FOR THE CHILDREN.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 775, 26 March 1910, Page 11

FOR THE CHILDREN.

S-A-W-E-D. His' name is Marmaduko, and his age is ten. Even his aunt in the country, who adores him, hover thought ho was modest; and someone onoo said that he is the kind of boy who/is willing _ to teach anybody anything. He certainly never loses a chance of correcting other people; and the boys at his school often say wrong things just for tho sake of Hearing him put them right. But Marmadnke has been better lately; and this is tho reason. Tho other_day there was a fair at the placo where he lives, and his country aunt happened to bo staying with his mother, and she gave- him five pennies. He took them partly because ho wanted them, and partly because he thought that what ho had taught her was worth even more. When he reached tho fair he wandered round. Ho would not go on tho roundabouts, because he considered them only fit for what he calls "kids," and the picture of the Fat Lady annoyed him because;ho was rather stout himself. But soon something caught his attention. It was quit© a small tent, and placarded outside in big green letters was a sign which read, "This way to the Sawed Fish." Marmaduke sniffed to show his contempt for people who cannot spell, and half-way through the sniff lie caught sight, of a not very clean and rather oily-looking showman, who was touching hia forelock to him, and making low bows. When he had done three touches and four bows, he said, "Artcr-noon, -young gen'l'man, sir I Your servant,'sir! Come inside, young sir, and see the great sawed fish. Nothing like it, sir, in' this fair or any other. Patronise a poor showman, sir. Servant, sir I" Arid touchings and bowings began'all over again, while the showman smiled ■ and smiled as though he was enjoying himself.

All this really made Marmaduke rather nervous, but at last ho managed to speak. '.'Showman," ho said severely, "who taught you to spell P" "Learned myself,'young sir," was the reply,-with two touchings of his forelock.■; "Werry good pupil, first-class master. Quite a scholard I am. Servant, sir!" ■'Showman," broke in Marmaduke, quite' sternly, "you cannot spell at a'l. It should be s-w-o-r-d fish, or if you prefer it, narwhal."' The showman smiled an extra oily smile, and bowed. "Your mistake, young sir," he. said, cheerfully. "S-a-w-e-d is quite correct." "Nonsense," replied the boy crossly. "S-w-o-r-d—everybody -knows that." The showman's- eyes' twinkled. "Pay yer money, and come inside and see who's right, young gentleman, sir. Walk in;" he 'wheedled: ■'■ Marmaduke put his hand in 'his pocket. "How much?" he asked. "Twopence' for ordinary boys, fourpence for gen'l'men," was the glib reply. • "Also," ho added, "money back if- you're right/ Extra penny for me if you be wrong; Got a dictionary inside.- Walk in,' sir." The boy, of course, had- to pay fourponce; and walked in. ■To his disgust, on a ' table inside, was a big fish, sawed'in halves. "Cod fish," explained the showman; "sawed it .with this 'ere saw." r He showed a small saw. "Hand over the extra penny,, young- gen'l'man, sir. S-a-w-e-d. Told-you .so." Marmaduke was; fo dumbfounded that ■ the showman had soon received his last penny." "Now,", said he, in more oily tones than ever, "who's right?! Eh? Eh, . young sir? Seed, at once, I did, you're the kind ; of boy who is always putting other people right. I'has-this show on purpose for such children. I gets their- money, andthey learns tovbo humble. - Werry cheap on. both .sides! Off you go, young geu']?man,'; and- no. more conceit and correcting ovorybody, -Farewell." Marmaduke went off,, and this explains why he had been better lately. When he was about twenty yards off the showman called after bim.. : The.boy turned. "S-a-w- ... . " the showman began to shout; But Marmaduke ran off as fast as; he could.—"The World."

1;• A correspondent, writing 'to a, Paris' paper, says .that, he has'observed that aeroplanes cause great consternation among birds. Several sportsmen, members of tho St. Hubert Club, support this statement, saying that an aeroplane. . when in. flight resembles an' enormous, bird, of prey. All. the birds are terrified, and stags and other animals of tho chase hide themselves in, the woods, when they hear' $0 engines work-, ing above them. The.opinion, however, is expressed that .the birds., will not bo driven to other,.regions, but will soon become ( accustomed ,tp their strange visitors. .'. ■'-.-' ..-. •