ONE GOOD TURN.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVIII, Issue 7, 9 January 1937, Page 2 (Supplement)

ONE GOOD TURN.

Snmt had run to the very top of the plane tree which grew on the edge of the pavement outside Reggie's home.

She was only a small kitten, and easily frightened. She always ran away when the dustman came to empty the dustbin, though they used to call to her that they would not hurt her. Smut clung to the frail branch and mewed pitifully. Reggie had been looking for her, and the cry told him what had happened.

"Come down, Smut!" said Reggie encouragingly; but the kitten was too frightened.

"If the window-cleaners came along I could borrow one of their long ladders," thought Reggie.

He walked along the street and when he reached the main road he saw two men with a high platform on wheels. They were working on the overhead electric cables.

"That would be just the thing!" thought Reggie. "I wonder if they would come up our street!"

He waited till the men had finished work, and was just trying to pluck up courage to make his request when the hat of one of the men was blown into the roadway. Reggie pounced on it, and was just in time to save it from being crushed under a motor car.

"Thank you, young man! I'm much obliged," said the owner as he pulled it firmly down over his ears.

He had such a cheery face tliat Reggie felt bold enough to say, "If you're not too busy, I wonder if you'd lend me your platform for a minute or two." "Whatever for?" laughed the man. "To get my kitten out of the tree," said Reggie, pointing over his shoulder. The workmen looked at each other. "One good turn deserves another," said tjhe man whose hat had blown off.' "Lead on, sonny, and show ua the tree." Reggie was only too glad to do 60. The men pushed their platform under the tree, and Smut did not need to be told why it was there. Before Reggie wag half-way tip Smut was running down to meet him. "Thank you very much," said Reggie. "You're welcome," said the men. "We come this way most Fridays, so tell your cat if she wants to be sure of being rescued she must choose that day for her climbing." But Smut was wise enough not to venture to the top of the plane tree B.gX*~L.