THE WENDY HUT

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 74, Issue 150, 27 June 1931, Page 4 (Supplement)

THE WENDY HUT

iU OUR iB CHILDREN'S CORNER

My Dear Children, — Often it is said that “no news is good news," but two messages 1 have received from “Grey Dove" and "Sweet Carnation" this Letterland Day, prove the time-worn axiom to be the exception io the rule, and so I have to announce with deep regret the passing over the Great Divide of the daddies of "Alexander the Great" and “The Marlon Wildflower." How grieved our 'ltes—upon whom the shadow of the grim Reaper has {alien —will be this day in the loss of ones so loved by them, but let us hope that the thought of the good father, who has called their daddies io be with Him on High, will comfort them in their sorrow, and l(indly Father Time soothe their aching hearts. To our bereaved ’lies I send our deepest sympathy and love in this, their dark hour. Many of you, no doubt, have noticed that our old friend, Jacko, has not been with us of late. Poor Jacko has the ’flu and is very ill. The whole Jacko family are greatly perturbed, and the family physician is often to be seen without the Jacko home, while poor Chimp, our hero’s chum, haunts the doorstep for a word of Jacko's Welfare. One morning as I called io enquire after our hero I came upon little Chimp; he stood leaning against the fence, looking up at Jacko's window, and when he turned to see who was approaching I saw two big tears slowly trickling down his cheeks. "Never mind, Chimp, my dear,” I said to him. "Jacko will soon gel well.” “Oh, Wendy," he said in a voice that came near to crying. “Do you think so. Will Jacko be able to play with me again?" So I assured the wee chap that all would be well, and he ran off quite happy, and as he turned the comer, the cheery strains of his blithe whistle came floating back to me. Then 1 gently knocked upon the door. “Good morning, Mrs Jacko," I said as she opened io me. “I've called to enquire after our Jacko. Ido hope he is better, poor little chap." “I am pleased you called,” said Mrs Jacko. “Yes, the lad is much better. Doctor says he will soon be up and about again. You know you cannot £eep the young scamp in bed. He is such a handful.” “That is excellent news, indeed," I replied, “and all the members of the Hut will be ever so happy to have such tidings of their hero. They do enjoy his stories, especially the Tinies." “Then," said Mrs Jacko, “you may tell them Jacko will be with them soon." So, children, in the meantime let us send our good wishes to our hero, and hope his recovery is not long delayed. Now, after a brief summary of the Week’s weather 1 think a Word or two re our Weather Clerk will not be amiss. Many of you have asked, “What has become of the Weather Clcfk,” or "Where has the Weather Clerk gone to?” and again, "1 hope the Old Witch has not locked him up." To all of these questions I must say I know not, for I have been unable to glean the tiniest information which Would explain the reason for the dreadful days, and yes, nights, too, that has come to us from the Weather Man. Everywhere reports read; “Cold winds, heavy rain, almost continual deluge,” and so on, and even our brigand chief, “Kelly the Outlaw" complains that if the rain does not soon cease he will be web-footed; he nearly is now, vide his letter. Dear, dear, but what can we do. Seems only one thing to me. Fit despatch our noble Sir Richard io the abode of our one-time friend, the Clerk- Perhaps oh, dears, that reminds me. How did you like your slices of our Re-union Cake Sir Richard earned for you? Do you know he confessed to me later, as he sank down with a groan into his armchair, that his arm was so tired it felt as though it would drop off. Well, children, I could barely suppress the smile that came to my lips, for our good Elf did look tired. "h's no laughing matter, Wendy," he said. "There were over 2000 slices to be cut!" My dear Sir Richard," 1 hastened to add. “I do not smile because you look so tired. It was the thought of all the happiness, your task gave to each of those little souls. Did you not see the delight depicted all around you as the little mites toddled off with their share?" Forgive me Wendy," Sir Richard said, “whatever is the matter with me. Was I grumpy to you? Why, of course, I saw the little dears, and tired as I am. I’d go out and perform my task oil over again. With a right good will I would! Goodness, but what a Week of happiness it was, that last seven days of our Re-Union." Speaking of happiness, I must refer to the special Week our City has held, and which concludes this Letterland Day. Lots of our band live here and round about, and have been able to take part in all the fun and frolic Welcome Week has provided. I know they have enjoyed themselves, for who could not when the spirit of carnival enters into our lives? Processions, competitions, special days for this and that, and a hundred and one other things all designed to make the gloom flee from hearts and minds as does (here let us turn poetical) “the mists of the morning before the rising sun.” So, just as my Wanganui 'lles have indulged to their heart's content in fun and frolic, I hope my country and far-away members will in turn be afforded a like feast in their own home towns and cities. Well, cherubs, I must really conclude, and as I bid you “until next Makebelieve Day," I send my Warmest love and kisses down the silvery moonbeams to you, my Tinies, Juniors, Seniors, and Grown-ups of Letter land.—From your ever affectionate.

MOTTO: The cost is but a trifle, For a smile when all is well. But when the heart is heavy Its cost no one can tell. So ’tis well to practise now and then, To smile amidst the pain. Though great the cost, 'tis never lost. You cannot smile in vain.” —From LAUGHING LILAC, ** 7 athape.