"Him."

Timaru Herald, Volume XIIC, Issue 13979, 14 August 1909, Page 1 (Supplement)

"Him."

(Bv J'-- A. Seaforth.)

I.—IIIS PERILOUS ADVENTURE. Mother said she was going out shopping, so, of course, he was going to. Shopping is rather a bore, but you have very pleasant thrills of excitement on Hearing a toy or sweetstuff shop, and you don't usually come home empty-handed. But still, it has its disadvantages. To begin with, you always have to be washed again. There's not much ioy ill life if you hare to be washed more than once a day, and to hare soap rubbed into your eyes, nose, and mouth twico in one morning, thoroughly upsets you. Then there is the dressing—always a tiresome process—but, when you have kid gloves to put on, a positive martyrdom. If you happen to bo looking out of the window, or are interested in something else at the time, how can you be sure that each of your fingers has gone into the corresponding finger of the glove? —and somebody always fastens a piece of your skin in with the button.

Boots are nearly as bad, but not quite. Someone sits you on a table and expects you to get your foot into such a curly thing as a boot without any trouble:; as you can't, they try to jam it on. But you have to be as patient as possible in the trying circumstances or sometimes yqu get left behind —at least, if Father's at home. Then, when at last you are ready, you have to sit down perfectly still, and wait about an hour for Mother. If you've had any experience, you resist all temptation to play with the cat or run into the garden, because then yon would have to be arranged again, and that is worse than being dressed. When once the gardeii gate closes behind you things go more smoothly, though there's always that first struggle when you want to walk as a gentleman should, and Mother insists on your walking inside. Ou this particular day all aiiggred well. He forgot to pat Mr Brown's ferocious dog, which was accredited to him as a virtue, and when they met the thin Miss Taylor, he didn't iidget at all, though she expatiated at great length on the coming Church. Bazaar. "When his mother took his hand across the road, though the ( boys from three doors down, who wore allowed to go out by themselves, were standing close by, ho didn't even murmur. The rewards in store for him lie considered must be great indeed. But he was destined to discover the injustice of the Fates. His mother never even stopped at his favourite little toy-shop, and not one word was ex-, changed on the subject of sweets. So ho was in a most discontented frame of mind when he found himself being dragged into the big shop that he hated so much, that had nothing more interesting in the windows than pieces of stuff hanging up, and laces and silks. As his mother lifted him into the high chair, lie watched with weary, uninterested eyes the girl in black who deposited box after box upon the eountcr. i At last his mother lifted out of one of the boxes a little blue serge coat. He knew, then, that the moment of fitting was at hand, so, slipping quietly to the ground, he hastened to the other end of the shop, apparently intent on examining small white bonnets ill glass cases, tiny shoes, and little fingerless gloves. In reality he was anxious lest he should be" Called to his mother's side for the dread crdeal to begiii. Ho camo to the cud of the counter and to au archway in the wall which led, so far as lie could tell, into sucla paradise as he had never dreamed of. He stood and gazed into it spellbound. Right before his eyes was a monstrous rocking-horse, quite as big as a real horse, lie felt sure, with love-, ly red lips and great big eyes. If lie could mount it >but for a moment he would not have lived in vain.

Cautiously lie'advanced through the opening. A qualm of conscience seized him. Perhaps this was another of those wonders that surround you in shopland, but which you " mustn't touch." ■ The next moment, however, all was forgotten in the rapture of patting the strong wooden head and combing with his fingers the silky mane.

Svhafc was his disappointment on looking round to find that this room also was full of black-robed girls, one of whom flicked the horse, as she passed, with a dusting brush. He envied her air of familiarity with the beautiful animal, but thought the act terribly wanting in respect.

In all directions unsurpassed treasures met his eyes.

To the right were ranged box upon box of soldiers —infantry and cavalry in every variety of size and uniform; one regiment could even move its arms. A glorious fort st6od on the left with moat, drawbridge, turret and cannon; beyond that, a stable, before which stood a horse attached to a cart full of flour-bags. Further on still lie discovered a railway lino with.-a minute signal, two trains, and one stat'on. In tact, lie touched and fondled all the desires of his heart, which he had never hoped to see save through the cold barrier of plate-glass. Something, however, was wanting — his' mother! Mow many hours, he wondered, had he spent in that beautiful fairyland. He looked at the strange faces around, ,und a sense ol fear crept over him. He must go back at once. He darted through the nearest opening, expecting to sec the fa-, miliar glass cases ranged along the counter just as lie had left them. AN hat was his horror to find himself in a big bare room.

Fear grew upon him. He wished he could see all around him at once, lie stood quite still and looked about;

What tlio room was intended to be he could not make out. It wasn't a dining-room, because, although there was a table with a very wjiite cloth and a beautifully laid dinner and lovely flowers on it, there were also three beds, two wardrobes and a. dressingtable; and, yet, it couldn't be a bedroom, because there was a bookcase and a writing desk; nor could it be a study because there were kitchen chairs aiut a dresser; nor a- A tall and majestic man walked slowly and noiseles&iy past. He made a dasii for a door opposite and arrived, panting, among cups;- saucers, dislies and bowis —above hun, around him, nothing but china. He began t;> -.despair. He wanted his mother —he wanted his mother. In his agony of mind he was (|UiT.e unaware- that he was crying iiis thought aloud, till one of tne tail black girls asked him where ho hud left his mother, anil what she was like, and smilingly assured him that between them they would soon find her again. She led Jii'm into another apartment. He stood bewildered. What could it be? Hats stood on stands ;uul hung on hooks, overflowed from drawers, and lay in heaps on the tables. His thoughts immediately flew to Bluebeard, for down the middle of the room was a long row of trunkless heads on green squares of wood—all with hats 011. He .chum tn his sruide, fearful that she would leave liim in that horrible place.

Then they passed to a room beyond, where tall ladies clad in appropriate garments, such as dressing-gowns and silky underskirts, stood still and silently. J fis mother was nowhere to be seen.

By the time they reached the fancy department his heart was nigh to breaking. Upstairs and downstairs he and his guide had made their fruitless search, till at last he began to suspect her. Was she, too, in the conspiracy to hide his mother from him in this terrible maze?

Never again would he see his mother or his father, the boys from three doors down, on Mr Brown's dog. He saw through it all now. This was the Ogre's house. In a few moments he might find himself in a pie-disli with a crust over him. Tears rolled down his cheeks* Where could his mother bo that she did not come to his rescue?

Horrible thought! She had said she would never remember all the things she had to take home that day. Perhaps he was the thing she had forgotten. But very likely she was searching for him. How worried she must ba thinking of the danger he was in! She must be running about looking anxious, just like she did when he cut his finger last week. Perhaps she thought tjliey had hidden him in one of those hat-drawers; very likely at this moment

Tlicy entered another door. He stood aghast. There, seated calmly at the counter, exactly as ho had left her, was his mother. He threw himself into his arms.

" Did you think you'd lost me P" she asked smilingly —almost carelessly, he thought. She couldn't have realised how near she had been to losing liim for ever :jr, perhaps, she didn't care. With-a heavy heart he followed her out of the shop, clinging tighly to her. hand. Never again should those horrid glass doors shut him in from the freedom and safety of the outside world. . ,1 His mother looked down at the sad little (iountenauce and smiled. She did :;are then ! He smiled back. She bent down, and then and there, on the crowded pavement in the full glare of day, though he was for ever ashamed af tliis most unmanly act, he flung his arms around her neck and kissed her. Soon after tliev were both seen to disappear into the nearest confectioner's. • J] —THE .JOURNEY THERE. Ha and .Mother were going to the seaside for a fortnight. At least that was what was at first decided, but, afterwards, it was found that I 1 a.tlier would be able to come too. Mother was very delighted 'at- that. He was not sure if he was quite so pleased as Mother, but lie didn't say so. For days and days the preparations had been manifold; and now, as he sat up in his cot and looked round, he found himself nearly surrounded by gaping portmantenx and hat-boxes, strapped umbrellas, and one great big box.

It was live o'clock iu the morning of their departure. He had awakened with a start, ( very anxious lest he should have overslept himself. He didn't want everybody to be late this •lay of all days, so lie slipped out of bed very quietly and went over and woke Mother. She told him, scarcely opening her eyes, to go back to bed again. He crept back into h:s cot and lay there looking yearningly at the sections of red sun discernible through the slats of the blind. Why were grown-up people always so very sleepy in the early morning? tie couldn't uliderstand it. He sat up and looked across at Mother. If she didn't wake up soon they would lese their train ami, probably, wouldn t go for a holiday at till. He could stand it no longer, so he got and went cvei* to Father. lather needed a good deal of waking, but when at he did succeed in arous? ing him, he was even sharper than Mother had been. There was no gratitude at all in parents. On his way back to his cot. again he was attracted bv one of tile portmanteaux. Vvhicli he promptly sat on bv way of a new exnerienee. It overbalanced, and Father's shirts ami socks nnd roliars came tumbling ert on to the floor, so he hopned quickly into h»d again and turned his to it. Then be endeavoured to while away the time by +vinr the fri""e of the coverlet into big k'mts. Tt was bo•ri'inin't to look quite pretty when lie fell aslccn. , be next awoke Mother was bv his -ot readv to dress him. His behaviour durii"' the process was so exemplary that, Mother looked forward to a comfortable day. After breakfast he escaped to the nursery to take a long farewell oi his toys Mother had told lum lie might"choose one of them to accompany him on his travels, but the choosing'was the difficulty. The \o Lamb, perched on the fminel of the wooden Engine, was the first to catch i : c This was the oldest to> c possessed. It would bo manifestly unfair to leave the Woolly Lamb at home, so he picked hun up t him of the good fortune in stoic loi STSJSi-i W.W q{ 0--o& <■» ( J no < f tlirni. The question was, i'i (n til-i' 9 To be Mire Dobbin " „ mis i«>ad, )">t then he had I hair There was nothing to choose between them— they must both

" Wil li one or Uv<> things ll( ; wllwtO'l on the way downstairs, Ins tors made a pile of goodly bulk on the doormat . UK I ho was just beginning to instinct as to their behaviour when Father apPC -'' What's this?" Father inquired that voice he always us.swhenleis going to make himself nasty. \ou • not. "oing to tako t,icso ' y , -il, SltTnn l ,recloUS heaP " '"There was Father spoiling all lus rleasure from the very outset. J|L opened his nH.utl, wide, and a l.ea.tbroken cry rent the ail-K-itber walked calmly away, t was no good erying if there was +<> see so be sat disconsolately sr*' *~ lie'.d that, lie fell out of the window and was- run over. Of course the cab had to be stopped, and lather cot out and recovered the happilv none the worse lor the <id\enS w tlint he was a l.Hlo thinner and boasted a brown muddy waistTllrv bad tu-entv minutes to. wait before the tram ftnrt-d, so 1 atlu t who was being ever so much liitei, bought liim a comic paper. it was ..Xured i" bright reds, blues, and rrreens, and on the front page tliere u-.s an awCully f'-my tale about an nlligator who swallowed three little hoys, sn lie sat tlow'i with Mother m tbe waiting-room thoroughly content. Out of the corner of bis eve he saw Father walking in the direction of the

sweet-stall. Ho felt that lifo held many joys for him yet. At last the twenty minutes wero over and Mother dragged him along at top speed towards the train. He had to cling to her skirts with all his might, because there wero so many porters with heavy trucks doing their best to run him down.

When, eventually, Father lifted him safely into the carriage he breathed again. He was very uncomfortable at first because the seat was so wide that ho had to keep his legs out straight in front of him and couldn't bend his knees; but he had just discovered a nice little padded shelf 1111nerueatli the window that ho could sit on while keeping his feet on the seat, when a fearful thought occurred to him.

His Woolly Lamb he had left sitting on the water-bottle in tho waitingroom.

In a moment the train would start and the lamb bo left beliiud. Hour after hour it would sit there waiting, waiting. Tho tears gushed to his eyes. He appealed to Mother, who explained the horrible tragedy to Father. Father was at all sympathetic —in fact, he was cross, but lie ran fast, and soon came back very hot and irritable, swinging tho precious lamb by tho leg- . , There was a scurrying of passengers, a banging of doors, and * the train started. The joy of having recovered his lamb was entirely spoilt by Mother refusing to allow him to lean out of the window. It was ever such a quick train, and the telegraph poles kept jumping past.and the fields and houses and things looked all streaky. Oh, it was interesting! There were two ladies and an old gentleman besides themselves in the carriage, and tho ladies kept smiling at him when he said quite ordinary things, so he tried to say something really funny, and it fell quite flat. He crossed the compartment onco or twice to see) the view from the other window, and every time he did so he got entangled in the old gentleman's legs, who woke up on each occasion with a start and was very disagreeable. At last Mother insisted on his keeping still, so he climbed up on to Father's knee and went to sleep. When. lie awoko the train had stopped and everybody was getting -out. Father carried him to another cab, and they started off for their apartments.

The sun was shining, there was a beautiful sharp smell in the air, and the children carried .spades and pails and looked so,brown. He ( . couldn't contain his spirits, and jumped about for joy, partly on the floor of the cab, and partly on Father's toes. But Father was .awfully nice. It seemed so 1 funny to have tea in a strange room, and he was very anlioyed at having to go to bed directly after, but on Father's promisiij-g'fo 'get up at six and take him he obediently went off to,sleep at once, with a .smile on liis lips and one leg of the Woolly Lamb round his neck. 111. —HIS FIRST GIFT.

The da^ ? after to-morrow was Mother's birthday. The information received to this olfect, however,, inade no impression upon him except to produce a vague wonder that people so old as mothers should have any. birthdays left. It was Sunday afternon, . and he and Father were strolling up and down the garden, having one of their " man-to-nian " talks before tea. They had been twice round the brown fern that stood on the top of the little heap of burnt bricks at the bottom cf the garden before Father spoka again. The day after to-morrow was Mother's birthday.- . ' Father paused in that tantalising way he has when he means more than he says, and one can't quite understand.

How tiresomely persistent grown-up people are! And how utterly incapable of reading one's moods! He wasn't feeling interested in mothers to-day. Father ought to know by this time that Sunday afternoons were reserved for the consideration of one's future walk in life. And he was waiting to confide the ambition that had been growing at his heart for two days namely, to be a sewer-man, and come suddenly out of a hole in the ground and then go down again and have huge adventures in the dark underneath everything. So why talk of mothers. There was a. long silence, and then Father asked him. what he was going to givo Mother for a birthday preThis was a novel idea. He didn't know that mothers ever had presents. It seemed so unnecessary. The notion was altogether quaint, but lio thought after all he might rather like it. He bogan to consider what ho should give Mother. This was a mighty brain effort, and ho walked right up to the sweet pea and back, thinking hard all the time, without coming to any satisfactory conclusion. Father asked whether ho couldn't remember anything Mother had said she wanted. Well, Mother had said she'd like a lot of servants, and she onee mentioned a house in the country. Father that of course it all depended upon how much ho had in his moneybox.

That aspect of the case hadn't occurred to hiin before. Naturally that made' it a much more serious undertaking. Besides, he had meant to buy such a lot of things with that money. Perhaps Mother wouldn't like what ho bought. Now he came to think of it lie l'clt certain she woilldn't, and she might be cross at his wasting his money. After all, it might be better to leave it. Ho rather hoped Father wouldn't continue to converse on a subject fraught with so much unpleasantness. He started climbing un the rockery in order to cause a diversion.

Father smiled mid suggested increasing his wealth by twopence. Now that was business. And really it would ho fun, and it was nice when Mother was awfully happy. So he entered entli 1siastically into the scheme, and they paced up and down the garden till teatime, making great plans lor the purchase. When his accounts were gono into it was discovered that tho Servant and Country House plans must be abandoned. That was disappointing, but ho consoled himself with the delightful decision they came to—to buy one ot those, small ferns in a wee little pot that were sold at the florists round the corner. , Tea was a memorable meal that uay. It was so exciting to have a great secret that 110 one knew anything about but Father, and they smiled at each other across the table till Motliei was quite bewildered. He tried to drown his irrepressible giggles in his mug o milk and water, but Mother icy. )'id him for his bad behaviour. Ah! if she only knew. Earlv the next morning ho salli-: I forth with Father and a whole.sixpe :.jo to buv Mother's gift. lie wanted to manage the whole of the transaction himself, so that Father could tell Mo-i ther how brave he'd been. lio even insisted on carrying tlio money. So Father was left round the corner so that ho wouldn't even bo able to seo liim.

He felt very li.mpy, and started down tho road' lion-lieartedly* Hu

looked in the florist s and saw the very plant he wanted. He actually had one toot inside the shop before lie wavered. He inst turned his head in the direction "of the shop nest door and temptation assailed him; There, iir the window. was the very clockwork motorcar that he had wanted for so Ion*;. There was the sixpence in his handthere was the. motor-car in the shop, ito fore ho fully realised the consequences of his act he was outside the shop .igairi, the longed for toy neatly done up in brown paper in his hand. Then he started slowly down the road again to meet Father. "Get the right sort, old man?" Father asked. He held the parcel behind him ami nodded sheepishly. Guilt _ was writ large all over hiin and his face was not" by any means the normal colour.

—Rather a funny way to wrap up a fern!" Father saiii. "Shall I carry

He shook "-his head. What would happen now? If only he could live the last live minutes over again. Mis underlip began to quiver. Father left him at the gate. •• Your own money, old chap, of course," he said; " but Mother might have bought that country house instead of the -rocking-horse last Christinas, mightu't she ?" . Father had guessed,, then, and would despise him - for 'the rest of- his life. He went up to the nursery and sat down iu ** Degression Place' (as Father called the dark corner to which he rensiretl iu ' moments of distress}. He opened his parcel. It was a horrid mo-tor-car. He hated it. He. hadn't even the spirit to wind it up. The corners of his mouth turned down ominously.

So Alother wouldn't have any present after all. A tear rolled down his cheek. And. perhaps she'd been looking forward to it for weeks. Perhaps she'd rather hoped it would be a fern. She'll he awfully disappointed, and she hadn't any uncles and aunts who sent her presents. Very likely she would go to bed—just like he did on Christmas Eve —longing for. the morning, and she wouldn't be able to sleep, and the night would seem so long, and when she woke up He buried his head in the hearthrug and sobbed hard. If only there was something he could do. He sniffed miserably and wiped his eyes on his'sleeve. All of a sudden a great idea seized -him. He crept downstairs, feverish with excitement, and slipped out iuto the garden. He took his \yay stealthily to the toolshed, where he spent some time grovelling beneath the bench. Eventual! v he emerged triumphant, holding a dirty ilower-pot with a big gap in its side. i He paused for a moment and took a good-survey of the windows from which lie was in vifw, and hurried off to the end of the garden. Five minutes afterwards his mother met him speeding gleefully to the nursery, clasping to his bosom a niuddy-lluwer-pot, (!ialf full of wet earth), oyer the side of which hung limply a dying rhubarb-leaf. He regarded her bashfully with anxious eyes, but she was lost in contemplation of the wall-paper. Before breakfast on the Birthday Morn Alother put his plant in the very best vase and .Father watered it. But it was not till after Alother had smiled at him with -wet eves and Father had patted him on the back that he really began to tak.o any pleasure in his mo-tor-car.