On the Way Home

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 22991, 19 March 1938, Page 8 (Supplement)

On the Way Home

r PHE farmer was talking to his faithful old collie. "Here, Trusty," lit said, "carry the lantern down to the corn?r, !>o that the children can have a bit of a light on their way home." Trusty stood patiently whiSe his master fastened the lantern to his collar. He had done this errand a good many times, though this was the first occasion on which he had been sent to meet Doris and Dick Hawke, who were spending part of their holiday with their uncle. They had gone to the village because there was a concert in the schoolroom, and the farmer and his wife had been too busy to go, so they had a dark journey to face after the ftyi was over. Doris was not used to dark country roads, and she was glad to hold her brother's hand. Dick was braver, but it must be confessed he would have preferred to see a friendly moon overhead.

"I can see a light," said Doris when they had nearly reached the corner. "It's very low down," she added,

"much too low for a bicycle lamp, or a light carried by a man." "Perhaps a child is holding it," said Dick.

"But it's nearly on the ground. Do look! And it's coming straight toward us." "Don't be a baby," said Dick, but he was not so very happy himself. What strange light could this beY "I'm going back!" said Doris. "Perhaps the policeman will bring us home. Let's go and ask him." "Well, you are a baby," said her brother. Doris was still clutching his hand, and lie could not well let her go back alone. She dragged him with her, but they could hear the steady pad of feet coming after them. Doris tried to run faster, but she tripped and fell, nearly pulling Dick down. The delay helped their unknown friend to catch them up. When Doris struggled to her feet she saw Trusty standing beside her, wagging his tail. He had been very puzzled when the children turned to run away instead of coining to meet him. "Oh, good Trusty! Now we shall be all right," said Doris, patting him. There was no more talk of the police* man, and Trusty led the way to the farm, the children following contentedly, praising the clever dog who had come to help them.