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A THORN IN THE TYRE.
I (Ivpyright.) 1 A THORN IN THE TYRE. SHIRLEY RAYNARD. jfQl?r "A Les3on for Life," "A Stroke of toltune, A Wife's Temptation," "A Widow's Love Story," "A Cruel Christmas Fate," &c. blui tld on. Gray had learnt to ride the bicycle, V)ln^ saved sufficient money out of her dress allowance, had purchased a machine own. Money was scarce at Brand ford where Marion lived alone with her father times it strained all the girl's eePitf8 ma^e both o;1 tis meet in the house- "Apartment, over which she had presided jj. r seven long year. therefore, with a sense of having over many difficulties that she pulled ^hi old wooden gate and led out the new a^l sparkling in the early March sun- «he girl lo&ked wonderful iy pretty as Vd Urit ed lightly and sped away upon the M 8h- high road. Her spirits rose higher »nh rode further and further from home, and j# four's time all her worries were forgotten, \jbi°n Was Reginald (iray's only child. She *he her father's close "companion ever since to(idle by his side. Of her mother she helDf e<* little, and it was not through any foiti her father that the little she did know |i(iver Gained in her memory. Of his wife he Oq^, sPoke. She was the skeleton in his cup- ^he fi' and it was the effort of his life to keep fie*r uPon it. ^i«Hd^aS a Prouc' and silent man and had few Ever since that memorable September f'oih Wenty years ago, he had shut, himself off boOks SOClety and lived quietly amongst his 1'a.y a at the Grange. His daughter was his one Weight. He had watched her grow to ifto °°d» giving her every care, and supply- It^ as possible the place of both parents, Wt? only lately that he had realised how ^ul she had grown. It had been his dread *he -8he should become like her mother, but as ^ifte/^oped, she proved to be of an entireN- ^t type, and he was satisfied that 11 fftijer^?t observer would not see the slighte t Vld lce- S1,e was of a firm tll0U&h slight V and lithe, with bright colour and Vwr0Wn hair- Just such hair as his 0W111,ad to 8il^fore that fateful September had turned it r(»de ten good miles before she t i-s- S»Ve, She was a fearless girl, and never ^ejH> ou8ht to the loneliness of the road The H*inci.efJ*as Perfect; one of those days in early that seem bursting with the promise of h«S SUmmer- The violets were growing in bottoms, and the birds pouring forth a *ong overhead. It was a fine stretch of 5<Htl r? trough which the road passed, Brand* M «. range being situated just on the outskirts _amall country town of Ritford, and fifteen V) n. Y°m the larger one of Brampton. It was Hihj 'atter place that Marion had made up her >. go on this her first long bicjcle ride. t not told her father of her intention, 111<l to make him nervous on her account. Since she had been out of the school- iC' slle had been accustomed to come and go tr,48 she thought fit, her father being often, hours at a stretch, engaged in hi# studies. dismounted to read the milestone, which ^ion er she was yet five miles from her destina- 'ill «an<* then began to walk the somewhat long Coii}<} r<f11 the summit of which, on a bright day, clearly be seen the town of Brampton. colour rose, for she was warm from the to exertion, and her whole being seemed With excitement and healthy pleasure. W.bad driven several times into Brampton ^*ith her lather on the few occasions livtt i allowed the extravagance of a carriage. ^W- never seemed to have understood how -ul the country was, nor to have ever inhaled so mauv delicious scents. reaching the crest of the hill, she ^hpiUnted and began to spin merrily down the I-/ 81<3e. She had gone about fifty yards when the e thorn which wa3 lying in the middle of ca,1ght her tyre, and threw her heavily *%i*Upon her right side. She was for some *h8 i"8 stunned by the shock, and remained as ^8 ™.fallen' but ir> short time her conscious- i^fun t ed' &nd she began to lift herself J°m «nder her machine. She waa Jhat sh* ?°re, and, to her dismay, sh8 found ^egan to^ not stand, and her right ankle What Ve her severe pain. *s she sat^ 1 40 do ? » she exclaimed to herself 'Aide of the ro Wn against the grassy bank at the e act. (j sol t. of Uw jifficultv appeared, and 1.1PWard aIed in much the same position for; sOan hour. when. to her delight, she tiist figur coming along- be road, in the fas Vld Slle ate)led it eagerly drawing nearer Of Nearer until within about a hundred yardi to here he sat, when it suddenly turned ofl the rijit, went over the field, and dis- ^Peared into a small conse. She tried to shout w.81^ felt her hows dying within her, but her ij-Was wt ak with pain, and she produced; ^M ect J then, womanlike, the burst into tears j smiled at herself for her foolishness. now high noon, -md nature was looking l0rjv. beautiful, but slv gazed round upon the thin road afid her l-rokon bicycle, and felt any- "8: but coTitent. -\t last a sound of wheels 4 (i "eard, and hope one? more rose within her. the ig:Cart (Jrove swiftly- along the road, and as he river caught sight' of her prostrate figure ^Pulled up quickly, threw the reins to his ancj steppe-.l down at her side. am a)raid you have h^d an accident," he ^7 gravely. What, can I do to help you ^ln'UUl'f J"011' she said, "I shall be glad of, V I think I ir broken my nnkle. A thorny caught in my tyre and threw me heavily." ¡111 You have no objection i will take you <JJ° rny house, which is only a few minutes' W6 from here' ailL' thea AVC shall be able to see 8e^t is best to be done, I think a doctor's Joyces should be called in at once. Delay i- jP^ten serious in such cases." raised her gently from the ground, and w °st lifted her into the dog-cart. She could tqo\>, Prevent a suppressed groan, for the pain of « ei"ent \7aa very great. aa,iq, 1 am hurting you very much," he "civ. into hev white suffering face, c t;V' said Marion, bravely,"I must bear it broking t- groom instructions to; bring on the he drove off, and then Marion Or: ^ook at her deliverer. He was a tall, a:>p,ll)rjuidt,red man of about thirty-five jear hut tfk had brown hair and a tanned skin, t struck Marion most was his apparent Quiet, and self-possessed, he seemed the I\ be d pended upon in a difficulty. He ashio *u';y dressed, but not in the height of and his linen was spotless. they 18 my home," he said, presently, as through an old stone gateway and up thenuc or ''me trees. "I hope you will do Pleasure to make whatever use of it yovi *lo .I}' housekeeper and friend will, I know. -jn 111 h"r power to help you." was flung open as he pulled up, and, explaining that an accident had d f' f'o.e lady, he lifted Marion from the kiy atld n; ;[.d her slowly across the square old %,inUd what anj.eared to be the library. *ble P £ her upon the sofa, he found all the avail- ^itcJ^shions, and made her as comfortable as "Jf stances would then went in search Grayham, whom he met hurrying to see what was the matter. very dreadful!" she said. "I never S>e e bicycles for ladies. They seem to ^shi too dangerous—but then I am old- O'led, she added, with a winning smile. ^tiv think the best plan will be for me to OVer an(l fetch Walton myself," said tho 6ill J of Mosslands, reflectively. "I know yam ■Vh a11 you can in the meantime, Mrs. })l ,f n*m, for j fear the girl is very faint and \y* Hiu1 these wora3 he turned and left the house (Ni il. passed on to the library. Marion y back with her eyes closed when Mrs. °°tf&nm entered, and she did not hear her light <tj 1 Upon the thick carpet. f li?* 80 S0lTy, dear," said a soft voice at causing her to start and turn her "Th speaker. b^ttg you," said Marion, faintly, "I feel *n I did, except the pain in my foot." Tatted^?l Grayham looked into her face, she hep suddenly, a recollection had come rei'°ver*? 'eeollection of twenty years ago. She herself, however, before Marion had SW « em°tion, and began gently to take rorn the wounded foot. later Marion was still in the lre. v her couch drawn up to a comfortable S^0llen w»lton had l>een and bandaged the j j-1y 8P^ which he said had had an unusu- 'u pati 6 "Prain. He strongly advised that ^s, fQ en' 8hould, ;i possible, remain where she JJrg p* ^ew days at least. to011* a r^yham was ..firing out a cup of tea ari°u °ainty littl? stTvic, trying to console 0r her imprisonment. a^raid I shall be such a trouble to watching the elder lady as she •^wuliy about the room. "And then I 11 there is my fatnei, 1 don't really know wnat 1k will do without me." "Mr. Ashton has gone to explain to your father all the circumstances of the accident," said ■ Mrs. Grayham. "We thought it better than f sending a message by a servant." "That is too kind of him," said Marion, warmly, "I am sure I have wasted a great part of his day." "Not wasted," said Mrs. Grayham, smiling M felie sat down and began to poke the fire into a blaze. j They chatted on for some time, getting more and more at home with each other. Mrs. Grayham's eyes seemed irresistibly drawn to the girl's face, and Marion, at length looking up, found that they were filled with tears. Late in the afternoon Mr. Ashton returned. He walked at once into the library, to relieve Marion's mind about her father. He sat down by the sofa and explained how he had found him in his study, and how he had broken gently to him about his daughter's accident. "He will be over to see you in the morning," he concluded, as he took up a cup of tea which Mrs. Grayham had placed upon the table at his side. He did not notice how she turned from her tea-tray and bent over her knitting to hide the flush which rose to her face. The morning brought Mr. Gray to see his daughter. He found her in her room, in which she was advised to remain for a day or two. He was shewn up by a servant. When he came downstairs, Mr. Ashton met him in the hall and invited him to remain for luncheon, which, how- ever, he refused, saying that he must return at once. Mrs. Grayham did not appear. The sprain turned out to be very serious, and it was some weeks before the doctor pronounced Marion to be fit for the drive home. She had been at Mosslands for three weeks, and was 1expecting to return to the Grange in a few days now. Mr. Ashton had insisted that she should not go until she was quite herself again, and Dr. Walton, seeing how well his patient progressed under the present arrangement, said that it was better she should remain where she was. It was evening-the curtains had been drawn for some time, and Marion, weary of her book, lay back idly in a large chair, looking dreamily into the fire. Mrs. Grayham had gone up to dress, an operation which she always put off to the last possible moment. Marion did not hear the door open, and gave a little start when Ralph Ashton walked quietly up to her side. "I am sorry if I startled you," said he; "you must have been in a brown study. Shall I offer you a penny for your thought* ? "I am afraid they would be dear at the price," said she, smiling. "My father was here this afternoon," added she, to change the sub- ject. "I told him I should be able to return in a day or two now. I have walked a few yards [ to-day for the first time." "Mrs. Grayham told me so," said he, "and I have been trying to be pleased ever since. By the bye, how uncommonly fond my old lady has become of you these few weeks! I don't know how she will get on without you to pet and fondle; it seems to have become second nature with her." "She has indeed been good to me. I don't know how I am ever to thank her for all her kindness, or you either, Mr. Ashton," said the girl, looking up frankly into his face. ""Well, I mean to ask you to do something for me one of these days, and perhaps you will not refuse." "I only wish I knew what I could do in re- turn for all the trouble I have been." At this moment dinner waa announced, and Ralph rose. "Do you think I might hare the pleasure of helping you into the aining-ropm ? said he; "I am sure it will be more cheerful than having a tray to yourself here. I will be very gentle," he said, his deep eyes looking earnestly down upon her. "Thank you, I think I can manage with just a little help." He placed her hand firmly upon his arm, and they 8K>wly crossed the hall to the dining-room, meeting Mrs. Grayham at the door. Dinner-time passed quickly and happily away, each one seemed in good spirits, and Marion, with heightened colour, looked very pretty in her soft tea-gown trimmed with old lace, which had belonged to her mother. The whole evening was one long to be remembered. Ralph was a charm- ing host when he chose to exert himself, and to-night his conversation touched upon the brilliant. There was a ring of happiness in his tones, too, which struck Mrs. Grayham as some- thing new. Marion was happy also. She was in her element; but her thoughts would some- times return to Brandford Grange and her lonely life there. Here she felt that she lived the life she was truly fitted for. As she sat by her bedroom Are, later, living the evening over again in her thoughts, a hght tap was heard at the door, and Mrs. Grayham entered. She sat down by Marion's side, and took her hand into both of her own. "I have come to make a confession," she said, struggling to keep her composure. "Marion, do you know who I am ? 0 Marion darling, I am your mother!" "That cannot be," said Marion in startled tones; "my mother died when I was a little child." "You were told that as being the best possible explanation, and have believed it, but you would not have lived long in the world without someone telling you that your mother still lived." "Then why did you leave my father?" said the girl almost sternly. "I did not leave him until he told me to go. He believed me capable of a great fault-a sin, which I swear to you, my child, I never com- mitted. I was a handsome woman in those days and I had admirers, and your father was an exceedingly jealous man. He once found me in circumstances which, unexplained, seemed to condemn me. Had he remained cool I would have explained all, and so have saved twenty years of misery for both of us. He would not listen, I was proud-and we parted. I remained for many years at a distance, but an overpowering longing a] to see my child brought me back into the neigh- bourhood, and though I had never seen you since I returned until you were brought helpless into the house, yet I have constantly heard of you and your doings, and have lived upon that. "Poor mother," said Marion, almost beneath her breath, the big tears filling her lovely eyes. The next morning Marion had a long interview with her father, who had come to see her, as he thought, for the last time at Mosslands. He seemed to age perceptibly when he had heard all that his daughter had to tell him. "God forgive, me!" he said bitterly, as he turned to leave the house. In passing the drawing-room door he caught sight of a figure which he had not seen for twenty long years. Mrs. Grayham looked up, and their eyes met. She walked unsteadily towards him, but he rushed forward and clapped her in his arms. In that moment the twenty long years were forgotten. An hour passed, and Marion listened anxiously for her father to leave the house. She had been her mother's champion, telling him of his long S —if. jw &-tSV?l £ 'b5S £ 5 tetEfpptae.s. r^^khe,i5SS,3?SSjS she saw upon her face the li?h g 2 y The girl said nothing, only drawing e cai face down to her own and kissing ry tenderly. "I am going home, Marion," said the elder woman at length, "home after twenty years absence. "0 mother dear, I'm so happy," said the girl, "so very, very happy!" It was Monday morning—the day of Marion's return. Her mother had agreed to remain a few days longer, that Ralph Ashton might look for her I successor. Marion's luggage had been sent on to i the Grange, and she was now waiting for the dog-cart to come round, for the master of Moss- lands insisted upon driving his guest home him- self. Mrs. Grayham had been called away to see visitors, and Marion was left to her own thoughts, which were by no means unpleasant ones. She stood at the window looking down the long drive. Spring flowers were growing in the borders, and the sun was shining brightly, as on the day she came. What a change had passed over her life since then! Nothing would ever be quite the same again. Her home life would be different. There would be no more loneliness, for her mother would, after a few days, be her constant companion. She was thinking how, in the few days' interval, she would furbish up the old home, bringing out certain things from the lumber-room -certain things which had belonged specially to her mother. She had often wondered why her father never seemed able to bear the sight of them, and why, when on one occasion she had brought down a work-table, he had bade her almost sternly to carry it back to its hiding-place. All that was changed now, and she thought how she would arrange all the dainty little possessions, and make it look as much like the home of twenty years ago as possible. And there were other thoughts in her mind—thoughts of Mosslands and the pleasant few weeks she had spent within its walls. No-she would never forget; it should be a bright little memory which she wo lid treasure until she was old. I Just then Ealph Ashton entered the room. He came over and stood beside her, watching the sun glint upon her bright hair. "And so," he said. 11-1 am to lose my gPtit. She is determined to go." "Don't say that, please," said Marion; "you know how very grateful I am for all jour kind* ness to me. I shall never forget my visit." And yet you repay me by taking away my perfect housekeeper—the one woman upon whom I could depend in life. I am afraid it is the usual fate of the Good Samaritan," said he, laughing. "The next time I find a lady who has come to grief through rash riding I shall pass by on the other side." "I think you would soon come back," returned she, playfully; "I cannot fancy you shirking a duty. "Oh, yes, a duty," said he. "I had not looked at it in that light." Marion toyed with the window-cord, looking carefully out upon the lawn, for she was at a loss what to say next. Just then, to her relief, the visitors took their ceparture, and her mother entered the room. Ralph turned away to the hall, and began to put on his coat ana driving gloves, whilst Marion was helped into her jacket by her mother. Then the trap drove up to the door, and he came in to fetch his charge. "Can you trust her with me ? he said quietly, with hidden meaning in his tones, to Mrs. Gray- ham, as he left her upon the steps. (õ I have always found you faithful," she said, as she stepped back within the doorway. He dismissed the groom, took up the reins, and they were gone. They were silent for a few minutes as they drove down the avenue and turned into the hard high road. Then, when they were about half a mile from Mosslands. be slackened rein and turned to his companion. "Do you remember one evening, not long ago, our having a chat over the library fire ?" he said. "I remember several chats over the fire," said she, turning to look at a tree newly burst into leaf, "but I don't know to which you refer." "I am sorry for that, "said he; "I have always understood that when people make a promise they are supposed to at least remember that they have made one." "Oh, I do remember promising to do some- thing for all your kindness, but I never supposed there really was anything I could do for you." "So that is the way you shew your gratitude to the man who picked you up by the roadside." He bent over and looked at her. She felt her face flush under his gaze, and dared not lift her eyes to his. Suddenly she felt her hand gripped tightly, and he was saying, passionately: "Marion, I love you, my darling. I have loved you ever since I found you. Will you come, back and be my wife ? She could not speak, her heart was full—full of a great happiness. She had schooled herself not to imagine such a happiness, but-now her heart bounded within her, and she knew that she loved him with her whole soul. "Will you not speak to me?" he said -at length, when her silence had become unbearable to him. "Is it impossible that you should love me ? he said, quietly. She looked at him now, a full, calm gaze of perfect faith and trust. "I do love you," she said, simply. "I shall love you to my life's end." And so it came about that Moeslands and the Grange changed mistresses. Ralph is never tired of telling his friends how he found his wife by the roadside, and he says if it' had not been for the invention of the bicycle he should still be to old bachelor. Marion has her own carriage and horses, but she has never deserted the bicycle. She often smiles as she passes along the road, and remembers how she sat helpless in the blazing sun. She rides well now, but with caution, for she remembers her first long ride when a thorn caught her tyre. (To END.]
INDUCTION OF A NEW MINISTER…
INDUCTION OF A NEW MINISTER AT BERTBLWtDWELSH BAPTIST, QUAKER'S YARD, On Monday evening there was a large gather- ing at Berthlwyd Welsh Baptist Church, Qua- ker's Yard, at an induction service in honour of the Rev T. E. Williams, the newly-appointed pastor, late of Groeawen, Anglesea. The chair was occupied by Mr E. Edwards, J.P., Pen- Ian. The Rev W. Jones, Brynhyfryd, opened the service, while the chairman and Mr Thos. Phillips, the secretary, of the church, each gave a brief account of the unanimous "call" given to Mr Williams by the church, and welcoming him to their midst. Warm addressee, of wel- come were also delivered by the Revs D. C. Evana, Berthlwyd; Rev W. D. Nicholas, Tre- harris; Rev Mr Phillips, Cilfynydd; ReVs J. F. Williams, Abercynon; M. I. Thomas, Liban- us; E. J. Hughes, Ynyshir; W. Jones, Nel- son; W. Llewellyn, Penwain, and W. Mor- ton, Bedlinog. The Rev T. B. Williams then replied, thanking the chreh and ministers who took part in the excellent reception that was given him and His family on his undertaking the pastoral duties of Berthlwyd Baptist Church. During the service solos were given by Miss S. A. Miles, Mr Tom Williams (Llew'r Berth), and Mr John Morgan (Eos Twyn). Pre- vious to the induction service, a grand reception tea was given in the vestry by the church in honour of the new pastor and his wife, when visitors were sumptuously entertained by Mrs Roberts, Tvllwyd; Mrs Morgan, and Mrs Mor- ris, Wingfield Terrace; Mrs Edwards, Llwyn- celyn Terrace; and Mrs Pugh, who had trays, assisted by a number of willing workers. The whole proceedings was a creat success from be- ginning to end. Mr Williams is a native of Aberystwyth, and received a part of his minis- terial training in London. He has laboured I for a period of nino years with a great amount of success at Gaerwen and Penoarneddi Baptist Churches, Anglesea. He was highly respected not only by the churches under his pastoral care, but by tije inhabitants of the neighbour- hood at large. During his stay in Anglesea he served as chairman of Gaerwen School Board, chairman of the Parish Council, Administrator of the Charitable Trusts of the parish, chair- man of the local Liberal Association, and re- presentative of the Baptist Translation Society and secretary of the Anglesea Baptist Associa- tion. He also frequently rendered services at the different annual meetings in the capacity of preacher. Before leaving his former charge h was the recipient of a magnificent illuminated address, and a purse of gold, contributed for by the community, and also two purses of gold hy the churches, and Mrs Williams was the re* cipient of a splendid portrait of herself by the Gaerwen Church, and also- a handsome drawing room lamp by the Sunday School. .A -pO h_
,A Book for Ladies.
A Book for Ladies. The information contained in this book onght to be known by every married w^at^ and it will not harm the unmarried to read. The book is conveniently divided into twelve chapters. The first chapter treats on womanhood. The second chapter treats of marripge from a doctor's standpoint; points out the best age for marriage, and furnishes useful information that one can ordinarily get only from an intelli- gent doctor. The third chapter treats of the marriage of blood relations; and condemns such marriages as a rule. Certain people believe that women should bring forth in pain and trouble, but the hygienic physician says that confinements can be made comparatively easy if certain rules are obeyed; these rules are given. The tenth chapter tells how to treat the mother till slia is up and about again. The book is ful of useful information, and no book is written which goes so thoroughly into suoh matters. Some may think too much is told; such can scarscely be the case, for knowledge is power and the means of attaining happiness. The book can be had in envelope from Dr T. R. Allinson, Room 412, Spanish Place, Manches- ter Square, London, W., in return for a postal order for Is. 2d. 5001
IPorth Tecfyjical Glasses
I Porth Tecfyjical Glasses DISTRIBUTION. OF CERTIFICATES AND PRIZES. GRATIFYING RESULTS. LIST OF PASSES. At the Calfaria Chapel, Porth, on Wednes- day evening last, a meeting was held under the auspices of the Glamorgan Technical Instruc- tion Committee for the distribution of the cer- tiiicates earned in connection with the Porth and Ynyshir classes at the Science and Art and County Technical examniations held last year. The chair was occupied by Mr Henry Abraham, the re-elected member of the Rhondda School Board, and the prizes and certificates were dis- tributed by Alderman W. H. Morgan, Ponty- pridd. There were also present Miss Ada Jones, Alderman John Jones Griffiths, Peny- graig, and Miss Miles, Wattstown, togethet with the secretary, Mr T. W. Young. After deliberating upon the splendid educational fa- cilities offered by the Evening Technical In- struction Classes established by the Glamorgan County Council, the chairman called upon Miss Ada Jones, the lady member of the Rhondda School Board, to address the meeting, who, upon rising, said that they all knew the excit- ing time they had had lately. She was very sorry that her father was unable to be pre- sent that evening through having a sprained ankle. Still he had got up the previous Satur- day, and was driven to the poll To plump for his daughter. She wished that evening to take the opportunity of thanking all who had helped her to the very honourable position on the poll. She bad not the slightest idea she had so many friends in the Rhondda Valley. (Laugh- ter and cheers). This time the result exceeded any ambitious hopes she had, and she wished heartily to thank all who helped her to the, grand position. (Cheers). The secretary, Mr T. W. loung, read the re- port of the session for the last year as follows: There were 12 subjects under tuition, and 330 students enrolled, out of which 126 sat for the examination. There were 10 passes in Machine Drawing, Applied Mechanics, 7; Building Con- struction, one; Mining, 10; Magnetism and Electricity, 8; Chemistry, 4; Music, 8; Am- bulance, 15; Shorthand, 8; Welsh, 4-; and Cookery, 4,, i.e., 87 passes in all. Alderman W. H. Mathias had been good enough to give money prizes with which they had bought books in value. He thought he could say that they possessed a splendid staff of teachers, undoubtedly thoroughly efficient, and he was sorry the young men of the place d'd not avail themselves of the chances affor- ded. Education had come now that it was almost hawking it, so to speak. The commit- tee had gone beyond what other committee had done by this year refunding one fee to any stu- dent trying in any two tabjecft. Last Jrear 330 students were enrolled, and this year even more were enrolled. He wished to inform all pre- sent that they were enrolling students up to the 1st of December next. They had a class in French with a very able teacher, and had also taken up dressmaking, and given young ladies a chance by engaging a thoroughly efficient teacher. The formation of all these classes was simply a desire to lift the young men of the place, and as a eounter-attractibn to the public-house.. Alderman John Jones Griffiths then gave a splendid descripition of the immense strides made by Technical Teaching every year, and of the splendid facilities offered by the County Council in this direction.. Alderman Walter H. Morgan, tefcra eiislr;- buting the prizes, said be was -cry pleawd to come up to the Rhondda Valley that evening to take part in such an interesting ceremony, and be was very glad that such strides in edu- cation had been made in the Valley. I" ttat edt we were not behind the times, but in order to preserve the industries in their coun- try they should improve the trade. Unques- tionably they were behind in this branch. Other countries were more advanced, and it "Was high time we competed with them. The more skilled the workmen were the more ready we would be to compete. Whett they found America sending locomotives here it was high time to prevent this. He was glad to say hey were now getting alive to it in Parliament as well as the County Council. The County Council were spending all the money they could in providing technical instruction. Wales unfortunately, in Lis young days, was very much behind England, but now he was happy to say Wales had gone ahead of England. Alderman Morgan then read an extract from the '"Westminster az- ette" in support of his observation. Referring to the successful candidates about to be pre- sented that evening, he complimented them for their pluck in sitting for the examination. To the unsuccessful he would say that it was not -their fault they did not pass. They must put it down to the folly of the examiners not understanding their answers. (Laughter). Failures always wanted a certain amount of encouragement, and they should not take it to heart if they did not get a prize. The distribution of the prizes and certificates by the Alderman was received with much clap- ping of hands. PRIZE LIST. Machine Construction and Drawing—Mor- gan Tudor Lewis, 1st advanced; Benjamin Wil- liams, 2nd advanced; Elias -u-ood, James Lavis, Edgar Davies, 1st elementary, and a book; Herbert Morgan Davies, 1st elementary and a casf- of instruments; William Evans 2nd ele- mentary; Thomas E. Lewis, and Thomas Gil- ley. Applied Mechanics.—-1st elementary, Wil- liam Thomas, Ynyshir;F. Momm, John Cave, a book. Building Construction.—2nd elementary, Morgan Tudor Lewis, Edwin Williams, James Levis, Elias Moore, John C. Thomas.. Mining—1st advanced, John Cave, Evan Bevan, David Williams; 2nd advanced, David Edmund Thomas, John Thomas; 1st elemen- tary, Thomas B. Williams, William Williams. Magnetism and Electricity.—1st, Rosnia K. Morris, William Thomas, John Harris, David Williams; 1st elementary, Thomas Whitting- ton, Cyril D. Thomas, John Cave; 2nd elemen- tary, David Edmund Thomas. Practical Chemistry.—1st elementary, Rosina K. Morris, Abraham Williams, E. Thomas, Morgan Bees; 2nd, James H. Wil- liams, Lewis E. Hughes, E. M. Pry. Ei. A. R Brimble. Chemistry.-2ncl advanced, -oraham Wil- liams, Rosina K. Morris, David E. Thomas, A. L. Goldie. Music.—2nd class, Obediah Edwivla, Jossph G. Williams, William James, W. G. Dunstan, Edward Griffiths, Mary A. Phillips, and George Ablett, Ynyshir, and Elizabeth Thomas. Shbrthand.-2nd advanced, (John W. Wil- liams, W. J. Dunstan, Thomas J. Hopkins, J. iW (Prioe, Tftomas John Thomas, Daniel Thomas; 1st elementary, Gwilym Phillips, Idris E. Davies. 'Cookery.-lst class, Mary Ellen Evans. M. A. Edwards, May Jones, Elizabeth Prosste, Welsh.—Joseph John Jones (honours); 2nd class, Stephen Owen Davies; 1st, Bach:>l Rich- ards; 2nd, Gladys Lloyd. Ambulance.—P.C. Thomas Clynch (fiital ard medallion), Leslie H. Thomas, Tho -as Her- bert, Willie Thomas, Arthur Thomas. John Charman, Maldwin Davies, Joseph Row'irid^ Hugh Richards, Thomas Thomas, B. 'J. George, F.C. Patrick Barry, George Web i»*, Edgar Thomas, John Morgan, Money prizes in Practical Mining, a team of five, viz., David Williams, William Williams, Eli Oatridge, Benjamin Phillips, and George Lewis, took 2nd prize. Mr Miles, agent to the Wattstown Collier- j ies, said that although he felt himself a rank outsider that evening—(laught -r, -he took none the less interest in the success of their centre. (Cheers). He was exteed' .,tl- glad to find that young Mr Cave, a gentleman living in his immediate district, had been so success- ful, and he felt pleased to assure them that he would personally hold himself responsible to enable him to take full advantage of the know- ledge he had derived from the school. (Cheers), Some time ago they at Wattstown had en- j deavoured to form a Mining Class, but they found it clashed with Porth, and they had com- passion upon Porth, and allowed it to remain there. (Laughter). He was very glad to find thnt the young men of Porth had taken so much interest in the Technical Classes. There were no better facilities offered in this direction than in the Rhondda District with its County Schools, Higher Grade Schools. Technical Classes, etc. They were fully ahead of any other mining district in, the kingdom, and he 11, sincerely trusted that the young people would fully avail themselves of these advantages. As the chairman had remarked knowledge was power, than which there was no greater power, and theoretical knowledge without the practi- ca) was of very little account. Votes of thanks were accorded to all who had officiated that evening, and to ih- ("Vilfaria Chapel authorities for their kindness in lending their beautiful chapel for the distribution of i the prizes.
THE PONTYPRIDD SCHOOL IBOARDS…
THE PONTYPRIDD SCHOOL BOARDS FINANCES. INTERVIEW WITH. THE CHAIRMAN. With the object of throwing still further light on the vexed question of the Pontypridd School Board's financial position, a reporter af the "Free Press" called upon Mr James Rich- ards, chairman of the Pontypridd School Board, to ascertain his views on the subject. In answer to the pressman's enquiries, Mr Richards stated that the overseers had begged the Board to keep the rates down as much as possible on account of the strike. The Board knew then that they could not do with less than a ninepenny rate at least, but taking the strike into consideration, they wished to be as economical as possible, and fearing an increased rate would cause unpleasantness the Board gave way and allowed the rate to be fixed at 5 £ d, but now they were compelled to increase it. This was caused by the large amount of building which had to be done, acquiring the gronuds, and painting the schools, which were bound to be done. It was true the Board might have put off the painting for another year, but the ratepayers would have complained that the property was neglected. People com- plained of a shilling rate for education, but said nothing about the District Council rate of Is 4d, and he would like to know which did the most good for the country-District Councils or School Boards? Again, the ratepayers did not complain of the overdraft of the District Council, so why should they murmur about the School Board's deficit, which had been no loss to them, inasmuch as there was no interest to pay on it? It should be considered, too, con- tinued the chairman, that the majority of the members of the Board were very heavy rate- payers, so if it were possible to reduce the rates naturally they would have done so. It was a mistake for the Board to have given way to the overseers, but no harm was done by it. Al- though there was an overdraft of £4,000 it had not cost the ratepayers a penny. The strike was the real cause of the present position, the Board thinking they could manage without in- creasing the rates, never dreaming the over- draft would become so high. Undoubtedly they ddold lave reduced the expenditure somewhat by leaving the outdoor work undone, but it would be a pity to leave the beautiful Lan Wood School with the grounds untouched. It would be a loss again to the ratepayers to allow the painting of the exterior of the schools ta be untouched, as many of them had been three or four years without painting, and, in Mr Rich- ards' opinion, to properly take care of the schools they should be painted once in every three years at the outside. The auditor last week said nothing about the overdraft, and made the remark that the Board were doing their best under the circumstances. The School Board could not do as the Guardians did. The latter body continually have four or five thousand pounds in their favour, but still they didn't decrease their rate during the strike. Then the School Board had only one parish, whereas the Guardians had the whole of the Union to call upon. The School Board were I bound to keep up to the requirements of the Code, and if they did not do so, they would lose a large amount of Government gmnts, but they had endeavoured, and, he thought, succeeded, to keeping up to the Department's require- msats. THE CLERK OF I THE SCHOOL BOARD AGAIN SPEAKS. After having obtained the views of the chair- man of the School Board, the reporter sought out Mr D. Milton Jones, the clerk, whose at- tention he called to the statement made by Mr William Jones, chairman of the Overseer to the effect that the School Board could not ex- plain the necessity for the increased precept. Mr Jones replied: "The Board are not an- swerable to the Overseers of Pontypridd for their expenditure, but to the ratepayers of the parish. At the end of each year tita Board publish a statement showing the whole of their expenditure. If the ratepayers are dissatis- I fied they have their remedy at the end of the three years' term. Mr W. Jones is very amus- ing when he says the Board can't explain the cause of the increased precept, but a gentleman in the person of the district auditor, who is specially directed to inquire into the legality and necessity of School Board expenditure, at his audit last week into the Board's accounts for the half-year ended March last certified the expenditure as being, in his opinion, correct and legal, and he made no surcharge what- ever. ° "On whom do you throw the blame for the Board's present financial position-Lile Over- seers? "No," replied Mr Jones, "it is simply non- sense to suggest that they are directly respon- sible for it, but the School Board had no busi- ness whatever to consult the Overseers. They should simply have made the calls for the amounts they required to meet the expenses of the School Board from time to time. It is a remarkable fact that the School Board accounts for the half-year ended September, 1898, were only overdrawn to the extent of £90, but as soon as the Overseers appeared on the scene and explained the difficulties in which they found themselves, the overdraft for the two half-years (which amounted to £ 3,800 in Sep- tember, 1898) accumulated. It is nonsense for anyone to insinuate that the Overseers are di- rectly responsible for the expenditure, but had they not appeared before the Board an in- creased rate would have taken place the last half-year, instead of making it a shilling rate this half-year. The rate would then have been Is 3d for the year instead of Is Sid., as it is now. As a result of the Overseers coming be- fore the Board the latter never considered the estimate prepared shewing what their income and expenditure would be, because they had promised the overseers to keep down the pre- cept." "But what have you to say to Mr William Jones's remark that the Board cannot justify the increased precept?" asked the reporter. "The Board are my employers, and I am quite prepared to deal with the question when submitting the Board's next annual report, but I can't undertake to give particulars to out- siders until th Board instruct me to do so. Out of the Lt,000 which we called upon the Overseers for during the year ended September last (which amounted to a 5id. rate each half- year) £ 3,751 were spent in respect of interest and principal on loans. Then the salaries of the teachers have been increased, and it should be noted that we pay a better scale of wages than any neighbouring Boards. The argument used that the School Board expenditure should be curtailed like the District Council was im- practicable. Public works are matters which can be nesdected for a while, but the education of the children cant be neglected. The expen- diture of the School Board cannot be curtailed in re?pect of existing loans. The only possible thing the Board could have done to cut down their expenditure would have been to reduce their staff, and punish that staff by reducing their hard-earned salaries, with its consequent detrimental effects upon the education of the children.
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Alderman John Jones Criffiths,…
Alderman John Jones Criffiths, on Technical Educatiolla SPLENDID RESULTS IN THE RHONDDA. ADVICE TO YOUNG PEOPLE. TWO BRILLIANT STUDENTS. Speaking in connection with the distribution of certificates and prizes to the successful can- didates attending the Porth Technical Classes, which, took place at Calfaria Chapel, Porth, last Thursday, Alderman John Jones Griffiths, Peny graig, gave a lucid descripition of the good work done by these classes, and "exhorted all young people to embrace the splendid ad- vantages offered. He said: This work of technical teaching has made immense strides in the county every year. We estimate in our budget a sum of about £ 7,5000 for this work. Up to the present we bave not spent 97,500. but calls upon it. Last year's expenditure in the shape of grants and of work in connection with technical teaching came 10 £ 7,050. This is not quite equivalent to a id. rate. A Id rate in the county produces about Elo,ooo, but a Jd. rate covers all the work we call for payment. He thought it was only quite fair to say on behalf of the County Council of Glamor- gan and the County Technical Instruction Com- mittee that the best use was made of the money to educate and uplift the people. In addition ( to that they had something like E20,000 to manipulate of a sum which is called exchequer- contribution funds in connection with the drink business. Personally he would not object if the tax was higher. (Laughter). That money was used in building 16 splaodid schools they had right through the county. The intermedi- ate schools, some of these have taken each £ 1,000. You would be very glad to-Imow what we do with this money. A good slice of 92,000 is taken in helping brilliant young fellows to secure an University education. It has been our custom from the commencement to spend £ 1.000 in paying all the fees that are necessary to be paid to the classes, when those young students of ours are admitted. £ 1,000 clears all the College fees. Then we know nie very class of people we draw our supplies It is a difficult matter for them to live even though you give them the schooling free. To meet this difficulty with the little help they get from parents and friends, we devote £ 1,000 in the maintenance scholarships. In connection with the scholarships we have decided to increase the number from 25 up to as man as 30. Ar- rangements were made with the College, and we have now, and shall have, as many as 30 stu- dents in the College having their studenships from E20 to £40 every year. this is doing ex- cellent work. To see how these young fellows are turning out into good men, and men fitted for a superior walk in life by the help of the education they get here. There was one in- stance of a young man of the name of Phillips, from Mountain Ash, with his father a collier, and his mother dead, with six other children besides this boy. He attended the day school and the Continuation and Technical Classes, and worked so hard and well that he secured a scholarship of the county. We were getting reports every quarter ffom the Senate of the College of the position of the young men, and this boy had a good record all along. The third year just landed him on the threshold of a degree. After three years he had done all possible, and here he was almost within the reach of the plum of a degree, but our scholar- ship was ended. His three years were up. What was to be done? Was he to go back again and run the risk of a disappointed life? We put our heads together and induced the committee to extend to him another year. At the end of that year, that voung boy, a collier's son, who had been working underground himself who had to pinch upon L10 a quarter, brought him out in "Honours" in Philosophy. He went up to Cambridge and got a scholarship of £80 a year, and since then he has had a Sizorshop. What was possible to this boy PJhillips is possible to every boy in Porth, only there must be work. There was no use going with a rush as the secretary bad indicacted that evening, coming to be enrolled .and dwindling down, getting beautifully less week by week, until the examination day only 127 came to the scratch. To the teachers this is very dis- appointing, after having spent their anxious time in producing results, to see them like snow in June, neither getting credit nor profit. You have been sticking to the last, and have done splendidly well, and it is only a thousand pities we could not go and whisper to those loafing about the street comers and urge them to train and fit themselves for something better. A party of young men from the Porth Mining Class a short time ago saw him about having a scholarship given to mining alone, i.e., exclu- sively to mining. At the time I was not in a position to give the necessary information, but since then I have thosrh the matter out, and do not see any obstacle at all. There are 16 subjects in the list which you can try, choose any eight most congenial to your minds, and pass in the eight, then your scholarship can be devoted entirely under Professor Galloway, in Cardiff, and you need not enter into any- thing else but that subject and go into it thoroughly. There is £ 1,000 at our disposal in engaging teachers in cookery, and I only wish that servant girls especially would take an inter- est in these classes. We have 12,000 students this year learning dookerv. Then we have vocal and instrumental scholarships valued at £ 40 a year, and after all we have failed this year to get a single applicant, and we have £40 to give to any tenor voice passing in this. The instrumental scholarship has taken well. A son of a baker in Ystrad Rhondda, named Set- ter, took the scholarship two years ago. and decided at once to go to Liepzic. He went, and thev appreciated the talent of this voung fellow that. they have sent over to the Techni- cal Committee a memorial most earnestly pray- ine that this young man should have another 12 months extended. His school would be over in a very short time, and they would have it to offer to nil Glamorganshire in a vprv shcrt time. The mining teachers did cxccllcnt, work I both vears. and both ha 1 rec^iv^ 1 recognition fW fli- most hard work (lrma. Th^n -ttfty had Mr Goelz for Lan?m?es. who ecu1' teach al- most any language lik°lv to be required for hllinpo purposes, or anything else, and they I' wore just about giving "so-) to th,, f irinen, p producing a teacher in farming, who would teach them to shoe in the most approved style possible. He was going to provide for the firmiiv nt-re,t in (J13'nf)1'[""m,irp The dairy r«Ja«ses were most successful, and at the competition in butter making it was a sight to see the buxom voung girls making butter at Pontypridd. In mining work we hnve started on new lines, a new experiment last vei-, and un to th" rrw-nt a traveling trach^r had to teach advanced classes and first elementary classes. Now we intend getting from ur tra- velling expert teachers as much as possible, then we reserve them for advanced work. Last year all advanced students under the old regi- me were only 88, under the present one we have 160 men doing advanced mining work in the district. Out of that number f4 were in Porth he was most proud to hear. There was a rapiu development, and the students exceeded 800. There were eight elementary classes in the neighbourhood, the feeders for the advanced classes. Fifteen out of the 45 under-manager certificates granted had come to Porth that night; it was a thing to be proud of. The prospects of these )ung men, if they went on bunding on that, will be that some of the colliery companies will want full fledged col- liery managers, and hearing of the men will write for them. £ 7,500 covered the whole of the work done last year at all their centres throughout the county, in connection with which they had 553 classes and 8,917 pupils. Next year he trusted he would see over 10,000 doing work in the classes. The thing was new and growing, and no one knew the end of it. If there was any body of young men that would like to have any imaginary sr^ject at all from sboemaking up to whatever tiiey liked, if they sent it down to the agent they would find a teacher for them. They were teaching all kinds of subjects, including shorthand, dress- making, etc., and at present there were 30 young girls at Porth learning to sew buttons end to patch "trousers gwaith."
ilClJdach Yale Notes.
ClJdach Yale Notes. When perambulating my district some few Sundays ago, I was rather surprised to see quite a crowd of children playing in uie Pandy field, and also throwing a large amount of de- I oris over the wall into the main street to the imminent danger of pedestrians. This does not speak well of parents, and I shall expect to hear from some old and more prominent scribe than myself regarding the matter referred to above. --0- Beware, oh, ye young men that play banker on Sundays, I am upon your track, and will, if I see or hear of such carrying on again, with- out hesitation publish your names in my notes. --0- I told you the other week that I would let you know some news about the young man who is very fond of visiting one of our fair sex. Well this young man is a tradesman, and works not a hundred yards from a dressmaker's shop. To the surprise of some of tle neighbours, the lower part of the window is drawn up, and the young man is seen and heard making love with his head througC the window. My advice to- him would be to go into the house to make love for fear that the window would fall on his neck, and his injuries prove of a serious nature. -0-- Who is the young man that is so very fond of music that he often visits a certain house for the purpose of hearing the organ played ? The question was asked him the other day—was it for the purpose of playing with the organist that he visits the house? Why do some of the members of one of our places of worship sleep during the sermon ? My advice is that they should go to bed the night before. 0 A good old maxim says, "A place for every- thing and everything in its place." Domestics should attend to household duties and leave business matters to others, whose duty it is to attend to them. Last time I wrote referred to the slave- driving of some of our gaffers. I have been given to understand since that some of our workmen have been making slaves of themselves by pushing their tnams of coal the distance of 20 yards from the face of their working place for several weeks. Who can they blame but themselves for doing so? If this is true. then the company will be able to do without horses eie long. I hear on good authority that the Cambrian Colliery (Company has introduced the third book, or new book of red letters, which it is con.monly called by the workmen. The col- lieries have been greatly surprised at the intro- duction of this new book by Mr D. A. Thomas and his colleagues, and have passed a resolution in one of their meetings last week demanding an immediate withdrawal of same. --0- Next week I will deal with me important mdters of our organisation, and the distribut- ing of badges. LUL??'
SALE OF WORK -AT HAFOD.
SALE OF WORK AT HAFOD. On Monday and Tuesday last, a very succesa- ful and well-attended sale of work was held at the Bethel Vestry Hafod. The proceedings on Monday were opened by Mr Daniel Thomas, Pcrthcawl, and late of Pwllgwaun, Pontypridd, and on Tuesday by Dr Ifor H. Davies, Porth, in the absence of Dr Joyce, Porth. Stalls were superintended over by the following ladies: Drapery Stall, Mesdames William Evans, John and Miss Maggie Jones. China Stall, Misses Ada Thomas, Janet Davies, and Morfydd Wil- lis.ms. Flower Stall, Miss Hannah John and Miss Edith Olwen Evans. Grocery Stall, Mrs David Thomas, Miss Rachel Morgan, and Miss Urina Morgan. Refreshments were ably looked after by Mrs James, Mrs Lewis, Mrs Griffiths, and Mrs Rees. A series of entertainments were also held, when Mr Tom Williams, Mr ohn Morgan, Mr T. J. Jones, and Mr Arthur Jones, materially assisted to bring the affair to a successful issue. A very neat sum was netted fom the sales and entertainments, and when this is added to the subscriptions received, among which is one of f.5 from Mr Daniel Thomas, Porthcawl, and £3 3s from Dr Joyce, the trustees will be enabled to pay off a very fair slice of the chapel debt. A further sale has been fixed for Saturday next, when a good sum is expected to be reaped.
-----------MINERS' WAGES.
MINERS' WAGES. Th. executive committee of the Miners* Federation met in London on Thursday to con- sider the requisition received from the Lan- cashire miners for the convening of a special conference to consider the advisability of ap- plying for an advance of 5 per cent, in wages T, from the 1st of anuary. It wr.s resolved not to call a special conference, as the opinion of the districts is so clearly indicated, but ta I-ave the application for ail advance in the hands of the federation boair). It is under- stood that an early application will be made for 5 per cent. advance.
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!RHONDDA CYMMRODORION.
RHONDDA CYMMRODORION. The fortnightly meeting of the Cymmrodar- ion of Rhondda was held at Bethesda Vestry on Tuesday evening. In the unavoidable ali- sence of the president, Mr E. H. :>avies>. J P. C.C., who was away on his holidays, tie rbsir was taken by Mr Da vies. A most inters?, paper was read by the Rev W. Evans tFalemV Merthyr, on "Ann Griffiths, of Dol.a-eoliU>. to a large audience. Speeches were delivered by Rev E. W. Davies, Mr J. Jones, andMrs D. S. Thomas, The Bazaar. A vote of thanks was accorded to the speaker for his able and interesting lecture. The next meeting will be held on Tuesday, October 31st, at Bethesda Chapel, when the crowned bard of Llanelly is expected to lecture to the society, namely, the Rev Gwylfa Roberts. The society is in a most flourishing condition.