BROWN TRUNK’S. FIRST JOURNEY.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 19108, 28 June 1930, Page 18 (Supplement)

BROWN TRUNK’S. FIRST JOURNEY.

TV'HEN Brown Trunk was sold, he folded up the squashed feeling that being at the bottom of a pile of trunks had given him. and said, “Well, I’m glad I shan’t have that any more!” Then he ’trotted away to have hia new name, “M. F. M.,” painted on him. And after that it was no time before he was sitting wide opefi, in the best bedroom, being filled with holiday clothes. All at once, he gave a biggish jump. “Suppose I’m going to the seaside l” he exclaimed, and felt so excited that he hardly slept all night, though he folded his straps, and closed his locks tight. And when early next morning someone tied on to him three green labels, saying, “Mrs. Miggs, ‘Sea Shelly Villa/ Crabton-on-Sea,” he thought, “I was right—how clever of me! ” Three and a-quarter hours later. Brown Trunk was looking through the luggage van windows. “What a b—ig —beau—tiful—Wor —ld,” he said (rather joggily because the train danced about so much). They rushed in a great hurry through several stations, but at last they stopped at one where Brown Trunk was lifted on to the platform. “This doesn’t look at all like the seaside,” he thought anxiously. “I do hope that, no one has made a mistake.'* When he was on a railway truck, however, a wise and well-worn black case told him that when trunks went to the seaside they often had to change several times on the way. Brown Trunk started to say, “Really? You do surprise me,” but his voice had hidden underneath, and in trying to pull it out he slipped on to the platform. And there he found himself standing on his head between a red pillar-box and a green chocola-e machine (which made him think it was a pity he had no pennies for chocolates or any letters to post). The porter who came for the truck was so busy talking to William Edward, the station cat, that he did not miss Browm Trunk. So it was late that night before anyone saw him, and then, as the trains were all in bed, he was put to sleep in a room that said, “Left Luggage” over the door. Unfortunately, after that everybody forgot about him for. a long time, and more and more things were placed round him, till Brown Trunk couldn’t possibly see over the top, even if he - stood on tip toe. He felt rather sad at first, but then he said. “Well. I know Mrs. Miggs is Sure to send someone to look for me

soon, and until then I’ll pretend I’m learning to swim.” So he went on pretending till he had swum round the world twice, and when he was on his third journey to the North Pole he heard voices.

“Green labels—name of ‘M. F. M/ ” “Oh, that’s me! ” exclaimed Brown Trunk, not thinking of his grammar a bit. Peeping through a hole he waved his labels hard, till the porters looked that way. “Found 'im first thing,” remarked onfe of them (though, of course. Brown Trunk had really found himself). Then they pulled him out. and put him on a train waiting there, and Brown Trunk jogged on his way again.

After a time the little green engine shrieked, “Crabton-on-Sea, and I’d take you to the house, only I’m not allowed,” and Brown Trunk was lifted on to a platform so near the sea that they could wave to each other. He had then only a tiny journey to make by motor before he was at “Sea Shell Villa," and round and rosy Mrs. Miggs was saying, “Do step inside.” So that was the end of Brown Trunk’s first journey. STRATEGY. Robson met Brown carrying a box of chocolates under one arm and a big package of meat under the other. “Hello,” he said. “I didn’t know you were married.” “I’m not.” “What are you doing with those chocolates and meat, then?” “Going to see my girl.” “Do you have to provide the family with meat already?” “Oh. no. The sweets are for the girl | and the meat is for the dog. I have to j make myself popular with both of I them.”