Children's Corner

Hutt News, Volume 1, Issue 21, 18 October 1928, Page 6

Children's Corner

Little Jack o' Lantern.

(Continued).

So, feeling very crestfallen and ashamed of himself, the unfortunate sprite left the palace and began to seek for the party he had led astray. Being deserted by the moth made it all the harder for him, for he had to walk a long, long way to get to the bog, and he had had no supper and was very cold and weary. ''I suppose I feel now just as the people do whom I lure into the bog,'' he told himself, '' and it is not at all a nice feeling either. I shall not do such a thing again, but I do wish I could find that Prince. I am so hungry and tired "

At last, however, he heard voices in the distance which told his attentive ears he had come to an end of his search, so he proceeded to trim his lantern so that it would burn brightly while he danced about, but suddenly he heard the voice he had listened to before begin to warn the other members of the party against paying heed. "Don_'t follow that light," it said. "It has led us astray once and will do so again. I nearly lost my precious ring through watching it, so be advised by me, and have a care."

"But, Sir, we are lost and can't tell in which direction to move lest we again sink in," objected another. Then the sprite heard the Prince sigh as he replied, "Y^e must stand here till daylight comes."

Jack o' Lantern danced his best, and though the men watched his light flit to and fro on the firm ground, no one ventured to disobey their orders and follow him. Yet it iseemed as if the night would never pass, and all the while the poor Princess was crying her heart out because her lover could not come to her side. But suddenly Jack o' Lantern had a splendid idea, and lie turned his back on the waiting party and scurried off to the palace as hard as he could. When lie found himself beneath the balcony that was outside the Princess's window he made a brave effort and climbed up with the aid of the creeper. Indeed, he did not stop until he found himself in the apartment of the royal maiden, looking down upon her as she lay sleeping in her bed. The tears were not yet dry on her cheeks, and her golden curls hung like the gold frame of a miniature round her face, until the sprite tried to awaken her, and they shook with terror.

Wake up! Wake up!" he cried; "come with me. Slip on some warm things and your thick boots and join me outside the door. I will wait for you there. I have found your lover, but I can't lure him into a safe spot, for he does not trust me. So you must "achieve where I have failed. We will try the power of your voice. Come!"

In a few minutes the door, opened and the Princess appeared in a beautiful warm fur coat and high fur boots, but before she set off with her companion she stopped and looked at him. "Jack o' Lantern." she said. "I am so sorry I shook you a little while ago. Will you forgive me?" "Of course, of course!" he cried. '' Come along!''

And just as before, the sound of men's voices talking together drew them to the right spot; and though the -Princess would stop and listen to make sure, the sprite by her side did nos 'trouble,^ for he knew he was, right and was at last going to be' good and helpful. "Now," he whispered, "we are on the safe dry land here, so call him to your side in this direction. You are quite close to the palace, as you know, and they will all be safe. I won't show my light or will suspect me. Now, call."

"Prince Erroll, Prince Erroll!" called the royal maiden, blushing quite a bright pink* as she did so. "Prince Erroll!' 1 "Who cries my name?" asked his Royal Highness, springing to his feet.

"It is I, Drusilla," she replied. "Oh, come to me!" With a shout of joy, Prince Erroll accompanied by his men, dashed forward on to the firm ground, the men intent on their own safety, but his Royal Highness eager to clasp in his arms the owner of the voice. And little Jack o' Lantern looked on from, a safe distance, and then he softly blew out his light. "I don't think I need stay," he said to himself. "I can't make out whether I am foregiven or not, but I do see they have forgotten all about me. It is very hard, really, when I brought them together again, but I don't niuch

care.''