"NOT GUILTY!" THE VERDICT

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 74, Issue 144, 20 June 1931, Page 5 (Supplement)

"NOT GUILTY!" THE VERDICT

Dear Wendy,—ls it possible for more than one prodigal to return to the Hut? I wonder you have forgiveness sufficient to go round, yet you have welcomed back so many old Ites in last week's reunion that would it lie outrageous cheek if 1 slipped into the ranks at. roll call and answered, "present” with the rest? Ah, consider it awhile, Wendy, (‘lit on that, well-known thinking cap. and give me a fair hearing. Listen to this and picture it. There is a big room, a terribly large one in fact, gloomy, solemn ami still. Upon a platform is a well-known figure, a familiar face, but no kindly smile. Huge spectacles hide alt possibilities of a gleam in the eyes, that regard the room, with a sort of solemn pride. At the side of this platform, yet lower, are two rows of seats, at the present occupied by the solemnest, most, terrifying group of people one could possibly imagine. Each person holds a large quill poised over a sheet of paper, as if waiting for something. Ah, yes! But what ? To the right of the spectacled personage is a small enclosure where sits, yes, let it be known, "a Clerk of the Court.” Oh. most awful of awfulness, it is a Court room. Ln front of the judge is an empty enclosure, yawning wide its huge jaws to snap up its victim, (who knows but ’tis the truth). Away at the back of thia room, this silent and gloomy sentinel of judgment, thousands shall one say? Two thousands, of dreadfully silent boys and girls, ami men and women, march in and fill the rows of empty seats near tho entrance. "What is it all about?" is the query on every watchers’ lips. Suddenly with out warning, a clanging bell broke the silence that' had hitherto prevailed, between those four walls. At the left near those eolenin jurors a door opened, and in walked a slight figure with hen** bent and downcast eyes, a handkerchief crumpled in her trembling hands (though she is not one of the howling kind). She walked up past the judge and into the yawning, inviting space of the prisoner’s box, and sat down, her head still bent over her hands. Suddenly the judge spoke in a haughty, but low voice, “Clerk, who is this person ?” “One, an. Ite of long-standing, your Lady“Her pen-name?” " ‘Will o’ the Wisp,' Milady." "Destination or home-town?” "Marton.” was the answer. A voice at the back of the hall (possibly a Wanganui Ite). "Ah, maybe that accounts for it.” (Loud laughter.) Ignoring these remarks, the solemn personage continued. "What crime has this unfortunate Martonian. committed?” Adjusting his spectacles and “a-heming" rather loudly, tlie clerk scanned his paper rapidly, “Well, my lady, it seems that thi< girl has er—er, accidentally, or who «hall say intentionally, declined to communicate with you, iny esteemed lady, for the past, three or four years, and not only that, but has, on several occasions, written, begging forgiveness and promising to write every week ; has at once—er —forgotten.” Here he ended rather abruptly and sat down. “Oh,” said the judge, "and you considc that it was time her actions were brought to light ?” “I do.” "Well,” said the judge, this time turning to the miserable girl, “Prieoner at the bar. what have you to say for yourself? You must speak the truth, the whole truth, etc." “L” began the girl standing up and hesitating, “am very sorry my actions, either good or bad, should be brought up before you. As the clerk has just stated, 1 have neglected my duties as a member of the Hut, and you could not call my neglect accidental or intentional, so I herewith apologise, and ask permission to enter again your happy union in Letterland.” “Hni,” coughed the judge, “where i« your witness? Let us hear him.” The girl looked wildly round, where was "it.” he or she? Suddenly another door burst open, and in rushed Sir S. Reggie (back from a terrible combat with, or not a dragon, a bull) —and behind him running swiftly came a minute elf, carrying an immense scroll bearing a Marton post mark. “Here I am,” he shouted, bowing low to the judge. "I have been, as instructed, watching from my look-out tower, and here is what I have found. A girl bent over a pile of paixji-s anl books; a war waging between a broken nib and a pile of text books; a sheet of paper headed ‘Dear Wendy’ lying unheeded beneath piles of music manuHcript. and each moment an effort is made to write a word on this paper, but x’ and so-and-so stares at her from an algebra book, or ‘ABC is a triangle’ from a geometry book and such: so, that the ‘Dear Wendy’ is put back under the music manuscript with many a sigh.” "Ah,” said the judge quietly, as Sir R. Elf, K.C., paused for breath. "We have just found her guilty, but your news has completely changed affairs. Here ye, o ‘Will o’ the Wisp,’ you are no longer guilty. You owe your debt of thanks to Sir Richard Elf, who has, by careful watch, saved your life from destruction.” (Is it as bad as that, ma bonne Wendy?) The girl’s face lit up with pleasure and she raised her head to thank her benefactor. An air of excitement no longer ruled supreme in that room ; many a face held a look that said, “Oh, only an old Ite returning after all, how boring, quite an every-day happening now.” Ah, ah, my fellow Ites, what did you expect ?) Then again the bell clanged, the people sat up expectantly this time. The judge waved the girl away, and addressing an immense policeman. “Next please,” a* in a daze the forgiven girl walked away. Somewhere a band was playing “For She’s a Jollv Good Fellow,” a welcome back to the Hut. Ah, but I wonder ? Have you been listening, Wendy? Good and thank you. You must have been frightfully bored. Tell me, Wendy, as «. judge, do you sentence "not guilty” to every lie who waits on your judgment? Do fortVc and forget the deeds (ahem rather a lillv way of talking, eh?) of your erring Ites who claim once more n place fn the Old Brigade? Taking that you have forgiven me, and that my return is duly received, signed and regarded as genuine, may I ask one cr two questions? Would you ask any of ihe Ites if they have any photoplay and riot inn picture magazine#}—those American ona's, Wendy—to lend or give me? It doesn't natter if they are old ones. T have a friend who likes to read them and can’t always get them, and I should like to help her obtain some. If any are sent to you, will you send them on, please Wendy? Thank you. Tin's week I won’t expound any news, as already I have wasted your ink and space in your pai>er. According to my pen-name I am elusive, perhaps that explains the scarcity of my letters during the past four year*. If your wicked 16-year-old is forgiven, then 1 shall sleep, aye the sleep of the just! How you listen to your wilful Ites’ excuses, my dear, I do not know. You must have bags full nf patience tucked away in your makeup. Wendy. Tell “Speeding Reggie" I'm sorry I used his name during the little court case, but the "speed” seemed to suggest it. you know’. However, I sympathise with him about the bull incident as I have been chased by one myself. Can I, with permission, still sign myself as—Your wandering Ite, “WILL O’ THE WISP,” Marton. You have been found “not guilty” in open court, dear, so what can I, the judge say, except express a wish that you will write more regularly in future. In fact there i« little to prevent me from adding a rider to the jury’s verdict. It is this: Once n month, if not more often, you must attend upon Letterland Day, and report your presence to Sir Richard Elf. who will in turn, bring you before me. Oh. you rascal, off vou go ! —Wendy. “LITTLE HONEYSUCKLE." M.kirikirl.— , ar ’ bave wondering what could have become of you of late. I ain keeping quite well, thank you, and I hope you are, too. We have had changeable weather here also. Basketball in a splendid winei game. How busy Valerie must keep you now she is growing up.—Wendy. "PIC" MAKES A REQUEST Dear Wendy,- I was very surprised to see my name on the Honours Board the last time I wrote, and thank you very much »- r 4^ e Inar n 1 wiU write to “Humming HU fl, 60 will you give me her address, please? The Weather Clerk has been giving us very funny weather lately. It snowed the other morning, but. unfortunatelv it onlv settled on the high hills, as H had been mining very hard. We have some very hard frosts here i.n the mornings, and it i.= too cold to get up early. Last Wednesday (Aings Birthday) night we went uji to the .. a Q k „ S - at , Tail ’«l >e - T, ’e Picture was ••v'll.v, and it was “stunner.” Mum and dad went to Hunterville to see “King of Jazz, ’ and enjoyed it. Could one of the I w supply me with tiie words of, “Look for ‘ fining?” Where is “Senorita Almena. f haven’t heard from her for weka Rm ’ s ° l " ,ovinff Ito ‘ “VIC," MangaSo pleased, dear, to have your welcome ‘Ct'Cr and to know you will accent “Humming Hird" as your pen-friend. Here is her address: Miss Blanche Lumsden, Sanson. We nave had some cold weather here, too. Ye«. the picture is a good one. I’ll ask for the words of the song for you. “Senorita Almeria seems to have disappeared altogether, doesn’t she?—Wendy. “MICK.” Z.S.W.M., Wanganui. So jolly of you to pen me a few lines just to be with us during this week of our reunion. ' dear, oh, I see, you have changed your ad- I dress. I will note it. 1 will forward the I letter for you also. -Wendy. ’