The Montgomery County Times and Shropshire and Mid-Wales Advertiser

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.] THE STORY OF CHRIS;! By ROWLAND GREY, Author of "In Sunny Switzerland," "By Virtw of His Office," etc., etc. CHAPTER I. THE "MIDLAND STAR." They say, if money goes before, all ways do lie open." All's Well that Ends Well. There is not much originality left in these days of respectable mediocrity, but old Tom Barset, as he was almost universally called, possessed plenty of the quality that many persons regard as alto- gether undesirable. A man is supposed to have no right to prosper if he disobeys his parents, and yet he had followed his own inclinations all his life; and had prospered abundantly. His father*- had been a respeefcd and respectable solicitor, with a good county practice. But Tom had insisted upon spending his youth after a vagrant fashion, and had allowed his younger brother, who was the iost ordinary and prosaic of men, to succeed to the family business. Examinations, luckily for Alfred Barset, were not what they are now. He was a dull, plodding fel- low, and managed to fulfil his various duties credit- ably enough. He had found in the local doctor's daughter a not too brilliant helpmeet, and was the father of four children, who, with one exception, were nearly as ordinary as himself. Tom had been regarded by Bridgenorth in general as a wild fel- low, but his wildness was, after all, of a harmless sort enough. He was, in most respects, a born Bohemian, and found existence at Bridgenorth wholly insupportable. Mr. Barset, senior, was well off, and had only his two sons to provide for. Tom pleaded for Oxford and the Bar, but his father foolishly imagined that, by denying him these re- quests and cutting down his allowances to a very parody of pocket-money, he would keep his hand- some eldest son in Bridgenorth. But neither then nor at any other period was it at all easy to pre- vail on Tom to follow advice or obey orders. As he was not allowed his own way, he took it-went up to London with not much more than the pro- verbial half-crown, and became a sort of literary man-of-all-work. He was a born journalist, but incorrigibly idle. He might have made a respect- able income, instead of a hand-to-mouth sufficiency, if he could but have kept his nose to the grind- stone. He enjoyed life to the utmost, and was the friend of all men. Not, however, of all women. There was no danger of mischief in the quarter whence it is usually most to be feared, for Tom Barset was a near approach to a misogynist, and, unlike most of these melancholy folk, was of a cheerful countenance and superb digestion. He used to work for a few months, dashing off brilliant articles in days when brilliancy was not the common attribute it is now, and then dis- appeared in quest of new experiences in some out- of-the-way part of the Continent. New experiences were things of which he never tired, and for which he was always seeking, but 6ne that lie never anticipated came to him when he was over sixty. An eccentric gentleman read a magazine article of his on Henpecked Husbands," one of the flippant, pungent bits of fun he was for ever turning out, and being a man who had hit on the somewhat stale device of disappointing all his ■elatives by disposing of a big fortune ill an unex- pected fashion, lie left fifteen thousand pounds to Tom Barset. It was said the poor old fellow had had a bad time of it with his own wife, and so he felt the full force of the writer's arguments. Brother Alfred, down at Rridgenorth^ not to speak of his wife, felt literally overcome when this in- telligence reached their enrs, and they were not wholly pleased. It seemed to Alfred so thoroughly unjust that this idle apprentice should secure the f;olden harvest, and that a steady, estimable man ike himself should be forgotten. Of course, as the reprobate Tom was a bachelor, the money might revert to their family but Mrs. Alfred, who was a born pessimist, refused to take this cheerful view, propounding a dark theory that, if Tom had not, as seemed probable, two or three foreign wives, he would certainly proceed to provide himself with so easily obtainable an article. Mrs. Alfred was very much mistaken, but per- haps, on the whole, she could have better borne the introduction of a Mrs. Barset than what actually befell. She was remotely—very remotely—con- nected with the Earl of Easterton, the great county magnate whose noble heir took his name from oridgenorth, and she regarded herself as an ardeift Conservative. Not that she knew anything what- ever about politics, in it3elf a sufficient reason with & large majority for shouting with the mob which, if not always the largest, can boast so many aristo- cratic supporters. It was the pride of Bridgenorth Conservatives that the MidlW Std-r," whioh had its ongm in a rather dingy little office in the High Street, was almost the oldest provincial news- paper in the kingdom. Once it had been both in- fluential and important, but, truth to tell, those days had gone by. A very respectable editor of the old-fashioned sort guarded the "Star" from innovations with such success that its circulation had diminished until it was scarcely purchased out- side Bridgenorth itself. Bridgenorth had been the sleepiest and most peaceful of towns until a very unexpected discovery of coal was made in its immediate vicinity, bring- ing a new prosperity and a new population to the quiet streets. Finally, the editor of the "Star" died, and that decayed organ was put into the mar- ket. Time was when such a sale would have been regarded as a matter of importance by social mag- nates, but its condition was so moribund that two or three intending purchasers shook their heads and withdrew without coming to terms. And* £ hen, as the modern1 fairy-tale would put it, "Wfftmnge thing happened." Mr. Tom Barset ran down to Bridgenorth to see his brother for the first time for many years, it being now considered necessary to conciliate him. Something in the dull red house attracted him. He felt tired of wandering; the old town looked pleasant; things had changed for the better, to his thinking there was a fresh breath of enterprise and work blowing away the mouldiness he had so detested. Then he had a new idea, and new ideas were things he greatly loved. He thought he should rather enjoy stirring up some of the people lie unkindly regarded as old fossils, and so, without asking the legal advice which was the only thing bis brother had ever desired to give him, he purchased the Midland Star," and all its plant and appurtenances, refur- nished the old rooms above the office in the High Street, and established himself as editor of the Bometime bulwark of Conservatism. For years past the Alfred Barsets had tacitly ig- nored their vagralit relative, and had it not been for the legacy, they would probably have continued so to do to the day of his death. But now that thoro was not the slightest fear of Tom's wishing to borrow money, his brother was thoroughly pleased, not so much to see him again as to tell people how clever and successful he was. Never were there two brothers more dissimilar, though they were betit short of stature. Alfred, the solicitor, was sandy and clean-shaven, with a nervous eye born of an over-dominant wife, and a certain deprecatory air of deference due to his intercourse with the Earl and his satellites. Tom, the vagabond, was healthy and upright, with a trim grey beard and bnght, expressive grey eyes. Alfred impressed the observer by the eminent. respectability of his dress; Tom with an immediate liking, which dis- arr\ru Cntjciam ^is somewhat careless apparel. the first number of the Star," issued T<r„aer e new auspices, made its appearance, there ™ ,in .1 "f h"r™r through the ranks of oountv S' an<1 »I'e«al,.lish«,r tradesmen the county patronised. For the "Star the Star had iem 1h °f the Medes alld Persians on mucT ben mutability-had announced, ?Ln nf H f,r PaPer and in much better print than of old that lts politics had undergone a change as well as its editor Mr* Alf.^ g literary, and seldom read4 '«cS" tee Queen," aprayer-book, or a Lurt s„Me £ he full force of the Situation did not dagwn upon her until one of her daughters had explained it. Then, indeed the poor woman was to be pitied. As k scion of the noble house of Easterton, she almost felt inclined to storm the family mansion in Upper Grosvenor Street, and beseech the Earl to stay the ssen sacrilegious arm of her brother-in-law. On the other hand, so much money depended on this wicked underminer of the political morality of Bridgenorth that she was literally compelled to earb her tongue, save in the presence of her hus- band. Alfred. Darset was one 01 those narrow* minded men quite unable to interest himself in affairs outside his own office. He took in the "Times" as a matter of respectability, and some- times read the law reports, but politics were to him matters of no moment. Whatever Government was in power, his business remained much the same, and lie privately wondered why men waxed so hot over matters that, in the main, affected them so little. His son, it is true. thoucht very differently. 51 MX I CAN CURE. "l^NOVVN as Rev. JOSKPU Hoi.xms' .Mr-xi,-i»n 1'1'(" -'Ii. eription, is the only guaranteed Ucniedv I'm ail those who suffor frorn the errors of vouth." i:. s- vous weakness, exhausted viialii.v, kidney, bladder, gravel, prostate and kindred complaints', stood the test for 20 years. Send a seif-addiesseu stamped envelope to Jos. Holmes' Remedy Co.. Bloomsbury Mansioms, Blootnsbury Square", Lon- don, and get full particulars of this great Remedy free of cbarge. Utiil;vant—x.<> na!<! af'er MI hono'iraMe god- v.i!:> had endowed him with nothing else—• vt.y eidest 01 the. family, anil o much the pride oi bia luoc-iifi.- s heart tlJi.Lt he succeeded ill imbuing her husband with an unshakable belief in the powers oi t:v heavy youth of twenty-six, who M'»s in* lVfit»;y his v,ay into full-lied; soiicitorship, Mr. Btdiivant was neither lmuisome nor clever, with his I); oad red face and little pale blue .eyes, but :.c was a prominent member of Bridgenorth sociory, possessing a talent for impressing people— a U,v. hieh. oddly euongh, l>eauty and wit can- not always accomplish. Ho could hardly be termed popular, vo:- ise went every where, and was mixed especially witli a hranea of the Primrose L..a-;ue, wi'H-h was young as yet, but very ilou: -sh- Uti!:ivai:u aii(i iiis adoring mother, wiio sscrwh* ri-jciced in her title of "Dame," and en- ,.(tl prospect of being Grand Councilloross 1 fU lIO distant date. His two younger sisters, who were pliable and much in awe Gf ttici," splendid elder brother, wore "Dames" also, but there was OIle member of the family who refused to wear the tin emblem donned by those who cannot afford dia- rnoi;11 -centred enamel. Bullivant's horror at the sale of the Star is a thing rather to be imagined than descrioed. That he, Buliivant Barset, should have a relation who was a Liberal was had enough, but that this rela- tion should actually be in such a position that to quarrel with him was absolute Gladness was detest- able. He was so accustomed to be regarded as a personage of immense importance that it never occurred to him that his uncle would not be cer- tain to view him in this light also. He prepared for a formal call at the Star" office with a cer- tain feeling of heroism. It was his duty as a Con- servative to try and restore this straying sheep to the fold. His uncle had been born a Conservative, and doubtless would have remained one had he lived under the influence of the county. Bullivant bad not been a success at school, and seldom went away from home. Unconfessedly he was a little ill at case, for lie had been absent on a short visit, and had not before had more than a hurried word with his redoubtable relative. lie rang nervously at the door of the office, won- dering the while why his uncle did not institute a scjKirate entrance for visitors. The door was answered by a pale, sharp, lad imported from Lon- don with a still sharper sub-editor. "Is Mr. Barset at home V' asked Buliivant, with dignity. But dign ity is a quality not much prized or admired by boys of this type, and he only replied by the counter-question, Beg parding, pir, but are you a hadvei tiding hagentf "Certainly not," said Buliivant, flushing with indignation at the mere supposition "I am Mr. Basset's nephew." "Oh, no offence, Sir. Mr. Barsets in, Sir, to anyone as ain't got nothink to do with hadvertisements. That's Mr. Penley's business, Sir, but they will ask for Mr. Barsot. Uncommon smart of some of them it is too," he added, casting a glance of mock admiration at Buliivant, who, on this mild February afternoon, was attired in a suit of check, and wore his primrose in his buttonhole. It is sad for the frailty of human nature to have to admit that Jim had invented this legend of advertise- ments on the spur of the moment merely to irritate what he described as a young gent too 'igh and 'orty for is taste." Jim was lame, and Mr. Tom Barset had humanely transplanted him from a London slum. He found provincial life dull, and welcomed every opportunity for the exercise of a wonderfully fertile imagination. However, he made no further demur, but ushered the ruffled Buliivant into a large, pleasant sitting- room on the iirst floor, handsomely, but rather un- usually furnished. Here, in an armchair, sat Mr. el Tom Barset, reading a French novel, aAd smoking a cigar of a quality such as Buliivant had never even smelt before. "Hullo, Buliivant, my boy. Glad to see you. What a mouthful your name is I should cali you Bullie if it didn't sound too much like a bird. I want to congratulate you on having an exceedingly clever sister." Buliivant could only stare at this uncle whom, somehow, lie was conscious he failed to impress. A clever sister Why, what could his uncle mean, unless Chris • Whilst he was cogitating and try- ing to look wise, his uncle explained I was just looking at (Jalthorpe's magazine, The Newcomer,' and I read a short story which tickled me a good deal. I must say I was pleased when I came to the signature, 'Chris Barset.' Obviously Miss Chris inherits some of her dear grandmother's talents. But perhaps you have got, the knack of composition too? It generally runs in families." Buliivant smiled slightly. His uncle had evidently read and admired his reports of the meetings of the Primrose League. Tom Barset had, however, taken his nephew's measure accurately at their first meeting. Well, if that is the case, I can find you a corner in the 'Star.' ncrhans. if vo-: want itmjvefcmoaey, and if you oaii wwfce iilte UIiJcC I think you ought to be told at once, uncle, that I am a Conservative, in accordance with our family traditions. How we wish you had seen fit to adhere to them!" said Bullivant, rather in the tone a converted Salvationist uses towards a brother coster who has not yet got religion." "Ah, yes, I forgot that. WelJ, I dare say you'll grow out of it. Boys brought up in the provinces generally want all the world to be as behind the times as they are themselves. When you change your mind, you can come into the concern, if you wish. In the meantime, I dare say Chris will take your place competently enough. Chris echoed Bifllivant, with unfeigned dis- gust in his voice. Surely, uncle, you do not ap- prove of women being mixed up with -journaligul-P Why I object most strongly to this writing of hers, but a magazine is very different from "A poor old, tottering, effete provincial news- paper like the Star, finished Uncle Tom com- placently. Now, look here, Buliivant. I am goincr to speak to you more plainly than you have ever°been spoken to before. I am a fairly rich man, by an odd fluke of fortune, and, very luckily for me, I can do exactly as I choose. You may, for aucdit I know, be an admirable lawyer, but some of your notions are a little rococo in other respects. Chris is clever you, as far as I can see, are not. I will give you one word of advice. Don't come here with any notion of teaching me. Keep that for the colliers, who, from what I hear, are not quite as devoted to that yellow emblem of yours as you may suppose. And leave Chris alone. It will be distinctly to your advantage to do so in the future. I haven't the slightest wish to be un- friendly, and I can agree to differ from you politi. cally with perfect content; but 1 have got my own ideas about the 'Star,' and if I want Chris I shall have her. Cheer up, my boy, and try one of my cigars. They won't smoke any the worse for being grown bv a wicked Republican who ia a great 11 friend of "mine out in Havana. Bullivant accepted the proffered cigar-he al- (I ways accepted everything—and muttered some in- distinct excuse about another engagement. Jim grinned as he went out with a reel and discomfited countenance and Uncle 'I om picked up "lemmes d'Artistes" and heaved a sigh of relief. Thank goodness, Mr. Buliivant is n.ot likely to pay me many visits. Alfred was a prlr and he married a fool, but this precious son combines both attributes in himself. To think he should be the brother of little Chris. It is nearly as wonderful as that I should have come down to Bridgenorth to be the editor of such a tumble-down concern all for the sake of this new fad of mine." CHAPTER II. A NEW 7.1 FH FOR CHRIS. « A maid whom there were none tc praise, And very few 10 love." WORDSWORTH, Two of the Miss Barsets were very ordinary girls, rather plain, though neat of aspect, and fairly well educated, according to the old governess standard. One played and tile other sang suffi- ciently well to be in request for penny readings." They road a few books from a sense of duty, and did endless fancy work with tireless pleasure. Their lives were terribly dry and colourless but as thev were whollv unconscious oi the fact, tbev nelded no pitj. Indeed, they were amply content with the trivial country town round of little, dull teas and tennis parties, with a very occasional ball in the winter, at which partners were somewhat °C But' the eldest of the family next to Buliivant was very differently constituted. As sometimes happens, Chris had, as it were, gone back a genera- tion, and reproduced a very bright, gifted grand- mother instead of very ordinary parents. Scanty education, lack of opportunity, unsympathetic surroundings had not prevented her from blossom- ing into cleverness. Much desultory reading of the best sort had cultivated a receptive mind, and when she was at last set free from the irksome thraldom of monotonous routine study thoroughly beneath her quick intellect, mere leisure to read and think had at first appeared a sufficient bless- ing. She used to sit in her own room hour after hour revelling in Thackeray, Jane Austen, or George Eliot. She loved poetry, and delighted in wit and humour, two attributes of which the re- mainder of the Barset family were absolutely des- titute. She saw the humorous side of Eridge- north life very clearly with the keen grey eyes tna were the best feature of a pleasing, if not btuct y beautiful, face. For a short tune after she was freed from the dominion of a conscientious, but un- interesting governess, iiie was very pleasant to her. It is sad to have to confess that there was no sym- pathy between Chris and her relations. She was the source of much irritation to her irritable mother, and much vague wonder to her father. She is like her uncle," he used to say apologeti- y to. the ladv of wkam JjA^ucaa. nn.it<n nominally.. i and m?s~r." '11 came To poos tTia!,7n gentler and less pronounced degree, Chris followed this unknown uncle's example, and took her own way. Like Aurora Leigh, she lived her life and i prayed her prayers without the vicar." By-and- bye it grew most unsatisfactory to her she looked about for an occupation, and, with more than com- mon luck, she found one. She knew in a vague way that her uncle was a journalist, and felt a vivid interest in the man who seemed so unlike the rest of the Barsets. She pri- vately romanced a good deal about Uncle Tom, and rejoiced when the news of his good fortune came to her. She was so glad to hear of an event that refuted ail the traditions of her father and Bulli- vant, and liked the idea that the loaves and fishes should, after all, come to the Bohemian. La Vie should, after all, coiiie to the BoLiciiiiaqi. La Vie de Boheme" was something more to Chris than the title of a book she would not have been allowed to read. She had dreams, and ambitions, and aspi- rations that might have made her morbid and dis- contented, had it not been for her practical qualities. One day she took up a pen and wrote a short i story. Not a love story-a fact which in itself made it as unlike the ordinary girlish beuinniiiir as v-nris nerseu was uniiKe otuer gins, w 11 was finished, she viewed it with critical eyes. ,:1)(\ wme to the modest, but correct, conclusion 1 hat it neither worse nor better than things which found their way into print. That story made the grand tour of the monthlies, and at last found a not dis- tinguished position in a second-class magazine. Then Chris came to the conclusion that literature was her vocation in life, and accepted it as such at eighteen years of age with a certain emotion. From time to time she wrote short stories, and after long delays and tedious quests got them published. She made no secret of her decision, and after a little private debate she told her family, who viewed the matter with indifference, that she meant to become a writer. Perhaps she rather hoped for the ex- citement of some slight opposition, as she intui- tively knew that sympathetic appreciation was utterly out of the question. Neither Mr. nor Mrs. Barset liked the course she had taken, but they let it slide with the prophecy that she would soon tire of her fancy. Bullivant, however, did oppose her in his heart of hearts there was an uneasy suspicion on his part that Chris was cleverer than he, and that she did not admire his capacity as she ought. They had had one passage of arms, and he had been worsted. Buliivant had expressed his desire that Chris should belong to the Primrose League. Prior to the foundation of that institution, he had been heard to express a lordly disapproval of women taking part in politics, but since then his views had undergone a change. It is odd that the party that most keenly objects to allowing women to take their share in the world's work should take such pride in enrolling them as "Dames'' of the League. Chris had altogether refused to wear the tin primrose. I will go to the meetings whenever you wish, Bullivant," she said, with well-simulated meek- nea,s,- -our, IT, as you have often said, women Know nothing about politics, it is obviously useless for me to join till I have learnt something of the matter." Naughty Chris took .a wicked satisfaction in the humours of the League. Those keen grey eyes longed to "survey mankind," and if it were im- possible to do so from China to Peru, why, even the Conservative Institute was not barren of re- sults to the attentive character-student. Nobody guessed that Chris had actually the temerity to form opinions of her own, and opinions quite antagonistic to those with whom she chiefly asso- ciated. She worked away with an utter absence of encouragement that would have daunted a less determined spirit. Looking critically at her work, she came to the conclusion that it certainly lacked something, though what it was she could by no means determine. She had not progressed much the stories fought their way into print, and just before her uncle's first visit she had been lucky enough to get one into The Newcomer." Whilst Bullivant was paying his call, she was sitting in her room—a small room, plainly fur- nished, but, like its owner, with a certain indi- viduality about it. The window was open, and the prim garden below was gay with crocuses, glow- ing in the warm sunset. Chris sat beside it in a low chair, but though a book lay open on her lap, she was paying 110 attention to it. She was very simply dressed in plain grey, and just at that mo- ment the setting sun warmed a very contented face. She put her hand in her pocket, and drew out a pencilled note in an odd, small handwriting— Dear Chris,—I thought when I first came we should suit each other. The Newcomer' has now made me sure of it. You must dine with me at seven, for I want to talk to you.—Your aff. uncle, T. Barset." What a refreshing change Uncle Tom is the girl was thinking. "I wondered if the dull life here was ever to have a break, aud now it seems like it. Fancy his being pleased with me The other night, when he was here, it really seemed impossible that I could be at home, actually talk- ing, in our drawing-room, about Browning and Tennyson. It is a blessing for me that that mad e old gentleman chose to leave his money to Uncle Tom, for if he had come to Bridgenorth a poor man I am afraid he would not have had much of a wel- come. As it is"—and she smiled—"I am even allowed to go out to dinner tete-a-tete with the black sheep of the family. If lie is as kind as he seems, lie may help me. I know there is something wantiiig- There was a clatter of hoofs at that moment, and a young man rode slowly along the straight road below the garden. He was tall, and sat his handsome horse gracefully, but his face was more intelligent than really good-looking. He glanced carelessly over the hedge at the crocuses but he did not notice the face at the window above or the grey eyes scrutinizing him. "That must be Mr Fenwick the new manager at the Honeybun Bank," she reflected. "I wonde:, how a man who has lived all his life in London wi J bear x.ndge- north. He looked happy enough riding, > and Chris sighed and turned away to make her toilet for dinner at the "Star of rice. She did not guess that her own life story had begun, and that Mark Fenwick was to be its hero. -+- lady'Penrhvn has been elc-cted without oppo-

sition as the district councillor for Llandegai, in the Eangor Union. A Mumbles -rator loudly -protested the other lilt!],t that it seems 1.0 me ihat we have to pay to be born, pay to bs married, pay >0 he churched, and pay to be 1)111 A London paper puta down the number of Welsh C'alviuistic Methodists in the United States as five millions 1 Welsh students are in strong evidence at Glas- University- They have started a Sunday School of their own there, and one of the classes is ] entirely composed of Anglcsea. folk. The "New Woman" has met with loyal support at the debating class of the. South Wales, and Mon- nionthshire°Col!ece. The minority against her ladyship was crushed by a majority of 165. and a perfect Niagara of tears ensued. At Church, near Barmouth, there is an ancient almchest cut out of a so]id block of timber. There are similar old coffers at Llanbister and Llanbadarn Fynvdd Churches in Radnorshire. There is also a hand-bier at the latter church bearing the date 1700. The Labour demonstration around Mr. Brynmor Jones at Neath 011 Saturday was not attended by Id a i or Jones, 31. P. 3!r. Ilavid B. Jones (as the London Echo refers to the Stroud M.P.) hiuted that the reason might be found in the fact that Neath that day had beaten Llanellv in football. Welsh platitudes" is a term applied by a London" r.aper to the speeches of Sir George Osborne Morgan. This is unjust—to Walt's we mean, of course, not to Sir George. Sir George is not' Welsh, knows little of Wales except from newspapers, and has nothing in ermmon with the natives. In short, he is only a Welsh leader. A sporting paper says that the man who did most to Will the Brigg election was a Radical M.P. He eauie down to the division and made a speech, saying that the next Parliamentary session would be a \rch,h one. We don't know how many Welsh ^members went over to Brigg, but it is certain that 3h\ Lloyd-George was there. One of the earliest English writers on Wales, describes it very much in the manner he would discuss Tiuibuctoo. Its air, he sa\i», is clear and sharp. Here is particularly abundance of goats, which delight in hilly places. And for fewt.il great plenty of wood, coals, and turfs." It was tho" great plentv of wood which led to the migration into Wales of the Sussex ironmasters at the end of the seventeenth century.

Reference was made lately to the fact thnt Edward II. at one time worked as an ordinary agricultural labourer at, Llaugouovd, in Glamorgan, where ho was residing incog, after the siege of Caerphilly. It is not so generally known that 50 years ago there was a fine oak at Llangonoyd known locally as Cadir Ewnrt, from the circum- stances that, 801110 of its limbs formed a resemblance to a chair, and that in it Edward often sat, looking over a -wide and fertile country, and the ..radition runs that Edward several times remarked that to possess the estate ou which the oak grew and to live with his good friends at Llangonoyd would .give' him greater happiness than he had ever known in wearing a crown.

ft, U P TUR E. FREE. Particulars of latest scientifically constructed Patent Truss (highly commended by Lancet, i-c.) w1;ícb positively cures Rupturo. Sent free. THE LINK SHELL TRUSS COMPANY. 171, WARDOUR STREET, LONDON, YI. RITPTURE. LINK SHELL TRUSS (Patent) POSITIVELY CURES.—Vide Lancct, Aug. 4.1894. WRITE FOR PARTICULARS, FUEl;, ————— THE LINK SHELL TRUSS COMPANY, 171, WARDOUR STREET, LOXDOX, W. RUPTURE. LINK SHELL TRUSS (Patent) POSITIVELY CURES.—Vide Ljavpct, October 3rd. p(m PIBTIPTTT Ape vPEE. -=- ::fiE LINK SHELI. TRUSS COMTA^T 171, WARDOUR STREET, LOXDOX, W. RUPTURE. LINK SHELL TRUSS (Patent) POSITIVELY CURES.— Vide British llcdicai Jovrnnl, June 30th, 1894. WRITE FOR PARTICULARS, FREE. THE LINK SHELL TRUSS COMPANY, 171, WARDOUR STREET, LONDON, W. £ U P T U R E. LINK SHELL TRUSS (Patent) POSITIVELY CURES.— Vide Hospital World. July 18, 1894. WRITE FOR PARTICULARS, FREE. THE LINK SHELL TRUSS COMPANY, 171, WARDOUR STREET, LONDON, W. TT 1P TT TT T? £ U P T_U R E. LINK SHELL TRUSS (Patent) p, POSITIVELY CURES.—Vide Lancct, Aug. 4,1S94. WRITE FOR PARTICULARS, FREE. THE LINK SHELL TRUSS COMPANY. SURGICAL INSTRUMENT MAKERS, 171, WARDOUR STREET, LONDON, W. ESTABLISHED 1840. AWARDS—17 GOLD MEDALS. GOLD MEDAL, PARIS, 1S89. ONLY GOLD MEDAL, CHICAGO, 1893. THE GREAT REMEDY" J? II ILi ILi SS. FOR GOUT, RHEUMATISM, SCIATICA, LUMBAGO, NEURALGIA The EXCKITIATI:o PAIX is quickly relieved and cured in a few days by these celebrated Pills. Sure, safe and effectual. Sold bv all Chemists at I; 1 and 2.9. MONEY IMMEDIATELY LENT. FROM £10 TO AT LOWJR INTEREST THAN OTHERS. TO Ladies arid Gentlemen, Clererymen, Schoolmasters, Clerks, Oflicers, Gentlemen's Servants, ami others in pood situations, Farmers, Gardeners, Carriers, Tradesmen, Cab Proprietors, Shnplceepers, Lodging-house Keepers, Private Householders, and others, on their OWN SECURITY, WITHOUT BONDSMEN, OX NOTE OF HAND ALONE; repayments arranged to suit Korrmvers' own convenience all communications strictly private anil confidential; 110 j!elllli!.e application refused and }¡n!1onr- alJ1e and straightforward trMIs:tetjor.1I pnaranteen, and un charge whatever is ruaJe if /10 business be JOlle. Intending borrowers are invited, hefore applying else- where, to call or write to actual lender, ldn. n. EDWARDS, 3,SEVERN TERRACE, S.MITHFIELDROAD,SHREWSBURY. Town or r0nntr.r dislaneeno object. Lettors immedi- ately attended to. Established 1851. ELMSLIE, LIMITED, [C. T. ELMSLIE, J.P., London.] [A. B. ELMSUK, Australia.] AUSTRALIAN INVESTMENT BROKERS, 8, WOOL EXCltAN'GE, LONDON, E.C. With Offices or Agents at all the principal centres in Australia. Telegrams—" ABELMOSK," LOITDOIT. MESSRS. ELKSIJE'S Investment List and Mining Report for December is now ready. Post free upon application. This List contains full particulars of the soundest dividend- Fiaying Securities of the Australian Colonies, yielding to nvestors from 6 to 25 per cent. Queensland and West Australian Minos specially dealt in. A GENTS WANTED, calling on Silver- £ j^-smiths, Eleotro.piate Merchants, Ironmongers, &o., for the 6ale oi a Pat ent Article universally usrvl. None need r\p-»ly that cannot p-uarantee.—Apply to OOURTENAY & CO-V orcester. GELATINIZED GLYCEROL.—- PtDJFIER.. Stamps 13.—Lontlon Dfpot, 9S, Jtfnny-Stre.-t. lyrit. H. VANDYCK, Photographer, of 130, I. Xadbroke-gTove (opposite Notting-hill Station'. London gives a dozen best Cabinet Photographs, taken dire»t. or coi>i<y Wanted.' FISH, FISH, TISH, Irom Yarmouth, 2/- per box. Ciirri'iyc paid. Iucludiiu? "T N CAN DESCENT GAS. —No more broken JL -'lantles. Duncan's Patent Detachable Guard prevents breakage o: Mnntle, while removing and rcv.jaf-itig t'luiimey, and only one is lv-inired f<>r anv number of lights Pnee 1 eaeh. from nil Incandescent Gas AWits. or post ir«e" At Mcrthyr Hons >. I'orthcawl, is a kitchen towel- roller made by Sir W. T. Lewis when a youth of thirteen. He srave it to the present owner as a wedding- gift 48 years ago. The roller was about Sir William's first essay in the art of carpentry when apprenticed to Air. David Erans, pattern- maker, Fentrebaeh. I CURE FITS I And to prove this to you. if you nr interested. I will GH 3 you a bottle of my remedy, for nothing so that you may have the chance to try it bèfor paying out any money, be- cause I have very confidence In my remedy, and I m sure a trial of it will soon convince yor 01 11s sterling merit. I have made a life-long study of Fits, Epilepsy or Falling Sicknefs, and when I say CURE do not mean merely to stop them for a time, and then have them re- turn again but a radical CURE. Because others haye failed to rdieye YOU, is not a good reason why you shou1d continue to suffer. Send 3d. for carriage of my treatise, testimonials, and free bottle of medicine aud TRY IT. RIB. H. G, R00T,2S'en°LsO»oo»,c«? £ .e" & REAL BOON TO LADIES, Especially to those ^vho wish tr> know T k Q •L \J of a -afe, c^rain. and speedy remedy I J I y I "jQ J_ M ft remc IT wnidi under tliti MAN't > iug I I A I ) I PI IS T 0 all irre?u.Hr:fp»«nd obnir.-cioni, LAD IE S clrc.unJltAnce. And 1" the moat difficult 1'0 and LADIES OBSTINATE CASES X NEVER FAILS TO AFFOBD UxU/LElO TO RELIEF, LADIES TO SimiLLT IK A RW 1011*1. LADIES rflA No hoprteu, failure Is iimply T A T^TTJ1 C3 JL Vf impo-siblft, a« Mtb. S:iow.of Dpn-.nark J J .1 I fiQ r«/-v Kill. Camber^iU, writes: T » -rvTrir* 1(1 "Br adoptta; voar treatment ttjt I .A 111 anxiety an-1 mUery WM prer witfcin rp/ twenty-four hou:a, alth-'furfc fo>" over T A T^TT? C! •JL \J three rnon'h* I been daily taking O pills and other things in vain. Half -j- PI J_ U ibeqnantSij yon sent proved effectire, I j A | ) | to my inteuae joy aud surprise." TO A sworn snmrantee ia cncloaed with LADIES ^atl teatimoiv.al* and medicine, which te inexpensive, ns one l*ntie At <* 6iL T A 1 jX Hi SI (by post. 4*. 9d.) .i usually sufficient 1 I J kj TO wt l h« pla/ljr for- LADIES m/ w*:<ied to toy l»dj on receipt ot TO tddjewdLADIES TO Wrlteprwiteljt*- LADIES TO w ,I07KW,^ LADIES TO LONPON, S.W. LADIES 3PK } II 3? ? 3 WlTKOOT OFEUATIOS. fi. 3. Etiimn, £ ■ ■■ » ™ » Herni» Specialist, 6i, CkeicaCr IJBIM. Hg-cnRTTJio.ES £ ■ ■■ » ™ » Herni» Specialist, 6i, CkeicaCr IJBIM. a foofop; M. King Street, Manchester. Soak tm cáLe¡f. TO 1E270US SUPPEEESS. Just published. j exper.enee of an Invalid, writi-en as a warning to others. Mia shov/ni'-r tlio me.^ns ot Seif-«.'ii by one "wlio lias cured Miast-i, Mn-j!" 'ffes roiy >— (post free) bv sendLyr sU.irj»'C %«••; iv <*v>r, "lmwDe te .AKriiUli ESU„ HCUX&LOW, MIDDLESEX. LADIES' HANDY ILLUSTRATED GUIDE. By a Lady Ddetor. Pert free. 2 stamps, Madame Lilly, B.G., Colston Street, Bristol. Invaluable infonnatiùn and blessing to womankind. T\T A miTlVrj- I an important Q item in our domestic T economy, and the -CI. J- sooner w adopt the only method of TTT > ?T 17^ 9 dom?, tli!S comfortable and ecoit. rg S S v H Pj I ™?i'i BE ADFOSD'S Latent t g MACHINE—which i.- also an efficient WRINGEE, MANGLE—the betr,»>- Wnt.e for latc.t Catalogue contKfr.ire- the teatimonv of hiui- drcds of one of Ivlu.' yoiir^o! trial for n mon'h.und yon-srill then iilsobear willi'-i- ty-VimoTiv THOMAS I,1ADF0.RD & CO.. riolborn London; Sea njy.te. iganchester: Bc-lcl S treet^Livui-pooh UNION I INF forfte SOUTH AFRICAN GOLD UmUIV LllvL FIELDS. THE EOYAL MAIL and INTERMEDIATE STEAJMEIvS sail from Southampton every Saturday for South and East African Ports to Zanzibar. Calls made at Lisbon, Madeira, and Canary Is^'ruh Apriv r.i SHE TJNION STEAM SHIP COMPLY limited Canute Boad, Southampton, and South African House, i-ti BL BishQPBgate Street within. Lor*:OTI. T7"ILLE3) by SAITF0ED'3 SAT P0IS33T.—Fanr.?r» ra:* foun.l .••aJ." Mic»Poi n. r !> r*-i-,c «■ AC*■ ?aA 11ASK YOUR GROCERlfbr AND QUALITY j ESTAB. over 250 YEARS. Southwark, LOXDOIf. A PERFECT DAMGIMG FLOOR gpnnkhn? LAMBERT BF.'EN & CO.'S NEW BALLROOM FLOOR POLISH. In Tins, by post, 13 and 1 9 eaeb.— fo, C-r-rafton Street, I/uolin. rriHE Incorporated THAIIES NAUTICAL JL TRAINING COLLEGE, H.M.S." WORCESTER." oS i;mn- hlthe, Kent, educates Boys for Officers in the Merchant. Service. Terms 6Cgv., including uniform.—Apply- W. M. EULLIV.AXT Hon. Se.crei.arv, 72, MARK LAXF., LON'JOX. BILLIARD AND BAGATELLE TABLES: -'LP A LARGE STOCK of NEW and TABLES always on han;1. wrjiE 'FOR PXICi; LISTS. G. EDWARDS, KINGSIAND llOAD. LONDON. NO part of the World inviting settlers offers brighter prospects to the Agriculturist than ONTARIO. Descriptive pamphlet, with map. sent free o application b the QNTAHIO GoVERNl\1ET AGENCY, IS), Bruns-wick t" LiTon..qU "J a Week Salary and upwards offered JLVJy Vi to either rex (for xpui\ hour?) everywhere, fh'1 ^oaa tedone evenings. Apply. losing-nn n>Mressi*d*nvel3pc( to V. Ft Co. JF. !&?» AL^KKT ilot'aK, Mxat Carp ciii Toa^t^T. jtiiA iittfc. fyjyy.s as EQUAL FIGURE TO A \JT COHSKT, without the tTiirhre^t Com- fy liy JrtPlv> pression. To be obtained of th- ieadiag sir1\S Draper in each town in Great Britain. M5; 'cCjMp f Prices: Quality aa 5/11, a 6/11, a 7/11. c 10/11. D 12/11, (silk) id/LI. /JL^my fi 3U » If you cannot obtain in your town B^r write or send, enolosin* postal order k (3d. extra for postage) to Shonl. ^red & Co., Tottenham Co\irt Koad: \-w John Barker & Co., Ltd., Hiph Street, JV^ v\ L ^W\ Konsinffton Jones Bros., Iloliowav; i VtM -JI Jones and Hirrpir.R, Peckhaui; J. R. r I licborts, Ltd., Stratforr]- or to— F'fol f KHTVA," LTD 4. ,sml 42x. POPLTiiY, LONDOX. TTOCKSTITCH HAND-SEWING Machine. JLi Ensrlisli Make, beautifully ornamented in Gold, sent ia \roodon case.on ntn->roval,carriagepaid.fnr37 6. J. J. TlK>nia.-«on, \V liolesale and Ke.c.il Ironmonger, 40-11, Silver St., "Worcester. 1VTUSICAL IITSTRITIJIENTS for Brass, Reel, JL7JLString,Drum «Sc Pne Bands,Pianos,Organs, M^iodeons, Concertinas. Ppecia.31y l-edueed prices post fre^. Musio i'or Bands, Bandsmen's Caps, O.d I¡;slrulJlcn.s bought 0,' taken in exchange. G.)od s<:C0nd-ha:ad instruments alw;¡.-g aa sale .1e"p.-J, MOOSE & Co., Euxioii Road, lluddercfieid. TpJILLIARDS & BAGATELLE.—Henzdg Bros., WC The -)ld-estabhshed & well-known firm of Billiartl Table makers" can surplj-every kuiil of requisites lor Billiards & Bagatelle at verv lowest prices. Ebonjr.butt.-d i'ues4-. Plain Aslido. l;Chalk l.(rross,(:V.rhfor full siy.e Tnble C2 6. f.alls 21 set. \V rite for & price lists. K-4J862. GOffTSPOST-VICTORIA HOTEL 1m tit. PJ1I1Sn.¡¡.de and facing the Pier. Excellent I) and rines. 'T61egrAywa Address, Victoria." Fn.-ier the m&n&ge- >ient of EEXKRT LAKrAU. late of Liriimpr' Hotel, London ttOUTHPORf.—PALACE H0TEL7Eirkdale Park. Charming Winter resort, in o-w-n sa-ounds. L'rtrio lht. Turkish baths. Birklale Palace btation conti:ious. Sanitary arrangements i.!lJ)(eet order.—A.FICK, Mai;ager". s RABBITS, POULTRY, and MEAT v be sent to BROOKE BEOS., 206, 308, Central L'i-'iloii, for wile._G.wid pnees. Cash with Sales daily NEURALGIA CURED k •8ti- WILLIS'S NEUHALGIA POWDERS.. Of all Chemists, or free, i I: -tumps). WILI.iS, C]K "ist Alresford, Hants. Wholesale Api'iits: EDWARDS & SON,London! PHI flD ENGLISH, SWISS, HOLY LAND, AND UULUfl OTHER SCENERY, from 1/- each Catalogues nunn-A -.m «•». and List of Apents PHOTOGRAPHY, RELIEVES PAIN OF ANY KIND, DR. J.Collis CHLOIiODYNE, NltTPALG^01^1" u the efhoacy of Chloroil^Ti^ tapMtance that the pubhc should obtain the |ro*»otedtya6-oyerni»ent stamp,bearing the worrl.^Th. j Ctlorodyn Jee decision Vioe'chancPiiw^W Pa^f wood, Tvmu.July 16,1R(W. Testimonials from em Scld in Bottles, 1/li. AN OLD FEIEXD OF 20 YEARS' STANDING HOCKIN'S REMEDY ASTHMA & BRONCHITIS. EASY TO USE. IMKEBIATE ACTIOW NO INJURIOUS RESULTS Packets, P. 26, and 4 all Chemists, or sent dire'et post free. Address: R. A. HOCKIN, KYDE ISLE OF Wir.BT Trial Packet free to anv' °F W1GHT> J^JULGRAVE CASTLE, WHITBY. ^y.lr-c.o* ^Qrmanby, assisted bv University of age to l.repare f<^ P^lic0SchofcXs^fec^a8pe°^iSa^>Va^1tagS Seaalr- .t'r!g..9_Tjea.s. inclu;:ive. SPRING TOUR to thTHOLY LAND.-The ■' K,'v- Haskett Smith. Al. A.. Editor of Murrav's -Handbook prWWiVi' n?T i Sixth Annual Spring Party to Pates- i™h-Uu simple and easy; party select; terms very moderate. ~-APP'y:Ji._Burton's. Clneen Anne's Gate, London. S W 8EN YOUR MACKINTOSHES for repairing. all ( £ erparcel Post) direct to the maker, &nd«rt« Trade charges to private customers. [n fn v lnTSv«S?ir/J.s,reAraid- Instructions, name and addraa VfATERPROOIT MANIKACTUREB. ^^■lAMnVr R(l\y, 11ANLKY, STAFFS. Quote layer. WATERPROOF MACKINTOSH Sheeting, Best Quality, 36 inches wide, 111 per yard. Samples one stamp. CORT^ 277, Camberweil New Road, London. CIGARS: CIGARS; CIGARS; GUARANTEED TO GIVE SATISFACTION. FLOR DE ESTER, in Boxes of 25, 4 15 lOO; LA CORIZA. 18- 100; EUGENIA, 18- 100" FLOR DE DINDIG 20 lOO. CAKUIAGV, PAID. METROPOLITAN CIlj-AK DOG AKES. The best & cheapt, the most economical and nutritious, 12/6 cwT., carriage paid. Sample free.~PIK £ & TUCKEB^ Peter Street, BriatoE f^HRISTMAS TOYS, TOYS, TOYS, most astoniaMn? parcel for 5, ever peen or heard of, a d^Iigrht to all; no leRS tliB.n 12 assorted Presents, Toj*s, Arc. Suit all ages. P.O. 6s gr.1arant.eed worth .10, IsTew Games, new meohanical Tova. 3!OllNJ 1'1Ul.d<:d if "ot approved. Addi eaaEAJ&AAJ& DELVX* & Sog. RYB. rVISEASES ofthe GENERATIVE SYSTEM. JLr —A safe guide to home treatment, No quack Remedies Or appliances. 3 9 by parcel post. XNbURAJiCIS JOURNAL CQyPANY, 6, Dorset Stjeet. London. E.j, Sporting Almanack J- (1895). Dates of Race Meetings. Useful Notes, fcc.— Address on Postcard to LYNX," 154, Fleet Street, London. A PRESENT WORTH EAVING-Send a. PhotograjJi of yourself and I will n'turn a beautiful Enlarged Photo, by the new Bromide Process, on Plate dunk 24:nmt, size 18 by 14 inches, price 5,6, Specimens sent it required. Monev returned if not approved of. G- CALftWELL. ARTIST, NOTTINGHAM^