Children's Column.

Digger (Invercargill RSA), Issue 13, 11 June 1920, Page 12

Children's Column.

(By "Daphne," North Invercargill.)

TOMMY AND THE DWARFS. Tommy lived with his mother in a cot-. tage on the outskirts of a small town. It was a very pretty place indeed, closed in by hills. Tommy was usually a good little boy, but to-dayhe had grieved his mother by refusing to do his lessons, he wanted to go out and play with the other boys. His mother would not let him go until he had done them, and he was such a long time with his lessons that night came on before he had finished. It was a very cross little boy who said his prayers at his mother's. knee before he got into bed. His mother was glad when she had tuck'ed him in — she knew he was safe there. Tommy was awakened in the night by a very funny noise,- and, opening his eyes, he saw a little dwarf standing at the foet of his bed. "I have - come te- take you to dwarf land, to show you what we do there," said the dwarb , . Tommy had often wondered what dwarf land was like, and of course, he was glad to have the chance : to go now. The dwarf held out his hand for Tommy to take hold of, and immediately he did so he found himself just as big as the dwarf. They travelled very fast, and soon came to a big hole in the ground. The dwarf led the way down, and when they came to the bottom Tommy saw a lot of dwarfs very busy at work. "I am going to take you to see some of them at school," said the dwarf. There was quite a number of different classes, and the dwarfs were very hard at work. Some were having arithmetic lessons, and spme compositions, each class was taking a different subject. At length they came to a very dark room. "We lock ari y one in here who does not want to do his lessons, and who has been naughty to his teacher," the dwarfg said, "You grieved your mother to-day by refusing to do your lessons, so I am going to keep you here." Tommy found himself pushed into the room and heard the key turned in the lock. Oh, he was frightened ! It was so dark, and there was a lot of mice running about. He started shouting and thumping on the wall, and just then he heard his mother's voice calling him. It was now eight o'clock and time for him to ge.t up. When he got downstairs his mother asked him what he had been shouting for. He told her his dream, and said he would never again refuse to do his lessons, he would try and be a good boy. He wa-s very sorry for having grieved her, and she forgave him. THE DIGGER'S LETTER BOX. DAPHNE, NORTH INVERCARGILL. — We are pleased to receive your story but you have not sent us your name, age, and address. However, blackbirds tell tales sometimes. Your story is very nice and your writing very clear, but be a little more careful "With your spelling and punctuation, Daphne. I note the moral of your story is to always try to do good, especially to otherS, and by so doing you will reap happiness in return. — MATER. • DOT'S ADVENTURE. A STORY FOR CHILDREN.

Dot was a very kind little girl and sne was always very good. One night she had been especially kind and good and it was a very happy little girl that nurse tucked up in bed at seven o'clock. The night was very dark, so Dot was

very surprised when she saw a ,'bright light shining in her room. There hy her bedside stood a tiny fairy, no bigger than a doll. He .jumped up on the bed and saying in a tiny, piping voice, "As you have been very good lately, the Fairy Be-good has sent for you to come to her party to-night. She is our queen." So saying he waved a tiny wand and Dot became*ho bigger than himself. He wraved it . again and her white nightdress turned into a pale, pink robe trimmed with sparkling gems. In her hair a dazzling ruby shone. Her slippers were of autumn leaves and had pretty, pointed toes. The fairy then changed one of her shoes into a cradle ship and after bidding ,Dot get in they . both flew through the looking glass and along a winding passage. ' "Are we near the ballroom, yet ?" Dot asked. "Yes!" said the fairy, "here is the door." The door was opened by two fairy footmen wearing emerald green silk suits, who bowed till their long pointed hats touched the glass floor, as the two entered. On a marble throne sat the fairy queen with her lofig, golden hair falling round he'* shoulders, and her crown glittering in the rays of the lanterns. "Well," said Fairy Be-good, "is this little Dot ?" and calling to a fairy dressed in a purple satin suit said, "Here take this young lady and give her a dance." Dot found the fairy very polite and enjoyed her dance very much. Then she went into the supper room. On the table were chocolate creams, trifles, dew in flowei* cups and many other delicious things. Dot ate and drank merrily and was quite sorry when she had to get into the cra-dle-ship again and go back to her own little bedroom. The fairy changed her back to "her proper form. The morning dawned and she got up and thought over her ad venture; and no one but the fairies knew of her trip. DAPHNE. ETHEL, aged 12, Tisbury. "Mater" is pleased to hear from. you" and to receive your story. Your wri.ting is very good but just be a little careful with your spelling Always carefully read it over after you have written it. You are doing Very well but just start with easy stories. Could you tell us anything about your flower garden. "Mater," is very fond of flowers and would like to hear from you again. — "MATER." THE QUEEN OF EDGELY. Maud Edgely was a very beautiful girl ; shg was only thirteen and was very fair. She had a brother who was heir but he died, and so she was heiress to all he had and her father was very proud of her. One day she met a poor man who was walking in front of her. She took him home with her and found out who he was. "Ha was a very rich king and was trying to live a poor man but felt it hard and so he took all the poor men and women to live with him. Maud was about twenty then and married him. One day he was called away on business and he did not like leaving her by lierself, so he sent his cousin to stay with her. Her name was Sybil Leighton, and she did not like her cousin-wife being Queen so she thought of a plan and said : "Dear Max, — You have killed me and if it can be so, my spirit shall hover round you." Then she poisoned herself. - When Max Darnell came home he asked Maud where Sybil was. His wife went to see and when she saw her sha turned very white and called Max to come and see. After two days they buried Sybil and lived happily afterwards. Max Darnell loved Maud far better now and they lived happily until they died.