FOR LITTLE FOLKS.

Feilding Star, Volume VI, Issue 1819, 15 June 1912, Page 2 (Supplement)

FOR LITTLE FOLKS.

■ 1 ■- A RELIC OF HISTORY. In 1306 there took place a battle at Dairy, near Tyndrum, between Robert tlio Bruce and the MacDougalls of Lorn. The King was very hard pressed, and had to save his life at the cost of his mantle, which, along with the silver brooch that fastened it, was torn from him by the furious pursuers. For generations the brooch was kept by the MacDougalls, both as a trophy gain- : ed in fight and as an interesting historical relic. But in the 17th century, during a raid upon Dunolly Castle the MacDougalls' stronghold, J which was besieged and burned, the I brooch was seized with the spoil by i Campbell of Bar-Gleann, in whose i family it was preserved for two centuries. Then it was acquired; by General Campbell of Lochnell, who presented it in 1824 to his friend Sir John MacDougall. Thus it returned-, ;to the custody of the chief of the clan, whose ancestors had won' it from the Bruce. Now it is safe in the mansion of the MacDougalls, adjoining the time-worn, picturesquely situated castle of Dunolly, so familiar to every visitor to Oban. THE FLOWERS' BED-TIME. Little flow'rs, it's time for bed! Slowly droops each dainty head; There's a bath for each of you In the glist'ning drops of dew, And they'll swiftly wash away Signs of toil and heat of day. In a clinging, cool nightgown ; Fold your green leaves closely down, And your pretty faces frome . In a nightcap of the same. Little flow'rs, the daylight dies, And it's time to close your eyes. Hark! the river running nigh Croons to you a lullaby; All around the shadows creep, Fold your petals up in sleep; Birds are flying to the nest, Little flow'rs, the moon beams bright Softly by the night-wind goes, Whispering of sweet repose; Stars are peeping overhead, So of course it's time for bed. Little flow're, the moon beams bright ! Stoop to kiss you —so, good-night 1. THE ROBIN AND THE BOY. It was a warm and sunny day In the glory of the year. A robin on a lilac spray I Was piping loud nd clear. But as he sang he turned his eye Upon the path- below, And there a lad was passing by With idle step and slow. And louder grew the robin's song The woodland to entrance; And.. yet that urchin strolled along Nor gave the bird a glance. Ho climbed a stile with lazy feet, Because no gate was near. Then down a lane with woodbine sweet I watched him disappear. ''Well, well!" the robin seemed to '■ cry, And shook a ruffled wing, "I do believe he passed mo by And never heard me sing! And yet I did my very best • To fill his heart with glee. Upon my word, I'm glad the rest Are not so deaf as he." FAR AND SURE. In the days when railways were ( not very common in. Australia the stage coach carried passengers, goods, and tlhe mails. During a rainy season a river overflowed its banks and the coach could not get over to v the . other side. All sorts of plans wero tried to send a rope 'over, so that ' the mails (doneup in a strong box) ; miglit reach the settlers hungry for , news from home. Arrows, slings, and ! ayen guns -were tried in vain. AL ] last it occurred to a Scotch colonist,. tvho Sbad brought his golf clubs and * balls with him from file old country, i< to attach a string of great length to c 1 ball .and drive it over—if he could. * The ball was tee-d, the golfer swung iis club about a few times to eaee a

his arms, and then, with a tremendous hit he drove the ball right over I the swollen waters. The string was takeoi off on the other bank and hauled in, until it disclosed a rope fastened to it. Then tlu- rope was hauled in until the trunk containing the postal packets was reached.