South Wales Echo

I HIS EXPLANATION. ] The neighbourhood of Old Orange was thrown into excitement upon the discovery that Colonel Martin Bragg had been murdered. Bragg's body was found in the road. On bis breast, weighted down with a stone, was found a note bearing these words: Man's law is equivocal. but God's judgmnet is direct." The handwriting, everyone said, was a clue, and so it proved to be. Old Hiram Chancel was ar- rested. He acknowledged that he had written the note, but beyond this he would say nothing, only adding that when the proper time came he would make satisfactory explanation, The arrest of this old man added to the excitement. No one in the community was more highly respected than he; no one was more kind-hearted; no one stood better in the church. People knew not what to think. Chancer* intimate friends went to the jail where he was confined and begged him to say something that might lead to his release on bond, but he invariably shook his head and re- plied No, gentlemen, I shall say nothing until the proper time comes." But you may be banged." If so, all right. Wait until the time comes and then I will explain." The court-room was crowded when old Chancel was arraigned. Everyone was anxious to hear his explanation. When the time came be arose and said Ladies and gentlemen, I shall not detain you with a long story. I have studied my explana- tion until I can make it in a direct way without the waste of words. Many of you doubtless re- member my little boy—the only child I ever had, the child ot my old age. He died and I buried him in the old cemetery near the Brush Fork meeting-house. This was years ago. One day last mouth Colonel Bragg came to me and said: "4 Chancel, I see that your title to that ceme- tery lot is not worth anything. The man you bought it from had taken it up without authority.' •"Is that so?' I asked. Then I will go and get a deed to it.' You are too late,' he replied. I have already secured a deed.' • Well, I will buy the lot of you.' INo, I don't sare to sell it. I want to use it for a family burying ground.' Well,' said I, let me know in time and I will remove my little boy.' All right.' I did not think that he ha treated me rightly, still I was not angry. I would remove the dust so dear to me and bury it near my house. A rainy season set in and I could not attend to the matter, but as Bragg bad told me that he would let nie know in time, I felt no uneasiness. One evening I walked over to the graveyard. My boy had been exhumed. Great God I found his bones lying in a corner of the fence. I be- came furious. I felt that Bragg had committed a crime worse than murder. I started toward his house. Every object was indistinct. Ilelloa some one called. "Hooked up. Bragg stood in the road. It was some time before I could speak. I would not be rash •' Colonel Bragg,' said I, did you dig up the bones of my child 1' 414 No, I didn't do it. Who did?, A man.' lvhat in, an Oil, never mind. It makes no difference. He was acting under my orders.' I looked steadily at him. His face wore a malicious grin- Did you not say that you would let me know in time?' If He grinned with broader hellishness and re- plied. Yes, but I thought you might be busy. I never like to bother my neighbours. By the way, you made a speech against me when I ran tor the legislature. You did not let me know in time. I was sorry to have your boy's bones disturbed, for he was a handsome little fellow, but I have made it a rule never to remain very long in debt. Good evening.' Hoid ou, sir?' I demanded. He had attemp- ted to pass me. He stopped and grinned at me. Stilly determined not to be rash, I said: Colonel, I did uot believe that any man could treat another as you have treated me. I opposed your election because I thought the other candidate would make a better representative.' M You had no right to think so.' Yes, I had. He is an abler man than you are. "4 You are a liar.' Wel1,lt u'1rÐt discuss the matter, I am a peaceable man—' 4) *re compelled to bef he exclaimed. Get out of my way, I have hea>d tiflbugh of your whimpering. I He attempted to pass-me. I stepped in front of him. He struck me with his fist. I seized him. The struggle was brief. With arms made doubly strong by a rightful cause, I threw him to the ground, sat upon him, and with a stone which I found within reach, I beat his damnable bead into a jelly—I mashed his hellish grin into the ground. This, ladies and gentle- men, is all the explanation I have to offer." The jury arose and tiled out. rhe audience de- parted. The judge disappeared. The sheriff approached Chancel and said. Old man, you can go, for there don't appear to be anything against you in this court." The old man raised his hand and said: "Man slaw is equivocal, but God's judgment ia direct.

VOLUNTEER INTELLIGENCE. 1ST PEMBROKESHIRE RIFLES. Detachments of the above volunteers from Car- marthen and Llanelly met at Ferryside, on Mon- day for battalion drill. The day was extremely wet and dull. About 200 men turned up alto- gether, and the following officers were present— Captain and Adjutant Trower, Captains Wilson, Bytheway, and Hutchins, and Lieutenants Phillips, Roderick, Baker, and Davies. On Sunday the two Carmarthen companies attended service at Christ Church, Carmarthen, when the chaplain, the Rev C. G. Brown, preached a very impressive sermon. D GLAMORGANSHIRE RIFLES. .the annual shooting competition for pn*e given by the field officers of tbe 3rd shire Rifle Volunteers, took place at 'gWeather graig Range on Monday atternwn. member3 of was very unfavorable, bat st^ CoIonel f°rCe particularly marked, and at the close oMthe* competition, three cheers for the gallant gentleman wereheartily given on the Sug- gestion of Captain P»^e. The conditions were seven shots at 200 and 500 yards. Annexed are the principal scores- 200 500 private L. Richards— £ 5 yards yard3 XK Sergeant F. M. Raggett— 60 pnvate J. Johnson— £ 3 b9 iTrgeaut W.Nash- £ 2.$ £ 0 68 Sergeant James— £ 1 Sergeant T. J. Williams— £ 1 26 31 57 Sergeant J. E. Newman— £ 1 tfl ia Sergeant W. J. Neck— £ 1 56 Sejieant-Instructor Morri's-siV; £$g 5sr-K[vateM^LW«npriZe8T°{ 153' '«>», ,DS'n'^t Gra)" Abhotf ? ir "vate Burrows, Sergeant Private wE P"oplfln £ .P«vate Mountfield, Johm Priv,L 'wr^ate Bailt>y. Colour-sergeant SntW°?klM» and ^"vate R. Seer. by Quartermaster Dillwvn V"?h giVe" made by a non-commissi^ied officer? ^SinvL01, THE On VOLUNTEERS. shad Sw«T«r„ "enmg was held at the JJrui- Naval Artifci vniDU *l inspec £ ?n of .the officer Wft« o y volunteers. The inspecting accomna^ ummander Roberts, R.N., who was Harbour r?i Captain Molyneux, R.N., of the nmn Defwc« Committee. There were 93 T.iFT,,F.parade» and the officers were Sub- Andna E- Daniel. J- Madge, G. T. W. Simpson. The men, who y""entea a very creditable appearance, after the inspecting officer with a SL £ 2: were put through the review exer- "s^nySab^Lleutenadt Madge.' Sub-Lieutenant Andrews put the men through sword and bayonet wercise, and Sub-Lieutenant Simpson next directed the cutlass and battalion movements. v«ntAin Molyneux afterwards'addressed tbe men, and. after explaining that he was there quite unofficially, urged them to attend the weekly drills in larger numbers. Work in the navy re- Quired smartness and unity, which was only to be sustained by frequent and collective drills. The Swansea corps had been working under difficulties, notably that of having- no guns, but these difficulties would now be in some degree removed, and he hoped that with improved opportunities the members would remain to neip forward the work of the corps. The men were then dismissed.

THE CONSERVATIVECANDIDATE FOR SOUTH BRISTOL. The Bristol Daily Pott says it is requested to announce that Mr James Inskip has positively refused to support or assist Colonel Hill in his candidature for this division of the city, the colonel being a member of the English Church Union, and advocating the opening of museums on Sundays, while Mr Inskip is a prominent member of the Protestant League.

LAUGHARNE AGRICULTURAL I SHOW. l The annual show of stock in connection with the Laugharne Farm and Garden Society was held at the Furlongs, Laugharne, on Tuesday. The entries. were about the average, but the attendance of stock was less than usual. The judges were :-Cattle and pigi-W. Evans, Tre- venty; D. Thomas, Castel Drainog. Horses and sheep—T. Rees, Carmarthen; Isaac Davies, Bronfelin, Llanwonno. Dairy produce-John Davies, Narberth; J. John, Whitland. The following were the principal awards:— I fonoRSES.-Brood mare of the cart breed with foal at j H. Mdscott, Laugharne; 2, Evans, Maes- gwrda. Hackney ditto—1, T. Bowen, Cwmbrwyn; 2, J.J. Jones, Castle Llwyd. Two-year-old cart colt or filly 1 and 2, J. D. Morse, JLIandawke. Hackney ditto—1 and 2, D. Davies, Great Hill. Yea.r. ling cart colt or Ally—it D. Edmunds, Hall Down 2, J. 1). Morse. Suckling ditto—1, J. R. John, Brixton 2, E. Kvans, Maesgwrda. Yearling hackney colt or filly—1 and 2, W. Thomas, Longridge. Suckling ditto —1, J. D. Morse 2, T. Bowen, Cwmbrwyn. Cob not exceeding 14 hands high-I, Rev A. G. Edwardes, LlandawKe 2,—Lewis, JUanradurnen. Best jumper over hurdles—1, J. J. Jones; 2, ]). Davies. BLACK CATTLE,-Bull not exceeding three years—1, J. R. John, Brixton,; 2, T, L, bsworth, Marros Cow, giving milk-l and 2, J. D. Morse. Heifer under three years old—1 and 2, J. D. Morse. He:fer under two years old—1, D. Davies 2, D. Lewis, Malthouse, Laug- harne. Pair of yearling steers-I. T. D. Rees 2, G. Thomas. Bull calf-I, J. D. Morse 2, D. Edmunds. COLOURED CATTLE.-Bull not exceeding three years -1. W. Thomas, Longridge; 2, J. Bowen, Cwmbrwyn. Cow, giving milk-I, D. Lewis, Laugharne; 2 D. Davies, Great Hill. Heifer under three years old—1, D. Lewis 2, John David, butcher. Heifer under two years old—1 and 2, D. Lewis. Pair of yearling steers —1, E. David, Lauxharne 2, — Raymond, Honey- corse. Shorthorn bull calf-1, D. Lewis 2. T. Bowen. SHEEP (Short Wool).—Aged ram—1, J. D. Morse 2, Wilson, Common Church. Yearling rams—1 ana 2. J. D. Morse. Ram lamb—1 and 2, J. D. Morse. Aged ewes-l and 2, J. D. Morse. Yearling ewes-It J. J. Jones 2, J. D. Morse. Ewe lambs—1 and 2, J. D. Morse Pxas.Sow—1, W. Thomas, Longridge; a* John, Pendine. T R T„, DAIRY PRODUCE.—Cask of butter—fe^ Brixton; 2, T. Bowen, Cwmbrwyn- l h cu i D. Kdmunds; 2, J. R. John. Weisn cneese-l, D. Lewis, Laugharne; 2, J. The flower show wa8al3«^eld on Tuesday, and was of a very successful character.

SERIOUS CHARGE AGAINST A BLACKWOOD TRADESMAN. At the Tredegar police-court," before Dr Coates and Dr Brown, Martha Upjohn, a married woman, of Blackwood, charged Mr Richard Morris, grocer, of Blackwood, with committing an indecent aasanlt- at Gwmgelly, on the 11th inst. Much interest was evinced in the case owing to defendant being so well known. Mr Leonard D. Browne appeared to prosecute, and Mr Plews for the defence. The complainant said she wa. the wife of Thomas Upjohn, liv- had hnow uear Blackwood. £ ia married two years, and she was 19 years of age. On the 11th inst. she was in the house, between 12 and one o'clock in the afternoon, suckling the child. The defen. dant came to the door, and walked in. He gave hisS^ ^PenCeS; He a8ked f k J*eQt to the pantry to fetch a roaches. He caught hold of her around le waist, kissed her, and committed the assault, be ran into her bedroom, and closed the door. be sat on the bed, and put her feet against the door, and also put the handle of the hair brush on the latch. She waited five minutes, and, hearing any aound, thought the defendant had gone. She then came out, and wag just outside the door. Defendant ag»in hold of her and kissed her, and ag»io the indecent assault.—The bench coi^Vvp the defendant for trial, bail bejn* a—0ne surety in EW, and himself in

DISAPPEARANCE OF SWINE FEVER FROM CARDIGANSHIRE. The Lond#n G;sze& coola"" & Privy Council order notifying that tbe»a sltlUte between the rivers Ystwyth yw;tL'- la the county of Cardigan, comp^r th« J? following boundaries £ r0! £ ath to r}° of the Rivef Yystwyth to the -Uanafan-bridge, from mi road to Swyddffynuda on to Castell F* p> ova thence to Ijlangertbo Bridge, foxing the river Ayron to the north to the t such last mentioned river, which was on foh August last to be infected w fever is now free from such infection.

A CUT Hd women suffering and i. ght from men rendering; help, It «e.n°us afllictwns, no one is endured through i^T thin> much suffering once give relief. HuX^'Vi? 0*Jm £ cH0UW that can nisad as the most reftI8 now recog- caused by Bad Blood ?eicin* 40 "til*11 d,sefes Scurvy Scrofula and these are legion, such as Se Wounds v nK"s Evil, Skin Eruptions, Boils, ness Headache JE)'e8» Rheumatism, Nervous- Ac Bv takh^' HII 1?" Biliousness, Fits. Piles n £ r,,r/rf Thl „URhe3 « Blood Pills relief is at once procured. They are sold by erery chemist at Is lid- s 9d, and 227e i??r<i/>?!i^i8hed by the Proprietors DAVID DUNCAN <fc SONS, at their Steam Printing Works, 7b and 76 St. Mary-street and in town of Cardiff, in tbe county of Glamorgan. 4!

LONDON LETTER. } <-ir Specially Wired. ,J I By Our Gallery Correspondent. LONDON, Tuesday Night. It is rumoured to-day that Lord John Manners is not to be allowed to have his own way in the matter of prohibiting all postal officials except himself from taking an interest in politics, and that from those concerned a protest is about to be raised against it. Those who wish to protest know, however, that they will be inaarked men if they adhere to their present intention, and that Mr S. A. Blackwood, the secretary, in the intervals of assisting to organise the Salvation Army, will make matters exceedingly uncomfort- able for them if they venture to claim the right to take as much interest in politics as he does in religion. But the bolder spirits among them, feeling deeply the tyranny of the recent order, appear determined to let Lord John Manners know that he has gone beyond all reasonable bounds, and that he ought to withdraw the edict. The deep and irrepressible bitterness of a disappointed man was evident in the whole proceedings of Baron H. de Worms at Greenwich last night. He has been fairly beaten out of the field by Mr Boord, and he cannot forgive his old colleague for being stronger in the affections of the Conserva- tives of Greenwich than himself. More than one Metropolitan Tory, who had previously some slight sympathy with the baron, has had to shake his head sadly to-day over the ungracious display last night, and it is generally felt that Baron de Worms would have been better advised if he had retired gracefully and without re- serve from a position which was daily becoming less tenable. The Conservatives of Liverpool are not likely to be better pleased with the Baron because of his en- deavours by attacking Mr Boord to sport the only chance left to Greenwich Tories of winning the seat, but they may be consoled by the remembrance that they have in him a Minister of the Crown," as he himself proudly declares, a fact which he evidently sxpects to cover a multitude of political lins. Even the mildest of political orators sometimes is tempted to say a strong thing, and when in his Northcote days Lord Iddesleigh spoke of the "good thumping lies which are occasionally used in partisan warfare, he supplied a phrase which is very useful to his opponents. One statement which merits this epithet has been frequently heard from Conservative platforms during the past few months, but as it was repeated last night by Mr C. Kennard, the Tory member for Salisbury, and as this gentleman, as the proprietor of a London newspaper, ought to know better, it may be well to nail the base coin to the counter at once. Mr Kennard ,stated that "Mr Gladstone showed him- self to be heartless in going to the play while England was mourning for "Gordon." Now all who were in London on the right referred to know that this is ab- solutely untrue. On the evening that Mr (. :a.¡: one went to the Criterion all Eng- land was expecting to hear that Sir Charles Wilson had relieved Khartoum, and that he rind Gordon had shaken hands, no one of any authority appearing to entertain a doubt that Gordon was safe. The play was over a few mmutea after ten, and it was not for another hour that the news was received at the War Office that Khartoum had failed ftr Ift not ttntiteigfrt or nine in the morning that a rumour was afloat to this effect, and even up to noon it was not officially confirmed. The fact, therefore, stands that during the whole time Mr Gladstone was at the play, not a soul in Engand knew that Khartoum had fallen, and the good "thumping lie" to the contrary, which Tories have so often told, is disposed of at once. Although the general public are becoming heartily tired of the Armstrong case, it is, perhaps, as well that as there was to be another adjournment, it should be for a sufficiently long time to allow the passions of the street to cool down. Those who have watched the crowd in Bow-street since the proceedings begun have seen how the feeling against some of the defendants has been growing in intensity. It is not so much against Mr Stead as against Mr B. Booth and Mrs Jarrett that this is directed, and the police have to take more extensive precautions than is com- monly thought, in order to protect them from violence. This might be dismissed aa merely the efforts of a mob, were it not that there are indications in other quarters of sympathy with the feeling. I hear to day that a section of a working-class club, which has been supporting the candidature for a Lon- don borough of an eminent Queen's counsel engaged in the case, are discussing the pro- priety of withdrawing their aid because he defends Rebecca Jarrett. This may be condemned as undue interference with a purely business transaction but it is a symptom of the popular feeling which is ■corthy of note. With reference to a note in this column the day before yesterday touching Mr Gladstone's correspondence, a citizen of the United States thinks the late Premier must take a back seat in the matter of correspondence as compared with the pro- digious number of letters which every day are mailed to the American President. .Fifty thousand letters a day is said to be the average, and with few exceptions they are answered, or at least their receipt is acknowledged, on the day of delivery. In order to deal with this daily avalanche the President has a staff of ten thousand clerks. These are divided into seven departments, dealing with Foreign Affairs, the Army, the Navy, the Customs and Revenue, the Home Government, the Postal Service, and the Administration of Justice. The heads of these seven departments form what is known as the Cabinet, and once or twice a week they confer with the President on business arising in their various departments. This is certainly an imposing correpondencc but it must not be compared with Mr Gladstone's private correspondence to which solely I alluded. These 50,000 letters a day form really the correspondence of the State, though it is more Americano, ad- dressed personally to the President. It is probable that if the correspondence daily addressed to the various departments of the English State- the Foreign Office, the Xiocal Government Board, the Home Office, and the rest—were added up it would not fall short of 50,000. I hear that Lord Tennyson intends to dramatise his forthcoming poem, that is if he obtains sufficient encouragement from Mr Irving. He bestows upon the poem that affection which is often reserved for the child of old age. As I stated some days ago, it breaks fresh ground, dealing with scenes of home life in Ireland. This of itself is not promising. There is no record of Lord Tennyson's having visited Ireland, at least during the present generation, and his notions of Irish life will be rather imaginative than practical. Still he believes he has written a great poem that will make a deathless play, and, though he is by no means chary of reading long passages from the new work to his personal friends, he invariably exacts a pledge that no hint shall get abroad of its scope or plot, lest peradventure some enterprising playwright might fore- stall his intention of dramatising the work himself. This will, in all human proba- bility, be the last work the Poet Laureate will undertake, and it will be a pity, if what is whispered about it be true, that it turns out to be conspicuously unworthy of the hand that wrote "The Idylls of the King" or "InMemoriam." Lord Tennyson, I hear, is just now not in very robust health, and has announced his intention of not even attempting to perform his parlia- mentary duties next session.

I SIXPENNY TELEGRAMS. I Official Regulations. The following was issued on Tuesday night by the Secretary of the General Post Office 14 On the 1st of October next the new rates for inland telegrams will come into force. The charge will be sixpence for twelve words, and one half-penny per word afterwards. Every word, including the addresses, will be charged for but it is antici- pated in the majority of cases the senders of telegrams will need only to have their names telegraphed. The new form is arranged so that the address of the receiver comes at the head of the telegram, in the space which has hitherto been occupied by the address of both sender and receiver, six lines divided into five spaces each, being given for the text of the message, and such information as to name and address as the sender thinks necessary to have telegraphed. A special place at the back of the form is devoted to the sender's address,where this is not to be telegraphed, as in such cases it will still be necessary for the department to have the address in order to be able to communicate with the sender in the event of the telegram failing to be delivered, or any charge for porterage having to be recovered from him. It also happens sometimes that persons require copies of tele- grams they have sent, and in such a case, if the sender has failed to gi ve his name and address the department would not be able, without vexatious formulas, to comply with the request. In consequence of change of rate, the following alterations in the mode of counting will be made. Names of towns and villages will be counted as one word each, Thus, Malvem Wells, which under the former rules was counted as two words, will be only one. Again, figures counted as one word each will be counted, as in continential telegrams, at the rate of five tigures to a word. Thus, 344 Oxford- street, which under the former rules was counted as five words, will be only three. Initial letters will still be charged for as one word each, but a special exemption has been made in favour of the London district initials. Each set of these will count as one word only. Thus, "S.W." will count as one word. The charge for redirection will be sixpence for a telegram of any length, if the two addresses are in the same towu. If the addresses are not in the same town, the full rate will be charged. For the purposes ot this rate, each London district is regarded as a separate town.

THE DISESTABLISHMENT MOVEMENT. The Liberation Society has issued a statement of the results of an inquiry into the attitude of parliamentary candidates in England, Wales, and Scotland in regard to the question of Dis- establishment. It is stated that out of 581 Liberal candidates at present before the consti- tuencies in the three divisions of the United King- dom mentioned, 462 are more or less for Dis- establishment, 33 are opposed, 9 are doubtful, and in 77 cases no information has been obtained. In London, out of 71 Liberal candidates 65 are favourable to Disestablishment. In Lancashire there are 42 out of 46, Jiud la the agricultural districts of Cambridgeshire, Norfolk, Lincoln- shire, and Suffolk, out of 33 Liberal candidates 28 are more or less Liberationists. In Devon, Oxford, and Rutland,where the Disestablishment party is weak, half the 18 Liberal candidates are committed to some degree of Disestablishment. In the mining counties of Cornwall and Durham all the 24 Liberal candidates are for Disestablish- ment. The Manchester district committee of the Liberation Society have passed a resolution, in which they state that they had read the declara- tions of various Liberal statesmen as to the ques- tions which should be dealt with by the next Parliament. They find that, as a political fact, there is a greater agreement of opinion amongst Liberal candidates on Disestablisbment and Disen- dowment than on almost any other topic before the constituencies. They are strongly of opinion that nothing is more likely to check enthusiasm on the principles of Liberalism, and to diminish confidence in the ability of their leaders to discern the signs of the times, than a refusal to include in their programme a question which at all Liberal K^herings calls forth the warmest response, and which is a measure of justice and reform that has been demanded by the bulk of the Liberal party for a generation past."

I GOSSIP FROM. "THE WORLD." I Wwili° £ hihef Iat^ Mr E- s- Robinson, of found to bequeath property SgEdStbt^^ SDeyd Park JeidiV^Ce r6t?!en .^dame and Monsieur nithi^1 now f h?60pronounced and nothing now stands in the way of the great tenor's union with the most celebrated soprano of the day, except the time prescribed by law, viz., ten months after her dlvorce, which will expire in May next. Sir George Elliot, Bart. M.P., arrived at Hali- fax, Nova Scotia, on Sunday, the 13th inst Atter inspecting the coal-fields of Picton N S where Sir George is largely interested 'in the well-known Albion Mines, he proposes, in BT junction with Mr W. T. Lewis, of pay rapid visits to the chief seats of the coal and iron industnes in the United States, before returning to Durham for the election in Novem- ber. Sir George Elliot and Mr Lewis are both members of the Royal Commission for the Prevention of Accidents in Mines, and propose to give their close personal attention to the most recent methods adopted in America for insuring the safety of the working miner. I regret very much to hear of the sudden death of Mrs Edwards, the well-known hostess of the Hand Hotel at Llangollen. Few tourists or other visitors to North Wales were unfamiliar with her hearty greeting and old-world courtesies. She was formerly a well-known toast," and was almost the last surviving example of the landlady of the old school, who regarded herself as in reality a hostess, and her customers as guests. Three of her sons are clergymen of tbe Established Church, and others are artists of some merit.

-_c_-=-' TORYISM IN THE FOREST OF DEAN. An Adverse Vote Carried. Havinpr spent a week in the agricultural dis- tricts of the Forest of Dean constituency with varying success, the Hon, J. Plunkett, the selected Tory candidate, opened the second week of his election tour by a meeting at Ruardean on Monday, in the Club-room of the Bell Hotel. Mr W. Colchester Wemyss presided. There was a number of supporters of. the hon. candidate present, but as was subsequently demonstrated, the composition of the meeting was decidedly hostile. Mr Plunkett confined himself to answering some accusation which had been levelled at him by the miners' nt. The following resolution was then submitted- proposed by Mr T. Birks, and seconded by Mr J. Harper: This meeting tenders its hearty thanks to the Hon. John Plunkett for coming forward as the Conservative candidate for Forest division, and assures him that it will use all legitimate means to secure his return at the ensuing election." £ jnid some confusion Mr Henry Jones moved, That this meeting having heard the views of the Hon. John Plunkett, hereby testifies that he is not a fit and proper person to represent the electors of the Forest of Dean division. This meeting hereby pledges itself to do its utmost to place Mr T. Blake, the working-man's candidate, at the head of the poll." A large majority having voted for the amend- ment, the Chairman declared it carried# Great cheering followed for Mr Blake,

========= AT FULL SPEED. I I arrived at the station at the appointed hour. I entered, or rather was thrown by an attendant into the car nearest to me. The door was quickly shut. The whistle was blown and we were off. Curiously enough the car was not crowded. I formed the tifth passenger. Two of the corners were occupied, one by an officer and the other by a civilian. Facing me was a woman about thirty years old, neatly and modestly dressed, and be- side her sat the most beautful little child I ever saw—a little girl about six years old, with a flood of blonde curls waving under her immense straw hat. Now and then the child would look through the window in the direction of the en- gine and then her eyes seemed to wander in the infinite space that was unrolling itself before her. We came to a station. The train stopped. The little girl put her face to the window. II I don't see him," she said to 1the lady beside her, "I don't see him." Then suddenly her face brightened and her eyes lit with golden hues, shining with indescribable joy, while her lips came down upon two hands that came from the exterior and were placed upon the open window., Ah, papal Here is papa exclaimed my little neighbour with the exuberant and innocent joy of her six years. It was the engineer of our train who had come to speak to his little daughter and his wife, who were seated in front of me. "We are going very fast," said the woman. We must make up for loet time," replied the man. Were you afraid, Jennie ?" "No,"said tbe child, "because I knew that you were driving." Well, by-by," said the man, as be left. B yb papa," said the child, throwing her- self into his arms. The train started and gradually reached an extraordinary speed. I worship chil- dren, and I began to examine the little one on the front of me. She was full of life and good humour. She amused herself with everything and nothing, cajoling with her mother, inquisi- tive with tbe window and severe with her doll, one was carrying on a thousand different conver- sations at once, and with a noise that was almost deafeumg, when suddenly the gentleman in the TW-°er czo^ltued: will we are going too f«#t, Tb* train AW ott th« trac £ papa''is dnrWing^^aid, "'d chiId 8eriousIy window^andTh. read"H?» He looked out of the Tklng'any^S^ ™g without "Thb^r<Sn^aDn^rin to taIk- madam," h^SLed 8aid he: "Yes, your husband is either*drunk t^,0 "Oh, sir," said the ««*•" J gets drunk. You saw him a ever Certainly tbe trail* is going at a fntwT don't understand it." B a lonou« I The officer closed hie book and u- self along the seat. "I wonld^d^l^T do the same," said he, with the greateat coolness' If you keep seated your legs will he smashed' Kemember thd Versailles accident. Certainly the train was running at a terrifying rate. What in the world could the engineer mean by such driving? "I am afraid," said the citizen, white with terror. Then the officer took me aside. Here is my name and address," said be. If I am killed or mortally wounded in the accident to which we r. re running, and you escape, promise me now that you will carry these despatches without a moment's delay to the general whoee name you will find by opening this envelope." I promised. The woman took the child in her arms and covered her little face with tears and kisses. She seemed to wish to make a rampart of herself to pro- tect her little one against the frightful sin"h-UP that momeptariiy exj etted, I am not afraid," said the child, smiling papa is driving." And she alone among the passengers of the car, and doubtless she alone among all on board the train, had faith and con- fidence. We could hear in the otjher cars cries of terror and wailings of despair, and in spite of the mother, the child leaned out of ttma window in the back door and shouted out with all the force of herjittlelungs: "Don't be afraid; papaisdriving." Ab, that sweet little girl, in tha general terror, was a tower of strength with that sacred love of a child for a father—an affection ^«t nothing can break down. Gradually the train slowed and then came to a standstill. We were at a station. The engineer came to the door. We have '.been going very fast," said he, but at all hazards we must get to Rheims before the Prussians. That we must do at the risk of being blown up ormnwahed to pieces on the way. I'm told that we are carrying impor- tant despatches," and he looked at his little girl with tears in his eyes. Give me your hand," said tihe officer. cc You are a brave fellow. It is I who have the despatches." En'routs then said the man, and he gave a parting glance at tone fair form of bis child as if to bid her farewell But Jeanne was not afraid ;'and, moreover, nobody in our compart- ment was afraid any longer. We knew that we were risking our lives for our country. and that satisfied us. As for the train, it recommenced its furious race. This was in theanonth of September, 1870, on the eastern line.

I FACTS AND, FANCIES. An extraordinary thing in ladies' bonnets—an unpowdered face. A man who had a scolding wife being asked what he did for a living, replied thatJie "kept a hot-house." An editor at a dinner-table, being asked if he would take some pudding, replied, in a fit of ab- straction, Owing to a crowd of other matter, we are unable to fiud room for it." Why dont you get up Jas early as you 'used to a few days ago? angrily asked a wife of^ her lazy husband. "Because it's sleep year," be grinned, as he turned over for another snooze. A little girl, on being told something which much amused her, exclaimed, emphatically, I shall remember that the whole ot my life and when I forget it, I will write it down." The following advertisement appeared in an Edinburgh paper:—" For sale, a handsome piano, the property of a young lady who is leaving Scot- land in a walnut case with turned legs." "Why, Freddie," said mamma, "you ought not to make such a fuss. I don't fuss and cry when my hair is combed. ""Yes," replied Freddie, "but your hair ain't hitched to your head as mine is." "No, I can't stay," replied a gentleman who was invited to stay all night at the house of a friend; "before morning my wife would be out with atantern, like Diogenes, bunting for an honest man. Why do you set your cup of coffee on the chair, Mr Jon ?" said a worthy landlady, one morning at breakfast. It is so very weak, ma'am,' said Jones, "■J thought I would let it rest." Magistrate: "\V 611, Patrick, what have you got to say about stealing the pig ?" Patrick: Well, yer honour, ye see, it was jist thin. The pig tuk upon him to sleep in my bit of a gardin for .three noights, yer honour-r and I sayzed him for the rint A Chinaman being called as a witness in Queensland was asked how he would be sworn, when he replied Me no car a; crack 'im saucer, kill 'im cock, blow out 'im matchee, smell 'im book, allee sameof He was allowed to "smell 'im book." And yet you told our common friend, Miss Talkington, that I was your beau ideal," said the handsome curate to the lady of his affections who had just refused him. Of a parson—ye-es," was the reply, but that does not make you an vital beau." My darling G. is the most perfect Apollo of ■a man I haver ever' seen," remarked Matilda Anne, wending her way home from a leap-year visill to the young gentleman ahe ia- now paying her addresses to.—"Yes; a perfect Apol!o-G. spitefully retorted her sister, Malvinia Jane, a re- jected rival, bent on desperate revenge.

YANKEE YARNS. BUSTING A DRAMA. "By gum Mr and Mrs Defoe were at home the other evening. There had been a long period of si- lence, when Mr Defoe suddenly exclaimed as above. What is it dear ?" she responded. Say, we've got tired playing games, and what do you say to private theatrlcals ? We'll get three or tour of the neighbours to join in and well meet at each other's houses and have regular plays." "That will be splendid," she gasped. Hanged if it won't 1 Twenty dollars will get us all the scenery we want, and each ope can fur- nish his own wardrobe. By gum we've got the idea now." What sort of play could we play ?" ghe asked, as he marched up and down the room with tragic step. I have it—aha!" he exclaimed, as he stopped short. "Don't you remember I started to write a play about five years ago ? I'll finish it and will bring it out. ow let's see how the char- acters run. There is the Count Dumdorff, whc is in love with Geraldine the fair. I'll be the count, of course, as he's the hero. He kills four men, rescues Geraldine from' several dangers, and there is a gcod deal of kissing and love-making, and a happy marriage." "And I'll be Geraldine." "You! Ob, you couldn't play that part. She must be young and vivacious. Let's see I think I'll cast you for Hannah, who keeps a bakery near Paris." I'd like to see myself playing Hannah bakery, 1 would she defiantly answered, you can play Dumdorff I know I can play Geraldine.' „ Oh, no you can't my love. ,^oUtarfhrowing stiff in the knees, and how yon d .look j yourself into my arms as the Julians ^fdine shall cast that little widow D. for Ge» dmej{ Then there'll be two Geraldines of us. If you can play Dumdorff with your lame back and catarrh I know I can play Geraldine with this little lameness in my left knee. Now you listen to reason Mrs Defoe. You aren't built for a Geraldine; you are too fat; your feet are too large you haven't got the voice for "And you'd make a pretty Count Dumdorff, you .would 1" she fired back. You want to get that crook out of your back, that bald neaa shingled over, your mouth repaired and your eyes touched up .with a paint brush 1 I think I see you killing four villi,,us-ba I ha. ha t" Woman, do not anger me!" he said in » deep- toned voice, as he rose up. „ „ 41 And don't you anger your Geraldine, either. "Geraldine ,Wby yon don't know » bor- der from a lial" "Dumdo 1 And you dont know a skyo ter- fiddle ia the orchestral "Tis well. We'll have no playmghere V, "Then you needn't when I play H»nnah in a bakery to let you hug and kiss the widow 1)., or any other woman, all over the stage, you 11 be three or four Count Dumdorffs I'll burn the play, jealous woman 14 If you don't I will, vain man* Then they sat down, and the disturbed cat went back to her rue and her dreams. back to her rue and her dreams.

MYSTERIOUS DISAPPEARANCE OF A PUPIL TEACHER. A girl about sixteen years of age, named Mary Johnson, pupil-teacher in a National School, has disappeared from Sheffield under very suspicion., circumstances. She left home a week ago to pro. ceed, was supposed, to Leeds, to be coached for an examination. A few days afterwards her parents received a letter, bearing the Leeds post mark, without address or date saying that she was comfortable. Nothing has since been heard from her, and her friends, who believed she has oeen decoyed to Leeds, for an evil purpose, have communicated with the police. The girl was of a modest demeanour, and is not known to have had any companion likely to lead her astray. Some weeks ago she received by post a certificate, pur- porting r portlDg to be signed by Her Majesty's Inspector of Schools, on which was an endorsement that she would be passed on to college at Christmas. The certificate is now found to be undoubtedly a bogus document, and the supposition is that the g|iri has been imposed upon by some person passing himself off as a school inspector.

"VIBIDINB" is a certain cure for Corns beware of imitations. Mdlle. Marie Muller, Amster dam. writes:—"I bought a bottle of your genuine Virldine' some six months ago in Paris, which cured me, and as I am a principal dancer, you know my feet are my living. The bottle I bought did the service you recommended it, but I bought another one after- wards which wastorged, and no good. As I want a I bottle of genuine for a friend of >oine, who is nearly mad with pain, will you please send me one direc t, -Sold only in bottles at 1s, by post Is 2d, from J Munday, Chemist Cardiff, an4 fill Chemists, £ 90t

-c_ I DISTRICT NEWS. I CARDIFF. OXFORD LOCAL EXAMINATIONS.—In the list of successful candidates we note in the Oxford centre the name of Miss Carrie E. Williams, Cae Coed, Roath-road, Cardiff, the daughter of the chairman of the Cardiff School Board. EXCURSION TO WESTON.—This afternoon there will be a special excursion from Cardiff to Weston by the Lady Margaret, leaving Cardiff at a quarter to 3 p.m., and returning from Weston at 6 and quarter past 8 p.m. SWANSEA. VITAL STATISTICS.—Week ending 12th Sept., 1885 :—Births, 42 deaths, 23. Annual rates per 1.000:—Birth-rate, 30'3 per 1,000 death-rate 16'6 per 1,000. QUICK DEPATH.-As an example of what can be done at Swansea in the way of procuring the quick despatch of vessels, it may be mentioned that the Treowan, s.s., of Glasgow, arrived in port last Saturday at 10 a.m. She was at once put under the coal tip to load a cargo of coals, and the t-ame day at midnight, or exactly 14 hours after her arrival, she had finished loadiug 1.400 tofts of coals, including bunkers, notwithstanding the very boisterous weather which prevailed all day, and interfered to a great extent with the workmen. The Treowan is owned by Messrs P. H. Dixon and Co., of Glasgow, and the cargo was supplied by Mr E. Deburaux, shipping agent, while Mr W. Howell acted as agent for the owners. EXTENSION OF A BOARD SCHOOL.—On Tuesday evening was performed the ceremony of opening an addition to the Danygraig Schools. The build- ing is in the part of the town which is now being most rapidly developed, and the great increase in the population has rendered it necessary for the extension of the accommodation from six hundred to a thousand. This has been accomplished by the erection ot a new boys' room, and the conversion of the old building into a girls' and infants' school. The new portion is built in a plain and substantial manner, and is fitted with all the latest improvements. The school having been formally declared open by Mr Stephen Thomas, a public meeting was held, Mr S. Thomas presiding. There was a large attendance of parents and friends of the scholars. THE NEW THEATRIC. -During this week is being played the sensational drama During Her Majesty's Pleasure." The piece is full of interest, and abounds with effective situations. The lead- ing character is taken by Mr G. F. Leicester, who is very successful as an Anglo-Dutch organ grinder. Mr H. M. Monte shews much skill in his interpretation of John Beresford, and Miss Fanny Duncrow, Miss Annie Gill, and Mr Henry Lennox win hearty encores for the impersonation of their respective parts. STEALING AN UMBRKLLA.—At the Swansea police-court on Tuesday-before Messrs T. Phillips and D. Jones—a married woman named Eliza Headson, of 147, Carmarthen-road, was charged with stealing a silk umbrella from the shop of Mr Davies, of Gower-street, worth 10s. Prisoner was fined 40, with the alternative of a month's imprisonment. A DISORDKRLY WOMAN.—Hannah Davics, of 61, Fleet-street, was sentenced to 21 days' hard labour for drunken and disorderly behaviour. ABERGAVENNY. SALVATION ARMY DEMONSTRATION.—On Mon- day evening, a tea meeting was held in connec- tion with the Salvation Army contingent at Abergavenny. Large numbers of members arrived from different stations on the Htlls, and, headed by the Blaina Salvation Army band, paraded the principal streets of thA town. At night a Hosanna meeting was held under the leadership of Major Lawley, of Cardiff, when the presentation of colours to the Abergavenny corps took place. The meetings were held in the Market-place, and in the evening there could not have been less than 2,000 people present. MONMOUTH. OMAN RECITAL.-Ir Brooksbank, organist of Llandaff Cathedral, gave an organ recital at St. Mary's, Monmouth, on Tuesday afternoon, for the benefit of the organ fund. There was a very large congregation present. FOREST OF DEAN. THE AMOURS OF AN HOTEL MANAGER.— At the Cole ford police-court, on Tuesday (before Sir Jame_ Campbell, Colonel Davies, and Messrs Trotter, M. T. Dixon, C. T. Palmer, and C. W. Dew), Tom White, manager of the Swan Hotel, Monmouth, was summoned by Rosa Simujonds, a young woman, of Lane-end, Coleford, to show cause, &c. Defendant did not appear, but was represented by Mr J. J. James, who, admitting the paternity, consented to an order of 2s 6d weekly. GAME TRESPASS.—Richard Chalcroft, who was represented by his master, Mr Charles Worgan, was summoned for laying snares upon lands the property ot Mr Blandy, at Clearwell, on the 7th June. Defendant was fined 20s and costs. TREDEGAR. LIBERAL LECTURE.—Op Monday evening, the Rev J. D. Alford, Birmingham, delivered an address upon Liberal principles, at the Ebenezer Chapel, under the Tredegar and Sirhowy Liberal Association. B. Phillips Presided. police-court, on Tweft^T L^TH^AtjameS^d DrCo^fces -Arthur Pritchard (15) pleaded not guilty to stealing leather, the property of the Tredegar Tn>n Co.—Arthur Mathews said he was a clean* the flttinz-shop, and on tbe 6th instant hJ.«!! the defendant cut a piece of a leather hat K conveyed the water to the engines -Th^ K K fined the defendant 5s including costs ASSAULT BT A MIST»P«« »R married woman, was chared a servant Alar,. with assultmg her 3S A9"1 vftr 8 ot Mf Godfrey, manager of the business of Mr E. Griffiths, in Castle • Complainant said she had given notice to quit, and when the time had expired she went to get her clothes, they were refused, and defendant struck her and scratched her face.— The defendant, who admitted the offence, was fined Is and costs. ABERDARE. I A MODKL HUSBAND.—At the police-court, on Tuesday-before Mr R. H. Rhys and Mr D. E. Williams-J. Lewis, Cymmer, was charged with neglecting to maintain his wife, who had been in the asylum since 1882. Mr David, relieving. officer, said defendant (who did not appear) had been to gaol six times on similar charges. He had never paid a penny towards the keeping of his wife. The magistrates ordered his committal for 42 days. COWABDT ASSAULT. William Williams, charged with assaulting Rees Jones, a man with one arm. on the 5th instant, was ordered to pay 108 and costs. Mr Rhys told, defendant he was a blackguard to assault a little man with one arm as he had done. MOUNTAIN ASH. _H_ I A FIQHT AT THK RECENT SPORTS.—hi. *v IUI»"»» Collier, was charged on Tuesday at Aberdare witn assaulting J. Morgan, collier, Mountain Ash, on the 7th September. Complainant stated that be attended the sports, and at the close of the pro. ceedings, seeing fighting going on in a tent, he went there. The first thing he received was a blow in the eye from someone he did not know. Th«n he was similarly struck by the defendant, and he was otherwise beaten in the crowd. The evidence was of a conflicting character, and the magistrates gave the defendant the benefit of the doubt, and dismissed the case. PENRHIWCEIBER. I CKNTKRABT or SUNDAY SCHOOLS.—Monday last was a red*letter day in the hisaory of the Sunday8^00* movement in this locality. The Penuel, Welsh and English Baptist 8C^l8i,^ «eapKnKPFOCes?lon from Fenrhiwceiber to Miskin, each being headed by banners, &c., £ ?d ^CiHtTiw'T suitable to the occasion! ^pmoraHnn ^ts wore their medals in commemoration of the event. PONTYPRIDD UBIDMRW MRICRING. -A second meeting of the creditors of D. G. Davies, grocer and draper, *iv/r at the official receiver's office, MerthyrTvdHl, on Tuesday, the official receiver in the chair. The meeting had been called to consider the debtor's offer of a composi- tion of 12s 6d in the £ but the debtor's solicitor informed the meeting that his client, who was very ill, had been unable to obtain the necessary security, and that consequently the offer would have to fall through. II was then resolved that the debtor be adjudged bankrupt, and that the official receiver should apply to the court to make the adjudication. After some discussion Mr t d Howard, accountant, Pontypridd. was appointed trustee, with a committee of inspection, consisting of Mr A. M. Edwards, 90, Redcliff-street, Bristol Mr Jas. Stacey, of Spillar and Cos., Cardiff Mr A. S, Cobb, bank manager, # Pont j pridd and Mr T. Probert, of S. Healing ana Sons, Tewkesbury. KIDWELLY. u_- I SCHOOL BOARD.—At a specmi meeting oiN »LOU- day evening Mr and Mrs Phillips, of Soloa, Pembrokeshire, were appointed master and mistress of the Mynydd-y-Garrey School, which will be shortly opened. s J PENARTH. 1 rjFFIUt rSURN'lNQ.—Another demonstration, at least 500 people, was made in front of thf house of Mr E. E. Roberts on Monday nig!^i as the police feared that objectionable pl'oce;,dm might be indulged in, Inspector King an i ""II1 others of the force attended, and as the cn» v(l were in the act of burning another eRi^v, police took possession of it. Ho -ting wa' up for some time afterwords. I KNIGHTON. I LIBERAL MEETING.—A large company attend at the Norton Arms Hotel, Knighton,on '\{Ulld<'Y evening, to open the electoral campaign in th»» district, and to welcome their present member, Mr C. C. Rogers; their neighbour, Mr Dnckh;lll" M.P. and the late member and now for the southern ckivision of Shropshi: Mr Jasper More. Dr.'H. O. Brown occupied chair.-Mr C. C. Rogers, M.P., who was greef" with much cheering, said it was rumour; •] tha* Lord R. Churchill bad made overtures to Hartington in the words," Come over ai-, ¡!cli' us." He (Mr Rogers) could not for the ininukd think where those words occurred, but afterwards found'that they were sent to St. Paul from P »€ called Macedonia, and the real reading was, Uome over and convert us."—Votes o[ confidence in Mr Gladstone and the Liberal Government were enthusiastically passed. liLANWRTYD WELLS. roLincAL iviEETiNG.—A large and influential meeting of the newly enfranchised electors in the district of Breconshire was held at LJanwurtyd Wells on Monday, to hear an address from )'lr W. T. Maitland, M.P. The chair was taken bV the Rev R. James (Llanwortyd).-Mr Maitland lucidly expounded his views upon the burmn £ questions of the day. he spoke in favour ot -if Broadhurst's bill for the enfranchisement of lease- holders a question which was touched upon by all subsequent speakers.—Resolutions in favour of the candidature of Mr Maitland and of confidence in Mr Gladstone were carried unanimously. in Mr Gladstone were carried unanimously. LLANELLY. I LOCAL BOABD.-At the ordinary meeting 011 Tuesday, the question of accommodating the cattle fairs came up, and Mr Chalinder said he was willing that the cattle fair should be held at the Thomas Arms recreation ground. Matter-4 were left on this understanding, there being room there also for the itinerant shows. Two plans for a the Athenaeum premises into a suitable public ball were received from Mr Vauehati, oardiff, and referred to a committee. The medic il officer reported a great absence of illness in August, and the lowest death-rate he had ever recorded—10-7 per 1000 of population.

HUNTEFIS' SHOW AT BRECON. harness horsp-. f■, i .exh'tution of hunters and There was a t P ce at Brecon on Tuesday. reDresflntat;« ,a^ten<lance, including many 'ves of the county families of Brecon. Qmouth, and Glamorgan. The judges were vol. Luttrell, Capt. Herbert and Col. Jones. -I he awards were as follows :— Hunter, to carry 15 stone—1, Capt. S. Moreton k Thomas 2, John Goodwin, Cheltenham. Best per- former in this class-Henry Rawlings Evans, The Hill, King's Pyon. Hunter to carry 12 stone-- 1, Goodwin; 2, M. B. Giles, Staunton-on- Wye, Hunter, the property of the exuibi- tor, and regularly hunted during the last season- 1, Captain S. Moreton Thomas 2, Rees Williams, nest performer in this class, E. T. Edwards, Brecon. Four- year-old mare or gelding, adapted for hunting pur- poses—1, J. Goodwin; 2, Captain S. Moreton Taomas. Open sweepstakes for the best performer in the show yard Evans, Limerick. Cob gelding or mare (not ex- ceeding 15 hands)—Captain S. Moreton Thomas. A series of prizes, amounting to 210, were offered by Major Morgan, South Wales Borderers (Volunteers) for competition by members of the 1st Battalion. The results wereFor the best horse on paraue in the ring—1, K. Morgan; 2, W. Williams; 3, J. Price, Tynewydd. In another competition the 1st prize was taken by Sergt. Prosser, Trevithel; 2nd, by Richard Rees, Bronwelly; and 3rd, by Charles Jones.