THE CHILDREN'S COLUMN.

Thames Star, Volume LXII, Issue 17409, 21 July 1928, Page 7

THE CHILDREN'S COLUMN.

FANLEY FAIR.

"I'M KING OF THE CASTLE."

The .song ceased abruptly, as the sturdy young single caught_jsight of

liis brother climbing over the garden wall; so, scrambling hastily from his

[ perilous position on the lien-coop, lie raced to meet him. "Say, Pete, what do you think? The Horror's coming to-day! Yes, he is, 'cos 1 heard Aunt Hefty tell James to meet .Mr. Brampton at Mnnbury station with -the dog cart at 4.30—n0w what d'you thing of that!'' Haying delivered the news, Michael proceeded to indulge in a i'vw kicks at the harmless water butt. . •'And what's more," he continued, •'Hefi'y says we've got to go down and meet the man, and we'i'e just not go- j ing."

Aren't we?" inquired Peter. 'Course not," saiad Alike firmly—

he always decided in everything. "Ifor one think we sha'n't be here a.s we're going to Pauley Fair this minute.''

"Filliley Fair!" gasped Peter, astonished at his brother's audacity. "Yes, and it's half-past three now, so do hurry up if you're coming." Very soon two small boys were on the high road to Fan ley,' rejoicing at having escaped meeting their new tutor.

They were living with Aunt Hefi'on during their parents' resident in India, and finding the responsibility too great she had decided to engage a tutor for her nephews, and he was arriving that day. "Don't see the good of lessons," grumbled Mike. "But anyhow when he sees he's not wanted he'll have to go back." "I'm not so sure of that," said Peter, "and, Aunt Hetty won't half be furious when she knows we've been to the Fair."

"And he'll wear eyeglasses, Pete; and have a creepy way of walking so as you can't hear him coming, and always be saying you must do this and mustn't do that. 1 shall just write to did and tell him what we tlilnk about it—there!"

They plodded along, and in due time they arrived at the Fair. What a merry crowd! Every one laughing and talking, hustling and' jostling each other! Fete and Mike were lost as Aunt Hefi'on never allowed them to visit the i air.

in one corner a funny man with a big red hat was selling delicious gingerbreads; in another they spied an old gipsy telling, fortunes, but best of all was a stall displaying white mice. "Ooh!" shrieked Mike, and dragged Peter across. "Just what we want — oh, I wish some one would buy them for us, don't yoti?" "What's that, sonny?" said a pleasant voice, and turning round, they saw a tall man looking at them with such a pleasant smile that Mike told him.

"That's it, is it, and you've got no money, eh?" • ".No. You see—well, the fact is Hetty—that's Miss Heft'on, our annt—wanted us to go and meet the Horror —I mean .Mr. Brampton, our new tutor, and we don't like him, so we came here instead."

"i see," said the stranger, "so you don't want a tutor?"

"Not an old strict one as Hetty's sure to have got lor us, as he'll take away all our guinea pigs and ferrets, so I'd like the white mice just to annoy him."

"Weil, how'd you like that little cage? Oh, it's all right!"—as Mike began to thank him. "Now let's look round and enjoy ourselves"—and they all set off, Mike bearing the cage containing the coveted treasure. And the stranger was a jolly man! He bought ginger-breads, bull's eyes and highly-coloured sweets, he paid for cocoanut shies, and lastly .took them to the circus, where they watched < with amazement a man tie himself into a knot. It was much better than being by themselves as they Jiad no money for anything. , But all good things come to an end; and when it was dusk Peter and Mikereluctantly admitted that they ought to go home.

"Well," said the pleasant acquaintance, "I've to go the same way, so I'll walk with you."

So the three started for home. And what a wonderful man the stranger was! He told them stories of Africa and Australia, He had been on a real battleship and. had" actually shot, a real lion! He could'make a rabbit'hutch cut of a soap, box; he could pitch a tent so that it did not fall on your head every minute; and he could make a catapult—in fact, there seemed .to be no end to his knowledge and adventures.

All too soon, they reached, the gates of Heffon Lodge, and they turned mournfully to say good-bye when this amazing man said quite calmly: "Well, as I seem to be your new tutor, perhaps I'd better begin my duties by taking you to your aunt and

A WEEKLY FEATURE.

explaining

"You see," he said afterwards when they had recovered from their shame and amazement, "I got out at Fanley and sent James on with my luggage as I wanted to see a real country fair. Lucky I did, wasn't it. Now, let's go down and see the guinea pigs!"

LIGHTS FUR MY STUDY

° That place that does contain l " My books, the best companions, is to ,v me , A glorious Court, where hours I 1 converse With the old sages and philosophers. And sometimes, for variety, I confer I With kings and emperors, and weigh their counsels; Calling their victories, if justly got, Unto a strict account, and in my fancy . Deface their ill-planned statues. Can r I then ; Part with such constant pleasures to Uncertain vanities? No, be it your care embrace. To augment your heap of wealth; it i shall be mine To increase in knowledge. Lights there 1 for my study. ; —John Fletcher. FROM A WINDOW. O you with troubled heart or mind That seem no rest or peace to find, Look through this window till you feel A spell of calm upon you steal. 'Tis eventide. Come, watch the cows, How peacefully they stand and browse The dewy grass; 'tis fres.Fi and sweet, This fair green world spread at their feet. ' And, like snow drifting o"er the grass, A Hock of sheep, slow-moving, pass, A lovely mass, all woolly-white, That nibbles on in quiet delight. There on a post a robin sings Of multitudinous little things. That make him happy; naught of care Can pierce a robin's merry air! And when the calm of cows and sheep Has sent your troubles fast asleep Just listen to the robin's song; He'll call your joys up in a throng! TEN LITTLE TOES. Baby is clad in his nightgown white, Pussy-cat purrs a soft good-night, And somebody tells, for somebody knows, The terrible tale of ten little toes.. Right Foot. This big toe took a small boy Sam Into the cunboard after the jam; This little to'e said, "Oh, no! No!" This little-toe was anxious to go; This little toe said, "'Tisn't quite right"; This little tiny toe curled out of sight. Left Foot. This big toe got suddenlv stubbed; This little toe got ruefully rubbed; ►This little frightened toe cried out. ) "Bears!" 'This little timid toe. "Pun upstairs!" Down came a iar with a loud slam! shun! I And this little tiny too got all the iam.