MINDING THE BABY

Press, Volume LXXII, Issue 21904, 3 October 1936, Page 5 (Supplement)

MINDING THE BABY

Antony Roderick was glum, terribly glum. Aunt Eliza had com® up from the country; and brought the baby with her. That in itself was bad enough, but worse was to follow. Aunt Eliza and'mother were going shopping, and Antony Roderick was to be left in charge of the baby. No wonder he looked glum. “But, mother,” he protested. “I can’t. I’ve got to meet Jim Wilkes in half an hour, and—” “That’s enough, Ruddy,” said mother, “Jim Wilkes can wait: you can look after the baby." And off they went. At the gate Aunt Eliza turned, “H the darling wakes take him for a walk, won’t you.”

Ruddy snorted. The idea of pushing that fat lump of a baby round

in front of the fellows. It was impossible. Perhaps he wouldn’t wake. Ruddy picked up his latest comic, and became absorbed in the story of rancher Tom. For half an hour there was silence. Then —“Ya-a,” went the baby. Ruddy took no notice, lor rancher Tom w*as holding up six thieves single-handed, - “Yara, ya-a, boo-o,” cried the baby. .Ruddy grunted. “Let the kid howl; it would do him good." He continued his story. At last, when the screams became almost deafening. Ruddy threw down his book and went to the baby. The poor little thing bad yelled till it was almost black in the face, so Ruddy hastily handed it a box to play with. The screams stopped, and Buddy went on with his'story. ; The story ended. Ruddy glanced at the baby. What a sight met his eyes. Sister’s paint tubes had been in that box, and from head to foot baby was smeared with paint. ,

“Gosh," thought Ruddy, “he is a mess, but I tbmk it’s an improvement. He looks rather like a clown. I’ll show him to the gang, and tell them he's the clown’s baby.” No sooner said than done. Baby was bundled Into his pram, and Ruddy set off in search of the gang. An hour later mother and Aunt Eliza, tired after shopping, were returning home, when .they spied a little group of boys with Ruddy and the baby amongst them.

Can you tell me what are always two a penny? Why, halfpennies, of course. What are the most unfriendly things in the world? Milestones; he* cause you never see two r of them to- * gather.. , Ct ;v- j

•■Just look.” said Auntie, “the dear boys are admiring baby- He has such taking ways. But aren’t they shy. They’re all running away.”

This was true, for at the sight of Aunt Eliza and mother, the boys disappeared, and soon Ruddy and the oaby were left alone. Ruddy would have run, too, but he was not given a chance. With a cry .Aunt Eliza ran to the baby. Then—“OH, you wicked boy, you horrid, nasty, vulgar little boy. How could you treat your poor, sweet little cousin like that.” I We will draw a curtain over what followed. Suffice to say that never again was Ruddy asked to mind-the ■baby. V : „ —’MATE PEGASUS, ’ Opswa.

TRY THIS! Take a piece of paper tmd a pencil and write down the numbers 1,2, 3, 4> 5 and 6. Ask one of your friends if be can make a motor-car.

If he cannot you just place the dgurte like this. —J. R. HARTLEY.'