The Vision

Dominion, Volume 32, Issue 264, 5 August 1939, Page 7 (Supplement)

The Vision

roughly, yet with une.scapeable force, wittier bad taken the world in his grip. Ills hnrd tears formed icicles—snowy tilings of exquisite beauty—on the low roofs, and his cold breath formed a white, steamy mist, in 'he night air

The old man leaned heavily on the low fence, his dim eyes lit by the dancing firelight of the room into which he was ga'zing. A warm lire, a table with a '•loth its while tis untrodden snow, the warm faces of little children st retching out rosy lingers to the tire — for a few moments till those joys found a reflection in his own sad heart, lie was one of them, clad in a line suit with furry slippers on his poor aching feet: the reality, not the vision, of a fii'-e sent, tt flood of thrilling wttrmtiess through him. . . . A heavy hand fell on his shoulder—in a second his pleasant dream, and the scene that had made it. were gone.

“Ihive to move along, old fellow. Can't, have you staring into private propert/, you know. People might object.” Meekly rhe old man limped off. No longer wtr.s winter a . season of bright fires and the gaiety .of bright,-cheeked children’s laughter. 11. was a time of of mud and slush that, worked its way through the gaping bools and wet to numbness torn feet. It. was a time of driving rain that soaked thin clothes scantily covering a thin body. It was a time of stinging hail that burst against, yellow cheeks, leaving them red and painful for a moment, until all feeling of pain became one with the numbness of his spirit. . . .

He slnmix-d heavily down to the pavement. There was a noise of running feet, quick loud cries—then a soft, hushed silence its the people realized that Hie old matt had gained his heart’s desire. Once again he was revelling in the warmth of firelight and rosycheeked children. But this time it was no vision, it was reality—an eternity of reality.— Miss Billy (16), Wgtn.

(’ubailcro, Aliistci lon: Anol her Winter Page? I do agree- specially as today is colder Ilian ever. Your snowy sketch is good, Albert.

Christabel, Woodville: A neat cut-out Shirley, but you had made, your mount over-large. The tulip corner-pieces were a gootl idea.

Peter. Makarclu: Arc you frozen yet? You were down io zero when you wrote, so I wonder how cold if is now? The pic titre arrived still Hour-si tick, and it really is a ’‘brilliant" effort. Sorry about William Weatherman. but he’s absolutely uncontrollable lately.

Smiler, Carterton: Many, many happiest How the birthdays do Uy. ... II seems only yesterday you were Jus; nine. Did you make the snowman before you drew him ?

Dad’s Cobber. Carterton: Snow and -stars —it will be a wonderful sight to see Ihe comet. 'fell me next week whether you did—even without I lie aid of telescopes ana' the observatory men. Imagination shows in your sketches, but they do nut reach the standard : it is a pity. Flash. Wellington: Glad Io see you ai<* keeping to you'r word about doing the com petitions, Frank. When arc you coming up to the League ollire again? ,\. Rend, Levin: Will yon please send in your full name when you write again? The* addresses have been sent.

Bonny Bonza, Johnsonville: Thanks lor Ihr pen nam<*. Fay. Those foals sound dear we chaps. The Dutch story was hist week’s com pel ii ion : try io gel your entries in early in the week following the annunncomei;l in tin* page.

Nuts. Gisborne: Another birthday wish to give. 1 hope Tuesday was a very happy day Nanette. A pity the mail is so ir regular, but who could blame it with such snowy Heather as lately? The border nuiud the picture was quaint. Ihtdd.x. Grr.tlywfi; Snow, and for the first lime in your life. What fun you had. Mary The Jiflle Polch |»<»y should have been painted iii jollier colours, I ilimighl---more yellows and lighter reds. Aloraft*, Wit iron: Tin* black .monin was a good idea. Jean, bnj you hail spoilt your picture wilh Iho face. A pity. liccanso the rill-outs were very ga.V.

Gloria, Wellington: Il is good to .sue yon coine to light every so often. Ser if you

ran *th’ Ilnur from the depths of school books to write an occasional note. 1 miss her descriptive pen. Your Dutch picture was shaded well, and I specially liked his scuffed rings.

Kiim* Dreams. Kkelaliuna: Everyoii-’ liked Lofty’s Dutch piriure. Yes. lhat’lilni was wonderful, and I ‘•an imagine ihaj you would love the drawings. The spring sketch was a cherry note in the mail, and well done, Ursula. Bonnie Bluebell has