lit him with chin straight out. When Polly holds bei 1 chin so, one usually does as she likes. The officer stared through the glass an instant and then turned to Miss Stanton. "She'll come out of there all right. You come with me to a patrol box." Miss Stanton meekly walked away with him. In about five minutes they came back aud sat down on the steps. Polly pulled an easy chair to the win dow, slipped into it and leisurely be fan to pull off her gloves. So they sat until the patrol wagon drove up, Into which Miss Stanton was bundled with little ceremony. Then the policeman came up the steps to the window. "Look here," he called out. "I'm tired of this! Come on out of there!" Polly calmly took off her hat and eyed it critically with head a trifle to one side. "If you don't, I'll smash the window and come after you! You'll come then." Perhaps he would have done so —for he had but little temper left—had not the man who owns the house come up the steps just then with his wife. To him the ofl3cer turned. "Robbers have been trying to get in to your house, Mr. Wilson," he called out. "Robbers!" exclaimed Mr. Wilson. "Thieves in my house! Where?" screamed his wife. "Oh, we've got 'em tight enough," said the policeman. "One's in the par lor now. She got in through the win dow." "What! Women thieves?" Mrs. Wil son ran up the steps, and within the window sat Polly, leaning back, with her hat in her lap, which sight almost sent her into hysterics. "There's one of them!" she screamed, pointing to Polly. "Sitting there just as if she owned the place! Oh, the— creature!" "Yes, I seen her just as she and t'other one was trying to get in," the officer said complacently. "T'other one's in the wagon." The frantic Mrs. Wilson made a rush for the patrol wagon. Miss Stanton thrust out her head. "It's me—it's just me—Miss Stan ton," she said plaintively. "Miss Stanton! Well, of all things— my new roomer!" Mrs. Wilson stopped short. "What are you doing In there? How did you get in there?" "They put me in," said Miss Stanton mournfully. Then came the explanation. And then Mr. Wilson said something to the policeman. What that was Polly does not know. "I couldn't hear," she explained to me when she had finished telling the story. "Probably told him that he was a policeman," I suggested. Polly shook her head as she dropped a slice of lemon into her tea. "No; I think he called him a fool." "Which is the same," said I, with a feeling that I was very clever. "But how did it all end?" "It's ended. That's all there is to It." Polly looked at me in silence for a full minute. But Polly is never long without a word. "Wasn't it simply awful?" she said, shaking her head with wide eyed, shiv ering solemnity. "It was shocking!" Then an irrepressible smile displaced the gravity of her face, and she laugh ed, her head thrown back just enough to reveal the birdlike pulsings of her throat. "It was funny, though—is now. It wasn't then." Her eyes were bright with mirth tears. She leaned forward, dropped her chin into her hands and gazed at me half smiling, half blushing. "You'll never tell, Tom. That's a good boy—don't." "Tell!" said I, hurt by the imputa tion. "No, of course you won't," said Polly. "Of course not," said I. But Polly will never see this.—Chi cago Journal. Ingcrsoll and. Beecher. Several years ago Henry Ward Beecher and Colonel Ingersoll met in a railroad station In New York state, where both had to wait for a traia. They talked together on all sorts of subjects, more especially the future of man. Finally the conversation drifted to peculiar epitaphs on gravestones, and Mr. Beecher, who had been look ing over the headlines of a morning paper, exclaimed: "Ah, colonel, here is a fitting epitaph for you." The day before the birth day of Robert Burns, the Scotch poet, had been celebrated with unusual cere mony, and a description of the celebra tion occupied considerable space on the first page of the paper. Mr. Beecher tore off a two column headline and handed It to the unbeliever. It read, "Robert Burns." Two years later Ingersoll and Beech er met again in a St. Louis hotel. "I remember your epitaph on me, Mr. Beecher," said Ingersoll, "and I have got one for you. I will read it for you, 'Born In the slavery of sectarian shac kles, hungry and thirsty for freedom and light, he yet died in religious bond age.' "

Boer Exhibits at the Paris Exposi tion.

At the Paris exposition 40,000 square feet have been allotted to the Boers. Their pastoral life will be shown by a Boer farm, portraying vividly the life of the first colonists of the Transvaal. The national pavilion of the Transvaal, built In the Dutch style, will display geographical documents, mineral speci mens and exhibits showing the meth ods of Instruction in the schools. In the Boer farm will be exhibited the wild animals of the Transvaal. The means and methods of transportation used will also be portrayed. The min ing industry will be shown by a five stamp battery.—Scientific American.

THE FIRST FIRE OF THE SEASON.

How it leaps, in dance excited; How it sleeps, in trance delighted; How it looms in liquid shining, How it glooms in wan declining', While around the hearth we gather, One and nil, In the bleak and windy weather Of the fall! Friendly flame, remote Chaldean Seers of name effaced, Sabean Shepherds in the elder ages, Persian bards in mystic pages, Thee adored, for so divinely Streamed thy light, Half we follow and enshrine thee, Spirit bright. Dear the friends each heart remembers As in cheer we stir the embers, Did the ash renew its beauty, Sparkle, flash and glow till duty. Through the comfort of the hour, Wooes our soul, And we deem its sterner dower Life's best goal. So we dream not visionary. When we deem tho missionary Household fire, once more relighted, Blazing higher, the whole united, Bound the hearth of homo we gather, One and all, la the bleak and windy weather Of the fall! —Kitchen Magazine.

FROM THE ENEMY'S LINE

Sergeant "Teddy" Wilkins was lying on his breast behind a heap of earth listening to the zip of Mauser bullets over his head. The Spanish picket line was sheltered by a group of trees not far away, and occasionally a guerrilla sharpshooter sent a message of defi ance from the high branches. The sergeant belonged to a New York regiment which had hurried to the front almost before congress had officially declared that the United States was at war with the proud old land which had taken the trouble to discover her. "It seems to me," remarked the ser geant as he casually inspected the number of cartridges in his belt, "that this business is growing very tiresome. What we need is a little diversion, a little of the romance of war." "Well," replied young De Jones, who formerly marshaled figures on a trial balance sheet, "you'll get more ro mance than you want if you don't lie a little closer down there." Three or four of the guerrillas had dropped from the trees, and the Span ish stragglers had been driven back to ward Santiago by a rattling fire from the Springfield rifles of the volunteers. The weather was entirely too hot to follow up an advantage gained over a few rice fed conscripts, and Company X was resting a bit and wondering if the commissary department would call upon them that day. "Teddy" Wilkina was smoking the artistically colored meerschaum which he had brought from home. There had been no tobacco in the rich brown bowl for days, and the sergeant was content edly puffing at some of the dried grass of the country. "Hello!" exclaimed De Jones. "Here they come to our pink tea! I wonder how they found out we were receiving this afternoon. Get out the Boston wafters, Sarg, and I'll hunt up the sou venir spoons." "They" proved to be a slender young woman, who walked with a springy step, and an elderly woman, who was anything but sylph like, who seemed to roll along the brown earth. There was a look of terror in the eyes of both of them. They advanced toward the American soldiers and held their hands above their heads. "Mercy, mercy, senor!" cried the girl, in broken English. "Tell them to sit down on the sofa and make themselves at home," sug gested De Jones. "The young one is rather good looking, at that." Sergeant Theodore Wilkins of Com pany X bent his stiffened limbs, ad justed his cartridge belt and went to meet the newcomers. "We beg protection," said the young er woman. "We have come from the city, and we beg to be spared by the chivalry of los Americanos." Wilkins, who remembered somewhat of his Clendorf, attempted to say some thing In Spanish which he meant to be reassuring. The girl shook her head and a puzzled expression came into her eyes. "Do not splk a Spanish more, senor," she said. "I have the English very well. I went to school in Connecticut." Whereupon the men who had been engaged in the gentle occupation of ex changing compliments with Spanish foemen burst into an uproarious guf faw, to the great annoyance of Ser geant Theodore Wilkins. "That Spanish of yours la great," suggested the corporal. A lieutenant came up just then. The two women said that they had just come from beleaguered Santiago In or der that they might escape death in the bombardment which was sure to come. The lieutenant told them that they need fear no danger, for "los Americanos" did not make war upon women and children. He ordered Ser geant Wilkins and a guard of two men to escort the visitors out of harm's way. Teddy Wilkins was very young. He was so youthful that he had had hard work in getting into the regiment when he enlisted about a year before. He had been educated in a military school, and the mechanism of drill seemed a second nature to him. He remembered as he escorted the refugees through the chaparral that there was a situation in a grand opera Which was not so very different from the one in which he found himself. He wondered If Carmen were as beau tiful as the Cuban girl who picked her way among the fallen branches and the stones which lay in their pathway. Then he tried to convince himself

that he "knew a girl in Harlem who was far more so. The more he ad vanced his propofiitiou to himself the more was lie convinced that it was ut terly untenable. "Senor," said the girl, "you are very kind. You are—our very valiant knight." Teddy Wilkins' youth often caused him to speak hastily. He glanced at the young woman's mother, and, being convinced by her look of entire stolidi , tj that the duenna did not understand English, he remarked in a low and supposedly tender voice: "I wish that you would say 'my' instead of 'our,' eenorita. I should be very happy if you did." ■ The young woman laughed and then checked herself. "Ah, senor," she said, "I have left those behind who were very dear to me. I think only of being reunited to them." "Let me go In search of them!" ex claimed the young sergeant. "I will go everywhere to find them in order to win even a smile from you." "Senor," responded the young wo man, "there is nothing in our Span ish tongue to describe one so noble. You are indeed a Sir Galahad. They came with us and were frightened from us. I have no doubt that they have succeeded In also placing them selves in the protection of los Ameri canos. Such is my earnest hope." The girl stepped back in a coquettish way so that the young sergeant might walk beside her. The more he talked with her the more he was convinced that she was hiding a great sorrow. There were lines in the classical fore-,, head which showed that the young woman was more worried about the safety of those whom she had left be hind than she would tell even the sym pathetic sergeant. Sergeant Wilkins as he walked along felt a violent attack of jealousy. "Your sweetheart perhaps," he sug gested. The girl shook her head. "Alas, senor," she said, "not so. If it were a few years ago, I could truthful ly answer yes."

The sergeant was sorry, but at last they reached the rear. The young woman and her mother were taken un der the protection of a branch of the Red Cross. The sergeant remained near them as long as he could and then reluctantly started back to the front. "Perhaps we shall meet again," said the girl just before he went away. "You give me great hope," replied Teddy Wilkins. "If I can ever be of service to you, no matter where you may be, you must let me know." The girl smiled and said that she would never forget him. The young sergeant touched his cap, and, with one last lingering glance, he went his way. He was so preoccupied on the way back that the soldiers with him ex changed sly winks and assumed ex pressions intended to be exceedingly love lorn. Sergeant Theodore Wilkins found lit tle time that night to think of the fair senorita. The Spaniards advanced, and it took all the vigor of the exhaust ed volunteers to hold them in check. Yet even when the Mausers filled the air with weird songs there came to "Teddy" Wilkins the vision of a face framed in dark hair and the sound of a voice which was musical and low. Days of hard fighting followed, and when it was all over Sergeant Theo dore Wilkins went in search of her who had called him a Sir Galahad. He j found her, too, within the protection of i the American lines, sheltered by the 1 Red Cross and happy, because she had been reunited with her own—her hus band and her four children.—New York Herald.

Cats and Monkeys.

All animals, even the wildcat, can be subjected in some way to the dominion of man and be domesticated to some extent. Here, for instance, are two very curious facts about cats. Many persons, Including some of our greatest naturalists, believe that our English domestic cat is descended from the Egyptian domestic cat, yet all records go to prove that the cats of Egypt liv ed In droves, were cared for in droves, were fed in droves and worshiped in droves, with the result that Egyptian cats never got domesticated or became half as Intelligent as ours. The like truth is suggested from In dia, where monkeys are worshiped. These are allowed to become nui sances. They are fed, and they have any amount of liberty. And wh&t is the consequence 7 They never lose their innate savagery. The method of car ing for them has been wrong, All the devotion and care expended on them are practically wasted, and if we treat ed our cats in the same fashion as the Indians do these monkeys they would become just as wild and undomesticat ed.—Cassell's Magazine.

A Loving Cup.

Naturally some of the ancient city customs are connected with the art of dining. Gastronomy and the Guildhall are inseparably associated. One of the most curious of these is the passing of the loving cup, which takes place at all the guild dinners as well as at the banquets of the corporation. The cup is a two handled one with a lid. While one guest is holding the lid the next sips the spiced wine. A third, on the other side of the drinker, stands up. Then, the brim having been wiped by a clean napkin, the cup is passed to the guest holding the lid. He drinks in his turn, while his next neighbor takes charge of the lid. In this way the cup makes the round of the table. This custom dates from Anglo-Saxon times. The holding of the lid was not then an act merely of courtesy, for the guest who held it was thus prevented from drawing his dagger and stabbing the drinker, a playful after dinner practice not uncommon in those times. Meanwhile the guest who was stand ing guarded the drinker from an as sault from behind.—Good Words.

TEE ' * AOTftUBTOtf «PAftT>TAfl- s FRIDAY, AfBTiJ 20, 1900

Printad and published by Hknby Willis o Pefeer Street, Atshburton, for the Proprie tow, »t> their Printing Office, BotroW Street, Atbbnrton, ?RIDAY. April |0, 1900



Sew Zealand Insurant Coiepaay. Ktmmmmm 0 ft * momhw ESTABLISHSI)' „ _ 1859 capital^Snb million. rHJffi PBEMTSB ANI)"™wiALTHIEST COLONIAL COMPANY, iNOTED iroii PROMPTNESS AMD LIBIRALITI PAID-UP CAPITAL AND RESERVES— FIRE AND "MARINE RISKS, ALSO,— fiISKS ON GROWING CROPS, IHRtfHHIA'G KAC^I^SS, &c 5 ACCEPTED AT LOWEST TORBBNT RaTKS jh, W lIA.NMEK: 4QBNT,



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BICYCLES. BICYCLES , -=.B ICYCL X S .z- HAVING BECBIVI'D A SHIPMENT'OF THE FAMOUS " ARENA " CYCLES, I am prepared to offer these Machines at a yery Low figure to secure quick Sale and Prompt I eturns. THESE Cycles are Well-Made, Upto-Date, Strong, Rigid, Light and Easy Rnnnnc, and fitted with Morgan and Wright Tyres, and cc^aal to a»j££2O in the market. These Bicycles are offered at the very Low Price of £16 CASH- TIRMS OAN BE ARRANGED. THIS is an opportunity to Becure a weJl-bailt serviceable Machine at Bed-Rock Prices lam prepared to indent those Oyclep, Ladies' or Gentlemen's, a a lower price. TERMS ON APPLICATION. ORDER EARLY FOB NEXT SEASON. Agent for Mil tier and Fhompson's Organs and Pianos. U. M. JO N E S-. JUST LANDED 15,000 YAEDS WIRE NETTING IS TONS GALVANIZED ROOFING IKON. » TONS BOLTS AND NUTS i | BOUGBOJ BEFORE THE RISE IN PRICES IN THE ENGLISH MARKET. All orders punctually attended to. You will save money by calling on ÜB. W. H. COLLINS & CO., H A RDWA RE EMPORI UM, EAST STREET, ASHBURTON. Telephone—l 4 and 15. P.O, 80x—35. I Tmportant notice."" DON'T FORGET nnO Call and See';our Stocks of FANCY GOODS, suitable for PRESENTS, and those preparing>.for Friends should see us for BEDSTEADS BEDDING, AND ALL OTHER HOUSEHOLD FURNISHINGS PERAMBULATORS 1^ mf** PIANOS, ffl^^^lllW EWING MAOBINES FANOY OHAIRS *^^^^^ DRAWING ROOM dining room WIOKER OHAIRS. FURNITURE, Etc. Carpets, Linoleums. Rugs, Mats, Etc. U3T ARRIVED-A LARGEJASSORTMENT OF BAMBO VERANDA BLINDS T. H. UN DRILL & CO., CABINETMAKERS, UPHOLSTERERS, & UNDERTAKERS, TANORED STREET, opposite A>moa BELFAST AND FAIKFIELD FREEZING WORKS MANURES, ARE THE BEST JpOR (TURNIP, RAPE WHEAT, AND ANY OTHER CROP. SPECIAL MANURE can be mad 3 lor any kind of Soil, or description of crop. SATISFACTION GIVEN EVERYWHERE LAST SEASON. MANURE OAN BE SUPPLIED IN 1 Owt, or 2 Owt. SACKS, Orders received b/ FRIBDLANDER BROS., Limited, DAVID THOMAS, OR the jn.z.. farmers co-operative A SISOCIATION OF CAINXICIKEBURY, Limited., CANTERBURY FKOZEN MEAT AND DAIRY PRODUCE EXPORT COMPANY. LIMITED. 8 w -F. WAYMOUTH Seor-tuy, i



DRESS AND FASHION. Grand !?how of Winter Fashions and Advanced Novelties. ANDREW ORR . T S now exhibiting a Magnificent Stock of High classs Novelties, Winter Jackets, Capes, Costumes, Millinery, Macintoshes, Dress Fabrics, Corsets, Umbrellas, Gloves, Collars and Ties, New Dress Materials, Trimmings, Velvets Blouse Cloths, Kid Gloves. Gents' Clothing, Hats, Caps, Ties, Gloves, etc. Ladies and Gents' Jcots and Shoes in great variety. Blankets, Flannels, Carpets, Rugs, Linoleums, Floorcloths, Large purchases have been made previous to the great rise in Wool and other Materials, Customers will get the fall benefit, DRESSMAKING—TaiIor alade Coat and Skirt Costumes—beautiful fit. ANDREW ORR. MELLOfi'S ZEALANDIA BOOT STORE AT?JnAST &-:f9Mm THE LEADING BOOT SHOP, TS the Moat RELIABLE House for GOOD AND CHEAP BOOTS. 0 aim ia to give you the best value for little money. HONESTY ia oui jPolio We wil' not Guarantee you an article unions we know it will give you every .Satia. action. On© Trial ii all we ask—Our Goods Sell themselves. •■»—*— J. MELLOB, TANORED BTFFF ASHBUFTDN NOT EVEN • • • A N ABSENT-MINDED BEGGAE • ■ . FORGETS THAT SHEARMAN BROS.' SPECIALTY IS Pure Ceylon Teas, Or that they keep the largest SUPPLIES in all kinds and'qualitie* GOING, SOUTH of the line. But they have other LITTLE THINGS BEHIND THEM, SUCH AS GROCERIES, IRONMONGEBY, GLASSWARE ENAMELWARE, CROCKERY, BSUSHWARE, WINES & SPIRITS. . By purchasing the above Goods from us at the lowest Cash Prices our Friends will always find it PAY PAY PAY SMOKE ONLY NEW VENUS dars, QUEEN MGHT. A PERFECT TOBACCO.



ill/THS ALCORN his ft more co?piff i-YX Stock than ever of Fancy Won Ml Ma-.eiiais. AH the latest styles to bu4 s Inspection Invited. ! VI/ANTED Known-That J. MoiSON ■ YV has received a large supply of ) Summer Boots and Shoes, suitable for the Holidays. They are all of th« best brands and makers, and never equalled in Ash burton. J.M. being the only practical and experienced Bootmaker in the town, thus gives him superiority and tacihby to know best what to get. There tore the public have no need to wonder whore to go for reliable Boots and Shoes. Discount for cash aa usual. Pepairs dono at once. Best Sole Leather used and work manship, at The Hall, East Street, Ash barton- WANTED KNOWN—Removal of th« old established firm of Mitchell As 1 uk^ke .from old premises in Tanored Street to New Shopjnjnrnett Street. VTTANTED KNOWN-Galvanised Barb wo B ,Wrei°B <*«*«•) 15* 9d per owt, No. 8 Black Wire 13s 6d per owt, Bran 2f *vAI W;— Fmkjhbb bos , Ashhurton and Ohristchnrch. Established 1876. "* FOB CHRISTM7S PRESENTS AND NEW FEAR GIFTS, Also WEDDING PRESENIS 00 to GEORGE JE3WN,." PRAOTiGAL WATCHMAKER AN JEWELLER, East Street, Ashburfcon, THE CHEAPEST PL4OE IN TOWN OR WATCHES, CLOCKS, AND JEWELLERY Of Every Description. INSPECTION INVITED. HfOR SALE PRIVATELY] * I AM now prepared to treat privately for the unsold portion of Mb Isaac Sab ami's property, comprising :•— Lot 2.--Knox'B Farm, containing 246 aoret or thereabouts f <ot 3 — Greenatreet's Farm, containing ISO acrea ° Lot 4 —North River Farm, containing 81 aores. E. W. HANMEB* S. H.GEAYES, SHAREBKOKER AND FINANCIAL AGEKT, 185 HEREFORD. STREET, OHRISTOHURCH. RELIABLE Information on Dredging Stocks. P Correspondes cc Invited. Codes: Bedford McNelli'a, Morelng and deal's, A.B.C. Code (fourth Edition. Telegraphic Address : GRAVES, Ohri tchurch. 3 217 _ ____ OHBAP WINTER FIRING. •NEW MOUNT »OMEBS COAL. OUTPUT has Trebled during the; la twelve months IT IS USKi) EVERYWHERE. This Coal is the Beat and Cheapest Steam Mid Household Coal in the market. Used in the Woollen Factory andOante oxxty Flour Mills, GIVES SPLENDID RESULTS WRITE FOR PRICES - I 0. T. TOPAKK, MOUNT SOM 88. TO ALL MY OLD CLIENTS FARMERS, AND RESIDENTS OF ASHBURTON COUNTY. I BEG to inform you that I have severed my oonneotion with the Canterbury Mill, which was under my management for over seven years, and have PURCHASED from Mr Edwin Thomas the WAKANUI ROLLER;FLOUR MILLS. The Canterbury Mill, which is tht property of the Bank of New Zealand Asset* Board, is still trading under the name of Rollitt & Co,, so to avoid confusion with correspondence, I would like to ask you to address all orders to THOMAS ROLLITIfi WAKANUI ROLLER FLOUR MILLS, ASHBUETON On and after October Ist, I shall be pleased to supply you with first-class ROLLER FLOUR, WHEAT MEAL, BRAN & SHARPS, at lowest current rates* FOR THE CONVENIENCE OF FARMERB DOING GRISTIRG,- I have arranged to keep a supply of Flour Bran, and Sharps at the Stores of the N.Z. Farmers' Association, West Street, when Farmers, Shareholders or non-Shareholders can leave their Wheat and get Fiour, Bran, and Sharps in exchange. THOMAB~ROLLITT, WAKANOI ROLLER FLOUR MILLS 9 265 ASHBURTON. -<«*"•>, f P \\ i&iSp Sound the PURE CEYLON OR BLENDED TEA Q"