1916 School Magazine

GIRLS' GRAMMAR SCHOOL MAGAZINE.

December. 1916.

The Tale of T WO boys were wending their way through the Australian Bush. at close of day. Away in the distance nestled their cot- tage home, where an anxious mother awaited their return. She could hear the curlew's note and the distant howl of the dingoes, but it was very dark ere she heard the familiar coo-ee from her boys. Their late return was soon ex- plained, for Ned carried a tiny opossum, which he had found in the pouch of the dead trapped mother. "Possy," as he was named, was fed with warm milk, aid he was being discussed at the table when Will suddenly exclaimed, "I say, the very thing. Let's send Possy to Har- old at Bnoggera." Harold was the Idolised soldier brother, who had gallantly responded to his country's call, and was in training at Enog- geras. A week later, Possy was sent to Brisbane. in the charge of a friend, who had just enlisted. The boys were loth to part with their pet, and the whole family turned out to see him off, and home seemed quite empty without their cheery little companion. "Halt ! Dismiss ! " The tired soldiers threw themselves down on the grass for a rest after their long marchin lesson. When Harold re- turned to the tent he shared with nine others. he was met by his old bush friend, who handed him a box. Harold gave a cry of Joy. for Possy's nose was protruding between the bars of wood. His Icy knew no bounds. From that time Harold's nights were never dull for Poesy, being nocturnal, always felt lively at alight and would perform the most wonderful feats in climbing, Jumping, and hanging by his tall, so that no one could keep a straight face. besides was such a comforting little mate, and he just lived in Harold's pocket. When the, sultry evening I was sitting comfort- ably in a big arm chair in the club en- joying the "Weekly Times," and dosing between whiles, when a voice at my elbow said, "Telegram for you. sir." I started up, and taking the envelope from the boy I hastily tore It open, "Sllghtly wounded, at Bologne lHospital, will return to England shortly." was what I read. as I sank back into the chair with a sigh of Ineffable relief. The next moment I ONE

an Opossum. transport ship took our gallant boys to Ic'rance Possy went too, to show the Germans how Australians can fight. Possy was the pe t of all, especially cook, and lived In a state of perpetual bliss. Then there came a sad evening when Har- old's battalion advanced too far on the wing of a great offensive, and was almost annlhi- lated, Poesy had climbed into Harold's side pocket without his knowledge during the bustle of preparation, and he was now quaking on a real battlefiell. (ra('rac('rack ! Harold was wounded twice and the next moment a bullet whistled through the air and ripped open Harold's pocket., ser- iously wounding poor Posesy. Harold was heartbroken. "Poor old chum," he gasped, transferrin, him to another pocket. Thud ! Harold stumbled and fell into a hole made by the ex- plosion of a shell. Then he fainted, and he lay there, unconscious of the din and clang of battle. Night came and the stubborn pluck of the British having won the day, the armies retreated, leaving the wounded to the Red ('ross. They were leaving the field, without having found Harold, when one of them felt something on his leg. "Why. that's young Thompson's opossum. I wonder where the poor chap is." The Red ('ross men followed Possy to the p!t. Harold was soon brought up, but Possy. who though badly wounded, had climbed out and dragged himself to the men, in order to bring help to his loved master, could not be found. Now that his duty was done hb lay down and died, and when the twinkling stars came out they shone on the valiant little sol- dier opossum, gone to his rest, who had la!d down his life like a true Britisher. M. WIARN, IVa Jumped up. welIsd my hat, ad took the first taxi home. I do not know how I ever passed that night. but early morning found me on the little packet, fuming with impatience for It to start. I landed In Bologne about twelve, and has- tened to the hospital. I was ushered into the ward, where I found my son. very weak from loss of blood--but still-mny ,on. We looked at each other for fully a minute, and then Jack

Le Petit Garcon.

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