Big Sister's Page

Manawatu Standard, Volume LIII, Issue 27, 29 December 1932, Page 5

Big Sister's Page

BIG SISTER’S LETTER. Dear Brothers and Sisters,—All the excitement, the thrills, the surprises ot' Christmas are over. The day was one lony event of happiness, ot new possessions, and merriment. The Christmas pudding was all that could he wished lor—so were the roast lamb, the green peas, and everything that is part and parcel of Christmas time. Now it is ali over, don’t you wish you were still looking forward to Christmas ? There’s such a Jot of fun (sometimes it is the best part!) in looking forward to things. But the New Year is hurrying in, and one cannot afford to have regrets, for there are new plans, now ambitions, and new resolves to be formed with the fading of Christmas time. Let us, then, look forward to the coming year with as much pleasure as wo did to Christmas time, and we shail be very happy. Now, i do hope that, those of my Brothers and Sisters who are going away for their holidays will write to Big Sister. Some will, of course, bo going to the seaside, some to the country, some to the lulls, perhaps and—but there are lots of other places, too. 1 should be so interested to hear from you, and, besides, the other Brothers and Sisters who are not so fortunate as to be going away would enjoy hear- I ing about your adventures by the sea, | etc. Well, I’m sure you've all had a very happy time, and I hope you arc all thoroughly enjoying your holidays. | Love from, I BIG SISTEII.

G.P.O. LETTERS TO BIG SISTER. JOHN BALLANCE: So you were in Palmerston North and did not know you had won the junior Ladder Competition till you arrived hack home last Thursday- —what a pity, for I would have loved to have seen you. I hope you will call in next time. I am posting your book to you. Best wishes, Jirother John.

THE CUB: You certainly are living up to your reputation. Cub, and your letter was a pleasure to read. Have you and Topping decided whether you will call or not:-' What, jolly fun you have with your family and your friends; the “golf matches” sound great lun, and so do the hay-making ventures. My love to you, Cub. LITTLE LADY: Your little letter was too late last week, Sister, but I was very pleased to hear from you. Your guesses were correct, so I have awarded you one point. You must have been a busy girl last week —helping mother do til© cleaning and. Christmas cooking. Love to Little Lady.

THE SCRAP BOOK. The scrap book, with its pretty cretonne cover, lias been duly handed over to the matron for the little children in the public Hospital. Bub that was not all, for two more were received from some very kind anonymous person —exercise books with most amusing pictures of the adventures of two naughty little boys, and so neatly finished, too. And there was the other lovely little scrap book from another anonymous person, too. Such a nice one it was, with its gay colours and scenes. Big Sister took them all to the Hospital on Christmas Eve, and she saw all the dear little folk in their ward. They were ever so excited and could hardly wait for Bather Christmas to come. The ward looked simply lively with its red and white streamers, while everywhere were greenery and flowers. The little ones were having their bread-and-milk when Big Sister arrived, and one wee fellow paused between each mouthful to announce that “Father ’Kismas turnin'.”

We hope that the children will enjoy looking at tho bright pictures that the Brothers and Sisters have sent them, and Big Sister especially thanks the anonymous persons who sent other scrap books.

MANY HAPPY RETURNS. To The Cub, whose birthday fell yesterday (‘2Bth) ; and Polly Plum, who celebrated her birthday on Christmas Eve. Greetings to you both, Cub and Polly Plum, from your Brothers and Sisters.

CHRISTMAS STORIES. SENIOR DIVISION. A CHRISTMAS SURPRISE. Here are some of the Christmas competition stories, which, although they did not receivo awards, were none the less commendable. Farmer Joyce was called by his neighbours a mean, hard man, as far as they knew him. But at heart ho was a good man. He was a bachelor and lived near a farm where a widow, Mrs Alison, resided with her two sons, Ken and Ron, aged 10 and 12. As Farmer Joyce leant against the boundary fence looking over the Alison farm, he saw in the gathering dusk the forms of Mrs Alison and her two sons, just emerging from the cow-bails. Two fairies. Puck and Pam, who lived in the kowhai tree, were whispering together and after a while they flew away. It was here that they found Farmer Joyce, by the fence. They alighted on his shoulder and Pam whispered a command in his ear; then the fairies flew away. Hardly conscious of the command, the farmer smiled to himself and with a new feeling of sympathy, he turned to feed his fowls.

It was Christmas Eve. Ken and Ron had just finished the milking and were walking back to the house when their mother came hurrying up to them. ‘‘Hurry boys,” she said, •‘Farmer Joyce lias just come over and told us to he ready to go to town, to-night, in his car.” Ken and Ron looked at each other and then Ken exclaimed, ‘‘l wonder what’s happened to the farmer?” Never mind about that,” said Ron, giving his brother a push (he was so excited). ‘‘Come and have tea and get ready.” “What time is he calling for us?” asked Ron. “Seven o'clock,” replied Mrs Alison.

At seven o’clock the throe wore waiting at the roadside. Mrs Alison thought of the poor Christinas they would have. When Air Alison had died they found it very hard to keep the farm going and heavy payments had put them in a difficult position. Rut* she did not know that they were to have a perfect Christmas.

Farmer Joyce soon arrived and in a few minutes they were packed in and being swiftly driven to the town. When they arrived, they found the streets packed with people. The town was lit up with coloured lights and was gay with the laughter and chatter

of llio adults and the noise of trumpets and newly bought toys. As -Mrs Alison wanted to do a little shopping Farmer Joyce promised lie would take charge of tho hoys. The farmer seemed changed. He had a merry twinkle in his grey eyes, and lie had an odd joking tone in his voice. “Now, you boys,” he said, “how about going down to see Old Santa in tho Magic Gavel'” “We would love to,” they replied. “hollow me, then.” The farmer led them to tho shop with its dark staircase and then into a brightly lit hull. Here they met Father Christinas surrounded by his presents and shaking hands with everybody. The farmer and tho boys received their presents and walked on. They caino into another hall where they saw a .Mickey Mouse hand playing, and in other halls they saw Robinson Crusoe and his man Friday, an electric train passing through tunnels and running alongside miniature lakes and waterfalls.

Once again in the open air, they examined their presents. Ken had a leather-hound note-hook, .linn a pencil, while the farmer had a safety razor

and a packet of blades. They joined .Mrs Alison, and, leaving the hoys with her, the fanner wont to do some secret shopping. An hour Inter he returned unseen to the others to the car and deposited all his- parcels in the large hox fitted at the rear. Ten o’clock was striking when they left for home and so tired were they that at mid-night the house was in darkness.

It was a few minutes past one o’clock when a figure stole up to the house, ft was Farmer Joyce playing Father Christmas. He had told Ken when in the Magic Cave to he sure and leave the door unlocked so that Father Christinas could got in. Little did the boy dream who Father Christinas would he. Now at this early hour of Christmas Day the farmer silently opened the door and with the aid of a torch found his way to the kitchen (he had taken his boots off). Here he deposited all Jus parcels. He hung to the mantlepieee not two stockings, but two pillow cases which were labelled “Ken” and “Hon.” These were well filled and the larger parcels were stacked on the table. When all was complete Father Christmas quietly closed the door, put on his boots and went home with a light heart. At five o’clock on Christmas' morning the alarm clock by the boys’ bed gave its warning notes —time to get up. They both quickly dressed and then to their mother’s room with their shouts of “Merry Christmas, Alum.”

“J. wonder what old Santa lias left usp” said lion. “Let’s go to the kitchen and see.”

Mrs Alison had bought them a present each, though she could not afford very much, and intended to give them to the hoys at breakfast-time. They rushed away and in a few minutes she heard exclamations of delight. “Hurry up, mum” they yelled, “come and see what Santa Claus has left us.” She hurried into the kitchen to view with astonishment the sight that met her gaze.

Parcels piled up on the table, the pillow-cases stufl'ed with things for the hoys and, further still, the pegs along the back of the door were now supporting a brand new coat and silk dress and a summer parasol.

The boys soon had the parcels opened and found many tilings—fruit, lollies, pies, a goose, a ham and soft drinks. The pillow-cases brought joys to the lads. Ken had a model train and a big hook, and many other smaller things, while Ron had a mechanical set and a steam engine, and sweets of every kind. IN Irs Alison was smiling with happiness as she viewed the presents and .she thought, “I wonder who gave-us this surprise?—l know, Farmer Joyce!” Farmer Joyce was feeding his pigs when through the still morning air he heard faintly the yells of the hoys, and he smiled to himself as "he imagined their faces. Two fairies sat in a tree near the Alison house and saw everything and tlion flew happily away into the air. They had completed another good task. TE RAUPARAHA (age 14 years).

“THE GRUBS’ CHRISTMAS PARTY.”

Mr and Mrs Grub and llio twelve little Grubs all lived together in an old green pie-melon. The little Grubs wanted to have a Christmas party, but their mother said she would be ashamed to ask anyone to come to such a tumbledown house as theirs was. You see, tho green melon was very, very, old, and the little Grubs’ grand-parents bad lived in it a long, long, time before.

So tlie twelve little Grubs felt very sad because they couldn’t have a party. But a wonderful tiling happened just three weeks before Christmas. Air Grub rose early one morning, and found a great yellow pumpkin close to ids house. He called his family, and they were so surprised! Mrs Grub said she thought it had fallen from the sky, but Mr Grub said that ho believed it had grown in the night, like a mushroom! They were quite puzzled about it. You see, they didn’t guess that a Chinaman had taken a cart full of vegetables along the road at the top of tile bill the evening before. He was puzzled, too, when he missed the big yellow pumpkin. Of course, it had dropped out of the cart, and rolled down the hill.

“This will make a splendid now home for us', my dear,” said Mr Grub. “I shall get some carpenters to work on it at once,” and he did so. Very soon, the yellow pumpkin was turned into a lovely house of two storeys. There were ten rooms in it, and a winding stair, bathroom, pantry, drawing room, kitchen, dining room, and bedrooms. Mrs Grub made sky blue curtains for the little windows—she thought that they would look so nice with the yellow walls. When all was finished, the Grub family moved in. and the twelve little Grubs were delighted, for on Christmas Eve there was to he a grand party in “Pumpkin House.” Mr and Mrs Grub sent out little invitation cards, with “K.S.V.P.” at the foot of them. And everyone replied that they would ho delighted to come. Nest, the house was decorated, and a big Christmas tree was put in a green tub, and stood in a corner. A present for eacli guest was hung on the branches, and pretty glittering ornaments, blue, green, red, gold and silver. There were coloured candles too, and when they were lighted the tree looked beautiful and the twelve little Grubs danced around it. Such a merry, merry, time they had nr the Christmas Eve party. Tiny lanterns had been hung eveiywhnere, but so many glowworms came that Mr Grub said the lanterns were really not needed! Mr and Mrs Bluebottle and the little Bluebottles came, and were so happy that tliov buzzed all the evening.

.\lr Rumble T>oe, wearing liis black and yellow suit, zoomed around every-

whore. Bed Admiral Butterflies came, looking lovely in their beautiful clothes (the White Butterflies had not been ,n----vited, on account of the dreadful damage they had been doing amongst the flowers and vegetables). Ladybird scamo to the party too, and yellow bees, Daddy-long-legs, Dragon liies, and many others. A splendid banquet was spread in the dining-room of “Bumpkin blouse.’’ A big Christmas cake, all pink, white, and silver, with “A Merry Christmas’’ on it, stood in the centre of the table; and there were minco pies, jellies, cakes, sweets, fruit, and other good things to cat. After supper, everyone danced till midnight, and were very merry. The presents on the Christinas Tree were distributed, and gave much pleasure. Next, the guests ail sang “For They are Jolly Good Fellows” (meaning Mr and Mrs Grub, and the twelve little Grubs), then everyone wished everyone else “A Merry Christmas” and “A Happy and Prosperous Now Year,” shook hands, and went home to bed.

MEItVYN DALEKIELD (age J 1 years)

“MEG’S CHRISTMAS SURPRISE.”

A little girl of six years pressed her cold nose on the window-pane of a small East End cook-shop. She was hungry, terribly hungry. In fact, as she stood there her small lips whispered, “i’s so ’angry.” But since no one heeded her litterings she moved on from the shop. A cold December snow was rapidly falling. Slightly, softly, she sought a refuge beneath a high wall. A rumble of a last cart sounded, and then—silence. A stillness which prevails only on Christmas Eve fell as the little East End orphan fell asleep.

All the houses in the street had refused a lodgin';' lor Christmas. Not that they were cuid-hearted. No, for nothing seemed better than housing an orphan, but the low wages prevented a humble home from being offered.

Alep (for that was her name) had a cruel uncle who would often whip her for no reason at all. Where he was at present Alep; did not know. He was very likely gambling his time away. He would then totter home and ill-treat her.

As a footstep sounded the child ran in tlie direction from which it came. A large figure loomed from out of the snow. Meg ran and stumbled at the very feet of a tall man. Lifting her up he surveyed her kindly. “What is the matter?” he asked.

“I’m so hungry and so cold and I’ve no homo,” she replied, her big round eyes gazing up at him in wonder.

‘‘You poor little lamb,” lie said in pity as she clung to his arm. He led her to a taxi and ordered tih at they should be driven to his home. As he carried her into his house she heard the sound of children’s laughter as they romped to and lro. When lie set her down she followed him as if in a dream. A beautiful woman stepped forward, and glimpsing -Meg rail past her husband and tooK the child m her arms.

“You poor Jittlo girl,” she cried “AVliat is your name?”

“Meg,” .she answered simply as the lady took her hand.

“Come with mo, dear,” said the lady as she took her alone; the corridor. Suddenly a nearby door hurst open and some children rail out. lint unheeding the mother took Meg to the bathroom, there to wash her and change her clothing.

When Meg joined the family circle she was pressed to tell her story, and the lady was much shocked at the treatment Meg had received from her uncle.

The children were so sorry for poor little Meg that they decided to share all their gifts with her and were rewarded by being happy themselves. That Christmas was the happiest in Meg's life, and on top of it all she found a home which had been denied her.

—MOTHER’S HELP (age 12 years)

JUNIOR STORIES. “THE LITTLE FLOWER SELLER.” Jean was a poor girl, and earned her living by selling (lowers lor her invalid mother. Christmas was drawing near and Jean was anxious to sell more flowers to buy her a present. “Will you buy my pretty flowers, .sir?” “No, I don’t want your silly flowers.” These rebuffs brought tears to her eyes. She looked down at her basket, only half full, but to her surprise she saw a wallet. She picked it up and opened it. It belonged to the old man who had refused to buy her flowers. She ran quickly to the police station and there in the room was the man, too. She went up proudly to him and gave him his wallet. He thanked her very much and said that ho would buv what flowers she had left.

But still a greater surprise came. The postman brought a letter to her, and inside it was £3 for .Jean and her mother. They were also invited to attend a party on Christmas Jsve. Jean spent a happy time there with the children. But she liked the Christmas tree better than anything. Laden with parcels, Jean and her mother were taken home in a car. and the little girl hoped she would have as happy a Christmas the next year. —POLLY PLUM (age 11 years).

“CHRISTMAS,” Christmas had come, and the glad throng of people were joyous on Christmas Eve. The shops were full of beautiful toys and presents, and many people were in buying them. Here the happy little towp of Norton nestled at the foot of a largo hill. A little family lived a number of miles out of Norton, and their father had suffered a had accident owing to it brick wall falling on him. He had just returned from hospital to be reunited to his family. Soon Tom, Bella, Charlie and little Margery and, of course, Mr Header, in his great armchair, looking glad to be home after that desolate pain ho went through for months in the hospital, sat down to tea. Many a hill of despair had he trudged—such disheartening painful steps had he taken up that hill of sickness and sorrow that ho wondered if there was a valley of rest beyond. But now things bad changed ; ho was forgetting his sickness and no,w the little children were joyous on their Christmas Day. Such a dinner, such presents, such carols they sang, made these little country children’s hearts as glad as glad could he. Would that next Christmas bo as beautiful. —TUI (age 11 years). RIDDLE-ME-REE. Q. What is the difference between a cow and a broken chair. A. One gives milk and the other gives whey (way).

Q. Why do short men rise early A. Because tliey cannot lie long.

Q. Why is a church bell like a good story. A. Because it is often told (tolled). —SUNBEAM (1 point).

ORIGINAL VERSE. SUMMER. (T3y LONE STAR RANGER, 1 point.) r Llie summer months are here again, tint not like “Old Winter” with his frost and rain. The pleasant sunshine is here instead— Shilling on tree, and flower-bed.

Tlio merry littlo rabbits conio out of their lair, To frisk and frolic in tlio sweet summer air. All of the trees are decked with leaves, And young birds “tweet” in the cottage eaves.

The parent birds are telling us, While perched on yonder tree; That the winter months have left ns For lands across the sea.

IN THE KITCHEN. MEXICAN KISSES. Throe cupfuls sugar (brown), 1 cupful of milk, 111) of chopped walnuts, a piece of butter size of lien’s egg, a few drops of vanilla. Place the milk and sugar in an enamel pan over a hot fire, and stir until they come to the boil. Add the butter and continue to boil until the mixture hardens. Pent the mixture well with a wooden spoon for three minutes. Then add chopped nuts and essence. Stir in well, and again heat the mixture before turning out into a buttered disk. Mark into squares and store in air-tight jars or tins. —MOCKING EYES (1 point). MOTTLED JELLIES.

Ingredients:—l rod pint jelly, 2 pint of hot water, i pint of milk. Method:—Make the jelly in the usual way with the hot water and leave tilt cold but only partly set. Then whip it up and stir—not whip—in the milk to give a pretty marble effect. Pour in small wet mould and allow to set; then turn out on to a dish or plate. —MOTHER’S HELP (1 point).

JUST FOR FUN. Two Scotsmen walked into a bar. One of them desired to purchase a bottle of whisky, but when he counted the small change in his purse lie found lie had only 12s 3d. Turning to his companion, ho said: “Jock, give me 3d to get a bottle of whisky.” Jock looked carefully in his purse and produced a coin. “Here’s sixpence,” he said, “get a bottle for me, too.” Old Lady: Oh, dear no. I’m sure lie’s n. kind man. I just heard him say he put his shirt on a horse which was scratched. * * * * * Jack: “Hello, where have you been. Mack : To the station to see iny wife off for a visit to her mother. Jack: But your hands are all black. Mack: I know —I patted the engine. The bridegroom’s gift to the bride was a diamond brooch, besides many other things in cut glass. —TICKLES (1 point). First Farmer: “Good morning.” Second Farmer: “Good morning.” First Farmer: “\\ hat did you give vour cow last summer when it was ill?” Second Farmer: “Camphorated oh. Having learnt what he wanted the first farmer departed. The next day he came along again and said: “What did you give your sick cow last year?” “Camphorated oil.” “1 gave that to mine yesterday and it died. “Did it? So did mine. Good morning!”