YOUNG FOLKS BUDGET.

Auckland Star, Volume LX, Issue 260, 2 November 1929, Page 2 (Supplement)

YOUNG FOLKS BUDGET.

JOAN.

(By Kathleen Neely, 34, West End 1 Ed.,

Heme Bay, 'age 17.)

There are three Joans who, during the past year, have asked me to write a story about them. One's father fell in the battlefields of France, another is brilliantly clever, but the last is just "Joan." This is not a character sketch, because I daren't, for the sake of my skin, describe Joan as she really is; but I will describe her as she appears to the passer-by.

Joan is small and vivacious; she has wonderfully expressive eyes and long fair hair that occasionally manages to keep tidy; she possesses a stony glare, also a very mischievous smile. Joan has a habit of just getting into school in time.- If I meet her on the way, I think, "Heavens! I hope I won't be late. There's Joan." lam not being unkind, because, you see, I am often late myself. Almost regularly every week this happens: "Joan, are you coming to Guides to-night 1" "Don't know, I might." "You've got to come to Guides tonight." "Oh!" "If you don't come to Guides to-night .I'll " -. "Well, what?" 'Til make you!" "Eats, Jo! There isn't enough of you to make me do anything." Joan becomes annoyed and stalks off. One day, some time ago, our company went out for a hike. We had picked a "possy" for lunch, and Joan and I having done what we considered our bit, had meandered off on our own. We tumbled over bits of rocks, scratched ourselves on blackberry bushes, and at last came to rest on a warm flat piece of stone. - We sat there and viewed the i

scenery. "Where's the Old Stone Jug?" asked Joan. "Over there," I said, pointing. "They put prisoners there, didn't they ?" "Naturally. They jugged them." "Don't be funny. I wonder if any ever got away."

Of course the money was "treasure trove," and had to be given to the Crown. Nevertheless our company funds were greatly enriched by the reward which was given. But Joan; oh, dear. Slie strutted around like Napoleon for many days afterwards. Of course. I must give her duo credit. Khe really did find the gold. Perhaps she is a "treasure diviner." If Joan ever sees what I have written, I know what she'll say — "Just wait till I get hold of that little wretch of a Kathleen 1" But don't worry, I'm quite safe.