HOW I SPENT CHRISTMAS DAY.
By Grwel. Dear Dot.—Perhaps it may be of some little interest to a few of the readeis of oui D.L.F. Page if I told how I spent Christmas Day at the home of my great chum, Boy. The morning of the 25th December was indeed very warm; in fact, I thought it was too warm for anyone to enjoy themselves, but in that I was greatly mistaken, «nd I hope to show by this letter that it was one of the happiest days I have ever spent About noon we—my father and sister and I —left home full ,of the hope that we would have a good time. We were met on the way by one of Boy's friends, vho can.c alorg the road to see if we were coming So she got into our—l will not say it was a cariiage —and so the four of us diove the rest of i the way together. When we leached our journey's end, which we vei> soon did, it was indeed a very hearty welcome which we received from the members of Boy's household and the visitors who weie staying there So we were soon all talking, jokmg. and laughing. I was asked if I had taken any , breakfast that morning, and if I was pre- J pared fo carry out the wishes of an absent | friend, etc ? (The wishes of the absent friend were that I should eat her share of the Christmas dinner as well as /ny own) How, Boy had a good idea of the grand dinner that was being prepared, so he did a very wise thing-. When we arrived he was on the top of a high hill—getting & good eppetite, you. see—and. he had one of his guests with him to help him to find a real good one 00. We watched the pair descending the Bill, and when they got down all hands made for the dining room, and set to work on the good things which were set before us. Good things there were in plenty, indeed; j but I am not going to tiy and describe them. ' However, this I will say that the cook who prepared that erand dinner is fit to cook for a kiruj. Well, comrades, when
dinner was over and most of our merry company had gone outside, a .great noue was heaid —a noise which would fiighten some people. I got on the scenv at last, ■and oh. how shall I describe the sight that met my gaze? A most, awful-looking animal was maichmg about the flower garden. It was of brownish colour, and it had two legs and a terrible, big, white mouth, ".eai'y big enough to swallow some of our pietty girls, but they managed to keep out of its leach. Once it parsed by me very close, but it did not attempt to eat me; perhaps it was wise enough to know that I was only "gravel," and very diy stuff at that. Well, after ihe terrible animal —who, by the way, some of our party called a "golhwog" —had gone about for a while showing his teei.li and making a dieadful noise he suddenly grew a big black tail After a time he left the flower garden, and when ne\t I beheld his royal highness he had four legs and was among the fruit trees getting his phoio. taken! Now. deal Dot, I was filled with admiration for the brave lady who had the courage to take a snapshot of «uch a ternble animal, while one of oui merry girls he'd some hay to it, which it would not_ eat. It was indeed wondeiful how Ms- Gollywog couid change himself, for when next he came into view he was on wheels, but he still had his awful mouth, ever open, seeking what he might devour. I'm thinking what a, lucky thing it wns for us that -the Eight Honourable Mr Gollywog w?s not about when tea was being got. ready, or he might have gobbled up all the nice Christmas cakes, trifles, etc However, I know that a part of him did eat some of the cakes. After spending a very happy afternoon we all sat down to another meal, which proved to be as good as the one which had preceded it. Everyone was in the best of spirits, and many funny things were said tind done. When all hands and the cook had had as much as they cou'd eat the Question was asked "Is Gravel to be taken Tiome in the boat?" and Boy's brother said "Yes." I may here mention that it was too blowy to go on the lake in the afteinoon. and the wind was still high. Then the fun started. Some of our company wondered if it wou'd be =afe to go on the lake, some wondeied if I would be frightened, etc., etc. while others suggested it would be better to wait and go on the lake another d«y. After a gieat deal of talk by everyone Boy and his brother and yours truly decided for the boat So a. trained muse —who, by the way, was one of our company —<=aid she would look after me, so I ought to feel quite safe in the charge of a nurse. As we were starting for the lake someone suggested that the nurse should take some bandages. What for I do not know, for though I have heard of putting "giavel ' in sacks, I hare never heard of putting bandages round it' Howe\er, I got down to the boat with very little trouble —at least, with veiy little trouble to myself, —«md I was soon settled comfortably on board in company with my sister and the nurse, Boy, and his brother, while the lest of our kind friends watched us row away In a very short time the two able-bodied seamen had the boat near the other end of the lake, where we all got on dry land once more. I forgot to mention that though the lake wus pretty rough it only made it all the pleasanter. Well, after another few mimites I was home, safe and sound. So that ended one of the most cheerful and happy days of my life, dear Dot, I must diaw this letter to a close. It is much longer than I intended it to be, and I am afraid it is not very interesting. I always leceive much pleasure and benefit from the D L.F. Page, and I expect some specially interesting- reading in the Club Number. Well, comrades, there is lust one thing more I wish to mention, and that is the great pleasure I had last week from the visit of Dot. I will long remember the happy time we spent together, chatting about all D L F matters. I feel bound by a much closer tie "=ince I hive seen our good Queeu Dot, and I tender to her my saime«t a".d most heartfelt tharks for her gieat kindness to me With lo\ c to all D L.F comrades and Queen Dot (There is not one D.LF, I know, who will not be glad to hear what happiness Christmas brought to our good friend Giavel. So much that we may enjoy is denied to him. that we rejoice to hear when any special happiness comes his way So it was very good of you. Gravel, to write, at so much pains to yourself, and let no know how happy ycur Christmas was —DOT]
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Otago Witness, Issue 2814, 19 February 1908, Page 83
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1,262HOW I SPENT CHRISTMAS DAY. Otago Witness, Issue 2814, 19 February 1908, Page 83
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