The Reason Why

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

The Reason Why

THE COTTAGE

Dear Wendy,—One of our members (was it “Pattic Corelli?”) once mentioned in his w r eckly letter that it would be nice if everybody would tell why they had chosen their particular pennames. Quite a good idea, isn’t it, Wendy? Perhaps some of the Ites will follow up his suggestion and give us some interesting stories which will reveal talent perhaps unknown at present. Now, I propose to tell you all why I chose my pen-name, though most of you have already guessed, I suppose. When I was very small I once heard the haunting strains of the “Blue Danube” being played on a violin. I could not forget it, the beautiful liquid notes ran through my mind for a very long time afterwards. Then when I grew older I went to my first ball and the orchestra played the “Blue Danube” waltz. The exquisite music seemed to throb with feeling and transported one to the banks of a blue river far away in Rumania and Austria. I never quite forgot that waltz, and now, though I hear it very seldom, I always recall my first ball, when I was all excitement and the beautiful strains of the oldest waltz of all were floating through the hall. Then way back when someone played a violin —most wonderful of instruments —and drew from it that same haunting tune. I think Strauss, the waltz king, must have had beautiful thoughts and I know he must have loved flowers, the birds and their songs, and all lovely things. For his immortal waltzes throb with feeling with every thing that is beautiful. The tunes our mothers danced to, but still, more “real” than, any modern music. The rhythm and the beauty of such as the “Blue Danube,” “Destiny” and “The Merry Widow'” makes them live on when other songs and dances arc forgotten. If I close my pyes I can sec a big panelled hall glowing with the light from a huge chandelier. Gone ar3 the modern dresses of to-day, and in their place the beautiful old-time frocks of “yesterday.” A minuet is just over and now stately gentlemen are leading their dainty little partners on to the floor for a waltz. Softly through the room there steals the beautiful haunting strains of Strauss’ masterpiece. As long as the human heart delights in music, just so long will “The Blue Danube” be remembered. So when I was faced with the task of choosing a pen-name for myself I remembered my much-loved waltz and called myself “BLUE DANUBE.”

Dear Wendy, —I see where “Madame X” and “Taffy” made reference about some of the lies explaining their pennames. Well, I’ll try to explain mine and “Yoo-Loo’s Mate.” I am nicknamed “Yoo-Loo,” and am called that by every one. I’ve no doubt most of your Wendyites think it a childish name for a hefty fellow like me to have, but this is how it came about.

My niece (who is seven years old) requested me to read her a story every time she visited our home. I always read her the same story about “Yoo» Loo.” Three times “White Forget-me-not” hoard me, and when she came over home the fourth time, she greeted me with, “Aloha Yoo-Loo. How’s your fairy story? Still about that fairy, Y r oo-Loo?” Ever since then I’ve been called “Y’oo-Loo,” and as I do not mind the name I thought it would be a good pen-name. As “Yoo-Loo’s Mate” has stuck to me through thick and thin, and said he’d always be my mate, he thought he’d join the Hut as “Yoo-Loo’s Mate-” So that’s how you came to have a “Yoo-Loo” and a “Yoo-Loo’s Mate” in your band. — From “YOO-LOO.”

Driver: Fre«h air in an open car 1a as good as a bottle of tonic.

Friend: Yes—but don't you think you are shaking the bottle a trifle too much ? Jones: I look forward every Sunday to the after-lunch sleep. Grey: I thought you never slept after lunch. Jones: I don’tj but nur wife does*