OLD ABE'S DONKEY.

Auckland Star, Volume LX, Issue 164, 13 July 1929, Page 2 (Supplement)

OLD ABE'S DONKEY.

(Prize-winning Story by Bessie E. Spooner, 187, Green Lane West, age 16.)

Along a dusty road four dusty college boys made their way with much hilarity towards Randwick village and the celebrated annual fair. As they turned a sharp bend one of the boys cried out to his companions with mischievous glee: "Here's luck, boys; there's Old Abe's donkey cart!"

Tlio others needed no second prompting, and with one accord they all rushed towards the dilapidated vehicle, where a placid donksy drooped in the shafts. "I expect/' said Jim, the undisputed leader of the quartet, "that Old Abe is talking over his troubles with Farmer Dell."

"You know, boys," he continued reflectively, "it's a long road that has ,110 turning, and •" Jim looked appraisingly at the donkey and his three chums turned to look at it with more critical eyes.

"And what?" asked one. "Well er—" said Jim in an apologetic voice, "couldn't we ride?" "But," cried another in an incredulous tone, "four of us couldn't ride that thing! It would drop in a heap beneath us!"

"Perhaps it could manage three," suggested the leader, undaunted. "One of us would have to stay behind in place of the donkey." "Who Is going to stay behind, though?" "There's no need to ask that question, because you know I hate donkeys, and I don't want any flowers sent to me yet!" came the snappy retort, from George. That settled the question. Within the next five minutes the donkey was unharnessed and three of the boys struggled dn to its back.

"Come on, now, Ebenezer!" cried Jim, "Get up!" Then three tongues clucked in' vain.

George came beside the donkey and gave it a resounding whack. The animal started into action and went careering down the road, leaving a cloud of dust in its wake.

George watched it fade from sight and then stood between the shafts, thinking out an excuse for the missing animal. His train of thought was soon interrupted by the sound of approaching footsteps. He looked up and could scarcely conceal a smile at the sight of Old Abe's comical dismay. "Vhere is my donkey? Vot are you doing here ?" he asked, and raised questioning hands. Poor Old Abe was a Jew and gave evidence of this fact in many ways. George commenced his story for Old Abe's benefit. "Well," he said, "when I was about eleven years old I had a terrible row with my father, and he asked an old witch to turn me into a donkey." George cleared an Obstruction in his throat. "Of course," he continued, "the spell was broken about ten minutes ago and I changed back into my natural state." "Veil," said Old Abe, as he heard this startling information, "I vas going to the Vair, and I am still going to the Vair, so you vill liaf to take me there." Half an hour later a weary, footsore George passed through Randwiclc and came to a halt outside the main entrance to the Fair. , Old Abe descended fnom the' cart amid the jeers and laughter of the crowd, while George faded into the crowd with a heated face to look for J his chums. He soon found them and related all that had passed since their departure with the donkey. After Jim's tears and mirth had subsided, he suddenly remembered something. "What about the donkey?" he said. "We left it standing at the entrance. Perhaps Old Abe will see it!" They reached the spot just in time for George to hear what passed. "Ello!" exclaimed Old Abe, looking in bewilderment at the donkey, "Waf, you had anodder row with your fadderjp