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Taranaki Daily News, 13 October 1928, Page 21

Gwendoline has a very great grievance against Richard. Or at least she considers she has. It all happened like this. Gwendoline one day sat reading about circus life, and about clever people who walk on the tight-rope with only a long pole to balance them and prevent them from falling. Now, as you know, Richard is just a little boastful, and when he heard what Gwendoline read he exclaimed: “Oh! that is a very old trick: it’s easy. I could do it with my eyes shut.’’ “Very well, Richard,” said Polly, “we should 1 like to see you do it."

To give Richard full credit for his courage, no sooner was-he dared to do the trick than he set about getting a long pole and a rope in order to carry it out. Polly nsisted upon one thing: that the rope should be stretched across a stream, so that, as she said', “if you do fail, Richard, you will have something soft to fall into. Also it will be amusing”, Richard and Gwendoline got quite angry with each other. All the wav to the pond they wrangled. “It will serve you right if you fall in,” said Gwendoline. “Will it!” cried Richard. “Oh! come along,” screamed Polly.

At last they reached a nice quiet stream and, after some difficulty, fixed the rope taut across from one tree to another. “Now!” said Richard, taking up the pole, “watch me and you will have a surprise.” “What are you going to do, Richard,” laughed Polly, “fall in?’ “Don’t try to be funny,” said Richard. “There’s no need for us to be funny,” cried Gwen, “you’re funny enough without us.” “Wow!” barked Richard—and he was so annoyed as he climbed upon the rope that he caught Gwen a bang with the pole. Gwen said he did it on purpose!

Richard had never walked upon a tight rope before, as you can well imagine, but he had so much confidence that he could do it, that, rather to his own surprise, he found himself getting along the rope quite safely. He landed at the other end’ in triumph. "Well done! Richard,” said Polly, “I apologise for doubting your ability.” “Now, if you like,” said Richard, "I’ll carry Gwen over on my shoulders.” “Good idea!” cried Polly. Gwen did not quite like the suggestion, but as she had been so rude to Richard she did not wish to offend him further. ..-.“All right,” she said, “I’ll go.”

Richard found it rather difficult to get Gwendoline perched safely on his shoulders and they very nearly came to grief at the very start, but, once they had go fairly going, it seemed as though they would l get safely to the other side. Poor Gwen felt very high up in the world on Richard’s shoulders, and most sincerely wished she had not come. They got safely to the middle of the stream—and then Richard made a slip! He said it was Gwendoline’s fault. Anyway something happened, and over he went!

There was no saving poor Gwen. She took a wonderful header right into the stream. Richard let the pole go, managed to cling to the rope, and so made his way safely to land. The unfortunate Gwen, however, had to scramble out as best she could, with her mouth full of mud. You see she was going to shout just as she fell in and, therefore, had it open! Of course he others laughed at her, and now she has the idea that Richard did it on purpose, and has made up her mind to get even with him.