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4 For Love of a Maid.
4 For Love of a Maid. By EMMA M. MORTIMER, Author of "The Second Lady Evesham," "Cords of Sin," "Robert Wynstan's Ward," Phantom Cold," &o.. &c, --+-- [COPYRIGHT.] ♦ CHAPTER XXXVI I.-MRS. MARSHALL'S DISCOVERY. Xot caring to entrust Khodn's secret. even to her lover, till she had verified it, for there must he a doubt that her wanderings were but the spoken phantasmagoria of a dying brain, Violet went herself to the old onk tree where Ehoda had told her the genuine notes were hidden. The fissure which showed as the only possible place for their hiding was a dozen leet :I)ove the ground, but Violet was young and agile. It was not the work of a minute with her to seize a branch that hung lower than the others, then lightly swinging her- self up by it, she thrust her hand into the cavity. Yes, the rustle of paper met her fingers not eix inches from the opening, and carefully she drew forth the innocent-looking brown paper parcel hidden within it. With trembling fingers she counted the notes to find that I-Ihoda had reduced their original amount by something like fifteen hundred pounds. On winged feet she sped back to Brank- eonie Hall, and now Kiclard Darling was able to assure her there was no fraud, though ivUiiuut TViiirntjj TO snow jier una to ,\ea. ii<? advised her to deposit the noles in the local bank. You had letter go and tell Xed," she said half shyly as the car approached the little lodge where Hhoda lay sleeping. Lie hard Darling gave a rollicking laugh. And l>e blamed for cheating him of a sight of you? Dr. Brunner was running over to fcee him to-day, so I shan he lucky if I catch liirn hel ween Brunner's leaving and his own eetting off oil his round." Darling swwug himself out of the car, gave the chauffeur orders to drive Miss Douglas home, then went slowly across the park to cut oft the curve of the drive. On the death of the late William Vivian, he had willed to his widow certain of the furniture and effects of Endarcross Mano. and these she had removed to Kelston Hall before her marriage, though there yet re- mained a few choice piece- of china, whose removal she refused to entrust to other bands than her own. Edward Yhian lId laughed at her fears when he told her Iriat she herself mus-t come for them when she thought, meanwhile they would not leave their accustomcd niches. Mrs. Marshall had a couple of hours to spare 011 the afternoon following Rhoda Brownlees's death, and, ordering her hus- band's neat little electric brougham, she was driven over t.) llndercross. She sent the car round to the stables to wait, and entered the house by the side door so often used by frerald. The butler met her f, she emerged into 1 the hall, and after informing fr". Marshall tlmt his master was al>sent and would not return till four o'clock, lie left her to pursue Iter own devices. In (he last few months the Imprint of years had fallen from Ursula Marshall's handsome face. John Douglas had written to tell her that he was leaving England to hein afresh, and she need hav* no fear of further trouble from him, thus her position was assured; none would ever know what had hlled the years which spanned the time Iwtween her leaving school ind meeting with William Vivian. Robert Marshall was devoted to her, his generosity accorded with his devotion, and, if she had somewhat lowered her social status by mating with a solicitor who was proud of Ioa%tiilfz that he came of a race of solici- tors, yet the Marshalls had always heen ad- mitted to the inner courts of county society. It was not a task of great magnitude to fill the basket which Mrs. Marshall had brought with her, and it was no more than half past three when she fasiened the costly 1 fur coat which had been one of her husband's wedding gifts, and drew on her gloves. But I a swift flash of remembrance warned her that it would 1 better if she did not leave th3 manor without first, assuring herself that her stepson was still absent. Often she had known him enter by the surgery door, and, if none of the servants had occasion to enter that room, he would remain there, hours sometimes elap:-ing ere his presence was known. Sc Mrs. Marshall carefully deposited ber precious basket on the floor of the hall and turned into the short passage which led to the surgery. The door was a quarter of an indl ajar, evidently it had been closed by someone who had turned away without j troubling to assure himself that the latch had "ome forward, and as Mrs. Marshall ap- proache«l with noiseless tread, she liecamo conscious that not only was her stepson in his surgery, hut also that he was not alone She checked her steps instinctively, and on tiptoe covered the six feet that lay be- tween her and that tiny chink. Edward was probably only talking to one of thr villagers but she was irresistibly impelled to learn who was his patient before she knocked on the door to acquaint him with her coming. Wei!, we thought we'd better settle things up before we came to tell you." It was Richard Darling who spoke, and at sound of his voice Ursula Marshall pressed the fraction of an inch further forward, drawing closely around her the ample width of her coat, let it should rustle and betray her. 1 H' a strong story," was Vivian's reply. All the time Violet told me of her pre- sentiment that Khoda's e.-«apade would prove to bear upon her, and—I laughed. Good heavens! what an ass I nitipt have been!" "I thought Violet was fanciful and over, wrought, but I don't think so noví," and Darling laughed, that hearty sound which so seldom failed to draw an echo from its hearers, but to-day Vivian was in no mood l'or laughter. "However, the real notes—or rather what that poor, misguided girl hasn t spent:—are safely housed at last. I resolutely refused to allow Violet to keep them in my house a moment longer than was absolutely necessarv. She has consented to accept the sables and the diamonds—they were bought with her money; therefore, it is only right thev should lie hers. It's no use my attempt- ing to congratulate you, Xed; but you know how glad I am." There was the sound of a chair Fcraped along the floor, followed by quiet, regular steps. A ivian had risen and was, pacing to and fro after hi' habit if he were disturbed or perplexed. But Mrs. Marshall had 110 fear that he would approach the door through which she was to learn the empti- ness of the triumph that had seized her when John Douglas told her of the flash for- tune which would lie inherited by Edward Vivian's promised wife. She had rejoiced that at last she would see wiped out the lengthening score which eecretlv she owed him for his refusal to ex- pend more money on Gerald, a refusal that had had a more vital bearing on Ursula Tîdan's life than her step-son would ever know. But. the fruit wa-q turning to ashes in her mind. If It would be a bit overdrawn if you did congratulate me," said Viviaii, presently, "because I haven't yet accepted the etory. I must have time hefore I can convince my- self that it's true; but if it is, that five thou- sand pounds— "Shut up about that r' interrupted Dar- ling. "That five thousand's to be paid out of the royalties of the Wellsleigh Collieries and not out of your wife's dowry." Mr". Marshall drew in her breath wilh a. smothered exclamation, for now the veil was torn from that other suspicion which had added lurilier to her elation. Clearly the money which had paid the last five thousand pounds QÏ JJiQ!:tí1g:f (lU Ljultl'CTOSS had not re"ll PTTB-WTI rrirm i-nwr IITJWTS mi I Margaret Douglas, but supplied' by Dick Darling. What a blind, unreasoning fool she must be ever to have thought that Edward was the man to yield to a tem pt a tion "You've been over at Wellsleigh. Dick?" "I ran through yesterday. In about another fortnight the engineers say they will itA able to present their report. In five years* time, Ned. you'll lie a rich man, end the glory of the Vivians will have regained its old lustre, with perhaps a little added shine. Coal's as reliable a gold-producer as we have it] England." Ursula Marshall fell had a couple of steps before this revelation. Coal at Wellsleigh! --AVellsleigli, the place she had never seen but once shortly after her marriage, when she had sworn she would never go back, and had turned upon her husband witli scorn un- bounded when he spoke of willing it to her, for it was not in the entail. She hated the house, its surroundings were unbearable, with more that hurt her husband more than he chose to show, and—he had left the place to Edward. One by "one her triumphs were being filched from her till there would onlv remain her marriage. "Itill be a shock to the folks of Ender- cross when they learn what's afoot," con- tinued Richard Darling presently. So one knows of tIliRp" "No one," was Dick's reply. "Marshall never visits Welh-leigh, and I've only men- tioned the matter to you." After all, then, Dick, it might not be so long before I pay that five thousand from the one source you say you'll accept it." There was a silent, irregular movement, and Ursula Marshall fled. She did not wish to lie caught eavesdropping, and it was not necessary that she should run this risk in order to learn what her husband would con- fide in her later. But here Mrs. Marshall was mistaken, for Robert Marshall himself was never told the historv of the restoration OT me uanK-notes. j^nwarn Vivian cold him briefly (hat the rightful notes had been re- turned in circumstances which he did not wish to discuss, and with this she was obliged to be content.
!BIBLE STUDIES, | CONDUCTED…
AIeL RIGHTS KRSBRVRD ) BIBLE STUDIES, CONDUCTED BY PASTOR RUSSELL, of London. I THE WORLDS NEED. j A STRONG MONARCH Y. "THE DESIRE OF ALL NATIONS SHALL COME." (f,Y.,w!l The I'hoto drama of Creation continues to d raw large crowds w'horever presented. Ma;iy have voluntarily ex- prt&se-l their satisfaction at having their faith in the B ble as the Word of God restored by the Drama's reasonable ex- planations of Scripture P!. hitherto misunderstood I by tliem. Pastor Russell's Ser- mon this week is from the text: 1 will snaKe all nations, and the desire of all peoples shall come" (Haggj ii. 7), The Pastor began with the declaration that the only proper contentment is that which is combined with godliness, and which sees from the Scriptural standpoint the Divine Power able to correct the difficulties which assail mankind. Thus in-trueted. the godly b-jlieyer is able to appropriate to himself the Divine promises of providential care, and conse- quently can be content with conditions which are not satisfactory. The Pastor here referred to a class calling themselves Christian Soc ialist?. These well- meaning souls, he said, perceive the situation and the neeu. They say, li\es; the world should be socially transformed. Its riches should flow everywhere for the general re- freshment of mankind as a whole." This class philosophises on what God surely would, and surely would not. approve amongst men. and then'declares that all Christians sliould im- mediately set about to secure to the world a just division of God's bounties. The love and zeal of this c'ass for right ] principles should be commended, the Pastor maintained, but not the course by which they would seek to obtain their desired ends. Recognising the principles of Divine justice, they seek to apply these. forgctllng that thev have not the Divine wisdom necessary to a proper THE SCRIPTURAL YJEW OF THE SITUATION. The world was then discussed. According to the Word of God, the world is not properly ready for autonomy. Earth is the one rebel- lious province in the Divine Empire—one in which sin, selfishness, and death constitute the ruling elements. The Bible declares that the world needs a monarchy—a strong, cen- c, tralised government, in which the masses will have no voice whatever, because in their condition they do net know what is for their good. Furthermore, the Bible declares that pre- sent institutions, under the power of selfish- ness driving the wealthy in one direction and the masses in another, arc about to briiig a world-wide crash—anarchy. To this end general selfishness and discontent are urging the two great combatants, both of whom will fall in the struggle, never to rise again. They will be succeeded, however, by the Kingdom of God's dear Son. T' it strong Government, that Theocracy to which every knee shall bow, is the King- dom that the world needs. Its rule of righteousness alone will bring mankind tne joy and peace which all crave, but which none of us are wise enough to know how to I bring about—not even our Socialist friends 1 The part of faith and wisdom is to look to the Lord. Nor should we look fa Him to ap- prove our methods, but rather to be informed respecting His methods and to co-operate to the extent of our abilities. THE-GOSPEL OF DISCONTENT. The Pastor then pointed out kindly that all Christian Socialists should willingly concede that if now is the proper time to reseue Labour from wh.it they call "the slavery of I modern industrialism," then surely God is as much interested in that release as they or I any others could possibly be—yea, more so. If those well-meaning souls have been espeei- allv commissioned to preach a new Gospel, or a new addition to the old Gospel, they should produce proofs of that authorisation. Until the proofs are seen their existence must be doubted. It was shown that, 011 the contrary, the Scriptures declare that there is but one Hope set before us in the Gospel, even as there is but one Lord, one Faith, one Baptism. No one will ever succeed in making the world happy by preaching the Gospel of Discontent, the speaker declared. To-day Labour is a hundredfold better fed, clothed, and housed than in the days of our forefathers, and, safe to say, a hundredfold more discontented. Our Lord was surrounded by conditions of sickness, sorrow, poverty, &c., so that pro- perly He could say, Th.c poor ye liax-e ii-itli you always." The Apostles were similarly situated. Yet, it was asked, have we any evidence whatever that they attempted to break the chains of the slavery of Lab- (lUl' "? Most assuredly not Our Lord came into the world to die for the race of Adam. The great work of human uplift he left until the establishment of his Millennial Kingdom. THE GOSPEL OF ERROR. The Pastor then declared that Christian Socialists would probably ascert that Socialists are crying out that they do not find Heavenly hopes satisfactory; that they desire earthly iiopes and riches, and intend to have tlwm; and that what the people desire is what the pulpit must supply, else ministers will lose their influence. His reply is that all this is very true. But, he claimed, the difficulty is that the Gospel is not properly presented to the people. The message taught by our Lord and his Apostles is consistent; whereas that from the majority of pulpits is inconsistent. Both Catholics and Protestants tell the people that there is a Heaven for the saintly who. before dying, become firmly established in the graces of the Holy Spirit; but that with the masses it is different. These are told by Catholics that after (letili ceiitiiries of tormwit await them in Purgatory, and by Protestants that they will enter into ail eternity of torment without hope of release. Both parties unite in telling the poor world that this arrangement is the provision of a just, loving God, for which they should be deeply thankful. •„ THE GOSPEL OF CHRIST. I Then the Pastor set forth the Gospel pre- sented by our Lord and his Apostles. He de- that the Scriptures clearly teach that ours is a convict race, condemned to death because of Father Adam's disobedience; for Iii.s eliildt-eii have inherited a share in his death sentence—not eternal torment sentence. He reminded hi.s audience that the Bible tells that Satan, who misled our fir-t parents by misrepresenting God and His Word, has con- tinued 10 misrepresent the Creator to man-' kind; and that it is the Adversary who is re- <?poii.sibIe for the doctrine of devils" (I. Tim. iv. 1) respecting the torture of the dead, who. the Scriptures declare, "know not anything." He then pointed out that Jesus Christ had died, the Just for the unjust," and had secured for humanity an individual trial for life or death everla.siing, to be given during his Messianic reign. Then the desire of all nations shall come." So, then, he believes, Christian ministers should let the world alone to be dealt with in God's appointed time and way, and should confine their ministrations to those who have the hearing ear of faith. lie declared in conclusion, will doubtless he the Divine arrangement to follow the Messianic Age, during which ihe rar-e will be lifted up to perfection and made capable ot j 6elf-govemment, t
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" . CAERWYS.
CAERWYS. GOOD WOBK,—The coiledicg in Caer7?y» or ttie Dttbi^hthlro It.fL-iC&ry wss done this jear by the following members of the Girl*' Fjiendly Satiety :-Mieici E SjoccFrs; Lscy Ja P Morgan, D Ileol, U E Wiilintss, E NichoHf, E Godwin, A Isgsr, EUie Hughes, M A Blackball, L RobcrUcn, G Ware, and Lily Jcnea. RroiHii;.s' UNION —II has been decided \t ttcecinga heiti :n September, In Caerwys artJ Afonwen, that a branch cf the Mothers' Union nhcoUd be started in the carhb. 13 is proposed to ho:d meetings lEonibly en the last Tuesday iu the month tn the Reading Rccra, Afocvrcn, ar.d cn the 'ast Wednesday in ti e Sihool, Oaerwyg, at 7 p m. C R.Al S -A general meeting will he beld at the School (ill Monifpy, October 12tb, st 8 pm., fer the purpose of drawicg ap a prugremtne for the cotriog session. We are prGod to thick that so irany of our aseoibers are now with It the Colours," end their abtence vrill greatty effect the attendance, but we hope that those who tie eti 1 rith us will mtoke a ['pecil rndeavcur to sttecd the meetings, and that we tfcall sleo be able to wokooie new members.-(" Parifh Magrzine.")
CHAPTER XXXVI11.— CATHERED…
CHAPTER XXXVI11.— CATHERED THREADS. Ehoda Brmqllees was buried in the little churchyard of Endercross, her grave, by her owh wish, being near to that of the man whose fate had so strangely touched her own The funeral had been attended by such a concourse of people as Endercross had not witnessed, even when John Dawson was buried, and, also like his, but one wreath lay on the coffin. And this, an exquisite cross of purple violets, bore an inscription in Violet Douglas's handwriting, which read: "In never-dying memory.—Gerry." You were wrong, my darling," Vivian had said, when lie learned of what she had done, fur she had spoken no word of her intention to anyone. Gerald's as shifty as sand- he'll flirt with any woman, and marry the one with the most money, unless she interferes." r The girl's beautiful lips straightened in a way which her lover had learned to associate with unalterable resolution. "I have sent Rhoda's dying message to Gt-rald, and I think he will never marry," the answered simply. It is the one repara- tion possible to him now, and weak though he has been Ned, I have faith that he will make it." Vivian had suffered her to have her way, though he sighed as he wished that he, too, could share her faith that Gerald would join I the girl who had given him of her best on the other side of the grave. A iolet had Ivegged that their wedding might be as quiet as possible, and Edward Vivian had decided that he would not leave Vivian had decided that he would not leave his practice to take a honeymoon, however Iriel. and Violet agreed. So long as they are together ehe asked nothing more. So one glorious March morning they were harried in the tiny church. The date and mur had been kept secret to the last, but a minutes' warning was enough for the .illagevs to muster en masse to see their >elov&d squire united to the girl who already lad won for her-.elf a place in their hearts. The pale, spring sunlight filtered in 'hroush the painted windows of the chancel, ianplmg the bride's simple white frock with i wondrous pattern of purple, and crimson, ind gold, and i-erving further to enhance the radiance of that complete happiness which looked out of her eyes as they flashed for a r "erond over the man who was so soon to be her husband. I The ceremony wa quickly over, then side by side they passed out into the sunshine where th'~>-e who had served the family of Vivian for generations were waiting to rai.-e I v ringing cheer that swung across the valley I to rais-j an echo from the distant hills. A 1 moment longer, and Dick Darling, who had icted a:) groomsman, had closed the door of the car and they were whirled away to begin the new life which lay sn iair Ixlore them. "Are you happy. Violet Edward Vivian looked across the small round table, on the opposite side of which his beautiful young bride sat behind the breakfast equipage. They had been married I three weeks-weeks so perfect in their joy that more than once Violet had paused te íJl;k herself if they were stolen from Paradise An instant she hesitated, then she rose. moving swiftly round the table, stooped down. and drew his head to her shoulder, while her hand strayed caressingly over hÙ hair, whose silver threads gleamed bright 1 in the strong, morning light. "Yes, darling, I am happy—happy with j a completeness I did not think possible J till She stopped, and an exquisite tinge of rolour stained the fairness of the face so near his own. Yes. dearest, till what?" he asked gently after a little silence, while with the mastery she loved he brought down her cheek till it lav oil his. "Till I knew I loved you, and," she laughed, while shyly her colour deepened, "I fear that was before I knew you cared for me." ,4, W. It may have been before I myself knew," he answered simply. It was Dick Darling who told me I'd fallen in love, and-H,though I could have laughed in his face sooner than ttiy pride would suffer me to confess, I knew he had spoken the truth, as I knew that life without you would be emptier and lonelier than ever it could have been had I never known you. Now I can understand what those suffer who are put into darkness altei they have seen the light. l-'or two or three minutes there was silence, then Violet said slowly; And, I. too, should have known that feeling, Ned, had any tiling come between u, and-always there must have been that shadow, had not Ehoda confessed about the notes." I could never have believed aught of your I could never have believed aught of your mother, my own, that would 1 unworthy of her daughter, and the evil tongues of the world have no right to mut- such happiness as curs." „ And we owe much of it to Ehoda. f, Yes. and to Dick. But for him I should never have thought of coal at Wellsleigh, and now the engineers say it will prove one of the finest fields in England. Then I shall be rich as money goes, though to me it is one of the things that don t count. Love is all that counts, dear one- the love we heal' each other." And again his lips sought hers. # The yenrs sped on, and to Kndercross cnch one brought its argosy of changes. Dick Darling was happily married to a winsome Irishwoman, who had taken his heart by storm while lie was paying a brief visit to her island home, and now two blue-eved little girls make merry music in Brnnksomc IIall. lAward Vivian was a rich man, for the Wellsleigh coalfield had proved productive beyond Darling's most sanguine expectations. The five thousand pounds had years ago been repaid to the latter, and once again the Vivians had resumed their old place in the county, though the mailer of Endercross Manor was wont to declare that he worked harder than ever he had done in the days of hi- poverty, in spite of the fact that he kept two ussbttuiU. J1 as tne nignt post come in, dear! asked Dr. Vii-iaii as he entered 1 he drawing- room where his wife waited for him. Those ten yeiis had added to Violet Vivian's beauty in a way that can only be born of happiness and peace. Her face had softened, the pliant, girlish curves of her figure had given place to the fuller ellirm of woman- hood in its most perfect form. There was only one letter," she with bright nod, holding up her lips for his kiss; "if was from Gerald te me." Vivian smiled fondly a; he "lippcd his arm RtGlIPd her and drew ]let- clorici- to Iiini. He had aged since the day of his niarriage, though the change came from study and in- cessant toil rather than the weight of years. [ His hook OIl lung diseases had brought him into the front rank of the profession he loved so dearly, ar.d with fame had come work, for in a distant corner of the park of Endercross Manor was the small colony lie had established for thoe who were srfferiiif and too poor to pay for mcdical attendance. "How is it the young rascal always writes to you, ehr" he asked teazingly. "linages since I had a line from him." Mrs. Vivian's face grew grave with thought whose sadness is more precious than any other joy. "He is rewarding me for my faith in him," she answered, and for a handful of seconds there was silence while she nestled closer within the shelter of his arm. And I told you it was misplaced. I could not give Gerald credit for lasting allegiance to aii.i. woman." Yet he has true to Rhoda's memory," she said As I-,e waq about to speak, it is a poor reparation for i the evil he wrought, but it was all that was possible, and—he has made it. Gerald will nevet marry. And, Ned, you haven't for- gotten that when your chance comes to take that holiday you have promised yourself for live years, we are going to Australia to see Gerald? -No. T"i-e not forgotten, but T think Jit, it IA'. coliliitg over neiv to see us." He i) iii never come back to England, now his mother is dead." Ursula Vivian's happiness had been but EOhort-lhed, for little more than a year after her marriage she had met her death in an accident to a motor which she herself was driving. In my letter to-nighi," continued Violet, "he says he could not bear the retribution that would come with sight of the old familiar scenes. I want my boys to see and know their uncle Gerald." She drew Vivian to the window, where they could see the two sturdy, golden-haired bo;.s who were romping with a huge dog. Which means that 1 shall have to paek my traps, and take you all across the sea, while Gerald, who couid come here with no bolher at all, sits quietly by his fireside." You don't mind the packing, Ned, when yon kl,ow why Gerry doesn't come." 1 think you are right," lie said simply. "Gerald has never l>een so dear to me as he is to-day. because," he flushed Jialf- a-hamedly, "I had allowed myself to think him incapable of good, and now-—" My faith did not spring from trial," she interrupted with a swift quiver of her lips. It WOIII(L not have stood the strain imposed on yours. But next year, Ned, you pro ii. se e Yes, sweetheart, I promise." Aid ere she could reply the boys had bounded up to join their parents at the oper window. [The End.] -===-
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d_ -=- NEXT WEEK. Attractive Story of Love and Adventure. "THE BOND OF SILENCEr" By LEWIS BAMSDEN. Author of •• The Word of a Somerleigb," "Red Cavalier," Prisoners of the Council," "My Lady of the Oar," &c.j &?. We btva plelHue in intrcducing to our readers a New S'ory r om the facile pen of Mr Lewis Pamsden, enti'kd "The Bond of Silence." It this story, intrigue, mystrry, and tender passion are interwoven. The finest qanlity of this author is his ability to write a tbrill'Dg and breath- less narrativp, introducing ebarmeters and fcenee which hold the reader'd attention from the c mmenceinent. Opening Chapters NEXT WEEK.
The Lord's Prayer.
The Lord's Prayer. The reign of ticrrow, cin, and deeth has been a long and dark night to humanity, never to be forgotten but though weeping may endure for a night, joy cometh in the morning." "Thy Kingdom Come"—another of the Bible and Tract Society's special isaue of inexpensive handbooks for Bible study— deals particularly with the preparations for the setting up of God's Kingdom in power and glory, showing that these are now in active operation and that very soon the Kingdom will come, and with it the blessings of God for all the families of the earth. It also contains a detailed description of the Great Pyramid of Egypt, with ten illus- trations, revealing in a truly remarkable way a corroboration of the whole Bible plan in symbols-& stone witness This volume is uniform with the others upright 8vo., 380 pages, neatly bound in cloth boa-rdg, gilt lettered, and sent post free for Is. Address—The Bible and Tract Society, Lancaster Gat*, London, W. 3
EXCUSES.
EXCUSES. When we have failed to do what we ought to do, an excuse never sets the matter right. It only makes matters worse, "Yon never vet found refuge in one excuse but there was another one awaiting von." A reason is al- ways worth listening to; an excuse never. For an excuse, in this sense, is an attempt to evade a responsibility which belongs t:, us. If we have been prevented by reasons Wholly beyond our control from doing what we were expected to do, those reasons may be given fair consideration; but if we could properly have done what was expected of us, then let our minds and our lips be sealed against the consideration or the offering of any excuse. People soo>i come to respect one who, though he may make mistakes and even failures, never makes excuses. Not the least of the disasters of excuse-making is the fact that it tends to prevent our seeing how to keep from making the same mistake over again. -n-
i RURAL1 LIFE. SF1
i RURAL1 LIFE. SF1 BY A SON OF, THE SOIL. SOME FACTS ABOUT APPLES. 'r The first and most important fact I wish to mention is that, as I recently stated, three and a quarter million hundredweights of apples were imported last year, and that much of this vast quantity might well be produced at home. The consumption of apples has enor- mously increased per head of population in recent years, and promises, I think, to increase still more in the future. It is one of the best and most wholesome of all fruits, and there are numerous reasons why apples ought to be recommended as articles of diet. They are easily digested, they are fresh foods, they supply mineral salts in abundance, and also vegetable acids which are exceedingly valuable. Xo regular apple eaters will ever have constipation, a very common complaint of the present time. It is worth bearing in mind that some doctors hold that the use of apples as an article of diet very much decreases and abates the craving for alcoholic stimulant*. It is said that, as a rule, the habitual user of alcoholic stimulants is rarely a lover or consumer of apples. But there seems to be a peculiar com- bination in apples, in the acid in them, or in the peculiar chemical combinations of the apple that allays the powerful desire for alcohol, and one who is fighting the craving is urged to try always eating an apple before he takes a drink. The composition of an ordinary apple is stated to be about as follows: Water 85 per cent., protein 0-0;3 per cent., mineral matter 0*03 per cent., and carbohydrates 14 per cent. The carbohydrates consist of cellulose, sugar, and starch. The mineral matters are by no moans insignilicant, containing malates of sodium and potassium, and there is also in apples a considerable quantity of phosphates. The salts and water portions are absorbed by the stomach, and the intestinal juices act COMPOSITION" OF AN APPLE, on the starches and sugars, and PISO digest to some extent the cellulose. It makes quite a. difference whether apples are cooked or raw.. If cooked, the cellulose granules are broken j up and the starch liberated, thus making these portions more assimilable. Those who store apples should note that i there is a steady 10"s of weight in stored II apples even though they remain quite hard and sound. This is due to respiration or a gradual release of gases from the cells of tho fruit. It grows more rapid as the surround- ing atmosphere becomes warmer and slowei- wheu the fruit js cooled. Fruit, even in cold storage, loses weight. That the shrinkage in weight is due tOo. respiration and not to simple drying out of the water is shown by the practically constant, percentages of water and dry matter, since,, if the solid material was not destroyed, it should gradually increase in proportion while- the water would decrease. Results proving this point arc here given. A lot of Baldwin apples were set aside in October, and a few- of them analysed at intervals Oct. 24ih, water 85-4i-) dry matter, l-t'oo. Oct. 3bt. water, 8.V41 dry matter, 14-)9.- Nov. L'lst, water. 85*23; dry matter. 14*77.. Nov. 2!hh, water, B.V02; dry matier, 14"),S.. Dee. L'7th. water, 8vf>t>; dry mniter, 14*44.. dry matter, 13*81. Apples intonilcfI for long Heepnig snouia therefore be cooled as soon as possible and kept cold. The process of respiration is at the expense of cell contents and must weaken the keeping qualities as it goes 011, This destructive action is shown by American experiments to be from four to six times as fast out of c-oild storage as inside it. A WELCOME "ALIEN." Less than thirty years ago, when the Kennel Club decided to prohibit cropping, the breed was almost given up in despair, Though fortunately the fears of those days Lave not been rei lised, and. in fact, there are now very few bleeders of Great Danes in this country who would care to vee their dogs "with prick ears. We have had chances occa- fsioiially of comparing the old fashion with the new and more hum. lie and natural one at :some of the shows "where Great Danes, im- ported from Germany, have been exhibited iiot for competition." The Great Dane was introduced into this •country about forty-five years ago. but it is •only during the present centun that it has Tiecome one of the most popular of the larger breeds of dogs. In this country we look upoo GREAT PANE. I the Grea Dane as a non-sporting dog, and we put hinii jo no use at all. But lie has ofier shown himself to have all the instincts and 'qualificHti-ocs of a sportsman, and no doubt his -breed would be all the better if we could find sonic use for his great strength and equally gpeat and keen intelligence. As a companion., all of us who have kept a Great Dane dee n him one of the best. Still, he needs a firm master or mistress (as many Great Dalles are owned by ladies as by men), I for in spite of his massiveness he is often as excitable as a terrier. J The breKii-ng and rearing of the Great Dane is an art of itself. When wc realise that it only takes two years and sometimes a few months less for pnppies to reach maturity j iva understand what, great care is needed -j in their feec'ng and exercise- to produce an -.nimal that w ill catch a judge's eye. The bitch I it ge ,s usually very prolific, but it is necessary to imit the puppies to four. or some of them will make a bad start, iii(I slic feel the strain ,,)f suckling very badly. After weaning the nuppies should he given plenty of nourishing ind bone-forming food, and be allowed to take :the larger part of their exercise at their own isweet will. Lately, much more tl)an formerly [ lhas been given to colour, and now brindle. !f-aivn. blue, black, a-nd harlequin are rec-og- ^'iti*cd as standard varieties. The harlequin i -should have jet-black patches and spots on a lipivrt? white ground; they should be of an irre- J iimxr shape and w ith torn," not rounded j outlines. Brindles can have a ground colour | fit asiy shade from light yellow to dark j -red-yellow, on w hich the brindle appears in j darker stripes. ij TRKE FRI-ITS AS STOCK FOOD S 'When acorns, chestnuts, and tree fruits ol | similar character are abundant their value foi 1< feeding purposes attracts consideration. In view of the cost of winter feeding, it is highly importanL to economise in every direction, and acorns, horse chestnuts, and beech mast He all suitable for feeding to stock. It is (iiite true that in years when the acorn is very plentiful and steps are not taken to .weep them tip, there are looses among young cattle through Niliit is known as It corn -PC, iug. There are many suggestions put forward as to the cause of this poisoning in cattle, some of which attribute- loss to the constitu- cuts of the acorn, others to the state at which they ar-e eaten, and yet others to the amount consumed. Acorn-poisoning does not occur in sheep or pigs. By drying the acorn a greater feeding value is attained than when using it in a fresh state, when the astringent quality is evident. As to the methods of drying and storing, tho acorns may be put in a- shallow- pit lined with leaves and then covered with thcnI. a layer of earth being pl .(,(I over the whole. may be frequently poured oyer the pit. Ihen. as it second method, the acorns may be spread on a dry floor of a covered shed and frequently turned until they lo»c their stickiness. They may then be kept on a layer of straw. Storing in pits similarly to potatoes and roots is ad- vocated, while yet another way is to dry and to shell, the latter being done by crushing and sifting. According to a long and interesting article on the subject in the Journal of the Board of Agriculture, Hughos's,laboratory ex- periments indicate that drying kernels at a temperature of 2J2deg. Fahr. not only concen- trated material, but improved the flavour by increasing sugar compounds and by elimina- tion of the bitter principle. Where the feeding ration of grain, fodder, or other foods rich in protein i.s given, it may he usefully supplemented by acorns. Only pigs, sheep, goats, and adult cattle should be fed on fre^h aeorno, and even then in mode- rate quantity along with other foods, a change being gradually effected. It is ad\ isable to keen breeding cattle off pastures on which un- ripe acorns have been blown down. As to the influence of acorns on the flesh of the pig. it is said by some that it makes soft flesh but others hold that it makes unusually lean meat, and that, therefore, the value of the food would be more apparent when mixed with a fat-producing food. A few handful.s of acorns to pigs on a green diet would be serviceable. The cost of gathering is usually about 6d. a bushel: but frequently better terms than that are offered, and for fattening purposes the have ni e., attained a value of Is. 6d. to 2s. a bushel. Ninepcnce would be a very reasonable price. Ilonsr: CHESTNUTS AND BEKCH MAST. Horse chestnuts do not appear to be poisonous, as is so commonly supposed, though they have a bitter taste which it is difficult to remove. Experiments are recorded in which dried, husked and ground chestnuts proved a good food for cattle. An ox received about 81b. of the meal, together with hay, straw chop. and cereal meal. The cereal meal was dropped after sixty days and the chestnut meal increased to 101b. and theni 12,111). After 135 days the ox had made a gain in live weight of 5771b. In another experiment on much the same lines, in which- brewer's grains at first replaced the cereaf meal. an ox gained ô17lh. in 105 days. In a third experiment stoppage was noticed, but this vanished on increasing the allowance of jolt. The increase in live weight was at the rate of 2}ib. per day, and no cereal meal was fed. A dairy cow was fed with the meal in quantity which increased to 71b. per day- The meal proved very favourable for miile production (perhaps owing to its condimeirial nature), the quality was good and the taste normal. The meal had no harmful effect on; the total digestibility or utilisation of the ration. The live weight increase was quite satisfactory. No bitter materials could bo found in the urine, manure or butter. In seme other experiments a calf and sheep were put on rations containing lib. and 21b. of chestnut meal per day respectively. A' sweet food was gi\en to counteract the bitter- ness, and the calf was' given a pound of linseed and the sheep a quarter of n pound of dried grains and two pounds of mangels. The sheep did not seem to take very kindly to tho food, but the calf took the meal well, and the ration was increased until finally only chest- nut meal was left. There were no iil-effects beyond a slight running at the eyes and nose, and these were transitory, the calf making a gain of :4¡b. in nineteen days. Beech mast should not on any account, bo fed to liories, having a poisonous element known as fngin. Sheep, moreover, will not cat beech mast, but cattle do not ftppear to be susceptible to ihe poison, neither arc pigs; while poultry appear to eat the mast readily and to fi^en quickly. In experiments a two- year-old bull was fed at the rate of 51b. to 71Jh. per day, and shewed no digestive dis-, turbance.
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----------------MOLD.
MOLD. ANNUAL EWE SALE. Mr J Bradbocrne Piiaa coodnctod this important acnaal sale cc Fciday. TieenUy was larger than in previous years, a-id the sleek weB tbown iu the beat of condition. Tbeie wss an excellent attendance cf old bojejrs, snd trany new facea were seen. Tbe Marfc val very crowded tbroughout tte ute. An excellent tale was met fical afcsrfc to finich ith a record cleararce. In the cattle gection the pr'ze for the beet coW (Uch was sold for £25) wsfi awarded to Mr C:ailcs Jore?, Ailt Vce&. Mr J S Kvpes was tie purchaser. The befit bncoh A feed irig c&tt!e belonged to Mr Tom Scott, ard He eold to Mr Gaseil, Prentcn Hall, tor £ 13 J;)) tpiece- The trade tor d:, r1 and fctere cattle was decidedly better, and <% gcod cleararce was elected. After t'e ssle 43 waggons cf stock were leaded, the Railwsy Cowppuy render-Ing all a eist?pco to get the atoc k pfomptly dispatched. The auctioneer presided an excellent lanch.
Advertising
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