Jacko Is Too Clever

Northland Age, Volume 3, Issue 30, 27 April 1934, Page 8

Jacko Is Too Clever

There was quite a flutter in the household when Father Jacko’s old friend wired to ask if he could stay the night. “The Professor is a grand old man,” exclaimed Mother Jacko. “Fancy travelling about lecturing at his age.” In the afternoon the visitor arrived, carrying a small black bag which contained his cap and gown. Jacko didn’t go with the others to hear the old gentleman lecture on Fossils. His turn came the next day when the Professor took him to the Monkeyville Art Gallery. But Jacko soon got bored with the pictures. “Give me the Movies every time,” he muttered, longing for something more exciting. Soon he spied a huge empty gilt frame tilted against the corner wall in one of the rooms. “What’s happened here?” he asked. “Perhaps someone bought the picture and didn’t want the frame,” suggested his companion. Jacko was amazed, and said so. “Gosh!” he exclaimed. “Fancy leaving the best part behind!” Before long the Professor felt so tired that he told Jacko to look round alone while he had a rest. Then he sat down to admire a landscape and fell asleep. When the old gentleman woke it was getting dusk, and he started searching for Jacko, who had disappeared. “Looks as if the young rascal’s

gone home,” he grunted wearily. Suddenly he noticed some people looking at a picture in a far dingy corner. Stepping forward, he saw a gilt frame surrounding a boy who stood erect, book in hand, wearing a cap and gown with great dignity. It looked remarkably like. . . . “What a studious face!” murmured an admiring onlooker. “What intelligence!” said another. “What cheek!” exploded the Professor—with such a roar that the picture promptly shook, the cap rolled off, and the next moment Jacko and the gown were lying in a heap on the floor.