AUTUMN RAIN

Evening Post, Volume CXV, Issue 105, 6 May 1933, Page 7

AUTUMN RAIN

. ■ (Qriginal, by "Antiope," for Autumn-in-the-Blng.) it would rain an' hail an' snow, an' flood," said Anthony ' T 7 John, all in one breath, glueing his little round button of a nose to the cold window-pane. The fact was, Anthony John was just starting school, and had a lovely new shiny raincoat, a truly sou'-westcr hat, and great, big gumboots, all for •when winter weather should start, very soon now. But, of course, the autumn sun persisted in beaming just like a summer's day, when Anthony John was just longing and longing to wear them—"just for spite," he was sure, but ho kept his eyes turned up to the tranquil blue sky in a vain search for clouds! ■ ; At last he grew disgusted, and started breathing on the window-pane, drawing _ grotesque figures with long legs and arms, and round, ■ grimacing faces, with his chubby fingers. "This," said Anthony John slowly, in between drawing a big ring and "breavirig," as he said, on the window-pane every few seconds, "is you, Mr. Sun. Just you look out now: See this?" he breathed again—an extra big breath; then with a sweep of his little palm ho removed all traces of jtfr. Sun. "See, now, you're all washed away by rain and floods an' things, and you'll sizzle and sizzle just like a sausage in a frying-pan!" It was just as he was chuckling at the vision of this vengeance on Mr. Sun. that the Fly started to crawl over his drawings and make the prettiest delicate pictures with its legs. Anthony John drew nearer and nearer, watching excitedly, when "Hello, Anthony John!" Anthony John started back in surprise, yet certainly it was the fly who had spoken. So bashfully sucking his thumb, ho drew near again. "H'lo," he said, doubtfully, thumb still in mouth. "If you want it to rain, why don't you ask the South Wind about it?" said the fly again. "Yes," said Anthony John doubtfully, "but " "No 'buts' about it," snapped the fly. "I'll take you to sco him. Just hop on my back." Before Anthony John had time to say any more, or even take his thumb out of his mouth, he was buzzing along in between the fy's wings and shortly he stood before the South Wind himself. The South Wind was a kind old man with twisting grey Jocks, a grey, soft face, and shining, clear-blue eyes. "Well, Anthony John," he smiled at that young person (who was still sucking His thumb), "so you want rain?" "Yes, please/ answered Anthony John, very wide-eyed, taking his thumb out for a second. i "Airl why do you want rain when it's only late autumn?" asked the South Wind. Then Anthony John took his thumb completely out of his mouth, and chuckled. " 'Cos I've got a lovely new shiny raincoat, a' real sou'-westcr, and great, big gumboots!" "Well," laughed the South Wind," "just go home now, and I'll see what I can do for you by tomorrow." Next morning, Mother crept in quietly to Anthony John's room, and kissed the curly brown hair on the white-as-snow pillow, and the tight, sleepladen eyes. "Anthony John," she whispered softly. Two deep brown wells of eyes slowly revealed themselves, looked dazed for a second, then suddenly a very wide-awake little boy was sitting up in bed. "Muvver, is it raining?" he gasped out. "Yes, darling, it's raining hard, and there are deep, round puddles ■which you may splash in, an' I won't, say anything!" Squeals of delight were her answer, as Anthony John sprang out of bed and pattered to the window. "Oh, I knew he would, the South Wind said1 he would!" he gurgled in his excitement to the pelting, shining, glorious sheets of autumn rain that rrere to . herald winter's near approach.