Original Stories.

Matamata Record, Volume XVI, Issue 1445, 27 July 1933, Page 3

Original Stories.

THE TWINS’ TREASURE.

(Original—P. Bernstein.)

It was the twins’ birthday. They were eight years old to-day. Their daddy asked them where they would like to go for a treat. At once they replied, “ Cave Island, please, Daddy.” “ Very well,” was the reply. “ Get ready at once.” (The real reason they wished to go to Cave Island was because they had saved a man’s dog from getting run over, and he had given them a map of where to find a hidden treasure on the island.) Soon they were running up the slopes of green grass to the Great Wood. “ Now then,” said Beryl, “ we have to look for the most southerly tree.”

“ Don’t forget it has a hollow in it about three feet from the ground,” put in Mavis. It was soon found, and then Beryl got out the map and read out:

“ Where a cross and nought be

bound, There a treasure will be found.”

They searched high and low, and all of a sudden one of them called out: “ I’ve got it!” “Where!” exclaimed the other. The X and O were at the foot of the tree, and as both children it must be at the least in the soil they began to dig into the soft earth. Then one of them thought it just might be hidden in the tree; she felt for an opening. At one place she pressed . very hard and a trap-door flew open, showing a big, black box.

The two of them managed to get it out. They opened it and shut it quickly, as they thought someone might be spying on them. After placing it carefully back in the hollow they raced back to the boat where dad was reading peacefully. “Ho!” exclaimed their daddy. “ So you’re back already.” “ Come with us, quick,” cried the twins.

And they pulled him up the hill. As soon as he saw the box he gave a cry of delight. “ Why,” he said. “ This was my father’s; it was stolen from his home years ago. I don’t suppose there is anything in it!” “ Just you look!” said the twins. They opened it and it was filled with hundreds of gold coins.

Assisted by the twins, Mr. Janns took the box down to the boat and rowed home quickly to tell mummy of their lucky find. SPRING. (Original—Bonny O’Connor.) ; Spring! Oh,, that brings a smile _ on your face. "Winter has fled to i another country, and spring has j taken its place. Peeping into the , orchards, what do we see ? Tiny, • green, fresh buds struggling out. to j enjoy the fresh air. Fluffy balls of j pink and white blossom glisten in j the sunshine. The trees seem to smile | at you as if asking, “Do you like j my new dress?” ) Come, now let’s visit the gardens. ; Smiling, golden daffodils will greet j you, nodding their heads in the j gentle breeze. Dainty snowdrops ; hang their heads, smiling on the \ mass of shy little violets at their > feet. Smelling daphne sends out its j fragrance, arresting your attention. Slowly we walk down the pebbled path. Stately wattle trees look like golden balls. Birds twitter gaily, ' locusts hum, and coloured butterflies flit past. It is a busy scene. i “Spring is here!” That is what everything says. Spring need not be afraid to take winter’s place; it is welcomed by all. j | CROWING. ! i You like to stand and show The hens how you can crow; 1 A boastful bird are you, J Old cock-a-doodle-do. Another rooster, far away, i Replies to what you have to say; j But he can think of nothing new, And answers “ Cock-a-doodle-do.”