FOR THE CHILDREN.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2449, 13 March 1909, Page 9 (Supplement)

FOR THE CHILDREN.

THE TALE'OF THE DUTIFUL SONS. In the ancient city of Argos there abode with their mother two young men whoso names were Cleobis and Bito, who were famous through the land for their skill in all manly sports. Now, there was a festival in honor of the greatest of the .goddesses, Hera, tho wife of Zeus, and it behoved the mother of those twain that she should be drawn in a chariot to tho temple of tho goddess. But when there was tarrying of the oxen which were to have drawn the chariot after the Greek manner, her two sons made haste and yoked themselves to the car, and drew it to 1 lie temple, which was many miles away, and all men’s mouths were full of the praises of the young men. Then was their mother’s heart filled with joy, and she prayed to the goddess saying: “Queen of gods and men, grant to my two noble sons the greatest blessing thou canst (bestow -on mortal man.” But when the festival was finished, Cleobis and Bito lay down in the templo to sleep, and behold, in tho morning the spirits had. departed out of tlieir bodies, and this was accounted the answer of the goddess to the pray, er of tlieir mother; because to mortals the gods can grant no greater boon than to take them to dwell with tlio immortals. THE SACRIFICE OF AIARCUS CURTIUS. Once on a time in anient Rome it befell that many trout’ss came upon the State, and men said that the gods must be wroth; but when one day there was a terrible nc'se of grinding and roaring and a great chasm opened in the ground, they were sure or it. Therefore t-liey consulted an oracle to learn how the anger of the gods might bo appeased, and the Oracle made answer: “AYhen Rome’s greatest treasure is cast into the chasm, it - will be closed again, for a sign that tlie gods are angry no more.” But none could tell what the greatest treasure was, so there was great lamentation. Then a- young and valiant soldier, whose name was Alarcus Curtin:-:, said: “Surely Rome has no greater treasure than the lives of the citizens who are willing to die for their country!” So ho arrayed himself in his armour, and mounted his war-horse, and leaped into the chasm, and then the chasm closed, and was henceforth called Lake Curtius, for Rome could m -ko no greater s: orifice than the wiling death of her noblest son. A WARNING TO DANCERS. There was n cert ain ric-li man calk'd Clisthenes who hr 1 a fair daughter, and from ah G-eece came wooers, among whom ilippoclides found favor. Then Clistb -nc gave_ a great feast to all the suiters, declaring that thereafter he would make known which of them ho had chosen for his daughter.' But when they waxed merry with feasting, Hippociides began to dance, and when lie leaped on a table and began to walk on his hands, Ciisthem s cried out: “Have a care,— Hippociides! You are dancing away your marriage.” But “AVhat cares Hippociides?” quoth he, upside down, with wagging legs. So Hippociides was sent packing, and another suitor won the coveted prize.

THE WISEST AIAID IN WESSEX

In the ancient days there was a King of YYessex whose name was Ina. Ho was a tall, brave, handsome man, but he had a great- failing. Tlie least thing vexed him and threw him into a sudden fit of wild anger. Knowing this, he resolved to marry a wise maiden who could restrain him and govern him. One afternoon he rode out from Winchester into the great forest, and, feeling thirsty, he stopped at a woodman’s hut to get a drink of milk. The woodman’s pretty daughter Edith brought him some milk, and when he gave her back the mug he said:

“I am King Ina of AY'essex. Empty all tho seas of the world with this mug, and I will make you my Queen.” Edith went into the hut, and brought out a handful of tow, and gave it- to King Ina, saying merrily :

“Stop up with this tow all tlie rivers. and I will do as you wish." “You are the girl I’ve been looking for,” said King Ina. And lie set her upon his horse, and led her to liis palace at Winchester. But just before they were married Edith said to him: “You know you have a very hasty temper. So promise that if you getangry 'with me and send me out of the palace you will let me take a parting gift away with me.” King Ina, of course, agreed to this. As they were sitting at supper one night, Ina was offended by some good advice which his wile gave him, and he cried : “You interfere too much in my affairs. To-morrow you go back with your father to tho hut.” When her husband’s back was turned, she put a drug into the mead he was drinking, and this made him fall int-o a deep sleep, and then she had him carried softly to the hut i\i the forest. “Who brought me here?” he shouted, on awakening the next morning. “T did, dearest,” said Queen Edith. “You are my parting gift. “Ah!” said King Ina, kissing her “I did well in marrying the prettiest maid in Wessex, and also the wisest!'" A BOX OF GOOD LUCK, A gentleman in France was walking one day through the streets when saw a pretty little “twist’ ’in a bakey’s shop-window. “That is the very tiling t-o tempt my poor little girl,” lie said, and went into the shop to buy the pretty bread for his invalid child. While lie was waiting for liis change a little mite of a bov, six or seven years of age, very poor, but neatly dressed,s entered the shop. “Madame,’ lie said to the baker's wife, “mamma has sent me here to fetch a loaf.” “Have you any money.?” she sank with a smile, placing an immense loal iu the little arms. . “No; machine ; hut mamma said slm will come and speak to you lu-moi-row.” ~ . “Alright, run away with youi loat. “Thank you, madame,” said the child. I