The Children’s Corner

Gisborne Times, Volume LIII, Issue 5582, 10 September 1920, Page 3

The Children’s Corner

(By “Joyce.”)

The 'children's sections at ,the recent competitions were, in every case, much enjoyed by the audience. A particularly pleasing item was the oanoe song sung by the Mangapapa s'ohool girls. It was extremely well done, and the sentiment the song expresses: “Till we reach the goal the world 1 desires, peace and joy tor all,” is one to remember. The song “Good morning, Brother Sunshine,” sung by little boys was very enjoyable also. Another song which, appealed greatly to the audience was “Please give me a penny, Sir.” sung by a little girl realistically dressed in rags and tatters. The recitation “Flo’s Letter,” for very small girls was very pretty, and was well recited by the little performers.

The / strikingly sportsmanlike attitude of a youthful competitor at the recent competitions was noted by “Joyce” with keoni* pleasure, lie was performing brilliantly in a particularly difficult section, when, owing to a momentary lapse of memory he was unable to finish and thus lost his- chance o!i a. recall. Though obviously bitterly disappointed by what could by no means be termed a failure, he returned in the evening to hear his * rivals perform again, and heartily applauded when the prizes (one of which, had he been able to continue, was almost certain to have been bis) were awarded. This was playing the game in the truest sense. It is. the British way to face misfortune with a- smile, and it is the only way. In every case where we study the lives of great men and women we find that it. was tile way in which they met their defeats- and disasters, not their triumphs that brought them to the r goal at last. Doubtless the honor of winning the prize would have meant much to this boy, but the spirit which enabled him to return and heartily applaud his rivals will be of infinitely greater service to him through life.

THE LOSS OF THE! “ROYAL GEORGE.”

Toll for the brave, The brave that are no more! All sunk beneath the wave, Fast by their native shore. Eight hundred of the brave, Whose courage well wap tried, Had made the vessel heel, And laid her on her side. A land-breeze shook the shrouds. And she was overset; ■ Down went the “lloyal George” With all her crow complete. Toll for the brave! Brave Kompenfolt is gone, Hit; last sea-fight is fought, His work of glory done. It w-a-s not in the battle. No tempest gave the shock. She sprang no fatal leak. She ran upon no rock. His sword was in its- sheath, His fingers held the pen. When Kemponfelt went down, With twice four hundred men. Weigh the vessel up, Once dreaded by her foes! rind mingled with our cup, The tear that England owes. Her timbers yet are sound, And she may float again, Full charged with England’s thunder, And plough the distant main. But Kemponfelt is gone. His victories, are o’er. And lie and bis eight hundred Shall plough the wave no more. William Cowper. The “Royal George” was overturned by "a by a sudden squall of wind and sank rapidly. Richard Kemnenfelt, a famous English admiral, • was writing in h's cabin at the tune of the accident, which occurred in 1752. NOR AH’S REVENGE. ('Concluded. Celia bent- a hasty retreat, M:ss Wintrop’s bag clasped in her hand. In the hall she stopped and opened it out of curiosity. There were some a- handkerchief, and a sketching block ins do— Norah s sketching block surely! Yes, there was her namp inside and the letters were all addressed to Norah too! Celia snatched mi the handkerchief, and looked for the name on that; tiler*© it was, in a. well-known sprawling hand across the corner—.N. Thorpe.” Celia stared at the contents of the hag in amazement as the truth suddenly dawned on her. It- was all a trick ! Mss Winth.rop and! Norah were the same person) Norah wa s preparing for bed in a leisurely way that night, when there was. a. loud ring aj the front door hell, fol’owed by the noise of hurrying footsteps on the stairs. In another minute the door burst open, and Celia stood on the threshold. “Oh, Norah, I have come to to- 1 ! you that I know it was all a trek,” she began breathlessly. “1 opened your bag, look! You dropped it in the drawing roam. The worst of it is- that I told Miss Hart about going on the river and she hasn’t gone away to-day after all, so she w’l have to know -all about it. However. I have thought of a way out of the scrape, so I have rushed here on my bicycle’ to tell you. I slipped out of the dormitory when the others thought I was in hod! Telegraoh to mo the fil’d thing in the morning to say that the river part.- is put off—it will be true! Don’t forget to sign it Miss IVinthrop, then Miss Hart will never know! I daren’t stop another minute. There wJI be a fearful row if I’m caught!” “Stop—you aren’t going yet, and when yon do I’m coming With you I” explained Norah. “Celia, I have been a. perfect beast, and you’re a brick. 'I don’t believe you realise what I meant to do. I thought I’d p-av you out for reporting mo that time by stopping you .from going to Ginliam to-morrow. _ And now hero you are, risking losing a holiday yourself, by -coming to save me from a scrape.” “Oh, that’s all right!” returned Celia awkwardly. “I wanted you to see that I was not a sneak real’y. I only reported you that time because I thought I was hound to. I was awfully sorry about it.” “Well, I’m going straight to-- school with you now,” said Norah, “and, I shall ted Miss Hart the whole story myself. She shad know all nib-out 'fc. I. don’t care how late it is; come along, I’m ready.” The clock had struck m dn-glit before Norah and Celia were lying in the little white beds of the spare dormitory that night. “I don’t think 1 shall ever forget how splendid Miss Hart has been,” s aid Norah as she switched off the light. Then in the darkness she leaned over to the bed next her own. “I say, Celia, can you over forgive me? A soft Jitt’o hand was stretched across tho space between them, and it clasped' Norah’s .as it Lay on the coverlet. “If only you knew how frightfully happy I am,” Celia whispered.—By Violet M. Smith.