THE USELESS ORNAMENT.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19292, 3 April 1926, Page 4 (Supplement)

THE USELESS ORNAMENT.

BY A. T. ORMBERG. The Ornament was most unhappy. The broom was an unpleasant follow. Thrusting here and poking there, always making sweeping statements. Yes, he had thoroughly upset her mentally, not bodily, ne had sense enough to keep himself from injuring her body, though in passing he had given her a nasty jolt. And ho had called her useless. She, who thought herself so perfect. 41 Here I am," ho wheezed, 4< doing all the work as usual while you stand doing nothing, clothed in your fine colours. Of all the useless things in this hero world. The Ornament (which was a vase) trembled in hor agitation. She poured out all her troubles to the patient armchair, who stood as usual by the fireplace waiting to take in what ever came lior way. ' " Don't agitate yourselt, my dear, she said. " Don't carry on that way. You'll over-balance if you do, then what will master say. All settings out, upsettings, and running to and fro, end one way only, that is, in sitting down. I know it —know it well. There, then, sit comfortable, do. Don't worry." The vase endeavoured to compose herself. She trembled still, however. But she was safe. The master, in his wisdom, had attached her to the wall with a narrow band of gold. She was a slender thing, you see, of long and graceful lines. Oh, yes, the grace of her. And she was wrought with cunning and rich colours. Tho master loved to lean back in his chair and look at her. He never tired of her. She was so changeful and charming. . . . And the Ornament knew this, who better ? But the broom had thoroughly upset her. "Whatever shall I do?" she murmured, still distressfully. "Good gracious!" cried the toasting fork. " I wish you would keep quiet. If you keep on making that noise master, I'm sure, will think you'ro cracked." The vase ignored her wholly. She continued her lament to the armchair. " Tell me, what over shall I do to be of use ? '' "Do nothing!" said the armchair.