CONCERNING DERRICK.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIV, Issue 17, 21 January 1933, Page 3 (Supplement)

CONCERNING DERRICK.

THE LITTLE BLACK DOG. , (By Pliyllis Hughes, "Sunuy Brae," Feilding; age 14.) Derrick seated himself at tlie table and carefully emptied on to the polished surface the contents of an exceedingly 'battered tin money-bos. For a while he sat and gazed moodily at the coins. "A shilling, two threepences an' a penny," he muttered. "One shilling an' seven - pence. Aw, gosh! Wat's the good of one an' seven to a fellah? I guess I'll jist have to earn some."

He jumped up and carefully placed the money back in the box. Then summoning a cheery whistle he departed to the kitchen, where his mother was busy cooking. "How much will you give me to cut the lawn?" he demanded. Mrs. Allan looked surprized. "Why Derrv," she said, "you know it was cut only yesterday." "Why, so it was," said Deny with the air of one making a great discovery. "But I'd white-wash the apple trees or clcan the windows for half-a-crown."

"Half-a-crown!" echoed Mrs. Allan, scandalised. "Half-a-crown. Don't be silly Derry I'll give you sixpence to weed all the back lawn, though," she added generously. "Sixpence!" scoffed Derry. "Oh. gosh. He walked out of the kitchen, slamming the door disgustedly behind him. Suddenly a bright idea flashed into his nimble mind, and with a mighty bound he landed in the sitting room. Yes, there was the paper. His eager eyes scanned the list of "Lost and Founds." There was the very thing. "Lost, email black Pomeranium dog. Ten shillings reward." Derrick gave a wild whoop of glee and immediately set out to find that dog.

Fortune seemed t.o smile on him, for no sooner did he get. outside than lie caught sight of a little black "Pom." disappearing throng!-- u •••>n in the hedge. Unhesitatingly Deny follow, d it. The dog looked back and, seeing itself being pursued, gave a littte yelp of joy. Then with a last backward glance it made for Mr. Brown's beloved flower beds.

Hclter, skelter over them it went, joyfully breaking off tender new shoots and uprooting new prize seedlings. Derry followed blissfully unconscious of the trail of destruction he was leaving behind him. Round the side of the house tore the little black dog, with Derry after it. It was then that the calamity occurred. Derry made a dive for the Pom, but the dog easily eluded him and Derry fell headlong into Mr. Brown's cherished cucumber frame. There was a crash of splintering glass and in a moment the damage was done. But the little black dog didn't even look back, as Derry woefully picked himself up. He would not be beaten. With a dash he regained his lost ground and once more the chase wag fast and furious. At last with a triumphant cry, Derry lunged forward and pinned the panting animal beneath his body.

Holding the struggling dog tightly in his arms, Derry proceeded to the address given in the advertisement. A few minutes later, a small : boy was knocking at the door of a large fashionable residence. The door was opened by the lady herself and Derry held out the little black Pom saying: "I've found your dog." The ladv gazed at him in astonishment and then smiled. "Oh, but that isn't my dog," she explained. "I found mine curled up on my Tied, just half an hour ago. Yoii see he wasn't lost at all. The poor dear —." But her listener had vanished. With a disgusted expression on his hot face, Derry muttered: "Well, life's rotten, anvwav."

It was then that he noticed a large, well-dressed lady hurrying towards him. She held out her plump arms to the black culprit and gushed, "My little Peter. Wherever did you find him. I've been so worried. Here —here's ten shillings for you, my little, man. Thank you so much. Peter, you bad dog. What have you been doing?" and still scolding the indignant Peter, she hurried away, leaving Derry gazing in astonishment at a ten shilling note which he held ir. his hand. Suddenly his mouth curved In a joyous grin ami with an earsplitting yell, which was meant to represent an Indian war whoop, lie was gone.