GIRLS OF LONG AGO.

Taranaki Daily News, 23 August 1930, Page 24 (Supplement)

GIRLS OF LONG AGO.

DRUCILLA. Drucilla was fourteen year* old at the time of her great adventure, and King Henry Sth. sat upon the throne of England. When she set out to visit her grandmother one morning in January, 1529. Drucilla little knew that she was about to do something for which she would blush to the end of her happy life. Drucilla was a prosperous glovemaker’s daughter. Her nurse accompanied her through the narrow streets, carrying a basket which contained a roast peacock done up with crab apples —a gift for her grandmother. Drucilla wore a fur-lined cloak over her gown of amber velvet, and she walked most sedately beside her nurse. Suddenly, a very clamorous sound met their ears, and the girl jumped hastily upon the doorstep of a house. ‘•'The Lord of Misrule," she murmured breathlessly. Then down the street came a horde of queer creatures, all a-flutter with green and white ribands. Drums were beating, bells were ringing, and, in the midst of the wild folk who were dressed up to represent animals, dragons, and birds, danced his Lordship of Misrule-—elected as master of mirth during the ribald feasts, of the month of January. He wore a green coat spangled with glass, jewels upon' his hands and neck, and bells at his knees; his face was painted, and his blue eyes were full of mischief. Seeing Drucilla standing with her mouth open, he danced up to her and begged her to join his Court. No doubt the bells had turned Drucilla’s head, for the next moment she .was dancing away with the Lord of Misrule! It was a dreadful thing for a maiden to do! To the church they went, bursting In upon the faithful. • Round it they raced three times, but even the Abbot

only laughed, though the people climbed upon the pews to prevent their jewels from being snatched. Out they rushed again, but—alafl! — they stormed the glove-maker’s house, demanding money, and when he beheld his only daughter dancing with the rag-tag-and-bobtail, he was overcome with horror. Next day, Drucilla was sent to a convent, in the hope that people would forget the disgrace she had brought upon her family. Poor Drucilla wept and blushed, but somehow she could not regret that mad race. And, years later, when she was the wife of a rich goldsmith, her great fear was that her own daughters would learn that she had once danced through the streets with the Lord of Misrule.

CAN YOU GUESS? (Sent by Ivy Hollis.) What is it you often look for and never wish to find?—A hole in your stocking. What three words do boys and girls use most at school? —I don’t know. (Sent by Rex Woodley.) When is a sheep not a sheep?—When it’s turned into a pen. (Sent by Berys Burrell.) How docs a pig build himself a house to k«ep him warm in winter?--Ho tics a knot in his tail and calls it a pig A tie (pig-sty). Why is 10,000 a bad number?—Because it is noughty (naughty). Why is the letter S like a sewing machine? —Because it makes needles needless. What places iu Scotland ought to. play a tune between them —Ayr (air) and Fife. What fish should be glad when there is ice?—Skate. (Sent by Lynda Dilley and Betty Ehrhorn.) What gets wetter with drying?—A towel. When does a lame dog play arithmetic? —When he puts down three (legs) and carries one. Which is the best butter in the world?—A goat. When is a tooth not a tooth? —Wlieix it is a king (aching). (Sent by Vera Old.) How do you make an orange roll? — Give it a 'push, of course. z How do you get down off an elephant?—You don’t get down off an elephant,-you get it off a goose.