“Hut's Surprise Party.”

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 76, Issue 303, 23 December 1933, Page 5 (Supplement)

“Hut's Surprise Party.”

(By ‘

MADCAP.”)

Bex of the Hill Country wanted a d •‘Blackbird’ 3 pie, but as we only have ; one bird of that sort it is out of the i question. It would never do to put 1 our one and only “Blackbird” in a i pie, would it I Besides, I am sure it ‘ wouldn’t go round, even if we did sup- i plement with a “Country Sparrow” j or two, anil “Old Gran,” who is “A j True Friend” with a “Golden Heart,” t is not in favour of us doing anything ( of the kind. She says our motto, j “True-Blue,” means, among other ' things, being kind to dumb animals, ; and though birds are “Feathered ] Friends,” they are not dumb exactly, I but since they do not speak our laugu- 1 age we may assume them to be incap- 1 able of speech and leave it at that, and be content with an “Apple Pie” instead. The cream puffs will be “Cows’ ” special contribution and i they most surely will be o.k. for not only will the puffs be real —the cream i will be “Dinkum, Too,” and that ie saying something. No’t everyone may like cream puffs, but I am sure “Wee 1 Tunahaere,” tho’ he might be a little : “Taipo” at times, would not refuse to 1 eat tnem, even though he might prefer ( “tuna.” “Josephine” said she would ’ fetch the tea and “Rip Van Winkle” said he would brind tho “Tea Caddy” ■ if he didn’t forget. I do hope, if he remembers, that he will not get it < mixed up with his tobacco tin. It i would be dreadful if the lot of us, i fairies, elves, spooks and the like became intoxicated with nicotine in con- i sequence of a tobacco brew instead of < a tea. Not that I am a tea fiend, far < from it. I usually drink water, but on a special occasion I may be pardoned if I ask for something out of the i ordinary. On a night such as 1 have in view nothing more or less than Ambrosia will suffice me. With that only will 1 be content, so see to it you elves and fairies. With a “Flame Flower” or a “Morning Glory” for a goblet I can 4 ‘toast” our guests in true fairy style, not just in wine, not in ‘ ‘ Honey Dew,” but in nectar drink of the gods, and anything is possible in “Makebelieve,” isn’t it? So picture me, having quaffed the heavenly beverage from the vivid petalled chalice, “fey” with Ambrosia frolicking in the “Silver Dewdrops” with fairies, pixies, « goblins, butterflies, birds and mice from the time the “Moon Rose” until “Grey Dawn.” And not alone shall I thus pass the hours away. I shall be with a goodly company. Having settled the day and the hour, catered lavishly for the supper, made arrangements where to meet and mode of transit, there remained nothing to do but collect our party, and betake ourselves off to spring our surprise. The “Hut’s Taxi” with a “Jolly Boy,” “Happy Jack” at the wheel made short work of the miles between “Wcndytown” and 4 Wendyville.’ Inside were packed a heterogeneous collection of Ites and hampers. No two were exactly alike, either in dress or appearance, though all who could wore a smile. Following the taxi closely came the “Grey Buick Six” containing its full complement—“Scribo,” 4 ‘ Scribo’s Shadow” (of course), “Scribo II.,” 44 Semper Paratus,” “Sans Souci” (“pseudonyms de luxe” aptly styled by someone), 4 ‘Dolly Varden,” a “Dainty Miss” with “Brown Eyes” and a “Baby Face.” A fearful clatter of hoofs and there arrives “Hasbeen” with “Our Jockey Boy,” a most “Reckless Rider,” minus his “Riding Cap,” but otherwise safe and sound. At last we appeared to be all there, and everybody stood about doing nothing but get the fidgets, and I had serious thoughts of pinching the “Private Detective” to see if he would jump, when

(Continued from Previous Issue) “Cockey,” the Hut’s parrot, called out “What are we waiting for now?*’ ‘‘Bo quiet you ‘Chatter Box,’ ” adnonished “Grey Dove,” in a barely audible “coo." Secretly, 1 felt line clapping “Cockey” and saying hear, hear, because 1 was wondering what we were waiting for, but I had caught “Grandaddy’s” glance roving my way more than once, and each time that glance carried a warning, so instead of pulling “Grey Dove’s” tail, I pretended to be engrossed with the antics of “Miss Powder Puff” as she dusted lightly over questionable complexions. “Patience,” cautioned “Grandaddy,” as signs of restiveness seemed on the point of becoming general. “Night Dwlite,” if y,ou dare to give one “hoot” let alone two, you won’t get the tiniest morsel of Wendy’s chicken, so beware lest you go hungry. I suppose all this waiting was just “Another Mystery” and sure enough it was. Out of nowhere came a queer humming noise and then circling low Lhe “Wings of the Southern Cross” came into view, and out frofii the ’plane scrambled dear “Old Ben,” “Taffy” and “Hut’s Lookout Man,” all with the unmistakable stamp of Wanderlust” on them . “Goodness gracious!” I gasped. “Hut’s Lookout Man.” I didn’t know him from Adam, but I stared at him just the same—unbelievingly and fearfully. Now, where had I put those wonderful binoculars when I borrowed them? Through my mind I tore at a rate but they were not there. What had I done with them? L do wish “Grandauuy” wouldn’t look at me like that. He makes me nervous. I know I wasn’t guilty of whatever it was he thought I was doing. I was trying to think—not scratching. Now, Faith, Hope and Charity I where did I put those precious binoculars? I don’t know but I think I put thorn back in the “Lookout Tower,” so if they are not there someone else must have taken them. Whew! and whew! twice more. That’s a load off my mind. No wonder “Grandaddy” said “Patience.” I expect “Sir Richard Elf” had something to do ■with this, although “Lady Elf” never let on a word. “Are wc all here now?” asked “Grandaddy.” I really couldn’t say, but 1 did “Hope” so for I had been on “Pins and Needles” for much 1 longer than I had any wish for. Besides, if we were going to stand about where we were In a “huddled heap” much longer goodness only knows where “Madame X” and “Minnie the Mouse” will have got to, because if they happened to see us first they probably wouldn’t be “at home” to receive us. “Now,” warned “Grandaddy,” “all be on your very best behaviour. I can trust most of you I know; but I am not sure about you, “Madcap.” (Naturally, he wouldn’t be.) “You never seem to be out of ‘Mischief’ and what is going to happen if you meet 4 linky Imp’ another ‘Daredevil’ is beyond me to tell.” It was beyond me, too, but I hadn’t time to say so for I was looking at a “Silver Star” just at that moment, and I am sure I saw the “Moon Wink.” I was going to wink back, but saw a “Stranger,” “Red Robin Hood” standing near me and was so flustered I winked at him instead, and he gave one of those ravishing “Sunshine Smiles” and looked at “Baby’s Nurse.” Xmas! and I was just getting ready to be properly thrilled—all for nothing, but that “Is Me” all over. I generally manage to miss tho good things. Thank goodness a move forward at last, and “Grandaddy” with “Lady Elf” and all the notable members of our party group themselves round the front door, and rat a tat tat goes “Grandaddy’s” knuckles against it. (To be Continued)