A LIFE ON THE ROLLING SEA.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVIII, Issue 84, 10 April 1937, Page 2 (Supplement)

A LIFE ON THE ROLLING SEA.

School was out and to-morrow was Saturday. Saturday meant freedom! Emily loved Saturday, for then she could help Andy with his work or perhaps help mother and Margaret cook, or, best of all, run over and play with the Penners if mother permitted her. She had such fun over there. On her way home Emmv met Ron Penner. He appeared so excited that the little girl demanded to know the secret, hut Ron remained firm. "You can share our secret if you come over to-morrow," he said, and Emmy knew he was determined to say t no more so, with a shrug of her shoulders off she marched. I Arriving horue. Emmy flung lier hat I and basr on the floor, which carelessness produced a sharp scolding from Margaret. and went in search of mother. She found her in the lekfy summer house darning father's and Andy's socks. Emmy advanced towards her mother a little hesitatingly. "Mummy," she ventured. Mrs. Rollston looked up. "Emmy, dear, don't bother me just now with school," she cried. "Tell me all about it to-night." "I didn't want to tell you about school, mummy. 1 wanted to ask you something." "What is the something?" Mrs. Rollston queried, industriously plying her needle. "0—- can Tgo over to the Penner's to-morrow?" Emmy asked, quickly.

A frown appeared on her mother's forehead. "I don't like you going over there so much., Emmy. I'm sure you worry Mrs. Penner with your noise and pranks." "Oh, but we go right away into the hay paddock," ,crie<l Emmy, adding coaxinglv, "Do let me go, mummy." "Well, i< 'you will promise to be good —" When Emmy went over to the Penners next morning she received a hearty welcome and many mysterious wink's and secret smiles which very much heightened her curiosity. "Now, tell me all about this secret!" she commanded when she and the Penner* had reached the hay paddock and were perched 011 t,->p of the hay-stack. "Well,'' began Ron, when his brother Bryant cut in. "I'll tell her," he cried, "you talk far too slow. You see, Emmy, we've decided to run away to sea and visit strange islands and foreign lands, and come home big, strong admirals and surprise mother and father. We will show off before those Fraseng, too. "Agnes is far too pretty and girlishlooking ever to dress up and look like a sailor, so she is just coming as the Penner brothers' sister, but, thank goodness you're not pretty, Emmy; your hair's too straight and 'your face* too brown and freckled, so you will make a splendid sailor." If Emmy had been & few years older perhaps the tail-end of this speech would have hurt her, but Emmy was still a child and a very unaffected one at that, and she did not feel anv sting in those last words, but to the boy's surprise she was not as eager as they had expected. She appeared dubious." "I don't want to leave daddy and mummy and Andy and—and Margaret," she cried. "And I can't always stay a sailor. I would want to come home a nice, fine lady, as you would come home fine, brave admirals." "Of course, you will be a fine ladv. but we want at least three sailors; von must be one until we sail to England, I anyway," said Ron. "Then you can become one of those secretaries, like Miss Ryan in the bank." "What! Shut myself up working horrid sums and things. 'Course I won't!" Emmy was quite indignant and prepared to depart in a huff, but Bryant. ea<rer to'pacify her. said: "X". you shall become one of those girls who take prize dogs for runs. You would like that, wouldn't you. Emmv?" Enuny's black eyes sparkled. "That would be lovely!" she exclaimed. "Yes, I'll become a sailor until we reach England." Bryant obviously relieved, fished out from beneaUi the hay a brown paper parcel bound securely with strong string. With the others crowding round he prepared to undo the knots. j

Joy Butlantf—Glad to hear that you liked your prize, Joy. Watch our young writers' corner for a criticism or your story. Vyra Paul—You have been enrolled in the club. Vyra, and will receive a certincate shortly. Freda Steltar—Your letter and postal note arrived sarely. Freda. We will forward your badge a? soon as we receive the new supply from the makers. Beryl Broadbant—Wendy thinks that budgies make lovely pets, Beryl. Can your little bird talk yet? Aitea Wallace Your new address has been noted, Ailsa. Patricia Addiaon-Saip^—You do not have to be a member to enter for competitions. Patricia. An enrolment rorm will be published soon, and then we can enroll you. L. Davie*—A record or points is kept only Tor club members. When you have 25 points, send them to Peter Pan, care or this ofnee, and a book win be sent to you. Beatrice Jeff—Any boy or girl under 18 years or age can belong to the Budget Beatrice, so you have quite a long time to go yet. You must definitely decide what word you intend to use. as it is not rair to other competitors to accept alternatives. Avis White—We are always glad to hear rrom members. Avis, it is lovely to see ! the sunshine after such disappointing : weather, isn't it? Did you go away for your Easter holidays? Joan rorgot to add her name to her lottiT. \Vr:tn again. Joan. Yes. the Raggedy Ann stories iiave boen verv popular wiiii readers. Shirley Megson—Fill in the next enrol- ; mens rorm. and we will ho pleased to I send ycni a -certtncate or membership. 1 Valarie Rloharde—What is the dale or your birthday, Valarie? You rorgot to i tell us in your letter. Perhaps you would I like to enter tor the competitions each I week.

ADVENTURE IN A BOAT.

By DOREEN THOMAS, Otahuhu.

There lay in that parcel four- mmt home-made sailor suits and, pinied' W each was a perky sailor's cap. "Aunt Mavis and Aunt Althea mate these,"' Ron explained to Emmy, "bat as these aunties have never seen us and don't write often, they miet have thought Agnes was a boy too, because, you see, there are four suits here." "And one of them is going to ha yours, Em,"' Agnes cried, smiling, "vou must have it on when you come over after lunch. We are going to fix up the boat this morning." Old is indeed a fitting -word to describe the craft in which the four were to sail away. The shape of the boat resembled that of an old-time washing tub, and its bows were made up of rotting patches. In colour it was a queer mixture of green and mst. colours that marked it as something infinitely old. not even fit for the fire, but the children, in their enthusiasm, believed they could do wonders with"'it. Agnes found a wide oily chintz curtain in an obscure corner of the garage, and she proudly carried this find off to the boat, which bobbed up and down in the narrow stream that ran through the Penner's farm anil flowed out into a river some miles ahead. The river, Boa and Bryant hoped, ended its eoure» at the mouth of a hidden harbour. When the children at length left for lunch, the boat was ready for the voyi age, the curtain having been rigged up I as a sail some way or other on a long,

rough pole that swayed perilously in the middle of the boat. A heavy iron hoop thrown into the stream kept the tub from drifting. Promptly at one o'clock Emmy, attired in the sailor suit, and with the little white cap perched on her black hair, hurried over to the stream where «K» found the others arguing over a mull card-board box. "What's wrong?" she asked, raining up to them, "and what's in the box?" "Food for the voyage," Ron returned, "and Bryant and Agnes think it ought to go under the middle seat, but I say the end seat." "Well, to me, the end seat seems far more safe," Emmy remarked, poking into the boat and thereby almost upsetting the sail. "Alright," Bryant muttered resignedly, "it goes under the end seat." At last they started off. Ron and Bryant were on the middle seat, the reeling sail between them, and the others, of course, took the end seat. The iron hoop had been placed at the bottom of the tub-like craft, and this, together with their combined weight, threatened to sink the boat, but a strong breeze had sprung up. and, catching the colourful sail, carried them along at a fair speed. They narrowly missed floating boughs and now and then escaped being tangled up in overhanging willows. Boulders almost scraped the bows as they swept by them with inches to spare. By the time they came to the month of the river their fears were thoroughly roused, and when the boat swept round in a sharp swerve the two girls screamed together. The swerve carried the boat out into the middle of the river, there, looming straight ahead of was a jagged tree trunk. They struck it before they had time to realise there was any real danger. The patched bows gave, and the next moment the children were floundering in the water, struggling to get a oa" the slippery tree-trunk. Hi» lusty cries for help attracted the attention of an old man fishing farther down the river, and with clumsy haste he drew in his fishing line >and set Hi oars to work.

He was just in time for the chiMre* were becoming frantic as their clutch* ing hands kept slipping off the old trea trunk. The old man lifted them into the boat dripping wet and exhausted, and laboriously rowed them to ttt safety of the shore. Needless to say, those children utmc again wished to run away to sea, in fact they hated the very thought of a voyage, and Ron and Bryant stoutly declared that they would accept any profession but that of a sailor. John Adams—Hope that you hare got rid or your nasty cold, John. Arithmetic is generally an unpopular subjcct with, many girls and hoys, but It Is a very oseful thing 1 to know. Desmond Olney—There is no charge for membership. The club badge costs 1/, post free. Bhirley Connolly—The Northlanders had a very jolly time :n Auckland. and everybody was very kind. Yes. it is wonderrul to see thing-s Tor the first time. Daisy Daniel—We had not forgotten you. Daisy. Sorry that it would not be possible, to grant your requests. Tinkerbell has no patterns for bahy's thinzs at present. Perhaps some will be published later. Volande Cross—,\ criticism of your story will appear later. June Woolston—So pleased to hear about your pets. June. I.amb- are great playmates, and you must have lets of Tun with them. CI loon Milligan—You can receive vonr club badge any time, Eileen. It costs 1 / post Tree, and you may send either a postal note or stamps. Hslon Hsasly—Glad to know that you like doing' the competitions, llelen. Good luck to you. Peggy Austin—You did not have to become a member to enter for the Easter competition. Peggy. Lorna Matter—What an interesting little letter. Lorna, and such nice writing, too. You must be a clever g'irl to have won a prize at the show. Did you enjoy your holidays? Norma Oborn—.Nothing definite lias been decided regarding the campaign. Norma, although we hope that it will commence at the end or April. The Budget family had a very enjoyable Easter in spite of the weather. Hid vou like our Easter page? Walter Cleveland—That was a very nice little drawing-. Walter. Perhaps you would like to send in another some time. You are sure to succeed if you keep on trying. Phyllis Roycroft—Thank you for the interesting account or your holidays, Phyllis. You must have had a very exciting: time. Eileen Williams—\ newspaper office Is a very busy place. Eileen. The little .Northlanders' trip was a most -ucces<fu] one, and everyone enjoyed themselves immensely. Did you have a nice time at the picnic? Write again soon.