HAPPY COGS

Manawatu Times, Volume 64, Issue 279, 25 November 1939, Page 10

HAPPY COGS

Pahiatua. Dear Hub, — Outside the rain is pouring down, I grumble and sigh, Whereas the grateful flower plants lift A glad face to the sky. But I think of the wretched cold, My luck I was to get, No wonder, for its fine one day; The next day cold and wet. In the week-end I saw Jennifer, And she has not been well, Her mother says she’s lost weight, Though I could not tell. I’ve bought some Christmas presents; She will be truly excited When she sees what auntie has bought for her, Myself it sure delighted. I had a box of chocolates Given to me, Purchased at the Exhibition, Oh! lucky P. and P. 1 They are very tempting; I will be surprised if they last, Until this busy evening Is a thing of the past. I’ve two important letters That l really must write, And a full set of homework For competition to-night. Then two or three stitches To frame and give away, ’Tit no wonder I am hurrying This letter for to-day. I baked a lot to-day, Hub, And spring-cleaned as well; The reason for my tiredness Is therefore not hard to tell, The letter that I asked for A week or so ago, I told you that I’d got it In a P.B, let you know. That Mr. Guy delivered it, Which was kind of him, 80 there’s no need to satisfy Tour careless Coglet’s whim. This letter will be short; My brain is very dumb, Alas, no poetic phrases To your Coglet come. I’m somehow very sleepy; The weather is to blame, It’s awfully warm and stifling, And never once the same! The garden is looking interesting; The stocks are growing fast, And also the roses

Are -blooming at last. They’re sweet and awfully fragrant; Their shades are very gay, It’s nice to see them brightening Some people’s dull way. East night a baby small I saw; I had the shortest pup, For it was only three weeks old, And hard to wake from sleep. I also saw a little boy About three years old; His eyes were blue and sparkly, His curls were almost gold. I liked his friendly smile, Hub, Tucked safely up in bed, He gave his grandmother such a kiss When all good-nights were said. Well, I must close this letter, My love to you I send; I will be very grateful When my night's work is at an end. Powder and Patches. Pohangina. Dear Hub, —I did not go to the Show and I sawjtfelson.Eddy ip “Song of the Plains” instead. Our Calf Club was on Thursday, the 16th. I returned to school the day before after a fortnight’s absence. My calf, which I called Pixie, was given first in dairy type and third in care and rearing. I am even with another girl for top marks so far, but I suppose I shall lose in the notes. Pixie was my sixth club calf. A photograph was taken of my brother and myself with our calves. I have planted most of my seeds for the root crop. We shall soon have the swimming season back now. When will we have the Christmas page? Well, my pillow is beckoning to me, so this letter I will close. From your loving Coglet, Pink .Sugar. Give Pixie a pat for me. I think you are doing splendidly, and I shall be most interested to learn about the root crops. Opiki. Dear Hub, —I am writing to say I received my skilltest prize, which I was very pleased to get. I am sending in the skilltest again this week. The roses are a lovely sight this year, aren’t they, Hub? This letter is very short, but I will write again next week. With love, Kowhai. I think we all agree this is a wonderful season for roses. Have you see the Square gardens?

Ruawhata. Dear Hub, —Would it be all right if I wrote a serial? It has four parts to it and is named “Bobbed.” Most schoolgirls will like it because it is to do with boarding schools. Well, Hub, I have had parts of our examination. 1 ah hoping I pass to standard five next year. lam able to make up very small poems of my own now. One I made up I named “The Miser.” It is not very good though, because it was my first try. I wrote my skilltest out on paper, because my sister wanted the paper. Isn’t the story of the “White Tomahawk” exciting? When I finish reading it I always wonder what is going to happen next. I might write one on “The Tale of Hat.” Give my love to all the Cogs. Merle. I am glad you like “The White Tomahawk,” Merle. Thank you for the first instalment of “The Tale of a Hat.” Kimbolton. Dear Hub, —At last I have found time to write again to you and also I am sending in the skilltest, which I hope is right. We are having very wet weather up here at present which, of course, is doing a lot of good to our gardens. We have a dear little ginger kitten just a week old and the mother cat is so proud of him, although we think he is rather a funny little chap. I think Mr. Puz has been giving us some really good skilltests lately, although this is the first one I have really puzzled right out. Well, Hub, I had better close this until next week. Love from Dusky Maiden. Ginger must be sweet; is that his name? Now that you have started again I hope you will keep up your v/riting. Moutoa. Dear Hub, —As I have not written for such a long time I thought I would use some of my spare time. Well, Christmas is nearly here—only four weeks t q go—and what a lot of things have to be done before that time! Our school examinations are in full swing now and it will not be long before we know our final marks. It is quite a pleasure to have some rain again. It is not very nice to have to use the artesian water after rain water. I am very sorry to hear P. and P. is leaving the page, but perhaps she will write to us sometimes It is my brother’s birthday to-morrow and he is quite thrilled because he is six years. Mum was in bed all day Saturday, but she is much better now. My two aunties and cousin have been in bed with the 'flu, too. I do hope I do not catch it. I am going to be bridesmaid for my cousin just after Christmas and I am feeling very thrilled with myself. I am wearing green net over silk. News is not so plentiful, so I will close, with best wishes, from Honeysuckle. That bridesmaid’s dress of yours sounds beautiful, my dear. I think you will look charming in it. Palmerston North. Dear Hub, —Christmas will be here in a few weeks and you can guess I am very excited. We have had all our examinations except history and geography. For my examinations I got three good and one very good marks. I hope I pass. Well, cheerio, Hub. Funny Bunny. P. lam sending in two riddles. Why do people carry umbrellas? A.: Because they can’t walk. Q. What flower grows in the zoo. A.; Dandelion.

SKILLTEST WINNERS The Den had a real puzzle to choose the prize-winners this week, the choice finally going to Violet Bowness, Rangiwahia, and Pat Forbes, Umutoi. ANSWERS TO REVERSED WORDS 2. Step Pets 2. Dial Laid 3. Dray Yard 4. Mood Doom 5. Buns Snub 6. Stop Pots 7. Live Evil k 8. Wolf Flow • 9. Guns Snug 10. Golf Flog From the Hub DEAR COGS, The Den has been well and truly inundated with letters this week and the good old shoe horn has had to be brought out by Mr. Printerman. In addition, there have been many skilltest answers sent in. Don’t you think it foolish not to enclose letters as well, or is it the fact that postage has doubled that some of you are economising in this way? Now we must prepare for the Christmas Page which will be on December 21. That should give you plenty of time to write your Christmas stories and poems, and, of course, we shall have as usual classes for the under and over twelves. But, little people, take careful notice, you must include your names, pen-names and ages on each entry. This time we shall have to enforce the rule of disqualification if you fail to do this. Your letters have been full of the glory of the gardens and your great interest and delight in the animal family, and that always pleases me very much. You will gather much joy from any effort you put into growing things and all you do for your pets; they repay a hundredfold. All my love. Your Friend, THE HUB. THE WHITE TOMAHAWK Instalment 3. “Then I can go in his place and tak* a white tomahawk,” said Hilton. “Dad, you can’t do it. It is too dangerous!” cried Dick. “If I don’t it will mean death to all the settlers for miles around,” said the trapper. “So-long, son. Lock yourself in. I’ll be back by dawn; have no fear. ’ ’ “So-long, Dad, and good-luck,” said Dick, bravely, though his heart was heavy and his eyes full of tears for his father’s safety. l Then the trapper went out into the night and the shack seemed quiet without him. Dick stood and watched till the shadows swallowed his father up a id the boy -was left staring where he had last seen him. To Dick’s ears came the dreaded drums beaten by red men as they pranced madly round their flaming camp-fire. Dick ran in and closed the door behind him. He shot home the bolts and then went round to see that tho windows were tightly shut. After that he turned out tho light and stood waiting for his father’s roturn. Slowly the hours passed. The moon rose high in the sky. All Dick could do was to think of his father and wish he was with him. The moon sank and outside was as black as ink. Of Dick’s father there was no sign. Two hours before dawn the boy felt so dead that he moved from the window for tho first time.

“I must rest for just a minute,” he told himself. But he sat down and fell last asleep. He did not know how long he slept, but he was awakened by a faint tapping somewhere. He sat up and listened. There was the sound again. Tap! Tap! Tap! It was somebody at the door. But who? Not his father; he would call and not tap like that. Dick summoned up his courage aud opened the door. On the step lay an Indian bound and gagged, beside Him Has the trapper, his face streaked with blood. He lifted a tomahawk; it was a bright red, a sign of war.

“I got it, Dick,” gasped the trapper “Good old Dad!” cried Dick, dropping on his knee. “But you are badly hurt. What shall I do! Oh, what shall I do! ” ,

“Get us both inside, son,” said the trapper. “Take us both in carefully.” Uick got the two men in as gently as he could and then his father fainted through loss of blood. Dick examined tne man s wounds and found that they were not seriously hurt. But ho was sure rt would bo many days before his lather would be able to carry out his plan and then it would be too late. (To be continued.)

Dear Hub, —The baby’s name is Gary. I have not much news, but wo aro having our Sunday School anniversary. Winkie the Wizard. P.S.: I am enclosing threepence in stamps for my badge. That is a nice name; the only other one I know is Gary Cooper. Watch for your badge. Don’t forget to tell us about the anniversary.

CATHERINE’S CAPTIVE The days and weeks passed slowly for Catherine still sewing samples under Mistress Tillotson’s vigilant eye, but now she did not mind so much for had she not taken a part, even if a very small one, in saving a Jacobite? Often she would think, “If only I knew his name ... but I shall never see him again ... if only Sir George were like that . . . so strong and gay . . . but I am sure he is not ... he will be old and fat ...” At the thought of Sir George she would sigh again. Then one day she had a letter. A letter telling of her father’s and brother’s wonderful escape, and how they were safe overseas and that Sir George was with them, waiting until it was safe to return home. Catherine read on, then, suddenly, with a cry, she dropped the letter in her lap “ . . . Sir Georgp was taken captive. He had lost his heart . . . not to the enemy, but to my own little lass, who disguised him as a serving wench and led him out of the town, thereby saving his life at the risk of her own . . .” “Sir George! The stranger . . . Sir George!” cried Catherine, “And I never guessed! ” In after years Sir George and Lady Armstrong often spoke of that day ... of the hayloft . . . the disguise . . . the soldiers . . . and that, last awful moment under the bridge . . . and Sir George would laugh and say, “Well if the soldiers were unlucky, Catherine made a captive that day!’ ’ (The End.) THE TALE OF A HAT (Copied.) Instalment 1. “It’s a disgrace to the school! She oughtn’t be allowed to wear it!” announced May Hughes. “I wonder she has the cheek to come in it,” said Audrey Chalmers, May’s special friend and supporter. “Even if her people are poor, she needn’t advertise the fact so broadly.” “What’s the row?” inquired Daisy Jackson, as she entered the classroom of Form 5B and flung a satchel of books down on her desk with a thud.

( It’s that new girl in our form— Pauline Davies, or whatever it is ne calls herself. She’s got the most awful hat you ever saw in your life. Somebody ought to speak to her about it,” said May.

“What’s wrong with it? It’s the regulation shaped straw, isn’t it?” asked Daisy Jackson. “Oh, yes, it’s regulation all right. But it’s frightfully old. I think she must have bought it second-hand from somebody! It’s all sunburt and brown, and the brim is frayed at one side and the crown’s the weirdest shape you ever saw. "iou’re the head of the form, Daisy. Do speak to her about it—and toll her she really must get a new hat if she’s going to be a high school girl.” Makino. Dear Hub, —I hope you have not forgotten me as I do not get much time to spare. Anyhow, I will try my best. I have a brother Grant who has a cat nanfed Lucy and she has four kittens. They are dear little things, too. I am sending in the skilltest and some riddles. I hope you like them. I won the cup for cooking at the Show. I got two flrsts and one second. We have six cows in now. We have also a lot of chickens. Well, I think it is time I said cheerio to everybody. Rosy. Makomako. Dear Hub,—The other day I found a small bird’s nest and it had three white eggs with blue spots on them. My mother thought they were hedge sparrows. Do you know what they are? Daddy went out rabbitting yesterday morning and he shot two bunnies. He also went fishing to-day and caught nine trout; we had some for tea aud they were very nice. Donald Duck. You are very lucky having freshcaught trout for tea. They must have been delicious. No, I don’t recognise those eggs from your description. Feilding. Dear Hub, —Our baby goats’ names are Jinny and Billy. While lam feeding one the other jumps up on my back. They aro smaller than our two pet lambs and are both black and white. I got two seconds and one first at the school for my pet calves. My young sister was awarded two firsts. Our garden is quite gav with roses and other flowers. Well, Hub, I must close. Love from Peggy. Your pet goats must be sweet. 1 think you both did very well with your calves. I would love to see thein. Bunnythorpe. Dear Hub, —The gardens, lawns and paddocks look lovely and fresh since the rain. The cabbages appear to hold out their leaves as far as they cau to catch every drop. There has been a cuckoo around here for nearly two months now. It must be going to stay the season. For the past two seasons a pair of goldfinches have built a nest and reared young ones in a tree quite close to our house. They are building there again this season. Well, Hub, examinations will.be here soon, so I must do my homework. Love to all the Cogs. Only Tired.

The chiming cuckoo has a quaint whistle, hasn't it? Can you imitate it? Yes, I think the plants have been lapping up the little rain we had.

Dear Hub, —Hello, everyone! I suppose you have all forgotten that old sundowner named Cowboy Tom by now, and hope you will all survive the shock of hearing from me once again. I am sorry I have not written more often, Hub, and hope you will forgive this naughty Cog. We are starting shearing in a few days’ time and then Whistling Rufus and I will be hard at work mustering the sheep on our ponies. Our little pet goat is growing into a handsome young fellow, full of mischief and up to all sorts of tricks. She is cream and black and her horns are about two inches long now. We have four big pet lambs and their names are Gene, Danny, Patch and Bobbie. It has been raining most of to-day, but it will make the vegetables grow and soon we shall bo able to eat peas. I had a real grand four weeks’ holiday in August and had lots of fun with my cousins. We had a great time in Auckland where we stayed for five days at uncle’s. One day we went to the waterfront and saw the Monterey, which is a fine ship, besides other boats and ferries. At the Zoo we had a grand time and saw hundreds of different birds and animals. The monkeys were of all kinds and shapes and we saw the little monkey with fingernails that Gaie wrote about a few weeks ago. What I liked best was our two trips to Mangere aerodrome, which is only a little way from uncle’s home. The first day we looked through the hangars and saw ’planes of all types, including the Lockheed Kaka and tho Karoro. On Sunday was visitors’ day, and there were stunt and passenger flights. We saw the Kaka land from Palmerston North and it was a great sight as j.t glided in. I almost went for my second flight, but the ticket-seller said the booking was so heavy it would take an hour or two before my turn came, and then it would be too late. Anyway, I have had one flight with the late Squadron-Leader McGregor when I was eight years old. I would like to be a pilot. Well, Hub, I must say cheerio now. Your sincere Cog, Cowboy Tom. What a pleasant surprise to find your letter, Cowboy Tom! And I am sure the family will enjoy all your news. I quite agree that the pilot’s life must be thrill* ing. Glen Oroua. Dear Hub, —This won’t be a very big letter as it is nearly bed-time, but I thought I had better write before it was too late. I am so glad you liked the picottes. They have a very sweet scent, I think. Thank you also for the kind congratulations. We had a lot of fun cooking the dinner and enjoyed ourselves immensely. We were both allowed to choose a lovely book for a prize. Reading is my favourite hobby, and I treasure my books very much. I had a perfectly wonderful time at the dance, Hub, and wore my new dress, which I felt very proud of. It was sometime in the wee sma’ hours when we got home, but I didn’t feel a bit tired—theu! It was worth it thought, and the pretty little dance tunes kept running through my head for several days. We did try “ Boomps-a-daisy ” and it was just fun. I’m getting quite excited over the Exhibition, as the holidays draw nearer. It is interesting to plan what we intend doing while we are in Wellington, and I won’t forget to tell you all about it after we come back. After school closes 1 have to go into hospital again for another operation and I’m not looking forward to it, though, of course, it cannot be helped. I have a lot of sewing on hand now to finish before the end of the term. I like having plenty to do, don’t you? I won’t write any more just now, but will close with best wishes to all. Forget-me-not.

I’m glad you enjoyed the dance, my dear. Yes, “Boomps-a-adaisy ” certainly causes some fun.

Opiki. Dear Hub,—-It seems such a long time since I have written to you, but I always read the page. I have been very busy working on my calf. I have to take her up to the school on Friday as they are to be judged. The weather has been lovely lately, hasn’t it? We have heard of some people who have been for a swim this season, but I still think it is a little cold, don’t you? We are starting our examinations soon, so we will all have to try hard to pass. Our fruit trees are laden with fruit this year; we have seven nectarine, two peach and two apple trees. I have not got a pet lamb this year as we have only a few sheep. I feed our calves every night; we have 23. Well, Hub, I must not take up too much room as we have only half a page now, don’t we? All my love to you and the Cogs. Scotch Heather. I do hope you did well with your calf and examinations too. It does pay to look after calves well. I am sure you will agree. Feilding. Dear Hub, —I am afraid I have been a very bad correspondent this last six months. Next Wednesday the Feilding Flower Show is to be held soon, and J intend to enter for several classes. The swimming season is here once again, and swimming is a vei'y interesting sport, isn’t it, Hub? During the Christmas holidays I hope to go to the Exhibition for several days. From the photographs I have seen of the Exhibition, I think it will be well worth a visit At school we shall soon be starting our final examinations and then for the holidays which I am looking forward to very much. This week I have tried the skilltest and it seems to have come out all right. I must close now, as 1 have no more news, with love to you and all the other Cogs, from Golden Sunlight. 'We don’t like to be neglected for too many weeks, Golden Sunlight. I am sure you will get a real thrill out of the Exhibition. Yes, we should all take opportunities for swimming. Bangiwahia. Dear Hub, —The skilltest is easy this week, so I am sending it in. Tho weather is wet and misty to-day with a few occasional showers. To-morrow we start our examinations. We are practising for our concert, which will be held on December 8. As news is scarce, I will close with love to all the Cogs and tho Den.

Mountain Daisy. What part aro you taking in the con cert, Mountain Daisy?