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.THE ACCUSED BEFORE THE MAGISTRATES.
THE ACCUSED BEFORE THE MAGISTRATES. COMMITTED FOR TKlAL. THE SCENE IN COURT. ADDITIONAL EVIDENCE. At the Pontypridd Police-court, on Wednesday (before Messrs T. Williams, C. Bassett. and E. John), John Williams, a young man residing at Coedpen- maen, was charged with the manslaughter of Charles Thomas, at Pontypridd, on Saturday last. Mr Rhys, solicitor, appeared for the defeace.—The Court was crowded, and great interest was taken in the proceedings by a large number of people outside the Court as well as throughout the town. The defendant is a quiet and respectable-looking young man, well-known in the town and neighbourhood, where he is generally respected. He is a member of the Pontypridd Brass Band, and also of the Ponty- pridd Football Club. He is employed at the Chain Works. The first witness called was Jane Turbtrville, of 8, River-street. Pontypridd, J who said Charles Thomas, deceased, was her son by a former husband. He was aged 38 years. He was a labourer and had lived with her a week before his death. He was a married man with one child. His wife was living. He had before lived at Pont-Shon- Norton. On Saturday last he left her house about six in the evening. He was then quite well. At half-past 11 or quarter to 12 he was brought into her house by four or five men. One of the men was Pritchard living next door. They took him into her own room and laid him on the floor. She heard him breathe but he did not speak. He appeared insen- sible. After lying there half-an-hour he was placed on the bed. She bathed his head with water and vinegar. His upper lip was cut through on the right side and was bleeding. Pritchard remained until half-past one o'clock. She thought then that deceased had dozed off to sleep and was better. At 3 o'clock she put her hand on his forehead and tried to move him and called him. She got no answer, neither did he move. She saw a change in him. and his forehead was turning cold. She did not think he was bleeding _I then. She then called Pritchard in. and he came at once. Dr. Price was then sent for, and he was seon in attendance. He said her son was dead. George Perkins, 3, Temperance-place, Pontypridd, was then called and repeated the evidence given before the Coroner on the previous day. and which appears in another column, and a.dded that defendant was sober on the night in question. Mrs Tnrberville, re-called, said deceased was sober when he went out. Mrs Mary Ann Davies, wife of Mr David Davies, tailor, 73, Taff-street, Pontypridd, also repeated the evidence given before the Coroner, which appears in this paper. James Pritchard, tailor, 9, River-row, Pontypridd, said that on Saturday night he was at Mrs Davies's house. When the last witness came in he went out on account of something she said. He saw a man on the ground, and on looking at him saw it was Charley, Assisted in taking him home. On getting him home witness opened his mouth and found it full of blood, j Examined his upper lip, and saw a cut about an inch and a quarter long and a small cut branching off from that. After he was put on the bed he (witness) turned him and he got sick, which forced the blood outot his mouth. That was about an hour after his being put on the bed. When he left at half-past one he thought he was sleeping comfortably. Dr. William Thomas Price was the next witness called, and he stated that in conjunction with Dr Lewis, of Cymmer, he made a examina- tion on Monday. [The witness then detailed the evidence as given before the Coroner on Tuesday. Cross-examined: The skull was particularly thin. There were only marks of ore blow having been struck. P.C. Bodger said on Saturday night he was on duty in Taff-street about five minutes to twelve. He saw five cr six persons standing together by Rees the grocer's shop. Saw a man on the ground. Found out it was Charlie Thomas. Asked defendant why did he strike that man. He said, "We had a few words of dispute about another fight and Charlie struck me on the side of the face and in self defence I struck him back." Defendant gave him his name and address. Apprehendted him on Sunday morning about 4 o'clock. Told him the charge. He said Good God he is not dead is he, I did not kill him." Cross-examined He was at the inquest yesterday. The verdict given by the jury was "Death by mis- adventure." John Jones, smith, said he was in Taff-street on Saturday night. He knew deceased. Could not re- member meeting deceased. Could remember seeing him when he came on to strike John Williams. That was his first recollection of him. Superintendent Mathews Did you see him before? Witness: I suppose he was in my company but I don't recollect it. Superintendent Mathews: Why could not you recollect it ?-Witness: Because I was in drink, sir. Superintendent Mathews: Do you mean to say you were drunk ?—Witness: Yes, sir. Witness proceeded: He could not say whither Williams said anything to deceased but Williams knocked deceased back or rather shoved him down. He believed Charlie was in drink, but he could not swear to that exactly. Charles Thomas got up and stood in front of John Williams in a fighting attitude. John Williams knocked him down again. He did not remember words that were spoken bnt they did speak. Did not hear Charlio say I don't say or do anything to anyone." It might have been said with- out his bearing it. Witness knew Inspector Jones and P.S. Macdonald. He toid them he did not know anything that was spoken. Mr Rhys: This man is not a hostile witness; I don't see why he should be cross-examined. Superintendent Matthews I am sorry to ask him these questions, but I want you to know why he was not called at the inquest. Mr Rhys I don't blame you for not calling him and if I don't surely you need not blame yourself. If you called enough before the Coroner that has no- thing to do with it. A Justices' investigation and a Coroner's investigation are two different things. Witness in reply to Superintendant Mathews taid he went away leaving deceased on the road, but he saw him afterwards being taken home. Superintendent Mathews: That is the case, your Worthips. Mr Rhys then proceeded to address the Court. He said that the magistrates had heard that the Coroner's jury had brought in a verdict of Death by misadventure," and he submitted it was the proper verdict to find, and one which no other jury was likely to reverse, and that it was not a case that the magistrates should send for trial. The last wit- ness was one who was not likely to be hostile to the deceased, he having been willing to back him. But the evidence was taken further by Perkins who ap- peared to have been sober, and who said that the first blow was struck by the deceased man, and that without any provocation by Williams. Williams retaliated and gave the deceased a push down. That was the end of the first round, as they might call it. The deceased picked himself up and said "I am ready," or "Let me get up; I am ready," and went towards defendant to the middle of the road and al- though Mrs Davies said otherwise this ovas said by two men who knew better than Mrs Davies, because Williams intervened between her and the deceased, and he submitted that the two witnesses' statement that Thomas picked himself up and followed the defendant was more likely to be correct than Mrs Davies' version that Thomas was backing away. It was an unfortunate blow and in consequence of that blow deceased fell down. His skull appeared te have been fractured. The fracture was not caused by a blow but by coming in contact with the hard road. Unfortunately, he happened to have a very thin skull otherwise that case might never have come before the court. Deceased was the agressor and com- menced with an inoffensive man who had done noth- ing to offend him before, and that was proved by de- ceased's own butty who would not be likely to do anything 13 shield the accused. He submitted that the verdict should be misadventure." It was a blow with the open band and not with the closed fist. Mrs Davies, whose evidence was strongest against the accused, said she saw the blow given and it was a blow with the open hand. The- cat on the lip he si:- .«> submitted could not have been caused hy the defen" dant but in the conrse of some row in which the de- ceased had been engaged, while drinking, previous, It would not require a very severe blow to cut a man's lip if it went against his teeth; a back-handed blow would be enough. However, he submitted that the deceased was the aggressor-that- he was in drink-and that it was owing to this unfortunate combination of circumstances that the accused was there standing before the magistrates, and he again submitted that it was not such a case as should be sent for trial. It was a series of consequences amounting tcr misadventure, and nothing more. The Magistrates having deliberated, Mr Stock&ood (the magistrates' clerk) stated that the Bench had decided to commit the accused for tri^l. Defendant said that he pleaded "Not guilty" and reserved his defence, merely saying I did it in self- defence." Mr Rhys asked the magistrates to allow him bail. Mr Stockwood said that he thought it was a very proper case for bail. Superintendent Mathews agreed. The defendant was then liberated on bail, the sureties being Mr Obed Foster and Mr Richard Evans.
Y GOLOFX GYMREIG. -----
Y GOLOFX GYMREIG. Pob Gobebiaethau i'w danfon i'r Swyddfa ODLAU Ar briodas Mr John R. Llewellyn, argraffydd 8wyddfa'r "Chronicle," a Miss Jane Edwards, Wauniwyd, Penbryn, Sir Aberteifi. Gwaith anhawdd yw gogwyddo Y byd a'i ben i'r llawr, Mae fel pe'n tyfn fyny'n syth, Fe dyr oyn plygn n awr Ond byth ni flina'i blygu Ger allor Hymen dderoh, Yatwythir ei gymalau'n rhwydd Han oltw treiddiol serch. Llewellyn a'i Jane anwyl, Tra feilv'n syllu cghyd. Yu nghaool rhyw ddyddcrdeb dwfu, Ar droicn od y byd Daeth enwog dro'r priodi I'w sylw hwy cyn hir, Wrth droi o gylch v cylch bach aur Fe'acylchwyd bwythau'n wir. Hen droa'i glod yn amlwz Yw'rdedwydd dro'n ddiau, Mae'r adar man vo canu'n well Pan bob yn dd*u a dau Ba John a Jane yn natur Yn dysguwers fach hon, Lie mae pob John anwyl Jane A chan pob Jane ei John. Y ffala argraffydd cywrain, A't swvnol, budol wen, Fa yn argraffu'i ddelw ei bun Ar gnlon dyner Jane. Yn ddyfa! btia cvaodi Yn mynwes hoff v fun Frawddegau sercb,— a dyma'r type, Mae John a Jane yn no. Hawddamor i'r ddall yma OdymunwD 'nawr yn rhwydd, J w llestri byth, 0 bydded ffawd Yn aillwys olew llwvdd, Deawvddwch fo'n eu dilyn Nes cyrhaedd dvddiau hen, A chyfnowidiad er eu gwell Fo'n aros John a Jane. Treherbert. A FRIEND.
! AGORIAD CYFRINFA IFORAIDD…
AGORIAD CYFRINFA IFORAIDD NflWYDD. Dydd Sadwrn. vr lleg cyfisol, oedd yr adeg i agor cyfrinfa Dewrion y Brynian, yn y Clydach Vale Hotel, pan oedd swyddogion yr adran wedi cael en cynyegaeddu ag awdurdod trwyddedol y bwrdd i wnevd hyny, vr hyn ni cbafwyd, maeyndebyg, pan yr agorwyd y gyfrinfa hon o'r blaen. Ar ol i'r frawdoliaeth oedd wedi dyfod yn nghyd wledda ar giniaw rhagoral oedd wedi ei baratoi ar eu cyfer yn Y.Twesty uohod, gorymdeithasant trwy brif beolydd y pentref, ao i lawr a thrwy brif heolydd ToDypan- dy, yn cael en blaenori gan seindorf Clydach Vale. Wedi dyohwelvd yn ol decbreuwyd ar y gwaith o agor y gyfrinfa, yn unol a gofynion llwyr y gyfraith, pryd y cymerwye y gadair gan y llywydd, set D. J. Evans, fel y tybiwyf, a'r ia-gadair gan y brawd William Samuel. Darllenwyd y IIith-arohiad i'r sylfaenwyr gau y llywydd adranol. Wedi hynv darllenwyd y freinlen gan yr ysgrifenydd ffyddlon a gweithgar yr adran (Dewi Araul), a rhoddwyd v cliarge i lywydd ac ysgrifenydd y gyfrinfa newydd. Wedi hyny gwnaed yr holl frodyr oedd wedi dyfod yn ng1>yd yn aelodau rheolaidd perthynol i Bdran Ystrad Rhondda o wir Iforiaid. Cynorthwyid swyddogion yr adran gan y brawd R. G. Hughes, I Pontypridd, is-lywydd yr undeb. Wedi hyny cyn- aliwyd cyfarfod adioniadol, pryd y cymerwyd y gadair gan y brawd william Samuel, gap yr hwn y cafwyd anerchiadau tra phwrpasol yn yetod y cyfar- fod. Darllenwyd papur rhegorol gan Dewi Araul, mewn perthynas i'r angbydfod oedd wedi cymeryd lie rnewn cysylltiad a rhoddi caniatad i agor y gyfrinfa hon, yr hyn sydd wf-di ei ddwyn i derfyn- iad heddychol trwy gyflafareddiad. Cafwyd anerchiad arall maith ar yr un penawd gan y lly w- ydd adranol, ao aDerohiad er anogaeth i'r gyfrinfa i fod yn ffyddlon a gweithgar yn y dyfodol, er sior- bau oyfrinfa llwyddianus, gan y brawd R. G. Hughes. Befyd cafwyd anerchiad gwresog gan frawd arall o'r gogledd. Hefyd cafwyd canenon rhagorol, ac yr oedd rhai o bonynt yn rhai doniol ,8,.ben> 80 en cyfansoddi gogyfer a'r am- gylchiad gan Llew Rhondda, Dewi Araul, Eos Glynmwyn, yr Hen Wr o Swydd Fon, ac erail y rhai ni chaniata ein gofod i'w cofnodi yn bresenol, a gallwn sicrhau fod yr orymdaith wedi troi allan i fod yn bob peth a allasem ei ddyagwyl, ac fod y gyfrinfa wedi ei hagor yn ol deddf fanylaf y Phari- seaid, ao fod y cyfarfod cyhoeddus yn un da, dooiol, a hwylua iawn. UN 0 DDKWRION Y BBYNIAU.
THE COLLIERY STRIKE AT TREHERBERT.…
THE COLLIERY STRIKE AT TREHER- BERT. Operations were resumed on Monday at Ynys- yfeio Colliery, which had been idle for nearly three months inconsequence of a dispute between the masters and the men. It is probable, how. ever, that several weeks will elapse before the ordinary number of men can be fully replaced. as it will take some time to restore the mine to its former condition.
A GIRL KILLED ON A SIDING…
A GIRL KILLED ON A SIDING AT CLYDACH VALE. On Monday, Mr R. H. Rhys, coroner, held an inquest at the Clydach VaU Hotel, upon the body of Elizabeth Ann Williams, 14 years of age, who was on Friday killed on a aiding near the pit's mouth at Tonypandy, several empty trams run- ning over her when she was taking breakfast to her father. The body was terribly mutilated and death must have been instantaneous.—The jury returned a verdict of Accidental Death."
n--------I fliO.M CITY COiiliKSlNI.VMXr.
n- I fliO.M CITY COiiliKSlNI.VMXr. Tut ti4ii/ra. n! t't: late Mr. Sjtiiiiiiil Mori> v to<<iv slate at Abue>-|rl» 'Jemntory. A loii" j»roc\js*iou >fvrvrr-Hge* toft'.It* dcfcca*Lt.s resi !eub: iu uro*- i <rc<t<tf.B<f(.e:. .onvcying the principal rlloltmen;, alld Jthftii to tVbney-p uk Chapel, where deputations I from above luO tocietits, in which the lata Mr. Morley took an actirr interest, were assembled. A sorvice was conducted by the Rev. Nevile Sher- brwokf, which •«» followed by au addrajrs from the Nov..Joshua V. Harrison. wfi<. st;lte}l flwit'lie had ¡"no,,¡¡ thti deccasttd pliihu^hropist fo\l years. (wing to th:- ii^avy rain the subsequent service at the vault was curtailed, but in a dreiicliiiit; dowti- pour prayer was offcied by the Kev. Dr. Stoughton, and an addrosa delivered by ihe Kev. Canon Flem- ing bir W. Hareourt, Mr. John Morley, Mr. Staus- teld, and oevernl other M. P. s attended. TIIK gentleman who committed suicide at the King'* Arms Hotel, Woolwich, by shooting himself with a revolver, has. by means of his photograph »ud clothing, been identified by his landlady Mrs. Fowler, Kiver-street, Myddelton-square, Clerkenwell She states that his name was Antonio Consoli which corresponds with the initials A. C. found on his linen. He is a native of Venice, and took warehonsss in Cow cross-street, Smithfield, with the object ot o|»t-;utr Wieui as a wholesale provision merchant, but iie never commenced usiness. The day on which he shot himself at Woolwich he told Jiis land- lady that iie was going to Brighton. He sent Ilia money away, and tore up his cltcjiie book. After lie left, Mrs. Fowler found a letter written in Italian under the table cover. Having read an account in the daily papers of the suicide at Woolwich, she communicated with tho Woolwich potice. The coroner's officer took the letter to the Italian Consul, who, after translating it, expressed au opinion that it was not desirable that the contents should be made known, and lie at once telegraphed to the friends of the deceased, who occupy a good position in Venice. iT is plain from the evidence given in respect to the circumstances under which a boy of fourteen lost his lite, that the fatal result of the wound he received might in all probability have been avoided with a little surgical knowledge. A butcher's assistant in the iJorough seems to have had a quar- rel the other day with a lad named Kent employed in the shop there, and in a struggle for the posses- sion of a knife which the Inter had seized with the avowed intention of unlawfully using it, he acci- dentally received a wound which severed an artery in the leg. Another butcher's assistant who wai present when this serious mishap occurred had just judgment enough to recommend the sufferer to get his case treated at a hospital in the neighbourhood, but was apparently quite ignorant of the importance of instantly stopping the effusiou of blood which was taking place. The boy was allowed even to walk to Guy's Hospital, and he died half all hour after he had been admitted. The house surgeon of that institution has expressed an opinion to the effect that if anybody had at once but pressed a finger ou a certain part of the leg till the hospital was reached the boy's life might have been saved. The St. John Ambulance Association has do ne much to impart instruction of the kind so much needet in this eas- but it appears that there is still a giva! deal of "llch work to be accomplished. of all oti,or people, should make them. selves acquainted with the use of the tourniquet and such simple appliances as are of inestimable value in all emergency. They are not more quar- relsome, it is ft ne, than other people; but their oc- cupation is one which is peculiarly liable to bring about accidents with knives and choppers. A CAREER of gross imposture, of a character at once the most designing and the most appealing, has been abruptly interrupted for a brief period b\' the happy intervention of the Marylebone Police- court. The man Criss, who has been most justly sentenced to three months' imprisonment as a rogu" and a vagabond, was clearly proved to have for a continuous period been in the habit of trading on the compassionate feeling of his sympathetic clients by the ready and clever simulation of sudden fits of illness. The modus operandi of this itinerant men- dicant was simple, yet not wholly devoid of ingen- uity. Selecting the area of suburban residences av his field of operations, and provided with a small piece of ordinary soap as his stock-iu- trade, he not without great advantage to himself plied his venture on the sympathies chiefly of unsuspecting, but tender. hearted ladies whom he happened to en- counter in the course of his daily rounds. It is to be noticed that he addressed himself almost exclu- sively to the female section of the community, and whether he met them walking on the public high- way or encountered them in the front garden of their respective establishments he was equal to the occasion. Adroitly placinga minute piece of soap in his mouth, he would throw himself on the ground and create the impression that he had been suddenly overcome by a fit of more or less pronounced epi- lepsy. In the alarm caused by the suddenness of his attack, his impromptu but benevolent nurses might be safely counted upon not to observe toe closely the form or diagnosis of his complaint. Water, brandy, and other remedies were sure to be readily produced, and the moments of recovered consciousness were skilfully utilised to the presen- tation of his case. The most usual action was the production of a paper on which was stated that be. ing a foreigner he could not speak English, but was on the tramp to some distant town where he hoped to find friends who would assist him. By this simple but transparent device he drew numerous small sums to help him on his road to his supposed destination. One day as he was being kindly tended in a garden atWilles len a constable recognised the prisoner, and roughly unmasked the deception. On the transfer of the chief actor in the scene to a police court, the tragedy was fully exposed, and the man received less perhaps than his just doom. It is a stern necessity which calls upon the kindly dis- posed to be suspicious, even in the presence of sup- posed sudden illness. IT is understood that the attention of the Post- master. General has been called to the success which has attended a year's trial in America of what is known there as the special delivery of letters, and that it has been suggested that this plan might with advantage be adopted here. The working ol the system may be briefly explained by saying thai for an additional fee of fivepence a letter can be dispatched, at any time between seven in the morn- ing and midnight, by special messenger within the postal district. Air. Kaikes has not unnaturally taken time to consider the expediency of acquiescing in such a proposal. Not long ago a new scale of charges came into operation in respect to telegraphic messages, by which it has become possible to send a brief telegram for sixpence. The public have largely availed themselves of this concession, and w< believe that the pecuniary results, considering the short time which has elapsed since these chear telegrams were introduced have not been unsatis- factory. If the charge for the special delivery of a letter in London or other important centres were likely to be the same as that now charged in the United States the question which has been raised would not require much consideration. A fee of fivepence added to the postage of a letter woula make the cost of special delivery equal t, that of a telegram. But it is argued that the comparative cheapness of labour in this country woutdenabtethe department m St. Martin's-le- Grand to forward such letters for threepence. In other words, it is supposed i that the working expenses here would be about one- half of what they are in America. We need not stop to examine into the accuracy of this calculation. The main question is whether, with the facilities i now afforded for telegraphing, special deliveries of letters at the charge mentioned would he generally regarded as a convenience, and yield a revenue sufficient to support the increased outlay. On that point we have some doubt It must be admitted, however, that despite the numerous dispatches throughout the day in the London district letters are not delivered so quickly as might fairly be ex. pected. There should really be little difficulty in handing in a letter at its destination within an hour and a half or at most two hours, after its collection; but that is a feat which few people have ever seen performed in Loudon.
THE ART OF CONVERSATION.
THE ART OF CONVERSATION. A gentleman who had given his only daughter great educational advantages was disappointed that she did rot shine in conversation with his friends. Wity don't you talk ? he asked. "You chatter with the girls, but with people of sense you are silent" "I don't know what to talk about. Your friends are not interested in the things that interest me. The girls are." Here is a key to this problem of learning to converse. Be interested in that which interests your companion. If it is a child, make your conversation 011 a level with a child's cothpre- tension and about things that interest a child. If a philosopher be your companion and you cannot interest or instruct him, be interested in learning from him. The importance of knowing a little of everything is emphasised by the necessity of meeting ail classes of people. 1 once overheard a gentleuiau talking with an uncultured old woman about making soap, and showing that he knew something of the art and was interested in learning more. Weren't you bored to death? asked a friend. "Not at alL She was pleased to find that she knew more of some one subject thallI did, aUlli was glad that I knew enough of something that interested her to keep up a conversation." Sir Walter Scott made it a point to talk with every one he met upon some topic that pleased them. On one occasion he met in a stage coach a man with whom he tried to converse upon every imaginable topic, but without arousing a re- sponse. Quiet in despair, he exclaimed. Is there anything you can talk about. The man replied, (lo you know about bend leather?" Sir Walter confessed that he knew nothing, but lie wanted to learn, and upon this topic found his com- panion intelligent and even eloquent. We are often tuiil that to be a good COil versatiollalist one must be a good listener; hut o be a good listener is not to sit silent, it is to know enough of the subject under consideration to ask intelligent questions and listen understaudingly to the replies I do not talk to tell what I know, hut to not out what I know," said Oliver Wendell Holmes. The young person desirous of iearniug how to talk lIught paraphrase this saying tlllls-" J do not talk to tell what I know, but to find out L'ILT which I do not kuow."
~ A BltOAD HINT.
A BltOAD HINT. Sir Andrew Agnew having for some time beell pestered by an impertinent intruder, it was one day remarked to the baronet that this man nil longer appeared in his company, and he was asked how he contrived to get rid of him. "In truth," said the baronet, "I was obliged to give the chiela broad hint." "Abroad hlllt:" replied the friend; "I thought he was one of those who could not take a hint." By my faith, but he was forced to take it," answered Sir Andrew; "for as the fellow would not go 01. )y the door, I threw him out of the win. dow."
A LEGAL FICTION.
A LEGAL FICTION. In the neighbourhood of Presburg, in Hungary, a womanwaschargedwithbeingthe receiver of stolen goods, which were found in the cellar of her house. She had been most of her life a Jewess, but six months before was converted by a Romish priest The date of birth in Hungary runs from date of baptism. Therefore, the woman, when on trial, made the ingenious plelL that she WILS au infant, not come to years of discretion, and could not be con- victed. The intelligent tribunal, after seriouscongitation, held her defence It) be a good one, and acquitted her. The widow found herself in an excellent position being legally only six months old, though virtually over forty, she could use her years of indiscretion to thieve or commit other crimes without fear of legal Amsequeu ces. t
A SOLEMN JOKE.
A SOLEMN JOKE. Mr. Henry Compton had a remarkable knack of saying things that were not especially funny in themselves, in a way that made them appear remark- ably so. The utter absence of any effort to be "droll "produced an effect altogether superior to the comic remarks of the habitual joker. For in- stance, it is told of him that one day he was walking home through Kensington Gardens, and he met a friend, a clergyman, who lived near him, and they fell into conversation. Presently Compton said rather abruptly, Well, I can't stop talking any longer, as it's nearly three, and I dine at three." "Dear me," replied the clergyman: "do you in- deed? "Yes, I do," rejoined Compton severely, "yes, I do. Do you see anything objectionable in dining at three? "Oh, not at all," answered the clergyman, a little taken aback at the seriousness of his companion's tone. "Is there anything ah ut the hour which meets with yonr disapproval? again demanded Compton, if possible more gravely than before. "No, no; not at all," stammered the other, almost afraid he had trodden on a tender corn. "I consider it a remarkably good hour remarked Compton,. almost defiantly: don't you?" "Well, a -I really-" "Think it over, and let me know,"exclaimed Compton impressively, as he grasped the clergyman's hand and wrung it violently. A moment more and the comedian was striding homeward through the trees, while the clergyman stared blankly after him with a dim no- tion in his mind that he had been chaffed.
FATAL FIGHT AT POBTKPRIDD.
FATAL FIGHT AT POBTKPRIDD. THE INQUEST. FULL RETORT OF THE EVIDENCE. On Saturday eight last a quarrel which ended fatally to one of the combatants took place at Bontypiidd. It appears that a your.g man named John Williams, Ccedpenmaen, and Charles ThomHg, a lebourer, living in River Street. Pontypridd, bad few words about a fight which occurred the aame evening, between a mon named John Jones •nd another, when Charles Thomas struck John Williams in the face, whereupon Williams retaliated and struck Thomas a blow which knocked him down. Charles Thomas got up and went towards Williams -in a fighting attitude when Williams again struck him again knocking him down on *he pavement. Charles Thomas was nnabl* to rise and le was carried to his residence in River Street, where he died between two and three on Sunday morning. THE INQUEST. On Tuesday afternoon fin inquest was held on the deceased before Mr R. H. Rhys at the Tredegar Arms. The following were the jnry: Mrspr Dewi Cule, Mill Street (foreman), Richard Evaup, iron- monger, Tpff-street W. Williams, draper, Market Street; J. Miller, ohina dealer, Market Street; E. Bautt.an, watchmaker, Market Street William Da vies, furniture dealer, Taff Street; Richard H. Williams, hay merchant, Taff Street; John Nott-, butcher. Taff Street; George Livingstone, coach- builder, Taff Street; Wm. Collett, dri 1.instructor, "Ce rid wen Terrace T. Thornbury, billiard-marker, Llantrisant Road; R. BictardB, grocer. Taff- Street; G. Williams, saddler, Taff Street; and Korgan Edwards, butcher. Bridge Street. Mr Rhys (Messrs Morgan and Rhys) watched the case on behalf of John Williamp. Frederick Tnrberville. 8, River Street, stated that the deceased was his stepson. The deceased was 38 years of age. Be saw him on Sunday uornicg about a quarter to three, but l e was then dead. Witness bad not feen him at all on Satur- day. George Perkir a, living at No. 3, Gaswoiks Road, was the next witness. The Coroner: Were you with Charles Williams on Saturday night ?—Witness Yes, I overtook him on the read as I was going home. Coroner: At what time was thokt ?-WitDeSS: Just before 12. Coroner: Where was that place? Yot say on the road."—Witness: At the bottom of the Rhondda Bridge, close to Mill Street corner. Coroner You talked to him did you r-Witness: Tea, sir. Coroner And you walked on with him ?—Wit- Bess: Yes, I and three others walked on with him as far as the New Inn. Coroner: Tbeie were three others, were there? ■—Witness: Yes, sir. Coroner: Who were they ?— Witness John Jones was one; I don't know the other two. Coroner: Pontypridd men ?-Witness: Yes, I suppose. Cororer: When you got to the New Inn what happened ?-Oh, there was a row there between two young fellows. One was the man that we bad overtaken on the road and the other man I didn't know. There were two oi three blows triveo. Coroner: You don't know either of the men that were engaged in the row ?—Yes, John Jones was one. Coroner: Did Charles Thomas take anypaitin this row ?—Witness Not at all, that I know of. Coroner You had some conversation about that row that had taken place between Jones and this other man.—Witness Yes, it was John Jones and young Williams talking between themselves, nobody else interfering at all. Coroner What happened after that ?- Witness: The deceased asked John Williams what be had to do with it, and John Williams put the same question to deceased. Deceased offered to bet 18d to a Is that John Jones would lick the other fellow. Coroner: What did Thomas say after that?—Wit- ness Thomas said What have you to do with it," and struck Williams in the face. Coroner You are quite sure of that, are you ?- Witness: I am certain of it. Coroner After Charles Thomas struck Williams in the face ?—Witness Williams struck him back and the deceased fell down against the wall near Mr Bees' shop, and fell on to the pavement. Coroner, Did be get up again after be fell down ?—Witness He said, Let me get up," and be got up and said, "I am ready," and Williams hit him down again and that was the finishing of him. Williams stood back in the middle of the road to allow him to get up. Coroner: Did be come out to Williams in the middle of tbe road after he got tip ?—Witness: Yes, sir. Coroner: He had got his hands up when he came out into tbe middle of the the road.-Wit- ness Yea, sir. Coroner You know what I mean by having his hands up P—Witness Yes, sir. Coioner: Williams struck him, you say..—Wit- "em: Yes. Coroner: Where did be fall that time ?-Wit. 1:Iess: Not far from the same place but close by the channelling on the paving side. Coroner: He didn't get up any more?—Witness: No; he didn't get up any more until be was car- ried away. He was knocked down clean, and stretched ont stiff as could be after he fell. Coroner This was something after 12 at night, was it ? Witness t It was about 12 when it hap- pened, as near as I can tell you. Coroner: Is the road pretty light in this place ? —Witness Yea; there is plenty of light there. Coroner It was light enough for you to see what was going on ?-Witness: Yes. Coroner: In the first place were you sober ?— Witness: Yeø, air. Coroner How were the other men ?—Witness: Well, this Charles Thomas was drunk and Jones was drunk. Coroner: Was Charles Thomas very drunk P- Witness Well, be told me he had been drinking ever since one o'clock. Coroner You don't know yourself that he had been ?_Witness No, sir. Coroner: You bad only just seen him ?-Wit. ness Yes, sir. Mr Rhys When he was knooked down the Set time he picked himself up and was going to have a second round P—Witnass Yes. Mr Rbys you had seen the row between the two men; had Williams stopped that row ?—Wit- nesa: I cant aay because I didn't see John Wil- liams then. Mr Rhys How had that row been stopped ?— Witness The spectatoraaaid." Let them go over to the Trallwn to fight it out." Coroner: And one man went away and the other stayed behind ?—Witness: Yes. Mary Ann, wife of David Davies, tailor, 73, Taff Street was the next witness. Coroner: Were you on the street or in yonr doorway on Saturday night about 12 o'clock.— Witness: Yes, sir. Coroner Did you see a man knocked down ?- Witness: Yes. Coroner You saw the man got up off the pave- ment, move off the pavement into the street and got knocked down a second time ?—Witness: Yes, Sir. Coroner; And the man got off the pavement and moved across the street.—Witness Yes. Coroner: There was another man standing in tfee street ?- Witness: Y ea, sir. Coroner And this man got near him and was knocked down again ?—Witneaa Yes, air; with the pen hand. Coroner: Are you quite sure?— Witness Yes, sir, I am certain of it. Coroner Did you hear the mgn say anything when he got up off the pavement ?—Witneea: I stood beok and I understood him to say that he was saying nothing out of the way. Coroner; When he moved out from the pave- ment owards the street in what position were his hands ?—Wiiness I cannot say. Coroner You say yon were noar enough to notice that he was struck with the open hand P—Witness: Yes, I was behind yonng Williams. Coroner: Williams' body interposed between you and the other man ?—Witness Yes. Inspector Jones Did you make any remark when the deceased fell down ?—Witness Yes, I said "Oh he is killed, or has split bis head." It was the sound of the head that finished me. Coroner: Where did he fall ?-Witness: Just between the pavement and the street. Coroner: And you m, de the remark that he was killed ?—Witness I said he had split his head or something, and called a policeman. Coroner The reason why you called out was you heard his head go against something. You cannot say whether it waa the edge of the pavement or- —Witness: I heard his head strike either against the edge of the pavement or street-on the street, I think. Coroner: You called a policeman?—Witness: Yes, I called the policeman; he was standing up above. Dr William Thomas Plice. practising in Ponty. pridd, was next called to give evidence. In reply to t' e o roner: When did you first see the body ? —Witness: I was oalled on Sunday morning, about twenty minutes past three to No. 8, River street. I found the body on its back. He had probably been dead for half-an-hour or an hour. All the visible injuries were a oat on his lip, which had bled a little. The body was not touched ontil yesterday afternoon. Coroner There were no other bruises ?—Wit- ness No. Coroner: You made a post mortem ?—Witness; Yes. > Coroner: At what time ? — Witness: Two o'clock. Coroner Well, what did you find ?—Witness: Upon opening the scalp there was a large oontusion between the skull and the bone, but no external fracture. Upon removing the cranium we found a very large clot betweentbebone^ndtbemembranes; also another between the membranes and the brain; and a fracture at the base of the skull through the temporal bone. Coroner—And that ic your opinion was theoause of death ?—Witness Yes, certainly. Coroner: Might such injuries be inflicted by a man falling on the roadway ?—Witness: Yes. Coroner: Could they be inflicted by a blow with the open band ?—Witness No, impossible. Coroner: With the fist ?—Witn- ss It is very likely that it was produced by a large Borrace of contact, because if a small thing it would be very likely an external fracture rather than an internal one. Coroner: When you examined the man on Sunday morning did you detect any trace of liquor ? Did it attract your notice ?—Witness I could not say. Mr Kbys You nay there was no mark on the face except a little cut on the lip which was swollen ?—Witness Yes. Mr Rhys Had there been a very severe blow to knock a man down there would have been a larger mark on the face ?—Witness: It might have been sufficient, that on his lip. Mr Rbys: We have beard of his having been struck down twice-tbere was only the mark of one blow so that the second or one of the blows which struck him down must have been a very mild one ?—Witness Probably. Coroner There was no external mark on the body which might have been caused by a blow ?— Witness Only one, eir. The Coroner asked if there was any other evidence.—Inspector Jones replied that there was the evidence of the policeman that the accused admitted having strock the blow.—The Ceroner said that they bad beard already that the blow had been struck. He thought they had heard all the evidence which he thought was necessary in the case, and the first material witness was George Perkins, and that witness stated that Charles Thomas struck the first blow. Then in that case there was provocation, and if Williams struck him back once or twice that was sufficient provo- cation, at all events, if death resulted to reduce it to manslaughter. Williams seemed to have been stronger or more sober than Charles Thomas and to have knocked Thomas down and Cha,les Thomas got up again, and, saying he was ready went, according to ^the evidence of the witness Perkins, towards Williams in a fighting attitude, but of that they bad no corroboration because Mrs Davies stated that Williams was standing between her and the man who was knocked down. Mrs Davies's evidence was very important in this Way. because she said that the blow she saw was struck with the open hand, and still it was suffi- ciently bard that she beard his head strike against the street with a tremendous thud, and that finished her and she went into the houpe. The doctor bad described the examination very fully and said that he considered that death was attri- bntable to the two clots of blood. He (the Coroner) thousrht they might take it that it was caused by the force by which the man fell upon the roadway. The doctor said the injuries were inflicted from contact with a large surface. Still if the head was brought into contact with the roadway in consequence of the blow, unless justification were proved., it was an offence against the law. It all depended upon the intent with which a man struck the blow. There was suffi- cient provocation on the part of Charles Williams to reduce the crime to that of manslaughter, if any offence had been committed at all. If a man used a deadly weapon in self-defence no jury would find him guilty of murder, but no man was entitled to strike a blow of that kind, even in self-defence, unless he had retreated as far as he possibly could. But instead of that Williams seemed to havt. waited in the road. The deceased came up to him and he knocked him down again. He didn't care about saying mnch about that case -it would be tried in another place and, he thought, Another jury besides themselves ought to adjudicate upon it. The room was then cleared, and, after a short deliberation, the Jury brought in « verdict of el Death from miaadventore." r
DEATH OF MRS. THOMAS, YSTRAD-MYNACH.
DEATH OF MRS. THOMAS, YSTRAD- MYNACH. Y stradmynach and the surrounding neighbour- hood have sustained a serious loss in the death of Mrs George Thomas, of Yatradmynach House. The event occurred on Tuesday morning, shortly before five o'clock. Srlrs Thomas had only been ill since Wednesday last, but from the first serious anxiety was felt as to her recoveiy, owing to her advanced age.
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The schooner Pearl Nelson, of Providence Town, has been seized at Arichat, Cape Breton, for violat- ing the Canadian Customs regulations. The mas- ter was fined 200 dols. At the Clerkenwell Police Court, Mr. John Edward Price, late senior chureh- warden of St. Sepulchre Without and trustee of the charity known as the Robinson Fund, has been committed for trial tor «*i8ai>propri&ting various suing o( money belong- ing to tUl tetter. Bail was allowed ia — .saLJ-. -v
A BRIGHT BOY.
A BRIGHT BOY. There are incidents," said a teacher in a Board School, that will destroy the dignity of any occa* sion The other day one of our tadyteachera was drilling some of her younger pupils 111 forming sen- tences. She gave the word trumpet Each mem- ber of the class was to form a sentence in which this word occurred As a starter she asked au unusual bright little fellow if he could form a sentence with the word trumpet in it. He was eagerly coufident in the belief that he could, and the teacher asked him to proceed. This was his sentence: 'I will trump it with a spade.' This, of course, put the school room in a roar, and the teacher weut with the tide."
A FISHY CONCEIT?"
A FISHY CONCEIT?" A Spanish captain being invited to a fish-dinner, and coming late, sat at the lower end of the table, where the small fish lay, the great ones being at the upper end, where upon he took one of the little fish and held it to his ear. His comrades asked him what he meant by that; he answered them in a sad tone: "Some thirty years since, my father, passing from Spain to Barbary, was cast away in a storm, and I am asking this little fish whether he could tell me any tidings of his body. He answers, he is too young to tell me anything, but those old fish at your end of the table may know." By this trick lie got his share of them.
THE WIT OF FOOTE.
THE WIT OF FOOTE. Foote was beyond question facile, Drincepll in the art of joking and repartee. Conversing one evening at the dinner- table of a nobleman, he was interrupted at the culminating point of one of his beat stories by the remark: I beg your pardon Mr Foote; but your hand- kerchief is half out of your pocket." "Thank you, sir," said Foote, replacing it; "yeu know the company better than I do," and then he nnishe ) hit story. At the same nobleman's table, on another occasion, the host ordered a bottl*1 of Cape to he set on the table, extolling at the sauu nine its good qualities, and particularly its age. Lut the glasses sent round scarcely held a thimbleful. Fine wine, upon my soul," said the wit, smack- ing his lips. "Is it not very curious? asked his lordship. "Perfectly so, indeed," replied Foote; "I ao not remember to have seen anything so tittle of its aye in my life before."
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Pat says that if men could only hear their owft funeral sermons and read their own headstones, there would be no living in the world with them at all. It was a sou of Kriti who asked the meeting to excuse him from serving on a committee, "ItecaUM he expected to be unexpectedly called away." "Please to give me something, sir," said an old woman. "I had a blind child; he was my only means of subsistence, and the poor boy has recovered his sight! A Boston girl says that if she ever has a dog lb. will have one of those great Sarah Bernhardt lIngs that dig the dear delightful monks out of the suow in Switzeriaud. What are you about? inquired a lunatic of a cook, who was industriously picking the feathers from a fowl. "Dressing a chicken,' answered the cook. I should call-that undressing." replied the crazy fellow. The cook looked reflective. Ye'U understan' observed a Highland racing skipper to a sanctimonious owner, as they were rounding a lee mark, "a' dinna approve o' sweeriu'; but when ye're haird pressed ye maun say some- thin'