The Chums in Fairyland

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 73, Issue 115, 17 May 1930, Page 5 (Supplement)

The Chums in Fairyland

When T£d and Richard reached the bo?, m of the beanstalk, Jack had already disap poared. So they hurried to the cottage and pi.-ep-.-d round the door. There he w»B, telling his mother all about his adventure. “I’ve put the goose in the pigsty,” he said. “I’m sure she will lay some golden eggd “Golden eggs,” she cried, “Why, I never heard such a story. You must be dreaming.” Jack’s mother could hardly believe the strange things her son told her.

Next morning, Jaek told hie mother to see the wonderful goose. “I’m certain she will have laid some eggs,” he said, as they walked along. Surd ugh, to his mother’s great surprise three huge golden eggs lay in the straw. “Well!” said Jack’s mother, “it all seems very extraordinary.” “Ho! Ho!” cackled the goose, “What do you think of those? They’re big enough, n’t they? If you come along to-morrow. I’ll have some more ready.” “My!” cried Jack, “now we shall be rich enough to buy anything we want.”

.’ack and his mother took the three golden eggs back to the cottage. The poor lady was much too astounded to do anything but look at them for a time. “Why!” she said at last, “They must be worth a small fortune.” “Yes.” laughed Jack, “And I’m going to town to sell them. We’ll buy lots oi fine things with the money and in time when we get more eggs, we’ll leave the old cottage and buy a castle, and you shall have a carriage and horses, and everything you want.” * “My!” said Richard, “It sounds fine! But I wonder what the giant is doing?”

Jack was as good as his word. He took the eggs to a jeweller in the town, and jold them for a large sum. He purchased a nice new suit for himself, and lots of things for his mother. The goose continued to lay golden eggs every morning, and Jack and his mother began to grow rich enough to think of leaving the old cottage for ever. But the beanstalk fascinated Jack. Each morning he gazed at it, until one day he decided to dimb up again, and see if the giant had discovered the loss of the goose. Tad and Richard did not like the idea at all, but, of course, they had to follow him to see what happened.

Once at the top of the beanstalk. Jack approached the castle very cautiously. Tbit time he did not go to the door, as he knew it was quite eaey to creep through a big window at the back. Ted and Richard followed him, “I hope this is going to be the last time,” said Richard, “Because I’ve a feeling we shall not get away so easily as we did before.” “Don’t say that,” replied Ted. “I don't want the giant te catch me.” Then they followed Jack through the window.

Jack crept up the stairs of the castle, and entered the giant’s dining room. He hltf behind a big jar. while Ted and Richard concealed themselves behind a large box. They could see Mrs Giant laying her husband’s supper. “He may arrive at any moment now,” thought Jack. “My!” whispered Richard to Ted, “I feel sure something is going te happen! I wish wc hadn’t come.” .... •••• Just then there was a loud noise outside the castle. “That must be the giant,” muttered his wife, “He seems te be in a bad temper tonight.”