The Prize Winner

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22444, 13 June 1936, Page 9 (Supplement)

The Prize Winner

The local kennel club was holding its annual show. Gerry and his pal Ginger had walked past the field several times, wondering what all the fuss was about, and when the dogs began to arrive they both grew tremendously excited ! They barked derisively when the Biiken-haired pets, with their blueribbon bows, were carried tenderly intg the big tents, .and they growled horribly when the big dogs were led past on stout leather leads. "It must be a show of some kind," said Ginger at last. "I've heard it said that people give/ prizes for good-looking dogs." And the little rascal gave his shaggy coat a shake and stuck his tail in the air in an honest endeavour to improve his looks. "Gam!" barked Gerry. "What sort of prizes? Sausages?" "No," replied Ginger, "only medals and things." "Who wants a medal?" snapped Gerry. "I'd muph rather have a dogbiscuit." And he went up to the fence, round the field, and sniffed at a lifelike reproduction of a famous make of such doggy delicacies. He was vastly disappointed to find tho "biscuits" a snare and a delusion, and Ginger s unfeeling laughter didn't improve his temper. Then he had a bright idea. Perhaps thej' were advertising outside the field what was on show inside. The dog-biscuits might only be pictures oiltside the show, but surely there would be plenty of real ones inside. t Anyhow, Gen-y meant to find out. It was not easy to get inside that field. Everybody seemed to have a ticket, and dogs were not admitted unless they had an owner to vouch for them. But did that deter Gerry and Ginger? Not a bit of it! It didn't take them long to find a hole in the fence, and once inside they mad<? full use of their freedom. But they couldn't find the place w herc dog-biscuits were being given awav. They prowled from tent to tent, getting more and more downhearted, till they came to a long bench, where *0 or more dogs were sitting in a row. Here we are!"barked Gerry, joyously. "Take vour place in the queue, linger, my lad."! And the pair leaped up, where there was a vacant space at the end of the line. ♦ Bemembering their manners, they kept perfectly still, and made no fuss all. Two or three men-persons, and a woman-person, were making their way slowly down the lino, gazing at each dog on tho long bench. 'p. n thoy reached Gerry and "inger the dogs gazed up at them a Ppealingly. Gerry put on his most pathetic expression, and gave a plaint've little bark. Tho woman-person Patted him. But the poor dogs thought the distribution of the biscuits was sadly overdue ! Then a queer thing happened. Tho w °man-iK'i'son produced a round, white Car d, which she fastened to Gerry's collar. "What a sell!" whined Ginger, 1,8 ho sniffed tho curious thing. There was much applause as Gerry leaped down in disgust and prepared to stalk a "'ay. But, to his horror, not ten yards •*?y. wh° should he see but Jack and , Jul I Jack grabbed the poor doggy by tho cellar, and examined the white card which hung from it. "Look, Jill!" ho gasped. And the pair read out "MonBreTs' Class. First Prize." . How they laughed! And when the J°ke got round, there was a perfect «orm of laughter and cheers. the best part was still to como! "hen Jack and Jill got home, they E a ye both Gerry and Ginger two bisjjjj'ts each for being such clever little |