The Brussels Post, 1891-5-29, Page 1tts
Volume 18.
BRUSSELS, ONTARIO, FRIDAY, MAY 29, 1891.
Number 46.
A Perilous Ride.
anon LONDON TO 0OD1110C11 AND 111.1•110 IN
1837 IN SEARCH or INFORMATION.
The Montreal Witness 'offered prizes
some time ago for the best Canadian
stories, written by young people. Among
the euooeeeful competitors' was Mies Mag-
gie V. Hartley, daughter of Rev. A. Y,
Hartley, of Bluevale. We have umuh
pleasure in giving the readers of Tug
Poem an opportunity of perusing her in.
tereeting and well written produotion,
as follows
It was the time of the rebellion of 1887.
The country was in a state of great corn.
motion. The rebels seemed to be gain-
ing strength un every side. In what is
now the pity of London, then a mere
village, great excitement was oaueed by
the arrival of two reports. One wee im-
portant to all the loyal Canadian army
and the other only to one private soldier.
The nature of the first was euoh that
the military authorities thought that it
required immediate attention. The
rumor was that a large body of rebels
had been assembling for a number of
days near Goderioh and having at last
summoned up courage had stormed and
taken it, and securing a considerable
amount of arms and military storm, were
now oonsidering an attack on London.
The second report told merely of the ar-
rival of a little stranger in the home of
one of the soldiers, Fitzgerald by name,
and of the serious illness of his wife.
Now, although this latter report was
of no importance to the rest of the eoldi•
ers, it was far more interesting to Fitz-
gerald than that the military stores of
London were in danger of being seized
ity rebels.
While Fitzgerald is trying to conceive
of some possible and honorable way of
getting home to see his wife, the oflioers
of the army are not so engaged, but have
already issued a proclamation which
states that one hundred dollars is offered
to anyone who will ride to Goderioh and
bring a true statement of affairs. Now,
"One hundred dollars is little enough to
receive for one's life,".eo the most of the
scidiers thought, and as the way was
rendered very dangerous by the ever
watchful rebels no one volunteered to go.
The proclamation was Wetted about ten
o'clock a. m. and as Fitzgerald stood
reading it anxiety and consternation was
depicted 00 every line of hie face. "Oh !
if only a few days furlough wale offered
I would risk my life and do it," he
thinks. No one volunteers to go. It is
one o'clock p. m. The excitement in-
creases. Colonel Talbot has celled a
council of the officers. Another bulletin
is issued offering five hundred dollars
and the furlough of a week to any one
who will undertake the perilous ride and
bring true tidings in fourteen hours.
Again Fitzgerald reads the bulletin but
this time hope and expectation creep in-
to his soul and joy into his face as he
says, "Now ie my chance."
Ten minutes later Colonel Talbot is
giving him directions about the journey.
He has a certain doonment tb take to the
officer in command of the forces iu Gude•
rioh and it is thought best for him to go
in disguise and to sew the document in
the lining of an old overcoat provided for
the 000661011, which had seen many a
better day but is thought will awake no
suspicion, for it is very cold in April and
especially at night.
The colonel now asks him if he is well
mounted and his answer is in the affirma-
tive, for ho well knows the qualities of
"Blank Bese," whose faithfulness, eu-
duranee and speed he has before tried.
By three ha is fairly on his journey.
The round journey is one hundred and
twenty' miles. As he rides along he
muses to himself, "Blank Bess and I are
warriors and we will be back in London
by five o'clock to -morrow if such a thing
be possible." He rides on through the
wood, here turning aside for sowe fallen
tree. there bounding over a marshy spot
and again trotting along some better
tracked part of the trail, It pleases him
to feel the air growing colder, making
his overcoat needful to his comfort.
Night is drawing on, but Fitzgerald has
no fear. Hope and anxiety for the dear
ones at home are burning in hie soul.
By half past eight he is about ten
miles from Goderioh. The 111000 is
shining brightly and Fitzgerald joyously
slacks his bridle -rein to let Black Bese
quench her thirst at the stream they are
just crossing. While the horse is quiet-
ly drinking whet is this that attracts the
rider's eye? A fitful glimmer of light
among the trees. Is it a fire -Hy ? No 1
that can't be it. Thera it is again.
Backwards and forwards zeroes the
path it flits. It is light reflected from
some polished surface. Al I that is it.
It is light reflected from a bayonet
carried by a sentinel, but whether that
sentinel be friend or foe is the next clues.
tion.
After waiting a moment to collect his
thoughts and make his plans, Fitzgerald
leaned on Bess' nook and gently touched
the spur to her flank. This unusual
touch brought Bess' head lip with 0, con-.
rations snort apprehensive of clanger, and
now with a word be is riding towards
the gentry at full speed. At once he
heave the well•knovu cry "Halt 1 who'
goes there ?" but without paying any at•
tendon he rides on at a breale•neok pace,
The ery is repeated, but still ho is seem.
ingly uuconecious of it ; bet now it nam
bet more soldiers appear on the 80elie
with their guns all levelled at him. The
situation is now becoming dangerous and
the cry of "Halt I" is heard front all
aides. Suddenly he draws up hie horse
and cries "Hulloo 1 is anyone there ?"
The answer is "Halt I" and the clash of
arms. "Is nny008 there ? Hove you
seen Jr. 11Iacdonald ?" he eons, but the
only answer hi "Halt 1 Who are you ?"
He halts but says excitedly "Did Dr.
MacDonald pas0 this way ?"
"Who aro you ? Dismount till we ex•
amine you.
Springing from his horse and throw
ins hie tattered coat on the ground, he
exolaimod : "My name le Jet,. Thomson,
and if you have anything more to do
with me do it and bo quick, for it is a
(We of life and death 1 my friend's wife
is not expected to live and I am going
for the doctor."
The rebate, for so • they proved, Boon
nompletedthe task of mantling him, and
halms found nothing and believing to be
real the great anxiety which he feigned,
they let him go, giving hint what infer•
nation they could about the whereabouts
of Dr. Macdonald, Ile pulled ou hie
cloak, sprang to the eaddle and galloped
away, being very thankful he had come
out so well after such a narrow escape
and thinking it no harm to deviate slight.
ly from the truth to save his 000ntry.
Jnet one hour after Fitzgerald was
sitting anxiously watching the flitting
light among tie trees, a traveller was
seen riding into Goderioh. Both rider
and stood, to all outward appearances,
were very weary but if we could have
looked into the bright and eager eyes of
the traveller we would have formed' a
yery different idea, for not only his
earnestness to do his duty led him on in
the path of danger but he was hurried
on by hope's glad outlook.
Arriving at Goderiol,,Fitzgerald sought
an interview with the commander of the
forces there, and having been examined,
he at last, under the guidance of a
soldier, woe admitted to his presence and
allowed to have m1 interview with him.
The document is delivered to the corn.
mender who tells Fitzgerald that the re-
port hue no ground and that they do not
need reinforcements at Goderioh ad there
are but few rebels in that neighborhood.
Before leaving Goderioh Fitzgerald is
warned of the danger of the way and per-
suaded to arm himself, in some email
degree at least. With a light heart he
starts on hie homeward journey with
half an hour more to go home in than he
had to come.
When he ie about twenty miles on his
way he pulls out his watch to see the
time before entering the wood which is
just before him.
It is nearly midnight, his half hour is
fast disappearing. He starts into the
format with renewed energy, but sudden.
ly his sagacious horse pricks np her ears
es if listening, "Go on 1 Go on 1 We
have no time to lose," he cries ; but just
at this moment ho hears a sound
which causes the rider to prick up his
ears. It is the tramp of many feet and
suddenly they are face to face with a
body of rebels all armed ready for action.
The rebels are merely changing their
position and have chosen the night as
the most convenient time.
Fitzgerald allows his horse to go on
quietly till he is nearly up to them and
then, fearing they will notice his ap-
proach, he quickened his chargers gait
to a gallop, turned to the aide of the
path and is nearly past then before they
have tine to raise their guns ; but as
soon as they regained their presence of
mind the shots whizzed so thick and fast
and so near to him that he could almost
feel them. But this second danger was
soon far behind.
By ten minutes to five a. m. Fitzgerald
reached London without further adven-
tures. He at once went to Colonel Tal-
bot and gave his report. In half an
hoar such a cheer as made the whole
village ring rose from the entire force at
London when the Colonel announced the
return of Fitzgerald. His hand was
"well nigh shaken off," and he said
"You are a plucky fellow. I never ex.
noted to see you again alive," such were
some of the remarks which were ringing
in his ears ; but these things were not in
his thoughts. alis heart was in his home,
and es soon as he could escape he turned
his tired horse in that direction.
As soon as be got near enough to home
hie eyes were strained to try and discern
some member of his family who, per-
haps, were outside. Yes, there is Geo.
and Fred now, running after eaoh other
among the trees. "Hoy they will run to
meet me. No one expects me. Ah 1 it •
will be joyful, if she is better, to spend a
whole weep with them." These are his
thoughts as he springs from his horse
and runs into the house. Soon he is
bending over his wife's ohair, for she is
better and able to be up, and husband
and wife are exchanging those glances
which, after a separation that in reality
is perhaps only a few weeks but eeema
like years to then, only they can.
Neste let us leave then to the full en-
joymeut of eaoh other's company, but
first we most say a few words in honor
of the faithful horse, which like her mas-
ter, wits a true hero. The noble beast
as soon as her master left her at the
gate, dropped to the ground ; but she
was soon remembered and petted and
taken Dare, of as she deserved,
This story is true, and the little etrang•
er who came to brighten that soldier's
home wsa any mother's brother and my
uncle. My grandfather and grandmotli.
er lived on the seventh concession of Lon-
don Township to a good old age, and of•.
ten around the winter fireside they told
their children aud children's children of
the perilous ride to Goderioh.
Itsseretie: a MEETING 1. 16 1:. T.
•
The regular annual meeting of Distt'iot
No. 24, was held at Loindosbo'o, on Wed.
needay 20111 inst. Thera was a large at-
tendance of delegates, about 100 being
present. The report of the Dietriot
Secretary shoved that there are 1.9
lodges in the District, with a member.
ship of 855, and property in the hande
of the lodges to the value of $3,198. The
reports from the lodges were of a vary
hopeful and encouraging nature. The
question of holding a district demon.
titration Some time during the Kimmel'
was left in the hancls of the Executive
Committee. The elation of ofli.aro for
the ensuing year resulted a0 follows :--
District Chief Templar, W. F. Brooken.
shire, Wingham ; District Vice Templar,
Mise Moffat, Blyth ; District Councillor.
Abraham Hale, Seaforth ; District Seo-
retary.Treasurer, B. Lawrason, Londee•
boro District Superintendent of Juvon.
iles, F, Metcalf, Blyth ; District Chap-
lin, B. Williams, Leeburn , District Mar'ellen, Ater, Dewar, Seaford' ; Dietriot
Sentinel, Jahn Dodd, Wingham ; Die.
trlot Gtfard, hilae Bengough, 13e1grave ;
District Aesietant Secretary, Miss Mo.
Phail, Porter's 13i11 ; District Deputy
Marshal, Miss J. Noble, Seaforth ; Dale.
gate to Grand Lodge, W. 1''. Brooken.
Aire. The oflioers were duly installed,
and the following were appointed a reso.
lution committee —W. H. Irwin, R.
Semen and J. MoKinnon. The pro.
gramme of topics for discussion was in.
traduced as follows a --"The benefit to be
derived by Juvenile Templer," Bro. Met.
calf. Grand Counsellor, Blyth ; "What
are the beet mothode of remedying the
heavy lose to our Order caused by the
non•payment of dnes," by Bro. Elliot,
Wingham ; "The beet methods of ex.
tending the Order in the district during
the coming year," by Bro. Brookenahire,
Wingham ; "History of Good Templary,"
by Bro. McFadyen, Londesboro ; "The
importance of subordinate lodges vending
representatives to the Grand Lodge," by
Bro. Newton, D. 0. T., Londesboro ;
"What should the quarterly dues in
subordinate lodges be," by Bro. Metcalf,
of Blyth. Considerable discussion follow.
ed the introduction of each subject. A
vole of thande wsa tendered to the people
of Londesboro for the hospitable treat-
ment received at their hands by the dele-
gates. It was decided to hold the next
meeting of District Lodge in Kinburn
(Constance P. O.) on theseoond Wednes-
day in October next, meeting to Isom.
mann at 11 o'clock.
Washington Letter.
(From nor Resoles Correspondent.;
Washington, May 16,'91.
Nellie Arthur, Fannie Hayes, Mollie
Garfield.Brown and Nellie Grant•Sartorie
are the four daughters of Preeidente with
whom the public is familiar and whose
histories lie entirely within the last gen-
eration. Frequent newspaper mention
of these young matrons and maidens
serve as it were to keep their lives in
touch with the world and to armee in
their fortunes a kindly interest. There
is, however, another, a fifth living daugh-
ter of a United States President, but one
whose days of social pre.emineuce lie Ibe.
yond the shadow of the great rebellion,
and the stream of whose quiet life is fast
approaching the shorelese sea. This
lady, between whom and her youthful
successors nearly fifty years of history
were made, is Mrs. Letitia Tyler -Semple,
the daughter of President John Tyler
and the widow of the late Purser Semple,
of the United States navy. This aged
but still proud and elegant woman is
prominent in the group of aristocratic old
Southern ladies who live in the Louise
Home at the Capital. But she, who has
gone upon the record ae among the
charming young mistresses of the White
House, is a representative of another
tune and generation. She is the faithful
adherent of the old regime, and, as one
born and reared in the traditions and
creeds of the Virginia antebellum glory,
regards with distrust and disfavor the
so-called progress of these uneasy latter
times. Since the death of her husband
and her entrance to the Louise Home,
some eight or ten years ago, Mrs. Semple
has been quite lost to the gay world in
which she onoo reigned, the gay official
world which she now pliicidly contem-
plates from the window of a cosy apart-
ment overlooking the broad, Olean sweep
of Maesaehusettes avenue, and the quiet
elegance of Scott Cirole, where the fes!i-
ionable equipages continually roll. Here,
however, t1 the warmth and comfort of
her high-up sunny, cheery retreat, she
receives the very smell circle of old time
friends and the younger ones who de•
light in the reminisuetnt pictures of her
girlhood deye and its environment of
great persons and events.
A dawdling aigbt•seor at the • Capitol
the other day, after puttering about the
deserted and echoing corridors, drifted,
as usual, into the empty House obamber,
and after climbing np on the platform
remoulded to disport himself on the
vacant throne of the eget-while Czar,
Thomas B. Reed. The stranger, in fol-
lowing the invariable custom of sitting in
the Speaker's ohair and pawing over hie
desk, discovered by tliie act of devotion
the battered condition of the latter article.
This led to a conversation with Mr.
Clancy, the assistant doorkeeper, who in-
formed the astonished stranger that this
was the second desk top that had been
pounded into pulp by the late muscular
parliamentarian, and that a new one
must be prepared for 111e Democratic
gavel of the F iftyseoond Congress.
One half of the green desk•cloth is still
bright and new, but the other is battered
and out from the centre of the boundary
line on the right, and the wood under it
is in splinters. The visitor suggested
that the next Speaker be given a desk
with a metal top, but the offiner explain-
ed that not only was 11 impossible to use
any sort of metal, but that even hard
wood had been found injurious to the
hand after a brief trial. Speaker Reed,
however, was not the only destructive
statesman in the lower House. The
spick and span glaring groan and yellow
carpet laid one year ago In that chamber
is now defused and worn and grimy be-
yond words. A Congressional carpet
suffers all the violence of both parties.
It is kicked and scraped and littered hi a
fearful mutter. Nearly every new Con-
gress finds a new carpet ready for close -
oration and destruction in the House.
The Senate chamber oleo ie provided with
a new carpet for both floor and gallery,
and a heap of furnishing generally is go.
iug to take place in the two Houses and
various Conmittee,rooms between this
and December.
Itis said at the State Departtnent
that there has been no suggestion of a1'-
biteation of the diiiimlltioe between .Italy
and the United Steles growing ant of the
Now Orleans tragedy, as was reported in
a epooial despatch from Rome, Arbitra•
tion i0 the last retort after diplomacy
has failed, and as Secretary Blaine has
protnised to eon8id01 the claims for in-
demnity it cannot be held that the diplo•
matte stage has been paeeed, The rather
indieereot uttera0o0s of the Italian consul
at Now Orleans relative to the eonepiracy
to kill the lntayor and other prominent
persona causes 90me amusementet the
department but as they have not taken
an official eliape no notice will be given to
tltom by cur government.
Unfair to Business Men.
13) the 169ltor of The POST,
DEAR BIR.—Would you in the interests
of the public generally and in justice to
the busluess men of Brussels and aut.-
sounding towns, give place to the follow-
ing oiipping from the Ridgetowu paper
in reference to the Petrone of Industry.
It says :—
We are not surprised to learn that our
friends the Patrons of Industry have so
far failed to induce any of the Ridgetown
merchants to become their etorekeepere
—or rather servants. As we have point-
ed out the terms are all one.sided, the
Petrone have nothing to lose—the mer-
chant has everything, to say nothing of
the lose of solf.reepeot involved in sub-
mitting to have hie business run by out-
siders who have not a dollar invested in
it, and who ere free to out him adrift at
any minute that suits themselves. The
Petrone tatty have a mission, and we be-
lieve they can accomplish a great deal of
good in many ways, but it is not store
keeping by proxy. That their stores in
several places have collapsed and brought
ruin to those thoughtless enough to sign
the conditions should cause others to
hesitate and the Patrons to ponder the
question whether they are "on the right
track" in thie particular requisite of the
organization. The following in refer-
ence to a case aloes at hand is taken from
a trade journal and is worthy the con.
sideration of merchants and Patrons :—
"A paragraph in our Bneineee Ex-
changes this week gives the final sequel
to a departure from the ordinary courses
of business, a departure that had a down-
ward tendency from the outset. The
paragraph refers to the sale of Fitzpat-
risk & Oo's, general stook at Wallace.
burg. Fitzpatrick ez Co. ie the etyle of a
retailer who traded in the village named.
He made the serious mistake of accept-
ing the proposal of the Patrons of Indus-
try to supply their members with goods
at the prices or rates prescribed by that
body. When a trader once submits to
the direction of a league of consumers be
is already on the way of the lost. His
failure or his impoverishment is a fore-
gone conclusion. The sort of compact
to which he becomes a party with the
Patrons is just the kind to efface him as
a business man if he holds to it long
enough, It is an undertaking in which
nobody is bound but the trader. His ob-
ligatioue are clearly set forth, his privi-
legestare clearly a matter of grace with
the customers whose bondsman he has
become. A man who engaged to sell
goods on the terms required by the Pat.
eons will Boon have no customers but
Petrone. Other customers will not deal
with a man who discriminates against
them. If the Patrons are thriving he
may do some business with them but his
profit is too narrow for their trade of
itself to suffice for hie prosperity. If
any bankrupt stock is being run off near
him or any exceptional bargains from
any, other stook, there is nothing to pre.
vent the Petrone from going and getting
the advantage. If the Patrons have
money they will deal with him, because
they can get special bargains. If they
have no money and no produce they can
probably do as well some where else, or
they take advantage of their knowledge
of the Invoice prices to bring him down
in hie credit terms. When a man fails
through truckling to their luckless pat-
ronage, they let them fail. Nor are
wholesalers likely to be very merciful to
a man who has been so imprudent as a
trader as to surrender his independence
to an association of consumers. Such a
man, in their eyes, 'lacks one of the re-
quisites of a trader that ought to be
trusted, and if he fails there are not
many of his creditors who will vote him
another chance." Yours,
100 CENTS 00 ''10E $.
155500415,0 15,8.81).
Early Monday morning the re.orgsn.
Med Band made its appearance for the
first time and played a short program,
consisting of the quick march "Hold the
Fort"; waltz, "True Love" ; slow march,
"Jubilee," and "God save the Queen," to
the pleasure and satisfaction of the large
audience gathered to hear the initial con-
cert Of the season. Other selections
would have been given but a number of
the members of the Band desired to leave
on the train for Wingham. When it is
considered that the majority of the new
Band are recruits, the wonder is
how they accomplished as mucic as they
did in the short time, aud, judging by
the energetic way in which the various
membe'e have taken hold, it seems quite
evident that "Excelsior" is their motto.
Perhaps it few particulars concerning
this musioal organization in which we
are all so much interested may not be
out of place, The old Band had dis-
banded and tine instruments; uniform and
belongings were called in by the Connell
as the guardians of the property of the
town.' Many Brueselites were anxious
to see the Band revived, but on a more
substantial financial basis than formerly,
so a public meeting was called, at which
the entire management was handed over
to a Committee made' np of Reeve Gra-
ham (Cheirman),IE. I,. Taylor (Secretary)
3..19. Kendall (Treasurer), J. D. Ronald
and H. Donnie. These gentlemen set to
work at once and, in response to an ad.
vertlaement for a teacher and oondnotor,
Capt. B. 13. Albertson was chosen from
the many applications. A constitution
and by-laws we1'e prepared and printed
and the work of re -organization began,
The e000ese attending the efforts of the
Committee 0160 of a very encouraging
character, se that today a Band num.
boring 29 members is assured. Tho per.
eonnel is as f0110We
B. 13, Albertson•—tioio B Clarionet.
Jas, Blashill, er.--Piccolo.
H. L. Jtokeon—E Clarionet.
T. A. Ifttwkins=-0 Clarionet.
Dr. Cavanagh ---let 13 Olarronet.
Alex. Stewart -13 Clarionet.
Tltos. Gibson—B Clarionet.
Jno. Kendall—B Clarionet,
Jno. HoWitt—B Clarionet,
A. McLennan—let bassoon, Baritone
Ed. Pepper .2nel batmen, Euphonium
Jas. Johns—Bolo Cornet,
Chas. Seager—lst Cornet.
Jim Clark -2nd Cornet.
Jae, Blashill, jr.-3rd Cornet.
Lorne Hunter --4th Cornet.
Chiolc' Grewar-1st Horn.
Will Milloy-2nd Horn.
Ward Farrow -3rd Horn.
Will James -41b Horn,
R. N. Barrett—let Baritone,
Jim Ballantyne -1st Trombone.
Wm, Roddick -2nd Trombone.
Will McCracken—Base Trombone.
Win. Grower—Solo Euphonium.
Dan. MoDonald—E Bomberdotl.
Kens. Soott-11 Bombardon.
Tom Good—Side Drum.
Ed. MoNatighton—Baas Drum.
The Council dealt generously with the
request for alt increased grant and we
have no doubt that many of our citizens
will add their quota to the Band fund so
that the necessary means may be forth•
ooming as required. Hard and faithful
practice has been kept up since the en.
rollment of the members and as a result
of the thorough drill on the rudiments,
time, scales, &c., the progress made has
been most satisfactory and gives the as-
surance that in the near future Brussels
Band will take a foremost position in
competitions.
Captain Albertson has already won
golden opinions from our townsfolk as to
the ability and system in which be per.
forms his work as conductor, and these
tally exactly with his recommendations
from competent judges where he has been
engaged in the past. His father and
mother were both musicians so that he
was cradled in mimic, we might say, and
perfected himself ae years rolled by on
all styles of musical instruments. For
upwards of 20 years he was in military
service being Bund Sergeant in Winnipeg
for 1:} years in connection with the first
Rod River expedition under General
Wolseley in 1870 and for 9 years be was
Captain, retaining rank when he retired.
Capt. Albertson teught the 20th Batt.
Band, at Oakville, for 7 years and took
1st prizes 5 years fn succession with
them. He was also conductor of the
City'Band, Brandon, Manitoba, and the
91st Batt. Band, of Winnipeg, where he
did firet•claes work. Four years ago he
returned to Ontario. and, after handling
the 20th Batt. Band again for a time, he
went to Guelph where be had charge of
the well known city Band of that place.
From the nbove sketch it will be easily
Been that Brussels was indeed fortunate
in scouring the services of a gentleman
with so thorough s training and such
wide experience.
Capt. Albertson Hopes to present a
weekly program to our residents that
will prove beyond doubt the ability of
Bruesels Band to play first-class music.
True POST has good backing in wishing
this musical organization the greatest
meows and if the members of the Band
dont take advantage of the privileges
they now enjoy they are certainly derid-
ing in their own light.
METHODIST DISTRICT MEETINGS.
LISTOWEL DISTRICT.
The annual meeting of the Listowel
District was held at Fordwioh on Tues-
day and Wednesday, May 19111 and 20tH,
Rev. E. S. Rupert, M. A., presiding.
After devotional exercises Rev. J. W.
Pring was elected, by ballot, as Secretary,
and he chose P. Hepinstall as his as.
eietant. All the ministers of the District
were present, and the discipline questions
respecting each ware satisfactorily an.
towered. Wm. C. Caswell and J. H. Mo -
Bain were examined and recommended
to be received as probationers, the latter
seking permission to be continued at
College to complete his studies. Rev. J.
Caswell asks for superannuation at the
close of a faithfnl ministry of 47 years.
In the evening a public meeting in the
interests of the Sabbath School was held,
presided over by the chairman. Rev. D.
Itogere, of Atwood, and Rev. J. Living-
stone, of Listowel, spoke to the children ;
Rev. F. M. Smith, of Henfryn, talked on
"ttualifioatinns for S. S. Superintendent,"
and Rev. T. Amey, of Wallace, took
oharge of the "Question Drawer. It was
an interesting and profitable meeting.
On Wednesday at 9 a. in. the lay repro-
sentativee from the various cirouits were
present and presented the schedules,
which were passed under review, and
from which we glean the following facts:
After deducting removals, deaths, oto.,
there was an increase of 45 in member-
ship. The various funds were well sue.
tained, and a general healthy spiritual
state existed on the District.
The following laymen wore appointed
to attend Conference :—J. 0. Hay, T.
Magwood, M. P. P., C. W. Watson. A.
Montgomery, 1'. Kepinstall, A. Hoar,
G. V. Poole, John ()ober, Jacob Large.
Rev. David Rogers was elected to the
Stationing Committee ; Rev. Thomas
Amoy and P. Hepinstall to the Sabbath
School Committee ; Wm. S. Bean to the
Missionary Committee, and Rev. J. W.
Pring and 0. W. Watson to the Epworth
League.
Moved by Rev. Jas. Caswell, mended
-by ltev. B. Sherlock: --"'.Chat tine meet-
ing desires to place on record its expres-
sion of deep sympathy with our deer
Bro. Torrance and wife 111 the long and
painful affliction through which they
have been called to pass, and pray that,
very soon, they may be restored to health,
and that our dear brother may long be
spared to labor sncoeesfelly in the work
et God." Carried unanimously,
On motion a vote of thanks was tender.
od to the [donde of Feidwich foe their
hospitality.
110101/111 1,I0111I0'1.
On Wednesday and Thursday of last
week the annual District meeting of the
Methodlet church, Wingham District,
was held in Blyth„Rev, John Seed, M.
A., chairman, presiding.
The first day was devoted to the min-
isterial brethren, who discussed the work
of the past year, t&c., in alt enjoyable
nleamr. Rev. J. A. MaLaehlan, M. A.,
ll i'Vtoxeter, was Bleated Secretary and
Rev, I,13. Wallwin, of Bluovale, assist-
ant. There wero.present Revels. Mestere.
Scott, Solieryyt Paul, 1htotaehlau, Spar -
ling, Weltwin, Godfrey, Ottewoli, Mu•
Kibbon, Campbell, Ferguson and Swann.
notal amount of missionary money col.
looted during the past year on the Die.
Intet, $1236.09, being an inereaee of 849.-
01 over the preceding year. The total
membership is estimated et 9,100, made
up as follows :—Wingham, 270 ; Tees,
water, 158 ; Wroxeter, 161 ; Bruseele,
204 ; Walton, 178 ; Londesboro', 244 ;
Blyth, '274 ; Auburn, 263 ; Belgrave, 174 ;
Blnevale, 201. Rev, S. Battery, M. A.,
13. D., was eleoted on the Stationing
Committee ; W. H. Herr, Miseionary
Committee ; Rev. W. I'. Campbell and
N. H. Young on the Sunday School Com.
mitres ; Rev. J. A, McLaohlan, 111. A..
and W. H. Kerr, on Epworth League
Committee. The following laymen wore
elected to go to Conference at Berlin :--
Wingham, S. D. Wellwood and J. A.
Flack ; Teeswater, W. E. R, Orr; Wrox-
eter, W. C. Hazlewood ; Brussels, T.
Fletcher and W. H. Kerr ; Walton, W.
Pollard and Geo. Grigg ; Londesboro',
Jae. Braithwaite and R. Stephenson ;
Blyth, N. H. Young ; Auburn, J. R. Mc-
Clinton ; Blnevale, W. J. Johnston and
Joseph Leeoh. By vote It was deoided to
hold the Fall District meeting at Blue -
vale.
The following resolution was moved by
Rev. S. Battery, seconded by Rev. W. F.
Campbell :—"That in view of the pro-
bability of our beloved and honored
Chairman, Rev. John Scott, M. A., be-
ing removed from this District at the
close of the present conference year, we
desire to place on record an expression
of the high estimate we have formed of
his character and abilities as a Christian.
minister, and of the eminent service he
hes rendered the churches of the district
in the performance of his official duties.
We have greatly admired his many ex-
cellent qualities of bead and heart. His
sound judgment, his pulpit ability, his
earnest Christian spirit, his deep inter-
est in all the departments of the church-
es work in the district, have won our
highest esteem and admiration and have
been a real benediction to our several
churches. We pray that his ministry in
the future, wherever his lot may be oast,
may be equally blessed of God, that he
may be long spared to render the church
the efficient service that has marked his
past life and that upon him and hie
femily the richest blessings of heaven
may ever rest." Mr. Scott replied hi ap•
propriate terms and thanked the brethren
for their kind words.
Moved by Rev. F. Swann, seconded by
Jas. Braithwaite that the thanks of this
meeting be tendered to the Blyth friends
for their hospitality and the trouble
taken in decorating the platform with
flowers. The pastor made a suitable re-
ply. The meeting adjourned after dis•
cussing a resolution pertaining to the
Bruesels Methodist church debt.
Cn nndeaoa Ne {Vs.
Toronto has a Chinaman bicyclist.
The census takers give Blenheim a
population of 5,025.
Radoliffe, who hung Biroball, officiated
at the removal Thursday of Kane, the
Belleville wife murderer.
A manufacturer of portable• engines at
Sherbrooke, Que., watts to locate in On-
tario. He employs 500 men.
'Business transacted here for eternity,'
is the sign over the door of the Salvation
Army barracks in a certain village.
A table made from the timber of the
first tree cut in Guelph was recently sold
for $30 at an emotion sale in that oily.
The three departmental officers in the
new Liberal Government of Prince Ed-
wards Island, have been elected without
opposition.
Mary Lally, 5th con., Tyendinaga, was
struck by lightning Thursday night
while going from her father's House to
the barn and instantly killed.
A young lad named Kuhlman had both
of his legs badly laoratod at Paris the
other afternoon through being
caught between two pinion wheels, while
engaged in removing spools from the
spinning mules in Penman's No. e
factory.
On the farm of Mr. Denis Farmer;
MaGillivary, there is a curious freak of
nature. Some weeks ago a mare lost its
colt, and not to be disappointed, she took
to raising a oalf. The calf follows its
foster mother with the same instinctive-
nese as it would the cow, and the mare
is equally maternal.
An old Indian carne into Jas, A. Roth -
well's grocery at Walkerton the other
day and wonted to dispose of an old
silver shoulder piece with the English
coat of arms on it, The Indian told hien
that his grandfather brongbt it from
Wisconsin. 1.1 has probably been in the
hands of the Indians from before the
time the United States severed their eau-
neotion with Great Britain.
When digging for a fonndati,'8 at Cole-
man's new dwelling, near the Brant
house, Burlington, the men hod nnly
gone down two feet when they unearth-
ed the skeleton of an Indian complete.
The skull and teeth were in a perfect
state of preservation. Buried with hien
were a copper kettle, a wooden spoon,
two wooden bowls, vormillinu war paint
and quills, and a sitinl0ug knife mads of
Hint. This is not the first Indian find in
the locality of the Brant hou•e.
On Friday the family of John Cope, of
Tilsonburg, were poisoned by eating
toadstools. The poisonous fungus,whioh
had been gathered as mushrooms, were
cooked and served, Shortly after eating
them every member 0f the family was
taken ill with symptoms of poisoning.
Physicians were summoned, but not
withstanding their efforts, Maggie, the
6.year•old danghler, died. The other
members of the family are 110w out of
clanger.
A taw days ago a lady, while wanting
along one of the streete in Montreal, drop-
ped a diamond ring. It was plotted nn
bya little girl,who, in turn, handed it
ta constales, tto trace of it was learn-
ed for some time, until the tittle girl Was
found, She identified the policeman to
whom she had 00611 it, bet he steal•
featly denied that he had received it.
The strange ending to the story is that
the ring was afterwards handed to the
lady by a priest, Who had received it
from the constable et the aonfeeeionaf.