THE DADDY LONG-LEGS.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2586, 21 August 1909, Page 4 (Supplement)

THE DADDY LONG-LEGS.

The children were down in the big meadow, near the brook, beneath a large elm tree. “Oh, see what I’ve got!” exclaimed Susan, who was very adventurous, and not afraid of any strange insects that came near her. Just fas she spoke and the others turned to see what she had. she cried, “He’s gone, hut he’s left his leg behind !” “How cruel you are, Susan,” said Sammy, “to pull off his leg! What was he?” Susan looked very sober indeed as she regarded the delicate, wiry insect’s leg that remained in her hand. “It was a daddy long-legs, and he walked over my hands and then stopped, so I took hold of him to see what lie was like. I didn’t mean to puli liis leg off.” Her big brother, Henry, said: “You needn’t be too sorry. Susan. He doesn’t care, you know.” “Doesn’t he?” asked the girl. “Why not?” “Why, you see he was made with his legs fastened on very lightly, _so that lie can leave one or two behind if he’s obliged.” “Oh, Henry:” cried the children, yon must be joking!” “Not a bit of it,” he replied. “You sea, the daddv long-legs has to go about among the long grass a good deal. In fact the egg he comes out of is usually laid near the roots, so one of the first things a little daddy longlegs has to learn is how to get loose if he gets tangled and let his limb stay in the trap if necessary. He is really tougher than he looks, and though you can almost see through him, when he’s a grub gardeners ca‘?ihim ‘leather-jacket.’ ” _ ■■'■'J Susan was holding the leg white Henry was talking. “I’m glad I didn’t hurt him much.” she said, “and I will keep this until we got home, for he mav come back ana find it.” But he never did.