Robin Hood At New Year

Evening Post, Volume CXXXIII, Issue 2, 3 January 1942, Page 4

Robin Hood At New Year

f\N his birthday, which came at the beginning of the New Year, Robin wakened feeling very excited, for he hoped to get a bicycle. But no shining new bicycle stood there, much to his disappointment. Instead, he says that his father had sent him a bow and arrow. He wandered downstairs and ate his breakfast, after which he decided to try his present. The bow and arrow were very fine, so he called his little friend Joyce to come and see it. Joyce said, "What about going to the old Manor House? You know, the owner will not mind." "That is a good idea. I will be a soldier, and you be a messenger and writes notes in my notebook. I can shoot them down on to the footpath." They were having fine fun until Robin called, "Lor1:, Joyce! There are two men coming out of the Squire's house, and they are coming here. It looks as if they have been stealing." Before the children realised what was happening the two men had reached the wooden palings and had climbed .into the garden of the empty house. "I bet they are coming to hide here. Quick, Joyce! Let's get away and go and tell the police." They ran towards the stairs, but too late; the men were already inside. "That's a good job done," said one of them. "We were just in time. The Squire is coming back this afternoon." "That is good. We can hide here with this silver until later on," replied the other. "We can't go now," whispered Robin. "They'll hear us and never let us pass." "Shall we have to wait?" asked Joyce. "No. I've got an idea," cried Robin. "I'm going to write a message and shoot it into the road." He tore a

page out of the notebook and wrote: "There are two thieves in the empty house next to the Squire's. Joyce and I are upstairs. We can't get out. Come quick and help.—Robin Trent." Robin stuck the note on .the. point of his arrow, fixed the arrow in position in the bow, then let it fly. It flew out well and landed in the road. Very soon a woman passed/ She ■ saw the arrow with the note and picked it up, then walked on. Robin and Joyce waited anxiously. They waited for what seemed ages and ages, then, just as twilight was beginning to come, they saw a number of tall, dark figures walk in quietly through the gates and quickly place themselves all around the house, while one of them went inside. Robin and Joyce ran downstairs and showed the policeman in which room the men were hiding. The thieves ran to the window, but they could not get away. . . . "Well. Robin." he said, "you've done a very fine thins and your parents will be very proud." When the Squire heard how Robin had saved his valuable silver he offered him a reward. "Oh, sir. is a bicycle too big?" asked Robin. "Not at -all," was the reply. So Robin got his bicycle after all. "SOUTHERLY BUSTER" (13). John?nnville.