South Wales Echo

THE LOST LETTER, By RICHARD MARSH, Author of The Devil's Diamonds," Mrs Musgrove and Her Husband." CHAPTER IT. The Hon. Augustus returned into the foom. He went to the writing-table. Some- thing on it caught his eye. I What are these ?" he asked. The writing-table, like the rest of the furniture, was of black oak. It had a leather top. On this leather top were spots of what looked like oil or grease. At these the Hon. Augustus pointed, "That's what I can't make out," replied the Earl. "They weren't there when I left the room. They seem to be some sticky stuff." Kneeling down, the Hon. Augustus examined the spots by means of a reading- glass which was lying on the table. As you say, sir, it is some sticky stuff, and something with a strong capacity for sticking, too. Something that is meant to stick. Anybody standing outside the window, with, say, a fishing rod in his hand and a float at the end of his line, smeared with this stuff, if he was to swing that float into the room, might cause it; to adhere to a letter lying on the table, and he might make of the letter a prize." The Earl stared. Good heavens—who do you suppose would be likely to go through a performance of that kind '{ How could anyone know that such a letter was lying on the table 1 or, indeed, that any letter was lying there ? How could he time his appearance on the scene to fit in with the few minutes I was out of the room ? How could he know that I was likely to be out of the room at all 1" "Precisely. four questions are shrewd ones. They will have to be determined. I suppose, sir, you are sure that you did leave the letter lying on the table ? "Sure! Of course I'm sure What the dickens do you mean ?'' And the Earl stamped his foot on the ground in a fashion that suggested that his irritation had very far from decreased. His son stood up. He regarded his father with a close attention which the Earl showed signs of resenting. "If I find this letter for you, sir, what reward will you give me "If you tind the letter—what do you mean ? If I find the. letter and return it to you with its contents unread, and with no one in the world except yourself having an inkling of what those contents are, what reward will you give me 1" The Earl glowered at his son not only in unmisrakeable surprise, but with also some- thing like a glimmering of suspicion. Do you know where the letter is ?" "I do not. I know no more about it than you do yourself, but I am prepared to take your view of the matter and to accept this case as a test as to whether I do or T do not possess something of the instinct of a sleuth-hound. ]f I prove by my success that I do, I shall expect you to give your con- sent to my adopting as my own the profes- sion of a detective." You shall have it—gad, you shall Find out what scoundrel has laid felonious hands on that letter, and return it to me unread— unread, mind !—and I'll not only give you my consent—I'll also give you your first professional fee of a hundred guineas." Very good, sir. I will do my best to earn it." The young man turned to go. His father stopped him. Where the deuce are you off to ? What are you going to do 1" You must forgive my saying that that is my affair. Afterwards, if I succeed, I will explain to you, in detail, if you wish it, my method of procedure. Until then you must allow me to take up my course unques- tioned." The Hon. Augustus left the room. With an exclamation the Earl threw him- self into a chair. "If," said he, "there is an art in which the rising generation is proficient, it is, without any doubt what- ever, the art of being cocksure." The Earl of Glenlean went upstairs to have a few words with the Countess, and so the Countess had a few words with him, which exchange of conversational sweet- meats did him so muh good that. encounter- ing Phil potts, as he was leaving the lady's room, he shouted at that fortunately well- seasoned domestic, as if he'supposecTthafc the man had suddenly gone stone-deaf Where's Augustus 1" 41 Mr Augustus has gone out, my lord." 41 Gone out,"—the Earl glared. Where to r "I do not know, my lord. I saw Mr Augustus a few minutes ago strolling across the lawn. The Earl returned to his study. 41 I should like to be told what idiotic nonsense he is up to now I decline to allow myself to be trifled with by such a puppy any longer. The scoundrel who has stolen the letter is miles away by now, or, worse still, the letter is on its way to town Good heavens •—To think of it." The Earl threw his hands above his head, as if the mere idea of such a catastrophe was more than he could bear. "I'll wire at once to half a dozen decent detectives to come down from town to help me search for it. Who's there ?" Am I interrupting you, sir V The speaker, who was holding the handle of the open door in his hand, was the Hon. Augustus. The sight of him did not appear to calm his father. "By the way, Augustus, I have decided that it is altogether out of the question that I should plice a matter of this paramount importance in such inexperienced hands as yours. I don't want to hurt your feelings by suggesting that you have a higher opinion of your own powers than I have, but I have telegraphed to them to send me half a dozen properly qualified men from town Very good, sir. Will you telegraph before I have returned you the letter, or afterwards 7" What the dickens do you mean V I mean, sir, that the letter is already found." 44 Found—good gracious The Earl dropped into an armchair, then bounded out of it again. Who was the thief ? T fancy, sir, that you yourself were the thief." 441 was the thief!" For a moment it almcst seemed as if the Earl was about to have an apoplectic fit. 44 Allow me to remind you, Augustus Champnell, that I am the unhappy individual who has the misfortune to be your father 44 I was merely stating facts, sir." Facts—and this is a son of mine The Earl dropped back into his armchair. 44 Go on, sir, go on Insult me further. Pray, where is the letter which I have stolen ?" 44 Here, sir." The Hon. Augustus opened the door wider. 44 Come in, Ronald." There entered, looking as if he would much rather have stayed outside, the Hon. Ronald Champnell, who had nearly struck seven and who was holding with both his hands a very large kite which had a very long tail. Taking it from the youngster, the Hon. Augustus held the kite up in front of the Earl. Here is the letter, sir." Placing his glasses on his nose, the Earl looked at the kite with a mystified air. 44 Where V 44 Here, sir, here As he spoke the Hon. Augustus shook the kite. Just for a second he more than half suspected that the Earl was about to throw a ruler at his head—the august nobleman had thrown such things at people's heads more than once in his time. But on this occasion he refrained. He contented himself with addressing his son in a tone which resembled in some respects the highly- rectified extract of vitriolic acid. I have to assure you, Augustus Champ- nell, that there is a limit even to your father's power of endurance." 441 have no desire whatever to try your power of endurance. You will find, sir, that the letter is here. You will observe that the kite has a very long tail—it balances it exactly, doesn't it, Ronald ? The tail is constructed of pieces of paper. Will you kindly cub off the third piece of paper from the end?" I shall do nothing of the kind. I have had enough of your tomfoolery." 44 Then, sir, I will do it for you. I thought that if you cut it off yourself you would be" certain that the letter had re. mained unread. But perha it will be equally satisfactory if I cut it off in your presence." The tail of the kite was formed of pieces of papain tied to a string—as tails of kites are apt to be. With a pen-knife the Hon. Augustus removed the piece of paper which was third from the bottom of the string— and, having freed it from its bonds, handed it -still screwed up anyhow-to his father. 44 There is the letter, sir." The Earl unfolded the piece of paper, which he had taken-gingerly jenough- between his fingers, staring at t as if he had quite decided that, at last, his eyes must be deceiving him. It is—good—good—" The Earl floun- dered in his speech to such an extent that he was actually unable to find a word which was sufficiently strong to enable him to give adequate expression to his feelings. Then he sprang from his seat, and roared at Ronald So you stole it, did you, sir V The Hon. Augustus interposed. S "You are under a misapprehension. If you will permit me, I will explain." He turned to the youngster. Here's your kite, Ronald. I'll make a better tail for you in a minute or two, in exchange for the one j I have spoilt. Off you go, old chap." Off the "old chap" went, evincing no symptom of unwillingness to get out of the paternal study. After he was gone the Earl continued to examine the restored letter in silence, as if he did not know exactly what to say. So his son spoke instead. 41 I believe, sir, that I have earned the stipulated reward. 44 I'll be hanged if you haven't, and you shall have itTaking a cheque book from a drawer the Earl scribbled off a cheque for one hundred guineas then and there. As he was about to hand it to his son he hesi- tated. But how am I to know that the letter has remained unread ?*' You will have sufficient proof of that when I tell you how I tracked it down, or rather up, for, when I first caught sight of it, it was careering through the air. It was in this way. When you told me how it was impossible that anyone could know that such a letter was being written, and it seemed pretty certain chat during your abseuce from the room no one had entered cither through the door or through the window, it became obvious to me that you yourself must have been responsible for its disappearance." The devil it did When," continued Augustus, 44 I saw the spots on the table—which I see are still there-I had at once a glimpse of how the disappearance had been effected." How do make that out ?" Very simply. These things, like con- jurer's tricks, always are simple when they are explained. I had previously noticed (hat some of the contents of a bottle of mucilage had been spilled on one of the book shelves —here, sir, they still are." Jove, now you mention it, I remem- ber spilling the bottle as I was getting down the Red Book Exactly. Anyhow, there were some of the contents. I saw that the spots on the table resembled those contents, and, what was more, I noticed that, as I had expected, you had got some of the contents on to the sleeve of your coat. You see, sir ?" The Hon. Augustus turned his father's right coat sleeve upwards. Sure enough, on it near the cuff was a greasy smear. In covering the letter, as you supposed, with the blotter, nothing was easier in your haste—you told me, sir, you were in a hurry—than for you, with that strong mucilage there actually, though uncon- sciously, to attach it to the sleeve of your coat. That, I take it, is what you did do. The question to be determined was where had you dropped it ? You had not dropped it in the room you must have dropped it before you saw the Countess, otherwise she would have seen it sticking to your sleeve, and have pointed it out to you. It seemed to me probable that you had brushed it off your sleeve against the door as you were entering the Countess's room. That again is what I believe you did do. The room was empty when I reached it. but a number of scraps of paper were littered about on the floor. I knew Ronald had been making a tail to his kite, and as your letter was not among the torn paper I- jumped to the conclusion that Ronald had used it as an addition to his kite's tail. I started off in chase of him, I brought his kite to the ground, perceived that a sheet of your letter paper was attached to the tail, and straightway brought him and his kite back to you. I submit, sir, that the evidence goes'to show that no one has seen the letter but Ronald—he says himself he picked it up from the floor and tied it to the tail and what is Ronald's capacity, or, rather, incapacity to read your handwriting you are well aware. You perceive, sir, that the whole affair is very simple." Simple," growled the Earl. Simply beyond the verge of peurility Here is your cheque, sir. I hope you may earn other cheques as easily. If this sort of thing is the art of detection it is an art which any simpleton may master. As, therefore, the profession of a detective should be within the range even of your capacities, you have my permission to adopt it as your own." So the Hon. Augustus did

ABERYSTWYTH AND THE 1899 EISTEDDFOD. The London Welsh correspondent of the Manchester Guardian writes :o-I understand that Aberyatwyth bases its chief claim to the National Eisteddfod of 1899 upon the facb that the Eisteddfod has not for a good many years visited central Wales. Brecon may, perhaps, be regarded as belonging to central Wales, and not since the sixties has the Eisteddfod been nearer Aberystwyth than Brecon. The mid Wales people have a grievance against the North Wales coast and Glamorganshire, as those two districts hetween them seem to monopolise the National Eisteddfod. Much is to be said in favour of the Aberystwybh people's contention, and it is just possible that the Gorsedd and the Eisteddfod Association may see its force and decide to let Cardiff wait another two years before having the opportunity of reasserting its patriotism. Still, as the decision will be come to at Newport, the men of Glamorgan will probably find it easy to attend in great force.

YANKEE YARNS. One Kind of Economy. The young man wanted to marry the girl, but he was a reckless chap, spending his salary up rclos*, and the girl's father didn'b like to take such a risk. About how much do you save each year ?" he asked the youth, who hadjapproached him on the subject. I should say about$4 a year," he laughed, for he was the kind of young man who thinks it's a wife's duly to teach a young man how to save, "Um-Utt:—er," ejaculated the old man, "Four dollars a year-four dollars a year. Well, you can have the girl, he went on briskly and in business tones, but you've got to wait for her until you liMve saved$100,000. That's the amount I deter- mined hpr husbandshall have.O course it wilUake you 25,000 ysar; and a good deal may happen in that time, but your kind of economy, my boy, is bound to get there by and bye, Good morning." In Confidence. I What I am goiug to ask you is in strict confi- I dence," he said to the conductor on a Grand Hi vet- avenue car two or three days ago. Yes, of course." "You have to git a licence to be married in this town, don't you Ye?, or anywhere else in Michigan." "So I've heard, but don't yon say that I asked you about ih, Ii«v to git it of the county clerk, don' vou t" Yes." I thought so, bat ml1m' the word, you know. Don't you give m« away, and I won'i fgive you away. Is there any limit as to age?" "Nn limit." \Vna!, keep awfui quiet about it. Kin II. fallor of 63 jrifc a licence to marry a gal 19 I expect he can." That's baautifu', bub don't you whisper a word to anvone about it. Do we pass the city h¡;t,ll ?" We do." Waa!, when wa git to the city rial?, you tip Ir.e the wink and limine olf, and if any of the passengers cum out and want to know my bizness you tell 'em I've gone in to see about a stray boss. Strict coti fidencc- -keep mum—O X.. Mebbe I'll see yuu ou my bridal tower and flip you a cigar." Olêl-Frds. The Miss Marb^ehaart, I am I going away. Tiie Heroine (with Heavens Going aw-a-ay ? First Old Man (Co first yonn wonwi) G>me h^re, me oh—ee—ild. and sit by my fi'«t. (Slow music.) years age, when your fallier was bufc^a little boy, etc. The Irate Husband (to the flirtatious wife) His name, wo oiran Give meh his n-nume. The Detective (in act 4, scene 4, to tine villain) One mo—men t! Come with me! The Hfroine (describing the hero to the heroine's bosom friend): Oi" Franca", do you not kti,)w hit i-itow noble he iR, how goad, how t,r-t-uo ? (Repeat with rnda.) The Conspirators H^ii! We must dissemble Th fhw (to the villain) Your bag", plot has succeeded now, but listen to me, Archibald Magnify, an liotic of reckoning w-will como. The Impecunious Liver And you will wait for mo The Heiress: Forever. (Music.) Tho Leading Ltdy (to anybody): Listen, Ger- trude. Lahsfc night, as I was coming up the gahden walk, I heard the sound of voices bsliind the hedgts. Think it might be some of the ser- vants, at fir3 I paid no attention, wher, sud- denly luhni«:g the cohueh, I came face with a man. Hsh It was A'geruoii Traverscourt The Heroins (axcitedly): I do love you, bub I — can—nnver—bo—your—wife The Wife Harold, you Mw keeping something from msh. Wh»t is it? The Luadmg Gentleman (to the villain): No, sir I spurn your proposition Better poverty with an honest name than riches with dishonour. (Prolonged applause from the galleries.)

Earthquake m Assam. I The Terrible Experiences cf Welsh Missionaries. Among the Welsh missionaries in Assam at the timeof the rccent eartliqtiake was the Rov. D. Oswald Williams, who is attached to the medical mission of the Welsh Calvinistic Methodists in Sylhet. Dr. Oswald Williams is the son of the R v. John Williams, of the Cowbridge- road Memorial Hall, Cardiff, and in a letter received fiom him by his father this week Dr. Williams recounts some ot his startling experiences. Writing from K inmgatij, June 25;h, to states :—" YOll will doubtless have been alarmed at the newspaper reports concerning the earthquake in Assam and Bengal. Id was an experience that will never be forgotten by millions. The grcab crash was in the KhNesia Hills, where every house or buildip has been laid low. The crash was also terrific in Sylhet, whereas in Kar. imgunj and Sdc'uai- the effects were les*. The earthquake lasted for three minutes get someone to go into the garden aud stagger about like a drunken man for that space of time, and you will have some idea of our sensations.' Dr. Williams and his wife were on their way to Silchar to the Ladies' Mission House, and were met as they landed from tho stumer by Miss Elizabeth Williams, C)Uo cf the lady missionaries. We had hardly arrived at the house," he dds, when the ground began to siiake jiisb a.4 one feels lifteii up atid down in a boat. The canvas ceiling was in waves, with the rats scampering- about distractedly. Then the wails l>;<gan to shake, until they seemed likely to fall iu with a crash. The three of us ran into verandah. Mias Williams sai', Let us stay in the verandah.' I replied, I No, let us go into the open field,' and we jumped out. The ground felt tossed aboub. VI (j supported each other, otherwise we might have fallen, as we were exactly like drunken people. Mias Williams ran to look after the children. She fell as she ran. She dashed into the house twicoat the itioat(largerous moment, and brought out a blind child and a very little one. The other children ran out and fell flab on the ground. The walls of the house were badly cracked, and a brick pillar fell. Meanwhile, in Sylhet the blow was terrific. Mr Pengwern Jones happened to be iu a place where the ground waa opening and shutting and falling. He says the shake is bad enough, bvt to have the ground below you falling several feet is an awful sensation. The brick walls of the burnt mission house are all cracked to pieces, but the present house of Mr Pengwern Jones still stands after a fashion. The Sylhet missionaries are not without shelter. Th« chappl aud all the brick buildings in Sylheb, the courts, the offices, the church, the mosques, the residences have all fallen flt6 to the ground. It is a case of utter destruction, and many liveswere lost. 00 the hills matters are even worse even than in Sylhet. Shilloug and every other mission station have been destroyed; absolutely every building we possess has gone, but we praise God blist no liveg were lost, In Shillong there was a Wei--h lady at the point ef death staying with Mr Ceredig Eva"?. Ab the greatest risk to his own life lie and Miss Alice Jones, daughter of Toomas Jones (ii.) carried out the invalid in time, bub she died two days afterwards. Tho missionaries on the hills are almost without shelter of any kind, and food is scarce. They live under mere shades, not having even a shed to take refuge in. )To. :add to their troubles, heavy rain has been pouring ever since the earthquake. Mr John Jones had a narrow escape in Nongswalia, where Mr Roberts used to live. I believe the land has slipped into the awful chasm below, taking bouse and everything with it. Ha escaped from the slipping huid in time. His faithful houstkeep-r was killed in trying to escape through the back door. He feels her death very much. The village of Sheila, which has had the Gospel for 50 years, and not responded as it should, has been wiped out, but the inhabitants escaped. Two hundred and iifty have been killed there. Every building in Calcutta has oeen more or less cracked. If yon look at the map, notice (1) Darjeeling, in the Himalayas', (2) Calcutta, (3) Chictagong, and (4) Silchar. These form the circumference of 1\0 disturbance, with its centre in Shillong. In each of the above places the earthquake was severe. In Goulhara, Gowhati, Shillong, Cherra, Sylhet, terrific, The shocks have continued, one or two almost daily and nightly until this very afternoon, 13 days after the shock. No one likes it. The Mohammedans in Sylhet have become quite distracted they think the world is coming to an end. This event was due last I Friday."

SOU III WALES INSTITUTE OF ENGINEERS, Excursion Yesterday. About 150 members of the South Wales I«stuu!e of Engineers made an inspection yesterday of the Barry Dock and the Cardiff- Dowiais Steel Woki. Assembling at R: versida S-.ation ab 11 o'clock, the party travelled by special train io Barry Dock, being there met by Mr Archibald Hood, deputy-choirmau of the company, and under his guidance the most interesting portions of theundl-rtakinf, were visited —the deep-sea lock, the entrance from the basin to the new dock, the hydraulic-engine bouse, etc. For a company of experts such as the members of the Institute, all these features of the company's successful enterprise had special attractions, and were subjecbed to close examination, a. tug being placed au the disposal of those who wished to more carefully look into the operations and appliances at the deep-sea lock. General admiration of the great work was freely expressed, aud the party were also profuse in encomium upon the preparations being made for passenger and other traffic which will be brought through the island tunnel to the deep-water entrance. Incidentally, it may be mentioned that the first cargo vesset was passed through the lock on Wednesday—the Swiftsuria, a steamer of 2.500 tons~a!though the work of construction is not yet completed. Afterwards the train carried the visitors to the island, where the elaborate provision for opening out both the company's property and that of Lord Windsor received close sorutiny. Leaving the island at 1 o'clock, the party were taken to Barry Dock Station, and thence to Galley's Hotel, where a tirst-class luncheon awaited thlui, and this, the subject of fully appreciative reference, was presided over by Mr Archibald Hood. Supporting him at the cross-table were Me H. W. Martin, president of the Institute Mr R. W. Southern, Mr A. J. Steveua (New, port), Mr H. K. Jordan, Mr T. H. Deacon, Mr R. Jordan, Mr J. Parry (Maesteg), and others. Air HOOD having, after lunch, duly proposed the usual loyal toast, referred to the absence of Lord Windsor (chairman of the Barry Company), and read a telegram from his Lordship express- ing regret at inability to attend and personally welcome the visitors to Barry. Then, in ilie name of his colleagues on the board of directors, Mr Hood expressed their gratification at receiving the members of the Institute. The object of the company had been to promote the trade of the district. (Hear, hear.) Their euccess had not been due to any single individual, but all-directors, engineers, officials—had been earnestly working in the same direction, using their best efforts to attain the object which all had in view. It was not for him to say how far tbay had succeeded, but he would point to the great number of bouses that had bsen built and ask them to take thab as evidence of the amount of employment that had been provided for the working classes. (Hear, hoar, and Mr H. W. MARTIN, president of the Institute, proposed the toast of "The Barry Directors," and coupled with it the name of Mr Hood. He dwelt, in eulogistic terms, upon the kindness of the board in providing them with a special train, and in so handsomely entertaining them to luncheon. He had long been of opinion that many members of the Institute, who visited works at a distance in Great Britain, and even in foreign countries, might find that a visit to some of the places nearer home would repay them better and he was sure a large number of them had be«ti surprised by what they had seen thab day. (Hear, hear.) If they were to give tho proper amount of time to what they had seen, their visit would have to be one of weeks, not days. They were deeply indebted to Mr Hood—who was one of their past presidents, and one of the besb friends of the institute—for the recaption and entertainment at Barry, and he (the fpeaker) therefore very heartily thanked Mr Hood on their behalf, and also his fellow directors. Mr HOOD having replied, a similar compliment W8. on the proposal of Mr Martin, paid the officials, and humorously acknowledged by Mr R. Evan?,Mr Bell also responding after callsfrom the company. From Barry Dock Station the party were conveyed to the Dowlair4 Works at Cardiff, being there received by Mr Bowen and Mr Forster Martin, and by them conducted through the different departments. The blast furnace plant, with its great bunkers, pig-breakers, &c.. all designed to effect the strictest economy in labour as well as to produce the most satisfactory results in all other respects, came first under review. The stsel mill was, probably, the more interest ing. this being of still later construction, and exhibit- ing the finest installation of planb in the whole world. Tti,, different processes were taken in sequence. The pig iron from the sand bed is transferred to the Siemens' furnace and transformed into steel, and this is run into the ingot mould. The rolling of the ingots was a wonderful manifestation of the ease with which great blocks of metal—each six tons in weight— can be handled by the clever appliances, one or two of them local patents, at the Dowlais Works. After rolling to moderate thickness in the cogging mill, thesteel is cut into slabs by shears at the end of the rollers, and the slabs are lifted by an hydranlio circular carrier which places each into a furnace, where ili is reheated for the rollers. After the reheating the slabs are rolled into plates; and the plates pass over to castors fronting shears at a lower level, so that the men may work the plates withoub having to lift them. The present output, about 800 tons per week, is only part of the capacity ot the mills. The testing apparatus is applied to every plate and in the case of one tested for the visitors the breaking strain was nearly 30 tons on the square inch. Aboub 8 000 tons of plates have been supplied for the Royal Navy, in every case with most satisfactory results. The members of the Institute were greatly interested in the numerous special appliances, and commented freely upon the forethought and ingenuity, as well as high technical skill, which have brought together in these works so great a collection of remarkable appliances. Their thanks were expressed by Mr Stevens just before the party broke up, and Mr Bown and Mr Forster Martin, who responded, thanked in return the visitors for their courteous and appreciative remarks. The whole of the arrangements, organised by the secretary of the Institute (Mr Horb Huxbam), were in all respwts successful.

M0VEMENTS0FLOCAL VESSELS Thornaby arvd Kemi from Trangsund 21st Lackenby arvd Bilbao from Garston 2lst Carparby arvd Trangsund from Borga 20tli liomanby left Bilbao for Tess 20t.Ii Gledholt left Trangsund for Kotka 21st Gloucester City left Otaru for Singapore 20th Blodwen arvd Hamburg 22nd Lady Havelock arvd Portland 21st Rosslyn and Antwerp 21st Raglan arvd Lisbon 22nd Rhyl arvd Barry 22nd Ross left Briton Ferry for Bilbao 21st Jtuperra passed Quebec 22nd Itothesay arvd Seville 21st Ruabon arvd Glasgow 221111 Roath left Genoa for Seville 21st Ironopolis left Seville 21st Parkgate left Algiers for Dnnkerque 20th Trongate arvd Galalz from Venice 20th Labarroueve left Sables for Castro 2lsfc Gardapee left St Nazaire for Bilbao 21sb Treherbert and Haelva. 21st Quickstep left Portsmouth for Penarth 22nd William Symington arvd Sulina. 21st S W Kelly arvd Porto Torres 21st North Briton arvd Hamburg 22nd

DIAMOND JUBILEE, 1897. CARDIFF'S GREATEST AND GRANDEST GROCERY AND PROVISION STORES, T H E JR;0YAL gT0R:BS» IN THE HAYES. Pianos for nothing by buying our DELI" CIOUS JUBILEE TEA, the best value in Great Britain. For Coupon System see bills, or can for particulars at the ROYAL STORES. The next Instrnmenb will be presented on Monday, August 2nd. GRIFFITH, SON & CO., I TD. x A c "1008-961a BRAVO! If you feél tired nnd worried, pr.ssitfg restless nights, feeling that life is a bur- den, making mountains of molehills, discontented with yourself and with everyone else, absent-minded, incapacity for business, etc., take Bravo's Pills.. Gentle aperient, combined with Neri4 Tonici unequalled, suit any age. Take theini they will regenerate the Whole system; aud make you feel ever happy and grateful. Solil by all Patettb Medicine Vendors, nr direct from the stflb jjroprieiorp; ANTHONY ? Co.; Opposite that Royal Hotel, Cardiff. In boxes, 9d, Is ld, and 2s gii frepj BltA VO 79-? ts5t p jjl REE DM AN AND £ J<>: ENTIRE HOUSE FURNISHERS, NiSWPORT, SWANSEA, AND NEW D I,, G A I ifave a *erv tatge Selection of HOUSEHOLD FUT5NI TORE, CARPISTS, BEDDING; Ac., suitable for Apartments; Houses; and Hotels; whfcH ran be sup- led on their mflMrnoivn EASY PURCHASE SYSTEM. General teim* siibjent to alteration to suit cttst fi ronven ence. S5 north, 1/a "at week, 61- monthly: P, I, 3/6 „ 12/6 £1[; „ 5/- iI 201- n C25 a 7/5 « 30/- £ 09 15/- .60/: £ 100 „ 27/6 „ 1001- Wilhout fJTJY Special Payment ot Security 'I'alr. OT,I) FIRM IN THF! tf&AkE. PIONfiJjftS OF TILF, HIRK SYSTEM; £ 50,000 OF STOCK TO SELECT FROM; PBOSPKCTUS FKRK. PRIVATE DtIVER; NoTa ADDItESItW- M, HIGH-STREET, SWANSEA. 5533 3 & 4, MARKET BUILDINGS, NlSWPOftf, MOÑ Ef.T/lOTSTOWN. NEW TRKDBUAR 66e UESSIOWS AND CI O N ,S, kj T.IMITED, Manufacturers and linpartersai CEMENT, SLATES. TIMBER. CHIMNEY-PI EC {CS RANGES, GRATES. AND ALT, BUILDING MATERIALS, PENARTH OOAD, /CARDIFF, 105e i-t 5434 yyno JgROKE THE QROUERS' IN(4 jjraa ? WHO KILLED HIGH PIUeES ? WHO STRANGLED UNFAIR TRADING if WHO SELLS THE BEST AtlTJCkE AT THE LOWEST POSSIBLE plUË THE DIRECT rJPRADING eO.t 286, BUTE-STREET, FOUR DOORS FROM CUSTOM HOUSE-STREET BUY FROM US AND POCKET THE DIFFERENCE. v 7912-678a TT" EATINGS POWDER. K ArrING'S POWDER. ix:- IiEATlNGS POWDER. Kills Fleas, Bugs Moths, Deetle Kills Fleas, BURS Moths, Beetles. Kills Fleas, Bugs, Moths, Beetles. THE UNRIVALLED KILLER. "rHE UNRIVALLED KILLER. npHE UNRIVALLED KILLER. Kills Fleas, Bugs, Moths, Beetld (Harmless to everything but Insects. Sold only in tins, 3d, 6d, and Is Only be sure you do get" Keatiags* WORMS IN CHILDREN. WORMS IN CHILDREN. are easily, surely, and with perfect safety got rid of by using KRATING'S WORM TABLETS (has no effect except on worms). Sold by all Chemiate, ia Tins, la l%d each. W;- PHILLIPS & CO.'S PURE TEAS Stand out in front of all others for their absolute Purity and perfect Quality. PHILLIPS & CO.'S PURE TEAS Have become a boot) to Invalids and people of Weak Digestion.. PHILLIPS & CO.'S I PURE TEAS Aoh as Ii gentle Stimhlant And Tonic to the hetvous syatetm PHILLIPS & CO.'S PURE TEAS Are most refreshing, Thfty a perfect Summer Drinkt PHILLIPS & PURE TEAS Are Most Economical; They go further than iiriy others. They stand the Second Wateri PHILLIPS & PURE TEAS Are Wonderful Value. They are ft surprise even to the ihost expert Téi Blenders. They oanoob msitch them. PHILLIPS & CO. S PURE TEAS Hold their own easily asrainSti the Fiercefek Competition. PHILLIPS & CO.'S PURE TEAS Arif tiie Dread and Despair of the trade. PHILLIPS & CO.'S PURE TEAS Have the Largest Sale in the Princi- pality. PHILLIPS & PURE TEAS Are grown under the British FJnr, every lfeaf of thetn. PHILLIPS & CO.'S PURE TEAS Have been before the public for nearly him a Cehtury. PHILLIPS & CO.'S PURE TEAS Have taken the lead wherever and Whenever introduced. GOOD SOUND BLENDS, 11.. and u% Pet GRAND MEDIUM BLENDS, 1/4, 1/Cm 1/8 Pet lb. HIGH-CLASS BLENDS, 1/10, 2/ 3/6, and 3/- Per lb. SIX LBS, from Is 4r1 pe* lb. & Upwards, carriage paid to any p4,n of the United Kingdom. Cash with Order. PHILLIPS & COd j TEA SPECIALISTS, 74f QUEEN STREET. CARDIFF. fjttblic llcrttMS. BRITISH WORKMAN'S AND GENERAL ASSURANCE COMPANY, LIMITED. CHIEF OFFICES BROAD STREET, CORNER, BIRMINGHAM. SUMMARY OF DIRECTORS' REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDING APRIL 30TH, 1897 Adopted at the Thirty-first Annual General Meeting of the Company, held on July 13th, 1897. LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, In presenting their 31st Annual Report your Directors are pleased to state that the year's operations halt resulted in the largest increase ever recorded in the Company's business. The increase in the total income from all sources was £ 81,310 the increase in premium income being £ 79,183. The net increase in the number of Assurantswas 111,002, producing a New Annual Premium Income B of £ 88,561. < NEW BUSINESS. 2 ORDINARY DEPARTMENT.—The number of New Proposals received was 4,514, assuring the sum of E424,074 10s, at a Yearly Premium of £ 23,634 9s 4d. The number of Policies issued was 3,880, assuring the sum' ot £ 355,974 10s at an Aunual Premium of £ 19,299 18s 9d. INDUSTRIAL DEPARTMENT.—The number of Policies issued was 419,269; at an Annual Premium ot ..J. £ 251,693 19s 3d. b CLAIMS. i ORDINARY DEPARTMENT.—The amount paid In Claims during the year in this department was £ 18.281 5slO<L including £ 682 0s 2d Surrender Claims. • INDUSTRIAL DEPARTMENT. -The amount paid in Claims during the year in this Department waa £ 2)1.976 Is I 3d, including £3,508 Os 3d Surrender Claims. iS The Total Amount paid to 30th April, 1897, was £ 1,855.941 0s 2d. Wk =j BUSINESS IN FORCE. ■ J ORDINARY DEPARTMENT.—The number of Assurantaupon the Company's Books on the 30th April 1897. S I was 14,325, at au Annual Premium of £ 67,469 18s lOd. i INDUSTRIAL DEPARTMENT.—The number of Assurants upon the Company's Books on the 30th April, B was 836,034, at an Annual Premium of £ 501,589 10s 5d. 9 The Total Number of Assurants on the Company's Books in both Departments was 850,359, at an Annual m i Premium of £ 569,059 9s 3d. B J The total income of the Company was E519,561 8 5d. The total expenditure was £ 487,427 Its 3d. Leaving a surplus balancc on the year's accounts of £ 32,133 17s 2d. B Your Directors have decided to set aside a sum of £ 17,000 as an Investment Reserve Fund out of th'" ft surplus, and recommend that the whole of the remaining surplus be added to the Assurance Fund. 8 j JOHN C. fOWKE, Chairman. n FREDK. T. JEFFERSON, » J Deputy-Chairman | S ( THOMAS L SHEPHERD, Accountant. SAml. E. JOHNSON, « t ■ S. J. PORT, Secretary. JOSEPH A. PATKlOK, > Director* ■ J. W. DRAKE, m THOS. DOBSON, | ■ W. GKEENHALGH, ) M LOCAL DISTRICT OFFICES. M CARDIFF— 91, St. Mary-street, J STANAWAY, Superintendent. K I:ARRY DOCK—4, Woodland-terrace, J. CLARKE, Superintendent. w NE\VPORT—129, Commercial-street, E. ROSCOE, Superintendent. H D-12. Wvndham-street. A. W. EVANS, Superintendent. I PONTYPRIDD—Market-square, Wi HARRY, Superintendent. jB POBTH—Town Hall Chambers, T. WILLIAMS, Superintendent. | DIVISIONAL INSPECTOR, T. M. MORRIS, 45, Queen-street, Neath. GYJG WANTED FOR THE ROYAL NAVY. ENGINE ROOM ARTIFICERS (Fitters- Coppersmiths, Boilermakers, and Enginesmiths); age, 21-28 pay, £ 100 to £ 136 a year Also Armourers, Blacksmiths, Carpenters, Coopers, Painters, Sail- makers, and Shipwrights. Free provisions, pensions. for life on completion of service, and other advantages.! For further information apply to any Marine Recruit- ing Officer, or by letter to the Admiralty Recruiting Department, 22, Spring Gardens, London, S.W. 927e gPEClAL NOTICE TO THE PUBLIC. S, H. BROOKS. The Pawnbrokers' .Auctioneer, who sold at 95, St. Mary-street, Cardiff, has closed his Sales uulil the 2nd of August. Business will then be carried on as usual. All deposits and repairs to be called for on the 4th. 807 Hotels, Dimng-rflflms, &r. SWANSEA. Trafalgar HOTEL, JL OYSTERMOUTH-ROAD, SWANSEA. Visitors to Swansea will find First-class Accommo- dation at the above Hotel. Uninterrupted view of the Bay. Clwrges very moderate. 9707-93te CLSSIE EVANS, Proprietress. ^TLAS |pURNISHING £ J03VIPANY. (LIMITED), JJAYES jgUILDlNGS, CIARDIFF. -it ABSOLUTELY THE CHEAPEST AND MOST EXTENSIVE HOUSE FULLMSHERS OUT OF LONDON. FURNISH FOR CASH. OR ON OUR SPECIAL HIRE-PURCHASE SYSTEM AT CASH PRICES. NOTE.—Our Hire-Putchase System is entirely different from any other, andhas been highly commended by the whole of the local Press. THE ATLAS FURNISHING COMPANY, THE OLDEST ESTABLISHED AND BY FAR THE MOST EXTENSIVE FURNISHERS IN TH S PROVINCES, SUPPLY VERY REQUISITE FOR THE COMPLETE FUR ISHING OF COTTAGE, HOTEl" OR MANSION CONSIDERABLY CHEAPER THAN THE MAJORITY OF THOSE FIRMS WHO SELL FOR CASH ONLY. THIS WE ARE ABLE TO no THROUGH BEING THE BONA.FIDE MANUFACTURERS OF THE PRIN CIPAI. GOODS WE HELL. NO SECURITY KKQUIKTSD: TTO 'lTXTRA EXPENSES ON OUR HIRE-PUKCHASE SYSTEM. THE FAJR AND EQUITABLE MANNER IN WHICH OUR BUSINESS IS CARRIED ON AND OUR REASONABLE TERMS AND LOW PRICES ARE SO WELL KNOWN THROUGHOUT ENGLAND AND WALES AS TO RENDER FURTHER COMMENT UNNECESSARY. CAUTION.-We do not employ any Travellers or Canvassers, neither do we Pay Commission for iiitro- ducing business. This enables us to supply (na g oiis at the lowest possible price. All orders should be sent direct to the finn T E R M S,- WF, PRACTICALLY GIVE OUR CUSTOl\mUS THE PRIVILEGE OF ARRANGING '^IR O N TERMS OF PAYMENT, AS THEY KNOW BESr THE AMOUNT THEY CAN CONVENIEMLY AFFORD TO PAY EACH WEEK OR MONTH. FURNITURE SENT TO ANY PARC OF ENGLAND OR WALES. AN INSPECTION OF OUR STOCK WILL AT ONCE SATISFY INTENDING PURCHASERS THAT WE GIVE BETTlm VALUE THAN ANY OTHER HOUSE FURNISHERS IN THE PROVINCES. THE LARGEST STOCK OF PERAMBULATORS AND MAIL CARTS IN CARDIFF. FURNISH FOR CASH, OR ON OUR SPECIAL HIRE PURCHASE SYSTEM. OUR PROSPECTUS, LARGE ILLUSTRATED CATALOGUE, AND PRICF.-J.IS'r SENT POST FREE OR ON APPLICATION. TYI ATLAS FURNISHING CO., LIMITED. JJAYES JgUILDlNGS, 0ARDIFF, ALL GOODS DELIVERED FREE WITHIN 100 MILES OF CARDIFF. 20o 1196 JpEIEST AND Cø., jtLJL. JL ILING'S ROAD. CANTON, CARDIFF. WIRE NETTING Per 50 Yard Rolls:- s. d, s- d. 3in mesh, 2ft wide.. 3 0 2in mesh, 2ft wide.. 3 9 3in mesh, 3ft wide.. 4 8 2in mesh, 3ft wide.. 5 9 in mesh, 4ft wide.. 6 2 2in mesh, 4ft wide.. 7 9 All Sorts Equally Cheap. GALVANISED ROOFING SHEETS s. d. s- £ • 5ft long 1 1 8ft long — — — 6ft long 1 4 9ft long • • £ f 7ft long 1 7 10ft long 2 Ridging. Nails. Washers, Bolts, etc. 509 ROOFING FELT, with Nails, 3s 4d and 3s 9d Ro 11 WATER IANKS, GARDEN SEATS, ARCHES. TENTS. MARSH & COMPAiN Y. ADULTS FUNERALS 1st Class with Best Hearse and Coach, on the no$t modern principle with a pair of their well-known Flemish-bred Horses to each, one-incb Elm Polished Coffin, best registered Furniture, with elaborate named plate engraved, flue satin-trimmed robe, and self attendance 5 0 Marsh A Co.'s 2nd Class ditto, ditto* J 0 Marsh it Co.'s 3rd, with improved carriage 3 3 0 Marsh 4t Co.'s 4th. ditto, ditto 2 10 0 CHILDREN'S FUNERALS. Including pair of Flemish-bred Horses, modern Coacfc with all the latest improvements, Polished Cotiu, ined with fine flannel, and attendance- Under one year -;El 7 t Under two years.. let One-horse Carriage, including coffin covered in black, blue, or polished, lined with flan- nel, modern coach, and attendance. Under six months — ■ 0 Under one year — — — « Under two >ears — — 1 0 And so on in proportion. Handsome Car, Carved or Plain Plumed Hearse Mourning Coaches and Broughams, Ostrich Plumes, Ac ADDRESS: 80. ST. MARY-STREET. GARB IF K. A. AND G. TAYLOR, ARTISTIC PHOTOGRAPHERS CABINETS, 15s. per Doz. CARTES-DE-VISITE, 6s. per Doz. I SEE OUR SHOW CASES. WESLEY CHAMBERS, DUKE-STREET NEWPORT CARDIFF. 126# Jg A D K' S piLLS. ft INSTANTLYI1ELIEVE AND RAPIDLY CURE THE X WORST FORM OF GOUT, RHEUMATISM RHEUMATIC GOOT. # PAINS IN THE HEAD, FACE, AND LIMBS. And have the largest recommendation ever,itiven S any Patent Medicitie of its class. THEIR EFFECTS An MARVELLOUS 1 j ^>jOUT JT% H E U M A T I S M ^OUT \jr R 11 11; U AT A T I S M QOUT |pp H E U M A T I S M QOUT Jf HEUMATISM OUT ?. HKUMATIS M ?. HKUMATIS M 6 'i, d OUT RHEUMATISM QOUT H E U M A TIS M 27, Whitestone-road, Ftirtown; Huddersfield, I „ Jan., 1897. Sir ,-1\Iy Husbp,ntl has bad a> tacks of Rheumatism through being in the damp, which always lasted nine or ten hours. He came home the other day at dinner time with a worse attack than ever. It was all over with I him, and he was raging with it. So unknown to him I < went, and bought a bottle of i. your Goat mid Rheumatic Pills, but when I brought them to laim lie was cross. and said they would do him 110 good. 1, however, per- suaded him to take two and go to bed. He said he should never sleep, but l IN HALF AN HOUR HE WAS SOUND ASLEEP, and slept all night, and the next day was ;I," right as possible. I think 1-hey can. not be too highly recorp i mended, as my husband would have had a very serious attack. I have in- duced my friends to try them, and they have found them to be like magic.— Yours truly, M. MILLS. Mr George Eade. I EADE'S GOUT AND RHEUMATIC PILLS Ate S(ilft by all Chemists, in Botties, Is FAA and 2s 94 or sent post free for Postal Order by the Proprietor, CJEORGE EADE, 72, GOSVVKLT.-ROAD, E.C. Ask for and he sure you obtain EADE'S GOUT AND RHEUMATIC PILLS. 14- 1 A D Li PILLS. X 5075 fe5* 15991 HEATH & SONS. JL>T AJSTOFOliTElS AND ORGANS LY ALL MAKERS. J ENORMOUS DISCOUNTS DURING SUMMER MONTHS. Send for Catalogues and Verdict of 900, From. Gns. Monthlf W.4 !> UT CASE. FULL COMPASS, panel front, 3ft. lOin. high 18 10 6 Similar Model, superior quality 20 11 8 VANDERBOLT MODEL, iron frame, full compass, trichord, check action, machine covered hammers, 3ft. lOin.. high 24 14 0 HENRY MODEL, lin. higher, superior quality 26 16 a EMPIRE MODEL, full compass, iron j frame, full trichord, check action, pi a teil holt.s, sconces, marqueterie ancr gilded panel trusses, 4ft. high., 30 17. BOARD SCHOOL MODEL, as supplied Cardiff, Penarth, &c., Intermediate i" andBoard Schools. 34 19 W s ASSOCIATION MODEL, 4ft. Pin. high, burr walnut, prize medal design, with all the most modern improve- ments. 31 22 2 I ALEXANDER MODEL, ditto, 4ft 4in. 45 26 3 < 5s in the £ DISCOUNT for CASH ALL GOODS SENT CARRIAGE PAID. G A N S FROM £ 5. 1 PIANOFORTES by BROAD WOOD, COLLARD ASE COLLARD, KIRKMAN, ERARD, &c., Ac. Now is the opportunity for acquiring a splendid instrument at the lowest possible price, either for Cast or on the approved Hire System from 5s monthly. CALL AND SECURE A BARGAIN. SHOW ROOMS J, QUERN STREET, 70. TAFF-STREET, CARDIFF I PONTYPRIDD AND 31, WINDSOR-ROAD, PENARTH. I MANUFACTORY LONDON Agencies at Aberavcn, Cadoxton, Bridgend, Maesteg, &c. Canvassers wanted in all parts on good Commission. 1066-2e fI- NHE JJATEST DISCOVERY. -N-J .!U' SAVE MONEY AND TIME. Is SAVES BI. BIG DEMAND. c Uicr of INCANDESCENT BURNERS can now prevent the Breaking, Split ting, and Btaotro"in»r Mantte.s by using ,j J^^AGNESLUM-^ARBIDE. j SOLD IN TUBES AT Is. BY POST, Is m. SOLE AGENTSE j J OHN ^TILLIAMS AND JGONS» 7310 IRONMONGERS. CARDIFF. 680e gEECHAM'S PILLS. JiD' j jjL>EECHAM'S PILLS. BEECHAM'S PILLS. 1-' Worth a Guinea a Box. j >EECHAM'S PILLS. — S3 For Biiious Attacks. < j EECHAM: SPILLS. For Nervous Disorders. EECHAM'S PILLS. f For Indigestion in all its forms. I_>EECHAM;S PILLS. SI? For Wind and Pains in th Stomach. EECHAM'S PILLS. For Sick Headache EECHAM'S PILLS, j JD Have saved the lives of Thousands. EECHAM'S PILLS For Giddiness. BEECHAM'S PILLS. For Fulness and Swelling after Meals. EECHAM'S PILLS. Are Worth a Guinea a Box. EECHAM'S PILLS. S.) A Wonderful Medicine for Females of all Apes. 168th MARVELLOUS REMEDY.—DAS MAIL'S WORLD-FAMED SPECIFIC. THE ONLY SAFE AND EFFECTUAL REMEDY < ON EARTH. m Before ordering elsewhere do not fail to send stamped 1 addressed envelope for particulars and prices, and then § judge for yourselves. Mrs W. S. H., of Cardiff, writes- i This is the TIIIRD OCCASION on which I have used your Speciality with success, and shall always W pleased to recommend it to mv friends." A. DASMAIL ]i (Specialist of 30 years' experience), Box 396, LANGDALE HOUSE, WALTHAMSTOW 976e 1623/ LOIS DON. 8279 i- GREAT AMERICAN CURE.—TWENTY years' research has brought to lightaGuaranteey Re medy for Nervous Debility, Brain Fag, Weakness Lassitude, Despondency. Dimness of Sight. Loss of Memory and Confusion of Ideas, Dizziness. Noises in the Ears Melancholy, Blotches on the Skin, and all Kidney Ailments. The Presciription is in the hands of a Minister, who will befriend anyone suffering from these enervating Diseases. It has Cured Thousands. g erely send self-addressed envelope to the Rev. DAVID JONES, Ray Villa, Lewes, England, when the Prescrip II ion will be sent free of charge. Name this Paper, ib DON'T FORGET THAT VIRIDINE is the CURE for CORNS.—^This grand discovery has led many to imitate it, bat without gaining for such Preparation the satisfactory results "Viridina haa secured. in bottles, Is by post, Is 2d. J MUNDAY Chemist, ftivii-street O-ard 3 CLARKE'S B 41 PILLS are warranted N,j to CURE GRAVEL and PAINS IN THS BACK, and a11. kindred complaints. Free frour W Mercury. Established upwards of 30 years. In boxes 4s 6d each, of all Chemists and Patent Medieina Vendors throughout the world, or sent, for 60 stamp» t by; the Makers, The Lincoln and Midland Coun'ii-g Drag 35 i, is e Printed and -hea vY-tk-e-pr-cp-oD-AVtC- t riet r. j DUNCAN & SONS at 105 St Mary-street *n< I westgate-streec in the town of Cardiff in the count j r.,( Glamorgan

AN "INFANT'S" WIDOW. On Thursday, at the close of an inquest held before Mr Samuel F. Langlum, the City of London Cjroner, there was an unusual scene. The evidence showed that the deceased, a Mr Herbert Hammond, residing at 18, Almington-atreet, Hornsey. had died suddenly from heart disease while in a City restaurant, his identity being sworn to by his widow, Mrs Ham- mond, who stated that her husband was only 20 last birthday. At the close of the inquest the jury returned a verdict of natural death, and the coroner instructed the burial certificate to be given to the widow of the deceased. This was done, but the father of the deceased stepped forward and said he wished' for the certificate. The Coroner: For what reason ? The father; My son was under age at the time of his deatli.-Tite Coroner I fail to see what that haa to do with it. The father But I have ordered the coffin and arranged the funeral.-The widow: Yes, sir, but my father has also doDe the same on my bt3. half. The two undertakers were present in court and appeared anxious to geb the matter settled, but on hearing of the two coffins, the corouer pointed out. that lie had no jurisdiction in the matter, as it was an affair clearly to be settled between the members of the family, although, at the same time, showing the absurdity of rela- tives not acting together in the matter. The father: I thought being under age it was my duty,—The Coroner The wife is clearly now the nearest relative, and the nearest relative alway is supposed to rule that matter. (To the widow) How long have you been married ? The widow: Nine months and two weeks.—The Coroner Have you the marriage certificate ?-The Widow: Yes (producing it).—The Coroner And you swear that this refers to you and the deceased.—The widow Yes- The father Oh, I don't dispute the fact of the marriage.—The Coroner Well, al; I can do is to hand the certificate to the widow.—The Coroner's Clerk Was the deceased insured The widow Yes.—The parties then left the Court.

MURDER OF A FATHER. An ex-soldier named Bates, who is described as a rough, lazy fellow, is in custody for the murder of his father at Testou, a village near Maidstone. The victim was a hale and hearty old man, a well-known character in the locality, and earned bis living as a shoemaker. His two sons lived with him, and it transpired that the one now in custody gave himself up at Mailing on Thursday to the police, who proceeded to the old man's house and found him dead, with shocking wounds on the head.

For the past quarter of a century there ha. been one continuous flow of letters bearing testimony to the truly wonderful cures effected by GuARKEs WORLD-FAMED BLOOD MIXTURE, the finest Blood Purifier that science and medical skill have brought to light.' Suffers from Scrofula, Scurvy Eczema, Bad Legs, Skin and Blood Diseases, Pimples and Sores of any kind, are solicited to give it a fcnal to est its value. Sold everywhere, ab 2s 9d per bottJa Beware of worthless imitations and substitutes., 16h

I TIRED OF LTFE. I A collier about 55 years of age, who began to feal age creeping on, had beeu a sufferer for years from bis nerves. Toothache, neuralgia, and kindred complaints were his constant companions, nnbil at length he began to get tired of life. Everything was black and dismal, and he was a misery to himself and to all around him. He felb unusually tired and prostrate after his ordinary day's work. Someone persuaded him to try a course of Sanders' Nerve Pills. He did so, and is now a different man he feels young and jolly again, takes p'easure in his work, and can enter into all the enjoyment of life once more. Why should you suffer from toothache, neuralgia, and similar distressing complaints, when yon can obtain relief by taking Sanders' Nerve Pills ? In boxes at Is Ilhd and 2 9d, or post free. Of all chemists and medicine dealers, or from Sanders Riverside Pharmacy, Tudor-road, Cardiff. 683

How TO READ CHARACTER PROM THE FACB.— Small eyes show acquisitiveness and meanness large, full, moist eyes indicate kindliness of disposition and benevolence bright, glittering eyes how marder— beware of them, cowardly assassins and poisoners have them a turned up nose shows deceit; a long, full nose means intelligence a narrow chin and jaw shows vacillation and weakness a square and broad jaw determination and viciousness eyes set wide apart in the head is indicative of a good memory for words.-Consulting Dr. Bridgwater, of 18, Custom Honss-street means a Certain Cure for all diseases. THE DOROTHY, Cardiff.-Rich Bridal Cakes all sizes in stock. Prices on appUcatwn. New novelties eveiy day. The best only. 68e

FACTS AND FANCIES. Dora He said there was one thing about me be didn't like.- Cora What was that?—"Au- other man's arm." Almost any man will admit that he is liable to make mistakes." Ye?, excepb when he makes them." "You protest that yon love me, Emily but I am still waiting for the first kiss." "Well, why do you wait ?" Mrs Gayburd (whose husband is ill from drink): Well,doctor,Itell me the worst.-Dr. Dosem Well madam, he will recover. Madge is always out of money." How does that happen ?" She can't resist buying every new kind of pocketbook she sees." Whab the man said 01), yep, delightful wea. ther." What lie wtiitf-d to say: "Blankeiy blank blankety LI.rik blank! blank blank "It takes my wife three days to go to a picnic." How's that ?" "She takes a day to get ready, a day to go, and a day to get over it." Primus: Didn't Mr Goodman say that Col. Blusgrass had become a Prohibitionist ?-Secnn- dus: Ye?, and now the Colonel is suing him for libel. Gi-Acioup, Jack, what immense shirt studs you wear." Woil, you know how buttonholes act; I'm going to keep up with thorn, if in takes a dinner plate." Barings: Perfidious woman, you have broken my heart !—Mi^s Wheeler 0:1, I don't think it is as bad as that, Nothing worse than a small puiieiure. "Is your flying machine a success?" "Un- questionably," replied the enthusiast, Have ycu made a trip in it?" "No, but I've sold several shares of stock." Mother: Now, Johnny, are you belling me the trut,lt?-,Tolinriy If I ain't, why do you want to make me tell another he by asking me such a qusstion as that?; "Sillie Twitters is to be married," said Mrs Kilduff to her brother, who is a crusty bachelor. "Ah," said he, "who is bar victim?" Then stumer a baleful look in his sister's (Ay,, he added, I should say, who is her accomplice?'' And how is dear Mr Poundbook's cough ? Is it iixy better?"—The Homekeeping Parishioner It got «o bad that we sanb him on a trip to Pules- tiue. Just about now it is safe to say, that his bark is on Liegea. First Cyclist: I always get nervous when I see a womau crossing the street ahead of me.— Sccond bicyclisb So do I. They have so many pins in their clothes that if a fellow collides with them he is almost sure to puncture a tyre. Brown: I thought of buying that suburban property, but I'd like to get some information about tlto, plnce from someone who lives there.— Smith Get your information from someone who used to live there. She The thing that surprises me is that I didn't discover how hopeless a foot you were before wo were married.—He Well, you have only yourself to blame for it. I asked you in plain English to ba my wife. Aunt Dorothy had just finished her prepara- tions for a bifycle ride, and appeared at the door arrayed in bloomers. "Oh, auntie!" exclaimed J-,rry, wlto was playi,ip,, in Lile gardel- Are you g jmg to be my uncle ?" I presume," said the talkative man to his reat mate in the railway trair, "from your man- n'lr and conversation that yon have family ties 1" Y«" replied Mr Meekton, I s'pose you wc-IL call I biiy 'in for iiiy!self, but my wife and the girls wear 'm whenever they feel like it."

I MASTERS CRITICISED. A correspondent with an intimate knowledge of the South Wales coal trade writes After all the time and trouble expended upon the scheme for the limitation of output the colliery owners on Wednessday met to finally shelve it a? far as they personally were concerned. I A SOLEMN FARCJC. If the consequences were not so serious, the situation is sufficiently ludicrous. Week by week a committee of gentlemen met and solemnly discussed and revised a scheme, which many never sympathised with and some were determined should never be adopted, but which they feared to openly oppose. They might surely have taken steps at the outset to ascertain whether the requisite majority was obtainable, but they apparently preferred to first formulate what they unanimously passed as a workable scheme j before doing so, and thus effectually stultify themselves. Their action is certainly not calculated to inspire the men with con- fidence, nor can it be altogether welcome to shareholders in the various companies that at present pay no dividend except purhaps upon their preference shares. For both aiike the quesblon is serious, and it is this Why should an article for which year by year there is an increased demand be sold at an unnecessarily low price, more especially when such price is unremunerative and not forced upon the market by foreign, but simply and solely by local com- petition ? The present state of things is unjust to those who have their money invested in colliery enterprises, and to the men whose wages depend upon the price realised tor the coal. If a limitation of output means, as it does, increased cost per ton, surely, with French and German coals advancing in price, it should be possible for Cardiff and South Wales to advance its prices also. Why, in the name of commou-sense, should the consumer be supplied without profit to the producer ? There is no reason for this rREPOSTEROUS STATE OF THINGS, I excepb that people here are mistrustful oue of the other each is anxious to steal a march on his neighbour and secure more than his proportion of the trade, when ib would be bebier for all son- cerned that an agreement should be come to by which each oolliery should have its share of the trade, at prices which need not be other than good, seeing that year by year the shipments increase, and the demand is there. The matter is doubly serious when it is borne in mind that we have here many pits that can only pay at an advanced price. It is asked, why should not those that can sell at a cheaper figure and less money? Surely the question is rather why should theso newer and larger collieries mako the extra profib that the markeb would allow, excepb for this infernal and fraternal aud ruinous competition1.? It is in no way a question of Free .Trade. Government is asked for no assistance or inter- vention in the shape of imposing protective duties on the importation of foreign coals at British coaling stations. It is a matter only of regulating the trade so that no ton of coal shall be shipped at a 103S. More than ever, it should be possible to do this now when steamers take their outward cargoes at retes that do not pay expenses on them, A SHAREHOLDER'S QUESTION. I A:¡¡¡.in, h,t it be said tillS is IS not ¡¡. rratter for the men only, but for colliery shareholders also. Can they exercise no pressure on the directors of the different companies, or are they prepared to accept as inevitable the passing of dividends while their property is being exhausted daily and becoming more expensive to work? It is nothing short of a national misfortune that our collieries should have become limited liability companies, for they would otherwise be worked with more regard to the returns. But things being as they are, it is to be hoped that if the shareholders see no way to protect themselves the men may, by plain, outspoken, reasonable demands, see that their interests shall nob be sacrificed to please a few individuals who can imagine no other way of making their particular colliery pay than by flooding the market with coal, after having secured an undue share, to the exclusion of others, of the business to be had at needlessly low prices, without any regard to the consequences and ugmindful of the facb that they cannot render themselves indepeudenb of circumstances, and thab if they knock prices down they must themselves, when again selling, treat on this lower basis, above which, owing to tke large developments at various collierieshit will become increasingly difficult to rise.

[yiiNEfiS' LEADERS' OPINIONS. I Mil BRACE'S POLICY. Our representative met Mr William BrRoe, agent for the Monmouthshire Western Valleys Miners' Union, on Thursday, and solicited his opinion on the abandonment of the control of the outpnt scheme by the employers. I am very sorry," said Mr Brace, thab the control of the output scheme has been abandoned, and while I never recognised it as being a panacea for all the evils of undereelling, still it was a step in the right direction. I believe the owners will now see that it would have been a wiser policy on their part to have taken the workmen iu as active co-operators, instead of trying to carry this scheme through themselves. I RESTRICTION BY STOP. I Limiting the output by a five-day week policy, four-day; or stop week, or anything in that way, I am not in favour of ab all; it would not help us very much. Our men think too much about filling trains to dive deep enough below the surface of a policy of four or five days per week, or a stop week. to understand fche real meaning of such a policy and the result would be thut if we agreed to work four or five days a week for the next six months it would not be the men's or tho employers' faulb if they did not turn out as much coal in these four or five days as they ordinarily would in six, A policy of this kind for restricting the output would certainly prove a failure. As to the output scheme, I have simply recognised it as A METHOD OF BKG0LATING SUPPLY TO SUIT DEMAND, theaeby indirectly enhancing nrioes more so than directly attempting to deal ¡ "I the underselling so rampanb in this coalfield. As a support to giving the workmen a minimuir. wnge and the employers a minimum profit the scheme would undoubtedly have been of great value, but as a substitute for a minimum I have never betieved in it. One thing the owners' attempt has dene is to prove thab the workmen must work out their own salvation, and not depend iipon anyt-iia elee. I am open to confess to the belief that if the owners thought—(I now refer to those owners who refused to become connected with the scheme)—that the men were determined to have better wages than they have been receiving, it would have helped materially to alter their opinions towards the scheme, and for that reason I was very desirous that a conference should have been held specially to discuss THE WORKMEN'S POSITION, And what action they were going to taKe. Owing to a series of circumstances that conference has not yeb been held but when it will be held, instead of discussing what position they will take up towards the scheme they will now have to dis- cuss what their iiitureiction will be in face of tho fact that the owners' scheme has been abandoned. To my mind, the workmen's position is very clear-they must ab once go in for a minimum wage, through the Sliding Scale, of 30 per cent. upon the standard rates of 1879, To enable the owners to pay this, there must be a correspond- ing minimum selling price fixed, with a proviso that all contracts mado below the minimum selling price will be reckoned in the audits for the regulation of the workmen's wages at the minimum-i.e., assuming that we agreed that the minimum sailing prion shall be 10s 6d per ton f.o.b., and an owner makes a contract at 8 per ton f.o.b., that contraot would be reckoned in the audit at 109 6-1, which would mean that that owner, although he had only received 84 per ton f.o.b. for lIi coal, would have to pay hia workmen the rate of wjigas based as if he had made the contract at 1011 6d. By doing this the owner would have to bear his losses through underselling out of his own pocket, and not recoup himself out of the workmen's wages, as he is enabled to do through the Sliding Scale system, constituted, as it is in South Wal""I', without a mimmum. If the owners are really in earnest in this matter, and they desire to prevent underselling and punish those who practice it, there is not a more simple or fairer method than the fixing of A MINIMUM WAGE FOR THE MEN and a minimum selling price for tho owners. In fact, all the owners who are members of tltH Coalowners' Federation and supporters of the Sliding Scale agreement for the regulation of wages were pledged to supporb this scheme, and ie is the outside owners who are responsible for the break-up. It is the associated owners who really govern and manage the SlidingScale for the owners' side, and whatever the associated owners agree upon in the shape of amendments to the Sliding Scale that is what is accepted by the owners of the coalfield. What; I would suggest is that the associated owners should agree to AMEND THE SLIDING-SCALE II A agreement, tV giving the men ou per eent. mini. mum upon blie 1879 rates, and fix the selling price at 10s 6d without delay. This will make tho outside owners who have wrecked the control of the output scheme recognise the prices which the assoccislted owners agree upon from time to time because, no matter how badly united the men might be in the collieries owned by those outside employers, they will never take less wages than is paid to their fellow-workers In other parts of the coalfield." I PuLICY SUGGESTED, "This is the policy that I shall advocate,' proceeded Mr Brace, "and if the associated owners are as annious to pay those people back in their own win,«» they would like via to believe owners are as annious to pay those people back in their own agia, 44 they would like us to believe they are, they will grant these amendments to the Sliding Scale agreement withoub cavil. If they will not concede this, then it should be proof positive to the men that the owners do not desire any amendment, and thab all this bother aboub the control of the output to give the workmen better wages was a bit of bluff on their part. Once the men are convinced of this they will not rest until the Sliding Scale agreement has been amended in the manner they have been begging for years; and if they cannot got their minimum through a Sliding Scale, then they must do the same an the Midland men have done—get it without one." I MR THOMAS RICHARDS. Mr T. Richards, agent of the Ebbw Vale and Sirhowy Colliery Workmen's Association, stated to our representative on Thursday morning that on all hands he found an intense feeling of indignation manifested by the workmen at what they considered the very summary dismissal of the case for restricting the out-put. I have nothing to add," said Mr Riabardcj, to the expression of Monmouthshire opinion published in your columns this (Thursday) morn- ing, which, I feel sure, is a very fair statement of the feeling created amongst the general body of the workmen. I feel little doubt that the miners of South Wales and Monmouthshire will seriously consider the punishment of the recalci- trant owners, and the restriction of the output by a weekly holiday, stop week, or anene other method of the kind."