GOOD-NIGHT STORIES.

Auckland Star, Volume LVIII, Issue 114, 17 May 1927, Page 10

GOOD-NIGHT STORIES.

BOBBY MEETS A STRANGE LITTLE GUNMAN, (Told by BLANCHE SILVER for "PETER * PAN.") Bobby shouldered his tiny gun and walked down the road towards the woods just as if he really and truly were going hunting. He trudged along humming merrily to himself until he began to grow tired; then he sat down upon an old log to - rest.

"Bang! Bang! Bang!" sounded a gun right near Bobby. But the banging was so very tiny Bobby couldn't have heard it if he hadn't been very quiet. "Bang! Bang! Bang!" sounded the tany gun once more. Bobby began to look around to see who was firing at him when a merry laugh startled him. "That's the time," laughed the merry voice and Bobby turned round to see, Happy Giggles, the merry little elfin from Make-believe land standing behind him. "That's the time you almost got shot." "What in the world was that, Happy Giggles?" Bobby asked, slipping down beside the elfin. "It sounded for all the world like a real-for-sure gun, only the bang was such a tiny one. Was it a gun of some kind?" "I'll say it was," replied the elfin. "And a mighty fine little gunman fired it too. Never mind, Mr. Beetle. It's only Bobby and he wouldn't harm you for the world. Come on out and meet him; Bobby's a great friend of mine." The weeds at Bobby's feet parted and out crawled a funny little Beetle. "I'm sorry if I frightened you, Bobby," he said, bowing politely," but one of my enemies has been following me for a long time and I just thought it was about time for me to call a halt. That's one thing about us Gun Beetles. We never fire our guns unless we're molested."

"Goodness! Isn't that too funny," laughed Bobby. "You may carry a gun, but for the life of me, I can't see your gun," suggested Happy Giggles. Mr. Gun Beetle turned around and started to run away from Bobby. From a wee little bag near the end of the little gunman's tail there dropped a bit of fluid on tho ground and as the fluid sailed out of the bag it made a popping sound just like a little gun. A tiny blue smoke filled the air and Bobby nearly doubled up with laughter. "Excuse me for laughing," he said, when he could sober down, "but that's about the funniest thing I have ever seen. Really and truly, is anyone frightened of that gun?" "I'll say they are," replied Happy Giggles. "That's the only way Mr. Gun Beetle has to protect himself. When he fires that gun of his in a large Beetle's face, the large Beetle turns around and scampcrs away for dear life." "Yes, and when he gets a little way off, he stands still and can't move," interrupted Mr. Gun Beetle. "And another thing that's nice about my gun, I can tire it off several times without reloading it, too. Well, I guess I've frightened my enemy so I'll be on my way if you'll excuse me." Bowing very politely, Mr. Gun Beetle hurried down a tiny path into tho woods. "Well, that beats me," laughed Bobby. Just then Bobby's mama called and Bobby, thanking Happy Giggles for his introduction to the wee gunman, hurried home.