Children's Column.

Digger (Invercargill RSA), Issue 9, 14 May 1920, Page 12

Children's Column.

WHAT HAPPENEO NEXT. MOTHEE HUBBARD. Dame Ifubbard — sts you know, Fm sure, for story-books all say sn — was really very, veiy poor, and seemed as though she'd stay so. Her cupboard, it was always baro, there nover was a cheese-rind there. She lived lived, you know, with her dogfriend (his name, it was good Towser) ; he loved the Dame and learned no end of clever tricks to rouse her. "I'd love to make her rich," thought he ; "bow-wow. For she's so good to me!" And so, one day vvhen skies were grey, and stormy blast3 were howling, why Towser thought him of a way, and up he sprang a-growling. "Lie down, good i dog!" his mistress said; but Towser only shook his head. Out through the kitchen door he raced, and down the road went flying. Dame Hubbard to the window paced, and couldn't keep from sighing. "Now, where's he gone?" she said. "Dear me! I hope he wilkbe baek for tea! Not that we've anything to eat!" she went on very | sadly ; "no bones and not a scrap of i meat; we do need stores 30 badly! But I've no pennies, or I would go shopping;o | oh, I wish I could! "If I could find a Fairy-bit of money," thought Darne Huhbard. "I'd have sueh fun spending it. I'd stock my empty cuphoard., But Sairy-bits aren'b often seen; they're very few and far between!" "Oh, yes," went on the Dame, "all those who've found such fairy treasure did some great bravo deeds, I suppose, which gave the Fairies pleasure. And I'm just an old woman Why! If that's not Towser coming by!" Yes, it w:as Towser, sure enough, quite panting and cxcited. He dashed in with his coat all rough, but looking so delighted. "Dear ■ mistress, come and see ' ' he cried. "I've such a gift for you outside !" "As I was passing by I met k.ad uom, the butclier's sorr, ma'am; and he had stolen a fine pig, but — well, I made him run, ma'am! I bit him till he howled and flew. And now — I've brought the pig to you ! ' ' "You haven't had a scrap of meat, no, not for a whole week, ma'am. And as for me, well, I could eat a bono as soon as speak, ma'am. If you're as hungry as I feel — let's cook ihe pig, and have a meal !" "Good Towser," cried ihe Dame, "why, no!" — her dear old heart beat faster- - "Oh, ye3, I'm hungry, that is so ; but that pig has a master ' J'd rather have rny cupboard bare than keep a stolen pig in there !" "Boo-woo!" howled Towser, getting cross. "Please listen, ma'am, to reason. You're hungry; so am I, of course, and — pork is just in season. I won't take that pig back — that flat!" "Thea I must!" said the Dame at that. She took a string and tied it to the hind leg of the porker. "Now start along," the Dame said, "do; I'm not much of a walker. And I must find your home tol

night, while there is still a little liglit! But oh, that pig began to play such naughty tricks upon her. "Alas, alack! and well-a-day ! ' ' cried she. "Upon my lionour, he pulls first this way and then that till my old heart goes pit-a-pat!" 'Thus cried the Dame, artd sadly sigliccl, for she was old and weary. "Come piggy through this stile," she sighed ; and tried to feel more cheery. Bnt piggy would not pass that stile, but sat 011 his hind legs to smile ! "Dear Dame, I do not wish," he said, 'To go. back home. to my master. If you will take me home instead I will go much, much faster! And you may eat me any day. and I'll not try to run away!" "No, no!" Dame Hubbard said. "Oh, dear! Good piggy, do not tempt me. Though I would like you, never fear, because my cupboard '3 empty!" "Then I won't pass this stile to-night!" the piggy said, and sat down tight. I cannot tell how long the Dame pulled at him to entreat him; but- still the porker said the same, and at long last she beat him. "If you stay here all night," she said, "I'll stay here, too; nor go to bed!" And so sho did, all through the night sh,e watched until the morning, but when the first faint rays of light showed that nest day was dawning, down by the stile, the pig bcside, A Fairy Silver Bit she spicd ! "A Fairy-sixpence ! Oh, my word ! Dear me ! Oh, what a treasure ! Has anybody ever heard such luck!" she cried in pleasure ; then stared again — the pig was gone ! And by her side a Fairy shone. "Dear Dame," said the Fairy, "you've earned tbat magic money clearly. The Fairy Queen has sent it you, for you were tried severely ; and yet, though all your shelves were bare, no stolen pig you would pla.ee there ! Then suddenly tl.e Fairy went, but, while the Dame stood staring, the air with barkings was quite rent, and up rushed Towser, tearing. ' 'Dear mistress, oh, come home with me ! There's food on our bare shelves!" yapped he. So home they went, and found a store of good things in the cupboard; and Fairies from that day brought more nice food for Mother Hubbard when, ever any space was' bare.; so there was always plenty there !