FOR THE CHILDREN

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXIV, 21 January 1931, Page 7

FOR THE CHILDREN

BY AUNT EDITH » CHRISTOPHER’S RIDE “Everything’s horrid—beastly!” muttered Christopher, as he sat over his 'solitary breakfast and sighed. He had just returned from holiday by the sea at his Granny’s - home, and she had sent him back a I week before his school holidays ended for mother to get him ready to return to school. Chris had come home to find mother gone—telegraphed for to go to Aunt Nell, who had been taken very ill — father gone to the North on business, his sister Amy still on a visit to cousins, and Louisa only in the house, tlie prim elderly woman who “did” for him, and whom poor Chris found “as dull as ditchwater.”

Chris gazed into the busy street with its noisy bustle of ceaseless motor traffic and had to 'gulp to keep back the tears. Again he muttered “Beastly! horrid !” as he busied himself with helpings of > marmalade. “I’ll go right back to Granny, ho suddenly exclaimed. “If she only knew I’m sure she’d have me. .Mums isn t here, and it’s no use my staying. I can pack my box for school in a very few minutes —I know I can.” He turned the contents of Ins pockets /on to the table. The result was discouraging—a two-shilling piece and some coppers. What a pity he had spent-Uncle Clem’s parting half-crown on having snapshots developed at the - chemist’s! Nothing daunted, however, he got his bicycle and prepared to : St “W’hat did he take with him?”, you i ask. Nothing! He never thought of ] • that, but just carefully cleaned his ; bicycle. , . , ~ , s Prim Louisa saw him departing and curtly enquired where he intended go- ] ' ing that morning. “Back to Granny s, , he shouted, as he wheeled off. . - “That’s likely!” retorted Louisa. But when the whole day had passed, , night fell, and no Chris had returned, she began to think he must have been • in earnest, and despatched a tclegiam to Granny telling her. 1 And what of Clms? He cycled off , easily at first, then more ploddingly, 1 stopping! occasionally to buy a bun or some pastry and have a rest. He knew 1 the road, for ho had motored home with his father once or twice. When night fell he did not seem far on the hundred miles to Granny’s. He toiled along, every limb aching. It began to ram, ] and - he lost his way. He could see £ the lights of a big town, and rode to- 1 wards them. How it rained! He had j to get off and push his cycle along, for he was too weary to ride it, Taint, ] hungry, and wet to the skin, he at last reached the town and hailed a police- ■{ 1 man - . ~. ~ ~ 1 “I want a police station, w’as the unexpected request. “What on earth for? said the astonished policeman. “Eor shelter,” replied the boy. . The kind policeman, pitying his 1 alight, took him to the gasworks close < at hand, where they dried Ins sodden - clothing, gave him l hot water and a ] towel, and then let him have a long ] ircst. . , . „ . < At the police station next morning, to j which the gasworks’ folk directed him, ( they told Chris where to obtain a good 1 breakfast cheaply. , Then off he started again with a good heart, having found Ins bearings. But, alas! The day became very long and weary, and he found himself with only two pennies in his pocket after Ins good breakfast. The road was long, the day became longer, and Christopher had to spend Iris twopence on a drinh of lemonade, for the day was one of 1 brilliantly hot sunshine, as often hap- i pens in early autumn after a night s < ' rain. To -make matters worse, Ins : bicycle turned traitor and broke down. Thoroughly disheartened, miles away j both from home and from Granny s, poor Chris wondered what he was to do. ( Worn, weary and travel-stained, no leaned heavily, on the broken bicycle. - “What’s wrong?’ said a cheeiy ( voice, and, looking up, Christ saw a pleasant face looking down at him from a large motor lorry that had just been brouglit to a standstill. A lump rose in the boy’s throat, and for a moment he could'not speak; then gulping it : , down and flinging his pride to the foul , winds, he told the man lust what had . happened, how foolish he had been, and how he came to be there. s “Going to Sunningley, were you. said the driver. “Why, I'm going to ■within four miles of it. You can have a lift with me if you like. His words seemed lioney-sweet to poor, tired Chris. He did not say m “Ri’glit-ho! I’ll be glad to,” but the look in his eyes was' sufficient thanks to the good-natured lorry-driver. The bicyclo was hoisted on to the lorry, and Chris . mounted beside the driver. Late that evening the long drive came to an end, the kind-hearted lorry man ' going a mile out of his way to set Chris on the main road to Ins Granny s h °Left alone in the road again with the forlorn bicycle, he began to wonder it he could even push it the remaining three miles. He pushed it a half-mile that seemed like three, for the jolting lorry journey, while taking him swiftly over the miles, had not rested his weary limbs. ! < At the foot of a steep hill a motorhorn sounded behind him, amba large car slowed down. Chris looked at the • the driver, and he down at Chris. “Uncle Clem!” gasped the tired boy. “Christopher!” said Uncle Clem, and Christopher’s troubles were ended. What Granny intended saying to Christopher was neve'r said for at the sight of his worn plight she considered he had received punishment enough. READ THE RHYME Can you guess the four letters and supply'the four omitted words in the fol The h f? S imrman draws his **** from the sea, And counts out his catches by : by fives or three; The finest arc **** to the shops in town, . ..... Ere he hies to his **** m the dills to lie down. The words: NETS TENS SENT NEST CAN YOU DO THIS On a piece of white paper draw a circle round a halfpenny, and cut out •with scissors. Then hand the paper to a friend, and ask him if lie can pass a penny through the hole. Of course, he will sav it is impossible, as the bole is only the size of a halfpenny. Then show 'him how easy it is to do. hold the paper across the hole, put the penjiy inside, find you will find it will puss through quite easily. A TARGET FOR BURRS “Burr-shooting” makes a splendid game for the winter evenings, and all that is needed is a square of fluffy flannel and several burrs collected from the bushes. On the flannel outline five circles in

number in each circle, beginning with the outer ring No 1, and letting the inner ring of all hear the highest number. Then pin the flannel on to tlie wall, with the centre about four feet from tlie floor. The players, each with a stock of burrs, take up their positions in turn, some way from tho target, and then throw their burrs. If a burr clings to the circle marked four, it counts four points to that player and so on.