South Wales Echo

tP—wmmmm—■ in 'URAPPED _n_ By RICHARD RUSSELL, Author of A Nice Predicament for a Curate," Checkmated," The Lady's Dream, &c. [COPYRIGHT.] Joe Flopston, whose proper style and title, as he frequently reminded his two familiar friends, was Joseph Flopston, Esquire and he particularly prided him- self on knowing thing or two." In fact Joe imagined there was scarcely anything that he could not accomplish, but, like many other clever and brilliant men, who have 6 had their fling in days long before Joe's advent on to this dull old earth, as he some- times termed the world we live in, he had ■"ailed in a game wlferein others have come to jrief before hitn. Joe had striven hard to get certain gentle- men of the Jewish persuasion in his power; but instead of Joe having them by the heel, as he expressed it, they had him just now uncommonly tight in their clutches; in plain English, Joe was head over ears in debt to the London Jew money lenders. And that is a pitiable state for any young man to be placed in and that which made matters worse for Joe was the hard fact that be knew but of one man in the whole wide "orld who could extricate him from the iismal swamp of impecuniosity into which he had drifted, and this one man was his ncle, Mr Jeremiah Thorpe, who had it in sis power, as Joe asseverated to a boon com- nion, to put his hands upon thousands of pounds, all in gold, any day of the week and yet this obstinate old curmudgeon, con- tinued Joe, had positively refused to assist him, even to the extent of a few hundreds only. Mr Thorpe was Joe's uncle on his mother's side, and the old man had some- how acquired the reputation of being rich, miserly, and eccentric. He was said to be so suspicious that he feared to entrust his aiouey into the hands of a bank, and it was supposed that he hoarded large sums in his dwelling-house, and in such manner as to be a secret, known to himself alone. Mr Flopston had written several letters to this self-willed and miserly old man, say- ing that his difficulties were of a temporary nature only, that the clouds would soon roll by, and then, on the word of a gentleman, he would repay the sum asked for, and ever afterwards bless the very name of Jeremiah Th orpe. Still the old man could not see the wisdom of lending his nephew so large asum of money, consequently he remamed firm sud obdurate to the last. Desperate men will sometimes do des- perate deeds, and Mr Flopston's affairs naving drifted into a desperate muddle, he determined on a desperate expedient, which was to go down to Hawkwood Hall, the old nouse in Dorsetshire where his uncle lived, and, as the old man had resolutely refused to lend him a few thousands of pounds, he was resolved to help himself. "I must be a fool"—it was thus he reasoned—" if I, a clever man, with all his wits fully developed, cannot contrive to alch a few thousands from an obstinate- head ed, doddering old donkey -• Moreover, I am the old dummy's next of kin there- fore it will only be like helping myself to my own, just a few months or years before che proper time. Why, I have been an ass for having remained quiettso long." Hawkwood Hall was a picturesque old building, surrounded by a moat. Ages ago It was a monastery, and in the basement vaults might still be found some of the stone receptacles in which the old monks bad lain in their everlasting sleep. Joe Flopson when a boy had passed many pleasant days at the old place, and the position of these vaults was well known to nim. But now he had no love for the old house, and but for the desperate straits his affairs were in he would not care if he never saw it again but, as he himself re- marked, when the devil drives we have no choice but to gallop His uncle, Jeremiah Thorpe, was a bache- lor, sixty-seven years of age. A sad disap- pointment in the early days of his manhood had kept him from entering the marriage atate, and the only inmates of Hawkwood Hall besides himself were his staid old housekeeper and one maid-servant. His gardener, an old and trustworthy man, fared in a cottage near the Hall. ♦ • • • Joe Flopston, one dull day in a month of November, travelled by train down to sunny Dorset, and made his appearance at the old Hall. He was on his very best behaviour, hav- ing determined to gam his uncle's good opinion solely for the purpose of ultimately robbing him of his hoarded money. I have recently been very unwell, uncle," said Joe, demurely. Constant worry and trouble have broken me down at last, and I have ventured to come down for a few days only, thinking that change of air and the delightful quietude of Hawkwood would prove beneficial to my health." Very well, Joe," replied Mr Thorpe, "I can only say that you are welcome, and I will request Mrs Badden to prepare a bed- room for you." The old man betrayed neither joy nor Borrow at this unexpected visit of his nephew. Now. Joe had never given his mind to study and probably had never devoted half an hour to any one book in all his life, unless it was his well-thumbed and greasy betting-book but now, on the first evening of his sojourn at the Hall, he displayed a strong inclination for reading, and his mind apparently soon became deeply interested with the contents of a. volume from Mr Thorpe's library. This simple circumstance did not escape the observant eye of the old man. Joe Flopston, reading a somewhat dry book of history, poring over it with avidity, was a strange sight indeed, and the fact was at once noted down, as it were, on the tablets of Mr Thorpe's memory for future reference. Joe felt certain that the old mn had hidden the greater portion of his money somewhere in the old liall, and the problem which Joe had given himself to solve was this to find the exact spot where the money lay concealed, safe from prying eyes and busy fingers. It was an everyday rumour. and had been for years past with the good folk in Draxham, the nearest town to the Hull, that Jeremiah Thorpe hoarded money it1 his house, and it was well-known that he had never once taken the trouble to contro- vert the rumours. Consequently, in Joe's mind the supposition was grown into an established fact Joe was now always on the alert: ever watchful, ever prying, and at the same time as quiet as the dead. The only circum- stance which Mr Thorpe deemed worthy of notice in his nephew's conduct was the love of books and reading which he had recently 10 strongly developed. A great change, indeed," muttered the old man to himself; and one that is truly marvellous. The library was on the first floor of the house, and not far from Mr Thorpe's bed- room and day after day the old man saw hie nephew going in or coming out of the library but he made no remark, and took no further notice of the fact. A young man's thirst for knowledge," thought Mr Thorpe, is a thing to be com- ttiended and in this case I can only hope that the symptoms are genuine." After Joe had been at the Hall five or six daya he became jubilant, but in a very quiet manner. No noisy" demonstrations of joy for him he was too circumspect for that. The cause of his jubilation arose from the fact that he had discovered the exact spot where the old man's money lay concealed. In one corner of Mr Thorpe's bedroom was a large cupboard, the door of which was always kept locked and inside this cup- board was all iron safe and in that iron safe was the old man's hoarded treasure But no person ever went to the cupboard with the exception of the old man himself consequently the keys of both cupboard and safe were always in the old man's posses- sion By constant watching and prying and being always on the alert, Joe had learned this much, and he felt certain that he was correct, or in his own words—that he was on the right scent And now followed the greatest difficulty of all — to Set possession of the keys. Unless the keys of the cupboard and safe could be transferred from the old man's hands into Joe's, the knowledge which he (Joe) had so painfully and laboriously gained would be absolutely worthless. He was bound to have those keys but how was it to be done ? He was a clever feUoir—-ito wtMt thus he reasoned with him. -r 11 H i.'w m self—and if any man could do it, why that man was he. His success thus far had emboldened him, so one afternoon he coolly walked into Mr Thorpe's bedroom and tried the cupboard door. It was locked securely. Never mind, thought he, I must contrive some- how to gain possession of those keys As he turned for the purpose of leaving the room Jeremiah Thorpe himself appeared in the doorway. For a moment Joe's blood ran cold and he shook from head to foot. a Well, Joe," remarked the old man pleasantly and with a smile upon his face, "you have come into the wrong room the library is through the last door down the passage." "Dear me!" cried Joe, with a sigh of relief. And finding that Mr Thorpe was unsuspicious, his natural and unblushing effrontery returned at once, as he added, I have seen so little of the old hall of late years that I really forget my way about!" Now," rejoined the old man. smiling, 44 you are one of the few men of my acquaintance who, in my opinion, do know their way about uncommonly well You disparage yourself, my dear Joe, I oan assure you." "Thank you, uncle, J' replied Joe, as he passed the old man and ran down the wide oaken staircase. The old boy is in a good humour this afternoon," thought Joe, "and how refresh- ingly unsuspicious he is also but he will soon find that I know my way about, and no mistake Joe was resolved not to lose half a chance of gaining possession of the old man's keys and he was again on the alert, astonishingly so. It so happened that Mr Thorpe had occa- sion to go into the town of Draxham, on business which imperatively required his personal attention. Joe, ever on the alert, saw his uncle leave the house, and watched him walk slowly away in the direction of the town and he observed, as he kept his sight on the old man's figure, that he had put a fresh coat upon his back. Joe's heart joyfully bounded in a moment. He has changed his coat," said Joe to himself, and probably the old fool's keys are lying quietly at the bottom of the pocket of his other coat And then Joe's breath came in gasps, short and sharp. He now crept up to Mr Thorpe's bedroom, stealthily. and found, hanging, behind the door, the coat which the old man, only a quarter of an hour ago, had exchanged for the one new on his back. Joe, with trembling fingers, shook the coat keys rattled and Joe's excitement was then so great that every limb of his body trembled as if suddenly stricken with palsy. Joe took the bunch of keys from the pocket, and crept across the room, tiptoe, to the cupboard door. His own discern- ment enabled him to pick up the right key in another moment the cupboard door was wide open, and an iron safe at once met Joe's glaring and greedy eyes. It was almost impossible that he could make an error as to which was the key of the iron safe the largest one on the bunch, of course And now both the cupboard and safe doors are open, and Joe, trembling with excitement, saw bags of gold lying in the safe before lilra He took one bag and poised it in his hand. Heavy said he to himself, I should think so indeed Why, it is crammed so full of sovereigns that the coins cannot chick together On the outside of each bag appeared cabalistic figures; this 500, which clearly denoted that every one contained 500 golden sovereigns 44 Real, bright, golden sovereigns he cried to himself, rejoicingly. He now counted the number of bags. Ten and all with the magic mark of 500 on the outside. He felt very much inclined to cry with grief because he could not stow away in his jacket pockets all the ten bags at once; consequently he would be' com- pelled to take away only five bags at a time. Ten bags," thought he, 44 with five hundred sovereigns in each bag, comes to exactly five thousand pounds And then, as he capered round the room, he apostro- phised his uncle— Oh you dear, good, unsuspecting, and COhfiding old man, bless you, bless ytfti for ever With noiseless footsteps he slowly glided down the staircase left the house by a side entrance, and disappeared into the stone vaults of the basement, where, by thy feeble light from a wax match, he safele deposited the five bags of gold in one of the old monks' stone coffins; and immediately returned to the house in the same stealthy manner, aud took possession of the remain- ing five bags, with which he again came to the vault and deposited with the others, placing a slimy stone slab over the coffin as a lid. I should like to continue at this game for a whole week," thought he exult- in gly. He again returned to the house, and went into the parlour, took up a book, and soon appeared to be much interested in the con- tents thereof and in this way he remained until the return of Mr Thorpe from Drax- ham. Well, Joe cried the old man, cheerily, reading again ? It is wise to endeavour to improve your mind. Better late than never, you know Mr Flopston retired to his bedroom early that evening. He longed to be alone, so that he might either think or dreftrn of the great good fortune which, thanks to his cleverness and perseverance, had fallen to his share. 44 But," thought he, when in the solitude of his own room, 41 my work is not yet over. I must devise some plan for getting safely away from this wretchedly dull hole of a house And now, when all the inmates of the house were asleep and silence reigned supreme. Mr Flopston arose from his bed, threw a dark overcoat over his back, put a piece of candle and his box of wax matches into a pocket, and with his black leather bag concealed beneath the coat quietly descended the stairs, left the house by the side door. and with noiseless footfall crept round to the entrance of the stone vault. After listening for a moment, trembling with fear, he descended into the vault, ignited his piece of candle, and hastily thrust the ten bags of gold into his black bag, intending that the bag, with its contents, should remain there till an early hour in the morning, when he would again come to the vault, take possession of his treasure, and llee away to London by the first up-train from Draxham Station. 44 And then." thought he. "instea.d of eating humble pie to the Jew money-lending crew, if they give me any more of their bluster I will put! their hookey noses and defy them He now returned to his bedroom, and his conscience being easy. as the consciences of all good men are, he enjoyed a few hours' peaceful slumber. I Between five and six o'clock in the morn- ing he again went to the vault with his bit of candle and matches and taking the bag, I heavy with his plunder, from the stone coffin, he was at once ready for London. He had actually got one foot on the step leading from the vault, when his greed of gold and the innate cupidity of his nature induced him to take just one peep at the gold which was now his own. He longed for a feast before starting on his journey a feast of gold and for this purpose he relighted his little bit of candle, placed it on the stone lid of the coffin, I knelt down on the hard damp floor, took one of the bags of gold from the leather ¡ bag, untied its mouth, and poured the gold. as a stream of water runs from a rock, into the palm of his left hand—! A loud and blasphemous oath came from his lips. The things that ran from the bag were not sovereigns at all He bent low over the bit of candle for the purpose of obtaining a better light and eagerly looked again, and yet again—at the worthless j things lying in the palm of his hand—brass buttons and pieces of lead the eighth part of an inch in thickness, and cut round to the size of sovereigns He hastily took up the other bags one by one and tried them all and the contents of all were alike—worthless brass buttons and pieces of lead Sold he cried aloud, and rushed from the vault in a state of mind bordering on madness Not heeding whither he was going, he ran straight into the stagnant water of the moat swam to the other side, with three j or four water rats for his companions and > then scrambled up c bank out of.the it element, with his olothes covered with green and slimy duckweed And in a pitiable state, on that cold November morning, he was discovered, lying on the bare ground, by Mr Thorpe's old and faithful gardener, who had kept watch, in accordance with his master's orders, and had completely bowled out Joseph Flopston, Esquire, whom he now conveyed in a cart without springs to the Red Lion Hotel, in Draxham, telling the landlady that he brought the gentleman there by Mr Jeremiah Thorpe's orders and when they had dried and fed him, they were to take him to the railway station, procure a third-class ticket, and despatch him off to London and Mr Thorpe would be pleased to pay all expenses These instructions were obeyed to the very letter and this was the very last time that Joseph Flop- ston, Esquire, ever saw Hawkwood Hall, in the sunny county of Dorset. Some friends interceded with Jeremiah Thorpe on Joe's behalf and the old man at last consented to make his worthless nephew an allowance of one guinea per week, to be paid every Saturday morning. The last that we heard of the once great and wide-awake Joseph Flopston, Esquire, was that he had died of delirium tremens in the infirmary of St. Giles' Workhouse, in the parish of Bloomsbury, London. Jeremiah Thorpe really was a shrewd man-not a spurious, clever man, like his nephew, Joe—and the old man had divined Joe's nefarious intentions from the first hour that Joe came to the Hall and the clever old man had laid a trap for Joe, into which he fell with the most charming inno- cence imaginable.

GREA r WESTERN ENGINE- DRIVER IN DANGER, Manly Conduct of a Doctor. Engine-drivers have many narrow escapes, of which the publio never bearg nor are their dangers confined to the active risks of their calling. The South Wales Daily Star newspaper brings to light an interesting citse, which illus- trates this. It appears that a Mr John South, of 36, St. Michael-street, Newport, Monmouth, was for many years an engine-driver on the Great Western Railway, but he retired from active duty on reacliiug his sixtieth year in good health. About a year ago, however, be was taken suddenly ill. I always felt thoroughly tired out," said he, and I had severe pain at the small of my back, AS well as pains in the back of my head and side of my face." His sufferings were very severe, and after two or three weeks he went to a very able doctor for them, and also for a very violent cold which he had contracted. The doctor gave him medicine for the cold, but informed him that the pains in i* head were rumbling rheumatics," and that he really could do nothing at all to cure them. In consequence of this candid and manly admis- sion, the doctor only paid him a couple of visits. The pain seemed to get worse, and though nob actually confined to his bed, he was unable to get about or do work of any description. He kept a look-out in the papers for anything which might bring relief, and shortly after read an account of the public attention excited by the oures effected by Dr. Williams' Pink Pills for Pale People in cases very similar to his own. He procured a box, and followed religiously the instructions. When half the box. or perhaps a little more, had been taken, the pains began to get easier, the spasms in the face being neither so frequent nor so severe. This result encouraged him to con- tinue, and the improvement was rapid and continuous, until by the time he had taken about two and a half boxes he was completely cured, and felt as well as he ever did in his life, not. withstanding his 60 years. Since that time he has felt only slight twinges of rheumatics, and a single pill has always proved sufficient to subdue them. Mr South said he thought the Pills a wonderful medicine. He always kept a box in the house that they rnighi be at hand, in case a tonic should be needed, and would not be without them for anything. He was now able to get aboub and work, and was surprisingly active. Mr South showed a prudent precaution in keeping the Pills ab hand in case of need, for though Dr. Williams' Pink Pills are not lilce other medicines, and their effects are permanent, nothing else is so prompt in pulling up the system when, from some temporary depression or other- wise, strength is needed. They have cured more than hve thousand cases, besides Mr South'a, of nervous exhaustion, rheumatism, sciatica, muscular weakness, depression, loss of appetite, palpitation of the heart, headache, early decay, paralysis, and locomotor ataxy also all diseases arising from impoverished and vitiated Uobd, such as scrofula, rickets, St. Vitus' dance, and chronic erysipelas, pale and sallow complexion, anaemia, wasting diseases like consumption, and the ailments of ladies. These Pills are not a purgative medicine. They contain nothing that could injure the most delicate system. They are old by chemists, and by Dr. Williams' Medicine Company, 46. Hoi born-viaduct, London, E,O.. at 2s 9d a box. or six for n3 9d. Genuine only with the full name, Dr. Williams' Pink Pills for Palp People. Pmk pills said out of glass jars are not Dr. Williams'.

THE CURIOUS CASE AT PONTYPftlDD. Another Attempt to Eject an Assistant Overseer. The overseers of Pontypridd made another hffort at the Pontypridd Police Court on Wed. nesday to get possession of the Vestry Hall for parish purposes. A fortnight ago tho summons was dismissed upon a technical objection, -raised by Mr Abel Tiiouaas. viz., that the information had been laid by Mr Joseph David, the assistant overseer, and not by the overseers. The last summons was, however, served upon the defen- dant by th £ overseers, who were again repre- sented by Mr S. T. Evans, M.P. (instrilete by Mr Jame- Spickett, overseer), whilst Mr Abel Thomas, Q.C., M.P. (instructed by Mr Bruce, of the firm of Messrs Walter Morgan, Rhys, and Bruce) again appeared for defendant. Consider. able interest was centred in the case, during the hearing of which a number of prominent towns- people were present. The magistrates on ttfs ttench were the Stipendiary (Mr J. Ignatius Williams), and Messrs E. H. Davies, T. P. Jenkins, James Roberts, Edward Edwards, D, Llewelyn, and M. Morgan, Mountain Ash. The case was gone into at considerablf length. After r considerable legal argument, the Stipendiary said that he would reserve his decision.

THE SHAH AND HIS PREDECESSOIVS HAREM. According to the London correspondent of the Glasgow Herald, the new Shah of Persia has disobliged the numerous occupants of his prede- cesser's harem, with instructions to get married as quickly as possible, but not to bis officials. civil or military.

ADVICK TO MOTHERS. "-Are you broken in your rest by a sick child suffering with the pain of cutting teeth 7 Go at once to a chemist ana get a bottle of MRS WINSLOW'S SOOTHING SYRUP, it will relieve the poor little sufferer immediately. It is plea sailtto take: it produces natural, quiet sleep by relieving the child from pain, and the little cherub awakes as bright as a button. Of all Chemist.

I Men of the Day. I Mr Sidney Cooper. Sidney Cooper, the well-known R.A., was a theatrical painter at the age of 17. That was at Hastings. He was at work in Hastings Theatre 76 years ago. He gained a moderate income by scene painting. He be. came a drawing-master at Canterbury till the year 1827. when he set out from Dover to Calais, to "sketch his way from that French port to the Belgiau capital paying tavern bills by likenesses of hosts and hostesses. He was materially assisted by his manners, which are artful and fasciuat- ing. At Brussels his talents secured him patrons and employ- ment. Having settled there, lie married. fhere, too, his pencil was first direoted to the study of landscape, and the branch of art (animal painting) which secured him his present high reputation. The revolution of 1830 involved him and his family 1n difficulties, and forced him to return to England. He tirf: exhibited in the Suffolk-street Gallery in 1833. Mr Cooper was flecked an Associate of the Royal Academy in 1845. and a Royal Academician in 1867. and stiH exhibits. He is the grand old man of art. In 1882 he presented to the city of Canterbury the Gallery of Art which he had founded some ten or twelve years earlier, and in which he had since givi?n gratuitous instructions to students. A con- dition made by the donor was that only a nominal fee should be charged to the artisan classes for tuition. Mr Cooper has found innumerable imitators. At one time he was constantly called upon to decide upon the authenticity of oatlile pictures reputed to be the work of his brush. His birthday is September 29th.

I BOXING. I The Army Championships. The flnftl stages of tbeae competitions were decided at Aldershot on Wednesday, in the presence of abour, 3,000 spectators. Results presence of abour, 3,000 spectators. Results Men's feather-weignfcs—Drummer Phillips (1st Grenadier Guards) beat Private McHugh (4th King's Royal Riflas). Light-weights—Drummer Collins (Grenadiers) beat Private Lyle (Seaiorth Highlanders). Heavy weights—Private Leady (Grenadiers) beat Sergeant Simpson (Middlesex Ragt.) .officers' Competition (light weibts)-Captain Graham (Royal Mariue Light Infantry) beat Lieutenagit Dickson (Royal Artillery). Middle weights-Captain Graham (Royal Marine Light Infantry) beat Lieutenant Simpson (Gordon Highlanders). General Hammersley distributed the cups, silver medals, and money prizes.

South Wales Coal Trade. MABON DEFENDS THE SCHEME. Replying to a criticism which appeared in the shipping World wi th reference to the projected Coal Alliance, Mr W. Abraham, M.P., states It is asserted by tbe writer thatjthe scheme which el$ the representatives of the men, after confereto6 with and by the request of the represen tat j res of the masters, have prepared is of a crude and somewhat impractwable nature, as it aims at a contract between employers and employed not to allow coal to be sold under certain prices to be fixed by mutual agreement." If the source of your information is connected with the coal trade he should know that at no time have the represenbativen of the men in South Wales sought advantages or improvements in wages or conditions of labour without taking good care not to injure the position of the South Wales coal trade as a whole and he would have been on safer ground had he judgedo present intentions and plans by past performances. We may, I think, be trusted not to injure ourselves by advocating the adoption of'a price for coal that would place us at a disadvantage in the competi- tion with other British districts and the coaltrade of foreign countries. Your informant says that our scheme is undet. stood to he crude and impracticable." How does he know this! Would it not be better to await the verdict of the coalowners, at all eveuts, before prejudging the case ? As I have indicated, the scheme has been prepared after consultation with, and has been put in form at the request of the employers. Of course, it aims at safeguarding the trade-tho is to say, the coalowner and the coal winii(jr-from the mischief wrought chiefly by middlemen who coutraot for future delivery on speculative lines. Is this not a dangerous attempt to forecast the future of the labour market and the cost of production ? And does not the middleman now sell coal without even asking for a quotatiou from responsible coalowners? Your informant must know—or should know—that the price of coal is reduced unfairly and capriciously by some of these middlemen. Surely. all should desire to put the trade upon the firm and stable foundation of cost of production and "supply and demand," so that it may not be disturbed and fretted by exotics who carry on their trade in a speculative and feverish spirit, and without calmness and discretion. No. the Labour cart" does not "stop the way," "Labour cart" is a misnomer. Out scheme is one of mutual benefits-it is the coat trade van in which employer and employed shall advance to better things without injury to the consumer or advantage to the foreign competitor. Why should the scheme be impossible to work ? Surely, the association of owners and workers are strong enough to keep the trade on straight lines and compel middlemen and free-lances or guerillaa to observe the principlfis of legitimate commerce rather than the method* that lead to lower prices or lower wages or the' R,.nkruptcy Cr)nr.- Y(lnrs. ke.. See.. W. ABRAHAM (Mabcm). September 24th, 1896. 1

THE EBBW VALE STRIKE, On Wednesday the colliers employed at No. 1 Pit, Marine Graig Fawr, under the Ebbw Valti Company met at the Salvation Army Hall for the purpose of considering » question in dispute at that colliery relating to one of the headings. There was a large attendance, several men belonging to otber collieries being present. Mr Wm. Kane, who occupied the chair, explained the dispute existing. It was ultimately decided to support the demand of the committee. Mr Thomas Richards- aud six other men were appointed to wait upon Mr Tallis, so as to convey to him the decision of the meeting.

SHOCKING ACCIDENT AT NEWPORT. On Wednesday afternoon Edward Coslett, a waggoner in the employ of Lord Tredegar, was returning from Newport market in charge of a waggon and pair of horses. When near the bottom of .B:eU Vue-lane the horses started suddenly into a faster pace, and Coslett, who was riding in front of the waggon, was thrown off. He was dragged along for some distance, his head and face being fearfully mangled. The unfortunate mnu was removed to the Infirmary, where he lies in a precarious condition.

MOVEMENTS OF LOCAL VESSELS Elpis oird Barry !>oek from RoUerOa«a 28tU Hardwick arvd Hamburg from Caraiff 28th NVellfield arvd Kiamfors from Sodeihumn 29th Wellington left. Kemi for Sharpness 28th Elton passed Constantinople for Ouessrv 28th Heslenen passed Copenhagen f"r Bochefort 88th Slingsbv passed St Michael's for Delaware for ordc rs 29th „ Margaret Jones arvd Naples fr0J?l Cardiff 29th Itadyr left Swansea for Algiers 29th Rhyl arvd Bilbao 29th „ Redruth passed St Catherine s from Cardiff 29th Dora left Algiers for Rotterdam 28th M Bedlington arvd St Vincent from Cardiff 23th F urmead arvd La Plata from ltosano 28th Mandalay left Constantinople for Gibraltar for orden; 28th Caudmon arvd Honfleur from Byske 29tli Cairo passed Constantinople for Novorossisk 30th Garonne arvd Bordeaux 30th Taff arvd London 30th Benefactor left Havre tor Barry 30th Newark left Plymouth for Newport 30th Camrose and Rot.terdam 29th Volagu passed Pera 30th Sapphire left Norfolk for Hamburg 30tb T>owlai& arvd Newport from Huelva 29'h llliymney arvd St Nazaire 28th Merthyr arvd St Nazaire 29th

I AFFAIRS IN CRETE. I The Duke of Westminster has received a reparb j from Mt I i. Bickford Smith, agent of the Cretan I Distress Fund, stating that he has inquired into the condition of the inhabitants of the island. He estimates that the number of the destitute is j 55,000, which is being gradually increased by the ¡ return of the emigrants from Greece, uumbering 15,000, but not all destitute. To meet the* distress the Sultan has sent three sums of P,1,04 nearly all of which has been given to Moslems. The Greek Government has behaved inostgenorouily during the tryiug times of the past eight months, and Greeks in England, bave sent out about £ 1)450, which is almost exhstlbted. There ate no persons in the island to "whom appeal can be made tor help, and, as far as the agent can form an opinion, L20,000 will be necessary to alleviate distress.

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ALEXANDRA (NEWPORT) DOOKS AND RAILWAY COMPANY. The half-yearly meeting of the proprietors of this company was hf-ld on Wednesday afternoon in the offices, Old Broad-street, London. Lord Tredegar presided, and there was a small attend- ance. Mr J. SMITH (secretary) read the notice con. vening the meeting, and a brief report was presented from the directors stating that after providing for rents and debenture interest, the directors recommend the declaration of > the maximum dividend at the rate of 4% per cent, per annum on Consolidated Stock A First Pre- ference and on Consolidated Stock B Second Preference, and a dividend at the rate ot 3 per (len t. per annum on the Ordinary capital of tho company, leaving a balance carried forward of 25,538 4s 5d. During the half year under review, the sidiug accommodation has been lengthened by three- quarters of a mile, and the junctions at Maesglas and Mendlegyff have been resignalled and inter- locked. It is understood that the Londou County Counoil intend shortly-probtbly in the next Session—to apply to Parliament for powers to withdraw water from the Usk and its tributaries for the purpose of supplying London. This matter is receiving the careful attention of the directors with the view of protecting the com- pany's interests. The CHANTWAN, in moving the adoption of the report, said that the receipts had been satisfac- tory for the past year, and eminently so for the past quarter. Tiiere was ¡wery reason to believe they would continue so. Like other enterprises, the docks had been affected by the unusual drought, and the company had been put to sqpie extra expense on account of the shortness of water. The subject of dry dock extension was under consideration, and he hoped that work would soon be carried out. Mr UNDKBDOWN, Q.C., in seconding the motion, said they would be compelled in the interests of the company to see that no scheme for the supply of water to other parta of the kingdom, however important, was allowed in any way to affect the supply of fresh water essential for carrying on dock and other enterprises in South Wales. The directors had reason to hope that a dry dock would before long bo established for the common benefit of this company and the docks and commerce of Newport. The motion was agreed to. On tho motion of the CHAIRMAN, seconded by Col. LYNE, a formal resolution was passed authorising the payment of dividends at the stipulated rates, and at 3 per cent. on the ordiuary rat."ri. Mr E. J. PHILLIPS moved a vote of thanks to the chairman, and said they were indebted to his Lordship for the active and keen interest he had taken in this company since the docks were established. Mr J. C. PARKINSON secouded the motion, and it was unanimously passed. After a brief response from the chairman the proceedings con- cluded,

r YANKEE YARNS. I ilts Meaning. Duxbuty has two thousand odd iuhabitants," read Mr Perkasie. when Mrs Perkasie interrupted him with the coiyiment- "fThatoiust be one ot those New England towns where there are so many old maids." Is This the Reason P De Garry Although it was a summer engage- ment our love was as eublime as that of our first parents in the garden of Eden. Merritt: So that is why it could not survive the fall.? A Trying Position. Old Nl*cs M- who was seriously ill, found herself to be in a trying position, which the defined to a frieud in these words:- You see my daughter Harriett is married to one o' these buineypatti doctors and my daughter Kate to an allypath. If I call in the homeypatb my allypath son-in-law an' his wife git mad, an' if I call in my allypath son-in-law my homeypatb son-in-law an' his wife git mad, an' if I go ahead an' git well without either o' them, then they'll both be mad, so I don't see but I'd better die outright." His Story Was Clear. His name was George Arnold, and he was arraigned in ,the Police Court on the charge of stealing a ride on a train. "Where were you?" asked Judge Fiedler, referring to his former plaja of abode. 11 In the Indian Territory," was the reply. I W48 waiting." Waiting for who ?" Just waiting." What was you waiting for 1* To get my money." Who from ?" The man I was waiting for." What did he owe it to you for ?" For waiting." How did you start in waiting ?" By beginning to wait." I don't know what you mean explain your- self," I thought you knew I was waiting in a restaurant." Oh gasped Judge Fiedler. I An Artful Donor. You can see lots of human natare in a jewellery store," remarked the man who was arranging a tray of gems in the window so as to give them their greatest possible allurement. Otie of the things 1 have noticed is that most people dislike to depend on their own judgment. They don't appreciate anything until they know its value in dollars and cents." Just then a young man came in and asked to see some rings. He was Jaoon made a selection, and, pulling out a roll of bills, he asked the price. Twenty dollars," replied the jeweller. The young man put the money back into his pocket. Is that all ?" he inquired regretfully. Yell. I wouldn't be justified in charging any more. But it's a very handsome ring, and every- thing about it is just as it's represented." Twenty dollars doesn't seem enough to pay for a ring for this youug lady," he remarked pensively. That's a pretty ring, and I think she'd like it very muah if she didn't find out what the price was. I'll tell you what I'll do. I'll buy the ring if you'll put a$50 price tag on it and let it stay in the window until the day after to-morrow," I don't quite see what good that will do you." M I've set my li-.art on seeing her wear this particular ring. I know she will like its style when she first sees it; but you know bow women are they're never content until they know how much everything costs. To-morrow I'll take her out walking and we'll pass your window. We'll stop and look in. and sbeJI recognise the ring the instant she puts her eyes on it. I won't say a word, but she'll notice that it's marked 50 dollars, and will feel that it is not only a fine-looking ring that she's wearing, but that it is all right as to price and then we can all be happy."

I AN EMPIRE ROMANCE. I The Barmaid and the Rings. Mrs Winch, otherwise Nellie Thomas, a bar. maid, living in Alma-street, Kentish Town. was summoned at Iti-irlborougii-street by a Mr Frank Sear)e for detaining a diamond and a wedding ring. The complainant stated that he had been Acquainted with the defendant, a barmaid at the Empire Theatre, for some years past. He was aware of the fact that she was a married woman. In June last he got two riniza- a wedding and a diamond one-from a jeweller's in Oxford-street on approval. The same evening he saw the defendant and showed her the rings, remarking, "Nellie, I have got a surprise for you. I am going to be married." She rephed that they were very nice," and slipped them on one of her fingers. The complainant did not trouble to get their back, as he thought, owing to their long acquaintance, they would be safe. The following day he got drunk, and had since been in an asylum for inebriates, whence he was discharged on Thursday. He did not give the rings to the defendant, and had written asking that they should be returned. The defendant said that the rings were given to her as presents. On the magistral being informed that the rings were worth j629. he said that as the value was more than B15 the case was beyond the jurisdic- I tion of a police court, and therefore the summons would be dismissed.

PAST EVENTS IN OUR ISLAND RECALLED. OCTOBER 1ST. 1730 (George II.)—Five chiefs or the Cherokea Indians, having been brought to England from Carolina by Sir Alexander Camming, were presented to the King, and submitted themselves aud country to the Crown of Great Britain. 1748 (Georgo 11.)-Admiral Knowies defeated a Spanish squadron off Havana. 1795 (George III.)—The whole island of Ceylon was reduced to subjection by the British. 1802 (George Ill.)-The first number of the Edinburgh Review was published. 1830 (William IV.)—Opening of American porta to British commerce. 1832 (William IV.)—A subscription was open in London for the erection of almshouses in commemorahioB of the Reform. 1836 (William IV. )-The Carlists were defeated at St. Sebastian, Spain, by the Spanish Royalists and the British Auxiliary Legion uudsr Sir de Lacy Evans,

I THE AFFRAY ON PEMBREY MOUNTAIN. In connection with the above affray, of which we gave particulars yesterday, Wm. Jones, the defendant, was brought up before the Llanelly magistrates on Wednesday stud charged with outting and wounding David Gravell. Gravell being unable to appear, the case was adjourned for a week.

AKCUKRS GOLDEN RETURNS.— Smokers finding light tobacco burns their tongues*, should try this splen- did brand. Medium favour, cool, and mellow. 126# I Tmltt phase of Nervous and General Debility ? tpiclJl yiglda to 9t. fiiid&wfttv's trommet. e

FACTS AND FANCIES.! A plane questions-How to smooth a board. Completely done up-Shirts, when they leave the laundry. What is the beat way to keep a man's love ?— Not to return it. The mau who seconded the motion-The rear tandem bicyclist. What is the difference between a cow and an old chair?—One gives milk, the other gives—way. NOT AN ACROBAT.—" Why did you advise him to take the Elevated instead of the Broadway cable ?" "Well. he is a little slow about catching on to things." HONESTY UNSURPASSED.—" He seems to be P" absolutely truthful and honest." Why He admits that be bought the wheel he has because it was cheap." AFTBR THE INTEBVIICW. -Jack I suppose her father wanted to know all about your income and prospects ?—Bob: Oh, yes. He was just as inquisitive as Li Haug Chang. AN ExPLANATION.-Polibiciat? Of course Tammany Hail is against repudiation.—Consti- tuent What is repudiation ?—Politician Re- pudiation is goia' back on the regular ticket. IN THE "HOTEL.Isaacs: VeIl. dis Raines law vos a vondedfui t'iug.—Cohen Dot's so. I nefer expegted to see der day ven a orthodox Hebrew vould haf any use for a ham sandwich. Wg CAN IMA(;WE.-ProfeegOr All trade, be- fote the introduction of money, was merely barter. Of course you can see the defects of that form of traffic.9tudenb Ob, certainly Look at the results of horse trades to-day. TBK REWARD OF MimiT. -Deaoon Brown's Boy Pop's goin' to give me ten cents if I 'm perfect in my tobacco lessons for a week.—Deacon Smith's Boy What are you goin' to do with the money ? —Deacon Brown's Boy Goin' to get a package of cigarettes. TIME TO STOP.—" You men must really be careful not to run over neople," said the president of the surlpoe-car lind^to his motormen. They listened in respectful attention, and he continued, Every person you kill is one less passenger to ride." A MysTxRy.-Brown How did Smith happen to capsize the boat! I thought he knew all about sading.-T onM: So did 1. The way he could say fo'cVI," and bo's'n," and things like that made me think he could teU half a gale from five. eighths, A GLOOMY OUTLOOK.—First Boarder Yes, free silver meanll higher prices, and wages will not rise in proportion.—Second Boarder Then, of course, we can't pay any more for board, and the final result will be the disoovery of something cheaper and more unpopular than hash. ONE EXCEPTION.—" Mr Jimson, you are the most careless man I ever saw. You leave all your things on the floor," and Mrs J. fanned herself vigorously. Not at all," expostulated her husband, because, my dear, I have just hung up my watch." HARD LUCK.—"My son.you took terribly down- hearted. What's the matter No one ever had such hard luck, father. I just lost that 50 dollars you gave me this morning." Don't let it make you sick, my dear boy. Here's a cheque for 100 dollars. Where did you lose the money 2" Put it on the wrong horse." Thelate John Stetson, the shrewd but illiterate American theatrical manager of whom so many stories are told, once had a business manager under him whose name was Sharp. One day Stetson came to the theatre and saw a big sign above the door that said, Matinee to-day at 2 o'clock sharp." "Hallo," said Stetson; "seems to me that fellow's putting on big airs Take that sign in and put out one, Matinee to-day at 2 o'clock. Stetson.' I am running this theatre." A story is told of a girl who, riding her bicycle down a grassy slope, found a sheep lying exactly in her way. Much to the consternation of her friends who were watching the performance, she apparently attempted to jump the animal. The bicycle was more or less damaged, the sheep's feelings were hurt, and the lady got a black eye. "But why did you do it ?" they asked her. I do it!" was the indignant reply. I rang my bell as loud as I could, but the silly creatnre would not got out of the way."

IN all diseases consult Dr. Bridgwater, M.D U.S'A., 18, Custom Heuse-street 131e DON'T luneii it, (iine Without nsking for the new French Bread. Delicious eating and easily digested, gend postcard for van to call to T. Stevens. l<*rencli CQitfevtioner, V&, (fttceu-atreet.

[ Rhodesian Rising. sRiLLIANT BRITISH VICTORY. Official Despatches. Nothing is known at the Colonial Office of any British force in Rhodesia having been hemmed in by the rebels, as stated in a sensational telegram published on Tuesday, and, in view of the brilliant achievements recorded in Wednesday's official despatches, little credence is attached to the rumour. OFFICIAL TELEGRAMS. The following telegram has been received at the Colonial Office The High Commissioner of the State for the Colonies. Received at the Colonial Office, 11.20 a.m.. September 30bh, 1896. The following telegram received from Carrington (begins) '28th September. Despatches from Baden Powell to-day, dated 23rd and 24-th September. Column bas returned to Hartley-bill after olearing forest of rebels as far as junction of Gwelo and Sbangaoi rivers. Eight patrols under Kekewich nnd De McLays, surprised a rebel village near Lions Kopje, killing 20 men, capturing 25 women and children, some grain, and goats. Remaining patrols by wide- reaching movements have surprised many encampments of rebels, and taken food and blankets. Mijomhi's preventative posts have been broken up, and natives now coming in to surrender. No. 1 patrol, under Baden Powell, covered 163 miles. Horses suffered greatly from heat and want of corn, and patrols were much troubled by lions. Men had to be put on reduced rations for five days, and horseflesh issued for meat. Baden Powell says health and conduct 7th Hussars and other men excellent. Operations Mvani's district concluded. Much grain collected. Manonduari and about 300 people have surrendered. Native Commis- sioner considers people are now thoroughly dis- heartened and tired of fighting. Column is returning towards Inyati, leaving post of 50 men at Viringu Drift. Patrol will be despatcbdd to Queen's Kraal on the Dubie, where many Myamandlovo's people are said to be collected. Col. Paget is awaiting supply of grain at Gwelo before attacking Iudema. Major Rivett (Rivet Carnac?) reported better and out of danger. Colonel Alderson reports return of Pilson patrol on September 25th from Norton's Farm, after destroying several kraals and caves 190 sacks of mealies brought in. Further surrender reported in Bulalema district at Solusis-621 men, 703 women, 1,140 children, 79 guns, 703 assegais. Indunas included in above are Sibondwane, Ofusi, Sigungulwana, Mayeza, and Shugisa, brother of Lobengula. In Shilo district 600 surrenders with 40 guns. (End).'—ROSMEAD."— Central News. I EXECUTION OF MAKONI. I MAJOR WATTS ACQUITTED. CApm TowN, Wednesday.—The inquiry at Forb Salisbury into the conduct of Major Watts in confirming the sentence of death passed by court- martial on the chief Makoni has resulted in ex- oneration of that officer from blame in the matter. OPERATION ON THE HON. MAURICE GIFFORD The Hon. Maurice Gifford, C.M.G., who was njured in South Africa. has recently under. gone at 33, Cadogan-square, an operation by Dr. Cotterill for removal of bone. The operation was successful, three pieces being removed. Mr Gifford, however, suffers great pain, slight in- tiammation having arisen.

EXASPERATING EXPERIENCES IN TRUNK TELEPHONES. The Newport Chamber of Commerce, at its meeting yesterday, considered the latest answer of the Postmaster-General to the request by the Chamber thpt the rental system of trunk tele- phones between Newport and Cardiff should be continued, as against the toll system. Of course the reply was a non possu-mu8. The toll system, with its off-chance of having to pay the call and being cut off at Iialf the conversation, is to be enforced on the district. Sometimes even a demand will be made, as it has already been made in Newport by the Post Office officials, for payment without any conversation beidgi held-you have to pay for the call, that is, for the pleasure of being informed, in frank speech which borders almost on the pro- verbial brutal frankness, that you cannot have your conversation. Since the trunk lines have passed by the lapse of concessions into the hands the friction occasioned has been surprising. If the Post-office could have had the building up of the system it goes almost without saying that the telephone would never-in South Wales,ai)east-have become the useful adjunob it has become to commercial men. One of the speakers of the Chamber of Commerce meeting announced that his tirm were considering the wisdom and necessity of providing private lines altogether independent of the Post-office. This, if it be practicable, seems to be the only solution of the difficulties which, as renters will testify, have been created of late in inter-town telephonic commurticatKgi. This, too, whilst the rental system obtiuiM< To be cut off without a word at the end of t|d bare three minutes, after you have exhausted yourself in the endeavour to get a call, is not only exasperating, it is positively insulting. It tieeds no prophet, nor son of a prophet, to fore- shadow. theofleoline of trunk telephony for com. mercfal purposes from the moment an incurably bad system, worked in an arbitrary and clumsy manner, is introduced into South Wales.

I 8PAIN'8 COLONIAL WARS. Cuba and the Philippines. MADSIU, Wednesday.—The Counoil of Minis- ters to-4ay d'Tded to despatch 40,000 more men to, Cuba, 2.000 to Porto Rico, and 3,000 to the Philippines, The Counoil also decided to issue a pardon for those fugitives from military service who may have fled the country, the object being to induce them to jtyljt the oolours, including the new reinforce- mente. The Spanisit Government will have sent ta Onba 217,500 Rlen, but sickness and losses in ketion have practically reduced the effective strength to rather more than 160,000.—Central News. PHILIPPINE REBELS REPULSED. MADBID, Wednesday.—An official despatch frofei Manila announces that the insurgents in the Philippines attempted to invade the province of Batargas, but wore repulsed with considerable leas. Another insurgent band, which was defeated at .C&nita, is still being pursued by ttoove.-r-Reuter.. CfUBAN REBELS DEFEATED. I/KA.DER HANGBD BY HIS OWN MEN. MAIUUD, „ Wednesday.—An official despatch <\oUi Havana states that in an encounter between loyalist ttoops and rebels the latter lost 17 killed and 24wounded. It is further stated that the rebel leader; Rodriqu«% has beeu hanged by his own tr&ops. Tlia American steamer Dauntless has bppn escorted to Jacksonville by a Spanish Revenue dt,,tte-r. -Central News.

THE FATALITY AT HAVERFOROWEST. The, man Benjamin Richards, who was on Tuesday committed for trial on the coroner's warrant on a charge of manslaughter for having ■hot the yotingIman John Thompson while engaged as marker at the Haverfordwest Rift'i Range, was brought before the magistrates at Haverford- west on Wednesday, and, the same evidence as that published in our issue of Wednesday having beeu gone through, the accnsed was formally committed for trial to the Caimarthen Assizes, B tit was accepted for Richard*' appearance. ,.1

THE MYSTERIOUS DEATH AT SWANSEA _1 iftoB remains of the late Mr Edward Martin D-.dd, a. London consulting engineer, who died at the Cameron Hotel on Monday under circum- stances already reported, were interred at the Swansea Cemetery on Wednesday afternoon, the mourners being a aon of the deceased and two brothers.

A Music Hall on Fire. I AUDIENOE PANIC STRICKEN. I Terrible Struggles for Life, I MANY KILLED AND INJURED. About balf-an-hour after the audience had assembled in the People's Palace, Aberdeen, on Wednesday night, an alarm of fire was raised. The theatre is a popular music-hall, and both pit and gallery were well filled at the time. Instantly panic overspread the audience, and in less time than it takes to write the words there was a wild and horror-stricken stampede for the exits. The performance had only just commenced wben flames were seen in the vicinity of the stage and in an instaoll fire was furiously blazing. The artists fled from the stage and the other performers in the dressing-rooms likewise beat a hurried retreat, though not without considerable difficulty, all having to abandon their clothing and properties. So rapidly did the fire spread, that before the audience had managed to gat outside the burning buiiding the flames were shooting along the roof and out of the windows. For a time a terrible panio, accompanied by scenes of heartrending agony and frenzied terror was witnessed, and it was a matter of oruel uncertainty in the city as to whether the whole of audience succeeded in making their escape. A considerable number of persons were removed to the Royal Infirmary suffering from severe burns, but the door-keepers, in reply to anxious inquirers, said it was impossible until the morning to say whether any lives bad been lost. The audience in the gallery, which was crowded, was largely composed of young people of both sexes, and whilst the panio was at its height the crush made in their frantic struggling was something fearfni. Every effort was made to keep the exits clear, but the heat soon became so intense, and the struggling masses of people so maddened, that rescue opera- tions could only be carried on with the utmost difficulty. In about threequarters of au hour the whole of the interior was one mass of flames. Fortunately, the walls of the hall are of granite, and as they stood intact the firemen were successful in keeping the flames from attacking the surrounding buildings. The hall is in close proximity to the Royal Hotel, the Great Northern Railway buildings. and her Majesty's Theatre and had there been a high wiud it would have been impossible to prevent one or other of them from taking fire. By 9 o'clock nothing remained of the music hall but the bare walls and a huge burning mass of debris. Messrs Livermore Brothers are the proprietors. The damage is estimated at 24.000. [ LOSS OF LIFE. Later on the apprehensions entertained that the tire had involved loss of life were unhappily realised. At least half-a-dozen bodies are uow believed to be in the building, and at 11.30 two had been recovered. The Central News Aberdeen correspondent, telegraphing at one this morning, says that in the eourse of the night the search of the debris of the ruined theatre disclosed three dead bodies, fear- fully disfigured and quite unrecognisable. Two of the bodies were those of men and one that of a woman. It is feared there are more victims in the ruins. Search will be continued to-morrow. The excitement in the city, great before, has been worked up to an indescribable height by the discoveries, and the suspense which overhangs the families of the missing still further intensifies public feeling. I SOME OF THE INJURED. The number of injured proved much greater than was a first supposed. Thirty-six persons of all ages have been admitted to the infirmary suffering from injuries and burns. The following at the names of those seriously injured,four of whom, it is feared, cannot survive :—Alexander Camp- bell, a boy, who leaped from the gallery window (a distance of 30 feet) fractured leg George Brooks, of Sunderlend, face and hands burned Edward Walker, feet and hands Alexander Catts, face, hands, and legs James Patterson, face and hands; Mrs Charles Cooper, head and arms Charles Cooper, husband of above, who entered the building for the purpose of rescuing his wife, severely burned on head and arms; Alexander Duncan, face and bands; Alexander Johnstone, John McConnoohie, James Fraser, Robert Frazer, and Robert Stewart, all more or leas injured about the head and hands.

I ANCIENT ORDER OF FORESTERS t:' A public meeting in connection with the Cardiff United District of the Ancient Order of Foresters was held on Wednesday at Andrews' Hall, Cardiff. Bro. W. Spiller (the district Chief Ranger) presided, and he was supported by many prominent members of the Order, including Bro. Howard, of Norwich (the High Chief Ringer). The CHAIRMAN having briefly opened the pro- ceedinga, the High Chief Ranger gave an aocount. of the work of the Order, pointing out the benefits accruing from membership. Bro. FABOIR, of Glasgow, gave an address in relation to State-aid pensions as affecting Friendly Societies, and Bros. Pitt and Rawlings, of Lon- don, also spoke on the same subject. Bro. ABBOTT, of Sheffield, spoke of the necessity for adequate contributions, and the importance of quinquennial valuations, and Bro. Stevens, of Birmingham, and Bro. Allbery, of Brighton, supported the speaker in his remarks. Bro. GRANT, of London, addressed the meeting on the admission of junior members to the society, and he was seconded in his opinion by Bro. Hnlse, of Chester, and Bro. Hump ton, of Bristol. Votes of thanks were passed to the speakers at the conclusion of the meeting. >

FAILURE OF GRAIN CROPS IN INDIA. Serious Rioting. SIMLA, Wednesday.—The latest reports as to the "eather and crops are most gloomy. It is expeoted that there will be serious scarcity in Northern and Central India. Riots are already reported from Agra, Cawnpore, and Nagpur on account of want of grain. The monsoon has failed almost completely since the 1st of Sep. A telegram has just been reoeived from Delhi that serious rioting has occurred there in connection with the rise in the price of grain. The military forces have been warned to hold themselves in readiness should necessity arise for their services, The Press of Lahore call for prompt Government assistance to the poorer classes.—Seuler.

I ALLEGED ROBBERY AT SWANSEA. At Swansea Police Court on Wednesday a collier, named William Henry Davies, and a tin- worker, named Thomas Walters, of Kingsbridge, near Gowerton, were oharged with robbing with violence an old man, named Arthur Hauton. It waa alleged that Hanton, who bad taken a few glasses of beer, was walking near King--bridge ou Saturday night when two men, whom he could not identify, robbed him of his watch. A witness, named Eruest Huxbable, said Davies struck Hauton, and two other men, whom he could not identify, set on him.—The case was dismissed because the evidence was insufficient.

I THE EXPLOSION ON H.M.S. BLAKE; The naval court-martial for the trial of Fleet Engineer Burner and Engineer Criohton on charges of neglect in conneobion with the fata boiler explosion on the cruiser Blake in June last ooncluded on Wednesday night at Devonport. The Court found the charge of negligent perform- ance of duty in uob exercising proper provision over the guage glasses, whereby they failed to indicate, the amount of water in the boiler, partly proved, and ordered both officers to be severely reprimanded and dismissed their ship. The court, of which Captain Henderson, of the Edgar, wo, president, sat four days. j

I ELECTRIC EXPERIMENTS ON J SALISBURY PLAIN, Me Preece, of the, G. P.O., who has more than one shown us that it is possible to send signals through space without the use of wires over short distances, has been making some experi- ments on Salisbury Plain with some new apparatus that has been been devised by a young Italian, Signor Marconi, who has succeeded in producing I electric waves and reflecting them from one parabolic mirror to another one and a quarter mile distant, the waves falling ou a receiving apparatus which actuated a relay and produced Morse signals. Morse signals.

CYCLING, A grand perfornmnce wnq accomplished at the Crystal Palace track on Wednesday by S. B. McGregor and G. Nelson on a tandem bicycle. Starting at a £ ood pace, they began to beat, records for their class of machine at six miles, and going on they rode 31 miles 610 yaids in one hour. Tho previous world's record was Tom Linton's 31 miles 5 yards,made at Catford on the ocoasion under notice. Mr G. Pembroke Cole- man officiated as timekeeper. —'ii ..I.-

To THE INHABITANTS of Cardiff, Penarth, and Siilburl)s.-It having come to our knowlede thttt un- authorised persons a,-e trying to 'lispo.se of good.i as coming from The Dorothy," to prevent annoyance to our numerous customers, we bejz to caution them against thin misrepresentation.—^I. Stevens, French 1 CoafSGtioaM Cardiff. A71e

rHere and There. Yesterday, the condition of Mr Du Maurier was unchanged. Sir Julian Pauncefote, British Ambassador to the United States. paid a visit to the Colonial Office yesterday afternoon. Mr Goschen, First Lord of the Admiralty, crossed from Calais to Dover yesterday evening and proceeded by the mail train to London. Her Majesty's cruiser, Melpomene, which left Portsmouth on Tuesday with relief crews for the Cape, after putting back on Friday through stress of weather, again returned to harbour yesterday to make good defects developed in her machinery. The dead body of a well-dressed man was found last night under a hedge at Bemzeat, North- amptonshire. Nothing to lead to identification was found on the corpse, which bore no marks of violence. The man was about 60 years of age. At Heywood, Lancashire, last evening, several ohildren were playing on a sandhill, when part of it slipped, and two sisters named Howarth were buried beneath the fall. One of them, aged seven, was killed, and the other badly injured. Three more fires, making 10 in 10 days, broke out on Tuesday night at Farthingpe, Northamp. tonshire, and two ricks and a hovel were burned to the ground. The neighbourhood is in a state of panic. Two brothers named Tew have been. arrested, and other arrests are regarded as probable. Inquest on Mr Fred Barnard, the well-known artist, who was burnt to death at Wimbledon on Sunday, was held yesterday. Mrs Alice Barnard, the widow, said deceased suffered from sleepless. ness, and bad been in the habit of taking drugs to procure sleep. He often smoked in bed. The jury found that death was due to Asphyxia and burning. Treasury returns issued last night show that the total revenue of the United Kingdom during the quarter ended yesterday was 223,40,022, being a net decrease of 2365,129 compared with the previous year. This year the chief item of increase was £ 193,000 in estate, etc., duties, and the chief items of Increase were £589,900 in excise and £ 159,578 Js'tmstoms. There is a net increase for tbe six mcnBis ended yesterday of £ 1,262,921. A report pojfished a few days ago that the Marquis of Ripon's butler, the late Charles Barker, bad committed suicide at Studley Royal, Yorkshire, is- quite true. The coroner's jury, yesterday, brought in a verdict of Fuund drowned," but there was evidence that Mr Barker had fallen into the Whitland Reservoir, when walking along the bank.

Fm.-EI)ileptic or Hysterical effectually cured at 18, Custom House-street. 115e GLADNESS COMES with a better understanding of the transient nature of the many physical ills which vanish before proper efforts-gentle efforts, pleasant efforts-rightly directed. There is comfort in the knowledge that so many forms of sickness are not dne to any actual disease, but simply to a constipated condition of the system, which the pleasans family laxative, CALIFORNIA SYRUP OF FIGS promptly removes. That is why it is the only remedy with millions of families, and is everywhere esteemed so highly by those who value good health. Its beneficial effects are due to the fact that it is the one remedy which promotes internal cleanliness without debilitating the organs on which it acts. If in the enjoyment of good health, and the system is regular, then laxatives or other remedies are not needed. If afflicted with any actual disease, one may be commended to the most skilful physicians but if in need of a laxative, then one should have the best, nnd with the well-informed everywhere, SYRUP OF FIGS stands highest, is most largely used, and gives most general satis- faction. The true and genuine remedy is manufactured only by the CALIFORNIA FIG SYRUP CO. Every package of the genuine bears their NAME and TRADE MARK. Refuse all substitutes and imitations. Of Chemists, Is lUd and 2s 9d. Kept in stock by J. Munday, 1, Hich-st., and Bufce st. D. Anthony, Royal Arcrde; D. Harries, 100, Qneen- st.; R. Prust, 146, Clifton-st., Roatb W. J. Sanders. Riverside Pharmacy, Tudor-st., Cardiff. Refuse all substi tutes. d Depot: 32. NOW HILL, LONDON, E.C. SHIPS, COAL B ASKETS. N A I S a, 1 JJRIDGE KSTRA ST, 1518 THE ATLAS FURNISHING CO., LIMITED, FURNITURE MANUFACTURERS AND UPHOLSTERERS, THE JJAYES, CARD I F F. IMPORTANT to Parties Furnishing and -iL the General Public. IMPORTANT to us is your Custom or I a Trial order. IMPORTANT to you to call and exa- JL mine our goods before purchas- ing elsewhere. IMPORTANT to you to have 250,000 JL worth of STOCK to select from. IMPORTANT to you to inspect our )L Workshops and examine Goods in the process of Manufacture. IMPORTANT to know that we employ a JL far larger staff of competent workmen than any other Furnish- ing House in South Wales. IMPORTANT to you to select Chairs JL with unbreakable backs. TMPORTANT to know that we are the JL only Firm that has produced this much needed article. IMPORTANT to know that we hold the JL sole lights of usmg Samuel's Patent Rigid Chair Clamp (No. 1,911). IMPORTANT to know that no other I Firm can use this Chair Clamp. IMPORTANT to know that to sell it, or a JL colourable imitation, is an in. fringement of our patent rights, and actionable at law. IMPORTANT to know that all Drawing JL and Dining-room Chairs manu- factured by us are fitted with the Rigid Clamp. IMPORTANT to know that we employ no JL Agents, and thereby save the large commiassions paid by some firms. IMPORTANT to know that where JL Agents are employed you have indirectly to pay their commis- sion. IMPORTANT to know that in all possible JL cases we use materials of best British manufacture. IMPORTANT to know that we import JL hard wood direct/and hold Stocks in Live'-pool and London. IMPORTANT to know that we will JL willingly exchange any Goods that go wrony through fault of construction. IMPORTANT to know that we are clear- ing out MAIL CARTS and PERAMBULATORS at half- pi ice. IMPORTANT to know that, we are selling JL WATCHES and JEWELLERY :<» greatly reduced prices. IMPORTANT to know that we Supply JL PIANOS, ORGANS, and all kinds of MUSICAL INSTRU- MENTS. IMPORTANT to know that we sell at the smallest possible profit. IMPORTANT to know that we. Supply Goods on the EASY PAYMENT SYSTEM. THE DECORATION OF BALL AND CONCERT ROOMS carried out in flrsi-class style. Lounges, Chairs, Tables, &c., Lent on Hire. Catalogues Post Free on Application. All Goods Delivered Free. THE ATLAS FURNISHING COMPANY, LTD., HAYES BUILDINGS, CARDIFF, AND AT 18. KJNGSGATE STREET, HOLBORN, 248 LONDON. W.C. U96 6 m GPLENDID JYJPDICINE. D &SMAIL'S WONDERFUL GPECIFIC. tHE MOST EFFECTUAL ONIEARTH NOTHING CAN RESIST IT The only Trustworthy and Guaranteed Remedy Worth its Weight in Gold. Send Stamped addressed envelopoi for Bock and Testimonials to A. DASMAII. \)I cialist of 30 years experience), Owi 1fO M. LANGDALFC, IYALTRAbm .6:>1. TO CURIi THAT COUGH TAKB jpRANCIS'S BALSüt Jj^RANCIS'S JJALSAM The unrivalled remedy for COUGHS, COLDS, HOARSENESS, BRONCHITIS, SORB THROATS, Ac. It is entirely free from opium or allY other narcotic. It is a mellow, pure balsamic syrup, acting instantly by dissolving congealed phlegm, and so affording instant relief. The first dose confirms those s ments put it to the test. For Whooping Cough it cannot be surpassed. Suitable for youag aaf old alike, and is very pleasant to the tMte. NEARLY QUARTER OF A MTr.T.fQjf' BOTTLES HAVE BEEN SOLD IN NORTH WALES. SOLD BY ALL CHEMISTS, &a, in Bottles, Is l%d and 2s 9d Each. Or FRANCIS AND CO., MANUFACTURING CHEMISTS, 6656 WRKXHAJt ——————" JpURNITURE AT J^ABTELLOWl pRIOES. SAVE YOUR M0NST BY PBBOHASINO YOCB FURNITURE, BEDDING, CARPUS, AND MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS or BEVAN AND CO. LIMITED, KEQISTEBBD A0 THE CARDIFF J^URNISHK88.V Whose immense cash purchases enablft them to SELL ALL GOODS FULLY TWENTY PER CENT, BELOW TBJI PRICES CHARGED BY OTHER FIRMS. 1,500 IRON AND jgRAJSS JgEDSTEADS ALWAYS IN STOCK. FROM 78 11D EACB. HUNDREDS OF JOINING, J} RAWING, Aq JJEDROOM SUlTBS FROM 3*4 TO 50 GUINEAS. CALL AND INSPECT OUR IMMENSE SELECTION BEFORE PURCHASING ELSEWHERE. LARGE ILLUSTRATED CATALOGUES GRATIS. DELIVERY FREE THROUGHOUT WALES AND BORDER COUNTIES. BEVAN & COMPANY, 21. DUKE-STREET, AND 97, ST. MAB. STREET, s CAR D IFF. 7, WIND-STREET S W AN SEA. OPPOSITE TOWN H A Lit, NEWPOR CLARENCE STREET & HANBURY-ROAJ) JpONTYPOOU I J 1393 114e 15906 IffEWPORT OFFICES XI OF THB > SOUTH WALES DAILY NEWS*" 18. BRIDGE STREET THE BOATH 42. CASTLE ROAD, AND VERE jgT., ROATH, CARDIFF MANUFACTURERS OF ARTISTIC, INEXPENSIVE, AND DURABLE FURNITURE. BEDROOM SUITES of our own Speaia. Design at Marvellously LOW PRICES. DINING aud DRAWING-ROOK SUITES in every kind of covering, 20 per cent. Les) tfeav any other House in the Trade. An inspection invited of our Choice*Seteeltm of New Season PERAMBULATORS AND MAIL OARTe By far the Cheapest Honse FOR CASH OR EASY PURCHASESYSTD At the following Terms :— £3 Worth for Is 6d Weekly. £5 „ 2s 6d £10 „ 3s 6d £20 ,,65 Od II Or Larger Amounts in Proportion. All Good- Delivered Free. Send for lllastntfll Catalogue and Guide to House Fnroishum Post Free. Note our Only Address in Oardiff- ROATH J^URNISHING C' 42, OASTLE-ROAD & VERE-STREBIV ROATH, CARDIFF. 6ge Factory-WARWICK STREET, LONDON. Printed and PmilMied by the Pror riet.oi>, D1"fJ1 DUNCAN & SONS, at 105, t. Mary-sueet and Westgate-street, in the town ot Cardiff in the ceunt* of Glamorgan