In the Grey Dawn.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21165, 23 April 1932, Page 4 (Supplement)

In the Grey Dawn.

By NORA SHIPMAN". Whanßarei.

A grey dawn was breaking slowly over the night sky, and a hush was in the hills and vnles of tho storied Northland. To the hoy sil ting motionless outside his little white tent, the day that was drawing near, seemed fill of import. Vaguely he felt a childish vish for time to stand still, and leave him there, apart from the world and its mundare worries. Jerry was just eighteen. School days were behind bin, and it was time for him to take his place in the working world, liebrlliously, he acknowledged he was luckier than many a boy of his own acquaintance, for he had a job to go to. But that was the trouble. It meant leaving all that was dear to him—pals, football, and bis spirts and pleasures, and yet that was only the minor part of his trouble, lie wanted a word of cheer, something more than his parents could give; something that would help him to make a success of life on the far out-back station. His thoughts jumped from subject to subject, always disjointed and disconnected until into his mind flashed the words April 25. Glad in the mists of fancy his thoughts took vivid shapes and a dreamy look crept into his young eyes. Then—out of the grey dawn he seemed to see, the phantom troops come marching, in perfect step, and wrapped in somhro silence the misty wraiths marched past until he could see the whole of the New Zealand boys arrayed against the shapeless bills. Jerry flung out bis hands in a desperate gesture for help. And then came the

voice speaking in clipped, military tones: " There is a message from the Anzncs —;t is tho heritage we leave to you. Take our name and honour as your shield in life. " You will meet many stone wills in life. Don't go under or over them, don't try to get round them. Do as we did —go stra i g h t through ! That is the message that has rung from the battlescarred fields, lie an Anzac!" Dimly, as if rung from the am als ol time, the roll of the war-drums, solemn and vibrant, sounded in the boy's ears. He rose as if to salute, and tli-! sun burst over the, hill, in a pean of gladness. Jerry turned and packed his tent. With firm, resolute steps, he went down the hill to bis new life carrying in his heart th e Ansae's shield and thuir message of courage— the courage that knows no defeat.