Papurau Newydd Cymru
Chwiliwch 15 miliwn o erthyglau papurau newydd Cymru
10 erthygl ar y dudalen hon
- - - - -,-.- em BIGHTS KKSKEVID.]…
em BIGHTS KKSKEVID.] THE LADY IN THE BLACK MASK I BY TOM GALLON, "Th? Author Tatterley." "Meg the Lady, 40'n, Great Gay Road, Gee, CHAPTER XrtL I TEX WOLF AT BAY. I t would be difficult to say exactly what bd been in the mind of Morris Loader when ) dispatched that note to Damia. For one ling, the mad desire to set this woman who ad tricked and deceived him, and for whom, ;ven yet, his passion was not dead; and for another, the desire, in some indefinite way, to be revenged upon her. Perhaps also he realised that for him things were closing in, and the end was near. He worked very late at the office; bo II seemed to be clearing up a great many mat- ters of one sort and another. And while he I worked he thought of those men he had seen —outside the building here, and at his cham- bers in KuiLhtsliridge-lounging men who were watching him.. He began to wonder just when one of those men or another would step quickly up to him, and say the one thing he was dreading to hear. Well-the thing was not ended yet; there would be a 10117 fight before any end could be achieved. Last of all, when he had finished work, he I unlocked that drawer in his desk in which Cleiaent had found the key; took out that key, and put it into his pocket, and locked I the drawer again. Then he .put on his hat, and lighted a cigar, and prepared to set out. He had made up his mind to walk with an air of bravado past that man who must be outside, and to take no notice when the man swung round and prepared to follow him. But it was a little disconcerting to find that there was no man lliere. It was late, and the street was empty; he looked to right and to left, as though he could scarcely under- stand it. But for some reason or other the watching had been abandoned. He got a cab, and went home to Knights- bridg k'. He was quite certain in his own mind that he would find a man waiting there; but again there was no one. He went tip the stairs with a lighter heart, emilingi to himself. "They're off on another tack," he muttered as he went. "I wonder what the new game is? His manservant handed him a note, and he tore it open eagerly. It was the note which Damia had written at the suggestioa of Bellamy, confirming the appointment for two o'clock that night. He smiled quietly as he locked the note away; things were going very well for him. After all, he need not have troubled; things always had gone well for him. He went out to his club and dined; he met one or two men there whom he knew, and chatted carelessly with them. Usually he was not a man to talk much with his fellows or give anyone more than a curt nod; but I this evening he even went out of his way to talk to men he scarcely knew. It was said of him afterwards that he seemed strangely excited. It was near to midnight when he went back to his rooms, and found that his manservant had gone to bed He lighted another cigar, and drank one or two stiff sses of whisky-and-soda; then, at the last moment, before sitting down to kill the time .that still remained, he unlocked a drawer in la cabinet, and took out a heavy revolver. He shook out the cartridges, and saw that the thing was in working order; reloaded it. and put it into his pocket. As the clock nointe.d to half-past one he got up, extin- guished the \lights. and went out. It was a fine, clear night, and at that hour ;here were but few people about. It was no -,ei' y great distance to Umber Square, and Loader walked. He came to the mews be- hind the house, and glanced quickly about him to see if by any chance there was any- one watching there; walked quickly along in the shadow of the wall, and let himself in at that back door with his key, closing the door (carefully i,-a-in afternvirds. Meanwhile, in the house itself, Damia. had" been sitting in her room, starting at shadows, watching the little silver clock on the mantelshelf, and wondering what was going to happen. She had been expecting that Bellamy would arrive, but she had seen nothing of him. Surely-he would not be likely to fail her; as much depended on it for him as for anyone else. If only Bellamy were there, as he had promised, she would feel so safe. It was horrible to wait like this through the weary hours, with no one to help her or to support her. She wished over and over again that she had never sent that note at all. A clock in the house boomed out two; but she knew that that clock was invari- ably fast. She had still a minute or two longer; and even then she might wait, per- haps, and put off the meeting a little. And then she heard a movement in the b use. A stealthy movement—just the creaking of a stair that to anyone less watchful would not have been noticeable. She gripped her hands tightly on the arms a-f the chair in which she sat, and felt as though she must scream out. Suppose, after all, she made up her mind to lock her dour, and defy anyone to come in. The man coul<L. not do anything then; be would not dare. He would wait perhaps an hour or so, and the-, go away again. Yet, on the oVher hand, Bellamy would 3urely keep his wOIrl. and the matter could I be done with and seitled to-night. How foolish of her Perhaps it was Bellamy she had heard moving in the house, and he was now in the library. She was fri°ghten- ing herself for nothing. She opened the door of the room, and 'rept out ou to the landing; then began to teal downstairs. It seemed to take a long time for her to get down; and once she almost started and cried out as a clock clobo Ho her struck the true hour. She got to ie door of the library at last, and opened j very slowly, inch by inch; everything was dark within. She -felt round the edge of the doorway, and switched on the light; Tnd then went quietly into the room, and ¡ looked aboiat her. There was no one there. fihe heaved a little sigh of relief, and w.cnt further into the room, leaving the i<or partly open. She did not sit dowa ?e moved restlessly about near the big ?sk in the middle of the room, touching ,Ihe edge of it, and always watching the loor. And now she heard distinctlv that /Movement again in the house-just ? faint ?ootfall. She drew herself upright, and ? ;huddercd, and waited, watching the door. ? It opened very slowly, and eh? could feel ier heart thundering in her breast, while yet she did not see the man. He came in it last, with a ghostly tread on the thick iarpet; he did not speak until he was quite lose to her. He carried his hat in quite his land; and he set it upon the table, and so :tood for a moment or two, looking at her vith a curious smile upon his lips. Well, my dear," he said &t last in a whisper, with his faco scarcely a foot from lers. At last! "I'm glad you've been ab? t? com V j he faltered, thinking with dismay of the alse Bellamy. I "You're not glad at a?; vou'M d?ad- I UIIY afraid," he said. "Ton v.,>v*r ";d I ell the truth, I^smia; I j ing lias always ( .een second nature to you. It used to msM ,.9 once to see how you could dcdc Gund the truth!—it was funny. I usvd to we you for it then, just as I loved you for very thing elft you did. They say that len can be fools over worm \s flete ver a greater fool than I have been, do you hink1 I don't know what you mean," she faneved, kaff in a nk)od tD A ,d away from him, and y4 held by the fas- cination of hia eyes. I've always told the truth to you." He laughed, and suddenly fhrng out his hands and caught her. and drew her close tohim. He kissed her again and again full upon the lips; she struggled a little, but only in a weak fashion, and not with any deliberate intention of getting away from him. When at last he let her go, he thrust her into a chair beside the great desk, and sat on the desk, and so looked down a..her. We've lots of time, and there's quite a great deal I have to say to yOQ-now, for the last time," he said. I think I would do it all again—every bit of it, on your account, Damia; a man such as I am only plays the fool once for the sake of a woman, but he plays it thoroughly. This is a heart to heart talk, my dear, and for once we'll tell the truth without any reserve. Have you seen that husband of yours? "I have told you before, Morris, that I am not married," she began; and then, at the look in his eyes, faltered and began again. "Well, it wasn't my fault. My guardian arranged that I should marry you, and I had to do what he said." "The truth! he cried a little wearily. "You leved me before ever I spoke to Verinder; you told me so. If you changed afterwards, that's another affair, but you know that you love me." "Paul was so insistent; he drove me into it," said Damia poutingly. "I'm always doing things on the spur of the moment like that. "Well, the spur of the moment, as you term it, has cost you pretty dearly, hasn't it?" suggested Loader. "It's been pretty much of a crash all the way round for all of us. Has that husband of yours got any money? She shook her head dismally. "His people wanted him to marry someone else," she said. "There'll be a lot of trouble over that, and he thinks they may not even ack- nowledge me, or have anything to do with me He laughed disagreeably. "That seems a cheerful prospect, doesn't it? You'd better have stuck to me, after all; I've been through quite a lot for you, my dear, and I nearly lost you once." "Nearly lost me?" she asked, bewildered. "Yes. It's been touch and go right along. Look at those hands." He stretched out his hands, palms upwards, towards her, and she looked at them in a dazed fashion. He bent a little nearer to her. "There's blood upon them," he said. She pushed her chair back a little, looking at him with horror; she could not speak. The man went on in a quiet, tense voice, and obviously enjoying her terror. Do you know who killed Daniel Yerinder? Do you know who has been look- ing on, end watching all that has been hap- pening, and seeing the newspapers? Do you know who has stood outside it all and seen them hunt that wretched girl who had no- thing whatever to do with it?" "Don't tell me," she faltered. "Please— please—I don't want to hear! "You've got to hear; that's why we meet to-night. You were always a coward, Damia; you always fought shy of anything that might startle you or frighten you. This time you've got to hear all about it—:here, alone in this dead hour of the night, and in the place where it happened. Because, you see —he thrust his face nearer to hers and laughed—"you can't get away." She watched him now with but one thought in her mind: that he was mad. His rather jjiominent eyes were gleaming, and his breath was coming fast as he talked; his face was quite close to hers as he leaned down over er. "I've got to begin at the beginning. It's all been done for you-every bit of it; I've sold my soul for you, and to-night I stand, beggared and bankrupt for a worthless doll that belongs to another man. When first 1 went to Daniel Verinder and told him that we were in love with each other and that I wtnted to marry you, I think he was the happiest fellow in the wide world. He shook hands with me again and again; he said what a splendid thing it was. Shall I tell you what he said?" She did not speak she simply looked at him and slowly and mechanically nodded her head. "He said you needed someone like myself to look after you; it seems he knew you as well as I did. He said he would make it binding; he would make a will by which all that he had would go to you, 'on the sole condition that you married me. I suppose he thought that you might change your mind. He showed me that will at the time when we were fast friends, and I saw my life clearly set out before me, with love and wealth, and all that I most desired." lie got down from the table, and took a restless turn or two about the room; pre- sently came back to her. She sat crouched together in the chair, staring at him. "Then I did a mad thing. I was ambi- tious, and I wanted to be richer-with riches that should match your own. I had had business deals with Verinder, over and over again; sometimes in partnership with him, and sometimes in the open market against him. We both had keen wits, and we did our best, in a friendly fashion, each to do better than the other. We used to laugh over those deals, and neither of us troubled a bit about fighting each other. And then I saw my chance, and I did a thing—secretly and behind his back—aiming a blow at him that should stab him, with- out his knowing who the assailant was. I had been losing rather heavily, and I wanted money this was to be one final coup that should make me rich at one stroke." He took out his handkerchief, and wiped the palms of his hands and his forehead he stood silent for a moment, listening as though for some noise in the house. Ap- parently satisfied, he went on again. "I came within touch of the law, if they had found it out it was forgery. Things like that you wouldn't understand. Verin- der found it out, and got hold of the papers that could ruin me. More than that, we had one last interview, and he told me what he meant to do. He would go home that night, and would prepare a new will, with a new clause in it. That will should sternly forbid you to marry me, under the penalty of losing all you had; that will would set forth what my crime had been. It was with that final threat that he left me." A clock somewhere in the house chimed, and from somewhere near at hand a dog barked. Damia, watching the man, thought of Bellamy, and wondered wb&n he would come, or what had kept him away. "I was mad that night; I didn't know what to do. I knew he would keep his word; and I loved you, and dared not lose you. I had arranged to go to the theatre with some friends, and while I was there I saw a scene on the stage that told me instantly what I could do. I got away from the theatre, and I camo back to this house, I half made up my mind to ring boldly and ask for him, and make a final appeal to him. I wpnt back to my rooms, and- I got from there a. Swedish knife- the sort of thing that folds up into 1 handle. I didn't quite know what doing; I came back to the house, arj I ^eot round to the mews. While I was wait- ing about there the back doo- was opened, and that col1tion of yours, Miss Tring- b"?', came oat, and W!Jkc? a>\ .y. That was so^otrt -no o'clock in the morning." "It --rafalt Ruth," sue faltered. "It was I—iu her dnes&. I went out to try and find my husbaasd; I h&dn't seen hila since we I -r, married." "Not yon?" kc aske^ amtzed. "Well- we can talk about that presently," he wenL on impatiAintb,. "'t oceurred to me that perhaps the door kad been left open, if the girl had «t^aked out like that; I went and tried it. I aot in, alid kept still for a long time; then I went to th.e library. I opened the door (jwkrtlj, aDd looked in he was sit- ting with hie back to the door, and he did not hear me. It was the click of the knife as I opened it that startled him; but I was upon him before he eould rise. I struck him twice at the back of the neck, just as I had seen the man do in the play. And he went down—and lay stilL" She was swaying a little in her cha.i1;. with her eyes half closed; it seemed as if she must faint. The man's voice went on inexorably. "I hunted among the papers, but I couldn't find anything. Then I got fright- ened, and I shut up the knife, and took it wrQb me out of the house. I knew I'd got to^^w seen by people who knew me; I went straight off to Lady Woodmason. On the way, from the window of the taxicab I threw the knife over a. wall on to some waste land. I got to 1fu..e bun-and that's the end of it." There was a ghostly silenoe in the room as the man finished his confession. Damia had stirred a little, and had put out her hands as if to stop him once or twice. He was looking at her with a curious, cynical look I upon his face; "I couldn't get the papers, and I was wor- ried about that. When I came the next day II and heard all the talk about the murder, it occurred to me that I might be able to get in again. I managed to get to that back door, and to take the key out; I carried it away with me. Then, about one o'clock in the morning, I crept in; and just as I was hunting through the papers that girl Tringham came down and surprised me. Even then I managed to get away, and no one would ever have suspected me, or would ever have known. You—little fool that you are—have spoilt the game for yourself and for me. Verinder hadn't had time to make a fresh will; you would have had the money, and I should have had you What a business you've made of it all." "What are you going to do about it? N she asked. "No one will  to do about it? sho asked. "No one will know—and I suppose you'll get away. I didn't 'mean to do any harm; I never meant to hurt anybody. After all, I shall suffer-and I've suffered a great deal already." "You?. You don't know what suffering means," he exclaimed. "You're just a cold- bloodted, selfish little beast that likes to lie soft in cottonwool and keep out of trouble. I came here to-night meaning to kill you. Do you see this? He drew the revolver from his pocket and held it pointed at her. She crouched down in the chair, looking at him with wide eyes of terror; he laughed as he let the revolvei swing to and fro in his hand. "But you're not worth it. You're wdb a mean and pitiful thing that I'm going to let you alone. And through all your life you can go with that knowledge: that the little white lies you told and the bigger black lies afterwards have been no good to you, and that in the end you've loet. Now I'm going out the way I came; because I know you won't dare to say a word about me, and I know that no one else is likely t. suspect me. Have you anything to say? There was a rattle of curtain rings at the end of the room as the curtain over an al- cove was smartly twisted back; and Bellamy stood there, looking at the man. Damia, as much surprised as Loader, made a little frightened scurry to the other end of the room, and crouched against the wall; Loader drew back, with the revolver held in hit grip, and watching Bellamy. "Mr. Loader-the game's up," said Bel- lamy sharply, with a movement towards the pocket of his coat. "I am armed, and I'm not here to stand any nonsense. I merely wanted to know how you got into this house; and I've been lucky enough to hear more than I bargained for. Drop your weapon; the game is up, I tell you. Loader stood there against the wall of the room, and looked quickly about, him; then, as Bellamy took a step towards him, he swung the revolver straight, and turned like lightning towards the girl. Sold me—have you ? he cried. And fixed straight at her. Without even a cry she went down like a mere crumpled heap of garments. Bellamy sprang forward, but Loader, with a laugh, backed away, and turned the weapon on him- self. There was a second loud report, and Loader reeled', and dropped the revolver; and fell headlong, and lay still. < It has to be recorded that Damia did not die. She was certainly very badly wounded, and lav for a long time in danger, with ample opportunity to think about things and perhaps to come to some new conclusions re- garding them. The story of that dramatic suicide, in the very room in which the mur- der had been committed, was duly told, and proved to be something more than a mere nine days' wonder. In fact, Ruth Tringham was in danger of becoming almost a heroine. But a certain young man, who had occu- pi-ed the position of confidential secretary te Mr. Morris Loader, suddenly found him- self in the unpleasant position of having nothing to do. That position is always particularly unpleasant in a big city; and poor Clement vexed his mind and wore out the soles of his boots by hunting in vain for some situation, of any sort, that might be likely to bring any grist to his par- ticular mill. He hated the thought of Ruth having to work; and yet that is what it ultimately came to, for she hadto fill an uninteresting situation as a nursery gover- ness in order to provide for herself. And all this time there hovered over them the shadow of Lady Woodmason. Lady Woodmason once or twice climbed the stairs of Pomeroy Buildings, Holborn, arriving, scant of breath, at the top, to demand that Clement should accept assistance from her, or that the girl should at all events give up being a nursery governess and come into Lady Woodmason's Tlouse. "Don't I tell you that rm a lonely woman, and that I'm getting old?" she pleaded. "There isn't a soul in the world that cares a snap of the fingers about me; and I care very much for the pair of you." No arguments moving them, the old lady finally went away, in something of a temper, roundly declaring that they were a pair of obstinate young fools, and that she would have nothing more to do with them. And still matters did not mend, and Clement had got to the point of wondering desper- ately what was going to happen to him, and was saying as much to Ruth one even- ing, when a dapper young man climbed the stairs leading to Clement's reoms, and knocked at the door. The dapper young man announced himsolf as the junior partner in a firm of solicitors who had long acted for Lady Woodmason. Most regretfully, the young man informed them that Lady Woodmason had been dis- covered that morning by her maid appa- rently lying quietly asleep; but she -< a? dead. And she had left the wh1e of her for.L})oC, wítllOut restrictions of any kind, to Cieiai^t 2'ngie-toii •?«) ^"rirtf^am. on the ejmttftieo that they were marriod to each other within one calendar njonth. "Oh, I'm sorry exclaimed Ruth, with tears in her "Sciry?" noma" led the ywvr solicitor in as to niskine n v. "Of course I'm sorry," said Iluth irdi^- nantH. "She was the ? t &i?nd 1 ever b?d." TSJs i^MD.
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Our Poultry Column. I DRESSING FOR SHOW. Few men would think of going out for the day without dzessopg up and having a wash, and the same idea could be applied to the fowl, because when it is sent out, you want it to look the best. Of course, training is an essential part of the work, for no matter how well a bird may be dressed, it will stand no chance if the judge cannot get a good look at. it. Some birds are naturally nervous, like the Leghorn and Cam pine, hence require more care in the preparation, while the Wyandotte or Orpington will, as a rule, be quiet right from the chicken stages and not need mudlS training. When these birds are put in a pen and fed a few times with any special bits, they soon settle down and will stand quiet when anyone goes by, and this is what you want to attract the attention of the judge, for if he has a big day's work he cannot spend much time over fractions birds. One very necessary point is to see that the bird is clean, for though dark co loured fowl may not seem dirty, it often is covered with dust which does not show until closely ex- amined or put into a pen along side of another which is clean. Naturally all white birds must be washed, for though they look clean and nice at home, it is the purity of others which show up the faults. Why, even the pen, however clean it may be, will often dirty the plumage of a white fowl, so that no matter how careful anyone is, it will be necessary to wash before each time of show- ing. All birds are better after the wash, for it helps the feather to fluff out and makes the bird look larger than w hat it really is, and yet this is quite legitimate dress ing and not faking. Before starting on, the job get all the water ready and put out in the pans or tubs, whichever you use. I have seen earthenware baths used, but they are not necessary, and ouly a luxury which few can afford. A vessel large enough will do, but do not use anything in the water which would injure the pan, nor yet cause trouble to the* plumage. At least three pans should be used, the first one for washing, and the other two for rinsing, each a little cooler than the other, without having the lastquite cold. You must not use any water too hot, but when put out in the pan add the soap to make a good lather, because you must not put any soap directly on the feather. Almost any pure soap will do, though some folk use a white curd soap, and others Lux, and this last will be found very good, as it moves the dirt quickly. When the bird has been washed a few times it will stand quite still in the water, but all young ones must be handled carefully so that the feathers are not pulled out or broken. Remember that the bird must be soaked all over and right down to the skin, which can be done by holding the bird on its side and almost laying it down in the water, unless the I vessel is deep enough to allow it to stand upright. The water can come well up the neck, but not, of course, over the head, though this can be washed all under the one trouble. Should the bird be very dirty, allow the feathers to soak well, and then use a sponge, starting on the back and rub the feathers all the same way of the growth, then you cannot get wrong. If only ordinary dirt this should soon move it, but before taking the bird out make sure that it is clean. Though not a good thing, a little soda will help to move the dirt, but too much takes off the lustre, and this is a valuable asset in the show pen. For all white birds the rinse waters should have a little blue in them, but only just co loured and then only soft water must be used, or the blue will curdle and settle in the feather, making the bird patchy. Some folk get an idea that there is something in washing, which a novice cannot find out, and things put in the water which are a secret. But this is a false idea. Many things are tried, but not with success, and the great secret is to get all the dirt out and then get all the soap out. Uuless the soap is taken out the feather will not web out properly, and looks shrivelled up, but though too much heat m drying will cause -it, it is nearly always the result of soap being left in the feather.
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,'LLANDOVERY,. FREEHOLD PROPERTY.…
,'LLANDOVERY,. FREEHOLD PROPERTY. Messre. Jno. Davies and Co., Auctioneers, of Llandovery, Llangadock, and Llandilo, disposed for 1800, to the Llandovery Co- operative Society, on Friday, a commodious freehold dwelling and garden, situated in High Street, Llandovery, known as Plasy- dderwen, for many years the residence of the late Councillor J. R. Price, and subsequently of his daughter, the late Miss M. L. Price, who up to the time of her demise, was head- mistress of the Llandovery dual County School.
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Presentation to Mr. Jim Griffiths.…
Presentation to Mr. Jim Griffiths. I I A HEARTY SEND OFF. At the Y.M.C.A., Ammanford on Wed- nesday evening week, a splendid audience gathered together to pay tribute to Mr. Jim ? Gi'a'.hs, who is leaving for the Central Labour College, London, having recenly won a two years' scholarship thereat. During the period of his activities the Trades and Labour Council, of whic.11 body he was secretary, has flourished. Credit is more so due to Mr. Griffiths in view of the fact that he is one or the village mining boys. Mr. D. J. Edwards, chairman of the Trades and Labour Council, presided. At the outset, the secretary, Mr. Jack Rainford, read a letter from Mr. John James, Miners' Agent, conveying congratu- lations to Mr. Griffiths upon his fine achieve- ment. He (Mr. James) regretted his inability to be present, owing to having been called away on urgent business at Cardiff. He wished the meeting every success. The chairman, in his opening remarks, said that they had met together to pay tribute to one of their colleagues. During the many years he had been closely associated with Jim" in his work as secretary to the Trades Council, and now it was a great pleasure for him (the chairman) to congratulate Mr. Griffiths on his success. He had always found him a steady and energetic worker in the Labour movement. Mr. Tom Dafen Williams, the chairman of the Council, was next called upon to make the presentation which consisted of a wallet of treasury notes 'and a fountain pen. The speaker said that 10 years ago, when he first came to Amman ford the first comrade that he found was Jim Griffiths. Although at the time they were strangers to each other, the friendship grew, and had lasted to this very day. He desired to convey on behalf of the Trades Council their sincere good wishes for the future success of their comrade. The sgeaker humorously remarked when, handing over the fountain pen that Jim Griffiths had proved the truth of the old proverb "that the pen is mightier than the sword." Mr. John Harries (Irlwyn) said that he had watched the upward progress made by Mr. Griffiths, and he admitted that .it was a pleasant surprise to him when he found that one of the Bettws boys had come out almost on top of the many candidates for admission into the Labour College. He wished him every success in the course of his studies, adding "I fyny." At this juncture several congratulatory verses were read by Mr. Harries, and loudly applauded. Mr. D. B. Lewis, the vice-chairman, in a few well- spoken remarks, outlined the excellent services rendered by the recipient to the labour cause. Mr. Sam Waters testified as a strong believer in the Labour cause, and as one who had worked shoulder to shoulder with Mr. Griffiths, that they had not always seen "eye to eye." They had, however, decided to sink their differences of opinions, and to work for the attainment of the cause. He was proud to associate himself with all the good things that had been said. Mr. David George, the Labour nominee for the County Council vacancy, said that he was highly pleased when he heard the report of the examiners. He could—having known Jim Griffiths for the past 15 years—predict a brilliant future for him. He would be watch- ing his efforts until the top of the ladder of success had been reached. Mr. Cohen, draper, wished Mr. Griffiths health and prosperity in the future. He had always found him one of the keenest of students on Labour questions. Mr. Dai Price, Tycroes, described Mr. Griffiths as an old chum of many years' standing, and expressed his regret on the departure of a comrade. At the same time, he knew that the next two years would be for the benefit of the Labour movement in general, and Ammanford in particular. Several other speakers had expressed their feelings and of their desire to publicly acknowledge the good work rendered) by Mr. Griffiths, but time would not permit. Mr. Jim Griffiths, in replying, received a rousing reception, and said that he could not adequately express his appreciation and thanks for all the goodness meted out to him. It was inspiring at times to realise that deep down in the hearts of the people there was admiration for one who had stood for the great principles of Labour. He confessed that many mistakes had been made, many wrong impressions created, much condemnation and misunderstanding happened, but through it all he felt that night they understood each other. He claimed that his motives had always been of the highest. He had fought many battles—literary and verbally-and always with a clean hand and clear con- science. The work of secretary to the Trades and Labour Council had been a pleasure to him, and he had been blessed with a good helper and sympathetic half. He referred to his wife, who had always been prepared to assist in the good work. He was proud to pay a tribute to her and to mention her good qualities. That evening's gathering would serve to stimulate him to greater efforts, and that the Miners' Federation would feel proud of having sent their sons to study the pressing industrial problems and the ultimate emanci- pation of the workers. Although unable to usfficiently express his thankfulness, he could only ask them to accept the native idiom, Chwi wyddoch beth ddywed fy nghalon." Mrs. Griffiths also spoke. A musical programme followed, to which the following well-known artistes contri- buted:—Mr. Sam Thomas, Bettws (solo) Mr. T. Gibbon Davies (recitation) Miss Jenny Griffiths, R.A.M. (solo, Mother Machree "). A beautiful selection on the violin by Mr. T. J. Bowen, Bettws, was encored. Responding, he played that intricate and delicate composition "The Boat Song." The performance on the whole was superb, at the same time bearing in mind that he is following his daily vocation as a miner, with no opportunity to protect his hands from rough usage. He should be encouraged. The popular comedian, Mr. Jack (Pleasant) Williams caused much amusement with his several comic stunts. He had to respond to an encore. Mr. Geo. 1. Thomas, L.L.C.M., was the accompanist. The usual vote of thanks were accorded, and the meeting was brought to a closø by the singing of "For he' s a jollv gcod fellow, followed by three rousing cheers.
Amman* Valley School . Managers.
Amman* Valley School Managers. The Rev. L. Berian James presided over the monthly meeting of this body held on Thursday afternoon last. OVERCROWDING. The Headmistress of the AmmanloTcl,, In- fants reported overcrowding at the school. The accommodation was only for 300, whilst the average attendance was 390. She sug- gested that the Drill Hall be procured for the holding of some of the classes. The number of scholars was increasing daily. Mr. D. Gabe said that he had visited the school the previous day, and found as many as four scholars seated in desks which only provided for two. The present conditions were very uncomfortable, and handicapped the teachers. It was decided to adopt the recammendation of the headmistress (Miss Painter) to suggest to the County Authority that the Drill Hall be procured, and also that their attention be drawn to the overcrowding. INCREASES. The County Authority wrote sanctioning the increases of £ 20 recommended to the cleaners at the Saron and Nantygroes Sshools; the in- creases to include cost of material to be pro- vided by them. SILVER MEDALISTS. The Education Committee approved of an award of silver medals for regular attendance to Howell Williams, Ammanford School, David Hopkin Thomas and David Henry Davies, Garnant, and Daniel Harries, Glan- amman. THE MISSING REGISTER. The Clerk announced that the missing Ystradowen Mining School register had been found. He had been requested to ascertain the circumstances under which it had been found. VERIFCATION. J The local managers were asked to verify the records of the students at the local schools and the headmistress had been instruched to keep these records. SUGGESTED NEW SCHOOL AT I PENYBANK. An pp licat*lon was received for the need of 4Wew desks at the PaTkyrhyn school, to provide accommodation for the daily increasing number of children. Mr. T. B. Lewis said that the only way to abate the overcrowding was to erect a new school at Penybank. He added that the surrounding villages were being deprived of village life and the chil- dren being driven a long way to the more important centres for their schooling. The chairman said that the best way out of the diffculty would be to call a meeting of the parents and ratepayers at Penybank, and in the event of an unanimous decision in favour of a new school, he had no doubt but that the Managers would support it. THE TYCROES AGITATION. The question of the inclusion of the Ty- croes Ward in the Llanelly County School district was again discussed. A member said that it was an injustice to the children that they were compelled to travel to Llanelly for their secondary educa- tion when Ammanford could be reached within half an hour's time. The expense was also a matter for the consideration of the authorities. The chairman said that the matter had been discussed time after time and they had tried their utmost to get an alteration., Mr. T. Parry Jones said that there was nothing like a continuous bombardment at the door of the County Education Committee. They would have to keep knocking. Every- thing geographically tended towards Amman ford, and it was an injustice to the Ty- craes children to impose upon them the additional expense and burden. Mr. D. Thomas said that in the upper part of the district there were no facilities what- soever for secondary education, inasmuch that there were no conveniences to attend the school. He mentioned that two pupils had obtained free places at Ammanford, but in order to reach school in time would be compelled to start from home at 6.15 a.m., which., was ridiculous, and dangerous to the health of the children during the bleak winter months. A train pased through Cwmllynfell at 7.30 a.m., but did not stop to pick up. pasengers. The Clerk said that the question was already under consideration. The Chairman: It is a question of railway facilities. Mr. D. Thomas: In the past it has been put down as a question of railways. Mr. R. Matthews suggested that it would be advisable for the people in that district to join the Glamorganshire or Breconshire Authority. It was decided to urge the Education Com- mitee to take up the matter strongly with the Board of Education regarding the Tycroes agitation. Failing satisfaction, it was recom- mended as an alternative that the train fares of the scholarf, be paid from Tycroes to Lian- t-lly. With reference to the Ystradcwcn griev- ance, it was carried that representations be made to the railway company. v VARIA. When an application was made for a bucket for he use of the Nantygroes School, one of th" members said it wa beautifui school and kept like a gentleman's palace. A transfer of 30 additiol al children to the same school was mentioned. The school had been built to accommodate 160 children. Several requests were made by headmaster for an addition to their staff. In oncoinstarce, it was pointed out that, due to the shortage of staff, no time could be given to the pre- paration of scholarship candidates. Miss Lewis, Sunny Bank, Glanamman, was appointed caretaker of the school thereat. With reference to the Managers' decision in the case of a complaint preferred by a Pantyffvnnon parent against the teaching staff of the Parcyrhun Infants School, it was men- tioned by Mr. Evan Evans that the man was waiting outside and was desirous of being heard. The Chairman said that he had received a letter, and he had suggested to Mr. Pugh that it would be best that he confer with the local Managers of the school and the head-teacher. The members approved of the action of the Chairman, who remarked that it did not pre- vent him from bringing the matter on again. Mr. T. Parry Jones: If he is not satisfied with the decision of the local Managers,' he has the right to appeal to us. The matter theen dropped. The Chairman said that they were pleased to notice the elevation of Messrs. Evan Evans, Temple Hill, and Thomas Morgan, Bryncwar, to the position of J.P. for the county. Several members concurred in con- gratulating them, and both gentlemen acknow- ledged.
Llandovery Police Court.
Llandovery Police Court. Friday..L..Before Aldermen C. P. Lewis .and T. Watkins (Deputy Mayor), and Messrs. Dl. Jones (Mayor) and Dd. Davies, Rhyblid. A BATCH OF THIEVES. Jno. Richards, described as a labourer, who relieves the monotony of existence by frequently changing the scenes of his employ- ment, was charged with stealing a bicycle. John Jones, a coal miner, residing at Fair- field, Rhosamman. deposed that he called at 10.10 on the night of the 2nd of August at the Three Horse Shoes Inn, Pontarllechau, near Llangadock, leaving his bicycle, which he valued at £5 outside. He saw the person who left before him inside. On his going out in about 15 minutes he missed the machine, and enquiry elicited that the prisoner had been seen with it going in the direction of Llan- ddeusant. After fruitlessly following in his wake he informed. the police. Prisoner, so far as he could make out, was not drunk. P.C. Jones, Penderyn, said on the 11th of August, in consequence of what he had been told, he visited Glynmercher Farm, Pont- Neath-Vaughan, where he found the machine in the possession of a person who had pur- chased it from prisoner. P.C. Reynolds, Llangadock, deposed to receiving prisoner from the custody of the Brecon Police. He cautioned and charged him. He replied "I stole it, I was drunk at the time, and I wanted to get rid of it so I sold it for 25s." The chairman said it was rather too bad that a man could not leave his bicycle outside without running the risk of having it stolen. He was too fond of the drink and did not take care of himself.. The bench thought they were dealing leniently with him in sending him down for a month. Jotn Whitaker, alias Thomas Davies, an ex-soldier, who appeared in court wearing a service decoration, pleaded guilty to stealing a gold watch and chain with sidver crucifix, valued at £13, and 10s. "Bradbury," the former the property of Mr. Arthur James, Tonteg Villa, Llandovery, and the latter the property of a lodger. Mrs. Jemima James said another lodger brought the prisoner to Tonteg on the 11th of August. Prisoner said he was going to work for Mr. Jones, Timber Merchant, Llandilo, and paid wnthout being asked 25s. for board and lodgings for the week, washing included. He went shopping that afternoon, and on Tuesday morning said he was going to work, and took food with him. He did so daily until Thursday, when he said he was going to Llandilofor his box. He returned that evening and said he was going down Friday again. On Friday he left and did not re=. Prisoner occupied the back dining room, where amongst other things the watch and chain were kept in a waistcoat on the chair. Prisoner was often in the room by himself- She subsequently missed the articles mentioned. Mr. Arthur James said that in company of Deputy-Chief Constable Evans he visited Carmarthen prison on the 26th of August at mid-day and identified the prisoner from amongst others. Benjamin Reece, Llanelwydd, Radnorshire, said he gave the prisoner, whom he met at Llandovery, 10s. on the watch and chain and the crucifix. Prisoner told him that he was going to get his pension that morning. Questioned by the Deputy-Chief Constable, witness said he also received from prisoner a pair of leggings and a pair of old shoes, of which he only informed the police on the previous night. Nobody had asked him about them before. The chairman asked witnes if he did not think it a strange thing that the prisoner should sell him articles of this description for' 10s. Men of his kind encouraged men of the type of prisoner. Probably had no enquiries been made he would have said nothing about being in possesion of these articles. P.S. Deans said that he charged the prisoner that morning, and he admitted the thefts. Evan Thomas Davies, a fellow lodger of prisoner at Tcnteg Villa, who occupied the same bedroor,1,deposed to missing the treasury it" L .0 from his pocket which he had left in the room. Deputy-Chief C^nctphle Fyans 'said that the pr.isoher at present siuod comr itted at the Or—ions on a charge of souse-break ing at Abeigwili, and the police were investigating the cae of a bicycle theft from Liandcverj "c&ily-^y SUitio". The Beach expressed regret at see in j a man who hav SF 1;3 cruntiy as a soldier • Front in ttus pos,.ion. They were ^n'citly with him by committing him to two months on the first charge and one month on the second, both sentences to rua concurrently.
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