Papurau Newydd Cymru
Chwiliwch 15 miliwn o erthyglau papurau newydd Cymru
13 erthygl ar y dudalen hon
t")[ALL RIGHTS RESURVED,]…
t" ) [ALL RIGHTS RESURVED, ] FLYN O' THE HILL ffl or, THE LITTLE WHITE WITCH (M ? By MADGE BARLOW, IUJ /?\ Author of Crag Cormac," "The Cairn of the Badger," &c. /?\ CHAPTER II (Continued). THE MAN WITH THE CROOKED MOUTH. "After me if you please, Mr. Bamfylde," he said. Our stewards are-n't permitted the freedom of the Hill, but when you're in you'r-£ in, and we needn't gab about it." He spread an excellent cold supper before Eric. "And when, yoi've finished," he said autocratically, "I'll show you to a bedroom my missus is now preparing. If you require anything else don't ring. I'll wait in the hall." "I hope you won't inconvenience yourself on my account." I won't." was the disconcerting reply. The' candid Jaffe retreated, and (bounced in again at the sound of a ciitir being pushed back from dhe table. The Piglit of a cigar-case incensed him. "A sineTl of smoke would annoy and alarm the mistress," he protested, and Eric, who had thought oi Macara as a bachelor, was gratified to heai such proof to the contrary. He suggested that he might indulge in a whiff out 1 of doors, and Jaffe explained that it couldn't be done owing to the early locking up. He had no choice but to mount the stairs and forget his woes in sleep. They tiptoed to the second landing, and Altered a bedchamber quaintly upholstered i old-fashioned chintz, with creamy frieze above oal- pirolliiig, a few ilkins on the polished floor, and a wood fire crackling on a Dutch-tiled hearth. A couple of wax-lights in antique copper candlesticks stood on the mantelpiece, and through the open window stol e the a brier scent. Eric frankly admired the room, and at once Jaffe's prim features relaxed, encouraging the steward to hazard a second remark. "You have been in the Army. One can't mistake the old soldier." J ffe's heels clicked together. "I served in England under Captain Farrell, after. wards of the Poona Horse," he replied pom- waris of tLe poolia l l s e, "\Vas the Captain's Christian name 'v' ? st l il *e Capti i ,.l's i-?e eager, in- Harry? Eric asked, and the eager, in- terested note in his voice brought a wary look to the ex-soldier's eye. A wooden shutter seemed to be urawm over his counte- nance. He said impassively: "No, it was Lancelot." "Is he lying? pondered Eric. "And why the .mischief should he? I'm not jbothcrcd about the Captain. He's Uncle Gid's con- cern, and Uncle can do his own detective work." "Them Darkingtons must be ctose as weasels with each, other," mumbled the ser- vant, elippmig softly downstairs. "They've told him nothing, and precious little that handsome wastrel will learn from me." Eric generally wont to bed at daybreak, and the absurdity of expecting him to re- tire at ten o'clock amused him. He roamed about the room. Going- to the window he pulled the chintz curtains apart and dis- covered a small iron balcony outside. Eureka! He extinguished the candles, stepped on to it (the window opened on hinges) and smoked contentedly in the pure hill air, finding that a mixture of starlight rirl ,swe?fbrier odour induced rabid seniti- i;:3ntality. His cigar had long been c.shes, and lie was smothering yawns of sheer boredom when the click of the hall door made him lean across the low hand-rail. That gentle click ,ter, ,,?ss h e low hir d -r, had a secretive sound A girl or woman stood below, wearing the blue peasant cloak popular in the South, its ample folds and flopping hood completely hiding her form and features, but the form wau certainly not Mrs. JalTe's. She cast a furtive glance around, gathered the hood close, and tripped down th-e avenue. Lore of adventure, and a suspicion that the braggart of the stile might be prowling about, tempted him to shadow her unknown to Jaffe. To think was to act. He swung ever the balcony, and gripping the thick ivy stem slid rapidly several feet-tore his hands—fell, dragging the ivy with him- and bumped on the groand most un- romanticaliy. He had sprained his ankle and ended his knightly quest ere it was .well begun. He was concocting a plausible tale for Jaffe when that worthy popped his head out of the chintz chamber casement and gave vent to a subdued howl. By the tares of war, what's this? You'll bring the Ihousc around our ears next, you long-legged jackass, to lean on a midget rail and expect to keep your balance. If your spinel not smashed thank Providence you grabbed hold of the ivy. Dear-a-dear, the mess you've made "How lucky that you went up to tuck mo into bed," chuckled Eric. "To ask what hour you'd like your break- fast, Mr. Bamfylde, or sure as death you'd have lain there till mornin', and serve you right. "You might be more sympathetic," as Jaffe emerged by way of the door and rudely lifted and examined his ankle. "Men who behave like kids should be treated as such," was the sour response, but JafTe's face was kinder than his speech, per- haps because he thought it a pity that so comely and gay-spirited a young giant should be kin to my lord Darkington. "If the sprain's your only injury, I'll get ycu upstairs in a jiffy," quoth he. Eric determined that wild horses should not drag him upstairs, where he would be virtually a prisoner, so he collapsed artfully i the hall, and Jaffe had perforce to run to the kitchen for water. He was stuping the swelling with ehrky hands to an accompani- ment of low muttering, when the front door opened and the cloaked woman glided in. Eric reddened, conscious that he cut a ludicrous figure with one leg of his trousers buckled up and his bare foot in a basin. J& s?. pI)aclc on his heels and stared r.rLi&oOdiy. 'i- gv "The mistress he ejaculated. It And have you never seen the mistress hdore 1" she asked pertly. "Out!" he gasped. And the clock gone e ieveji. "What if it were gone twelve? I can take care of myself." » "Not when some folks are about." "I wanted to show you I wasn't afraid— to sort of trail my cloak up and down the road and defy him to tread on the tail of it. I'm free, free as air, raid no man shall cow me. I need never be afraid again of- Then she stopped, seeing Eric, whom in her pretty, flunked excitement she had not noticed. Jaffe answered the dismayed ques- tion in her face, his tone sulky. "This is Mr. Andy Bamfylde, come sooner than he was wanted, and a cool customer. Off the doorstep that man wouldn't budge. IV, c had to give him a bed, and, instead of going to it, out he traipses to the light bal- cony, and over it he tumbles, neck and crop. I doubt he's a fixture, for walk on that leg he Won't inside a fortnight." Her wind-tossed hair was cloudy black. her complexion a clear, healthy ivory. She had an adorable little chin, a short, straight iiose, ornamented on the right side by three freckles, and lips that carved deliciously when they parted in smiles. Her height was below the medium, and her shape slender. "You don't resemble your cousin Horace," die said, intently scanning him. She ordered Jaffe to prepare a room en the ground floor, off the summer parlour, for Mr. Bamfykle; and when they were alone her manner changed to an austere civility a3 sudden as it was confusing. "I heard the clamour you raised outside, and knew you were admitted. It wa6"—she hesitated—"scarcely respectful to me." "Is your father, or perhaps your husband, Mr. Flvn Macara, not at home? asked Eric,' growing warm. "I am alone in the houee, except for the 62rvants." "I beg a thousand pardons." She looked long at him, her chin in her palm, and her grey eyco frankly questioning. "I was wondering whether Sylvia had made a mistake when she said you were coming to the Hill as Lord Darkington's willing tool. You don't seem the kind of man who would be anybody's tool. I believe you are ignorant of your cousin's scheme, both the simple surface part and the puzzling part which lies beneath the surface and is beyond my probing." "I honestly assure you I am unaware of any scheme," he replied earnestly. "And I've said I believe that. We might DO good friends, you and I, but only on the understanding that neither of us will help to play his lordship's game." l "What is it? You should tell me. I may blunder, you see, and unless I'm warned be- forehand you couldn't blame me if I did." "He sent you here to marry me. He told his wife you had consented, after much grumbling, 11 to sacrifice yourself just to please him." The ridicule of her eyes bit into unhappy Eric. "Marry you!" he exclaimed. "How could ,? "I .rry you!" be exel, I? You are-vou are-- Her next words staggered him. An unfortunate orphan. Mr. Bamfylde— fatherless, brotherless, husbandless, none other than your employer. Flyn Macara." "And the little white witch," he added under his breath. I CHAPTER III. I TIIE SPITEFULNESS OF AUNT TOO-TOO, AND I OTHERS. 1 A week later Flyn talked business while Eric reclined on a sofa in sybaritic ease. "To-morrow," said she, "you'll be able to muddle through the account books. I've no head for figures, and my previous stewards hadn't either. Maybe you'll bring the luck back to the Hill. Darkington wrote that you had had practical experience of farming in South Africa." Eric's heart sank into his boots. The one thing he and Andy had completely ignored was their utter unfitness for the post. lie silently invoked a blight on Darking- ton for his lies and reservations. "See here," he cried fervently, "I'll work for you till I drop, and where I blunder I'll make the loss good. You shan't be a loser through me, I swear. Shake hands on it." She gave him her hand, laughing a trifle nervously. And if I can be of service to you as a special and particular friend, don't hesitate to make use of me, Miss Macara." "Why should you imagine I require a special friend?" He couldn't say, "Because I've found out you are in Culsheen's black books, and re- garded as a suspicious character," so he answered: We all do betimes. Let me be yours." I hope you will not exert yourself too much at first," she said, with a gravity that caused him to feel warm all over. I'll assist you to-morrow. The Mallards are calling this evening, and, of course, Mickey Keene and a few nobodies, and if vou don't mind we'll come into your summer parlour as usual. It's our largest apartment, and it permits Aunt Too-Too Mallard to watch the passers-by on the Hill road." Eric grimaced, and wished Aunt Too-Too could be everlastingly consigned to Timbuc- l too along with a few other la-dies from whom J- he had heard a great deal in a week, but he begged Flyn' to come to the parlour and de- liver him early from the clutches of Miss. Mallard. J A letter Cheveral had written to Andy the day before may account for his eager desire ( to befriend Miss Macara. He wrote in a white heat of enthusiasm. I've scolded you sufficiently for the trick you played on me," he began, so we'll drop that matter for a season, aJtd pick up this deludeping Flyn where we laid licr down. She's'a busy. little creature, trotting round the place from morn till e"e, neglect- ing me shamefully, and betimes repenting and coming to ask how the ankle progresses. She tries to be prim and proper during her visits, but spite of precautions the child in her breaks out, and we wax merry. She's owcr young, Andy, to he alone, and the treatment some of the Culsheen ladies deal out to her Bets my blood boiling. There are a few gracious neighbourly souls in our vicinity, of whom the curate, Mickey Keene, is king md chief. Judging by externals you wouldn't bid three- ha'pence for Mickey at an auction, but the heart of him is worth untold gold. His reverend head, Samuel Mallard, D.D., is a father to Flyn, and pets her as much as his spinster sister will permit. He has two daughters, Cathy and Ella. Ella is fifteen and a. tomboy. Cathy has a mane of yellow hair pitchforked on top of her shapely poll, and is a beauty living in a state of per- petual motion. She cycles, golfs, plays tennis and hockey, and declines an offer of marriage from Mickey Keene about once a week. The girls are fond of Flvn, but the Aunt— "She and a Mrs. Jovce-Duffy lead the rank and file of Flyn's enemies, and never weary of the attack. It seems, according to Aunt Too-Too, that Miss Macara came a year ago from haunts unknown to enter into pos- session of the abode called Paradise, bring- ing with her the Jaffes and her baby nephew, Hal, an infant of seven weeks, so delicate that she could scarcely trust him out of her sight night or day. Naturally the natives, an aristocratic, exclusive iot, wanted information on two or three points j before they would venture to call. As, for I instance, whence Miss Macara hailed, her parentage, her means of livelihood, the baby's parentage, and the reason why she— ;:7, vas it", sqIq g-:a;dian. I 4.2. they gone tactfully to work they might, have solved the riddles, but someone bungled. Flyn struck an attitude as arro- gant as the best of them. An officious dame with a long tongue was ordered to quit the Hill draw:™ room nnd jiever Yc-cr.tci it, and the r<Tst wsrc snubbed holus bolus to savfi irouble. In a naughty temper Flyn shook off everybody and 'de- clined to appcano a curiosity which was legitimate enough though indiscreetly exer- cised. She kept aloof, confiding in none. The Nobodies accepted her, and these the clave to. The clerical party were kindness itself—Aunt 'Poo-Too's attitude not affecting the main body—but the county people were completely estranged. "I'm not applauding Miss Flyn's conduct. She did wrong to be resentful and secretive, and I'll scold her roundly some day for it, when she says I may. Surely Lady Dark- ington knows all Flyn's antecedents and could have averted the social catastrophe, yet it appears she has remained dumb and taken a neutral stand, letting wildest rumours go uncontradicted. "Baby Hal died recently of premature old age, and Flyn mourns him in white. "There is a mysterious man who figures in the circulating gossip and comen and goes at irregular periods, managing to avoid en- countering any of the Culsheenites, though some of them would give half their income to meet and look him in the face. I have met him, and I'm ready to fight the first who dares repeat in mv presence that he's a son of the Jaffes and that Flyn is married to him and pays him to leave her unmolested at the Hill. It's the very latest story, and less uncharitable than others. "Andy, I'm going to discover the truth and prove them a. pack of liars. I'll ram falsehoods down the throats that uttered them. I'll be her knight, battling for her against worse foes than the knights of yore overthrew in combat for a fair ladye's sake. I've fastened her colours to my lance. Wish me success. "Y ou reminded me in your last letter, penned bv Nurse Dora, that Uncle Gid had matrimonial plans which I was bound to consider if I valued my future comfort. I haven't forgotten. Have I even hinted that I desired to marry Flyn Macara or that she would encourage me-if I did? Why, we had a row yesterday. I asked her-how my pre- decessors in office had stumbled to get such short shrift—three in a. year-and she drevs herself up to her fullest extent, which isn't a great deal, and said haughtily, 'They mad-2 icivo to me.' Said I, immensely surprised, I wonder why,' and she glared like a spit- fire. An hour after she lugged a book to my treble and told me if I couldn't keep h, ledgers correctly I should send in my re- signation and seek a position under Govern- ment. You have,' says she, 'made a gross arithmetical error.' I took the book from her and glanced at the spot her triumphant linger indicated. A single question elicited the fact that the mistake was hers. "No, we shouldn't agree in bonds, witch- ing Flyn and I; and Uncle Gid shall marry me to his lost paragon, Clodagh Farrell, the daughter of his old army chum, Captain Harry Farrell, when he finds her. Till he does, I'll be Flyn's protector and doughty wa-rrior. "Aunt Too-Too is coming to the Hill this evening, to an informal high tea beloved by the young folks, and I anticipate fresh scandal concerning the little mistress. Each day brings forth new spawn of # evil. I listen, because if I didn't that aminblo virgin would pour her venom into other ears and thus spread it further." The rest was personal to Andy, affec- tionate messages, entreaties to "buck up" and pull bravely through the impending ordeal. And a post-scriptum appeal to Nurse Dora, in whom, Eric seemed to think, reposed the power of giving or withholding Andy's life. I CHAPTER IV. I I TROUBLE FROM A FAMILIAR QT" ARTE ft. He was sitting up late to worry through the last pages of Miss Macara's complicated accounts, and Jaffe had brewed strong coffee to banish the 6leep fiend, but instead of brightening his intellect it overwhelmed him with drowsiness, and set his head bobbing above confusing columns of figures, which formed a dingy blur on the dingier paper. Thinking change of air would revive him, he sauntered across the hall to the dining- room, threw himself into a chair, and passed unwittingly into the land of Nod. Concluding that Chevcral had retired to his bedroom, Jaffe, on finding tlte parlcuv empty, extinguished the lamp, tossed the ledger into a table drawer, and locked up for the night. Flyn slept above the dining-room on the first landing. Awaking out of slumber when pale streaks of dawn striped the eastern sky, Eric heard voices, and fancied they were part of a njghtmare wherein he had been struggling to rise and answer a terrific, prolonged as- sault on the door-knocker. He sat erect and listened. A man was speaking from the out- side of the house and being answered from a window just over that near which Eric's chair was placed. Half stupidly he realised that the insulting individual of the stile had come again at an untoward hour, been de- nied admittance, and that Flyn and he were now parleying. I admit I lost my temper a week or two ago, but you provoked me," the man was saying. "You drove me mad by refusing to recognise my claim or make reparation for the old wrong. Am I fairly treated? Did I get common justice from beginning to end? I ask you honestly, did I? It was a cruel trick you played me." "I meant well-I acted for the best," Flyn replied. "Not best for yourself and me." "At the time I did not consider self or you. J "X 0, your mood was hysterical. You thought you were doing a nobly romantic action, and you wrecked three lives." "The wisest of us err, Ralph Dorn. I was a girl of eighteen—romantic, 1 confess- hysterical if you will-my judgment un- formed." "Flyn, it isn't too late; we may yet be heppy. Love can pardon worse offences than yours." "There is no question of love on my side," was her scornful response. "Once there may have been (Eric's face hardened), but I soon outgrew it. You are nothing to me. I don't want to pain you, Ralph, and I'd rather you went away a long distance and stopped annoying me, because if you persist I shall have to be protected from you. These scenes must not continue." "Would you ehut me out of your house for e-er? I have done it. I had no option. You are a man possessed by one insane idea^ "If it be insanity to love devotedly, then I am glad to be insane. I v^ill come and come till I wear out your resistance, and it will be in broad daylight, Flyn, not in the skulk- ing dark like a robber. Turn me from your door, and I will sit beside it till it opens. Get me arrested, and when they set me free I'll take the nearest road to you. If my behaviour works mischief between  friends and you, whose fault will it be? ?our "You can't improve on the mischief I my- self hare wrought, and you couldn't sink me lower than my own pride has sunk me. Good-bye, Ralph. That's my final word. I have finished with you." The upper window closed, and for several moments there was no sound on the gravel patch. Then the man called her passion- ately by iiaine, entreated, threatened, flung his ravings up to the closed and blinded win- dow, poured forth a flood of lover's language compared with which Romeo's was tame. For the time being he was crazy, and cared not what he said, nor how he abased himself in his despair. And he was sober. His voice testified to that. Horribly ashamed of the display of emotion, feeling sorry for the poor, infatuated victim, Eric went quickly into the hall, and stumbled over Jaffe doing sentry duty in a pair of list slippers. That veteran betrayed consterna- tion, but his wits were alert. "Hark to the heathenish lingo of him," he breathed, plucking Eric's coat. Only a lunatic would prate of love that way. Did ever a body hear the like ? He'd go through the Inferno for her, he says. The polis- station is the snot he's headin' for if he ain't careful." Eric released his coat. "Mr. Bamfyldc," said Jaffe hastily, "this ranter had a-a sort of claim on Miss Flyn's family." "That doesn't concern me, my good Jaffe." "It does, if so be you were listening in yonder. His guns are spiked, though, and he can't harm her. His day's gone by." Eric gazed at him sourly. "Did you expect Mr. Dorn to-night when you kocussed my coffee?" (To be Continued).
LAPSUS LINGUAE. I
LAPSUS LINGUAE. I Many arc the surprising slips of the tongue met with in every day life. For instance, at a council meeting in a Midland county, one of the councillors, re- ferring to a recent quarrel, said, "I had been hoping that the hatchet was buried, but it has sprung up again like a mush- room." Some very queer names are often given tc diseases, but here is one entirely new. Mrs. A. was telling her neighbour, Mrs. B., that she was going to see her daughter, who was in the hospital. "What is the matter with vour daughter?" asked Mrs. B. "Why," said ivrs. A., "she's got a garter on her swaller." What Mrs. A. meant was a goitre in her throat. One would hardly expect humour at in- quests, but certainly there were smiles at a Birmingham inquest when one of the wit- nesses said, "I inhaled a cab. When I got back I found him lying on the sofa. He ap- peared to be uncumfi (uncomfortable), :tnd the policeman said he was uncon:cienee." At a local debating society, the danger of being buried alive was once discussed. One of the debaters remarked, "Well, gentle- men, I have come to the conclusion that, although dangers continually surround U8 while we are alive, we l are not even free from them when dead, for then there is the danger of being buried alive."
PROTECTING THE RAISIN. I
PROTECTING THE RAISIN. I If raisins are washed the valuable grape sugar is dissolved, but unfortunately the fruit is often very dirty. A way out of the difficulty is to use raisins that have been treated to prevent sugaring. A Russian inventor has developed a process of dipping grapes in a solution of glucose. The solu- tion is kept close to the boiling point and the grapes are immersed for from ten to twenty seconds, so that they arc covered with a coat of glucose. Then the grapes are dried in the usual way, and the glucose forms a tough, glossy envelope that com- I pletely seals the raisin, preventing the skin from cracking. It is the cracking in drying which causes the sugar to coze out when the raiasn il washed.
IPENSION PROBLEMS:I -HOW TO…
I PENSION PROBLEMS: HOW TO SOLVE THEM. By AN EXPERT. Co-operate With the Employment Push- Help to Advertise the King s National Roll-About the Enham Treatment and Training Centre-TA-se Present Position of War Gratuities-A Concise Statement of Revised Pensions. I FREE ADVICE TO OUR READERS. I Throughout the country, large and small business firms and public bodies are rapidly adding their names to the King's National Roll, whereby they undertake to employ as many disabled ex-Service men as possible, tvith a minimum of 5 per cent. of their total establishment. At the outset, the scheme was limited to employers employing ten or more workmen. It has now been extended to include the very small employers, who in the aggregate can be the means of putting many Boys on their feet. Already, the ilaiiiei of over 14,000 disabled men have been re- moved from the books of the employment exchange as a result of this effort. All the men seeking employment have by no means been absorbed in industry yet. By talking about the scheme you will help to advertise it. You can all be missionaries in the in- terests of yo.ur disabled paid by talking about the sckeme to your tradesmen, your employers, and to everybody who can help. Make this subject a live wire of interest that thrills through every workshop in the land. • The legal representatives of over 250,000 officers and men who died in the war have now received the war gratuity granted ill December last. The cases of all officers holding permanent commissions, and men who died on or before June 30, 1917, have now been taken in hand. If the representa- tives of any of the-se have not already re- ceived a communication from the War Office on the subject, they should send particulars at once to the Secretary, War Office, Im- perial Institute, London, S.W.7. No applica- tion should be made in respect of officers or men who died after June 30, 1917, until further notice. Over one hundred disabled ex-Service men are now in residence at the treatment and training centre at the Enham Estate, near Andover, which has been created by the Village Centres Council. It was opened recently by Sir L. Worthington-Evans, Minister of Pensions, who is officially inter- ested in the centre, as his Ministry makes a capitation grant for every resident. The men, who are recommended by the Pensions Committees, come from all parts of the country. Arriving at Enham, the new- comer goes first to the medical director, who orders him curative treatment for a month, during which time he docs no work. While the further treatment is in progress the doctor decides how many houra work a day a man may do to improve his mental and physical health, develop the muscles that require development, and help him to future work. The medical arrangements throughout are of the most thorough and up-to-date character. The result is that Enham. which was only bought last May, bids fair to become a large centre of useful- ness. At present, however, the accommoda- tion is unfortunately severely limited. Certain inquiries I have recently received suggest that I shall be doing a useful thing by repeating in a concise form the informa- tion 1 have given from time to time about the revised scale of pensions. The new disablement pensions, payable as from September 3, 1919, are set out below, the rates quoted being for total disablement:— Warrant Officer, Class 1 (Regimental Ser- geant-Major, etc.), 60ss. per week (previous rates, with bonus, GIg.). N.C.O., Class 1 (Company Sergcant-Major, etc.), 53s. 4d. (previous rates, with bonus, N.C.O., Class 2 (Company Q.M.S., etc.), 50s. (previous rates, with bonus, 42s.). N.C.O., Class 3 (Sergeant, etc.), 46s. Sd. (previous rates, with bonus, 39s.). N.C.O., Class 4 (Corporal, etc.), 43s. -id. (previous rates, with bonus, 36s.). Plivate, etc., Class 5, 40s. (preirious rates, with bonus), 33s. Allowances for wife and children—for the wife, 10s. (previously, no allowance for the wife). For the first child, 7s. 6d., or if there is no wife, 10s. For the second child, 6s., or if there is no wife, 7s. 6d. For each su bse- quent child, 6s. The allowance for the man's wife will be granted only where the mar- riage took place before the receipt of the wound or injury, or before the man's re- moval from duty on account of the disease .for which pension was awarded. In cases of partial disablement, the rates for man, wife, and children will be proportionately lower. For example, a private with a 50 per cent. disablement, if single, would receive 20s., and if married with a wife and one child, 2Ss. 9d. lit The new rates will continue until 1922, and will then be subject to readjustment according to the cost of living, but in any case they will not be brought below the pre- vious rates (including bonus). Every man disabled or impaired by service in the war has now a statutory right to the pension, gratuity, or allowance awarded by the Minister of Pensions under the conditions of the Royal Warrant.' Statutory Tribunals are being set up to hear and decide appeals against refusal of pension. If you as a pensioner, or a would-be pen- sioner, have any cause for complaint, don't keep it to yourself. Tell your Local Com- mittee about it. Our Pensions Expert is anxious to assist sailors and soldiers and their wives and de- pendents in dealing with intricacies of the War Pensions System. Address your queries to "Pensions Ex- pert," c/o Editor of this paper. All essen- tial facts should be stated as briefly as pos- sible, such as name, number, rank, regi- ment of soldier, name and rating of sailor. particulars of families and separation al- lowance and (in inquiries concerning civil liabilities) pre-war or pre-enlistment in- come, present or war income, and full lia- bilities. Do not send any documents, birth certificates, or discharge papers, etc. Will correspondents please make a point; of sending their regimental number, rank, name, and regiment?
[No title]
Mariuetti, whose orchestra with It "Futurist" music caused a sensation hi England some venrs ago, is a candidate in the forthcoming Italian general election. German prisoners have erected a carved memorial in Fordington (Dorset) cemetcry, where 4-4 of their number are buried. It is of stone, and represents a kneeling soldier clasping a rifle. The inscription, in Ger- man. is: Here rest German warriors in foreign soil, but not forgotten." Captain W. S. C. Hamley, of the Isthmian Club, Piccadilly, who was knocked down by a taxicab in Piccadilly-circus on Monday, died in St. George's Hospital. Thinking a revolver his brother was keep- ing for a friend was unloaded, Fredericl X. Lb yd 12, held it to his held, pulled tlip trigger in play, and was Lud'v wounded. Having enrolled 1,3C0 Surrey men in the new Citizen Guard, it was decided at a Woking meeting to ask the Home Office to change the title of the force to Special Con- stabulary. In view of the demoralising effects of idleness," Market Bosworth (Leicestershire), rural council urged the Government to find work for all who are drawing the unemploy- ment [yrant The Queen has decided to apply the .funds which formed part of her silver wedding shower of gifts to the provision of a n.atcr?itY hcme at Hampptc-ad, to be tem- maternity established at Cedar Lawn, ?orth End-road.
I | THIS WEEK IN THE GARDEN-?…
 | THIS WEEK IN THE GARDEN-? THIS WEEK IN THE GARDEN. w; w Al I The ripest peach is highest on the tree.Anon. Poinsettia.—The earliest bracts of tliii showy plant, which flowers in winter, an developing about this time. Give it a toem perature of about 60deg. o- Lorraine Begonias.—For pots and hanging baskets, these are the best of begonias 101 the warm greenhouse. From now unti March or later a succession of flowers maj be looked for. Give liquid manure once « week. « Protection for Cold Frames.—Those who possess a cold frame and arc desirous of protecting plants will find the following valuable. At a distance of 15in. to 20m. from the frame erect boards all round, cor- responding in height to that of the frame. Put in the necessary number of stakes or posts to keep the whole firm; then fill up the intervening space with fresh leaves trodden well down. If some fresh manure is available use that with the leaves. Make these as firm as possible. Lay two or. more lengths of rafters over the lights during severe weather, and cover well over with mats, straw, bracken, or other protective material. A Popular Lily.—During the next week 01 two examine the pots of Lilium speciosum ilancifolium). If the soil and drainage arc in good condition a top-dresting of new soil will be sufficient in spring. Should re-pot- ting be necessary, do this now. Plunge all the pots to the rims in ashes in a sheltered position outside, and cover with a foot of laky leafould for the winter. Scarlet Sage.—Salvia splendens is a feature of the cool greenhouse and conserva- tory from now until Christmas. If associated with Soeur Melaine, Lady Selborne, or other white chrysanthemums, the Scarlet Sage is rerv effective. It is free-rooting, and conse- quently the soil quickly becomes dry, there- fore plenty of water must be given, alsp iberal applications of weak liquid manure. # # # Cuttings of Brooms.—In a corner of the garden make up a bed of sandy soil. Stand a handlight on this and insert cuttings of brooms. It is desirable for each cutting to have a thin heel of old wood attached. Cytisus scoparius, Andreanus, praecox, kewensis, Beanii, purpureus, and albus are best known. Protecting Large Plants. Various methods are resorted to to protect hydran- geas, agapantlius, myrtles, crinums, fuch- eias, ncriums, and other plants in large pots and tubs. In the favoured climate of the south and west and in warm coruers of London gardens, bracken or similar material is often sufficient protection. Many plants are stored with good results in a frost-proof shed or cellar. Guard against excessive damp. Apricots.—Do not plant these unless they :an be given a warm position against a A-all facing south. A place. sheltered to some ex- tent from the east winds of spring, is also suitable. The crop is a desirable one, but for economic reasons apricot planting is not advisable UEless space is available. Planting Cherries.—It is not advisable -to plant these where space is limited, but there may be wall space available, and if the posi- tion i, favourable one or two trees may be grown. The cherry likes a good deep soil, and is apt to collapse in a poor shallow root- ing one. Add lime to the soil in which they are planted. m Pruning.—Do this work not later than the nd of December. As time can be spared from planting and other work of the season, the pruning of trees and bushes should be proceeded with. Attend to old neglected trees, cutting away cankered branches down to clean growths, and clearing away all dead wood. Green Manuring.—Often artificial manures have to be used in place of farmyard manure for crops in order to supply the soil with nourishment for the crops, but they are not so good as farmyard manure, with which pvcry effort should be made to dress gardens now and a gain. Green manuring is the growing -of some crop as mustard, ripe, or turnip on a spare piece of land and digging it in. Any piece of ground that is not being used could now be sown well with one cf the above, and the crop dug in in spring when about to plant. Manuring in this way supplies valuable humus to the soil and benefits crops. It is particularly suitable to light or sandy soil. Carrots.—Lift the main crop of these now. Plants allowed to remain longer on heavy soil are apt to split badly. < Beetroot.—This is hardier than many magine, and, in a favourable season, adds considerably to its weight about now. # # Evergreen Trees and Slirub,Trees and shrubs which retain their leaves through winter require more care in planting than those which slied their leaves in autumn. An earlv start is advisable, commencing now with the planting o yews, hollies, bamboos, and box, with the idea of the plants making new roots at. once in the new positions before the coldest days. Always water ever- greens thoroughly as soon is planted. i Preparing Ground for Roses.-Thii is the beginning of the resarian's busy season. The making of new beds and the digging or trenching of borders should receive imme- diate attention, in readiness for early plant- ing. If the depth of soil allows, enthusiastic growers should trench the ground to a depth of from 2ft. to 3ft. Mix basic slag with th lower soil, 6oz. to 8oz. per square yard, and well-decayed cow manure in the top loot of soil. Roses.—Pot- up roses for greenhouse-flower- ing. These wi:l not be ready for the housf until the New Year. Prune established plants in pots and move some of the surface soil, replacing with a rich compost. Stand the plants in a frame or cool greeiihouse foi a few weeks before introducing to a warm atmosphere. P l -i (old Planting Apples in Cold Districts.—In (old localities in the north, limit your choiec oi 1 i l t -vour e i oli?c ol varieties. Some of the be?t are Worcester Pearmain, James Grieve, and Aliingion Pippin, for dessert, and some, cf the best cooking sorts are Lord Gp.osvecor, New Haw- thornden, Tower of G lam is, New Northern Greening, and Newton Wonder. a-,id -ewtoii N?-onder. Vines-.—Where the fruit has been cut keep the vines rs ccol as possible at this season. It may be tred. owing to plants having tc be grown in the same houee; ideal conditions for the yine." are difficult to maintain. If so give ample ventilation during bright speH: of weather. E--cii though the vines are rest- ing, the roots must not. be dry. # Covering Glasshouses and Frames in Winter.—With the prospect of a fuel short- age, to ay nothing of the cost. utmost economy is desirable. Frigi-domo is easilv rolled on and eff as required, and will make at least 5deg. difference in a house 0; frame Heavier coverings ar. reed mats, hurdles lined with straw or bracken, and a water- proof or rot-proof canvas. In addition tc raising the temperature, the covering main- tains a genial atmosphere better man v itt fires. # Spring Cabbage.—Draw a little soil to the earliest-planted rows of these. The stirring of the soil will increase the rate of growth. The additional soil about the stem will afford further protection later on, when this is most likely to be needed. # « Cauliflower.—(Hive backward plants fre- quent soaking* with fairly strong manure water. Fully-developed heads should be cut and stored in ((101 quarters until required ior use. These keep in good condition for quite a. long time ii vlenty of air, but no light, is allowed to reach them. Swedes.—Tho.-e are not yet in season. Those roots that have already attained full size will be of Letter table quality if allowed to get well frozen a few times, while others at present not so large will add considerably to their size Lould the weather remain "open" a few weeks longer. Perpetual Spinach.-—Where an uninter- rupted" supply of spinach is desired lift a few score of the strongest plants, from a sowing made in August, quite early in the month, and replant fairly close together either in deep boxes of large pots. Give plentv of water or the lower leaves will turn yellow. Leave the plants yi the open for a few wetks longer; then ttnci in an unheated house or frame.
[No title]
"Some of the darkest pictures in society to-day are due to marriages contracted after the proper mating period hae. passed." says Dr. Henson, Bishop of Hereford, in support of early marriages. Summoned for keeping a male servant without a licence, Mr. G. P. Symes, solici- tor, of Weymouth, succesfully argued that the man. a jobbing gardener employed four days a week, did net come under the Act.
I SOME QUAINT SUBSCRIPTIONS.I
I SOME QUAINT SUBSCRIPTIONS. Novel are the uses of advertising. News- papers have offered many strange prizes to secure circulation, one of the latest being free aeroplane flights. This idea has been eclipsed in France, by which L'Avenir \The Future) announces that all subscribers will be allowed to purchase 101b. of sugar at cost price; and since sugar is about the scarcest commodi at present in Paris, it | is likely that the proprietors will do well. At one time the Paris "Petit Bleu" an- nounced that it would give away 100,000 copies a day—so many to members of various professions; 2,000 to dressmakers, 1,000 to butchers, 500 to dentists, and so on. It took a millionaire to make an experi- ment of this kind. Again, a Far-Western, journal once made the startling -announcement—" Have you paid your subscription yet? Remember that even an editor must live. If the hard times have struck you shebang, don't forget tur- nips, potatoes and corn in the shock are most as welcome as hard cash at the Gem" office. Also hardwood. Our latch-string is always out, or the goods can be delivered to our wife, who will give receipt in our absence." Three or four turnips for a paper! Greenland has a newspaper published at God Haabt, called the "Kalorikmik." It is a monthly periodical printed in the Eskimo language. The subscription is one ,eal for a year; two eider ducks for three months, while single copies cost a da.b- chick apiece, the latter being a small, eat- able sea-bird.
I A GIANT FLAGSTAFF. I
I A GIANT FLAGSTAFF. I The r.e71 flagstaff which has been pre. sented to Kew Gardens bv British Columbia is 214ft. long, 10ft. actually higher than the Monument in London. It is nearly 3ft. through at the base and 12ifl. at the top, and is a single stick of the splendid Douglas fir which grows in Vancouver Island. But huge as it is, this staff is not the biggest in existence. At the Panama-Pacific Exhibition, held in San Francisco in 1914 to celebrate the opening of the Panama Canal, a flag floated at the top of a pole which was no less than 246ft. long—half as high again as the Nelson column—and 66in. in diameter at the base. It weighed over 4C tens, and was cut in the Nehalem Valley of Oregon. On the West Coast of Australia there grows a specie? of gum tree which reaches 400ft., or about the same height as the spire of Salisbury Cathedral. These trees are taller even than the giant red woods of California, though not of anything like their circumference.
I EARRINGS, THE MASK. l
I EARRINGS, THE MASK. l Have you noticed how earrings changt the whole expression of a woman's face? Sc great is the change that some women should never wear earrings, for they add years in appearance. To others they give a sophisti- cated air that is not i* keeping with the personality ef the wearer. Pendant earrings "ill lengthen a face; the button type, particularly when large, as many of the new one- are, will fatten it, and the hoops are for women with some of the Latin in their make-up. Earrings with fringe effects and other extreme ideas are for women who go in for the eccentric in dressing, and generally is more picturesque than artistic.
[No title]
Earning £6 5s. a week, a man who stole tins of bristling at the London docks was President Wilson's condition continues to improve, and he now has two meals a day. frCofts in the High Court are a perfect se.a.ndal. "-Judge Crawford at Edmonton County-court. Brighton Education Committee urges the police to enforce the law against juvenile smoking. Hiss Marie Empress, a London actress, is reported to have disappeared from the liner Grduna on the way to New York.
\  ffjj Helpful Hints for…
 ffjj Helpful Hints for "Backyarders." By "COCKCROW." ¡ If you* would achieve the best results N;,it,h your birds, it is very necessary to vary their diet as far as conditions will allow. Like human beings, fowls soon tire- of a food that is fed week in and week out. Let it be remembered that the conditions unch-r which fowls live, and the demands made on the t-ystom, vary so greatly that one food will not do well in all circumstances. A perfect food—either for animals, birds, or human beings—has yet to be discovered, perfect in so far as it is suitable under every condition, and for any and every class cf work. If we feed a fattening bird in tin- same way as a laying hen, failure is bound to follow. Fowls enjoying a free range rc- quire to be fed once during the twenty-four j hours in the spring and summer. During 1 the remainder of the year two small meals daily should be provided. Those with a large grass rnn should be fed twice daily, while those which are closely confined should be provided with three meals a day It is well if the mid-day meal consists of either mash or grain. i HEALTH-GIVING NETTLES. With regard to this important matter of varying the diet, you might with pro?L to you reives bear in mind that nettles are a very valuable fcod for poultry. Not a ?reat number of poultry-keepers, apparently, know the fact, or they would be used more than they are. They arc to be had free, and are therefore cheap. They provide a health-giving food if chopped up and boiled in a fair quantity of water. When they are cooked they should be used in the morning mash. The liquor should not be thrown away, but can be used for mixing the soft food. The nettles ;ire a fine medicine, and any keeper who can secure a quantity should use them. SUNFLOWER SEEDS. Sunflower seeds also arc a very valnaoio food for poultry, and I am surprised that more poultry-keepers do not cultivate the flower for this special purpose. The flowers can be grown in any cornel of the garden which is not used for any other purpose. The kind t.o grow is the large liucsian variety. Those who have grown them this year now have the first lot ready for use. ("ut the flowers from the stems when yon find the seeds on the outer circle arc 1;eÜj- [ ning to get loose. Hang the ,head up in a dry, airy shed. The birds should be given the seeds in the cold weather, for they con- tain much oil and heating qualities. Don't feed them to the birds iu larsre quantities. It is the best plan, in fact, to use them only when the weaiher is very cold. MARROWS AND PTMPKINS. Many allotment holders have had a very good crop of marrows tii, in lact, had more than they want lor their own use, and those who have not cultivated an allotment have had the hardest work in the world to dodge the givers of marrows, so anxious have the growers been to got rid of them. Has it ever struck you that during the winter months a lump W of mar- row will prove useful as a Y(:'se?'?e for th? bjrds Allow them to grow until they are properly ripe, ana then store them in a dry room to which frosts cannot get. Yv hen all other greenstafTs are frozen up, a lump of marrow will come in very useful. AUTUMN DUCKLINGS. There is much to be said in favour of rearing ducklings for table at this season. Verv little space is required if no stock birds are kept, and a great deal of the kimi of food now available suits ducklings bettrr than chickens. Poor bran, low-grade meal. potatoes, and other feeding material, wineli -we should net give in any quantity to lavcrs, do very well for ducks, and the vie" ,,oo d profit on such stufl. i.?uerwinvieiuagood proBtonsuchstuS. Then ducklings arc great foragers for in- sect pests, and a dozen youngsterr in the garden will make short work of wireworms aiid caterpillars if given the opportunity. They will, of course, damage tender grecu- stuf: like lettuce and spinach, but may be run among brussels sprouts, autumn cauli- flower, rhubarb, parsnips, and such like, r«nd do more good than harm. Very low netting which can be easily moved about may be used to keep them in bounds, and all they require for the first five is a roomy, well-littered coop. After that their rango may be more restricted, and any kind of night shelter will do as Ion- as it is dry and rat-proof. The best way to a-iake a start is to buy the birds quite young along with a broody hen, but they will not re- quire the latterV services after the first three or four weeks. I AUTUMN AILMENTS. Let me for a moment return to the ques- tion of ailments, one which I have dealt with fairly fully before. There is little doubt that of all the ailments that affect ill- managed poultry during the autumn, roup is the most dangerous. Being highly con- tagious, it spreads at an alarming rate by way of the drinking vessel. Roup is gen- erally the result of a neglected catarrhal cold, and the source of the latter is over- crowding or lack of ventilation in the roost- ing house. In all eases withhold gfain food. and serve food of a light and nourishing kind. Sponge the eyes and nostrils thrice dai]y with a weak solution of alum, and dose night and morning with a teaspooninl of linseed oil, to which add a drop each of eucalyptus oil and pure terebine. Colour the drinking water with pure permanganate of potash. MIND THE CHILL. Again, there is another troublesome ail- ment met with in the autumn, and that is diarrhoea. It is one alsotthat accounts for much loss. Its origin is traceable to inter- nal chills contracted in small, uncovered runs -?-.e t ii-eat  er. 'I lie during- spoils of cold, wet weather. The voiding.s from the birds are frequent and watery, and the birds themselves stand about looking the picture of misery, with their wings drooping and their feathers ruf- fled. When fowls have diarrhoea resulting from chills they should be relegated to a well-littered shelter. Drinking water should be withheld, and in its place thick J.arley water should be served. Grain should be withheld, as the impaired digestive system will be unable to deal with it. and all food should be served in a. cool condition. Night and morning dose the birds with olive oil, and at mid-day give a few drops of ehloro- dyne in a teaspoenful of water. DISCOURAGING SITTERS. In America a device has i.-c-en used with some degree of success in discouraging hens from sitting. It consists of a screened coop provided with a bottom made of narrow slats, which are quite widely separated. Placed inside of this contrivance, a hen finds stanùino the most comfortable position it can assume. If it attempts to sit the position is difficult to maintain. After having been kept in this box for two or three days a hen usually returns to laying eggs.
[No title]
Th(' l)ody of An('s Emil" 'hite. 32. "em- The body of Agnes Emily White. 32. ?m- ploved bY 'Ir. Bonar Law aa cook at No. 11, Downing-street, has been taken from the I' Thames at Westminster. Most of 208 men summoned at Port j Talbot, Glamorgan, for non-payment of in- come tax were young miners.