Papurau Newydd Cymru
Chwiliwch 15 miliwn o erthyglau papurau newydd Cymru
10 erthygl ar y dudalen hon
-THE CROWNING OF ESTHER,
PUBLISHED BY SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT. THE CROWNING OF ESTHER, By MORICE GERARD, Author of M isterton," "Cast Out," "The Victoria Cross," BlacK Gun xvock, "Jocko th' Beach," Murray Murgatroyd, Joarnal'st," etc., &c. [C 0 P Y R I G Ti T], STNOPSI5 OF PREVIOUS CHAPTERS. CHIR.T3K? 1. TO III.—Caroline Wrottisley and Stephen Fleetwood, distant relatives of Squire Wrottis- ley, live with him. The old man clings to his great niece, bat discards Stephen, who is not a Wrottisley, and makes a. will iu her favour, leaving a bare .£200 a year to Stephen on the understanding that he keeps out of prison. The two men quarrel and Stephen nines himself to ft professional mesmerist who lectures throughout the country. When the old man dies a new will is found and attested by two nurses, in which he revokes all former wills uiul leaves everything- to Stephen. As the will is discovered by Caroline, Stephen and she come face to face. Cf-IAPTRIW IV. TO VI— Miss Wrottisley is turned out 1". Stephen, the heir, and leaves for London with no pl-ms or prospects. She is annoyed on the way down I.y a fair-haired man who claims acquaintance with her on account of knowing Stephen. She^ seeks the iH-otectiou of a porter, and she obtains lodgings at the Louse of a Mrs Hedger. A niece, Polly, UeeDres that she is fit to go on the stage, and says she will speak to Mr Lefevre, stage manager, for her. CH\P'4E3 VII. TO IX—Polly tells Caroline that ty she herself is a painter's model, and urges her to apply to a painter named Coutaiiee, a, a face such as hers is needed for a painting he is making of Queen Esther. The two meet the light-haired stranger who had persecuted Caroline, and Polly says it is Lord Alfred Poutifex. Caroline refuses to speak to him. At Moat House, Stephen Fleetwood one night is disturbed by the appearance of a man in the grounds who is covering the house with a spy glass. He takes his rifle and fires at the figure, which falls. Chapter X. Stephen Fleetwood, in his eagerness, had forgotten to close the dining-room door after him. Consequently the light from the hall, dim as it was, threw his figure into relief and disclosed to the man with the spy glass covering the room he weapon he held in his hand, Of course Stephen was not aware of this. Had the light been brilliant the idea would probably have occurred to him. As it was, being dim to himself, he forgot it was illumination itself, to all intents and purposes, for any- one in the comparative darkness outside. The moment Stephen saw the watcher's figure in the open he recognised who it was. v Giles Underwood he muttered between his clenched teeth. But the knowledge did not alter; it only .strengthened ihe purpose with which he had fetched the rifle. The weapon was an excellent one, and Stephen himself a capital shot. He raised the ride to his shoulder, took accurate and careful aim at the heart of the mall he covered, and fired. It was not for him to know that the night depredator in posse,' and trespassed in esse,' was his old chum and companion in villainy, Giles Underwood. His death would be very convenient just now, and the master of the House felt that the law. if his act broke it, would be very lenient to the gentleman who shot a man braking out of a strictly-kept preserve evidently with some nefarious intent. The moment Stephen fired, the man fell. That settles him. Dead men tell no tales and with a smile of grim satisfaction on his face the owner of the rifle wiped it affectionately as another man might pat a favourite horse, which had borne him well in the hunting field. The sound of the shot brought a rush of servants into the hall. They had no notion in what direction the gun had been fired, merely having beard the sharp crack. The -omen-servants, who were just on the point of retiring to bed, were huddled together in a great state of alarm, and even the men, of whom there were two— -the old Squire used to keep three, but Stephen preferred to be his own outlet* showed signs of nervousness. As the dining-room door stood open, the household flocked in without ceremony. Them master turned to them You women go to bed: this is no 'business of yours. You two men come cut with me and bring a leaf from the hall table. I saw a man break out of t(ie spinney opposite my rifle was handy and I brousrbt him down. We will go and carry him into the house.' Hereupon one of the women fell down shrieking with hysterics. Stephen filled a wine-glass with brandy, and forced some of the contents down her throat. Take the fool away,, he said as she half-choked under the remedy und the women-servants retired, headed by the housekeeper, to watch proceedings from the room above. The men. meantime, went for the leaf from the hall table. Stephen Fleetwood was a master whom men and women alike obeyed implicitly. The former, in the meanwhile, changed his shoes with calm deliberation. He was not sorry even for the incident of the hysterical maid, for it all gave him more time. He had taken too good an aim to doubt for an instant that Giles Uuder- wood was dead, but men have been known to linger a few minutes even when shot through a vital part; and alt-hough it is true that dead men tell no tales,' dying men are apt to make use of their last moments in taking advantage of an opportunity which is fast slipping from their gra sp for ever. z, The footmen fumbled a good deal in their attempts to get the leaf out of the table, partly in consequence of nervousness, and partly because of the half gloom. Stephen waited patiently at any other time they would have been hurried up with an oath. At last they were ready. Stephen stepped out of the low window first, followed by the two men bearing the improvised stretcher, who managed to knock over the table and break the coffee cup and saucer in their nervousnesss. Stephen swore at them beneath his breath. Even he felt a trifle excited, however, as he stepped out upon the award which was now steeped in abysmal darkness, the light of the sun having entirely departed, and the night being one without a moon. Had Stephen not felt perfectly certain that be could go to the place where the man fell, blindfold, he would have had a lantern fetched but he trusted implicitly in his own retrieving instincts. The master, followed by the men, walked straight forward until he had got three parts across the grass then he stopped and began to feel about with his feet. Nothing resulted. Put the table leaf down on the ground at my feet and walk around me. If you feel anything tell me.' The men did not relish the duty but they fancied the result of disobedience less, so they obeyed. Now take a step out and do the same.' This manoeuvre was repeated twice, at increasing in- tervals of space, Stephen meanwhile standing quietly resting 011 his rifle. Nothing resulted. Stephen was nonplussed. Iow, Gwiney,' he said to one of the footmen, hold my riliti and stand here. Don't budge an inch until I come back.' If you please sir, we would rather you did not go away,' came simultaneously from the two footmen, who were awed by the darkness and the horror of the strange quest. Don't be such cursed fools. I am only going to the trees and back." The dark outline of the fir-trees was just perceptible. Stephen wanted to make'sure the footmen were in direct line between the spinney and the dining-room window. With some difficulty he made sure that the tree was the right one and then looked back but so intense tll" intermediate darkness that the figures of the foot- men were invisible to their master. There was no fear iu Stephen's heart at that moment. But there might have been. and not without reason. As he stood under the fir tree. he was covered by a gun not so elegant in construction as the rifle he had but recently fired, but in the hands by which it was held, tli- wesipon was quite as deadly, and instead of being fifteen yards away as he had been, this was so close toot had Stephen stretched out his hand suddenly, he might have touched the cold steel of the gun. Sèi phen never was nearer his end, until it actually t"\>ne, than he was d that moment; but the mnzzie, was lowered, and L was reprieved not out of mercy, but out of policy. trike ¡¡, light one of you.' shouted Stephen Fleet- wood, Rpe:1kiu above his breath for the first time. One of the footmen fumbled out a match, and after some futile attempts struck it. The light was in a bee-line between the place where the Master was standing and the window. Stephen leid pone to the right spot accurately enough only the result differed from what he had expected. He walked back puz.:l«'d. The only solution he could think of that Giles Underwood had crawled some distance after the shot had taken effect. That it had not taken effect at all did no", even occur to him and this is not to be wondered ftt, since he had taken deliberate aim end had seen the man aimed at simultaneously fall. '?ne of you go round to the stables 111111 bring the big lantern.' May we both go, sir?' Curse it, yes. if you like. Only be quick.' Steihen knew that all animals when wounded make for til8 nearest cover. Giles was three parts i,i animal, and had imbibed most of their instincts. Possibly he he'd done the same thing during his last moments. Stephen did not intend to go to bed until his search was rewarded. In what seemed a long time, but was ready only a few moments, the footmen returned, followed by the coachman bearing the big stable lantern. The man w'.io had held the rifle had laid it on the ground when he was sent off for the lantern. The party now proceeded to make a most careiul search of the grass, taking all the centre of the ground first and then working to the bushes which ran round the plat on three sides. The search, which lasted for more than an hour, was quite unrewarded. Every perch of the ground was carefully exav ed, and even Stephen at last had to confess himsei, jeateii. He returned alone to pick up his rifle, carrying the lantern. His surprise may be better imagined than described. The weapon was nowhere to be found. CHAPTER XI. Mrs. Pledger had not reached home when Polly and I, somewhat breathless, entered the hospitable and friendly door of No. 7, Haggerstone Place, on the Sunday morn- ing of our walk. Probably the good lady had met with some friends at church, and was taking a turn,' as she would have phrased it, with them. tV8 girls were not sorry to have a few ml1:ll+r's' spare time in which to recover our equanimity and to put, oitr- selves straight, before that observant eye should be upon us. The contretemps with Lord Alfred Pontifex, as Polly had styled mv former persecutor, had disturbed us both considerably, in different ways. Polly was alarmed and anxious for me. I was simply angry. This kind of persecution was new to me. To Polly it was the fa,miliar atmosphere in which she habitually lived, and moved, and had her being. His last threat had not been lost upon her. and to Polly, who knew the man, and the resources at his command, the alarm which she felt for my safety was only natural. Who is that man ? How could you bring yourself to speak to him ?' I dare not do otherwise.' Yv iiy P' He has tremendous power, and if he were lo take it into his head to do for me in my profession, he could easily. He is a friend of half the managers of theatres and music halls in London, and wib them his will is very nearly law. He knows me well enough, for he often comes round to the back of the Pamphyllion. Ho once tried to take a fancy to me, but I managed to keep him off, and somehow he has never borne me a grudge. I never knew him come up this way before. It looks as if he came after you especially what he said at the last. Where did you meet him i" I told her. As I did so, her face fed. You will have to be very c:1r('£n1.' she said and her tone conveyed even more than her words. I think you oug-ht to tell me more.' Well, I never knew him take so much trouble be- fore. He hates trouble. Yet he must have set him- self to find out where you were lodging I saw him drive past in a hansom,' I interrupted, il,-Ly I arrived.' 'Drive in Polly, with mild scorn. "Where should he drive PI.,t -to P Islington is not quite on the high road from King's Cross to Buckingham Palace Gate. Of course he told the hansom driver—probably his own coachman, for I expect the hansom was his private one-to keep your cab in sight. Then his find- ing out where Aunt went to church He has a man who is devoted to liim—a who does all these sort of things for him. It is all part of 11 huge: plot.' Never mind don't be frightened I shall defeat it: you make up your mind to that.' I was so indignant that it gave me courage. In fact, since the Squire's death, and I came to London, I have been quite a different women. It has aged me ever so I only wonder I look so much the same in'the glass I feel so "iffereiit inwardly, that I am surprised not to see the reflection of the change outwardly. Mrs Hedger caaie in at this moment, and greeted Polly with effusion mingled with surprise, or as I might say, kisses tempered with questions. Kiss! kiss! What brings you hero? Kiss kiss! Very glad to see you but, lor. when were you here on a Sunday before ? Kiss kiss Oh, I thought a walk would do me good, so I fetched Miss Wrottisley here and we have had a good one.' Mrs Hedges did not look very pleased. He embraces determined; and she proceeded to remove her lavender- liued bonnet with deliberation, and some dignity. She felt in the first place that she herself had been evaded, and therefore Slighted, and even aunts are sometimes jealous. In the second place, she felt that the airy edifice of Polly's sabbatical devotion, which had been erected for my edification, fell to the ground before that young lady's somewhat flippant rejoinder. With the bonnet Mrs Hedger quite unintentionally unhitched a false front, wdch had got cemented to it by the heat of her favo unite tabernacle. This did not improve either the good lady's temper or appearance. I suppose now I'm come you'll be off, having got what you wllIlted i" she questioned tartly, after a few moments spent in gathering up her forces, and adjust- ing the niceties of her outward woman. No, Aunt, I have come to dinner, if you'll give rue some.' Mrs Hedger's hospitable soul was mollified at once. Well, I'm sure, who would ha' thought it? I do hope Mary Ann will turn out a good pudding. The girl varies every week but when she gives her mind to it, there isn't a better Yorkshire pudding in Haggerstone Place—no, nor yet in Islington, for that matter. You must have a snack with us, too, Miss Wrottisley and we shall be all comfortable like together. But, lor', Polly, what has become of your young man ¡' Oh, he's gone into the country to see his ma so I'm off duty to-day, Aunt Whereupon Mrs Hedger departed to seek her cap, and to inspect the result of Mary Ann's efforts. The pudding was all that, a Yorkshire pudding should be, crisp and brown, and done to a turn* The Ö sirloin, in whose honourable company the pudding made its appearance, was worthy in every way of its society. In spite of the unpleasant experience which had spoiled our morning walk, our appetites were healthy aud we both—Polly and I—did justice to the excellent fare. Mrs Hedger beamed with rubicund satisfaction. This is like old times,' she said, as she drunk her second glass of ale. Redder always enjoyed his Sun- day's dinner, and we always had sirloin and Yorkshire pudding. I have kept up the custom in honour of your poor deal" uncle, Polly; but sometimes, when I'vo thought of him sitting opposite to me, and him there no longer, the pudding has fairly stuck in my throat.' After dinner Mrs Hedger supervised the removal of the accessories of th3 meal, and then settled herself in her arm chair for a nap. Polly and I went back to my sittill-room, for grea-er freedom of conversation. Now Polly,' I slid, I want to know all you know about Lord Alfred Pontifex.' That won't take you long. You can see for your- salf what he's like—a bit of a dandy, and good-looking I think, if it were not for his eyes. It isn't only that they are set too close together, but they are cruel. I feel as if lie would torture a dumb animal or kill me without feeling it one bit: no man with those eyes could littv(,, a Who are the PoLtifexes ? I have never heard of them at all.' You certainly were brought up in a mole hole. Why, the Pontitexes are as well known as the Houses of Parliament or the British Museum. They are most of them as wicked as they are wealthy, and if they are not wicked they are eccentric, which, to my mind, is almost as bad. The last Marquis, Lord Alfred's father, after carrying on as his son does now, the first part of his life, shut himself up in the family castle somewhere in Hampshire, and never saw daylight, so the tale goes, for twenty years. He looked after all his property by night, going about the fields and farm buildings with a lantern, a manservant, and a bulldog. Often enough he would knock up one of his tenant farmers and lower or raise his rent as the case might be, in the middle of the night, or promise him a new system of drainage, or a repaired roof. He was a capital landlord, and liberal to a fault; -and there was never a poacher for miles round. Bless you, they daren't go out after nightfall for fear of the Marquis They knew he had been as wicked as sin itself and was as strong as any four other men. Besides, there wasn't a labour- ing man or woman in the district that didn't believe the Wicked Marquis was possessed. Police P They didn't require any ill his part of Hampshire as long as the Marquis prowled about at night. But surely you. must have heard something about his death. I was only a chit of a child myself, but I quite remember father reading the whole account out to -Lis--piottier was alive then. There was a terrible snowstorm one Thn lIlarquis was out as usual and it came on suddenly. He did not come home, and early in the morning the alarm bell of the Castle was rang and the whole country side turned out to search. At last he was found, with the, lantern smashed near, quite dead, and the maaserrant- lying in such a position that his master must have been carrying him on his btick until he, two sank down. The bulldog was lying dead in the snow; but much deeper than the two men. He had probably been some hours before and the Marqms must have been ca vy- ing the man round in a circle for hours before his strength failed, thinking he was carrying him home to the Castle. The Marchioness had two sons. The tljra? lived en another estate in Yorkshire, not very far. T farcy,'from where you come from. Lord Alfred has it now. She died soon after her husband. The eldest Ron. the present Marquis, became very queer soon after Lis father's death. YiTien he was eighteen, he left hjme and went abroad, and has never been near any of his people or estates since.' lie Oil, 110, he isn't. Lord Alfred told me himself that every detail of the property is submitted to him for decision, through his solicitor, who is the only person who has an idea where lie lives or what he ie doing. Lord Alfred says openly that he would only be too glid to hear that his brother was dead, for then he would co:ne into it all. At present he has only what his mother had.' Soon after this Mrs. Hedger was :1(::3.1 stimag aud we went in to have a cup of tea. About five o'clock Polly sail she. must go. She came into my room to 'fix herself,' as she called it, and took th? opportunity of saying, Yon will go to Coutanee, won't you, there's a eear r He wants you to go 011 Wednesday atteraoon at ihres o'clock. VvVii'i you go with me?' i ^o..1 cannot, x nave a matinee at uiiO i amphj iduw. See. here are all the directions he has written them down so that you cannot make a mistak?.' I have that precious paper by me stiU. It was simple enough only a chart to tell me bow to find Contunce. Only that I little knew or guesssed all that it would come to mean to me C'IAPTES XII. As soon as Polly had gone my courage failed me, and I repented. That is the way with us women. There is hardlv a step we take of any moment in our lives that we don't repent the moment our foot is down. No woman ever accepted an oli'er of marriage without xeel- | ing that of ali the mistakes she had ever made that was j the biggest.
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_-' REVIEWS.
REVIEWS. iitassrs Nowncs & Co have issued some excellent vnlnnifis for February. The Sunday Strand will commend itself, on perusal, to all who delight in thf> class of Sunday reading. It has some nota'd* article;? and stories by the best writers. The Captain is still the idcfd magazine for the rising young men. It is first favourite in the best schools. Sixpence will purchase 120 pages of read- ing matter with 1"0 illustrations in the Strand for February. It contains an illustrated interview with the greatest, btttle painter, and a splendid article on Peculiar Pets," each worth the price nf the magazine. The Wide World continues in Th< re is a vast deal of literary matter, well illustrated, for the money, and the narratives are for the most part fascinating. Though comim* in a world of splendid illustrated papers the King has secured a sound hold. The war pictures are Amongst the cleverest we have been. They are excellently reproduced on good paper. Another of the Newnes' publication which rnu3t be mentioned is Hearth and Home, a weekly journal intended for ladies. It gives the latest fashion, with well- written notes on society, sport, art, music, &o.
M R. SOLOMON ANDREWS AND THE…
M R. SOLOMON ANDREWS AND THE ABERDOVEY COMMON. THE RIGHTS OF THE PUBLIC DISPUTED. GENEROUS OFFER TO THE INHABITANTS OF ABERDOVEY. On Wednesday afternoon Mr Solomon Andrews, who is now well-known throughout Wales as a speculator, met the Aherdovey Commons COBI- j mil tee, t:) confer as to the right to the Common, aud if possible to arrive at an amicable settlement, and thus co-operate for the unbitc good. The following were present: Mr Edwards, chairman of the committee, Messrs E L Rowlands, ArthurTorn- line, Caps Enoon Lewis, Capt John Evans, Mr Wrn Joues, C.C., and Mr Vangfcan Thomas (secretary rc the committee). Mr Edward Davies, the chairman, introduced the membrTB of tho committee to Mr Andrews. Ihe Chairman said he had been appointed chair- man over a Common Committee formed some two years ago at a publie meeting, which had lwen called to consideration matters connected with the Common. Mr Andrews: AbFrO, o iev Common? Where is it ? The Chairman: It extends from the llailvvay Station to a place opposite Dyffryu Glyncui. Mr Andrews Where is that ? The Chairman: There is a fence that has been fixed to divide the Towvn Common. That com- mittee has held several meetings since its formation to consider the question of the Common. In the meantime they heard that a certain gentleman of the name of Mr Sotomon Acdrewt- hctd acquired the right to the Common. Mr Andrews: Allow me to state that I have never acquired the rights to auy Common (laughter). The Chairman: We understood you are the geutlemau who acquired the rights to the Common. Mr Andrews: You understand what is wrong then. I have never aequo ed the rights to a Com- mon. The Chairman: May I ask if you are acting for a Company ? Mr Andrews: You need not ask anything ot the kind. That is not your business. I do everything for rnysolf and not for anybody else. The Chairman I think it is a fair question. Mr Andrews: Yes; if I was acting for a Com- pany it would have to be registered. The Cliiii-ine n This place is Common land in the epiuion of the inhabitants of the town. It appears to be an indisputable question that it has been con- sidered Common land from time immemorial. O; course, the Crown have certain rights over every Common land. Those rights had been sold first of all to a gentleman cf the name of Mr So3en. lie sold part of it to Mr George Lewis, and it was afterwards bought by Mr J Hughes Jones and Capt j Enoch Lewis. Mr Howsil, Ciaigydon, had acquired the OrowtI lights in the Common. Mr Andrews: I am glad you have said that. Ihe Chairman: We now understand you have acquired air J Hugliet3 Jones's rights to the Com- mon. Mr Andrews: rhave not done auy; uiog of the kind. Capt Lewis: Crown rights, he meaus. Mr Andrews: Not that, either. The Chairman: I am speaking as far as my knowledge goes. That is how I have always under- stood the matter. Mr Andrews: Then you understood altogether wrong. The Chairman We oug-ht to know something about it, I should think. Mr Andrews: I want to know what you have got belonging to you ? I have come here to see your Common. The Chairman I have just told you that the Common extends from the Station to about half- way ro Towyn. That place has always been con- sidered a Common. Mr Andrews There you are. "Always consider- ed." lam exceedingly proud of that word 1 consid- ered." It is the best word you can use. Let me point out to you that I make friends everywhere, and enemies nowhere. I will explain everything after you finish (applause). The Chairman: I hope you will accept every statement in the spirit in which it is made. Mr Andrews: I will. Captain E Lewis observed that the Chairman might withdraw the word" CDnsidered" in regard to their claim to the Common, and it as their own, and tight the matter out. Mr Andrews There you are. We would under- stand each other, then. The Chairman re-iterated that the word ''consid- ered" was strong enough iu the sense he had used is. They did consider that t'as place was a Common. Mr Andrews: If it is yours you will gec. I don't want other people's property. The Chairman Wo thought it would be right for you as a genflemau to concede the rights c: others. There are Commoners at Aberdo 'ey who have certain rights, and thev, of course, i-ctead to stick to them. No one ig"willing to fling away any rights, whether big or small, and I did not think that Mr Andrews wo aid try to force upon us what was not real and fair. Mr Andrews: Quite so. The Chairman We should be ^1 id if we cau And a way by which we cqn co-operate for the benefit of all concerned. We could do a great deal together. Mr Andrews That's quite right. The Chairman Aud especially is it to be Loped we will not fall out at the very beginning. j Mr Andrews: I am very glad to hear that. Mi Andrews then addressed those present. He j pointed out that they were all sent to the worhl to j do their best. He had not so far sioien anything and he felt sure he was not, going to start now. Having referred to his llew estate at Barmouth Junction he said that if the land at that place was Common laud then the Crown had soid what it hud no right to sell. If any part of the property he had bought was Common land then let them show it. He could not read v^ry much and was not a great scholar, but he was enough of a scholar to have that deed read to him and to understand ic. If tiipre was one word in it that showed ir, belonged to them then let them have it. he would f-a-y. The only condition was that the Government had po'.v. r to take the minerals. They could see the deed fur themselves and if there was one syllable about Common rights theu letjthem take it. He hud not come there to steal their propeity. lie had come there tr. do good and to develop the place. If tbey went to law he was prepared to spend nhme) and to Lght the matter out. He, however, would nor, take the initiative, but would turn the cattle off the giouno, and if people put them on again he would turn t!m out again. They could then, if they so desired, try him, and if they succeeded put him iu prison (laughter). He would poiut out-that he had bought the place honestly. lie brought his man- ager from Pwllheli to see, the place and he would have paid for it that day had begot his cheque book with him. If they said it was their;, let the n prove their title to it. Tbey couid see ins t o without cost aud without law. The Chairman: WlJere? Mr Andrews: In Cardiff. When I come t., you can see it. The Chairman Can we have a copy of it ? Mr Andrews: No; you can seethe original. T" that place was a Common then they could stop the railway running through. Capt E Lewis said the .Railway Company had an Act of Parliament behind them wnich Mr An drew p had not. Mr Andrews: I have bought 291 acres of land and it is on the deed. 1 would rather givo vou £ 1,000 thau steal a iart-hing. I have come here to do the place good (applause). You think you car. fight; sureiy I can light also. I am not a fighIJing man and never go to law. If they were "oino- 'o fight with him tie would also fight. He had never lost at law yet and that was because he had never fought without having a just cause. If thev su- ported him he would do a great-deal of~giod in North ales. He was glad they bud called him to
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-..-+---THE YORK CONTEST.
-+- THE YORK CONTEST. The result of the poll was declared at half-past ten on iuesday night as follows :— Faber (Cj 6,248 Hurray (L) 4^815 41 1 Conservative majority 1.430 Results of previous J G i3u ttiier (C). £ .516 Sir F Look wood (LI, 5.309 A h Pease (L), 5,214; Conservative mejoritv over meau Liberal vote, 255. 1898 (by-election)": Lord C Beresford (C j, 5,659; Sir C Furness (L), 5.648 Conservative majority (reduced on scrutim) 11
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THE GREAT REMEDY. L _DY. G;0-ZY; 1}\ "> L..r:I h FOR GOUT, RHEUMATISM. SCIATICA, LUMBAGO. NEURALGIA. Ciaim a. superiority over an other GOUT and REELHATIC Medicines. Tbey give relief vrcm pain in a few hours, and a epeedy cure without ikur slightest inconvenience. All Chemists and Stores, at lie. 2 £ CL and 2s. 9d. per box. CAMP. TIT AN" RAILWAYS. CHEAP WEEK-END EXCURSION Are 1'i w :3S1'oC o:- YxiiDA i Ai\ D SA i' L I ci/A "i TO P eterboj ouch, *LeicesteT. nUl,toIl-Oil- T 1''211:, *Stafiord, C ov e rl-, I,.) Manchester, Preston. Blaekb^, BoltoL Leeds, Dewsbury, Bllddersheld. Lnr- pool. Birk^GT)hGtfd. "\Y-rj. fird ton, ir orn- Oswestry, Llanymyuech, Y Montgomery elshpool, Newtow n, j-iarodioes. Machynlleth BorTh, Aberystwyth, Aber^ovev. Tuw-t- Bar- mouth, Bolgelley, Harlech. Portmaooc, Pcarr-tl. deudraeth, Criceieth, and i SIMILAR TJCKETiS ARE ALSO TSPFED F-om Aberystwyth. Bonh. Abordov- -7 Barmouth, Dolgelley, Harlech, Pcnrhyououdraetl Portmadoc, Criceieth. and Pwllheli, to* SHKEWSPUEY. Tickets to hese stations are not issued Welshpool. EXTEXDED A R 17, FOR TEE tSSTF TOURIST TICKETS FROM CAMBRIAN STATION'S TO TEE rA&ioc^ HEALTH RESORTS IX ENGLAND, SCOTLAND, AND 1RLLAND AP.F NOW IN OPERATION. For full particulars see Tourist pr"t ,a; T.a which mav be had at ad stations, EVERY FRIDAY AXD SATI'KU-AY. CHEAP WEEK-END & 10 DAYS, TICKETS Will be issued from Liverpool, Manchester Scoeh- port, Chester, Crewe, Stafford, Siirewsburv, Brae- ford, Leeds, Oldnam. Hudde-rsfieid, Halifax, Roch- dale, Wakefield, Blackburn, Ctorley, Accringtoj,, Burnley, Bohon, Wigan, Warrington. Preston Leicester, Derby, Burton. Stoke. Buislem. Hansev Birkenhead, Birmingham, Wolverhampton. WeQ- nesfcury, Walsall, Peterborough, Northampton, Hull, Sheffield, Barnsiey, &c., &e., to Oswestry, Llanvmynecu, Llanfy]];n, Welshpool, Montgomery, Xevvtown, Llanid- loes, Machynlleth, Bortiu Aber\ STwyih, Aberdovey. Towyn, Barrnonth, liolteiley, Harlech, Portmadoe, Criciiet: Pwllheli. CHEAP "W E,FK END TiCKETS (Friday and Saturday tc Monuay or Tuesday) will be issued on EVERY FRIDAY AND SATURDAY Also 14 DAYS' EXCURSION TICKETS From nearly all Cambrian Inland Stations, to Machynlleth, Borth, Aberystwyth, Aber. dovey, Towyn, Barmouth, Bolgellev, Harlech, Portmadoe. Criceieth. and Pwllheli, also to Rhayader. Builth V> eils, & Brecon. ON EYERY THUR :i. in JANUARY. FULL-DAY & HALF-DAY EXCURSION TICKETS will be issued to LIVER- POOL (Lime Street, Edge Hill, Speliow, or Walton), via Whitchurch and Crewe, and to SLACOMBi., via Ellesmere, Wrexham, and w α- -,r II a war Jen Bridge and to MANCHESTER (Lou- don Road), as under From Oswestry, nil day at S 40 a.m. and half-day at II 50 a.m. and 1 55 p.m. (via W hitchurch and Crewe) from Ellesmere at 9 0 a.m for fun day, aDd 2 5 and 2 15 p.m. for half-day; to Seacombe only (via Wrexham) 9 5 a.m. for full day, and 12 10 p.m. for half-day Third-clsss fares for full day To Seacombe aud Liverpool, 3s Gd To Manchester, 4s. Half-day To Seacombe, Liverpool and Manchester, 2s 6d. Passengers rerun the same day from Liverpool (Lime Street) at 6 50 p.m., or 11 55 p.m., Edge Hill at 12 0 midnight, Seacombe 7 5 p.m. and from Manchester (London Road) at 7 0 p.m., or 12 0 midnight. + R A M S Are now conveyed between Stations on the Cambrian Railways, at a charge as for Two Dogs, with a MINIMUM OF TWO SHILLINGS EACH RAX 1 EVERY TFURSPAY AXT- SATURDAY Ix JANUARY, 1POO, CHEAP rAY EXCURSIONS WILL BE RCX TO LIVERPOOL AND MANCHESTER From Llanidloes 640 a.m., Newtown 7 12. il gocery 7 23, Welshpool 7 50, Llanymynec:' 3 15, Llanfyllm 7 35, Otwestr;: 8 40. Ellesmere 9 G. ad Fenn's Bank 9 2" For times of tram? at intermediate stations & handbills. ON EYEKY THURSDAY amd SATURDAY in JANUARY and until further notice. Clltap Day and Half-Day EXCURSION TICKETS wil be issued to SEACOMBE, and HA WARDEN (for Harwavden Castle), from Oswestry, E! learn ere, Overton-on-Dee, Bangor-on-Dee, and MarchwieL For full particulars of train times and fares, see handbills. THE Special Attention of the Public is c'avtc JL to the FURTHER REDUCED HATES fc toe conveyance of F HESII MEaT. JC 1. t. \-J i _L .L.i ":k. Including Welsh Mutton also for Latter, Cheese. Fish, Frnit, &c.. Station ro Station r.r Owners Risk. Alr-o to the Reduced Scale of Sstes for Parcels by Pn For full particular* apply at- the Stations. MINIMUM CHANGE. SIXPENCE. ECO-N D CLASS TICKETS are now issued be O ween Cambrian Stations ard stations on th* oondor and North Western and GrJn Western ano other Companies' Line*. These- Fe-of are has" or a very soir.l' arHirion « the Thitd fares. Wi t.Ar^ L i E X rr E X I) E. D A R R A. N G E N T P TKF 1>:SUF oY WEEK pvn TTr;yr'prf, (Friday or Saturday t,:) i'onday or rues-isjA ;') c ,=: 11 7 ,I, C ('sr r= S:'l S 1 TJ Y; :rl.J: Fkom S'tATi'jNvS iK ENGLAND. Are now neing put into operation. l They include Bookings from Bath, Bristol. 'I 'oridge, Darlington, Durham, Gloaoeofcer, Liuec-Ut Cheltenham, Harrogate, M;ddiesboro<ig-M, casr le-O! X *_ilxro, S or u ^t \rt U-j utl'Io-IiCAj j '» I Lii-. &-<■ ^:Xv.SUR3 PARTIES Tickets, at reduced fares, issued (v limitations) at all Cambrian Stations i-sse-ngorb Jtiiroue oi -auking t ^curc- to 'laces on or adjacent to this railway. Single-faro-? ooahie joarney will be oharged for parties of -0 First-eiu ss or 50 TLira-ch.ss fcc r, ,-er&. To obtain .-hese ticket- •p'ica'T; u,- n, to Mr. W. H. Gougb, Superintendent e/ the LT'-V Oswestry; or at ary of 'he Stations .e C'~ ? r thise days oe^ore ii-e aau- 01 lLg £ XCu. Further information regarding P. IUi4 t-icnrsiou j.rains ano xennst Arrangements on the Cambrian Rai> way? can na obtained on applicatien Mr W. £ bmign, fcnre.7-.i,«Jd«nt of the Line, 08we»nry. n r -DENNiSS, Oewe&trv, Oct., iciv- J_ ueoerai Manager Tjr*N ^ING «r. every descrjoticn executed wish R-. COUKTY TIKES OS&oe.Welsh- wOi. w"»i.-c..U83 Commercial Work a speciality I giveu.
—♦ LOCAL PATENT.
— ♦ LOCAL PATENT. The following abridged description i* specially drawn for the County Times by Messrs Hughes and Young, Patent Agents. 55 and 56, Chancery Lan, London, W.C., who will give advice and assistance tree to our readers on a:l patent matters. 213271. Window lid-ids. Patentee Mr J iams, North Roaa, Aberystwyth. The roiler is made in two halves hinged together and having a recess and rabbet. The leaves of the hinge are turned up and one snass over the ot her, thus a spring catch. The fabric is laid over one or other half, and the two parts ciosed together. Hooks or may be attached to one or other part to secure tue fabric. 17,135. Moulding dough. Patentees: Messrs C E Poiuton and J E Pointon, both of Wrekin r"irl. VV ellington, Salop. The oon^h in passing through the. trough, has a combined forward and crops roiling or screw like motion imparted to it. In nnother arrangement, the dough is rolled within a fixed spiral trough, by a rotary table, and the rer, of dough are discharged through n centra! aperture in the table.
-THE CROWNING OF ESTHER,
it is the seme in every other department of feminine decisions. It men only knew what vacillating creatures we are But they don't; for we manage to keep the greater part of it to ourselves. I cannot claim immunity from any of the feminine weaknesses incidental to our sex least of all from this one. Before Polly's blithe young form was half way to Brixton, I would have given my ears to have been off the engagement I had entered into, and to be rid of the way bill with which she had proved me. Never did Mrs Hedger make the matter easier or render me more contented with the step I had taken. I was flattening my nose, about six o'clock, against the window pane of my sitting-room, watching the strolling couples who were out for their Sunday walk together, and liked to perambulate Haggerstone Place, because it was out of the stream of the main streets, and, therefore, quieter. Love A poet's dream A novelist's stock in trade. The one sentiment which breaks the monotony of countless humdrum existences the attractions prior to and the cement after marriage Seen through the panes of So. 7, Haggertone Place it was decidedly not attractive. "What louts the men were How vulgar and over-dressed the women How little calculated the one to Oil heads of households, and the other to be help- meets to hard-working labourers, or capable trainers of child-lives Love must indeed be a wonderful thing, a choice gift of the gods if it succeeded in illumining these specimens of humanity, male and female, and made them capable of performing tha highest function of existence. I was moralising at eighteen. Love I had not a notion what it iiieaxt-a veritable unexplored country, a terra Úwognifa. Through the turgid stream of these thoughts ran a thread of the other—the fatal decision I had weakly come to that very Sunday after- noon, urged on by Polly, a fleshy Circe located in democratic drowsy Islington. One train of thoughts connected with what I saw before my eyes occupied one lobe of my brain a second, fraught with such incalcu- lable importance to my own future, occupied the other. That is if there are only two. Moralizing It could not last long- in the snme ether as that which Mrs Hedger breathed, in spite of her pathetic reminiscences of the departed Adolphus imparted over dinner, and connected with a retrospect of a long roll of Yorkshire puddings. A knock at my door, characteristic ftf the knocker, heavy and plump without being too decided. My dear, what are you doing ? Studying Sunday human natu-e through the win- dow. It is quite different to week-day hnman nature, and not, to my mind, nearly so attractive. Look at that heavy overgrown youth rolling along- with his hands in his pockets, with his'girl,'as he would call her, by his side, dressed in feeble imitation, ill-fitting and loud, of the young ladies of the family. How much better he would carry himself in corduroy and she in print.' My dear, they are as God made 'era Not 0:1 I ÍnteJTupth1. Don't you think you had better come and study your own^ human nature in church? You are like the parable of the beam about which tho preacher spoke this morning.' Mrs Hedger was in the lavender bonnet again and clasped her prayer-book in her left palm, and felt she must rise to the occasion. I failed to recognise either the source or the applica- tion of the allusion but meekly yielded to the sug- gestion. It was quite true I had not been to church that day, the first Sunday I had missed sinco I came under Mrs Hedger's hospitable roof, and that good iady looked upon it as an indubitable proof of backsliding. In a few seconds I was dressed and ready. The evening was cooler. Mrs Hedger and I sallied out together. There was an old-fashioned ring about the service v» .ncu ^vas not displeasing to me in my present restless, dissatisfied frame of mind. The preacher wore a black gown, a garment- of which I should not have approved probably, were it not that it involved memories of my mother and of St. Margaret's Lynn. The pew was high, and I in a secluded corner. Old memories came back to ;ne. The loneliness of my life and the hopelessness of my future swept over me like a flood. I found myself growing very chokey about the throat. Then the welcome tears came once more, and when they had come and gone, I felt comforted. During the final hymn, which was not accompanied by the generally inevitable plate, I composed myself. Then the blessing was pronounced, falling on my senses like dew from heaven on the thirsty ground. Mrs Hedger invited me to supper. She had slept through the sermon, and was therefore un.i ware of my moments of weakness. I accepted her offer. Hardly was the meal begun before Mrs Hedger hastened to satisfy the curiousity which had been burning within her all the afternoon. What did Polly want with you ? She didn't come over here two days running for nothing. I know Polly well enough for that.' Mrs Hedger had just filled her plate with cold beef and pickles. Her attention to the requirements of the platter did not, however, prevent the fixing of two keen grey eyes on my fzi ce, P s she waited for the answer. bhe wanted me to make an engagement for Wed- nesday,' I answered reluctantly, remembering Mrs Hedger's previous reticence on the subject of Polly's second profession. At the Pnmphyllion ?' No.' What then ?' Mrs. Hedger asked in a tone which clearly implied I that she was not to be put off. Neither was I an accomplished diplomatist. She wants me to be painted in a picture with her.' I did not wish it at first, but she persuaded me.' I did not add that I had regretted it ever since. Humph I guessed it was something of that sort. She dodged me going to mrcb. She knew I wouldn't agree to it; so she thoifght she would talk you over first. My advice is. don't go.' I have promised. Besides. I know exactly what is wanted of me and beggars mustn't be choosers, as the old proverb says.' I would rather sweep a crossing.' I am afraid I shouldn't know how.' I W(, my dear, any trade is better than a model's. Pray who is the artist ? I have heard Polly tell of most of 'em. and P. precious rum lot they seem to be.' This painter's name is COlltance. 'Coutanee. Coutanee what ? I don't know. Polly does not know but ahe thinks a great deal of him.' a great deal of him.' Coutanee There's an outlandish name for you. I never heard Polly even mention him. But she's as close asjrax, is Polly, about some things.' I thought of what Polly had poured. so vehemently into my ear about this unknown artist with the mysteri- ous name—No Mrs. Hedger was hardly the ideal confidante for that story. landlady was more excited than I had ever seen I her. Is Polly going witl1 you?' No, shecrmllot; she has a matinee atthePamphyllion. Shejias given me the directions how to find the place.' Mrs Hedger looked blacker than ever. I drew from my pocket the paper and spread it on the p -1 "spiier table. On one side was written simply Miss YvTrottislcy." on the other the words 'Take,the train to Brixton from King's Cross, Metropolitan. At Brixton Station call a cab ami direct the driver to take yon to Ennismere, Sylvia lioad, Clapham Common. If he has any difficulty, the road is the sceoud on the right hand side of the Common, and Ennismere is the fifth house on the left. Coutanee.' Folly it, a, shrewd giri, and I can trust- her any where, but she is the only model I ever knew come to good. I shall go with you. my dear, and see this Coutanee, and l-ow myself tbnt things fle all on the square.' The offer was so kind I could not but accept it. I reflected grimly that Coutanee would take Mrs. Hedger for my mother. The prospect was not pleasing. Some- how Cout tnce's opinion had already come to be of importance to me. Pfo km CaNTi:<rED.*l
M R. SOLOMON ANDREWS AND THE…
s~'» them. E 2 believed they wue I.[¡der the impres- sion they had a right, when they had not. Capt Lewis: You cannot expert to have more I than I got. Mr Andrew. I don't know what yon got, but I know what I've got. He would say once more—if it was theirs he did not want it. Capt Lewis We want to meet you if we can and to consider ttie matter in a kind and conciliatory spirit and, if possible-, arrive at a compromise. The Chairman (cuntianicg) said that some time ago an application was made for a provisional order and a Commissioner it-on the Government caine down to no: 1 the inquiry. There were a number of lawyers present who were not only elever but very bouncing. Mr Andrews: I dare say so (laughter.) The Chairman And they endeavoured to make out that the laud was private property and that I Commoners had no rights to the Common. You can hardly that, in a few words the Com- missioner knocked them down." I Mr J Beil (interrupting from the body of the bail) Who were these great lawyers ? I clid riot I see great- lawyers here ? The Chairman: Mr Morgan, Machynlleth, Mr CorSeld, ?„nd Mr Edwards. This Commissioner from the Government convinced the lawyers in very f°w words that this land was Common land and bad been so from time immemorial. I will read a few words from a letter I have received from a society with which we have been in com- munication The Commons and Foorpaths Pre- servation Socicty. Mr Andrews: I don't want to hear anything from anv society. The Chairman And this is what they say "The land being Common land at the time of the conveyance from the Crown to Mr Arde-i, that gentleman could only have bought the rights of the Common the Commoner's rights would have remained absolutely unaffected. The soil of the Common, no doubt, was vested in the Crown, and they part.ed wirb it, reserving, however, the right to clig for minerals. This in no way interferes with the claim of the inhabitants of Aberdovey to Common rights on the ¡aLO: The Chairmau I suppose you e all that ? Mr Andrews: Yes. The Chairman It is only natural for us to believe what, we have heard and seen from our chitdhood and what has been told us by our fathers and forefathers. The Common rights have been exercised from time immemorial. Yon come here as a stranger to dispute our rights for the firs: time. Mr Andrews: I dispute noiiong. If ft is yours you will have iú. The Chairman Of conrr e, if you prove voer title to it 1 shaii have nothing to >y. You reed not be on- enemy. M- Andrews 1 do not want to he your enemy. I have no eno-mies. I should be. the last to take wh"At, dv-s ]I(,, r Andrews' Manager: do voa want from Mr A 'j'b-ew s ? The Caforman To concede our rights. We don't want tr) < them taken iron; 111;; fcnrbly by any n.* .os, T'.ie Maoa-.e-: What do yen think at;; your right. t The Cmiiraian We bavu » right to fc'.e pasar.-e. to the am face o* the ground, end no one can inter- fere with the surfnoe ci the land without our per- mission or consent in some way or other, aud we con.'daer that it is very d'Scuit to -deal with th.; j land unless with a pr->is'unal orde^, regul;ni,.r: -o> dr. k an ACI cf Parilament. We have exercised our power to play a dwaik on the groaud, aud have- also used as a recveatioi: ground. Thefts tilings are of gi-,al co to a seaside litii Aherdovtsv. Mr Andrews replied that if they had rights the" b>. ri not exercised mem. They allowed people who 1 ltiid. if j they wei e Commoners why did t-h -'V allow7 this kind of thin?.to go on ? the (Jiiai~rr.AU said he believed some persons had been encroac-iuiifj on the tights of 'he Commoners by sending thoir entile Giosies visited the place and camped there. In that respect they had been very lenient. rather roo bind. Mr Andrews: Y Oil have been kind with what lma cost you ui/ti,ing (laughter and applan-e). ] have come here to develoo the place and io m ike it worthy e.f the Ohi Aberdovey" we had heard I ot (applause;. I haro come here to do good, to spend raoiiev, to give employment. If money was '¡'I.'I" 'Idt'J'1o' /1.I_1 .n *>« 11; H1tJUU.l- ic vv uuiu uu t'Vej VO!V • good. Here I come and buy a property, and I ara going to do something there whether you say I shall or not. But if they as Commoners met him and.said they had 'i school, or pouv-thinsr that was werthy of support—he uid not. know what thev }v,d-nJ called upon him to endow it or to give "a c-mple of scholarships in the name of Aberdovey he woutd not mind helping them. A t i, a T) d ,v a not so much to him. He could wear the same coat afterwards (laughter). Captain E Lewis: what we would like to have—a scholarship or two to Aberdovey. Mr Anurews: I should be pleased to help you that- direct-ion; or if you want to get anything for the Army, ard 1 have heard you want to make room for your soldier-, or if they fancied they had a light to the land and withdrew it he was" tre- pajed to do anything that was rigbt. He had boutht the land and paid honestly for it, and he intended to teep it. But if he could do them good in at..y way that they felt that would do the town | good be was prepared to do it. They had y 1 in the town. It was not at present a free ]; ,ry. Ii they said, now look here, give us so much a year rewards the library and so mucli towards scholar- ships, or anything they thought best, to would, consider it, and if be csuld see his way clear to carry them out be would do his best. If they went to law they would have to spend money on both sides, and he would prefer to spend money in that way. It would be a good thing for thsm to under- stand each other. Capt E Lewis hoped Mr Andrews would remem- ber the Golf and the Cricket Club. Mr Andrews I shall frighten you, not with what I shall not give you but with what I shall give you. If they spent L500 in law it would be a great loss to the town. Capt Lewis mentioned a gentleman who once commenced to turn cattle from the Common and 1:8 had ultimately to run away himself very quickl,. r Andrews I shall Lot ran away. If you kill me I shall only die once (laughter). If they took that land from him they would also have to take from the Cambrian Railways Company. Capt Lewis caid the Cambrian Railways Coy hac bought from Mr Soden. Mr Andrews: The same thing as I have done. Capt Lewis By Act of Parliament f Mr A idrews I have thrown out the suggestion the best way I can. If you suggest that you want a scholarship I shall be prepared to give you one under those conditions and not to spend it in law, and if you want a donation for yoar licrary I am piepared to give you one. Capt E Lewis: What about the right of way ? Mr Andrews: It is my intention to make a tramroad through the place. There was not one word in the deed about the road. Mr A Tomlins pointed out that there was a roac going towards Towyn. The Chairman 1 cannot do anything unless Mr Andrews acknowleges our right. Mr Andrews I cannot do that. The Chairman and Mr Andrews then shook hands and the meeting seemed to have come to an abrupt conclusion. Mr Andrews and several of those present however continued to discuss the matter, and Mr Andrews again promised to consider any suggestion from the Common Committee, three weeks being allowed to consider the matter. Mr W Jones, C.C., proposed a vote of tharks to Mr Andrews for meeting them in the spirit he had done. Mr E L Rowlands seconded, expressing a hope that thp, would be able to come to an amicable settlement, and to co-operate together for the good of the town. Mr Andrews acknowledged and the meeting now came to a close.