The Child with the Beautiful Name.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20976, 12 September 1931, Page 4 (Supplement)

The Child with the Beautiful Name.

4 I AN ALLEGORY. I ~ t ,, t ,',,,, t ■

The hot sun boat mercilessly down on the village street. Dark circles of shade under the stunted plane trees broke the glare of this yellow road. A stillness brooded 0% - er the scattered buildings, though the drone of distant traffic and the burr of children's voices from the little school, suggested the hidden activities of village life. A group of cabbage trees at the end of< the street made a- welcome break, and a clump of treo ferns added an unexpected beauty to the dull drabness of the quiet village. 4, A breeze stirred through the ferns, and the soft green fronds waved to and fro. A bright flash of colour fluttered for a moment through the tender green of the ferns, and a little child danced from the shade into the sunlight, a little girl with laughing eyes, soft, brown curls and rosy cheeks. A ghul surprise seemed to radiate from her as she sped down the yellow road, her eyes sparkling with interest as each fresh object appeared. This was no dull village to her! She stopped as she drew near the school —gazing in wonderment at all she saw. Little children, like herself; all busy with their lessons! What was that little bov doing? "Why, he is crying, I do believe! " she exclaimed. The teacher was speaking to him, and as the sharp words of reproof rang out, he shrank lower and lower in his seat, trying in vain to hide his tears. The little girl stolo softly through the open door and whispered in his ear. r J he boy raised his head quickly, sat up and straightened his shoulders, brushed the tears away and smiled as ho took up his pencil and made a fresh start. "My word! I'll have another go at it L" he murmured. The little girl sped on her way as silently as she had come. So softly had she stolen in that no one but the little boy knew of her visit. Down the street she hurried, flitting here and there and watching all with friendly interest.

BY E.F. t

A cottage door stood open and within sat a woman bending low over her work; dainty finery to deck some dainty lady when finished. Jhe woman s face was worn and tired, and she stitched impatiently at the pretty garment. She lose with a sigh and crossed to the window. "If only things had been different!" she murmured. " Always sewing for other women —always—always—l suppose! " she sighed bitterly. There was a slight stir outside the window and the winsome face of the little girl appeared. She whispered softly as she passed, and tho woman started .as if ashamed. Then a quick smile lightened up tho dissatisfied face. 4 " lfeiglio! What an old grouser I am! I mustn't lose heart like this. There will be a better day to-morrow, I guess! " And sho turned to her work with a fresh interest.

The little girl with the bright face skipped gaily on. An old man sat on a bench by the roadside, a doleful-looking old man, toothless and wearing a patch over his eye. lie sat hunched over his stick, mumbling and muttering to himself, the picture of misery. As the little girl drew near, she heard him mutter: "I ain't no good to anyone nowadays! No one wants rne! Even Maria says I'in a tiresome old man ! Wish I was dead : though 1 did want to be 100 like Daddy Evans; but no one wants me nowadays !

Tho little girl crept up and sat on the bench beside him, talking softly the while. The suljen muttering ceased and •the old man turned toward her. "Them be nice words, little missie! " he said. " Now whose little girl be ye, 1 wonder'! What, he your name, little miss ? "

" They call me ' Kind Words' at home," sho answered shyly. "Bless you, and so you arc!" he murmured. " Kind Words—a pretty name! Why, you're not going to leave me ,«o soon? " he questioned, as she rose.

" I'll come again," called the little maid, as she waved good-bye, and turned once more to the yellow road.