SHORT STORY BY A COUSIN.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXIV, Issue XXIV, 16 June 1900, Page 1150

SHORT STORY BY A COUSIN.

" HARRY’S WATCH. ’ By Bertha Matthews, aged 13. Frank sat on a chair displaying his new toy steam boat to his sister Dollv and his brother Harry. Frank. Harr’v and Dolly lived in a great big house overgrown with ivy. Their Uncle Dickhad just come to see them, after a visit to London, and had brought pre sents for the three ehildrin. To Frank he had given the wond rfnl steamboat. of which the bov was so proud, and to Dolly a beautiful flaxen haired doll, which said “Mamma** and “Papa.” As for Harry, who was his uncle's favourite, he obtained a pretty little silver watch and chain. Mrs Leslie, the children’s mother, had * -st entered the room, when Harry tried to take his watch to pieces, but as he couTd not take the Lack off. be was iust going to put it in a pail of hot water to loosen it. when his mother stojiped him. “Oh. you naughty boy." she -aid. “Give me that watch at once, anil if I ever see you doing si:. h a thing -gain T will tell voitr I’ncle Dick." “The bark is stuck with glue, and I wanted to Ico-en it so that I r-mild s“e the wheels go round." retorted Master Harrv. Dolly tow claimed her mother’s attention in dressing her doll.

and Mrs Leslie ilid no: no.ice that Harry had gone into the garden, open ed the gate, ami run far down the read. As he was crossing he heard wheels approaching. Before he could move cut of the way he felt a dreadful pain.and then he remembered no more. “He is coming to now. Mrs Leslie, ai.d I think you had better lie down for half an hour." These weie the first words that Harry heard when he became conscious. He tried to move bis right leg. but as he did so the pain was so violent that he uttered a cry which immediately brought the doctor to the bedside. “Well, my poor little fellow, is your leg hurting? Here is something that will ease the pain.” Harry swallowed the medicine, and then asked for his mother. “You can’t see mother just now. my dear: but I will see if your father is home yet." the kind doctor answered soothingly. •Inst at .his moment the door opened and Mr Leslie entered with his arms full of parcels. “Well, doctor." said he. "What is the matter with this young gentleman?” “He was run over in the road by a cart, and has broken his leg: but it is not anything dangerous, and he will be able to lie on a sofa to-morrow if he is a good boy." Mr Leslie now turned to Harry, and opening one of the parcels, handed him an orange, and then placing in his hand a box. said. “This is a watch, in

which you can see the wheels go round without putting it in hot water to loosen the back. 1 have Taken charge of your uncle’s gift until you are old enough to take care of it yourself.” While his father had been saving this. Harry had taken out of the* box nothing but tissue papx-r. hut when Mr Leslie had finished speaking, he drew forth a mysterious bundie. with these words written on it: “To Harry, from his loving father and mother, hoping he will enjoy seeing the wheels <ro round.” Taking off the wrapper Harry revealed to view a little silver clock, with a glass back, through which he could see the wheels, and works. “Do you like my present, darling?” asked his father, kissing him. “Oh, yes, father. I hope I may keep it till I am a great big man.” Many years have passed a wav, but Harry still has the clock, and though he is a rich man. he values it more than anything else.