Rhondda Leader Maesteg Garw and Ogmore Telegraph

Our Short Serial. I The Doctor's Diagnosis. CHAPTER II. About six o'clock in the afternoon a solitary rider urged his horse along one of the steep paths which led from the hills to the road at the head of the Maripstadt Valley. The path was pre- cipitous find strewn with loose stones, which made insecure footing for the horse, and care was necessary. Long before they were half-way down the hill, the sun had set, and every minute the clouds darkened .and became more threatening. Often the i idejL glanced apprehensively at the clouds, and after each glance urged his horse on afresh. Evidently, lie knew the storm would soon break, and was anxious to reach the valley road before nightfall. But both hor.se and man looked travel- stained and tired, and their progress was slow. The man was about thirty-five years of age, and of splendid physique. Very tall, well-proportioned and clean-limbed, lie had the bearing of an athlete. His closely cropped black hair and well-trimmed moustache of the same hue, set off his clear-cut features, and his skin was tanned -as from long exposure to tropical suns. He was dressed in the customary riding .outfit of breeches and leggings, soft white shirt, open at the throat, coat and soft felt hat. As he guided the horse down the .steep mountain path, he sat in the saddle with the ease and grace of the accomplished horseman. The man was Jack Woodcourt, an Englishman, veterinary Burgeon at Marip- stadt. That morning he had been sum- moned to treat some horses at a distant farm and was now on his way home. About six months previously, Jack had -strayed and found himself settled for a time, in the same way as he had strayed rto many another out-of-the-way place. He r was an adventurous rolling stone, who had seen many climes and all the stock- raising countries of the world. He Imd roughed it on the ranches out West," on the cattle plains of Texas, the llanos of Brazil, the Australian back-country," and the fever-infected uplands of Uganda. In all these remote and wild places had Jack pursued his calling, and in them all had he earned the good opinion of cow- boys and cattle-men for his pluck and ,skill. His life was crowded with adven- ture, and his experiences were many and unique. Night came on apace, and by the time Jack had struck the road it was quite dark. Hardly had he turned his horse I on to it before the storm burst with the suddenness and fury of tropical elements. He was soon drenched to the skin, but cared little for that—he had weathered many a tropical storm. The darkness became intense, and scarcely could he see his horse's head. The flashing, lightning gave him momen- tary glimpses of the road and by this ..means alone was he able to find his way. He rode on for an hour, when the sound of rushing water came to his ears, and lie knew lie was at a drift. He waited for the lightning to expose it. The next flash showed him a rather narrow but swift running stream. Jack was un- acquainted with that part of the valley, .and he. took this to be a "spruit," and ,decided to cross. He urged his horse care- .fully into the water, but before he got to the middle the horse lost his foothold .and sank into deep water. Jack stuck to the saddle and pulled up his horse's head, .and made him swim for it. The horse .struck out strongly, but made little pro- J;ress towards the bank, the racing torrent orcing them steadily clown stream. The darkness was like a pall and Jack could distinguish neither bank. He leaned forward and peered into the gloom, and hoped a bend in the river would land them. At that instant the horse seemed to find foothold, and Jack thought the bank was reached, when the horse lost his foothold again, plungel heavily forward, and threw him head fore- most into the surging water. He was an excellent swimmer and struck out for the bank, battling the strong current which carried him along with it. He felt himself dashed against something, and reaching out, his hand closed on the branch of a tree which overhung the bank. He quickly drew himself up and looked round for the horse. He waited and listened, and crept along the bank hoping the next flash of lightning would reveal him. But flash after flash came .and went, and no sign of the horse could he see or hear. He concluded the animal was drowned and carried away by the floocl. He reluctantly turned away, and regaining the road, strode down the valley. He had "lost his hat, and the .rain poured down on his bare head and into his eyes. He knew there must be farmhouses somewhere near, and resolved to seek shelter at one of them until the storm passed. He had walked about a mile, when, on turning a sharp bend in the road, he saw a light shining: from the window of a house which stood some dis- tance away from the road. He made a bee-line for the light, and crossing the lawn in front, stepped on to the sheltering verandah, where he paused to wring out the water from his clothes .-and hair, and then strode to the door and knocked. It was old Jan's house, and the window through which shone the welcome light was that at which Louise had looked out at the raging storm. Inside, the girl and her father sat silently looking into the fire, listening to the storm, each engrossed in thought. Louise heard an indistinct knocking sound, but took no notice of it, thinking it came from the kitchen. But she heard the sound again, this time more distinctly. *• Dad," she said, was that a knock at the door? Didn't hear anything," returned the ,old man. I feel sure it was," she said. "Listen." Jack's third rapping left no doubt in their minds. I" Whoever can it be," said Louise, oil such an awful night? while she huriied to get a light. "It's AYillem, I expect," said her father. Willem! exclaimed the girl. "It must be something important that brings him here on such a night and at this hour." As she hurried out into the hall, old Jan thought it would take more than rain to quench love's ardent fire, especially when Louise was the object. Louise opened the door and looked out, to see Jack Woodcourt, bareheaded and bowing politely. She suppressed an ex- clamation of surprise on beholding a stranger of such unkempt appearance. His wet, matted hair gave him a rather wild appearance in the flickering candle-light, and his drenched clothes -clinging to his limbs were dyed nearly yellow with the muddy water of the ■river. "Good evening," said Jack. "May I beg shelter for a little while from the storm? His politeness and well modulated voice reassured. Wliy, of course," she said. Come UIl. You must be wet to the skin." Old Jan was surprised to find that the man who walked in was not Willem, but rose and welcomed the stranger. Shading his eyes from the dazzling light of the lamp, Jack apologised for dis- turbing them at such a late hour, told them his name, and the predicament he Avas in. The girl brought him a towel to dry I I his head and face, and asked for his coat, which she took to the kitchen to dry. While she was gone, Jack addressed himself to the old man, who in response merely grunted all occasional Yah," or gave a nod of his grizzled head. He had immediately understood that his visitor was an Englishman who could not speak the Taal," and at once retired into a shell of reserve. He would not "praat" English to the stranger, who would not condescend to learn his native Taal, the language of the country. Louise returned from the kitchen, and with the customary kind hospitality of the Boers, of which a steaming cup of coffee is always the first mark, soon made Jack feel quite at home. In excellent English she chatted plea- santly, and expressed much concern at his adventure and the fate of the horse. He looked at her approvingly, and thought she was the most beautiful girl he had ever seen, and her frank, cheerful manner left a most agreeable impression". The storm increased in fury, and the din on the iron roof almost drowned their voices. The lightning flashed with in- creasing brilliance and seemed to come dangerously near. An hour passed, and cstill they sat comfortably near the fire. Jack, his natural reserve gradually melt- ing before Louise's gracious hospitality, and instigated, perhaps, by his recent adventure, related a few of his experi- ences in other countries, to which she listened with attentive interest, and a'sked him many questions regarding people and things in other lands in which lie had lived. Old Jan Maritz said not a word and aiiswered in a monosyllable when ad- dressed. Smoking his great pipe and staring into the fire, he appeared to have no interest in the conversation. Never- theless, he was keenly awake to all that passed. He noted Jack's admiring glances with disfavour, and in the same pro- portion as Louise became interested in him and his conversation, old Jan dis- liked his English guest. Presently she rose, and asking to be excused for a minute, went to the door, and looked out at the wild night. Return- ing, she walked up to her father. Dad," she said, the storm is worse than ever, and as it is late. I think you had better ask Mr. Woodcourt to stay here to-night." Without waiting for her father to reply, she turned to Jack. Mr. Woodcourt. it is impossible for you to go on to-night. You must stay here. What do you say, dad? The old man slowly removed the pipe from his mouth, frowned, and grunted out rather grudgingly "Yah, certainly." He disliked his guest more than ever, but extended his hospitality and main- tained the traditional courtesy of the Boers. (To be continued).

Ponth Police Court. Thursday.—Before the Stipendiary (Mr. D. Lleufer Thomas), Mr. T. P. Jenkins, Dr. E. N. Davies, Dr. T. W. Parry, Alderman W. H. Matbias, and Mr. Wm. Evans. GRAVE CHARGE AGAINST TYLORS- TOWN FATHER. Howell Parry Jones, Parry Street, Tylorstown, was brought up on remand charged with committing an indecent assault on his daughter Elizabeth, aged 14. The evidence of the child was that on Tuesday, July 13th, her mother left her alone in the house. Some time later her father came home from work, and after having a bath, assaulted her on a rocking- chair. Witness added that she had been previously assaulted on 26th June. Im- proper relations had taken place every week for the past twelve months. Wit- ness had complained to her mother on several occasions. Mrs. Jones, wife of the accused, said she was the mother of three children. Her daughter complained to her, and she informed the police. Dr. T. H. Morris, Tylorstown, said the girl was brought to his surgery. He examined her, and found that her con- dition was consistent with the evidence she had given. P.S. Bo wen gave evidence of arrest. When charged, prisoner said: To my knowledge, I know nothing at all about it." Prisoner was committed to the Assizes, bail being allowed, prisoner in his own recognizances of £ 100 and two sureties of £50 each. ENGINE-ROOM "CHAFF." William Forward, engine-driver at the Coedely Colliery, Tonyrefail., charged Thomas Locke, rope-splicer at the same colliery, with assault. Mr. T. W. Lewis, Pontypridd, appeared for complainant, and Mr. A. T. James (Messrs. Morgan, Bruce, Nicholas, and James) defended. The case was mentioned at the last Court, and it was then stated that the case had been amicably settled, but the Bench were of the opinion that it was of such a serious character that it should be brought into Court. Complainant said that about 8.30 a.m. on 9th June he was in charge of an electric haulage engine at the Coedely Colliery. He asked a question of the fitters, when defendant said, What do you know you are only a farmer." Witness retorted: "What are you?" Defendant replied I am a rope-splicer." Witness rejoined f And I can feel the splice going over the sheave." Defendant got annoyed at this retort, and he pushed him twice off the brake. Witness explained that he was holding a journey, and there was a possibility of the trams running back down the drift. Some days after he was accosted by defendant, who asked him to drop the charge. Mr. James, for the defence, submitted that the facts had been grossly exaggerated, and they would have the evidence of the manager to show that there was absolutely no danger to any- one in the mine, or he would have taken proceedings against Locke. Andrew Foyle, who was in charge of the journey on the day of the alleged assault, said that after one of the trams got off the road, the journey didn't move a foot. When the front tram got derailed lie unhitched the others, and they remained stationary. Griffith Jones, manager of the colliery, said there was no danger of the trams running back. He had considered the facts of the case, and he did not think the matter of sufficient importance to institute proceedings against either of the men. The defendant having given his evi- dence, the charge against him was dis- missed on payment of costs. PENYGRAIG NEIGHBOURS' AMENITIES. John Tallamy, Penygraig, summoned William Renna, Penygraig, for assault. Mr. D. W. James, Tonypandy, defended. Complainant said that on Saturday, the 10th inst., he went into-the Swan Hotel, Penygraig, to have a glass of beer, and as soon as he got into the passage, defen- dant knocked him behind the ear and in the eye. Mr. James, for defendant. said, that the two parties had been neighbours for fifteen years and good friends until two years ago, when a quarrel arose over the children. Mrs. Renna said complainant had insulted her, using very bad language at the time. Defendant ii-ai discharged on paying costs. BREACH OF CONTRACT AT TRE- HAFOD. The Lewis Merthyr Collieries, Ltd.. Trehafod, summoned Henry Keats and 29 others, and John Thomas and 29 others, for damages in respect of breach of contract. Mr. Kenshole, Aberdare, prosecuted, and Mr. A. T. James (Messrs. Morgan, Bruce, Nicholas, and James, Pontypridd") defended. Mr. Kenshole stated that on the 26th April an accident took place, resulting in the death of two brothers. On the Wednesday following, a deputation saw Mr. Hutchinson (the agent) about the arrangements for the funeral, which was to take place on the Friday. Mr. Hutchinson pointed out to them that, if the men attended the funeral on Friday, there would be two short days in one week, and asked if the funeral could not be arranged for SSLurday. The reply was in the negative. Mr. Hutchinson then told them that if they came out early, they would have to work the hours back on the following week. Later "on, the deputation, settled they would not 'work the hours back, and that they were going to work a half-day and stop at 12 noon on Friday. Mr. Hutchinson said that he couldn't agree with this. They after- wards stopped altogether for two days, which meant heavy losses to the com- pany. In the case of the Bertie Pit, in which Keats and party worked, the loss was £ 144 Us. lid., 489 men being idle; and in the case of the Trevor Pit, in which John Thomas and party worked, £ 144 15s., 469 men being idle. John Wm. Hutchinson, agent for the Lewis Merthyr Collieries, Trehafod, bore out Mr. Kenshole's statement. The men were ordered to pay kl1,0 damages in the case of the Bertie Pit, each man having to nay 5s. 9d.; and £ 140 in the case of the Trevor Pit, each man having to pay 5s. lid. CARD-PLAYING AT TONYREFAIL. For playing cardts at Tonyrefail on Sunday, 11th July, the following were fined:—James Williams, 10s.; David Jones, 5s. Cornelius Kendall. 10s. John Jones, 15s. and Edwin Selbry, 20s. I INEBRIATES. Frederick Brooks, Wattstown, 10s. Henry Simpson, Ynyshir, lot-S: William Osborne, Biaenclydach, 10s. John Morgan, Tylorstown, 15s. David Davies, Ynyshir, 15s.

Ogmore Vale. Ambulance.—The Ogmore Vale branch of the St. John Ambulance Brigade was present at Mardy last Saturday, on the occasion of the visit of Princess Louise. This was the first time for them to appear in uniform. Baltot.—At the recent ballot at the Aber Colliery on the question of a national strike, 311 voted for and 36 against. The Ogmore Vale Juvenile Choir have added further to their laurels during the past week. Lafit Saturday they visited Neath and Skewen, and gained a first and a, second prize. The children received a great ovation on arriving home. We offer our heartiest congratulations to Mr. Caple on the continued success of his choir.

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