The Cardiff Times

=- WELSH NATIONAL STORY. THE WIDOWf.D PRINCE; OBI The Last Day. of Llewelyn. A HISTORICAL ROMANCE. By BERIAH GWYNFE EVANS, Author of "Llewelyn, tb» Last of the Welsh Princes, "Bronwen:" "Rondhead and Cava- U*r," The Heir of Glynavon," "Owen Hughes," ltc., &C. CHAPTEBi V.-Tiin Tbaitob. ROUSED by the action of the three men in the smithy, Madoc could hardly rest satisfied with Shon's explana- tion. The youth was by no means a fool. The evident desire of the stranger to keep out of sight had not escaped the notice of the apprentice smith, while the effort made by Wat and Shon to screen their visitor still fnrtljer tended to arouse his suspicions. '• Why," said be to himself, why did this man stand ir, the deepest shadow with a drawn sword when 4aster Merfyn called without ? And why did W.;at say that Shon was engaged shoeing his horse* when it was the stranger's he had in band! And when saw I Shon so ready before to let me off sooner than bi-xiself ? I must try to find out what it is that tUey are hiding from me." Moved by these considerations, Madoc, undis- mayed by the fury of the storm, bad followed close upon the beela of Shon and his companion when they left the smithy. The howling of the wind completely drowned the sound of his foot- steps, while the darkuess of the night effectually screened him from even Shon's prying eyes. Thus it was that he was enabled to follow un- observed the two wayfarers, until they left the road and took to the brooklet flowing direct from the Cwrt fields. 11 Ha I" said Madoe, elated at this discovery. It is e'en as I thought; nothing but a biind to throw me off To Castell Nedd indeed His Castell Nedd will be no further than Cwrt Bryn y Beirdd to-night, I trow, unless, indeed, he find unexpected lodging at Caer ar Genen. And why should he not ? Had Shon been honest and above board with me, and said, 4 Madoc, boy, this stranger is going to Cwrt, and does not wish it to be known,' I would have been as tamb as a sheep in the hands of the shearers. But as be bath tried to deceive me, be cannot expect any better treatment at my hands. And Wat. He deserves some payment with his sneers about my Min Mawr And, as to the stranger himself, why, I feel my shoulder ache even now where he planted hiablow a while since! Mayhap be shall himself feel the weight of a blow ere the night be over." Thus thinking, he began to retrace his steps to- wards the smithy. The one difficulty which now presented itself was how to make the best use of the knowledge he possessed. The simplest way do donbt would have been for him to go straight op to the castle, and demand to see Master Merfyn. But such a proceeding was not un- attended with danger. Sbould his master, Shoa, or Wat, at any time become acquainted with his treachery, he well knew he should never escape with a whole skin for, though be was a head taller than Shoo, the latter bad such strength of limbs, and such dexterity in using them, that Madoc would have got by far the worst of any encounter between them. Yet failing to see how this risk was to be avoided, especially if he hoped to enjoy any benefit from his treachery, he decided upon con- veying the information to the castle at all hazards. Hastening, therefore, back the way be had come, and making a circuit through the fields to avoid passing the smithy lest he should be seen and recognised, Madoc proceeded forthwith to- wards the castle. Before presenting himself, however, at the gates he disguised himself as well as he might to as to avoid being recognised if that were by any means possible. Being arrived at the castle, he represented himself as a farmer lad from Uandybie, who de- sired to see Master Merfyn about the thing be bad been seeking for all day," a wording which be confidently hoped would bring the esquire out to him without lose of time. Neither was this expectation altogether with- out foundation. Merfyn had only just made his report to his lord, Rhys Fychan, and had had to suffer such a tirade from him for having let his prey slip through bis fingers that be was more than pleased to find that there was even yet some hope left that be might retrieve the error he had committed. He, therefore, ordered the messenger to be brought into his presence. This Madoc bad not bargained for, as he had hoped to be allowed to state his case in the dark- ness of the courtyard, and safe from any prying eyes. Putting, however, the best face he could on the matter, he boldly followed his guide, and found himself in the presence of the esquire to the Lord of Dinefwr. -o Well, what bast thou to r asked the esquire abruptly. -4 An- it please thee, Master Merfyn," replied Madoc, 44 he whom thou bast been searching for all the day is not far off. 6-9 How knoweat thou?" demanded the other. Because I saw him a mile away leaving the road and crossing the fields under the guidance of aman who knows the country. •• Ha I sayest thou so?" cried Merfyn, leaping to bis feet. And whither went they ?" "An' it please thee, Master Merfyn, that much I do not feel it right to tell without some pay- ment for it. I have come thus far through the storm on what will be a thankless task if I get nought for my pains." Thou mayest bless thy stare thou gettest not the cat on thy bare back for thy pains," said Merfyn grimly. But out with thy story, man. If it be worth anything, thou sbalt have a whole mark for thy trouble, but if thou deceivest me I shall know how to pay thee for that also." 11 Well then," said Madoc, this man whom thou seekest is e'en now sitting at bis ease at Cwrt Bryn y Beirdd, in company, I will dare be sworn, with the man who led him thither. I saw them loave the road down in thecwm, and take to the ..Ide leading to the Cwrt road." 44 Now pray tbou the sainta thou doet not, does. we me I" cried Merfyn. "TboQ bringest; a serit s cbar against a manlikegwallter Mawr Rhys, and if it prove false tbiae ears shall pay the penalty I What ho, there 1" he cried, and, a man at arms, who was waiting in the corridor, entered. •« Take this fellow," said Merfyn, and loek him up safely in the old guacd-room. Then summon a dogen men-at-arms to be ready mounted, v/ith a couple of spare steeds, without a momenta loss. Am thou, fellow," addressing Madoc. whoever Mto.ert.tboa mayst comfort thyself wth the knowledge that if I tod tby story true, thou hart the oest night's work tbou hasi m done I. and that if not, the loss of thine ears when I, return will hardly repay me for the trouble thou wilt have caused me." So saying, Merfyn hastened to notify his lord while Madoc, now cursing his ill-luck, and regretting the folly which had induced him to betray his master, was lad away to the gcard- room, and placed under lock and key. CHAPTER VI. THE SEARCH. Meanwhile Shon y Got bad returned to his smithy, and finding Madoc absent, asked his mother where the lad was. I have not seen him since he took his porridge," replied the dame, 44 and thought he had perhaps gone with tbee to bear thee company." "Now God forbid I" cried Shon, replacing bis dripping cap on his head; then, taking his cudgel in his band, he once more quitted the house. 44 If," said be to himself, the devil prompted him to follow me, then be Wat and the stranger, Fychan, undone! I will haste me to Cwrt and warn them 1" He bad not, however, proceeded far, when a new idea struck him. I may be doing the lad a wrong," thought he, aad if so, I shall only be needlessly alarming Wat and his household. Let me think." He remained for a moment or two plunged in deep thought. The howling wind and the driving sleet were alike forgotten for the time being. Yes," said be, that must be it. If be hath followed me, be will have hurried to the castle to sell bis knowledge, and a party will set out for the Cwrt. There is one place they can cross the river, and I can there find whether the Cwrt is to be visited this night or not." Having thus decided on this course, he hurried forward to the ford where alone the river might be crossed during such a flood as that night over- flowed the banks ot the Cenen. Here he tried to find out whether there were fresh prints of horses' hoofs, but the darkness was too great to enable him to decide with any degree of certainty, and he was on the point of giving up the attempt, when a loud splash in the water and the jingle of steel made him cower behind a friendly bush. Looming giant-like and shadowy in the dark- ness, he made out a party of armed men, led by two whom he recognised even in the darkness as the Lord of Dinefwr, Riiys Fychan, and his esquire, Merfyn. There could no longer be any doubt as to their destination, and waiting only for the last of the party to disappear, Shon struck a line through the fields straight for his friend's homestead, his physical strength and thorough knowledge of the locality enabling him to overcome obstacles which to any other man would have proved insurmount- able. By this means he was able to reach Cwrt Bryn y Beirdd a short distance in advance of the attacking party, and bursting unceremoniously into the kitchen, he cried out:- Friend Wat! here is the devil himself abroad Sir Gruffydd, thy cousin, Rbys Fychan, with a score of men-at-arms, be on their way here in search of thee, and are only a field's breadth away!" The consternation "caused by this news may be better imagined than described. The wenches set up a scream, but a stern com- mand from their master silenced them. "Have we time to get the horse out of the stable ?" he asked of Shon. No replied the smith. "They would be on the close before you had him saddled. But I have my cudgel, and I will keep them out of the bouse long enough for him to get away by some other means." U Thanks, good friend Shon," said Wat, but I must not arouse any suspicion. They must find no trace of him here when they come, j Madleu take thou the wenches, and off with ye to bed, and on your lives mention not a word to living soul. Sleep as soundly as dormice-or pretend to do so. Thou, Shon, must go outside for a moment. Wait at the door till I summon thee." Shon, with a stare of surprise, obeyed, while the girls also, with quick perception, spent no time in useless protests, but departed to assist in throwing the pursuers off the scent. j Now, Sir Gruffydd," said Wat, give me your bonded word as a good knight and true that ye will not only never mention what you may see this night, but that you will e'en forget it until such time as I give ye permission to use the f knowledge ye gain." I "That will I readily do, friend Wat," replied 1 the other, though I wot not what it ia thou art I about to do." Good," said Wat, "but anxioui as I am to save thee, and ready though I should be to die in thy defence as my guest, I swear to thee I would not discover to thee what I am about to do now, were it not that thou, too, art a Fychan, and a more worthy one at that than he who now bears that name." i But we have no time to lose," said he. t Advancing to the fire-place, he passed his hand J over the wall beyond, and immediately a large stone in the floor slowly rose by some secret power, disclosing a flight of steps leading to some un- known regions of darkness. Follow me," said Wat, leading the way down, being closely followed by the knight in the exercise of his strong faith in the other's integrity. Shon bad been outside but a few moments when be beard his friend's voice summoning him to come within. I When he entered there was no sign of Sir Gruffydd's presence, and Shon himself was too I cautions to make any inquiry respecting him. The two friends had hardly seated themselves by the fireside when the sound of hoofs was beard without, followed immediately by the tramp of ) armed men on the pavemented entry to the hail door. In another moment the door was, for the seoond time that night, unceremoniously burst open, and time that night, unceremoniously burst open, and a knight, dressed in complete armour and with j closed vizor, entered, followed by Merfyn, the ) esquire to the lord of Dinefwr. Close at their heels were several men-at-arms, who, however, (remained crowding the doorway while the knight 1 and esquire entered boldly into the apartment. I What meaneth this intrusion, Master Merfyn?" I' aekdpd Wat, springing to his teet. xlatn uwaiiter khr, ef Cwrt Bryn y Beirdd, been so churlish in his dealings with tbee that thou must needs break in upon him thus without warning? I "•Softly, Master Gwallter, softly," quoth Mer- I fyn, raising his hand deprecatingly. "I am, indeed, right loth to appear before thee in the of an intruder, but tbe fact of the matter is i j bave been given to understand that a man I I am in search of is here in this bouse." ♦♦ Then must it be myself or my friend Shon hrm-p said Wat, and, turning to tbo latter, he asked, with a laugh,,44 Shon, what wrong deed k*"None that I°wo^ of," replied Shon, else let ^UnleS'thou^o^ count leading here thy lord's *Sho!f°n Surprise. I lead hither Ayl'thau^end"that this very night," replied Merfyn, while the eyes of the silent Knight flashed fire through the bars of Ins closed viZor 44 Nay, thit will I swear by the blood of all the u r j,tvf>ar I led no man briber, »nd oot ooljr th«, but tb.t 1-,»« "a* There bath no one accompanied Shon here this Di!deVfyn and the knight looked at each other nnestioningly. The knight nodded his head, and a° a s°gn ffom Merfyn half a dozen of the men-at- arms crowded into the room. Hath the house been surrounded. asked M"It hath, on all sides,and I will take catb none can quit the house without being seen, replied 006 of tb@ „ r f 11 j •• Good," responded Merfyn. And now. Master Wat, I have vo make careful search of thy house from top to bottom." 11 Dost thou dare place this insult upon me when I awe* there it no man in my bouse but those thou now seest said Wat angrily. 44 Have a care of what thou dopst, for of a surety I will bear my complaint straight in the morn to my lord himself, so see thou to it. 'Tis no light matter thus to insult one who hath ever been so; connected with the house of Dinefwr as I have." What I do I do not lightly," replied the other, but it must be done. Wilt thou lead the way ?'* "That will I not! I will have neither hand nor part in the matter more than going to stand at the chamber door of my sister's sleeping apart- ment to save her from the insult thou dost place upon me. Shon Wilt thou stand by me ?" Ay, that will I risrht readily," responded Shon, seizing his long staff, which had been lying near him, and whirling it round his head in such a manner as showed his perfect mastery of the formidable weapon, be added with a laugh, And by my faith 'twill make a right good sledge an' any of ye feel ready to place your heads for an anvil." Stop cried Merfyn, in a tone of alarm. It needs not this, Master Gwallter. Go thou to thy sister's chamber and ask her to leave it to us for an opportunity of searching. I want not to do aught but what is strictly my duty in this matter." Wat seemed to ponder for a moment, and then said So be it. Let none of you pass beyond the doorway of my sister's chamber until she cometh forth," and then he departed to arouse her from her innocent slumbers. She soon appeared following her brother, and Merfyn with a couple of his men entered the room and made a complete but of course useless search. The same result attended their efforts in all the other apartments, not a vestige of the fugitives being found. The whole party being once more congregated in tbe kitchen, Metfyn said There is yet one place I must search, Master Gwallter, and that is the secret chamber. I ask of thee to open it for us." Wat laughed aloud. Thinkest thou," he said, "there is a secret chamber in this poor house of mine?" "I know it, and that thou, and thou alone of all men living, dost possess the secret." Then if thou dost know that, thou knowest, too, that I can never use that secret except in the service and at the command of a lord of Dinefwr." "Men," said the stranger knight now speaking for the first time. I give thee that command, and raising his vizor he showed the features of Sir Rhys Fychan, Lord of Dinefwr. My Lord Rhys said Wat, evidently deeply disturbed, I pray you consider what ye are asking of me." I have considered," replied the other, and I command thee by the fealty thou owest to the house of Dinefwr to discover here in my presence and that of my esquire and followers, the secret thou art entrusted with by our house." "Then my lord on thy head be the conse- quence," said Wat. 00 my head be it," replied Rhys Fychan sternly. 44 Discover to us the secret chamber." (To be continued.)

THE LIFE OF DARWIN. n I "The Life and Letters of Charles Darwin, including an Autobiographical Chapter," edited by his son, Francis Darwin, has just been pub- lished by Mr John Murray. A LOVE FOR DOGS. In the autobiography Darwin tells us the origin of his love for dogs:— Once as a very little boy, at the day school, or before that time, I acted cruelly, for I beat a puppy, I believe, simply from enjoying the sense of power; but the beating could not have been severe, for the puppy did not howl, of which I feel sure, as the spot was near the house. This act lay heavily on my conscience, as is shown by my remembering the exact spot where the crime was committed. It probably lay all the heavier from my love of dogs being then, and for a long time afterwards, a passion. Dosrs seemed to know this, for I was an adept in robbing their love from their ¡ masters. THE CHOICE OF A PROFESSION. ¡ Between leaving school and going to Cambridge Darwin spent two years in Edinburgh, with the idea of becoming a physician. But anatomy was not to his taste. On two occasions I attended the operating theatre in the hospital at Edinburgh, and saw two very bad operations, one on a child but I ¡ rushed away before they were completed. or did I ever attend again, for hardly any induce- ment would have been strong enough to make me do so, this being long before the blessed days of chloroform. Those two cases fairly haunted me ) for many a long year. Thus, not a classic, disgusted with the very notion of being a doctor, there was seemingly only one profession left—to become a clergyman. Some doubt existed at first as to belief in all the dogmas of the Church of England, but otherwise be rather liked the suggestion of being a country parson. Accordingly he writes :— I read with care" Pearson on tbe Creeds," and a few other books on divinity; and as I did not then in the least doubt the strict and literal truth of every word in the Bible, I soon persuaded my- self that our creed must be accepted. Considering how fiercely I have been attacked by the orthodox, it seems ludricrous that I once intended to be a clergymen. If the prenologists are to be trusted, I was well fitted in one respect to be a clergyman. A few years ago- the secretaries of a German Psychological Society asked me earnestly by letter for a photohraph of myself, and some time after- wards I received a report of one of the meetings, in which it seemed.that the shape of my head had been the subject of public discussion, and one of the speakers declared that I had the bump of reverence developed enough for ten priests. In due course Darwin was entered at Cambridge. Of the period he spent at the university he says it was worse than wasted. Euclid he appreciated, but mathematics generally he failed to under- stand, deeply to his regret afterwards, A LIFE OF PERPETUAL SUFFERING. As appears constantly in his more confidential correspondence, Darwin's life was one of perpetual suffering. His son writes :— If the character of my father's working life is to be understood, the conditions of iil-bealth under which he worked must be constantly borne in mind. He bore his illness with such uncom- plaining patience that even his children can hardly, I believe, realise the extent of his habi- tual suffering. In their case the difficulty is heightened by the fact that, from the days of their earliest recollections, they saw him in constant ill- health-and saw him, in spite of it, full of plea- sure in what pleased them. "THE ORIGI OF SPECIES." The publication of The Origin of Species" produced an effect on the world at large which, to Darwin, wLs a surprise, for he only regarded the subject from a purely natural history stand- point; and it was alleged that he had concealed his views about the evolution of man. Partly, no doubt, he was, upon Lyell's advice, prudently reticent, but partly it seems the fact that he had not yet thought out the problem of the evolution of conscience. To Lyell he writes:— The imperfection of the Geological Record is one of the greatest difficulties. During the earliest period the record would be most imperfect, and this seems to me sufficiently to account for our not finding intermediate forms between the classes in the same great kingdoms. It was certainly rash in me putting in my belief of the probability of all beings having descended from one primordial form but, as this seems yet probable, I am not willing to strike it out. Hux- ley alone supports me in this, and something could be said in its favour. With respect to man, I am very far from wishing to obtrude my belief, but I thought it dishonest to quite conceal my opinion. But in a later letter he leaves no doubt of his own opinion, declaring roundly-" Our ancestor was an animal which breathed water, bad a swim bladder,a great swimming tail,an imperfect skull, and undoubtedly was au heamaphrodite! Here is a pleasant genealogy for mankind."

I TOO EVIDENT, Mr Gaby: 44 Excuse me, Misq Sharp, I had quite forgotten you. I am so absent minded, dont'cherknow. Miss Sharp 44 Yes, I have noticed the absence of mind."

HOW THE HEATHEN "EMBRACE" RELIGION,

AN AMEBICAN EPITAPH. Beneath this stump sleeps William Betta, A dentist famed and great; He laid his money on the "Meta Hence his untimely fate; Ntt more he'll make five-dollar Beta Of false teeth, while you wait. Miss Guaher, coquettishly: What would you do if I gave you just one kiss and nothing more?— Rusher, promptly: 14 go and call on my other girl, i

WELSH SPORTING STORIES. By FREEMAN LLOYD (The Wanderer). Author of "Face to Face with an Otter," 44 Short Papers on Popular Dogs," "How we got on in the Dog Line/' etc., etc. I V.—Large Game in Pembrokeshire. THIS is nothing more nor less than a poaching tale, and will be written in a manner so that nothing shall be kept back, although, as every one is aware, night poaching is a heinous offence in the eye of the law. Well, 1 believe that every sportsman has poached (in his mind, anyhow) oftentimes, more or less. Who has not coveted the covert just the other side of the boundary hedge, and said to himself, "I should like to go over there. I'm sure there's a pheasant or two there ?" And it's ten to one he would, too, were it not that he is afraid that Squire Bighouse may see him. Some may say, by the foregoing remarks the writer is trying to condone his own crime. Not at all, as my little escapade of night poaching was not done for the sake of the bag or gain, but simply for sport, and nothing else. There is something so delightful in doing any- thing, even if it be wrong, where there is adven- ture and it is true as it is strange that when you are allowed to do the same thing ad libitum, one does not care aught about it. Bnt, enough ot this; to my story. It was on a lovely, cool September evening, now some years ago, I was thoughtfully leaning over the old bndge spanning the river Cleddau, on which is built the ancient Flemish town of Haverfordwest. As I puffed away at my pipe, and in turn watched the small fry in the pool below taking their vesper meal, and then casting my eye up on the fine walls of the grand old castle, and think- ing of the part it had played in its country's history, I was awakened from my reverie by the following remark, in strong Pembrokeshire dia- lect, "Good night, sur art thou thinking of drownding thyself, or art thou watching the trouts?" Looking round, I saw a man I knew well, whom I will call Tom. Well, Tom," said I, "you have guessed it in twice." Whichy one was it, sur, then 2" Wby, the latter," I replied; Ie I was watching the fish take the fly." Ie A good pool it is, too; and I should like to have as many sovereigns as I have had sewins out of en," said Tom. But excuse me, sur, I wants to be off," 44 Where ?" queried I. Well, to tell ya tba. trooth, I wants to look for a long un. I got a daughter living up tha hills, Poor maid, she's been very poorly this long time and she's wroat and asked her mother if I'd catch her a hare, and that's where I'm a gwain." Well, good luck to you, Tom. I trust you may be successful, and mind your P's and Q's, and not get caught," said I, sympathetically. 44 Never afeer," said the man, I knows a bit too much for that; and I never seed a kipper that cud nail Thomas—that's me," he added, knowingly. Weil, if I knew that, Tom, I should like to accompany you. I like a bit of sport, but at the same time should not like to get into a bother." Dost thou see the gaol there (pointing to the castle) ? Well, thou art as safe in my bands as if you had a lock turned on you in one of them cells inside. Wait till about balf-a-past twelve; then tha people will be under tha blankets. Meet me by the Goods (meaning the railway station), and I'll show thea some sport,, else iny name isn't Thomas." Right," said I; shall I bring my spaniel ?" If thou wants to be cotched-bring en, car- tingly." Well, you know best; I will meet you—half- past twelve—Goods station." And with a respectful, So long, sur, mum's the word," Tom was off, whistling a lively air, How I spent the intervening two hours doesn't matter but, true to my appointment, I met Tom at the Railway Station, just in the same form as I bad left him on the bridge. I could see no dog and no poaching implement; and, without a doubt, he noticed my bewilderment, for he said- "Come on, sur, the old bitch is inside tha hedge. She hard you comen and I have larned her-thar's nothink like beeing on the sate side. You see. thou mightst bin a pieeceman." "Can she catch a hare fair and square?" said I. No, she cannot. But she knows whare to drive en; 1 does the rest." Where?" I queried. Why, into this ?' said he, pointing to an inside pocket in which was a very finely-made gate net. All this time I did not see the dog. She was evidently well trained and as we walked along, listening eagerly like Red Indians on a trail at every cross road, I wondered what would be the end of our expedition. I confess I felt somewhat un- comfortable, and were it not for the rich anec- dotes my acquaintance told me on the road, I am afraid I should have shown the white feather. The weather was decidedly chilly, and a dew was rising which was not very conducive to Tom, who was suffering from a pulmonary disease but his mind was on the long un" for his sick daughter, and little did the venerable poacher think of his own health. We shan't have much further to go," said he, after we had walked some miles. I knows a field on Mudborough they have just led in the barley from en and they have laid en down with seeds. If she isn't there, then I'm no judge." "41 hope she may be," said I, glad onr journey was nearly at an end; and then Tom gave a short whistle, and the bitch, a very ordinary-looking mongrel, in a moment was by our side. Good old Fan," said her master, good old bitch; thou shalt have something to yeat when thou gets home." Then turning to me, he said, 44 There's a grand en, sur; the best bitch on four legs, and I don't care whare the next came from. As good as gold, sur, and fifty golden sovrains wudn't buy her. You shall see for yourself, and if there's any of the gentry that talks a lot about thare pointers, setters, grewounds, and spaniels got wone the likes of her, well, you shall have her for nothing. That's fair, sur, isn't it?" he continued. 44 Well, Tom," I said, "we shall see. But there is no time to talk about such things now. It won't be long before daylight, so you had better' get to work." "I think so, too," said be, "to-morrow's fair day; and there'll be lots on the road with the light, and we must be back in Harfat before sun- rise. But here we are, and if 1 doesn't get one here, well, I yeat my hat." I hope so, if it's only for your sick daughter's sake," I added, encouragingly. Now listen to me, sur; I wants you to do something. You see that freeth?" pointing to a gateway protected by stakes, on which small tree branches and gorse were wattled, basket-wise. 44 Yes," said I. Well, through the opening in the bottom she'll sure to come. I'll set the net thare, and I wants you to go down the road with the old Fan till ya gets about two fields down. Go up beleegers (quietly) under the hedge, till you get4i level with the top of the feeld. Then say to the old bitch, Go on, Fan," and if there's anything about, she'll shift en. I'll stop by the net, and have her as comfortable as a bug in a rug agen you comes back. "But why cannot I stay at the net, Tom? I don't know the country; and for goodness' sake don't think I am afraid of a bare in a net," said I. 4 That's not it, sur," said he. 44 Maybe thou artent afeered of her; but then she screeches awful, and there's a way of falling on her, and giving her one behibd the nuddak (back of the head). Gaw bless me, if you'd let her have her way, why, all the kippers and pleecemen from Roch Castle to Egremnnt Bridge wud be heie in no time. As I said before, thares a way to do it. If 'tisn't done right, well, ya knows the consequence-up the Castle Hill," said he mean. ingly, of course alluding to the route towards the county gaol. Well, of course his argument was conclusive, and as soon as he had set the net, and put a little cord round the bitch's neck, Fan and I started off on our illegal task. I bad certainly hunted with hounds over the district, and knew fairly well my whereabouts- that is, north from south and after two or three nasty tumbles over some long brambles, I found my way to the upper hedge of the field of seeds where fa puss' was sure to be breakfasting. This field was a very large one. and slipping the bitch, away she ranged in the darkness as fast as a setter and as mute as a Clumber spaniel. I saw no more of her, so after, as I thought, a period long enough had elapsed for her to work the field properly, I retraced my steps towards where I had left Tom watching the net,and full of hope that he bad caught a" long un." I regained the" freeth," but was terror-stricken —I almost fainted-my feeling of fright was inde- scribable. There in the darkness I could make out Tom, lying on his face insensible, with blood flowing freely from his mouth. The bitch stood. by him moaning, and everything pointed to afoul and cowardly murder. "Heavens I" I ejaculated. Ie this is a warning to me." I knelt down along- side my companion, and turned him over, poured some brandy down his throat out of a flask I had luckily brought with me, and did all I could to restore consciousness. Then I glanced round towards the gateway. The net had gone, and then it flashed across my mind some scoundrel had taken poor Tom's life for the sake of a miserable net. Could he have had an encounter with keepers? No, I thought, such could not be the case, else they would have stood by after they had felled him. Then came the thought of being mixed up in a terrible mys- tery, of which I would be in duty buund to tell all I knew-my arrangement with him to go out poaching—my meeting him by appointment after midnight-everythinR-all-and, "My God!" I screeched, "I am likely to be pointed at as his murderer." The coroner's inquest- the verdict—my arrest-my subsequent trial —a murderer's death, flashed across my mind in a moment; and what would I have given to convince an unfeeling, bitter, suspicious world I was innocent of so foul a crime I cried in my agony of spirit to see poor old Tom weltering in blood, while I kept rubbing his chest and his faithful dog licking his face. How, ever and anon, I kept looking back over my shoulder, fear- ing someone might come up and drag me off to the police station, to be gaped at by a crowd of acquaintances as a man steeped in the blood of another. How would my relations take the nsws? Shame! shame! A scaffold for me, a mad-house for them. I bad no hope; everything was so clear. How I wished my mother had never borne me. As may be imagined, I worked with a will to get Tom round. It Was truly a matter of life or death with me. My frantic efforts were rewarded. The sun had already showed his whereabouts by the cold, grey-coloured sky eastwards, when poor Tom, more dead than alive, opened his blood-shot eyes. When he came to himself a little, I bent down and asked what was the matter-the meaning of the strange affair ? He was bewildered he knew little more than myself. He bad watched the net, and "something had come into it and knocked him stiff." More he could not tell. I felt more comfortable, and glad I was when Tom came to himself and managed to get on his feet and was almost himself again. 44 Where's the net?" said I. Bejiggered if I knows," answered Tom. I think it must have bin the devil hisself as came into en. Anyhow, he had hurns, as I felt em when I jumped on en." •4 Why, it must have been a bullock, Tom." Get away, sur; dost thou think a bullock or even a calf could get through that hole ?" said be, pointing to the "run" in the bottom of the wattling; and I was bound to confess such was impossible. The mystery deepened. Had Tom, indeed, met his Satanic majesty? It certainly looked like it. Full of thought, and not in wonderful spirits, we managed to get home. without meeting a man, woman, or child, and as I wished him good morn- ing, Tom must have walked away as full of pain as I was of seriotMness, « • » « About a fortnight passed; still the mystery was unsolved, and 110 doubt would have remained so had I not accidentally met the occupier of the farm on which our tittle adventure happened. While over a friendly glass, I incidentally remarked if there were many hares on Mud. borough Farm now? I Well," said Mr Growcrop, there would be if so many poachers didn't visit us. I think they are out on Mudborough very often," How do you think that?" I queried. Well, it was only a fortnight ago," said Mr Growcrop, If a young sow of mine came home with a gate-net over her. You see, she is fond of straying, so I have a contrivance on her—a sort of yoke with borns, to stop her going through the fence; and on this she carried home the tell-tale." In a moment I could see it was Growcrop'a sow, and not the devil, that Tom's bitch had driven into the net,; and it was not long before I was at Tom's door, dispelling his superstitious notions, and made his old witty remarks return to him when I suggested if I might be allowed to sendhisdaughtera present of a leg of pork instead of a hare. "Thankee, suu," said he; "and I'll get her mother to write her a letter, and tell her he's a new sort of large. game we finds now and tben in Pembrokeshire."

WORLDLY WISDOM. Moshes cc Veg you picksh up a vatcb like thish my boy-a vatch <nit no hall-mark on the case- find the owner at once. It ish only a cheap vatcb; but the owner will give you four or five shillingsb reward, and call you an honest boy. But ven you picksh up a vatch mit a hall-mark-a heavy goldt vatch-sell him. It ish better to sell him for vat be will bring than to be called an honest boy and to be given only four or five shillings. Now remember that all your life, Aaron

A FORLORN HOPE. Disappointed Father: I've tried my son at everything, but it is absolutely no good so I've decided to make a minister of hint." Enthusiastic Clergyman: Ah, a most Jauj. able idea." j

As yet it is undetermined which is the worse- "the man who can aing and won't, or the man who can't sing and will," A stump orator wanted the wings of a bird to fly to every village and hamlet in the broad land but he collapsed when a man in the crowd flang out' You'd get shot for a goose before you flew a mile.' A writer, discussing the decline in literature, saysThe mere bookman is always more or less a dolt; but the wise reader who learns from the living voice and visible actions of his fellow- creatures as well as from the dead printed pages is on the way to placidity and strength and true wisdom. Thus much we will say—the flippant devon*er of books can neither be wise, nor strong, nor useful; and it is his tribe who have discredited a pursuit which once waa noble and of good report,

4 A PAIR OF RAT STORIES. The doings of rats have ever proved more Of less interesting. Here are a couple of rat which are said to be quite true. The first, by a Scotchman, is as follows :—441 was ,ctandlof near a chicken-coop in the back garden, when t noticed the head of a very grey, grizzled rat tbr from a neighbouring rat-hole in the fowl-bouse. decided to watch the movements of the veter*0' and these being to me very interesting, I sho°' like to make a few remarks. After a careful sttf vey of the surroundings, our old rodent seemed to be satisfied that all was right, and made a catitiol" exit from her retreat. A fresh pan of water h* been recently placed before the chicken-coop, aD j it looked as if it were a friendly invitation to the thirsty old rat. Immediately she started towards it, and was followed by five half-grown one, Wbo tried to pass her and to be first at the water. Th' old rat thereupon made a leap like a kanaroo, and reached the edge of the di.sh in advance of the foremost of her litter. Then ensued a remarkable occurrence. The mother rat raised herself her haunches, and bit and scratched her off-pr'n^ so severely when they attempted to reach the water that finally they all scudded awaY' evidently very much astonished and frightened the strange and unaccountable behaviour of tltf1' parent. When the little ones were at a safe dis: tance, the reason for the rat's extraordinary coø duct was revealed. She first wetted her in the water, looking carefully about her, then very quietly took a dainty sip of the liqul 1 She tested the water as critically as a professio"^ tea-taster, and when she was satisfied that it not contain any poisonous or deleterious matter, she gave a couple of squeaks, which quickly brought her young and thirsty litter to her sidep and all dr^nk fearlessly their fill." The accompanying rat story was 44 Old Playgoer ":—" Some fifty years ago a lic'!< boy barely six years of age was left alone in •' < nursery, and while amusing himself as children his tender years are wont to do he was confronted by three huge rats, whose menaci^* gestures seemed to imply a personal Having no weapons of any sort to ward off assailants, tha youngster was for the instant nl)0i plussed, butquickly recovering himself he looke" the carnivorous quadrupeds full in the f-ce" winked his left eye, twisted his month into." peculiar position, and repeated a short prayer father had taught him. This was a mode of fence the rats were unaccustomed to, and as legend says, 4the expression of the child's1 f».( was so exceptionally comical that the anin' stood still and laugiied till their ached.' In the midst of this merriment, hoef; they were surprised and snapped up by a friend 1 dog, which haupened to look in at this opporti^j moment. The hero of this interesting tale is a*?f to be the popular comedian J. L. Toole, and t facial expression which tickled the risible ties of the bloodthirsty rodents, and stayed in their felonious design*, is also said to b 0 same that Mr T. has used with so much while playing the Artful Dudg-er. It,

4 CLASSIOAL SLANG. «irf Though it has of late been pretty uni ver8:111 admitted that many words we describe as "sII1Ø have a respectable and, in some case, lofty l'°a age, many of us are fairly astonished *10 brought face to face with the words themselvea; lor instance, the following sentence, which might hear any day in Seven Dial*, or even typically 45 low" localities, strikes us as bei1^ dreadfully vulgar talk:—"I can't abear tb* game-legged lubber he bilked me out of my do^i and when I got riled he tried to bolt, but nabbed him and axed him if he thought I flush of slops that ho bagged mine. When the louts's been on the lush—and he's nigh ftoi\ roughfc on—he's in rare fettle with his ga^J, e egan such a yarn about his being down-r'f clemmed for want of prog that I just gave good dinging and let him slide." Horribly 1 and vulgar but for all that nearly every word good old English, and has been used by master poets and writers of our country. 0hallC,t uses "abear;" 4'game-]eSgeci "is a not very p* corruption of "cam-legged," meaning legged; "lubber" is another form of "loc," epithet Shakespeare applies to Puck in "A M* summer Night's Dream;" "bilked" is found I ø Spenser and Dryden, with precisely the sa^ meaning as used now; 44 duds" is as old Chaucer, and is used in a diminutive form Burns in his 41 Tam 0' Shanter;" 44 riled," thf«^ generally looked upon as an Americanisi0 so-called Americanisms, by the way, ar.e often nothing but pure nervous English—'3 royle, a word used generally in the Midlands ties; 44bolt" is derived from the old arrow, whence the idea 01 swiftness; has the same root as nibble, to catch hold of the teeth, or otherwise 4> axed," for asked, the teeth, or otherwise axed," for asked, ill used by Chaucer and Langland, and is foul" p. Wickl'ff ''s BIble; flui;h is probably a or jJ tion of Hurch, a great abundance 4i slops" ,jt« by Chaucer 44 lout" comes from the ver;> to to make an obeisance as from :>n inferior; 4 is evidently connected with the still used tive lush, juicy 44 drought" ought perhaps spelt drout, or drouth—thirst;4*fettle,' heinu: ready and fit, is found in Shakesp0^} «<" »'? used over and over again by yarn, in the sense of spin out, occurs in 4 Plowman "clemmed,' or 44clammed," is in Uen Johnson and Massinger; 44 prog" to push about, investigate, maraud, and in senses is used by Qiiarles and Beaumont JJletcher; by common metonymy it c*mes mean the thing usually ti.ken in maraud'^ dinging,' though perhaps more Scotch A English is found in "Piers Plowman slide, though supposed to be an America0' vf is found in Chaucer and Shakespeare. The charwoman, the object of so many face'Jil caricatures, takes her name from an old Wo used by Shakespearoa and older writers. 110 think it purely Yankee to talk about the 44 '*■$ meaning the autumn but Dryden and used it. When we 4"chouse anyone we the action (called from the name) of a Tur j,j# Ambassador to the Court of Janies I. few more diverting ways of passing a 8Par04.j|" or so than to take a list of slaug words, and pJ the aid of a good dictionary try to trace tilel"lo their origin. Perhaps the above few may 4f egg us on (as Chaucer would havo try the experiment.

A NOVELTY. (i/l » Jones was dissatisfied with the old form 0" jjjjJ water bottle. He hated the trouble of drsp-ob the cork. He tried Bink's patent bottle* has an india-rubb&r stopper and Blogg's, t has a glass one, and Baggs, which has a e one, and when our sub-editor brought 0 patent bottle Jones very kindly tried that The above is a portrait of Jones as he appeØI immediately after trying our subeditor's bO Jones now uses the old-fashioned kind. II

4, She: 41 What do you think of Signor organi?"—He: 441 am convinced that he yP' genuine Italian nobleman. I am gi"dstl P, think he is no impostor. But what gives y°tt u confidence?"—44 When he was asked t' tP » last night he felt all round the piano t handle." Amkrican Women.—Nothing in the t tt> c States struck me more than the fact remarkable intellectual progress of that 0ri^j is very largely due to the effoits of & t women, who edit many of the most „ magazines and newspapers, take part in t"0^ sion of every question of public iotet6ato^jt exercise an important influence upon 0 and tendencies of literature and art. i the women of America are the one is eo » community that enjoys that leisure rtile<„^ Jt, necessary for culture. The men are, as absorbed in business, that the task ^il? ^ii some element of form into the chaos of a' is left almost entirely to the opposite jn «i eminent Bostonian once assured me t'lolteolll tfry, t till 0 twentieth century the whole culture of bl boejll, bow 11 would be in petticoats. By that tim0i .<1 it is probable that the dre-s of the two be assimilated, as similarity of cost, J follows similarity of pursuits.-Oscar a t I 0