Welsh Newspapers
Search 15 million Welsh newspaper articles
12 articles on this Page
IFROM THE DEaD.
I FROM THE DEaD. [BY SPES.] (ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.) CHAPTER I. Was it a dream ? Well! perhaps it was, but I must write down my ideas, and perhaps others may solve the problem. My brain has proved itself incompetent to fathom, as long as my soli- tary mind has to contain what I cannot convince it are not facts. I am unfitted for the every day duties I have to perform, hence I must reveal my secret to someone, and to none can I trust it better than those dumb friends who have been the solace and comfort of my life, my pens, ink and paper. Ah: well. I am the only child of wealthy, though not noble parents, and I was brought up in my happy north country home surrounded by all the luxuries which wealth can obtain, and I was happy-happy, although alone in the world for I was an only child, and having lost my parents before I can remember consequently never, to my knowledge, missed them. The servants who waited on me, loied me, and my governess sp oiled me, and I was happy until I reached my eighteenth birthday. 1 knew I was eighteen then :—Now I know I I am twenty one, a id only for the last few months have I resided at Falconbridge. What became of my nineteenth and twentieth years ? I My friends, i.e. the visitors at the Manor House and my guardian who has just resigned his charge tell me I am twenty-one. I have never had a nineteenth, or a twentieth birthday, but I have had a dream 1 so they tell me it is. I remember my eighteenth birthday, we bad a garden party on the lawn and we were all so happy. I and Alice Morreys wandered by the brook in the coppice and Alice told me of her engagement to Bertie Brand, Ah yes, and she added, By this day twelve months you will be engaged too Isabelle,' and yjt somehow they try to make me believe that I never saw that time, although I remember the dark haired man Alice and I met by the old oak above the boat-house, I see his scrowl now, the same as l saw it on the day long afterwards. Was that a dream ? I was ill, very ill next morning after that birth- day party, and I remember the doctor coming, ■end then all was blank until that dream came, it was this:- I was in a large room very plainly furnished, and another bed like my own was at the furthest end if the room. It was a little hard iron bed- stead, not at all like my own soft bed at home. I got up and dressed in the clothes I found an a chair by my side, bu+ somehow they did not seem like my own clothes, and I was downstairs as I was ready, I tried several doors but could not open them until one opposite to the bottom of the stairs yielded to my touch and I entered, I was about to withdraw seeing several ladies and gentlemen present, but one elderly man stepped forward and addressing me by name as ]Aiss Falconer, asked me to join them. I did s), and for many days and months remained in this house. We walked or drove every day, one elderly lady constiitutingherself my constant companion. So closely did she invariably keep to my side that at length I expressed a wish to take a stroll by my- self. She looked at me wonderingly and remarked "No, my dear; I must always keep you in sight." | This constant supervision became most irksome to me, but I felt a kind of moral influence over me which by some strange power compelled me to act in unison with the other inmates. We daily rose at the same time, breakfasted to- gether, or drove, dined, drank tea, and in fact associated daily by routine. And yet, although I knew well this regularity of iife was as irritating to the nerves of some of m) companions as it was to myself, none seemed to have the power to cast it off, and day after day, and month after month, passed on. Winter came and passed, Christmas had been kept as a festive aeason, and spring was coming. My birthday was in May, but none ever men- tioned the months and I never knew when they commenced or how they ended, and I semed to have no birthday that spring, and summer was over and another Christmas came, and the same routine w"nt on until spring again came, and then I was very ill. About that time the old gentleman who had in- vited me to enter the breakfast room the morning after my arrival, and who had always made most kind enquiries about my health, left the place e.nd a stranger appeared in his room. This I soon learned from the othe: inmates was the new doctor. I was ill about this time, and oh how kind he was to me. How well I loved to see his dark eyes looking down at my litlle bed,and to feel the warm clasp of his friendly hand, for my heart too often beat with a nervous dread that I was not among friends. I knew from the first that he was my friend, though, and I loved him with a blind child- ish devotion. Day after day be came to my room and cheered me with his friendly sympathy and kind speeches,and was it a wonder I got well under his care, too soon to please me, for his visits ceased, his special visits to me, at least. I still daily saw him in the society of the other inmates of the establishment,but his solitude was no longer appropriated by myself alone, and I felt depressed at this change. (To be Continued.)
COMMUNICATION BETWEEN LONDON…
COMMUNICATION BETWEEN LON- DON AND SOUTH WALES. A RIVAL TO THE GREAT WESTERN. Gallant little Wales" is a pretty phrase which will fall trippingly from many a tongue at the Mansion House in the new Lird Mayor's year of office (says the "Financial News "). "Restless little Wales," however, is the description the railway world gives to the Principality-or, at least, that diviision of which Cardiff is the capital. What this spirit of unrest led to in the past was seen in the multitude ofhnes, entirely unconnected, which seemed to have been promoted rather to satisfy local patriotism than local wants, and, foe the most part, they pursued itbe usual course of falling into the hands, first, of a receiver, and then pf the greater companies. The leading lines in the Glamorganshire coalfield, it is true, have justified their existence, maintained th nr indepen- denca, and, in toe case of the Taff Vale, repaid the original proprietors a thousandfold; but this very prosperity only encouraged the] national appetite for more r iilw..iyo, and still more. There are lines, even in those regions which entered the world not so many years ago as seperate entities, with imrnor a railway soulp, whieb, of thci- own vitality, oou'd not have survived the nursery, and which, to borrow the language of a fashionable superstition, have been icarnated in the Buddha of amalgamation, to the gratificati jn of every true believer-in dividends. The latest manifestation of this restlessness— which, after all, may be enterprise in tht chrysalis stage—is a movement for the constrnction of nothing less than a now Railway to L nion to compete with the Great Western. David staniing before Great Galiath, nay, Prometheus withstanl- ing the wrata of the gods, offered no more sublime cnasif.a/«l<i fhsin fhin fop a fflw WfllnVi tnwnll nntnrinCT IiO),t'QU"I,U V- -0 the lists against the huge monopoly which, so f*r as London is concerned, pratically hold them in its toils. No doubt, the grievances of Cardiff and Swansea, and, in fact, all the towns west of Gloucester have been manifold and sera. They saw other centres of commerce, of no greater im- portance, blessed with two, and in some instances three, rival routes to the Metropolis. They had for years to pat up with the old rolling stock, which the Great Western shunted from portions of its huge system, where competition compelled oloser attention to the wants of the public. Until recently they were crying in vain for more rapi i means of oommunication with the greatest mart in the world. Since the opening of the Severn Tunnel, and Mr Henry Lambert's rule, matters have improved considerably, though not to the extent of the South Wales demand. The com- plaints are still numerous, as the local chambers of commerce do not fail to remind us. The Great Western R nlway Company has become too big for its business, say Cardiff and Newport and Llanelly, which have a special grievance all their own. There is nothing for it, says go-ahead Cardiff, bat to strike out for L )ndon by ourselves A project of ttiis magnitude expected to issue fully equipped from the brains of its authors, as Minerva from the head of Jove. It is not to be discussed too seriously just yet, and at present there is no need for Great Western shareholders to telegraph Belling orders to their brokers. It is as well to remember, nevertheless, that the Barry Railway Company, which originated in the same quarter, was laughed at consumedly on its inception, and by men who laugh on the other side of their face to day. More- over, there is something for Great Western pro- prietors to take note of in the statement of the Cardiff and Swansea people that they have already the Ducleus of a rival line between Newport and Swansea. By reference to a large map it will be seen that Newport is connected by rail through Caer- philly, with Pontypridd, which is the junction of the Taff Yale branch to the top of Rhondda Valley. At that point commences the Rhondda and Swansea Bay Railway, a1 present ending at Cwmavon, half ad zen miles froui Swansea, to which port it was, and is, intended to construct an independent approach. By an agreement between the three inland companies, therefore, the nominal connection between Swansea and Newport might be converted into a. real rival railway, shorter in distance by many miles than the Great Wfstern coast route, and keeping its great mineral traffic in its own hands. This fact, or, rather, possibility, may explain the stern opposition the Great Western offered last season to the n 3W line proposed by the Rhondda and Swausea Bay in prier to carry its own coal to Swansea Docks. For the rest, however, the new railway to London I is of the most shadowy character. The idea would bA to construct a line from Newport to the Severn Bridge, across which it would touch the Midland. By aid of the Midland it would gain access to the Somer- set and Dorset, and thence to the London and South Western; and—voila tout. Ob viously, the accompli -sh- ment of such a task involves a good deal of engineering," with which spadework has nothing to do. "Most peopla can recollect how useful "if" was as an aid to imagination in their early days. If this combination couli be made, and "if" this arrangement were contrived, hew easily the face of the earth might be altered. There is some substance' us we have shown, for the ifa in which the people of the South Wales ports are indulging themselves, and their project is clearly not an impossibility. Given a national disposition to restlessness, chronic dissatisfaction with the Great Western service, and despair of any redress of grievances, there are, doubtless, euterprisa and determination enough in South Wales to remove the difficulties at present in the way; but is it not possible, at the same time, that Cardiff and its neighbours are playing a little game which in its western home was idiomatically known as bluff ? The South Wales ports want much of the Gr ;at Western, and Cardiff especially is clamouring for a new dock. At present the Great Western, having a monopoly, holds them all at its mercy. They have nothing to offer except their trade, and that it has already; bat, if they could present themselves with a menace instead of a prayer, it is easy to understand how the position would be altered. If our conjecture prove correct, the shadowy rival route to London would recede into the land of phantoms whence it came, according as the Great Western, with its giant strength, showed itself inclined to use it less after the manner of a giant.
PONTYPRIDD v. CAERPHILLY.…
PONTYPRIDD v. CAERPHILLY. These teams met on the ground of the former, and played a stiff game in the presence of a large crowd. Ben Tiley kicked off for the homesters, and play for a while settled in neutral ground. Soon, however, the homesters passed, and after a magnificent run A. Rowland crossed the line and scored, Tiley converting from an easy angle On resuming play, Pontypridd secured a free kick, but nothing resulted. After some loose play the homesters secured the oval as it emerged from a scrum, and being passed to Tiley, the latter dribbled over the line and scored. The place was a failure, and a scrum soon followed. Next, Chris. Jones picked up and passed to Tiley, who, though courageously tackled by a Caerphillian, again scored a try. Tiley tried the place and again failed. A series of tight scrums followed in the v;sitors' goal, and the Caerphillians were hard pressed. They succeeded, however, in defending the citadel, and at half-time no further score had been recorded. Half-time score: Pontypridd, 1 goal, 2 tries, 1 minor; Caerphilly, nil. After the change of ends the home team again forced play to the visitors' 25, where it was confined for some time. 'Gus Rowlands made a splendid run from mid-tenitory, and was on the point of scoring when he was tackled and brought to the ground. After this a minor was conceded to the home team, and the leather was kicked to the home 25, only, however, immediately to be returned in front of the goal, where William Williams crossed the line amid cheers. Tiley took the place in front of the posts, but failed. Loose play followed in the visitors' quarters, and no incident of note occurred until shortly before call of time. Tiley secured the oval in mid-territory, and after a splendid run, and excellently dodging several of his opponents, he succeeded in placing the leather behind the posts. A If. Lewis took the place, but failed to convert. William Williams soon after ran in and scored. Ben Lewis endeavoured to convert, but did not succeed. Time was soon afterwards called. The final score stood:—Pont- ypridd, 1 goal, 5 tries, 2 minors; Caerphilly, one minor. Mr E. S. Richards was referee. DOWLAIS v PENYGRAIG "A." This match was played on the ground of the latter. Dowlais kicked off, the strong wind blow- ing right in their ieeth, and M. Rees returned. The homesters soon invaded the visitors' 25,where a fierce battle was waged for nearly ten minutes. Evan Jones registered a try, which was converted by M. Rees. Shortly afterwards a minor was conceded to Penygraig. Hostilities again became very sharp in the Dowlais territory near the half- way flag, and D. Watkins, for the homesters, nearly shot a goal. The homesters advanced rapidly to the line, and another minor was granted. The oval having escaped from a scrum near half-was,, Penygraig dribbled down to the 25. where the visitors' full back got hold, but failed to return, his foot slipping. The homesters then instantly rushed onwards, close to the line. The visitors conceded a third minor. A fierce tussle followed in mid-field, and it was undoubtedly very rough. Most of the combatants we -e already covered from head to foot. The interval over, Tom Prosser re-started the ball and Matthews returned from the 25, but no ground was gained. Penygraig immediately invaded the Dowlais 25. From here Matthews, for Dowlais, headed a dribble, and the oval was kicked into touch in the Penygraig 25. A free kick was granted Penygraig for off-side pla.y in mid-territory, but vary little ground was gained. The venue was changed, the homesters invading the Dowlais 25, where some stiff footwork occurred. In neutral ground M. Rees got hold and transferred well to Green, but this player missed the pass. A furious rush then drove the leather to the visitors' 25, where some hard tussles took place. Green in tke visitors' 25 chucked to M. Ress, who saved well, but the Dowlaisites soon afterwards forced their opponents right up to the line, a minor resulting. A visitor made his mark in neutral ground, and attempted a shot at goal, but it was a miserable failure, al- though the wind was favourable. 1 he Penygraig- ites rushed through their opponents to the latter's 25, where the battle was hotly contested. Evan Jones notched a try, but Tom Prosser failed to convert it. Final score Penygraig, 1 g utl, 1 try, 4 minors Dowlais, 2 minors. PENYGRAIG v PENARTH. The Penygraig team visited the jeasiders' new ground on Saturday to fulfil their engagement with the home club. The game was timed to begin at 3.45, but it was fully 20 minutes later when the teams entered tke field. There was a meagre attendance. Penarth started, and the ball was returned to hilf way, where Morgan picked up and threw to Kirby, the latter missing the oval. The visitors drew first blood in the shape of a touch in goal. Again did the Penygraig men, who had the wind in their favour, force the home men to act on the aggressive, a kick from Foster forcing the home to concede a minor. On the re- sumption Rowles was conspicuous for a fine dribble down ihe field, Lloyd just checking his career in the nick of time. Play now settled down near the centre flag, where Penygraig were awarded a free kick, the outcome of which was nil, The Penygraig men now started a dribble, but Herbie Morgan stopped them by falling on the ball. A fine bout of passing was witnessed at this juncture. Herbie Morgan, picking up the leather smartly, threw to Dick Garrett, who transferred to Cosslett, the latter travelling right to the visitors' line, where he was pulled down. The visiting forwards help by their skipper and Ellis, gradually relieved until just beyond their 25, where Morgan cleverly turned into touch. The visitors by a kick t iok the oval in close proximity to the home goal. The Penarth in close proximity to the home goal. The Penarth men relieved, but one of the visitors took the leather to the home 25, where some mulling on the part of Penarth let the visitors in, a minor result- ing. The ground, which wai bad at the start, was now a quagmire, and the players found difficulty in keeping a firm footing. The Seasiders warming to their work in a real style, now began to give the visitors a hot time of it, k -eprng the ball continually in their 25, where a free kick was given to the "batchers' boy," whs exacted a minor. On the resumption the visiting team played with vigour, taking the oval to the home 25, when the whistle sounded. The usual interval having ended Rowlands re-started, and the home men, headed by Peter Jackson and J. White sent the oval into the hands of Lloyd, the visiting custodian returning with a good k o to the home 25. The Seasiders' however, playing splendidly, took the leath r back to the Penygraig 25, where, through some infringement, the visitors were awarded a free kbk, Rowland sending the oval to the home 25. Here a hot tussle for supremacy en- sued, both packs of forwards working strenuously. Tudor Foster, picking up from scrum, was off in a hurry when he was brought low by Rowles, who played a dashing game for his side. Still the Penygraig men were not to be denied, and their forwards, working with a will, kept the oval in the home 25, Cosslett eventually relieving with a huge punt- The homasters, still working well together, took the oval to the visitors' 25, where vl athews, putting in a kick, scored a field goal. The Seasiders continued to play well, &nd Shep- herd putting in a flying kick, the home men scored a. minor. Some brilliant passing was now seen, Hutchins picking up and passing to Cosslett, he handed the ball to Garrett, whothrevto Morgan, the Penarth skipper mulling, thus losing a splendid opportunity of scoring. The home forwards, however, took the ball right on the visitors line. Penygraig relieved slightly, the Seasiders scoring a touch-in-goal. Some brilliant dribbling by the home forwards was brought on in the visitors' 25, P. Jackson, White, and fidling- ton being ever to the fore. Penygraig cleared their lines, some pissing by their backs baing the means of taking tha leather to the centre, when the finest run of the afternoon was seen. Cosslett receiving the oval grom just inside his own centre fla'J and running like a hare when he was beauti- fully tickled by Lloyd, who throughout played a sterling game. Play was proceeding mar the visitors' 25 when time was ca 'ed. Fi al sco e Penarth, 1 goal, 4 minors. Penygraig 3 minors. MARITIME v. SKEWEN. Playel at Poatypridd on Saturday afternoon in unfavourable weather. Hope kicked off and the home forwards, following up smartly, obtained a minor in the first minute. The drop-out was returned into the visitors' 25, where a knock on caused a lot of scrummaging, until Vickers, given the ball in a favourable position, easily scored the drst try of the day, no goal resulting. The Skewen ¡ team had a look in, and by dint of good forward play worked the ball on to the home line. This availed them little, however, as Vickers, picking, up almost on his own line. made a magnificent run the whole length of the field and planted the leather between the uprights. Sullivan kicked a goal. Play had not lasted five minutes when the ball was once more worked over the Skewen line and Sullivan scored the third try, no goal result- ing. After a lot of desultory play in neutral ground, Stead and Hope started away with a finas dribble, which eventually resulted in H. William gaining a try. Hemsworth converted into a goal- Then Higgins got two tries in quick succession, neither of which ended in a goal. The visitors now gave the home team t- lot of trouble through Gay failing to raise the ball. Eventually, however, a try was obtained by one of the home for wards,and half time was called. Skewen started the ball after the interval, and the homesters commenced pressing immediately. Gay endeavoured to drop a goal, but the ball fell short. Shortly afterwards Samuels got over, but the referee ordered the ball back. From this point of the game up to the call of time, nothing of a very interesting character occurred, with the exception of so oe fine tackling by the visiting backs, and eventually the Maritime "an out winners by two goals and five tries to one minor. CARDIFF HARLEQUINS v. PENTRE Played on the Harlequins' ground in wet weather. The ground was wet and slippery, and play very uncertain. The Harlequins were sh-rt of F. Coles. The Pentre team kicked off, and the 'Quins quickly gained a try, but Smith failed to convert. Another try was made by May, which remained unconverted. A thi^d try was scored by A. Daviea, which Smith converted, and before half-time was called Phillips got one, and Smith again converted. Both sides failed to score in the second half, and at the close of the game the score stood: Harlequins, 2 goals and 2 tries Pentre, nil. PONTYCLOW.V 2ND v. PENVGRAIG 2ND.-Played at Pontyciown. Score:—Pontyclown, 1 goal, 3 tries, 10 minors Penygraig, nil. PENTRE JUNIORS V. EXCELSIOR 2ND.—Piayed between the above teams on the ground of the Ystrad Excelsiors, and resulted in a draw. Score: -Excelsiors, 2 minors Juniors, 1 minor. TREHERBERT RED HOSE V. FERXDALE JUNIORS.— Played at Treherbert, and- resulted in favour of Red Kose, who won by 2 tries ana three minors to nil. PONTYPRIDD A v. CRUSADERS.—Played on the Taff Vale ground, and resulting in a win for the former by 1 goal, 2 tried, and 1 minor to two minors. WATTSTOWS v MARDY.—Played at Wattstown grounds, resulting in a win for the visitors by one try, two minors to two minors.
THE R4ILWAY COLLISION AT POST/PSIDD.
THE R4ILWAY COLLISION AT POST/PSIDD. OFFICIAL REPORT, i Col. F H Rich's report to the Board of Trade into the circumsta.nces attending the collision that occurred on the 15th of August at Pontypridd station on the Taff Vale Riilway, has jast been issaed. It will be remembered that as the 8.38 p.m. passenger train from Merthyr was entering the station she ran into a special train that was standing at the plat- form. Fifty-one persons were injured, three severely, and four ot the company's servants were hurt. The injured consisted of persons who were on the station platform as well as passengers in the train. Colonel Rich, after describing the scene of the accident and detailing the evidence adduced at his inquiry, con- eludes as follows:- "This collision was caused by the signalman at the Pontypridd, Caetphilly and Newport Janction giving "Line clear" to the Pontypridd Janction cabin as soon as he had allowed the engine of the special train to pass from the down to the up line, and his not bearing in mind that the coaches of the special train were staadiug at Pontypridd Station on the down line. This man excuses himself by saying that he was not aware that the coaches of the train had been left at th3 station, and that he thought the engine ot the special was a single engine not conveying a train, but as the driver of this engine got off his engine and went to the cabin to inform the signalman what he had to do, I thiak it is probable that he did so, and that the signlamaa forgot or misunderstood what the driver told him. The signal on the block instrument is the same for a single engine as for a train. At the same time, I think that the signalman at the Ponty- pridd, Caerphilly, and Newport Junction is primarily responsible for this collision. It might have been prevented if the signalman at the Pontypridd J unc- tion had done his duty and the driver and fireman of the train from Merthyr had done their duty and kept a proper look out. The signalman at Ponty- pridd Junction not only neglected to ask "Line clear for the Merthyr train before he lowered his signals, but he also neglected to look and see whether anything was standing on the down line before he ad- mitted the train from Merthyr. He could easily have seen the tail lamps and one side light of the special train if he had looked, and, although he got line clear from the Pontypridd; Caerphilly, and Newport Janction signalman for the down line when the engine of the special train had passed from the down to the np line by the cross-over road at the soath end of Pontypridd station. Nevertheless, the rules of the Taff Vale Railway Company require that he shoald have asked the Pontypridd, Caerphilly and Newport Junction man again whether the down line was clear before he lowered his signals for the train from Merthyr. The drivsr and fireman of the train from Mertbyr could also have seen the special train in time to pull up if they had been keeping a good i look oat. and were only running at a speed of 15 miles an hoar, as they stated, when their train passed the Pontypridd Junction down-line signal; inetead of whicn they did not become aware of their danger until they were alarmed by the driver of the special engine whi tling, at which time the engine of the Merthyr train was not more chan 20 yards from the fish van at the tail of the special train. The driver applied his continuous brake at once, and this doubtless mitigated the censeq aences of the collision. I recommend that the coda of block signalling be altered so that the single engine and for a passenger train should be dis inct.
UNIVERSITY COLLEGE, CARDIFF.
UNIVERSITY COLLEGE, CARDIFF. TECHNICAL TEACHERS APPOINTED. A special meeting of the council of University College of South Wales and Monmouthshire was held on Monday at the College, Cardiff, Lord Aberdare in the chair. The other members present were Prin- cipal Viriamn Jones, Professor G. H. Jones, Coun- cillor T. H. Riches, Mr Lewis Williams, Rev Alfred Tilly, and Mr Ivor James, Registrar. The meeting was specially convened for the purpose of receiving the report of the Joint College and Associated Counties Committee oa the subject of the various appointmfenta under the new t chnioal schemes for the counties of Glamorgan and Monmouth. The recommendations of the Joint Committee were adopted; and in accordance with the terms of those recommendations the following appointments were made:- THE CHAIR OF MINING.—Mr W. Galloway, M.E., Cardiff; salary, f350 per annum. LECTURESHIP IN GEOLOGY OF MINING.—Mr Henry Davies, of the Schools, Treharris; salary, X200 per annum and travelling expenses. TRANELLING TEACHER IN MECHANICAL ENGINEERING. -Me Arthur Cryer, Leeds; salary, £ 200 per annum and travelling expenses. LECTURESHIP IN GEOLOGY.—Mr F. T. Howard, Derby; salary, X200 per annum.
REFORMS IN THE GERMAN ARMY.
REFORMS IN THE GERMAN ARMY. It appears that the German authorities are about to make an experiment on a large scale to test the possibility of reducing the term of military service from three years to two. It was reported a few days ago, says the Berlin correspondent of the Times, that measures had been taken to test the question by creating a "two years battalion "of the 4th Regiment of the Guards. It has now been decided that this experiment shall be extended to battalions of the 131st and 145th Regiments quartered at Metz. The programme to be observed in these bat- talions is as fed i," Each will be composed entirely of recruits, and II < t present,of equal numbers of recruits and sto and third year men. The first year will be devoted exclusively to the in- struction of the rank and file. The officers and non- commissioned J'iicers will remain with their com- panies during lio whole year, and no transfers or appointment-will be made. Each officer and non- <ommH>.i<)iied officer will be held responsible for the training of the men under him in all branches of military instruction. By February the soldiers must be ready to undertake sentry and fatigue duties. The instruction of the company will take place from April to August, and that of the batta- lion and regiment from August to October. In the second vear the whole of the exercises of the first are repeated, but on a very much extended and much more thorough scale. By the introduction of the two years' term of service, not only will the trained soldiers be more rapidly passed into the reserve, but the training will be a much more efficient one, as the officers and non-commissioned officers will be occupied only with men all of the same degree of instruction, and not, as hereto- fore, with first, second, and third year men, all at different stages of efficiency. The so-called Ersatz reserve-men who, for one reason or another, have been exempt from the three years' service, but who receive a four months' training on becoming liable for service, followed by an annual training of 28 days-will be abolished.
BY CUPID SMITTEN.
BY CUPID SMITTEN. A TALE OF REAL LIFE. 'WRITTEN FOR THE "CHRONICLE" BY PUMFREY BROOKES. CHAPTER XIV.-FRIENDS. Trying discovered that Brown was acting as a snv and not doubting but what he had at once Wn identified by that individual, Wilson was not behindhand in making good use of the knowledge he had obtained. Without letting the other know that his disguiee had been penetrated, he decided upon watching the spy, thinking that by such TVM?ans he would be most likely to hear something S the whereabouts of Grace Moffatt Therefore, whilst Brown was conversing with the porter, Wilson again crossed the line, and before the spy .oould possibly have bad time to follow him he had catered the cottage on the opposite side of the road, to the no small surprise of the old gardener aD» LorTmercy, sir, an' if we didna' think ye'd left as for good, and the poor girl as well," was the greeting of the old lady. "And where is Grace?" he enquired. We dinna ken, for she never came back again ,after she went along the road with you, and we thought ye were too good-looking laddie to lose her Poor thin! I wonder where she ia ?' "That is just what I am endeavourlng to find out, and my friends are helping me," and Wilson briefly told his story, which was listened to with breathless interest. "Poor laddie," the gardener said. If we could help ye we would, for she was a braw lassie, and oftentimes came to cheer us up. "Well sir, you may assist a little if you will be so kind.' In the station yonder I saw the fellow that imprisoned me by the lake side but he is disguised, and apparently on the watch. If you let me stay here a short time I could watch his movements without his seeing me." "Ye may stop &s lung !tS ye like. sir, to catch the scamp. What is he dressed like, so that I may be on "the look-out ? Like a cattle drover, and you might watch his nrofeedinas if he comes outside the railway sta- tin Soat attracting his attention, for you could make believe to be attending to the flowers Ml"watch him, and maybe these old eyes of mine will not miss much. He spoke to me this morning, but I knowed at the time that he wasro dr° Thank you, heartily," said Wilson. 'Some day I may be able to repay you for your kindness Tut^tuV' exclaime I the old couple, Don't talk about kindness." Just then, Wilson, who had been glancing through the window all the time he had been in the house, gave an exclamation of surprise for there looking up at the ruins were a couple of his Halifax friends. As he made the discovery, one 5 them opened the wicket, and made straight for ^Hearing that they were friends,the old gardener went to meet tbem, and very soon the excursion- ists were shaking hands together. George Gregory and Will Snape were proud to meet their r-3 "'a Wilson was not sorry for tneir presence IrtSat ttaeWasehe Mt to* Brown would mot attempt anything against him when accom- panied by such sturdy frienus. After hearing how matters stood, they said that they noticed the drover on the platform as they came in from Carlisle, and would take care no underhand work was done whilst the three of them were together. And I suppose Tom and Starkey are also on the same hunt as yourself ?" asked Will. We might as well fill our time up in that way as well as another, though girls are ticklish creatures, I and we did not think of such work when we S^"But then we must help our chum," said Oeorge; "and if he is in a scrape we will see if he *■^82 »■ we»hr?, ?, 'hToPthis there wasno objection,and the strangers were soon busily making a note of the various portions of the ruins, which attracted more of their attention even than the choice flowers here and there displayed. "And do they say 'at this were knocked dahn by Cromwell?" asked Will. Such is the story," said the gardener, glad to find that they were touching upon a favourite topic of his, and where the road is now there used to be a moat full of water to prevent people getting into the castle.' There's nowt much to see about it nah, said Will. No more than at Howley na' Battey." But it has been a splendid place," the old gardener remarked." When King Dick wa. Duke of Gloucester it was a famous palace, and num- bers of grand leddies and gay laddies used to be m*^Are1 there no, dungeons to be seen?" asked W" Not now, but folks say there used to be a passage from this castle to the Dockray Hall in the centre of the town." "Why, here's a dungeon," exclaimed Will, de- lighted at having found something fresh. Oh that's only a hole," said the old man, c, and you must not go inside, or the walls will fall down and kill you." Not so ricketty as all that, it seems to me, .sir-but here Wilson, what do you think of it? Why, where has he gone to "In There he is," said George, waving his hand as if he wished us to join him at once." Dash it all, and I wanted to have a better look over the ruins." t You can see them another time, but we had better see what is wanted. It may be that he is watching that drover chap, and we must not lose sight of him." And wishing the gardener a hasty Good day, and reminding him that t -iey would see him again soon, the two men ran to the road to join their friend. There he is," said Wilson, pointing t the figure of Brown as he disappeared down the road towards the town. If one of you would follow to see where he goes to, we could meet here again in half an hour." 0 "All right," said Will, as he walked quickly aft3r the spy Why cannot we all go, asked George. "Because he knows me, and might be sus- picious of Wilson but one of the porters may have gleaned some information for me." The porter was on the look out for Wilson, and informed him that he believed even more firmly J that the man he had been asked about was a drover, for a mate had seen him talking to another gentleman, who enquired after the London train for the following day. He had also found out the the drover was leaving the town on business in a few days' time, but he said he was waiting to be joined by his partner. CHAPTER XV.—A DREAM. It was a gladsome surprise for all the party to meet together, and dismal forebodings were cast aside in order that nothing should mar the enjoy- ment of the gathering. The new arrival were of the number who proceeded straight on to Carlisle, but they soon got tired of the Border City, which had some measur a similarity to their own York- shire towns, and decided to join their friends who had left them at Penrita, and in their co npany visit the lakes and country scenery of Cumber- Innd and Westmoreland. How they came across Wilson in the Castle grounds has been already told, and when the heat of the day had given place to a cooler atmosphere, they formed a com- pany to take a little fresh air, returning only when they had a thoroughly good ramble. Song followed upon song, and rippling mirth followed peal upon peal as they gave way to the enjoyment of a pleasant night, and few would have thought that deep down in their hearts lay a. grief that few could not be expressed, so thoroughly did these young Yorkshiremen cast aside gloom and melancholy for the nonce, and follow the scriptural injunction "Take no thought for the morrow, for the morrow shall take care of the things of itself. The hilarity of the party appeared to sadly discompose one individual who stooi. underneath the window outside, and made him even doubt the evidence of his own senses. Why he should have taken such notice of the fact, and why the hilarity should in any way have affected him may be more readily understood, when the reader is informed that the eavesdropper was no other than James Brown. He was still attired in the drover's costume which he had just put on after finding that his prisoner had escaped him, and it proved no very difficult thing for them to find out where Wilson resided, for in a small town a siranger is easily spotted, and this place was pointed out to him as the house where some young men had come to stay for a few days. As suspected, he had quickly identified Wilson on the railway platform, and was chagrined at losing him again so quickly, but, sharp as he thought himself, he little knew that he himself had been shadowed when he went to the inn to enquire after his master, whom he had not seen that day or the day previous. Certainly, this was the house that he was directed to, and the sound of manly YorkshiTe voices, conspicuous to one who had travelled in many countries bore out the truth of the in- formation yet he had doubts whether the party thing as their making merry under the circum- stances was more than he could under- stand. "Come, my man, move on there I've been watching you this last half hour," and the stern guardian of the peace approached the loiterer. Brown put his hand into his pocket for a bribe with which to disarm the officer, but, alas it was empty, for he had forgotten to provide him- self with funds on leaving the lake, and had had to sleep in the open,the previous night in conse- quence. The policeman eyed him suspiciously, and Brown thought it best to move on, though he would very much have liked to have lingered, a little longer ere he left the neighbourhood, in order that he might have been sure of the house, but it was no part of his programme to spend the night in the lock-up, and he passed along the street anxious to get from beyond the ken of the vigilant officer. Had it not been for the risk of losing sight cf his former prisoner, and the long distance to travel, he would have returned to Ullswater, but under the circumstances he felt it incumbent upon him to remain in the vicinity of the town. His money was not yet quite spent, but he had come down to a solitary florin, which would have to help him over the next day, by which time be trusted to gain more funds from his master, for that very night was the one on which it had been arranged that they should meet again to hear whether Wilson had been re-captured or not. Being a fine night, he could at least save lodg- ing expenses, and at the same time be able to keep his appointment with the master, for whom he was such a willing tool, the bette Climbing a wall, he sank down amid the clusters of ferns, and was soon fast asleep, but apparently his slumbers were troubled. The moon rose majestically upon the scene, and the balmy breezes cooled his temples as deliciously as though he was a child. As though he were again a child. His menory, no longer dormant, went back to that time, and he beheld himself a fine flaxen-haired boy amus- ing himself amid the flowers of the field. Then the scene changed, and he saw before him a picture of his juvenile folly and the face of one, thought at the time a friend, offered him assist- ance. Would that he had never touched the gold, but it was the means at the time of averting his disgrace, and since that time he has followed his hard master as faithfully as a spaniel. Then another figure appears -that of a young woman, on bended kneess, and in pleading accents, ask- ing to be allowed to escape. That vanishes, and in her place stands one old and withered. She leans upon an oaken staff, her eyes appear to stand out frorh their sockets, as with outstretched fingers she points at him, and utters words of warning which at the same time seem to be a curse. As she thus stands over him, uttering I what he wishes to be buried, he bids her begone, and in an instant the place is full of reptiles, who dart at him with long tongues, and hiss about as if they were bent upon his destruction. It is more than he can bear, and he rouses up to find that all has been but a creation of the .Il.- lancy. Clouds have now overcast the luminary of the night, and the darkness is intense, shewing that he cannot have been there long, and he turns once more over on his side, but remembers with & sigh that there is work to be done, and the dark- ness of the night is more fitted for what he has got in hand than the light day. Striking a light he finds that there is half an hour before he is due at the nocturual meeting place, and the remembrance of his past dream makes him shudder, but he has gone too far in the v* rong path to retrace his steps, and, doggedly resigning himself to his fate, he lights his pipe, a sets out on his errand. To be Continued.
Advertising
FOR THF. BLOOD IS THE LIFE.Clarke's world famed Blood Mixture is warranted to cleanaetie blood from all impurites, from wl atever oause rising. For Scrofula, Scurvy,Eozaoia, skin, and blood diseases, pimples aid sores of all kinds, Ls efficts are marvellous. Thousands of testimon- ials. Ia bottles 2s 91,and lid e ich, of all chemists. Proprietors Lincoln and Midland Cjuntiea DtUg Co., Lincoln Ask for Clarke's Blood Mixture -IoDd do no1: e pera-ia^ed to take an imitation To GROCERY BUYERS.—Before you purchase your grocery call and inspectthe large Stock of Grocery and Provisions at the Town Supply, best Grocer in Town at the very lowest prices; variety quality Goods, Brushes, &c., very cheap. For Tea you can have your-owi choice of first class Blends prices, 1/2, 1/4, 1/6, 2/ 2/6.
mm---tt-FIVE PEOPLE SUFFOCATED…
mm-tt- FIVE PEOPLE SUFFOCATED AT A FIRE. A disastrous fire, which resulted in the death of no fewer than five persons, broke out in the East* end of London on Friday morning. The fite occurred at a small six-roomed house in West Ferry-road, Mill wall. At 20 minutes to 2 o'clock it was discovered that the back-room on the ground-floor was in flames, and the cry of "Fire! resounded through the house, followed by some very exciting scenes. The stairs caught fire very rapidly, but not before several occupants had managed to escape. It was, however, known that others remained behind. These were Phcebe Walker, aged 70 years; Mrs. Annie Missen, aged 27 years, and her three children, Violet, Phcebe, and Charles, aged four, two, and one respectively. The fire alarm was rung into the fire station at the Isle of Dogs, and the manual engine and the escape were at once despatched to the scene. The firemen, on their arrival, were informed that it was believed there were people in the house and while one contingent immediately set the jets from a standpipe to work, others en. deavoured to enter the upper windows. By this time, however, the place was like a furnace inside, and all chance of any persons being rescued alive was hopeless. The firemen made repeated gallant efforts to enter, but were beaten back by the flames, the intense heat, and the densely suffocating smoke; and it was not until the water thrown into the building had had some effect in diminishing the strength of the fire that an entry could be effected. It was then discovered that the five persons named had been suffocated, and were lying in different positions in the upstairs rooms. In the course of half an hour the fire was overcome, but not until the place had been practically destroyed. The inquest was held on Saturday. The fire ap- peared to have originated in the kitchen of the house. Mrs. Missen, who was one of the victims, with her three children, had escaped like all the rest, when she went back to seek her old mother; the children followed, and ali were suffocated. No light was thrown upon the cause of the fire, and the jury returned a verdict of accidental death.
MILK ADULTERATION.
MILK ADULTERATION. A circular of some little importance to house. keepers has, says the Field, just been issued by Mr. A. Robinson, of the Belgravia Dairy Company. He affirms that, by the assistance of the hand separator, a kind of legalised fraud in the milk business has been set afloat, and is daily extending. Cheap milk, he declares, is milk to which a quarter of its bulk in separated milk has been added. If the original new milk was of good quality, the mixture will come up to the required standard of fat solids; whilst the extra proportion of solids other than fat" (all of which are left in the separated milk) will permit the mixture to receive further soim^Hng like 5 per cent. of water. This means tha" 300 gallons of genuine new milk, plus 100 gallons of separated milk, plus 20 gallons of water, can be legally sold as being 421 gallons of "new milk"— not of a high record, indeed, but such as will v-ass the Public Analyst. He says that the Milk Adulteration 4ct did not contemplate such a possi- bility; and he calls upon housekeepers each to heckle their member until he promises to vo-e for an amendment of the present Act.
A GREAT TIN MINE.
A GREAT TIN MINE. The heavy decrease in our exports of tin since the McKinley tariff came into operation, together with the report that a large sum of British money has just been invested in American tin mines, will give interest to some facts concerning the Harney Peak tin mines; an enterprise that was kept in full view when the tariff was framed. The great centre of the canning industry" naturally desired to find tin at home; and to encourage prospectors to look for a paying deposit a bonus of £50,000 was offered for the discovery of tin in paying quantities. Under the stimulus of this prize small deposits of tin were discovered in California and Georgia about 10 years ago, deposits that proved too small to pay for working. But in the spring of 1884 tin was found in a large mass at Harney Peak, on the edge of the Black Hills, a little strip of territory heavily wooded, and until quite recently the home of the Sioux Indians. Within two years, a 36 hours' stage-ride was necessary to reach the place. Harney Peak, which rises to the height of 7,442 feet, is an intrusion of granite, and it forms the core or axis of a great uplift. The tin ore is found in the granite legion, which occupies an area 12 miles in length by eight in width, the principal mass being Barney Peak itself. Stream tin has also been found near the base of the Peak, so rich that in some places it is said to yield 75 per cent. of pure tin.
100 DAYS ON A DESERT ISLAND.
100 DAYS ON A DESERT ISLAND. The iron barque Compadre, 800 tons register, left Calcutta for Talcahuano, Chili, on the 2nd of January, laden with gunny bales of jute. On the 16th of March fire was discovered in the after hold. All attempts to extinguish the flames were ^deless, the holds were battened down, and every effort made to reach the Bluff, which was the nearest port. On the 18th a heavy westerly gale came down, with squallfj of hurricane force. Next morning land was sighted, distant about 12 miles. They brought the wind abeam, but in the fearful sea the vessel laboured terribly. One tremendous sea swept the foresail and foretopmast staysail out, of the bolt-ropes, bursting in the lower forecastle ports, filling it with water, smashing the scuttle and fore hatch, and sweeping the decks of everything moveable, and also bursting into the cabin, thereby giving the air access to the fire, the smoke coming out through the cabin and the lower mast heels and fore hatch. At this time the vessel was lying almost helpless in the water. The crew squared the main yard and steered towards the rocks in the hopes of saving their lives. When nearing the shore they dis- covered a low-lying ledge of rocks. Previously to striking they poured a can of oil over the stern, which greatly reduced the violence of the waves. Everyone got out on the jibboom and, af) the vessel struck with a terrific crash, made a dash for the rocks, some being severely bruised and cut. Two days after landing on the island they found the Government store. In a letter the Daily Graphic has received from E. A. Roberts, an appren. tice on board the Compadre, the writer states that; "there was very little provision in it-namely, a few tins of bread and a dozen small tins of meat; in fact, if we had not gone on allowance we could have finished the bread in a. month's time, but we were on the island three and a half months, and then had some tins left." The huts they occu. pied were on the smaller Auckland; one was an old provision house, and the other an old Maori hut. They lived on this island mainly because there were more sea-birds, seals, &c., there. Finally a sail was seen, and the crew were taken in the Janet Ramsey to New Zealand.