Archie’s Adventures.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXVI, Issue II, 12 January 1901, Page 94

Archie’s Adventures.

Archie had been ho the fancy dress bali at the Mansion House, and he was just proud of himself, for he had gone in a fireman's costume. and on the way home I'ncle Claude had told him wiiat brave deeds firemen performed, and Archie's heart swelled with pride as he listened. How he longed to be a fireman and do great deeds! No wonder he didn't want to take his uniform off when he got into his bedroom: and. what was more, he was not surprised when he heard someone say to him: “You’ve been appointed captain of the fire brigade to his majesty King RumTum.” The speaker was a funny little old woman, with corkscrew curls and a queer bonnet. “I’m King RumI uni's Aunt Maria.'' she said, “and I'm so afraid of the palace being burnt that I made the king promise to send for you.” “Quite right, mum.” said Archie. “Nou will be quite safe now that I am captain of the fire brigade.” “I'm so thankful.” said the old lady, and she gave Archie an acid drop; then she showed him a lovely little building, full of fire escapes and fire engines, while hundreds of little firemen stood in a row and touched their hats to their new captain. “You're quite sure you ean take care of us.” said Aunt Maria, helping herself to an acid drop. “There are a great many of us you know. There’s the king and the two princesses, and the triplet of baby princes, and my pug dog. and myself, and my jackdaw. I feel much safer since I have known you. but while King Rum-Tum insists on smoking in bed we are likely to have a fire at any moment.” “I’ll be very careful.” said Arehie. “Thank you very much indeed.” said Aunt Maria. “I'm sorry I haven’t another acid drop to give you, but I’ve

only two left, and those are for my pug dog and my jackdaw. They both have very weak chests. Good night," and Aunt Maria hurried off. Arehie did feel proud of himself, and he marched up and down in front of the palace, looking up at the big winnows and thinking how very foolish it was of King Rum-Turn to smoke in bed. Thee he went back to look at his pretty tire eugiues. Suddenly, all the alarm bells began ringing with all their might and main, and Archie called out the whole of the brigade and hurried back to the palace. Such a sight met his eyes! The whole place was one mass of smoke and flame, while at one of the highest windows he saw a group of people peering out in dismay. Among them he quickly' recognised Aunt Maria and her grey curls. '*( ome up and save us! Come up and save us!" she called. **l gave you an acid drop, so you ought to oome when 1 eall you.” Arehie felt as brave as a Lion, and rearing the tallest ladder he could find against the palace wall he rushed up to the window. Such a sight met his eyes. There was King Kum-Tum, still smoking. and attired in trousers. dressing gown and crown, while in his hands he bore his sceptre and the family album. There were the triplet baby prmces, in little frilled night dresses and tasselled night caps, and two golden haired princesses, with crowns on their heads, while Aunt Maria was dividing her attentions between her jackdaw in his eage and a blue bonnet box, her little pug dog sitting on the ground, howling piteously. They all grabbed hold of Archie, who was very brave indeed, and told them he eould easily save them if they would only keep calm. Archie indeed had his hands full, but he managed splendidly He took the triplet of baby princes in his right arm and the two princesses in his left, and let the little pug dog jump on his helmet, while in each hand he held a blanket, in which were seated respectively King Rum-Turn and Aunt Maria, Then slowly and surely he descended the ladder amid the cheers of the fire brigade.

It was a magnificent rescue, and Arehie was so delighted at having brought the royal family down in safety' that he began to cheer vigorously himself—and awoke to find him« self still in the fancy’ dress he wore at the Mansion House, while nurse was ready, waiting to put him to bed.

AUNT AUDREY.