For the Young Folk.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XLVIII, Issue 13, 25 September 1912, Page 58

For the Young Folk.

BITTERS. t By EDITH L. ELIAS.) Bobby sat dangling his feet in brook. Il<* had < ome out to catch jack sharps, but so far the jam jar on the bank held nothing but water. “I wish. I wish. I wen* a fish.’’ be* sang. "Hurrah!” slid a voice. "That’s capital? In you go and out I come.’’ Bobbs felt something awfril was going to happen. He clutched at the bank, but. it was no «ise. Head over heels he tell into the water, and out leaped .u tiny fish. From the bank the fish bowed, with a lofty air. 'Don’t try to speak,” said the fish. "It’s quite all right. You’re turning into me, ami I am turning into you. See my tail is two legs already. I'm very nearly Bobbs, and you’re fitters; don’t forget ? Titters, that’s your name.” Left to himself, Bobby began to think, over whit had happened. He had iurne:l into a jack sharp, and be was in a brook. Il<»\\ horrible it was’ He would gel back to the bank; he wouldn't be a fish. lb* would go straight homo, and never come near the brook again. H< fought hard to get out of the water, lat it was no use; worn out and gasping, h< fell hark into the stream. For an. hour Bobby lay there too terrified to stir, till at I.nt he ventured to swim out ii. lit th*. *ff T am in a brook.” he said. "I might «*: well know what it’s really like. I shall just strike right out arid see what happens.” He swum into the middle; the sun was right above the stream, ah<l the water felt warm and soothing. "After all. om might do worse than he a fish,” thought Bobby: "there wouldn’t be any lessons, nor horrid things to do, such as cleaning one’s teeth or brushing one’s hair. I really think - *’ He stopped abruptly. .Above him fell the shadow of an arm. He struggled hard, but in vain; •he was fast in a glass jam-jar. "Wliv. it’s Bobhv,” he heard someone

perately, bringing out his only sixpence. “Give it to me for this.” "Bather!” said Billv. "Here, take

y«mr blessed old jack sharp and fry it for your supper.” Bobby snatched the jar and emptied it • arcfully into the stream. "It was Titters,” said Bobby, lamely. Ami not another word of explanation could Billy get out of him.

am! he iirai'k burst with joy at 1 hi* word. "><> you found me?” he said gladly. “What arc you talking about?” was the in-wrr. Bobby stopped short, and rubied his eyes. 1 1<* and Billy Miller were standing, < u tin* bank of the stream, and in billy’s jar was a jack sharp. "It niu-t he fitter-*!” cried Bobby. “Ilc\ come back; he said he would.” "What rot you air talking?” sai<l Billy. ‘Whatever do you mean by Tit tors? Look at my jack sharp; isn’t hr a brah i y . Put him hark, -aid Bobby, caruc-l Iv. Put Inm luck ! repeated Billv. "when )’\<* ju-t caught him!” "Oh. you must: you must!" <-,in| Bob ■by: ami h* tried lo’up-et the jar. "What are yon doing?” growled Billy, “it’s my jar ami m\ jack sharp.” “ill buy it oil you,” cried Bobby