Cheshire Observer

(PUBLISHED BY SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT.] THE IRON BAWD. By J. MACLAKEN COBBAN, Author of "Pursued by the Law." "The Last Alive," "The Angel of the Covenant," The Mystery of the Golden Tooth," &o., &e. [CoFYBICcHT.] I CHAPTER IX. I IN HOSPITAL. Lefroy awoke in a new world-a. world ot preternatural quietness—a prostrate world-& world of beds. He was in bed. He turned hia head this way: beds stretched beyond him in apparently interminable succession; he turned his head the other way: still beds, and beyond them tail windows. iie raised his head a little ,and looked before him there was another row of bed- all with blue, quilts. He lay back and closed his eyes in a sickening fear. Was he back in prison again?-and in hospital? But, no the prison hospital ward of which he had had experience was mucii smailler than that in which. he then was. He opened his eyes again to discover a pleasant-iaced young woman—obviously a nurse —approaching, in clean print gown, large white apron, and white cap. She came and bent over him. You are better this morning, I see," said she, in a sweet, soft tone. "Have I been iii ?" he asked, and was sur- prised at the weakness of his voice. Very ill," she answered. Indeed, we weren't sure that you would live." I wish," he groaned, "that you had let me die!" "Oh, come," said she, cheerfully. "Never say die. Does your head pam you now?" she asked. "My head?" He put up his hand: his, head was bound up. I remember," said he. "I fell in the church!" and he groaned aloud and turned himself away in a. renewal of the mental agony he had endured when he fell. Yr-ur he-ad does pain you I" said the nurse in sympathetic tones, and with ready hands she eased his shoulders and made his pillow soft. "Thank you," he murmured. Then-" Have I been here long?" This," she answered, "iil the third day." Who brought me here?" he asked. Well," she answered, I am told there was a wedding on in the churoh. when you fell, and one of the wedding-party saw to you and got assist- ance from outside." "Not the bridegroom, I suppose?" he asked eagerly. "Well," said she, t should scarcely think that. But he has enquired after you every day since. "What is his name?" he demanded. I don't know. You see, when people ca.U at a public hospital in that way they are not asked their names." I onJy wondered if I knew him," answered he. "Quite so," said the nurse. "There is one person who has called to see you very regularly. Bhe says she knows you. She will probably call to-day." She" exclaimed Lefroy. "A woman! What is she like?" he demanded; for a wild hope flew jnto his sad, empty heart that Julia might be the woman, and that what he had seen had been but an evil dream-or, at least, a horrible reality which he had successfully interrupted. A very young woman," answered the nurse; irzdeed, I should say, a girt: dark. rather email, with beg black eyes aad a white skin." "I don't know her," he answered wearily; for his heart olosed against the hope that had come to seek admittance. "At least, I don't recognise her from your description." She says she knows you," said the nurse again, turning away. Do you think you can. eat some breakfast?" No—no," ho answered. I can't." I think," she said, firmly. "you must try." So she left him. She was the night nurse, and the routine of the day was beginning. In a condition of the lowest ta-ssitude he observed from liis bed all that went on. Hs was too over- whelmed—too weary, for vi-oient emotion. The spltit was willing enough, but the flesh was weak—so weak that it seemed both mind and sensation were blunted. He ate the breakfast of bread and milk that was brought him; he submitted to the washing of his faoe and hands that one of the day nureefc performed upon him; lie was visited by the house doctor; he dozed, he ate his dinner of mutton broth; he was admonished not to tumble his bed, beoause the visiting doctor-a great man—would be round, and he (one would think) would have a keener eye for the smoothness of bed-quilts than for the condition of his patients; and then the great man came round, attended' by the Sister, the head cf the ward, by the house doctor, and by a. train of students. The great man looked at him. and examined the card at the head of his bed. The card bore no name, only a number; and it was explained that there- had not been yet any opportunity to fill in that name, because the patient had arrived at oonsciousness only that morning. "What is your name, my man?" asked the great docfcifr. kindly. Lefroy was prepared, and answøroo-giving his mother's name- Bi undee -Harry Blundell." And whore do you Nowhere," he answered. I I-iavo no home-- at present." Um-rn!" murmured the great man, and con- sidered him with grave, steady eyes. Well, you are getting on. You will soon be able to be onbout again." And so he passed on to the next tied. It was soon after that that. the Sister came to Lefroy, who was known simply as Number Ten," and told him thab his usual visitor wished to see h.m. She was evidently curious regarding the identity of the only person who had shewn any interest in her mysterious patient. Lefroy was curious also, and turned his eye& to the door to observe her coming. The door ope-ned, and jthere entered a serioua little figure in a large hat. with red roaes: no other article of her dress was notable. She carried a small basket; and she came directly to "Number Ten's bed. To his amazement, Lefroy recognised in her the girl who had travelled with him fro.m Finborough when he was being taken to prison—Sal Haynes. tie looked at her with something of resentment, and she looked at him wistfully and with some- thing like apology in her countenance. "You remember me—don't you?" said she in a low voice. I remember you," he answered. You don't mind my coming, do you?" (The tone was very humble.) There's been nobody else come, has there? I've brought you some new-laid eggs." His weak resentment vanished and melted into A sense of gratitude under the pathetic, appeal- ing eyes, and with the sound of the deprecatory voice in his ears. And was she not-a. stranger -the only person who had cared whether he Jived or died during these .days'* Where was his wife-hi" cherished Julia? Had she completely abandoned him? Did she not care at all what was become of him ? He was weak as a rag, and he was moved almost to tears. "Don't take on!" saiii she, laying her hand Do n't be down- impulsively on his arm. Don't be down- hearted! Lock here! I've got something to tell you! I know the man wha? did what you was blamed for!" You've told me that hdore," said he. "No, I haven't!" she answered. "I haven't told you his name, and all about him!" What is his name?" he asked, with little show of interest. "His name is Evans; and he passes himself off as a commercial traveller," she answered pat. And where is he to be found ?" asked Lefroy. I don't know. But. the last time I saw him pwas by your side." What?" He was the fellow that brought you out of the church where you had fell down." 1 suppose," LefroT. whilo and trembling, *'he was one of the wedding party?" He was." "Was he—was he the brid(-grr.om he asked, in fear of what might be the answer. "He wasn't," answered Sal; "'but i.e was a friend of his." "Was—do you know?—was the nage— finished?" 1 "I stoppel ar; l see It was," Sal answered I stopped and see them come out arm in a r irk, He became deathly white; and he so still and dumbfounded -that Sal Hiynes ga^ed at him witl out a word. and with fear in her eyes that something terrible might happea. He had <isked his questions without a glimmering oi suspicion that Sal knew that his wife was concerned. He fiad hoped against hope that all he had seen, all he had feared, would finally prove a deiuyn He now shut the door. agi.iast hope. and abat.u- tloned himself to despair; and he never con- ceived that the abandonment was evidmt rid understood. Never mind," said Sal If I was you, I'd be up with them yet." Lefroy heard, but did not give he. He listening eagerly to the diotitas of his own strong love, which had been rapidly transformed to fierce, uncompromising jealousy. If he had met his wife' new husband at that moment he would have killed him. lit his own way he had arrived at what was the intnt of Sal Haynes's .vice-ho was resolved to "be up with them yet." He was free to follow his wildest bent. He had now no ties, and he would Inve no compunctions. He had escaped from the cruel clutch of the law, but if he lingered in the hospital he might, readily be found again and. n-taken. There is one thing- you might do for me," said he to Sal Haynes, if yoJ ,n be- so good. I ought to get out of this as w- as possible——" Yes," said she. instantly; "I've been a- th inking of t'nat. You mig-lil, g-;>t copped here." Well," he continued, "Mr. Townshend—you remember Mr. Townshend ?—the lawyer that ap- peared for me?" I remember him," aaid she. manage it for rue, il you will go and tdi him I'm here. He lives m Plowden Build- iiigs, in the Tempie. YOt,'U find his name at the side of the door. You. know where the Temple "I know," said she. The Sister of the Wand1 paced forward to inti- Wiate that the time allowed wa/< up. Sal rose, and put a question which took Lefroy by surprise. Can I corr.e in again to-morrow, Sister?" "I am afraid you can't," answered the Sister. O'You seo he must be reckoned out of danger new, and so you can only be admitted on the usual visiting day." So Sal turned humbly and said Good-bye to Lefroy. He gave her his hand, and that was all the touch of anything like intimacy between them; so that the Sister still was curious what relationship these two bore to each other. The Sister accompanied the young woman to the door of the ward, and point-blank put the question that had been worrying her. Are you that man's wife?" "Law bless you, no!" came the answer quite readily. I'm just a lady friend of he's." Then she put a question in her turn. D'you think, Sister, he'll be ready to be took out next visiting day?" "Oh, yes," sa d the sister carelessly; "I ex- pect he will. Indeed, he'll have to be ready, for his bed's wanted." CHAPTER X. I "THERE'S MANY A SLIP I My readers have probably thought that the coincidence that could bring Sal Haynes in the nick of time to Lefroy's side must have had a very long arm. It was, however, no coincidence that brought her there, but long and careful cal- culation. It will be remembered that she had declared to Mr. Townshend in the train her intention of re- turning to her father no more, and of seeking her fortune in London. In fulfilment of these intentions she sought lodging that first night from home in Finborough with one whom sue would have called "a lady friend"—in fact, the English wife of an Italian dealer in plaster casts. Sal's own mother had been an Italian, so there had been in the past something like inti- macy between the two households. But the death of Sal's mother and the subsequent doubt- ful and erratic conduct of Tippy Haynes had in- duced a coldness and a separation between them. So that night when she arrived with Townshend in Finborough it was almost as a stranger that she sought shelter with her friend, but it was quite as an intimate that she was weloomed when she made her story known, and her intention of leaving her father. It was then in free and casual talk that something was mentioned which decided her course. Sal revealed that she had just come from the trial of the case in which all Finborough took a close interest. She described the course of the trial, and recited the sentenoe pavsed upon Lefroy. "Poor man!" said the Italian. "And he is sentenced to forced work for so many years! It is terrible; and perhaps he not do it!" "I am sure he didn't do it!" pretested Sal vehemently; but no note was taken of her vehe- mence; she wa.o. always vehement. "Ah!" the Italian continued to muse, "what would old Galotti t'ink if he alive now!" Who was old Galotti?" a"ked Sal. "You not know? Galotti was Italian—like me—the father cf Julia Galotti, the wife of this poor man what is sentence. He was nice—a gentleman—and he marry old Galotti's girl, 'cause he love her so much; but Julia was very beautiful—oh, yes She was intensely interested. That was her name then," said she. "Julia. Galotti?" Y es, that was her name." You knew her, then, before she was mar- ried?" asked Sal. Well, I seen her, but I never speak wit' her. Old Galotti I knowed well: he was very good to poor compatriots. And I do well remember that steel gauntlet they speak of so much: it was in Galotti's shop." Where wa., his shop?" asked Sal. "In Margaret-street, Regent-street, in London," was the answer. Well," said Sal, with a ferocity at which her hosts wondered, "Italian or not Italian, I don't think much of her to go away and leave her husband to it!" Certainly," said the Italian; "a wife, her place is wit' her husband." But," said the English wife, he sent her away, he said." Would you have gone?" fiercely demanded Sal, "if you had been her, for all his sending After a. pause, the English wife said, "I suppose she's gone, to her old friends." "1 dessay she has," said Sal. "She liked a soft life. 1 twigged her when they was in that shop." Sal pondered all that had been said in her little subtle brain, and she resolved that when she arrived in London she would seek out Julia Galotti, or Mrs. Lefroy. For what purpose? She could hardly have told if the question had been put to her. But she hated Julia with all the fierceness of the Italian in her; she believed the worst of Julia, and she wished to ¡ know it. Why? Again she could not have answered, except that she hated Julia because ¡ she admired and adored Julia's husband with I all the ungoverned passion of her cramped and ignorant heart. When she arrived In London she quickly dis- covered Margaret-Street, Regent-street; and she established herself in a lodging in the neighbour- hood, which has long been one much affected j by Italians and Frenchmen. She had not rudely 'I repelled Townshend's efforts to find her employ- ment as a household servant, but she had no in- tention of making use of his introduction. She knew she could endure very ill the control cf mistress or master, so she sought occupation where there would be little of such control. She hal learnt from her mother something of the making of artificial flowers, and in an artificial flower shop in Berners-street she found occupation. She had thus her evenings free, and she made I use of this freedom to patrol the neighbour- hood in the hope of getting sight of Mrs. Lefroy —otherwise Julia Galotti. She was getting weary of that hope after some weeks of waiting for its fulfilment, but she still, from habit, I patrolled the streets nightly, and at length she j was rewarded. ) It was a day or two before Christmas when the shopi were gay with decorations, when many of them remained open later than u-ual, and when the pavement swarmed with cheerful people. Sal was in Oxford-street on her evening patrol, when she suddenly stopped at sight of a tall, solid, red-haired man, who was looking in among a throng of people at a window set forth gaily with ladies' millinery. She recognised the man on the instant as Evans's companion in the train the man Struthers-and she kept well aloof lest she should be recognised by him. She was wondering why he should be interested in ladies' things, and was about to continue her patrol when he turned to speak to someone near him. Her heart leaped to recognise in the person to whom he turned Julia Gaktti. or Mrs. Lefroy- Julia, as fair, as plump, as sweet-faced as ever. A well-disposed person might have noted something of pallor, something of sadness in I Julia's lovely face; but Sal Haynes saw nothin°g i of the kind. "Oh, you brute! You low beast!" she hissed to herself, while she regarded Julia. "Taking up with another man, and your poor, beautiful dear doing his time in prison! And this one seems as silly over you as the other! I don't < know what they see in you-but fat!" Sal kept her eye on them. She followed them I along the street, and noted how Struthers offered ) Julia his arm, and leaned to her fondly as if to catch every little word she said-sure sign, she thought, that they were not married—and finally she saw them part at the door of a respectable house in Mortimer-street. Sal ncted that Struthers offered to kiss Julia at the parting, but that Julia reoolled and turned into the hou=e To-morrow night?" he called after her. "Ne," she turned about again to say: "not to-morrow night; the night after." From which Sal shrewdly guessed that, while Shuthers was ardent and urgent, Julia was re- luctant and doubtful. She noted the house where, evidently, Julia dwelt; and then she folowed with all speed after Struthers, who was posting off with long strides and heavy foot. He carried a cane-an elegant cane, probably because he thought that due to a lady's Oompany-btit he clutched it like a biud- geon, and marched with unswerving resolution. Sal noted all that, and felt, without knowing why, that Mr. Struthers was a man to have his own way. She followed him back from Oxford- street into So ho, where he presently let himself in with a latchkey at the side door of a shop with the significant sign of three brass balls de- pending froni its front. It was a pawnbroker's; and on the signboard she read "Goodman & Co How Struthers finally won Julia to become his wife cannot be told in th:s place, for that is Julia Calotti a story and not Sal Haynes's. But Sal keeping frequent watch upon them, noted the progress of Struthers's constant insistence and per- suasion. She discovered that Julia was known in the house where she dwelt as Miss Galotti (so it was probable that Struthers did not know she was a married woman), and she also contrived to learn that Struthers had recently purchased the business of the &liop to which she had tracked him. Although Sal was only a passive and unknown observer of the progress of the courtship, she could lav the unction to her soul that she had done somp- thing to ensure the consummation of marriage. She read in her Sunday paper of the escape of the two prisoners, and of the death of Lefroy. Slig lav on her bed and wept bitterly all the Sunday after- noon; and then she determined that whether Lefroy was dead or alive, she would finally dispose of the hated Julia. She ensured that Julia, and Struuiers a lso—in case he should know of Lefroy's relation with Julia—should know of Lefrov's re- ported death. She cut out the paragraph" from her copy of "Lloyd's" and went out and bought another copy and cut the paragraph from that also. Then she posted the one to Miss Galotti and the ocher to Mr. Struthers. She had her reward in a day or two. She sought out the local registry oiffce, and on the notice board at the door she read the "Notice of Marriage" between Andrew Struthers, bachelor, and Julia Galotti, spinster. "That shews what she is! said Sal to herself. "Him not dead more than a day or two; and here she is at once giving of herself away to another iiian No mourning, I'll be bound-no nothink!" It was with astonishment, but with jor, that she recognised Lefroy when he was carrfed out of the church on the wedding morning and laid on apolice stretcher, and it was with glee that she thought Julia at all events had now neither part nor lot in him. The rest we know. When Sal left Lefroy and departed from the hospital she insisted to herself that she had not j given any promise to go to Mr. Townshend. At I any rate, she had no intention of going-for two reasons; first, because she was not ready to repay Mr. Townshend the three pounds he had lent her, and secondly-and chiefly-because she was resolved to keep Lefroy to herself now that she had found him. What could Mr. Townshend do for him that she could not do, and do better ? She could take him out of the hospital and hide him; could Mr. Townshend do more? Besides, she would cherish him; feed him with the labour of her own hands; and make him strong and well; she would love him; and make up to him for the weak, worthless woman he had lost. Could Townshend do any of these things for him? So Sal Haynes kept quite aloof from Towns- head, and resolved to take entire charge of Le- froy. She hired a room in the same house with herself, saying it was for her brother, and with ready hands and high-beating heart she made pre- parations for taking him from the hospital on visiting day. Yet she thus did her utmost to baulk her dearest desire, as you shall now hear. It may seem odd that, amid all her careful scheming for the freedom and possession of Le- froy, Sal should never have given a thought to the possib.lity of Mr. Evans crossing her purpose; but she had not. You would think that, having recognised Mr. Evans in that member of the wed- ding party who, with the verger, carried Lefroy out ot the church, she would have considered that both he, who must know who Lefroy was, and Struthers, whose married life might be threatened with instant closure if Lefroy were allowed to be at large, would be- likely to take some trouble to suppress him; yet she was so occupied with her own concern for Lofroy that she took no account of the.rs. On visiting day she was ready long before it was time to set out to the hospital. Yet when the hour came she was not gone. On the threshold of action she became alarmed at what she meant to do. She was, to tell the truth, a good deal afraid of Lefroy; and she wondered what he would say to her. Would he be angry? Would he refuse her help? Would he repudiate her altogether.' That she could not endure. She lost heart; and then upon consideration she plucked up heart again, till upon re-oonsideration she again lost it. Her mind was working like troubled hands at knitting—stitches would be dropped and picked up; and so the process would go on. At length, with a face whiter oven than usual, and with eyes more sombre and troubled, she arrived at the hos- pital, and passed straightway to the ward where JLfetroy was. Lefroy was 11 up, and adrift, so to say. He was "Number ten" no longer, for another was already in his bed. In the ward, as in the world, he was homeless and nameless; and it moved the sensi- tive Sal almost to tears to see him sitting aloof and alone, limp and stooping-for, though he was being discharged, he was still an invalid. poor thing!" said Sal, going quickly to him. "You do look ill!" He flushed and frowned a little; he did not like commiseration. "Where is Mr. Townshend?" he asked, looking past her towards the door. She was resentful that he had no attention for herself, and her resentment restored her courage. "Mr. Townshend ain't come," she answered; "he couldn't." "Did you take him my message?" he asked. "Take him your message l" she- exclaimed, in an outburst of testiness. "I beg your pardon," said he, sinking back in his chair. "I had no right to expect you to do anything for me; but I thought you promised. "1 did," said she. "Mr. Townshend," she hur- riedly produced the lie, for she was at once sorry for her spurt of temper, "Mr. Townshend knows all about you but I've got to take you out of this. There's nothing to stay for—is there?" she said, looking about uneasily. "Let us go away; this place makes me ill." "No," said he. rising; "there's nothing. I've said good-bye to the S.ster." She moved to the dcor with alacrity. She was eager to be gone. If he were once out, she thought, he would be bound to accept her help. But she made haste too quickly she had to turn again a step or two and to linger to keep step with him, for he was pathetically weak. Slowly he descended the stairs, accepting, as if he were unaware of such aid, a supporting hand under his arm. "I am very shaky on my pins," said he, with a thin smile of apology. "You 11 soon be all right," said she, cheerfully, "once you are out of this. I hate 'orspitals At length they reached the entrance hall, which was dimly lighted. There were few people about, for it was the middle of the visiting hour, and so the more notable was a handsome and benevolent- seeming old gentleman in gold spectacles and tall hat, who approached and spoke in a pleasant, courteous voice. "Ara you taking this patient out, madam?" he asked. Yes, of course I am," answered Sal defiantly; but for all the defiance of her manner she was uneasy and tremulous. "Well, madam," said he, in a fine, suave, official tone, "you must first go to the office and say that he is withdrawn. This man will shew you where the office is; tho patient can wait here till you return." Sal was uncertain what to do, and in her un- certainty she allowed herself to be hurried away down a passage out of sight. While the patient stood waiting, another man came up and whis- pered a question "Mr. Lefroy?" "Are you from Mr. Townshend? asked Lefroy, eagerly. "Yes; I'm from Mr. Townshend. We have a cab outside. You may as well get into it while waiting; the lady will be out in a moment." Lefroy considered the man. He was rather seedy-looking and close-shaven—just the kind of man, thought Lefroy, that should be the clerk of a barrister who was not too prosperous. "All right," he said, and walked out to the wait- ing cab. As soon as he had stepped into the cab he was surprised by the man following him, and by another man also entering on the other side of the cab. In the midst of his surprise he received still another shock from the snapping of hand- cuffs upon his wrists. "You are l  ?fr(?)ly't? "You are Lefroy," said the first man, "escaped from Dingley Prison and you've got to go back." With a low groan Lefroy accepted the situation; he was too weak to do "otherwise. And the cab drove off rapidly out of the cdurtvard. In a few seconds Sal came back into the en- tranoochall.. with rage on her face. There had been no need for her to go upon the errand she had been prevailed upon to undertake. She stooch stk-still. "Where is he?" she asked. But there was no one to answer. Sh- found the hall-porter pacing to and fro at the entrance. Had he seen such and such a man? Yes, he answered-just gone off in a cab with some friends. She tore out into the street. Had sho glanced aside she might have noted Mr. Evans softly walking out of the courtyard, with an elegant, cane in his hand and a sweet smile on his faco. She would then have understood. (To be continued.)

AUCTION SALES. V MILTON BROOK LODGE. j On -Saturday, Mr. Frank Lloyd (Messrs. Frank Lloyd and Sons) sold by auction at the Grosvenor Hotel, Chester, a country residence known as Milton Brook Lodge, situated at Stamford Bridge near Chester, with 50 acres of land, stabling and other buildings, grounds, &c.. belonging to Captain Wilson. The first offer was of k3,000, and the bidding rose gradually to P,4,025, at which figure it was sold to Mr. Thomas Willis, Barrow Mill. CUDDINGTON HALL, MALPAS. ? 11 ?, Mr. ?rank Lloyd &iso ottred tor sale at the same hotel on Saturday other property. Cudding ton Hall, Malpas (occupied by Mr. Samuel Tilnmis), together with an excellent range of stabling, farm buildings, grounds, and 135 acres of park-like pasture land, was withdrawn at 23,250. An old pasture field, known at Cudding- tull Woods, fronting the main road from Cuddington to Chorlton and Shooklach, and con- taining 29 acres 1 rood 38 perches, was sold to Mr. Alfred Dawson, Liverpool, for 21,570. Pias Acton, a freehold country residence mid- way between Gresford and Wrexham, with coach- man's lodge, grounds, stabling, garden, etc., was withdrawn at £ 3,000. Two freehold oottages and garden, situated at Great Barrow, occupied by Mrs. Gregory ai d Mr. Charles Woodcock, were bought by Mrs. leech, the White Horse, Barrow, for J6150. The solicitors concerned were Messrs. Rodwjy. Barrell and Wilkinson, Harrington-street, Liver- pool, for Milton Brook Lodge; Mr. Walter H. Reinhardt, Hamilton-street, Birkenhead, for Cud- dington Hall, Malpas. and the pasture field; Messrs. Jones and Jones, Wrexham, for Plas Acton and Mr. A. Carden Lockwood, Newgate- street, Chester, for the cottages at Great Barrow.

BEWARE OF "SPRING MEDICINES." CURE OF A MAN WHOM DR. WILLIAMS' PINK PILLS SAVED FROM THE DIRE EI<'FECT OF AN OLD FASHIONED REMEDY PURGATIVES SHATTER HEALTH. I Five years ago," said Mr. J. W. Smith, of 60, King s road, Hay Mills, Yardley, Birmingham, a white rash broke out on me in the spring. I attended the Skin Hospital for some time without result. An old lady whom I knew said that I needed Spring Medioine, and advised a mixture of Brimstone and Cream of Tartar. At the end of six weeks the white marks had nearly disappeared. But the cure was dearly bought, for I was in a most advanced state of exhaustion." And no wonder, if he had been purging himself for six weeks with sulphur and tartar, or any other opening medicine! "I used," he continued, "to get up in the morn- ing wheezing and absolutely gasping for breath. I was so weak. Three or four hours would elapse before I could breathe with any comfort. I was never able to do any work until afternoon, when my lost vitality seemed-some of it—to return. 1 assure you I, was no more capable of working in assure you I, "t h an of flying. the morning tha.n of Bying. "lVIy breath, too, was horrible-almost loath- some. This went on for some weeks despite the many medicines I tried. At last I resolved to buy a box of Dr. Williams' Pink Pills for Pale People, which I had often read about in the papers. I soon began to feel the benefit. There was a sur- prising improvement from day to day, and after I had had three boxes I found it unnecessary to continue taking them any longer. I was com- pletely cured." Mr. Smith had a fortunate escape. It is quite right to take a little Medicine in Spring to counteract the bad effects of change of season; but not a Purgative. On the contrary, the reason tkat spots break out on the skin at this time of the year, and that many people feel run down, is that the blood needs building up. Dr. Wil- liams' Pink Pills for Pale People do far more good than ordinary Spring Medioines, and they strengthen instead of weaken. Liver-spots, eczema, bile, indigestion, kidney complaints, languor, fatigue, anaemia, and St. V^itus' dance are all liable to shew themselves at this season of the year. Dr. Williams' Pink Pills have cured them all. If any dimculty is expenenced in ob- taining the genuine pills, which bear the full name in print on the wrapper, readers are advised to send 2s. 9d. to Dr. Williams' Medicine Company, Holborn Viaduct, London, who will send the pills post-free; six boxes for 13s. 9d. Do not wait to be really ill. You need them now as a safe Spring Medicine, the only Spring Medicine that Strengthens instead of Weakening.

COOKERY FOR WORRIED 1 HOUSEWIVES. By MRS. ALFRED PRAGA. I ("THE CAREFUL COOK"). I V. -WHAT TO DO WITH COLD MEAT. I When a really substantial dish for dinner, luncheon, or supper is required, and economy has to be combined with substantiality, there are few j things so nice and none nicer than a well-made I meat pie. Beef steaks and rump steaks are both dear, es- ) pecially the latter; but the coarser parts of beef may be rendered quite as palatable, and almost as tender, as either of these if they are subjected to the stewing process first. Variety, too, may be' obtained by dividing a joint after the following fashion. Supposing, for example, a piece of silver- side weighing 91b. or lOlb., or more, has been bought and cooked, a thick slice might be cut off for the production of a pie. Yet another slice. if covered with a hot curry mixture, might be grilled and served with frred or baked potatoes; while the remainder of the joint could be utilised for, variously, a hash. a m:noe, a curry, or a shep- herd's pie. Thus the joint which would in the inual way produce one hot dinner and a weari- some infinity of cold ones may be made to produce half-a-dozen hot dishes at least. The curry mix- ture referred to consists of mustard, minced shallot, parsley, a little butter melted, a dust of curry powder, and salt to taste. BEEF STEAK PIE MADE FROM COLD MEAT. lake a piece ot beef as just described It should weigh from 1Mb. to 21b. Place £ oz. of butter in a stewpan; directly it oils add to it a finely-minced shallot, a teaspoonful of minced parsley, and the beef cut into strips about 2in. long and lin. broad. Dust with pepper and salt. and fry for six minufce9, turning frequently. Then add enough good stock to nearly cover the meat. Place the lid on, draw the saucepan to the side of the fire, and simmer slowly until very hot, or, if the meat in question is still at all tough, for half- an-hour. Then take out, plaoe in a deep pie-dish, add to it some forcemeat balls and some quartered hard-boiled eggs, and, if liked, some little rolls of bacon. Pour in the gravy; season to taste with salt and pepper. Cover the top with a plain crnst. brush over this with beaten egg, and bake iit a moderately hot oven till done. STEAK AND PIGEON PIE. ThIS is, as a rule, a rather expensive dish; but if the preceding recipe is followed and a ptarmi- gan, first lightly roasted and then cut up into joints, used in place of the usual couple of pigeons necessary for a small pie, the cause of economy may be served and the pie will be in no way the loser. Good fat ptarmigan may be bought from. lOd. each and upwards when in season and con- sequently plMitiful. FORCEMEAT BALLS. I he forcemeat balls above referred to are made as follows: -Chop 2oz. of beef suet very finely. Add to it loz. of fine breadcrumbs, a dessertspoon- ful of finely-minced parsley, and pepper and salt to taBb, Bind with a well-beaten egg. and fry in to t-astz,?. 'th a bit of butter about the size of a large walnut until a golden-brown hue. Take out, drain carefully, and use as directed. MUTTON PIE. A delicious mutton pie may be made as follows When a large leg of mutton has been roasted, cut a slice from the outside, or two or more slices if necessary. Cut this into strips about 2in. long and lgin. broad. Dust them with pepper and. salt, and place them in a fairly deep pie-dish. Upon each strip place a little roll of half-cooked bacon. Fill up the interstices with forcemeat balls and quartered hard-boiled eggs. Pour a little good gravy over the whole. Cover with a plain cru&t. Brush over with beaten egg, and bake in a moderately hot oven until the crust is of a nice golden-brown hue. Then take out and serve at once. Mutton pie is best eaten hot. Mutton pie, Irish fashion, is made in exactly the same manner as the foregoing, but a thick layer of fried potatoes should be placed on the meat before the crust is added. Note that by fried potatoes, cold potatoes sliced, dusted with a little minced parsley, and then fried to a delicate golden hue with a bit of butter, are meant. Yet another cheap and very delicious fresh meat pie can be made as follows:- LIVER AND BACON PIE. Take an equal number of pieces of liver and of fat bacon. Free the latter from rind, etc., and place them in a clean pan. Fry till cooked. Then dish up on a hot plate and reserve. Add the slices of liver to tha fat remaining in the pan. Fry till cooked and of a nice golden-brown hue. Take out and add to the bacon. Thicken the fat with a little flour and water and a tiny bit of butter mixed together, and stir till quite creamy and of a good brown colour. Place the liver and bacon in a deep pie-dish in layers. Add salt and pepper if thought necessary. Fill up the chinks with forcemeat balls, pour the gravy over the whole. Cover with a plain crust. Brush the top with beaten egg, and bake in a moderately hot oven until the crust is done, then serve at once. A nice variety on the above may be made by using a crust of mashed potatoes in place of the ordinary crust. For this allow a wineglassful of absolutely boiling milk and a bit of butter about the size of a small walnut to every pound of freshly-boiled floury potatoes. Beat up with a fork until quite light and white. Cover the pie with the potatoes, and press down lightly with the prongs of a fork. Place a few bits of butter here and there, and bake in a moderate oven until the crust is nioely brown on top, then serve at once. LUMBER PIE. i 1 his also is a very economical recipe, and one which offers a good way of utilising any scraps tvhich may be left over from a cold joint of either beef or mutton that mav be too small to be put to any other purpose. Chop tha meat into small square pieces, and free them from superfluous fat and skin. Reserve on a plate. Take 2oz. each of chopped onion, carrot, turnip, and c3lery. Place 2oz. of clarified beef dripping in a clean enamelled stewpan. Directly it melts add the vegetables, and fry till of a nice light-brown colour. Then add just sufficient good stock to cover them. Place the lid on, draw the pan to the side of the fire, and simmer slowly until the vegetables are thoroughly cooked. Add pepper and salt to taste. Then dra n them on a hair sieve. Reserve the liquor in which they were cooked. Place the vegetables at the bottom of a deep pie-dish. Add the cold meat. Dust with pepper and salt. Fill up the chinks with forcemeat balls and quartered hard-boiled eggs. Pour in the gravy in which the vegetables were cooked. Cover the whole first with a layer of fried potatoes and then with a good substantial crust, and bake in a moderately hot oven until of a golden hue. Take out and serve at once. Not only meat, but any scraps of game or poultry may be added to the p;e for its better- ment. Note: It is of the utmost importance when making a pie that in every case a vent should be made in the crust to allow the steam to escape freely.

I THE PENRHYN DISPUTE. VOTE OF CENSURE DEFEATED. Mr. Asquith's vote of censure on the Govern- ment for failing to take action under the Concilia- tion Act to put an end to the Penrhyn quarry dis- pute was defeated in the House of Commons on Monday by 316 against 182, a majority of 134. It was not the first time that the House has discussed the question of whether Lord Penrhyn or his men .are in the right, and once again Lord Penrhyn, the chief figure in the mournful drama of Beihesita, listened to the debate on his action from the Peers' Gallery. On the other side of the gallery sat Sir Edward Clarke. Mr. Asquith said that his motion was not a de- mand for a change in the existing law, but a com- plaint that the invincible inaction of the Board of lrade had prevented that law from being put into force. The fact that Lord Penrhyn had re- fused to admit of outside interference in his pri- vate affairs did not absolve the Board of Trade from doing what they could, and if Lord Penrhyn still refused, a very heavy responsibility would lie at his door. Mr. William Jones seconded the motion. Mr. Gerald Balfour suggested that the Opposi- tion must ba very hard up for a vote of censure, for, as he had already explained, there was no reasonable hope of success in sending down a conciliator to Bethesda. Mr. Haldane taunted the Board with pursuing a policy of do-nothing for fear of getting a snub, and Mr. Lowther was astounded that the Opposi- tion should support the tyranny of the quarrymen's union. Then Mr. Bromley-Davenport came to Lord' Penrhyn's rescue. Lord Penrhyn, he said, ob-1 jected to the committee because it interfered with the management of the quarry bv demanding! smaller wages for the officials and three months' holiday a year for every man. The real object of the motion for censure was to work up an agitation to drive out the 1,000 men who were working hap- pily and contentedly, and make room for the others. It was "a wicked agitation," to which a momentarily united Opposition had lent itself. Sir John Gorst said that Mr. Gerald Balfour ■' had proved conclusively that the Act was nothing but a sham. Mr. Lloyd-George said he was authorised to state that the men were quite prepared to give up all thoughts of a re-establishment, of the quarry committee if that would remove the difficulty in the wav of a settlement. He created a sensation by declaring Mr. Bromley-Davenport's statement j as to the three months' holiday to be an "abso- I lute and unmitigated falsehood," and there were loud cries of "Withdraw!" Sir H. Oampbell-Bannerman intimated that if the vote of censure was successful and the Liberals came into office, they would adopt a very different attitude from that of the President of the Board of Trade, who "stood shivering in the presence of Lord Penrhyn," and feared to introduce the: elements of conciliation into this deplorable quarrel. The Prime Minister, referring to some lauda- j tory but irrelevant references made by "C.-B." to Mr. Ritchie, said he thought the Leader of the Opposition was going to propose the Chancellor's health. and he felt inclined to get up and lead o<f ? with "For he's a. jolly good fellow." He declared that the intervention of the Board of Trade in the Penrhyn case, would have no useful result. He wished the dispute could 00 settled, but settle- ment would not be effected by bringing the ques- tion forward to serve obscure party ends. A division was then taken, 182 voting for the i motion and 316 against, and the House rose. t

BOOTS TO ORDER-not" hand-sewn prin- ciple," but real Hand-sewn, made on the premises < by expert workmen in the old-fashioned way with I oak bark tanned Leather these are a comfort, walking becomes a pleasure, and the price is reason- able. HEWIT'R,, ABBEY GATEWAY, the Old- established Hand-aewn Bootmakers.

CRICKET NOTES. Boughton Hall opened their season on Saturday, when they visited their old friends, the Rock Ferry C.C. The home side won the toss, and elected to bat first, Ravenscroft and G. Tranton going to the wickets. A good start was made, the telegraph shewing 33 when Ravenscroft was dismissed, having been caught behind the wickets after hitting 23 in lively style. A. Stott filled the vacancy, and twenty minutes after the commencement fifty was reached. Tranton went just afterwards, and A. Stott soon followed. The remaining batsmen, with the exception of F. Stott, were got rid of cheaply. Stott smartly put on 25, and also caused the hundred to go up within the hour. The innings concluded with a total of 121. Five wickets were taken by Churton, four by Howell-Evans, and one by Henshall. Boughton Hall made a bad start, the first three wickets being taken by A. Stott for no runs. Only eleven runl were on the board when Howell-Evans was unfortunately run out for eight. Hughes and Churton then became partners, and a determined stand was made, 58 being reached before Hughes fell a victim to. A. Stott, for a carefully- compiled 19. At 81, Churton was clean bowled when but one short of 50. He hit out well, and included in his score besides five fours, a seven, owing to an over- throw. Martyn and Hales came together, and a clese finish became evident. At 95, the former was bowled, but Hales playod a steady game until 116 was recorded, when he was smartly run out by Ryland. An interesting game thus ended in a narrow victory for Rock Ferry by five runs. The Neston and District and Rock Ferry A" teams met on Saturday at Parkgate. The home eleven had first innings, and registered 158 runs, to which F. Cramer-Roberts and F. Smith contributed 51 each, and J. Housden 33. Rock Ferry replied with 150 foe six wickets, when time was called, Neston thus being fortunate in making a draw. The visitors' total was augmented by 54 for Graves, and 50 for A. L.. Ryland. We reg^,ret to hear that the prospects of Chester St. Mary s are not quite so, encouraging as usual, several of their best men having left the neighbour- hood, and their services wiH consequently be lost. The club are confident, however, that they will be able to give a good account of themselves. They have atill some very reliable players in their ranks, and have recruited some new members, who are considered to be equal to keeping up the reputation of th& club. The prospects of the Tarporley C. C. for the ensuing season are exceedingly bright. Mr. J. J. Daine, the hon. sec., has issued a fixture card which is encouraging, shewing as. it does a splendid; list of 21 matches, seven of which are "all-day" matches with the Cheshire Gentlemen, Middlewich, Saudi way, Lymm., and Mr. Gordon Houghton's. XI., the latter being wi annual event which creates considerable local interest. All th0- old, players will be available,, including Harry Wright, who during the last three, years has batted, for- Tilstone Lodge. Hapry. Vernon, another well- known cricketsr, is still with the club. The- other week, given several chances, he piled up 170. for Whitehall against DamhaJl. Pat Slack, of the Lancashire county ground staff, has during the past week or two given, the mmbers an opiwctuuit? of getting their and in with the willow. The gmund is in capital condition, thanks to the,, exertions of Captaillthe Hon. H. R. Arden Baillie- Hamilton, the popular captain of the club. Tho prospects of the Buckley club are being eagerly discussed by the cricketing fraternity in Buckley, and the general opinion, is that the season 1903 will be oue of the most successful Buckley has ever had. The ground will be in better con- dition than in previous years, and it is hoped that the care which the ground committee has bestowed on the playing pitch will be rewarded by higher scoring than is usually the case. The fixture list is more attractive than previously, Neston and District having been added to it. The team will be much the same as last season's. The Rev. W. P. de Winton Kitcat will captain the first eleven. The newly-constituted Frodsham. Cricket Club commenced on Saturday with a side's game. The season begins in earnest to-day (S* £ urday) with Liverpool Police as old opponents, on the latter's grounds A tine list of fixtures has been.arranged. J Tilstone Lodge commence their season next Saturday at Tactenhall. The team will be almost the same as last year. Joe Brooks, who captained the Bunbury XI last year, returns to his old club with a brilliant batting performance for last season Frank Cross, after an absence of a season, will again add to. the strength of the bowling. Tommy Loddington, "Old" Lyons, Smallwood, Dick Hewitt, Jack Hewitt, and Cad man, familiar to opposing teams, are among the representatives of this,eleven. FIXTURES. The following matches will be play-td on the ground of the first-named club to-day (Saturday) — Neston and District v. Boughton Hall Eaton. Park v. Sefton Extra XI. Ha warden v. Neston and District 2nd. Hoole v. Mollington Rossett v. Grove Park Gresford v. Pontblyddyn Buckley v. Shotton iRhuddlan v. Flint BOUGHTON HALL V. ROCK FERRY. Played at Rock Ferry on Saturday. Score:- ROCK FERRY. BOUGHTON HALL. J Ravenscroft c Jones b A Stott 0 Williams b H-Evans23 Hughes b A Stott.1:) Trautom lbw b Evans.12 Henshall c Peel b A A Stott c & b Evans .16 Stott 0 Earle o J P Douglas b J P Douglas b A Stott 0 Churtoa 0 Howell-Evans runout. 8 Hardman c Williams b Churton b A Stott. 49 Evans 9 Martyn b F Stott .14 i Woodward b Churton.. 1 Hales run out 13 D Ravenscroft c & b C G Douglas c F Stott Churton .1 11 8 b A Stott 1 F Stott o Hughes b Banks c D Ravenscroft Churton 25 b F Stott 5 E C Ryland bHenshall 3 Williams not out 1 Peel not out 8 Harrison lbw b Churt'n 2 Extras 14 Extras 6 Total .121 Total .116 NKSTON AND DISTRICT V. ROCK FERRY 2ND.— Played at Parkgate on Saturday. Score:— NESTON & DISTRICT. ROOK FERRX. Cramer-Roberts c & b Graves b Housden 54 Williatr s 51 Deacon b Cr-Roberts.. 0 A Barrett b Williams.. 3 Cripp b Barrett 2 Gilling b Williams 0 WillIams c Smith b R Barrett b Thompson 1 Cramer-Roberts 3 Smith c & b Deacon .51 A L Ryland. b Barrett.50 Gleave o & b Thompson 2 Rev Penny b Barrett..28 Housden run out 33 Fogg not out 2 Jennings c Hawley b Thomson did not bat Williams 4 Davies Coventry st Ryland b Dr Barry Deacon 3 Hawley Price b Dea.co-n. 0 Samaelsnotout 0 Extras 10 Extras .1 11 Total .158 Total (6 wkta) .150

CUT THIS OUT. CUT THIS OUT. SPRING CLEANING, 1903. ORDER FORAl Bend i (,r. Carpets on and ret\1rn. N am e. Address If to be relayed Yes or No "m. RICHARD JONES, BRIDGE STREET, CHESTER.

CHESTER GOLF CLUB. For the first round of the president's, prize 47 cards were taken out, and the following cards were returned B. D. Turner 15 strokes 3 up H. B. Toller. scratch. 1 G. H. Reynolds 1 stroke 1 „ A. P. Campbell 11 strokes. 1 II A. C. Blain 1 „ all even G. C. Heasman 9 1 down 0. 0kell 1 „ 2 „ F. 0. Evans 2 2 U. B. Corbett. 8 2 G. J. Johnston 8 3 C. B. Toller. 9 M. 3 „ R. Kellock 9 3 II L. G. Birch. 11 „ 3 „ R. W. Shand 1 4 II F. W. Comber 1 4 II R. Wilkinson 8 ,„ 4 II W. T. Lee 15 II 4 „ T. S. Comber & ,v 5 0. H&rrison. 11 II 5 F. W. Hayes 2 „ 6 D. Dobie 3 6 R. H. Bates. 14 7 II J. M. Frost. 7 II 8 Dr. Eyton Jones 9 10 First sweep, B. D Turner; second and third sweep divided between H. B. Toller, G. H. Reynolds, A. P. Campbell. The first round for the president's prize for ladies was played on Tuesday, the 21st April. The following cards were returned :— Miss F. Shand heap. 15 9 up Mrs. Fluitt )r 12 3 Miss Comber )f 6 1 Mrs. F. O. Evans II 7 1 down Mrs. Comber 22 2 Miss Shand 9 3 Miss M. Huttom „ 15? 3 Mrs. Neilson 4 5 t

MR. WINSTON CHURCHILL AND THE ARMY. Mr. Winston. Churchill, M.P;, has addressed the following letter to Mr. Jamea T. Travis Clegg, chairman of the Oldham Conservative and Liberal Unionist Association: — "Dear Mr. Travis-Clegg,-I am very much en- couraged by your kind letter and by the confidence which you, express; but it may be just as well for. me to make my position quite clear to my friends, at Oldham. You will remember that, at the last, eloction. I pledged myself in the plainest terms to the cause of Army reform, and it was, there- fore, with much disgust that I saw the Govern- ment withm. a month of. the meeting of Parliar ment commit themselves to a pohoy not of. j Army reform, but of Army increase, and txy to varnish over the defects revealed by the w,ar with a. grandiose scheme and a lavish outlay of public money. Sinoe then I have taken several opportunities of complaining both out of and. in the House of Commons. But it is, of course. utterly impossible for ajiy private member acting alone to ¡nHl1Anpp in. f.htx altcrVi + oet Honrivxai +lm policy of a powerful Government. Ho may make speechesy but that is, all. Hardly any question is mer (foeided on its, zaerita. Divisions are taken on strict party lines, and Ministers have at their disposal a. -nope),w of expert opinion for and ,,i4?every conceivable course, a bat?alion of drilled supporters, and the last word in alt debates. Sng, therefore,, on the one hand the disquieting condition of the Army, and upon the other the difficulties whia, confront anyone who would ex- pose it, I felt it my duty last autumn ioin with a number of Conservatives and Liberal Unionist rsomabers, whsa in company with Mr. Ernest Beckett, the Conservative member for Whitby, had resolved to pay great attention to all Army questions, audi to take common actioa in the cause of Army reform. That association, as I understand it—and, of course, I only speak for myself-is in its action limited to questions affecting the size and efficiency of the Army, to the finance con- nected therewith, and the expenditure necessitated thereby. Its definite and immediate object is to secure a substantial modification of Mr. Brod- riok's Army Scheme of 1901 in respect of organi- sation, numbers and cost. It is with that intention that tbo debates have been conducted this session. I have every reason to believe that the same course will be pursued in the future, and if the object for which we are working should be attained, I do not at present see any reason why the associa- tion should continue. "Now, of course. it is very much eawer for the defenders of the War Office to traduce the motives of their critics than to justify themselves. The Government declare that every question connected with the Army is a question of confidence. Every vote given against the Army scheme is a vote against the most sacred principles of the Conserva- tive party. The Empire, the Constitution, the Established Church, the Union, the rights of pro-1 perty and the liberties of men—all are discovered to stand on the foundatioa of six Army Corps, There is no middle path between pro-Brodrick and pro-Boor. When it is found that thesa thunders-- which, if effective, would reduce every Unionist member to a puppet contrived mechanically to vote in the same lobby with Sir Alexander Acland- Hood—are heard with some amusement by the Press and the publio. and leave the persons at whom they are especially directed quite undis- turbed, other irjethods are employed. These other methods, adopted without their approvali must have caused a great deal of embarrassment to Mr. Balfour and Mr. Chamberlain; but they have afforded a fine opportunity for the talents of Tadpole and Taper. By gossip in the Lobbies, and by anonymous letters to faithful newspapers, it has been represented that the movement of opinion against the Army policy—whole-hearted, honest, practically spontaneous as it is-is, in fact, only a dirty intrigue, depending on an agreement with the Liberal Imperialists, and having:, for its object the ousting of Mr. Balfour from the leadership of the Unionist party and an installation of a Rose- bery Government, by which the Army reformers would be paid for their trouble. I; am glad you have taken these allegations at their proper worth. They are false statements, made, it is to be hoped, by persons ignorant of the truth. In spite of these methods, an undoubted advantage has been gained to the Empire by the debates of the present ses- sion. Great principles connected with Imperial defenoe have been established and' are generally- recognised, although only last year they were denied or ignored. The War Office, instead of setting the pice to the Conservative party, is now only anxious to malte a retreat with as much bag- gage as possible. All sorts of people who laugh at economy—who looked at it indeed, as if it were something immoral—are beginning to wag their heads over the pounds, shillings and pence, and' already the Budges of 1903 casts its shadow upon the Army Estimates of 1904. Army expenditure doe; not stand alone. It is the keystone in an arch of extravagance. The profuse example of the War Office corrupts other Departments, and the self- respect of Ministers is sapped by the constant, necessity of defending what they know to be un- sound. The attempted preparation of enormous land forces distorts the sense of political, financial and strategic proportions. England is forgotten and the spl?ndour of her Empire. I have not. any lengthy experience of politics, yet even in the five- years which have passed since I formally became associated w:t.h the Conservative party consider- able, changes have been effected in its policy and character. Five years ago the sagacious statecraft of Lord Salisbury was preserving us, in spite of the taunts of the Imperialist section of the Oppo- sition. from one terrible war about China, and kept us clear of other perils in Eastern Europe, into which we might have been drawn by the mora sentimental Radicals. Five years ago the Army cost only 18 millions, taxation was light, wages were up, commodities were down; and, notwith- standing the growing wealth of the country, a judicious economy was enforced' in the public Departments. Five years ago the Workmen's Compensation Act had conferred an, immense bene- fit upon labour, and the Conservatives and Liberal Unionists seemed in their alliance almost to have attained that grand ideal of a national party of which Lord Randolph Churchill dreamed, and for which he toiled. The Un;onist party of those days, inspired with a deep dislike of foreign en- tanglements, animated by wholesome thrift and with actual designs of social and administrative reform, was a party upon whose behalf the votes of a Lancashire constituency might be with confi- dence invited, and it is such a party which now, and in the future, can alone successfully en- counter difficulties and dangers which are oertainly serious, and may. perhaps, not be very remote. Yours verv truly. I "WINSTON S. CHURCHILL. I "House of Commons, April 24, 1903."

THE MiUTUAL LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY OF NEW YORK. «.— The sixtieth annual report of the Mutual Life Insurance Company of New York for the year ending 31st December, 1902, shews that its pros- perity is unchecked. The new policies issued numbered 91,502, assuring- £ 42; £ 2S2,917, and in- creasing the total insurance in force to 225,307,732. In other words, the company issued more than 290 new policies every day, exclusive of Sundays, as against 260 per day in 1901. The new British business, which has now been transacted for 16 years, consisted of 2,195 policies for £ 1,416,734. The premium income of the company advanced, from ;69,931,183 to £ 10,800.397, and the total in- come from all sources was £ 15; 148,791, an increase of 9880,948. The total payments made to policy- holdera. were £5,937,070, of which £ 3,564,286 con- sisted, of claims by death. In spite of the enor- mous expansion in the new business done, the. whole of which business, has. been paid for, the, expenses have not increased in proportion to the- premiums, and are lower than. they were a year or two ago. The amount paid for the surrender of policies also remains much smaller than it was a. few years since, shewing the greater permanence of the business; and the payments on account of bonuses to policy-holders have increased. The- funds held by the company increased during the yeas £ 6,113,507 to £ 78.089,283, and earned an aver- age of £4 3s. per cent, interest. The market value of the assets exceeded the book values- by £ 5,208,195, and the surplus of assets over all lia- SiiHties was JB15 991,627, an increase of £ 1,016,970. Hugo as these figures axe, they are surpassed in interest by the details given in the report of the results achieved under 10' and 15-years' dI stilbi-itlorl policies which have recently matured. In some of ijhese cases the policy-holders, having been insured; during the whole of the insurance period, have re- ceived all their premiums, back with 3 and; 3A per cent. compound interest, while in othors af rever- sionary bonus has been added-in some instances as high as £3. lfts. lid. per cent, per annum.

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