The South Wales Daily Post

CHRISTMAS FOOTBALL AT SWANSEA, THE OTP ONE-NTS OF THE ALL WHHEG WAISONLA.NS.- -Baeii, J. Graham thi-e: quarters, H. M. Sim son. J. D. Little. M. F. Simpson, ar, .1 T. Muir; halves, M. W. Robertson and G. C. Robertson; forwards, Dr. Balfour, H. O. Smith, J. 1). Dallas, A. Forbes. J. Has tie, A. A. Balsitiie. J. White" and C. W'rhjht. Referee. Mr. Harry Powen, Lianelly. PEMBROKE COUNTY.— Back. C. Gamble; three-quarters, right J. Williams, W. B. Griffiths, left G. Griffiths, H. Price; halves, E. Evans and H. Jones; forwards. H. VT Bowen (captain), W. Resser, J. N. Jones, C. Davies. D. D,ivies, W. Llewellia, li- Harries, J. John. Referee: Mr. Gavin Henry, Lianelly.

ENGLAND'S GLORY MATCHES. Save the DOZEN WRAPPEPv,S and send for par- ticulars 01 PRIZES to S. J. MOREiA.Y.O and SONS, England Glory Match. Gloucest-er. Th si-lwve Brand of Matches is auide en irdy by BRITLSU LABOUR.

| Swansea v. Edinburgh 8 š ti ï .:> @'" j University. first of a series of three, matches on the Swansea ground was played at St. Helens m dull and dry weather. The Bcot-h University fifteen, who had. travelled all night, arriving at Swansea in the morning, came to try con- elusions with what, we regard in West Wales as the premier organisation. The 'Varsity team were fairly well represented, althougn one or two alterations had to be made in tb) combination of the threequarterrf having failed to catch the faio His place was taken by a substitute. Swansea were confident of winning, but on the other banc, the 'Yarsify. although suffering from fatigue after an all- night. tedious journey, hoped to give cne Welshmen a. good game. Swansea piayed their full strength, with the exception tha-t. Evan James was absent, but it is interesting to state that he feels himself enough play in the Pembroke County match neict Tuesday. The Lasi. time the Scotsmen cam.; to Swansea wac two seasons ago, when the game was of a. jaost interesting character. The sc:»rxog was alt in favour of Swansea, iiow- tvar, l the Welshmen notching up 2 goals to nil, the scorers being George Davies and Arthur Jones; Smith, who afterwards left, for the North, converting each of the tries. SWANSEA.—Back, W. J. Bancroft; three- quarters, Trew, G. Davies, D. Rees, and F. Gordon; half-backs, D.. J amen; and S. James; forwards, W. Parker, F. Serines, R. Thomas, 1:L Davies, F. Jackson, Harris, Livingstone Davies. and Feller. EDINBURGH UNIVERSITY :Back, J. McDonald; three-quarters, A. B. Simons, C. H. Kruger, L. Bseady, A. N. Fell; half-backs, R. Archibald, R. Douglas; forwards, A. B. Fleet, R. Boss (captain), A. Lindsay, R. Prlngle, A. U'd&i. A. McNab, J. R Samson, J. H. Smith or R. Blair. i Referee: Mr. Aek Dewe.yn, Pontypridd. Thfflv were 5,000 spectators ort the ground when the teams entered the arena at 3 o'cioek- The Scotsmen wore white jerseys with scar- let stockings, and consequently the Swansea players dcrnnea jerseys of v-arioils onais. Edinburgh started from the Mumbles end, and their forwards got oil with a bang, and: when Swansea had conceded a minor they kept up the pressure wcth admirable activity, and after an unpardonable bit of fambling on the part of Reee, and- a smart- tackle by one of the Scotsmen, of G-eorge Davies, the Swan- sea line was really in danger. In fact, one of the visitors appeared to cross, but he was immediately thrust out. Relief came from Evan Jame;, who kicked, down the gronnd, but the visitors travelled back. They ciairoed a free, and kicked high to Bancroft, who locked, like being floored, but he released himself in pretty fashion, and running along the touchline, kicked into touch at the centre. Swansea afctemptcu passing after this, but it was a. shoddy ai,rtE,ele, and anything but effective- Serines gathered the ball and tried to set the third line in motion, but th-ere was mulling, Recs again being the offender. Gordon was very useful on the right wing ki dtaorvce during the next few stages, but. the display of the team as a whole was anything but satis- factory. At last iSwansea got into the stride, and Dai James passing to Sam James in the Edinburgh's 25, the junior half doubled splendidly, and then put the whole of the three-quarters to handle, Trew, Davies, Rees, and Gordon all taking turns. Some interpassing between Gordon and Davies saw tiie general scoring in the cornei1. Bancroft failed to convert. Corsar, the Nrotch custotu-an, was useful in defence, and the visifctng loft centre w-as par- tiiniilarly good. m attack. A welcome daver- sion to the hosne enthusiasts was a line run bv Trew, who travelled right up to the ous- Uxlaan., who tackled hiai when ..about Uydoub'e It was a :jra,nd effort and eieariv ended in a score. Swansea obtained a cuuple of penalty kicks after this, and Bancroft only faaled at goaling by a few inches each time. An un- fortuaate incident hapjiened a. couple of minutes aSter, when Lindsay, the Scotch left winger, got 'hurt in the shoulder-, and had to retire. A bout oi passing by the Welsh- men, which was initiated by the Jameses, saw Trew feinting in fme style, auxl giving to George Davies, who was grassed. Ex- cellent play by iB,tRcroit, who punted to the line, nearly enabled one of the forwards to score, a minor followed. A siHy blunder by Bancroft was perpetrated next. Corsar kicked up the field, but Bancroft, was not in his p-lace. He was hard pur- sued when he turned to go for it. he travelled in such a gyratory style thai he had to go into touch at his own -twenty-five flag. Blunder was added to blander, but he liiVtJtaly threw out, giving tho Scottchmcn the ball; they !7.fYJ the opportunity grandly. Alter a Jiiagnlifictrit. pieco of aggressive work Lindsay scored a fascous try. '['he spyoteitore iuaaa-ked their ap'prec'atirei of the inafeear by a. rousing cheer, which was renewed Math tre- mendous entfortissasan when tlie try was con- ver.ed. Haif-t'xoe was then called, Edin- burgh. considering tlsat they had piayed Roman sthorfc during most sof the tiane, having done isaaaackab'ly well. Half-time Score: — EDINBURGH UN1VRR.SITY—1 goal 1 in. SWANSEA—1 try 1 minor. The second half was commenced by Swan- sea in anything but satisfactory style. Ike forwards heeled out in great style, but the manipulation behind was slovenly. Ban- croft, who continued playing close up, tried to give Gordon a long pass, but it was a forward one. Eventually Rees effected an opening, and rated ito the line, and chucking to Gordon at a critical moment, the "general, who was going strong, scrambled over in the cornei'. The visitors, although a man short ;ll the forwards, kept up the struggle Viith splendid pirit. ami were looking dangerous when Bancroit got in the kick of the afternoon wh-KUi gained! over iiai the ground. A spirited bit c £ passing by the visitors once more placod tdieiri in the Swansea- 25, but Bancroft started an excellent bit. of aggressive work which all but let Gordon in. Bering til rush one of the visitors got. laid out, and Bancroft t tinted., One of the most heroic incidents of the was witnessed whin Han Eees got | possession at his 25, and rin right throngh a i dozen. 1 he gave to Trew, who gpriaten in style. He was tackled fifteen yards out, j ,tVlc Kall i»ot loose, and Rees kicked it over I'Ul v. 0 the line. There was; a great- race for n, and although was fouled, Bob Thomas got up in time, and scored. Bancroft conveitetf. fcwanaea showed be-tier furill aitei tllI2.. the attack being keen. Bancroft, wlw cem- plained of a kick in the head, retired for a few minutes, Ho.pkin Davies to king his place. Exoel'.ent passing between Rees and Gordon endcri in R&es crossing, but the referee ad- judged that there had been A, forward pass. Trew almost- dropped a goal three mi> tes later The Scotch fourteen pkrred up with great tenacity, and their backs occasionally handled, but the combination was puor. Gordon and Trew figured largely in a slice of smai t wori aifter this, and the attack was iooking ous at- the left wing, when a player got laid out-. A vigorous onslaught by the Swansea men culminated in the bid going; over the line, and: Jackson mared a try, although Cor- i p-ii- ou^lit to have dropped on it. first, 'i he' try was cofivertod, and. Swaiisea won 4,y. 16 points to five. FINAL S C'o It IL SWANSEA-—■& go-ais, 2 tries, 4 minors. ED-INBORO' UNlVER8ITY-1 goal 1 minor

LLAHELLY V. TUDHOE, For the first time in footbril history the famous Tadhoe team paid a visit to Lianelly to-day, ;«ni a fine, snapping lot of teilows they are. They arrived in Liaiieuy by the 12.27 train, and made tracks for the Salutation Hot-el. which is tbesr headquarters -"Wiring itheir brief siojimm in the tin-plate town. Fine we-aiher fa.voured tile- nmtcb. and the Durham itcw appeared to be very pteaasd with the hearty reception given them at, Lianelly. In LLan-elly there was a quiet confidence that; the Seariu-es would win, authocgh the TudhoH men •were not to be taken on toast by any means. The fact that so little was known of them lent, an intavst to the fixture, and many people were not wholly unprepared for a sur- prise packet. The Lianelly men kerned out in full strength, with the exception of W. J. Thomas, who hart his arm iu fast Saturday's match. His place, in the pack was taken by Daii Davies. A coin-okienee worthy of note is that the Tudhoe players s-port. the scarlet colour, and. Lianelly were. obliged t-o turn out in white jerseys, so that as far as colours went we had a repetition of last Saturday's game. Davies. LLA2$ELL\.—Biuk. Strand Jones; three- quarter backs, Morgan Williams, Evan Lloyd, Griff Williams, and Ga-be half-backs. Ben Davies and D. Davies; forwards, D. J. Danieiis, W. Morxis, J. Jones, Dan Walters, D. Thomas, .f. Watte. Keen an, and Dan Tt DIIOE.—Baelc, G. E. Pickering three- quarters, W. Tayior, J. W. G. Gordon. H. G. SiiK-lair, and J. A. W. Walder; half-backs, R aud T. Ln^ett (brothers); forwards, A Stevenson, 1. Stit-t. J. :L{.:s(m, ,f. Oarmedv. R. Shaw, G. Richardson, T. Rell. and J. Coc_ayne. TU.dluJ.e comtiEaired operations by kicking: down the gradient, and Morris failing to put in a return, the bail was picked up by Dan W alters, who rail to tho centre. Some ragged play followed, in which the Tndhoc forwards had the better of the. argument, rushing the play down to the Lianelly 25, wIlere they looked dangerous for two or three nnnutes. r David Davies relieved, but the visiters ag2,in returned to the charge, and some passing among their backs ended in the left wing scoring in the corn-er. No goal resulted. This reverse was chiefly due to tfle slaeknoss in Lianeilys play, and came as a surprise to the spectators. Griff Williams kicked .out for Lianelly, arid after some desultorv play tlie same player again took the bail., and, follow- ing up with a lengthy ki^k, tackicd th.e Tudhoe fjui-back before, he could put in a re- term. This w1 s Llanel'y's fhst visit to the Tudhoe 25, and they did not rema ni'there long, tiie visiting forwards rushing the scrummage and kicking with excellent judgment found their way to the lianelly goal Relief wag brought about by a. smart run on the part of Dan Walters Ut.'l<i D. J. DtWiicls, the latter of whom was not stopped until he was well inside tho visiting twenty-live. Two or three rounds of juassing amo-ng the home backs and a strong run by Straml Jones all but ended in a score for Lianeiiy, who were now pressing with a vigour which augured well in the matter of scoring. Tha Dxuiiam forwards went in for a. bashing game, and came fairly through th scrimmage to the centre and for the next firw minutes Uaueily had i-ather a warm time of it. From a scrum at the centre Ben Diivics passed out to Gabe, who went for the line at top s-peed, but was pushed into touch. David Thomas, who was playing a champ km game in the pack, was injiu-ed at a line-out, iswid had to retire. There was v't«y liiSle iinpT»venrent in (the IJaoiaMy p4av, and several chaaie«5 were lost through kick of nxethiod in attack. Do what titey ivo-uld, t^e Scarlets did nm seesn able to (get beyoad the Tudhoe bwouty-five flag, and wheaa ihcy got there, they allowed themselves to be I-ush- I, back toitlie centre. n-ú Tiu>aiei« mow r>st.na-iitd., and the fight for siaate tkiw a £ bwwoe«de was waged very evenly in aidficikL A grand run by Gabe, atifcer a paas from Griff Williams, was a beautiful piece of work, he getting csear I of all his opponents, with the exception of I the full-back, who tackled ircm imi Vtte line. Half-time Su&re TUDHOE—1 try. Danielte (resta.rtod for ths honiostens, Ben Davies got (.dean away to tlas opposing j line. Hero Morgan Williams was given the baJi after a re-und of passing but- the glorious chsanoo was Icd- Then Dai Dtvies giot hedd. and was tackled when in possession close to the kl1 By long lacking 'itidhoe worked out and got to the oeu±re, but the Lisaiehv thi*ee-quarters carried play back, and G-abe and Morgan Wiiliasne seamod to miss, several chaaieetT—'two of tliem real hsit ones, ijlaneily again wdka up, and Gabe was ouee more tackled when abwt to cross. The raward canxe at length, when Gabe got -over in the cCrner. Strand Jones, with a magnificent kick, converted and placed Llanellv two points FINAJi SCORE: ¡ LLANELL —I gn-ual 1 tiy. I TUDHOE—2 tries.

NEATH V. BSIBGEl^TD. The 'iiarch between these tüms was played at NeatJi on Saturday in gloomy weather. The former engagement resulted in an easy win for the Black Brigade. With the issue to be decided at Neath there shouSd be. ro question as to the result. A promise has been marc by J. D. Davies, who is at Neath for his holiday, that he will turn out, and in this event the home quarter line will be consider- ably unproved. Charlie Morris has recovered and he will a-gsin partner C. Powell at half. The forwards will fit: the satne as those which did duty against Penygraig, and as the eight are now in excellent fettle the Bridgend front r:tii, l will have a pretty warm time of it. The visitors arc a greatly improved lot. but their chances cf winning to-day are rather remote. NEATH.—-Back, Joe Davies; three-quar- teis, W. Jones, H. Jones, H Ranford, end J. D. Davies; half-backs, Powell a.nd Morris; forwards, M. Reynolds, Sam Davies. Jim Thomas, Moxiey. Evan Arnold, J. Edward?, J. Linnard, anii D. Evans. BRIDGEND.—Back, R. Reynolds; three- quarter h.io.i.s, J. Jones. T Matthews, TV. Pennell, and F. W. Brown half backs. D. Davies and T. James forwards, J. Matthews (ca.ptain), T. Hayman, T. Beiinett, M. Bevan. R. L. Davies, D. Bayliss, H. Davies, and E. i-Ja.vies. Yiftien the teams entered the field it w-ss seen that Hanfori and D. Evans were absent from the home side, their places were filled up by GrJu. Lewis and Alf. Hopkins. Mr. Gavin Horny was the referee. The match started a. quarter of an hour late. Scrum- maging commenced ir.side the. home half, and Bridgend had a coupile of nice chances cf starting passing bouts. but their work was slow and lacked finish. There wrs some ex- j change of kicks. a.nd Harry Jones got in a big punt, followed up and bowled over the left haif cs'ctre before he could reply. This toed: play to the vailing quarter line, from where iai hali oraio across to J. D. Davies, who was forced to kick. Charlie Powell then set his partner going. and Hopkins feinting towards the left got back into the centre and gave Sam Davies an unopposed run in. Joe L Davies easily converted. The Bridgendites were, however, fleet in the or>en, but they were, not up to th (,G. jbr e of the homesters. who, however, had the ;-ssistaiice cf a strong brtieze. The visiting forwards wheeled a CQuIne of s'crums nicely, bUt failed to racve far. The superior work of the Nearfv- ites onsbltti them to take play right to their opponeiiL. goal liae. The Bridgend forwards: seemed to be domg wiy we¡ and certainly got the abil on the big majority of occasions, but the visiting halves were outplayed and favoured by circaaistances. Neath were now pressing severely, but Krktgecd effected 1"0- lief luckily with a sarins of living kicks. Neath quickly resumed the attack, but the Bridgend pack was weakened by the losg of Matthew s, who had beeu carried off the field with A spnain-ed a.nki' lp to this point Bridgend had had rather the better of mat- ters forward, but !taving hist, their bast man, the remaining seven soon began to be pushed about iw-ther badly. Charlie Powell made a. mark, and Joe Davies just missed, the uprights with a good shut. Play was almost wholly confined to the Bridgend 25, bnt the visitors defended stubbornly. Charlie Powell once got hi a remarko ble corkscrew run, but as he had four or five men waiting at kiss left prac- tically uncovered he would have served his side better by passing. Morris ran over the next minute, but lost tlie bail, and & minor only, accrued. As the result of a. sustained attack e1,h were to score, a.nd Cliarhe Morris eveutaaily rrau over. Joe Itevios failed to convert from an busy angle. HaJf-tirse Score: Neath—1 goal, 1 try. 1 minor. Bridgsm-d—ml. Neath started the sccrmd Ifirif, óiM <jlwtr y by J. D. Davits piaaed liriagena again on the de#oris?.v«. Poweii made a grand open- ing, and patased to Harry Jones, rhe latter transf*i>ntng ito Bill Joees, who soored a. fine try. Joe* T»avics failed at goai. Joe Da^-ies was paying a fine game, aad was tiring out the vis^aatj forwards. J. D. Davi€» oeilig FINAL SCORE: — NEATH.—2 goals, 4 teka, 3 minors. BRIDGEND.-lnii. —

ABERAVOn V. 1,10 LI: B, I T 0 lq. Tins, tiie ffret- fixture ol the season bat-wecn the above clubs, came off on the Aberavon enclosure on Saturday in very good football weather, the atmosphere being crisp and the ground firm. In beth of last Year's engagf)- ° « o maits the Red and Blacks managed to assert thci" suprtimacy. ABERAVON.—Back, Back, Jack Lewis; three-quarters, Will Reep, B31 Foster, Billa Thomas, and Jack Davies; baivoB, Danny Jones and Will Davies; forwards, "Bobby" Bryce, Tim Madden..Jack: Lake, W. Keoa- fick, Val Jones, Hacry J ones, Tom Upton, and Dai Thomas. ck, J. R. Owen ,■ t-hr&e-quaiters, Toar. Whste (<apta £ £ Jaiii Davies. Dei Jones, and D. G. Francis; ha«- basks, Tonl Harris and R. Owen; forwaids, Tom Wiiiiams, Will .Joseph, Tom Roberts, Syd Bevan, Jack Evana, JJeweSyn John, Tom Fowier, and Ben Hi-chams. At 013 last rnement it wss found that Abera»von were w^tiioust Jadi and Harry J. and Luke, thoir pia&es being tfilieii by Tho- in&s, !>&wis. a-nd Evan Jones, a three-quarter pkiyer of former years. The vlsito -were fully represented. Tim Madden stated for Aberavon. and the return was charged down by Dan iTnornas, who had fallowed up well. A serum wew formed right œt the visitors' Vine, and Dan Jones, gettan^c tha kicired ovor, and Wi-il Davies (folluwing u.p scored a try, winch was not eonvaa-bed. After the 'kick-oat, a series of smart cp-jrations by Evan Jones and Ban I mattei's to the visiters' quait-eis, and here a r-piendid pajSEang boat was witzwseed, in witkih the wliole of the Aberavon pa-riiicipited. Jack Davies. m the end. boing pushed iuj-o touch netir the iiae. Morrison IraJ a tetni .'U attacking, but smart pluv by J); IJ Jonas, BSlLa Thomas, and Will plactJ again on tho defensive. Mornston again relieved, and Fr;mcis ktteroep!,ing a pass, raced along the fctidi line, aid was oicy farcod unto itsoxich right on the line. It was splendsd effort. Aberavon once, more got on the a-ggrojiive, and Da-n Jones, getting the> ball, psesad to Bilia Thomas, the hitter transfearmg to Foster, who sewed grandly beneath the posts Jack Lewis I converter]. On the kick-out Aberavon a. in went to the usual place oil the Morriston line, anil a pass#ing baut initiated 1 s*~ the A.beiTi..von haJvTis, Jack Davir-t^ scoring a weil- nierrued icy, \.1Üch was not converted. riston lurccd matters an It,, teJ to do so until iialf -tamo was cadlciL Half-time .s ;0 re Abem-von-—1 goal. 2 tries, 2 minors. Morriston —nil. Joseph restarted for Morriston with only 14 men, having got off the fidd for some un- known reas-o-n. Seroe good kicking by Bilia Thomas took play beyond the centre. Harris now returned. From the next scrim a line I dribble was initiated by L. Davies. and takfn up by Val Jcn-ee. who- subsequently ix>unce«i over the line near the posts. Tho kick at- goal failed. Aberavon kept, up the pressure, but the game was now stopped through an ilJjury of Tom ivoberts, wito had eventually FINAL SCORE — A.BEIiAVON.~i goal, 4 tries. 5 minors. o I

&TEWP0BT V. WATSOFIAIfS. foe Vr litsorians, uicl.oubtenijy ihe strouti'si-t vrrgaaisation in Bonnie. Scotland, opened the r I South Wales tour to-diy. when th." mv.t Newport. Tilc Usksiders Were strongly repre I scnted, being assisted by Llewellyn Lloyd. and otherwise putting thedr most powerful I fifteen into tho field. The match was invested with considerable interest- from a Swansea standpoint, as the result would go ro indicate the All Whites' chances -against the sons cl Scotia on Monday, not that any fear is fel: locally as to the issue. -=-=-=-=-=-=

STOP PRESS; j THIS SPA'IS IS RESERVED FOR 1M- { POST ANT NEWS RECEIVED AFTER j W7 HAVE (WE TO PRBKS. j jj"5' t. L r 11 t I I I 1 I I £ 1 1 L8IW

MfR. MONRO'S DEPARTURE FROM SWANSEA, DOING SO AT HIS OWN DESIRE. An c-xtraor niary meeting of the Swansea School Board was field at the ofticcs on Fri- day afternoon to consider the following com- munication from Mr. Mumc,, H.M. Inspector a.t Swansea: Dear Sir,—Will you be good enough to ex- press to the Swairsc-a School Board my wann- est thanks for the kind expressions of rcgTOt at my departure from the district, contained in a resolution pvassed at their meeting on Tuesday last? It is very gratifying to know that after IS years' work as Inspector in the district, I have won the respect of such an important, educational body as your Board, especially when from the nature of my duties it might naturally bo expected our interests would not always be identical. I consider such a resolution to be the highest reward an inspector can hope to obtain. I also see from the local press, that efforts are about to be made to induce the Educational Dei>artment to retain me here. While I hope I am far from being insensible to the compliment im- plied in such an effort. I should at the same time like to point out that any attempt of the kind might not be as pleasant to me as my over-kind well-wishers my suppose.. I may also say tliat some two years ago when Mrs. Monro's health was very unsatisfactory. I (x. pressed a wish to lie removed from Swansea, I so that the Education Department ;s not the primary cause of my removal. Thanking your Board for the many kindnesses thev have shown me. and for their hearty and geneaous co-operation in tho endeavour to further the interests of Education in this district. I am, j vours sincerely. (Signed) u LOFTUS T. MOKRO. Swansea. Dec. 22nd. 1S98. II L i A. W. Hal den, Esq. I P.S.—I sincerely hope that the Board will reconsideT their decision and not proceed fur- ther ii: the way of petitioning for my reten- tion here. J The Clerk also read a further letter ftom tne Mayor (Councillor Richard Martin), in which his Worship stated that he was sorry to learn that they were likely to lose from the neigh- bourhood t wo of H.M.'s Inspectors of Schools —Mr. Monro an:' Mr. John Rees. He thought it was a pity, unless the gentlemen personally desired it. Th- y were now so conversant with the schools of the district, and so thoroughly masters of the condition of education locally that it would be a serious loss to have them replaced by strangers. When Mr. Monro's letter had been read it was, of course, recognised that it was as?less to take any action in the hope of retaining Mr. Mouro in the district It was, however, resolved; to present- Mr. Monro with a. com- plimentary ad-cress, in album, form, and tha-l the other School Boards and managers of Voluntary schools in this district be asked ■to participate in the movement. Should Mr. Monro not find it necessary to leave hu J riecuy, it is prooabie tne presentation will t>e made at a banquet. With reference to the proposed removal of Mr. Rees, it to also resolved, on the motion of the Rev. John Davies, seconded by Miss Br«ck. to- make representations to the Educa-j tion Department with a view to his retention at Swansea, and also to take part in any move- meat brought forward with that object. ■—

NOTICE TO REABESS AND AGENTS. toe Daily Post" wiR not be pub- lished on Boxing Day (/Monday), but tiie usual editions wifl be issued on Tuesday. and tfeey will I r ports of the various 0hi festivals, etc. L

LOCAL SIFTINGS. Merry Xmas to ail oar reademl Mr. Albert Mason is now coavaiesaent, a wishes to tsrprees his thaiffiks to ttfie naa»|F friersds who have been enquiring :ss t» id,. ktMiih. At the Pontarrivwe PoHce CwbtUoti FndaC; Evan Morgan, for parmitfcmfr drunkenness fc the Ystaayfera A^aus, iwas fined £ 2 aatd cwat? or 14 days. Mr. Griffith Bowesa. haasdrss^eir, feioch-road, Bryioiiyiryd, a weii-known t man, died on Fridov. aged 50 yeaiEB. He had beoa &ilfeng for stwsntl lJGornIDa. The Sunday Sdriooi hekl at the Akrxt Haal wil not be held 00 the next vwo Sandals In oonseqtnesijce oi the, aO.vJœ of Dr. Elbeai. Davies, owing toO the clapiuliexia outbreak, Yhe -i,Kl"f Hanbiaiy, bound from Briton Ferrv to Itou-en grounded in the River Seine ou Thursday daring a fog, bnt afterwards floated and proceeded on her voyage. One of the sfpecial C^ir^teaas artic^c? in "Tit Bits" is contarpjot-nd by Mr. W. A. F«d, of Uplands-terrace, who receives two guineas for a column which is- snpooscd to be suitable matter fc-r insertion in a ladies' paper, The siup Cromptoia. of Liverpool, while being towed into the Prinoe of Waks Dock on Saturday moming, crillidad with the ss. Oakda'e, of London, with the result that the quarter plates of the latter vessel wore damaged. A solid silver csndeTbra. which is to fce pre- sented to the ex-?jf&yor«59. Mrs. J -tki-zT)n Thomas, to mark th? appreciation of her pubiio services, is on view in t.he window cf Messrs. J. A- Webber and Sous. 87. Oxford- street. )We are mi-, rmed fisat the secretary of the Swansea Hospital—Mr. Hughes—received on j Saturday a cheque foi JB415 17s. 0d. from the Swansea Eisdieddiod Cominittoe; and ako a cheque ior ikjO from Mr- C. C. Vivian, the hon. sec, of the Swansea Chaiity Week Com- mittee, I Mr. J. S. Washburn will give addresses on the "Origin of Christoias" to-morrow at 3, 6.30. and 8 p.m., a.t (Shaftesbury Hall. The 'I question. "Has the- birth of Christ any con- nection with the ftres of Chnstmas Day?" will also be answered from the BiWe and fastory. All are invited. The afcteataon of Mrs. Ra&tdeiL erf AJ&epdy- bcrths -street, SK,-ammm was, wi Scct«rd<ay Tiionsnig. drawn to a young cheM wbo was ■wan deiing in the street y having lost itself. She twi-k of The, IktJe stranger, and carrred it«ii c*vrv the iwtg&boar- hood looking fosi- its but tailing to find them, gave triformafiioii to the poboa The hon. secretary aS the M aad Stwrth Wales Institatuot! for the Bind and of- the Royal CttrrKJrian Instdtotatm for the Deaf the Royal CttrrKJrian Instdtotatm for the Deaf and Dumb has the- pleasure to aefcttowiedge wfcth thanks the recetpt. of cksiataons of £ 25 each t-o 'the above iseCKtutrox^, bsing the amount apportM>n-ed out of the proceeds ol tie perfonmsE»oe«5 given in aid oi the Swansea charities at (the Grand Theatre, per Mrss I Eugenie S. Bill and Mr. 0 C. Vivian, joint hon. secrtferics. At the Gospel Hall, in Ore hard"-street, on I Friday evening. Mr. and TL k. Chap- man repeated their kin-Jnoes oi the last twenty- nine Christmastides-, in searching out those- to whom a good piece of beef woukl make a most acceptable addition to Their Chrtsrmaa dinner. The recipients were very grgteful, j many of them being the very neeiroet of the J town, ctiid by whom the gilt was most highly ■: appreciated, as it would be the only m that would grace their table at this time of feasring and rejoicing. The kind-hearted. donor and his wife were assisted at the (iia- trifrotion by lviI. and Mrs. Snelling, Mrs. Luxton. Mrs. Charles, and the Misses Scott. Over 300 families were the happy and grate- ful recipients, of Councillor Chapman's bounty, On Thursday j a spLsodid rendei- irtg of the <antata. "Bethlehem," was vvca at. Mount Uadvaiy iiaptist Chapd. lXutygraig, by the chapel ciuoir. under thcalide leadership of Mr. John Tiwaiias. Mr. B. PairneJl occu- pied <;itajr. stsd there was a aUem- ncc. The different pins were well susta-nted by the foilowmg, all ol whom acxpiitiod them- selves in a most creditatfie oswiner S»praiK>«, Miss Sarali TiioJiias, T.C.L., and Mass Jones <x>n-ra4to«. Mrs. Greenway. Miss W. Pitch- ford, and Master W. Morgan tHQ-ors. Mc-t-^rs. George Hill. A. Friday, wnd F. Hcald bassos. Messr-s. D&;1 Thcwnas aaid W. Adams volan- ist^. Masters D. P.. Jolm. F. Gribble. G I^homas, and She Misses HafTcp Mass Picdbford was tlie efficient aioooatipaatsu. On Thursday the ixrisnis to the successful scholars of Neath County School were distri- buted at the Gwyn-hajj, under the pre-jdem.'y of IMr. J. Newail Moore,who W11. accompaniid by several of the governors of the school: Mr. Phillips, heaamasuir of the Newport, County. School; Principal Salmon of Salmon; the Ifeadraaska- of the school (fr, J. G. Davies); tlie clerk to the governors (Mr. L. C. Thomas), iiiid Dr. Isambard Owen. Senior Vice-('nan- celini- of the University of Wales. The iatter distributed the prizes, and addressed the audi- ence and scholars. The headmaster reported tliat the xMHnb&rs of the scliool had been splen- didly mum ta-ined during tiie -eax. FouiletTi scholar ships had been awarded in 1897; and the schoo, in the examination of the Cantrai W eish Board had gained 96 distinction In addition two pupils had passed the Londvn Matricukitiou. one of whom had also gained an entrance scholarship at the University Col- lege of Wales, In the Science and Art Ex- ei aminations twelve firswuasses had been granted, and c-6 passes* A very successful social evening and oon- cert in connection with the <3eadr>js Evening Schools, wa, hdd on FrnfST evening, under the chairmansfaip of Mr. T. D. Jenkins. There were also present the Rev. John Davies (Cadl-e) and several of tbe leading readents of idle district. The programme consisted of the following:— Glees: "Awake, Æolian lyre," and "Mai," which were splendidly sung by tho Evening School Choir; several usrt songs were swoetiy rendered by the Day Scim >1 Party, who iiso went. tlirongh a set of exer- cises in musical drill, in so masterly a mannc-r as to demand an encore. Songs WTsre given by Miss M. H. Davies, Mes-rris. W. Bees. D. Anthony, Jno. llces, D. Davies. A. B:vaLn, and W. Tucker: recitations by Miss Mary Lewis and Mr. Dd. Nicholas, and comic songs by Mr. James Evans. TTi-e concert through- out was a grand success, and reflects great credit on all the ts'ch.ers of the school. It is gratifying to find that the schools are doing such excellent work, and that they have gained such a firm hold on the young people cf the district. Votes of thanks were cor- dially passed to the teachers -and artistes, and the concert terminated with the ringing q., "Hen Wlad fy Nhadau" by 3-rr. D. Griffiths.

SPORT ING. KEMPTON SELECTIONS.Monday. 1.0.—Bob White. 1.30.—Bach. 2.0.Iri.Soh Girl. 2.30.Rip Van Wirkle; Siberian and Hy- pocrite for places. 3.0.—Gallatir.Cc.vent Garden a place. 3.30.?M;v-cI. Double?—Bob White and Bach. Irish Girl ami Gallatin. HA iv-E E,

"KARDOMAH" Exhibition Oafe. Kar- doroaih" Teas and Coffees may bo tasted ;.t tne above Cafe. £ 32, Frgh-strcet. Pnce 2d 3d. per cup with biscuits ^93

CABDIFF V. BASB.iEIANS. Cardiff bro-ug/it their customary holiday- I fixture off with the Bjuba.rir.ns. The latter always bring a. powtrfrd fifteen into South Wales, but rarely mset with saccesf. Carditi' to-day, had tlieir strongest possible teani out, anct t-heir superior combination was <aJways too much for the men whoss jerseys were e:nb!azoiied with the skull And cross bones. Soma excellent individual efforts were shown by the. visitors, but they almost entirely lacked cohesive work

MJROQLd FUUTEALL. SWANSEA v. CARDIFF. The following team has been selected to represent tho Swansea Schools Association League against <1. eleven from the Cardiff Longuc in a match to be played at Carditi' on Januaiv 14th :— SW AiSisEA.—Goal, Jones (Cwm) j backs, Beynon (Hafod) and Rees (Inter. ,I; halves. Bowers (Inter.), Pepper (Danygraic). and Jenkiis (Cwm) forwaids, Rees (Hafod), Holland (I\-rrace roadTurvev (Dany- graig), Pitt (Inter.), and Maggs (inter.). Rcsorres: Back, Donelly (National); ha! Evans (Hafod); forwards, Watkias (lJ: iaLt). Linesman: Mr. Tom Harry.

PEMBROKE DOCE v. MILFORD HAVEN. Piayed 011. Saturday at Pembroke Dock. jinal'soore: PidMBROKE DOCK.—2 goals. MILF0RD HAVTiN.—2 ac-a-Is.

ASSOCIATION. POHTABDAWB V. SWANSEA*: ,:— Pontaruawe and Swansea were engaged day on the ground off the Valley Club in re- playing ti.e South Wales Cup tie that was ieft drawn on the Vetch Field a fortnight ago. On tnat o'lcasion Swansea played a somewhat poor game, and although they had consider- ably the best of matters, the score at the (-all of tane remained one goal each. For tiie present match the Swansea were only afeie to send up a weak team, Evans. Fxi- wards, Maitison, Williams, and ..1. Robinson all being away. Under ihe circumstances a very close game was auticipated. although th- Swanseait.es, as usual, were confident of itic- cess. 1- SW AiNSEA.Goal. Thomas backs. WaL. ters Robiuaoa; half-backs, HUn- ter, (ireeawa-y. and. Trevor Hunter forwards. Wiggins, Reeii, Riddeil, Robinson iBrynmiil), and Newton.

DANDY LOST OFF THE V10R.M THRKE MEN SUPPOSED DROWNED. The Cardigan daudy Flexawing. which left Swansea on Thursday night, is reported to j have gone down with her crew of three hands off the Worm's Head. No official infonnatioa is yet a vailable. ""————'

PRINCE GEORGE IN CRETE. SiMPATHETTC LETTER FROM THE QUEEN. "S IENNA, Friday. According to an official report. Queen Vic- toria has again written to Prince George cf Greece, cengratoJating him in symjKstfeetic terms, a.nd giving expression to her Majesty's oonvuition that with the commencement of his official life in Crete all era. of civilisation, peace, and abundantly-blessed work will com- mence there.—"Daily Telegraph." -==-=-=--=='

FOOTBALL ENTHUSIASM RUN WILD. ALLEGED UNLAWFUL WOUNDING Af BRITON FERRY. Or PViday before the sitting magistrates at Neath County Police Court, a, young labourer. named Jenkm Willi anus, was ctai-god with assaulting Jeakin Williams, stoker. The p-irties hail from Briton Ferry. Mr. A. J. Jetfreys defended.—Complainant said that on Dec. 10th ha was coming home with defendant from the Docks towadi- h-oroe, wh-en the latter asked h; ii as to the International Football match, and what his opinion was as to Neath players. He said he cid not follow football. when defendant said "Yon are like aii the Briton Ferry fellows all down on Neath," and tlten struck at him. Oomplainaait went towards home, but defendant jumped out from a spot in Lowther--street and struck him three or four violent blows. Be did not know if it was a stone he used. Complainant fc.U. but lield. on to defendant unrill the police came: and he was taken to Dr. Pegge's surgery. C^-oss-examined Told tiie constable that he had bceyi struck with a sharp insPunient. Police-sergt Roberts said lie heard cries for iisastance about midnight and went to the ¡ .■pot, wlvere he found th°. psj*ties struggling. Neither had caps on, and .Barrett's foce and head was covered with blood; and he tr4d witness he had been struck with a sharp in- strument. Told ue&sKtnj-il he must go to the station he afterwards took complainant to the surgery, and in his presence charged de- fendant. who said nothing. Witness found" a, sharp stone near tiie spot where the afFr-ty occur red, and it fitted into a hole in Barrett's cap. It was after going to the surgery that cap. It was after going to the surgery that he charged defendant with using a blunt j-ii- strument. Dr. Pegge said complainant had two scalp • wounds, one 2 or 3 inches wide, the other haif an inch neither i cached tho bone. The injuries might have been satised .by a. blow from a man's knuckles or a fali against a hard from a man's knuckles or a fali against a hard su-lxita-n-ee. The Bench took a lenient view, and reduced the esse to one of common assault. It was no doubt a serious one, as the medical evi- dence showed. The dclendant would have to pay 40s. and costs, and they hoped it would be a warning to him.

FEEDING THE HUNGRY. CHRISTMAS GIFTS FOR 1,000 SWANSEA PuOR. Much has been done, and is being done, in Swarm?a for sweet charity. The poor people of Swansea have for a long number of years been able to look forward to receiving gifts oi clothes, food, etc., at Qiristmastide from a fund which has been managed by Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Solomon. This year a ladies' comrnittae. with Lady Llewelyn at the head, was formed instead, and the distribution took place at the Albert Hall on Friday afternoon, when 1,000 of the needy old folk of Swansea each received two pounds of beef. *10. of tea, lib. of sugar, and a lib. loaf, valued in all at 2s. 5d. The sight presented in the hall prior to the distribution was a remark- ai-ie one, and it made one shudder to think there was much poverty in the town. It was honest poverty, t-oo. fcr few of the aged people present bore traces on their countenances of having iivod recklcsa lives. oSÍJ: John and j Lady Llewelyn were in attendance, her lady- | ship presiding, and amongst those also en the j platform were the Mayor :md Mayoress (Councillor and Mrs. Richard Martin), the tX- Mayor and Mayoress (Alderman and Mrs. Aeron Thomas), Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Solomon, Councillor and Mrs. Griliitn Davits, Mrs. Augustus Lewis. Mrs. Jayne Rees, Rev. 0. T. Spelling, Mrs. Snelling, Mrs. Johnson, Mrs. Fish, Mrs. Knight, Mrs. Jones Powell, Mrs. Evan Lewis, Mrs. D. C. Jones. M:b. Merry, Mrs. C. H. Perkins, Rev. and Mrs. Merry, Mrs. C. H. Perkins, Ry. and Mrs. Phillips, Mrs. Hopkins, Mr. and Mrs John Harvey. Miss Harvey, Mrs. J. Wiiiiams, Mrs. E. IVilliallis, Mrs. Wilson Paton, Miss L. Davies. and Mr. H. G. Solomon (hon. see.), The proceedings haviiug been opened with a hymn, and Mr. Solomon, sen., having ad-j dressed the gathering, Lady Llewelyn re- marked upon the services rendered by the j ladies' committee. She then called upon Sir John to speak on her behalf. Sir Joliti having thanked Mr. and Mrs. Solomon for their work in the. past, said that they had received their reward in that th3 movement had grown to v a larger extent this year than in any previous year. The work which lie had inaugurated saow lay ia younger hands, and he was glad to see his son carrying on the woik. The Mayor proposed a vote of thanks to Mr. and ) Mrs. Solomon, and hoped the movement would become one of the public institutions of tho town. The vote was heartily accorded, and a further vote having beta passed to the Mayor and Mayoress, the distribution of Lie i'ood was proceeded with. Q'C;

SEE WANTED TO 1VLARRYz STOLE A BABY WiTH WHICH TO FRIGHTEN HER SWEETHEART. ARRANGEMENTS MADE FOR THE WEDDING. BUT C-lid, REMANDED TO GAOL. A single young woman, named Annie Lhv- ton, of VVellingborough, was on Friday com- mitted for trial by the Kettering magistrates for stealing ,,1 child. A curious story was re- vca.ed by the evidence. At Kettering a woman befriended tho accuse-, and gave her lodgings. The accused offered to take 01'1 her landlady's baby while she did the house- work. The accused, it is made off with the baby, and was. not heard of until two months later, when she was apprehend-d at Leicester. In th:- meantime it is sta,1: the accused had corresponded with her-,w,e,i heart at Wellingborough, telling him Sal: was in trouble, and likely t.o become a, mottle' She had away. Later he received a letter from rite accused saying she had goc a son. When charged with the offence fee accused said she had taken the course Sh0 to force a marriage. All arrangements nad been made for the wedding to take place on Cirri-tin as Dev.

THE MANDOLINE, i mkie-finkie, tkukie-tinkle, tinkle-tinkle. The leading man, enga.ged in a.n atterapt to remove a black spot from his dre cravat j f by moans of an application of white jvaes?. paint, paused and listened. a majiililin, he said. "That's a new wrinkle. We've had all kinds of fiends in this company since we sta;rted out, everything from ciganetscs to bicycles. Who's 'che musician, I wonder? 011, I sav, Who's the band waggeD There was a step ic. the narrow pa?sa7^- way i-nat led oo tlie dressing-rooms, and Jenks, the property-man. ajjpearcd ia the d oorway. 'Sh he said, 'net so ioud. The old maji li hear YOU." The leading man started. "The old man, did you say—not Merrram?" "x es, Merriaia, in n. whisper. The leading iiiali sat on his trunk. "That beats me,'1 lie aid. "The Anc;erit Mariner tinkling a mandolin. Now I'm prepared to fy Fatiser Time playing sentimeEtal ditties on a jew's-harp. Junks did not laugh, a fact which helped to sooer the other man. "It's no smprise to me, said the praperty-man, gravely. "I says to Mrs. Je-'ilis just before I left the hotel. savs 1. Mrs. Jenks. yon know what- night tJus is?' She gave the date. why, right,' says 1, and it'll be L hard night for Meniam.' 'Puor old man,' says Mrs. Jenks. a-wiplir of a tear. 'Poor old man, I suppose he'll be playing of his mandolin again.' "nm. he says I. He hasn t iiiisscxi it,, as near as i can judge, for Úiny years. As sure as this night comes. just so sure he gets out that old mandolin of has and tinkks away. And it's always the same tune. God 1 Bet it does make my mind go back. 111 never forget the first time he played it. You see, me and Merrimam have been together, off and on, so long that I know his story riKist as well as he does hi meoif. Not that he ever talks about it. To-night, after the show, that. instrument 'll go back to the bottom of his trunk, and it wcn't come out again till tins time next year." The leading man was all ears. "Thirty years ago I was stage doorkeeper at the old Theaire, Now. the stage doorman ain't so unimportant as same fo&s think. There s mighty btfie goes on that he d't know something aboot. He gets the flowers first, and usually sees the cards. He's a good friend to the actor when the actor's a fricna to him, and he can do a favour now and then that's worth the wliile. Mcmam was just beginning to climb up tile ladder in these days. He had come into toe stock three years before as utility, but. he was a handsome chap, with berairts and ambition to back his good looks, and it wasn't long before he got to playing leads. Say, when Memam went on as Romeo at the matinees you oouldn t see three rows in front of you for the bonnets. Mrs. Jenks used to live in a regular garden those days, for M< rriarri would have none of the flowers the silly girls used to staid him. When rd offer to bring them home to him he'd liuigh, and tell me he reckoned my wife cased more for flowers than he did. But I often noticed that he came into the theatre with a. big bunch of violets or roses that he'd b-mgm himself to give to a little woman who piayed opposite parts to him. I asked hira once why he didn't give her the flowers teat the grris sent him, instead of spending money that way. I took a kind of fatherly interest in Merri-ani in those days. Lord bless yo-u, to look at him now you'd think he was my grandfather. He looks that old. Vveil. I seen how things was going with 11 him a.nd Nellie Moore, and everybody else seen it, too. hen she was ou the stoge he stood ia the wings, and his eyes followed every move she made. I remember one of the women saying that it was worth while to have a ma.n care for you like that, and cer- tainly Nellie seamed to 11ice it. She came tc I me one afternoon—that afternoon ir. tolling you about—>Mid said that she was texpired to go home after the matinee. She -asked me if l'd run across the way and order dinner for her. ThM-n she whispered in my car that she wanted it served for two. and asked if I could not fix a- bunck light on the stage, so she and Merriam couh. have a cosy 'Thanksgiving dinner ail adone. dinner ail adone. 'Of course I done it for her. and wliile they was ea t in I went over to my boardm' house. Thc-re was to be a change of bill that night, so 1 came back early to get my props in shape, es I had them to attend to as well as looking after the door. When I came back into the theatre I heard NjMaore playing' a mando- lin. Sne was always fond of music, and car- ried the instrument around with her. you try,' she said, and Merriam answered that he didn't know a note. Til teach you,' she ;<9 id. 'There's an air I I want lou to learn and remember.' 'All right," said Merriam, and he took the mandolin from li-ei'. She showed, him were to I place Ins fingers, and kept humming the tune until he could play it with only one or two br&airs. 'then went to her dressing-room to get ready, an-a Merriam sat there thrum- ming until the half-hour was called. "mat nigiit- there was a good deal of bind- 1 shaking, aud the word went round that there [ was to be a wcodiii at Christmas. 'cu thu tlealie, I noticed a crowd around the stage door, and heard talk cf a runaway. 1. hurried up, dnd as i did so M erriam came out, iiis face as white aa a ghost's Go l's sake, gt a doctor, Jenksf he tried. "i. rushed to the nearest drag store, end, luckily, found one there. When we got back to the c't&ge door Merriam was wait- ing. and, witnout a word, he led us to a sofa in the wings ou which Neiiic. Moore was lying. The doctor bent down over her for a minute, shook his head, and said he was too late. "An understudy pL.:cd Juliet that night, and Merriam, as tnuai, was the Romeu. The audience know the real reason for the change, but in the tomb seme 1 see how they could help feeling it. "'Those cf us who sa7 it from the wins ill never forget it. The women were in hysterics tiie tags hands and flymen were nearly as bad. I don't know how Merriam ever lived through it, but this I .do know. He was a different man from that night. He seemed to ° lose all nis ambition, and he withered up so that, whim I met him at a rehearsal two years later. I hardly knew him. lie was bent- much cs you. s:e him now, and was playing charac- ter old men. Every year he dropped down further, until they wouldn't trust him with anything bcttpr than bits and servants. Yes, s'r. and, that old man has played Rom.o with the best- of them. The story was finish 3d, but the mandolin still tinkled. The leading man's face was Graven, and: Jenks sat thinking. Perhaps the former was thinking of hi? own high tide of prosperity, and oi wiiat the future had in stcre f: r him. But sympatjiy and curiosity are closely lied, and soon the two men were tiptoeing through the pjesageway. They paused, before tho old actor's room. A ray cf light. filtered through a cr?.ck in the thin pine door. Mer-! was dreissr and made up for a comely | servant His green livery coat hurrg on a peg en the wa.U, and th red wg with which he covered his own white Lair lay on the dres- sing-table before him. There, too, was a faded: photograph of a. pure-faced girl in the cress of Juliet. The actor sras bent h; s 18.lcl().i, a1d the leading man ne w ca-ugnt,

j Reports from the country indicate that milder weather is setting in. j The Royal Baron of beef which was roaster j en Thursday ac Windsor Castle fer the Queen s Christmas table, was sent from Windsor to Osborne on Saturday morning, together with the us-tial boar's head and game pies. The dca-tll sentence passed at Derby upon Ruth Jane Talbct, midwife, convieWi' of causing the death cf Ellen Eliza Rowbotham. by an illegal operation, has been commuted to twelve years' penal servitude, Mr. Hennikcr-Heatou, M.P., who. with the assistance of the Press, has won Imperial ] penny postage for the lieges, has hit upon the l.-n-rvnv idea of getting from the Mint a qb, of silver pennies and of sending one to every- < b-odv who lias helped cm the good work. ENGLAND'S GLORY MATCHFS. Save the DOZEN WRAPPERS and send for par- tic-uiars of PRIZES to S. J. MORELAND j and SONS, England Glory Match Works, Gloucester. The above Brand of Matches is I made en irely by BRITISH LABOUR. -J!) J..

tiie tsuie for the first time, broken, lxot reoog- Ð: When other lips and1 other hearts Their tales of love shaH tell, In language whose excess imparts The power they fp-ei so well: There may, perhaps, in. such a scene Some recollection be Of days that have as happy been, And vüu'J remember irm. And yoo'll remember, youlh Twang: There was a sound of a broken string. "first act! All up for the first act! The call boy came' tumbling down the passage and the listeners hurriad; up to the stage. A few minutes later the call boy came up, too. and be found the stage manager fuming "W here's IMerriam?' he cried. "I can't hold the curtain a.1 night for that doddering old fool. Hurry him up, will you:" The boy disappeared, and reapjKiared ainKist instantly. "Mr. Merriam's Toe tears chokeAnis voice and he got no further. The stage manager made a rush for the stairs. Ten minutes later he cazrre up dressed for the comedy servant, but the man whose, name was down on the bills for the part lay in his dres- sing room clutching an old mandoiia, w:tn nis eyes fixed en a faded photograph. IC"