It is with great pleasure that I take up my pen to write about Our Allies.
They are France, Belgium, Russia, Italy, Serbia, Portugal, Rumania, and
America. I think thats all at present but eight is a good number. To begin
with France. In time of peace the French are a gay and polite people which
is very nice I think. They are noted for their coffee and for their
fashions as both are better than ours. And all the women can cook. How
beautiful it would be for England if she could imitate her sister country
in these things! I can make a cake but not a very light one. Now let us
look at Verdun on the map. It is a great fortress and the Germans thought
they could take it but I rejoice to say they couldn't as the bravery and
patrioticness of the French troops came in the way. Belgium is the next on
the list. Belgium is a little country and Germany is a big one so of course
the Germans had the best of it at first but they won't much longer. So it
will be all right soon if we dont eat too many sweets and things. Russia,
Italy, Serbia, Portugal, Rumania, America and Montynegro, which I forgot
before, are all splendid countries but space forbids more.
KATHLEEN CHALFONT (age 12).
* * * * *
The German soldiers' opinion of "retirement according to plan": "Each for
himself; and the Devil take the Hindenburg."
* * * * *
"To fill up the gaps in the ranks trains of German reserves are being
hushed to the front incessantly."--_Star._
We don't believe this. The Bosch has long given up the habit of singing as
he goes into battle.
* * * * *
"J.J. (New Brighton) sends us a case of a novel method to keep out
would-be marauders from the garden. A friend of his who has some
expensive ferns planted in a rockery put up the notice, 'Beware of the
Scolopendriums and Polypodiums'--which, of course, are the Latin names
of garden insects."--_Pearson's Weekly._
Clearly a case of nature mimicry.
* * * * *
[Illustration: SELF-PROTECTION.
JOHN BULL. "I'VE INVESTED A MINT OF MONEY IN OTHER LANDS, IT'S TIME I PUT
SOMETHING INTO MY OWN."]
* * * * *