“Just Daddy’s” Story

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 73, Issue 424, 15 November 1930, Page 19 (Supplement)

“Just Daddy’s” Story

Now, Ites, I must really take up my pen, as I promised I would last Letterland day, and recount the story of my adventures to you.

Let me begin. One evening as the sun sank to rest among the purple hills of the west I found myself thinking about our happy Hut, and also that it was high time I once more paid my fellow Ites and our dear Wendy a visit. While I stood thus deep in meditation I did not become aware of the darkness enshrouding me within its deepening folds, until of a sudden I heard a hoarse peal of laughter, or I really should sav. cackle. Ha! ha! ha-a-a!

T glanced hastily skywards and perceived there, floating across the golden orb of the moon, which had just risen, the outline of our old enemy, the Witch.

Tn a voice that shook with glee, she taunted mo. “Ah. ha! ‘Just Daddy.’ so it is you that I find so far from the Wendy Hut. My. friends, the Dragon and the Ogre carried off ‘Granddaddy.’ who was later rescued by that meddlesome ‘Sir Richard Elf.’ but you shall not escape me in like manner. ‘Sir

Richard’ will not outwit me this time, I’ll have you know. Ha-ha-ha-a-a! ” Well, children, 1 wondered what fate was to bo mine. What could I do? It would be no use running away, and come w’hat may I should never do that, so I just waited as calmly as I could for what, I knew not, would happenThe next moment, dears, I was spirited away, I know not whither, and camo to find myself in one of the old Witch’s dungeons. How long I remained there I do not know, for daylight never entered into my prison, and I was therefore unable to keep count of time-

Well, now, it seems that as soon a? my loss was discovered, our ‘Sir Rich ard Elf’ sot off in search of me. Un able to find a single trace he appeale< to our Hut’s ‘Lookout Man,’ but he

too, was for once quite at a loss. You see, children, he had been busy writing his letter to you when the old Witch made off with mo, and was unable to help ‘Sir Richard-’ However, he made a number of suggestions, and it was while ‘Sir Richard’ was engaged upon one of those that he happened to be in the vicinity of a large range of mountains.

It was here that our noble Elf restc after his visit to the Denizen of the Deep, whom ‘Sir Richard’ thought had perhaps carried me to its lair. But the great monster was able for once to assure my rescuer that i* had no hand in my disanpearanee.

‘Sir Richard’ had pitched his tent near the face of a large tree in whose spacious branches dwelt our friend of the Animal Kingdom. ‘Teddy the Squirrel-’ One evening as friend Teddy sat in the branches eating his supper ho was not a little startled to see the old Mitch glide swiftly by upon her magical broomstick. Ho at once was all attention. Ho watched her fly to the face of the mountain where she

disappeared. Hastily scrambling down from his loftv homo ho ran to ‘Sir Richard.’ who reclined in his tent and made known to him his discovery. ‘Sir Richard’ im-

mediately arose and, taking up his trusty sword, bade our Teddy lead him to the Witch’s hiding-place. Upon arrival there our two heroes were confronted, as before, by an ogre, who demanded to know their business. ‘Sir Richard’ advanced and made known the purpose of his quest. “I demand.” he said in his sternest voice, “the release of our ‘Just Daddy,’ whom 1 know lies in the power of the old Witch.” “Ho, ho, ho!” roared the ogre- “Be off with you or I shall oat you both for my supper. I rather fancy I feel a little hungry, and that squirrel would make a fine dish.” However, our Hut’s Protector was not to be put off so cheaply, and again he demanded ‘Just Daddy’s” release. “Well,” replied the ogre, “I’ll tell you what I'll do. I will accept a ransom for your precious ‘Just Daddy.’ ” ‘‘l will agree 1o your terms, then.” said Sir Richard, taking from his doublet a sovereign. “A sovereign!” exclaimed the ogre. “What use is that to me? I demand a penny ransom, and will take not a whit less! A sovereign indeed!” Now our ‘ Sir Richard ’ did not possess a penny, so after withdrawing to hold council with Teddy, it was agreed that Teddy make all haste to the Hut for the demanded penny. Well, dears all, there is little else to d recount except that Teddy told ‘Speedy Reggie’ all about ‘Sir Richard's’ predicament. Our speed friend donned cap .and goggles, climbed into his high-powered racing car, and soon placed in ‘Sir Richard’s’ possession the ransom the ogre demanded in return for my libertv.

Here, children, is the story I promisrd you, and it is indeed good to be back with you all in our Happy Land of Make-believe. I am so sorry I have caused every one so much trouble and concern, ami I will be more careful not to be caught napping next time our old enemy, the Witch, is about.

I must go now, but before I do let me thank you all for your kindly thoughts and hopes for my speedy retern Lil. ' I’ lay in the dark dungeon, from v>’■ ’ I had despaired of ever leaving. Cheerio! To the last your loving.— “JUST DADDY.”