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Otago Witness, Issue 4028, 26 May 1931, Page 73

Mr and Mrs Farmer popped their beads out of the window. “It’s those wretched children, I’eter and Patty, up to their tricks again,” muttered Mrs Farmer. “Is it,” boomed Mr Farmer,: “ Well, if they think I’m going to put up with this . . .” And off he bundled. In a minute he was back again, dragging a very large can full of water. “ This, my dear,” he chuckled, “ will make the jazz musicians change their tune. Yes, it will certainly damp their enthusiasm. ...” Then he chuckled again. Outside, the jazz band was still making the night horrible with its din, hut Mi - Farmer rested the can on the window sill, then he tipped it.

Drip-drip-drip-drip. Swish-sh-sh-sh-sh! A perfect fountain of water descended on those unlucky musicians! For one startled moment they , gazed upwards, only to get it full on their faces. Then they jumped downwards Aight into the jazz band! Gurgle-gurgle-gurgle-gurgle, that was all they could manage to say, because their mouths, eyes, and ears were full of water, and their heads were completely hidden. “That’s better! ” smiled Mr Farmer. “I thought I would soon change the tune. And now you can stay there till morning—unless you can get yourselves out! Anyway, you’d better try to get dry, because I saw Nanny looking for you hours ago, and she wasn't very pleased then. What she’ll say if she sees you like this.” The window was slammed down!

They managed to get partly out, and they managed to get partly dry, but only partly! It-was a sorry little procession that crept homeward, while the owls hooted and the moon looked sly. And it was a furious Nanny who greeted the musicians when they crept in at the front door, hoping to get upstairs without being noticed. “ Yes, my dears,” said Nanny grimly, “ I know all about it! You needn’t try to make excuses. And your father —he knows all about it, too. He’s waiting for you! ” They bolted upstairs as fast as they could go. But nothing could save them. Nanny came and Mummy came, and Daddy followed after. And it was a very sad ending to the jazz musicians’ night out!