"SPEEDING REGGIE" AND THE TAME BULL

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 74, Issue 138, 13 June 1931, Page 16 (Supplement)

"SPEEDING REGGIE" AND THE TAME BULL

Dear Wendy.—Alas! I’ve neglected the Hu; most awfully this last month or two, but the truth is, Wendy, I’ve had no news to writs about, and that still is my excuse, although I’ve at long-last brought my pen into action. Where are our Wanganui and upriver Ites? They, too, have neglected you. May I congratulate “Mick” on gaining her Z.S.W.M.? She sure deserved it, and may I also congratulate her for keeping her identity such a close secret? I read with great interest how “Occident” defied His Highness ths Bull. I can just imagine his thoughts when the bull stepped towards him, as I’ve had the same exj>erience myself, but the worst of it was I had a witness, too, and she’s given me no peace from that day to this. I feel such a stupid, and am sure I blush every time “White Forget-me-not” asks me if I’ve ever encountered a bull, or ever ran away from a friendly animal? You see. it was while her people were staying up-river, ard I had occasion to go to “Hut’s Bachelor s farm. Of course, I was ever so pleased to see “White Forget-me-not” there, so stayed the day. During the afternoon my fellow Ite suggested me going with her to get the water, and also suggested taking a short cut the paddocks and over the creek. Away we went, both armed with billies. My co-Ite was pointing out the way when we came to a high barbed-wire fence. "White Forget-me-not” managed to climb it. but to her amusement I got “stuck” half-way. And my companion refused to help me out of my merry fix. After a lot of struggling I freed myself, and ran down the hill to my companion, who was waiting to direct me across the creek. Of course, she went first, and, as she reached the ftther side I heard her cry, “Look Sooty, behind you!” I looked, and to my surprise saw a bull running down the hill that I had just ran down. Not waiting to think I clutched my billy and made a dash for the tree trunk (which served the purpose of a bridge) and forgetting all the instructions “White Forget-me-not” had given me. Of course, Wendy, I misplaced my foot, and the trunk turned and 1 plunged into the water. The bull was right at the water’s edge and as I turned to ask your Wendyite to turn the trunk for me, I was astonished to see her laughing as though it was great fun. When she turned the bridge she surprised me more by coming back across it. I yelled at her .saying that the bull would injure her, but she heeded me not. I watched fascinated, and saw her go up to the bull, put her arms round the beast’s neck and laughingly say, “Just look at him, Strawberry. Isn’t he funny Then turning to me. “Oh, Sooty, you do make me laugh.” Next she gave a long whistle, and almost immediately I heard a horse clattering over the hill. It was “Hut’s Uncle” to the rescue. Just quietly, I’m not sure whether “White Forget-me-not” brought him to the rescue, or whether it was just to laugh at me. However, Wendy, it’ll l>e many a day before I forget my first trip to “Hut’s Bachelor’s” farm at. Raurikia, and least of all my encounter with “White For-get-me-not’s” friendly bull. Well, Wendy. I must away, as I've written far too much now, so cheerio. Arohani. —From "SPEEDING REGGIE.” Wanganui. Well, well, and at long-last you attend our Hut. Goodness, but 1 have been so worried over you. You see, I did not know but that your car had taken unto itself wings, and carried you off to some place when there is no return, or something equally dreadful. Oh, so you have an ePi like "Occident," to recount of your meeting with a bull. What a surprise for you to discover the bull was not the ferocious animal you thought it.— Wendy.