The Cambrian

[ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.) HESTER'S SHRINE. BY HUGH SPENDER. CHAPTER I. WHAT memories of years ago her name calls forth There rises before me, as in a dream, the gabled homestead with its tnullioned windows, and wall terrace, a subtle air of u.'d world romance pervading its lofty hall, its old oak staircase and lligti wainscoted rooms. And, in the cavern gloom of the dining hall, who but Aunt Hester, with her sweet face and temper that matched it, so that we chilaren called her Aunt Patience. She mlone of all her generation still lingers in the old farmhouse, but her life creeps on » broken wing, and an air of tragic resig- nation has taken the place of her glad patience. There is reason for this, and if anyone is to be pitied, it is Hester Towns- hend. It was a day in June, many years ago. that Hester, then in the spring-time of life, came home with tears in her eyes but a great joy 011 her face. She said she would soon be leaving us, and for many weeks after, the uneventful routine of life was broken by the visits of her lover. Mr. Lawson held a commission in » cavalry regiment, stationed in the bar- racks of the neighbouring county town. He used to come to the Hall for the shooting parties that Squire Townshend —my guardian and Hester's brother— fave, and in this way fell in love with er. He was a good-natured fellow, a crack shot,and a favourite in his regiment, and he was apparently very devoted to Hester. I remember her inconsolable grief on the day the news came that he had been ordered off with his regiment to the Crimea. The weeks went by and letters came at intervals, telling of heroic deeds and still more heroic sufferings. Hester's imagination was fired, and she lived in a stage of unnatural excitement and exal- tation. Alas! one winter morning when the ground was covered with snow, the name of Lawton appeared in the list of the killed. The years slowly passed, and with them Hester's first agony of grief, let she continued to devote her life to the memory of her dead hero. He had died on the battlefield, gloriously fighting for hIs country. She determined to follow in his footsteps, as far as she could, hy clevoting her days to the good of her country in the cure of the sick and suffer- ing in the village at the gates of the Hall. But her first duty in the day was to spend an hour in the little oratory she had dedicated to the memory of her lover. There she would light the candles on the altar that she had raised—that Masses might be said, with permission of the Bishop, for the repose of his soul—and drawing his faded letters from their cas- ket, meditate on the Calvary of her life. In the evening she would glide away again to the little chapel, after a day scent in good works. Hester continued to live at the old Hall, when the Squire had been laid to bis rest, and all his wards had flitted. The broad acres had been sold, and there was only left the garden, ^"3 clipped trees, its 1 vied wall, and teiraces briffhfc with flowers in summer. She lingered like a shadow of the past living in the memories of the kyS(?ne:, _;i|ao.p Strange stories were told in the g Of her lonely life, and, with the ^ceptior of old Nanny, she found it keep her servants, for her habit of roam- ing hither and thither through the deser- ted house at night, talking to apparently questioning and answering some unseen presence, scared the rustic mind. On these occasions it was whis- nered that her face was radiant with an unearthly light, and that she held commu- nion with the spirit of her lover. Thus would Farmer Jasper make the bair of the villagers stand on end as he told the story, at the bar of the "Ihtee Kines how he had seen a ghostly figure flitting up the Jane to the Hall, had heard the clank of steel scabbard 011 the road, and the jingle of spurs. But Hester cared for none of these tales and remained more and more rapt in memories of the past. Her hair whitened, and her face grew .more wan Iml nathetic as each anniversary passed. Still she remained to me the gracious Smile ladv I had always known, until an toppeoed that shattei-ed h,r Jasper was returning: home one November evening* after his < R «ttbe inn, when he WM'topped by elderly man who ask tt?^roTTo\v'5 end in the village- W bless me'" ^ktr»n Startled at first bj^v Townshend as atrancer through the dark, and asked him, without ceremony, what his but>i- D<SYou"dbebest leave tl.e My .lone to-night," he added in a warning voice. «•It be a sad night up.theer. ««I don't want to disturb the g^od Jad* to-night," was the answer. But ldl me, my friend, what do yon Iuea,ll? There give all the tofonnatioi.needed h<> "She"imli"'ti"K the lady at Hie began.. F 11 HI nib, were 111 Hall with a jerk oC n*t oul, Jove with a i iirid 'e gol- fighting Roosians ye». since, an £ kii]e*\ t0j £ every via. 'J the day of°'is over it; and e\ iy li<rll,s tiie candies "Look" he added, slran. window? She be there praying for KS ri n,„ ,in s..v he went on, that she 'as been secn wa.lkiIJg about the gal'- den talkiug softly to Ii. in peculiar inter^t. „m.„|oiis old sr& xs: ir v. believe the larmer■ bM.uifce si y seemed to him incmuble. CHAPTER II. i'nes in the morning and He*f" v' in 1 he bc-st of ate a !iisg(>r>f] wife were spirits. e>:i»Mustcd every unusually l.>s5V(i;, • y pai Tlsoy Xinpled to put J he "w^ 8<Trr„ 1 "ns^d in. the not to bt. «i> questions. W retired' to the bar to find FmaHJ, re bun,ing to discuss Farmer J«M^f h ho!ir ai;d to tel! them the (l.ueh1 1' the in vster ious s! innger how he had «i the qilile sure the evening »>L„ nobleman, dis- tliat he :\vho had come to spyout guised, of coui^t 11P, iians, of future the land with a VIt .• £ «■ declaring that invasion. Jaspei J ^liGr-ities, when he would warn the a t the stranger passed u & cheery from the parlour^ lked wiih rapid "Good morning' street, They all, strides up the < o door of with one accord, ran to LU inn to waXch him. dreaming in Meanwhile, Hester Th(j her chapel that m t all the previous had been the saaaest m year. AH day long the candles had been burning m the dim oratory, and she had spent long hours there. She felt strangely lone and miserable this morning, and lighted fresh candles on the altar, for their glow gave her the sense of a con- soling presence. Gathering together the faded letters she loved so passionately, and pressing the precious leaves to her lips, she drew near the altar that she might read them beneath the shadow of her martyr's portrait. Sin- ul hardly begun, before the bell cla. 1 with a strident peal through the i-ti.ise. Hastily putting the letters in their casket, she snuffed out the candles, and glided out of the chapel, locking the door. Someone in the village she thought must be seriously ill, and she hastened her footsteps. \Vhen sick- ness or death came to the cottage, Hester was always there to comfort a&d console the stricken. Half-way down the stairs she met old Nanny, who told her with a puzzled air that a stranger wished to see her. "Stranger?" echoed Hester, taken aback. "I know of no strangers in our village. But, perhaps, it is someone who has come- and she broke off, unable to think who it could be. "Show him into the parlour, and I will lome down directly," she nodded to the old servant. Did you ask his name or business, Nanny?" "He said be would prefer not to give his name, and would rather tell you himself what he wanted. But he was a. nice-spoken gentleman for air that," said Nanny. OM Nanny's curiosity was whetted, and she was anxious for the interview to take place. Hester paused, a little flutter at her heart. She was so unaccustomed to strangers. Then smoothing out the folds of her black dress and putting an uncon- scious touch to her hair, she went downstairs. With sudden resolution, she turned the handle of the door and entered the parlour. The blinds of the bow window that looked on the lawn were half-way down, and in the "dim light Hester was vaguely conscious of a sturdy figure outlined against the shortened view of the green grass and bare trees. He made a step forward, then hesitated, as she came in. I am afraid," he began and faltered, "you don't remember me." Remember you. I don't think I have bad the pleasure She drew back with a touch of half- frightened wonder in her face. Some vague trouble stirred her heart, awakened by the echo of his voice. "Why, Hester, don't you know me?" he blurted out, coming nearer, and then noticing her sudden pallor. "I should have known you anywhere, even after all these years. Why, you've hardly changed at all"—with an attempt at a laugh. Then continuing hastily: "But have Ialtered so muchtbatyou don't know me ? Have you no word of welcome for the long lost on his return, when he comes to look you up the first of all ? But Hester said nothing, only stood with staring eyes and white, parted lips, breathing in fitful gasps. He watched her closely, at a loss to understand her great emotion. Then breaking into a harsh laugh: This is a nice sort of greeting for one." He checked himself and went on more deliberately. "Why, Hester, the past is past, and what is the good of thinking of the old story. We can't be boy and girl again, you know. But come, give me your hand, for the sake of old friendship. I want to make what amends I can for the past. How can I help you? 'Tout passe, tout lasse, tout casse'-you know the old proverb. But I swear that I never meant to behave badly. It was all that cursed wound, and then I was taken prisoner. Haven't you a word to say ? But Hester still continued silent, and her fixed stare was a reproach more bitter than many words. Then she lifted her hand, and pointed with stiff fingers to the door. Go," she said, and her voice bore no sign of her emotion, "and let me never see you again." "Well, then, I will go," he said, with some touch of soldierly dignity. "B:¡t you are wrong, Hester. I could do a great deal to assist you. If you would listen-I could explain all." He hesitated for a. moment, hoping that she would relent. But she still pointed to the door. A sudden gust of anger swept over him. "My wife is waiting for me," he hissed, "and won't be sorry to see me back again so soon." With this parting thrust, he bowed and left the room. He had the air of a man who bad done what he could, and felt that there was nothing more to be said. Hester remained standing rigid, immov- able. Her eyes were still fixed in a glassy stare on the spot where he had stood, hut the corners of hermouth drooped pitifully; her hands plucked at her gown. It was the face and figure of a stricken woman. The minutes went slowly by, as if each tick of the clock sounded a knell. Hester never knew how much time had passed, when a familiar haud touched her on the shoulder. It was old Nanny, who looked white and scared. Be anything the matter, mistress ? You be so strange-like and still. i>o ee, she wheedled, in her most coaxing voice, "sit down and tell old Nanny w^at has happened." She spoke with the confidence of an old servant, and tried to draw her mistress to a chair, slow tears of great pity gathering in her eyes. But Hester pushed poor Nanny almost rudely to one side, and passed out of the room, with unfaltering steps, and a stern resolve on a set face. StraIght np the stairs she went to her chapel. Once there, she walked to the altar, and tore down the wreath with maddened hands. Then she turned to the pne ateu and seized the portrait lying on it. The frame fell with a clatter on the ground, and the glass was shivered. She tram- pled on it as it lay, and then, catching Seht of the casket of letters, her rage as suddenly died, and, with a cry of anguish, she sank down, holding the relic to her h<When Nanny next saw her mistress, she was lying prone amidst the wreck of her shrine.

I ILLUSTRATED REBUS. A flattering lip worlceth ruin, I Who are they that feel most for their friends ? -The blind. Why is a doctor out of luck like a woman out of temper ? — Because he has lost his patients ^Who dares sit before the Queen with his hat on ?—The coachman. ILLUSTRATED REBUS. The mclei fly t(lkm no man righteous are bold as a lion. What is that which we can fe-el, and not see; which is easily swallowed, but never eaten ? Flattery. HOW would you learn to sing by the words, A mill door is safe" re, fa, sol, la, si. I t OND tvro dnfks behind tW middle. How «*, ducks in all ?—Three.

THE GREAT HEART. When trumpets blare, and glitt'ring blades Toss back the morning light, What glory waits on wars and rails What majesty or might How weakly he who silent stands, While moves the cavalcade, Of Britain's braves to other lands, Through fire and blood to wade How weakly he who liath no cheer, But sorrow in his heart, When proudly forth, to do and dare, These fearless ones depart Call ye him weakly ? In his soul so great a love doth dwell. For suffering man, that Battle's goal, Mocks with the laugh of Hell The narrow borders of the land Where first God give him breath, No more set bounds to Pity's hand Than unto pain and death. Though there awile soft pity fade. His own must outward run For one small planet found in shade A thousand catch the Sun. Though Britain's braves or Britain's foes Do triumph in the fight, Dound all the dead His arms he throws, And weeps through Hatred's aight. He holds the deed up to the eyes, of victory and power, And, with the stricken's blended cries, Makes moan for mercy's hour. Where is the Christ of peace and love The boast of Empires great, Who to a vulture turn the dove, In ever watchful hate ? "Justice" and "Right" shriek from the flames, Of death—0, virtuous birth "Justice and "Right" are sounding names, To redden all the earth Where is the Christ ? 0, great of heart, His spirit is in thee, Whose universal love doth start To shape Eternity. Welcome to the in ev'ry clime Who, fee from faction's sway, In softness binds the wounds of time, And waits love's perfect day. D. RYLES GRIFFITHS.

SEA-FISHING IN WILL WALES A GOSSIP ABOUT PORTIIDINLLEYN BAY. [By A WAXDERING ANGLER," in The Traveller."] The mackerel are in the bay! The note of excitement in Dick Beywm's voice was quite sufficient to drive away the last chance of another forty winks. Dick always was a brute to get up early. Out of bed, pyjama clad; through, the door of Ty Coch"—the little inn on the shores of the bay where we always stayed-down to the #ea, sparkling in all the glory of a sunny September morning; and—Splash! Saves suck a lot of time if you have your sleeping- auit dried afterwards! Porthdinlleyn Bay is, perhaps, as little known to the tourist as any spot one could mention. Situated on the rugged coast of NOTth Wales, Holyhead light can be seen, on a fine night, twenty miles in a straight line from our window. It is a yellow shore, where the gentle sand-worm burrows and the silvery sand-eel can be picked up by the dozen by just scraping up the wet sand left by the receding tide with your toe. Boots? You never wear boots when stay- ing at Porthdinlleyn—" whateffer indeed," as the natives would say. What "boots" it a man if he gains the whole world and suffers the loss of one sand-eel, if he's a fisherman. Ah, you pursuers of the finny tribe, what a spot for bait! We had come down for our usual week's fishing. You might often have seen the four of us in the little boat we hired for the week, at the cost of five shillings! I'll tell you, by-and-by, what a magnificent total our hotel bill amounted to. We'd been float- ing practically everything that is to be caught on a hook for the past three days, from 6oz. whiting to 141b. plaice, from lllb. conger to a skate which turned the beam at exactly 601b., and is remembered to this day at Ty Coch" as the greatest capture of the times. What excitement there was, too, in getting that chap on board. We should never have done it had it not. been for poor old Ned, our boatman, who "dished" it into the boat with the aid of an oar. Poor Ned! he's since gone on his last long journey. Just the old story; gale sprung up; boat washed up in Carnarvon Bay with a boot in it, the owner found at dawn on the beach he loved so well! Well, we had waited three days for the mackerel to put in an appearance; the little thin, black line, just visible as far away as the eye could reach, showed us that, at last, they were in the bay. Needless to say, breakfast was hurried through that morning; our sail was smartly rigged, and away we pelted across the bay in a sharp breeze to "whip" for mackerel. What! Never been whipping for mackerel? You don't know what fishing is! You spin up and down a likely run, two men handling the beat and two doing the fishing, and you pull them in, one after the other, their beautiful, iridescent skins flashing in the sun as they leap out of the tideway. This is aport-fine, invigorating, health-giving sport. And then, in the calm of the evening, you drift back home to tea, with which you have your fresh-caught fish, chops, home-made bread and butter, and cake full of "figs." What an appetite you've got! The pro- verbial hunter isn't in it. A pipe and a stroll along the beach; or, perhaps, you pull out and go aboard one of the small coasters lying in the bay, and sit on deck and talk to the weather-beaten old skipper of travels, and of the difficulty of doing an honest" bit of pmuggling nowadays. It's wonderful what a fund of reminiscence some of these old salts have. They see the worst of the weather knocking about the Welsh coast, and many a tale of adventure can they tell —aye, and many a rough yarn, which has its touch of pathos, too. And as you sit and smoke, the moon creeps up behind the mountains which flank the bay, and the sea turns into a glittering sheen of light. Then it is that the magic word conger" electri- fies you, and all feelings of fag from the day's exertions is lost in the sense of excite- ment which the thought of a night after the slimy, vcracious brutes brings along. You may have been able to gather from this short description that Porthdinllevn is a place to go to. It is reached in comfort by the splendid service of the -London and North-Western Railway-Pwllheli is the station for ycur destination. Then an eight- mile coach ride through the heather-covered mountains, and a glimpse of some of the prettiest scenery in the kingdom, a ride that costs you exactly one shilling per head, including your baggage. Of course, you've booked your rooms at Ty Coch," the little inn you can easily find. Captain and Mrs. Jones, who keep it, will feed you well and look after you, you may be sure. And if you stay a week, and are four in num- ber, your bill will come to about the same amount as ours—something under JB4, in- cluding all the native beer you care to drink -and fishing is a thirsty pastime! Your railway tickets from London will cost you £2 4s. 8d. each. second-class return. Our joint expenses for the whole week totalled JE15. I was captain," and the reason I remember the amount so well is that I've always had an idea thirteen" is an un- lucky number. I'm sura of it now, because cne of the four forgot to repay me his share! The above article is taken from the Octo- ber Traveller," a beautifully illustrated jcurnal published by George Newnes and Co.. Ltd. —diSaBB

THE BIGGEST CLOCK IN THE WORLD. The clock in the tower of the Houses of Parliament at Westminster is the largest in I the world. Here are some particulars as to its dimen3ions and power: The four dials of the clock are each 27ft. in diameter. Every half-minute the point of the minute hand moves nearly seven inches. Tho clock will go for eight and a half days, but will only strike for seven and a half, thus indicating any neglect in winding it up. The mere winding- up of the striking appara- tus takes two hours. The pendulum is 15ft. long, and the wheels are of cast iron. The hour boll is 8ft. high and 9ft. in diameter, weighing nearly fifteen tons, and the ham- mer alone weighs more than 4001b. This clock strikes the quarter hours, and by its strokes the shorthand reporters regulate their labours. At every stroke a new re- porter takes the place of the old one, while tho first retires to write out the notes that he has taken during the previous fifteen minutes.

CURE GUARANTEED. The old superstition," said a loading physician, that when Death lays his hau.l cn us our bodily health is made perfec has now been substantiated by the most advanced aiodical science. People dying of paralysis and bodily ailments which have ketpt them locked to their couches for years, and palsied their limbs so that movement was impossible, regain all their physical strength" just as they cross the borderland. No, we can t explain why. All we know is, such is the case. Touching further on superstition, it is a curious fact that medical science is now cutting off all those helps which a few years ago were- looked -por. as the greatest dis- coveries of recent years. We are coming back to the knife and the healing power of herbs, the health-giving powers of which do not seem to have b¿len over-estimated by the so-called quack doctors of the last century and its ancestors. But where we have ad- vanced is in the fact that now we know how to get the best from Nature's natural cures where our predecessors only guessed, and often guessed wrongly."

SOME REMARKABLE RESULTS OF MACHINE LABOUR. Forty years ago, when one man was engaged perforating bank cheques, he took 750hrs. to do 150,000, at a labour cost of £30; while now with machinery six men are employed, but do tne work in 9hrs. ISmin.; and although they get about doubie the wage per hour, the labour cost is only 4s. instead of £ 30. Again, in ruling paper, the worker using quill and ruler, seventy years ago, took 4,800hrs. to do work now done by machines in 2ihrs. The old-time worker got 4s. a day, new the two men employed earn 28s. a day be- tween them, and yet the labour cost or pro- ducing a given quantity is 3s. 6d. against JB80. It is easy to understand from this how it is possible to use so much more material and to keep a great army of workers going instead of an individual. In boot-making, machinery is now exten- sively used; machinery now makes 100 pairs of men's cheap-grade boots in 154ahrs., against 1,4361hr8. by hand, while the labour cost is reduced from JE82 to £ 7. In women's boots the case is equally marked, for instead of one man being employed to do everything, there are 140 engaged, each on a different machine operation; but not only is the time taken to 100 boots reduced to less than a tenth what it was, but the cost is also re- duced. Thus, what was accomplished in lOhrs. to 13hrs. forty years ago is now done in an hour. Again, in bread-baking, less than a third of the time is now taken; 1,0001b. of dough for biscuits is rolled, cut, and prepared for kaking in 3hrs. 54min., as against 54hra. by hand.

WELSH ENGINEERS. Speaking of Welshmen, "Engineering" said that Sir Hugh Myddleton, a native of Denbighshire, projeeted and constructed the New River, which has supplied London with water since the days of James the Firdt. It was finished on Michaelmas Day, 1613. Sir Hugh was ruined, but he was created a baro- net. u The King paid half the expenses. The 72 shares which in his day paid only £ 5 per share per annum, now secures £ 3,000 per annum. Lewis Morris was a land surveyor, and held the appointment of collector of customs and salt duties at Holyhead. In 1737 the Admiralty appointed him to survey the coast of Wales, and his survey, which was published in 1748, the first known pub- lication under the authority of the Admir- alty, is a most valuable and useful record or the complicated navigation of Carnarvon Bay and the Menai Straits 152 years ago. He was a scientific engineer, and one of his indentions was called the "Porcupine." It was used to erode or disntegrate the surface of bars and sandbanks, so that they might be easily removed and dispersed by the scour of the tide. A somewhat similar, but infinitely superior, machine has only recently been reinvented by Mr. W. H. Wheeler, and called an Eroder." William Edwards, who was born in Glamorganshire in 1719, was a self-made genius. In 1746 he under- took, without any engineering training, to build a bridge over the Taff. He did so, and it was much admired. It stood for two and a half years, when it was completely carried away by a tremendous flood. He imme- diately commenced a new one of one arch having a span of 140ft. The arch was com- plete, but the keystone was crushed out by the enormous pressure over the haunches, aud the bridge was wrecked. Undaunted, Edwards immediately set to work with a new and original invention. By means of three circular openings through the haunches of the and, he so reduced their weight and the pressure that the bridge was completed in 17E.5. and it remains to this day at Pontypridd a beautiful object, and a splendid monument of his patience and perseverance.

DON'T BUY IMITATIONS. You are making a great mistake if you have not triod Gwilym Evans' Quinine Bitters. Will you try it ? don't lose time. It is the best remedy for General Debility, Low Spirits, and Nervousness. Its tonic qualities infuse new life, and you soon see the sunny side of nature again, and cheerful content comes with a gradual gain of strength. For Chest Affections, and to guard off Influenza, try this excellent vegetablo tonic restorative. Be sure that you get it, when you ask for it. Don't buy worthless imitations. Say you want Gwilym Evans' Quinine Bitters, and see that the name "Gwilym Evans'" is on the label, on the stamp, and on the bottle, without which none are genuine. Gwilym Evans' Quinine Bitters is sold in bottles 2s. 9d. and 4s. 6d. each, by Chemists and Patent Medicine Vendors, cr will be sent, carriaga free, direct from The Sole Proprietors: — Quinine Bitters M-anufactiiring Company, Limited, Llanelly, South Wales.

CHILDREN'S BLUNDERS. Tho following mistakes made by school children aro from Longmans' Magazine": "All alkalies have a soupy feeling." Maidstone io the center of the pop trade." I came sore £ .nd conquered." Unwhacked along Clitumnoeo Grazes the milk-white steer." The night rat came rolling up ragged and brown." His brain was teething with grand ideas in all directions." "If the earth did not revolt, we should always have equal nights and days." Stored in some trouser-house of mighty kings." "The •ungs are orgons of execration."

II [Fever mind the cold, drink BOVRIL. \I Get the right kind of warmth- the warmth that stays with you- the warmth that comes when the invigorated blood speeds along through artery and vein from head to foot. Bovril strengthens while it stimulates, feeds while it warms. Bovril makes muscles harder, blood richer, brain clearer. Bovril fits a man to enjoy cold weather, puts him in condition to resist the attacks of disease. I

ATHLETIC NOTES. [BY "ABGDS.") Argus" solicit? the co-operation of secretaries and. others to make this column comprehensive and. reliable Reports of football matches, and items regardiva cycling, swimming, golf. ¡{'c., should. reach, The Cambrian" Office not later than Wednesday afternoon in each week. Argus" sincerely hopes his appeal will be responded to.

FOOTBALL. SWANSEA V. TUDHOE. The "All Whites" entered on Saturday upon an interesting programme of holiday matches by meeting Tudhoe—the crack combination of the County of Durham-and defeating them by four goals, four tries (or 32 points) to nil. As the score would indicate, Swansea had a pretty soft thing" on. The Tudhoeites are a fine lot of fellows physically, but, like many other English Rugby teams, they are at eea when opposed to fiist-class exponents ot the Welsh passing game. It was in the forward rank that they showed up best on Saturday. For the first five or ton minutes of the game they used their feet with effect, fcnd wheeled the scrimmages in capital style. But the Swansea men showed superior staying powers, and therefore soon gained the upper hand. Of course, in this connection it should not be forgotten that the visitors had not long before concluded a train journey of seven hours. The attendance at the St. Helen's Field was I not very large-chiefly owi'ig, no doubt, to the fact that Tudhoe were practically an unknown I quantity locally. Bancroft, after a month's absence, once more turned out, and the applause ¡ which greeted the team as they emerged from the Pavilion was for that reason heartier than usual. I Jowett filled Gordon's place. The form shown by the All Whites" was really excellent, the backs especially shining. The visitors seemed to be dumbfounded at the way the Swansea. Acks ran and passed the greasy ball-so much so that they failed to offer any effective resistance. So our men had a day out, and apparently quite enjoyed themse' ves-of course, at the expense of their opponents The visitors' line was crossed four times in each half. Some of the prettiest and neatest tries I have ever witnessed were scored on Saturday after- noon. Trew once ran from half-way, and after dodging and passing nearly all the other side, scored a beautiful try. The try gained by Jowett in the first half was also a very satisfactory piece of work. Bancroft had kicked the ball into the visitors twenty-five, when Jowett came up quickly, and, picking up smartly, made for the line. There was an exciting race, but the Swan- sea man by making a great effort succeeded in beating his man, and planted the ball under the posts. # # Bancroft played as well as ever-in fact, the whole team gave a splendid demonstration of how football should be played. The visitors were much impressed. They regard Swansea, it is said, as the best lot of backs they have ever played against. WATSONIANS v. SWANSEA. A very high wind blew on Xmas Day, rain fell at intervals, and the St. Helen's Field was slippery and wet. These conditions interfered with a game which left nothing to be desired for exciting incident. The visitors, a powerful fast lot of Scotchmen, played a brilliant forward game. Their rushes along the touch-line were really fine, and that they did not score was due almost as much to the want of cohesion among the backs as to Swansea's defence. The "All Whitea" played right in the teeth of the wind in the first half, and for the most part were on the defensive. It was oonfidently believed that the homesters would carry all before them in the second half. It certainly looked much like it when the backs threatened to score every minute. Attack after attack was made on the Scotch line for ten minutes. George Davies made a brilliant run to within a yard or so of the coveted spot Trew was thrown into touch right in the corner, and a few forwards got within an ace of scoring.; The keenness of the defence, however, took the sting out of the attack, and the only try scored was by Bancroft, who, for a time, stood in line with the three-quarters. This reverse aroused the Watsoniane. They played a grand forward game, and Bancroft and his men were often sorely pressed. Quite a sigh of relief went u from the large crowd when Referee D. H. Bowen tootled his final tootle, leaving Swansea victorious by one try to nil. # It was a magnificent game, and the Scotchmen deserved the loud cheers that frequently rewarded their eflorts. With a closer and more practical knowledge of the Welsh style of play, the Watsonians would be a most formidable team, superior to any in South Wales. With the Swan- sea backs they would be well-nigh invincible. Bancroft played a particularly useful game for Swansea. He saw a weak spot in the Scotchmen's defence, and at once penetrated it. Bancroft's try went to prove that not only is he a great player, but an unapproachable captain. Owen and Jones were in surprisingly good form, and the way they stood up to the burly, dashing Scotchmen caused much amusement. # The passing of the Swansea backs was not so clean and effective as usual. For instance, the centres lost a few fine chanoes by ill-judged pass- ing, although George Davies retrieved by a couple of brilliant runs. <- «? The contest between the forwards was fierce. The Swansea eight took their gruelling well, and as often as not they managed to shake up the Scotchmen. It was an exceedingly fine game from first to last, and the big crowd left the field thoroughly pleased. SWANSEA v. EDINBURGH UNIVERSITY. Swansea lovers of football were served to fine fare over the holidays. It was good enough to satisfy the!most fastidious taste. The committee deserve thanks, and the players commendation. The Tudhoe fixture was a good one, although the All Whites" managed to win by a substantial score. The Christmas Day match with the Watscnians was simply excellent; but the game with Edinburgh University on Boxing Day excelled it. The Scotchmen played grandly, the forwards, of course, standing out prominently. They conducted their rushes with surprising dash, they tackled with almost unerring effect, and they fielded splendidly."7The excitement was intense from first to Ilast, and the huge holiday crowd left the field highly pleased. The All Whites" ran cut victors by a converted goal and a penalty goal to nil. Trew was the try-getter and Bancroft the goal "negociator." The Swansea, forwards took their gruelling in ex- cellent spirit, and the way in which they stood un to their burly bashing opponents won gene a^ admiration. Indeed, very often the Scotchmen received more than they bargained for in the shape of vigorom(play. # The home threequarters did remarkably well against the speedy Scotch quartette. With a. little more speed they would have run in three or four times. However, it was a truly grand name and victors and vanquished deserve every praise. WELSH FOOTBALL UNION. The following referees have been Rppointed to officiate in the undermentioned matches, to be played on Saturday, Deceaiber 29, on the ground of the first mentioned :— Penarth v. Bridgend W. Bowen. Treherbert v. Llanelly H. J. Taylor. Aberavon v. Pontypridd W. G. Andre- wartha. Abertillery v. Crumlin T. England. Blaina v. Cwmcarn R. Pollock. Cardiff Reserveg v. Bristol Seconds W. A. Martin. Tenby Swifts v. Haverfordwest W.O. Harries. Cwmbran v. Newport Seconds D. Lewis. Brynmawr v. Ebbw Vale C. W. Alford. Llwynypia v. Maesteg E. John. Pill Harriers v. Pcntymoile J. E. Webb. Swansea v. Mountain Ash A. T. W. Jpmes. Neath v. Penygraig T. L. Demery. I SWANSEA 1ST XV. '£00. Dec. 29-Mountain Asb .Hom,: 5901. Jan. 5—England v. Wales C■ rrJiff 12—Devonport Albion Home „ 19-Penarth Aw:iy —Scotland v. Wales Edinburgh Feb. 2—Llanelly Awav 9—Neath Home 15-Xewport,Ho e 22—Leieester Aw i:5—Northampton Awa- Mar. 2—Peuarth Home „ 9—Aberavon Awav „ 16—Ireland r. Wales. Swar.sea „ 23-Lane))y.Home 3J—Cardiff Away April 6-Rockeliffe „ 8—Belfast „ 13—Gloucester .Away LLANDILO v. MYNYDDBACH (SWANSEA). (BY OUR LLANDILO CORRESPONDENT.) Llandilo—Jack Hopkins, full-back; W. L. James, Willie Thomas, J. P. Davies, and W. Thomas, three-quarters W. Thomas and D. 0. Jones, nalf-bAcks forwards, Chris. Thomas (captain), Trevor Davies, D. Jones, Bill Jones, W. Francis Evans, Tom Evans, W. Williams, and D. J. Williams.—Mynyddbach T. J. Bevan, full-back; Dai Davies, D. J. Lewis, J. Rapsey, and R. Emmanuel, three-quarters; half-backs, George Davies and Gwilym Emmanuel forwards. W. Aubrey, J. E. Jones, W. Bevan, Gwilym Thomas, Jim Evans, W. Wil iams, J. Samuel, and Will Evans; referee, C. B. Nicholls, W F.U. Seldom has more interest been evinced at a foot- ball match at Llandilo than the contest between the above teams, on Saturday last, in the Cil. cenen field. It was the visitors first visit to Llandilo, and brought with them an exceedingly good reputation. They, undoubtedly, being the finest 2nd class team in the Swansea Valley, and there was a good deal of speculation as to the result. The Llandilo team, who have been goin* very strong of late, were not over sure of the result, inasmuch as several of their regular plas ers were unable to turn out. Soon after the kick off, a few exchange kicks followed, which resulted in the visitors gaining a little ground. Then a scrum followed, Llandilo securing the ball well, D. O. Jones passed out smartly to T. C. Thou as, who, after feinting passed to Willie Thomas, the ball travelled through all the three- quarter's hands, and eventually J. P. Davies got over with a fine try in the corner. T. C. Thomas took the kick which failed. After this, the visitors got a bit more of the play, but the Llan- dilo forwards rushed out of danger, and Tom Evans heading a nice rush, kicked the ball neatly to touch. The visitors again gradually worked their way back, and a long kick into 'onch put them on the attack once more. From here, however, the ball got among the Llandilo men who burst back to the centre by a clever bit of play. The visitors re- pelled this by good kicking and smart following up, uutil the Llandilo forwards again got off with a rash, where Tom Evans had hard lines in not scoring, the ball going out of bounds. Atter the kick off, Llandilo made repeated attacks upon the visitors' line which resulted in several minors ml being scored which were very hard lines for tries. However, the visitors played well, and stuck to their work like Trojans, and a mistake by N. L. James enabled Rapsay, the visiting wing, to score a rather soft try, which was converted with a grand kick from near the touch line, which gave the visitors a lead of two points. After this sud- den reverse Llandilo woke up wonderfully, T. C, Thomas and J. P. Davies being very prominent several times. Without any addition to the score half-time was called, Mynyddbach 1 goal, Llan- dilo 1 try 5 minors. After the usual interval the ball was again set in motion, when a very hard forward tussle was waged, and the defence on both sides was terribly keen, both teams exhibiting splendid football, the game undoubtedly being a pleasure to witness. Dai Davies, one of the visiting three-quarters, was much in evidence, closely foilowed by Rap- say, while the smart following up of Aubrey and Jim Evana was very telling. The home halves got the ball out to their three-quarters, who got a nice chance, but a forward throw spoilt a good effort to ecore. Bout after bout of well-executed passing came off on both sides, until a ruah by the Llandilo forwards sent the ball up the field, and once more Llandilo was seen attacking. Here the visitors strove bard to keep Llandilo back, but the ball got loose, and smart play on the part of Llandilo enabled W. Thomas to score an un- converted try. After the kick out, B. Emmanuel was given the ball, and in a very smart fashion -W worked his way over the half-way line. For offside tactics one of the Llandilo halves was penalised right in front of the goal. D. J. Lewia* took the kick, but although it was in an exceed- ingly good position nothing came of it. Soon afterwards Llandilo registered a few minors and took another turn of attacking, the forwards and half-backs dribbling in pretty style up field. Eventually Rapsay secured, and made a good run to half-way, where he was tackled by J ank Hopkins, but not before he had put a well judged kick to the centre. Here W. Francis came to the rescue, but being tackled rather vigorously, he lost the ball, and Aubrey following up at a terrific pace took the ball on the dribble down field, and picked up very cleverly was over the line and grounded the ball between the posts be- fore anyone could say Jack Robinson. Although the kick was in such a favourable position, Bevan failed to convert. This smart bit of play on the visitors' part again gave them the lead of two points, but the red and blues stuck to their work in a manful manner. Shortly afterwards the homesters started a rush, which ended in a scrum in the visitors' twenty-five. An exchange cf kicks saw the ball come out to George Davies, who found touch well, and put his side again on the attack. The visitors continued to press for a few minutes, and it looked as if Llandilo were going to be beaten, until a combined bit of play saw the ball being worked up field at a terrible pace, and J. P. Davies picking up smartly, gave N. L. James a smart pass, which the last named took on the full run, and completely beating several of his would-be captors, he showed the whole field a clean pair of heels, and after a magnificent run, which drew forth cheer after cheer, planted tLe ball between the uprights. T. C. Thomas had no great diffioulty in converting. After this fine bit of play, the visitors seemed to lose a bit of their dash, and the Llandilo forwards, who had played an admirable game all through, kept play in the visitors' twenty-five. Time was soon afterwards called, leaving Llandilo the winners of a well- deserved victory.-Final score: Llandilo, 1 goal 2 tries 7 minors; Mynyddbach (Swansea), 1 goal 1 try 1 minor. REMARKS. The feature of the game was the splendid feeling which existed between the teams. The visitors were a streng sturdy lot, who played first class football all through without even once indulging in unfair tactics. Aubrey and Rapsey being very prominent at times, while T. C. Thomas, Tom Evans, and Bill Jones were always prominent among the ever active red and blues, and the fine run of N. L. James brought to a close a very en- joyable game, which has never been excelled at Llandilo, and truly a welcome contrast to the miserable game which was played against Pont- ardulais here recently.

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WHJ TH K SHUTTKKS AliE UP THE MEANEST MAN ON EARTH. At last haa the meanost man on earth been found. It has hitherto been believed that the record belonged to the manufacturer oi explosive* who, when sonie of hib workmen were blown up, docked them for the time they were in the air. A Middlesex man has, however, "gone one bettor" than tnis. He gives his children a penny each at night to go to bed without any supper, pnd charges them a penny apiece for their breakfast? next morning, in order, &s ho says, to teach them the value of money. A POOR RETURN. They met on State Street. Do you remember mc Can't say that I do." "Well, just ton years ago to-night I asked you fer a match on this coiner. You gave it to me. I went home, lit the match, acci- dently burnod the house down, and got 50,000 dols. insurance. I am glad of an opportu- nity to reward you-" With With another match." BUYING TOO MUCH. In talking this matter over with a retailer, he said The hardest thing about the re- tail shop business is to keep from buying more than you need. Some years ago I woke to the fact that I hDd consideraDie goxl money tied up in unsaleable stock. I was buying carefully enough, as I thought, but the stufT would accumulate. The trouble was I could not resist a bargain and would please my trade. I would look at the shelve already pretty well stocked, but say to my- self, Oh, well, It's a long time before I'll get them—three or four moithc-aii-i by that time I can surely uoe them all right,' and down would go the order. Perhaps when the goods came I hail 'o'L-!iers' a,i,l didn't need them nearly as much as I was going to in short, I could have got along very nicely without them. So I made up my mind never to buy an article unless I ab-oluteiy had to have it—couldn't get along without it, and I ceased to speculate so far in the future, an < results havo been a surprise to me. Not only do I keep my stock fresher, cleaner and bet- ter sized, but I fined it much easier to eell goods and please the trade." THE MAN WHO DOES. It is not the man with the past record or a glowing future who attracts the attention of this busy world, but the man who does. We have all of us met individuals who wer* living en their past records, and who never tirad of talking in season and out of season about the things which they had done. There is still another class, who are always dealing in futures, and giving glowing accounts of what they intend to do. But. fortunately, there is still another class, which includes the real workers, and consists of Ihe men and wjmen who are con- tent with their past record, satisfied to let the future take care of itself, and arc bend- ing all their efforts on Lhe duties of to-d sv To this class belong ihe man who doe?. It goes without saying that he is a busy man. Every hour of the day finds him at the dezk intent upon the work which he turns out is a complete and finished product in itself. He does not worry much about the past, nor does he think very much about the future, for be realises that the present, if rightly cared for, will result in the future taking care of itself. He considers the task at hand more import- ant than anything which ha; been or any- thing which the future may have in store. It is this class of men who. under the right conditions, get ahead in the world and com- mand the recognition which they deserve. Truo, there are oxcepticns, where honest, cap- able work does not seem to recieve the re- cognition which is due. Still, the man who is doing realises that he cannot afford to give the world anything but the best product of his brain and Fkill. What may seem to be lack of recognition new, may prove a s+ep- ing-stone to larger and better appreciate 1 results later on. Like tha man who carried the message to Garcia, the man who does has his prototype in thousands of busy, indus- trious men who are adding each day their quota to the world's progress. The past we cannot recall. The future is beyond our grasp. The present is all that we (an call our own, and upon the faithful performance of each day's duties depends in a large meas- ure what the world calls success.—From "the Hardwareman."

OLD SCHOOL CUSTOMS. The schools of our country one hundred years ago, would hardly be recognised as schcols by the children of to-day. The fchoolhouses were small end one-roomed, frequently hexagonal, that is, six-sided, like a bee's honey-cell. At first there were no desks, rude benches being used instead, while great logs took the place of chairs. But the holidays came round as regularly L then as they do now, and commencement day was no doubt looked forward to with as much delight and eagerness. There were no excretes," with dreadfully long speeches, but all feasting and merrymaking. A great picnic was given at the schoolhouse. On this grand occasion the children drossed in their best bibs and tuckers," came early with their parents and families, and the ministers fnd authorities of the community were al- ways present. The school-teacher presided at the feast, and paid for the food with pennies that had been brought to him during the whole year. It was the custom for each pu- pil to bring a penny, or some small sum, which enabled the teacher to furnish the treat. If he lived in a generous neighbor- hood, his gave him quite a little sum above the cost of the feast. This custom gave rise to the name "potation" or "drinking-penn.}' They had all the good things to eat and drink that one could think of. They had buns, jiim-tarts, gooseberry-pies, I.nd cakes made in all shape-s-dogs made of cake, birds made of cake, end gingerbread men,of course. Then, they had figs and dates, brought to the colonies in trading vessels, and ale and cider of their own making. This old custcm the colonists brought from England. There is a record of it in the statutes of Hartleburv, VV orcesterchire, the seventh year of our Sovereign Lady Queen Elizabeth The said schoolmaster shall and may have, use, and tako the profits of all such potations as are commonly used in schools, and such other gifts as shall be freely given them. and beside their wages, until their salary and stipend shall be augmented." In some of the counties of England this is sti'l continued.

"HOME" AGAIN. The charms of "Home" go with us, where- ever duty or pleasure calls, whether in peaceful occupations, or in the stern neces- sities of war. How intensely precious must Home be to those who are returning from the struggles and hardships endured in South Africa. Think of the sick and wounded in- valided "Home," to the care of mother, wife, or frieds, who are only too anxious to have their dear ones with them again, to nurse then. back into a new life of perfect health and strength. At such a time, the great recuper- ative Tonic is Gwilym Evans' Quinine Bitters. It gives power to the weak limbs, it steadies the nerves, brightens the eye, in- fuses new hope, and builds up the svstem anew. Many patients that have been suffer- ing from Enteric and ether wasting diseases, simply require to be systematically treated with a tonic restorative. A complete rest and a reviving tonic, is all they require. In Gwilym Evans' Quinine Bitters, this will be found in its highest perfection. Sold in bottles, 2s. 9d. and 4s. 6d. each.

SOME "GLOBE" RIDDLES. T ^4, l-^huleep Singh ?"—" To make Ivan Caryll. "When does Russia leather When Turkey sponges." Why did Hall Caine ?"—" To make Haw- ley Smart. Why did Huntley Wright Becauss he hoard Charles Roade." Why sang Ada Crossley To make Plunkett Greene. "Why did Mabel Love Because Mr. Henry Wood." Why was Hilda Moody ?"—- Becan-e she heard Hayden Coffin." When did Samuel Lover When he saw Charles Lever." "Why was Thomas Hardy —" Because he withstood the Strange Winter." ".Why M,-y Yohe ?"—"Because Edna May. "When is William Boorey ?"—" When he hear-. Mrs. Ormiston Chnnt." "What was Herbeit Waring P" He was wearing what Fanny Ward." "When is John Aird ?'*—"When John Burns."