"LUCKY THIRTEEN."

Auckland Star, Volume LIX, Issue 231, 29 September 1928, Page 3 (Supplement)

"LUCKY THIRTEEN."

(By EDEN COOMBES.)

[ Ted was nearly thirteen! As his thirteenth birthday drew near, he became very good. Not. only did he chop the wood willingly, but performed many odd little jobs, which he had hitherto left for his elder brother to do. His mother, noting this, would suppress a knowing little smile, and wink to herself. Ted was promised a party! At tea one night,, just a week before the "spree," Mrs. Mason addressed Ted. "Been a good boy lately, Ted?" "Oh yea, mum," came the eager response, "I cleaned (bid's bike, mum— you know, mum, I said *Nb' when he offered me a shilling, and —and I wanted the bob, mum." "Well—," and Mrs; Mason prodilced from her apron pocket a little parcel, and passed it to Ted. "You can fill those in after tea." As quickly as possible he cut the string, and a number of dainty invitation cards fell on the table. Ted's eyes sparkled. When all was ready—ink and blotter close at hand, and Ronnie, Ted's brother, ready to offer help if it was needed, the invitation cards were set on the table to be signed—twenty-two of them! "Tommy Cooper's my cobber, so he : comes first," said Ted, and, signing his name, put it in an envelope. Every card ;was filled in and sealed in a tiny envelope to match. The party was to be a real boys' affair, Ted afterwards delivered the cards to his friends, riding his father's bike. A few days later, Ted, with his dog Sharp (there was one other dog, Glen, a vicious, bad-tempered brutef, made bis way across the fields round his home to the little bridge over the stream, where he had spent countless hours fishing—l might add that they were spent in vain. Here he took up his position on the top rail to watch for Ins chum, Tommy Cooper. They had arranged to meet there, to discus 3 the party, and of course, the cake. For some time Ted watched, but Tommy failed to appear. Somebody else did, though. It was Colin Murphy, Ted's "enemy." He came briskly, whistling some jaunty tune. Ted saw him and slipped to the floor of the bridge, intending to make for home, when Colin broke into a run.

"Hey—kid! I want you," he called. Ted hesitated, then suddenly a thought flashed into his mind—he hadn't invited Colin to his party. That settled it. Running as fast as his sturdy legs would carry him, Ted cut for home. As he raced for the stile, Ronnie appeared, looking quite distracted. He hastened to meet Ted, who sensed something "spishy" (to use his own slang term).

"Ted—l eay—there's no party," announced Ronnie, breathlessly. "Only— the birthday cake. Dad got word from Mr. Murphy about—about Sharp. He's beeu worrying sheep. And—and he's — you know, it's the law—he's —" "What?" gasped Ted. "He's got to be shot." Tod's face reddened. He was furious. "Eh? Sharp? Never! I tell you he did not! Sharp's dead scared of sheep. Why, he'd run a mile from a lamb. My

hat! Anyhow, who saw him?" Ted flung the last sentence triumphantly, but was not prepared for the answer. "Mr. Murphy saw him. Colin said it was your dog. They shot at him—but missed." Ted looked staggered. "What—about—the party?" "There's none," answered Ronnie. "The money went to pay for the sheep." Miserably, Ted turned away, and made his way back to the bridge. Ronnie made no attempt to stop him, for he, too, was fond of Sharp. Poor Ted! His train of thought was somewhat confused. Sharp wa» not going to be shot —not if Ted knew anything about it! With many an agitated glance behind, Ted hurried up the road, round the bend, and along to his friend's home. Tommy Cooper was not at home, io Ted set off alone. As his chum had been sent on a message, perhaps they would meet. Mile after miJe was left behind. Ted was tired, dusty, and disappointed. . . No party, Sharp in danger—Sharp innocent. Sheep! Oh, how he hated sheep! At last a lorry came, and he was offered a ride. Aching for sympathy, Ted poured out his tale of woe to the kindly driver. When the story was finished the man said, "Are you quite sure the dog ; innocent?" • "Sure? Yes. Sharp—never! I—" "And what are you going to do about it," interrupted the driver. "Run off with Sharp?" "I'm stopping wit h him tilj I find him a home?" replied Ted. The lorry was - leered into a earshed near a cottage am J the driver alighted. "You can come in and have some tea, Ted," he remarked. "We'll give Sharp a home here." Meanwhile, Ronnie had visited all Ted's friends and told them how the party had been cancelled. Disappointment ran high. Tommy Cooper, however, looked very mysterious, and remarked that he had a plan. Before noon, Tommy had called a meeting of all the disappointed boys, and told them his idea. When they dispersed, they had regained their usual high spirits, and hastened home as though bent oil some purpose.

Ted had tea at the driver's home, and made friends with Ken, the lorry-man's son, who was just Ted's age. After tea, Ted was taken back to the bridge in the lorry, when Ken had promised to bike up and play with Ted on his birthday. Sharp was left behind.

It was not long after sundown when Ted was left at the bridge. As* he crossed the paddock he met Mr. Murphy, and Colin. Ted saw, with horror, that Mr. Murpby carried a gun. But Sharp was safe. "Where's that dog?" he asked. "Dunno! I lost him," lied Ted. Xo amount of questioning or threatening would induce Ted to give them any satisfaction. "If there's any trouble with the sheep to-night " and Mr. Murphy scowled. Ted met Ronnie, but told him nothing of Sharp. Late that night Ted fell asleep. No party . . . He was rudely awakened next morning by Ronnie shaking him.

"Wake up! Colin says they've shot Sliai >. I'm going along." Ted's blood ran cold. He dressed quickly, and followed Ronnie to Murphy's.

Here he found theirt examining a lifeless dog. Ted's heart bounded. It wabn't Sharp—though very much like him. It was Glen! Sharp was safe— innocent—Glen had been caught worrying sheep.

Colin turned.to Ted. "I'm awfully sorry, Ted. I—I—"

"You made a mistake." said Ted, looking embarrassed. "Er —how about coming up after to help me eat my cake?"

-As Ted sat on the bridge waiting for Colin and Ken, a little party of boys appeared round the bend, carrying baskets. Tommy Cooper called, "Many happy returns, Ted. We've come to the party." "Hut—didn't Ronnie tell you—?" began Ted. Then he saw- Ken —carrying a basket —but, Sharp was beside him. Briefly the boys explained. Ken's father had been speaking to Mr. Murphy that morning, and taken tlie news of Sharp's innocence home to Ken. Of course, knowing the danger was over, Ken had brought Sharp with him. But about the party. Every boy had bought a basket of eatables. (It was Tommy Cooper's idea.) Some had cake, others sandwiches, fruit, and drinks.

Ted was to have his party!

As he cut the cake, watched, by the admiring eyes of twenty-four friends, Ted thought, "Is thirteen lucky?" And then aloud, "Sharp's first. Here's a bit of cake for Sharp."