FUNNY SAILORS.
Paul made a little sail-boat. He got Elsie to hem the sails, which she could do very well, for she was a good sewer.
‘You could sew, too. Paul,’ said Elsie, ‘if you would learn to use a thimble.'
‘ It iv handy to know how to sew sometimes,' admitted Paul ; ‘ but I wouldn’t use a thimble. Boys never do.’ ‘Why don’t they?’ asked Elsie, boldly. ‘They could sew easier if they would. Don’t tailors sew? They're men. Don’t they 7 use thimbles ?’ Paul was busy fastening on the sail, and didn’t answer. The Flirt was ready for sea. ‘ .She’ll go splendid !’ he cried, proudly. ‘ What shall Ido for sailors ?’
Just then Herbert came in with a tin cup full of—what? bronze beetles. They had brown and yellow stripes down their backs, and were really pretty, except to people who don’t think any kind of beetle pretty. ‘Just the thing !’ shouted Paul.
So he manned—or beetled his craft, and started it on the raging ocean, which filled a wash tub outside the kitchen door. The sailors swarmed all over the ship, up and down the rigging and masts, and over ropes of cotton thread. They looked very busy. It was a successful cruise. The ship sailed gallantly from side to side of the tub, and the actions of the active sailors called forth shouts of laughter from the three children.
John, coming in from the potatoes, tired and dusty, stopped to see the fun. ‘ Good use for ’em,’ said he. ‘ t let all you can, boys. Never mind if a few fall overboard sometimes. Plenty more.'
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https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/periodicals/NZGRAP18920206.2.39.6
Bibliographic details
New Zealand Graphic, Volume IX, Issue 6, 6 February 1892, Page 143
Word Count
267FUNNY SAILORS. New Zealand Graphic, Volume IX, Issue 6, 6 February 1892, Page 143
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Acknowledgements
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