1900-03-03 — Page 5

THE WRECK

BY JAMES PERDU.

- {Specially written for the "Flongkong.

Telegraph."

The night was settling down on Christmas evening in a Cornish fishing village In a cottage at the extreme end of the straggling street an old fisherman and his wife lidd been all day expecting the return of their son, who was bringing back a wife, whom neither of them had yet seen. They were loath to begin eating the Christmas fire prepared in honor of the expected pair,

The father was full of impatience and welcome for them both, but the mother had her fores bodings and jealousies of this woman who had supplanted her in berson's heart, taken her share in her first bom, she was losing a son, she felt it would be a manger wha retumed to her. She felt the bittemess of no longer being first in her son's love, of seeing a younger women preferred to herself. The boy, too, would be changed he had risen above them in station, now that he had bechine male of a small trading brig..

THE HONGKONG TELEGRAPH, SATURDAY, MARCH 3, 1900.

Theold fisherman and his wife claimed to look after the two waifs, as they had every thing prepared for their son and his wife,

The fisherman carried the mate up to his own room, while his wife took charge of the exile, He rubbed and chafed the cold limbs, coaxed brandy past the livid lips, and at last had his reward, in a little fatter of the eyelids, a slight sighing of the breath. When he was revived he asked where he was, and the fisherman told him the name of his village.. The stranger sat up ia bed, and put the tangled hair from about his eyes. When he had looked at the old man a mumont he cried out "Father, don't you know me p

And in this fashion did the son bring back his-wlic

MRS. ATKINS AT HOME, HOW THE WIVES AND CHILDREN, OF TOMMY

FARE WHEN HE IS AT THE FRONT. With poinp and panoply, to the sound of trumpet and drum, and the enthusiastic cheers of thousands of excited spectators, Mr. Tommy Atkins has departed for the field of glory-os death. He carries with him the good wishes of every individual in the country, from the Queen whom he serves, down to the veriest street gamin who adds his shrill treble to the national parting demonstration, and all the world knows he will give a good account of himself But what of those who are left behind-the sorrowing wives and children of our country's gallant sons? Countless homes are filled with acting and anxious hearts; a tear for the abser one; every itear of news as to his whereabouts is eagerly scanned, and the pros and cons of his safe return are hope. fully or sadly conjectured. One great bond of sympathy unites the hearts of the wives and mothers, who have given their dearest and, in many cases, their all--to their country's welfare and to the cause of justice and equity. With the truest bravery and a dignified courage which is magnificent, they have bidden, a long farewell with smiling, cheerful faces, and loving words, though fears were in their hearts.

Once more the fisherman lifted the curtain that screened the window from the street and looked out through the fading light. Gusts of wind flung themselves at the window; and fled shrieking round the house. Storm fingers seemed to seize the fames and shake them malevolently. Overhead the tattered storm. rack raced across the open. A fitful moon gave out a watery radiance. Away across the trou-wives, children, mothers and sisters, shed many bled waters of the bay long rollers smoked in the gale, and the angry chafe of the breakers on the rocks filled the hour with menace.

He dropped the curtain and was turning back into the room, when something on the horizon caught his

gaze. It was no rock out there he knew, He fetched his glass and went to the door to make it out me clearly. A swirl of wind filled the porch and clapped to the door behind him.

By degrees he made out, beyond the broken water of the bay's mouth, beyond the gaunt tongue of rock showing from time to time in spurts of foam, a ship driving steadily towards the harbour. He could see she was a brig, full- rigged and running close-reefed before the gale, The channel was a difficult one at any time, full of sunken rocks, and the harbour was rarely used by any bat the fisters of the village. No one but an experienced mariner could guide a boat between the twin fangs of rack, that stood guardians to the entrance. Now, with such a wind the tideses would surely sweep her on to the rocks.

He ran into the house to put on his hfe-belt and sea boots, and in another moment was battling with the gale, on his way to call up the rest of the-life-boat crew. From time to time a clap of wind would stay him for a moment, but he pressed on:

His task was an easy one-not a man. hesitated to obey his summons. They dragged the life bent down over the crunching sands, and tauched her. The women of the village -tied handkerchiefs overtheir hai, and came with them to the water's edge. Though many wept bitterly, not a single one told her man to stay. The women's par was to watch while their men went furth, perhaps, to death. They could do nothing to help, bu must wait with prayers on their lips-ke lamental try to fate

ale to be kind.

On boud the ship was panic terror. The scamen buddied round the foremat seemed dubly waiting for the end. One me had bound himself to a stanchion by a length of 4 inch rope. The Captain, stunned by a failing spar, lay tangled in aliter of ravelled cordage. where he had fallen. The mate, white faced and desperate strove to seer her by her useless wheel, for a heavy sér had broken her rudder A pale girl, half fainting clung to his other arm She had come from a comfortable home and she was horribly afraid to die

The hip-boat crew-watched the ship anxious- ly. The prinnacle racks" said one, naming the dread that was in each man's mind. They saw a green sea" sweep her decks, and the next moment a number of dark objects, were strug. gling in the water. None would live through such-4-sea Ever and ever the ship fung up her bows, defiantly, desperately appealing, like a stag that has the dogs at it's throat.

The mate was taking, farewell of his young wife—his abnost bride. The end must be soon- His eyes swept the decks in a last vain. hope. The girl was past hearing his words of love and tenderness; she lay unconscious against his arm. Atross-sea buffered the ship across the bows and she checked and shivered like a raw colt. She felt her danger and was afraid.

now.

Then a roller crept under her stern, lifted her derisively, and dropped her on a sharp pinnacle. of rock. A dull, sickening crunch, the exultant slap. of waves as she settled down. The mate gave an agonised look round-one boat with broken sides hung at the davits, but no boat could live for a mi ute in such a gale. The Captain, tangled in the tackle washed helplessly about the deck with every wave. The renman by the stanchion appeared dead, every other soul on board had been swept into the sea He looked down at his wife's face, and kissed her madly, drunk with the ruin of it all, Another sea washed her from his arins.

A MAXIM ILLUSTRATED

For the men-retiring activity, rapid, change of scene, a skirmish or two, or a hardly fought battle, a chance for promotion, a continual up and doing For the women-a weary and agonized waiting, an uncertainly as to their loved one's well-being; nay, his life or death, Nothing but just wait with what courage and hope they can command, and always the pos sibility of future loneliness and desolation. Truly, Men must work, and women must weep," and never is the inaxim brought home to a more than when we are laced by some national emergency, as at the present time.

Visit some of the homes of our brave soldiers.

and to how it fares with those who are left behind. To say that the wives are gratified with the interest the county is taking inthem and doing financially for their welfare is but to faintly depict the profound, delightful astonish usent expressed on every hand.

"Nothing of this sort has ever been done before," said one. My husband has gone out before, and we were not looked after in this way then. I wanted it more, 100, at that time, because we were not on the strength; so when he went out I had to do as I could; he could not allow me much out of 19. 1d. per day. Now we are on the strength,' and he is a -ergiant, so'1 am in comfortable quarters; no rent to pay, no coul and gas to pay for, a government allowance for me and the children, and £2 per month out of his pay. Auxious? Yes, who wouldn't he? And, if anything should happen it would be a bad look out for me; but then, as 1,say, he has been before, so recion there is a chance for bim ; and we erg the Queen's servants, you know, and it is only our duty."

WIVES OF PRIVATEŠ., -

To take a lower grade, namely, the wives of the privates. They, of course, are not in such flourishing circumstances; they have quarters, etc, and an allowance of fourpence per day, with threepence for cach child. The pay of the husband is small, and, if he allows his whe threepence or fourpence per day, it is as much as he can manage. But Mrs. Atkins of the rank-and-file is accustomed to work; she does needlework, washing or cooking with a right goodwill, and, if she had the opportunity, she would even do a little of the fighting if the enemy hove in sight. "For," said one, who may be typical, "we cannot do much but sit and wait ad cry over the papers; but if the Boers canie over here, I would have a go at them and see what I could do with the fire irons :

en hour spent at Winchester House, where a list of casualties is posted, and a little convef- sation with the anxious enquirers would almost inove a stole. The stony despair of grief that will not be repressed is heart-rending; some have found loved one's name among the "kil led," others are shown as "wounded" which latter may mean permanent disablement. At such a time the country cannot too generously respond through the Mansion House Patriotic Fund to the undoubted claim Mrs. Atkins and her family have on its exchequer.--The Sketch.

THE PHANTOM TIGER.

the furred and

SHIHAR.

A SOLITARY BULL BISON.

January and, 1900, The Grat fortnight of any leave had filed, and 1 had not had the fortune to bring to bag any large animal, but hearing of a range of hills on which bison were to be found, I determined to try my luck with these must noble of animals.

Leaving most of my baggage at a large vil lage K on the left bank of the Godavery, I started off inwards the hills, accompanied by five coolies carrying loads two of the The later were composed solely of rice. fast march brought me to the foot the hills, but on arriving at the village found it deserted, excep for a few oki men ind women; all the rest were away in the jungle gathering in the sickly mohwa Rower.

Next morning, however, saw us once more on the move, wending our way admidst the stately trunks of the giants of the forest, and the feathery clumps of the graceful bamboo, till we suddenly" emerged on to a clearing, which appeared as if it might once have under gone an attempt at cultivation. A short dist ance further on, and the narrow winding path led down to a tiny hamlet of five houses, she tering under a group of shady trees. Strangers d'd not often find their way to that remote spot, the head man of the village, was somewhat reserved at first, but a present of several leaves of tobacco and a handful ofrice scon loosened his Longue, and finally he agreedto render me every assistance within his power,

My camp was pitched in the shadow of a great clump of banyan trees, situated in the depths of the fores. For miles around, with the exception of one pool in the watercourse not far from my tents, all the water had dried up, for it was the height of the hot weather. All day long the pitiless sun beat down upon the parched earth, scorching it into dust and drying up the fallen leaves, so that they crack- led loudly even beneath the light tread of A lizard. At early dawn feathered inhabitants of the jungle came down to drink. During the long hot day the forest slumbered, save for the cicadas which kept up their strident screech, and the brain- fever bird that shrieked from the tree top with an ever-increasing crescendo of maddening notes. Towards evening, when the shadows lengthened and the heat became a little less intense, the denizens of the forest awoke, and began to move about in the thickets, all con-

What a lonely life these wild men of the verging towards the pool of water where they woods must lead us often as not, on enquiring might slake their thirst after the parching bent about a certain village marked on the map, the of the day.

answer would be, "Oh, yes, there is only one This was the time for the tiger to com- but there;" in another there might be two families residing together; their hovels, too, mence his nightly prowl in search of vic-

For there was no jungle-law in force were etected in the most flimsy manner possi tins. in this forest. That is only found in story ble. The walls were composed of wattle and

daub, and the roof more substantially con books. The sambur, the chital, the nilgai, and

structed of coarse grass and bamboos as a the little chausing came down to drink at

protection against wind and weather. I should dawn, and at the setting of the sun, looking cau- tiously around thein, in fear of the lurking foe. say they were of very little use. How these The sambur generally came after the forest Reddies managed to keep body and soul was wrapped in the gleam of ni. ht, and so did together was quite a mystery to me; they the heavy, shambling bear. All animals alike. eamed a few annas by the manufacture of baskets out of strips of green bamboo, and approached the water with great circumspection. For who could tell whether or no the striped with the aid of a few toddy palms in the watcher, the dweller on the threshold of the jungle, and various routs and berries a Tents of pool, were lying-in-wait for prey? "There is precarious existence was cked up.

pleasure-in-the-pathless-woodis, especially-course-I-had-none; so the head man of the when they teem with game, and perhaps there village offered to make one of the families is no greater pleasure than the observation of evacuate its squalid anode, and for the time the wild inhabitants of the forest, when, in being I might ensconce myself in its place, but concealment one's self, one can watch them na examining the structure, came to the con- in their native wilds, although "sitting up" is clusion that the verandal would meet all my a practice recommended for obtaining requirements, while the occupants might still sport, as it, seeing scarcely fair on the animals retain the other portion, so I shared this humit to chermpass their destruction in this manner. ble home with the domestic cocks and hens, Still, there are sometimes circumstances when the latter occasionally flying up into a basket no other method of bringing a tiger to bag is slung in one comer, and pressing me with a possible, either owing to the density and extent fresh egg. of the jungle of the absence of beaters.

not

A fine old tiger was haunting the forest in the vicinity of this pool which has been men- tioned, I found the imprints of his great paws in the of and on the water's edge, and in the neighbouring thicket the skull of a wild boar with the insks, doubtless one of his victums, lay-bleaching in the sun. The only human beings within a distance of many leagues were some half-dozen Conds of a neighbouring hamlet, so it was useless to attempt the organi sation of a beat. Therefore one afternoon at about four o'clock I took up my position among the branches of a great banyan free that over- shadowed the pool, where the gnarked limbs and thick follage shielded me from the sun and from the view of the animals.

|

and 600 grains of lead, with a steel tip, went crashing into its ribs. The bull then made slowly off and was followed by a second bullet, but this projectile unfortunately met with nine-inch tree-trunk in its flight, so it never reached its destination,

The creature was evidently hard bit and as by this time it was past mid-day, and the rays of the sun were beating down fiercely, it was more than probable that the beast would not travel very far. This turned out to be the case, for we came up to the animal standing, lonking at us, about fifty yards aivay. A shot behind the shoulder sent the noble brute staggering, down the hill side, where we found it practically lifeless a short distance of

The bull was young for a solitary one, but in the prime of life, and its borns were not in the least worn down at the tips; they were well above the average in size; in fact, the beast ap peared to be of quite a different type to those usually met with in those regions. The follow- ang are its measurements →→

Round the outside curve and across the fore- head, 73 inches; greatest outside span, 38 in ches; circumference at base, 16 inches.

Arthe sound of the first shot the coolies had dropped their loads, and hastily climbed into the branches of the nearest trees: and it was not until I had despatched the tracker to im- part the news that there was now danger, as the bison was dend, that they would descend from their perches, and help to sever the head from the carcase.

no fear of

A further survey of the plateau was continued next morning, but no-fresh signs of bison were found. A heavy thunderstorm broke over us in the aftemoon, so shelter had to be sought for under a friendly rock till the downpour had ceased. We ventured out in the evening again, and, to our surprise, struck the fresh spoor of another solitary bull bison quite close to where we had been sitting while the rain was descen- ding in torrents. As the soil was dump, track. ing was of course an easy matter." It was evident, ton, that the beast was in no way alarmed, for it had been grazing quietly along. The trail was quiet recent, for in one spot the dry earth underlying the moist surface had been exposed to view, clearly shewing that the bull had been there after he shower lad passed away, but the shades of night overtook us, and by the morning the animal was doubtless many miles away, for we searched in vain for any trace_of_it. That night was one fraught with discomforts, for an unexpected storm burst suddenly over us, and bedding, etc, became instantly drenched. My Reddie companions had a cracking fire ablaze under an overhang- ing ledge of rock, and I was reitictantly obliged to appropriate it, sleeping in close proximity to

till daybreak.

The other solitary bulkhad apparently quitted the vicinity, so I followed his example and returned to my verandah in the hamlet, glad enough to get a roof over my head once more.

MORVEN.

HUMOURS OF IRISH LIFE,

An Irishman is natumlly devout, and as a rule accepts the decrees of Providence without a marmur. His climate is as changeable as he himself, but you rarely hear him grumble. Anything short of a deluge is "a grand day, glory be to God," or, if he is completely wet through, "a fine soft day for the country." On one occasion, whre it had rained inces- santly for weeks, and the crops were almost under water, I said to a man, "What do

Flannagan 7 you think of the weather,

sce

large and wide. Without a moment's besita tion he caught up a spade and began shavälling down the wall at either side of the door. "Man alive said the priest, appearing on the scene, whatever are ye at ? Shure, it's makin' way I am for your riverence's ombrell," said oldMike "divil a bit of it ill go through socrat all" "Ab, nonsence, man" said his reverence, laughing and stepping inside he took the umbrella out of Moira's hands and closed it before them. Old Mike stared at it agtrast. Then he turned to his

wife.

"Glory be to God, Moira," he said; "is there anything beyant the power of the priest ?" These old people belonged to a generation which is fast passing away, and to which the succeeding one bears but litla resemblance- Cornhill Magazine.

THE FRENCH SHOP GIRE.

-LE-GAULOIS...

"Take a seat, please, mademoiselle "-you want it. You have been standing now for fifty years. Oh, I beg pardon; you are only twenty- five? I quite believe it, and, what's more, I nught to say so, if only out of politeness. But, between you and me, you know, you really look less! But when I spoke of fifty years of course I didn't speak of you, but only of your clu the charming and delightful class that you represent. For me you are not Giss Janc or Miss Mary: you are the Shop Girl. I don't care from what shop either. It will be quite enough for me to call you the girl from the grand magasin when I say to you, Take a seat, please," for in truth, since it is about a century that the big establishments have been in existence, it must be for about fifty years that you have been hoping for little rest. Fancy being on one's legs for that time! For that, my poor dear girl, has been your posture for half a century. You were standing there, I well remember, the first time, I saw you when my mother brought me up to the Grand Magazin de Paris to get my school outfit; you were standing there yesterday when I came into the same shop again to get my New Year's presents! You hadn't moved. 'You had been there ever since, immovable, rigid, and upright, attending on your customers, standing, always standing standing till eternity, with death in your legs may be, but with a smile on your lips! can imagine the sigh you must have breathed when it wasn't a false one, I hope-the report caine that at last the girls in the grand magasin might be allowed to sit.

Ugh! It won't be you alone who will atter this sigh of relief. Your customer will, too, for your evident and eternal punishment has been corroding to the very bottom his otherwise cheery disposition. For he kept asking him self, why, oh why, this gratuitous torture was inflicted upon you, and how on earth it could be considered a crime had you afterserving amapiar for minutia, who insisted on matching with txaetness-slipbody-with-petticoat, mantle with bodice, and who was capable of making you capty and replice thirty cardboard had

all

for a purchase of 12 frances 25 you, i say, while waiting for another juch windfall, ventured for a moment to ASSUME on stool the posture which, the gentlemen of the management upstairs were occupying all day long in the comfortable armchairs which are the thrones of their com- mercial Olympus. Why, indeed! Because like many another, alas! you are the victin of a law which is, without doubt, the dominant one of this end of the century-mechanism.

THE ADVENTURES OF AN 'ACTRESS.

AMUSING INCIDENTS. Startling news reached Paris recently, to the effect that the Public Prosecutor of the Seine had been summoned by the Public. Prosecutor of Bordeaux to draw up a report on the position of Mdme. Sarah Bernhardt, who,

is

very well it is hardly necessary to say, known" both in the Old and New Worlds, The examining commission of the Procureur of the Republic asked several questions the actress. among them; First, about the exact civil condition of the "nomméo" Sarah Bernhardt; and secondly, information concerning her morality and means of ex istence. Placed between parentheses were the words:"Affaire de contravention a la police des chemins de fer." What crime had the Divine Sarah committed to call for such a report? The adventure is easily explained,

Knowing well that the best way to win a, nguye's heat is by ating his stomach, isailico forth in the evening, accompanied by a couple of these wild men, in the hopes of shooting a four-horned antelope or a pig. We had birely left the collection of hats, when the faniidae bae kooi a four-hoed antelope reached our cars and presently the graceful form of the beast itself was seen as it bounded away up the hillside, never stopping till it had topped the ridge, where it turned to gaze-at-na for-a-mo- | inent before disappearing from sight, We then arrived at some thisics bamboo jungle, which looked promising, and we were not dis appointed, for the noise made by a herd of pig was distinctly, audible na they grabbed up I think" said Flanagan, looking round roots, and other dainty morsels. Taking a at the dripping hedges and soaking fields, "1 The sus sank gradually towards the horizon, detour we came upon them about a hundred think, Miss, if was to be makin' weather, an us and feeding in made the likes of this, there'd be grumblin' at and as in descended the lift of the thickets awoke yards directly above in song and movement. First birds of many a patch of thick undergrowth. To obtain it. It was wrung out of him, and surely disap

shot was a mintter of con

probation was never more delicately expressed. kinds came down to the water's edge; peafowl, a steady junglefowl, and the lle painted quad all put siderablo.difficulty, for an occational glimpse As might be expected, ours is a soil in which THE UNCERTAINTY.

in an appearance, whilst flights of parrots, cut-of a dusky bly was all that could be caught. blessings and curses flourish in almost tropical luxuriance, and both are dispensed with a liberal Talking to the wives of the non-commissioning the air like arrows, come swooping down At length, however, I picked one out, but failed

hand. Among the causes which insure a plentiful ed men, it is readily found that financially these to the branches above me, where they occupied tonotice whether it was let or not. On exami are all very comfortably situated. It is the themselves in noisy squabbling. The jungle ning the spar where the animal had been supply of the termer may be reckoned the pos uncertainty as to the safety of the husband who cocks crew defiance at each other from the standing, copious splashes of blood were visible session o red hair. "The ould masther's funeral has gone out, and the fear of the future, which hillsides, and two of them with ruffled feathers on the dry leaves, and stones. We followed' was a grand sight," said an old woman, "bur demand sympathy. But nearly every where approached to de battle. lien, the little up for some considerable distince, but at lengil shure the grandest sight of all was

four-horned antelope, singly and in pairs, darkness compelled as to relinquishy the chase. Masther Andy standin' there with his head hope is predominant. Mrs. Atkins is as much affected by the martial spirit as is her husband; emerged cautiously from cover, and a red The trail was taken up again next morning, shinin' like gould in a bog dhrain. May the and even the children are not exempt, for small kakur barked loudly on the hillside, giving ard, much to the delight of a Reddie.com Lord bless him an' the barber that barberised juvenile forces are drawn up in opposite face warning of approaching danger. The shadows-panions, the carcase of the dead pig was found him!" We are often credited with a disposi tions in the barracks yards; but, truth to tell, were already blending into one muszotint of stiff and stark in a shady ravine, The creature tion to accept statements without proof of their had been hit rather low down, but well behind accuracy, but the following story goes far to the weakly and small ones are ignominiously gloom. The sun had disappeared, leaving a

"It's wishin' to turned over to the Boer ranks, so that the faint suffusion of light in the sky above, the shoulder, and the lesson I learnt from this disprove such an accusation. inevitable rout of the enemy is certain and whilst the brighter constellations were already episode was, that a 270-grain, hollow express inform the family I am that there's a cross baste announced one swil, I am the man, now father has 10

gone visible in the dark blue vauh. The solitude-ballet, although propelled by 5 drams of black beyant in the field," was the war," said one bright boy, the son of a non- and the peaceful suraundings lulled me into powder, is not efficient against a fair-sized boat morning by an old herd. Are you sure it's

Last year the great tragedienne made This event delayed my departure to the really cross?" some ape asked. "Ah! begarra, com, of ability and distinction, "and I have to a slumperous state, and more than once I found

tour in the south. On her return she cheer mother up some of his cheering con- myself nodding over my rifle. It was rapidly bison ground for another day, but it was a I am sure; Mrs. Casey herself was walkin'

hired one of the railway compartments for sisting of a violin performance of martial airs. growing dark and the moon would not rise for stroke of luck to have procured some meat for across en her way from market, whin it wint af

persons who accompanied another hour.

these wild men, as, being of Hindu caste, they her an urrened her upside down and the herself and the

crathure was that skeared she couldn't spake her. Her favourite dog was also placed Suddenly there was a commotion among the would not touch the flesh of bison. Just as

At the railway station animals that still surrounded the pool. The the first streaks of drawn, were tinging the hardly a word whin she got home, and himself in the carriage.

of Bordeaux the employe whose duty it peafowl and ether birds burried off into the castern sky our little cavalcade wended its way wouldn't belave her, so be tuk Mary out to sec

if it was thrac, and begerra it wint at her and was to gather the tickets caught sight of the bushes. The small deer disappeared silently out of the steepy hamlet, and took the path up

the mountain-side. Our destination was a flat- turroned her upside down too, so thin he knew animal. The employe, who appears to have said like spectres into the shades of the forest. No living thing appeared in sight. No sound dis- topped bill some ten miles away. My 450 was it was a cross baste." The same old herd de been a fussy man with no liking for dogs

"Shure, they're find bastes tothe great actress in asevere tone: "Madame, turbed the unbroken silence. No breath of wind not packed up, as there was always the chance scribed his castle. stirred the leaves. Then suddenly a human cry, of some small animal being met with. When now, but troth, if yed seen thim whin they came request you to put your dog in a special ashriek of mortal fear and agony, cut the the plateau was only a few hundred feet above first, it's thin skilitons they were." So paper carriage." On which her chamber maid ex

on Irish humour would be complete with claimed with indignation: "But it is the dog of silence, and the sound of a struggle among us, I called a halt for the purpose of admiring

at least a few specimens of bulls. Mame. Sarah Bernhardt." To this the employe the bushes not far off was followed by a the scenery, and to gain breath before tackling out quiet as deep as before, I remained spell the final ascent. The panorama spread out at Ilere are two or three jolted down at random. replied: "If it were the President of the "Dhrunk!" said a man speaking of his neigh Republic himself it would be the same thing. bound. It was still tight enough to see my feet was indeed Magnificent. In the everything clearly. The hoarse pur of a tiger foreground were the sombre-wooded slopes bour, "he was that dhrunk that he made ten The law is made for all the world even fordoge. halves of ivery word,"" Arrah, ma'am have ye Now will you put your animal in the special while vanishing into the dim distance was the came down the mulah, followed by the I und vorched up plain, covered with & leafless heard the news? Misther John's best calfs carriage made for dogs" "No in cried, the of the animal lapping at the water but saw nothing, My hair rose in horror, at the presence forest dhrownded on bim. Shure, I'm afther actress. "Very well," said of something supernatural. Then the lapping fee of young saplings Large black patches been through the field mesils, whin they were shall go and fetch the police, melye All these woman are giving up cheerfully ceased, and the purring became faster as the the dry leaves and dead timber, while the gettin' the crathure out of the ditch, an he was commissary of the railway station of Bordeaux their best and their all to their country; bat it beast receded, evidently in the direction of his ambke from places still ablaze bung like a pall that wake he could hardly waile home. But being duly informed of what had taken place, I thought you said he was drowned ?" drew up his report which set forth that Sarah is the wives "off the strength" and the wives prey. But all was not yet over. Again the over the waterless tract. The Godavery, too, They did not stop to look for any floating of the Reservists to whom the biggest share of

Dhrownded! And sure so he was dbrownded Bernhardt hadpffended the police of the railway. noise came near: accompanied by the sound was shining like a molten thread under the bodies-such would be past their nid by now. sympathy is due. Some of the former are, of the dragging of a heavy body through the vertical rays of the April sun, and its sinuous but he wasn't dhrownded dead." "Was it a good department, an offence for which she would be They steered for the wounded ship, the steers. indeed, to be most deeply pitied, They bave bushes and down the nullah, Rapidly it course could be traced for many a mile till it fair to-day?" inquired a master. "Ah, no, punished in virtue of an ordinance dating from

your honour. Shure if was only a little fair, the year 1840 man staining his eyes to catch the first glimpse no government quarters, and what their approached. I could hear the great beast was lost in the hazy atmosphere. The crest of

Tha. com. The train was about to move. and thin little fairs are niver big ones." "Why of her. At last they reached her and by a spor husbands can give them out of their pay will breathing heavily, and the stench of it assailed the hill was at length surmounted, and we were. lying over her side, first one man and then no anything like defray the rent of their my nostrils. A faini wind, hot as a breath from making our way to a suitable locality, in which is the chapel bell ringing, Mike?" "Shure, its missary did not think it was his duty, to residence, when our two men over there beyant in Gurtnaghur that's delay the journey of thegreat artist, and.com. another clambered in board, The seas were modest lodging. True, the government is Hades, came, scorching down the nullab, and to take up our terested by the long wished-for died, and they're a buryin' of one another to-day, tented himself with receiving the brief explana

then the Presence was beneath me. And footsteps were driving over her aftogether, and at first the sear doing something, for them; but many of them

and that's the sign."

tions of Madme Bernhardt's man He then chers lanterns shoved nothing but the cum. have children to support, and, as one of them as looked the footprints of a great tiger sight of fresh tracks of a solitary bull bison. In "bered decks, with their load of broken tackle,ald. "It is hard work to keep a roof over

Among the many factors at work in Ireland entered his office, and drew up his case, which were printed off one by one in the sand fact, while we were gazing on the scenery a

there is one the extent of whose influence ishe transmitted the same evening to the Pro- and tangled cordagen d

them and get them even a bit of bread-and-below, and alongside of them appeared the few hundred feet below, that bull must have

were supposed, both by friends and fors, to be almost cureur of the Republic. The Public Prosentor treacle to cat" For such as there, the Manafon trail of dragging fect, and dark stains that passed the very spot on which we House Fund and the kindly solicitation of might be blood. But nothing more was to be then standing The marks were not half unlimited. I mean what is called the power of of Bordeaux, without inquiring who wa

partisan d Colonel Gilden of the Soldiers' and Sapers' seen. Doubtless the scene of some former an hour old. This was quite an unexpected the priest, and as it undoubtedly has a promin-personality, in question, and

ent place for good orevil in Irish life, the follow.justice and equality employed, in, ander to Families Association, will mean actual salvation, tragedy was being re-enacted below me. The plece, of luck. In silence the coolies were

double barrel 577 was ing example may be of interest. Old Mike and obtain information about Mdme. Sarah Bern WIVES OF REBERVISTS.

thing, Invisible to mortal eyes, passed away halted, and my

his wive lived in a little cabin on the mountain, hardt, means entirely superfluous. down the glen, leaving those great pugs and hastily taken out of its ease and put together. the trail of the ghastly burthenius wind. I mid-day siesta within short distance of us? day more rare. The walls were of wh

burthen in the sand, Had the ball been seared, or was it taking is one of a type which is happily becoming every and with it passed started from the spell, which had until this. These and many other similar thoughts rushed the floor of the same useful material, with a moment held me, grasping my rifle and peer through my brain news stealthily avoided tread gutter running down the middle to divide the ing into the gloom of night, The moon had; ing on the diyrand crackling leaves. We had family appartinent from that of the row and ass, for Mike did not rise to the dignity of a "barse risen over the tops of the trees, and cast her proceeded about three hundred yards, the trac soft beams upon the surrounding scene; ker keeping a pace ahead of me, and were baste." To this mansion came his reverence kept secret faint, ghost-like artlines of trees appeared, examining the foreses glide below the edge one cold, showery morning in March to hold interviewer? "all Paris will know it to

To which she responded: "18. a eration His umbrella was wet and dripping, merrow," the bushes were bathed

white of the plateau, when theinn glided silently.

but

don't so being a careful man, be placed it open you speak of it-yes;

you mistiness, and the water, siiglly rippled behind me at the same times pointing, 10 a

"But the secret could not be vacated by the animals, by a faint zephyr, was sprinkled as mall ravine in front: There I beheld a sight in the space

After grazing outside.. with diamonds

the kept a couple of days, and afterwards?" " where

moonbeam, 2

which made the prise beadifastery for a broad who

usual devotions, when the congregation had atinch no importance to that. If I have.com- like a ray of hope, was shed across its surface. back, and the ocasional swirl of a tail could. And beneath me, clearly outlined in the bright just be seen. Advancing a few paces, the bull dispersed, he went for a stroll while Moira mitted an offence, I will pay for it. You know moonlight, was the great tiger whose pugs came full into view What a lordly animink he prepared his breakfast, for to entertain is the story. When I travel I take a compart- had seen in the daytime; no phantom now! looked, as, unconscious of all danger, he quietly reverence afterwards is the crowning honour of ment for myself and my little dog. Up to the Even as the beast bent down to drink I raiset cropped the partially dried-up grass. What a a station. He had not gone far when a heavy present I have never been annoyed, and have shower obliged him to fake shelter under a tree, always met.with the greatest courtesy among my rifle and pressed the trigger, and he subsided: magnificent speciale he presented, and one land and a little gessoon running back for his the employes. I must have come across one with a struggle upon the margin of the pool delight the heart of the humer.

umbrella, "His riverence is afther sending me with a bad temper, who evidently wanted to It had been an uncanny adventure, bur per- cruel it seemed to kill such a noble beast

to bring him his ombrell, said the boy, bursting bring a complaint against me. The lay re- haps the dream orvision seemed more account such is the fate, however, of those who

to slay big game. As, however, into the cabin. The saints presarve us pent, is made for everybody, and I do not able when the old local sbikari informed me seek

away from me, said Mike "Maybe it's the thing he left there pretend to ignore it."

The divine Sarah, on being asked if the tiger had infested the forest, and had killed; there was no use in firing, Haveral of his victims near that vary spot; aside to browse on a succulent-tuft of grass he tried to pass it through the door, but the police bad not called on her to inquire

NOMAD

Thi“ gave me the opportunity" It wished for entrance was low and narrow and the umbrella what was her civil atate, and what were hes

The life-boat toiling through the white sinot- her of sea shore to leam something of the men on board the wreck Through the pressing dusk they had seen lier driven on the rocks, lic there helpless, appealing with a broken back, her drowned masts crying to Heaven. Then the darkness id her from them

Then they found the girl, the wave had swept her along the deck and left her ibere un harmad The mate was not far from ber-he had gone after her and a wave had flung him. against the tafirail. They cut down the dead body of the seaman, and one by one lowered the living and the dead tenderly into the lifeboat. Last to leave the ship was the dead body of the Captain that they found his shroud of cordage smiling up at the blank Heavens

As the life-boat started back, the moment was full of peril. Should the bost touch tire brig's side with such a tide, she would spilater like matchwood and every soul perish The fear was present, alio, lest if the brigank now. she should suck the life boat after her

In

a

were

Many a hard case may be heard of among the wives of the Reservists, for, although numbers of government works and employers generally have not only promised to reinstate the men on their return, but also to

Brant their wivca half-pay dering their husband's absence, yet there is quite a considerable portion of them for whom no such concessions are made. One case will serve as an example. A skilled mechanic earning from 50s. to 3 per weak, a marsied in, with a well furnished house at a respectable rental has been, in cofimon At hat they were away and the wreckshowing, with others, called upon to rejoin his behind them into the night. Weary luch by regiment he antes only, as a private, thus weary inch the life toit went through the waves.rteiving 18 d. per day. No half pay is She grated and war nground willing hands accorded to his wife in this instance; the man pulled, the boat on to the beach and the rescuers cannot do much for her out of bis military pay. and rescued were brought to land. The tense, The war office separation" allowance is small, and question are all the crew back? and and very obviously the home cannot be retained the gind-answer, and the sound of women who the house has had to be given up; the fur- laughed and cried it once in the reactions of anilure stored, and the wife has taken a situations nameless fear.

acorvant It cannot be denied that this couple Now it was the women's part to do while the are makingan very great sacrifice for their men stood idle. They wrapped them all in country, and cores, of similar instances.could next day that many years before a man-eating, the brute was grasi but soon it turned beyant in the corner," and seizing the umbrella blankets, and covered the faces of the dead who be quoteël lín#MES FOR SA would never look upon the world of men #galah:250

For the river of those who will never return, the deepest commiseration must be felt half

The special

The opinion of Sarah on this burlesque ad venture is worth giving. I take it from the Matin, whose representative found her at her theatre of the Renaissance. working like a slave. She said she was not pleased with the affair, and would have preferred that it wan "Impossible. Madame," said the

3

Page 5Page 6

means of subsistence, answered: "Yes, a com- mlasary of police came to me to obtain my name and address; this formality is compulsory. The commissary was as kind and courteous s It was possibbe to be in the circumstances." Here the story ends.

Shipping. STEAMERS.

THE OSAKA SHOSEN KAISHA,,

LIMITED.

FOR SWATOW, AMOY AND TAMSUL

THE Company's Steamship

"MAIDZURU MARU," Captain O. Ogata, will be despatched for the above ports, TO-MORROW, the 4th instant, at Daylight.

For Freight or Passage, apply to

THE MITSUI BUSSAN KAISHA, Agents. Hongkong, 3rd March, 1900,

DOUGLAS STEAMSHIP COMPANY, LIMITED..

[45

FOR SWATOW, AMOY AND FOOCHOW. THE Company's Steamship

"HAITAN"

Captain Roach, will be despatched for the above Ports, TÓ-MORROW, the jth instant, at Daylight.

For Freight or l'assage, apply to

DOUGLAS LAPRAIK & Co., General Managers.

Hongkong, 3 March, 1950.

fer,

CHINA NAVIGATION COMPANY,

BMITED.

FOR SHANGHAI

THE Company's Steamship

"ICHANG,"

Captain Lloyd Jones, will fa despatched as

above TO-MORROW, the 4th March.

For Freight or Passage, apply to

BUTTERFIELD & SWIRE,

Agents.

Hongkong, 28th February, 1900