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THE FLBSHEBTON AOVAKOE CURRENT COMMENT Sir Robert Borden's Resignation After nine years' service Sir Uobert Bordun ha;i laid down the loaderthip of tlic Conservative and Uuioniat iinrties. ilistory will determine bis 8tatu<) iis a itatcsman, Lut his contemporaries unanimously acclaim him as a great gen- tleman. The advent of war thne years after lii:i accession to power afforded bim an unexampled opportunity and ho fully availed himself of it. That he represented the great mass of his countrymen in the supreme issues uf the crisis there is no dispute. Under him Canada has gained an international rank, which, but for the war, wculd never have been auticipaled. Tiiis international position also involved a change in imperial relations and it is undoiilited that in London and Paris Sir Kobert has come tu be regarded us one of the nutible figures of the day; and this is attributable in lar^^o def^ree to his personal qualities as well as to his international character. It has been suggested that much of bis success politically has been due to an observance of the old rule, never do to-day what can be put off till to-morrow, and some justification for this may be found iu the platform of the new "National Liberal and Con- servative Party," which lias been created out of some of the elemeats over which Sir Kobert presided during the war. It is as colorless iu respect of contentious matters as the Republican platform of Chicago, and will receive the endorsement of all safe and sauc thinkers. To judge from the provin- cial elections in Ontario, Manitoba and elsewhere the people are inclined to regard such platforms as safe and sorry. They want sometliing safe and cer- tain, or safe and speedy, or safe and sappy. They want to bo getting on, and the desire evident in some quarters to be getting back to 1914 is too influential in most of the safe and sane political platforms. It will not do totally to ignore tho most vital issues in the public mind like electoral reform, prohibition, control of profiteering. This is not to say that Sir Bobert Bor- den's administration has not been progressive. For example, his nationaliza- tion of the railways has set the pace for the continent. SOMETHING DOING HERE The Manitoba Elections Partisan politiofl received another shock from the Manitoba elections, and there have been some authorities denouncing proportional representation because the labor party was enabled under it to return members to the legis- lature according to the strength of the vote polled. The good old dyed-in-the- wool pArtisan desires to see his side in a majority in parliament, no matter how vot«e may be polled. But that is not tho democratic way. There need b« no fear of anything terrible happening because a fair proportion of labor man get into parliament. Nothing sobers men like responsibility, and the more labor men are elected the lees radical will be their demands as they begin to see and understand the difficulties to be met in changing earth into heaven -while the inhabitants continue to be plain, everyday citizens. Ob- jection is also taken by some to the possibility of the group system of gov- ernment being introduced into parliament. But the problem is really whether the groups are to be dealt with in or out of parliament. We have the group system at present. The difference is that the groups now have to make terms with one or both of the old parties before or during an election, and this is what causes most of the corruption and the degenerate politics so loudly complained about. If the groups get their own representatives into parlia- ment their proceedings there must be public, and the members are responsible to the voters, who acquire more influence by this method than under the two-party system. It should bo noted that the objections to proportional representation are raised only by the upholders of tho "machines" under the old party system. The machines cannot survive in tho old way under the new system, and the only mourners are tho machine workers themselves. The experience of the Ontario legislature indicates that Manitoba will have little or no difficulty in forming a government, and that it will be responsive to the wishes of the people, which, after all, is the great virtue about any gov- ernment. THE BRAIN BOX By E. Cunn-Ramtay Fuel Still Urgent Problem An excellent idea was given effect in placing fuel control under the rail- way board. Coal shortage is due as much to lack of proper transportation facilities as to anything else. Kecent statements of the number of cars, run- ning well into six figures, of loaded coal held in the neighborhood of Buf- falo, indicates a lack of system in handling this staple. It is obvious that a great part of the coal requirements of Ontario must be handled during the summer, as in winter weather blockades aro apt to precipitate delays. It is not too much to urgo dealers to make their deliveries as early as possible, and consumers to lay in their store at the first opportunity. The railway board should have power to forward coal shipments held under demurrage by any coal dealer to any other dealer who would accept delivery. Much of the trouble is duo to the use of coal wagons as storage bins. There should be no hesitation about getting all the coal possible stored away before the pressure of the cold weather begins. In this connection tho idea of municipal coal yards for tho supply of those citizens who arc unable to purchase their fuel except iu small ({uuntitles at a time, demands attention. A comparatively small quantity iu each municipality would rcliuvc a great deal of real distress and eliminate much extortionate over-charging. Cases have been known where anything from four to eight times regular prices have been charged for small lots to those unable to buy in the usual way. Revelations Being Made It has been a time of revelations and tho end is not yet. Mr. Murdock 's reflections on the Uuard of Commerce chairman and his allegation that mem- bers of tho government were not in sympathy with tho presumed objects of the Board did not "draw" the government to any great extent. Correspondence was laid on tho table in parliament, and tho opposition did not press for an investigation. Tho Port Arthur enquiry discovered somebody at last willing "to talk Turkey". A Fort William contractor, William II. Orecr, swore he paid Col. 11. A. C Machin $1,000 for his iulluonco in getting him a timber berth, and that ho had subsequently talked tho matter over with Premier Uearst and told hira the blocks bo wanted, being promised consideration. IIo did not suggest that Premier Hearst know anything about the money payment. He had put up $1,000 on other occasions as well as this one. Col. Machin de- nied the story and said there was a "bad mistako somewhere", and that bo was out of public life for good. Sir William Hearst stated that ho had never at any time heard of any bribe being offered or accepted iu connection with tho administration of Lands, Forests and Mines. Hir William might have heard a great deal had he been willing to listen, and it has been in the public mind for a long time that a politician too iunocent to know what is going on in his own party is scarcely a competent leader in a great province liko On- tario. There was s very considerable smoke in tho three or four years pre- ceding the last election and subsequent to Sir .lames Whitney's illness. It should not have taken much shrewdness to suHi)eet tho existence of some fire. At all events the public were jiast the su.spiciun stage and rendered thoir verdict last October. Other verdicts aro under consideration. -rt.Kr.J^ •*'* " ^ORE » this town that Bbuito merely to CATCH TRADEI Every store m OUR TOWN is built aixl cooducted to DESERVE trade. There isn't a BUSINESS man here who doesn't DEPEND upon thi people in this town and surrounding territory for allâ€" or mosh-of his IN- COME And it B the AIM and STEADFAST PURPOSE of these men to SERVE you faithfully and thereby strengthen the Gommerdal and moral nv sitionofOURTOWN. This town of ours 1$ a NATURAL shopping and business center for aO this prosperous region. The selections possible in aDkmds of MERCHANDISE and anidwfc of TRADING SERVia are as great here as any place in the land-and the PRICES more often are LOWERâ€" because thw have never been IN- FLATED. This TOWN and its MERCHANTS wish to bow aD of vou BET. TER. You ought to know THEM better. This is possible when WE all do ALL of our TRADING AT HOMF Then it is mutual SERVICE Foolish Francesca By Olive Wadsley (Continued from last W6«&.i He looked back once to see Frankie waving gaily. "Pourquoi past" he murmured again. The Sport of Kings Horse-racing has been described as the sport of kings, and so have several other forms of sport. If there be any more royal sport than yacht-rnciug it is not generally practised. Certainly such yachting as has taken place since 1861 in eompetiliou for tho "America" Cup" is altogether of the sterling sovereign description. When it was won by the United .States yacht "America" in 1851 it was as tho result of an entirely new principle in ynchtbuildiug being pitted against tho old. Tho skim-dish idea came in in 18tt) when the first race was won by such a vessel with a centre-board. The first yacht race ever sailed wis in lli<)2, when (Jharles 11. had a yacht, the "Jamie," of 25 Jons, built at Lambeth, and matched it against a Dutch yacht under tho Duke of York, winning tho race from Greenwich to Oravesend and back, and steering himself i)art of the time. It was after the IS-Jfi roco that J. (;. Stevens commissioned George Rteers of New York to build a racing schooner to go to Knglnnd. Steers built the "America" of 170 tons. She crossed the Atlantic, but declined to compete against tho other yachts at Cowes for tho Queen 's Cnp, on account of refusing to concede tho time allowance due to tho smaller yachts. The Yacht Squadron was made up of good sports and they decided to give the visitor a race without any time nllownnco. Tho course was round the Isle of Wight. Tho "America" competed against fifteen other vessels, three of the best meeting with accidents and the "America" won 18 minutes ahead of the 47-ton cutter "Aurora," but with two minutes to spare even with a time allowance. It is this cup which is now competed for under cer- tsin conditions, the chief being that the boat must be built in the country of the challenging clnb, and must proceed under sail on her own bottom to the scene of the contest. In 1887 the "Thistle" was the last boat built in Brit- ain to represent a type differing from the American yachts. "Thistle" was defeated by "Volunteer," a lighter American type. Many still believe that •^""^n^""""'"'* y'^*''' "Valkyrie III.," would have woa the challenge race in 1898 had she been given a sporting chance. Considerable feeling existed until 1899, when Sir Thomas Lipton tried with "Shamrock I." This boat and her snceessors in 1901 and 1903 were beaten and it was only in the war year that Sir Thomas brought "Shamrock IV." across ths oce«n to lie by while the world was mads safe for yacht-raeing again. Some men had their wives with them, rather pale, tired-looking women, with a certain veiled happiness in their eyes; women going back to thoir chil- dren, women going "homo" at lagt. Francesca was tho only young girl. She sat at the table below Wyuton, beside Mr. Salter, whose method of eating soup repelled her. She looked from time to time at the big captain's table longingly. Every- one there seemed so gay and happy. Mrs. Willson, the C. O.'s wife, the woman with the beautiful hands and the jeweled rings, seemed to make all tho young, burnt-looking men laugh whenever she spoke. She had, Francesca noticed, hair that shone, hair that looked tremendously well brushed, and she was wearing a quite plain black chiffon frock. She was pale and her nose was long; but she had beautiful teeth, and a draw- ling, attractive voice. Francesca wished again that Paul 's regiment had been decent to them; but it had only called once, and once again. She supposed it was because they had always been so beastly poor. As a matter of fact, tho colonel 'a wife had determined after I'uul's death to "take Francesca up" a little; but she hail been ill, and had been obliged to go to tho hills, and afterward she had forgotten. "Who is the little girl with the curls and the funny, grown-up dressf" Mrs. Will.son asked VVynton. "Queer-looking little kid," he said lightly. "Uoven't an idea, Mrs. Will son. Look here, you will sing after dinner, won't youf I've been long- ing, waiting for tho moment ever since I knew Colonel Willson was going back in command." "Perjurer and ilattorer," she laughed. Wynton looked at hor with an ex- pression of pained distress. "It's quite true," ho said. "You know perfectly well how I love music." "Ah, yes! So you do. It's one of your few and stable virtues, isn't it?" He strove to maintain the hurt ex- pression, and failed. They both laughed. "What o dear Christopher Wynton ist" Mrs. Willson said to her husband. "So every woman thinks," ho re- torted, smiling at her. "His nickname >s The Invincible, I believe." Anne Willson wrinkled her brow a little. "It's a pity," she said; "a pity, I mean, that he has let himself become simply that; he might be so much more." "Nailing god at his job; got his n H. 0. last year," her husband grunted. She kissed the top of his head and went off to the music room. Wynton was waiting for her, stand- ing by the piano. He played her ac- companiments â€" played them exquisite- ly. Outside, entranced, caught up in ecstacy, Francesca stood in the dark- ness, listening. Wynton nearly fell over her when) of his muiio ne came quickly out to go and fetch some music from his cabin. He held out his hand to steady her, apologizing pleasantly for his clumfiness. "Oh, it was divine, the music," Francesca said breathlessly. "I loved it." Uer odd voice, her eager eyes and parted lips held his attention. Mrs. Willson had begun to sing again; he was in no violent hurry. Ho leaned up against a pillar and, taking out his case, lit a cigarette "So you love music t" he queried. "Love it!" she said. " Phrynette used to say I love it more than I loved brother Paul." "Phrynette!" Wynton exclaimed. "What a pretty nnmel Was Miss â€" er â€" Phrynette your sistert" "In-law. Paul married her out in Burma. She is quite lovely, all pink and white and gold. She's going to marry a rotter, though, a man called Oe Vlan. He is rather dark and oiled; you know tho sort, 1 expect." "I've seen it getting about," he said briefly. ' ' But I thought you said your brother ' ' "Paul died six months ago. He got cliolera snipe shooting in the Ohilho- hav marshes. He was an awful dear." "And you are going homo after a long visit, I suppose f" Francesca laughed. "Why, I've lived iu India ever since I was eight years old, since my moth- er died. Paul had me fetched from school. Wo used to live in Paris, and I came hero and wo never went home, because we were hard up generally, and Phrynette never wanted to." ' ' Oh, I see. I suppose you will have to live with some of your people, though." She laughed again. "A second bad guess! I'm going oack to England to work, rhrynet'c loulilu't possibly keep me, you see, un- der existing circs; it would havo !)eon so uncomfortable for her, wouldn't itf And I have always longed to work, earn my own living." Wynton stared at her amazedly. She looked a child, her gestures, her manner wore both of that sans gene order which belongs to extreme youth. Sho looked so very young. He felt puzzled. "I say, I must be going," Francesca broke in regretfully. "I am sorry, but I must. Shall I see you to-morrowt" Wynton smiled. "Oh, we'll hope so," he said light- ly. "I take quite an interest in this forthcoming adventurous career." "Sans adieu, then," she said, hold- ing out her thin little hand. He took it. "I don't even know your name." "Francesca Trent â€" Frankie for short." "Does that mean permission f" It was she who was puzzled. ' ' Permission f ' ' "To relegate an Italian mortal to a gay and cheery little 'Frankief " "Oh, I seel Of conrse. Every one calls me Frankie. Pourquoi pasf" He watched her run lightly up the long deck, then turning, went in search CHAPTEB m. Tbe Moth knd the Plame. It is often the most paltry, insignifi- cant trifles which precipitate an ava- lanche of destiny. Samson's short hair, Cleopatra's preference for figs, truly trivial details both, convulsed, each in its degree, their surrounding words! Francesca 's small and wholly unim- portant sphere was whirled from its center by one of the most prosaic in- fluences â€" seasickness. .She was not seasick, and every one else, every one anyway who would have mattered in her small affair, was ill; and Wynton, whoso health was mag- nificent, and sho had the decks almost entirely to themselves. The long, smooth-rolling under- ground smell lasted a week, and every sunlit day and exotic purple night Francesca and Wynton laughed, and played, and walked together. Mrs. Salter, plain to a degree, and lament- ably limp and given to tears, asked, "What do you do, dear, all dayf" and dissolved into the self-pitiful groans of the really seasick before an answer had been given. (To Be Continued.) A Ouija Board^Theor A, J. Lorraine advances the view in the Popular Science Monthly that the ouija board is operated by the "sub- conscious mind." But this is only a name for something which is not de- fined nor described, and if it be sug- gested that each person has a subcon- scious mind of his own it does not cover the fact that the ouija board sometimes reveals facts not known to and never before known to any of those present. The ancients and the easterns have a theory which covers all that the subconscious mind theory covers, and a great deal more beside. They say that man possesses a phychic body, which is the term St. Paul ap- plies to it, as well as a physical body, and also a mental body. The psychic body is always more or less in touch with what the ancients called the Demiurgos, or what Mr. Lorraine might call the "subconscious mind" of Nature. Animals and other living creatures follow instinct becau.ie their psychic body is always in touch with this subtle medium of nature. In cer- tain people this relation is more de- veloped than in others and as the psychic body or "subconscious mind" of nature holds a record of everything that has ever happened these "people can gain access to such records and may reproduce them through ouija boards, by automatic writing, or in other ways. It is a reversion, how- over, to the methods of the lower ani- mal consciousness. By his mental body man may come in touch with the real mind or "mens" of nature, which is practically omniscient, but for this a singular purity and selflessness of character are necessary. This mental body is called ia Oreek the soma pneu- matikon. The human race is now in process of developing this vehicle of eonaoionansM. TH£BE'S NO I>IiAOE LIKE HOME. A simple old motto, seen, often with pathetic inference, upon the walls of the humblest of dwellings, and again in residences that iack nothing of comfort or ease. It is a motto shared universally by rich and poor, the feeling of content- n.ent and pride in "home." "Home." To every race and indi- divual, this simple word conjures up a different vision. To Canadian and British boys fighting in France, the somewhat unpicturesque name of "blighty" brought to them visions of "home." Occasionally they would get an- noyed at the word, as heard upon the lips of some bumptious fellow recruit nhose homeland differed from theirs. ' He seems to think his country's the only place on earth" was their inward comment, as the stranger boasted of the wonders of his home' town and the clever things done by his fellow coun- trymen. It reminded them a little too for- cibly of the little emigrant families whe would insist year after year upon doing things in the same old way with the insistance that " ^e always did it this way at home." "There's No Place Like Home." How it comes up time after time in every one of us, even the best, even the worst, the things that my mother can do, or the things that "we used to do at heme" or "you should see the things they make where I came from. ' ' Ah! deep down in our hearts, e\'ery one of ue have that kind of feeling that there really is no other place can just beat "home." Funny, isn't it, and yet true. The variest scoundrel of a man will yet ritain this sneaking regard for the tender associations of his boyhood days. Whyf Because, after all, he feels it was "home" that made him, home that gave him the beet vision of life, even though he has since fallen short of it. Yet, with all our regard for the home of the family, the home where we were brought up, how little after all of true pride we have in Canada to-day, for the home which expresses our country, the ' ' home ' ' of our nation's life. When you come to think of it, it v/as this motto, "there's no place like home" which made Germany so strong, and which gave her the power and the tremendous force she had. How did Germany mass together her thousands of workers in all parts of the world who, by their schemes and plots, their clever plans and intrigues, were all working to encompass the downfall of the AUiesf It was done through their pride in the homeland. To them no other place could com- pare for a moment with Germany. The evidence of their pride was scattered broadcast throughout every country where German goods were sold. "Made in Germany." They intended to impress upon the world at large that there was nothing half as good made anywhere else as the things that were made in their national home â€" Germany. In the United States to-day, we see the Americans pointing with pride to their own productions. Pride of 'I home," pride of nation, pride of po- sition is strong in America to-day. Where does Canada come inf Are Canadians singing still ' ' There '» no place like home"f Last week a man got up in public to say that the United States were getting some of the pick of Canada's young men and women. They were offered big money to go into the States to work for American concerns, and the speaker pointed out the moral that Canadians must learn to appreciate their own genius to a greater extent than now, they do not mean to allow other countries to take our best. If you must look at peaple's faults, shut your eyes. It's easy to convince spinsters that kissing is unhealthy. Sea anemones wiU exist on water nourishment for four years. Potatoes in Greenland do not grow larger than an ordinary marble. About 1865 the first steam launch appeared on the Upper Thames. In Vienna there is a cafe which has been open day and night for 150 years. If a man tells a woman she is beau- tiful she will overlook most of other lies. his A bachelor is given fair warning when a girl shows him a photograph of herself when a baby. No matter how high the cost of liv- ing goes, a wife can make her husband feel as cheap as ever. The South African government em- ploys • veterinary aurgeon to study the disAMe* of oatriehei. Eggs of different species of birds greatly differ in shape, but the yolks are invariably spherical. In Poland the Kussian language is obligatory, and it is a penal offense to speak Polish in any public resort. Bagdad is famous for its breed of white asses. Their ears and tails are sometimes colored a bright red. Some of the finest lace in the world is made by the women of the Philip- pine Islands from a strong, silky fibre obtained from pineapple leaves. Twenty-five years ago Argentina had to import its flour. Today it sells wheat to the world, the value of the annual harvest amounting to more than WOO,000,000. At a depth of two thousand fath- oms under the ee« the pressure of water is two tons to the square inch^ and the temperature ia only just above freeaing point. I