumanian Vendetta, &c.1 So often nhen people have wished me a merry Christmas," have I felt a lamp rise in my throat, and their well-meant efforts to make tho day a bright and happy one have so often brought tears to my eyes, I feet inclined to try at last to tell what the anniversary of the fes- tival really means to me, by describing some of the Christmas Eves that have been most impor- tant in my life. For not from one day to another could a. child of Western Europe be transformed into an Oriental princess-the memories of one's child- hood and the traditions of one's birthplace are too strong within one for that. And thus it is that, notwithstanding onr dasp affection for our ¡ new home, and in IJpite of the warm sympathies that hind 118 to the people of Latin race over whom we have been called by Fate to rule, we two-tho daughter of the Rhineland and stiO of tbaSwabiaa Alp-can never quite divoat our- eelves of the feelings and associations among which we grew up, and which, far from being effaced by subseqaont experiences, seem but to I have gained in intensity by tbe circumstances surrounding as in later years, Among these associations are some of Buch special sadness and regret belonging to the present season that the return of Christmas is like the re-opening of an old wound whose pain will never qaito ceasa. Gloomy enough indced [uust that first Jonely Cbriatmas have been which tbe newly-elected young prince spent in the land of hia adoption, where ho etiU felt himself to be a stranger, ¡ With tbonghtful consideration for the home- sickness which he had vainly hoped to have hidden from all, the gentlemen in attsndance on him had aet up in his room, draped and gar- landed with flowers and surrounded by lights, the portrait of bis mother, jut arrived from Sigmaringen, to give him tha illusion of taking part in the usual happy famliy gathering, which in every German household is so important a feature of the festival. Bat when on entering the room be suddenly saw the sweet face pazing at him with wistful tenderness, and noted tbe traces of sorrow which recent events had left on tbe belovad features- then his pent-ap feelings almost overcame him, and he had to torn aside to conceal the emotion he could not altogether repress. For ho re- membered how deeply the mother's liaait bad been wrung within the past year, not merely by the parting with him, the son she bad seen with such misgivings set forth into the dim, dark Unknown, but also by the loss of the other no less dearly-loved son, who, still a boy in years, had already met » soldier's fate, dying in her arma, within three days after the battle, of wounds reeeived on the bard fought field of Koniegratz. Hia thoughts went bank, too, to the fair young sister, whom he recalled setting out a few jears before, fall of high hope. enthusiasm, and courage, for tbe foreign land whose monarch was waiting to welcoma her as his bride. He remembered the circumstances of hot early death, in Portugali among her new people, to whom sbe had endeared herself by her sweet- ness of character, that she was as deeply and generally moarnod in Lisbon a In Dusseldorf by those among whom her youth had been passed j while by hlr husband she had been so adored that he found it impossible to survive her, and very shortly followed her to the tomb, exclaiming with hig last breath; Thank God t I shall soon be with my Stephanie again I" AU tbis passed e"iflIy through the gazer's mind, for it all seemed written on the gentle countenance that looked forth from tbe canvas, with that same expies>ioo of sweet serenity and resignation that WILS On the delicately ehiselled features to tbe very litt, in extreme old age. That was the first Christmas spent in Ron- mania by its new rulet. Three years later be was no longer alone; we kept it together, we two. for tbe first tim" and under the tiny little Christmas-tree, which to his amusement I had lighted np and carried into his atody tot "hlm'io admire, I bad plae^ with a> beatkig heart, one small objact—a wii little ciadle, the tiniest tbat could possibly be fonnd-I say with a beat- ing heart because TWAS all the time in fear and trembling lest l shoald ba mistaken, and my hopes be premature after all, Naxt year oar Christmas rejoicings were much disturbed by a Ministerial crisis, which took up ail the King's time a.nd thoughts, so that ths eendles on tha tree were well-nigh burnt out ere he could rejoin us; the baby, too—the gladly-welcomed baby-was still too small to understand or pay much attention to what was going on. Still there was much to be thankful for was not tbe 'war—the cruel war between France and Garmauy—at an end, and were we not blessed with a And althoagh it was only a girl we could hardly complain of that since there was every prospect that many more would follow, and sareiy among them would be the wlnhed-for son indeed, tbe doctor had almost smiled at my assurance that I could not have too many to please me—either girls or boys. The third Christmas in oar married life was again upset by political events, to such an ex- tent, indeed, that for a moment it seemed as if we might be forced to abandon the work we had taken in hani and wander out into the world again. No one had time to think of the tree, again the lights bad quite burnt down be- fore we coald assemble, and to add to tbe dis- comfiture of that dreadful evening my poor little one-year-old girl was almost seat into a fit by fright at the bleating of a little toy animal, whose machinery someone bad imprudently act In motion dangerously near her. It was s terrible disappointment, and the harder to bear because Iliad been looking forward to this Christ- mas with sacil delight. My child was already so interestinR-sbe showed intelligence far be- yond her age, and was quite a companion to as both, our chief consolation, indeed, in the time of trial we were passing through. Then came a bright, happy Christmas—that of 1873, just after my return from my first visit to my girlhood's home, where I had tbe pride and happiness of showing my darling little girl to all my old lrienda, aud of witnessing tbeif admiration for her. The little fairy, all all called her, won all hearts bv her pretty ways and pretty sayings. She was highly interested iu all she saw-there were so many things and people I had told her of, and at first she kept asking everyone is that really Mamma's Rbine 1" Ah t I cannot bear to tell much about her yet! Only thirty years bave gone by it is stili too soon to speak of her I In the intro- duction of Rhapsodise of tbe Dimbovitza," I bave tried to note down some of the sweet words that were always streaming from her dear little lips like poetry, maktbg me feel, as 1 have often laid, sbat my child was the one true poem of my life Yes, this, the Christmas Etc I speak of, was one of the good old kind, with numberless guests, a whole bevy of laughing young girls, and countless smaller children, too-for there were all the little orphan girls and foundlings from our great Asylum, with whom my darling often played games and through the m}dst of I tbe happy throng danced the graceful little I figure, more fairy-like than ever that night, for it really aeemed as il vtings had sprouted from her shoulders, ana as if her feet no longer touched the ground. Among her presents waa a litte toy carriage, in which she took her seat white the other chidren dragged her in triumph, and with peals of laughter, through the rooms. That was a lovely eYDnjnRI indeed, and will always shine out in my memory as the one bribli spot amid surroundiug gloom. For soon after that everything grew daik— quite dark I Thers bad only beun one thing wanting to make this Clniltmas Eve quite perfect-I miesed not being able to ipegin it in the proper German stylo, with the singing of an anthem in a dark- ened room, whilo the tree wa< being lighted up behind closed folding doors during the last verse. But one nevare knows when one is really well off. This trifling disappointment meant much to me at the time, and af terwards I knew that, in spite of it, that evening bad been the beat and happieat in my whole life. Another thing, too, that had always been a little bit of a grievance to us both—the fact that out Christmas being fixed by the Old Calendar, no longer fell together with that of oar kith and kin in the western c°t!n.rl!S; 80. that, how- ever much WB might be nnited in loving remem- brance, and by the exchange of Rifts, we could never unite our thoughts in its celebration at the self-same moment. rbis henceforth stood us in good stead, for weoooidmakeita pretext tor no longer having any Christmas festivities at all. We could always say to ourselves at the proper date I It is not yet Christmas here 1" And then, twelve dayrf later, it Was eo easy to tell oneself, Christmas is already past It helped ns,too, that in Houmania. ta in all other Latin conntriee, New Year's Day latbe public holiday, and all presents aie ,l1ade then, Christmas being simply observed as the reiigiouB festival. But we were careful never to let any of our own relations suspect that we had given up keeping Christmas altogether, so as not to spoil their rejoicings for them. It was very hard to bear, though, that first deEolate Cbrintmas. and since then they hive always in reality fcoen tha Mstone. We wora silent, even towards one another. I left the King at work in bia study, went back to my own lonely room; and, sitting down at my writing-table, wroto off four or five poems— each a cry of pain how my aobiog heart—one after tbe other. For a long time all the years were alike after that. All tho joy lad gone ont of oar Jives: how could we pretend to be happy or take j pleasure ia saeli seasons any more ? She was I gone, and Bhs sent no other to fill her place. l' Perhaps it was in order that no other might fill ;5, thet she might be sore of never being forgotten. But oh there was no fear of that Had a dozen children oomu after her. not one conld ever bave taken her place in our hearts, nothing conic) ever again fill that aching void her absence leaves To have bad oao child, and to lose her so soon There is no grief like thig. It did, indeed, undermine my health, the perpetual longing for ber—the more so because I could not benr to speak of it to anyone and if for years I had to be carried from room to room, unabie to walk a stop, I know tbat it waa not so much from any physical weakness aa it was tho weight 01 sorrow that in real truth tool, my bodily strength away. So much has already been spoken and written about on public lives, but abont the true-the, inner-JHe nothing has ever been told. And who-, indeed, could have told it ? Who ia there can guess what is parsing inside another soul ? And even towards one another we were silent, we two, becaaae neither of nil dared to speak of what was uppermost in our thoughts. The blow had fallen, and we couid ne'.er recover from it, but we had to put on smiles to face the world, and to manago nomabovv to straggle cheerfully through onr appointed taak in life. After that last Cbristmas-tree, my darling's last one bore on earth, I did not see another for many, manv years, until the winter I spent as an invalid in my mother's house on the Rblne, when to please ber I had myself wheeled in my chair up to the organ to ta.ke my place there and lead the singing for her as in old time!. The flood of memories bat JOshed over me all I struck the first chords it would be impossible to describe. Enough that here once more, all on many occasions, the thought for others' bappinass enabled ma to force a smile to my lips and go thiocgb the hard ordeal. On my return to Bucbareilt, as 60onaa I was strong enough, three years later, it vyas oar turn to be invited to a Christmas fcaiily party, for during my absence tbe heir to the throne bad bronght home bis beautiful young wife, and their hearth was already blessed by the presence of two children. For tbe first moment, when I saw the two fair little heads beneath the tree. I felt as if the knife that is always in my heart was being turned and twisted in the wound, and an agonised prayer went up from my Hool to God that I might have strength given me to bear the pain. It has passed now, the anguish which the sight of other children brings to the berea.ved mother's heart, and like any other trial wbich we bear in silence for the sake of others, has beenrinh in subsequent blessing. Only a few weeks more and 1 shall onco again be ready to take my place under the tree among the little throng, whose childish voices, as they welcome me with boisterous affection, gladden my heart, and to whom I would always fain appear in the light of a Fairy Godmother, laden with gifts, and skilful in inventing some new surprise, some marvellous amusement never heard oj before, to make each Christmas more delightful than tbe last. Bnt even they can hardly guess,, as tbey ruail to meet me with outstretchsd arms, the whole depth oi a long-repressed maternal tenderness in he besom to which they are folded, the cravings of the lonely mothet's heart as their sweet lips press their cheek Last Christmas I wan paying a visit to tbe Convent in Bucharest, where so many poot chil- dren are cared for and tended with unselfish devotion, and one poor littlo sufferer attracted myapecial attention. The good nuns told me how the story of my invalid brother's life, and ot the patience and heroism with which he bore his Bufferings, had comforted this little creature on her bed of pain. For this reason she so moch wished to see me, and to lcwud me for having written the book she loved ahe brought me ber greatest treasure, a picture of St. Elizabotb. I held her a long time on my knee, and she leant ber poor little head against my bosom, with the big melancholy eyes staring wistfully into my face. Afterwards I learned bow this poor little creature, more than an orphan, since she had never known either father or mother, had aaid to tbe nuns when [ went away, "Wbat a pity that tbe Queen is not my mother I She would bave been such a good mother to me I sent her a. little Christmas troo, all to herself, and am looking forward to bearing of her Dleaaare in the pretty thingb I bung on it for her. In this manner then has Carmen Christmas often bean spant-mora often in mourning than in gladness, even io tbe days of childhood. For mine was not the thoughtless, careless youth wbich eo many cau Jook back to, aDd which most pareotB wish they eould ensure to their children. So I wait nd watcb for the true Christmas that no sorrow can mar, no cloud can dim. Tbe Obristmas down here on earth is only tbe image of it, bat it can be so dear and sweet to moat of us that we know by that how perfect the great, eternal Christmas will one day be

Young Mother's Shame. II' A TAP AT A FRIEND'S WINDOW. Unhappy Marriage, It was a vety sad and a very strange love Atoiy that was.laid at-ftoaglas,- Isle .of Uaxi,x>a Saturday concerning Lietiti* Pro*ton, »^opng mariied woman, who waa charged with departing and exposing ber infant child. She bad beun arrested at St. Helens, near Liverpool, and brought back to the Isle of Man cn Friday. Har pp,rents, it was stated, lived in Crosby, but she has been married some years. Her married life was very unhappy, and she separated from her husband last winter, and up to Jane Jast flbe was employed as barmaid and pilmiste at Elbers Arms, St. Helena, kept by George Johnston. She figared here as a single woman, and Johnston's brother, a, collier, lodged with him, and tbis brother, the prisoner alleged, was the futbee of her child. She Has in service in Bowling Green Hotel, Douglas, all the summer, and latterly worked at Castletown. On Novem- ber 24th she left Castletown, intending to go to Liverpool, but was taken ill in the train, and drove to the Poor Asylum, where, notwithstand- ing ber condition, she was refused admission without an order from the relieving officer, and then sbe drove to a nursing bomb in Douglas, where, an hour after admission,a child was born. On leaving the bouse a fortnight later sbe could not pay the nurse, and was without money, home, or friends. She bad formerly been in the service cf Mr W. P. Cowell, retired farmer, and IIbe went to bis house, intending to ask assistance, bnt ou arriving at his house she was too ashamed to go inside, a.nd acting on a sudden impulse ahe tapped on the sitting-room window and deposited the infant on the ground, knowing it would bo immediately found. The magistrate? dismissed tbecue, tbe woman saying friends would beip her keep the child aatil she Rot work,

LEGAL PUZZLE Created by Judges' Varied Treat- ment. A cnrioas illustration of the different views wbich different intfges take of tbe Moneylenders' Act was afforded in Mr Justice Grantham's court on Saturday. Mr Justice Chinnsll interprets the Aot in a manner favourable to moneylenders. He con- siders that where an intelligent man enters into interest, however large, he la bound by bis contract. The borrower makes the engagement with bis eyes open, and he must keep to bis engagement. This principle Mr Justice Channel I has applied to several cases that have been tried by him lately. Mr Jastice Grantbam looks on the matter very differently. He holds that where a man in a time of great stress binds himself to pay huge interest be is entitled to relief. Otherwise the Money- lenders' Act would be purposeless. On Saturday the following case was submitted to Mr Jastice Grantham :— A stockbroker who was about to be ham- mered" on Change, unless be could at once obtain £200, borrowed tbat sum from a money- lander, agreeing to repay..£300 within six months by monthly instalments. He repaid a great part in this way, and then en bia failure togo on pay- ing the moneylender sued for tbe balance and interest. On behalf of the moneylender one of Mr Justice Cbannell's judgments was quoted, Mr Justice Grantham said that be did nOli wholly agree with his brother Channell," and awarded the moneylender considerably less tban be claimed. The effect of the different views held by judges on tbis matter is tbat litigants in this class of case are more or less in the position of specula- tors. Their success or nou-succeas depends on the chance of what list their case is in.

GLAMORGAN SOCIETY, LONDON. On Saturday evening, at the Criterion Rsstaur- ant, tbe annual general meeting of the Glamor- gan Society, London, was bel3. The committee's report shewed that tbenumber of member* at the end of tbe financial year was A46, and it was announced with gratification that tbp surplus bad consistently increased, and was now Mr Fred Morgan had designed a coat of arms for the society, wbich Wf adopted. The rendezvous was now the Welsh Club, wbere members gathered every Wednesday evening. The report was adopted and the president and o&icsrs for the ensning year elected. Tbe remainder of the evening was spent socially.

SHOOTING AT THEATRICALS- At Falkirk on Saturday Donald Stewart, stage carpenter, was committed for trilll on a -i charge of calpabie homicide. It was stated that n children's 6psretta was produced at Grange- mouth on Thtfraday, and Stewart, who is em ¡ ployed with a theatrical company, at on6 part of the entertainment fired a revolver to give some stage effect. Somehow or other the 10- volver had Been loaded with ball cartridge and a girl was struck in the neck, receiving in- j juries from which she died.

Mr Rangle," said tho book agent, can I sell yon a history of Menard Connty ?" Why, that happens to be the county I WM boru and grew np in," said the lawyer; wbat is tbe book worth ?" Four dollars H copy." I'll tako one," To Mr Rangle'« intense tin prise tbe j caller brntst into tears. What's the matter, I young man," be aRked was the shock too great for yon ?" It—it wasn't what I ex- pected 1" sobbed the book agent; "I bad made a b-bet of five dollars yon'd kiokmo oat."

THE DAUNTLESS t THREE And How They Made Christmas. By EVELYN EVERETT-GREEN (Author of A Great Indescretion," etc.) They had won their nickname—tha dauntless three—from their pluck when the calamity camo which overwhelmed with ruin 10 many families. It was a bad bank smash ard it told moat haaviiy upon widows and small capitalists, whose whole living was thus swept away. Madge Carling and Joyce Atwood were c r, nsina-anci orphans-and fonnd themselves obliged to confront life almost penniless. Dolly Oashwood, also an orphan, was the prond possessor of an income of one hundred and fifty ponnds settled upon her, which no calamity could conch. 14 was she who had spoken— Come girls-lat U8 cast in our lot together. I've enough to keep us iu bread and cheese, and yoa've brains and to spare. We'll go to London. Madge shall, draw and paint Joyce shall write atoiios and take type- wiit i rig-ber machine hasn't been shipwrecked, thank good- ness—and we'll sink or swim together. I'm convinced we ehall swim I" So the dauntless three had faced life in this fashion, and its Dolly had forotold-they had not sunk. Now they were comfortably lodged in a good bouae in an old fashioned neighbour- hood near a large square. Their landlady was a clorgyman'a widow, who appreciated letting BC much of her house to tiixec bright, clever kind-bearded gjris. The children of the house adored them all-Dolly in particular ani BUS- cess in moderate measuro had attended the efforts of both artist and cvriter. The top of the bouse consisted of an immense attic-which a little ingenuity bad turned into I a studio for Madge, and what Dolly termed a messary" for the whole trio. Certainly the name did not aeeni oat of place upon this chili winter afternoon. Heaps of odds and ends and I all manner of dainty trifles, all stamped with an unmistakable Christmas expression lay scattered over the big deal able in one corner, where Dully waa gumming or stitching or twisting or powdering, with deft quick fingers that attacked obaoa valiantly, and left order behind. There were boxos of tiny Christmas candies, lows of dolla dressed in marvelloasly vivid costumes, brilliant paper boxes with Christmas-card lids, doll's furniture in wood, wicker, or cardboard, and multitudes of nameless odds and ends dear to the heart of childhood. The artist in another part of the room was putting the finishing touches to a screen, the panels of which were her own clever handiwork. She was standing a little back to take a final look before laving down her brpsbes, when the door was flung open and Joyce burst in like a small whirlwind of front and snow for a blast of cold air followed her, and she shosk off some powdery flakea of white from her per- ROD, and from the parceia with which her arms were full. li Wish me joy, girls Hip-bic-hip hroah I I called at that publisher's an I was passing- where I sent my poor novel for its third visit I Of course I expected nothing but a polite intimation that it was not wanted but would Gwandad-come and see my Kiemas twes I" 1 yon believe it, I was shown upstairs into an editorial den. I'll tell yon all about the inter- view another time. What I want to impress upon you ia that I came away with a cheque for ten pounds on account. Think of it- a whole ten pounds for a Christmas orgie-" Ub, no, Joyce, ob, no I It's splendid, bat we mustn't be extravagant t" 11 J will be extravagant—for once, I tell yon I Tbat paternal publisher iiked me-)iked my work—I know it. It was he who offered the cheque. 1 didn't ask. I'd got on my very oldest clothes, yoa see. Perhaps he thought I was harder up than I am. It was nice of him, wasn't it ? But perhaps he remembered it was Christmas. Girls-here are cakes and chocolates and cbrystallised fruits, and we're going to bave-" I know, I know," cut in Dolly, who Was dancing a pas seul in the corner, we're going to have the most Fctuti-iptiouii Christmas our- selves but I toll yon what it is, girls there's one thing I can't get over." What's that, Dolly 2" Why that dismal old man opposite all alone-" The Ogre ?" Queried Joyce, laughing. Doily put up a warning finger. Didn't we agree not to cail him that any more aitei he'd bought one of Madge's picture* ? I don't believe he's half a bad old boy, bat some- thing's eone wrong with him, and he's so desper- ately shy and so miserably lonely. Girls-wo,ve got to do something to inakschristmes for him." Do] ly-bow can we ? A rich man like that I If he were poor 1-" Yea. tijat's always the way. Anybody may shower gifts on the poor—and quite right, too, at this time above all but if a man's rich, no matter ho,, old or lonely or miserable be may be, nobody is to raise a hand to belp him, 1 can't see it." Well, what can we do, Dolly ?" I'm going to see," answered Dolly, casting her working apron into a oornei. Yoa trot along down to my rooms, yoa two, and get tea ready—mind it II a good one I We"e been too busy to lunch to speak of, and I'm mighty peckish. I'll run and bavo a chat with Mra Muuroe-and come and report progress." Half an hour later in the first floor rooms of I the house, which in actual fact belonged to Dolly, but wbere all were eqaally at borne, tho three girls were gathered aboat a well-spread table, where tea and toast, cakea and egga ware set out in tempting array, and Dolly held forth with animation to her two companions on the subject near to ber heart. Mrs Munioe knows all about him—knows him a little, as we knew she did, when he eant over for some pictures to look at. Whsn Mr Munroe was alive tbey used to know him pretty well but since be quarralled with his son, and the son walked out of the house and never came back—" Ob, wa.a that it Mr Towers baa t son then ?" Yes, Frank Towera, she called him he seems to have been a cbip of the old block, and when his mother died there was no one to keep the peace between them. But things went pretty well till the old man made up his mind to choose a wife for Frank. Frank, meantime, bad chosen for bimsclt. Then there was a rigiit royal row. Frank didn't wait to be kicked Oat of the bouse-be walked out—and hia goods and chattels were sent over here, and here he lived for a little while. Then he went the wbole hog, and married the girl he carod for and they live in a small way not far off. He's a barrister by profession bat be haa few briefs, and ekes out by jonrnaliatio work and writing articles for some of tbe good reviews." He's got brains then 1" Plenty, Mrs Ckfnnroe says; and ha'a get- ting on; but only slowly. They're awfully fond of one another, and it hurts her to think that she's the cause of this split with his father. Bat he's as proad and as bald as the old man himself." Dolly stopped suddenly short, attacked her tea vehemently, anl then suddenly breaking into speech again added Mrs Munroe has invfted them—and the ohild —to tea here, in my rooms, on Christmas Eve. Toddles is to have u share in the Christmas tree we're making for ber trota. Q hafll draw them. They adore Toddies-I don't know whether it's a be or a she—forgot to ask. Bat I stood over her white she wrote the letter. They'll all be here on Christmas Eva. Gir]L- we've got to do tbe rest." They ail looked at eafch otber. Dolly's face was rippling with a sort of mischievous glee, that of J'oyco was eager over a dramatic situa- tion that appealed to her imagination. Madge looked sweetly serious and yet hopeful. Her lips moved to the frv-uing of certain Iamjjjar words. And on earth peace, goodwill towards men." Ctiristms4 Eve had come. The drawing-room floor was a. bower of holly. Dolly's bedroom had been given up to the mysteries of the decked tree, which at an appointed time would be dis- closed to ecraptured eyes by the opening of the dividing double doors. The front room was decorated for the feast and a table set forth in 1the midst large enough to entertain tbe cooipuny, There was to to Mra Mnnroe and her quarlst of eager children, and ibe Frank Towers' with Toddles. Tho giiis themeeKes were lesolute on acting in the capacity of attendants. Tho j slavey waa to have a Christmas holiday ber. acting in the capacity of attendants. Tho j slavey" was to have a Christmas holiday bar. aetf .11m anob Cttnatmaa bten for hex before—presents, a money gift, and the liberty to make Christmas for her aged mother a bome. We'll see to everything. do every- thing," cried Dolly, who took command of the situation we'll have a glorious tima ourselves in tbe kitchen regions, and you shall have a tea fit for an empress. And all the guerden we will is the loan of Toddles when tea ia over, on the excuse of giving him a wash up. Have him wa mast: but retarn him and sound, and you keep his parents qaiet if he is rather long absent. My life for his, if he doesn't come back safe." Mrs Muaroe asked no questions. Perhaps she thought it better not to know too much. Witb much laughter and almost wild spirits the dauntless three donned cap and apron and prepared to assume their role of waitresses and helps. It was Dolly who opened tbe door in the dusk to the Frank Towers', Her keen glance took them all in-tbe tall, eagle-faced man, with the bighly strung nature and iron will, the fra- gile, swest-natured wife. who would never oppose herself to her husband, though she might grieve in secret and the curly hoaded :rot with hi* square chubby face, and little masterful ways —ways that showed bim to be a Towerss tbrougU and through, and which delighted Dolly even in the brief time in which she was divesting him of bia many wrappings, and carrviug him upstairs in lbe wake of his parents. Dolly was a born child-lover, aud even in those few minutes had contrived to establish personal relations with the little autocrat. Merrily went the fa.st, and Toddles did jastico to it. Better and jam bedaobed his IlDall fietll and shining face, and it was no wonde; that DoHy lifted him hodily from his chair at last whsn he could eat DO iDOle, and carried him off for some ablutions. She gave Mis Munroe a look, and that lady, rising to the occasion, drew tba parents into along and ssrioas conversation abort past, prsoeut and future; whilst Madge engrossed the children tn a. new game in a corner, and Dolly escaped with her prize to tho lower regions. Joyce was waiting for her, sponge and bason and towel in readiness. Thu little fellow sub- mitted to the inevitable, and then his outer gar- ments were brought to the kitchen fire. Toddles not goin' home yet—Toddles to have Kiaiuas twee. Yes, Toddles—boofal Kismas tree; but Tod- dies going to fetch nice old gentleman firat. Toddles will say to hjm—' Grandad-come and seo my tree.' Toddies say it—' Grantiad-èome and see my tree.' Toddlos was regarding the two girls with solemn scrutiny. Is it a. game ?" ho asked suspiciously. Yes, darling—a lovely game-a game to make daddy and mammy bappy. They make Toddies happy always. Toddles make them happy to-night." AU play," cried the child, beginning to become excited, and Dolly forth- with donning bat and coat, wrapped the little follow up in a bundle, an j fairly ran with him across tbe street, to the portico of the great bouse. There she knew that her way had been pre- pared. Au old servant opened the door, and in stantly fastened eager eyes upon the bundle in her arms. The girls set Toddles down and pulled off some of his outer wraps. He stood revealed a Bturdy little urchin with a early mop, a rose- leaf skin, and features btamped with an indivi- duality tbat marked those of a pictured fact looking down from a canvas on the walls. Mr Frank's boy?" asked the servant in what was little above a whisper. YUJ, don't announce him, Dleaae. JUlt aay that a lady has come upon a. little matter of bUli. uess." Dolly pioked up the boy, and he cuddled up to her willingly, feeling something strange in the atmosphere of this big, dark house, put hia arms tight about her neck, and laid a head upon ber shoulder. Go on, Joyce," spoke Dolly; and as though the scene had been rehearsed before, Joyce moved in the wake of the servant to the room the had once entered before, when she had helped Madge to carry"aeross two pictures for inspection. We want to come and wish yon a happy Christmas," she said, walking fcoldy forward to the glowing hearth, where tbe old man sat alone to the sound of Christmas chimes. Yon were good to us, aud we thought we might bring yon a little Christmas present. If yoa don't like will take it away—" Christmas present—bless my soul, young la.ly—do yoo take me for a child ? Christmas present—what in the world have yoa got there?" Dolly came forviard, seeking for the dauDt. lessncss with which they bad been credited. We have brought you your grandson—m thought that would be a nice Christmas present for you. Toddles, what have you got to say to thia kind old gentleman ?" She deposited the little fellow bodily upon bia knee. The leaping fire bipzed up in a glow ot rosy colour. Itsboneou the child's golden curls, into his big dark eyes, and lighted up his fresh, soft baby face. It evoked from him a gleeful laob, and in that laugh all shyness of the queer old man fled. He slipped to the floor. He lifted bis face. He seized one of the Jong lean wrinkled hands. Gwandad—come and see my twee —Gwandad —come and see my Kismas twee." u All, Toddles, wb»t a good idua. Do come, Mr t we ate makiafta Christmas tie# >■ opponilo for aoeM eTtttdten. we -wain1 join us. It is Christmaa Eve, >ou kuovv." His eyes were upou the face of tba chUd — hungIV eyes, dark cavecus, full of the mystery that hedges aboat the lives of tbe aged. The words Joyce was about to apeak died away on ber lips. For a moment she felt as though the success of their mission were trembling in the balance. It was Toddles who broke tbe tension. Ho tugged hard at the hand he held. Gwandad, come and see my twee. Toddlea muat go to his tweo-Gwandad come too." The little one exerted all his strengtb and tbe old man roae slowly from his seat. In tba background his sorvant must surely bave been hovering for he came forward at this moment with bia master's overcoat and bat. Me take yoa Gwandaa—me ahew yott the wIIoY." shouted Toddlea, delighted with thia sense of emancipation from petticoat (loverD- ment. He cast a roguish glance at Dolly oat of the corners of his eyes, and cried oat: Me take Gwandad. Me go witb Gwandad." and Dolly smiled him an assent, as with Joyce's hand held fast in her own she led the way across the street. My dear, who are yoa ?" asked Mr Towers, as thoy stood on the doorstop of Mr* MUD roe's houst*. I think this young lady," looking at Joyce, I saw before, but yoo-" Oh, never mind ace I am only one of it limited company," answered Dolly with a tremulous laugh. They call ns sometime* the dauntless three.' She had her key in tbe look, she 3wuug open tho door. Madge was on the look out. When sbe saw who entered witb them she flashed suddenly. Mrs Munroe and the children are down here. The father and mother are up there—for the moment—alone—waiting for the children to be washed and to came back for the tree. Go np gnicldy-eend them in—" Toddles was tugging vehemently at the old man's hand. As DoHy escorted them upstaira and threw open tbo door of the drawing-room, the child palled harder at his captive. Gwandad, come oncomu on— Daddy, —Mummy,—I'va bwougbt Gwandad to see the twee." Dolly ehat the door nDon them sharply. She tnrned round between laughing and crviag and the dauntless three clang together as if foe mutual support, It's Christmas Eve—It's Cbriatmas Eve." cried Dolly in little gasps, I'm going to ligbt up the Christmas tree."

HARSH TO THE POOR. A Merthvr Recommendatien. At a meeting of the Mertbyr Guardians on Saturday the Rev. J. O'Rpilly moved a reso- lution to tbe effect that the board strongly repro- bated the use of strong, harsb, and offensive language by their officers in their dealings tb tbe poor, and tbat if any complaint be me against any officer it Konid be their immediate daty to take serious notice of it. He said in reply to too clerlt that ba did not imply that any officer was gailty of tbiB, bat he asked that it should be sent to tbem as a recommendation. Mrs D. M. Richards seconded. Some discussion followed, it being contended tbat the resolution was not framed in sufficiently general terms.The Rev. J. H. Davies said it was too sweeping and a reflection upon the officers,bnt MrHiIey(Cyfar- tbia) raid be knaw of instances. Mr V. A. Wilis said it was very probable that the deserving poor bad to auffer on uccoant of the deception prac- tised on the officers by some applicants. On vote the motion was carried by 11 to 9.

TRESPASSING SON. Mr Justice Buckley's Surprise. I have never seen or beard of a statement of olaim so extraordinary," ejaculated Mr Joatiec Buckley in the Chancery Division on Saturday, referring to the case of Waterhonse v. Water. house. It was a motion for jadgment in defaalt of appearance. Mr Waterhonse, a. medioal practK tioner of Scarborough, asked for an injunction to restrain his son, who is 35 years of 1\J!:8. from trespassing at bis boase. The father complained that his son insisted upon residing with him, and made no ,eff"rt8 to earn his own Jiving, althoagh be bad belJ I brought up to a profession. His Lordship obssrvel that aaeh an orie* wouk entitle tbe parent to npply to the eoarl to commit the 30n to prison if the latter bad the "audacity io visit bis lather's house. Under no circumstances, in my judgment," he went OD, can a lather divest himself of hit duty to his son. Thu father has no legal right to restrain the son from coming to his house. I decline tw make any order at all."

IRISH GROWN TOBACCO. If the practical experiments in the cultivation of tobacco carried on in county Meatb lor last s:x years may be accepted as typical, tba Sister Isle comes into sight of a. new und fairly profitable industry, It ia stated that, witb rebate of one-third of tb6 doty, Colonel Everardf thv chief fexporimsnlali-'t.can alr6.idy make "how of a substantia! profit. So bright ia the outlook, indeed, that a local factory baa come into bsinff for ths conversion cf tbe raw material into ¡ Cavendish and the oCUor sorts eepacially affectco ) by Irlab peasants.