A BROKEN BOWL

Evening Post, Volume CIV, Issue 146, 17 December 1927, Page 14

A BROKEN BOWL

The i'anie of Thomas Pry's china factory at Bow had reached royal ears, and the Queen was coming to pay it a visit.

To Pry it was a dream come true, and to someone else as well—Johnnie Eowe, the lame son of one of Pry's workmen, who had long desired to see the Queen. There he was at the gate with the other children, and clasped closely was a dear possesion as an offering to Queen Caroline.

Thomas Pry thought well of Rowe's skill, and he had let him work at the factory sometimes when the other men had gone. He did not know that Bowe had brought his little son there and taught him something of the potter's art. If Johnnies legs were able to do less than other children's his hands could do more, and when he had. fashioned a bowl which his father said was fit for the Queen. Johnnie longed to give it to her. Now the chance had come.

The Queen arrived, and the children kept at a respectful distance, so awed were they by. the sight of the fine clothes, the powder and patches of Her Majesty and of the ladies in attendance.

Johnnie knew he must not push himself forward yet. Ho waited while the Queen was in the factory with the patienco of the child who cannot easily run about.

Presently loud cheering from-- the workmen inside the factory brought, the children together again. They pushed past Johnnie and clustered round the

gate. Johnnie began to work his way through the crowd. Now the cheering was louder; the gate was opening. With a great effort and a final twist Johnnie had wriggled to the front, but before he could steady himself a big boy sprang forward to get a bettor view, and in a moment Johnnie was flung down at Her Majesty's feet.

His stick flew out- of his hand, and the precious bowl lay under him, broken. Johnnie burst into tears. Then a wonderful thing happened. The Queen herself stooped "over him, and with her own hands helped him up. "He is lame!" she exclaimed in tones full of sympathy. "My poor child!" Then, seeing that he was grasping tight hold of something, she said: "Have you broken something?" "My bowl! I made it myself. It was for you, your Majesty!" sobbed Johnnie.

"He is the son of one of my workmen," Pry hastened to explain. "Now now, Johnnie! Tv must not hinder Her Majesty."

But the Queen had taken.the broken bowl and was examining it with admiration.

"Surely, Mr. Fry, this is wonderful work for a child," she said. It was Pry's turn now to be surprised.

Johnnies tears were quickly dried when the Queen promised to keep the bowl and hare it mended.

As for Thomas Pry, he patted Johnnies head and said one day he would