BEAUTIFUL WORDS

Southland Times, Issue 20664, 20 April 1929, Page 23

BEAUTIFUL WORDS

—First Prize.—

MELODY.

It was a dreary, uninviting view that Joan Hamilton looked upon as she stood in the doorway oi her little country home, and as she looked at it she wondered why she had ever married a New Zealand fanner, and come to live in this desolate place; for the golden-brown tussocks rolled on like the waves of the sea, unbroken by any neighbouring habitation, and near at hand was native bush sombrely green, some of the older trees iearing up huge decayed arms into the sky, and the manuka scrub bordering it blown out of shape by the almost ceaseless wind. She went out into the little clearing that was their garden; it was only a very small piece of cultivated land surrounded by a scrub fence, but they were able to grow sufficient vegetables there, and even a few pansies struggled for existence. These were the only flowers Joan had except for a large flowering currant bush, which looked bare just then, for it was still winter, and no buds had appeared on it. During the next few weeks Joan could not help thinking of her home in England, and comparing it with her life here, and she grew home-sick remembering how the daffodils and primroses grew up through the tender green grass, and blue hyacinths swayed gracefully against the trunks of stately trees. She could almost hear the birds singing—how she had listened in silent ecstasy to the rapturous notes of the nightingale on summer evenings—but here, with no such trees, of course one could not expect the birds to be so joyous. Then one morning she woke with a feeling of exhiliaration. The sun was becoming warmer, for spring had come, and in the air was the scent of growing things soft green blades of grass were appearing above the dark brown earth; on the glossy brown branches of the currant bush, where soft leaves were unfolding from their satiny cases, tiny pink buds were bursting open, and as Joan approached the bush she noticed a bird, of about the size of a thrush, flitting from one twig to another examining the flowers. He must have found some honey for he uttered one note, rather tremulous, but so sweet, that, gaining confidence, there burst from his throbbing throat a flow of sheer melody, the liquid notes being stayed only when he paused to refresh himself with nectar. Joan was enchanted and did not dare to go any nearer for fear of frightening away this wonderful bird; but from where she stood she could see that it was of a greenish colour with dark head, which bobbed up and down, and shook as he sang as if he were thrilling to the rapture of his own melody.

Joan went about her work light-heartedly that morning, and was full of excitement when her husband came home. When she heard that it was a bell-bird, she was even more delighted, for the name was well suited to the music, so like the dear notes of a bell, that she had listened to that morning. Every day she looked for the coming of the bird and the time, that bad been so drawn out before, now seemed to fly. She remembered that there would be birds in the bush, so she plucked up courage to enter its forbidding-looking shelter. At first, the intense silence terrified, and she hesitated whether to turn back or to go on, so that there was not. even the sound of her footsteps to reassure her. Tinkling notes broke the stillness, but the music was not that of the bell-bird. It was flute-like in its clearness and held a lilting laugh, and she at last traced the sound to a bird with shiny black feathers and two tufts of white at the throat which shook with the passion of his song. The bush was filled with song for bell-bird seemed to echo tui, who was doing his best to tell everyone how wonderful life was.

As Joan went home she knew now that she would never have the same longing for the birds of England, for here, in the most beautiful country in the world, lived two makers of the purest melody that could ever be heard by mortals. —5/- and 4 marks to Cousin Patricia Ward (16), Awarua Plains.

—Second Prize. —

NATURE.

How delightful it is to roam in the bush, where the wild heather glitters before our eyes, and red berries peep cut ’neath mossy banks and ferns. Tranquility reigns at certain times of the. day, when the silvery sunshine peeps out from a cloud and glistens on the dew-laden leaves and flowers. The distant tinkle of a cow-bell and a nearby tui break the silence, and we inhale with excitement the spicy breeze wafted from the bush and soft clinging moss which has carpeted the path. As we stand in wonder, wc hear u faint gurgle of water, and on winding our way whence it came, we spy a fairy dell. lhe ferns in all their richness of colour and fragrance waver in the streamlet as it rushes on over rocks and under overhanging trees, never tiring of its long journey.

One glance to the right and we are awe-struck. A huge wall of giant fern trees encircles us, and far beneath a bed of massed ferns lies undisturbed a pine—snow-clad—-one could almost say, is covered in star-like blossoms, long trailing branches hanging from an overhanging pine branch and wavering in the breeze. As the sun breaks forth once more and shines brilliantly, it seemed as though it cast a spell over all. Mother Nature"has accomplished wonderful works elsewhere. One glance at a garden during autumn, “season of mist and mellow fruitfulness,” is enough to tell you that to behold the gorgeous tints on the trees, those stately poplars with their branches of gold-tinted leaves, or that well-known tree, the Russet—as she stands in all her glory —how those blood red leaves glisten; but how sad to see them quietly waver in the breeze and flutter to the ground to fade and die. But let us not become sad and despondent, for we know that, they shall appear once again and will cheer many lives.

While Mother Nature still mothers this world of ours, let us not forget the scenes she paints during winter months, no matter how cold and bleak the days may be, many a beautiful sight may be seen. Even those trees, whose branches once danced in the autumn breeze, are now leafless, and could we say lifeless? No! not when they are shrouded in a mantle of dazzling snow, making them appear like queens in their snowy robes. That fence, hanging in icicles—does it not add to the charm of the place, with the spear-like blades of grasses shining as the sun bursts through a cloud. The crisp crunch of the frost underfoot seems to penetrate one’s soul, and while pondering on thoughts us these, why does there seem so much rivalry going on in some hearts to-day? Beauty on the right and left of us, during the four seasons of the year, and there arc some who never see it ! If such as these could realize what a beautiful world ours is, it would make a big difference in their lives and make much more happiness. —2/6 and 3 marks to Cousin Hazel Boyd (16), Ontario street, Gore.

—Highly Commended. — DAWN. The moon shone serenely over the sleeping world. Round her the baby stars twinkled mischievously as they played with the Queen's shafts of light. Peace layover everything; when over the other edge of the sky an angry ball of fire shot into sight. “’The Sun,” shouted the stars and fled. “'His Majesty,” murmured the Queen of Night, and gathering her soft robes around her, glided away from the sky and left the sun to reign in her stead. Down on the Earth the people were sleeping in their shelters of bark and skins, while the soft shadows of the moon played around them. As they lay down they murmured: "How good the Moon is to shelter us from the cruel glare of the sun. We could never sleep with the sun burning down on us. Still we could not do without the sun.” Then as the sun shot out in the morning they would awaken and cry in protest, "Oh, the sun again. What makes it come on us so suddenly. I wish it wouldn’t.' The moon heard their protests, so the next morning instead of gliding gracefully away, as was her rule she stayed on her throne of silver until the sun was near the middle of the sky. As he drew nearer the moon began to feel faint under his strong rays but she kept to hcr place until the King was quite close. Then he said, "What does this mean? Do you intend to defy me as to my right to rule through the day?” “Indeed, your Majesty no!” replied the Queen. “But I heard the mortals down below complaining of the suddenness of your arrival in the morning and I was wondering if you would be willing to come over the edge gradually and so make your coming less trying to their eyes.” "Oh!” said King Sol thoughtfully for he was really quite kind at heart. “Why, yes, I believe I would.” “Thank you,” said the good. Queen, who had the welfare of the mortals at heart. So the next morning the mortals below, as they felt, that it was time for the Sun to arrive prepared themselves for a sudden glare but to their surprise it never came. In wonder they slowly opened their eyes and gazed in astonishment at a most glorious sight. Over the horizon fingers of light were slowly curling. Round the sky a rosy haze was cast, upon which the golden fingers played caressingly. The mortals gazed in wonder. Then slowly the Sun crept up, a golden ball of light, bright as ever but so gradual was its ascent that the brazen glare of other days was absent. A great cry of thanksgiving went up from the awe-struck people below. “Dawn!” cried the witch-doctor. “It is the Dawn. I have spoken.” And from her seat on high the Moon smiled, well content. “Dawn,” she murmured. “A soft pretty word. It is well chosen.” —2 marks to Cousin Mollie Bum (16), 9-1 Duke Street, Gladstone.

FIDELITY. Old Jacob put his mistress’s jewels carefully back into the safe locked it up and then turned to go, casting only one sorrowful glance in that direction as he went through the doorway. Down into the library he went to put his master’s slippers before the fire and then to light up the gas before he left that haven of splendour and luxury for his own humble cot. No moon shone to cheer Jacob as he prodded his way homewards over the bog and through the shrub and he was sorely in need of encouragement. What, with his wife dead, his only son dying and he himself so deeply sinking in that foul mire, debt, he had decided life was not worth living. He was now nearly home and a faint light flicked through the darkness out of a hole in the old yellow blind. As Jacob entered the living room, which was in fact the only room in the house a woman arose from the gloom of one corner and came forward on tip-toe with her finger held up as a sign of silence. “How is he, Martha?” whisnered Jacob, tears trickling down his wrinkled, sunken old cheeks in spite of himself. “He’s very poorly.” Martha whisnered in return as she put on her coat and turned her head away to hide her own tears for little Mickie was as dear to his Aunt Martha as he was to his father. “I can never repay you for al! you have done. Martha, but heaven will reward you well.” Jacob muttered after his sister as she made her wav home to sec to her own bairns while he hobbled inside again. He looked long and earnestly at the marbleJike face of his son, the thing on earth most precious to him. Presently his riance shifted to a bag resting beside the fireplace. That bag contained paper. Nav. not papers in the ordinary sense of the word, but many were notes recniesfing him to pay to his creditors certain sums of money by a fixed date and all were bills of some sort. A torn piece of wallpaper hung down over half of the bag and the rest of the paper was hanging to the wall in shreds. “It would be better,” thought Jacob, “if I could buy some old paper and paste it to the walls to keep the draught off little Mickie.” Then a new thought struck him. He mixed up some flour and water to make paste and taking up the bag of bills he pasted them all over the walls, having the blank side of the- paper showing. This done he stood up and surveyed his work and quite proud he was of it too. "As good as new,” was his own verdict. He was just clearing away all signs of the paste when there came a loud knocking at the door. Jacob was used to having some of his neighbours coming in at night to ask after h : s son’s health so he called out softly, “Come in!” He had hardly got the last word out of his mouth when the door opened and a tall, dark, loose-framed man entered. The greengrocer! Jacob knew him instantly. "Good evening, Jacob.” . “Good evening, Mr Gardiner,” Jacob answered, and then, guessing what was coming. he came straight to the point. “I’m sorry I can’t give you your money, but I'll give yoq some as soon as I get my pay.”

Mr Gardiner sneered visibly, . “H’m, 1 wouldn’t run up accounts if I had no intention of ever paying them,” Jacob returned his sneer with a look of cold contempt. “I wouldn't have bought a thing for myself, and you know it, too, Dave Gardiner, but when little Mickie wants a thing I’ll see he gets it if I can get it for him. He will not be here much longer poor little chap. He’s failing fast.”

Mr Gardiner could think of no answer to this remark so he turned his attention to the walls instead.

“I sec you have been speculating again,” he said at last, stroking his pointed chin cunningly. “How would you like a little speculation with me?” “If I can earn a little money honestly I will, but not one thing shall I do if it be dishonest,” replied Jacob determinedly. “Ha, ha, ha, that beats the limit. Fancy a man so much in debt as you are talking about honesty. Come Jacob, be sensible. You know you are just as eager for it as I am. What do you say old man?” “I have given my answer. Now what have you to say for yourself?” “You have been a long time in old Moneybag's service, have you not., Jacob?”

“I am afraid I do not understand you, Mr Gardiner. I have worked for Sir John Colmes for the last forty years.” “You must be a trusted servant, eh?” “It is my desire to remain, so,” answered Jacob pointedly. “Only such an old servant would be allowed to have such liberty in the way of his mistress’s jewels and his master's safe, etc.,” went on Gardiner, heedless of Jacob’s hint.

“Who told you I was allowed such liberty?” flashed Jacob. “Little birds often carry tales, old boy, but never mind. I say! That was a fine necklace of diamonds Lady Colmes had on this afternoon. Such a strange pattern, too! I suppose you know that pattern off by heart ?” “I never boast of my knowledge,” said Jacob.

“Knowledge is a mighty useful thing sometimes,” cried Gardiner, thinking he had struck what he wanted. He drew from his pocket a note book and pencil, and sketched a diamond with a few peculiar marks upon it. “They are something like that are they not, old partner?” “Maybe they are and maybe they arc nt, and I never was your pardner, Dave Gardiner.”

“But you are my pardner in this, are you not? Why, we will make thousands, and all you have to do is to draw me one diamond!” •

“What is the use of that to you?”

“Listen, Jacob, one could easily slip artificial diamonds into the real diamond case. That wouldn’t take much brain power.” “Do you know what you are saying, man! Get out! I will have nothing more to do with you! You are more foul than those rotten bananas you threw out last night!”

“Tut, tut, tut, Jacob. Why all this fuss about old Moneybags? I’m sure he's never given you anything in the whole forty years you’ve been there.” “’Tis not that I am looking for Dave Gardiner. I promised Mary before she died that I would serve Lady Colmes faithfully as long as I could, because she was so kind to Mary when she was ill.” “Oh, a case of fidelity, is it? Ever heard the poem on the man and his dog. The poet never said so, but. I'm sure that dog came to a bad end after watching over the dead man all that time, and a mighty lot of good it did the man, too! What’s the good of sticking to such a silly promise now? She’s dead. She won’t know. Come! Be a man!” “Get out of my house at once, Dave Gardiner! I will post your money to you as soon as I get it. I never want to see your evil face again. Go!” Dave Gardiner flashed out a revolver, levelled it and pulled the trigger crying, “Here’s to you and your confounded fidelity.” The shot rang out, and at the same instant old Jacob fell. Dave Gardiner was out of the door and off, leaving the smoking revolver on the floor. A faint stirring of the white coverlet announced the awakening of Mickie. He turned his small head round, and his eyes fell upon the floor where Jacob lay still in a pool of blood. With the single cry of “Daddy!” he fell back lifeless. Thus it was that Jacob’s life ended, and with it. his son’s life, but his nobleness and his fidelity earned for him one whole page of the daily paper, and at the head of this page Dave Gardiner read Suicide of old man. Jacob Roed takes his life when his ailing son dies. Gardiner goes on calmly with his breakfast saying, “I told him the dog came to a bad end because of his fidelity, but its not my fault. He wouldn’t listen.” —Cousin Beatrice Witsey (15), Riverton. LONELY. Away in the blue Pacific there lies a tinyrocky island covered with thick green bush. Many years ago, in a far and foreign land there lived a beautiful maiden, daughter of the king; but she did not love the life she must lead as princess. She loved a wild life and longed to be alone in the fields and bush.

But Princese Ix>na could not have what she wanted, and for many years had to content herself with sitting alone in her own garden and thinking of a life among the hills with the birds and animals.

One day as she was sitting alone in her room, her maid entered to announce that Lord Fontay had arrived at the Palace and to tell her that the King requested her presence in the dining hall.

Princess Lona dressed but she was not happy. She did not at all care for the company of the great people who came to the Palace. She had not seen Lord Fontay but she supposed he would be the same as the rest. She was soon ready and accompanied by her maid went down to dine. When she entered the hall introductions were delivered in the usual way and dinner was served. During 'dinner Princess Lona felt very sad for she began to think that she would never get away to the wild life she longed for. After dinner she went out to drive accompanied by Lord Fontay. Their conversation at once turned to Nature herself. Each in the other, bad, at last, found a kindred spirit, and when Lord Fontay left the Palace he took his Princess Lona with him. They went away in a boat specially equipped for their use, on a tour of the beautiful blue Pacific. Happily they sailed around going they knew not where—just slipping from one lovely spot, to another. One day they landed on a tiny rocky island and had it not been for the thick bush you could have seen across it. Oh! but it was a pretty place, all complete. Its valleys, hills, streams and forests, all were there. Here they decided to stay. Lord Fontay found for them a cosy nook, and there built for them a shelter with the branches of forest trees.

As they were one day exploring a roeky cavern, they saw beside them two large red eyes of a serpent and in one moment it gave Lord Fontay the fatal bite. In spite of all the Princess could do her Lord was gone for ever. He had given her her hearts desire —to be away from court life with gliorious nature. Now she had it and was content; but oh—she was lonely. —1 mark to Cousin Jean Playfair (15), “Bonniefifild,” Gummies Bush. LOVE. Long, long ago in a town called Venice the people were always quarrelling among themselves. The ruler of the town could not bear it any longer. He said that the one who could stop the quarrelling would get a fine reward. That day a little boy from another country with smiling lips passed through that country with his father. Seeing all the quarrelling that was going on about him, he said, "I wish they would stop.” "Yes, we are going to visit the prince,” said his father.

As they passed through the town the people all stopped their quarrelling and gazed with wonder at the little boy. They followed him right to the prince’s palace and when the little boy looked back and waved to them they forgot all about their

quarrelling and became happier. They began to love one another. Now the prince, who was the ruler of Venice, was in love with a princess called Isa. She had been married before and her husband had died leaving a pretty child called Betty. The next , day the little boy and his father and the prince went to see the princess and her little girl. The little boy fell in love with Betty and when they were old enough they were wed. That is how love came to the world. —1 mark to Cousin Sadie Mclntosh (10), 40 Princess street, Enwood.