THE FAIRY RING

Evening Post, Volume CXVII, Issue 71, 24 March 1934, Page 10

THE FAIRY RING

'*IF'l WERE KING ..." ... ■-. ■ , » (Elizabeth Bisland, in "The Children's Hour.") "If I were a king," he said, , "And you were just a lowly beggar maid, :- With my strong hand I'd lift you to my side 'And crown you queen; andin the great king's bride Men would not know, Or would forget, the beggar maid." r ' "If I were queen," she said, "And you, a careless wandering minstrel, strayed To my fair court, I'd set you on the throne, And being there, the greatest king e'er known, I would kneel down And serve you as your maid." ... ......

FOILING- THE DESERT RAIDERS

(Written fey Cavell Nlchol, 18, for the Ring.) JERET PABKEJ3 yawned as lie shifted Ms lanky legs from.*the bed next to his. and drew from his pocket a none-too-clean handkerchief with which, he mopped his perspiriDg face. It wasstiflirig in the long barrackroom of the big gloomy barracks situated outside the famous Arab town of Sidi-bel-Abbas. Jerry Parker had only joined ;the French Foreign Legion the week previously, and had found it to be a dreary old place where there was nothing but fatigue party parades, and bad-tempered officers; who thought nothing of calling one "son of a pig" and far worse! :'■.. How he pined for active service! But no call came through, even, though ■things were rather hot in Arab circles. The rebel leader, Abu Osinan, was endeavouring-to stir .tribes against the Legion, and sometimes raided neighbouring towns, plundering, killing, and firing the dwellings of the inhabitants. The Legion was out to stop this tribe and arrest Abu Osman on various charges whiih would put him away in prison for. a, good many years. Many attempts to capture an isolated fortress :in the desert had so-far met withno success. The garrison in the barracks, not far outside the town of Sidi : bel-Abbas, was ready for immediate departure to march to the rescue of the fort should it be in difficulties. Jerry was longing for the time when h3 should hear the bugle- sound the alarm, but so far no call had come. Just then the door opened and a young fellow entered, bearing in his hand a razor and shaving soap. There was a look of disgust on his freckled face as he slumped down beside Jerry. . "What's up now, Freck?" grinned Jerry as he looked at the woe-begone face.. ■■' . ■ " ' ■ . "Shaving mug's been pinched!" "Cheer up, Sunshine," grinned Jerry. "I'll lend you mine." He rose and crossed to his box and lifted the lid, then a gasp escaped his lips as he peered into the box, ' "My shaving brush has gone," he yelled. He bellowed in fury untilthe door opened and a brutal face peered into the white-washed room. "What's all this shouting .for, hern?'.' he roared, striding towards the two legionaries. Jerry bit off a gasp that rose to his throat as he saw that it was Sergeant Swartz, the biggest bully in the Legion, and he sprang to attention, Freckles at his side. "Why all.the shouting, hem?" he bellowed. "My shaving brush had disappeared," said Jerry quietly. A hoarse, sarcastic laugh brpke from. Sergeant Swartz as he peered at the two bleus. . "So the little poy has lost his brush, hem?" he sneered. "You'll learn before you're much older that hero things disappear more-often than you wish." . A hot retort sprung to Jerry's throat, but was never uttered, f6r ji warning nudge from Freckles warned him just in time. Both knew the folly of answering back the terror of the Legion. Non-commissioned officers wielded immense power. At tho slightest excuse the bullying Sergeant Swart* would have them clapped in irons. , "Do not shout any more over trifles," Swartz barked harshly, turning to leave. "Any more of it and I vill haf you whipped." He went from the room, and the pals began to breathe freely again. Just then the blast of a bugle rang out, and Jerry leapt to his feet with a shout of joy. Freckles fearfully looked at > the door, expecting to-,see the ugly head of the bully reappear again,..but he did not come. "That's the order to fall-in, for marching,". Jerry told Freckles, excitedly. It was active service at last. The face of Sergeant ■ Swartz again appeared in the doorway. .. "Out on parade—instantly!" he bellowed. "Do you hear, you . good-for-nothing dogs? On parade—at the double!" Jerry and Freckles dashed out to join . tho rows of men that were strung out on the sun-baked parade ground. But a'disappointment awaited the, pals, for they found .that though their services were urgently needed out in tho desert it was impossible for the relief force.to march out on a moment's notice. Half-trained recruits had to receive a filial hurried training. Newstores and equipment had to be hande"d out, and a hundred and one routine matters had to be attended to. The nest day or two passed on leaden wings. Every member of A and B Companies of the Beserve Battalion at Sidi-bel-Abbasv was kept hard at it from early morning till late at night. Buf. at last the fateful day dawned, and, even as the sun rose in. a blinding light, Jerry,. Freckles, and all the rest were lined up and marched out of the barracks,, through the noisy streets of Sidi-bel-Abbas itself, and on to the vast sea .of sand which la/beyond. 1 There followed for the recruits four days of torment. The sun was unbearable. The soft sand'made forced marches a torture. Water was only issued sparingly, the food being meagre and of the coarsest. On the fourth night Captain. Graptin, who was in command, realised that unless a halt was made the; men would arrive too'weary to fight, and so he gave the order, : '■ ■■■..■•U'.-.-'-:';: ,■ - ■ ■ ' • . , Early on the fifth day the .column was again on the march, and later the. men could hear the distant explosions of rifles and the screams of Arabs as they pressed to the attack of the fort, which was in a desperate plight. White-clad rebels were charging forward in a bunch, yelling their war-cry ■with, a ferocity that made Jerry shudder. . "Advance!" barked Captain Graptin, and the column moved forward, as yet unobserved. roared Sergeant Swartz. "Advance firing." ■' The Legion broke, into a shambling run, while flame leapt from the hot rifles./ The j Arabs began to fall, while the remainder turned with screams of rage and dismay. They were caught between two fires. "Why, there'sold Abu Osman overthere," gasped Freckles to Jerry, who was firing_ rapidly into the packed masses of Arabs. He stopped to look in the direction his pal pointed, and saw a huge swarthy man with a black beaid, who was cursing fluently in Arabic, and urging his men to retreat firing at the legionaries. . • The column plunged towards the fort, long bayonet protruding from the muzzles of the rifles they held in their hands. The fort 'gates swung open quickly to swallow the column as the rebels massed for another attack. Legionnaires manned the walls grimly as the distant figures poured down the slope on camels and horses, yelling furiously- their war-cry to the cloudless skies. - - .-- -"TJI-ul-ul-ullah! Ho akbar!" Whooping, Jerry and Freckles leapt to the fort walls, levelling their rifles as they did so. But this time many of the Arabs turned'tail and ran Their nerves were gone altogether. The Arab attack was a complete failure The fort was saved! . Cheering legionaries thronged the fort walls,* as gleefully the two pals Jerry and Freckles, shook hands. They had-wanted active service and had'received it. - , : . Just then a, huge negro passed them, bearing in his'hands'two shaving' brashes! !. , J "My brush!" came the howl from two throats, and the'two pals set: off in. hot pursuit after their property. •

"STORY-MAKERS' CORNER"

"Italian Rose."— Promising verse. tTse fewer adjectives and leave more to the reader's imagination. It's a daintypoem, nevertheless. "Puddia.''— But it } nearly brought tears . . . and we must make laughter in our Ring; , ' "Hunca Munca." —A well-written story . . .' your work grows tetter every week.

OUR ANGELS

V There are two angels that attend un--6 seen ■ f\ Each one of us, and In great books II record V Our good and evil deeds. He who 9 writes down . :. A The good ones, alter every action doses II His volume, and ascends with It to : X God. • . ¥ The other keens his dreadful day-hook l\ open : W Tilt sunset that we may repent; which : x doi.in . \ 7 The record of the action fades away, M And leaves a. line of white across the U page- ... : i Longfellow.

THE BUTTERFLY COACH

: • ■ (Original.) One night I dreamed that I went to Fairyland and that a gnome came and took me there in a beautiful , coach with two gaily-coloured butterflies for horses. Soon I was seated in the coach, with the butterflies flying over meadows and hills, till we came to the end-of-the-world.; There, 'before me, stood a lovely palace made of gold and silver with pink idarble steps. "Here you must get but," said the gnome. When I stepped out I was greeted by; a crowd of fairies. They gave a feast in honour of me. We had fairy cakes with lollies on top and fairy drinks. After the feast the gnome told me to hop on the coach and I arrived home just as mother -camo tq call me. • . . "FROSTY;. JACK'? G8). . -Baitenie, - ' -

TRACING /STORY? SIGNS

FAIRIES' BEDTIME

(Found by "LuccaTlower," Brooklyn.) Have you over wondered where fairies sleep? I'll tell you. Fairies are very? particular where they Bleep and they choose their beds among the sweetest-flowers. Fairies know that when the; last red glow from, the setting sun fades from the. sky and.the first pale little twinkling, star, appears that it is their,bedtime. This is fairyibluebell, and she sleeps in one of her special flowers. The pixies gather soft moss for. her,, blanket and downy thistledown for, her pillow. She hangs her fairy crown-on a sprig of bells and snuggles underneath her mossy blanket. Oh! how good it : is to. rest in that sweet bluebell bed; and'she closed her eyes with a little sigh of happiness. Then the Gentle Evening Breezes sing her a lullaby.: "Sleep, little Fairy, sleep, The stars begin to peep. ■ Dream, little Fairy, dream : Of the moon And the. Bright Moonbeam. " ■ EuEhi She is sleeping!

Fairiel Sends an Answer td

RULES OF THE RiINC

1. Address letters to Fairlel. "Fairy Ring." "Evening Post," pity, Cl. 2. Tell your age. name, and address at well as your pen-name. 8. Always say whether your work Is original or topied. 4. Do drawings on unllned whits paper, in pencil or India Ink. 5. Leave a margin when writing stories or verse, and write one side of the paper/: 8. The Ring closes at 4 o'clock on Wednesday's, so post early In the week. Visiting hours to the Fairy Ring are three to four o'clock on weekdays.—FAlßlEL.

"Bushranger," Belmont.— Rather . . .1 have a small golden one with a white chrysanthemum of a tail. Imagine her? Joy Kibblewhlte, Belmont.—We're ever so glad to write your name In our Big Book, but there is another "Joy." Choose again. ' "Hunca Munca," Taihape.—l wonder how they keep their seats; those bucking horses seem to toss and roll more than any ship in a storm. Good luck wishes for that sports day. "Puddln," City.—Very soon. Have you a tale or the ragamuffin season ready ? "Margaret," .Ngahau School.—You had to co such a long way to flnd them, elf, 'cos sumJuVbelun." 0 «•»•■«*'""turn* has not "Betty," Ngahau School.—Was the prize for .as™. orh*:iorMnß<itia"Eleanor," Ngahau; School.—l'd: love to meet ■ SS,.. 0". 8 l ay *? 11 !he' s wearing that "very . best" frock. Did you make It? "Ada," Ngahau School.—picnics! I love them ; . .but Ive never won'a prize like you. Were there blackberries, hiding nearby? "Ronald," flflahau School.—That schooTTas ; .must make:you feel very 'portant. Is It like ; tne one the.busman wears?/ , i'^'hl:" ri Nia''aU s°h<>ol.^Dl<r you?; Perhaps Li-M rdJ 0U • • • cos you sing to the .whole .world when you go-to 2YA." ■ ' -•: ■

"David," Ngahau. School.—And rttd you hear wtncli was Billy? , Perhaps you'll go, some "^wili?" ,Nl£ hV! "Schooll-Bcads for dolly's birthday? That's a present she'd love.' "Una," . Ngahau School.— You'll want 'to stay and stay ~ . when you go-^lt's such

fun; "lan." Ngahau. School.—And do' you like the . new one better/ Pjbcie? / , uu. UKe lue "Dorothy.'■ Ngihau School.—Of course you! do ' thi n f 6 ? ? Ui? •"X. haiipy sch6oi aid teacher thinks of jolly things for you to' do ■

"Irene," Ngahau School.—Did jou go nnd was It exciting? I 'sped going-home time seemed so long In coming. "Lfttlß* Margarot," Ngahau School.— Was'it a surprise' She told me you had a specially nice message.

"V,* tle Bi"y." Ngahau School.—l expect sou like going to see Karma. Have jou taken her to see your school yet?

"Lrii Fl eU!"'h 9 ily-—A T yJsOocl ll ?Il t to?- lass- "Chatterbox," Soatoun.—Rajah's an imperious 111 watch for them to be still better. pet. I think you must spoil him. There are "Stitehbird," Karori.—The first was already in whispers of scrapbooks on all sides 'of the the Book of Names, so the second it had to Ri "S- v " : "Antiope," Scatoun.—Yes . . . mornings are "Lassie," Kelburn.—Small mauve daisies from best for older ehes t0 visit. We'll talk my early morning visitor. There's a cloak about "cabbages and kings" then, over hills and clouds that almost matches "Wanda." Seatoun.—l'm longing to meet tllem- -.;"•■ ■ ■• ~ "Blllie Bluegum." Are jou going to take "Twmk," Island Bay.—There's a small parcel hlm t0 the talr? Bln S folk will love your waiting for you here at the Ring. Will you sketch. ! .•■;.. ~;,:.-".-Y'■-.-' call or shall. I entrust it to Postie? "Daisy Dawn," Karori.--iAnd' I thought you'd "Golden Buttercup," Brooklyn.—And a lone been stolen away I Yotfve .worked so hard mysterious parcel in my cupboard for you at that Easter sketch : ; .;. It's'jolly 1 . ... there's wet-day joy inside! .. "Belle of New; York," Newtown.—lt was ever Rose;", Island Bay.—We'll work at the f° dc, ar 1! 7°u' bui.v'" • noweTer did you verses until they are up'to standard Per- Kn°f ? ml And how did you come to rememhaps you could call at. the Ring one day ber? The fairies neTer whispered .. . See "Storymakers- Corner." "Pollyanth us," Nijaio.—Glad you liked it elf Captain Peggy,;', Lyall Bay.—lt's "a song of The sun must have been shining at Waikanae the road . . . of the night-noises and '. .- It quite ■ deserted us here. ' scurrying^ animals that motorists see In the "Punch," City.^-Ob, yes I . -But ■where ' Rlaro or their headlamps. • i know not . tt nmst be a ho uday. Are'you'

"NEW PIXIES . •. .

"Captain Kit" (II) City "Slitchblrd" (9) ....; Karori 'Italian Rose" (15) ..'. .' Island Bay Joy Kibblewhite (6) .' Belmont "Bippling "Water.-^-Write to "Bushranger," care of Mrs.' Gowie, Belmbjit. Elves who sent after-Wednesday letters will find their answers next' Saturday. Catch Postie early next week.— JTairiel, < "Ronnie," Ngahau School.—Tou are a lucky

Ronnie," Ngahau School.—Tou are a lucky lad. Does he take jou fishing or to-watch him play cricket sometimes? "Mario," Ngahau School.—Soon he'll be big enough to go to school with you; I wonder if 'he'd like it now'l "Marie Louisa," Ngahau School.—The happiest wishes for the birthday that's Just gone, four-year-old. Did they sing the birthday song to you? "Lillie," Ngahau School Just like a grown-up. Don't miss it, will you, elf. "Princess Pat," Palmerston North.—You won't forget a mystery you've solved by keeping open eyes, will .you? It's the' best way to learn a lesson, clllldie. "Judith Wood," Picton Her address is: Betty Allan, 27 Queen Street, Petone. You'll have to put up a notice in your garden—"Lizards, Beware!" "Goldilocks," Newtown.—lt sounds the loveliest place for a picnic. . . . She must be a splendid "Brown Owl" to think of it. "Dismal Desmond," City.—They were grand, lass. Have you made any. new pictures? "Quoen of the Bluebells," Ngaio.—Splendid! .We'll need a large troupe.of elves to carry ...■our scrap-books to the little people. . "C," Eastbourne.—A good yam, lad, but I think you could have chosen a more cheerful subject. xTry again. ' "Sea Bird," Eastbourne.—The small story's sweetly told. Your very own work, pixie? "Wind Sprite," Eastbourne.—Good work, small one. Keep on trying and one day ■ there'll be a story in the Ring. "Marianna," Moera.—A day -of- fun- and sunshine It must have been. We'll be hearing from Barotonga very soon, elf. : "Starbeam," Moera.—lt was' vexing," pixie, but after all It was against the v rules, and rules are always Important ... .'specially In games. "Sea Pixie," Brooklyn -Thank. ybir for thai Eolden poem and the small story. "You'll soon be old enough ;to make of your own, .': pixie. /TV;: '-, ,:,":-'V;' :;'=/:;":.;.:;■.>.'': '■ : ' ;"Hiir Nymph,"//Rbsenaath.—^ AndU there's something of a mermaid about >youy • too. Why vdld the little princess ot your story have to prick her finger? :- / ■'.. J.v^^Si/."-'-';. ■.-•-: "Tabbys'kln," Brooklyn.—Were ithe t others \ too ; big a. tangle to; unravell.,?- It was^such a fat letter and a giant-.sheet':9t:;)iotep!aperl,: .n\ "Penny 4Ja'penny,'?S.Hateitall^—i.; ; expect-^he thought be should' be;;havingTbreakfast -too.1 Is it an original or 'copied .story »:. .',: the Eastery one?.,-. ■■ :-::..-J ■ ■ ■:['•■':'^ '■'■',•■. ■ ■;

OUR .OWN VERSES

"BLEDISLOE PARK:" ' (Original.) ■w«l c ? Ind'"e Paths and rustic steps. JL?™*? le. aTes crack"ns underfoot," w^ira^eTaW^v/zr 816^1111"610^The can of birds across the way MaZ^a^o^of Jo h y atbend ?? "*• Above life's restless road. Palmerston North. , "ASIM." "THE CROW." (Original.) A crow a piece of cheese espied, T"rown out upon the green, ' l .?? e rt it fl J Ti, U b? nice'" she s'sbed, ThPn"^ nt.to give a-Queen." Then down she swooped upon the cheese i«HTo gather up the prize, t°m si' e.^ ew amoDg the tows This dainty dish to size. •Then air. r O i cama trotting on, , .J"st at the fall of night? 4nd"! the great big bird had gone He didn't have a bite 1 Cross Creek. "GREEN LILT" »«• "FAIRYLAND." (Found by Lucca Flower, 11, Brooklyn.) f"f s listening-in" ls now tne thln I m quite prepared to state That even dear old fairyland Will soon be up-to-date I feel'quite sure the fairies will Fina programmes soon prepare r£ d S^' the blueb«'« chiming' out Upon the scented air. KSnf, k ll!le?, Wll on. And listen to the chimes And say they've- never known i before Such grand, exciting times^. "EVENTIDE." A bird's shrill song afeventlds . . A hush as. sunset fades to night . . Clouds gather . . . silver moonbeams slide Across, the skies in brilliant light Karori. - : "SCRIBE BOf A-"

"TWO BABES"

Today; when I came home from school, I ■happened- to hear" a. "baby crying, : next, : dtor, so I looked, • and there was Sandy, the puppy, pulling all the blankets off; the :unfortu'nate babyi •??* v thne''i: looked,' Sandy was terribly busy burying the poor baby's bedclothes. Now; Sandy is in disgrace. My Karori cousin has a dear wee baby boy. Tomorrow I am going down to see him. I have tohelp to name him, too."

"LITTLE GLADNESS" (12) Karori.- .

"A BROWNIE PICNIC"

"On Saturday afternoon, St.' James' Brownie Pack went to our Brown.. Owl's place for a picnic. We all took cakes or biscuits for-.afternoon tea. When we arrived there, we were so hot that we sat-down, on the lawn and-.had. afternoon; tea, while Brown Owl supplied the soft drinks. After that we.played many games, and climbed hillSj because it was at the'boti;om.-of Mount Victoria; After climbing. ,to, the top, /we were .rewarded*.jvith;a view of the city and the harbour. " -Then we had- a game: of hide-and-seek. Of course, there were a lot of prickles into which we all fell. By that time we were all very tired, so we climbed down again. After that we returned home, feeling tired but happy." ' . . "GOLDILOCKS" (9)'. Nawtown,

} PIXIES-dF-THE-RING: ' " '"' TV*.""."""".'. T'"'' "" " X ■ Have you been peeping at the newest, Easter- eggs? I have I "-..- . . and are so gay in their bright tinselly wrappings that the f shop windows look almost like Christinas again. There are the 1 tiniest ones for little people and giant ones for mothers and = fathers or the biggest uncles you happen to possess. And a secret! J ... the tiny ones are the nicest, 'cos they have the dearest yellow £ chicks a-top and they're chocolate-sweet inside. In the giant ones A there are only "sensible" things that mothers and fathers and J uncles like. f Save all the bits of tinsel wrapping you can collect from 1 Easter eggs, elves, and I'll shoio you how to make a picture of h them. It's quite easy for pixies who like making things. J Now for my very special Easter egg from the Ring, I'd like I a letter-box packed with stories, verses, and sketches for an EosA tery page. Printer-man wants everything by Wednesday, elves, so £ that means hustle-bustle if your work is to find a corner on Salurk dayy Love and wishes for end-of-summer fun to you. \ FAIRIEL

LEFT IN CHARGE

(Original,'' by Nellie Donovan.) M E s w? Ll fA^ V¥^'^ appy-- Whether ifc as «« or tha singing of the birds, Mr. Wiggins did not know of t«. OT ,/ S H Ww 6v loig-^e road > he thought of the refreshing cup "Wh45. 6 are W6 B°in^ grandpa?" piped a small voice. it .?' lgf nf T? nee Ad slightly- He hated to be called "grandpa," beeausa it made him feel old. And he was not. No! Decidedly not! oecausa insisted the -voice.' "Eh!" said Mr. Wiggins, awakening with a start. "Oh-er Jane we'ra going to see a man.." He was going to add "about a dog," but heTtho^rht .£™ra*L ' MS grandaau^hter had a fea? of cats and dogs "Where, grandpa!" asked Jane. " Just along here. You can be a good girl and.play in the warden » "I don't want to play in a silly ole garden." Jane was stubborn "I .want to see a big town. I want to go to London " , »l"°°°rn. i Mr Wiggins started. Had he heard aright? Want to go to LondonT "Ao not today," he said firmly. "Perhaps some other day" ljOn<l<mT And he quickened his steps hastily. Jane stopped suddenly, pulled Mr. Wiggins up with a ierk and Wanted her sturdy legs firmly in the centre of the road. planted 'I want to go to London! I want to go to London!" And two lar~o blue eyes brimmed over with tears. 6 Stop^at oTieP' 1"8 looked fearfully UP and. down the road. "Jane! Janet "I want to go to London! "Jane sobbed. * I' 1? 1 PV? 7 0u« 3 chocolat6 biscuit for afternoon tea." But Jane was not to be bribed. "I want to go to London!" Mr. Wiggins felt himself weakening. "Very well " he saifl iritt, , <=;„*, £"£! S? ?* -1v t 3' Va? iShiDg °n th° horizonf aTd 'all the hap^thougfta he had died within him. Jane was instantly all smiles u"gnra m°? *he T roa, d t0 £ c railway station, Mr. Wiggins thought bitter thoughts Why had Jane's mother taken it into her head to go out for the day and leave him at the mercy of this unruly granddaughter? 7 * London 67 dld *Ot haTe long tO Wait f°r a traLn' and " svere SOOXL rushin S off to tw*?" Wi, ggins said h? w°uld »ever.forget that journey. Jane's mother saia that Jane had an imaginative mind, ,but how she thought of all thn« questions—Mr. Wiggins pondered, and, gave it up. W^ thj^f half-hola, r they mingling with the crowd in London. <<n S ~, c claPPed her lands,, as a double-decker bus passed bT. "Grandpa, let's go for a ride in a bus." , T .--H r-,^ ViSg^ was led with a rush across the road, his coat-tails flyine behind him. They boarded a bus. Mr. Wiggins did not care where it waf .going as long a$ it went. Up scrambled Jane to the top .deck, and for the next ten minutes Mr Wiggins had peace, for Jane was.too busy looking everywhere to ask Questions* , a I 1 Zf a stifling hot day, and Mr. Wiggins mopped his brow with a large red handkerchief. He had on his usual thick black coat, and hanging on the crook _of his arm was his black umbrella. Wherever Mr Wiggins went ho took his umbrella. He looked on it rather as an old friend. Mr. Wiggins was m no hurry to get off that bus, but the hard hearted conductor demanded that or another fare paid, so Mr Wisgms took the lesser of the two evils. _ Before them loomed a large grej* stone building. It looked cool and myiting. Outside was a notice which said, "British Museum." Jane and Mr Wiggins disappeared within. ' It was certainly cool, as Mr. Wiggins said afterwards, but he wished he had never heard of musenms. J He felt sure he had been over the buildmsr four or five times, but Jane had other views, and she urged him back aeam and agam to see "The ugly man's skull," or "The lovely little woolly bear." Mr. Wiggins was heartily.sick of it all. At last he could stand it" no longer, and^ he literally dragged Jane put of the building. 3 His- one idee WaVioObtain a cup'ofjtea, and rest has tired feet "I want -f? lc.^ r? a *n» grandpa.*,, Jane felt d^endedly hot, and had taken off her hat, tne ribbon of which was dragging- on the footpath "Here^you are, Jane." Threepence was pressed into a hot little hand - and Jane darted into a...sweetshop. Mr. Wiggins was alone. Free! A. wild idea entered his head to dis- ! appear. How easy it would be to mingl© with the moving crowd' Thea Jane s tear-filled blue eyes appeared before him Ho brushed the thought aside. -"y b Jane appeared suddenly, holding a large ice cream. "Like a lick, grandpa 3" ' Jlr. Wiggins shuddered *'jSTo, thank you, Jane " With one eye he saw 2 tea snop across the road Gripping Jane firmly by the arm, he daited in ana out of the traffic and fell gasping at a table ' , _ Never had Mr. Wiggins 'such, a refieshing cup of tea. He stretched his , tired legs out under the. tablje, while Jane chattered, between licks at the ice-cream. Mr. Wiggins blocked his ears and sipped his tea. For thiee-quarters of an Siour they lingered there. That is, Mr. Wiggms did. Jane found oat that the polished linoleum between the tables made a good slide. The proprietor became very annoyed, and once more they found ; themselves in the moving throng on the streets. ' : Mr. Wiggins felt that'it was'getting late, and he suddenly pulled out his gold watch, a treasure of which'he was very proud. "Jane, do you know the time's a quarter to five? .We shall miss our train if we don't hurry, and your mother has got something for ' you if you've been a good girl." ' : ' •■■■"" Mr. Wiggins hated deception. There was a train every half-hour, but here he thought deception was necessary. Jane's eyes opened wide at the mention of the "something," and she was eager to be home. •■•.,".-• ■ "Quick, then, grandpa!" They hurried along the street towards 'the t station. They caught the five train. Jane was silent going home. Mr. • Wiggins wondered if her tongue had grown tired. He presumed children's tongues did. , >....-■ , :. . . It was dusk when they stepped out at their'station. As they trudged along the road homewards, Jane's legs seemed to fail her. "I'm- tired; grandpa." She looked appealingly up into his face. •• ■ ■ Mr. Wiggins was tired; too, very, very tired; but he had a soft spot in. his heart. .•; ' ' • l "Would you like me to carry you, Jane?" \ - "Yes,", answered Jane. "And, grandpa, I wonder what muminie las got for me if I've been a good girl? I've been a good girl, haven't I, grandpa?"'-1 ■_■'...■ . .-,.... . ■•.. .'. : . ■ But Mr. Wiggins had not the heart to say what he thought.

A DAINTY LAUNDRY MAID

A-BIG MISTAKE >

-Boys and girls who think their teachers fuss too much ■■ about, handwriting should read Lady Maud' '"War'rerider's new book on My' First Sixty Years. - •LadyMaud»>yaS geftingvujt' a. concert la w~ village haU "where* there yas no piano, and where a piano of • normal size would have taken up too much room. She wrote to a big London store and asked if they had a veiy small piano, and how much it would be.

She received a polite letter to 'say that they had small plaice, that plaice cost so much a pound, and that ; one weighing so.many ounces could be sent, ■if that would suit her.

"LITTLE BITf

TO tOVEV

. "O, Fairiel, have you 'read 'Tie Flower Patch 'Among; the : Hills' aWd •Between the. Larch woods'-'anfl •' ttte Weir,' 'by Flof a^Elickmantfr1 I •'haV.e jus£ read both.-'V''They ?re'-stunnirig books, full of descriptions- .'• .<;■; and:n6t boring descriptions ': .•-.' about: th'e-dead-est' little English cottage with a swe4t wilderness of• a garden. I cannot; tell half the beauty and reality that the author gets into those two books, and especially one chapter about the birds. They are books that'l could read again and again." ■> '. ' .- \ ... '■ . "HUNC^MUNCA" (14). ■ Taihape...'..'' ' ■ ■-. ;' • '■ ' : :

" PINE MAGIC" ?

•"I had a pleasant hour yesterday "with. 'Child o' Happiness.', We sought the pines in the Gardens, and on a shel j tered bank lay on the warm, soft needles. There is a particular joy in seeking the sky's blue through treetops. When it came time to go, though, those pine-needles were slippery as the glass mountain in the fairy tale! Talk about 'one step forward and two back'!' The ground simply slithered from under my feet ... a most undignified proceeding! Still, we survived it, and reached a gravelled path and the hill-top once more." „ " LASSIE." Kelburn.

FUN CORNER

THINK rvVICE

A WORD .SQUARE. . ■ 1. Rustic. '2. Come together. ~ v> 3. Heroine of a book by M.G. Bruco. , 4. Volume of geographical plans. 5. Smallest. y , HIDDEN WAYS OF TRAVELLING.! The n.une of a vehicle or means of travel is hidden m each of the following sentences. Can you find them? • 1. He liked to taste American dainties. 2. Come out and play ball, Oonah, dear. 3. "I stood on that rampart forty years back?" 4. A magnificent .rainbow spanned the skj. o. He was well known as a racy, clever speaker. WHAT COUNTRY IS THIS? In the search but not In the seek, ft In the point but not In the pea*, In the plume but not In tbo crest. In the trial but not in the test, In the thaw but not In tho melt, In the band* but not in tho belt In tho bird but not In the nest, Complete, a. kingdom of Europe's west. LAST WEEK'S ANSWERS. Missing Vowels: Mickey the Mouse Had a, snug little house. All papered both inside and out. What Am I?— The letter S. ' Jumbled Names: Ngaire, Josephine, Dorothy, Doreen, Shirley, Evelyn. ANSWERS BOUND BY . . . "Glorisna" (12), "Moon Princess" (12) Little Gladness" • (12), "Marianna" (14) "Tabbyskin" (10), "Brown Owl" (9), "Harold Lloyd" (10), "SunHst" "(12), '.and "Sleepingl Beauty" J8).

s 1 I , , SMILE, AWHILE

~ .AN EXCITING PASTIME. . Mr. I Smith and Mr. Brown found fishing ?™ a *low occupation that both fell asleep. v wmle \sleeping Brown fell Into the water andean he was scrambling up'the bank Smith awoke wjth a start. . 'wMo," said Smith. "Where have you been? ~ "Only to see if my bait was still there," ,was the reply. ' Customer: I've brought this pair of trousers to he reseated. You know, I sit a lot. »J ai!in r; \ eS> an? 1 hope you haTe brouf*t the bill to be receipted. You know, I've stood a lot. * * ♦ The advertisement had said "Money returned if not satisfactory," and a customer who -was far from satisfied asked for his money back "But," protested the shopman, "I am. pleased to say that I found your money entirely satisfactory." SO SLOW! Cyril Snail: Is the pond frozen over yet ? Freddy Frog:.No, but it will be, by the time you get there. FOREARMED. Visitors were expected to dinner. "Jane," said the mistress, "when, you wait at table for my guests please don't wear any jewellery." ■..■", "Well, ma'am," replied the new maid, "I have nothing of real value, but thank you all the same for the warning." SMART BOY. .Teacher: To whom does this penny belong! Bright Boy: Me, sir. ■ Teacher: Indeed! And where did you lose Bright Boy: Where you found it, sir. ' Kilbirnle. "ICK-CBEAM" (9).

"ABOUT AN,EASTER;EGG"

"The other day I took Small Brother, to town. On returning home he-found a penny in his pocket. (I think "it must have been tram-fare, forgotten.) ' He asked me if he .might go and spend it at -the.'little shop.' I saidj 'Yes, but youmust get two half-penny things and give 'Nancina' one, as she has'riot* been out." He agreed cheerfully and trotted off. In about ten minuteß he washbm'e again, with a very red face and guilty air. 'They had new Easter eggs in, so I didn't get sticks,' he saia. 'Here is the dear little chicken off the top for Nancina!" Loud roars from Nancinal" - "HINA.^

"HONEYSUCKLE AND SUNSETS"

• '* I have': a lovely piece ; off. hqney-suckleout',•<!'.-,'..Ja: whole long spray, yellow, withja. darker shade of ithe same colour on-vtheiijack. It is the,ordinary plant that grows in the hedges, of England, but'iOs very'pretty all-the same. The sunset is simply.beautiful, tonight: It is rose'and^gbldrflecked with a;rosy' haze over it. I think it is like a wondrous rosy castle set on golden rocks, above, a sky of pale blue fading into a paler hue, and a solitary star of bluewhite dazzling radiance shining in all its splendour." r. I'DAISY DAWN.'-^ (13) garori, ' :' ,

"WHITE BUTTERFLIES"

"]?a|riel —The mystery is solved at last. Those 'litrtle. shell-like forms made by caterpillars are white butterflies and they take about, three weeks to■ come out. I have been watching them on the house and it is their ■ skin'which forms the shell. As the 3time draws near, this shell becomes 'transparent and you can.see them.wriggling aroundfor about,three days beforehand; their wings seem to be all tucked up'around the' body and 'ye'*l there; is not; a crease in,;them; . At first they are very wobbly on -their feet, just. like a. baby learning'to walk. After wobbling about forl half ian hour they start to; flutte'f their wings, then it-is good-bye: to;,ihe little efifpty home on the ■tyaU^and'off they fly^ into the p; sunshine. cvTne.ir wings are a very pretty yellowy ■■'grceii which becomes whiter as time goes on. As the butterflies fly awayi other caterpillars are crawling up the house each i day to take their place. lam so glad I started to watch them, as I have learned quite a lot about them." "PEINCESS PAT"- (9). PalmerstoaSeith,

ON'THE TRAM

(A lady sent this little note to thai "Children's Newspaper" in London.) Such a kind conductor, on the tram' yesterday! I was loaded -with things from shopping ana was just thinking it •would be impossible for me to put my; umbrella up on leaving the tram. It was pouring with rain, and the conductor must have read my mind, for I said nothing to him, but he just took myj umbrella and put it up for me."

HIS SECRET

Antonio de Navairo is dead, and although he was not a famous man yet his death, has .called forth a chorus of praise. What was the secret of this love ■he inspired in everyone he met? Probably it is to be found in the tribute of Dr. Agnes Savill: Over 20 years ago he told me that'he had made a rule never to repeat what he heard to the discredit of any human being, •while at the same time he would pass on the good. I never heard that resolution broken.

SWEETMAKERS

EASTER EGGS, :-■; -Very few of you, I expect, have eyej ■tried making your own Easter eggs. . ■v;Here is an easy way of making them, •^llb (two. cupsful)- • confectioners *■ ■sugar, one white of egg, two teaspoons<ful vanilla extract, melted chocolate^ water. • : " Sift the sugar into a basin. Beat the :white of egg with- an equal amount of cold water; add these to the sugar; add the vanilla extract and stir until the mixture is creamy mass. It should be bo stiff that it can scarcely be stirred. Mould .with ■ the hands into a great mass like an .egg. Melt the chocolate and roll the big egg in it until it is thoroughly coated. Allow becoma cold. Serve in thick slices.