FROM THE HUB

Manawatu Times, Volume 63, Issue 60, 12 March 1938, Page 14

FROM THE HUB

A DUCKY STORY. DEAR COGS, I have a lovely story to tell you to-day that concerns a duck—in fact two ducks—which I know you will appreciate very much. A lady who lives in Northern Rhodesia and who is visiting New Zealand told it to me so I can vouch for this being a true story. You may know that in that great country the children have not been taught to be kind to animals and birds so in the school where she watches over the boarders she encourages them to have pets. Some little time ago they had a sitting duck but when the time came for hatching only one little duckling arrived which “Mother" proceeded to eat. A hurried rescue was made and the little thing revived under kindly ministrations to become the household pet. “Joey" as he was called, was indeed one of the family following the Matron wherever she went but he did not ever venture to the front of the hostel unless the heads were out. Then only did “Joey" assume full responsibility marching up and down like a sentinel and woe betide anyone who attempted to get in. Joey was very fond of raw meat and when the butcher arrived he always quacked through the hostel to warn the Matron. Time went on and “Joey" eventually introduced “Alice" to the family. He trained her into the ways of the household too, but “Alice” being very well behaved made a real ceremony of egg-laying. 8.30 a.m. was the time, the storeroom the place. And what a fuss and bother there was if the storeroom were not open. “Matron! Matron!" the staff would call, “ ’Alice* is waiting to lay her egg." Matron would arrive with all possible speed, open the door, Alice would walk in and then lo and behold!—the egg.! Now my dears isn’t that a nice story? Don’t forget the scrapbooks are clue next week. All my 10ye... ; Your friend, THE HUB.