Flintshire Observer Mining Journal and General Advertiser for the Counties of Flint Denbigh

ANNUAL SUPPER AT ABBEY MILLS. PROSPECTS FOR A RECORD YEAR. THE MANAGER ON THE RELATION OF CAPITAL AND LABOUR. The scene at the Abbey Paper Mills, Grceafield, on New Years Day, when tbe annual supper to the employees at the mills took place, was one of oompleta happiness and showed in a marked degree not only appreciation of ttJe continued munificence of Messrs. Grosvenar, Chafer, and Co., but that such tteatment conduces to bind master and work- men together in a union productive of good results only, and tenda to encourage a higher and better standard of work. The tables were laid in the large sorting-room of the mill, which bad received spoaial attention for t'ae occasion from a band of willing decorators, and when Mr Petrie (the genial and much respected manager) took the chair, and gave the order to commence upon the good things provide3, nearly all of the I bands,' besides most of the workmen's wive<, who were present, seated around the festive board, fell willingly and merrily to work in an endeavour to lighten tte tables of their load. When the meal was over an adjournmeeit for half-an-bo ar was maie to give the waiters an opportunity to clear in preparation for the toast list and programme of music. Having resumed their place?, and charged a bumper" for the toast of "Success to Grosvenor, Ohater, and Co., and the paper trade." Mr Ed ward Davies proposed the t<)8S, saying he was pleasel as a workman to bava the honour of saying a word on fcebalf of his fellow-wcrkmen and himself in favour of Messrs Grosvenor, Ohater, and Co. He had bean thera for very many years and had seen many changes. Lately, the works had undergone extensive alterations, and ha wished to testify to the treat an ent they had received during those alterations at the hands of the firm (hear, hear). Actions spoke loader than words, and they knew what those actions had been They had now to congratulate themselves upon the successful re-start they had made, and he hoped that the Abbey Md14 would continue to make and to keep its paper first in tbe market (hear, hear). He would el-o pat on record their hea-ty welcome Ile of the return of Mr Petrie to their midst, aod congratulate him upon his reoovery. They sincerely trusted he would be enabled to coatinue amongdt them for many more years (applause). The.toast was drunk with musical honours, and hearty oheere were accorded the firm and the chairman. Mr J. Petrie (the manager) in responding to the toast, said: Vice-chairman and fellow-workmen, it gives me great pleasure to have tha privelage of again responding to the tcait of Melius Grosvenor, Obatel aud Co." I think we can say without exaggeration oui masters are jolly good fellows." I hold in my hands a telegram which I have just received from them showing that their hearts are with us although they are not personally present (hear, heaJ). IG was handed in at London three minutes past five, and plainly shows that the firm in London are thinking of us assembled here. The telegrams read as follows" Please convey to all our hearty good wishes for the New Year aad hope all are enjoyilJ g themsel ve i. -GROB.JS CHA.TBB." (The reading of tho telegram evoktd hearty chacrs). Continuing, Mr Petria said, we oan, I thiuk, say with the good old Book our lines have fallen upon pleaeaut places." There are no employers in tie neighbourhood who treat their workpeople so well (bear, hew). The first day of a New Year is an opportune time to take a retrospective view of things and lioking upon toe past year, which was the jubilee of our gracious Quean—(God bless har)- we also have to record a jubilee at Abbey Mills (hear, hear). Early in the year we made preparations for exttnsive alterations. We began by erecting a new landmark—p new chimney, then taking down the old one, Froaa tbat begming we have gone on until practically a new mill replaces the old. It is a good sign to see masters prepared to sp nl a goad deal of money in making efforts to keep up-to-date and we can olaim we are up-to-date, and need not be ashamed of anyone saeing our mills these days (hear, bear). The alterations nave been contemplated for many years, and were mutters I bad impressed upon our mtkbters for some time. There had been difficulties in the way, but those difficulties were finally ov rcoma, and now we are in a position to congratulate ourselves, eapesitlly upon the fact that'the work of the alterations has been done by ourael Yee. Our own engineer (Mr Thos. L oyd) has carried out all the re-arrangexeat in the paper machine-room, and also fteaeraiiy superintended the erection of all ottier ma> hinery while the foreman joiner (Mr W, E. LI Jjd) has superintended all the building. Many of these who were dep ived of their work may have considered us a long time over the work; but I can assure you we were as quick as possible, considering we turaed ourselves into bits of everything (Uughtar). The first thing t > consider was what was best to be do; e ? and the next who should do it P Our Masters took a very good titep in going to the very bjet firms in England for their machinerY-firme, I may say, second to none, even Bnpposiag there are firms to equal them. By this course they pursued a policy of true economy, for, if tbe initial cost was a little more, it paid in the loag run to have the best possible machinery. The firms were'-Messrs Daniel Adamson and Co for steam bo-.lers; Messrs PolUtt and Wig*ill, for steam engma }MesHT>Gr™r> and Sons, for the economizer; Means Mather and PUtt, water softening machinery and Messrs Bertrams, Limited, lor paper makTng macbiuery, all of whom are well known for special lines, and for machinery especially adapted f"r paper mills. When contemplating these well-known makers I think we can congratulate ourselves upon having firot-'jla»s machinery. Then again, we have made a very prospeious rd-start indeed, and it must beour endeavour not only to keep it but to impro/e upon it. The object of this spending of money is, that we may ba abli to cope with the keen competitions in the tru le. As you are well aware the tendenay ia the trade is the lowering of prioes. So far we have been ab!e to retain the prices by keeping up the qualIty; and it is h keeping up of quality that is to be our falvation (hear, hear). Now, even with good machinery and materials there is something else wanted— workmanship—good workmanship. Neither manager nor foreman can possibly be aquainted with ail that takes place in the mill, and it is eaah individual man that is responsible for good woik. Therefore, it is only by a consoientious discharge of duty on the part of each workman that the mill can be successfully worked. On this point I am confident you will do your b.st I know you only want asking, and Abbey Mills will retiin its position as a power to the Paper trade (hear, hear). I am pleased to be able to say that, notwithstanding the enforced eleven weeks idleness taking the average output, we bore reaohea the standard of 1895—our record year (applanss). We must look forward to 1898, and I trust and thiuk with the proposer of this toast, it will ha a record year indeed (loud applause). Remember the more you make the more money you will carcy home. There is plenty of trade, and as there is plenty of inferior paper we must bear in mind as I said before quality will be our salvation and mutt be kept up. It has been done in the past, and I confidently look forward, with the better facilities we now have at Abbey Mills, to quality of production being our reputation in the future. The way to suoceed is by better workmanship, and is, in faot, the only way the masters wish to be repaid. There are one or two other thingi I wish ti refer to. We have bai during the past year-a number of strikes, notably the strike at the Welsh slats quarries, and more, there is in progress a strike in the Engineers trade which is no nearer a termination than when it commenced. Trade unions had done something in some instances to keep up the wages of the working olasses, but what I want to point out is that the only true union is a union between capital and labour, and I do hope that ultimately wise counsel wiil prevail. Foreign competition is keen, very keen, and there is nothing to be gained from strikes. The wives and children suffer most during a strike, ai the man 01n generally get enough to ke?p him, EO I hope that strikes will never reach Abbey Mills (loud applause).—Referring to the annual trip Mr Petrie intimated during the courae of the eveaing that the masters would at tome date during the year give them a day's holiday and a railway ticket to the seaside, or any other side but suicide (a etatement which was received with laughter and cheers). Mr Edwin Davies proposed the toast of the Health of the Manager and Family," and said that although the toast was a small one it embraced a very large family. A family which from eldest to youngest was very highly respected (hear, hear). He would refer especially to the goodness and generosity of Mrs Petrie, whose willingness to lend a helping hand to anyone in want and tickness was well-known and highly appreciated. He proposed the toast with the greatest of pleasure, and said it ought to be drunk with somewhat mora than ordinary enthusiasm, in congratulation of the recovery of Mr Petrie from the illness he was under on the occasion of their last annual supper. The toast was accorded musical honours. Mr Petrie in responding, expressed his pleasure at being once mord among them, and able to respond on his own behalf. He wished also to take the opportunity of thauking them for their kindness to him upon the occasion of his daughter's marriage. He thanked them on Mrs Petrie's behalf, saying they could call her a "jolly good fellow" if they liked. The best way to please him was to continue doing their best in their several ways (hear, hear). Mr A. F. Williams proposed the Health of the foreman, workpeople and their families." He thought it should hava been "all Greenfield," as the toast embraced the larger portion of the populace. He was pleased that the duty bad fallen to him to propose their health. He did it wishing them every prosperity and happiness. Mr McAlleess (foreman and vice-ohairman) res- ponded, saying it gave him great pleasure to do so. He bad had a good deal of experience of work at several mills, but never had he seen a place whera the workpeople received such good treatment from their masters as at the Abbey Mills l(hear, hear). They bad heard a good deal from the other end of the room as to their masters being good, generous and so forth, and he had been looking for a word to apply to their masters—and thought the most applioable and true was-, I they ware unique" (hear, hear, and applause). Mr John Moffatt aho responded, adding he thought he wa3 echoing the thoughts of all when he said they would endeavour to crown tha jubilee year, next year by making it a record year. He had never come across suoh employers, and wished to testify to the satisfaction of the workpeople at the generous and most satisfactory way the gifts had been distributed during the summer, when the mill was undergoing alterations (applanse). The toast of the "Guests," was proposed by the Chairman, and responded to by the representative of the Flintshire Observer. The "Hostess" proposed by the Chairman, was responded to by Mr Wm. Jones, onbetialf of Mrs. Stirling (Swan Inn), by whom the catering was carried out. He said Mrs Stirling had endeavoured to provide a good substantial meal and spared no paius to make it a sucoes, but he left it to those who had partaken of the good tbings t) jwhether that success bad bean attained or not (loud applause). During the evening the following programme was gone through: -Pianoforte solo, Miss E. Davies; be "Row boatman, row," glee party (Messrs R. Hughes, W. Jones, E. Jones, Johu Davies); aong "Banks of Looh Lomond," Miss Jennie Roberts; comic song "That '11 do" (encored). Mr Arth, Williams, solo. Miss Liizzte Pettie; trio Shepherd s tell me," party (Miss A. J. Mather, Mr R. Hughes, Mr W. Jones); recitation The Irishman's wager," Mr J. Durkin; song "Paradise Alley," Mr W. Petrie; song "fh" old folks at home," Miss A.J. Hughes pianoforte duett, Misses E. Petrie and E. Davies lullaby soug Sleep on," (encored), Master W. H. Davies; glee 0, who w.ll o'er the downs" Glee Party; oomio song, "Molly Riley," (encora 11 Where I am lodging now ") Mr R. W. Barker; song" The Troubadour" Mr Ivor Davies, junior unmusical sketch, Mr 1. O. Williams; song "Only to see her face again," Mr T. Durkin; song "The Miner's dream of home," Mr Jas. Durkin. The evening's entertainment was brought to a close with the singing of Hen wlad fy nhadau." Miss Edith Davies played the several aocompauiments in a very able and satisfactory manner.—The whole of the arrangements for the aooommodation of tne large assembly were admirably carried out by a committee of willing workers and reflected creditably upon their efforts to oomfortably provide for all.

OAERWYS. THE OUTRAGE ON THE LA.DY CYCLIST. REPORTED HOME OFFICE INVESTIGATION. The London Evening News says:-tt The last has not been heard of the Welsh Highway case, as it was called at the time it was before the public. It will be remembered that a young maa, Frank Wailaoe Spriggs living with his parents at 73 Goodwin-road, Forest Gate, was apprehended on a charge of having ia July last violently assaulted and robbed the daughter of Mr Hughes, the past- master at RhnddJan, Flintshire, while she was riding a cycle. Her assailant, it was proved, hired a horse at Rbyl and rode out ti meat her. More than a dozen people, when the police showed them young Sprigg's portrait, which was in their possession owing to him having been previously guilty of a petty larceny, swore that be was the man, But an Evening News representative was able to discover other persons who declared on oath that on the day and near the hour on which the offence was committed young Spriggs was in London, and that it was impossible for him—if these statements were true, as we believe them to be-t) have been the author of the assault. The case came before Mr Justice Grantham at the as izes, and Spriggs was convicted and sentenced to five yearj' penal servitude. The facts concerning the alibi were laid before the legal authorities, and the parents of young Spriggs, after his sentence, presented a petition to the Home Secretary, asking for Lis release on various grounds, which included the contention that the weight of evidcnoe-givan by thirteen respectable people-in support of the alibi was entitled to more consideration than was given at the trial; aad the jury were likely to have been prejudiced by the disclosure during the hearinsr conviLrf- axm"el had be3n previously should le Uat° f frmiCal Practice required Grantham & Jur/~aQd that -fudge waa a reasonably doubt th*" ° ^ere the benefit of it. That AJw°ner A^uld- have satisfied with the «/i4i_dlcHh 18 not perfect one. a,d suspioion—is t > be disregarded in tha fnf ♦ justice is shown by Sir Matter wiSSfS5/° 1 having instructed Scotland Yard to investigate d matter further. Inspector Rioharis and tJo otw officers under his direction ere minutely inquiring into the whole circumstances of tfrs peculiar oas=> and although no definite information as to the result of their labours is as yes forthcoming, there is (says our contemporary) eVery reason to believj that proof will be adduced that there bat been a miscarriage of justice."

A READER'S GLEANINGS. StrmclSNT unto the day is the evil thereof; but sufficient unto a lifetime is often the evil of a single day. A PROUD, irritable and quick-tempered person ca* seldom be happy. He has thrown a tempestuous atmosphere around himself, and must move in a region of storms-above which he can seldom rise, even if he wishes. He has employed sure means to embitter life, whatever may be his external circumstances. He has been the architect of his temper. LAFONT AND P AGANINr.-The story of Lafont's first meeting with Paganini-who was then but little known outside Italy-will be new to many readers. Lafont, arriving in Milan on a concert tour, learned that Paganini was in town. He called on him, and met with a friendly reception. Paganini accepted with alacrity Lafont's invitation to perform with him a duet for two violins and orchestra, by Viotti, saying that he felt greatly honoured to play with Lafont. When the Frenchman offered to send him the music so that he might make himself familiar with it, Paganini declined with thanks, and promised to be at rehearsal the next morning. The rehearsal was to begin at nine o'clock. Half an hour later Paganini arrived. He borrowed a violin from one of the orchestra violinists, and the performance began. A long and brilliant solo was to be played, first by on* of the two violinists and then by the other. Lafont began, and acquitted himself of his task with grace and purity, being loudly cheered at the end by the orchestra. Then Paganini followed, and it must be said that his playing did not do him much credit. He stumbled repeatedly, committed several errors of time and intonation, and at last had to begin his solo again, to Lafont's suprise. At night, after an overture by the orchestra, Lafont and Paganini advanced upon the platform to play their concertante. Lafont was in the gold-lace Court uniform which he wore as first solo violin to the King of the French. Paganini came on with his livid face and ungainly, shuffling gait, his long, dark hair banging in disorder down his back. Lafont played his solo admirably and took the audience by storm. Then Paganini began. He had played only a few notes when a sharp crack apprised the audience that his E string bad broken; but the general hum of disappointment was quickly hushed to an amazed stillness when Paganini was seen performing the difficult solo upon three strings only, with the utmost ease and in an absolutely masterly manner. The roar of applause that followed this exploit was acknow- ledged by Paganini with his usual modest grin, and, we may suppose, with a more or less sardonic side glance at his discomfited rival. PAYMENT OF AUTIIORS.lf popularity is the measure of merit the payment of the publishers is often the measure of popularity. Tried by this standard how ridiculous is the general judgment. Goldsmith when asked at a Royal Academy dinner whether he was going to bring out a new poem, replied: "I cannot afford to court the draggle-tail muses they would let me starve." He had already given to the world his Traveller and Deserted Village." He had not been dead 20 years when Erasmus Darwin, for the second part of his" Botanic Garden," was paid a thousand guineas-just 50 times as much as Gold- smith had received for The Traveller," 66 times as much as Johnson had received for the second of hia great poems, The Vanity of Human Wishes," and more than a hundred times as much as Milton had received for the Paradise Lost." Wordsworth's Lyric Ballads and Coleridge's Ancient Mariner," which were published together in one small volume, fell stiU-born from the press. Five hundred copies were printed, but so few were sold that the publisher parted with the bulk of them to a bookseller at a lo TH* copyright was looked upon as worthless in returned to the authors. Wordsworth haul, reached the age of 50 when, in a letter to a friend he said: I have never been much of a salesman i matters of literature; the whole of my returna-I do not say my net profits, but returns—from the writing trade not amounting to seven-score pounds." By this time he had written all his finest poems- almost all that are included in Matthew Arnold's selection—and the wages of these long years did not amount to the sum that a leading barrister or a i fashionable physician sometimes makes iu a single day. He had need of plain living to support high thinking. Robertson, for his second work, The History of Charles V. was paid £ 3800, while 4 Thomas Carlyle, after 20 yeais of sn.-It labour aa Robertson never dreamed of, had not bf-an able with all hia copyrights and his current earnings +0 stretchy 1> tito atrarmo J early lncufflB beyond £ 150. If hUtS French Revolution failed as his other books had failed, he had resolved to abandon literature, bur spade and rifle, and make for the backwoods of • America." He had reached his 40th year when he was thus hovering almost on the brink of despair.— Writers and Readers," by George BirJcbedc Hill. r. ABOUT HERMITS. Among hermits, Godrick b Finchale stands out in bold relief as living up to theory of eremitical life with much vigour and rigo for 63 years. The chamber in whicn he lived fo> this long period was excavated out of the ground and, sovered with turf, and his chapel was annexed to it-t* He cultivated a small piece of ground, like the resty and would accept no presents, but lived exclusively on the herbs and roots it furnished, eked out with barley flour. At night he took for a pillow the stone that served for a table by day; and he practised the further austerity of wearing an iron jerkin. Tradition hands down a declaration that he wore out three of these uncomfortable articles of attire. Fiacre has also left an odour of sanctity that has come down to us. His retreat was in a wood, and his chapel was close by. Here he was visited by so many people, who hoped he could heal them of diseases, and otherwise advise them for their benefit, that he had to make his dwelling larger, and grow all manner of herbs good for pottage in a great garden, that he might feed the poor who came to him. Word has come down to us, however, of instances in which hermits enjoyed no such good- will. There is a case on record of one Sir Edwin- hermits were all addressed with the prefix Sir-who had to make a ditch, with a turning bridge over it, by way of fortification round his hermitage; and as the neighbouring shepherds still threatened to burn down his dwelling, he thought it necessary to dig a second ditch outside the first one, to secure himself from them. Among the State papers explored by Mr. Froude for his "History," be noticed a memorandum letting forth that while the harbours, piers, and fortifications were being perfected at Dover, an old hermit tottered to and fro every night between his cell and a chapel on the cliff, where, after lighting tapers on the altar, he knelt in prayer. This light from the chapel was seen for some distance at sea, and the anchorite was warned by the workmen that his tapers made a signal for the king's enemies, and that they must bum no more. He continued to perform the same ceremony, notwithstanding their remonstrances; whereupon three of them waylaid him, threw him down, and beat him cruelly. Some- times hermitages were at the ends of bridges, as on the bridge over the Tyne at Newcastle; also in the gatehouses of towns, as well as in more secluded places like churchyards. There are frequent instances, too, of anchorages in old churches, and parvises over porches have been occupied by hermits. Perhaps the very last hermitage of which there it any evidence was a modified one erected rather :than excavated by Francis Brown, in the village of Intakes, in Derbyshire, at the beginning of the last century. He built a chapel for the use of the residents in the neighbourhood, in which divine service was per- formed [once a month, and left it to the parish of Mugginton for ever, after the death of his widow, and his daughter and her husband. On a house adjoining the chapel he: placed this statement: Francis Brown in nis old age, Did build him here a hermitage." He died in 1731.-Okambers', Journal, THB world is not a racecourse or a battlefield or a Erize fight. It is a place in which each man is given is own sphere to occupy and his own duty to do; and, if that sphere be occupied honourably and that duty be done well, every man is undoubtedly a victor and a fit survivor." ALTHOUGH the desire to help and benefit men is a primary condition for doing it, the knowing how to accomplish it harmlessly and permanently is a large part of the work; and that must come, if at all, through intelligent reasoning. 'Strong feeling is nearly always one-sided, and some of the truth is thus over- looked.

EXTRAORDINARY COUGH CURE Powell's Balsam of Aniseed-For Coughs Powell's Balsam of Aniseed-For Colds Powell's Balsam of Aniseed-Coughs-Asthma Powell's Balsam of Aniseed—Coughs—Bronchitis Powell's Balsam of Aniseed-Coughs-Lung Troubles Powell's Balsam of Aniseed—Coughs—Night Coughs Powell's Balsam of Ainseed—Ooaghs—Influenza Lowell's Balsam of Aniseed—Coughs—Relieves Instantly p°3 i,,3 Balsam of Aniseed—Coughs—Safe and Reliable Pn3tti>s ?alsam Aniseel—Houghs—Established 70 years °f Ani.uc1 ->iif?hs—Refuse Imitation pr °,f Ani-: '• uu-lis—Sold by Chemist see Tr J J™ -Bottles, Is lid. 2s 3d, & upwards see Trade Mark-Lion, and Moiiae, on Tfrapper

PANTASAPH. ^FBOM THE MONASTERY TO VKSUVIUS.—On Friday evening last, at the Franciaan Monastery, Pantasaph, the Rav Fr Anthony, gave a leoture to the Fathers and novices and a number of gentlemeulof the neigh- bourhood. The leoture was upon a journey to Italy and an ascent of Mount Vesuvius. The leoture was illustrated by a powerful lantern manipulated by Mr E. J. Catherwood, Holywell. The elides which were a special collection obtained for the purpose of the lecture were admirable and showed the advance made in photography and its use in lectures. Fr Anthony gave some interesting incidents of life and characteristics of the people met in the course of his travels. At the close of the lecture a vote of thanks was accorded to Fr Anthony for bis interest- ing lecture, and Fr Anthony in responding acknow- ledged the excellent manipulation of the lanteru by Mr Catherwood.

SUDDEN DEATH OF A GIRL AT THE ORPHANAGE. On Saturday last at the Orphanage, Pantasaph, an inquest was held on the body of a girl named Mary Moran (aged 12 years), who was found dead in bed on Friday morning last. The Deputy Coroner, Mr F. Llewellyn Jones, conducted the Inquiry, and Mr J. B. Feilding, Upper Downing, was foreman of the jury. The facts of the case were given in the evidence which was to the following effect:- The Rev. Moiher stated that the deceased was brought to the Convent from the Runoorn Union. The deceased was 12 years of age. She was not acquainted with the names or position of the deceased girl's parents. The deceased who had been at the Orphanage for two years, was one of four sisters taken into the institution and they were all in a weakly state of health. Latterly deceased and her sisters were in a much improved state. On the 30th ult., she brought the four girls to ehow them to Mr Bircham, the Poor LLW Inspector for the North Wales diitriet, who was at the Orphanage. The deceased teemed in proper health then. Witness did not see her afterwards till after her death. She knew of nothing that might account for her death. She was a child subject to occasional headaches. Catherine Ronde, one of the sisters ,said between four and five o'clock on Thursday evening, deceased complained to her that she was unwell; that she had a headache. Witness put her to bed. She did not see her again until three o'clock on Friday morning. She passed deceased's bed and she thought she was Bleeping—she looked so composed. Gertrude Diohmont (sister at the Convent), stated that at 6.30 on Friday morning she went to cover the deceased up and then found she was dead. Deceased was still and motionless. She felt deceased's head it was quite warm. Anne Hogan, another sister, siid about 7.30 on Thursday night, deceased said she felt sick and thought she would be better if she could be siok. The deceased said in reply to her that she had no pain. She gave her a glass of water. Dr. James Williams, Holywell, said he was called to the Orphanage after the death of the child. He had heard the evidenoe of tha witueages. He knew nothing of the deceased. He went up to view the body and found it quite warm. The child was very well nourished, he might almost say fat. As be had no previous knowledge of the girl he could not therefore give any definite opinion as to the cause ofdeath; he could only give a general opinionfounded on his own experience that children came to the Orphanage frequently, with much impaired con- stitutions and they Kenerally do not fight out anv aoute disease so well as the generality of children. He had known them die, sometimes very suddenly. From the evidence he should fay that the child died heart failure consequent upon a defective utution. He should say that death was due to natural cauies probably heart failure. She may have bad a fit,-A verdict in accordance with the medical evidence was returned.

THE other day a well-known Detroit doctor waa eat- ing lunch in a restaurant alongside of a business man, when the latter remarked: I just saw a case to interest you in the cigar store. There Is a man there who has no feeling at &U in his right arm.' Case of paralysis, of course,' replied the doctor.. Oh, no, it isn't. He has been examined by some of the most 'eminent surgeons, and they declare that it isn't. If it was u case of paralysis he couldn't move his arm, you know.. How long has it been so ?I Over twenty years, he tells me. He says he'll pay any doctor 5000 dollars to restore the natural feeling.' I I'll see him,' remarked the doctor, and when dinner was over the two went into the cigar store, and the medical man was introduced. Did this thing happen all at once ? asked the doctor. Yes, sir. There was no warning whatever.' I Does the arm fall -d-e-ad ?I 1 Perfectly dead. You can stick your knife into it without my feeling a sensation.' That's odd. Let me feel it.* The doctor put out his hand, made one grip, and then turned on his heel and left the place, his face as red as paint and his gait somewhat eccentric. It was a wooden arm; The real one was shot off at Gettys- burg.-Detroit Free Press. OTJJWH (explaining the view of mountain to a party): • And here is the place where a young lady jumped off and committed sucide.' Lady: I From melancholy ?' Guide: No, ma'am; from Boston.' WE came along to a cross road in Alabama where a coloured Justice of the Peace was about to open court, and it was proposed that we halt for an hour or two and witness operations. The case to come on was between two coloured men, one of whom charged the other with having stolen a hoe. There were neither lawyers nor jury, but the judge called up the plaintiff and said I Mr. Burrows, how many witnesses has you got dat Mr. Bunker stole dat hoe?' I Two. sah.' • Mr. Bunker, how many witnesses has you got dat you nebber took dat hoe, nowhere?' I Fol, sah.' I Den I shall dismiss de case, an' Mr. Burrows mus' pay de costs. Eberyone knows dat fo' witnesses kin s'war harder dan two witnesses, an' it am no use gwine ahead to take up the waluable time of dis court.' Mr. Burrows paid about 3 dols. costs, and as he was going away his Honour continued: I Next time you is gwine ter sue a man you wants mo' witnesses dan he's got, or you are gwine to be left. Dis court will now ad- journ and go fishin' AN Ohio stumper, while making a speech, paused in the midst of it and exclaimed, Now, gentlemen, what do you think ?' Instantly a man rose in the assembly, and, with one eye partially closed, modestly replied, I I think, sir-I do indeed, sir-l think if you and me were to stump the country together, we would tell more lies than any other two men in the country, j and I'd not say a word during the whole time, AN exasperating editor being threatened with a coat of tar and feathers, said in his next issue: The people of this town may break into somebody's henroost and steal the feathers, but we know that they are too stingy to buy the tar.' A WESTERN telegraph editor astonished his readers reoently by flaming head-lines to the effect that forty- five lives had been destroyed the night before by lightning. He explained, later, that five cats on the back-yard fence had been hurled into eternity by < thunderbolt, and each cat had nine lives.

ri ootball, HOWWKLL RBSEEVB beat Holywell Amateurs by three goals to one, in a friendly matoh. HOLTWHLL v. FLINT.—These clobs will oppose one another at Holywell next Saturday. As is the usual course both teams will make special efforts to wIn, and the matoh will undoubtedly be the game of the season. I FHI! WBLSH FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION.—The protest oagea by Rhyl Town against Carnarvon, that they ineligible man named Hughes iu the bird round of the WeLh Senior Cup competition, has been upheld, and the tie awarded to Rhyl. A similar protest lodged by Rhyl Town Reserves against Llandudno Swifts Reserve, that they had played an ineligible man named Owen in the Welsh Junior cup competition, has been deolarcd proved, and the tie awarded to Rhyl Reserves.

NORTH WALES COAST LEAGUE. RESULTS UP TO DATE. Goals tj, P W L D F A Pts fhyl (Town) 5 3 1 1 6 6.. 7 Llandudno S. 4.. 3..1..0.. 9 4., 6 3 2 1 0 8 2 4 (Amat.) 3 1 2 0 4 11 2 Holywell 3.. 0 2 1 5 7 1 Carnarvon.2.. 0 1 3 0 Saturday's Matches: Holywell Y. Flint. Carnarvon Y. Bangor (L).

MOLD. TBKAT.—On Thursday last Mr W. N. Bellaofy, managing direotor of Mesirs W. N. Bellamy and Co., Ltd., invited the employees of the firm and a number of frieada to Nannerch. Upon their arrival at Nanxierah Sohoolj they wore cordially weloomed by Mr and Mrgi Bellamy and Miss Farnsworth, and were introduced into the classroom, which they foand neatly deoorated, and contained tables laid for about 60 guests. Ample justioe.having been done to the good things provided, the guests repaired to the large sohoolroom where dancing and various other amusements were heartily indulged in until the email hours of the morning, when all left in good spirits, having enjoyed thembaties thoroughly, and anticipating auotaer « merry meeting at no distant date. CHABGB AGAINST SALTNBY BOTS.-On Tuesday morning last, at the Magiurates Clerk's Offiae before Mr Henry Lloyd Jones, three brothers named Henry Griffiths (9), Joseph Griffiths (11) aad Samuel Griffiths (13), wera ctiarged, the first named defendant with stealing a purse containing 3d. 6d. and his brothers with reoeiving the same. It is alleged that on the previous Saturday, Henry Griffiths, on the pretsnce of purchasing a cabbage, entered the shop of Mrs Margaret Thirley, of 18' Prince's-atreet, Saltney, and abstracted purse and money from the till. Tte purse when emptied was thrown into a garden and the defendants whacked' the oontents. On the application of Sergeant MoBride the defendants were remanded until the following day.—On Wednesday thedefendanti were brought up in oustody. The Benoh decided there was insufficient evidenoe to oonvict the receivers, and decided to dismiss the charge against Henry Griffiths. THE RUSH FOB STETKB PAY.-COMMTTAL TO THB SESSIONS.-At the County Hall, Mold, on Friday last, beford Messrs. E. H. Wain and H. Lloyd Jones, Joseph Millingtjn, collier, of Buokley, was charged on remand with stealing money belonging to the Denbighshire and Flintshire Miners' Fedora- tioa. Mr W. Wynn Evans (Wrexham) again appear.id for the prosecution, and Mr J. B. Marston (Mold) was kutruoted for the defeaoe. There was a large attendance both of men interested in the Federation and of Buckley colliers.-Hr Wynn Evans in the course of his opening stitemtnt, explained the objects and constitution of the Federa- tion, and read certain of the rules of the organization bearing on the present case.-Stimuel Roberta, collier, of Rhos, taid he was one of the trustees of the Federation, and wai appointed on the 6th of July, 1897. There were four trustee3 besides himself. The funds of the society were kept at the Wrexham Branch of the N. & S.Walea Bank, in the names of the five trustees. The four others were William Pincher, Benjamin Hughes, Thomas Williams and Samuel George. Further evidence, on the lines already reported, was given by the saoretary and treasurer of the Federation, a delegate appointed by the men to attend the meetings of the Federation Conncii, and the secretary of tile local branch. In addressing the Bench for the defence, Mr Maraton gave emphatic denial of the charge, also urging a olaim of right and an absjnee of felonious intent. After hearing evidence for the defence, their Worships committed the prisoner for trial at the Quarter Sessions, bat acceptd batl for his appearance PETTY SESSIONS MONDAY.—-Before Messrs P. B Davies Oooke (ohairman) and A Philips Roberts.

CHBISSMA8 AND NBW YBAB DBINKS. Wm. Hughes, tailor, of Cilvain, was sammoned by Police-Constable Ferguson for being drunk and incapable in Cheatsr-street, on the night of the 18th ult., and was fined 215. 6d., and 7a. 6d. costs.- Andrew Shannon, hawkir, of Milford-street, was charged by Polioe-Constable Jones with being drank and disorderly in Castle-street on the afteraoon of the 29th inst. Defendant, who mentioned the Christmas holidays in extenuation of his offence, was fined 6s. and costs, he being an old offender. William Mesham, of Aberdovey-terraoe, Buokley, and Arthur Connab, Prince of Wales-row, Buokley, were obarged by Sergeant Haghes (Coed Talon) with being drunk and inoapable at Pontblyddyn at 3.30 p.m. on Sunday, December 26th. Both defendants admitted the oileaoe, and were eaoh fined 28. 6d. and coats. I MAXIMUM PENALTIES ON A TBYDDYN PARENT. Evan Francis, of Ty Newydd, Tryddyn, was summoned at the instance of the Tryddyn tiohool Board, for the irregular attendance at school of his children-Evan Thomas, aged 12, and Emily Ann, aged 9. A fine of 5s. in eaoh case was imposed. BINNBD AGAINST OR SINNING P Thomas Jones, labourer, of Milford-ttreet, was charged by Police-Constable Ferguson with oom- mitting a breaoh of the peace by fighting. The offioer stated that at 5.20 p.m. on the 23rd inst., the defendant was fighting with another man in High- street. In reply to the Chairman, the offioer said the other man was drunk, and being taken into custody waiJ oonvioted the following day. He was unable to sily who was the aggressor. Defendant stated that he was struok first, and had to act in self defenoe. The Chairman hoped the case would be a warning to the defendant. They would dismiss the case and remit the costs,

HALKYH. Tiin HALKYN CABTLS RBNT AUDITS were held on Monday and Tuesday, this week. His Grace tho Duke of Westminster returned 10 per cent. abate. ment to the tenantry on their agricultural rents. Dinners were given to the tenants both days at tho Britannia Inn, Halkyn, and were presided over by Mr H. Lester Smith.

RAINFALL IN 1897. At Halkyn, in the County of Flint. Rain Gauge Diameter of funnel, 6 in,; height of top above ground, 1 ft, 3 in. above sea level, 895 ft. Tnt»] Great^t fall in No of Daya Month iotS: 24 Hours on which depth -01 or more Depth Date fell January 1 80 '48 7 9 February. 2-10 '47 5 17 March. 2-31 '32 30 18 April 2-59 '41 17 15 may 1-47 135 28 II 13 Jane. 2-80 -45 17 13 July -72 -30 8 9 August. 3-25 -82 21 20 Sept. 5-66 1-03 4 17 October. 1.68.. *57 2 10 November. 3-18 1-15 30 12 December. 2'98 '37 10 18 Total. 30,44 171 (Signed) FBHD. S. WILLIAMS; At Nantlys, in the County of Flint. Rain Gauge: Diameter of funnel, 6 in.; height of top above ground, 1 ft,; above sea level, 173 ft. January. 1-44 — — February. 1-38 — —. Maroh 2-04 April 1-99 — — may -78 — — June 1-68 — — July -23 — — — Augast. 2-41 — — tt — September. 3-73 — — October. 1-57 — November 3'74 1-82 30 December. 2*70 Total. 23-69 (Signed), P. P." PBNNANT.

BILIOUSNESS. Not able to Eat for a Week at a time. VICTORIA HOTEL, PLATY BRIDGE, Near WIGAN, Nov. lith, 1890, GENTLElIlE!I am happy to inform you that I have received great benefit by using "Gwilym Evanfl' Bitters," after suffering a long time from Biliousness. I had become very weak, and so nervous that if any one spoke in a loud tone I was much frightened. I have I)een so bad that I was not able to eat for a week at a time. I tried "Gwilym Evans' Quinine Bit- ters," and the first bottle did me a deal of good, so I got another, and am happy to say I am now quite wdl. I shall always speak well of these 'Bitters" to il p«rsons that I know. Yoati truly, (Mrs.) BAXTER.

RAILWAY fiiV1 £ TABLE. JANUARY, 189 CHESTER AND HOLYHEAD RAILWAY.—Do1* TBAINB. Sukday HOLYHEAD AND OHESTER RAILWAY.—UP TBAIKB SUKDAM CHESTER ifTslirO f~0 itt g~ fiSfBW f'"o's "ft 5*20 fffi fS *%$' H20 U25 H HOLYHEAD. P? *» P~ p.m ,a ? .~p; Saudyoroft 6 40| 9 lOj 1155 g 3 10) 5 30 -§S;8 55 1130 Ig 46f 6 10 Bangor (dep).. I 7*55 9 0 1045 1 10 4 5 1-8 J k J -s? f 5 Queen's Ferry. 6 45 9 15 £ g 12 0 f| 315 535 6 30 0 1135 9 50 6 15 Abe?. i.* f W .'i 9 i? 108? • 1$" .'J j 4 2^1 i! J# V 6 55 1 52 •• 9 3 Oonnah sQuay.Jfi 50 9 20| 12 5 3 20l 6 40,6 35 5 1140 fp 55! <6 21 Llanfairfechan |8 *J 9 15 11 0 1 25 ..I 4 26i I" S 7"a Flint 2 58 6 55 9 26 E 0 1211 -*» ..3 251 5 46'6 40 o 9 1M146 2 58 10 3J 6 29 Penmaenmawr. !8 15 9 21 I1 fl 1 32 I J? 4 <Ui 7 4,fi 7 is I WW -1! i" ??' ill !S:: |! =!S:S!?:: ;MS :,f: S Satoi- ,:J v 6 li! ii ISffi iii:: ii i !iX •" • .»»■ j^Htatyn. I! !? 28 ,'i 9 57| || 1242 2 m! J 3 59,' .? :J 17,? 9"* 9| S £ ;9 42 {217 I! jjols 7*2 Colwyn.js 54' Kfl j9 57 Jl^! I.* 2 J j I 6 13 |J 45 7 3 38 \?,IYLi 3 21 7 37 10 0 10to a § 12502 5S a 4 7 5 57 6 25i7 16 9 16 g § 9 5» l22o 3 21 1.044 12 5)7 9 Llandulas 7 2 [10 4 IH7J 2 14| -2 5 33 7 4 !err}e '->7t2 •• ;"l9 1056 ^g 1 5 3l2,i £ 6 7j 7 29 9 27,||! •• £ I 7 18 Abergele 7 7 8 521 jlOlo {l5s 220! eg 6 29 "I" Su r'tJ Llandulas j j7 57 jj^27 1 14 3 20 a ° •• 6 16 •• |7 38 9 35| g •• "3 RHYL 17 211 I (9 2 9 40 1024;l21o 1250 2 35' '4 10 5 30 5 46 1 18 48 10*6 8 e/«""K c"In Oolwyn | 18 o, jl035t -» S 1 22 3 28 £ »tj 6 22 •• |7 45|9 40 g,a! •• ° I ? 31 Prestatvn 7 29 9 10 9 *«'l032l l9fiS "» 431 U q« fi JJ' I f o J 5 5 20 10 4 I I |i U I p if!V^|r I ;I:: Tl •;«! K!l:: Jl d:: !J M$ £ ■■ j • » A hQ e° •• J ;?1U30^2 44 0 «§ 6 59 |8 27 1024 =^ a 1 ;8 8; Oonnah's Quayjs 8 9 27! 1028 11 3ff j 14 52[6 16 6 35 o 34I S iJ « A-ber i 8 50 112H •• 1 « 2 94 16 | ft* ;8 33; I I Queen'sFerry 8 13' » 32i 1013 'l 4fl 1 7fi o,i« Z, 8 55/ "67.. 4 25 9 10 1131 12 5 ^,1 2 304 35 ^1. 7 12 8 53 1039' | 4 25 |l *8 8 40 'sandyoroft ..7.V 8 S S 39 iS!?1 i 45 i! t "iS lift £ I f' 5 }* hto'yWA 5 61M0 '1 0 S 2 32., 38 o! 5V «| 5 5 It 48 9 S2 Ch.«.r 8 3l' I9 49 9 55 1050'H20 1 51 M « » I |J lS jj!? | ."i I '« » A'{* }» JJ.

VALE OF OLWYD, DENBIGH~RT7T^Tvt AND COBW&N RAILWAVJ"jTHIN 8HTL- ?« sTo'Ib"oii*"o ISjh.'a 7 539 19,1068 1 7 3 18^6 530 30 St. Asaph 8 1 e 25 11 6 1 14 3 26!6 20 fl 4« Trefnant. 8 99 34 1114 1 223 33 6 27'fl 51 DENB.. ) *?••••? It 9 46 1121 1 30 3 43 6 35 10 3 ri t. • a ,t8 36 H40 1 35 4 0 7 36 Llanrhaiadr 8 44 1147 1 424 7 7 44 Rhewl 8 61 1152 1 47 4 12 7 ri fCTHiN 8 56 „gi; eli igj || •• Eyarth 9 4 12 5 4 251 4 Nantclwyd 9 11 12i2 433019 Derwen 9 17 1218 4 38 8 7 G-wyddelwern.9 23 1224 4 44 o 2s Oorwen 9 30 1231 451330 „a.m a.m a.m p.m p.m p.m. p.m OORWEN 17 30 1035 1 30 5 60! Owyddelwern 17 35 10401 35 5 55 OORWEN 17 30 1035 1 30 5 60! Owyddelwern 17 35 10401 35 5 55 Derwen 7 42 10471 42 ..62!" Nantclwyd 7 46 1061 1 46 6 6 Eyarth. 756 11 01 656 15 RUTHIN 8 1116 2 1 4 36 6 21 7 10 Rhewl 8 9 11122 8 4 406 27 7 16 Llanrhaiadr 8 13 1118,2 13 4 45 6 32 7 20 DENB.. 1 "f"'V 8 21 11262 21 4 6 40 7 30 3.6 40 8 25 H332 23 5 0 7 48 Trefnant 6 47 8 31 1140 2 30 5 87 56 St. Asaph ,6 55 8 37 1145 2 37 5 1618 4 Rhuddlan 7 3 8 43 11522 44 5 25j8 13 Rhyl 7 12 8 51 12 02 53 5 34 8 22 [, Also Ruthin for Denbigh, 9.30 a.m daily, and 10 80 p.in Saturdays only. MUIID AND DENBIGH RAILWAY. LBA.VB a.m a.rc a.m p.m p.m p.m p.m CHESTER. 6 55 1010 1148 2 27 6 30 6 10 8 35 Broughton Hall7 4S1019 12 C 2 39- 6 26 8 48 Hope 7 21! 1036 1217 2 66j 6 42 9 5 Padeawood 7 27 1042 1223 3 2 6 48 9 11 Llontr 7 30 1046 1226 3 5| 6 51 9 14 MnTn 1 ar.7 34 1049 1230 3 9 6 0,G 55 9 18 MOLD..) d„.7 36 1061 1232 3 11 6 1 6 57 9 20 Rhydymwyn .7 42 1067 1238 3 17: 7 3926 NaJJroh: 7 60 11 5 1246 3 25 7 n? 34 Oaerwya ..7 6/ 1112 1253 3 32 7 18 9 41 Bodfari .8 2illl7|1258 3 37 7 23 9 46 Denbigh 8 12 1128'l 8 3 50 6 32 7 33 J 56 Also Chester to Mold 9.10 a.m. a.m a.m a.m~a.'m_pTm p.m p.m. DENBIGH |8 28 10 0 1135 2 2515 0,7 • 18 36 10 81143 2 33:5 8 7 8 Caerwys 8 42 I014j1149 2 39!5 14 7 l4 Nannerch 8 50 1022 1157 2 47!> 227 2* Rhydymwyn 8 58 1030112 5 2 56 5 30 7 3» Mnrn )ar 19 4 1036 1211 3 1!5 36 7 MOLD.. | d,7 45|9 6il038 1213 3 2 5 387 38 Llong 7 49 9 9< 10*2 1217 6 42 7 42 Fadeswood 7 52 9 12 1045 1220 3 7 45 7 45 Hope 7 59 9 19 105! 1227 •• P 32 7 §2 Broughton Hall.. 8 13 9 33,11 511241 6 68 5 Chester 8 27,D 47|1117^1265 3 31 6 20'8 17 First train Denbigh to Chester, 7.38 a.m also 8.40 p,m Denbigh to Chester, Saturdays only Printed and Published by the 1 ropnetore DAVIES AND 00., at their General Printing Office, High- street, Holywell.