Llandudno Advertiser and List of Visitors

RAFFLES AND THE "RABBIT." MR. E. W. HORUNG CHATS ABOUT HIS ARISTOCRATIC CRACKSMAN, --+-I The average reader probably needs no int,roducton to Raffles; for have not his feats and accomplishments earned him I world-wide fame ? No man ever scored a century at Lord's in a, more faultless and brilliant manner; and no man ever dis- played more nerve, skill, and audacity in bringing off a coup which placed Scotland Yard on its mettle. Tlruly a fascinating and complex character is that of Ra,ffle,s- the man who scorns a: petty, mean action, and yet will relieve the society belle of a £ 10,000 necklace with the utmost "sang- froid"—sometimes because he wants money, but more often for pure love of sport and adventure. And there is the "Rabbit," otherwise Bunny, who fagged for R,affles at school, and whose love and admiratiion for the aristocratic cracksman stood the test when Raffles disclosed his true character, and told his friend of his criminal practices. For a little while both Raffles and Bunny have been "lying low," only, how- ever, to provide material for an even more absorbing story than has yet been related concerning them. In the January num- ber of the "Grand Magazinei," the great all-fiction monthly, Mr E. W. Hornung, the creator of Raffles, tells of the, cracks- man's further adventures-of a daring jewellery robbery, and the, manner in which he matches his strategy, skill, and cunning against that, of a wealthy money- lender, who is not: only often as wily as himself, but unscrupulous and powerful to, a degree. The story will run in the "Grand" for several months, and will be one of the most, interesting magazine features of 1909. THE; ORIGIN OF RAFFLES. With the reappearance of R,affles people are again asking, "Is the character drawn from life?" and the answer to the ques- tion was given during the course of an interview with Mir Hornung at his charm- ing house in Kensington. "I'll tell you exactly how Raffles start- ed," said the novelist, as we chatted to- gether in a study replete with objects of interest to the, book and art, lover. "A good many years ago I wrote a story about a public-school villain; he com- mitted a terrible crime in Australia,, and was met; by his old fag, who shielded him. Unfortunately, I killed the villain at the end of the story. "One day my brother-in-law, Sir Arthur Cbnan Doyle, to whom I owe a very great deal, said to me, 'What a pilty you killed that. fellow! A public-school villain will be a new figurei for a series. Why not revive him?' 'I don't believe I could write such a series to save my life,' I replied. How- ever, I was advised to think the sugges- tion over. I did so, and the eventual re- sult was a variation of the type in the shape of Raffles. LITERARY GODFATHERS. "Not only to Cbnan Doyle, however, but also to the late James Payn, and, above all, Richard, Dowling, do I owe a great debt of gratitude. I only wish that I could help anybody as Dowling helped me. Do you know that the 'Letters to a Young Writer,' published in the "Corn- hill Magazine" five years ago, were really written by Richard Dowling for my special benefit? How he did 'slate' me at times!" added Mir Hornung, laughingly. "And how I deserved i, 1 What do you think of this?" and Hornung picked alt random from the letters mentioned — 'Remember the only merit. in your story is the fairly good spelling.' "Or this: 'You use the word "aggravation" as though you did not know the meaning of the word. You know the meaning of the word as well as any man alive. This is the. act of a, low profligate.' A DU MAURIER STORY. "But you want to hear all about Riaiffles 1" "As well as yourself, please, Mr Hornung," I interposed. "Believe me, Raffles is better 'copy.' Did you ever hear that little story about Gerald du Mauri er, who so brilliantly created the part in this country? One day he went into a buffet with a friend. The man behind the bar stared at Du Maurier very hard, and detained the friend as they were leaving. 'Excuse me, sir,' said he, 'but wasn't that Mr Raffles?' "PLUM WARNER SAW T!HE PLAY ELEVEN TIMES. "Talking about the play," Continued Mr Hornung, "here is a little souvenir of ,the hundredth performance in America," and he handed me a miniature jemmy made of white metal, on which the parti- culars were inscribed. "This jemmy," said Mr Hornung, "was modelled from that possessed by one of the smartest cracks- men in America. "The number of cricketers, by the way, who saw the, play when it was produced in this country was really astonishing. P. J F. Warner once told me that he had seen the play eleven times, and proved a most flattering familiarity with it by quoting whole passages." A NOrVIOE: AT THE GAME. Remembering that Mr Hornung was a member of the M..C.O., I ventured to sug- gest that perhaps his own cricketing feats had led him to make Raffles a cricketer. "Good gracious, no! replied the novelist. "I am absolutely no cricketer, although a, very keen follower of the game. No, I don't play golf, bu, 1 bicycle a bit, and mot.), a fair amount, md I work in a very haphazard sD)- .vay, and sometimes make such a, mess -Iy manuscripts that I have to rev )avjs of a story four or five t: ..travels? I spent two years in Ausi before I was twenty, ami I suppos? 'xperiences up-country durng that [ 'urn'shed me with local colour for i

B I | HOLBROOK's | )t !)) %'BP. I 1 SAUCE 1 F I I IS USED. j j

Stop a Cough in One Night. TAKE VENO'S LIGHTNING COUGH CURE. A cough may be due to any of the following CATARRHAL COLDS ENLARGED TONSILS INFLUENZA ENLARGED UVLLA INFLAMED THROAT BRONCHITIS INFLAMMATION PNEUMONIA CONSUMPTION PLEURISY AND CROUP STOMACH DISORDERS ASTHMA A congh may be dry and hard, or loose with much expectoration it may be catarrhal with a dry tickling expectoration it may be catarrhal with a dry tickling in the throat accompanied by partial stoppage of the nostrils and shortness of breath. Veno's Lightning fough Cure removes the cause of the cough, not sm thering it but curing the dh eased conditions which produce it. It is admittedly a-cientific remedy en- dorsed and used by doctors, thf leading British anal- ysts speakirg in the higest terms of it. It is infinitely superior to the ordinary cough mixtures, tablets or emulsions which are for the most part of no practical value except to ease the cough f,-)r the time being. Veno's Lightning Cough Cure not only radically cures the most stubborn coughs, but strengthens the langs and gives perfect ease in breathing. Ask for Vene's Lightning Cough Cure, price 9d., Is. Hd. and 2s. 9d. of all Chemists.

"Men worry more than women." "Yes; they not only have everything to worry about that women have, but they also have the women to worry about, too." Some women worry about the worries they have missed. It is the easiest thing in the world for n a man to get engaged to a widow, even if he really doesn't meant it.

AGED PEOPLE'S TREAT. The Aged People's Treat, Llandudno, December 29th, was a snow-white day, as well as a red-letter day! Notwithstand- ing the depth of the snow and the cold, ninety-five brave old people faced the winter storm, and arrived safely in the T'own Hall. Here they received a warm welcome, and after singing the Grace given out by the Rev. W. Phillips, sat down tOI an excellent dinner, consisting of tender roast beef and mutton, well- cooked potatoes, and vegetables, followed by plum-pudding and sauce. Hot lemonade found much favour. After din- ner the chair was kindly taken by Mr T'. W. Griffith, in the regretted absence of Mr John Roberts, Bryn Celyn, through indisposition. Notwithstanding that some of the will- ing helpers on the programme were unable to be present, the evening passed very pleasantly. The Chairman gave an open- ing short address. He spoke of "The Old Age Pension," and told his hearers that he and Mr Conway would do all in their power to get it for any person who was entitled to it. The Rector spoke a few kind words in Welsh, and English. Mrs LI. Hughes accompanied the two amusing songs sung by Master Hughes, and also the two songs sung by Mr J. Roberts. A humorous recitation was given by Miss Higginbottom, and a hymn with chorus was feelingly sung by Mrs Reeves Hughes. Suitable and helpful stories were told by the Secretary in English, and some of them were repeated in Welsh by Miss Roberts, London House. One story was a,bout the late Jennj Jackson, of Pen- maenmawr, and her mistress. She went to service, when she was twelve years old, and remained in the same place for eighty-two years. The Roll-Text Almanacs were given by the Misses Hindle. The yearly Motto Text was re- peated by all present, "Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path." Each guest on leaving received a, packet of tea and sugar, an orange and a mince- pie. The 200 fine oranges were the wel- come, gift of Mr and Mrs Newman. It was interesting to notice how carefully and well the guests had been selected. The giving out of the tickets requires great patience. Mrs Shad Roberts, and Miss Roberts, London House, are to be con- gratulated on this part of the good work, and also Mr and Mrs Reeves Hughes, for the excellent, manner in which the dinner was served. Hearty votes of thanks were given to all the kind subscribers, and to all who had helped in any way. Dinners and packets of tea and sugar were sent out next day to as many as possible, who had been prevented from being present by the severity of the weather. The Com- mittee (after paying expenses) are giving out the remainder of the money collected to about forty-two needy and aged people in groceries and coals. The accounts have been kindly audited by Mr Burgess of the National Provincial Bank. The following is the balance, sheet: — R,e,ce,lpts. -Donations from 100 sub- scribers, £ 23 18s. Od. Expenditure: Packets of tea and sugar, L4 2s. 8d.; 132 dinners, 210 3s. Od. rent of Town Hall, £1 Is. Od. hire of piano and gratuities, 13s. balance given in coals and goods to 42 aged and sick poor, JE7 18s. Od. total, £ 23 18s. Od. Audited and found correct, A. C. Burgess, 2nd January, 1909.-Con- tributed.

During Sunday night a thief, at present untraced, abstracted curios and jewellery valued at £ 30 from the, window of Mr E. Booth Jones's shopi at the corner of Old St. Ann's Churchyard, Manchester. Mr Jones is a son of Mrs John Jones, Dinarth Hall, near Llandudno. A CHESS CHAMPION. Mr H. E. Atkins, the winner of the British Chess championship for the fourth year in succession, displayed, like all great players, a passion for the game at an early age, and at Leicester he was easily first exponent in the town. While still a boy the dominion exercised over his mind by chess was only shared by mathematics. When he went to Cam- bridge great things were expected of him, but the place he took in the Tripos dis- appointed his friends, who with reason, had hoped to see him carry off the blue riband of the mathematical world. A famous tutor expressed the conviction at the time that if Mr Atkins had not given up to chess what was meant for mathe- matics he would have been senior wrangler. A schoolgirl was required to write an essay of two hundred and fifty words about a motor-car. She submitted the follow- ing — "My uncle bought a motor-car. He was riding in the country when it busted up a hill. I guess this is about fifty words. The other two hundred are what my uncle said when he was walking back to town, but they are not fit for publica- tion. For Chronic Chest Complaints, Woods' Great Peppermint Cure. lilt, 2/9

J. Fleet, Music Warehouse. Penrhyn Road, COLWYN BAIf Instruments by the best makers on sale or for Hire. First Class Tuners & Repairers ORGANS, PIANOFORTES. AMERICAN ORGANS, HARMONIUMS. Tuner to Pier Pavilion, Llandudno, &nd Victoria Pavilion, Colwyn Bay. THE CHEAPEST GUIDE TO LLANDUDNO. VISITORS TO LLANDUDNO SHOULD BUY WILLIAM'S Illustrated Sixpenqy Guide to Llandudno AND NEIGHBOURHOOD. Containing a history and description of Conway Castle, the Vale of Conway, Llanrwst, Bettws-y-Coed, Capel Curig, Swallow Waterfalls, and other places of interest in the Snowdonian District; Colwyn Bay, Penmaenmawr, Llanfairfechan, Aber, &c., with directions how to see them at the least possible ex- pense and loss of time. Crown 8vo,, 100 pages, containing map of district and numerous illustrations, per post 8d. OPINIONS OF THE PRESS- "Cheap convenient, and intelligent guide."—CHRIS- TIAN WORD. ''Has some interesting things to say about the Great Orme's Head, and the mountains of which access from Llandudno is so easy." MANCHESTER GUARDIAN "Will be found as useful as it is cheap."—LIVERPOOL DAILY POST. ''The book is full of a mass of really useful and practical information. There are directions to the tourist where to go and how to go at the least possible expense and loss of time."—LIVERPOOL COURIER. The above to be (had by post 7^-d.,) of the 2 publisher, EVAN WILLIAMS, Market Place, Bangor and of all Booksellers QUICK PROFITS are a question vi quick sales. u-r colamrm will sell your goods quickly and sell them often if they are of good quality. The greatest care is exercised in accepting only advertisements of first-class goods. For this reason our readers trust the announce- ments in our columns. We can help you in appealing to them in the right way. Let us know your require- ments and we will draft up an advertise- ment for you without extra charge. You will be astonished at the results you will get from a LITTLE OUTLAY. Printing that grips. at M M SB BN ga HB B B Hp1BIII1IW™^ If you want Your advertising B 0M n ■ II literature (handbills, circulars, booklets, I 9 etc.) to "leap out at the reader and M llV>l B £ riP his attc-don, let us print them. B AND B We will put distinction and B B attractiveness into your work that will I DlUt B out of the rut. B | BiVl B can place at your disposal the B B entire facilities of a well-equipped B AffftAA* tftsltfiAf 3 Printing Establishment-^combined with B "IllvvSf mmmi B up-to-date ideas which will not only II M "grip'" but CONVINGE. May we quote ? I

R"' ,J Stingaree and other stories. Since then the beaten tracks of Europe—besides a year in Rome and on the Bay of Naples. HIS ONLY BURGLAR, ADVENTURE. "I am sorry to disappoint you, but really I am a most uninteresting subject for an interview. I have not even re- ceived a visit or communication from a member of the criminal fraternity, saying what they think of Raffles. I only met a burglar once, and he was one of the sorriest specimens of humanity I ever saw in my life. I was living at T'eddington at the time, and while out for a walk one day passed a large, house, at the door of which a woman stood with a baby in her arms. She beckoned, and then asked if I I would go into the house and help her husband to cratch a burglar. It appeared they were living in the house as care- takers. "Now, I never was a very athletic sort of person, but I was carrying a good, heavy blackthorn, and I went in and met the husband in the corridor in a great state of excitement. 'You go on the lawn,' he said, 'and I'll drive him through.' He was such a long time, how- ever, that I went into the house again to reconnoitre on my own account, and ulti- mately we discovered that the burglar had taken refuge underneath the kitchen floor, having gained access to his hiding- place through a small grating. "There was space, to the depth of two or three feet below the kitchen floor, but we could not induce the burglar to come out. Ultimately it was decided to pull the floor- ing up, and just when the caretaker and a jobbing gardener had commenced to do so, a policeman, who looked quite imposing in his long winter overcoat, came in. He tgot into the hole already made, and peered underneath the floor with his lan- tern, at which the burglar began throw- ing bits of builders' chips. Suddenly the policeman beamed up us all. 'He hit me on the leg he cried. 'I'll charge him with that!' "They had to pull up the whole floor before they unearthed a wizened, haJ- starved creature, who whiningly exclaim- ed, 'I ain't been doin' nothin. I onij come in to: 'ave a smoke l' "The poor little performer got. two months, but I never heard how much of it was for assaulting the six foot constat* o with a missile perhaps ¡ tJ. size of a pea.