Glamorgan Free Press

There are two oceasions on which a woman feels perfectly happy-when she is first engaged, and when she has the handsomest dress in church on Sunday. Wife: "I mended the hole in your waistcoat pocket last night after you had gone to bed. I am a careful little woman, am I not?" Hus- band: "Yes; but how did you know there was a hole in my waistcoat pocket?"

( Copyright.) THE MISSING LINK. By the Author of "Secret ChairA," "Bettor" "Until the Day Breako," Jte., tt. Tour brotbeem life Falls into forfeit. < AIM, what poor ability's in ne To do him good? "Commend me to my brother, aoon at night ril aend him certain word of my succsta." Meature for Ifoamro. CHAPTER XIII. THE LINK IS FOUND. The preliminary inquiry by the magistrates at Tavistock was over. ",The prisoner," so the next number of the Tavistock Gazette concluded its report of the proceedings, "who preserved throughout an unmoved demeanour, reserved his defence, and waa committed for trial at the next Exeter assizes." Martin was aflowed a few minutes' interview with his sister. "Harrison thinks I am guilty, X am sure of it," he said, and for the first time since his arrest, Anne thought he looked a little discouraged. "Never mind him," Anne tried to say bravely. "We shall get the cleverest barrister on the circuit to defend you, and then we shall hear what he says by-and-by." "I don't think we could do better than have Grimsby, the one who defended me before; he is a rising man, they say." Then Martin smiled rather bitterly. "But I doubt if he'll get me off quite so easily this time; my character is all against me now, you see." Anne returned alone to Row-tor Farm. Last time—that terrible last time of which Martin sometimes spoke—he was with her, and she had devoted herself to the work of trying to cheer and console him, trying to keep up his courage to bear the accusation of a crime of which he was guiltless in intention, though he felt himself to be guilty of it in act. But now he was far away, a close prisoner in the gaol at Exeter, where she could see him only occasionally for a brief visit of cne quarter of an hour. She said to herself, as she went back to her desolate home: "Now I have just one thing to live for, and that is to find out the man who murdered Susan. I was the cause, the innocent cause, of all Martin has suffered these last two J ears; it was in defending me he 'accidentally illed Dick Lawson; now, please God, I will be the one to set him free." Sometimes, in looking back upon certain epochs of our lives, we wonder how we could have borne such repeated and crushing blows without dying under them. But human nature has a wonderful power of enduring pain. It is afterwards that we realise what we have suffered, and sometimes the calmest and bravest bear the reminder of that suffering in the form of scarred flesh and shattered nerves for the rest of their lives. The day following Susan was buried. All the village seemed to follow her funeral, and St. Stephen's churchyard was crowded with people. Many of them were surprised, and almost scandalised, by Anne's being present. "One would have thought," they said afterwards, "that she would have been ashamed to shew her face-with her sister murdered, and her brother took up for it." The old traditional instinct which is typified by the "Tower of Siloam," made the villagers feel that one upon whom such strange and terrible woes had fallen must be accursed of God. Anne had forced herself to write a note to Captain Stambridge telling him of the arrange- ments for the funeral, and asking him to be present. He did not reply to her letter, but he joined. the dark procession as it entered the churchyard, and stood near the grave, with his face hidden in his handkerchief, while the service was being read. After it was over Anne lingered a minute, and looked in his direction. Her heart had softened towards him, her former suspicions seemed to her like a delirious fancy; she longed to exchange a few words with the man,who had loved Susan—for surely he would have some kindly feelings, some little sympathy for his betrothed's sister? But Stambridge carefully avoided looking at her, and Anne turned away, keenly realising that she was shunned because she was Martin's sister. The crowd parted-almost shrank—away from her as she walked down the churchyard alone in her supreme desolation, yet, with firm step, and head held erect. Stronger than grief was her desire to shew an unmoved front to the world-to hold up her head proudly-knowing that whatever cruel blows had fallen upon Martin and herself they had no cause for shame. It had been a mild, even bright afternoon, the sun shining with the veiled lustre of December. But as the day declined, threatening clouds gathered round the horizon, and the wind blew chill, when in the early grey twilight Anne was being driven home by Richards after the funeral. She had closed her eyes; she was grow- ing stupefied by all that she had gone through during the last few days, when she was aroused by the trap coming to a sudden standstill about half a mile from Row-tor Farm. She saw stand- ing in the road beside her, a careworn, middle- aged woman, dressed in rusty black. It was the widowed mother of the dead Dick Lawson. "Miss derrick," began the woman, with a timid, hesitating air, "I've made bold to stop and speak to you. I hope you won't think me intruding upon you, particular just*now, but I want to know if there's any little thing as I can do for you. I heard as how your Eliza was took quite bad with the fright and all, and wasn't fit for her work; and I thought, perhaps as how you'd let me lend a hand in the dairy, 01 with the poultry, or I'd scrub the floors and clean up for you Saturday—there isn't anything as I wouldn't be pleased to do for you, Mine Derrick, if so be you'll let me do it as a friend. I've never liked to stop and speak to you before. I know the sight of me can't be a very cheering one to you; but now you're in suefa trouble I plucked up courage to come and meet you on your way home to-day." Anne felt as if she were choking. "How kind you are—how kind you are," was all BIM could say. "I'm that sorry for you, Miss Derrick, and for your poor brother, too; and now the ice is broke, as one may say—I want to tell you, I've been as sorry as sorry can be, for you both all these two years, but I've never liked to say a word to Mr. Derrick. I know he can't abide the eight of me, and 'taint nateral that he should. But I've knowed all the time," and Mrs. Lawson, having got over her first shyness, became quite impassioned in her earnestness, "I've knowed all the time that he was fretting his heart out about my poor lad. And what did he do, only last Thursday night as ever was—as Richards here can tell you-but make mo a present of the beautifullest cow as ever you see I knowed it was him, though I daresay he thought I shouldn't. He's as kind a man as ever lived; and don't you be downhearted now, Miss Derrick; he'll come out of this fresh trouble as white as snow." It was too much-when Anne was feeling that the whole world was against Martin-to hear these words from the mother whom he had bereaved of her son, and she burst into a storm of tears. "Come and see me whenever you can," she said, presently, clasping Mrs. Lawson's hand with both her owa. The very sight of you will comfort me more than anything else." The next market day Anne sent her butter, eggs, and poultry to Tavistock by Mrs. Richards. She could not I ring herself just yet to face the people who flocked to the little town on FridayF. Everybody was talking of the murder at Row- tor Farm, and the arrest of Martin Derrick. "He has been in trouble before, I under- stand," someone would remark. "Yes," the reply would be, "and got off by the skin of bis teeth, as one may say. Bu1 he won't be let off so easily the second time; nr, no, the jury will do their duty now they see the sort of man he is." "Hanging's too good for him," another would say. "His own sister, and such a fine YOUl) woman as she was too, to be murdered in coid blood like that! They say Captain Stambridge, that was just going to marry her, will never hold up his head again." The murder, if unexplained, would have spread fear and trembling throughout many a lonely homestead on the moors; but it was a relief to everybody to know that no mysterious enemy, no ferocious convict, escaped from Dart- moor prison, no bloodthirsty tramp was lurking round their barns and hay ricks. The crime was capable of an easy—and considering all that had gone before-a very natural explanation. It was a family affair of the Derricks, and nobody else had any cause for alarm. Anne went that day in an opposite direction to Tavistock. She took an hour and a' half's journey to Exeter to see Martin for the first time in prison. He was already looking verylwan and hollow-eyed. Prison life was almost maddening to a man of his proud and sensitive nature, his love of out-door life, and the wild freedom of the moors. He was like a newly-caged bird; sometimes he felt ready to dash his brains out against the wall. When he could no longer forget his misery in reading, he spent hours in ftazing at the morsel of sky he eould see from the ittle window of his cell. But he made no ccfliflajflt, be Tt as only reiy silett, he vas 411-, inclined to speak to anyone even wnen be ha, the chance in his almost solitary confinement so that the authorities of the prison, like a goou many people outside, called Martin Derrick sullen and morose. Stronger than ever now was the alway dominant expression of his face-stern and silen: endurance of suffering. With bent brows and clenched teeth, he "set his face like a flint" to the outer world. Bat, as Anne entered, his com- pressed lips relaxed into a smile, his eyes brightened, and he greeted her cheerfully. "Of course," he said, in answer to her anxious questioning, "there's no denying it; a man who has been used to be out of doors the greater part of the day, and to tramp miles over the moors, does feel the connfiement to one little room, and having nothing but a walled yard to walk in for an hour or two, to be a pretty heavy punishment. But there's one thing to be said, I have plenty of leisure time for reading; and if ever I do come out of prison again, I shall come out a better-read man than I went in." It was well for Anne that she had an abundance of prosaic household work to do at Row-tor Farm, where the solitude, whenever she had time to think about it, seemed to her quite ghastly. The lonely meals which she hurried through, Martin's vacant chair, the silence in the parlour during the long even- ings, unbroken by his voice, the blank every- where in her daily life, with the dark and awful thought ever haunting the background, that perhaps he might never come back. "I think I should have gone mad," Anne said afterwards, "if I had not had plenty of things to do-things that had to be done if the house and the farm were to be kept together-for Martin's own 5&ko. So it was, that on that Saturday, Anne, careful housewife as she was, decided that the whole lower floor of the farmhouse must be swept and scrubbed. The entrance-hall, the parlour, even Martin's smoking-room had been crowded with people on the day of the coroner's inquest. There was dust on the carpets, prints of muddy feet on the flag-stones. Mrs. Law son was as good as her word; she helped Mrs. Richards with the harder part of the work, and Anne herself did the rest. It so happened that about 11 o'clock that morning Anne was in Martin's smoking-room. With careful, loving hands, and eyes full of sadness, she was dusting and arranging his books and papers, while Mrs. Lawson was down on her knees, rubbing the floor, which was of black oak, and had a square of rather shabby red drugget in the centre. Anne had just been thinking how strange it seemed that Dick Lawson's mother should be here, at Row-tor Farm, working hard for Martin, when she was startled by a sudden exclamation: "Law, Miss, Dorrick, look here what I've found!" Anne looked round. Mrs. Lawson, kneeling on the floor in a corner of the room, held in her outstretched hand, & morsel of something that shone like gold, surrounding something else which sparkled like a dew-drop. Anne started back, her eyes wide open with wonder, almost terror. "What is it ? How did that come here ?" she said, half under, her breath. Then she came forward, and eagerly, and yet, with a shudder, she took it, a ghastly treasure-trove, from Mrs. Lawson's hand.. It was part of a sleeve-link, such as men wear in their shirt-cuffs. There was a sparkling jewel —either a real diamond or a valuable bit of paste-in the centre, set in plain, massive, dead gold, and from it depended a tiny broken chain. Anne looked at it with horror, and yet with a wild thrill of hope. "Mrs. Lawon," she said, in a quiet tone of conviction, "this belongs to the man, whoever he was, who murdered my SiJdrs. Lawson scrambled to her feet in great excitement, "My dear life, whatever makes you say that r" "I can't prove it, of course," replied Anne; "I have got.to remember what a lot of people there have been about the house this last week. But let me see"—she pondered—"nobody came into this room at all the day of the inquest, except the jurymen, when they were shut up to consider the verdict. Yes, there was Mr. Prior and Watkins that night. But there was not one of them would wear such a flashy sort of thing as this-famers, small shopkeepers, and such like, and Mr. Prior least of all, such a plain, homely sort of a man as he is. Mrs. Lawson," and then Anne raised her head with a bright flash in her eyes, "this little thing that I hold in my hand may save my brother's life, and we'll never forget that it was you who found it." "And there's another thing," thought Anne, by-and-bye when her work downstairs being finished, she went to her bedroom to lock up the aleeve-link in a box, and to think 0. all the bearings of the discovery which had been made. "There's another thing. I believe this clears James Stambridge. Haven't I heard poor Susan complain that he was so dowdy in his dress, and hadn't even a watch chain till she gave him one thslfotner day. And if it's a real diamond, as I believe it is, it must be worth a good bit of money, and quite out of the question to belong to Mr. Prior, or any of the neighbours." Everything seemed to point to the existence of an unknown, shadowy, yet terribly real third person as an actor in the tragedy of Susan's death. The murderer was neither Susan's brother, Martin Derrick, as the world said, nor Susan's lover, James Stambridge, as Anne had been inclined to fancy. "What do we really know about Susan F" thought Anne. "What do we know of her friend* and her enemies, and all the secrets she may have had to keep, in the eight years that she was away from home P Anne had not yet nerved herself to the painful task of looking through Susan's possessions; it seemed like a wrong to the dead woman, who was so much of a stranger in the house. But now the urgent necessity of trying to learn a little more about Susan's past forced itself upon Anne's mind. Everything which once belonged to Susan must he ransacked, in the hope of dis* covering a clue to htt murderer. Anne went upataire to the little bedroom which had been her sister's. Eagerly, and yet with a certain shriliking, as if she were outraging the dead, lilt fiivt opened a rosewood desk, inlaid with mother of pearl, which was on the top of an old-fashioned chest of drawers. It was unlocked, and it was nearly empty. Inside there was a black;edgei envelope, containing memorial cards of the Derricks' father and mother; there was a much-tarnished silver pencil-ease; there was a faded daguerrotype in a gilt frame-a family group, Susan herself as a little'cbild, Anne.and Martin, boy and girl, all in prim attitudes and obsolete costumes. There were two small pencil drawings of an ancient boarding-school type of art; and other relics which Susan little valued, but which she bad not liked to destroy. Aad amongst them there was somethinng of more modern date- a letter written only three months ago. It was from Miss Evelyn, the daughter of the dfceased lady to whom Susan had been maid for the last seven years; it spoke of Susan in the kindest terms, aad was, in fact, an excellent testi- monial to her character. These were the sole contents of the desk, which was of the simplest construction, and contained no secret drawer, as Anne convinced herself. Next she turned to the dressing-table, where stood a rather handsome box made of olive wood. This was locked, but Anne found the key in a drawer of the quaint shield-shaped looking- glass. Within the box, reposing on dark-blue velvet, was a goodly array of breoches, bangles, and ear-rings. But there was nothing to interest Aone, though she carefully looked through Susan's treasures, with a wild fancy that amongst 3hem ahe should find the other half of the broken deeve link. Anae opened one after another of the drawers in the chest and turned their contents on to the bed. It was a solrowful sight to see all the new gowns and linen, the trousieau which the poor girl had prepared for her wedding. But amongst all Susan's possessions nothing threw any new light on her past history, and Anne carefully put away everything again in its place, and left the room with an overwhelming sease of disappointment and discouragement, (To be continued.)

LOCAL PATENTS. This Weekly List of applications for patents is compiled by WKLIAM J. MUNDEN, of 75. Chancery Lane, London, W.C., Editor of The Inventor's Assistant. This journal is the only one published en- tirely in the interests of Inventors. It is issued monthly, price One Penny or six months' sub- scription, post free, Ninepence, 18,004, August 22nd, John Hughes, 3, Carlisle street.. East Moors, Cardiff. Window locking bar. 1872, August 23rd, Benjamin Jones, 14, Union street, Swansea. An improvement in acetylene gas generators and gasometers.

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MOUNTAIN ASH DISTRICT COUNCIL. ALLEGED FLOODING OF A CHAPEL AT ABERCYNON. HAWKING MEAT: A SUGGESTION BY DR GRIFFITHS. The fortnightly meeting of the Mountain Ash District Council was held on Monday at the Town Hall, when the vice-chairman (Rev J. F. Williams) presided. The other members pre. sent were:—Councillors D. W. Howell, David Rogers, Thomas Edmunds, Evan Jones, Wm. Lewis, James James, E. Morgan, R. Price, Dr R. D. Morgan, F. N. Grey, with the clerk and surveyor. A letter was read from the Government Board to the effect that they could not sanction the Council's surveyor to attend the Sanitary Insti- tute at Birmingham at the ratepayers' expense. It was resolved to give permission to the Sur- veyor to attend, if he choose to, at his own ex- pense. The Clerk of the County Council wrote stat- ing that the question of alleged flooding of a chapel at Abercynon would be laid before the 1 next meeting of the Roads and Bridges Com- mittee of the County Council. Writing on the question of the proposed foot- bridge at Carngtown, Mr H. Lewis, Tynant,said that as far as the owners of the Park Newydd Estate were concerned they were prepared to subscribe towards the cost of erection.—Mr D. W. Howells moved that the Surveyor prepare plans and estimate of the cosf.-Mr R. Price moved that the matter be dropped.—Some dis- cussion took place as to whether a resolution passed at a previous meeting meant that the question be dropped.—The Chairman maintained that that was so, and it was essential to rescind same.—Mr Howells then moved that the resolu- tion be rescinded at the next meeting.-Mr W. Evans seconded the motion, which was agreed to. ,pr A. J. Griffiths, Abercynon, wrote to the Chairman calling his attention to the system of hawking meat in the locality. He thought that the condition and the quality of the meat war- ranted the Council to check the system either by inspection or licences. The Chairman added that the sale of this meat was carried on rather extensively. Dr Morgan remarked that he did not know whether the Council had any power to do so un- less they could prove it was decomposed. The Clerk pointed out that any constable had a right to seize the meat if it was bad. After further consideration, it was resolved, on the motion of Mr William Lewis, that the attention of the Council's Inspector be called to the matter. The Surveyor presented a number of samples of cart covers which it was alleged at a pre- vious meeting would remedy a much complained of nuisance. When being considered it was learnt that some of the contractors objected to the covers. It was then resolved that the rescinding of the resolution be considered at the next meet- ing. The Surveyor reported that the total rainfall recorded at Daranlas during August was 6.47 inches. The amount during the torresponding month of last year was 9.44 inches. He submitted drawings and estimates <jf the proposed works at Abercynon Cemetery. Aiter the plans had been passed it was resolved to ap- ply to the Local Government Board for £ '3,5.00 b carry on works, to be made repayable in 30 years. Mr A. O. Evans, architect, Pontypridd, waited 01. the Council with respect to the plans of the proposed new road at Navigation, which had been submitted by Mr Burman, Abercynon. The Council, he said, had refused to pass the plans, but he pointed out the circumstances were exceptional in this case ,and he asked the Council to slightly modify their bye-laws in this instance. After Mr Evans had retired, the Chairman pcmted out that the bye-laws had been put one sidf on previous occasions. Why not now? Replying to Mr Howells the Surveyor said that the width of the road was 24 feet, whereas the. bye-laws required 36 feet. This, lcwever, was not a street. He was obliged to advise the Council according to the bye-laws, but he be- lieved the Council had passed a similar plan on a previous occasion. Dr Morgan moved that the plan be passed. There were several secanders, and the motion was carried. Mr Fred Grey moved that the Surveyor pre- pare plans and estimates for widening the road between Bailey's Arms and Navigation Gates. This road, he pointed out, was practically the main thoroughfare. It was very narrow, and in winter almost impassible. It was very awk- ward and dangerous. He thought it should be the same width as the roa3 leading into it at the Navigation end. Mr J. James seconded. He thought they should widen the road as far as the pop stores. If ataything was urgent this was. The present footpath was a real danger to old and young. The road was very narrow ,and added to this there was insufficient light there. Mr D. Rogers moved an amendment. He did not thinthey were justified in spending money in this piecemeal fashion. He thought the ques- tion should be left in abeyance, more so when they considered the present financial condition of the Council. Mr Grey said that his resolution did not mean spending money. All he wanted at present was that the plans and estimates be prepared. They "would then be ready by the time the Council were in a position to pay for it. Dr R. D. Morgan pointed out the want of foresight on the part of the old Board that they did not piake a proper jub of the road at first. He would like to know who the owner of the land was. Mr D. W. Howells: Lord Aberdare. Mr F. N. Grey: You had better see. Dr Morgan Why should I see. I don't do anything with the upper crust. (Laughter). Several other members having spoken, Dr Morgan observed: Why should a councillor in ebryo speak to me like that? The Chairman thought the discussion should close, and Mr Grey explained that he did not mean that Dr Morgan should see, but that the Council should make enquiries. Dr Morgan: That was not what you said. Mr Howells seconded Mr Roger's amendment. On a vote being taken the motion was carried. Mr William Lewis called the attention of the Council to a nuisance at the bottom houses of Rheola street, Penrhiwceiber. Every time there was an exceptional amount of rain th* premises were flooded, and the :nmates were obliged to live upstairs. He thought the landlords' atten- tion should be called to the matter, and failing ihis, that they put in force the Private Street Improvements Act. The Surveyor was asked to report on the sub- ject at the next meeting. Mr Grey asked the Surveyor whether the scavengers were instructed to take, their carti to Concert street, Miskin. The inhabitants complained to him that the cart did not call there, and they were obliged to throw their re- fuse on to the road. The Surveyor said that the scavengers were obliged to go to all streets, which were accessible to carts. He would inquire into this matter. The Medical Officer reported that the returns of the Registrar of Births and Deaths for the second ihree. months of the year 1898 gave these particulars. In the Llanfabon and Llanwonno portions of the district the births numbered 291 (139 males and lo2 females). The number of deaths in the same portion was 87, and from the following causes: Bronchitis, one; pneumonia, seven; phithisis, eight; heart disease, eleven; whooping cough, one; convulsion, two; influen- za, two; diarrhoea, one; rheumatism, one; can- cer, four; other causes, 42, accidents, seven; total. 87. The number of successful vaccinations for the quarter was 135. The number of births in the district was 291, giving a birthrate of 372 per 1.000 per annum upon an estimated popula- tion of 31.0t)0 inhabitants. The total death-rate was 87, giving a death-rate of 11.2 per 1.000 per annum upon the same estimated population. The death-rate for the second three months was remarkable for its lowness. He did not think it bad ever been so low since tlae formation of the Urban Sanitary Authority. The absence of diseases ancf infectious complaints bad been won. derful, especially during the sad and disastrous strike wbi-b had prevailed in the district. He had no doubt but that many families must have suifered for the want of food. The number of infectious diseases notified were scarlet fever, 4; diphtheria, 2; membraneous croup, 1; erysi- pelas, 3. The slaughterhouses were all examined at this period, and all were found kept clean and in good order. Messrs Cox and Evans were heard in respect to the allegation that the Council's offices had been used for Registration purposes. A motion that the case be dismissed was carried. The Chairman: That means that no case has been made out against our collector. Mr William Lewis gave notice to consider the fencing of a precipice "between the old Thorn and the old bridge and also that three lamps be erected between Navigation and New Inn.

HAFOD LITERARY AND DEBATING SOCIETY. Interesting Lecture by Mr M. E. Phillips B Sc. At the weekly meeting of this society held at Bethel Vestry on Tuesday, Mr M. E. PtiHips, B.Sc. (Inter.) LJondon and Wales, of tiu Uni- versity Colle. oi North Wales, read a most interesting and scientific paper on the subject of "Wave motion." Mr Phillips began by giving his andie-nce a clear conception as to what wave motion iii general consisted of, namely the transmission through a medium of a certain arrangement or cendition of the particles composing the medium. This was illustrated by means of blackboard sketches. Considerable interest was awakened by a rope along which waves were sent from one end of the room to the other, and which served to illustrate the different points arising through- out the paper. Transverse and longitudinal mctioms of the particles were fully dealt, with. Special attention was given to the investigation of water waves. The circular motion of the particles of water was well shewn by means of a nvodel. The different kinds of media were men- tioned. Illustrations were taken from sound, light, heat, and electricity. The account of the ether as :t medium was very much appreciated. Cut-bursts of applause testified to the dearness with which these difficult questions were ex- plained. The effects of different wave lengths were explained. The effect of different waves lengths were dealt. with, and Mr Philips con- cluded his paper wnh a brief description of the interference phenomena. Numerous questions were asked referring to the heliograph, wireless lelegraphy, etc. These Mr Phillips disposed of to the satisfaction of all. A cordial vote of thanks was passed to Mr Phillips for his excellent paper.

GOOD flEWS AND BAD. Probable Restart of te Bute Colliery. Rumoured Stoppage of the Rhondda-Merthyr, It is stated that the Old Bute Colliery, Tre- herbert, the property of the Marquis of Bute, and which was sunk a couple of years ago to the lower measures, will be restarted shortly, affording employment, when it will be opened out, to about 600 or 800 men. It is rumoured offioially that the Rhondda Merthyr Colliery, Tynewydd. near Treherbert, employing about 300 miners at present, will be closed up or abandoned on the 26th of next month. A portion of the underground plant has alueady been raised. The colliery, which has never been very flourishing has exchanged hands several times, and now belongs to Mr Gueret, the chief owner of Penygraig Collieries, Mid- Rhondda, which employ about 2,000 men.

THE COMPENSATION ACT. RHONDDA COALOWNERS AND CONTRACTING OUT. THE PERMANENT FUND SCHEME. We are requested to publish the following: The scheme submitted by the Board of Manage- ment of the Permanent Fund having been ap- proved of by the Itegistrar of Friendly Societies, copies of the Registrar's certificates are posted at the pit tops of many collieries in the Rhon- dda Valleys. It runs thus: "It is hereby cer- tified that the foregoing scheme is on the whole not less favourable to the general body of workmen than the provisions of the Workmen's Compensation Act of 1897." Many workmen, it is stated, have already joined.

There are two places where a. fellow likes to put in overtime free gratis—when hea' a-bed, n' when he's courtin'.

HARDAWAY & TOPPING (R. TOPPING & W. JLB- R. SPINDLER), FLUSHING, HOLLAND. STEWARD'S CUP, GOODWOOD STAKES, CESARE- WITCH, CAMBRIDGESHIRE, &c., &C. DOUBLE AND TREBLE EVENTS ON ABOVE. 8.P. ALL RACES. The Continental Sportsman published twice daily during the season, containing latest market movements on above and all important races, free on receipt of address. THE OLDEST ESTABLISHED AND MOST EXTENSIVE TURF COMMISSION AGENCY IN THE WOBLD. All letters to be addressed- FLUSHING, HOLLAND. 2 4214 Postage 2id.

Local Wiiinprs at Bedwellty Agricultural Society. A RECORD SHOW. ult The twcn annual show of a. stock, etc., under th« auspices of the Agricultural Society was held at Bliack Monday. Agricultural Society was held at Bliack Monday. CATTLE. ejf Bull, of any pure breed, any age years.—2, Mrs Stratton, Machen. Yearling heifer of any breed, bred by ant farmer in the district.—1, Thorn35 Tan Ucha Farm, tlanwonno; 2, Eli Pentwyn Farm, Llanbradach. Pair yearling steers of any breed, the P of a tenant farmer.—2, William llwyd, Treharris. llwyd, Treharris. SHEEP. j H A 1$ Yearling lowland ram of any breeo> the exhibitor.-2, Thomas Davies, LI"UKOOII Mountain ram, best suited for the 100 of the district.—2, Thomas Evans, Fff110 gyll Farm. Yearhng mountain ram-I. Thomas rr Penygroes Farm, near Pontypridd.yf/ Mountain ram lamb, bred by the erf* Thomas Evans, Ffynonrhyngyll Farm- 00 Pen of four lowland breeding ewes, bEØ for the mountains of the district.— Evams, Ffynonrhyngyli Farm. eoi Pen of four mountain lambs (wethers best suited for the mountains of the d Thomas Evans, Pontypridd. SHEEP DOGS. tI! Bobtail sheep dog or bitch—1, Thomas, Pontypridd; 2, T. W. and E- Caerphilly. ( Pair of Welsh foxhounds—1, David, Pontypridd 2, David Pritchai^' DAIRY PRODUCE. Half-cwt. new cheese, made on the exhibitor in the district in 1898— Packer, Ystradmynach. VEGETABLES. Half-dozen spring onions—I, John G Caerphilly. Half-peck of eschalots—1, David son; 2, William Harris, Treharris. Two white cabbages—2, John harris. yjfi Half-dozen sticks of celery—1, D. G. son, Ynysybwl. tI Collection of herbs—2, M. Weeks, FoD PONIES. ot Two year old mountain pony, gelæng, -1, Edward Lewis, Tynewydd Fiall"' pridd; 2, R. Malys, Caerphilly. I Yearling mountain colt or filly-11 John, Park Newydd Farm, SengheBj^ NAGS. Seughl-Yi, Two-year-eld nag colt, gelding or fiiir I H. Mathias, Tyda Farm, Nelson. | HUSBANDRY HORSES. i Yearling cart ccdt or filly, the PTOP a tenant farmer,-I, William Miles, ø Farmi Treharris. 11 Van or dray horse (mare or geldingr Davies, Tan Ucha Farm, Llanwonno. d .;(, UNDERGROUND HORSES- Mare or gelding, not exceeding 15 bØt!J8 "r most suitable for underground work' perty of a bona fide tenant farmer, the district of the society—1, W- Tydu Farm, Nelson. STALLIONS. Entire cob or roadster, not under high, at the service of the public in We ref!. during the season 1898-1, Samuel FIVSOI graig Stud, Rhondda. SADDLE HORSES. Cob not exceeding 1hands high to —1, W. T. Bevan, Gwawrfryn, Fernd* #| protest); 2, W. ET. Matthias, Tydu J son. Hack or roadster, not under high, to be ridden—1, G. Boyles, j Hack, mare, or gelding, to lady—1,F. S. Miles, New Inn, PoDtyP G. Boyles. 1 Hack, mare, or gelding, to be 11 lad,-W. H. Mathias. HARNESS HORSES- 14- Cob (mare or gelding), not exceeding ø high, to be driven in harness—1, W. tr Ferndale (under protest); 2, D. B- t Pontypridd. Mare or gelding, the property of ø. farmer, to be driven in harness-I, V Mathias, Tydu Farm, Nelson. J Harness horse, mare or gelding, not hands high, to be driven in harness--2, ,h hss, Pontypridd. de Cob, mare, or gelding, under 15 hO to be driven-2, G. Bayliss, PontyP1^ 10 Cob mare or gelding, under 15 hool fr to be driven in harness—2, W. T. B ) dale. -ajj Jn Horse, mare, or gelding, to be kind of vehicle, action and speed cons1 J Trenchard. Wenvoe. H SPECIAL TRADESMEN'S PR: 1 Mare or gelding, not exceeding I4! ¡¡ tbo for general business purposes, and property of a tradesman within the of j the society three months prior to the cf^ show, to be exhibited in harness and axle or other spring cart-1, J. F. 11 | cher, Senghenydd. Dairy turn-out horse, cart, man, ø ,101 tins-I, D. Jones, 36, Woodland street, tain Ash. JUMPING COMPETITION Mare or gelding, te be ridden over S°c as the stewards may direct, symetry {J taken into consideration 1, D.E. Jo* caiach House, Nelson. Horse that has never won any jump' previous to this SHow-I, J. WilliLvlsl House, Newport; 2. Edward Lewis, Tyo Farm, Pontypridd.

DON'T BREAK DOW^' d/ Mighty is the power of the snade> who wield it are the pioneers of ottf JLjjjt, S The fearless miner burrowing in the the strong navvy removing very sinews of the Nation. These J/.t, i ways keep their strength at full stretcn- of the severest is their lot, and necessary in accomplishing their daily'. iver if thev are attacked with Indigestion, i fflJj orders, Lung Troubles, Ague or QeD^r* flit {fj ty, they take Gwilvm Evans' Qu'fJ1,L1o^r Tbe Vegetable Tonic, because they the Best Remedy of The Age Pfy mients. We would impress upon Kj working toilers, generally, of the V f dom, and also to those who are in ahoi^tt' house or the Market-place, that they jg member the aid saying, "Prevention than cure," and that just as it is nece^. in a Medical man, when brains ano „ over-taxed, so it is desirable to do possible to keep the system thoroughly g* mark for every rush of competition j labour. You have a regular doctor, yot ou f regular preservative of health to sa*« 4 the Doctor and Doctor's Bills. 0 UU Gwilym Evans" Quinine Bitters, 'Bonic Preventative against Serioas 1 ttle, the Doctor and Doctor's Bills. 0 UU Gwilym Evans" Quinine Bitters, 'Bonic Preventative against Serioas 1 world-renowned remedy is sold TmitatJfl 2s 9d and 6d each. Beware u See that you get "Gwilym ters" with the name "Gwilym Stamp, and Bottle. This is