JEREMY JINKS’ HOLIDAY

Northern Advocate, 23 March 1937, Page 2

JEREMY JINKS’ HOLIDAY

Jeremy Jinks was annoyed. Sally and Peter were going away for their summer holidays, and he was to be left at home in charge of cook. Last year he had gone with them to the seaside. He had had a wonderful time scampering up and down the sands and swimming in the sea. To say nothing of all the cats he had found to chase.

He lay in the sun and basked. He saw Sally run down the garden steps. “Come on, Jeremy, we’re going for a walk,” she cried, but he lay quite still and didn’t even wag his tail. “Lazy dog," she called out. . “You’d better come now.. We’re going away tomorrow.” But Jeremy Jinks sulked. “Oh, well, all right, we’ll go without you,” said Sally as she and Peter set off for the village. He closed his eyes. “Why,” he thought,y“they can’t take me, I cannot imagine. I need a change of air as mit'ch as any of them—grrr—grrr—” “Why don’t you go to the Land of the Juicy Bones for a day trip?” said a voice close beside him. A little black and white terrier stood beside him. “Come on, Sulky, I’ll give you a jolly good holiday. Just you come with me.” Jeremy Jinks stood up and wagged his tail. “Delighted, I’m sure,” he said. “I feel I need a change. You see, I understand the family are going away and leaving me behind. I feel just a little put out, if you understand my meaning.”" “Perfectly,” said the terrier. “You may call me Waggy, if you like—it’s my middle name. My first is Marmaduke, but I prefer to.be known as Waggy.” “It’s very friendly of you, I’m sure. My name is Jeremy Jinki;.” They both rubbed noses, which is a dog’s way of shaking hands. “Now, just step along after me,” said Waggy, and off they trotted. Jeremy Jinks saw a large notice up in big black and white letters; “To the Land of Juicy Bones. Take your cheap day tickets here.” Jeremy Jinks felt a little upset. ‘T’m sorry, but I’m afraid I’ve not got my fare,” he said rather sadly.

“Don’t you worry about that, old

TO THE LAND OF JUICY BONES

I chap. I’ll treat you—only too pleased. Hurry up, there’s a train going in a few minutes.” And then Jeremy Jinks saw there was a door in the'trunk of the tree, and a little turnstile and a ticket office. A large dog sat in the office wearing a pair of spectacles. “Take your tickets here. Pass along quickly.” Down a long passage they trotted and came out into a railway station. A train stood puffing by a platform. It was full of dogs. Big ones, little ones, pedigree dogs and mongrels. Jeremy Jinks and Waggy were ju6t able to squeeze into a carriage. “Toottoot” went the engine, and off they

started. After about an hour’s run, the train stopped and all the dogs scrambled out. Jeremy Jinks kept close to Waggy in case he should get lost. “Oh, Waggy, what a‘ wonderful place!” he said, as he trotted along, for there, on all sides, were bones — sirloin bones and cutlet bones. Large juicy mutton bones and choice little veal bones. “Really, I must stop and take a bite at one,” he said. “Just you wait,” said Waggy, “these aren’t a patch on the ones I know of a little further on.” So Jeremy Jinks followed his new friend with his tongue hanging out in anticipation of the feed he was going to have.

“Now, then, take your choice,” said Waggy at last, when they came to a little cave with bones on either side of it. He himself selected a big bone and settled down to enjoy himself. Jeremy Jinks did the same. “Well, I must truly say, Waggy, that this beats any place I have ever visited.”

Waggy grinned. “I thought you’d soon get over your disappointment at not going to the seaside if you came with me,” he said. “Seaside,” said Jeremy Jinks. “Don’t speak to me of it. Why! I wouldn’t go with Sally and Peter and join those conceited pups who strut about on the sands for anything.” “Very wisely spoken, I’m sure,” said Waggy.

“Oh, dear, I really think I’ll have 'to take a little snooze before we catch the train home,” said Jeremy Jinks, “I feel quite tired out.” “Not at all a bad idea. My own jaws ache,” said Waggy, ».* “Well, just look at that, Jeremy Jinks won’t eat that lovely bone d’ve put beside him,” said Sally’s vpice close at hand. Jeremy Jinks ,sat up with a start. He looked round ’for Waggy and all the other dogs. He blinked once or twice. J “Why, doesn’t he look funny!” laughed Peter. “I expect he’s been dr-earn-ing.” > Jeremy Jinks lay down again. The sun was shining very warmly, and he was feeling quite contented. Dream or no dream, he’d shut his eyes once j again and see if once more he could i visit the Land of the Juicy Bones. ;