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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Clinton News Record, 1934-08-16, Page 7"THURS., AUG.16, 1934 THE CLINTON NEWS -RECORD PAGE Exquisite Quality and Flavor "Fresh From the Gardens" The Stolen Ruby By Grenville Rolmlbins Mr. and Mrs. Millington -Smythe 'Iliad just finished the very excellent dinner provided for them, at the Ho- -tel Splendid at Gosmouth, the great sport on the South Coast. During the last three years they :shad between them carried out a ser„ les of successful robberies ab places which ranged from Constantinople to Le Touquet, and they had got away with every single one of them, Not the slightest breath of suspicion had fallen on them. "I'be been collecting the local gos- •sip from my chambermaid," said the lad. dreamily, "and I think there's something in our line, dear." "No, really, darling?" said the gentleman, looking at his wife with admiration. She was the brains of the firm. He was all very well for •carrying out a plan once it had been • conceived, but it was she who did most of the planning. "Yes, Jimmie," she said, "the thing's made for us. Ws Lady Dun- " kirk's ruby." "Phew, Millie!" said the other, «Y'ou dont aim too low in these days. That's the most famous ruby in England. It must be worth £20,000; and when the ,old girl wears it half the police and three-quarters of the detectives of the country flock round • after her." "I know, dear; that's one reason why I Want it." "A1l right," asid Jimmie cheerful- ly, "and how do you propose to out- wit the smartest police force in the word?" "Easy!" she said nonchalantly. "I've thought it all out. In a fort- night's time there's a fancy dress ball at the town hall in aid of some local charity. It's quite a swagger affair —tickets are two guineas, I think — and all the best people go. Among ` the best people who go is Lady Dun- kirk. She is to act as hostess again. It's an annual affair, you see, and • she'll be there to receive the guests:' "Um!" said Jimmy doubtfully, "And she'll be wearing her ruby. She always does." "And the police will be looking af- ter it," said the other grimly. "They always do. The hall will be full of detectives disguised as mandarins and clowns and whatnot, and it'll be thick with police outside." "Of course it will,",said the brains of the firm impatiently. "And we shall be inside. This being my native town, dear, I know a' good deal about the town hall and the functions that take place in it, and I know where Lady Dunkirk will receive her guests —at the top of the grand staircase. She will be just inside the door, and just by her there is a big window. It is now August, and that window will be open for a certainty. Now do you get sue?' "No," Said Jimmie decidedly."Do you think you're going to dash at the old harridan in front of the whole county, snatch the ruby front her, and get away with it?" "Yes," she answered quietly. Jimmie stared. "That's where you cone in," . she said quickly. "You will cone rnl with me and put your things in the cloak-, room. That will be on the left on the ground floor as -we go in. It al- ways has been. Now, if you contin- ue down that' passage a few -yards and turn to the left you will find the main switch to the electric lights. "There's sure not to be anyone there. It's a miserable corner. All you have to do is to give that main switch a tug and out go all the lights.. In the confusion you'll easily be able- to bleto `nix with the other people, And when the lights are out I, having made my bow to the hostess and still being near her, will snatch the ruby. Hey, presto!" "Hey, presto! be hlowed," said the other gloomily. "The window niay be open, as you say, but if yon trey ehucking it out there it. will fall plump into the hands of one of the few hundreds of police outside. It's no go, dear." "My dear Jimmie," said his spouse, OF TIL Ganabtntt i'c ebtealAosartattnn and Life Insurance Companies in Canada. Edited by GRANT FLFEMING, M.D., Associate Secretary. OVER -SOLICITOUS It would be a surprise for many ;parents, particularly mothers, to ,learn .that the care and attention which they lavish on their children is 1, not only undesirable, but actually harmful to the children. We seethe faults in other parents, -we understand why . other people's children act as they do, but, gener- ally speaking, we are blind to our own shortcomings • and readily find satisfactory explanations for the behaviour of our own children. The mother who is forever worry, ing about her child, who can hardly let the 'child out of her sight, who sits at the window while he plays out of: doors, or, who watches for. his re • turn from school if she does not •take. him" to and from school -such' a moth- er does not act. in . this way because she is 'overflowing •with another love, but rather because she herself is in. an unhealthy mental state that Is popularly known as "nervousness." An essential requisite for mental. • health is en ability to face life's prob- lems and 'difficulties. - It is easier, at ' the time, to run awayor to find ex- cuses. Rather' than write Isis exam - 4 ?nations, Johnny earlhave a head- ache which will keep him home from school. When he wants something which be should not have, instead of taking time to explain to the child her reasons for refusal; it is easier for "`the mother to 'give- in to the chili's de- mands. But what •of the"future for a ;child' who develops, early in" life, the i; habit of avoiding' diffieultiseby 'sub- ! terfuge, and who gains his own way by tears, tantrums or nagging? It is to be expected that he will become a successful, happy adult ,when it comes time for him to 'earn his living and to stand on his own feet in ',a world whose problems will be very real and which will . demand a "give and take," w ith resr,ect for the or- ders of those who are set in author- ity? Actually, the over -solicitous parent is more unkind than is the partly neglectful parent in so far as the fu- ture of the child is concerned. No, greater kindness canbe shown than to bring him to understand, from his earliest years, how to face the facts of life in the right; manner. The child who is given ,this understanding will learn to be honest with himself, to. appreciate his capabilities and limita- tions, and to adjust •himself to thh world in which he must lire. 1 -le will likely enjoy mental health and be a desirabe citizen in his community,` finding true happiness in his work and in his social life. The child reflects the parents, not only because of heredity, but because the parents direct the habits of life that are formed by the child. What type, of adult will control the destine les of our country in the next genera- tion depends chiefly upon the train- ing that the children of today receive from their parents. Questions concerning Health, ad- dressed to the Canadian Medical As- sociation, 184 College Street Too-onToron- to, will be answered' personally by letter. with a touch of hauteur, "you don't give me credit for much intelligence. Listen!" ' With that they'begen a'whispered conclave: At first there was a frown on the man's good-looking face, but at last it began to clear, and as the whispering went on was replaced by a look of sheer delight., When -she at last stopped he burst into a shout of laughter. • "Marvellous, darling!" he said. "I al -ways said the police would' regret the day of your birth.,, Theywill after the Gosrnouth Charity Gala. You're a • wonder!" "Yes," -she answered complacently, "I've got a pretty quick brain. I think I should have done 'quite well in an honest trade, but this is more amusing. P11 leave you to buy the tickets, then." "That's right," he said. I'll get the tickets 'and write to Rotterdam. There's plenty of time. And on. the great night we will attend the town hall hand in fiend. What shall I go —a policeman?" - "No; that's a bit too much of a good thing. Go as Romeo or Mephi- stopheles or someone." "Mepistopheles, I think." "All right," she said lazily, "it doesn't matter about you. So long as I go as Red' Riding Hood—with her little basket. The police will enjoy searching that afterwards. I wish them joy, of it." Everything worked out according to plan. Millington -Smythe had secured the tickets and bad had an answer to his communication to Rotterdam. He had also gone to the town hall and casually inspected the electric light switch. It could not be better. Lastly, his lady had procured a most -entrancing little Red Riding Hood costume and with it a most entrancing little basket with a most entrancing little straw top to keep its contents from the eyes of the vulgar. The ball was a great event. "Ev- eirybody wiho was anybody" was there. Lady Dunkirk arrived punct- ualIy at nine o'clock, when the pro, ceedings were due -to begin, and with her arrived her ruby and cohort of policeinen. These policemen stayed in the spacious courtyard outside, but in the ball -room were sundry figures in evening dress who also had an in- terest in the safety of the ruby. Mr. and Mrs. Millington -Smythe did not arrive until half -past nine, when darkness had fallen and the hall was fully lit. They gave up their tickets' at the great entrance and parted, Jimmie going to the gen- tlemen's cloak -room and Mrs. Jihnmie proceeding slowly upstairs, safe from suspicion. . Meanwhile, Little Red Riding Mood had demurely ascended the stairs and entered the room. There was a hum of admiration as she went -up to Lady Dunkirk, and the old lady greeted her very sweetly, for she really did look remarkably pretty in her scarlet cloak and in her little girl's skirt and socks, She bowed and passed a stop on,'and then she knew that Jimmie's work was well and truly done. The lights went out like a flash, and the .coom was in darkness. A scream from Lady Dunkirk and a barked command at the door were simultaneous. • "Sly ruby!" yelled the dowager. "Close the doors!" yelled someone with an authorative voice. It was done in a twinkling, even while a 'de- teetive on duty downstairs slammed the front door close also. - Suddenly the lights went on again, The cloak -room attendant, rudely disturbed in his perusal of the night's racing news, had grasped the situ- ation and switched them on once more. ' Unfortunately for the pollee, how- ever, he had been so engrossed in his. paper that he couldn'tsay if anyone had passed that way recently or des- cribe the latest arrivals-inthe cloak-, room. "I'ni sorry, ladies and gentlemen," said the detective in .charge, "But Lady Dunkirk's ruby has been stolen, and no one must leave here at pre- sent. Sit down, please."` Such of the motley crowd of Col- umbines, fairies, apaches, and other strange fauna as could find chairs sat down. The rest remain.ed''stand .ing. . "Go down," said the detective to a subordinate, "and see if the ruby has been picked up outside. If not, tell' thea" to make a thorough search with their Ianterns, They .Gould possibly miss it." There was an uncomfortable oil- encs. .,Then, .after an interval of about a quarter of an hour, the sub- ordinate returned, and, with a mean-, - ing glance at his chief, shook his head. ' - • "Right!" said the• detective decid- edly, "Then everyone trust be search- ed before leaving the building."' There was • a movement of indig- nation among the guests, but he stilled it with an authorative gesture. "I'm sorry," he said, "but at has to be done. The missing jewel has not been found outside. So it must be inside. I have sumitioned a woman searcher from the station. She will begin to search the ladies as soon as she arrives. I'll start on the men right away. There's a room next door. Who'll break the ice?": Jimmie 'stepped forward, with a smile, and followed him. The doors were shut and locked behind him a- gain, and the search began. Great was the heart -burning and many were the protests, but the busi- ness was carried through methodical- ly, and there was nothing for it but to submit. Little ; Red Riding Hood was examined with the rest, and her basket came in for special scrutiny, but it contained nothing but a little straw. She and her husband- were then free to go, and they walked back to their hotel holding hands like lov- ers. Lady Dunkirk's ruby had vanished into thin air. 1e *? "That was an inspiration of yours, dear," said Mr. Millington -Smythe, as they reached -the hotel. "Yes; it was rather clever, wasn't it?" "It certainly - was," he answered thoughtfully. "The ruby will be in Rotterdam by noon, and old Schneid- er will do the rest. What about drinking Little Red Riding Hood's health?" • "Let's!" she answered enthusi- astically. A. bottle of champagne was brought and two glasses were filled. "Here's long life and success to Red Riding hood," he said, lifting his g lass. "And the same to Bob," she an- swered. • "Bob?" he asked, in surprise. - "Who's Bob?" "I forgot to tell yon," she answer- ed, with a laugh, "that's what I christened old Schneider's carrier pigeon before taking it into the ball with me in Iced Riding Hood's little basket. Dawns just breaking now. so he'll be starting on his way after El night's resting on the roof of the town hall. He deserves a toast be- cause he'll find that little pouch a- romM,, his neck with the ruby inside a little uneomfontable before he gets safely back to his master." London Answers. FASCINATING HISTORY OF • MOUNTAIN CHURCH One of the most beautiful of moun- tain churches and one that has a fascinating history is the little Church of St. Mary and St. George, which stands in the Canadian Rock- ies, in Jasper National Park. Building of the church, which was consecrated in the summer of 1929, was begun a year earlier, and the corner stone was laid by His Excel- lency Viscount Willingdon, the then Governor-General of Canada. Unique among mountain churches and unique, indeed, among the churches of Can- ada, is the Church of St. Mary and St. George. The building, with its furnishings, was the gift of a lady from England who visited Jasper one summer and who . was so much im- pressed by She beauty of the surround- ings that she resolved that there she should erect her loving memorial to the son who was killed in the war, Through solicitors she made the ars rangements; her name never appear- ed; no one in Jasper knows who she is. The son wbose testament, taken out of his pocket when his body was carried in from No Man's Land, is hidden under the corner stone, is to Jasper an Unknown Soldier. Built of stone and stucco, with a tilted roof, raftered within, the building stands in beauty and sim- plicity, a true memorial. The oak panelling to the right and left of the alter was the gift of the Misses Shawcross of England,' in memory of their mother; the processional crose, a piece of beautiful craftsmanship an hand -beaten copper, the work of Om- ar Ramsden of London, England, was presented by Mrs. E., Holland of Worcester, England; the font,from the old chtuch was the gift of the women's Auxiliary; and the ewer was given by 8&. - and Mrs,. W. Brydon, nremb'ers of the congregation, in memory of their son. The bell which summons the people to worship was the gift et Lord Willingdon, Grav- en on it are the words: "0 give unto the. Lord the honour due unto His Nance." It is a church of gifts. The Bible and the prayer book, too, are, gifts and snake contact with older history. "For his kind and unremit- ting labors during the cholera epidem- ic of 1848.49," the parishioners of ONE church presented the hooks to their rector, Rev. James Ridden. They were given to the Archbishop's Wes- tern Canada Fund and in the end they found their way to Jasper., THIS MODEST CORNER IS DEDICATED TO THE POETS - Here They Will Sing You 'heir Songs -Sometimes Gay, Sometimes Sad- But Always Helpful and Ins piring THE SIMPLE THINGS God of the rainbow, and the rose that lies Across the shadow of the sunset skies; - God - of the mountain, crested white with snow, And of the brooks that multi -colored flow; Is there no lesson for the . mind of man, In these that show creation's primal plan? Help me to see not only ripened store Of berries on the bushes at my door, But green . of leaf and symmetry of • form; ' And strength that does not brealrbe- neath the storm; And let my eye look on the golden pear And .know that it is sweet, and also fair. God of the planets, lovely in their place, And of the leaping trout's unchal- lenged grace; God of the seashell's symmetry and hue, God of the fields of green, the skies of blue, Is there no teaching in these 'things for me, Lest I go blind, and fail somehow to see. Help me to find the charm in clew and mist, - And in a lily by the moonlight kissed, The beauty in a field of ripened wheat A maple tree, the clover at my feet; True happiness lies in the joy that springs - From seeing, as God sees, the simple things. —L, Mitchell Thornton. MY NEIGHBOR'S HOUSE My neighbor's - house has waxen floors That east reflections like a pool; Her rugs like islands here and there Are colored like a Rajah's jewel. My neighbor's books are all in place; Her walnut shelves give back the gleam Of silver and lovely glass; And she has time to read and dream. There's dog hairs scattered on my rugs, There's dusty footmarks on my floor, School books are lying here and there, There's finger marks upon my door. Some clays my boys will all be grown,. Then how my house will gleam and shine. I'll ask you neighbor, in to tea, And you'll admire this house of mine, I'll have new china, crystal, too; There'll be no dogs to run and leap. "Yes," Neighbor answered, "When you do, You'il sit in loneliness and weep." --Kan Emmerson in National Home Monthly. SUMMER I came upon a place of flowering trees. The ground beneath them was a different world; The sky above them yet another; these, Green, flaming, and aerially unfur- led; A 'continent discovered by the birds. A most ephemeral land that Summer' made; A bright illusion like the poet's words; Above, the sun, beneath the broken shade, Birds, take me with you when you !wander through Those labyrinths and lattices of leaves. - While Summer stays; before the resi- Is only Autumn, and the einciered ' sheaves Are gathered smoking an the' ground, and all -. That's left : of this - is some stray wlitethroat's call.'' Anonymous.' SUMACH 0 Sumach, in your dress of gaudy. red Beside the mountain cedar's sober a green. You are the spirit of a gypsy queen Who wore a crimson scarf around i her head. Her tiny nimble •feet, so bare and brown, With anklets tinkling, gaily danced along; - She sang the gayest little lilting songs And -wore a brilliant many -colored gown. How does it feel then Sumach, rooted deep Upon the hillside, not to dance and sing Your merry song, when vagrant breezes bring • A swaying rhythm in their gentle sweep? —Ola Hamblin in Westward, SONG Sorrow conceived of yew and wil low Falls like rain on the weary heart, For the trampled field shall at last lie fallow, i ! • ! The wound lie healed where no pois- ons smart. But grief that is born of rue and tansy Knows no balm for its ceaseless ache, And no rosemary, no small dark pan- sy May solace the hearts that in silence break. The cypress sh adow is deep and lonely, Yet tranquil the slumber beneath its shade— But what shall bring rest to one Whose only Couch on the nettle and thorn is made! —Josephine Johnston, in Harper's Magazine. NOSTALGIA Now moonlight mists those hills, And crickets cry, As light along the rills Falls silverly And secret laughter spills Here have we walked together, 'you and I, And heeded how the hidden dark dis- tills Its sombre chemistry. But night is broken and the dawn fulfills An alien destiny. ' Our feet cannot return The way they went. Nor daylight ever burn Dark . sacrament Of rapture lightly spent. Whatever lesson there be left to learn From those strange fates who weave through fen and fern Our . discontent, • We know' but this—our feet cannot return! • - The sacred way they went. —Elizabeth Brown, "The Lyric." SHEEP TRACKS Sheep tracks running through the grassy hollows, , Sheep tracks trodden to a little ribboned line, Where the kookaburra laughs and the light -winged swallows Cleave the paths of morning and muster in the pine, The summer -scented pine. - Sheep tracks twisting through the • stony rises, Where the wind -whipped banksias turn away and cower, Where the hot air aches and the splintered gum surprises The burnt-out acres with a sheaf of summer flower, Of honeyed autumn flower Sheep 'tracks threading where the brown creek kisses Autumn -colored orchards where the leaves spin slow; Might we not be finding, in a day like this is, - The apples of enchantment where the sheep tracks go," The little sheep tracks go. Go through the brown fern, the green fern, the fairy Tunnels of the tea -tree, elfin grey and old? Magic we might find then, unsub- • stantial, airy, Following the sheep tracks through the autumn gold, The dusty' autumn gold. Kathleen Daizel, In "The Sydney Bulletin," THANKSGIVING When I walk down 'in the garden Where the weeds begin to grow, I just start at weeding onions, And I freely use the hoe; Then I think that I'm a winner, For God loves me day and night, And He sends His rain and sunshine, And Ile sees that all is right. And when I pull the turnips That are big when conies the fall, Then the God that's over alt things, Stands there upright, straight and tall; Then I think that all is lovely, And I should not once complain, For the God who sends the Sunshine, Is the God who sends the rain. Stratford. —Samuel Sidney Smnith, THAT DEPRESSED FEELING IS LARGELY LIVER Wake up your Liver Bile --Without Calomel You are feeling punk" simply because your livor isn't pouring Its daily two pounds a liquid bile into your bowels Digestion and elimination are both hampered, and yout entire vetoes is beingpoisoned. Weat you need is " liver stimulant. 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