For the Little Folk A Present for Jim: Bedtime Story

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22741, 29 May 1937, Page 8 (Supplement)

For the Little Folk

A Present for Jim: Bedtime Story

T)ADDY, Mummie, Jim and Babs had left an old house and come to a new o?ie. It was a delightful house! The two children had not seen it before and they wandered round and round tho rooms, and watched the furniture men carry in all the well-ffiiown things, although they did not seem a bit like their furniture in the old house. ''Everything shines," said Babs, and Mummie, overhearing this remark, replied, "Of course it does! I have been doing it up, and polishing everything for the last month. Nobody knows how hard I have worked, for Daddy was at business all day, and you two children were at school. Next time we will move in the holidays." "We appreciate it though," said Daddy; "you are a marvel, my little wife! I am going to do the hard work of the garden." Of course, Mummie was very pleased/ She thought nobody had noticed her hard work. The garden! Oh! What a garden! It was just like a piece of field. In fact, it had been one and still was. Babs made up her mind that the piece Daddy gave her should be a lovely spot. She worked hard on it and her Saturday sixpences were spent on seeds and plants. In the autumn came Jim's birthday. "What are you going to give him?" asked Mummie.

Babs flushed. "Oh, nothing this time. I've had to spend all my money on seeds every week." "Why you say 'had to'P Ji ffl thought of your birthday." "Oh, yes, he gave me half a crown, I bought a rose bush." "I should think," said Mummie, "that you would feel very unhappy, as you have spent, all your money on your own pleasure; Haven't you any little thing that you can give him?" Babs shook her head sadly. When Mumniie had left the room Babs ran upstairs and tossed over the contents of her drawers. Nothing turned up till she saw a corner of an envelope stuck behind one drawer. She pulled it out. In the envelope was a two-shilling piece which Grandma had given her for Christmas. "Well," she ■ said to herself, "I thought I had spent it!" She stood holding it and thinking. Suddenly she came to a decision. She ran downstairs. "This will do for Jim. He wants a pair of tennis balls dreas. fully, and this will buy them." At that moment she heard the car running noisily and the slam of .the garage door. She heard Daddy and Jim shout "Good-bye!" She raced -to the gate and tossed, the money into Jim's lap. "Many happy r&. turns, Jim," she shouted, "buy yourself what ever you want." Jim flushed with pleasure. "I say, thanks awfully," he called as the car gathered speed.