THE GUM DIGGERS CHRISTMAS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20454, 4 January 1930, Page 4 (Supplement)

THE GUM DIGGERS CHRISTMAS

By MAVIS MeKEXZI.E (nso 13), Jhiilwuy P. 0., Muuugaluroto. It, was two clays before Christmas, and (ho sun was sinking like a glowing ball of fire in the summer sky, as the old gum-digger reached his little whare, after a long day on the gum fields. lie was about to push open tho weather-stained door, when lie saw, on tho benzine caso that he used fur a washstand, a large parcel. lie stared at it with astonished eyes for some moments before ho undid the string and brown paper. Then with trembling fingers, he took out the contents—a fairly large Christmas cake with " Merry Christmas " on it, in pink and white icing, a leg of' lamb and the Christmas Number of the Auckland Weekly News, across tho front page of which was written " Christinas Greetings from the Watsons." " Well, I'm blest," murmured the old man. " Those new people across the rivor, I suppose. I wish I could do something to repay them." He took his precious parcel inside, and after a frugal meal, sal down on his old seat by the lire and let. his mind wander over the past. lie had not always been so miserable and lonely. In his boyhood he had a happy home, loving parents, and a dear little baby sister of whom he was very fond. It was many years since be bad heard from his sister, and he did not know whether she was alive or dead. At last ho rose stiffly and went to his bunk. Next morning the bent old figure of the gum digger might have been seen slowly crossing tho field toward the river, beyond which lay the. gum fields. As ho approached tho stream lie heard the merry chatter of childish voices, proceeding from tho river bank, and presently saw a group of three boys and two girls collecting ferns. Each looked at him shyly, and said " Hullo," in a very small voice. The old man asked them where they came from " Watson's, across the river," replied the eldest boy. " I took a parcel to vour place yesterday. 1 hope von got i it all right." I " L did, indeed." said the old man. v } " Please tell your mother I am very ! grateful for her kindness. And now I must be off to my work." lie had not gone far when he heard a scream, and looking round saw the elder of the girls waving her arms about, while she cried loudly, " Lilian has ! fallen into the river. Oh. what shall we I do ?" ' He hastened back and saw the little j girl struggling in the water. " She walked out on a rotten log." ciied one of the others, "and it broke." Without waiting for any more, the ! old fellow threw off bis coat and plunged j in" after the child whom he succeeded lin bringing to the bank. She was suf- ! fering from shock and could hardly stand. " We must get her home," said the old man. He picked her up and started off toward tho .farm. After going a few yards be met- Mrs. Watson accompanied by one of her children, who had raced up to the house as soon as the accident happened, and between thein they carried the child into the house. Mrs. Watson called out to her eldest hoy to fake (he old man in and get him some dry clothes, whilo she attended to tho unfortunate child. Half an hour later she emerged from the room where she had left the child in bed to find the old gum digger sit line in a comfortable chair by the fire, littln the worse for his immersion in the river. ' Now for a hot. nip of tea." cried ' the. mother. How very thankful 1 am ! for what you havo done for us. If you had not been there the children might not have been able to rescue, her. Whilo they parlook of tho tea, Mrs. Watson asked the old man many questions about himself, and finally hearing his name, she cried out, " You are surely mv brother, who left home when I was a wee girl. This will be a happy Christmas for us all." If was indeed true- brother and sister had met again after many years, and it would he hard to say which was the more delighted of the two. At lunch-time. Mr. Watson came home, and very pleased he was to meet " I nclo Joe." * Ono of the children was sent hack to the hut to retrieve ilio cake and lamb, for they were going to share it, together now, and Uncle .h'e was given a nice room so that he could slay as long as he liked. And they never let him go hack to tho old life, so miserable and lonely. He lives now with his sister, enjoying in his old age all the comforts, which ho missed for so many years.