Richard Teaches Gardening

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 74, Issue 150, 27 June 1931, Page 5 (Supplement)

Richard Teaches Gardening

“Hullo!” said Gwen one fine morning when sht met Richard and Ted busily enga gel with the wheel-barrow. “Where are you going with that?” “I have discovered,” said Richard, “that Ted knows nothing whatever about gardening, so I’m going to give him a lesson.” “I'll help, ’ Gwen offered, ’ “You need not trouble,” Richard replied, for he not keen on interference.

Notwithstanding Richard’s discouragement, Gwen fetched a fork and hurried back fa help teach Ted how to make a garden. Richard was not at all pleased, because he wanted to have the pleasure of correcting all Ted’s mistakes himself. He had found a lovely piece of ground, all nice and level, which seemed just the spot for his purpose. “I don’t know why you want to interfere,” he complained to Gwen. “I can teach Ted all he w'ants to know." “You >don’t know everything,” Gwen reminded him, which, of course, annoyed him all the more.

Considering that the chums started in none too friendly a spirit, it is not surprising that things did not. go very smoothly. Richard said everything Gwen told Ted was wrong. “I’ve never known him bo stupid,” said Gwen. "Why, 1 could do it left-handed better than that. Just watch me.” And she threw a spadeful of earth left-handed over her shoulder. Perhaps she meant to throw it over Richard! At any rate, it went full in his face. “My!” chuckled Polly. “I knew there would be trouble.’’

Polly waa quite right when she said there would be trouble about Gwen throwing the earth over Richard! Richard had a spadeful all ready, and before Gwen knew just what had happened, it landed full in her face. “Take that!” cried Richard, “I’ll teach you to come interfering with me.” And, before Gwen had recovered, several more spadesfu] descended upon her head. l j V' at proves,” said Richard, “that you can do it quicker right-handed than lefthanded. ’

“How dare you?” shouted Gwen, when she could get her breath. “How dare I,” Richard shouted back. “You were not invited to teach Ted. Yo< threw the dirt first.” “It was an accident,” screamed Gwen. "And I can tea<h Ted if I wish to.” “You can’t," Richard yelled. “I can," Gwen shrieked. "Dear, oh dear!” murmured I’ollj. "1 didn’t know gardening could cause all this trouble. I wonder how it will end?”

soddtn .hoi'’ 1 ’ I’"’"’’ 1 ’"’"’’ " ‘ n<lCd '‘ Ui,C dilT "' nll J from « h «' l'»Hj ,xp«t«d. Th.re . *’ be doin’ there,” shouted old George the gardener “How darn •• *" r " dy "' w > *°» "’ " m i'j .V ■ T ?“ t ' “f*" 0 ”'’ "ettled Richard's and Gwen's diaafreement. The, quite recovered their friendship while apoloaislnir io old George. He has promised not to tell the mastei, and they have promi.ed to do no mm. J gardening. fl