THE OLD-SEAMAN

Evening Post, Volume CXVII, Issue 47, 24 February 1934, Page 7

THE OLD-SEAMAN

' (Original.) .. "Well, young 'one, what " are you staring at?". ; • J "Your boat, sir. I never saw such' a beauty." . '■• A little boy said' these words as he watched an old seaman getting his launch ready. Th© boat's name was Gay Mary. It was painted red and white, and it had an engine in it. The. o}d seaman was washing and cleaning it, and it was just big enough for three people. "Do you like it?" asked the old seaman. "Bather," said the boy. "I wonder if you give, rides?" "Sometimes," said the seaman, and he went on with his cleaning. The boy watched,him for a few minutes, then turned to go home. The seaman called him back. '' Here, J ' he called, and the boy swung.round. "Will you go to the village and get a gallon of petrol for me?" "Yes, of course I will," said the boy. • So the old Seaman gave 'him, a tin, and the boy trotted off. He soon returned with some petrol, and gave it ta the old man. "Thanks very much," said the old seaman. "Now, how about a ride?" "Oh, thank you very much," answered the boy. But as they were getting in they saw a' little girl, and the boy uoticed her to be his sister. "Oh, Mr. Seamnn, will you let hep come in, because sho is my sister?" "All right," said the man, and the girl jumped in. Then the seaman started the engine, and off they went at a terrific speed, but the children did riot care a bit. When it was time to go 'home they said good-bye to the seaman and ran off home to tea. After that, every time the children wont down to the beach they had a nde in the Ga^ Mary, and the seaman, was one of their very best friends. "BROWN BETTY". (0). Petone.'