Young Folk’s Corner

Northland Age, Volume 3, Issue 12, 15 December 1933, Page 7

Young Folk’s Corner

POMPEY’S ONLY TRICK Eric and Ted and their little sister Rosie had left a prim town house in Sydney to go on a long-promised visit to an uncle and aunt who had settled “way back” in the bush. The children liked their new surroundings, the bungalow building set right in the waste of gum trees and wattles, with its verandah hung with passion flowers. They doted on the animals at the farm, from their uncle’s beautiful riding horse Starlight down to the prick-eared little joey, everyone’s pet, a baby kangaroo. The only pet they did not admire in the homestead was their uncle’s cat Pompey. He was a big black and white animal with a pink nose and staring white eyebrows and whiskers. He was of an unsociable nature, and spent his time between sleeping on Starlight’s back and following his master about, really more like a dog than a cat. He took notice of no one but Uncle Tom, and at mealtimes would sit on the arm of his chair, being helped to food before human beings. “I can’t think why you like Pompey so much, Uncle,” said Rosie. “Our cat at home is much prettier. He lets himself be loved, too, and at tea he sits up and begs.” “Pompey is no beauty,” said Uncle Tom, “but he has one trick of his own—not a parlour trick exactly, but everyone admires it in this part of the world.”

Slowly the afternoon went by ; it was very hot. A great stillness brooded over the house. The men were out, and so were the children. Aunt Annie was getting tea ready against everyone’s return when suddenly there was the clattering of little boots, and the children rushed in, dusty and begrimed. “Come quickly, Auntie! The gamecock that you got from England is fighting most dreadfully with a laughing-jackass. And all the other laughing-jackasses are sitting round in the gum-trees, ha-haing as if they would split their sides. We tried to get hold of the fighters, but they just scuffled away in a cloud of dust.” “My beautiful gamecock! I’ll soon settle them,” said Aunt Annie, whose poultry was the pride of her heart. “Go, children, and wash your hands and faces. You are as black as tinkers, and tea will soon be ready.” She disappeared hotfoot. They thought of the nice wash and made their way to the cool bathroom. As the three were dabbling hot hands in a basin of cold water their attention was attracted by a strange shadow waving on the wall. They turned to see on the windowsill the panting jaws of a big serpent, driven in from

the bush by the great heat and the lack of water. Slowly he poured himself into the room and lay stretched out; the cool linoleum was grateful to his parching body. Aghast stood the children, penned in one corner of the room. They had no weapons—the snake-sticks without which no bush-child goes to school were all in the hall. And, what was worse, they were between the serpent and the water it wanted.

“Come quickly, Auntie!” screamed Rosie, and her far-away footsteps could be heard.

The serpent raised its head. It uttered a long-drawn hiss which warned them it was going to strike. There was a rush of paddy paws, a flash of black and white lightning, and Pompey launched himself at the big snake. One pounce, one bite at the back of the neck, and all was over.

“I guessed what had happened when I saw him run in!” panted Aunt Annie as she entered. “The snakes that cat has killed! You ere safe anywhere from serpents if you have Pompey beside you. Look at him now!”

For the cat had got hold of the limp body by the tail and was dragging it out of the room.

“Oh, Auntie, don’t let him eat the horrid thing!” cried Rosie. “It might poison him yet.” “Eat it, not he!” said Aunt Annie. “He is taking it away to show it off to Uncle. He will lay it down at his feet and purr like a steam-engine, expecting to be praised and petted.”

CAN YOU PUZZLE THEM OUT? How Many Stamps? Two schoolboys had started stampcollecting. Jack said to his friend : “Give me one of your stamps and then I shall have as many as you.” “No,” replied Tom, “you give me one of yours and then I shall be able to divide mine equally with my brother and still have as many as you.” How many stamps had Jack and Tom? Built-Up Word With pen in hand, it may be said, My first you’ll surely need ; Then add to this a horse’s head, And what will urge his speed. Nine letters thus complete my theme, Which soon you’ll bring to view ; And though it very strange may seem, I really am- but two. [Answers published next week] Answers to Last Week’s Puzzles At the Pastrycook’s.—3 pastries, 2 biscuits, and 15 cakes. Beheaded Word.—Smart, mart, art.