Cheshire Observer

[PUBLISHED BY SPECIAL ABBANGESIENT.] A DEAD CERTAINTY, By NAT GOULD, I Author of "The Gentleman Rider," "The Pace That Kills," "Racecourse and Battlefield," "The Dark Horse," "The Double Event." &c., &c. [COPYSIGHT.] SYNOPSIS OF PREVIOUS CHAPTERS. CEAPTKBS 1. & li.-A young and handsome girl, Patricia Royston, commonly called "Pat," is in charge of a friend of her mother's, Miss Helen "Woodruff. They are staying at Bettws-y-Coed, where "Pat" makes the acquaintance of Mr. Arthur Dunbar, a Yorkshire squire of sporting proclivities, whilst salmon fishing. Dunbar resolves to improve the acquaintance. CHAPTER III.—THE OLD LOVE. I Arthur Dunbar went angling again below the Swallow Falls, but he did not see Pat Royston, and the salmon had not much to fear from him. Pat Royston and her companion were un- expectedly called to Llandudno, where they had promised to visit a friend of Miss Woodruff s whenever it was convenient for her to receive them. She telegraphed for them to come at once, and they did not neglect the opportunity of paying a pleasant visit. Pat merely gave a passing thought to the angler at the Swallow Falls, and wondered whether he would really expect to see her there. She did not consider she had made an engage- ment with him, and he would no doubt have a good day's sport and think himself lucky there was no one tnere to interrupt it. She was wrong. Arthur Dunbar had gone to the river ostensibly for fishing, but in reality with the sole object in view of meeting Pat again. He waited patiently for over an hour, and then was in a fair way to lose his temper. She might have kept her word," he muttered. "Like all the rest of the girls, I suppose, selfish." finding she was not likely to put in an appear- ance, he gave up his angling and walked back to 16is hotel. He looked at the cottage as he passed, but saw no signs of Pat. The place seemed empty, and he wondered if she had gone away. and if so, whether he should ever see her again. He could not call and ask if she was indisposed, because he did not know her name. he sauntered into the billiard-room and found the marker the solitary occupant-as well he might be on such a lovely day and amidst such enchanting scenery. The marker was a prosaic man, and thought more of the green cloth than the green landscape outside ais domain. Moreover, billiards was his living; and it is an excellent thing far a man when he becomes devoted to the means by which he gains his daily bread. It is monstrous hard work at an uncongenial occupation. The billiard marker was not as a rule a talkative man, but he liked Arthur Dunbar, and conversed freely with him. Instinctively he divined that Dunbar was a lover of horses, and the marker was of a sportive turn and inclined to have his bit on." Not being in a. mood to wander about amidst romantic scenery, breathing in the air of love— and Pat, Arthur Dunbar set to work to wipe out his defeat oi the night before with the marker, and this he did to his entire satisfaction. I expect you do not get many visitors here who beat you* said Arthiar Dunbar. Not many. The biggest take down I ever had was when I gave a young lady forty in a hundred and she beat me by twenty-five." ile must have been a good player"' Yes, she is a fine player, and a splendid girl, too. There's not many about here can come up to her. Was she staying at the hotel?" asked Arthur. "She came with! an elderly lady who is, I believe, her guardian, or companion, and a pretty dance Miss Royston leads her; but she doesn't seem to mind it in the least, she is so fond of the girl," said the marker. What is she like?" asked Arthur, becoming interested. Which? The young one or the old one?" asked the marker. "The young one, of course." A beautiful girl, but a trifle wild. I think she comes from Australia, or some such out- landish place. She's not twenty yet, I should say, but she has travelled about a lot, and seems to know the world." Does she live here-at Bettws-y-Coed?" Only during the summer; they have a cottage up the hill." "Ah," said Arthur. "Has she chestnut hair, deep blue eyes, stands about five feet eight, walks well, and-" You've met her," said the marker with a smile. Fancy I saw her just below the Swallow Falls when 1 was fishing the other day," said Arthur. "That is one of her favourite haunts." Arthur Dunbar changed the subject, but after another game he strolled up to the cottage and asked if Miss Royston was at home. No," replied a middle-aged, spotlessly clean Welshwoman, and she looked as if she did not wish to say more. I met her and her companion yesterday," he said, half apologetically. "You brought the salmon?" "I did." It was a nice fuJi." I am glad to hear it." Any message?" shle asked. No, but-" then ill bid you good-day, sir; I am busy cleaning up," and she left him standing on the path. Arthur Dunbar gave vent to a mild oath, and slammed the gate after him. Luck was against him, and he felt hardly used. He had been accus- tomed to have much of his own way, and he did not like being thwarted when he had made up his miud to a certain line of action. Now he learned Pat had left, Bettws-y-Coed lost her charm for him, and so he packed his baggage and departed forthwith to Llandudno, determined, after a night's stay there, to go home to Glen Royal. Leaving us, sir?" said the marker, as Arthur passed the door of the biiliard-room. Yes, I'm about tired of this solitude. Here's something for you. Put it on Whirlwind the first time he runs." Thank you, sir," said the marker, and he thought even more of the tip than of the sovereign Arthur Dunbar slipped into his hand. Arriving at Llandudno, he went to his hotel, changed his clothes, and after dinner took a walk on the promenade. He sat down and listened to the band, when he saw a group of four people coming towards him. He gave a slight start as he recognised Pat Royston and her companion, but he was still more surprised to see who were with them. Hector Bexley and his sister," he muttered, by all that's wonderful." He got up and went to meet them. Pat recognised hdm at once, and said to Miss Woodruff Here comes Mr. Angler. He has deserted the salmon." Arthur Dunbar!" exclaimed Hector Bexley, with a hasty look at his sister, who had suddenly turned pale. Greetings passed between them, but the two men did not seem on very friendly terms. Maud Bexley shook hands with him nervously. So you know each other?" said Pat to her. Yes, Mr. Dunbar is an old-friend," she added, after a slight hesitation. Have you met him before?" she asked in some surprise. I had the pleasure of meeting Miss Royston at Bettws-y-Coed," said Arthur; and Pat won- dered how he knew her name. Hc; was salmon-fishing," said Pat, in her usual quick way. and I gave him such a shock he lost his fishl; but he caught another, and we devoured it for hiin." Mr. Dunbar was good enough to leave a fish at our cottage as he passed by," said Miss Woodruff. Very kind of him, I am sure," said Miss Bexley, rather sarcastically. Mr. Dunbar is an expert angler." He throws a line very well," said Pat. Wish I could manage to do it. I always get my tackle in a hopeless tangle when I am fishing." Do you remain long in Llandudno?" asked Arthur. Mrs. Bexley has been kind enough to invite us to stay with her for a time," said Miss Woodruff. My mother and Miss Woodruff are old friends," said Maud. Arthur Dunbar seemed loth to leave. but he thought it better to do so, as his presence could scarcely be welcome to Hector Bexley and his sister. He raised his hat and walked on after expressing a wish to have the pleasure of meeting them again, but hie looked at Pat as he spoke. Maud Bexley in her room that night thought of the meeting with Arthur Dunbar. She was a fine-looking woman of four-and- twenty, handsomer than Pat would ever be, but without her charm. She first met Arthur Dunbar at Scarborough, and was one of his dangerous flirtations." Unhappily for herself she fell deeply in love with him and fancied he returned her affection. She was, however, soon undeceived, and much to her mortification found he had only been indulging in a passing flirtation. Hector Bexley considered Arthur Dunbar had not treated his sister fairly, and told him so. Angry words followed, and Arthur said some very bitter, not to say nasty, things about Hector Bexley. Unfortunately for himself Hector Bexley had not always steered a straightforward course. He was much given to racing and sundry forms of gambling; and when he lost he did not always pay his debts, and was guilty of shady actions. Men know each other's characters well on the turf. and Arthur Dunbar quickly discovered the kind of reputation Hector Bexley bore. He was sorry Maud Bexley had such a brother, and said so plainly. Hector Bexley was careful to conceal his mis- deeds from his mother, a highly respected lady, and alio from his sister; and naturally when Arthur Dunbar made insinuations against him Maud took her brother's part. This further widened the breech between Arthur and Maud, until at last they parted, and had not met again until he saw them on the parade at Llandudno. Maud Bexley quickly saw Arthur Dunbar was infatuated with Pat Royston, and she hated the girl for inspiring feelings of affection where she bad failed. t Maud Bexley was not a woman to give up the man she loved without a struggle, and although jihe had not seen Arthur Dunbar for some months before their chance meeting she had not forgotten him. That meeting revived all her old feelings for him, and they rushed back upon her with added intensity, the more so for being so long under control. # She was a passionate woman, and not over- scrupulous. She longed to possess Arthur Dunbar, with or without his love. Her brother knew this, and thought her a fool for her pains. Forget him," he said. I would not demean myself for giving him a thought after the way he has treated you." It is because he has treated me unfairly that I mean to have him if possible," she said. You don't mean to say you still love him?" asked her brother. I do love him," she answered passionately, and when the time conies I shall expect you to help me to win him." And make your lire miserable. 1 thought you had more sense, Maud," he replied. "Then you are mistaken," she answered. Maud Bexley's feelings were not to be envied as she sat looking out of t!!l window over the bay, with the Great Orme and the Little Orme rising upon either side. The scene was familiar to her, for her mother owned the house in which they were in, and Llandudno was a favourite place with all of them. But the view hlad no attraction for her to-night. She was filled with revengeful feelings against Arthur Dunbar and Pat Royston. She summed up the situation against herself in order to arrange her forces to the best advantage. She knew Arthur Dunbar would never marry her unless forced by some unforeseen circumstance to take such a step. He had told her plainly he did not love her, and therefore would not marry her. "He ought to have married me," she said. "He treated me shamefully. And now he has fallen in love with this chit of a girl. who has had very little education, has no manners, and who is not half as good looking as I am. Whether he marries me or not, he shall never marry her if I can help it. I should like to see him suffer as he made me suffer. Hector must help me. He's a good-looking man, and Miss Royston if constantly thrown in his way might be attracted towards him. I do not think she cares for Arthur Dunbar at present. I have found out some of the things he said about Hector are true. Perhaps that is all the better for my plans; he will not be over-scrupu- lous. I think he likes the girl, although what there is in her to attract men I fail to see. Miss Woodruff is such a dear friend of my mother's she could easily be won over to our side, and she is such an unsuspicious soul. I don't consider myself a very wicked woman, but when a man slights me. as Arthur Dunbar has, I feel it my duty to retaliate. Meeting him to-night has revived the old feeling for him. Why did he not marry me? I would have made him an excellent wife, and he need not have been ashamed to take me to Glen Royal. "I must have a chat over the situation with Hector. He bias not done much good in the world as yet for himself, or anyone else, but he can repair that neglect by assisting me." Hector Bexley was also brooding over the chance meeting with Arthur Dunbar. He was a man who, having every opportunity given him of keep- ing straight, had gone to the bad, or nearly so, from inclination. His mother believed in him, and it would have been ueless to try and convince her Hector Bexley was other than he appeared to be. He was mixed up with a shady racing set, and he owed considerable sums of money to book- makers of not particularly good repute. It galled him to think Arthur Dunbar had a fairly accurate knowledge of him and his doings. He was deeply in debt, and only saw one way out of his difficulties-marrying money. The Bexleys were a good family, and it was not generally known, outside certain circles, that Hector Bexley was a "bit of a scamp," to put it mildly. He was desperately in want of money, and the only source from which he could obtain what he re- quired was from his sister. He made up his mind to ask her to help him, and he was cunning enough to think this a favourable time to do so now she had met Arthur Dunbar again. CHAPTER IV—A RUN OF BAD LUCK. I Maud Bexley had an income independent of the allowance made her by her mother, and she had carefully husbanded her resources for some time past. When her brother tried to negotiate a loan with her she agreed to supply his wants for the time being, on condition he gave what assistance he could to accomplish her ends in regard to Arthur Dunbar. She had formed no definite plan yet, but her brother was quite willing to act in any way she desired so long as he was supplied with money. "What you do with your money I cannot imagine," said Maud, "but that is your own affair, and it would probably not increase my affection for you if you told me everything." "There are some things I would rather not talk about," ho said, "and that is one of them." "Then I will not question you on the subject," she replied, "but I do not like to think you are gambling and throwing your money away on the racecourse." "I suppose Dunbar gave you that idea of me," he said angrily. "He appears, or appeared, to know a good deal about you and your ways," said the wily Maud in her endeavour to embitter him against Arthur Dunbar. "He's not such a very 'clean potato* himself," snapped Hector. "Much as I have cause to be angry with him I do not think he would do a mean action," she replied. "Am I to draw an inference that you think I would?" he asked. "Oh dear, no," replied his sister. "I am not making any inference, and you are quite wrong to jump at conclusions." "By the way, 1 suppose you know he has left Llandudno?" said her brother. Maud Bexley started, for the news was unex- pected. "No, I was not aware of the fact. Are you quite sure it is correct?" "Quite. I asked at the hotel where he was stay- ing, and they informed me that he had been called away into Yorkshire on business—-something con- nected with his stable, I suppose." Hector Bexley was quite right. Arthur Dunbir had been called to Middleham by an urgent letter from his trainer, and, after seeing Pat Royston, had departed for Yorkshire. He had some difficulty in seeing Pat, but he was a determined young man, and succeeded. At first he thought of telling her all that took place between himself and Maud Bexley, but on second consideration he came to the conclusion it would not be fair to Maud to do so. "I wished to see you for a few moments before I left for Middleham," he said, when he met her in the Happy Valley. "Are you going away?" she asked with interest, and he noted it with inward satisfaction. "I have to go, unfortunately," he replied. "Why unfortunately? I should have thought you would h.vo been pleased to return home." "Unfortunate because my trainer writes me several of the horses are coughing, and that my particular pet Whirlwind is worse than any of them. Still more unfortunate because I shall leave your pleasant society," he said earnestly. Pat laughed merrily, and her mirth jarred upon him; and yet he knew he had no right to be angry with her for being in such good spirits. His departure could mean very little to her. "You are really a most accomplished payer of compliments," she said. "I assure you I feel quite flattered." He gave an impatient gesture of denial, and said: "I told you I was not in the habit of paying silly compliments." "Y ou said you were not in the habit of paying compliments. You said nothing about their being silly. Candidly, I think all compliments are silly, and they are seldom genuine." "Do me the justice toO acknowledge you think I am speaking the truth when I say I am sorry to leave your society." "If it will afford you any gratification, and prove a solace to you in your desolation at the thought of leaving me, I will," said Pat in a bantering tone. "You have only met me two or three times; I am afraid you take sudden fancies which lapse of time quickly dispels." "Not in your case," he answered hastily. "I shall never forget the first time I saw you below the Swallow Falls, with the sun shining through the trees and reflecting upon your hair like bur- nished gold." nl "Quite poetical," laughed Pat. "Permit me to say my hair is not like burnished gold. I object to the simile. It is harsh and metallic." k are inclined to be merry at my expense," he said. "Is there any reason why I should be sad? Do you usually inspire sadness? If so I am sorry for you—and your friends," she replied. May I include you amongst my friends?" he asked eagerly. She hesitated a few moments, looking at him inquiringly, and then answered slowly: "I see no reason why we should not be friends, and she emphasised the last word. "That is some consolation," he replied, "and I must rest content for a time." Changing the subject of their conversation Pat Royston said: "So you keep raCA horses. I love horses. My father owns several in Sydney." "I am glad you like horses," he said. "Per- haps some day I shall have the pleasure of shew- ing yourself and Miss Woodruff round my stables at Middleham." "I am afraid Miss Woodruff would not take much interest in horses," said Pat smiling, "and I know she regards racing as a device of the Evil One." "Do you think racing men are more wicked than other people?" he asked. "Dear me, no. What an absurd question. Why should they be?" she said quickly. "I am afraid many people differ from you," he answered. "I have known some very good men who are fond of racing," she replied, "and some very bad. I am sorry to say my father did not always pick and choose his companions with discretion. But then it is so different in the Colonies, where you meet people of widely diverse views on the ques- tion of moral obligations towards their fellow- men. When Arthur Dunbar left her Pat Royston gave a little sigh, which might have been one of relief, but did not sound much like it. He waved his hand to her and raised his hat as he went down the hill, and she returned his salute. This Ame- what ardent young sportsman impressed her. She liked him, was fond of his society, what little she had had of it. but nothing more. No sooner was Arthur Dunbar out of sight than Pat for the time being forgot him and commenced to romp and play with a group of children, and soon the Happy Valley was ringing with their shouts of merri- ment. It was characteristic of Pat that she had never met the majority of these youngsters before, and yet she romped with them like an old playmate. and the children accepted the situation as a matter of course. Pat was full of spirits and as active as a Welsh mountain lallif which there were many on the Great Orme, feeding on well-nigh inaccessible ledges of rock, hundreds of feet above the sea. When they were in the midst of their fun Miss Woodruff and Maud Bexley appeared on the scene. Pat's hair had been pulled down and was stream- ing over her shoulders in wavy masses that were the envy of half the girls present. She was in a state of dire disorder and evidently revelling in it. She was being rolled over and over on the grass by several children just able to toddle about, and hugely to the delight of the little ones. "Surely that is not Miss Royston?" exclaimed Maud in tones of contempt which nettled Miss Woodruff, who at first sight of Pat felt inclined to reprimand her, but now changed her mind. If Miss Woodruff occasionally called Pat to order she did not like other people to interfere with her pet. "That's Pat, bless her," said Miss Woodruff. "She is quite a. child herself yet, and how she revels in innocent fun. I wish there were more girls like her at her age." "Rather undignified for a young lady arrived at the years of discretion, is it not?" asked Maud, "more especially when there are several gentlemen about evidently enjoying the fun. I should not wonder if some of them have been amusing them- selves by taking snapshots of your young charge in various graceful attitudes." "They would be no gentlemen to do so," re- torted Miss Woodruff. "But think of the temptation, my dear Miss Woodruff," drawled Maud. "Just look at Miss Rovston now." Pat had been rolled down the slope by a crowd of laughing youngsters, who shrieked with delight as she reached the bottom, and springing to her feet shook the sand out of her hair and dress. Just wait until I catch you," said Pat to the highly delighted group at the top of the mound, as she shook her fist at them and then hurried up the sand-bank. The children scattered in all directions as sho reached the top, shouting and laughing as they ran. For a moment Pat hesitated, and then started in pursuit of first one and then another, rolling them over in the sand as she caught them. An aristocratic-looking man passed close by Miss Woodruff and Maud, and said to the lady with him: "What a jolly girl that is. Full of life and spirits. She enjoys the fun quite as much as the youngsters. She ought to enjoy her young life and remain a girl as long as the world will let her. Miss Woodruff looked at the speaker gratefully; for she loved to hear Pat praised, and she recog- nised him as a well-known member of Parliament and a Cabinet Minister. Such testimony was worth having, and took all the sting out of Maud Bexley's remarks. Quite unconscious of the approval of such an authoritv, Pat Rovston played on until she was exhausted, and happening to catch sight of Miss Woodruff, came running down to her, flushed yd out of breath. "We have had a romp," she panted. "It was such fun." Then noticing Maud Bexley's face, she added: "You ought to have been with us, Miss Bexlev; a roll down thbse sand-hills is most exhilarating. It is much more pleasant than it looks, I assure you, and not a bad way of coming down hill. Have you ever tried it?" asked Pat, misch ievouslv. "Certainly not," said Maud. "It is most un- becoming." "Really, do you think so?" said Pat. "Now, I should have thought it just the opposite, judging by the apparent attraction it presents for numerous people." "Gentlemen," snapped Maud. "Then I wonder you have never practised it," was the sharp retort. It was evident Pat did not like Maud Bexley any more than Maud liked Pat. Miss Woodruff saw a storm brewing, and hastened to make peace. "You had batter put up your hair, Pat," she said. "I suppose the children pulled it down." "Yes," laughed Pat. "One inquiring damsel of s ix said it was not real; and then they set to work to demonstrate the fact, and were quite surprised to find they were mistaken." She said nothing about meeting Arthur Dunbar, so that Maud, as we have heard, was unaware of his departure until told by her brother. As for Arthur Dunbar, he could not get Pat Royston out of his mind as he journeyed to York- shire. He was, however, anxious about his horses. During the season a run of bad luck had dogged him persistently. The stable had been out of form, as stables are at times, and everything went wrong. Well-planned coups were upset and "doad certainties" did not come off. Horses won when unbacked and were thought to have no particular chances, but were merely started to get a line for something else. Arthur Dunbar commenced badly at Lincoln when a horse he had backed heavily got a bad start in the handicap, and could never make up his lost ground. The animal, however, ran well enough to shew the handicapper he had made a mistake in giving it such a lenient weight, and consequently he took better care of it next time. A couple of real good things ran second at York when they were looked upon as sure to win, and even at Pontefract a very fair horse, upon whom odds were laid freely, succumbed by a head to an outsider. "Mr. Dunbar's stable, which has been dead out of form all the season, has met with another stroke of bad luck. Most of the horses are coughing, and Whirlwind, who was thought likely to land a big back-end handicap for his popular owner and thus get back some of the heavy losses, we understand, is the worst of the lot. The luck must change soon, and we hope for Mr. Dunbar's sake, and that of his experienced trainer, it will not be long in coming." Thus the "Sportsman" of the morning when Arthur Dunbar was hastening to Middleham. Not pleasant reading this for the young owner, and Arthur knew the case had not been over- stated. He was afraid to think how much his losses tallied up to, but he knew they ran into thousands. He did not lose heart, however, for he knew one "dead certainty," if it came off, would pull him round with a balance in hand, if the commission was well worked, and Martin Mill, who did Arthur's racing investments, was not the man to make any error, or let the cat out of the bag by injudicious chattering. Martin Mill knew the value of a silent tongue, and no one could gather anything from his stolid face. Arthur Dunbar placed great faith in him —more than he ought to do, so some of his friends said. They were wrong. Martin Mill was as straight as a die, and what is more to the point he was very partial to his employer. He worked harder and schemed more for Arthur Dunbar than he ever did for anyone else, and the "averages" he returned were far more, as a rule, than could have been expected. It had upset Martin Mill more than he cared to acknowledge—this run of bad luck in Arthur Dun- bar's stable. He had been planning a big coup with Whirlwind for the Cesarewitch, and now the horse was in a hopeless state—at all events for that race. Gilbert Honey had consulted the commissioner, before he wrote to Arthur Dunbar, and when he received a reply he sent a message to Mill to come to Middleham to meet his employer. After a roundabout journey Arthur Dunbar ar- rived at Leyburn and was met by Gilbert Honey, the trainer. As they drove to Middleham Honey explained the state of affairs at the stables, and said he had asked Martin Mill over to meet him. "I shall be glad to see him," said Arthur, "and you did quite right to ask him to come. Martin Mill is a shrewd man, and looks a long way ahead. If anyone can suggest a way out of the muddle he is the man. By Jove, Honey, we must get a win, the luck is bound to change before long." "It has been dead against us for some time," was the trainer's reply, "and I'm afraid it won't change this season. Wait until next spring, Mr. Dunbar, and then I think we have one or two will give 'em an eye-opener and make Martin Mill have some good settling days." (To be continued.) -•

A CHESTER WOMAN TALKS. I When an incident like the following occurs here in Chester, and a Chester woman relates her experience in a Chester newspaper for the benefit of Chester people, its genuineness cannot be doubted. It deserves close attention. It has the ring of truth about it that there is no getting away from. Mrs. Hannah Wynne, of 8, Steele-street, Chester, says: "I have suffered very much with a lame back. The pains affected me across the small of the back and up between the shoulders. My kidneys and liver have always worried me, so I knew only too well the real cause of these worrying pains." "As time went on these pains increased. Headaches annoyed me and my eyesight be- came a little impaired. I became tired with the slightest exertion. I consulted a medical man, and he told me it was all caused by chronic Dyspepsia." I felt sure that my kidneys had something to do with these back pains, so noticing the splendid work that Doan's Backache Kidney Pills were doing in curing such ailments, I went down to BOQts, and obtained a box of them. I can honestly say they have done all that was claimed for them. The pains are completely gone from my back, and I feel better in every way. Already I have been recommending them to my friends, and I gladly give this testimony. It may help other sufferers to obtain relief from pain,' said Mrs. Wynne in conclusion. Doan's Backache Kidney Pills are sold by all chemists and storekeepers at 2s. 9d. per box (six boxes 13s. 9d.) or will be posted on receipt of price by the proprietors, Foster McClellan Co., 57, Shoe Lane, London. See that the word Backache is in the name, and that the signature of James Doan is on the wrapper. It is important to get the same pills which Mrs. Wynne used. Therefore ask for Doan's Backache Kidney Pills. But,—be sure they are Doan's.

PICTURE POSTCA.RDB.-Messrs. Raphael Tuck and Sons. the well-known art publishers, have issued souvenir postcards in honour of Lord Roberts's return from South Africa. These latest additions to the pictorial postcards are highly artistic productions. TO CURE A COLD IN ONE DAY. I Take Laxative Bromo Quinine Tablets. All Druggists refund the money if it fails to cure, Drug gi&. genuine is stamped L.B.Q.

FOOTBALL NOTES. I [BY SPHERE. I I Interest in football locally is still very active, and this was evident at Hoole on Saturday after- noon, when Newton Rangers met Helsby in the semi-final round of the Challenge Cup Compe- tition before a large number of onlookers. The teams, of cour3e, were strongly represented, and the game was one of the best-contested yet wit- nessed under the League auspices. Both sides attacked and defended in grand style, and neither contingent appeared to gain the upper hand for any length of time. About fifteen minutes after the start, however, the Helsby men scored the first goal in splendid fashion, but the homesters were not slow to equalise. It was quite natural that both sets of players now endeavoured to gain the lead, and in this respect the Rangers were successful shortly before the interval, when they led by two goals to one. Coppack, the goal- keeper for Newton, played very coolly, and he saved many difficult .shots sent in by the opposing forwards in a somewhat amusing fashion. Hough, the visiting custodian, also gave an exhibition of his capabilities as a goalkeeper. The play in the second half was like the first- very exciting and interesting. The Rangers hav- ing the lead, the Helsby forwards indulged in some really fine passing movements, and made des- perate efforts to draw level. In this they suc- ceeded soon after half-time, the ball being placed in the net so well that Coppack had not the slightest chance to save the point. The Helsby supporters cheered vigorously, and the visitors tried hard to score again, but failed. Bibby, one of the Helsby forwards, was conspicuous as usual, and the same may be said of Whitehouse and Riley, who figured in the home ranks. A well- fought game ended in a draw of two goals each, and the second encounter between the teams will be watched with considerable interest. Frodsham Parish Church premier team were ex- pecting Newton-le-Willows on Saturday afternoon on the Athletic Ground in a League fixture, and were ready waiting with the referee, but were disappointed, the visitors for some reason failing to appear. Shotton Rangers received a visit last Saturday from Rhyl Church Guild, who came to decide which team should enter the fourth round of the competition for the much-coveted Welsh Junior Cup. Shotton had not their full strength, having to play two reserve team men on the right wing. Prompt to the advertised time the ball was set rolling, the visitors kicking down hill. Almost immediately Shotton raced away, Toby sprinting in fine style only to kick outside. The Guild men now came down in a determined manner, the right outside getting nicely away, having ex- ceedingly hard lines. Give-and-take play ensued for a long time, the homesters missing some very easy chances in front of goal. Half-time arrived with no goals scored. During the interval both teams were photographed by a football enthusiast. In the second half the Rangers completely out- played their opponents, but it was not until the game had been in progress for an hour that Green defeated the visiting custodian, who had been playing a splendid game. This reverse somewhat aroused the visiting team, who made a futile attempt to break away, but were promptly pulled up by the full-backs, who transferred the play into the other half. Some exciting play followed, the Rhyl right full-back handling the leather within the twelve-yards' line. The referee awarded a penalty kick. Hewitt took the kick, but sent the ball direct for the goalkeeper, who saved at the expense of a corner. It was now practically a game of shooting in, the visitors rarely crossing the centre line. Number two was added in a scrim- mage. Shortly afterwards the whistle blew for time, the homesters winning a fairly well-contested gstme by two goals to nil. On Monday a meeting of the Chester and District Referees' Association was held at the Oddfellows' Hall, Chester, under the chairman- ship of Mr. G. S. N. Hull. There was a fair attendance of referees, officials and players. Mr. J. Maddock, chairman of the Liverpool and District Referees' Association, attended, and delivered a lecture on Referees and their duties." A discussion followed, and it was an- nounced that the lists of the association would be formulated at once and examinations held im- mediately, and that all referees in the district intending to join the local association must apply at once. A meeting of the Chester and District League took place on Monday, when the secretary re- ported that Buckley Swifts had not fulfilled their League fixture with the Chester Locos, and he was instructed to inform the Buckley Swifts Club that unless they fulfilled their fixture with Wrex- ham next Saturday, and attended a meeting on Monday next to explain their conduct, they would be reported "to the Welsh Association, in order that they might be dealt with forthwith. Hibbert, who was a player of the Hoole Rovers Club, was granted a transfer to the Newton Rangers. Keenly contested were the games played under the auspices of the First Division of the League on Saturday, and in no instance did a team win by more than one goal. Two clubs were beaten on their own turf, and three drawn games were recorded. In one case only were two goals scored, Notts County accomplishing this feat against their neighbours from Derby, the visitors' single point coming close on time. The victory of Nottingham Forest at Bramall-lane came as a welcome change to the Reds after a disastrous period during the festive season. Though still at the head of affairs, they are relatively much below Newcastle United, who have had a comparatively easy time lately, and they will have a stiff task to maintain their position. The Novocastrians just managed to beat the Rovers, who have improved vastly during the past fortnight. By obtaining the solitary goal of the match did the Tynesiders credit themselves with another couple of valuable points. The vic- tory of West Bromwich at Aston Park furnished the surprise of the afternoon. The Throstles have been doing so badly of late, owing to injuries to their players and a fair amount of ill-luck, that with a weakened side they seemed to have no chance of success. They once more rose to the occasion, and gave the Villa another taste of their pluck and determination. Those keen opponents, Bolton Wanderers and Sheffield Wed- nesday, met at Burnden Park, and the Blades achieved a capital performance in sharing the honours. North End and Sunderland also finished their tuss!e at Deepdale in similar fashion, though, compared with last season's result, the home side gain a point. Manchester City gained a narrow success over Bury, the game being most stub- bornly contested throughout. Owing to the Supplementary Qualifying Round in the English Cup Competition, the Second Division fixtures were reduced to two. Burnley acquired two points at the expense of Lincoln City, and Small Heath did well to snatch a point at Leicester. Everything points to a keen struggle for premier honours in this division. CHESTER & DISTRICT FOOTBALL LEAGUE DIVISION 1. RESULTS UP TO DATE. fGoalsl Pld. W oD.L.st.Dr.D. For. A Kt.PtS Ellesmere Port 7. 7. 0. 0 26.10.14 Shotton Rangers 8. 5. 1. 2.22. 6.12 Newton Rangers .12. 5. 5. 2.27.27.12 Wrexham Vics. 7. 5. 2. 0.22.11.10 Helsby. 9. 4. 3. 2.21.16.10 Tlint 8. 4. 4. 0.17.16. 8 L. & N.-W. Locos 12. 4. 8. 0 22.26. 8 Taroorley St. Helens. 9. 2. 7 0.16.39. 4 Buckley Swifts. 6. 0. 6. 0. 6.21. 0

HOCKEY. J HOOLE v. CHESTER 2ND. I A corresponaent writes: -JL'tiis match wag 1 played on the ground of the latter on Saturday. The bully-off was taken at 3 o'clock p.m., and Chester immediately took u £ the attack, Day, for Chester, bringing the ball into close proximity to I the Hoole goal. This attack was cleared and the Hoole players roused themselves. Roberts got hold of the ball, and beating the Chester defence, scored the first goal for Hoole with a splendid shot. After this Hoole pressed throughout, bom- barding the Chester goal repeatedly, and when the whistle blew for half-time the game stood Hoole 4 goals, Chester nil. At the recommence- ment rough play indeed ensued, particularly on the part of three of the Chester players, Blayney Jones receiving a very nasty crack below the knee-cap, which necessitated his leaving the field. Rough as the game became, however, this did not daunt the Hoole men, for they all played a very good game throughout, and during the second half managed to notch three more goals. Roberts, for Hoole, played a magnificent game, and is really deserving of county honours. Powell, as centre torward, also played a good game, but the most consistent players were the half-backs, namely J. P. Hodge, Horace Davies and F. Billington, who diligently served the forwards throughout. For Chester, T. Day as outside right, and Vincent Tate as centre-forward, were the only players worthy of mention. The final result was Hoole 7 goals, Chester nil. I MOLD v. CHESTER. These teams met at Mold on Saturday after- noon, when it chanced that the Cestrians found the Welshmen distinctly off colour, and secured an easy victory to the tune of eleven goals to one. Straightway from the bully off the Mold forwards took possession and scored within two minutes of the start. This meteoric flash on the part of the Moldavians only served to put the visitors on their mettle. The forwards, a smart quintette in the pink of condition, commenced to force the game, and at half-time the game stood seven to one in favour of the strangers. Immediately after the interval the homesters shewed signs of distress, while their opponents played on with unabated vigour, and in the end won a one-sided game by eleven to one, as already stated. The Cestrians to a man played a safe and confident game. Hamilton was the best of the Moldavians in the field, while between the sticks Barker saved his side from a much heavier defeat. NESTON & DISTRICT v. FORMBY. I Though three men missed their train Neston managed to raise ten men to oppose Formby, on Saturday, at Parkgate. The latter brought & very weak side, and were beaten 8-0. In the first half E. R. Morrison (2) and Dr. Napier Jones (1) scored for the home side; Hubback and Pemberton at back played a safe game. During the second half the Neston goal was only once shot at, while A. Barrett (3) and Martindale (2) combined with Tyrer, who played a fine game.

AGRICULTURE I RETROSPECTIVE AND PROSPECTIVE. I January is mostly regarded as the dullest month in the year as far as farming matters are concerned, and the month on which we have entered forms no exception, whether we look backwards or forwards. The last year of the nineteenth century was scarcely a remarkable one, except, perhaps, for the adverseness of the seasons and months of contrary weather. Yet on the whole it might have been considerably worse. The cereal crops have not turned out so well as was at one time anticipated, and there is a heavy shortage in the store stock of the country, although we may have to look for other causes to account for the latter item. The potato crop was a partial failure, while fresh outbreaks of foot-and-m'outh disease have been responsible for much uneasiness as to what the future is likely to bring in this respect. That the war has spread a gloom over matters agricultural there can be no question, as witness the diminished interest taken in almost all of the agri- cultural exhibitions, with consequently diminished funds of the different societies. In fact while little is to be said in favour of farming matters during the old year, it must be candidly admitted that not much can be urged on the other side. Cheshire, after all, is one of the last counties to feel the pinch of a bad season on account of its being devoted to grazing and dairying. But from the east and south-east, where corn is largely grown, there is great complaint of the out-turn now that the threshings are on, and we are cautioned in respect to still further contrac- tion in the area of wheat sown. As some counter- action to this, however, the poisoned beer scare is reported to be giving now impetus to barley- sowing in view of compulsory pure beer brewing. Meanwhile ley-ploughing is going on steadily, and the outlook for stock-breeders is more en- oouraging, except, perhaps, in those districts which have suffered severely from the late rains and heavy floods. These will take some time to recover, even if the weather should keep dry and propitious. The change to winterly weather is distinctively encouraging. The cheese markets during the week have been absolutely devoid of any new feature and prices are practically unchanged. There was slightly more stirring on the Liverpool market, but pur- chases were of a hand to mouth character. I THE SHRINKAGE IN THE WHEAT CROP. I he continual shrinkage in the area of land devoted to wheat in this country is not a pleasant theme to contemplate. It certainly furnishes a subject for serious reflection for the future of the country; but farmers cannot be expected to go on cultivating crops that do not pay. According to the returns of the Board of Agriculture, the total production of wheat is smaller than in any year previously recorded except in 1893 and 1895. A deficient yield per acre has been coincident with a substantial reduction in the acreage. The great corn-growing districts ot England are accountable for this decrease. The yield of Wales is above the normal, and that of Scotland a little less. The estimated decrease is over 12,000,000 bushels. The yield of barley is also much smaller. EXHIBITION HEIFERS: A CURIOUS POINT. An important point affecting exhibitors and buyers at fat stock shows was raised at the council meeting of the Scottish National Fat Stock Club. The question brought up at the instance of a butcher had reference to the exhibition as fat animals of heifers in calf, l or, perhaps more correctly, to the practice of allowing to be put in calf heifers in training or intended for fat stock shows. The complaining butcher pur- chased at the recent Edinburgh show a heifer which, when slaughtered, was found to be "con- siderably gone in calf," and the animal being. in consequence, materially depreciated in value for his purpose, he naturally and very properly sug- gests that steps should be taken to prevent the exhibition of pregnant heifers at winter shows designedly held for fat stock only. The Scottish Club were prompt to see the fairness of the appeal, and at once agreed that when the prize schedule for the next show came up for revision a proviso should be inserted by way of preventing a recurrence of such a case. They might have gone a considerable step further and ascertained the exact circumstances connected with the exhibit, for if the case in question was not an accidental slip in the entry it was bound to have been a fraud. No other word would ADDIV. FRUIT FARMING AND GRASS ORCHARDS. In the course of an instructive article in the current number of the Journal of the Board of Agrioulture upon the experiments made in the treatment of apple trees by the Duke of Bedford and Mr. Spencer U. Pickering, F.R.S., at the Woburn fruit farm, some interesting results are ropresented as having been obtained in regard to the effect of growing grass round the trees. The grass-grown trees, it appears, are scarcely bigger than when planted five years ago, and the actual increase in weight is about eighteen times smaller than with trees in tilled ground. Grass does almost as much damage as careless planting, weeds, and total neglect combined. ylantin. does not impoverish the ground by competing for food, but causes a large increase in the evapora- tion from the soil, the trees being thereby made to suffer from drought with consequent depriva- tion of other nourishment as well. It is believed also that the grass acts by preventing the access of air to the roots of the tree. The trees never recover from the backwardness occasioned by the grass, whereas careless planting and neglect, if afterwards remedied, may not permanently affect the trees. THE CANADIAN WHEAT CROP. Latest official reports make the wheat crop of Ontario, in round figures, 29,000,000 bushels, or 8,000,000 more than last year's deficient pro- duction. But the Manitoban crop is estimated at only 13,000,000 bushels, against 27,922,000 for 1899, and 25,300,000 for 1898. No official figures, unfortunately, appear for the rest of Canada. IMPORTANT TO AGRICULTURISTS. With the advent of 1901 there came into force two new Acts of importance to agriculturists, viz., the recast Agricultural Holdings Act and the Workmen's Compensation Act. A NEW PRESIDENCY FOR THE PRINCE OF WALES. The Prince of Wales, who for some years has been a successful breeder of Dexter cattle, has been pleased to accept the presidency of the English Kerry and Dexter Cattle Society for 1901. It will be remembered that his Royal Highness won the championship of the small cattle classes at the recont Smithfield Show with a prime Dexter steer bred and fed at Sandring- ham. ESSEX FARMERS AND BARLEY GROWING. The farmers of Essex and other parts of the eastern counties anticipate that there will shortly b3 a greater demand for barley than there has been for some years past owing to the agitation for pure beer. As a result, a number of fields which, since the agricultural depression have only grown grass, are now being ploughed up for the purpose of being sown with barley. DAIRYING EDUCATION IN FRANCE. The French Government has taken a new de- parture which ought to awaken an interest in those in authority in this country and furnish food for reflection as to their future attitude towards agriculturists and agricultural teaching. Cheese and butter-making schools are being opened by the Government in different parts of France. The British Commercial Attache in Paris, writing on the subject, states that at Poligny, in the centre of the Jura cheese-making district, there is a school where tuition is gratuitous, and where cheese and butter- making is so well managed that the school is a model for the local landowners and farmers. Another school at Mamirolle has a farm with cows and plant attached. It was started with the avowed object of perfecting the methods of making Gruyere cheese, and has been extended, until now the pupils are taught everything con- nected with the manufacture of butter and the different classes of cheese for the French market. In Tunis there is a school which has connected with it an experimental garden, a farm, an olive- tree plantation, and a model olive-oil factory. The system is being extended. TITHE COMMUTATION FOR 1900. I the Editor of "Willich's Tithe Commutation Tables," published by Messrs. Longmans, Green and Co., writes:—"As a result of the corn averages for the seven years to Christmas, 1900, published in the 'London Gazette' of January 1st, 1900-viz., wheat, 3s. 4!d. per imperial bushel; barley, 3s. Od. per imperial bushel; oats 2s. Oid. per imperial bushel-I beg to state that each £100 of tithe rent-charge for the year 1901 will amount to L66 10s. 9;kd., being on the commutation about per cent. less than last year. The fol- lowing statement shews the worth of £100 of tithe rent-charge for the last seven years:-For the year 1894, JB74 3s. 9!d.; 1895, L73 13s. Oid. 1896, £71 9s. 6id.; 1897, B69 17s. llid. 1898, B68 14s. lid.; 1899, £ 68 2s. 41d. 1900, 266 15s. 9d. The average value of £ 100 of tithe rent-charge for the sixty-five years which have elapsed since the passing of the Tithe Com- mutation Act of 1836 is £ 96 Is. llfd.

MEN'S CONVALESCENT HOME, RHTT,.—The annual report of the Men's Home, Rhyl. has been issued to the subscribers, and shews that the institution has bad a record season. In fact, for the first time in its history the number of inmates has exceeded 800. The season lasted for about 30 weeks, due advantage being taken of the mild weather at Rhyl in the months of April and May. In all 821 convalescents were admitted, many coming from large centres of in- dustry. No fewer than 796 were admitted on the nomination of subscribers. The weights of all inmates were taken on admittance and on leaving, with the result that it; was found that 726 gained 4,4571b., or 61b. each on an average; 60 left at the same weight, 36 somewhat lost, and two died. There are now 122 beds in the institution, and for several months every bed was occupied. Good results as to improved health were noticed, but the trustees urge that in no case should the residence in the home be less than one month, especially in cases of convalescence. Lord Penrbyn has been elected to fill the vacancy as president caused by the death of the Duke of Westminster. OLD FALSE TgETH BOUGHT. I Many ladies and gentlemen have by them old or disused false teeth, which might as well be turned into money. Messrs. R. D. & J. B. Fraser, of Princes-street, Ipswich (established since 1833), buy old false teeth. If you send your teett to them they will remit you by return post the utmost value; or, if preferred, they will make I you the best offer, and hold the teeth over for I your reply. If reference necessary, apply to Messrs. Bacon & Co., Bankers, Ipswich.

WATER IN BUTTER. IMPORTANT APPEAL. There was concluded at Preston Quarter Sessions on Saturday an appeal case the decision in which is of great importance to provision mer- chants, farmers, and dairymen throughout the British Islands. The question at issue was the limit of water that should be allowed in butter. The appeal had been suspended for a considerable time because it had been expected that a com- mission would be appointed by the Board of Agriculture for fixing the standard of water, but an intimation had been received that no such fixing of the standard was likely to take place at present. The appellants were the Peace and Safety I Industrial Society (Limited), of Rawtenstall, who had been convicted by the Rossendale justices of having sold, to the prejudice of the purchaser, a pound of butter not of the nature, substance and quality demanded by the purchaser, inas- much as it contained 19.30 per cent. of water, contrary to section 6 of the Food and Drugs Act, 1875. As the question affected the whole of the Irish s-alt butter trade, which exports to the value of nearly £3,000,000 annually, a large number of eminent analysts, butter manufacturers, and mer- chants of considerable experience in home and foreign butter-making were called to speak as to the process employed in the Irish homesteads in the manufacture of Irish salt butter. It was pointed out that it was impossible to make Irish keeping butter to come within the maximum of 15 to 16 per cent. of water which is being established by the public analysts of the country, and that its manufacture necessitated the em- ployment of brine as opposed to dry salt, which the respondents held (though it was denied on behalf of the witnesses for the appellants) would gife the effect required. The appeal was allowed and the convictions quashed, the Bench being of opinion that the pur- chaser, having demanded Irish butter, got what, according to the ordinary use of the term, he might reasonably expect to get. Both the appellants and the respondents agreed on the great desirability of some authoritative standard or standards being fixed. One sug- gestion was that there should be two standards, one for the creamery butter and one fbr the more heavily salted butter known as Irish. Having regard to the magnitude of the interests involved to producers and consumers alike in the trade of butter imported from Ireland, and to the fact that there were two distinct classes of butter im- ported, and that it was desirable to prevent as far as possible confusion between them, it was tho unanimous opinion of the court that the ques- tion of fixing a presumptive standard or standards merited the early attention of the Board of Agriculture.

I NANTWICH GUARDIANS AND I CHRISTMAS BEER. A heated discusssion took place at the Nant- wich Board of Guardians on Saturday with regard to a resolution passed at the previous meeting refusing to allow a barrel of beer which had been sent to the workhouse by Mr. Eardley, a Crewe guardian, to be distributed among the inmates at their Christmas dinner. Mr. Pedley, at the previous meeting, called attention to the prevalence of beer poisoning, and said a grave responsibility would be in- curred by the guardians if the inmates suffered from drinking the beer sent to the house. The guardians, on the motion of Mr. Pedley, decided by ten votes to nine to refuse to allow the beer to be distributed, and buttermilk was the beverage substituted at the Christmas dinner of the inmates.—Mr. Eardley now moved a resolution that the beer be distributed to the adult inmates on a day to be appointed by the Guardians. He criticised as absurd the argu- ment of Mr. Pedley that the inmates ran the risk of being attacked with arsenical poisoning, pointing out that the quantity of beer supplied to the inmates was limited to three glasses. He could understand the position of a total abstainer, but he could not understand the position of a total abstainer who forced his principles to such an extent as to deprive poor people of a privilege which brought a little sunshine to their lives. (Hear, heat.) He did not envy Mr. Pedley the success he won on a snatch division, nor did he care to share with him the expressions of disappointment and resentment which arose at the Christmas dinner of the inmates. (Applause.)—Mr. Leah, in seconding, remarked that the guardians supplied beer and stout to the officials without, considering it necessary to have the supplies analysed. (Laughter, and hear, hear.)—Mr. Pedley, replying to the I- uncomplimentary remarks of Mr. Eardley," said the resolution at the last meeting was the outcome of a discussion on the question of arsenical poisoning as the result of drinking beer. It might take a great deal to poison Mr. Eardley-(Iaughter)-but he thought a pint of beer would poison him. (Mr. Lumb It is bad for weak heads.) He believed that more than one-half of the inmates in that house were there as the result of excessive drinking. (Mr. Lumb No.) As a total abstainer he believed it to be mistaken and cruel kindness to revive among the inmates of a workhouse a craving for drink, the excessive use of which had brought many of them to ruin. A gallon of buttermilk, a beverage which bad been referred to in a very cynical manner, was, he considered, worth more than a gallon of beer for pig feeding. (Mr. Lumb, sarcastically Hear, hear, and for feeding human beings.") He moved that the beer be not accepted.—Mr. Jackson seconded.—The guardians eventually divided, when Mr. Eardley's motion was carried by 19 votes to 15.—A question arose as to what provision was to be made for the teetotal inmates of the house, and the Chairman and Vice- chairman undertook to provide at their own expense tea and coffee drinks. It was further decided that the festive day should be Monday next.

I MORE ABOUT BEER. EXTRAORDINARY CASE OF POISONING. In view of the many deaths which have recently occurred from beer poisoning, oae might have expected that every precaution would be taken by consumers to escape poison- ing in any form whatever. Mr. Fred. Carter, of Southwick, Sunderland, had his blood so poisoned by the effects of long continued liver disorder and constipation, that for seven years his body was absolutely covered with sores and ulcers. Charles Forde's Bile Beans for Bilious- ness were introduced when he was in thia sad state. The effect was marvellous. He says: For seven years I had been so troubled with them that all my skin gave off a most offensive odour. I tried nearly every remedy I saw advertised, but in vain. The first box of Chas. Forde's Bile Beans for Biliousness did me good, and the second still more. As I continued to take the Beans I noticed that the pimples first began to change colour, and then to get less. This highly gratify- ing state of affairs continued, until to- day I have not a single pimple on my body. My general health is splendid. I feel in magnificent form, and can go about my work and recreation alike with pleasure." In this way was Mr. Carter's system cleared of every trace of the poisonous substances which had had such a fearful effect for so long.

HAWARDEN WO RK HOUSE TREAT. THE REFUSED BEER. Mr. W. Fryer presided over the fortnightly meeting of the Hawarden Board of Guardians on Friday. On the proposition of Mr. Wright, seconded by Miss Thom, thanks were accorded to the Master and Matron and others who assisted at the Christmas tree and treat, also to those who subscribed to the fund.—Mr. Bellis proposed that a vote of thanks be also accorded to Mr. Shepherd (Sealand) for his kind offer to supply beer to the inmates at Christmas.—Mr. Taylor seconded the proposi- tion.—Mr. J. Jones objected to this motion because the offer had been refused, and Mr. Shepherd had been thanked at the last meeting. Mr. Shepherd had made the offer verbally and he had been thanked verbally, and that was quite sufficient.—Mr. Wright said he did not think any thanks were required, and they had said enough about the question. The sooner it dropped the better—Mr. Taylor said although Mr. Shepherd's offer had been rejected there was no reason why they should not accord him their thanks.—The Chairman considered that as the offer had not been accepted there was no necessity to accord the vote of thanks.—Mr. Bellis pressed his motion, whereupon Mr. Wright protested against Mr. Bellis continually creating disturbances on the Board. They should let the matter drop at once.—The discussion then ended, Mr. Bellis's motion not being put to the vote.

FASHIONABLE WEDDING. I CUNLIFFE—SACKVILLE-WEST. I The wedding of Sir Robert Cunliffe, of Acton Park, Wrexham, took place quietly on Saturday afternoon at St. Barnabas's Church, Pimlico, Lon- don. The bride was Miss Cecilie Victoria Sack- ville-West, younger daughter of Colonel W. E. Sackville-West, a justice of the peace for Carnar- vonshire, of 17, Basil Mansions, Sloane-street, London. The Bishop of St. Asaph officiated, assisted by the Rev. A. Hanbury-Tracy, vicar of St. Barnabas. The service was fully choral. The bride, who was given away by her father, was married in her travelling dress of pastel blue cloth, prettily braided in gold and trimmed with dark fur. With this she wore a blue feather hat, trimmed with blue roses. The Rev. Neville Egerton Leigh attended the bridegroom as best man. There were no bridesmaids, and there was no reception after the ceremony, a largely- attended reception having been held by Colonel West on January 3 at 85, Eaton-square. Sir Robert and Lady Cunliffe left on Saturday after- noon for Keston Lodge, lent by Lady Margaret Cecil, where they will spend the early days of their honeymoon before proceeding to Italy. The presents, numbering about 300, included the fol- lowing —To the bride: Diamond tiara, diamond necklace, diamond rings, diamond and emerald brooch, diamond and ruby brooch and small hair brooch, from the bridegroom; cheque and long sapphire chain, Colonel West; diamond and sapphire dog collar, Lord Sackville and Mr. and Mrs. Lionel Sackville-West; gold chain purse, set with jewels, Captain and Mrs. Charles Sackville-West; diamond and sapphire brooch, Mr. Bertrand Sackville-West; fitted travelling bag, Mr. and Mrs. John Tracey; gold and turquoise umbrella handle, Colonel Cornwallis- West; enamel and diamond chain pendant, Dowager Lady Pen- rhyn; sapphire and diamond bracelet, Lord and Lady Penrhyn; cheque, Sir Herbert Murray; diamond and pearl ornament and cheque, the Duke of Bedford; mother of pearl fan, the Duchess of Bedford; pearl bracelet, Sir Edward Malet; diamond and ruby brooch, Miss Victoria Sackville-West; silver box, shoehorn, glove stretcher, hatbrush and comb, Mrs. Goldswain and Basil Mansions Servants; and many other presents. The gifts to the bridegroom included: From the bride, pearl studs and miniature; Colonel West, chiming clock; Major Cunliffe, Mrs. Priestley, Mrs. Vidal, Mrs. Edwards and Miss Cunliffe, copying machine; the Misses Cunliffe, table; Mr. Foster and Mr. Neville Cun- liffe, Miss Evelyn and Miss Kythe Cunliffe, two illustrated books; Friends in the neighbourhood of Wrexham, cheque for a portrait of Miss Sack- ville-West Tenants on the Acton estate, silver cigarette box and silver-mounted letter-box; Lord Dynevor, silver flask; Dowager Lady Puleston, pair of Dresden cups and saucers; Mr. and1 Mrs. Wynne of Penarth, silver inkstand: Servants at Acton, luncheon basket; Sir Watkin Williams Wynn, blotting book; Dowager Lady Williams Wynn, silver inkstand, &c.

I DENBIGHSHIRE QUARTER SESSIONS. The quarter sessions for the county of Denbigh were held on Friday at Ruthin, Captain Griffith Boscawen presiding over a large attendance. In his charge to the Grand Jury, the Chairman referred briefly to the four cases on the calendar, and congratulated the county on the diminution of crime, which, he said, was now below the general average. The following gentlemen qnalified as magi- strates for the county:—Dr. Medwyn Hughes (Mayor of Ruthin), Mr. Sampson Mitchell (Minora), Mr. W. C. Hughes (Ruabon), and Dr. J. C. Davies (Ruabon). On the motion of Colonel Mesham, seconded by Mr. Thomas Williams, the following magi- strates were appointed as a Visiting Committee of the prison at Ruthin Colonel Gornwallis- West, Chancellor Bulkeley Jones,, Messrs. G. H. Denton and G. Bleazard, and Captain Cole. Chancellor Bulkeley Jones moved, and Mr. A. Potts seconded, the appointment of the follow- ing as representatives of the court on the Standing Joint Committee, and the motion was unanimously agreed to:—Captain Griffith Hoscawen, Colonel Mesham, Sir W. G. Williams, Sir R. E. EgertoD, Captain Cole, Captain I' Barker, Colonel W. S. Gregson Ellis, Colonel T. A. Wynne-Edwards, and Messrs. W. D. W. Griffith, J. Darlington, J. Duncan Miller, and F. P. Jones Parry. Mr. Thomas Williams (Llwesog) was elected an assessor for the purposes of the Clergy Discipline Act, 1892, in the place of the late Mr. J. R. Burton. On the application of Mr. Trevor Lloyd the Court granted an application for the diversion of a public footpath in the parish of Abergele under the powers contained in the London and North Western Railway (Wales) Act, 1898. Jane Davidson, described as of no occupation, and between 60 and 70 years of age, pleaded guilty to having stolen two gold rings, value £ 1 19s. 6d., the property of Richard Morris Wilkes, Wrexham, on the 8th of November.— Mr. R. V. Bankes (instructed by Mr. P. W. Glascodine, Wrexham) said that during the last 31 years the prisoner bad been sentenced to terms of imprisonment which amounted to 30 years, 20 of which were to penal servitude. There were in fact but few women in the country more expert in the art of shoplifting than the prisoner. On the 8tb of November she visited a jeweller's shop at Wrexham and bought a worthless ring, for which she paid Is., but while in the shop she stole two valuable wedding rings. for which offence she was now indicted. Since 1869 she bad been engaged in robbing shopkeepers in London and other places on every occasion she had been out of prison. The prisoner on being sentenced to- three years' penal servitude fainted in the dock, and had to be carried below. Henry Trainer, 28, labourer, pleaded guilty to having broken into and entered a certain shop in the borough of Wrexham on the 11th of November and stolen 42 gold rings, six watches, twelve watch chains, and several other articles belonging to Brinley Wynn Williams. Mr. R. V. Bankes (instructed by Mr. S. D. Edisbury, Wrexham) prosecuted. Trainer was sentenced to nine calendar months' imprisonment with hard labour. The Chairman called up a young man named T. E. Hum- phreys, and said the court awarded him Al for the active part he had taken in the appre- hension of the prisoner. Such conduct, he thought, deserved recognition, as the police often complained that they had considerable difficulty in procuring assistance in the arrest 01 prisoners. William Dean, 30. labourer, was indicted for having on the 18th November stolen, a cashbox containing £ 8 10s. in money, together with several trinkets, the property ofi Rose Ann Cotterill, of Esclusham. Mr. S. Moss, M.P. (instructed by Mr. A. E. Lewi. Wrexham), prosecuted, and detailed the circumstances of the theft. The prisoner was working on a new railway at Llwynlinion, Rhos. The woman Cotterill kept a hut for the workmen, and the valuables stolen were kept by her in the hut. On the 18th November, during the absence of the prosecutrix, the prisoner went into the hut and committed the theft. He was sent to, prison for 12 calendar months with hard labour. Albert Evans (20), billiard marker, of Colwyn Bay, pleaded not guilty to having stolen. as bailee, a bicycle, value al8, the property of Walter Roberts, timber merchant, Bootle, at Colwyn Bay on the 13fch of October. Mr. Trevor Lloyd (instructed by Mr. Oliver George) prosecuted, and Mr. S. Moss (instructed by Messrs. Porter and Amphlett) defended.—Mr. Moss contended that if the prisoner was guilty of anything at all it was of illegal pawning. it was simply a foolish freak, which most lads might be guilty of under the same circnm- stances.—The j-nry brought in a verdict of not guilty, and the foreman stated that they wished the lad to be cautioned" for taking the bicycle.-The Chairman: I suppose that means not guilty, but don't do it again P—The Fore- man: Yes. (Laughter.)

WATERPROOF GOODS.—Coats in a large variety of styles and patterns, at BBADLKT'S, Foregate. street. None but guaranteed articles sold. Prices 16/H, 21/11, 27/6, eto. Cyole Capea, Leggings, eta. I

DISSATISFIED ELLESMERE PORT RATEPAYERS. DISGRACEFUL ROADS AND HOUSES. For the main purpose of taking into considera- tion the advisability of forming an Urban District Council, a meeting of the Ellesmere Port and Whitby Ratepayers' Association was held in the Flatmen s Room, Church-street, Ellesmere Port, on Tuesday evening. Mr. W. Worsey presided. over a fair attendance of members. The associa- tion, of which Mr. E. L. Cooke is secretary, has been recently formed in order to promote the interests of the ratepayers and property owners at Ellesmere Port, and to afford assistance in remedying and preventing evils by petitions or otherwise; also to assist, if necessary, in nom- inating candidates for election. Mr. T. Rawson, who spoke in favour of urban powers being conferred upon them, said some might feel inclined to ask if an Urban District Council was required at all in Ellesmere Port.. They had a Parish Council, and one might ask if this was not sufficient for present purposes. He would say at once, however, that the Parish Council was not sufficient nor powerful enough to deal with the rapidly increasing demands of the district. But who was it that ruled them? The Wirral District Council, of course, a body composed of men who had perhaps never seen the place, and who in all probability had no desire to. They wanted to get all the money they could and spend it outside Ellesmere Port. Let them look at the disgraceful condition of their roads and at the more disgraceful buildings called houses which had sprung up around them! These build- ings, he felt bound, to say. would never have been allowed to pass in a town. They had passed plans for houses without sewers or even a road for the tenants to get to their homes. In wet weather residents of Ellesmere Port might be. seen wading ankle deep in mud right up to their front door, and the most strange thing about it was that nobody seemed to care if they walked up to their neck in mud. (Laughter and hear, hear.) Was it not time for them to wake up and throw off the yoke? But he heard some one say, Where had the Parish Council been that they had not protested against this state of things." Well, as he said before, their powers were very limited, and of course they should never round on an old "pal." (Laughter.) Perhaps it would be as well if he gave the members some of the powers a parish council enjoyed, and then they would see for themselves if the councillors of Ellesmere Port had done all they could for the interests of the ratepayers. In the first place it had power to put right any ill-smelling pond or ditch and to call the attention of the District Council to any unhealthy cottage or other sanitary fault in the parish. If the District sanitaIr ? f did not take action the County Council might be appealed to and might undertake the work. If the District Council did not repair the highways the local councillors might ask the County Council to do it instead. The Parish Council might also take steps to prevent any stopping of a right of way or enclosure of com- mon or roadside waste. But unless legal pro- ceedings were necessary the District Council must undertake them. The Parish Council had. power by agreement to buy any new right of way that would be of advantage to the people. There. were other powers, such as those with regard to libraries, baths, etc. It had power to acquire- land by purchase or gift for a recreation ground, and also for a parish hall, for allotments, or any other purpose. The expenses of the Parish Council were paid out of the poor rate, but a separate heading must be made to shew how much of the rate was given over for these ex- penses. The Parish Council might not spend beyond the amount of a 3d. rate without the consent of the parish meeting, but with its con- sent the limit wa3 6d. in the E. But the cost of lighting the roads, maintaining a library or baths was not included in this limit. For important undertakings the Parish Council might borrow money without the consent of a parish meeting, the County Council, and the Local Government Board, but not any sum exceeding half the ratable value of the parish. The cost of parish meetings and elections of the Parish Council must be paid out of the 3d. rate. He had dealt with some of the most important powers, but he did not think those powers were sufficient for Ellesmere Port. He thought the time had come when they should spend their own money in their own village. The people living in the place should know better what they wanted than those who resided outside and never came near Elles- mere Port. It had been said that if they had an urban council the rates would go up. As a, matter of faet the rates would be increased whether they had an urban council or not. And if they did go up they should get the benefit at the Port. The rates would not be spent on beautifying roads belonging to gentlemen who lived a distance away, but would' be used for some improvement at home. (Applause.) But of course the most important thing, for the rate- payers to do was to mind at the elections whom they put on the Council. It was the duty of every elector to cast his vote in favour of the candidate whose private interests would not be prejudiced by urging enforcement of the pro- visions of the law concerning insanitary and overcrowded dwellings, and to exclude, if any, all slum owners or jerry builders. For if they should get an Urban District Council the housing question was one of the most important that would come- under its notice; also sanitary reforms. (Hear, hear.) It would have nearly all the powers, and duties of a town council, with the exception of the regulation of the police. It had power, without the restrictions imposed on rural districts, to build artizans' dwellings and private cottages with half an acre of garden whenever there was a demand for them. The. urban council could, also obtain powers by private Acts of Parliament and otherwise to erect or- buy and to manage gasworks, electric light works, tramways and parks. But the most im- portant of all was they would have the handling of their own money-(hear, hear)—and he would: support the movement for an Urban District Council at Ellesmere Port. (Applause.) Even, those who opposed the soheme could not over- look the fact that the past had been most un- satisfactory to those in Whitby parish, and he- felt sure that in trying to get an Urban District Council they were taking a right step. He* hoped that if the proposal was adopted the Rate- payers' Association would flourish and carefully- watch how the money would be spent, and care- fully select and vote for the men best suited to sit on the Council. If they did that he had no fear as to the result. One of the most astonish- ing things to him was the- indifference of the- working classes to their own interest. (Hear, hear.) He hoped that association would be the means of awakening them out of their sleep. (Applause.) Mr. A. Paul, who rose to object to the proposed: scheme, asked how the money could be raised if an urban council was formed. It was the obvious duty of the ratepayers to consider first of all the- heavy expenditure that would be entailed by- such an undertaking. When most of the people- in Ellesmere Port were working-men an mcieasu in the rates would be serious, and he (the speaker), thought the present arrangements would answer their purposes for at least two or three years. Great expenses would be incurred by the forma- tion of an urban council. They would require a. steam roller for instance, at a cost of about L600. and this, together with other necessary additions and improvements, would make a total sum of considerably over £ 2,000. This would include the cost, of course, of new council build- ings, stables, etc. The overseers for the district, in fact, declared that a rate would be levied of about 9s. 4d. in the £ if the scheme was carried into effect, and he failed to see where the money was coming from. Mr. Rawson had stated that the powers of a parish council were very limited. He agreed with him to a certain extent; but had the members of Ellesmere Port Council. made full use of those powers, and spent what money they received for local objects in the most advan- tageous manner? He had little to say against the Parish Council., but they would all. agree with him that the work of the past had been some- what unsatisfactory, in various ways. With regard to the housing question, the Parish Council had failed to exercise all their legal powers in the past, but there was no doubt a bettor state of things would exist in the near future through the government of that local body. laking everything into consideration, the present Parish Council could deal with questions affecting the PQrt for a' few years yet. It would certainly be to, the benefit of the: working classes if they waited, until the population grew still larger. (Applause.) The Chairman said as an old member of the Parish Council at Ellesmere Port he could state with all confidence that the members had done their best for. the welfare of the district generally. He was in favour, however, of an Urban District Council being formed, because it was obvious to all that more and greater improvements would be. effected. If the proposal was adopted better facilities would be given for dealing with the. question-a most important one—of insanitary dwellings, in and around Ellesmere Port. Dr. Cahill also made a few remarks in approval of the scheme, which he thought was a most sensibla one. Mr:. Rawson, in moving that the recommenda- tion of the Ratepayers' Association be passed, said it seemed a great pity that some of the houses in Ellesmere Port should be overcrowd e4 without steps being taJien to remedy the matter. But an Urban District Council would iprevent such a state of things, in future, no doubt. Upon a shew of hands the motion was Qarried, aanid applause, with only one dissentient. A- vott of thanks to Mr. Worsey for presiding concluded; 1he meeting.

DEATH ov MISS A. M. LAIRD, æç. BISIKKN- HKAD.—The death is announced of Miss Agnea Macgregor Laird, third daughter of the late Mr. John Laird, first M.P. for Birkenhead. Miss Laird, who had been in delicate health for some years, aecessitating long stays at Bourne- mouth every year, reached the age of 61 years. Her death, which occurred at her residence, Cathcart, Claugbton, on Friday, removes &. generous, supporter of the Borough Hospital and St. Mary's Parish Church, as well aa numerous local charities. The funeral took place on Wednesday aftersooit at Flay brick Hill Cemetery. "FOB THE BLOOD IS THE LIFE."—Clarke's world-famed Blood Mixture is warranted to cleanse the blood from all impurities, from what.. ever cause arising. For Scrofula, Scurvy. Eczema, skin and blood diseases, and sores of all kinds, its effects are marvellous. Thousands of testimonials. In bottles, 2a. 9d. and lis, each, of all Chemists. Proprietors, Lincoln and each, Midland Counties Drug CompanJ LincQbl. Ask for Clarke's Blood Mixture, and do not be persuaded tQ take em imitation.