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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Seaforth News, 1925-12-24, Page 2For the., -aa. . ys and Girls A MINSTREL BOY OF LONG AGO. BY FLORENCE ROMAINE. Twilight was falling one November safe and warm -Richard and Pietro afternoon many years ago, as three minstrels plodded along a rough, country road through a wild and un- inhabited section of old England. "Would that we might find shelter for the night!" exclaimed Richard, the tallest of the three, wrapping his cape more closely about his shoulders. "Me thinks a storm is approaching on the wings of the wind." "Small chance have we of finding host cottagethis lonely road" covered with .their cloaks, and Leon, half -hidden• in the bed of straw, with the baby bear cuddled close at his feet. I A few days later, and not many ) miles from the minstrels' woodland cottage, a little, flaxen -haired girl stood by the tower window of a great stone castle, looking out over the win- try landscape. "To -day's feasting holds naught of i happiness for ine,". she sighed, "for - ONTARIO BULL SEGOND AT CHICAGO os or on. r dubiously, , without my cousin Gwendolen I ani related Pietro, the Clown, d y 1 indeed." Above is shown "Beowndale Guard," tee yearling bull owned by James p lonely lir a1 But Leon, a boy, stridingson ahead, „ and S�tanley'Douglas, at. Caledonia, Ontario, which won the Junior champion - more eager- ly. ager Lot. not thy father hear thee say ship at the Intetnatiotlad Stack Show in Mingo, beau beaten for the graud said nothing; only peeredas much. my Audrey," replied her; :y Into the thick woods at �.t•• companion uiekl .' "Thou knowest championship only by the Paine° of Wales' "King of, tee Fairies." 4Brown Suddenly he stopped and beckoned p q y dale Gilead" also won champlontatee In Toronto a:iid in LeIes ", Three to the others, well that since •his racier with thy a ` can faintlydiscern morals of a uncle, both he' and Gwendolen are for- generations of the Douglas family have been engaged la shorthorn breeding. "I + eon these trees, e ca e l h between pat, e w back. "Perchance it may lead to some "Ay," responded the little girl, bidding them good cheer, and wel- hut. What thinkest thou, Richard?" "would that something might bring come to our,house-again! "Praise be if thou has found one," theta back again!' Many happy days the three min - replied the way, "But come. child," the nurse took. streis remained at the castle. Leon and W willthe big man. Lea y herentl thehand," let usgo ht Audra and Gwendolen to play and the follow." , g y by n , tang Y THE DESERTED COTTAGE. clown, lest thy father think it strange the lute, Brown Bruin became a great we tarry." Crunching through the dry leaves, pet with everyone, and the torch of Together they descended the broad peace burned bright, lighted by the Leon plunged into the forest, At first, staircase and entered the lofty hall, song of a Minstrel Boy of Long Ago. 1 he seemed' enshrouded in darkness, but where already Audray's father and I I guided somewhat by the shadowy out his henchmen were "I remember Ladislas:" "It is true, his name. was Ladislas. You have a good mento:ea, Wel, when the first sets, were finished you became displeased with his painting. You let him do only : the thirteen pieces' for soup, fish, meat and deeae:rt. He went away. You Iles/0 never used the ser- vice. It is'in the during: room, and exoept for. annual cleanings ie has seated around a -`"-� :alert there for thirty-five years, It is lines of the great trees, standing like I long tab'' - e, the only thing in which you seemed sentinels, he pressed forward, and had FEASTING IN THE HALL. to mea a ittle'fantaatrc " • hardly gone more than a few steps The &d ladysmiled silently at these further, when to his astonishment he Logs blazing in the huge fireplace emerged into a clearing. A. low burnished the silver with fiery glow. memories. Then she lifted. her head g g There was a din of manvoices, and looked squarely at the count. thatched. cottage stood in the centre, y and q ' y and Leon gave a shout of joy. laughter echoed among the rafters, "I have found it!" he cried, and in but as Audrey and the nurse came in, a lower tone, "There is no one within!" Duke Henry sprang to his feet. Truly, the house seemed empty and "At last thou art here," he cried, forlorn, as if long since tenantless, pulling out the chair beside him."Now even the door was open, swinging idly may the light of thy presence make back and forth db. rusty hinges. bright our feasting! Bertram, fetch "There may be no host to welcome food and drink for Lady Audrey, at w ns," laughed Pietro, coming close to once, and quickly. Leon, "nevertheless, we are glad of a With a word of thanks Audrey roof over our heads, and-" He paus- slipped into her seat, but was quiet i A LAUGH AT JEALOUS HUSBANDS his hand with a warning as the meal wore on,. although song "Stephen," she'said,"`we are so old i that I can tell you everything, jest as The golden wedding reception had if it concerned another person. Ladis- tired .both of them a little --the mass las went away at my request." in the. village church in the morning,' "Why? He had not finished paint - then the breakfast, with the immenee ing the service." table in the fashion of olden times. The .countess sighed again headthe board sat the old "Come," she said; "we will'talk it At the of couple. Next 'came the cure, the ail- out." dren, the grandchildren, friends, i "This evening? Certainly, if you neighltors and tenants. One hundred , wish to do so." covers were spread by a caterer from The count carried a lamp •into the es across the lawn. dining room and the countess looked gesture, and storybeguiled the time and merri- ge"But hist! Something is g Paris, on tres tr for the key to the china closet. They within. Listen!" ment ran high at the long table. Breathlessly the companions stood "Thy daughter's smile's have fled;" To spare the chief figures in the took out the porcelain pieces; on which fete the repast was a breakfast, not inside the cottage, for they could hear Duke. Then with a braver note in' the delicate Fanc of the Polish oculi on the threshold. Yes, something was whispered. the nurse- softly to the a dinner. The village fiddlers had y p er had traced exquisite garlands of distinctly now, a faint crying sound her voice: "It was not bo when her yed hea'ttheir s re ertory. guests hader numer- depar ed, flowers. comous ing from a darkened corner. cousin Gwendolen lived here; the child some by auto and some by train, The Sophie -Eines arranged the Pietas 'Perchance some animal has sought misses a youthful companion and -on the table, inspecting, them carfully, "Cease!" mattered the puke an caterer had'loaded his paraphernalia changing thin positions and putting shelter here, even as we have, said Leon, entering fearlessly. Just them Richard struck his flint and steel together and light flashed chance they can bring joy to the heart for an instant, revealing rough, tiro- i of little Audrey." baredwalls, earthen floor, and in the' All eyes turned to the doorway. And middle of a pile of straw a small, at that instant, our old friends, Rich - furry animal, who sat up and regard aid, Pietro, and Leon, loading the ed the travelers with a look of startled baby bear, advanced toward the corn - an „ into enormous trucks and the gar en grily. I will not hear that name; them in a certain order. Bertram, call the minstrels in, per- ora had cleaned up the littered park, "What chfYerence does it. make Comet Stephen was seventy-eight whether this plate is to the right or years old. He was still handsome, left of this other one?" asked the with his fine white imperial, • count, "Aren't they all alike?" Countess Sophie Edntee was seven- But she continued to shift thein ty-two. She was very slight in figure, Finally all were in place. a little bent, but her blue eyes spark "It is a si•ame," said the count. "The led vivaciously in her delicately service is charming. I admit having surprise. I Pietro began the performance,3 "Why, it's a baby boar!" exclaimed: wt^inkled face. fest annoyed that he Haver finished it, Leon. throwing many colored balls into the They sat alone that evening in the Why send Latr_•Ias away so soon? Bo n BABY. air -one, two, three, a half-dozen at salon,. which was packed with flowers. ought to have done the 104 pieces be- PietroA HUNGRY D II t curious"MI dearSophie Edmee" said the fore we let hint ga." from Rich- a time, weaving them too k y p r „ lit a pine fagotPatterns above his head and cerebra count, we are in the twilight of life. So bio-Echnse fixed her stir] beauti- ard's. spark, and held it high in his i them lightly and easily with swift I don't want to let this day end with- ful eyes on her husband. hand. Methinks the litho creaturefingers. He finished, and Richard took out thanking you for all the happiness "Look, Stephen," she said. "Each perhaps wandered away from home,,,' hisplace,makingthe men roar with he said, "for there are no marks of you have given me. There aro few piece caries in the decoration a letter pieces and replacing them in tate china, Ilaughter at his drolleries. women with virtues like yours." whish you have never noticed." closet. Ile locked the door and came other animals about."And then Leon stepped forward, "You have always been very good," He adjusted his monocle. to kiss his wife's hand. "If so, he may be hungry," added' ' sweeping the strings of his lute with answered the countess, "I -might to "That is so. A capital letter on the "You are always young, my clean, 1 hl Zonems ' New Series byWYNNE FERGUSON ,. cf. uxhor su.ron on cidaxon. rick"? a.:cc ottsao a yaia,.-...ata-..-gion-"a Pati SAO Copyright 1225 by Hoyle, Jr.ARTICLE No. 11 - We cannot all hold good cards but we all cart hold ourtempers. Many a game and rubber is lost by bad temper, an in- excusable fault from every angle. Tile writereawthiswell exemplified the other night, Two fairly good players had cut together for several rubbers and were , not only holding bad cards but also get- ting bad "breaks." After several such hands, one of the players lost his tem- per completely and began to Mine his partner for their bad luck. This natural- ly didn't help so they went from bad to worse. Finally; after one hand in which a very bad and unexpected "break of cards caused a big loss; the hot tem- ' pered playbr said: "Well, partner, I ' have lost all confidence, 3n you." The very next hand, the -partner made an informatory double buff 'the hot tem- pered one refused to bid, saying: "I know very well what you want me to do but I'll. be hanged' 11 I follow your ignorant orders." Aa a result of this childish loss of temper their opponents. , 'went game and rubber. Dont .allow yourself tolose5•our temper ale the card' table. There's. no better,way,to lose not, only your moneybut also your friends. Several of the hands that caused this strong difference of opinion, wereratlier interesting and instructive. Hand No, 1' Hearts -8, 5, 3 Clubs -10, 7 Diamonds -9, 3 Spade's' -A; 8, 6, 5, 4, 3 .Y :A.• Ba Z i. • Hearts - K, Q, J, 9, 7 Clubs -A, K 4 Diamonds -k, J, 10, 8,.2 Spades- none No score, first game. Z dealt and bid one heart, A one: spade and .Y and B passed. Z bid two diamonds, . A two spades and Y and B passed. Z now bid three diamonds, A passed, Y bid thre Hearts -K, J, 9 Clubs- 10, 6, 5 Diamonds- none Spades- K, 10 hearts, B and Z passed and A doubled. All passed and A opened, the king of spades. How should Z plai the play of - tee hand? Sind No. 2 Hearts K, J,8, 2 Clubs• -A, J , 3 Y B ) Diamonds- k, 3, 7, 6 : A Spades- 7 : Z : Score,' YZ 10, AB 0; rubber game. Z dealt and bicl three spades, Aand 'Y passed, 13 doubled and all passed. What should 'A lead. Hand No. -3 Hearts -A, 9,'6, 2 Clubs -K., J 8, 4 Diamonds - Sadee-9,7,5,2 hearts-),, pp10, 5, 3 . Clubs•- A, 10, 7', 2 t Y ' t Diamonds -A, 8, 4 : A 13 : Spades- 8, 6 : Z 0 No swore, first game. Z .dealt and bid onesparle, A and Y passed and 13 bid two ;diamonds. 'Z, two spades, A three diamonds, Y three spades and"all passed. A.opened the ace of diamonds and all follow. What should A now lead to the eecondtrrd c? . Hand No. 4 - Hearts -K, 7, 5, 3 Clubs -7 Y Diamonds- A, K, 3, 8, 3 : A B ; Spades -J,.7, 6 : Z r. No ecorc, rubber game, Z dealt and bid one club, A one diamond Y one heart mid8 one spade. Z now bid two hearts, B. A two:spades; •Y three hearts and B three spades. Z now bid four hearts. What should A now bid with the fore- going hand? ' An analysis of these four hands will be given in the next article; They are. -not tricky but usual, ordinary hands that come up constantly. Study them,. over and be ready to-compareyour 'reasoning with the writer's opinion. ' "Answer to Problem No. 7 Hearts- 7, 4, 2 Clubs -Q,7,2 Diamonds- none Spades' - Q, 6 Hearts - none Y : Clubs -J, 4, 3 A 13 : Dia monde - J, 10, 5;4;3 Z Spades -none . Hearts _Q, 10, 6 Clubs - KK Diamonds - K, 6, 2 Spades- T YZ can only win four tricks for Z will have to lead diamonds to B's hand. When A leads the king of hearts, Z should play the ten of hearts and win' the second round of hearts with the queen, hie should then play the king of diamonds and lead a low heart. A must win this trick with the jack of hearts. No matter what he now leads, Y must make his queen of clubs and queen of spaded. This variation is very instruc- tive and should be carefully noted. Play it out and notice the proper play by"A and Z. There are no trumps and Z is in.the lead. How can YZ so play the hand that they will win five of the eight tricks against any defense? The solution of this problem has already been given but a possible defense by B. was suggested for analysis. At trick one, Z should play the king of clubs and Y should play the seven. Z should then follow' with the seveu of spades. A should win this trick with the king. It was suggested that A should now play the ling of hearts and follow'with the nine. If Z plays the six of hearts on A's king, and wins the second round of hearts_ with the ten SHELF -FRIENDS Philips Brooks says, "Since we are what we are by the, impact of .those who surround its, those who surround themselves with the highest will be these' whd will change into the high- est." This is equally 'true of books and of friends, There is a certain companionship about :a loved book even though it lies unopened in the bag or the pocket, It . etande ready to give a needed word, - or, a sentence er two to lift thought above the atmosphere of the daily round. Did you ever start on a walk' into the country, placing a well -loved book in your pocket, and return home without Iookiitg between the covers? Yet you were satisfied; you wore as- sured: of the ballast it had given you, for you.were more attuned. to nature's own mood because of this silent com- A friend of Isaac Walton once said: "How calm and quiet a delight it is alone To read and meditate and write, By none effendcd and offending none." There is a friend who cheers us with his silence. Many deep friendships are of this sort; "silent , companionship, when we can sitfor an hour.without converse, knowing that we uitd-i:rstand the heart. Choosing a friend and choosing a book vary in this: wo can choose the book for a moment, then lay it aside. Not so the friend! Again. We choose our books according to our moods. A writer of the sixteenth century says, "Gentlemen, use books as gentlewor�n en handle their flowers, who in the morn - mg stick them in their heads and at night strew them at their heels." But friends inay not be so used. Nor for that matter, may poems. . True poetry :reaches down to us from the mountain peaks, A first reading 'f's but an introduction. Sometimes one -turns to a poem for the sake of the mood' it is able to produce... Leon. "A piece of ocean mcg tt e p firm, thought gentle touch, while his thank you, too, Stephen. You have to aura his friendship." And kneeling voice floated clear and true through loved me and cherished me, and have the great hall. on the straw he took a small bundle I never been jealous." Peace be to all, and joy. In every heart to -day Let strife forever cease to be, And love remain ahvay. As the sweet tones melted away the swarthy men were silent, and Audrey Leon's friendly smile and coaxing clapped her hands, smiling happily. voice, he worked bis way out again, A burning log crashed in two, send - and rfinally, with bright eyes fixeda shower of sparks up the Odin - warily on Leon's, thrust his head for- ward and took the bread between his white teeth! Richard and Pietro watched the strange scene, as the boy fed morsel after morsel to the hungry bear, and when all was gone, the furry creature came out of the straw altogether, laying his muzzle in Leon's hand, un- nfraid and content. That night, in the world outside, snow began to fall, covering the trees and earth with a mantle of shimmer- derly. "So be it, my child," Ise replied, plaint about it. He was also a goody "I am really ood now since the only n !moon,and to the henchman at his side: "Ber- musician and I owed him 'mann pleas- i little. scorer of my life has been re- ant's nests and taken internally was i principal mica producing countries ing, silvery white. But the pale 1go now with ares- ant evenings. Do ou remember?" vea:ed. a populae cure lar en•nlce bite among of the world, the othersabeing India shining through the window of the trans, thou shalt b y i cottage, showed the wayfarers asleep, sage to my brother and his daughter, She sighed. I Already Stephen was piling up the the early American 'Indians. !and the United States. from the leathern pouch at his side, and unwrapped it carefully. "Here, little one," Leon broke a bit of black bread from the loaf. "See, I will share my meal with you!" At first the bear drew back until only the tip of a tiny nose was visible. But gradually, as if in answer to dishes and small letter on the plates." since I' am still jealous, surprised and "Take a pencil and write down the grateful, for you could hays. gone on letters in the order in which I have keeping your Decree: 1 thank you in The old man got up gallantly and placed the pieces --ie the seine order both senses for showing mo this ser - kissed his wife's hand.- in which' Ladislas presented them to vice." "Thanks, my dear Edmee. But who me." ~-- could be jealous of a wife as constant Full of curiosity, the count wrote Mozart Interrupts An Opera.. as you?" down, line by line: "Play ]7 sharp, you wretches!" "Aa smiled. Love is all; shouted a young man one night in the husbandteless perfect than you,.It is happiness. audience of an opera house, and he; my dear Stephen." With a laugh at jealous husbands, Count Stephen smiled in his turn. Here is my heart" sprang to his feet as he shouted. The, "I have never had cause for jeer- The count dropped his pencil and audience hissed, and attendants came oust', Your life has always been. open "Turn „ - ing hurrying towards the htterruptot net' The Best Location for Him. while cries of Turn hi -n out! re i cease to be and love re -and loyal, without any secrets." I Newly Fledged Surgeon -"I' don't in - Let strife"Without� „ , 1 sounded through the theatre..But main alway," repeated the Duke, to any secrets. l wished it that Is a piece of Lnso.ence. An in -end lo settle down anti! I find the himself. He turned to Audrey, "Would to be so."suit in my face! And I never knew when the _audience recognized him,1 best posible location.' „, , , their anger vanished and a tumult of it make you happy, little one, if I I dont mean to say that I always it!" Friend -"I can point it out you -at for our uncle and sou- understood your motives...., The countess smiled broa a r rause greeted hint It was Mozart should send y ,, :< The opera w 1 let his monocle swing. "By the Pope's shadow!" he cried, day. � p as his owl At a certain once -tire most popular railroaxi cross, sine' he asked, a gentler expression "For eantple?" "That is why, she said, T askedung n the country." "You remember the porcelain ser-' Ladislas to go away before he had important point in the score some of i on has dark face.$ the instruments had played a wrong' "Oh rather" Audrey threw her vice which you had painted, about finished the 104 pieces. I was suffl nate! arms around his neck, her eyes shin- thirty-five years ago, by that young ciently warned by his quatrain of Ing. It was answer enough. Polish artist? He r.rtrt three months fifty-two letters." Duke Henry stroked her hair ten- here doing the wort.. I made no tom- She added; tactfully: "And I have felt a presence, A presence that disturbs me with the joy Of elevated. thoughts; a sense sub- lime Of something far more deeply inter- fpsed; Whose dwelling is the light of setting suns, And the round ocean, and the living air, And the blue sky." - Here in Tintern Abbey Ivo rest, but there are poems which are like 'lo- quacious friends who tire us -with their much speaking,,. Keats speaks of "distilled prose." In certain books, we are inspieed first by a single thought, and then we walk on in.the-companionship. of higher thoughts which fellow' even as a swal- low starting suddenly from the ground sets a whole flock on skyward flight; . o or, even as of old, when one angel sang to the watching shepherds,' "I bring you glad tidings" and "sudden- ly there was with the angel a multi- tude of the, heavenly host, praising God" Queen Alexandra's Property Probably 'Mil Go to King if the will of the late Queen Mother Alexandra is published it eelll'be found. abet she lett almost no motley. 'Phis is the undetistanding le court ,circles, where it in, seta t'bat'Queen Meth:rr's generosity was limited only by her resources. She gave away all her stir• pluus income, and for many years erre... - pledged all of her- annual a�llowanee of, £70,000rin advance to needy insti- tutions and individuals. Iiowerer, she had much valuable property, including come fine china and the art collections reit by her bus hand, Edward- VII. -She also bad fins libraries at Sandringham House, where she died, ane at her town re- sidett,oe, Marlborough house, Sand- ringham hoarse was her own, It having been left her by King Edward. It ie commonly suppc,-'sd that Icing Georg -e will be heir to as or almost all of hie mother's property. Queen Alex- andra gave, most •of her jewelry to other members of the royal family sev oral years ago. Race of Giemtesats Forecast by English Specialist. . ` .The Lacey mica mine, near Syden- t , ham; in Frontenac County, is said to Reds Bit Ant Dust. i1,e the largest amber mica reline in the Fane dust foutul at. the bottom of 'world. Canada is one of the three sem-.. REG'LAIa FELLERS -By Gene Byrnes. aoM/1S3 COME HERE 0131C14 THE CULLS WANT TO TAKE `?OU FOR A RIDE n4 riAskva NSW SEDAN • c3 -a r �Co ri ht,.by The Bcii Syndicate. Inc.) -,...`'"`. -` �,- - , �_�m P8 fi LET ME SEE! ARE You ALL NICE AND CLEAN? „tee- __ _ 140 t OF COURSE NoTI IT WOULD 1aPNE -fp HAVE A SPOT DN 1T‘. AND T�,H,piS ONG WONT. o PUN11 %4 `(Ou' OWN .1 0061AT i A Typograpldncel Error. A LAFF ) Le�,AggFF pON y\\ MoB!/t. �NATS ONE`! A BLOT .BENE B1'R1ES MADE WHEN NE \-DAWp �' slice. England is nazism a ree- 01 com- bative giant :set - 1)0. Leonard Wil limns, an in'ternetiOutt1ly known inecl1- cal specialist, asserted recently. He said. it has become the fashion to teach, induce and evert crumpet girls to" piay.ganies which were originally in- vented for big boys: and young man. "ln ieaoliing anct malting girls play' these games;' he claimed, "you do-• veloa the oombettee instinct and tato combative muscles, In this way you are-nads'ing a race of giantesses who are going to have the combative dis- position. Anothereffect of ibis ultra athleticism among gisr,,v Of to -day is to:. produce a•areatl re Who has tite male rather than the 'female c'haractoris- • Ha_ Knew. A six -yearn -old boy was iisice.d; "How many commandments, did the Lord give unite Mots -ss 1 " Ho couldn't remeamber, s,o to prompt ruin his Mother held up het eight fing- 9i•s and two thumbs. "I know.now!" sattly tiiumph:nt- ly. "A whole icandtui1"