1901-06-01 — Page 5

PUTTING HIS FOOT IN' IT.

THE HONGKONG TELEGRAPH, SATURDAY, JUNE 1, 1901.

NESTINGA, SKETCH,

[DY W. PETT RIDGE IN THE PALL

MALL, GAZETTE.”].-

The long clumsy pantechnicon van has been induced to allow itself to be backed against the kerb of the pavement, and stands there, with its two horses slewed at right angles, dwarfing the new one-storied diouses, and making them appear smaller than they really are. The builder of the new houses (who fuished them only last week, and has left signs of a mortar pie in the front garden) seems to have felt that, small as they were they had not reached the Lowess them into add in re di cider, cach of them into swe adding a front door, multiplying the rents and calling them maison- nette flats. Some residents came in last week,

I must tell you about Brown Brown is a man who will look clean, even if he has to pay for it. Brown declares that in his business, which is company-promoting, cleanliness is next to ungodliness, and that a man who tries to float Humbug without both of these qualities, might as well try and hang himself with an indiarubber band. "Let me look clean," says Brown, "and I can face duke or millionaire. I like cleanliness. It makes me feel a gentle- man; the cleaner.I am the neater I can lia"

Well, this Brown had occasion the other day to pay a business cail on a member of the nobility. So he dressedɗor the occasion. But an accident happened. Brown was walking from the railway station to the cab-rank, and, in looking out for the cleanest hansom in and these old inhabitants watch the unloading the yard, he walked right bang throughs a pud. of the van through muslin curtains, anxious dle. At that moment Brown ceased to feel like in miss nothing, but painfully desirous of a gentleman, though he swore horribly. He ascertaining facts without disclosing them- selves. The Female Bird, in a bibbed looked down at his boots, pulled out his watch-apron with artfut little pockets, wings her and then rushed back to the station like a madman. "A sinart bootblack will do it," he way in and out superintending the trans- said. "Five minutes later and I should have port of the brand-new furniture and feeling that in the absence of the Male Bird, a lost.it."

responsibility rests on her agreeable shoulders that has never been there before. She gives orders in tones of respect, and the shirt-sleeved men, affecting to obey, take, as a matter of fact,

But there

ཏི

was no bootblack to be seen Brows stood panting and irresolute, consider. ing what he should do. To call on a noble

man with those boots was impossible. It this situation he stood for just thirty seconds; as the thirtieth second raced on to the thirty-first ghostly and sepulchral voice just behind him cried out: "Shine!" Brown wheeled round.

He came face to face with an automatic machine. It was A new one, the latest development of automatic machines, and it called itself the property of the Automatic Boot Polishing Company, There was a table of instructions, but Brown did not read far down; he read, "Put a penny in the slot, and your foot in the foot shaped receptacle: grasp the rail firmly and then he stopped. He crammed à panny into the machine, as if he was feeding a starving baby, jammed one of his feet into the receptacle, and grasped the brass rail in front of him as if he loved it. There was a wh-r-r-r of wheels; claws gripped. his boot; a sensation of pins and needles per vaded his foot; and then two bristly brushes began crawling backwards and forwards over his nuddy boot.

Brown heaved a happy sigh, and squeered that rail as if he were thanking it for doing him a good turn. The brushes began to mave faster, the mud and dust flew up from his boot, the noise of the wheels increased in volume, and the sensation of pins and needles began huri.

Brown glanced down to see how his baot was getting on, but the pace those brushes were going prevented in from seeing any- thing. The phonograph inside the machine cried "Shine!" and Brown felt reassured.

The brushes were now going like the piston. rad of an express train, and Brown clutched the rail to prevent himself from falling. His foot was pricking badly. It, seemed to him that he was heing brushed by hedgehogs, and he resented it. So be determined to remov. his foot, and give the other a turn. He tried." But the foot was there, and liked it so much that it wouldn't come away. It was jammed tight, and the claws held it in a grip that a real

well-bred terrier serves out to a rat. Browni tugged and tugged to get his font out but the brushes went on flashing over his imprisoned boot, and the phonograph wheezed out Shine P

no notice whatever of her, shy commands. There are scents of matting and of forniture polish; to this something is added occasionally, when the two shirt-sleeved men and their lad, resting, ask where on earth that cold tea has gone, and, finding the large bottle drink some- thing that contributes a brewery smell to the atmosphere..

Now, chaps !". The stout tan calls his men to attention. "Let's 'ave a bit of a play at this planner,"

*You will be careful won't you?" begs the aproned Female Bird, "If anything happened to that, I don't know what i should do."

"Bless you, ma'am," auys the man in a pat- ernal way, "I've had to deal with them all my life. I wish," he adds wistfully, I wish I had

had as many sov'raigua."

"It cost sucls a lot of money. That's why I'm anxious. My uncle got it forty-five per cent. off cost price through knowing someone in the ironmangery, but even then--"

You she: your eyes, ma'am, for five minutes. and we'll have it indoors, and upstairs in the front room like a flesh o' lightning."

Either the simile has not been chosen with perfect accuracy or the men are anxious not to do their work without elaborate show of labour, far the pianoforte, after allowing itself to slide gently off the low tailboard of the van to the pavement, shows signs of obstinacy, wedging itself in by the gate to the terror of the Female Bird, standing with clasped hands at the door way: being release from this position, it defies;

the efforts made to lift it.".

"We tght to 'ave tonk its inside out,"„growls one of the men.

"Oh," wils the young woman at the door- way, don't go dning anything silly to it."

How'd it be to shove it along? These yer things, ought to be made on carstors -same like

"If you could only 'old up your end. Bill." "You'll pardon me," says Bill, with heated politeness," but it's your end that sticks."

"Ah remarked the other pityingly, "you

ain't the man for liftin' that you was.”

**I can do a bit with me fists still, and chance the ducks."

Do you think," asks the Female Bird agit as though it were laughing, at him. Peopleatedly, that I could help at all? began to stare.

"Yes, ma'am, you can 'elp. You can 'elp by standing a one side and not interferin'"

"I beg pardon," she remarks with humility "Now then, Bill. Altogether. One two, three and away we go.””

Brown tugged again, swearing hard, for time was dying as well as those brushes. He gripped the brass rail.as though he hated it. and was trying to throttle the life out of it. He shook it so that the whole machine rattled The pianoforte shows renewed signs of tem- like a missionary box full of pennies. Then aper on "inding itself half-way up the narrow crowd got round. Some one went to undo staircase, and temper reaches the point of sul- Brown's bon, but the poor fellow got two of len obstinacy when it is urged in turn into his fingers whisked off and gave it up dis- heartened. "Shine!" cried, the phonograph, the two shirt-sleeved men to do their best, and the front room. There the pianoforte defies and the brushes came at it again with a rush would, indeed, score a victory, only that it has like horses going round Tottenham Corner. not allowed for the ingenuity of furniture

movers; on being tipped up at the one end and shifted artfully at the other it lurches ap again and into the room with a stagger, and the men breathe, while the Female Bird sends a look of pious thankfulness to the ceiling. A soft comes in on two tweed legs, like some- thing in a pantomime.

Being in a hurry Brown lost his temper. He told a porter to fetch the stationmaster. His foot was now burning like a red-hot coal, and it felt as if all the ants in creation had made their nest in it and were quarrelling over each other's eggs. Brown gasped out that he could stand it no longer. The perspiration poured down the poor fellow's face, and his collar sunk in a limp, crumpled dank mass about his swollen purple neck. The crowd was very kind. Some one fetched him a glass of milk and a ban from the refreshment-room, and an old lady taking out a black-bordered hand kerchief fanned him till he nearly choked with the smell of vinegar and peppermint. Brown grasped that rail la prevent himself from falling, and implored the crowd to give him air.

Things were getting serious. The whole world seemed to be swarming round Brown. People paused in rushing for important trains, and joined the mob. Porters left luggage,

ticket collectors forsook the gates, and engine drivers deserted their engines to get a peep at poor Brown. Someone started the rumour that an automatic machine had come to life and was murdering a Cabinet Minister. Old ladies with brandy flasks flung themselves frantically on the crowd, and respectable old gentlemen took in bawling for the police.

“Lean back!” cries Jim to his colleague. "Who are you calling names?" demands the other hotly, as the sofa bits him. "You're always chipping me about my being thin. I shall set about you directly, and see it. I can't put a stop to it, see?"

“I only give you a word of advice, old man? I'll advise you, my lad, if you ain't careful. I can stand a certain amount of chaff, but once you cross the line-

Would you mind," suggests the Female Bird with humility, bringing in the sideboard now? You won't break the looking-glass of it, will you?"

"Since you mention i, ma'am," says Jim, we'll try not to. Come on, Falstad"

"You'll aggeravate me "presently," declares the thin man, "to such a pitch that I shan't. know what I'm up to."

Now, I wonder," remarks jim going down and stepping into the cavern, "I wonder whe

ther we shall notice any difference.”

fingers," when this is not effected, The Female Bird having tacked muslin curtains at the front-room window, and placed a linen fern at centre so that from the roadway you might think the place to be completely furnished, gives a shart quick shriek as a scarlet flower-pat, fumbled by Jim, falls on the clinkers that border the path, and goes into twenty pieces. Childern in the roadway feel partly repaid by this for waiting.

"It had got to be broke some day," says Jim with fatalism."Good thing it wasn't anything else."

"I don't know what my husband will sxy.” “That's nothing!" declares the man diş. paragingly. Why, I broke a blooming statue ance, didn't 1, Bill Statue of a lady it was; but the party of the 'cuse being a cheerful, andy sort, she broke it a bit more, and said she should call it Vents of omething or other. Wasn't, that an, Bill? Bless your cart, it's always wise to make the best of everything,

ain't it, Bill?"

and the amount ofedeliharation required before The last stages take an unnecessary time, the brass fender is transported and the fore thought demanded ere portions of the bedstead are dealt with bring the Female Bird. to the point of Irensv. She looks up the road statedly, flies about the front of the house picking up remnants of matting and finally

makes declaration of her wishes to the men. She desires above all things that they should be gone and everything should appear orderly ere her husband returns. .

with charming Mrs. Dolly. But since he was so often a visitor he had come to be on speak ing terms with the long line of Mrs. Lawrence's governesses, so many of whom had failed to please the lady and her exacting young. daughter."

from Miss O'Brian's hand, j. As he took the cup.

"I say, old fellow," shouted the three hopes. of the house in one voice, it's 'ne end of a shame for you to go sneuking the very nicest severness we ever had."--- The Rang, on Times

PRAISE FROM ROBERTS:S

Consigners.

NORTHERN ATARI STEAMSHIP

„COMPANY,

NOTICE TO CONSIONELES. STEAMSHIP DUKE OF FIFE" FROM TACOMA, VICTORIA, YOKO-

A HAMA, KOBE, MOJI AND

SHANGHAL

be paused an instam and: looked down into her eyes. She did not change colour, but bèrts thus mentions the following officers;

In a recently published Alespatelu Lord 'Ro- looked up him steadfastly. Her eyes were

General kord Kitchéneros, Khartoum, G. C dark-blue, fringed with black lashes. He, K. C. M., R. Ehasasny&Chief of the seemed to look down into her heart in that Staff, rendered inc sunfailing, and very loyal instant of time, to ask her if she was really the support, and kam greatly indebietjie one he had been looking for since he lost Mary the valuable assistance he all times afforded The above Steamer having arrived, Con Grayson. What she answered with her steadic (töbaheld a difficutriposition, candesignees of Cargo are hereby requested to send last long look he could not read so easily, hand scharged its duties with conspiciguain, their Bills of Lading for countersignature Only ho was sure she was honest and true, ability. I left the command of the Army in and to take immediate delivery of their Goods. and her love was his to win if he could South Africa to my late Chief of the Suff with from alongside. He smalt the fresh spring-like smell of the

Cargo impeding the discliarge of the Vessel daffodils in the breast of her blue gown. It the most confidence that he would do all that

man could do to bringthe prescufophase of will be landed and stored at Consignees, risk was bewildering.

the dwar to a spaedly.conclusion.,

and expense.

DODWELL & Co., LIMITED, Agents.

Then

a word, from his kostess, spoken "a little snappishly, recalled him. He carried the tiny table to hold it which she was in the habit cup of tea to Mrs. Dolly, and fetched her the of using. He offered her the fais gras sand wiches and the buttered toast. Only a very fine observer would have noticed that his eyes were afest. now,ɔno longer jaded, and that something like a spring wind had put a little colour in his face and ruffed his smooth hairs

ever sa little.

Little.Millicent on her footstool watched the new governess from eyes that had a trick of narrowing like her mother's, watched her and then went on datively to Herbert Standish's subtly altered face.

Ain't been long married, 'ave you, malam?" "Oh, yes, says the Female Bird, "quite three-weeka,"

The weeks of the spring went by in a jocund We'll clear off, ma'am," says Jim, after coo-procession, Standish was as assiduous as ever sideration. Bill, on with your jacket. Boy, in bis attendance at "The Cedars," and the take them nosebags off, and wake up the otses" house by the river grey pleasanter as they may burst in blossom, and the little flotilla of the water-lilies rocked at its moorings.

"I'm sure I'm ever so much obliged to you." That's all right, missy, that's all right. (Bill, you chucked your bowler 'at up on the roof.) You ain't the first young couple that I've elped to set up 'ouse. 'Are they, Bill? -

As the huge van lumbers up-hill and the three lighting their pipes wave a farewell, the Female Bird becomes very busy in the rooms,

lighting the standard lamp with the pink shade, slinking rugs, hanging up pictures by Marcus Stone, but not so busy that she cannot look out now and again from the balcony at the line of City men hastening home to dinner. These give her no interest at all until she detects the Male Bird, frock-coated and serious; whereupon the futters her hankerchief, and hẹ, throwing away his business mask, laughs and waves his silk hal. She meets him at the doorway, and presently they appear on the small balcony, which is just large enough for two if they do not mind standing-close to each other,

"Well, well, well," says the Male Bird, amazedly, "I knew you were an extraordinarily clever girl, but I had no idea you were such an extraordinarily clever girl."

A KNIGHT-ERRANT.

Mr. Herbert Standish, barrister-at-law of the Inner Temple, possessed what other men con- sidered an inexplicable fascination for women of all ages.

He did not go out of his way to exercise it, and those malevolent persons of his own sex who spoke of him as a male firt, with biting references to his age, were hardly justified of their bitterness. As a matter of fact, the many vagrant fancies which had fixed upon him at one time or another had done so uninvited.

It was hardly to be imputed to him as a fault that he could not help being nice to women, and being perhaps a little nicer than usual when it was made plain to him that another güzzling hairs and his forty years. girl or woman had fallen in love with his

He was a spare, tall, long limbed man, with a certain elegance of air which, marked him out in the drawing-rooms he frequented for, his sallow skin, and the jaded look of his eyes, indeed, in any other place. His grey temples, hardly took from bis attractiveness. Indeed something, the mystery of his coldness perhaps, seemed to make him more alluring to women as the years passed.

governess, yet from his place on the hearthrug He hardly ever spoke with Mrs. Lawrence's against the background of palms and ferns which had taken the place of the fire, his eyes watched her incessantly.

He had angered Mrs. Lawrence once or twice by, unnecessarily, as it seemed to her turning over the pages of the governess music of lingering by the piano while she sang her heart-piercing frish songs in the richest, softest of contraltos. However, after a time he was forgiven, becouse he loved music, and it was excuse enough for its trangression, since even Mrs. Lawrence could not deny the beauty of the Irish girl's singing.

So few words had passed between them, and yet he seemed to know so much about Nora O'Brien and her uneventful history. Her father, the retired army officer, her delicate mother, the old, big barrack of a house on the Shannon, full of out-at-cibows, happy, hungry girls and boys. He imagined it as Nora's homesick eyes

saw it. He knew about her years in the French convent. He knew the very names of the dogs in her Irish home. And yet so little, so little, had passed between them.

COD-

He was so far from making her spicuous by his attentions that perhaps only one person was aware of the steady regard with which the very eyes of his soul seemed turned on Nora O'Brien, and that was a little

person, supposed about this time to be much engrossed in the making of a doll's trousseau.

It was about two months after Miss O'Brien's coming to The Cedars" that Standish, came in upon perturbed scene in the drawing room, where things were usually so well-ordered. He came in unannounced by way of the garden and the verandah, to find Mrs. Lawronce and her governess confronting each other.

The lady was in a high state of wrath. Her cheek had an added brilliance to that of the rouge-pot, and her eyes were narrowing and opening to display a fierce light in depths that usually looked shallow enough. Her voice was raised, her dramatic light hand pointed to the pale girl, who stood with one hand resting on the table as though for support.

As soon as Mrs. Lawrence caught sight of her handkerchief to her eyes. Standish, she dropped into a chair, and pressed

"I am so ashamed," she began, "such a dreadful thing for those dear children 1. · How little I knew ["

*"Mrs. Lawrence thinks I stole one of her

Col (temporary Major-Gen) Sir. William Nicholson, C., has already been mentioned bbl should like to record here the assistance by me for good sewviços as director of Transport, he has always been ready to give me in any other matters which trom zime to time I have had occasion, to refer ability aid fipe experience in all administrative work have been of very great value to the Army.

if South Africa:

him. This marked

Col. Ian Hamilton, C.U., D.5.0, has already been repeatedly mentioned for his services in Napo siege of Ladysmith. In March Colony, and since then bar at different cinses 1900 he joined me in the Drange River been in command of a Mounted Infantry division, a division of infantry, and large mixed forces of all arnis. I have long had occasion to recognise the exceptional mil tary qualifica tions of this officer, and the bigls expectations which I had formed of his capacity for com

ciste, has been in command of a division mand have seen ansply justified.

Lieut-Gen Lord Methuen, K.C.V.O., CB,

since the first despatch of troops from England in October 1899. The manner in which he has

kept his command at all times ready and com-

plete for service, the rapidity of his movements, spicuous courage, lave largely contributed to combine with his untiring energy and con the present comparative quiet on the western border of the Transvaal.

..

Hongkong,zych iðɗay, 19orks,

NOTICE TO CONSIGNEES.

"GLEN" LİNE ÖF STEAMERS

FROM ANTWERP, MIDDLESBRO', LONDON AND STRAITS. THE Steamship

having arrived from the above Part, Consignees

-"GLENLOCHY,"

of Cargo: by her, are hereby informed that their Goods are being landed at their risk into the Godowns of the Hongkong and Kowloon Wharf and Godown Co., Ed., ie Kowloon, where each consignment will be sorted out mark by mark, and delivery can be obtained as soon as the Goods are. landed.

be subject to rent.

Goods not cleared by the 4th June, will

No Fire Insurance has been effected... All ship damaged packages must be left in the Godowns, and a certificate of the damage,

of steamer's arrival, after which no clajnïs will abuined from the Godown Co. within ten days

be recognised.

MCGREGOR BROS. & GOW.... Hongkong, 29th May, 1901.

(574c

FROM HAMBURG, PENANG AND SINGAPORE

THEN.D.L. Steamship

Major-Gen. Sir A. Hunier, K. C: B. D. S. O., is an officer possessed of great soldierly qual- ities and considerable experience in war. He came out to South africa as Chici of the Staff 1 Sir Redvers Butler, bat owing to the force of circumstances he served during the siege of Ladysmith as Chief Stuff officer to Sir George Witte. He with his division, came under my direct command in April 1900, since when he Captain Madsen, having arrived from the has performed valuable, service in connection with the arrangements for the relief of Malek-requested to send in their Bills of Lading for above Punts, Consignces of Cargo are hereby ing and the capture of General Priasto.

countersignature by the Undersigned and to take immediate delivery of their goods from alongside.

Major-Gen. J. D. P. French, as G. O. C. the cavalry, has on every occasion rendered me invaluable service. He never makes difficulties, and is a man of exceptional nerve His truly soldier-like qualities are only equailed by his sound judgment, his unerring instinct, and his perfect loyalty. His services have been of incalculable value to the empire as well as to

myself.

"STRASSBURG,"

Optional Cargo will be forwarded, unless notice to the contrary be given before 3'P.M, TO-DAY.

Any Carge impeding her discharge will be landed into the Godowns of the Hongkong and Kowloon Wharf and Godown Co Limited, and stored at Consignees' risk and expense.,

No Claims will be admitted after the Goods

All broken, chafed, and damaged Goods are to be left in the Godowns, where they will be examined on the 5th June, et 3.P.M.

Col: E. W. D. Ward, C.B, was of immense value to Sir George White during the siege of have left the Godowns, and all Goods remain Ladysmith. After the relief of that town being undelivered after the 5th June, will be was director of supplies to the field army. joined Army Headquarters, and from that lime subject to rent. His readiness and resource, his imper tushable good temper, his power of organisation, and thorough knowledge of his duties deserve the thanks of all ranks in the Army, Col. Watd is an officer who stands quite by himself as o departmental officer of genius and character.

Col. H. L. Smith-Dorrien, D. S. O., has done extremely well, with the Nineteenth Brigade. He has shown exceptional aptitude for com- mand in the field, being sound in judgement, quick to see and act, and full of resource. He is moreover, a good organiser, and possesses in. a marked degree the confidence of those in his command.

PING PONG.

a

Ping Pong has at last secured the attention it deserves. It is no longer to be treated as mere parlour game. It is recognized that if not the greatest game in the world it is one of them. The air is full of Ping Pong. There

As a matter of fact, Standish was not cold.jewels," said the girl, answering the question He was indeed freshly and unexpectedly roman in Standish's face. She was white to the lips, tic under his apparent invulnerability. Once, but stood perfectly upright, and something long ago in early manhood, he had seen for an in the pose of her uplifted face suggested an instant ideal love, as he had dreamed it. It appeal from an earthly to the Heavenly judge. was a great tourney at Mr. Jones's in Hamp had not been for him, and it had flown to fairer Think" echoed Mrs. Lawrence furiously:stead, last Saturday. All the crack Ping Pong- worlds almost before he had realised its beauty, "When it was found hidden away among your ists of the neighbourhood were present. Mr. but he had never forgotten the revelation, things, you horrid girl. Upon my word, I think Jones, jun., and Mrs. Smith-Browne were first In the interests of justice I shall have to prose. drawn, and an exciting game resulted. Unfor. cute you. If I send you back to your father tunately, three balls fell into the fire and were you will be presently stealing from somebody burned, and Mr. Jones, sen., who is of fruga! else.”

mind, said it was a great waste of money. Mrs. Smith-Browne was declared the winner of the beat Truth to tell, Mr. Jones, jun, is a little short-sighted, induced by much ciga rette-smoking, his friends say, and he com- plained most bitterly of the shadows on the table. So the chandelier was turned the other way, but still he did not win.

if now he sometimes looked over-curiously. at the girls and women he met it was because he had always an irrational hope that that divine glimpse might again be vouchsafed.to | him. How did he know but that any day, in any drawing-room, in the street, on the river, he might meet the lady of his dreams. He had always been disappointed hitherto. Nevers since Mary Grayson died, had he met Love

Women of all ages made much of him. He was eligible as well as attracuve, and bad gifta of mind as well as of person and manner. made much of by Mrs. Lawrence, the wife of

So it was that he had drifted into being, Tom Lawrence, a good honest stupid fellow, worthless little Mrs. Delly. one fair hair of whose head was worth all

Standish could hardly have explained hita.. self how he had drifted into being always at The wrangling between the two men goes on It was getting uncomfortable for Brown, and with occasional assistance on one side or the be found so often on the hearth rug, at "The Mrs. Doll's beck and call, and why he was to he said so. He begged for air. He grew light other from the lad until the heavy articles have headed. He began'slowly to get delirious. "He

Cedars when the Lawrences butler brought been transferred upstairs; this effected they couldn't think how all that boot-blacking was

in the afternoon tea It was Mrs. Dolly's do done for a penny, and hegan figuring it out till and talk paintedly of the impossibility of work-

fan themselves with their green buize aprons,ing, no doubt, and Thy, who was head-over he proved that the company would be "in

cars in love with his heartless little wife, looked Liquidation at the end of six months. Then heng on and on without a drop of lotion to keep

on Dolly's friendship with Herbert Standish ententedly. started to sing. Then he called for cheers for Lord Roberts, the Shah of: Persia, and Mr. At this point, with the help of police, the stationmaster forced his way through the crowd. He was accompanied by an official from the Automatic Bont Polishing Company. They both looked angry.

F.'s Aunt

.'

"What foal's game is this?" demanded the official.

Brown.

!

24.

body and soul together; as the Female Bird, possessed with desperate anxiety to get every thing into the nest before the Male Bird shall strat half-past five from the City, takes but a casual interest in this, Jim, the lively man, tells with gruesome relish the story of a friend of his who lived near Peckham Rye, a tall, ne, up-standing chap, but a strict Congregationalist who used to do removing on teetotal principles. One day (just such a day as this) he was helping to move a family from Nunhead to Brockley, woman (like yourself, ma'am), offered him a drop of heer, and he, silly like, said "No, thanks": five minutes later, or it might have been six minutes later, he fell down and expired. "Expired?" echoed the Female Bird, dis tressed at this painful anecdote.

"Like a bloomin' door declared the stout man. "And if you don's like to believe me, ak old Teddy Fugh, whole living up in the nonb now, and he'll tell you the same."

Standish art ved one afternoon in April rather

Nonsense!" said Standish, with a rough- ness he had never before used to a woman "Miss O'Brien has stolen nothing of yours. What hallucination is this, Mrs. Lawrence?"

Mrs. Dolly gasped for breath, then recovered herself, and her next speech had a slow and cold malice..

"She will have to prove it, then! She ad- pearl pin. I should never have suspected her, mired it from the beginning, my beautiful pink of course, only for my darling Millicent's acute ass. Will you defend Miss O'Brien, Mr. Standish?"

Herbert Standish made a step or two to the girl's side, and took her cold fingers la his and raised them to his lips.

"If she will permit me," he said, "I shall defend her with my life."!

There was a horrible commotion outside and suddenly a struggling little girl in the midst of of a mass of boys came as though from a catapult into the middle of the drawing room

Boar

Bere she is, the little sneak " cried Guy, Cecil, and Arthur with one voice, pushing their Millicent towards the astonished group by the Millicent was dishevelled and looked cold, Her eyes had frogen tears in them, and her lips were blue,

Only holding her head: downward over the

later than usual, and found Mrs. Lawrence very mach put out at something or other. Even the lilies-of-the-valley from Convent Garden, which ... mantelshell. he laid at her feet, failed to dispel the cloud on her brow. For the first time Standish felt that Mrs. Dolly was inclined to impose a yoke upon him to which his broad shoulders did not bend What have you been doing to your sister, gracefully. "We won't go home till the morning!" sing and the lady of the house, being a kind-hearted exactions, the hopes of the house, Guy, Cecilorgetting her own grisyances for the moment, While he was chafing a little at the lady's Yough boys i cried Mrs, Dolly indignantly, and Arthur, rioted into the room, followed pond till she confessed, cried her brothers more demurely by their sister, Millicent, a triumphantly, mincing little girl, who, by-and-bye, would be "Confessed what ?" the image of her mother. It was a fest of Mrs. Why that she sneaked that old pin of yours Dolly's, that Standish was to marry Millicent and hid it away in Miss O'Brien's things." one day; and even now, at eight years old; The miserable Millicent's tears melted and Millicent, nursing her doll, made unsuspected began to run forlornly down her cheeks. eyes at the tall figure on the heartbrug.

Ldid do it" she said, "and I don't know Following came Nora O'Brien, Mrs. Law what I did it for, and if it wasn't for those bate rence's new governess.

ful boys I'd say now I didn't do it. But they'd nearly drown me again."

Ms. Dolly pushed the sobbing penitent from "her""

"116's drunk," said the stationmaster,

Drunk, but still a gentleman," shouts Brown. Then the crowd explained that Brown wasn't drank, but had been driven mad by the Infernal machine..

"Leave go of the rail, fathead:!" shouted the official...

"Not if I know it," Brown answered, grow- ing serious....

"Oh you won't, won't you I said the official, And with that he grasped one of Brown'e wrists and Jerked, the hand off the mail The other band gave it up, and Brown fell in a heap on the statioamaster's boots At that instant the machine cessed working

The Female Bird is so much perturbed at

As the slander girl in the straight blue frock this, and so anxious to show that she is ready passed silently, to her. place behind the ica to accept the stout man's word without corro. fable, Standish's heart gave a sudden unexpect- boration, that she finds her purse and offers

ed throb. With such a heart throb the lad of doubtfully a shilling. Jim, recovering his eighteen had looked on the heaven-destined spirits at this, says tilat is the young on likes

beauty of Mary Grayson, but never since, never to go and fetch it, he, for his part, in prepared since had it beaten with such a high, hope, with to help in the drinking of it, and a very such a quick despair. When he came to, the first words be heard | pleasant quarter of an hour is spent on the tail- were these, uttered by the "oficial - Why | board of the van where a few children, out of aldi't he read the instructions? There they school, have now gathered under some idea are, plajo as life-Grap the rail firmly, and relax the hold when you wish to relexis the boot He's like people who get swindled in companies by not reading of the prospectuses; Fathead 1. He deserves all be got, and we'll have the law on him.

And they did. As Blown says, you can't be chap without paying for it.PM/G

The winds that in the garden coss The quelder-rosca disa me pain, jar me with the dread of loss,

AR Rabanisms with the hope of gain.

Tor really very much; annoyed," she said I'm sure I don't know why people ever have any children to be so horrid. I must apologize, Miss O'brien. Of course, you won't care to remain in charge of these children Ray-longer

Standish had a wicked thought of suggesting that Miss O'Brien had a very good case for damages, but refrained for Tom Lawrence's

1

No Fire Insurance has been affected.

HAMBURG-AMERIKA LINI

Hongkong Office,

15756

Hongkong, 29th May, 1901.

TOYO KISEN KAISHA.

NOTICE,

"ONSIGNEES of CARGO per Steamship::

"NIPPON MARU,"

Bills of Lading.

are hereby notified that their Goods are at their risk being discharged into Lighters and/or landed into our Godowns at Wanchai and delivery may be had either from Lighters or from our Godowns upon countersignature of Goods remaining unclaimed after the. 6th June, will be subject to rent.

No Fire Insurance has been effected.

GEORGE ECKLEY, Acting Agent.

Hongkong, 31st May, 1001

Entimations,

F. BLACKHEAD & CO., SHIP-CHANDLERS, SAILMAKERS

COAL AND PROVISION·MER»ƒ CHANTS NAVAL CONTRACTORS: AND GENERAL COMMISSION.

:

AGENTS; PRAYA CENTRAL HONGKONG,

After that came-dhøyevent of the levanings. so two men. Mr. Simpleton and Mr. Toffman, There were not enough ladies to go round and played together Hampstead went simply SOAP MANUFACTURERS dizzy.on the result Mrjones, jun, was secret ly making a bookersecretly because Mrs. Jones; his man, teaches in the Sunday-school, and doesn't like bettings

SOLE AGENTS FOR LI ARTMANN'S RAHTJEN'S GENUINE

COMPOSITION, RED HAND: BRAND, HARTMANN'S GREY-PAINT

DAIMLER'S PATENT-MOTURE",

te. Co

LAUNCHES,.

Solein geuta for (PERGUSON'S SPECIAL CREAM,

and ... P. & O. SPECIAL LIQUER SCOTCH WHISKY, &c. EVERY KIND OF SHIP'S STORES AND REQUISITES SALWAYS IN STOCK:

MAT

REASONABLE PRICES. Hongkong, 14th May, 1896.

Mr. Simpleton led off with a fine beval service that is to say, the ball struck the edge of the table and way therefore, unreturnable. Mr. Toffman was in despair, and knocked painfully: against the wall in his efforts to deal with the magnificent deliveries of Mr. Simpleton, there by incurring the great displeasure of mère Jones, who leared for her wall-paper. How ever, after that, Mr. Toffman got his nye, in and, barring some little damage, that he did to the ceilings, got on very well; Some of the rallies were very spirited, Unfortunately, one was spoiled by the sudden opening of the doof, by the servant, who brought in a lits refreshment for the, champions She knocked, Mr. Toffman on the head and naturally put him

After both alder had got two "vanjago gamer, off bin stroke. the third, and final, was entered-upon Micure; in either sex, all acquired or conse 'LARKE'S B 41 PILLS are warranted to Simpleton was clearly, exhausted Pempiration ditutional Discharges from the Urinary Organs, poured from his face, and ho used up three, pocket-handkerchiefs. Miss Pursuet, Mr. Sim- Gravel, and Pains in the Back. Free from pleton's fiancés, was amused because Mr. Mercury. Established upwards of 30 year Simpleton's hair was visibly uncurling. la boxes, 4s 6d cach, of all Chemists and Nevertheless, Mr. Simpleton ponged with Patent Medicine Vendors throughout the great skill, which was only equalled by the World. Proprietars: The Lincoln and Mid- one pinging of Mr. Teffman. It is difficultland Counties Drug Company, Lincoln, [43 to say, bow this Homeric struggle would Fngland. have ended, but for the circumstance, that one of the balls went beneath the sideboard, Mr.. Toffman lay grovelling on the floor for a long time in a vain effort to catch the wandører, and when at last be arose with the dust of six weeks upon his knees, and the most obvious portions of his waistcoat, and with a general fluffy ap- pearance, he was so furried in manner that it lost him the game. This only shows that in a scientific pursuit like Ping Pong only the greatest calmness and cool-beadedness will anable ond to win.

that they have found a part of a circus. When,

Other sete, interesting in their way, succeeded after several hints from the anxious. Female

An instant, And he had stepped forward to has only made us understand each other to this one, and when the tournament was over, Bird, they resume work, there is an air of take the cups from the new governess's hand A little appner, he said, taking up again the | 31r. Simpleton was declared the winner, and greater cheerfulness; they comment on the M. Lawrence had not introduced him to find which the entrance of the young Law: bore away a handsome, cigarette box, and Mr. articles which they carry and throw them the new inmate of her house. She never did rencas had made kiro, drop. “But, of course, fouca, jus, (rather blind but full of aport), wan perilously from one 10 the other to the terror of their owner, with How's that, umpire introduce her governesses, fact of which, l'any que l'could not have spared her to you the booby prize, a Japanese image with a when a catch is made, and a “Yah butter caused him a feeling of contemptuous irritation | -2

Standish was aware, and which had often for very long Mr. Lawrance.magno tolling tongue Ita a great, gama.- Pall

** I had no idea man began Mr. Polly civilly | Mali Garsits,

Sanitas Disinfecting

Fluid

ARABRANT

ALSO POWDER, SOAPS, EMBROCATION, 25.

Of all ChamitELE,

"FREE"

Page 5Page 6

Intimations.