THE FIREWORK GNOME

Dominion, Volume 27, Issue 35, 4 November 1933, Page 23

THE FIREWORK GNOME

Jack gave a ’big, happy sigh. It had been the loveliest Guy Fawkes Day. During, the morning Jean and . Tony made the guy for Jack. After tea they made a big bonfire and burnt it. “I wonder,” Jack said, as he took a big rocket in his hand —“I wonder what would happen if I held the stick while the rocket went off. I’ve a good mind to light it.” Daddy always told him that it was most dangerous to stand anywhere near a rocket after it had been lighted. He lit the end of the rocket, clutching the stick tightly. His eyes sparkled as the paper end of the firework burnt away, then suddenly there was a tremendous whizz-bag, and Jack was switched off the ground, his legs flying out behind him. He hung on to the

stick as he went up with the rocket. As he passed over the chimney-pots a remarkable thing happened. Out of the burnt end of the rocket popped a little red firework gnome. '* He sat astride the stick to which Jack clung. “Are you coming, too?” he asked. “Coming where?” Jack panted. “To Guy Lodge, of course!” the gnome replied. “You know this is the Firework Express.” “I didn’t know,” Jack said. They dropped into the garden of the most curious house Jack had ever seen. It was exactly like a huge Roman candle. The chimney was just like the twisted paper end of a firework, and on a small door at the side was a knocker shaped like a double cracker. The gnome knocked three times. When the door was opened Jack saw'the same ffuy that he burned that afternoon. The guy bowed low when he saw them and Jed the way to- the back yard. There was a big bonfire burning, and round the fire sat guys of every shape and size. “Ah, here’s Jack! Welcome to Guy Lodge!” said a thin guy in a black suit. It was Guy Fawkes himself.

“Our annual sports are just about to commence,” said Guy Fawkes “Would you like to join in?” “Rather!” answered Jack. The firework gnome played a slow tunc on a little tin-whistle; the guys rose and joined . hands. Jack clung tightly to the paper-filled gloves. Jack was sorry when the dance was over.After the dance came the, fireworks. Every kind Jack could think of was there. The guys clapped their hands and shouted “OooOoo!”- Jack said it was the best fireworks display he, had ever seen. - “I think he ought to .be going home,” said the firework gnome. Jack and the firework gnome mounted the rocket which had brought them to Guy Lodge. Jack shut his eyes as he dropped down. He landed with an a.wful bump. Through the back door mother and daddy' and the rest of them were running. “Jack! Jack Where are you? What was that awful bang?” cried mother. "It’s all right,”: Jack said, rubbing a bump on his. head, “I only let off a rocket!” —Sent by “Summer Maiden,” aged 12, Wellington.