Ross Gazette 26th February 1914 - Page 8
Ross Gazette 26th February 1914 - Page 8
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Image Details
| Date | 26/02/1914 |
|---|---|
| Type | Newspaper |
| Format | |
| Language | English |
| Area | Ross Gazette |
| Collection Holder | Herefordshire Libraries |
| Date of Publication | 26th February 1914 |
| Transcription |
[ ALL RIGHTS RESERVED . ] AT DEAD OF NIGHT . the table as he spoke , and indicated another . - deep , hollow voice , after a few seconds of silence . He seated himself in one chair by " You came to consult me on a matter of some importance ? " Ernot exactly , " answered David , seat . BY CHARLES PROCTER . ing himself . " A friend of mine spoke of you Author of " The Dice of God , " " What Shall is as having special powers - second sight , read the past and the future - and all that sort of Profit & Man ? " thing , and I thought I would call . I am in some difficulty , but I don't see how you can help_me . " Egypt has many things that you wot not " said " Egypto , " impressively . you show me your hand ? SYNOPSIS OF PRECEDING CHAPTERS : David Emerson , an explorer , who is subject to Occasional fits of somnambulism , loves Ruth Vanbrugh , who has been forced by her father , Sir Nicholas , into an engagement with Lord Patmore . The rivals quarrel in Lady Constance Darenth's country house , and next morning Patmore is found murdered in his bed . David discovers a blood - stained knife in his room , and , knowing that he has walked in his sleep , believes that he has killed his rival . His fears are confirmed when he learns that Ruth and Lady Constance both saw him during the night outside Patmore's chamber . Lady Constance , who is in love with Emerson , treats him to keep , silence ; and , believing that only Ruth and Constance know his secret , he consents . en- He returns to London , and on the advice of his uncle , Sir Eliot Emerson , seeks to forget the whole affair by exploring the slums of London . He falls in with Henry Haggard , a shabby rogue , who invites David to his house . There he is astonished to find his uncle , obviously searching Haggard's belongings . Haggard covers the in- truder with a revolver . Sir Eliot explains that he had come to see a man - the Rev. Fabian Grinwald . Haggard pro- fesses not to believe him , and tells David that Sir Eliot is desperate and dangerous scoundrel . Subsequently Sir Eliot informs David that the Rev. Fabian Grinwald is trying to blackmail him , and that he had gone to the house to get some papers . The clergyman calls on Lady Constance and demands one thousand pounds , failing which he will give information to the police as the mur- derer of Patmore . David , who is present at the David interview , refuses to allow her to pay . finds , to his dismay , that his secret is also known to Egypto , " a Bond - street fortune - telller . CHAPTER XI . David found a note from Constance waiting for him at his chambers , and opened it with some degree of trepidation . DEAR DAVID , " he read , " I have been a fool , and am thoroughly ashamed of myself . Can you forgive me ? I was mad yesterday , I think quite beside myself , and you did quite right to go and leave me in silent contempt . Say that you forgive me , David , and that my hysterical attack will not affect our friend- ship . You have nothing to fear now . I have paid Grinwald what he asked for , and he has promised to make no further appeal . I felt that I must pay , as I am sure that in some manner I was indiscreet enough to reveal something to the fortune - telling man Egypto . ' It must have been he who told Grinwald - I can think of no one else . Please do not be angry with me for paying - it was my fault . Come and take tea with me , and let me know that I am pardoned . - CONSTANCE . " With a sigh David sat down , still holding the letter in his hand , and chewing at the ends of his moustache . Well , " I feared that she would pay after all , " he soliloquised moodily . " Of course , I shall in- sist on repaying the money , but I hate to think of that scoundrel walking off with a cool thousand . And I have no faith in his promise not to make further appeals . I'm in a nice hole , but I'm glad Constance has come to her senses . " He read the letter again , still frowning thoughtfully . " I wonder how much Constance told this Egypto ? No doubt her conjecture as to where Grinwald obtained his information is correct . F can't understand how else he could have found out . I have half a mind - yes , I will ! I'll go and interview this Egypto , " and make some in- quiries . " He rose at once , put on his hat , and walked round to Old Bond - street . There were plenty of sandwichmen in the gutter carrying boards advertising charlatans of every description palmists , crystal - gazers . soothsayers - and all with strange names , but it some little time before he discovered the office " Egypto . " " The master is out , sir , " said the uni- W86 of of , " Will " Old humbug ! This is how you impress women , and put the fear of death on them , is it ? " thought David , as he extended his hand . He was peering into the man's face , trying to recognise him , but the " make - up " and the beard were a perfect disguise , and he failed to identify " Egypto " as Haggard . " I see blood , " said Egypto , " in his deep , hollow voice , gazing at David's palm . " Where ? " asked David , coolly , deter " There is mined not to give himself away . no cut , and I can see no blood . " " The blood is there noble " blood , " said " Egypto , " without raising his eyes . " I will consult the crystal . " He put David's hand aside and drew to- wards him the big crystal ball which lay on the table , and which darted out coloured rays as the light of the quaint lamp gleamed on it . Clasping the ball in his hands , " Egypto " . bent his head low over the table , seeming to peer into the heart of the crystal with his dark , shining eyes . There was dead silence for a few seconds , then he began to speak again in a low , slow voice , pausing often . Darkness - I see a great forest and a man -a white man , accompanied by a body of natives - cutting his way through . He is THE ROSS GAZETTE Oh , somewhat gruffly . " You needn't have been in such a hurry to tell me that rousing the neighbourhood with your ringing and knock- in : No , I can manage until Saturday , " said I suppose you want more money ! " David , ' equally gruffly . I only want to know what I am to do when I get the clothes and make myself up like this chap David Emerson . " " I have told you all that , " said Haggard . I can't go over it again now . I have to go out , and I'm in a hurry . Come here dressed on Saturday afternoon - got up in your new clothes and I'll tell you exactly what you have to look for . I'll find out in the meantime if Sir Eliot and David Emerson are going away for the week - end . That's all . " very well . " responded Haggard , " He turned away , and as he did so David picked up the latchkey and followed him out . " Well , " ruminated David , " unless I have made an error this is the key of Haggard's door , and if Haggard is going out I , am going in again , to see if I can find my uncle's letters and to investigate on my own account . " He found that it was impossible to find a spot from which he could watch the doors of both houses , and as he did not know from which the man would emerge , he decided that he would stroll about for half an hour or so , and then return to the house and endeavour to gain admission by means of the latchkey he had purloined . The key fitted ,. and his heart beat a trifle faster as he opened the door and re - entered the house , for he knew that if Haggard was He closed the within there would be a scene . door quietly and listened , then , reassured by the stillness , went forward , breathing a sigh of relief to find the room empty . " I may as well have a look round this house first , just to make certain that I am alone , " murmured David , walking on tiptoe along the passage . on the ground seeking - I cannot see - ah ! he is seeking to There was another room discover something - a lake - a river - he is on floor , but it was bare of furniture , and two new ground unknown ground darkness . Now it is a desert - nothing but sand , and the roome above were likewise mouldy and unfur- sun is very powerful - he is still exploring - Inished , and did not seem to have been occu- have lost it darkness falls again . " pied for a long time . " No wonder women are impressed , " com- mented David , inwardly , as he watched and listened . " Is the crystal right ? " asked " Egypto , " glancing up suddenly . " Go ahead , " said David , in non - committal tones , and the man bent over the glass ball again . Everything is dim , " he began once more , after a pause . " Ah ! the mist clears . I see a beautiful garden - twilight - a girl with red hair - the man again . They are talking to- gether another man interrupts , a small man , who has some claim upon the girl . The men quarrel quarrel angrily - darkness . I see a figure walking slowly down a corridor ; he looks as if he were in a trance , and he has a knife in his hand . He enters a room - there is a man asleep on the bed - darkness - no , I see him again - there is blood on the knife , noble blood , and the man dead . " He paused again , and glanced up . " Shall I try to pierce the veil that hides the future ? " he asked . on the bed is " That should be interesting , " said David . " Go on . " " I see two women , " murmured " Egypto , " after a short silence ; " one is dark , wealthy , beautiful , the other has red - gold hair , and is younger . see " So much for the Haggard abode , " mut- tered David , satisfied by his tour of inspec- " Now for the magic cupboard and the Grinwald - Haggard house ! tion . a " He opened the door of the cupboard , and felt along the jamb as he had seen Haggard do , but for a time failed to find the spring . At length he felt a knob below one of the shelves yield slightly , and he pressed it hard , and had the satisfaction of hearing the spring click back and seeing the back of the cup- board open . Again he paused , listening intently , but not a sound came from the other room , and he went forward . The room was empty and in semi - darkness , the blinda being drawn ; but although daylight was fading fast , sufficient light came through the slits of the venetians to serve David's purpose . He went first to the door of the room and listened again , but he might have been in a house of the dead for all the sounds he heard . com- " All quiet and nothing stirring , " mented David , turning his attention to the cabinet . Some of the drawers were locked , and he did not care to try to force them , but several opened easily , and he found letters in plenty , all addressed to " The Rev. Fabian Grin- He examined every one , hoping to : find the letters stolen from his uncle , but in vain . wald . " Both love you - the dark woman's . love is the stronger . I see danger - danger in many forms - beware ! 1 you will be called upon to pay money a large sum - to someone who holds you in his power . I sce disaster waiting for you if you fail . Trust the dark woman - she can save you - but shun the other to follow her means danger and death . The mist rises again , the darkness falls . The oracle has spoken , and the wis- dom of Egypt has been revealed . " He rose . flung out his arms with a theatri- cal gesture , then put his hands up to his head . Very interesting , " commented David , in dry , matter - of - fact tones , but the most in- comprehensible jumble I have ever listened to . " He was really impressed by the extent of the man's knowledge , but determined to do a little " bluffing " on his own account . and " Perhaps I may be able to make something of it on consideration , after winnowing the chaff , but at present you wheat from the puzzle me completely . The fee ? " replied Egypto , " guinen , " silver tray , into which pushed forward a He may be in this David dropped a sovereign and a shilling . " Does your master have many clients ? " he asked of the attendant , as he went out . queried David . formed attendant who answered the door . When will he be back ! " I cannot say , sir . afternoon . Have you an appointment ? " " No , I merely called to see him . What are his usual hours ? " Most of his clients make appointments , sir . " answered the man , but the master is t usually here every morning and afternoon . If you will leave your card , sir , and make an ap- pointment it would save disappointment . " H'm David deliberated . " " You think your employer - er - what's his name , by the way ? I don't mean his professional name . " No one knows , sir , " replied the man , promptly . " Ah , indeed . You think he will be back to - day ! " " He is almost sure to be in soon , sir , but he may have engagements . " " Well , I'll try to call again later , " said David . " He went into the street , lit a cigar , and strolled to and fro , considering things . He had suddenly developed an exceedingly keen desire to see the mysterious " Egypto , " and decided that he would keep the doorway lead- ing to the " wizard's " office under observa- tion for half an hour or so , and watch every- one who entered . Before re had been watch- ing the place for fifteen minutes , however , he had a great surprise , for a man whom he easily recognised as Henry Haggard came along quickly and entered the doorway . " Now , what the dickens does that mean ? " muttered David , puffing furiously at his cigar . " Haggard , with a clean collar and a better coat than when I last saw him , going up to Egypto's rooms ! By Jove ! I have it ! whatever Constance told Egypto . ' cious pair of scoundrels ! " He strolled about for half an hour , finished another cigar , and returned to " Egypto's " chambers . One " A great many , sir , " answered the man . " He is really wonderful , and only grants 10- terviews to the best people . All the best people in society come to consult him , sir . " " Indeed ! " said David . had been everything to He tipped the man , and walked thought- fully down the stairs , wondering if it could be possible that Lady Constan foolish enough to reveal . If not , how " Egypto " when she called . came it that the man was so fully informed as to the tragedy and all that related to it ! And He found , however , that most of the letters were from women - women of the best standing and he guessed from the one or two notes he read that the Rev. Fabian Grinwald was not a novice at blackmailing . He knew one or two of the signatories , and pitied them from the bottom of his heart . the drawers . not " Well , there is nothing to be found here apparently , " muttered David , putting the letters back as he had found them , and closing " My uncle's letters are there , unless they are in one of the locked drawers ; but I have seen enough to prove - if I needed any proof - that the Rev. Fabian Grinwald , as he calls himself , is a condemned . parasite . I'd like to have the scoundrel alone for a quarter of an hour , and to have a good stout whip handy ! I'd take my thousand pounds out of his hide - and hang the conse- quences ! Well , if he does give me away , I'll see that he doesn't escape . punishment . " the room slowly , one of everything , wondering at the worth of some of the ornaments and works of art , wondering how they came there . Some of them he knew must represent hundreds of pounds , and two of the pictures at least were undoubtedly old masters . He went round . " I may as well have a look at the rest of the house , " thought David , opening the door of the room , and quietly traversing the long corridor . The little landing at the end of the passage and the foot of the stairs was very dark , and David blundered and brought his foot down heavily as he felt for the bottom step . He drew back into the darkest corner of the dark and who was " Egypto " after all ? Was heading and waited , listening intently , for he really Henry Haggail ? longer and see " I'll keep my eye on the place for a little who comes out , " David de- cided , after some consideration . a fashionable He noticed that there was tea - shop with rooms on the first floor on the opposite side of the street , and he crossed , ascended to the upper room , and took a seat near a window that commanded a view of the He had " Egypto's " chambers . entrance to finished his tea and muffins , and smoked two out - and cigarettes , however , before anyone emerged from the doorway he was watching ; but at last a figure he recognised came David's eyes opened wide , nnd he stifled an exclamation . Henry Haggard had entered the place , but the man who had just come out was the Rev. Fabian Grinwald ! " Yes , sir , the master is in now , but I do not know if he can see you , " said the attend- ant . " Shall I take in your card , sir ? " David handed over one of his cards , and seated himself in an elaborately furnished , minster - and dimly - lighted waiting - room , which were hung with velvet . the walls The attendant CHAPTER XII . Haggard is Egypto ! And as there is some connection between Haggard and the Rev. David hastily paid his bill and hurried out Fabian Grinwald , that would account for into Old Bond - street again . Grinwald had Grinwald being able to take advantage of turned in the direction of Piccadilly , and A pre- David headed that in pursuit . way also Within five minutes he had the man in sight again , but he took care to keep a good dis- tance behind , for fear of Grinwald turning suddenly . Grinwald turned to the right on , reaching Piccadilly , and for a few minutes David lost sight of him ; then he saw him crossing the road , and took up the chase again . Across the Green Park to West- David guessed that he was of bound for the mysterious house in Vauxhall . Nor was he mistaken , for Grinwald led the way straight to the house , and David , from a point of vantage in a doorway at the end of another street , saw him open the door with a latchkey , and vanish within . He reconnoitred cautiously , and found , as he had assumed , that the small house into which Haggard had at first admitted him , and the other which Grinwald had entered , stood in different streets , but formed to some extent the small end of the letter V , backing on to each other . The house which Grinwald had entered was of respectable appearance , and , indeed , the whole row seemed to have a certain air of decayed respectability . decaye was absent for some minutes , then returned to announce that Egypto was disengaged . He held aside a heavy curtain which covered the door of an inner room , and David passed through . & He found himself in a room still more dimly , lighted than the one which he had just left in fact , the only light came from quaintly - shaped lamp on the table . The walls seemed to be black , the thick carpet on the floor was of dark colour , and the table- cover was of black velvet . David noted all this in one quick glance , then he fixed his eyes on the queer figure standing by the table . Egypto's " face was stained brown , and he can't do anything further in this rig , " wore a long , flowing , white beard and long thought David ; " I'll go and change my hair , which gave him the appearance of a clothes and come back . " knew that if there was anyone in the house the noise must have been heard . Reassured THURSDAY , FEBRUARY 26 , 1914 . FACTS AND FANCIES SUSPENSION BRIDGE MARVELS . DRESSMAKING AT HOME BY SYLVIA . It is time , I think , that the matron should be fre- in America there are four suspension bridges all longer than the Menal Straits Bridge . The first is that which spans the gorge and rapids A Matron's Afternoon Gown . The span is 821ft . , and below Niagara Falls . The three the height above the Niagara 245ft . other bridges cross the Hudson River between catered for , and so for my first sketch this week . make a smart afternoon gown such as is likely New York and its suburbs , the most famous No. 1,762 - I have selected a design which will being Brooklyn Bridge , which was commenced to be required now that spring is not far off . in 1879 and finished in 1878. It has a central A gown of this type is better made up on a span of 1,595ft . and two side - spans of 930ft . , er fairly loose lining , nainsook being now a mile . The Mersey at Liverpool is three - quar- quently used for the purpose rather than the total length of 3,455ft . , equal to two - thirds of ters of a mile wide , so that a slightly longer stiff affairs of the previous decade . This should be made to fasten in the centre front , whilst the span would be required to bridge it . The struc- ture at Brooklyn , which is 1 mile in length , overlapping part of the right front should be corries a promenade for pedestrians , a roadway faced with silk or material , being careful to wheeled vehicles , and an electric keeps the corners and edges quite even . tucks of front are made before arranging the Then there is the Williamsburg Bridge , the central span of which is 1,600ft . , carrying two bodice on to the lining . Deep cuffs of net , edged elevated railway tracks , four electric tramcar with velvet , finish off the under sleeves . and lines , two carriage - ways , and two cycle tracks . But Manhattan Bridge , erected to connect Manhattan with the mainland , carries four rail- way tracks and four tramway lines , and also has wide roadways for wheeled and foot traffo . by the silence , he began , after a few moments , to ascend the staircase , when again he was brought suddenly to a pause by the sound of a door opening on the floor above and heavy footsteps . ARTESIAN WELLS IN AUSTRALIA . It is interesting to recollect , says the Engi neer , that over a very large area of Australia , and especially where the rainfall is light , it is possible to tap an apparently inexhaustible supply of artesian water by boring . In this way much has been added to the value of large tracts of country , both for stock - carrving and general productive purposes . THE ORIGINAL OF JOHN GILPIN . The ballad of John Gilpin , which was written by Cowper at the end of December , 1782 , was the outcome of a story being related to the poet . by his friend Lady Austin , who sought to cheer the poet , who was then sinking into a state of melancholia . He was so heartily amused by the recital that he spent most of the following night composing the ballad , and next morning handed the manuscript to his friends for publication . Gbin had an original in the person of a Mr. Boyer , a linendraper , of Paternoster - row , who died in 1791. and who , in his young days , had really met with much the same adventure befell John Gilpin in the rhyme . Arranging a picnic with his wife and family to celebrate their wedding - day , Beyer set off for Edmonton upon the morning of the anniversary , and after riding there much faster than he had intended , he found himself being carried past the place of meeting and home again , only seeing his family for a moment as he flew past ! as The story of his ride spread beyond his acquaintance , and many of those who lived on the line of flight had seen the luckless linen- draper on his way there or back , and in time . Lady Austin came to hear of it , and saved up the story for Cowper's benefit . Do You KNOW THIS ? The middle verse of the Bible is the eighth verse of the 118th Psalm . The twenty - first verse . of the seventh chapter of Ezra contains all the letters of the alphabet except the letter " j " The longest verse is the ninth verse of the The shortest verse is eighth chapter of Esther . the ninth verse of the eleventh chapter of St. John . ELIZABETHAN BOTANY . Written chiefly with a view to extolling the medicinal virtues of plants , a strong family likeness runs through all the Elizabethan her- bals . Moreover , the old worthies copied shock- ingly from one another , sometimes with acknow- ledgment and sometimes without . Pliny is often referred to as the authority for some particular with the greatest respect by the herbalists of the statement , and his views were always treated aixteenth and seventeenth centuries , says a writer in Knowledge . Unfortunately there is evidence that the acknowledgment in this case does not always spring from a desire to give credit where credit is due . Thus Culpeper , after quot- the ing the classic writer in connection with ' anemone " ( windflower ) , naively adds : " Pliny is my author ; if it be not so , blame him . " name An " SHEEP WITH A VALUABLE TAIL . extremely curious variety of fat - tailed sheep , native to Afghanistan , is characterised by the immense weight and size of its tail , caused by development of masses of fat , form- " ing stores of nourishment which are drawn upon during the winter months , when fudder is scarce . The sheep furnish the principal meat diet of the inhabitants , and the grease of the tail is a substitute for butter . The wool and skins not only provide material for warm ap- parel , but also furnish the country's main In article of export , says a Consular report . the city of Peshawar these fat - tailed sheep are kept even in private houses , as a potential source of family meat and oil supply , as well as for profit to be derived from the sheepskins . THE REAL BLUEBEARD . It may not be generally known that there was an original of Bluebeard in the person of the French nobleman Giles de Laval , who was one of the captains of Joan of Arc . He began his career of crime in the year 1429. Stories of all kinds began to spread about him , and Blue- beard - as he was always called , on account of the colour of his beard - was credited with mur At last , during his absence , one of the enclosures of his castle at Suze was searched , and the remains of over forty victims were discovered . He was arrested , and a further search , at Nantes revealed eighty Retreating in haste to the landing again , David flattened himself against the wall in the darkest corner , and trusted to the dark - dering many victims . ness to conceal him . Someone - a man - was descending the stairs ; he saw his figure silhouetted for a moment , saw that the man was wearing a silk hat ; he held his breath as he passed , then bent forward to watch , for the man had gone quickly along the passage to the room David had just left . David heard him muttering , heard the door shut and locked , heard the key jingle as the man dropped it into his pocket , then heard the man returning , saw him pass , watched him traverse the hall and pause to glance in the mirror in the hall - stand . David craned his neck to get a glimpse of the man's face , and almost cried out in his amazement as he recognised him . He had fully expected to see Grinwald - instead , he Vanbrugh ! Baw Sir Nicholas ( To continued . ) DELICIOUS COFFEE . RED WHITE & BLUE For Breakfast & after Dinner . " What are you digging for ? " asked the by . The workman looked up . Money , " Money ! " ejaculated the amazed " patriarch . Around his hair was wound a long He walked away quickly , hailed the first stander .. band of silk , held together by an ornament in hansom he saw , and drove to his rooms , he replied . the shape of a serpent with glittering eyes , where he hastily changed his clothes ; then wayfarer . " And when do you expect to strike and he wore a long robe of white with went by ' bus this time to Vaux- Saturday , " replied the workman , and sleeves ,, bound round his middle with a sash hall , and knocked and rang furiously at the resumed digging . of black . door of Haggard's house . It was a long time Molly's mother had in vain tried for some " Be seated . sir . " said before he got any answer , but he stuck to his minutes to stop Molly crying . She then lifted wide " Egvoto " in A Perfect Wine combining all the excellent qualities of Port Wine , Kola Wine , Coca Wine , Beef Wine , but free from their disadvantages . SEDNA is both a physical and mental food : will cure Bloodlessness . Weak Stomach , Depres- sion , etc. , and is a wonderful pick - me - up - yet withal delightfully palatable and suitable alike for invalid or healthy . Send now for particulars to DEANS , LOGAN & Co. , Ltd. , 25 , Gt . Tower St. , London NOTE - Each bottle contains eleven glasses → P back he it ? task , determined to make someone hear , and her up to look in the glass , saying : " Look at at last he heard a footstep , the door was that ugly face ! " . Molly stopped crying at once , cautiously opened , and somewhat to his eur- looked in the glass for a second , and then said : prise he saw Haggard glowering at him . man . Hullo ! What do you want ? " asked the " I I don't want to shout out my business on the doorstep , " answered David , curtly . have been knocking and ringing here for ten minutes . " " Come in . I know you have , " said Hag- gard , none too graciously . " I couldn't get to the door - I wasn't dressed . " David had his own ideas as to what had kept him so long , but he did not voice them . " I came round to tell you that I shall be all ready for you by Saturday , " said David , sitting down . " The clothes are on order , and everything will be ready . " There was a latchkey lying on the corner of the table , and he put his hand over it ' care- lessly as he spoke , " Which one , mummy ? " Bang ! And up again comes the red flag . " What I yelled the sergeant . " Another miss ? Look here , Morris , I can understand you miss- ing the target with your first shot , but how about your second ? " Raw Recruit : " It must be one of them repeating rifles , sir ! " " You say this man is no chicken stealer ? " inquired the Judge . " Yassuh , " replied Mr. Erastus Pinkley " Dat's what I said . " " What do you know about the facts in this case ? " " I isn't s'posed to know nuffin ' bout de facts in de case . I is an expert witness foh de defence . " A city man tells of receiving a unique note acknowledging a wedding present sent by him on the occasion of the marriage of his chum . " Your lovely etching was received , " wrote the bride , " and gives us both pleasure . It is now in the parlour hanging over the piano , where we hope to see you very soon . " " bodies of young people done to death by " Barbe - Bleu . " Tried and found guilty , he was executed at Paris on December 22nd , 1440 . PLENTY OF BRASS . " The The placket - opening is in the front , comes in line with the crossed - over fronts of the The annual " Bullion Letter " of Messrs . Samuel Montague and Co. suggests that the phrase expressive of wealth , " plenty of brass , " was introduced into England by sailors trading with towns at the mouths of the great African rivers , though the brass rods used by the natives are now passing into the limbo of things obso- lete . A brass rod at Momsemb was 15in . long , and not quite so thick as a slate pencil . Every thing had its price in brass rods - one egg equalled one brass rod ; a fowl , ten brass rods ; two yards of cloth , twenty brass rods ; a male slave , 600 brass rods ; and a female slave , 2,500 brass rods . The brass for these rods was origin- ally melted down for their brass ornaments- anklets , necklaces , armlets , leg - rings , hafts of spears , paddles , and handles of knives , & c . It was using the brass for this purpose that first gave it any real value to them . In 1890 the brass rods still retained their value , not so much as a medium of barter , they were convenient for that purpose , as providing the metal from which they made their most popular ornaments . It is quite possible that the rods changed hands in fathom lengths , and those who came into possession of these lengths each cut off a little piece to procure a little bit of brass for nothing , and hence the length was gradually shortened until , in 1890 , it was 15in . The pro- cess of shortening continued , and in 1905 the standard length was only 11in . OYSTERS WHICH GROW ON TREES . Lobito Bay , in Portuguese West Africa , in a wonderful natural harbour , and also a place for splendid oysters . They are long - shelled oysters , and grow on trees . At low tide these oysters are picked off the trunks of the trees below high - water mark . It is a pleasant wel- come to what for 100 miles inland is a desolate land . Between the shore and the interior plateau lies the " Thirsty Country , " where no rain has fallen for years . Everything is a dull grey , and the only trees that flourish are the gigantic baobabs , which grow like an inverted cabbage , and yield cream of tartar . BOME YORKSHIRE SUPERSTITIONS . A dog bowling under a tree three nights in succession means death in the near future .. If one death occurs in a street it will not be long before the bell tolls for two more . If a woman find a four - leaved clover , walks backwards upstairs with it , and sleeps with the leaf under the pillow , she will dream of the man she is to marry . Whenever you hear a cuckoo , turn the money over in your pocket for luck . charm away toothache if rubbed on the cheek . PATTERN No. 1,762 . bodice , which last is secured to the skirt by a narrow band , so that it forms & one - piece affair . For this dress you can use silk , satin , cash- mere , or any of the new softly - draping makes of material which are . now so popular , the colouring being , of course , a matter of taste . The frilling which edges the neck and the cuffs is patterned , kilted chiffon , harmonising with the colour of the gown , as this is softer and more becoming than white or écru . A Girl's Useful Skirt . The skirt I have selected for the next sketch No. 1.763 - is just the sort of thing for a girl in her teens for school or everyday wear , and is one of the newest - patterns . A feature of it is the overlapping right front , a trifle shorter than the under - portion , which you may at first sight think is a mistake ; but I saw this effect on a French model and it looked rather nice . + PATTERN No. 1,763 . To get this effect you will have to pull the right front up a little sharply at the waist , to make it slant a trifle towards the left side . More than ] half the land are made abroad . matches used in Eng- ENGLAND'S GLORY - MATCHES ENGLAND are made in England . Every box you buy means MORE WORK FOR BRITISH WORKERS . MORELAND , GLOUCESTER . a band or nrm petersñam inside , to wnich nooкs and eyes must be sewn ; make & narrow stitched and mitred tab , sew this to the two waist edges of the pleat of back , drawing this up a trifle with gathers , sew on the buttons at esch end , and finish off neatly and firmly . HOW TO OBTAIN PATTERNS . Our paper patterns are specially cut for us from designs expressly prepared for this column , and the cost of each complete pattern is 64d . post free . Address all letters , enclosing stamps for patterns , to Sylvia , " Whitefriars House , Carmelite- street , London , E.C. Be sure and mention the number of the pattern required when order- ing . Patterns will be despatched within three days of the application being received . WORDS OF WISDOM . There is little that is absolutely irretrievable . To keep friends , treat them kindly - and very often . If there be no truth in our words , of what use are they ? The custom of the world is the open gate to destruction . The largest room in the world is the room for improvement . HINTS FOR TIE HOME . ADVICE TO THE MIDDLE - AGED . The following advice is not new , but it de- .. serves to be repeated and borne constantly in mind : " Resist the first inclination to stoop . Brace up whenever the shoulders sete in the least . To place onczelf sidewise before a mirror and allow the back to curve forward , then gradually to straighten it will convince anyone that , with every inch that is raised , ten Women adopt many and varied methods of holding on to a youthful figure ,. but this is by far the best , for it involves no deception or artificiality . Some people are ars seem to be taker from the apparent quite as attractive in old age as they were in their youth , but it is not those who " let themselves go " and sick into an appearance of having lost their teest m life . CARE OF BOOTS AND SHOES . Boots and shoes , when damp , should be dried as soon as possible , but not too near the fire . If they are hard , a little oil should be rubbed in before they are put away on the boot trees . If these are not available , stuff the toes with cotton wool , or take a pair of old stockings , pack the feet and ankles thoroughly with bran , sew them up , and they will be Be wiser than other people if you can , but do found an admirable substitute . not tell them so . Success grows out of struggles to overcome difficulties . - 8MILES . J There is not in the world so toilsome a trade as the pursuit of fame . Every duty we omit obscures some truth we should have known . - RUSKIN . EARACHE . Never use an uncovered hairpin or like article to clear out the ears . A piece of the towel screwed up is all that is necessary or safe , says Nurse Jennings in " Common Sense The poor man is not he who possesses little , Aids in Illness . " To ease earache heat a little drop of pure glycerine or salad oil in a spoon but he who desires much . over a candle . Rest the head on the table , with aching ear uppermost , then drop one or two drops of oil in , insert pad of cotton wool . Try the oil with the finger to see that it is not too hot . If the pain is severe and persistent and there is a temperature of deg . , or there is a discharge , get medical advice . Do Next to having wisdom yourself is the ability not delay or the attack may end in deafness . or death Any man may make a mistake , but none but a fool will continue it . - CICERO . to profit by the wisdom of others . Men of character are the conscience of the society to which they belong . - EMERSON . The conduct of our lives is the only proof of the sincerity of our hearts . - GEORGE ELIOT . The policy of drift always ends in ruin for a nation and for an individual . ALEXANDER MACLAREN , Soul , rule thyself . On passion , deed , desire , lay thou the law of thy deliberate will . - 3 . A SYMONDS . Of error we can talk for ever , but truth de- mands that we should lay it to heart and apply it . - GOETHE . & It is wrong to carry solicitude for our health too far : self - love readily makes us consider necessity what is not such . To make the home brighter and the members of the household kinder to one other , is a proper effort of everyone belonging to every family . How little we pay our way in life ! Although we have our purses continually in our hand , the better part of service goes still unrewarded.- R L. STEVENSON . Give not thy tongue too great liberty , lest it take thee prisoner . A word unspoken is like the sword in the scabbard , thine ; if vented , thy sword is in another's hand . we The older get , the longer we live , the more experience we have in the ups - and - downs of life . He who meets with no misfortune can- not enjoy life to its fullest value .. one Pleasure is necessarily reciprccal ; no feels who does not at the same time give it . To What pleases you be pleased one must please . in others will in general please them in you . " Sympathy is the first great lesson which man This I have indicated in the accompanying dia should learn . Unless he learns to feel for things gram , which shows you also how extremely in which he has no personal interest , he can simple a pattern it is both to make and cut achieve nothing generous or noble . - TALFOUED . A tender thought in warm emotion dressed . Outlives the laughter of the keener jest : Who brings a smile can hardly get so near The human heart as one who brings a tear . -FRED EMERSON BROOKS . out the quantity required being from 14 to 11 yard of 48 - inch goods ; according to the height of the wearer and the length of skirt desired . Arrange the two pieces of the pattern on the material , folded in half as when bought ; then mark round carefully and cut out , allowing ample turnings . Now thread - mark through the outline or tack each side carefully , in order to Enjoy the little of every day . The great ensure accuracy , and to enable you to keep the skirt exactly even : then turn in the fold of the favours of fortune come to but few , and those back pleat , arrange and tack this in position that have them tell us that the quiet , homely the corresponding edges of the front iova , which are within the reach of us all , are widths , stitch carefully , neaten , and press . infinitely the best . Next turn in and tack the front and lower over edges , stitch , neaten and press , then arrange the right over the left side as in the sketch , sew Ba Cut Edges Centre Selvedges of 18 - inch Goods P Fold Front ! Cut Edges as You find yourself refreshed by the presence of cheerful people . Why not make earnest effort to confer that pleasure on others ? You will find half the battle is gained if you never allow yourself to say anything gloomy . A man has no more right to hoard knowledge and experience then he has to miser his gold . One can no more live to himself and grow than can he segregate his money and expand finan- cially . Circulation is the law of life . He is only the lover who seeks what is profit- IMPROVING LAMPLIGHT . Reading and writing by artificial light are often very trying to the eyes , and though a lamp may be placed quite close to the reader , it seldom seems to give sufficient , and cer- tainly never too much , light . By placing a small mirror behind the lamp , so that the light may then be directed upon the book or , in fact , in any direction that may be required the intensity of the light cau be increased The glass may be prepped up wonderfully . on the table , with a few large boels placed behind it , and the direction of the it will depend at what angle the glass is adjusted . Quite small print may be easily ready this , means , where under other circumstances it would be very difficult , and short sighted people and old people will find it useful . " WRINKLES . Most people are under the impression that wrinkles are caused by trouble , auxiety , and bad temper , but as a matter of fact most of them are produced by laughing . As with most other actions , there is a right way as well as a wrong way to laugh , and it is laughing with- the sides of the face that works the ski Joore and brings 80 many wrinkles . Different classes of men are distinguished by their Those of the scholar , characteristic wrinkles . on the brow , and for instance , are formed those of a schener show round the eyes like spokes of a wheel . WINE , CIDER , AND GOUT . From his Dr. Motnis , of experience Angers , draws the following conclusions , says the New York Herald : While he is far " from pretending that red wines , in moderate amounts , produce gout in healthy subjects , it is undeniable that the use of such wines , even in moderate quantities , may prove harmful to people predisposed to , or already suffering from , gout . Light , well - made cider , fermented and properly stored , is a preservative from gout . When it accompanies a rational diet and exercise , cider becomes a real therapeutic agent , diminishing and even suppressing the frequency of attacks . Although the symp toms and doubtless the causes of arthitis are variable , and although these conclusions can- not be applied in their entirety to all patients , it is nevertheless indicated that not only should the use of cider be tolerated in the case of gouty subjects , but that it should be most patients as their prescribed " for habitual , if not exclusive , beverage . HINTS IN BRIEF . turn the wicks After trimming a lamp , down , or else when lighted the lamp will be found to be covered with oil , When sticking labels to canisters , add & little honey to the flour - and - water paste , and then the paper will not peel off . When storing blankets wrap them in able to the heloved ; so that if any pursue not this . even what is right and good , though he made ten thousand professions of love , he is plenty of newspaper and lay slices of yellow more hostile than an enemy . - ST . CHRYSOSTOM . soap in the folds . Moths dislike soap and printers ' ink . We can truly possess nothing that we sacrifice To cure neuralgia , light a piece of brown paper , blow out the flame , and inhale the smoke through the nostrils . In a few minutes the pain will have entirely disappeared . to our own solish purposes . It is only to the man who is poor that wealth glows like a bright star in the night . The law of recompenso always is in force . It is only when darkness shrouds the world that we can see the light of a million others . CHARLES GRANT MILLER . LEARN TO FORGET . Every night , as the sun goes down , let all the disagreeable happenings of the day slip out of Blot them vour mind and sink into oblivion . out , annihilate them and permit ΠΟ resurred- tion . Go to sleep with the the ght of pleasant things in your mind , and begin the next day as though it was the first day of your life , the last day , the only day . If anything disagreeable intrades , at nightfall blot it out . Then , if another day is given you , make it better than the one befare , rememb ring only the things that are 1vely and lovable . To forget - that is what we need . Just to forget . All the petty can be annoyances , all the vexing irritations , all the mean words , all the rankling acts , the deep the wrongs , bitter disappointinents - just let them go . Do not hang on to them . Learn to forget . Make a study of it . Preclizo it . Be- come an expert at forgetting - DR . M. GATES . DIAGRAM FOR PATTERN No. 1,763 . press - stud tape - fastener , such bought ready made , and only requires sewing in position , and fasten off securely at the lower edge . Sew on the buttons and cords , which can be taken through the two thicknesses of fabric . Pleat the fulness at waist , tack and secure to GAMES FOR THE WINTER EVENINGS.- BUSINES3 . What is a business man's " chief responsi bility in life Robert Louis Stevenson spoke a A tooth found in a churchyard is able to Midget Bagatelle , Tumblette , Midget Golf , searching word when he said : " Perpetual de- Motor Tour Aeroplane Race , King's Scout , votion to what a man calls his business is only It is unlucky to say " Good - night " three Philodex , Halma , Dominoes , Draughts . to be sustained by perpetual neglect of many times to your fiancée without returning to the Price , 1s . each . Midget Croquet , Tidley other things . And it is not by any means ' cer- house to repeat the performance . thing he has to do . " A plate of salt upon which a dead man's hand Win Our Navy , Snap , Price , 64d . each . tain that a man's business is the most important Gazette " Office . Ady . bas rested for a night will cure ahilblains Handkerchiefs are rather difficult things to wash , but this can easily be remedied by the following method : Put the handkerchiefs into hot soda water to which a handful of salt has been added , and allow them to soak for a few hours This should be repeated a second time . They will then require very little washing . Whon sharpening a pencil stick the knife blade through a slip of paper , and it will act as a guard to prevent the lead dust from soil- ing the fingers . If one wishes to keep a fire in for some time without attending to it , one should damp the coal before putting it on the fire . C. & C . KEARSLEY'S ORIGINAL WidowWelch's Female Pills Prompt and reliable for Ladies , The only Genuine . Awarded CERTIFICATE of MERIT at the Tasmanian Exhibition , 1891 . 100 Years Reputation . Ordered by 8pecialists for the Cure of all Female Complaints . Sold in boxes , 11 and 19 , of all Chemists , or post fres , 1/2 and 1/10 from CATHERINE KEARSLEY ( DEPT . ) , 42.Waterloo Rd.London.S.E . Printed and Published for the Ross GAZETTE LIMITED , by GODFREY M. MORTON , at their Offices , High - street and Church- street , Ross , in the County of Hereford . THURSDAY , FEBRUARY 26 , 1914 . BENJAMIN'S PECTORINE , The Unrivalled Cough Cure , Is sold only by J. Benjamin , Cash Chemist Bottles , 91d . and 1/41 . VOL . XLVIII . No. 246 SALES BY AUOTION . COOPER AND PREECE , STOOK SALESMEN AND GENERAL AUCTIONEERS . PROBATE , ESTATE , & HOTEL VALUERS . [ ESTABLISHED VEB 70 YEARS . ] GENERAL INSURANCE AND SHIPPING AGENTS . TIMBER SURVEYORS , PUBLIO ACCOUNTANTS . ESTATES MANAGED ; RENTS , TITHES , AND DEBTS COLLECTED . Bailiffs ( by appointment ) under the Agricul- tural Holdings Act . Mr. Cooper , F.A.L. , is a County Valuer under the Finance Act . AGENTS FOR THE County Fire Office ( Limited ) , Provident Life , Railway Passengers , General Assurance Co. , Commercial Union , Scottish Insurance Co. , Guardian Plate Glass , Hailstorm , & c . FURNITURE WAREHOUSED . ADVANCES MADE on Sales , if required . Mortgages Negotiated . ALBION OHAMBERS , MARKET - PLACE , ROSS SALE FIXTURES March 12. Sale of Cows and Calves , and other Store Cattle , in Ross Stock Market , at 11 a.m. ( by request ) ; Fat Cattle at 11.45 . March 17 and 18. - Furniture , & c . , Pencraig Court . See advt . March . - Freehold Property in Ross . March 26. - Ross Stock Market . March 27 - Furniture at Hillsborough . See advi . Shortly . - Important landed Properties near Further Appointments respectfully solicited . ROBB . ROSS STOCK MARKET . THURSDAY , the 12th MARCH , 1914 . MRS . COOPER and PREECE will SELL by AUCTION , in the above Market , a large Consignment of FAT & STORE CATTLE , CALVES SHEEP , and PIGS . G Inc 66 Commencing with the Pigs at 10.30 sharp ; to Fat Cattle at 11.45 . PENCRAIG COURT , GOODRICH , Three Miles and a Half from Ross . Important Sale of HOUSEHOLD FURNITURE CARRIAGES , & OUT - DOOR EFFECTS . on ESSRS . COOPER and PREECE F MB are favoured with instructions from R. SPELMAN MARRIOTT , Esq . ( who is leaving ) , to SELL by AUCTION , under a spacious Marquee , On TUESDAY & WEDNESDAY , MARCH 17 & 18 , 1914 , Each Day at Noon , A large assemblage of HOUSEHOLD AP . POINTMENTS , about 900 Lots , as per Cata- logue , comprising Dining , Drawing , and Morning - Room Suites ; 2 Cottage Piano- fortes ( by Collard and Collard and John Broadwood and Son ) , handsome Console and Pier Glasses ; Turkey , Brussels , and Kidder- minster Oriental Carpets , and Rugs ; Cabinets , Chesterfields , Couches ; Lounge , Arm , and Occasional Chairs ; 2 Mahogany DINING TABLES with Extensions ; Enamel Iron and Brass Bedsteads , Spring and Horsehair Mattresses , Feather Beds , Witney and other Blankets ; Sheets , Coun- terpanes , and Eider - down Coverlets ; Winter and Summer Curtains , Table Covers and MAHOGANY Table Linen , and other CHESTS of DRAWERS , MAHOGANY WARDROBES , and Swing Glasses ; DIN- NER , TEA , BREAKFAST , and CHAMBER WARE ; a few Articles of Electro- Plate ; Books and Pictures ; Pillar , Read- ing , and Wall Lamps ; Kitchen Dresser , Culinary Appointments ; about 15 Tons of best Cannock Chase Coal : Small Collection of WINE and CLARET ; 32 Paraffin Casks and Water Butts , about 2,000 Greenhouse and Hardy PLANTS , Cucumber Frame , Flower Pots , Iron Rolls , 5 Lawn Mowers . Wheelbarrow , Ladders , Packing Cases , Gar- den and Stable Tools , Two - Knife Chaff Cut- ter , Garden Seats , Cowl on Wheels , Tennis Nets , Croquet Sets , Lignum Vitae Bowls , Prime HAY ; Seed and Eating Potatoes . London - built BROUGHAM , Stanhope and Tonneau PHAETONS ( by Windover , of Lon- don and Paris ) , in excellent order ; Two- Wheel DOG CART . Brass and Silver - Mount- ed HARNESS , Gent.'s Saddle , and other Stable Appointments ( see Catalogues ) . On view Monday , 16th March , 11 to 3 . Limited Stable Accommodation ; Light Refreshments at a small charge . Auction Offices , Albion Chambers , Ross . HILLSBOROUGH , ROSS . 27th MARCH . - Messrs . COOPER & PREECE are favoured with instructions from the Repre- Bentatives of the late James Barnwell , Esq . , to catalogue , and sell the whole of the valuable Furnishings and Appointments on the above- named date . Further particulars in future advertisements and posters . SANDRINGHAM VILLA , Ross ( re- rent . decorated throughout ) , TO LET , at a low RADOC VILLA , Gloucester - road , Is tory , seven bedrooms ; bath ( h . and a . ) ; laundry . , Excellent walled garden , with tennis court . Immediate possession . Near Golf Links , and olose to Town and Station . - Apply , COOPER and PRZECE , Ross . Fo W I'l Fr Он TO LET several UNFURNISHED G HOUSES in Ross and District . Rents W ranging from £ 16 to £ 100 ; also a number of Th FURNISHED HOUSES for Summer Months . F -Apply , CoоPER and PREECE , Estate Agents , O Ross . OIL ENGINES for Farms and Estates , Joiners , Con- tractors , etc. Special Pamping and Electric Lighting Sets , quotations free ; also Re - bu it Eng nes 6 h.p. £ 32 , 8 h.p. £ 37 , 9 h.p. £ 40 , 12 h.p. £ 48 ; all guaranteed and sent co : np te reidy for running . Write us : WHEATLEY'S oil Engine Works . LEEDS CLARKE'S B41 PILLS can be relied upon to cure , in either sex , all acquired re constitutional Discharges from the Urinary Organs , G avel and Pains in the back . wards of so years . Free from Mercury , Established up In boxes 45 6d each , of all Chemist and Patent Medicine Ven lors throughout the World , or er for sixty stamps by the makers . The Lincoln and Milan Counties Drug Company , Lincoln . S H |