THE QUARREL

Evening Star, Issue 20985, 26 December 1931, Page 4

THE QUARREL

A GOOD-NIGHT TALE Old John and his wife had led a life of constant amusement—they ran a Punch and Judy show. For fifty years they travelled the countryside together with their handcart and dolls, and during that time they shared everything—good times and bad, plenty and poverty. Never a hard word passed between them; they were the most contented couple on earth for fifty hard years. When Old John was seventy years old he made his grand decision. “ Lass,” he said, “ we’ve got a bit put by, there are no children to think about, we’re both of us getting a bit stiff in the joints; a rest will do ns good. We’ll shut-up shop and retire!” Sj the show was scrapped, and the dolls were given to some children in a poor street, all except Punch, who wont into honourable retirement with Old John and his wife. 'Jhen Old John asked his good lady to name her dearest wish, and he would fulfil it, as a special treat for this spcnjal occasion. The old woman considered. “ I’d like, John,” she said, “ to go to the seaside where wc’vo done the old show for many summers, but this time not to do it, but just to sit on the promenade, like the ladies did when yen were performing and I went round with tho bag.” “ A tuppenny chair on the old prom.?” laughed John. “,A tuppenny chair it shall be, lass. We’ll go and have the first holiday we’ve given ourselves for fifty years.” So they went. And they quarrelled! On the first day, a day" of summer sun an 1 blissful happiness, these two old dears quarrelled. They had just settled themselves contentedly into their seats when a crowd gathered near by. Old John looked, listened, heard a squeak, and: “It’s a Punch and Judy, lass!” he gabbled excitedly. _ “ Como on!” “ No, fear!” said tho lass. “ I’ve watched one for fifty years, and I never want to see another.” “ B-but,” Old John spluttered, “ Pvo never seen one at all! I’vc always been inside. I’ve never seen a Punch and Judy show!” And olf he went; and watched and laughed and saw it all through, and gave tho showman a whole sixpence. Tl.cn he returned to the chair; but to his astonishment his wife had gone. Old John went miserably back to their lodgings, where he found his wife sulking; and she told him In short, they quarrelled. Thou Old John saw the error of his way. He said he was sorry, and so they made it up. But he did do it again secretly, because he couldn’t help it, now and then while his old lady had a nap. ‘ For,” said Old John to himself, “ it isn’t often one gets a chance of seeing a Punch and Judy show.”