The Rhondda Leader

Celli Collier's Wooing. "The Darling: of my Heart." Sent "Donkeys" to His Sweet- heart. Sleep Tight, Maggie Fach," The story of a Gelli collier's wooing was told to a highly amused audience at the Ystrad Police Court on Monday, Morgan Davies (20), a collier, being summoned by Maggie Thomas (18), of Alexandra, Road, Gelli, as being the putative father of her child. Mr. James Phillips, Pontypridd, ap- peared for the applicant, and told the Bench that the parties had been keeping company for over three years, the young lover paying nightly visits to the girl of his choice, and being entertained to tea and supper on several occasions. He also took her to sundry places, including Car- cuff and Pontypridd, and at the latter place bought his sweetheart a pair of pictures to start housekeeping. He also presented photographs of himself and his family to the complainant and to all her family, and wrote her several interesting love letters, in one of which he said: I think to go down to the cheap-jack concert to-morrow night, and if I will see you there I will expect to see you on the stage with the cat, and I will put my hands up for you, and feet if you like, because I think he will take the prise. He looks big enough, I blowed if he don't. When I do say a thing I means it, love. When I will meat you agin we will show it. I had a grand founting pen in the cheap-jack tuesday night, and it was with it I rote this letter. If I could only help it the wind should not blow on you, my darling, from your love Mog. Think of me, sleep tight, Maggie bach take them all before I come up (referring to a number of crosses at the end of the letter repre- senting kisses). In another letter he wrote: — I was in the theatre last night, my dear, and I wish if you was with me, and I am going about pigeon flying to pass the day off. I have no more at present love please to-day. When you think of me when you: go to bed every night take one of thease kisses each night. You are the only one I love, you are the darling of my heart. Now love from Morgan. Some time last year there was a quarrel between the parties at the complainant's house, and he precipitately took his departure, leaving his sweetheart sobbing after him. The cause of the quarrel, it appears, was that defendant had taken to another girl, and communicated this fact to his first love by declaring that he could have the other girl any time he liked." It then transpired that he had both girls in trouble, and he married the other girl," leaving the complainant in the lurch. Miss Thomas, a smart, well-dressed young lady, with a mass of light brown hair, stepped briskly into the witness- box, and detailed in particulars the story of the wooing. The courtship, she said, commenced over three years ago, defen- dant visiting her at her mother's house almost every evening, and was given supper, and sometimes tea. He was known to all her family as her prospective hus- band, and conversation between him and several of her relations took place on the interesting subject of the coming mar- riage. He took her to Pontypridd on one occasion and bought her some pictures. She also accompanied him to Cardiff on another occasion. He also presented her with several photographs of himself and other members of his family, and several of her relations were also treated with his photographs. The acquaintance ripened daily, and the parties had even gone to the length of negotiating with the com- plainant's sister for apartments. He wrote her several letters, in one of which he addressed her as Dear Sister." Mr. Phillips: Why did he address you as sister? Complainant: Because I was away at Swansea at that time, and as I cannot read, the letters would be read to me by a friend. Continuing, complainant said that after she found herself in trouble, defendant came to the house and told her about the other girl, and they quarrelled, and the courtship was at an end. Several of the complainant's relatives spoke to seeing the parties together at various places, and a neighbour, who was present at, the wedding of complainant's sister, said that complainant sat on defen- dant's knee on the sofa during the wedding breakfast, and he had his arm round her waist. Defendant (angrily): You were all drunk and dancing there. Defendant, in the box, stoutly denied that he had ever courted Miss Thomas. It was true that he went to her mother's house and was given supper there. It was equally true that when he went to the other girl's house he never had anything of the kind. Mr. Phillips: Did you ever write her these? (holding up the letters).—Well, yes. I wrote them because she wrote me some. You sav you never loved this girl, although you talked of getting married, and sending her kisses and so on ?—I never intended to marry her; I told her I wouldn't marry her. What did I want to get married before I was born? (Loud laughter). So these letters are nothing but a tissue of lies?—I wrote them for fun. The Stipendiary (to defendant, after reading the letters): Haven't you kissed her?-No, she's been kissing me. I never want kisses (laughter). You didn't send them by post, either? I know that is not so satisfactory (laugh- ter).—No (laughter). Mr. Phillips: What do you mean by these crosses, then? You know you hate 34 of them ?—Oh! those are" donkeys" (laughter). She sent me some, and I sent her some back. The Stipendiary: What do you mean by writing 'You are the only one I love. You are the darling of my heart' ?—I did it for fun. She wrote me that kind of trash, and I did the same. Was she the darling of your heart?— Defendant (vehemently): No (laughter). The Stipendiary: Is the expression, Think of me; sleep tight, Maggie bach; take them all before I come up," only tJ."a.sh,too ?-Yes. In reply to another question by Mr. Phillips, defendant declared that the only girl he wronged he married. An order of 3s. 6d. and costs was made.

Guide Ropes on Fire. Atarming Occurence at Mardy Pit. Ball of Flame from the Shaft. Fireman's Death. The guide ropes in the shaft of the No. 3 Pit, Lockett's Merthyr Colliery Co., Mardy, caught fire in some mysterious way about 10 o'clock on Friday night, and in addition to the destruction of the guides a fireman named Edmund Evan Howells, of James Street, Mardy, was 150 severely burned about the face in ascending in a cage to the pit top that he died early on Saturday morning. It apnears that at the time of the occurrence there were about sixty men in the pit, and although they were not in imminent danger, it was considered advisable that they should be brought up as speedily as possible. Accordingly, the men in the No. 3 Pit and those employed in the No. 2 Pit, both of which are con- nected, were immediately appraised of the outbreak, the workmen in the former pit having to descend a ladder to the No. 2 Pit before they could be brought to the surface. How the fire originated is as yet unknown, but it appears that the wood- work covering the mouth of the pit caught fire, and the guide ropes attached to the cage became ignited. A correspondent states that though of brief duration, the fire must have raged terribly, as the ropes, which were com- posed of steel wires, were severed by the heat, and the tangled ends crashed to the pit-bottom, doing great damage. How Howells met his Doom. Henry Meek, a mason's labourer, was at the pit-bottom when the fire occurred. The first intimation of the fire, he said, wa,s a series of loud knocking by the knocker. Howells said he would go up and see what was the matter, and the signal was given to wind him up. When he was within nine feet of the top the knocker wire got disconnected, pre- sumably owing to the fire, and in some way one knock was given, which is a signal to stop the engine. This was done, by the engineman, and the cage was brought to a standstill in the middle of the fire, which in the stupendous draught of the shaft must have been like a furnace. Alarmed by deceased's terrible screams and groans, the banksman shouted for the cage to be raised, and when Howells landed on top he was a most pitiable spectacle, his clothes having been prac- tically burnt off his back. After the cage had landed, said Meeks, he saw lumps of fire come down the shaft. Other eye-witnesses state that the guide ropes were white with heat as the result of the fire, and as soon as the fan was stopped to prevent the fire getting into the pit, a ball of flame rose from the shaft, shot up by the air-pressure. The officials worked with great energy to quell the fire, and fortunately their efforts were immediately rewarded. The deceased fireman was immediately taken home, where he was attended to by Dr. Glanville Morris. His face, together with the nape of the neck and the back of the legs, were badly burnt, whilst the skin had been wholly burnt off his hands. Deceased had worked at the pit for many years, and had acted in the capacity of night fireman for the last two years. He was married to a young widow at Mardy six weeks ago, the latter being now left with three children of a former husband. The funeral took place on Tuesday after- noon, and was largely attended, the inter- ment being at Mardy Cemetery. The officiating ministers were the Rev. J. Davies, All Saints' Church, Mardy, and Rev. D. Morris, St. Luke's Church. The Salvation Army Band played the Dead March in Saul en route to the cemetery. The colliery ambulance brigade, of which deceased was a member, were in atten- dance, marshalled by Superintendent T. E. Richards, agent of the Mardy Col- lieries. Wreaths were sent by All Saints' Church, Mardy C'olliery officials, and the ambulance brigade. The Inquest. At the inquest on Wednesday touching upon the death of Edmund Evan Howells, night fireman, who met his death as described the jury returned a verdict to the effect that" Deceased accidentally met his death by burning, but there was nothing to show how the fire originated."

JMOUNTNEY (late J Cordina:), 42, Royal Arcade, CARDIFF, Bird and Animal Preserver, To the Most Hon. The Marquis of Bute and the Cardiff Museum. Skins and Furs Dressed Rugs lined and made up. Glass sbadea for Clocks and Ornaments of all sizes. AN Item of Interest.—If you are in want of a new Cycle you should pay a visit to my Casfcle Street Depots. There you will find a variety of the best makes, amongst them the following. All can be bad on easy monthly instalments from 10s. per month.—Robert Bevan, Castle Street. A Royal Sunbeam, undoubtedly the finest cycle on the ™ market, combines the luxury of the 2-speed gear with the ease and comfort of the little oil bath, Brooks' saddle, Dunlop Tyres &c.—Bevan, Castle Street. A New Hudson Road Racer, with Coaster hub and front rim brake, is a wonderful little machine; £ 6 18s. 6d., or monthly payments of 11s. 7d.-Bevan, Castle Street. A New Hudson I.O.G., as ridden by 'Olley in his great ride from Land's End to John o' Groat's, best of everything; £ 8 17s. 6d. cash, or monthly payments of 16s. 3d. A CCESSORIES.—Dunlop, Palmer or Clincher Covers, 10s each; Tandem Strength Tubes, with Dunlop valves, 4s 6d each, heavier tubes, 3s 6d each Gas Lamps, 2s 9d; Carbioe, 5d per lb. tin; Repair Outfits, 2d; Chiming Bells, Is 6d; John Bull Toe Clips, 4d; Plated Rim Brakes, Is 3d. Is 9d. 2s 6d, and 3s 6d each; other Accessories at equally low prices. Send post card for 60-page catalogue of Cycles, Cycle and Motor Accessories, Guns, &c.—Bevan, Castle Street, Cardiff. ALL Machines have my never-ending Guarantee in addition to guarantees of from 5 to 10 years given y *he respective makers.—Robert Bevan, 31, Castle ireet. Cardiff. 3493 I Please some more! I More What ? Fruit Jelly! Fruit Jelly made in Brown & Poison's way is really nice-and what's more, it's really good. It is made with Corn Flour just. like a Blancmange, but you use the mice of stewed fresh fruit instead of Milk. You get all the goodness of tlio fruit that way. Stew any kind of fruit in season to e Ui get the juice, but for best results use only Brown tÐ. Poison's "patent" Corn Flour. j THE ROATH FURNISHINC. CO., 42, CITY ROAD & VME STREET, ROATH, CARDIFF. |' NAT. TEL. 1324. NAT. TEL. 1324. (1 f We don't care what people say about HouserFurnishing 4 r being an enormous expense. We are ready to prove that # (1 it is not It all depends on the way you set to work. 1 ,1 We can show you the right way-the easy way-the J economical way. Will you consult us ? We have helped thousands. ▼ <' ——————————————————— 4 J HW' Cash or Easy Payments. Free Illustrated Catalogues. <1 5 Western Valleys Branch-CHURCH STREET, ABERTILLERY. j! 4 3566 Mumlbles I Saturday & Sunday, Aug. 17th & 18th, THE CE EBRATED GRENADIER GUARDS BAND ADMISSION, 3d. CHILDREN, Id. THE MERRY MADCAPS, Twice Daily (Sundays excepted). HOT AND COLD LUNCHEONS, and all kinds of Refreshments at Moderate Charges at the Pier Hotel. Large and Small Parties catered for. DAVID JAMES, General Manager. Sunday, August 25th-THE ROYAL OAKLEY SILVER BAND. Saturday, Sept. 7th—MIXED CHORAL COMPETITION. Saturday & Sunday, Sept. 14th & 15th-THE ROYAL IRISH FUSILIERS (the Famous Faugh-a-Ballagh) Band. OUR Limerick Competition An Amusing and Profitable Pastime,, :i;" Five Shillings for a Line The Limerick pastime so popular in the periodicals of to-day is simply a revival of the doggrel rhymeing fashionable about the middle of last century, when Edward Lear published his celebrated Book of Nonsense." We this week give our readers an oppor- tunity of exercising their wit by sending in a completing line of a similar Limerick. The prize-money will consist of the whole of the amount received from competitors without any deduction for expenses or other purposes, and will be divided equally amongst the FOUR Competitors sending what the Competition Editor considers the best of the attempts received. We guarantee that the amount to be so divided will not be less than 6/- each. The amount is frequently more. CONDITIONS. (1) The four printed lines to be cut out ana affixed to a sheet of paper on which the completing line is written, together with the competitor's full name and address. (2) Each attempt to be accompanied by a Postal Order for Sixpence (not Stamps). Those sending more than one attempt must comply in each case with Condition No. 1. (Do not send several competing lines on the same sheet of paper). One Postal Order can fee sent for the total amount, reckoned at sixpence for each attempt. (3) Postal orders to be crossed & Co. and made payable to Rhondda Leader." (4) Envelopes to be marked 11 Limerick No. 24" in top left-hand corner, and addressed Rhondda Leader," Excelsior Buildings, Tonypandy. (0) Entries must be posted not later than Monday, Aug. 26th. The winners will be announced in the following week's issue. The Competition Editor's decision must in all cases be final. LIMERICK NO. 24. A pale-faced young maid from the hills Was told to take somebody's pills; She whimpered and said I'd rather be dead For completing Limerick No. 22, the prizes (Five Shillings each) have been awarded to (1) Miss Gladys Roberts, 78, Llewellyn Street, Pentre, whose completed Limerick reads:— An old man of Heolfach, very tall, Whose brains were remarkably small, Bought a very large hat To make him look fat, As a scarecrow, he's waiting a call. (2) Mr. G. Scott, 78, Llewellyn Street, Pentre:— He'd take Urst at a fancy dress ball. (3) Miss M, Jones, 11, Union Street, Gelli So a fat head he was after all. (4) Mr. H. Gregory, 26, Albert Street, Pont]-e: From the packman that so often did call. Some of our competitors may perhaps think their attempts are as good, if not better, than those selected. They can console themselves with the knowledge that, when they try agaiu and ivin, other competitors will think the same. .+*+.+*+*+t+.+.+.+.+.+.+*+*+*+¡+*+*+*+.+*. PIANOS AND ORGANS + FROM s DALE, FORTY & Co. At a Minimum Cost for Cash, or from 10s. 6d. per month. t J on our Gradual Payment System. Catalogues, Post Free, £ PIANOS and ORGANS by all Eminent Makers. + Fullest DISCOUNT Advantages 4 DALE, FORTY & Co, J High Street and Castle Arcade, CARDIFF i Also at CHELTENHAM, BIRMINGHAM, &e.

BUDDEN'S S.R. SKIN OINTMENT will cure Itching after one application destroys every form of Eczema; heals old wounds and Sores acts like a charm on bad Legs; is Infallible for Piles; Prevents Outs from Fester- ings will cure Ringworm in ?, few days removes the most obstinate Eruptions and Scurvy. Boxes, n-d. and Is. lid. Agent for Tonypandy: Mr. J. DAVIES Chemist; Porth Mr. T. DAVIES, Chemist; Ton-Pentre, D. GEORGE, Drug Stores; Ystrad-Rhondda: H. A. GEORGE, Chemist; Ferndale: Mr. BURGESS, Chemist Agent for Oardiff-Mr. Thomas, 2, James-street. 2tio