ADVENTURES OF THE CHUMS

Taranaki Daily News, 23 March 1935, Page 22 (Supplement)

ADVENTURES OF THE CHUMS

Puss thoroughly enjoyed her visit to the King, for he was most hospitable. She discovered that the palace was a very splendid building, and made the King all the more delighted by her expressions of astonishment at everything S e^ W the terrace they met the Princess. The King introduced Puss, and told her about-the Prince. . . . She was charmed with Puss, and said she must certainly bring the Prince to see her.

When Puss left the King’s palace, she hurried back to Gabriel, and told Gabriel, “it is no good. I’m no Prince, and, anyway, I could 'not go in these old clothes.” . , , T “As for being no Prince,” said Puss, “remember Im a magic cat, and I say that you are a Prince!” . “Well what about clothes?” asked poor Gabriel. “We shall arrange all that,” said Puss. “Now, I want you to come down to the stream and bathe.”

Now Puss had a scheme for everything, and that Gabriel should bathe was part of this one. The stream she chose ran near the King’s castle, and she knew that each day at a certain time the King and his courtiers strolled by the water. What she had to do was to get Gabriel a fine suit of clothes, and this is how she proposed to do it. First she must get Gabriel to take off his old ones. That was quite easy because he could not bathe with them on. “Hurry up,” she cried. “We have not too much time.”

This may seem rather a strange picture, for apparently Puss is running off with Gabriel’s old clothes. That was all part of her scheme. Before she could get Gabriel a new suit, she must get rid of the old one. “I must hurry before the King comes along,” she panted as she ran. Meanwhile Gabriel was bathing in the cool waters of the stream. At the same time the King and his courtiers were taking their daily stroll.

Puss’s scheme is now beginning to work out. She got back only just in time to meet the King. “Good morning, Your Majesty,” she cried. “This is a fine opportunity for you to meet my Prince.” “I shall be delighted,” said the King. “But I haven’t any clothes,” wailed poor Gabriel from the water’s edge. “Good gracious!” said Puss, “somebody must have spirited them away. What shall we do?” “Oh! that’s easy,” said the King. / And he forthwith instructed a courtier to run back to the castle and fetch a complete outfit.

The scheme worked marvellously, as you can see from the picture. The new clothes fitted Gabriel beautifully, and certainly he looked every inch a prince, as the King said. Then the King invited them both to the castle. But Puss had further plans to carry out, so she excused herself, and Gabriej and the King walked slowly away. “Now,” said Puss to herself, “for the ogre.”