TO MERRY MEMBERS OF OLD BRIGADE

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

TO MERRY MEMBERS OF OLD BRIGADE

Dear Wendy, March, march, match. Baek to the Hut we go. We've played the wag for wcei ; You'll pardon us we know. We've been so very busy, We've had so little time. To visit you in Letterland. We hope you won't "faw down an’ go boom," when you realise who is penning thiepistle. Yes, it's really and truly those "laggards" of Ites, "Pertinette” and "Annette.” They, who once professed to be trueblue members of the Hut, and regular contributors to the Wendyites' pages. Alas! fori those good old days. We would that '"e could recall them. Oft have we begun to "drop you a few lines." but till the present time that's how far we've managed t<> get. Nary a one have we been able to finish, and the cause of it all is our "bloomin' " thinking apparatus. IWe think it would be better if we substituted “fadin' ’’ for that “bloomin' ”, don't you?) It absolutely refusee to function properly, so we’re hoping you’ll excuse this epistle, which we know is going to be as "dry as dust." However, so long as we do answei your roll-call for members of the Old Brigade, you don't mind whether our letter is good, bail or "worser," will you. Wendy'.’ There’s really no news to relate to you, but we’ll endeavour to tell you of the time, when in company with "Pua-nikau." “Te Oti," and our sister Mary, we borrowed "Wirihana’s" horse and trap. and went around to the back of the farm to cut wood. To “we two" was assigned the task of carting the aforesaid wood from the back paddocks to a shed beside the house. And, but for one slight mishap, we carried out our "job” rather well. I Even though "wo says it, as shouldn’t.") We made three trips altogether, having to come down the paddock, through a gate on to the public road, along for a hundred yards or so, through another I gate, and, after topping a slight rise, we ar- ; rived at our destination, the shed. 'Twas on our first trip that we both jumped off the cart when we reached the second gate, and tried to lead the horse up, as it is rather a difficult gate to negotiate on account of the hlopc. We got the horse through alright, and part of the trap, but when it came to the wheels—well, one just went “slap bang” (or was it “bang slap” ?) into the’ gate post. Then and there we jiast flopped down on the ground and laughed, or rather shrieked, till our sides were aching. Luckily for us, the horse was a quiet one. and after a good deal of twisting and turning, advising and chuckling, we managed to get all of the cart through. On each of the other trips we sat on top of our pile of wood and drove the horse and trap through the gate instead of trying to lead them through. Mary said she wished she had her camera with her, ’cos perched as we were on top of our huge stack of wood, we presented anything but a dignified appearance for two budding young ladiec. We took turns at driving and whenevei it came to “Pertinette’s” turn she got a bit "windy" and nearly dropped the reins, but it couldn't be helped, because it is the first time she’s ever tried to drive a trap all on her little lonesome. Now, for a change of subject. “Old Mother Goose" and “Aniani Piikara” have just returned from a week’s stay at Kaiwhaiki, and have informed us that quite a number of your up-river Ites have caught the marrlage-itis epidemic. In other words, wedding bells will soon be ringing quite merrily in Kaiwhaiki. I ’spose the said Ites will write and tell you later on that they have embarked upon the stormy. or otherwise, sea of matrimony. Oh! "Johnny Walker the Second," we’ve found you out now 1 Your specs have given you away. Please ask “Phantasy” if she’ll write to "Pertinette” first, Wendy, 'cos we don't know her address. L S . Wangaehu, will find “Pertinette" any time she’s wanted. And, Wendy, from the bottom of her now eighteen-year-old heart "Pertinette” thanks you for the birthday greetings in last Saturday’s page. "Billy Kanaka,” “Jaggajay,” " Ahihi-Chua." "Croajingalong,** “Ki Aloha," “Billabonga,” “Lei Lanl.” “Little Drummer" and "Rangi-ora” all ask to be remembered to you. Well, Wendy, as we cannot rake up any more news we will now close with our farewell song, which is sung to the tune ot "Santa Lucia’’:— Dear Wendy, we have had Such fun in Letterland. With you and members so Merry, of our band. But now, we must "away," ’Ere dusk again does fall. And regretfully we do say, Au re voir to you all. Farewell, then Wendy dear, • Good-bye Ites, far and near. Some day we will all meet again. Farewell, good-bye. Much love from—“PERTINETTE," C.W.K.. and “ANNETTE," C.W.K., Wangaehu. Bravo, dears 1 So here you are again. Well, that is splendid indeed. 1 wandered and wondered what could have become of two such good Ites of mine. I even consulted with Sir Richard, and he said, "Leave ’em alone, and they’ll come home,” so home you have come. Goodness, but what an episode you had when you went a-wood-cutting. What news Indeed “Old Mother Goose” and "Aniani Piikara” brought you from Kaiwkaiki. I do hope the Ites concerned will tell me all about it. I will ask "Phantasy.” I hope you spent a happy time and received many nice presents upon your birthday, dear. Give my love to all the Ites who ask tc be remembered. I'd like to hear from them, too, tell them, please.—Wendy.