FAIRY RING

Evening Post, Volume CXXVII, Issue 111, 13 May 1939, Page 27

FAIRY RING

WHEN THE "GOOD PEOPLE" SANG , .■ ■■ . — : — ♦ (And What Happened When a False Note Crept In.) HAVE you seen the p£nk foxglove spears swaying among the bracken? Foxgloves and fern grew about the farm of two brothers, Donald and David. Donald was the better liked of the two, though he had none of the luck*. To be sure, he was a simple, kindly man, easily cheated. His brother David had wronged him over the farms, and had given him the sour, rushy land by the river and the bare hillside for his share. Things went from bad to worse with Donald. He grew poorer and poorer. At last, one summer evening, when he was looking for a lost sheep, he was so foolish as to fall asleep on the mountain side, in the midst of a crowd of foxgloves. Foxgloves are eerie things, pledged to the Good People. It was no wonder, when Donald awoke at dawn, he found himself surrounded by a circle of fairies, in crimson hoods and green jackets, among the bracken, singing together like all the skylarks in heaven. So beautiful was the music Donald could not help but join iri. Loud and lustily he sang-with the fairies, and though,his voice was deep and rough it tuned in somehow, and the Good People seemed to like it. They parted friends, and when Donald returned to his farm he found his byre full of cows, and all his stacks doubled. It troubled his mean brother David very much .to see how rich the luckless one had grown.- He wished to know how, but Donald would never answer, as he thought, "Easily got, lightly go. The Good People may change my luck again if I tell about it!" Month in, month out, when Donald was feasting, or when he was fasting, David tried to trap him into an answer, but in vain. After a year had gone by it came back to his memory that when they were bairns together Donald used to talk in his sleep, and would answer any question that was put to him, arid never remember anything about it in the morning. Away went David to Donald's farm at dead of night. He peeped in through his brother's bedroom window, asked the question, and was told the whole story. Laughing to himself, he made his way to the mountain. "If the fairies rewarded Donald's singing so well, what will they not give me?" For, Avasted as it was on him, David had a grand singing voice. He slept among the foxgloves, and when he awoke the fairies were around him, carolling as before. David joined in the music, and sang his best. Yet when he had finished the Little People looked at him but glumly. "You have a sweeter voice than your brother," they said in chorus, "but there" is a false note somewhere. Hurry home, man, hurry; a cock is crowing on your chimney." Away went David as fast as feet could carry him," hoping to find stables, barns, and hen-houses all full, but when he sighted his home it was the Red Gock crowing on the chimney. All his farm was on fire. — M. I. K. Carruthers.

THINK TWICE

Tangled Writers,

Below are the -tangled names of five great writers. Can you solve them ?" NEAR DENS MIGHT SOLD SEVEN TONS A KEY CHART NAY ALL BENT Word Puzzle. j I am, indeed, a curious word, Quite common, too, and often heard. I'm clever, but I hurt as well. Behead and I of selling tell. Behead again and skill you see. If you reverse the whole of me You'll find that I am things you meet In certain towns along the street. Charade. My first's three parts of what you'd wish Your dearest next to be, But how shall I describe my whole To any, or to thee? 'Tis visible, we read, but who : Will own he sees the air 1 ' They say it rings, but 'tis no bell I safely may declare. ; LAST WEEK'S ANSWERS. Topsy-Turvy Arithmetic.—XlX. Take away I and XX remains. Boys' Names.—Frank, Ernest, Rex, Norman, Jack. Jumbled Boys' Names.—Warwick, Richard, Terence, Norman, David, Gerald, Ivan, Russell, Lloyd, Geoffrey.

CARELESS TOPKINS

MOffi v%mL "MAdfc

Have you ever seen magic moth balls? If you haven't all you will need will be some moth balls, some citric acid, a glass jar, and a quarter of a pound of soda. Moth balls cost Id a dozen; and mother will' have the citric; acid, and the soda, the kind she uses on washing day. You just turn on the tap for the water.

Into your jar or witch bowl put two quarts of-, water—if it is small you may have to use smaller quantities. Add about one quarter of a pound of soda. Lastly put in two ounces of citric acid.

Suddenly, the moth balls will be covered with tiny silver bubbles. They will have tails of little silver bubbles. They will begin to travel swiftly up and down. Sometimes they will travel separately; sometimes .in little crowds. Then, perhaps, they will slow down and move lazily, for a while. Then,

when you don't expect it, a whole row of them will go climbing to the top. They are very, beautiful on actable under a bright lamp which has a dark shades—especially if there is no other light in the room.

The magic moth balls should travel for two or three days. When they begin to stop just add a little soda and citric acid, and half a cup or so of fresh water, and off they will go again.

'''"The leaf-elves. werS" very "busy mixing paint for autumn leaves. In Elftown all the gardens and parks were full of elves busily painting leaves. Some were using orange paint, others red, some yellow, and some brown. They were very careful with the paint and did not spill a drop. ■ One little elf, named Topkins, was the only one who was careless. He was always spilling the paint or breaking the leaves away from their stalks. One day Topkins was working in the park. This day he was being as careless as -ever. He had already spilt a bucketful of paint that morning while he had been painting a sycamore: tree, and the trunk of the tree had scolded him. and sent him away, but he did not listen and'went on being more careless than ever. ■ . : ; ■;

He had just come inside the park gates when he saw a pohutukawa tree with all its green leaves. He knew it was naughty, but he could not resist it. Taking his ladder, he climbed up the green tree and began painting it with his orange paint. Just then some fairies came along and saw him. "You naughty painter. You know that the evergreen tree does not like her leaves painted. We shall go and tell the Fairy Queen." So off went the fairies to tell their queen. When they had told her they ran to Topkins's house to tell him that the Queen had said he could not be a painter any more. Poor Topkins had to go out into. the woods to be a woodsman. It taught him a lesson not to do a thing; that was against the fairy law. <■■ "EVENING STAR" (8). Island Bay.

BIRD ALPHABET NO. 4

EIDER DUCK

The eider duck is a large duck of which there are five species. It is an inhabitant of northern latitudes and supplies the soft down known as eider down. These birds line their nests with down which they pluck from their breasts, and it is this that is valued so much. In certain parts of Norway and Scotland the haunts of eider ducks are preserved. Eider down is so elastic that a pound or two of it will fill an ordinary bed covering.

SEASONS. (Copied.) Grey days and yellow days, September cloud and sunIs It spring or wintertime That the world's begun? Good-night In the sunshine. Morning coming soon— Not a wind from anywhere All the afternoon. Children playing In the fields. Lost among the sheaves, ■ ■ Busy brooms of garden boys Sweeping up the leaves. Eainstorms beyond the blinds, Mole and little mouse. Now I wish you all dry coats Safe Inside your house. Found by • . "MARIETTA." City. THE WIND. (Copied.) The wind was rery cross today— It wasn't nice a bit! It took my hat off right away. And blew me after It. It tossed the papers about. And broke my windowpane. And when I tried to come to school. It blew me back again. "DOLLY DAYDREAM" (11). Eelburn.

PLEASE . . . !

Evelyn Wait, of Port Elizabeth, South Africa, wants penfriends between the ages of.fourteen and seventeen. Evelyn'? address Is 52 7th Avenue, Newton Park, Port Elizabeth, South Africa.

FAIRIEL SENDS

Pixie Ones:

"Bucking Broncho," Victoria.—Letterbox Elf nearly stood on his head with excitement, when he saw the Australian postmark. It was Interesting to read about Melbourne and : we're honing to hear more of ' people and j places In. Australia. - I 1 "Bush Orchid," Belmont.—A poem you made yourself .; . splendid Mt's really very good, 'specially with the wee drawing to match. "Twinetysnaps," Beimqnt.— Greetings to an old i Ring member. I wonder if you still make stories and poems and if you'd ihake us one for the Birthday Page. "Evelyn W,," Port Elizabeth.—-Letterbox Klf wanted those South African stamps for his collection. Your letter, was a great surprise. I'm sure you will find many penfriends in the Ring. • "■ "Jingle Bells," tyall Bay.—"Trees" is a poem worth printing, Patty. I like your illustration. We'll be thinking of you next week, and looking forward to your first out-of-hos-pital letter. "Biddy," Miramar.—Lovely days for bicycle rides and rambles. Weather Man has the seasons sadly mixed this year, but We don't mind when holidays wear Summer's garb. "Periwinkle," Eketahuna.—-It must be a quaint garden, pixie, and what exciting places to be explored over the hills near your home. Thank you for the little story. "Fairy Stardust," Berhampore.—The new canary must be a good teacher if Goldie is learning to sing at last; You'll find a South African penfriend's address in the Ring tonight. "Marietta," City.—Mention the name of the writer whenever you copy a poem, dear. I minis I have enough copied verses for a little while, so I'll ask for some of your very own J "B/w n» o, w};'a W?<Jestown.-.Not till you had vanished did I discover that package of flower Pictures. . . the dainties! ones I've ever seen. Thank you for snipping nnd clipping tor somebody's scra-pbook. I'm sure the Darty was a great success. "Medea," Northland.—Montague Mouse Is an amusing character. Perhaps you can persuade him to tell more of his adventures. And please come visiting again. "Medea." "Daisy Dawn," Karorl.-Autumn the gipsy is really and truly in the Ring From another mushroom came seven of her loveliest and rosiest leaves. Pixie artists, specially will like your drawing "Sunlight." Island Bay.—Good news Joyce I look forward to visitors during school hollSfw cldVTh brfayY may tolD " hP WisheS"Starlight." Island Bay.-Another clever puzzle-finder The Puzzle Man is slowly eKi T"» "if 0 bI S ? ile of competition entries I wonder who is going to win I "Biddy," Miramar.-Basketball matches have begun in earnest and your team has made a mtreft DOn>t y °U thiDk tournaments "K.R.," City.—The elt and i have read your nterestins little book, and tho' we explored the Dominion Monarch we've learned ever so much more from you Splendid illustrations too I "Great Greenfealher." iohnsonvllle.—So the book arrived just in time to help evening hours fly The elf and I hope you enjoyed meeting (he schoolgirls between Its covers "Eileen L.." Petone. -Write your name on the back of your puzzle. Eileen, as Innsp naires are sometimes separated "Queen Anne." Hataitai.—That's the way to send in a puzzle entry dear T'ra glad you like the. bird competition There are three more groups to be guessed' before it ends "Bruce W.," City.—What n big family of pets. Bruce, and what a strange little kitten to be so fond ot the rain. Arc you enjnvlni.' the holidays. Bruce? ["Blue Veil," City.—There's another, overseas pen-friend in our P.inc tonight, elf I know •she'd love to find one of your intprestinc letters In thp mail one mornins "Juliana." Kilblrnie.—A dangerous adventure that ended happily There's a gift for storymaking here Keep on writina 'Juliana " and watch for vout work in the Ring "Raymond W.," Evans Bay. -Such a small space for long names Isn't It laddie You printed them very neatly. "Nancy W..' City.—We all like those short, fun-making poems More please, Nancy! f hope you'll join In all the fun of the Ring Can you work magic with a paint-brush? « • * RIDDLES. What is it that has a mouth, out never speaks; a bed, but never $leeps In It?—A river. Why are tall people always the laziest? — Because they're longer in bed. What Is the longest word?—" Smiles," dbcause there is a milp between the first and last letter. "DOLLI DAYDREAM" (11), I Kelburtt.

"FAIRIES AND GOBLINS." (Original.) All among the blue bells. There Is a pretty sight. All among the blue belli, Fairies dance all night. Underneath the daisies. Goblins sit and sing, Underneath the daisies. Goblins sit and swing. "SUSIE SUNFLOWER" (7). Northland. : GARDEN THOUGHTS. lOriginal.) I nave a time garden With lots of pretty flowers. And 'neath the shady willow tree, I sit and dream for hours; I dream of all the fairies, Who dance there late at night. When the golden moon' shines down And gives them showers of light; There are arches of white roses And flowers of every hue; Upon the garden wall. I sit. And gaze into the blue: "FRISKY FAYE" (10). Earorl.

Lady Belinda seldom rode in a bus, because she had two cars doing nothing else but wait to perform this service for her; but today her chauffeur was ill. and she had stepped from her dressmaker's meaning to hail a taxi to get her home However, no taxi passed but a huge red bus pulled up at her feet so she stepped inside She was thinking about a dress stie nad just tried on It reminded her of one. => red stripea dress she had once had She had liked it so much that she had worn it much longer than she usually wore her dresses, until she had finally sent it to a charitable institution begging for 'cast offs."

With her mind still full of the dress Lady Belinda looked up A tall, thin woman had got in and sat down opposite Her coat was unbuttoned and her dress —it couldn't be! But it was! Her old striped gown!

How amazing! II must have reached the woman through the institution to which Lady Belinda had sent it

The bus stopped and the striped dress got off. and. without quite knowing why she did it. the original owner got off too .

Down a small side street the dress went turning in at a shabby doorway The windows of the house had cheap lace curtains, and when a Light came from inside it showed a poorly furnished room.

Lady Belinda stood spellbound' It almost seemed that a little bit of herself was moving in that room

The woman began to take oft the dress. Then she paused and drew the blinds. Barely a minute or two had

TREES THROUGH A WINDOW.

Within a room, a window makes A frame through which to watch the change The light contrives on bark of birch And darker texture of the oak — And of all trees whose shape conveys What wind and sun has said of these. This glass that mirrors like a lake Unstirred, reveals within its range The limit that the eye will search And seeing find and finding soak Into the pattern of the days A watcher by a window sees. — John Ritchey.

A PAINTING FOR MAY DAYS

Wouldn't you like to hear about the Autumn pictures and stories that artists and scribes have brought to the Ring this week? I'd love to tell you, but Letterbox "Elf thinks we should let you have the fun of ivaiting to see for yourselves. Only seven short days before Autumns dancing shoes leave a little trail of jade footprints on the grass, for she'll come with the evening dew and the dusk and you'll be able to read and puzzle or paint her pictures, if you feel so inclined, beside your friendly fires.

What surprises that old rogue the Weather Man had for you, this first holiday week. He gave you days that he must have taken from Spring for the rambles and bicycle-rides you'd planned. Early in the morning-0 we looked out of the Ring to a harbour as silverpolished as a mirror reflecting orange funnels, masts, and the long, dark lines of ships. .

At all times of the day came footsteps along the way to the Ring, and smiling faces in the doorway. The jolliest part of holidays is making real friends of pixie pen-friends . . . and trying to guess which Ring-name belongs to each visitor. The minutes fly till evening overtakes us. Lights spring .up, through the dusk below, till they make a chain, of radiance around the water's edge and fling a sparkling net across the shadowing hills. Wellington is a fairy city in the dusk of an Autumn evening, when even the impish ivinds hold their breath in delight. So a very warm welcome to Autumn next Saturday, my elves, and one more day to post your almost-forgotten pieces. My love to every pixie.

FAIRIEL

PS.—Please, please send your scrapbooks early this month, so that I can peep at them before they are carried off to the hospitals. Ido love the scrapbooks you make! — Letterbox Elf.

fAIRY REVELS. (Copied.) When the dusk has fallen. And the night's begun. All the elves and fairies Have such lovely fun. Singing, dancing, playing. They laugh the whole night through, It's fun to be a fairy— I wish r were, don't you? "DOLLT DAYDREAM" (11). Kelburn. ■ ■ JOE. (Original.) 0, have you seen our puppy, Joe? He tries to bark so loud, you know; O, what a squeak I What a squeak i No matter how he tries. His hair is fluffy. But he's only a puppy. His nose, is a spot so black: 0. we love him so.. VAXERIE BAINE (10).

THE STRIPED DRESS

passed when out she came again, carrying a clumsy parcel She evidently had not had enough paper, for bits of red striped material were sticking out. Fascinated, Lady Belinda followed the woman till she stopped at a secondhand clothes shop, into which she vanished, a few moments' later coming ou again—without the parcel Lady Belinda went into the little shop, and inquired the price of that I striped dress "Ten shillings,' she was told. Ten shillings! Lady Belinda thought of the dressmaker's bill "I will buy it," she said ®The dress was repacked and Lady Belinda went down the street again to the shabby door, into which the tall, thin figure was just entering "Could I speak.to you?" asked Lady Belinda. 'Oh,, please come in," was. the surprised answer, and Lady Belinda followed "1 have taken the liberty," she said, "'of bringing you a small present." When the parcel was opened the woman looked so surprised that she could hardly speak, and so Lady Belinda began to explain. "I sold it," explained the woman, in her turn, "to buy food for my husband. He is out looking for work." Lady Belinda did not leave before she had placed on the table another small present, a paper one this time, and a promise of help that made such a difference to the poor woman's tired face that when he came home her husband hardly recognised her.

FROM A HILLTOP

"The other day we went out to Palliser Bay, and climbed a cliff that, from the base, looked almost impossible. But, hey presto, we were at the top and found—nothing else but Baring Head lighthouse. We had a most wonderful view from where we were—a ship far out on the horizon, a yacht just out of Island Bay, and the rest of Wellington away out in the distance."

Lyall Bay,

"TERTIUS" (16).

WHERE? | (Copied.) Where do you come from, harebell blue, In your fresh green bed and your frock so new? Out of the morning?— out of the dew? Where do you come from, daffodil fair, In your smock of green and yellow hair? Out of the sunshine?— out of the air. Where do you come from, poppy, pray, Decking the field with your bonnet gay ? Out of the sunset of yesterday? . I ■*H3 j ./vxxamvK,, iq punoji TIME FOB TEA. (Original.) When mother says, "It's time for tea," 1 always jump about with glee, We usually have cakes and jam And nice thin sandwiches ailed with ham. "SILVER STAB." Johnsonyille. THE BIRD. (Copied.) Oh, sweetest, gayest Uttlß bird, You are the gayest In our world As you - hop and nest and slng-^ To" us happiness you bring. ••DOJLLY

DAYDREAM" (11) Kelburn.

"WELCOME TO . .V

"Hazelnut*' Wadestown "Nancy W." (12) City "Bruce W." (10) City "Anna" (12) KilblrnU "Ken J." (14) Seatoun

AN ANSWfcK TO . * •"•

"Queen Anne," Hataitai.—Something whispers that you're guessed all four this time, childie, but perhaps that wise old Puzzle Man won't agree, We'll just have to wait and see. " . "Cherryblossom," Miramar.—Did you copy the little poem from the school journal, dear? You see, nearly all our members know their journal verses already, so we* must . find fresh ones. "Lavlnla," Northland.—Such a dainty poem, "Lavinia." When the elf saw your pretty old-fashioned name he wanted to know if you wore a crinoline and if you had a sundial in your garden. "Princess Poppy," Brooklyn.—The same three little girls peeped into all your sketches. We i knew them by their long curls. You are getting very good at drawing faces, Pam. "Joybell.'- Plimmerton.—What a quaint story of a gold-fish, Joy. I 'spect you share in some real fishing sometimes when you co out in the boat "Tul Chorus," Petone.—lt Is a pretty little picture, Rita, but O, so tiny. You see. we like them quite large and clear when, with a touch of magic, we make them just the size we want. "Orangeade." Khandallah.—tour two puzzles arrived safely, elf. There are ever so many entries for the Puzzle Alan to judge, t don't envy him at all, at all. "Silverwlngs," City.—flow would you like to make a copy of "Lonesome's" Maypole picture, just .for practice, plxiekin. But perhaps you have an Autumn sketch in one of your own storybooks. I hope I'll see you in the Ring again soon. ■ "Susie Sunflower." Northland.—Happy holidays to you, Susie. Another new name In the Visitors' Book. Are you going to make a painting like those on the Ring walls? "Mischievous," City.—Each week your stories are better, elf of the-busy-pen. Bill's tale will find a place in print soon, but the sketch Is not quite ready for publishing, fay. You tackled a difficult subject. "Twinkle Bells," City.—What fun those snowballers are having. 1 'spect the drawing of the picnic party belongs to Autumn. Good drawing for a very young artist. "Lassie," Kelburn.—-Surprise on surprise. Have you a magic carpet in that rainbow bag of yours, for we're quite dizzy when we try to keep count of your aeroplane journeys. A' happy story We send our love in exchange. •'David," Northland.—Wasn't it a long, ride in the lift. Darid . . almost as high as the sky. Perhaps vou'l) come again with your sisters.

'Green Grass,' Ngaio.—We thought we'd lost you all through the summer months, but per* haps, you were waiting for the showers, too. Do join in Birthday Page fun. dear. ■Cowslip," Northland.—Greetings to you, springtime pixie ft was jolly to meet in the Ring, svasn't it Letterbox Elf hopes-you liked hi* scrapbooka 'Black Spider," City.—A note for this member In return for a long and Jolly letter. They were splendid- jokes that you enclosed. If all schoolboys are as funny as Don, teachers must lauch more than most crrown-ups. •Nolb r.." City.-What a dear little house, N'ola It must be fun to have It to play in when rhp weather's wet Hazelnut,' Wadestowh. Busy Holiday plans for this pixie The Elf says he'd love to come to the biscuit factory with you. He'd love to know how they make crackers crackley. , ■

'Jean G.," Rongotal.—A very much better ending. Jean You see the first and last paragraphs . . . sometimes even the lust sentence . ot a story are the most important Darts of It. A ooero for winter's days. •Sunray Sally," City.—The sketch matches the poem exactly Jolly to see more drawings from this pixle-pen. Are you eroine to find a place in the Birthday Ring? 'Anna, Kilbirnfe.—You must have looked a real autumn sprite wheD you came home with your arms full of scarlet berries. A lovely surprisp for Mother. They make cay decorations ' Jill 0..' Hataital.— Fun to read all about . your day on the yacht. Jill. Do you think you could sail it yourself, now? Ken J.," Seatoun.—Glad to know you are a Ring member now, Ken, Some of our best story-writers are boys. Do you want a penname?

THE REASON

Son (to father) : You have not swept the Boor properly. Father: Why? Son: Because 1 can draw Uttle motor-cars in the dust underneath the mat. GORDON PHASER.

TWO GAMES

"GRAB."

Dannem&ft,

The players stand in a circle and in the centre are a number of objects (bones), one less than the number of players. When the leader says "Grab!" all dive to the centre to try to get one of the objects^ The fellow who is unlucky goes out, one "bone" is removed, and so the game goes on till only one i player is left. UNMUSICAL BUMPS. All the players move round in a circle, and when the leader calls out "Sit down in fives" all the'players have to get into groups of five and sit on the floor. Anyone left out of a five is out of the game. Play continues until only two players are left. The leader can, of course, call out a different number each'time.

COUNTRY NAMES

[ Here are some English country names for flowers:—Marsh-marigold may be Boots, Golds, Goldins, Mayblobs, Meadow Bout, Water Buttercup, and Yellow Gowan; Cat-mint is Alehoof, Blue Runner, Devil's Candlesticks, Gill-go^by-ground, Robin-run-in-the-hedge, and Tun-roof; and Solomon's Seal is David's Harp, Fraxihell, Ladder-to-heaven, and Lily-of-the-mountain.

DSf THE TIME OF GIANTS

(Continued from last week.)

Unafraid, he stepped out from the shelter of his bush. One of the men. caught sight of him, dropped his flints, and ran off into the woods; the . others followed, the old man tottered after them; the women picked up their * babies in a panic, and took shelter in the huts—everyone disappeared. Only a boy was left, a boy about the same age as Tig. They stood staring at each other, shy but not afraid. Tig grinned;.-the other boy looked round to where his terrified elders had vanished, and laughed. Tig laughed too. There was no need to say more; they were friends. Side by side they sat down near the fire. Tig shared the last of his mother's cakes* and the other boy gave him a fine flint arrow-head in exchange. One by one the women ventured out from the huts, the men re- ■ turned from the woods. Tig helped with the skinning, and was given a good meal of meat It was as they sat round the fire at night that Tig began to ask themabout the giants. They were quite willing to talk. "Oh, yes!" said one man. "We've heard of the giants. They have two heads and eat women." "Where do they live, though?" asked Tig. "There," said the man, pointing, "on the other side of the mountain." "But that's where I've just come from," said Tig. "There aren't any giants there, only men like me"; for Tig began, and not without some rea» son. to feel himself almost a man. , . "You mean there aren't any giants on the other side of the mountain?* "No," said Tig, "not a single one." He thought for some time, and at last a sudden flash of knowledge came to him. "I don't believe there are any, giants," he said. ■ " . ' f ' It was several days later, and almost night, when he got back to his own village, and the men were sitting round the fire as usuaL He stole up behind them and listened. . Ab was saying, "That boy .was bound to get into trouble. I told you so, Tog, but you wouldn't listen. I told him myself that the giants would get him one day, and you see how it's aU'happened as I said. They haven't even left his bones " Tig's laugh rang out from the darkness. Tog and Ab turned hastily ixi fear, and then Tig himself walked into the midst of the group and sat down. "I thought you were a ghost!" said Ab, his teeth chattering. "Where hay« you come from?" as asked. - - "The other side of the mountain," N ' "From the giant's country?". • . "There aren't any giants," said Tig. ~ „ . Even Tog looked unbelievingly at this, but he was so glad to see his boy again that he didn't want to punish him. Instead, he said: "Come now, what : did you see on your journey, and how did you escape the giants?" "There aren't any giants," said Tig again. "I've been right over the mountains to the other side, and I found forests in the valleys beyond like our forests and a village like ours; and a boy." - And then he murmured to himself, "We're brothers, he and I. I shall go to see him again." Then a great discussion arose around the fireside. Some agreed with . Tig, and said there were no giants, and some agreed with Ab that the Boy . was lying and ought to be whipped, i All Tig would say was, "Well, you can all go and see for yourselves and I'll take a beating from anyone who'll cross the mountains with me—that is, if he finds a giant on the other side." Some of the braver ones took him at his word. They crossed the mountains and made friends with the men on the other side, so that after some - years there was a beaten track leading from one village to another. But Ab clung to his be>cf in giants till the end of his days, though the time came when everyone in the village laughed at him, and even the smallest child was not scared by his stories. , .•;

THE OLD STAGE COACH

It is not the custom to give special names to the charabancs which go careering along English roads nowadays, but their forerunners, "the stage coaches, always had special names atr tached to them.

Some characteristic names were ."Re* liance," "The Good Intent," "Aceoraimodation," "Clock-Work," and "The ' Regulator," These names seem to hold out a guarantee of regularity and punctuality. Two coaches which used to run .on 'the North Road' were named respectively Spitfire and Vixen. Perhaps the > appropriateness of these names is apV parent when it is-recorded that these, two ran in opposition to one another.* -' Defiance was a very common name in use during the stage coach period, and was withal something more than ~ a mere name; it really amounted to a challenge, defying, as it were, all competitors on the road. Sporting names were also used to -a '; large extent Such were "Tally-ho;" "Tantivy," "Highflyer," "Hieover/* . "High-mettled Racer," and "Flying ; Childers." The latter apparently tools its name from a famous racehorse of the period.

I A well-known and favourite stage > coach which used to run from the -Blossoms Inn, Lawrence Lane, London, to • Manchester, was named "Peveril of the Peak." Its great rival which used to start on the same journey at the same hour from The Swan with Two Necks, Lad Lane, was named "The Royal Bruce."

Another class of names, might. Jto termed speed names. They "" included "Lightning," "Quicksilver," > "Tele- . graph," "Express," and "Swiftsure." Some of the stage coaches wer« named after the famous people of the period, and here we have "Lord-Nel-son," "Cornwallis," "Rodney,". tTbm

Prince.of Wales," and "The Duke of Wellington/ Two rather significant names were "Give and Take" and "Live and Let Live." .

These.days have pasMitf. The railways and the motor-car have taken tha place of the stage coaches, and hustle and speed have become the order- of ( the day. But no doubt our forefathers enjoyed the leisurely journey* the old-time stage.coaches performed.