Aunt Roberta’s Family

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLVI, Issue 23, 26 December 1925, Page 10

Aunt Roberta’s Family

AUNT ROBERTA’S LETTER. Children dear, I feel that I intimately know every member of “Aunt Roberta’s Family,” although T have never really seen any of you. Now isn’t that a strango feeling ? But it is a very nice one. And I want you all to feel that I am not just a name —but a real Aunt—a close relation —and a person who loves cveryono of the boys and girls of her family. If we cannot see each other we can correspond, so writo to me as often as you like. Do you know I just lovo to get letters from my Nephews and Nieces —I feel as proud as Punch! So please don’t ever feel that I am a far-away person and only a figurehead or a myth. I am a real live Auntie who wants your confidence nnd love. , I wonder whether you realise what lucky children you are? When I was a little girl, very few papers bothered about a Children’s "Pago, and the opportunities of winning prizes wero few and far between. I remember that I used to writo stories nnd verse for the only paper in the big city where I lived that bothered to help and interest the • children. At first I wasn’t at all successful, nnd then I won a prize, and another and another —amended by winning a gold medal. Yes, nowadays you have splendid opportunities to what we had in those days—fifteen or twenty years, ago. (Good heavens! You’ll begin counting up my probable ago if I’m not .more careful!) Do you know what this is all leading up to ? No, of course you don’t. Well, I will tell you. I am anxious for you all (not just a score or so) to take an eager interest in “Aunt Roberta’s Family” Page, to look for it every week, and read every lino of it. Not just perhaps borrow the paper from a girl friend to see if your name has been “called.” Oh, yes, lam sure that some of you do this. Show me that you appreciate “Aunt Roberta’s Family” Puge. I want ever so many more to join the Family, and in, doing so, not to just become members who glance through the Pago in fivo minutes and forget all about it ten minutes afterwards. I want to make the “ghost” of The Old Woman Who Lived in a Shoe JEALOUS or “AUNT ROBERTA!”

“It’B getting dark —what shall we do?” Esther asked in a timid way. “Let’s go back,” sho added on tho spur of the moment. • • -

Rose, who had been sitting a sad heap amongst tho ferns, brightened up at tho suggestion, and looked round eagerly for her hat.

Billio faced them, her eyes blazing. “You’re two of tho very meanest sneaks 1 I’ll never go back, never, but you go if you want to.” Sho turned her back upon them, and fumbled busily with tho folds of the tent. Rose moved dejectedly to tho creek and commenced fishing with her hand for “bullyfwogs.” . For a minute or so Esther watched Billio in silence, and then went over to her: “Let mo help you, Billie, dear,” sho said humbly. “Thanks,” Billie replied gruffly, keeping her head well down. Sho was beginning to wish sho hadn’t run away. Esther was delicate and caught cold vory easily, and night was very near, when it was always chilly in Waltawarra. “I think I know how we can fix tho tent until morning. I’ll climb up this tree an’ fasten ono part of tho canvas to it. Then we’ll havo this thick bush on ono side and tho tent on tho other. I’ll sleep on the outside nearest to the bush. Do you think you’ll be too cold?” and an anxious frown appeared on Billie’s smooth forehead.

“I’m sure I won’t. I feel as hot as anything now.” Billie scaled the treo like a monkey, and fastened the canvas to a branch.

“Come on, wc’ro going to bed now,” sho called to Rose, when sho reached tho ground once more. “No bullyfwogs,” that small maid said, shaking her head regretfully. They crawled into tho rough shelter and lay down. It. had grown . very dark, and tho only sound was tho occasional movement of an animal or a bird in the bush. Roso commenced to whine: “Mo fwighten; me wants to go home; mo hasn’t said pwayers.” Esther was saying hors. Billie could hear tho soft voice. Sho drew Rose into her arms: “Hush,” sho whispered. They list tened to tho end. Then tho baby buried her faco on Billie’s shoulder and lisped her prayers. “Yamen,” she finished, looking up, and quickly hid her face again. “P’oase Gcd, let’s det homo ’gain, an’— an’ make Billie not bad,” was the innocent petition. Esther and Rose curled themselves up and were soon fast asleep. But Billie lay wide awako, her eyes fixed upon a big star, which shone brightly through the bushes. Slowly her eyes filled with tears. Was she so very naughty? She couldn't forgot that tiny voice—“ Make Billio not bad. Perhaps her dear mother was sad far away where tho star was, becauso her daughter was not good. She knelt up in tile darkness, her cheeks wet. “Please dear Jesus, mako mo better. Oh, do, do !” she whispered, and, comforted, presented she fell asleep. She was awakened suddenly by a loud rustling of tho bushes, and a black face was thrust round the side of the makeshift tent. As sho gazed, helpless with terror, tho faco seemed to her to become larger and moro terrible every moment. She commenced to babble her prayers, vainly trying to remember the correct words. iii Then the faco disappeared, and heavy feet crashed through tho bush, growing fainter and fainter until silence camo again to tho beautiful night. Billio, faco downwards, lay close to Esther and Rose, too frightened to move. What if the dreadful Thing came back—and killed them all! She felt an overwhelming desire to awaken her sisters, but shuddering she fought it back. It was all her fault, and she must bear the fear 4 Presently Ether’s breathing arrested her attention. It was laboured—tho same as one night long ago, when sho had nearly died and for days afterwards had lam a quiet waxen figure in bed, not recognising any of them. And now if Esther were to bo ill, sho only would bo to blame I She set her sharp little teeth on her lower lip until the warm blood trickled down her Ch llark! Someone was coming,! Perhaps that fearful creature back again! Billio crouched against the canvas, panting like a small wild animal driven mad by fear, and listened desperately to tho sound tht was coming nearer and nearer every second. (To be continued.) CRISPIES AND RIDDLES.

Before I say “adieu,” I think it would be splendid if “my children” could find more time to correspond with one another. At the present time our “Correspondence Club” is' certainly not large—so see what you can do. Some of you will have an opportunity to make a start when acknowledging the various postcards that havo been mailed.

Two-and-sixpence has been posted to my little Niece Ruth Barker, Hunua Hills, Taumarunui, whoso name was “called” on the sth December. Ruth takes a GREAT interest in our Page, so docs her sister Mary—and the tiny Audrey. Goodbye, my dear ones. Yours affectionately, “Aunt Roberta.”

Cut out this coupon, fill it in, and post to “Aunt Roberta,” c/c “Manawatu Evening Standard,” Palmerston North. My Name is My age i 5....; My address is My birthday i> I read “Aunt Roberta’s Family” Page. “Aunt Roberta’s Family” Badges are obtainable at a cost of Is each (stamps or postal note). CORRESPONDENCE CLUB. Both Scott writes: “I havo returned to 243 l'eatherston street, Palmerston North. Please would you mention it in the Correspondence Corner ?” Here’s an opportunity; Beth Scott would like one or two more correspondents. “MADCAP BILLIE.” CHAPTER Vl.—(Continued.) BILLIE RUNS AWAY. “Can’t I just give father a kiss before we go ? He’ll be so lonely,” said Esther miserably. “You are a mug 1” cried Billio In disgust. Standing up, sho' carefully picked her steps between the logs of wood. “I know what it is—you’re really and truly afraid 1 You an’ I’ll go, Rosie, and she can stay behind!” With her nose scornfully tilted in tho aid, Billie marched off hand in hand with Rose.

•The clergyman ;of a Sunday School was talking to his class one day and he said: “Now, children, what do you think r In Africa there arc ten thousand miles ot land without one Sunday school. Now what should we save our money for? Children (unanimously) : “To go to Africa!” ' (Jean Scott, Bunnythorpe.)

An Irishwoman walked into a big store and a shop-walker, who was very' bowlegged, asked what bo could do for her. She said she would liko to look at some handkerchiefs. ‘.' “Just walk this way, madam, said the shop-walker. The old lady looked at his legs. No, sorr,” sho replied, indignantly, “I couldn t if I tried.”

Esther sped after them. “Wait, don’t bo so mean, of course I’m coming—I want to.” A littlo whilo afterwards they sneaked along by the fence at the sido of the cottage, for Pat always seemed to possess tile marvellous power of knowing just what their intentions were, and they knew that if they were not careful sho might espy them from a window. Billie carried the eatables in a basket, and held one end of the tont, which wa3 rolled up, whilst Esther carried the other end. Roso brought up the roar, clasping a disreputable saucepan which sho had insisted upon bringing. “WoMt get under the fenco here, an’ strike into the bush. We must find water beforo we put up our tent—that's the proper thing to -do,” said Biliic in a voice as near in tone to Old John’s as she could make it.

(Marjorie McGregor, 183 Ferguson street.) ' * m • * *

Q. YVhat goes with a car, comes with a car, is no use to a car, and yet a car cunnot go without it ? Ans. A noise.

Name something you cannot touch with your right hand but you can with your left, Ans. You right elbow. Can you give the opposite meaning to a certain word by changing the position of one letter ? Ans. Unite, untie.

When they had scrambled under tho fenco sho dropped her end of tho tent, and tho basket, and, throwing out her arms, cried theatrically : “Farewell trees, flowers and haunts of my youth 1 Now 1 leave theo forever, ’tis good-bye for aye!” She turned her face to tho sky to gain fresh inspiration, but tho big golden sun, resting on tho top of a hill, mado .hor eyes water, and she ended abruptly: “I wipe tho dust of this place off me feet.”

Mike had been to tho war, and was telling his adventures to Bat. Alike said: “I was shot right here,” pointing to his heart. Bat replied sleepily: “You would not be here now if you had.” Aliko (sharply) : “Oh, but my heart was in my mouth at tho time.” (Jean Scott, Bunny thorpe.) *****

She stood first on ono leg and then on the other, and rubbed tho soles of her shoes violently on her stockings, which did not by any means improve their appearance.

The express was about to start when an old lady ran on to the platform in a breathless haste. Tho guard quickly lifted her into the carriage and slammed the door. • Sixty miles away was tho first stopping place. The guard observed tho lady getting' out of her carriage in a state of boiling indignation. “Y'ou almost missed it,” he said. “Missed it—you stupid jackass!” burst out tho old lady. “I only wanted to post a letter in the late fee box in the train and now you’ve brought me on to here.” (Eileen O’Donnell, 52 Botanical road.) “OUR MAIL BAG.” Ralph Holmes: I was simply delighted to receive your photo and Christmas card. The former is displayed next to a photograph of one of my Baimerston North “nieces,” Grace Taylor. You look a bigger boy that I had pictured you to be. You will know by this time that you did not miss tho “Aunt Roberta’s Family” medal. You worked very hard indeed for it. I am sure the two other “Rs” and mother and father are very, proud of you for winning, the gold medal. You did well, too, in the school examinations. I have sent the 5s 9d. you won for the Christmas story to the Mayor’s Appeal Fund per the “Standard,” as last year- You are a generous littlo boy. Much lovo to the “throe Rs.”

“How lovely 1” Esther sighed admiringly. “I wish I could think of things liko you do.”

When they camo to a quiet hollow among tho gums, where tho grass grew high, ana through which a tiny creek trickled, Biliic halted. . “This will do —isn't it nico?”

“I’m so glad I came —only—I wish daddy was here, too,” and Esther’s smilo was wistful.

“Mo hungcry,” Rose announced, and looked suggeslingly at tho baskot. “So ’m I—fearfully ! We’ll havo tea before wo put up the tent. It can’t bo more than fivo o’clock, so wo’ll havo plenty of time beforo it gets dark,” and Billie unfastened the lid of tho basket.

Sho began putting tho eatables out on tho moss. “I think a green tablecloth liko this is terribly nice, an’ when I grow into a lady I’ll havo one specially made out of moss.” ,

After they had eaten every scrap of the provisions which it had been mtendod should last for a week at least, Billie with Esther’s help, unrolled the tent and tried to put it up. “It seemed as easy as snuff to Old John an’ Dad when we went for the picnic that time,” she said in a tired voice when tho canvas for tho fifth time had fallen upon her. “P’r’aps we’re too small or something.”

Lily Gore: So glad that you have joined tho Family, Lily, and I hope you will send

STRIVE HARD. AIM HIGH AND PLAY THE GAME.”

in many entries to the Competitions. If at first -yiou don’t succeed, try, try, try again! You did very well indeed at school, and I expect you Are • pleased. And so Nory Bagnall is your best friend ? I’ve no doubt you arc great chums. Much love. Beth Scott: You will see that I have mentioned your return to Baimerston North under the Correspondence Club. lam very glad to hear that you have got two correspondents from Invercargill. Betty Hannan: Yes, Betty dear, I received tho sweet little doll which you sent a 3 a present for a sick child. Didn’t you see that you had ben “Highly Commended” for it ? You deserve every penny of tho prize money you win. I hope you have a very nice holiday when you go to Betone. Best love. Leonard D. Bhilp: Yes, I agree with you, Lcn, that you are a very forgetful boy. You must mako an effort to overcome this. I don’t care for the sketch. You cut it out of a paper didn’t you ? After a few more birthdays you will be quite grown up. Gwen Amies: Your name has been entered on my Roll, and I am pleased to welcome you into the bosom of the Family 1 I hope you will bo able to send in entries to the competitions during the holidays. “Lizzie” nnd “Miko” were hugely delighted to receive your “love,” and have asked mo to send you a giood slice of theirs in return.

Arthur Bearco: Thanks for tho jokes, which are always acceptable:' Well, Ralph did win tho gold medal and I am sure you, a 3 his friend, will be very delighted at his success. I am afraid you will have to wait a few weeks longer for the badge. The trouble is that I only have 18 on order to date, and I must wait until I get orders for 12 more (making 30) before I can pass the order on to-the Badge-maker. I hope that you will have nice weather for your holiday at Blimmcrton. I did have a Happy Christmas, thank you, Arthur, and I hope you had one too. Best love, and a kiss for dear little Ronald. 4th COMPETITIONS—YEAR 1926 Closing date, Wednesday, 6th January, 1926. ... - Each, envelope and entry must be marked “4th Competitions.” A separate sheet of paper must L used for EACH entry, bearing name, address and ago of Competitor. ESSAY, “NATURE” (maximum 500 words), A good many children seem to have a gift for describing Nature scenes, so it seems to me. that this Competition should prove a favourite. Senior Division, 12 years and up to 18 years. —Ist prize ss, 2nd prize 2s 6d. “TOAIMY’S DREAM.” Tommy, who had just recovered from the measles, was sitting out in the sun. He was reading a book of wonderful adventures. Presently, the sun, so warm and nice, soothed to sleep this little boy who hud been sick. Now, what did he aream ? Did ho dream of wild Indians on tho prairie, dare-devil cowboys, or tiny elflike men, gnomes, wicked or good fairies, or of the birds or the flowers ?

RELATE ‘TOMMY’S DREAM” in your own words. (Story not to be longer than 200 words).

Junior Division (only), under 12 years. —lst prizo 4s, 2nd prize 2s. “SIX” PUZZLE (Contributed by Reg. Knight, Rongotea Siding) Senior division, three prizes of 2s. If from six you take nine, and from nine you take ten,

Ye wits, now the puzzle explain; And if fifty from forty bo taken, there then

Will just half a dozen remain. TWISTED ANIMALS BUZZLE.

Junior division, 3 prizes of 2s. Each word represents an animal. Can you find them ? Peesh. Duggop. Firagafe. Torte. Rugaja. Aimcosh. Grabcd. Rctirer. Parti. Somsoup. Ricecoldo. Crnhrsoosci. Nyodko. Gooakftnr. Kullcob. Eeenrrid. COAIPETITION RULES, ETC., 1926. Boys and girls up to 18 years of age may compete. Write in ink on one side of paper only. Neatness, good writing and punctuation will count. Each entry must bo on a separate sheet of paper, bearing the name, age and address of tho competitor. All entries must be the UNAIDED EFFORT of the competitor, except jokes, riddles, catches, etc. Drawings must be done in black ink (preferably Indian ink) on drawing paper, unless otherwise stated. Marks will bo awarded as follows: To tho winner of any competition ... 4 To the boy or girl who gains second place 3 Highly commended 2 Uonimendod 1 A record will bo kept of tho marks gained, and at the end of the year 1926 the following prizes will be awarded : £l/1/- to the senior division girl or boy who gains the highest number of marks during the year 1926. £l/1/- to tho junior division girl or hoy who gains the highest number of marks during tho year 1926. 1 £l/1/- to tho girl or boy who has shown the best EFFORT during tho year, although their marks may not top tho list. When a competitor gains 30 marks by “highly commended” and “commended’’ points, a cash prize of 5/- will be awarded. Tho prizes as above are in addition to tho weekly cash prizes as set out in the competitions. Address all entries, letters, etc., to “Aunt Roberta,” c/o “Manawatu Standard,” Baimerston North. Roll Call; Ivan Hansen. RESULTS OF 51st COMPETITIONS Brose Competition —A PICNIC. Senior division: . First prize (4s): Margaret Battison, Hie Brow,” Waipawa (14). . Seaond prize (2) : Aisla Varcoc, 24 Union street, Baimerston North (15). Junior division: First prize (4s) : Michael Collins, Wallace street, Waikiwi (11). . Second prizo (2s): Edith Cranton, Kelvin Grove, Baimerston North (10). No marks or Highly Commended honours are being awarded. It would be useless to do so, as all the marks for the year 1925 have been totalled and the prizes awarded. Wo do not begin until next week the competitions (first) for 1926, when marks will be awarded for EVERYTHING’ —that is—entrants who send in CORRECT answers to puzzles, etc., etc., will be awarded 2 marks or 1 mark, according to the neatness of the entry, age, ;of course, being taken into consideration. FIRST BRIZE (Senior Division) Ono bright summer morning after breakfast wo were called into Big Hall, and our head prefect announced that as it was our headmistress’s birthday wo were all to have a holiday, and, moreover, we were to be taken for a picnic at n certain river. We guve threo cheers, and then rushed away to collect bathing dresses, caps, towels, etc., and, this accomplished, we scrambled joyfully into the buses that had been chartered for the occasion. , Tho journey was uneventful, except that, as usual, the bus drivers engaged in a friendly race —to see’ who would bo the first to reach our destination; and tho victorious party of girls waved gaily to their crestfallen rivals trailing in the rear. Arrived there, wo hurried over the fields to the river and proceeded to put on our bathing togs post haste. The river was deep in some places and shallow in others, so that i seniors and juniors aliko wore well catered ' for. _ • \

After our dip we dressed quickly and proceeded to explore our surroundings. There wero a number of trees mid bushes, a strip of sand and plenty of gravel. To our delight, wc discovered that some of the trc,os wero walnut trees, so wo lost no time in availing ourselves of this blessing. Presently our eager ears heard the welcome banging of the dinner gong, and we congregated under a largo tree —and started in. Just as lunch was finished the sky, which had been slightly overcast, grew darker —and, horror of horrors! —it began to rain! Some of the girls put on their ttogs again and pattered happily about in this “dress,” and tho rest played games under the trees, for tho buses were not yet due. However, they came at last, and we were whirled home to hot baths and dry clothes, nnd, in spite of the rain, we voted it a jolly decent picnic, and were very glad the headmistress, like other people, had birthdays occasionally. (Margaret Battison.) SECOND BRIZE. (Senior Division).

Bias it ever been your lot to rise early, long beforo the sun begins to paint the eastern sky with pale pink, and pack your lunch-baskets, which have partly been prepared the night before, and set olf for a picnic ? It has been my lot and I remember every detail of the happenings of that beautiful day. It was rather moro than an hour to sunrise when we pushed our little boat —“Sea Nymph”—away from its moorings. We wero in the best of spirits and our hearts leaped with the full anticipation of a glorious day as we glided over tho greeny waters. It was only an hour’s run to the little bush-clad island where we proposed to picnic but we seemed to rcacli the island in half that time.

When the boat grounded wo sprang on to tho soft sund nnd pulled the “Sea-Nymph” far up the shelving beach. The sky was streaked with red, showing that tho sun would not be long in coming up. “I’ll race you all up that cliff,” I shouted, and off wo all scampered. Up, iip we went, our breaths coming in short gasps and our hands and feet searching for a foothold in the rock. But at last we were up nnd stood together watching the sun as it appeared. Tho day went all too quickly. In the morning we bathed, and then we explored, xhe little doep pools in tho rocks which held starfish and tiny crabs, that hid in the shelter of the sea-weed at one’s approach, were all examined. We poled and pryed into every rocky corner and climbed boulders and shrieked with laughter when one of us accidently fell into a large pool of water.

Then lunch, which was a happy meal, and after that moro exploring. To our delight we found a little cave. We decided to play a game of “smugglers” and drew lots as to which part each should have. How long we should have gone on playing this exciting gamo I do not know, had mot someone shouted: “The tide’s coming in and is filling the cave!” It was only too true so we hud to abandon our game. We had an early tea and then packed up the remaining eatables. The twilight began to fall rapidly after tho sun had set so we took our seats in the “Sea-Nymph” and started off for home. Wo all felt tired but very happy, so we sang tho song named "Tho End of a Perfect Day.” (Aisla Varcoe.) FIRST PRIZE (Junion Division). . Last Wednesday night mother announced that she intended to go for a picnic the following duy if it wns fine enough. My sister and I heartily agreed, and that night I went to bed and dreumpt of cakes, sandwiches, fruit-salad and lots of other delicious eatables.

The next day I was up very early, and to my joy and delight it was a fine calm day, and the sun was already pouring in through my bedroom window. However, I was not tho first one to arise, for my mother was up and big piles of sandwiches were standing on the table. My older sister was preparing the breakfast with a willing hand. At nine o’clock we were all packed into the train. The party consisted of mother, my two sisters and myself. My father had to attend to business and, therefore, he could not go. After a cheery ride in tho train we at last arrived ut our destination. It was a littlo wood, ■ surrounded by meadows of corn and grass. We picked a snug little spot, with a large tree at one side and shrubs on the other, while the green foliago of a large overhanging treo served as a roof to keep off the scorching sun. Leaving our provisions and other luggage, wo wont for a stroll through the wood. When wo returned to our little camp it was time for dinner. I had collected various kinds of birds’ eggs during our walk. We lit tho fire and boiled tho billy, and after an enjoyable dinner of beef sandwiches with plenty of mustard on them, billy tea, and delicious home-made and bought cakes, wo again packed up our provision bags and left them near a large root of a treo. Then we went for another stroll and listened with great interest to the musical song of the common thrush. As wo walked along through the long grass, frightened rabbits ran into their burrows for dear life.

At last, when the red sun was setting in tho blue sky, we returned home happy and cheerful after our picnic in the bush. (Michael Collins). SECOND PRIZE (Junior Division). I do liko going tio a picnic but so fur I have only been to three. 1 can remember how excited 1 was when my first picnic day carnc, us it was Held at Betone beach and we all had to get on the train at Upper Hutt. 1 lovo playing in the sand, and two minutes after we got there I threw off my boots and socks and was up to my knees in the water. Homo of us went for a sail in a boat, but I was frightened as tho boat wobbled ull the time. Oh, I do wish I could swim! When I was only threo years old mother took mo to the beach one day, and I ran right into tho water with my hat, my clothes and my shoes and socks on. A big wave came and rolled mo over and over in tho sea. I would not go near the water for two years afterwards. When I was at our school picnic, a little girl got her head cut on the swing and her mother said: “Oh, here’s a picnic!” I hope it does not rain his year for our picnic, as mother says there’s nothing moro miserable than a picnic on a wet day. I am a fairly good runner so I am hoping to win a race, although I haven’t won one since I was five years old. I have just turned ten now. (Edith Cranton, 10 years).

NURSERY’ RHYME PARTY. 1. In the House that Jack Built. 2. The Queen of Hearts. 3. Will you walk into my parlour. 4. Polly put the kettle on. 5. The cat and the fiddle. 6. Tom, Tom, the Piper’s son. 7. Little Tommy Tucker. 8. Georgio l’orgie, Pudney Pie. 9. Sing a song of sixpence. 10. The dish ran away with the spoon. 11. Littlo Miss Mullet.

12. Humpty Dumpty. Entries were many and ONLY ONE was correct —from Joy Jensen, 230 Herbert street, Invercargill, 11 years. Prizes of 2s each. —Senior Division: Jessie Lloyd, Borongahau, 12 years (1 mistake); Naneye Nathan, 46 Linton street, Baimerston North, 13 years (2 mistakes); Joan Allison, Fenwich street, Hastings, 15 years (2 mistakes). There were three other entries that also had only 2 mistakes —from* Ivy Colquhoun, Irene Lloyd and Maurice Gemmell—but they were not as neat as the two chosen.

Junior Division: Joy Jensen (address as abovo); Neta W’oodhouse, 36 Fitzroy road, Napier, 8 years (1 mistake): Mary Childs, Oteramika road, Invercargill, 9 years (1 mistake). Molly Gemmell (Byrs lOinos.) also only made ono error, but her entry was not nearly as neat and well written as those received from Neta and Mary.