The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1885-01-31 00:00:00

THE MARKETS.

MARK-LAN.
With prices generally Is lower in the country lark,.et:t
and increased supplbs from farmers, English :whesFuet
at Mao k-lane is 6d to Is lower on the week. Flour nu° er
flat. Barley, beans, and peas steady, quiet. Maize 1017„0
for flat corn. Oats, with incre4sed arrivals, rather
buyers. .A,rrivals last week: English and Scotch: W 193;
4063; barley, 3565; malt, 18,694; oats, 67; peafo'
beans, 610 quarters; flour, 21,411 sacks. Irish:
quarters. Foreign: Wheat, 32,316; barley, 9757 ; I,
72,510; peas, 1141; beans. 2457; maize, 12,952
flou-, 24,815 sacks, 50 bane's.

METROPOLITAN CATTLE MARKET.
The cattle trade has been very quiet. There vfore.hflor
supplies < f stock, and the numbers offering were more (01.
equal to the demand. Beasts were it modern' c s"P•irocl,
The trade was very dull, and whilst the best So0t!'_„0.;
cro see realised 58 6cl Der 81b, many good sevieeable
went at an appreciably lower figure. Foreign go' tes•
mcderate supply and slow request at about late
hep w‘-re iu an unusually large supply. The 10 and
was clecid dly bad. Occasionally he best Dos", 11„
haltbreds male 58 MI, but the general t<q) tal-1°- The
5s 8.1 per -lb. Calves and pigs were dull and drool42ng*,,s<st
following are the quotations: Coarse and inferior 14100
45 to 48 ed ; s •.cond quality ditto, 4s 6d to 5s ;_ Pi
oxen. Is rd to 5s 6d; ditto Sans, Ac., Ss 4d to
coarse and inferior sheep, 48 8d to 58; second cluAllag
ditto, 51 Od to 58 4d: prime coarse-woolled ditto' Lae
to 5s 6d ; prime Southdown ditto, 51 641 to 55 801_2 od
6s ; large hogs
coarse calves, Is 20. to 58 6d; prime small ditto, ob
Is Bcl to 4s per 81b to sink the offal. Total °'-o;
Beasts, 2990; sheep , 35 4d to 31 8d; neat small P0r.0.:
ra,
and lambs, 11,3 0' calves labit
milch cows' 40. F 'reign: Beasts, 510; sheep and,
20; calves, 30. krona the Midland and Home Con,"lsspelv
received 1530 beasts' from Norfolk, Suffolk and „.
600 ; from Ireland, 100; and from Scotland 20) belay-
METROPOLITAN IEAT MARKET. t •
A large supp'y was offered. The trade was very cplitiefiegif
the annexed rates: Inferior beef, 2s 80. to 38 41 ;T.'-o-ritts!
ditto, 33 4d to 4s • prime large ditto, 4s to 48 °"?flierin`
small ditto, 45 4d t 48 80.; veal, 44 8d to is; 1-„risis
mutton, 3s to Is 4d •, middling ditto, 3s 40. to 4g,', aitt•Of
ditto, 4s 20 to Is ; large pork, 38 to 38 40.: gula-
Is 8d to 4i 2d per 81b, by the carcase.
FISH.
entia- •
Large supply of fish, with good trade at underol iod
rates: Soles, is Id ; slips, 9d to 100. ,• turbotd
Is ; brill, 8d to 100. ; cod, ad to Cal 2d
eel, eels, 10d to 15,,,
eel, 4d. ; plaice, 3d to 4d; &late, 6d; fresh ha", 1,8, 6,
sprats, Id; sturgeon, 9d; halibut, 81 ; ieniOn ti'tero, •
guriket, 20. to 3d; mackerel, 40. to 60. each;
to 5' 1.;
to Is each; crabs, 6.. to 23 'fd each whiting, -.8 dozeo
dozen; Anglo• Portuguese oysters, 9d to Is,__Ptcs 6d Pe:.
Dutch ditto, 2s per dozen; native ditto Is IL'
dozen; winkles, 2d per pint; whelks, Id 'per pint;
chicks, 40. to 6d per bundle.

POTATO.
There was a good supply of potatoes on et° I(?j:isi
demand was dull as follows: Scotch Regents,
Kent ditto, 70s to 808; Char pio ns. 50s to 60° •
Bonums. 60s to-805 Victorisa. iu. to 9(4 nor tom,

!ALL RIGHTS IMERIED.I
AMBITION'S LADDER
the Author qf " Atherstone Grange; • A Life
a Love," dv.

CHAPTER XLIL
AT THE RENDrzvotS.
'Or I sin armed co strong in honesty.
Tbat they pass by me as tbe idle wind
Which I respect not.
AT the hour appointed on the afternoon of the
t.
following day Leonard Grant entered the Park by
w hl!• i lebre,rthogwaetvee,ra,nd made for Kensington Gardens,
we must precede him by about
talf-an-hour, to where, in a quiet sequestered nook
amongst a clump of bushes, surrounded by wide,
o verbanging branches, sat Joe Bradley.
14111. from
&Ile was crouched upon the grass, effectually hid-
the
view of any chance passers by, and
in his hands a small velvet lag with a silver
(:
`."4"1 and clasp, which he was trying vainly to
nefasten. PI
ter " I surpose I shall have to rip it open," he mut-
„ ed at last, drawing an old clasp-knife out of the
reeket of his ragged jacket, and proceeding to cut
roundthe edges of the bag, which looked one of
ese dainty articles sometimes attached to a
h
atelaine. "Though it's a pity to spoil it, too. I
liNcl_oricler what's inside? Ha, hat ha! Old Joe
t quite forgot the use of his forks, for all
falY've been idle so long. Why didn't the swell
• b 'y tip the old man a tanner when he begged of
ter She wouldn't have lost her pretty bag then.
till
_TlP—never a mag, for all her silks and laces and '
Et rings- The likes of her fancies, I s'pose, as
I.la.rvation is the right thing for poor vagabonds
rae ; but she'll be sorry when she finds out
vhat she's lost by it."
lie looked carefully round, but no one was near,
1.°1• '
the spot he had chosen was one removed from
Et„.,IIY of the paths, and he began to inspect his prize
"'ere thoroughly.
one in sight," he muttered, having assured '
tils.trself of the fact, aud turning out the contents of
ille,,b,ag upon the grass beside him. "What sort of
a aave I got? A portmoney, a handkercher, and
Leents pocket-book. First come first served: let's
what's in here."
Itb trembling fingers he opened the purse, in
BYlu'!, tch he found a couple of sovereigns, some loose
er, and a few postage ,tamps.
ain't no use," he remarked. "I never
Iv
-Xs to write to no one, but the chimes is worry
aNv,ceenn), e." and he transferred the money to his
"e" "Taint such a grand haul, when all's s
better than nothin'. Now, what's in the
Pe:let-book, 1 wonder ? Flimsies, perhaps !
Vhewi,, and he drew the sleeve of -his ragged coat
triltreeossidhis brow. "The werry thought pute me in
prusperation ! Bank no es—real 'uns, no
„e-believes to gat a poor feller into grief. Lor' I
l'neY only should be : "
But Joe Bradley was doomed to be disappointed
e°ll this score for on opening the pocket-book, he
1
it to contain nothing except a small packet of
e ters tied with ribbon, the knot of which was
sealed,
-NrY leek ! " growled Joe. "My luck all the
erld over Not a bloomin' cop. er to be made out
all th.e whole limn' of 'em, I'll he bound. This is
of the march of intelleek, this is. In the
g-•
" old days people use to stuff their poet et-books
other sorts of notes than these . " and he looked
'ntemptuously at his worthless prize. " How-
eorpierdst, everl'll na have a peep at •c presently."
kll
however, he dug out a piece of turf with his
ee ife, and vooped a hole in the ground, in whih
ti carefully deposited the bag, purse and pocket-
"lr' Covering he earth over them and replacing
tile turf.
ENow then, let's see what name is on these," he
a-er,iA• 'I mustn't keep 'em about me, in case of
the cuts, but I won't tear 'cm up, for maybe
BiV'e'll be a reward offered. There's no name out-
e ; I must look in, that's all."
‘Ylich he accordingly did, breaking the ribbon
te 'eh bound them, and real the superscription on
teNnost envelope.
to'l',ll.e effect was startling. Joe Bradley bounded
Zais feet and stared at the writing with wide
ea eYes and an expression of mingled mare-
ent and joy.
:eteady, steady, old man!" he exclaime I after a
ah • Don't be too cocksure. But no—l ain't.
ah.ey ~
are the same, and I've lighted on him at last.
ei This is better than money or bank notes
"er. After all these years of watching and
thi Ivaitin g to have my revenge fall into my hands like
hz_e • Oh! Its rich, rich," and Joe Pradley shook
as " fist and clenched his teeth at an imaginary foe
at he spoke. "There's a long score to reckon up
No,een us two, and let him look to himself now
st"en I come to strike the balance. But I mustn't
here jabbering to myself and running the
,fla-
I.} &ice of being nabbed just when I most want my
?ertY• Safety first, and then, Master Alick, to
Ipe off old scores w:th you."
t And then again assuring himself by a rapid glance
e°l-ind that he was still unobserved, Joe Bradley
iLeuehed away from the spot, which he first care-
noted, 4ully noted, and disappeared.
Passing out of the gardens he •almost rubbed
Shoulders with Leonard, who was just hastening to
keep his appointment, but neither observed the
othe and the young man hurried on to the Round
Pond, on the brink of which he paced backwards
and forwards, looking curiously at all who ap-
proached him.
lie saw no one, however, whom he could at all
Imagine to be Alick Wood, if it was indeed he who
written the letter. Loungers there were in
Plenty, but no face among them all which struck him
'with a sense of familiarity, till a light tap on
.his
Itrin caused him to turn suddenly and see standing
uefore him a tall, dzstinque figure, most carefully
attired, who held out his hand with a smile.
!'eally, I th'nk there must be some mistake,"
'l7'd
ra Leonard doubtfully. "I have no remem-
„,
My mernory is better, unless I am very much
returned the other. "But I do not
lank I can be. You are Leonard Grant."
"Certainly. And you ut it cannot be--"
Your old friend Alick," said Mr. Woodville.
,•
fl deed, Len' I am no other, I knew you
lreetly,99
411 d they shook hands heartily, though Leonard
etued not even yet:realise that this man, who—if
e.,1:44P s just by a shade overdressed—was in out-
Lam seeming a gentleman, could indeed be the
, e Allah Wood he had known in years. gone by.
; Should never have recognised you," he said.
~t,tn't even as it is; you are so changed.'
Ivellot for the worse, I hope, in your o;-inion. I
yeti ed to 800 you, Len, to have a long talk with
uere
before we meet in those narrow haun's of men
"
teak° we must brush shoulder to shoulder, and to
ttot ~eure that the I.eonard Grant of to-day would
;.'"ush to acknowledge his old friend.'
Etta' -1- should blush for myself if I did," Leonard
re; ‘s.'ered warmly. "I am glad to see you again,
that you have made a place for yourself
tt /1) world."
teini Y the only direct and honest route, Len," sen-
try '311,81Y explained Clarence Woodville—"mdus•
fer,nnci a determination to make my way. so
k tlhave succeeded fairly, as you may judge.
lar.9 future I hope to d still better."
ow?"
Partly by your help, I hope."
haeices •
s , but we will come to that presently. Let
ra, iritir first of what concerns you more nearly."
that 080, words recalled to Leonard's remembrance
tliehwnich in the excitement: of meeting his old
a
under such-altered circumstances he had for
attegiesaent lost sight of, and he listened with eager
tion for what was to follow.
Wool., the first plaoe, then," continued Clarence
leteiville, as they walked arm-in-arm along the
kat tl.est path they could find, "I told you, Len, the
nut Lir? we met, that some day I should seek you
!tool(11-7,'n- I don't know whether you quite under-
„.,'"en for what purpose, but the time has come
.(3htei—„ e to explain. It was my good fortune tc
tier, O matter now by what means —informa-
thee “larding you that is of incalculable impor.
tapas, that is what I understood," eagerly inter.
" Leen d "You know—"
ar •
—eat a my dear Len. Don't let us be in too
,1144; nci ea- :PTY. I want you to thoroughly under-
Tom the first. What I know 1 am not
soca, ,1,3-a to reveal without due recompense. You
rlatu,..irPtised, a little disgusted, which is all very
P 1441741 daresay ; but I intend to speak quite.
tiosej I do not pretend to have any very high l
~,_.notions of honour, or what some people would
• is -47P_, y Ie honesty all all that I am specially careful
the—hao nothing that would put me in the reach
4 .4
Ve;W' You see I am frare: with you."
th,'' drily replied Leonard, releasing his aim
:In his ether's and speaking with more reserve
"Armor. " But I do not quite see what
cowe -
O ession is meant to lead up to."
ently a (Will presently," observed Mr. Woodville
U f• act is, I have certain papers which
naree sne, establish beyond doubt your right to
.e'lla place in the world, besides fortune.
-.tape („:20re I
, consent to give up_ this evidence, I
Conditions to propose."
gratit,;,,' 'night, I think, safely have left that to my
S'o4
kPrefer Y oldlsaid Leonard. "However, since
eo
°pay be on the safe side, say how much
want as the price of your information."
(Olt '''at is another matter. What if I don't
_nneY at all."
it -.am •
I a 841 gelzed his hand impulsively.e!allamed of myself for my suspicions," he
raYfor •
owt b_ gave me."
me,
Zl4l tn. too great a hurry," said Mr. Wood
e„llllnng‘ 4 smile of amused superiority at the
i:oent ra4tn's impetuousness. "I don't say I don't
4, okm:3r—everybody does—but I look forward
J4jiug jat I desire in another way than by
maal upon you, and with your assist-
':
In
40 at Way?"
4, I& rtly, th,„
i‘ -"Arria marriage with an heirese."
az, do ge with an heiress!" exclaimed Leonard.
you"inunderstand ! And how could I possibly
• 'llugh to (10 ench a scheme, even if I was vile
3/48" even "E? "
tO a 8 —e spoke a vague foreboding of what
9 filled him with deeed. inspired him with

loathing and contempt for the man who dared to
propose so akameful a co-partnership to him.,

"I will tell you," calmly answered Clarence
'Woodville. "Accident lately made me acquainted
with a young lady of considerable personal attrac-
tions, and, what is more to the point, ample fortune.
Having assured myself of the last fact, I improved
the occasion, and—.to waste no time in details--
played my cards so well that I am now her
affianced lover. Unfortunately, Ihough an orphan,
the lady has two guardians whose consent is
necessary to her marriage. Do y u begin to com-
prehend me now? That consent I believe you
can secure for me, and on condition that you do
so I promise in r,turn to hand over the papers I
have spoken of."
I eonard stopped and lcoked the other full in
the face.

"Of whom are you speaking " he asked with
stern determination. "I must know that before
I cangive you any answer."
" Well, yes, I suppose so. The lady's name is l—
and Clarence Woodville cast a keen glance at his
comp nion—" Evelyn Trenchard."
At the words Leonard started as though he had
he ,n shot—as though they had gone to his heart
li! e so wany bullets.
Ah ! " he cried his voice hoarse with rage and in-
d "it is you, then—you who have
dared--" _ _

"Yes; I am Eve's lover, if that is what you
mean—shall be her husband sooner or later.
When she comes of age, you know, no consent
will be necessary; but I don't care ;bout waiting,
a:AI with your help—"
" Mine !" gasped Leonard, almost choking with
rage and despair. "Are you mad to dare propose
it to me I."

_
" I shall think you are to refuse, considering what
consequences there are to consider," calmly retorted
Clarence Woodville. "Come, be reasonable, Len.
I suppose you've fallen in love with the girl your-
self. Very natural, but one can't have all one wants
in this world, you know. She's promised to me, and
do what you will you cannot prevent my marry-
ing her in a couple of years' time. I rob you of
your sweetheart, true—but that is a sort of theft
that has always been allowed since the world began;
in return I offer you a fortune."
Clever as he was, astute as he had been in ferret-
ing out the source of Eve's wealth, he had omitted
to inform himself on one important point; that is,
that the 1 ulk of it would be diverte.l if the true heir
appeared, and fortunately Leonard, in the storm of
passion to which he was roused, lost sight also of
this contingency, which if he had alluded
.to.
in any way Mr. Woodville would have soon per-
ceived.

"Jean hold no terms with you, make no such
shameful bargain as you propose," answered
Leonard. "Even were I indifferent to Miss Treft-
chard I should still refuse most unhesitatingly to
forward her union with you."
"And for what reason, pray ? " retorted
_Wood-
ville, stung by the contemptuous tone. "My
origin is not of the highest, perhaps, but at least
it is known. Can you say the same ? "
Leonard turned fiercely round and aimed a blow
at the other's face, which, however, Clarence Wod-
ville dexterously warded off.
"There, there, I was wrong to say that," he went
on in a more conciliatory tone. "Bur. you provoked
me. Come. Think the matter over quietly, and let
me have an answer to-morrow."

"It can be no other then than now," answered
I eonard, curbing himself with an effort. "Mean,
pitiful adventurer tl:at you are, I am armed against
you and defy you."
"Very well. You know the cost," quie'ly replied
Woodville, who had recovered sufficient self-com-
mand to give him again the advantage. "A name
oc your own and money to support it are not thinga
to be lightly thrown away. Don't tempt me too
far, my young friend, or I may put them both for
over out of your reach. Adventurer, you call me!
Well, I do not disclaim the title, only the words by
which you qualify it."
" Fut which I repeat."
it so; hard words break no bones," lightly
la ghed Clarence Woodville, though his face flushed
a little. Once more, give me your word to advance
my in crests in the way I have pointed out, and
those papers shall be in your hands before another
I-our is past. You see lam ready to believe in your
honour, though you are incredulous of mine."
"have you got them with you, then ?" asked
Leonard, quickly.
"Not quite such a fool as that," answered Wood-
ville, with a mocking smile, "though I don't fancy
you'd come off best in a tussle. But they are not
far off. By this time the person in whose keeping
I have placed them should be close at hand."
He looked at his watch, and raising his eyes
sta., ted a little, for, walking along the pathway only
a few yards from them, he saw Carrie.

' CHAPTER XLIII.
WOODVILLE MEETS WITH A CDROM.
The test-laid schemes of mice and men
Gang aft a-gley ;
And leave us nought but grief and pain

For iircmised-joy. -
A Low, muttered curse escaped Clarence Woodville's
lips, and there was an evil look in his eyes when
they fell upon the woman who, up to that moment,
he had imagined to be safely out of his way,
willing to remain where he had left her until, as he
liul promised he would do, he sent word for her to
join him.
Aryl now to find her so close to him! He looked fur-
tively at Leonard to see whether he had observed the
new comer ; but the young man's thoughts never for
one instant reverted to Carrie, and he certainly
would have had no recollection of her, though she
might have recognised him. But, to Clarence
Woodville's great relief, he saw that, in as close
proximity as they were, Carrie had not observed
them. __ . . _

till, every moment might bring about an encoun-
ter that was by no means to the taste of Mr. Wood-
yille, for they were so near to each other that the ,
sound of his voice might easily have reached Carrie's
ears, and should she turn her head—
"'['here are too many people about here," he said
in a low tone. "Let us get out of the crowd."
And turning abruptly round he walked sharply
away in the opposite direction, still followed I,y
Leonard, till some distance was placed between
them and Carrie.
Clarence Woodville breathed more freely when
this was accomplished. The result might have been
awkward had a meeting taken illace, and it had
been a very narrow escape from one.
"Come, Leonard," he said resuming the conver-
sation, " don't let us quarrel. 'I hat would ser e
neither you nor me. The fact is. you are exei
ed
just now, and can't consider my proposal calmly.
Perhaps the best thing you can do is to ma a
another appointment with me—for to-morrow, s ty
--and in the meantime go home, think quietly ovt-r
what I said, and make your decision when you are
in a cooler frame of mind. There is no immediate
necessity for an answer."
"I can never give you any other than I have,"
firmly replied Leonard. "Do not hope it. As
leaving you now, I decline to do so until we under
stand each other thoroughly. You told me a sht it
while back that you were expeAing a messenger to
bring you the papers you spoke of. Where are you
to meet him?',
Mr Woodville smiled a little at this question.
"My dear fellow," he said, in a tone of mild ex
postulation, "do you really imagine that I should
be so idiotic as to tell you that —that I should sur-
render what I hold without first making sure of the
the price I demand? No, no; I am not so easily
persuaded to alter my mind. It's no use your
looking FO black at me, Len. I lost my temper a
little just now, T admit, but that won't happen again,
for, as I said before, I don't intend to quarrel with
you. Go home now, like a sensible fellow: Sleep
on it—you'll see things differently after a night's
retie tion, take my word for that."

" Never 1"
"Ah so you think now. Put human nature is
very contradictory. I tell you I will not take your
present answer, for you are angry, and consequently
deaf to reason. Do as I advise. Take a night's
thought over the matter, and meet me again at this
same place to-morrow, if you please."
Leonard considered for a moment. There was a
struggle in his mind, for he was naturally loth to
lose sight again of the man in whose hands rested
so much that he desired to gain; but it was plainly
evident that, Clarence Woodville was equally deter-
mined, and that under present circumstances he
was in a position of advantage that enabled him to
dictate terms.
So T eonard yielded. Not with the least thought that
it wo-ld over be possible for him to accede to the mon-
strous demand that had been made, but because he
recognised the uselessness of attempting to fight this
man with any but his own weapons of craft and
subtlety ; and after a brief pause of reflection,
thottuh he inwardly loathed the necessity that forced
even the appearance of temporising upon him, he
made reply:
"As you will. But do not mistal,e me," he felt
impelled to add. "What influence I may have will
be used to oppose your s heme, at any cost to myself.
So consider well yourself whether it will not be
advisable to relinquish it, and seek some other
recompense. Ask anything it is in my power
honestly to grant, and yu sh: tll have it. But for what
you have proposed—why man, I should feel myself
degraded, unworthy the name I bear, by so shame-
ful a bargain."
" Ab, I am afraid you are rather high-flown in
your notions," coolly retorted Mr. Wood 6110.
" However, as we have agreed to defer the matter
for further consideration it is useless continuing, our
dispute at present. I shall see you again, and m a
more reasonable mood, I hope."
" Not on that point, I repeat."
"Nonsense! I tell you plainly I mean to carry
out what I have said, with or without your aid. You
are quite at liberty to cut me but—if yon can."
he added, with sneering emphasis that made his
hearer's blood tingle. " Fait I have no reason to fear
either your rivalry or any other man's. My posi-
tion is too secure for that. .4, ro, (pr."
And with a careless nod and wave of his-hand the
scoundrel walked away, !paving Leonard to digest
What had passed as best be mi,2ht, and retraced his
steps to where he had 0 ht ight of Carrie.
(To be continued.)

DUELLING ON THE TOP OF A TRAIN.

A duel fought with bowie knives on the top of a
train running at the rate of thirty-five miles an hour
is certainly a sensational occurrence. Such an en-
counter, however, took place lately in America, on
the Louisville and Nashville Railroad. A quarrel
arose between two railway servants over some trivial
matter, and it was determined to fight a duel on the
roof of the train, with the knives, with which both
men were provided. The combatants aecordingly, re-
late the American papers, climbed to the top of the car,
the other employes of the train gathering around themi
to witness the deadly conflict. They were terribly in
earnest, it appears, and as the train whirled along
they rushed on each other, slashing right and left
through the thick wearing apparel until blood ran
freely. It was to be a combat to the death, and
though the two men were soon covered with wounds,
neither would give in; so the terrific fight continued
until warning that the train was nearing a low bridge
was given. Principals in, and spectators of, the duel
then- threw themselves flat on the roof of the car;
but instantly the bridge was passed the principals
were on their feet, and fighting afresh with the
ferocity of tigers. At length, however, the lookers-
on, not desiring to be witnesses of murder, put an end
to further hostilities. Both the men were frightfully
cut about, and are now lying in hospital in an
extremely critical condition, the state of one of them
being so alarming that his recovery is considered
impossible.