Tom’s Lucky Birthday

Northern Advocate, 14 June 1938, Page 2

Tom’s Lucky Birthday

Tom was nearly seven. His father and mother were very poor because his father had been, ill and unable to earn any money for a long time. One night after Tom had gone to bed his mother said, “I wish we could afford to give Tom a birthday present.” “Well,” said his father. “I have been thinking that I might make him a cart to pull. There is some old wood in the shed; we can paint it and it will look very nice.” His mother thought it a lovely idea. So his father started that very night. During the day the shed door was kept locked, because they wanted it to be a

real surprise. At last it was finished 1 , and it really did look beautiful; it had a bright green body and lovely red wheels. Tom was delighted with it. His mother had great difficulty in getting him dressed because he wanted to play all the time with his present. In the afternoon Tom was looking over the garden gate when he saw an Old gentleman corning down the lane, just laden with parcels. Tom touched his cap, and said. "Could I take your parcels home for you in my cart?" The old gentleman stopped, looked at Tom, and said, "Well. well, young man, that is kind of you. I live half a mile further up. Just bring that fine cart here and let me pop my parcels in. My ! But it’s a grand cart!”

Tom smiled, and off they started. The old gentleman, asked who had given him the cart. Tom told him all about his father being ill, and losing his woi'k, and that now ho was better he could not get anything to do. When they reached the house the old gentleman look his parcels, gave him a shilling, and toid him, to ask his father to go and see him. Tom ran all the way homo. They had a happy tea all together. After tea Tom’s father wont to see the oid gentleman. He was gone a long time, but when he came back he was smiiing, and could hardly wait to reach the cottage before shouting, “I’ve got work! And all because of the cart. The gentleman said it was beautifully made, and that he was wanting a good joiner to mend all the houses he owns, nd asked’me to do the work for him. He said: ‘Your little boy helped me with my burdens, let me help you with yours.’ ”

Q. —What extraordinary kind of meat is to be bought on the Isle of Wight? A. —Mutton from Cowes.