TONY’S LUCKY DAY.

Waikato Times, Volume 104, Issue 17502, 8 September 1928, Page 16 (Supplement)

TONY’S LUCKY DAY.

AND A PAIR OF CANDLESTICKS. i There stood Jn a little hollow a house that many years ago boasted of wealth and many acres of land, bu. now that fortune had sadly diminished, and the survivors of the family were two unmarried sisters, Dorothy anu Sylvia Gowan. These two had hved together in the solemn grandeur of the house, watching the gradual dwindling of their fortune, the diminishing of .the was a young boy, Tony who helped daily in the garden, and did odd jobs about the house. He was devoted to Miss Sylvia, and would show her in confidence some of his drawings. “Keep on, TOny, for I believe there is talent in your work,” she would say, “and in years to come who knows what may happen?” “It is my dream to become an artist ” Tony replied once, with shining eyes ’“and if ever I did become famous I would help you and Miss Dorothy.” So, although an orphan who slept in the loft and only did odd jobs, Tony worked and persevered, and saved as much as he possibly could for his precious ambition, to study art in town. One evening, having completed his work he wandered into a large room containing old valuable furniture, ana searched for an article to copy. On the mantelpiece stood a pair of china candlesticks, old and dusty, but for shape and colour nothing cduld have been better in Tony’s artistic eye. “The very thing,” thought Tony, as he gazed at them delightedly. “I’d ask Miss Sylvia if I can copy them ’ He obtained permission from Miss Sylvia, although Miss Dorothy sniffed, and wondered what he could see worth copying in a pair of “rubbishy candffiSll Delighted with his treasure, Tony stole away, and worked at his picture every opportunity he had. Tony loved to drive the pony and little cart to market and purchase the weekly supply of vegetables and fruit, and this was one of his regular jobs. He was returning home late one afternoon with a goodly stock and some drawing paper he had managed to buy, and so absorbed was he in his dreams that he let the reins lie slack on the pony’s back, and meandered along at a very slow pace. He was aroused from has reverie by a loud “Honk I Honk 1” of a motor horn. The little pony, so placidly plodding along, resented the noise, and when Tony endeavoured to pull him up to allow the car to pass, took fright and bolted down the lane. Tony set his teeth and clutched at the reins, and so violently did the little cart rock that the vegetables and fruit were all scattered as the pony, pursued his mad career. Things were getting desperate, and, no thought of fear entering the boy’s head, he jumped on the pony’s back and strained at the reins with all his might and main. Feeling such a masterful hold on him, the pony pulled up in consternation, and stood nervous and quiveriDg. “There, it’s all right, old boy!” saiil Tony in a soothing voice, gently patting hirn. “Nobody’s going to hurt you.” Suddenly a man appeared running down the lane. “Hi, there; stop a minuter he erica at the top of his voice. He was an elderly man, with kind grey eyes, but now his face expressed nothing but regret. “My boy, I am more sorry that this lias happened than I can say. To whom were you going with these goods?” “To Miss Gowan, who lives in the big house over there with her sister," replied Tony. “You see, I work for them.” “Then I cannot let you take the blame for this accident,” insisted the kindly gentleman. “I will accompany you to Miss Gowan and apologise to her.” Together they set out to recover as much of the fruit and vegetables as was possible, and then Tony led the way to the house, the stranger following in his car. As they entered the room where Miss Dorothy and Miss Sylvia were sitting Miss Dorothy favoured them with a sharp look, whilst Miss'Sylvia looked a little bewildered. "Miss Dorothy ” began Tony. “Oh, er—excuse me, madam!” interrupted the gentleman, addressing Miss Dorothy. “But I have come to make my apologies for a most unfortunate accident that happened to your boy here." “Accident?” cried Miss Sylvia. "Be quiet, Sylvia!” said Miss Dorothy in severe tones. “Only upsetting the apple-cart,” said the stranger, “which was caused by my car and horn scaring your pony, who forthwith bolted." Here an amused smile played round his mouth “Your gcods were scattered wholesale, and I am afraid that all have not been recovered.” “But it was partly my fault,” protested Tony. “I suppose one was as much to blame as the other,” said Miss Dorothy, and she was not far wrong. "But as it was unavoidable I will say no more, but beg you will take tea witn us.” “Thank you; I will,” ho replied. “But let me Introduce myself. I am Mr Rupert, and am travelling the countryside in search of valuable china, of which I am a collector.”

"Perhaps after, tea you would like to see some of our china," put in Sylvia. “I shall be delighted," said Mr Rupert. During tea he proved a very agreeable companion. “A good drawing that," observed Mr Rupert, indicating a sketch done by Tony -that was considered by Miss Sylvia good enough to hang over the mantelpiece. “That was done by Tony," said Miss Sylvia. “He is now at work on another. I will ask him to show it to you.” Very timidly Tony laid his nearly completed sketch before the visitor, who examined it, and then asked to see the originals. Tony, brought the candlesticks, and Mr Rupert closely examined them. Then he looked up. “Madam, it is most extraordinary, but these candlesticks are of exceptional value.* They will complete the set I have been collecting, for they a“e rare and most difficult to obtain. I am most fortunate to have found them, and am prepared to pay a good price for them.” When he named the sum the two ladies were almost speechless, but gladly consented to let him have them. “And as for the lad, he deserves a share in the good fortune, considering to come to London with me and enter he led me to it. How would you like an Art School? I shall be prepared to meet all expenses.” “Oh, sir!" was all Tony could reply, hut his eyes conveyed his gratitude.