THE MUSEUM

Evening Star, Issue 21784, 28 July 1934, Page 5

THE MUSEUM

A GOOD-MIGHT TALE Mac said the whole business was suspicious. “ And it’s not the first time this has happened,” he added. “ Don’t stare at us,” retorted lan. “ as if you thought we were guilty.” “Guilty!” pouted Jean. “Why, the same thing has happened to my belongings.” “ And to mine,” said lan. “ We leave something precious lying about and—click!—it’s gone. It’s not magic: it’s just thieving.” “No, it’s not as simple l as that,” Mac replied. _ “ Things go, but they come back again sometimes.” “ Only after there’s been a fuss,” added Jean. “ Yes, but they disappear again later,” persisted lan, “ and disappear

for good." 'lt’s/not" a. case'of, tidying uj>. or spring ideaningj of-! —” • “ Mother- knows nothing about it,” said Jean, in quick defence. Mac interrupted. “ Let’s get the whole case clear;”'he said, in true detective fashion. “ First, none of us does it. Second, mother is innocent. Therefore— —” “ There’s only, father left,”, laughed Jean.

“ Then; he must be guilty,” said Mac darkly “’l’ll test him at : tea-time. Leave it to me.” The meeting broke up. ? As the family sat, at tea that .'day Mac announced suddenly :. “ You know that cardboard puzzle, affair that came with the groceries some time ago; well, it’s gone!” “ It was lying about for some, days,” said his mother. “ You’re very careless; you ought to put things away.” “ I thought I’d finished , with it,” answered Mac. , . • : “ So did 1,”,, added, his father. V f I thought you’d finished with it, so I rescued it:for you.” “ Rescued?” said lan. • “ Yes, it’s with the other rescues,” ' said his father, “ in the museum.” “Museum?” muttered Jean, puzzled. “ I’ll hand it over,” said their father, rising. “ I think you’re old enough now to manage it for yourselves.” And he left the room. . ,

■ The children stared i at. one Another. Presently he -returned with ah' ancient gladstone bag, which he, dumped on the floor. “ Museum 1” ■ »h'e . announced, and opened it.;- ■ - ; . . Thev,ehildren rushed to see theconftentsi’ Inside they, saw an amazing 'collection; of old and forgotten "knickknacks. ■ ' '

“ Anything ingenious I’ve collected—er—rescued,” explained their father, “ They are all things that tradespeople have, given away,,, tricks and puzzles and games. You played- with "them, and tired of them. When you tired I rescued them, if they were worth' the rescue. Sometimes, Pm sorry to say, I did my rescue a bit too soon. How.ever, there you ,are ! ” ■ “ A real .museum!” chuckled Jean, “ with labels all complete.”