A LADY AND TWO GENTLEMEN

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 77, Issue 23, 27 January 1934, Page 12

A LADY AND TWO GENTLEMEN

My Dear Little Ones, — There are three Hon. Memoers to tell you of this evening—but only one will require a seat in the gallery—and she is the lady wo recently saw upon our page reading to two children. She wishes to be known as 1 ‘Just Mother” and I have left her looking ever so happy among the Maori ladies with their babies upon their backs, in our ‘‘mothers’ special corner.” When 1 left everyone was most excited for ‘‘Mother Hubbard” and “Mother of Five” had discovered. to their horror, that the Young Ladies’ Sewing Guild had cut out all the children’s frocks without allowing for hems and seams—while the yokes were big enough for “them” —so “Mother-in-law” has gone to bring “The Mother Who Smacks Them All” to the rescue. While they were awaiting the coming of our “Hut Mother/’ a little girl, whose name I must not tell, burst in upon the mothers’ meeting, exclaiming, “Oh, mother, I think it is just too ‘drefful’ for words, about those poor little Browns! ” All the “mothers ” wondered what dreadful thing had happened in the family called Browns—to be informed, “They haven’t enough money to have a nurse—all they can afford is ‘Just a Mother.’” Somehow, I do not think the Hut’s “Just Another” will find life dull in our midst. Any moment now, dears, this door may open and reveal a strange gentleman looking in. He will be in a flaming red coat and shining brass helmet—• there are some holes burned in his coat, too, for he is a tirefighter, who. at the risk of his own life, tries to save homes from being burnt to ashes, with perhaps ill-fated people trapped within. There was a little girl called Matilda who lived in London. She was really very naughty and mischievous and one night she slipped downstairs to the telephone and summoned the fire brigade. What fun this was going to be—and she clapped her hands with glee. With its siren shrieking, the engine plunged its way through a street that was all up for repairs—the noble policeman cleared the road and the crowd took up the cry, “Clear the way! Clear the way! Matilda’s house is being burned!” When the firemen and panting crowd arrived on the scene, it was discovered to be Matilda’s idea of “ just a bit of fun.” Alas! there came the day when great tongue v s of fire spread from room to room after Matilda as she rushed to each window in turn, shrieking in terror, ‘ Fire! lire!’ but the louder she shrieked the louder the crowd jeered at her and yelled, “Little liar’'; Matilda’s joke had a sad ending, for she was no exception to the rule that says, “He gets burnt who plays with fire.” This red-coated, shining helmeted gentleman has come to be our “Hut’s Fireman” and I hope he will teach even you Tinies how to lift up someone choked with smoke, sling them over your shoulder, and get them to the open air—for there are many children who can do this and save life—so why should not all of you? Should the fireman ask us questions we all know, don’t we? That our bedroom windows should not be blocked by furniture, in case it is the only way we can get out from fire in the night. We know, too, if the smoke is dense, to get down on hands and knees and crawl out, and we also know if we are inside a big building that suddenly goes up in a blaze, the instant thing we do is to be “silent,” so that we may hear the orders for our safety from those in charge—but here is the new “Hut’s Fireman/’ and he will tell us a great many more wise things to do in ease of fire. The second gentleman is also in uniform, but he had his great coat on and 1 could not see it properly, but I noticed he carried a musical instrument such as we see played by member* of His Majesty’s Coldstream Guards’ Band. Therefore, I was not surprised when Wendy introduced him as the “Hut’s Bandsman ” who was to be conductor of the band which we shall call the Wendy Hut Make-believe Band,” so soon as the bandmaster can collect the Payers. AVe must all put our heads together and think of fine, jolly tunes, which we shall ask them, very nicely, to play to us. What about “There were three crows sat on a tree, and they were black as black could be, and they all flapped their wings and cried ‘Caw! Caw! Caw!’ ”?—because, vou see, in that r, oDg r n’ e rA flap ° U? aud shout as loud as ** know how. “Caw! Caw! Caw. There is one thing [am sure will never happen to our band and that ♦ n t h CV ’ n6 ? Cr * DeVCr ! vlU — llke that nursery land band that was just an old b' “-.“A ge l a throw ? to 5t ’ t 0 piay in another street. Wouldn’t that be just too dreadful for words,’’ our “Mr. Bandsman’’’ But it is ten minutes past pillow-time for you little ones so good-night ell round—aud remember in the morning that six on the clock is really only halfpast five for your “OLD GRAN.” J ?

“MIDGY” REVIEWS PASSING YEARS IN HUT WITH HAPPINESS Dear Wendy,—Just a few lines to let you know 1 am still in the land of the living. 1 hope you and all Ites ere keeping well. 1 think “Star of the Desert” must have eloped with the man in the moon or someone, as it is ages since she wrote to her darling “Midgy.” She sent me a Christmas present. Many thanks for it, darling. I am so sorry 1 have not written to thank you for it, but you see, 1 have been waiting anxiously fur a letter from you. The last time she wrote, Wendy, she tuld me to give you her best wishes. 1 will not tell you the other things she said in case she wrings my neck for me. Can 1 hear you whisper, ‘if you tell, 1 will give you o hiding,’ “Midgy’’/ Never mind, “Star of the Desert,” we are still the best of pals, aren’t we/ Foor dear, says she is getting too old to write letters, Wendy, i am sure if she wrote to you she would feel about 2U years younger. 1 do, when 1 write tu you, so please take the hint, “5.0.T.D.” I am sure you will fuel much better after you write. “White Forget-me-not” is a darling because she sent me a lovely calendar for Christmas, and iny other pals sent me a little present, too. It was very thoughtful of them and 1 will treasure their presents always. AVendy, was the M.W.L. a misprint or did Sir Finest give it to me for saving Sir Richard a long and tiring journey. L send you my thanks, Sir Ernest, for them, it' thej* are really meant for me. You are a dear. 1 have turned 20 now, Wendy. The lime flies, does it not? I was onlv about 13 or 14 when 1 joined the Hut, and it seems only yesterday. They have been happy days for me and I am not sorry 1 joined. Thank heavens the Hut is ours for always, because we do not have to leave it when we turn a certain age. 1 have been helping a lady half a mile away, but the wet weather has given me a holiday for a few days. J am sorry, because it makes extra work for the men. Well, "Wendy, I will close now with best wishes__for a happy New Year. Love. —From your old Ite, “MIDGY,” M.W.L., Ohinewai. Yes, dear, I think our “Star of the Desert” must have flown off with the Man in the Moon, indeed, because it is ages since she paid me a call, too. It was lovely of your friends to remember you at Christmas. The Order of Merit is real, dear. Twenty years old! How the years have flown. Many thanks for your wish for 19". 4. I send you mine, too. —Wendy. “LION HUNTER - REMARKS UPON THE WINTRY WEATHER CONDITIONS. Dear Wendy.—lsn’t it dreadful weather we are having? It is like winter. Aly mother and father went •n Sunday to get my granny. The uther night my brother took ill and »t half-past two in the morning father took him to town. “Afay Showers,” “Golden Rain.” my young brother, and myself were left home in charge. They returned home at one o’clock and rve were very pleased to see they had my brother with them. The other day I was sawing wood when my hand slipped off the saw ami it landed on my arm and cut it. We are in the midst of our cattle work, but the rain Jias stopped us. Wendy, as it is near cOw-time, L will dose.—From your Ire, “LION HI NTER,” Mangamahu. The weather has indeed been changeable, dear, but presently, I expect, we shall have some really lovely days. I hope your brother is now quite well. It is simply wretched to be ill, isn’t it! Goodness me, but I hope the injury to your arm is not serious.— Wendy,

“STRANGER” SENDS GOOD WISHES FOR YEAR 1934 Dear AVendy,—l wish you a bright and happy New Year. I had kind wishes sent to me from “Old Gran ” “Inasmuch,” “Aladame X,” “Babs’ J and “Mystery Aly Ale,” so your happy band is good to remember me. J thank them all very much. Will you forward “Old Gran’s” letter for me, please. Jhank you, AVendy. I wished one and all a bright New Y’ear and ■ many of them. They will be pleased ■ to know I had my soldier son up from Dunedin again. He came up tor two • weeks. You would all like him beI cause he is bright and cheerful and i always popping around to do something for everyone. Married life and big cities have made no difference to him, and he is just the same old son of mine. What a great pen “Madcap” wields. Her poem was great, but the AVendy party was greater. How can she place everything and everyone so. ALay 1934 be brighter for all and yourself, dear AVendy. Love from “STRANGER,” C.AV.K. Wendyhamlet. I do think it was lovely of our clan to remember you and send you their kind wishes, dear. How lovely, also, to have your son home to see you at “Madcap” is a real gem, isn’t she? I do not know what we should do without her in our midst. She does liven up our game of Make-believe, doesn’t she?—AVendy, QUEEN OF THE HUNTERS” RECOUNTS SPLENDID HOLIDAY TOUR Dear Wendy.—Here 1 am writing to I you at last. We only returned home i last Tuesday from a camping trip to Vauranga. We had a very nice time * and alter being there a fortnight we then went on to Auckland. 1 went and saw the tropical houses and the winter gardens. They were wonderful. The museum was very interesting also. One night we went to the Civic Theatre. It is a marvellous building inside. When the lights are extinguished one imagines oneself to be looking at the sky, as it is built to resemble it; the stars twinkle and occasionally one sees light cloucis fleeting by. Like all good things, our trip came to an end all too soon, But we thoroughly enjoyed every minute of it. Yours sincerely, “QUEEN OF THE HUNTERS,” Hunterville. AVhat a. lovely time you must have spent while on your holiday, dear. Auckland is a splendid city, isn't it? Goodness, but the theatre must be a real wonderland itself. I have been in a theatre, the roof of which slides away, leaving the real sky itself for one to gaze at. AVrite again soon, dear, won’t you?—AVendy. BRIGHT CANDLESTICK" FROM THE NORTH SPRINGS JOLLY SURPRISE CALL Dear AVendy,—Here 1 am again. I hope you will forgive me for not writing before this. How are you and your ftes keeping? I hope you are well. Aly baby brother is growing quite big and fat. Please excuse my writing in pencil. won’t you, AVendy? The holidays will soon be up and I will not have had a holiday. 1 must go because I have a lamb to feed. Lbve.—From “BRIGHT CANDLESTICK,’’ AVhangarei. This is a surprise, dear. I was wondering when I should hear from you again. I am keeping quite well, thank you, and 1 hope you are, too. Your little brother will soon grow up. Yes, the holidays are simply flying by, aren't they? AVrite again soon, won’t you?—Wendy.