AY, THE GATE... - 23

 

Some of the dolls looked so grand they quite frightened her, and then there were so many
wild animals in the shop with fierce eyes that-she was quite glad to get away from them —bears,
elephants, camels/and even crocodiles thatshe had hitherto only seen in picture-books—although
they were standing quietly on the shelves, she felt alarmed at being in such company.

But the crowning treat of the day -was when their father took them to the circus which
was holding its performances in a large
field just outside the town. Rosie’s
excitement knew no bounds at the
sight of the clowns and ponies and
performing dogs, the fairy-like beings
in their short muslin skirts jumping
through paper hoops, or gracefully
standing on one leg while their horses
galloped wildly round the arena—all
this was such a scene as she had never
imagined, and she rubbed her eyes and
pinched herself to make sure that she was really: awake,
and that it was her very own self beholding all these

   
 

wonders.

It was a very tired little girl who was at last
tenderly lifted into the cart and ended by sleeping all
the way home. The good housewife had not forgotten
either to get all that she wanted for the coming feast
to the neighbours, and during the next few days the |
farm-house was ina busy whirl of preparation. On
the day appointed for the: gathering not one was
absent who had been invited. The table had been spread under a big tree in front of
the house and amongst all the good things on the board, the most conspicuous object was a
huge decorated plum-pudding. After dinner, and before they began to dance on the green,
the worthy farmer’s health was drunk:by all present, and he was begged on all sides to relate

the story of his adventure. He did not require to be asked twice, and the history of the lucky
slice of plum-pudding became the topic of conversation for many a day afterwards all round the
country-side. All the good wives took to making plum-puddings and insisting on stuffing a
piece into their husbands’ pockets when they left home, not thinking that if a similar accident
should befall them the shot might not another time happen to lodge on the plum-pudding side.

The fifty pounds was only the beginning of the farmer's good luck, for it was invested in
a manner that turned out so well that he was at last able with the proceeds to buy some
land and eventually possess a snug little farm of his own.

Every year seemed to increase in prosperity and he passed the remainder of his days in
peace and comfort surrounded by his children’s children who were never tired of hearing
the story of the reason why their mothers long ago waited for him so long at the gate.