Wendy’s Letter-Box

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 76, Issue 303, 23 December 1933, Page 12

Wendy’s Letter-Box

* 1 PR] NCESS MAGNOLI A, ” G rca tford.—Many thanks for the parcel and wishes. I send you mine, also, for a very happy Xmas tide. —Wendy. I 41 MOTHER-IN-LAW ' ’ and ail her Ites, Ohingaiti.—Many thanks, dear, for the card and wishes you have sent. I send you my wishes also for a very Happy Xmastide indeed. —Wendy. A WELCOME VISIT FROM “LADY JASIMINE.” Dear Wendy—Just a few lines io wish you a very Merry Xmas and a Bojiuteous New Year. How have you been keeping since 1 wrote last? Well, L hope, i did nut feel too well last week as 1 think that 1 had a touch of summer sickness. Aly word, Wendy, hasn't it been hot lately? 1 suppose that you go for a swim every day. 1 have not been yet, although we live quite near the river. The simple reason being that 1 cannut swim. Have you any badges in yet, Wendy? 1 do not see many letters from the Rata Ites now. 1 think they must be too busy getting their Xmas presents ready and have forgotten about us. We have had some fairly heavy rain here, but we will need a lot yet for the ground to get properly wet. Everyone is busy hay-making here. Th e grass has been as dry as can be everywhere. 1 expect it is as bad in Wanganui. The school children here received their prizes last Wednesday. 1 think I will close now, as I do not want to take up too much of your valuable space. Wishing you the best of luck. — L remain, yours sincerely, ‘'LADY JASIMINE,” Putorino. Al any thanks for your wish, dear. 1 send you my wishes also for a very happy Xmastide. Y r es, the weather has indeed been very hot. I go for lots of swims these days. No, there are no badges yet, dear. The rain was badly needed, wasn’t it? —Wendy. A LONG-LOST ITE FROM MANGAMAHU SENDS XMAS GREETINGS. Dear Wendy,—lt is a long time since I wrote last. 1 hope you will excuse me writing in pencil, but .I could not find my pen. 1 have been in for several swims this season; have you been i for many? Tho Christmas plums arc getting ripe now. The other night my brother set a trap to catch a rat, but when he looked in the morning there was only its foot left. The whit© buttciflics are bad now. I have a little duck and would you kindly suggest a name for him. We were going to call him 44 Sir Francis Drake.” As news is short I will close now. Wishing all the Ites and you, too, Wendy, a Alerry Xmas and a Happy New Year. —From 4 4 PEGGY McDONNELL,” Mangain ahu. I am so pleased, dear, to have your welcome letter after your long absence. I wondered what could have happened to you. Xmas is near at hand now indeed. It doesn’t seem a year ago •since last. Xmas, does it 1 ? I think Sirf Francis Drake a splendid name for the j duck. Many thanks for your wishes and card. 1 send you mine, too. for a I wonderfully happy Xmastide.— Wendy. |

(Letters to be addressed “WENDY,” co “Chronicle” Office, Box 105, Wanganui.)

JIMMY’S ALWAYS ASKING QUESTIONS.

Jimmy's always asking questions, Lt seems ’tis his delight, Why is it light iu daytime? And. why is it dark at night ? And why is this world round? Why couldn’t it be square? AY by can’t we breath some other thing, Instead of breathing air? Yes—Jimmy’s full of questions, And I don’t know what to do, Why is cream found ill the milk? An onions in the stew? And why are mountains high? And valleys always low? These arc among the little things I That Jimmy wants to know. THE ARMY OF CLOCKS. One evening as Mary was playing with her toys she heard the nursery clock strike seven. 4 ‘Oh dear!” pouted Alary. “1 expect nurse will soon be coming to take me to bed, and I don’t want to go!” Then Alary did a very naughty thing. She first put the nursery clock back to six o'clock, and then she put all the clocks in the house back to the same time, and then trotted back to the nursery and went on playing. “Now,” thought Mary, "I won’t have to go to bed yet!” An hour later the clock struck seven, and she was going to do the same thing, only the door flow open and an army of clocks came in. 44 0-oh!” stammered Alary. 4 ‘Who are you?” "We are the clocks whom you put back, and we are going to take you to our king!” 44 0 h, please don’t do that!” said Mary. 4 ‘l ” 44 0 h, yes, w© will! ” said the clocks. "Come along! ” So Alary was taken to the king of the clocks, and he said: "Why did you alter these clocks when you know they are so important? You must never do it again, otherwise yon will have a worse punishment!” All of a sudden there was a bang, and Alary awoke to find nurse saying. 44 You should have' been in bed an hour ago! Come along, you naughty girl!” Alary has pever put the clock back I again, though! CAUGHT AGAIN. One day when you have a little friend in to tea, find a used matchstick an nd say to her: "Can you tell me how many ends that iuatchstick has?” She will, of course, say that it has two ends! “Well, I can prove to you that it has three ends,” you say then, to her surprise. And then, holding it up, you say: "There's one end, there's another end,” and then, throwing it into the lire, you add, 4 4 and there is the third endl ” She will be well caught, won’t she? LITTLE QUIET ROADS. Little quiet roads are for the fairies, Where no one goes at all. Where there’s no sound but bees and wild birds’ singing, Never a soft foot-fall. Little quiet fields are for the fairies; There they may hide and play, Where no one comes, where only the wild birds linger To listen at dusk of day. Yon must be very still to see the fairies, | Stiller than leaf or flower, Quiet as birds are when they hear them coming Tn the grey, twilight hour.

APPRECIATION. Gonville. Dear Wendy,—ln return for your season’s greetings to us, also the nice parcel of foodstuff to make such a lovely Xmas cake, I wish you to accept our greatest appreciation. Little did wo think we would be thought of. I cannot really express my thoughts in writing to thank you on behalf of my wife and children. Wc all wish you a Alerry Xmas and a Happy New Year and many more to follow. —Yours truly “AIR and AIRS. T.M.” City. Dear Wendy,—Al any thanks for the Christmas hamper so kindly sent, which was verv acceptable.— 4 4 AIRS. C.T.” Gonville. Dear Wendy,—Please accept our heartfelt thanks for such an acceptable and sensible Xmas present. The parcel of fruit, etc., was just what was needed to solve the cake and pudding question, aud the very fact that the ingredients arrived in such an unex-, i pectcd fashion will make the pudding ! i taste so much better. With seasonable ! greetings and best wishes for the New Year. I am, vours thankfully,! “A1.P.11.” Castled iff. Dear Weudy, —Just a few linos thanking you for your kind gift to us. Wo both join in wishing you the season’s greetings. 1 will close now. Again expressing thanks. —1 remain, yours faithfully, ‘AIR aud AIRS. L.R. Wanganui East. Dear Weudy, —1 am writing this note to give you many thanks for the parcel of groceries which we received from you through Alias Dexier. \ is a very acceptable gilt and will enable us tu do some Xmas cooking, which would not have been possible if it had not been for your generous gift, and I know many homes will be made happier this Xmas, thanks to you.—l remain, yours gratefully, "D.T. ” Gonville. Dear Wendy,—Alany thanks for the parcel received; it is very greatly appreciated, as we could not have bought what it contained ourselves, and 1 am sure our children will be very glad of tho little extras. Thanking you once again.—l am, yours gratefully, 4 A.N.' Castlecliff. Dear Aliss Dexter, — 1 wish to thank Wendy most heartily for the Christmas parcel I received from you yesterday. With the season’s greetings. —1 am, yours sincerely, 4 4 MRS. P.” Dear Wendy,—l am writing to thank you for your kindness in sending a Christinas present which, as you may imagine, was very acceptable.—l remain, yours faithfully, “AI.K.” “VIRGINIA LAKE.” By "AIADCAP,” R.G.W.B. Dusky waters flecked with gold, Rippled by each wayward breeze, Set 'midst an entrancing scene Watched tirelessly by lofty trees. Ellin hillocks surround it, Gold with the kowhais’ bloom, Jewelled with lacy tree ferns, And ti-trccs rustling plume. Swans glide softly o’er it, Ducks float unafraid, Raupo rims its edges, Beneath the willows shade. Ribbons of paths go winding Through fairy bowers of green, ’Neath arches of radiant roses, By shadowed nooks serene. Foam of tinted blossoms, Ivory, pink and rose, Toss petals and almond fragrance On every wind that blows. Flowers of rainbow beauty, Gleam where the sunbeams play, Watcr-lillies peep from their emerald beds Frosted with crystal spray. Songs of tui and bell-bird, Carolled from flower-decked trees, Blend with the beauty and sweetness, And tho hum of myriad bees. Gems of the “River City” Held so that none may take Yet given that all may enjoy it A dream of perfection— 44 Virginia Lake.” ,

Say to your chum one day: "I saw a penny with a head on both sides of it the other day!” Alost people, of course, think that you mean the King’s head was on both sides of the penny. 44 Then it must have been a bad coin!” they say. 44 0 h, no,” you reply. "The King's head was on one side and Britannia's head was on the other side!” I should run away before they catch you, then! RIDDLES. When is a volunteer like' a confectioner? —When he makes bull’s eyes. Why is an author the most wonderful man in the world? —Because his talc comes out of his head. What is it every person has seen, but will never see again?—Yesterday. What is it which will be yesterday and was to-morrow? —To-day, of course. Why was the first day of Adam’s life so long?—Because it had no Evo. When doos June come before AfayJ When you look ’t out in the dictionary. Why is Sunday the strongest day in the seven? —All the others are week (weak) days.

THE FAIRIES’ PARTY. It was Tommy’s birthday, but little Tommy knew he wouldn’t be getting anything from his father and mother, because they couldn’t afford it. Poor Tommy! He decided to take a stroll in the big wood near by. He thought he would take the lonely paths of tho wood, where nobody would find him to tease him. As he was walking along he suddenly burst into a little clearing, and there was Queen Alab and all her courtiers. Fairies, pixies, elves, gnomes, and other little people were sitting at mushroom tables and thoroughly enjoying themselves. 44 Silence!” cried Queen Mab, and. as if by magic, everyone became silent. “We have here our human visitor, and 1 want you all to make him as happy as you can!” Tommy spent that afternoon as ho had never before spent an afternoon, but fit last the party ended. It was then that Queen Alab beckoned him to come to her. Tommy walked to the foot of her throne and waited. Queen Mab brought, her silver wand and waved it. Immediately there was a blinding flash be- 1 fore Tommy’s eyes, and then he found himself in his own garden. Tommy was inclined to think it all a lovely dream until, in his arms, he found a lovely adventure book which Queen Alab had given him.

THOUGHTS AND FLOWERS, by 44 AIADCAP,” R.G.W.B. In an old-fashioned garden I wandered, While the dew still powdered the earth, And pondered upon the greatness, That gave each flower its birth, Roses of wonderous beauty, Lilies so dainty and fair, Daphne with haunting fragrance, Sweet mignonette scenting the air. Poppies ablaze with gay colours, Daisies asleep in the grass, Winsome primroses half hidden, And nansies that smile as you pass. | Aiarigolds vivid ana gleaming, Violets so shy and so sweet. Wallflowers with velvety petals, . Scented, simple and neat. Woodbine twined with tho ivy, Tulips and hyacinths, too. Clove-scented stocks and verbena. Forget-me-nots tiny and true. Rosemary sturdy and wholesome, Carnations of every hue. Nodding' plumes of lilac, And spires of larkspurs, blue. As I gazed on their variety beauty, Aglow in the morning’s sun, And breathed their hidden fragrance, I thought of th c Unseen One. Who gave us glorious flowers, From which wc a lesson may learn. To give of our best to each other, And ask for naught in return. MAGIC. See how many people you can catch with this piece of magic. Take a piece of paper and a pencil and say to your friends: "Can you make three letters into one and then add one more letter and it is gone?” They ar© sure to have to 44 give i up,” and will think you are very clover when you promise to do this. This is how it is done. Alake three letters into one by writing down "one,” add one more letter "g” and it is "g one.”

WOULDN’T HELP! Tommy had been reading a story about owls from his new book. He suddenly looked very thoughtful, and then he suddenly cried: ‘‘Mummy, if owls can only see hi tho dark, why don’t they tie a handkerchief round their eyes in the daytime ? ’ ’ TO THE RESCUE. Fleet Foot was sitting on th© bank of tho Black River wishing that his Bed. Indan father would buy a motorboat for him. On the other side little Nell, the trapper’s daughter, who lived near by, was picking flowers. Suddenly Nell slipped. She gave a yell and fell right into the water. Fleet Foot heard tho yell and dived after her. He swam after Nell, and each stroke brought him nearer to her. At last he grasped her dress and swam towards the shore. This time he had a double burden, and tho river was run mng very swiftly. Just as Fleet Foot was thin ng he would never reach the shore he saw a floating log. Ho grasped it,' and ;t helped him to regain his breath. The i he swam towards the shore and reached it safely. He knew where Nell’s father lived and carried her to her house. Nell’s father thanked Fleet Foo: over an<l over again, then he changed Fleet Foot’s clothes and tucked him in bed. Next morning Fleet Boot got up and wont to the Black River, where a surprise was*in store for him. There he found a real motor-boat addressed to him from Nell’s father. Fleet Foot thanked Nell’s father, and many were the happy sails he went, with Nell. TRY THIS Ask your friends if they have ever heard of a king who is only twelve inches high! They will look very surprised, and, of course, say they have never heard of such a tiny king. Then you say; 4 4 What about a twelve inch ruler, th on ’' ’ A PAPER TRICK. Here is an amusing trick to (iv on your friend. Show hiw a newspaper and tell him that you can tire him out be fore he succeeds in carrying the whole of the paper out of the room. You then take th© newspaper and tear off a very small piece and hand it to him, telling him to take that out of ’ the room and return for another piece. (' Each time you give him a small piece, j and he will soon have to own that h c is • tired and has been nicely caught.

JACKO FOUND OUT. Alothcr Jacko was busy spring-clean* ing, and Jacjto was rather enjoying himself. At first Alothcr Jacko found some jobs fur him, but alter he had kicked over one pail of water and leit another where Father Jacko ik‘ll over it, he thought it best to get out. Aluthcr Jacko heaved a sigh of relief. “Anyhow, hc can’t get up to much ..lischief in the garden,” she murmured, and, when the cleaning was finished, off she went to pay Aims Ape a visit. Aliss Ape was very pleased to see her, and the two ladies had a nice chai about their gardens. “Aly bulbr aio a lovely sight,” said Alother Jacko. “You must come round ami see them.” And then she caught sight of some lovely pots of hyacinths in Miss Ape * room. “Those ar© ve, 'y 1,,1C Howers,” said Alothcr Jacko, feeling rather envious, *•] suppose you grew them yourself?” Aliss her head. “1 wish I could say 1 had!” she exclaimed. "As a matter of fact, 1 bought the pots only this morning from a man in the street. Why, Ido declare that he is going past, with his ba now! ’ ’ Alother Jacko behaved in a very strange way when she looked out of the window. She gave a scream, seized her gloves and umbrella, and rushed into the street. "Well, 1 never did!” said thc old lady, looking out of the window. There was Alother Jacko hanging ou to thc man with th© barrow and belabouring him with her umbrella! "What’s all this to-day?” shouted a policeman, rushing up. ‘‘Leave go of this old man.” But thc moment she did so the old man took to his heels, leaving behind him a long overcoat and a false beard! Thc policeman scratched his head. "Well, mum, perhaps you’ll be good enough to explain,” ho said. Alothcr Jacko sat down heavily on thc pavement. "My boy and my bulbs,” she said weakly.

THE MYSTERY GAME. Try this jolly game next time you have a party. It will amuse all your little friends. One person is sent out of the room, aud the other players chooso some object in the room to think of specially so that when the other player returns she can tell them the name of that object. _ I hat sounds very wonderful, doesu't it? But it is quite simple when two people know the secret. We will call them tho “guesser” and the “caller.’' and suppose thc object chosen is the fireplace. Now, as the guesser goes out of the room, the caller must notice how many fingers she put on the inside of thc door as she pulls it behind her. Suppose she puts three finngers on thc doorthen the caller makes thc fireplace the third she mentions. She might say: "Is it the piano?” "No.” "Is it this vase?” "No.” “Is it the fireplace? ’ It is the third thing mentioned and the guesser put three fingers on the door, so she answers “Yes!”