OUR YOUNG FOLKS COLUMN.

Mataura Ensign, Issue 1412, 17 November 1904, Page 3

OUR YOUNG FOLKS COLUMN.

ouauoiio: W&»taMT.ii thy hand findetb to do, do it with all thy might. BULBS. A ti*«Br» for the week's publication should aaoh the office not later than Monday afternoon. i. Oerretpoadeuts should write on only one .lid* of the paper. AU ooßeapondents must send their rea nanus, not necessarily for publication. : Ail letters should be addressed thus:— J tttmUJOA. UNCUS PHIL, Bsswh Office, Gore. Dear Boys andTGirls,—This week you will find the first instalment of a very interesting account of a trip from New York to San Francisco, by, Sliss White, who some time ago gave us; a peep at the sights she saw in andj around Edinburgh. 1 am sure we are all greatly obliged to Miss White for giving us what she can of the good things seen by her on her round-the-world trip. UNCLE PHIL, Dear Uncle Phil,—After a long period of silence I shall make another attempt to write to you. About three weeks ago I wrote a letter to you, but after reading it over to myself I burnt it. I have been home nearly a fortnight, nearly all the time bemg spent in bed. The weather has been very bad during the last few weeks, but I suppose we shall get some good weather now. While 1 have been home I have read some very good books; the best being,; I think, "The Crisis," "The Crossing," "Light that Failed," "Ob . Our Selection," and "Our New Selection." Well, Uncle, I must soon draw this to a close, as my head is not too clear just now. I shall write a better letter when I am a little more recovered. The doctors have ' again told me not to do any work; for my own part I would like to be able to follow their directions for a few years. I will pull up with kindest regards to yourself and all the U.P.N.'s, and get back to bed. I am, yours faithfully, Hori Pirika. Masterton. (I am glad to hear from you, even though your note is short, and not containing quite as good news as wc should like. I admire your patience and courage, and of the latter you need a great deal of the highest kind. I am sure we all wish you anGearly and complete recovery. Your youth is a great thing in your favoi, and rememfcer what Milton said : "They also serve who only stand and wait." U.P.)

Dear Uncle Phil, —Here I am again, and I hope you do not mind me writing so often. I like your page so much that I can't resist the temptation. The holiday is over (November 9th) nnd it was a splendid day. I went to the D.L.F. picnic at Outrain Glen, and I thoroughly enjoyed my self, as I am sure all present did. If they didn't it was their own fault. I had a funny feeling beforehand that I i wasn't going to enjoy myself, and so sure was the feeling that I was nearly not going to the picnic. However, I managed 'ti» the feeling, and I determined I would enjoy myself, and enjoy myself I did. It is strange what feelings we have sometimes, isn't it. Uncle ? We can't explain them at all. Sometimes one takes an instinctive dislike to a person, and though that person may •have all the virtues and be as good as gold, still, you have the same feeling of dislike. Really, I cannot understand it, and it is beyond me. But to return to the picnic; how I've wandered away from it. The train left at twenty past nine, and I stood on the platform all the way out, tunnels and all. There was such a crowd inside, and it must have been very stuffy. When we at last' reached the Glen, my face was terribly sore with "sunburn. A few games were played and then the boys mode. a start and .soon had a good Bre and ■billies- boiling. ;I never ciaved so much in my life for a cup of -tea, and I was glad when at last I got a,cup of the refreshing draught. After lunch we again played games—space ring, kiss in ithe ring, and so on. Thd people round about were much amused at us, and we proved quite an entertainment. A few of us then started singing, and there is qjiite a lot of good musical talent in the D.L.F. circle, as was evidenced by the D.L.F. social A friend and I went a delightful walk and gathered some pretty bush flowers, but as our time was limited we could not go very far. The train leaves Outram at ten past four, so wo had.quite a scramble to get something tr> eat and catch the train. Indeed, two of our friends were so unfortunate as to get left behind, and they walked eleven miles to Mosgiel. They did not know the way properly.and came by Allanton, which was much longer. However, they reached Dunedin in the quarter f)ast eight train, which wasn't so very ate after all. When we reached Mosgiel, we had to detrain, and most of us D.L.F. got into a truck, which was very comfortable and we thoroughly enjoyed ourselves, singrng and talk--iig.. My cousin and I came home and had tea and then went up town again. My spirits got a considerable damper when I reached home. A friend! The only book I've been rcadiug the Octagon and was knocked over by the electric car, and her foot had to come off. and she will be maimed for life. I do feel very sorry both for her people and herself. Anyway I spent a most enjoyable day at the picnic. Last night Santiago and I and some others were;up town and S. did get a barracking' for losing the train.

The anly book I've been reading lately, though I'm not nearlv through it yet. Ls "The Master Christian," bv •Marie Corclli. 1 like it fairly wdi. but as a rule I do.not like :her books. I can't see anything very elevating: in them.but difforeftti people' have different books. It'would be a tpieer world if we were all alike. It takes all different people to make up a world. Now, dear Uncle Phil. I will draw to a close, hoping I've interested somebody, and with love to Avice, Jack, and all my U.P.N.'s and your dear Belf. I remain, your loving niece, ".. .' * ' --_ Dunedinite. (We are glad to hear from you. Your picnic was evidently a success. Your instinctive liking or disliking minds rue of the rhyme : "I do not like thee, Dr. Pell, The reason why I cannot tell." I was sorry when I read the account of your friend's sad accident. Ihopo she will make a speedy' recovery. Your paper is paid up till December 29th.— U.P.) Dear Uncle Phil. —I think I must write again. To-day is very wet. We have-

got one of our paddocks of oats sown We have one little foal just now. We have only eight pot lambs, because one died last night. We are milking' four cows just now. Won't the boys have fun bird nesting soon '! Our concert is over, but it was not a great success. Our examination is also over and we all passed, so I am in the fifth standard, and I find it much easier than the fourth. I think 1 will stop now. With love to all the cousins and yourself. I remain, The Ico Maiden. Wendon.

(Not many pupils find the fifth standard sums with their troublesome fractions easier than the sumsi of standard four. Try to write a long letter soon.—U.P.)

Dear Uncle Phil,—Thank you very much for tiie 10s you sent me. I have been rather late in replying to you, but I have, like the bad penny, turned up at last I would write to your page fieojuently i£ I had more spare time ; 1 am, however, looking forward to the Christmas holidays, when, if I am not too lazy, I may send in a letter. I notice you have one or two Duncdin correspondents, but I have not the pleasure of their acquaintance. On Trafalgar Day we received a lecture on the Battle of Trafalgar, its causes and its effects, from the rector of the school, who, in a few words, sketched the character of that greatest of great ..admirals—Horatio Nelson. He also explained to us Nelson's plan of attack, a plan quite unique in those days, and how Napoleon received a tremendous rebuff.

As I am pressed for time, you must excuse this and look for "better luck next time" ; so I must say good-bye to all nephews and nieces for the present, and remain, yours truly,

Dundas street, Dunedin. (We shall be glad to hear from you whenever vou have a spare hour. — U.P.)

Dear Uncle Phil,—l wish to becomo a correspondent to your page. lam a great friend of Rosebud's and Gipsy's and they have boon at me to write for a long time, and have succeeded at last. I see Dick Stanhope had a letter in last week's column. lam a particular friend of his. I am sure he would be jJeased to get back among his old friends again. He was looking very well, so his new place must be agreeing with him. The weather has been very unsettled here lately, but I hope it will soon take up again. As lam a new writer and this is my first letter, T will draw it to a close. With kind regards to all cousins and yourself. I remain. Phoenix.

Gore. (I hope you will turn out to be a regular correspondent. —U.P.)

Dear Uncle Phil,—l aguin take my ]X'n in hand to write you a few lines and hope all the nieces are quite well. We are having very windy weather here just now. A friend of mine and I went to see a waterfall in the bush last Sunday, and w-e had some fine fun. We had to climb a very steep hill and nearly every step I made 1 would slip, and I can tell yon J was very frightened of falling and breaking my neck, but the other girl roared with laughter, and said, "come on and do not be afraid, because if you do fall you wouldn't get hurt." The other night a girl that lives in Kaukapakapa got up in her sleep and walked home seven miles. How ever she got there I don't know, but any way she did, and when she got home neither her father not mother were at home. They had the place locked up and were at a dance about eleven miles away. Well, Uncle, I think I have given you all the news for this time, except that T am coining south in January. I still remain, your niece, A Merry Traveller. Kanoki, Auckland. P.S—Here is a puzzle :—Why don't people have a nap in the train ? (Did the somnmnHiVsi nevei wake during her long walk ? T hope you will enjoy your run south.—U.P.)

ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENTS. Roscjbud.—l am glad to get your approval of the proposed arrangement for Show Day. When I get the - address of the con espondent I shall send on your auto. A.L.O.E.—Please ..send your address. I have an auto, for you. XOTF.S! OX A JOURNEY FROM NEW YORK TO SAN FRANCISCO. (By Miss White.) Our steamer, tho s.s. Lucania, arrived in New York harbor on Friday evening and anchored some distance from the whart. Next morning we were up betimes, thinking we should land early and have a fine long day to look-round New York. We reached the whart about eight o'clock, passing on the way the statue of Liberty, which stands on a rock in a prominent position in New York harbor. Tt is of huge dimensions, and is a repre. sentation of a woman standing in a commanding attitude holding a torch in one hand. Tt was presented io the United States by the French. After going through a good deal of formality we were allowed to land, but we could get no further than the customhouse—a very large building. People had come to meet their friends, but for some hours could only neeu nt them through a high iron railing. We got our baggage gathered together and. after some time, an inspector was instructed to examine it. There

wero over six hundred saloon pass2ngers, so it took some time to attend to them all. Though it was a very warm day "quite a number of ladies were to be seen wearing warm jackets and furs—to evade the duty, I suppose. Tho Customs Department is most particular, especially with American citizens returning home. Every article of baggage has to be opened and the contents carefully examined. In some instances the things are unfolded and shaken out lest anything is concealed in the folds. Down on his knees, perspiring freely, vas a stout, aristocratic old gentleman, president of a bank, trying, with the assistance of a steward from the boat, to- pack his box again after tho articles had been ruthlessly turned out by the Customs officer. Though they turn your things out for you, you have to pacv them in again as best you can. After all our goods had been cnrefu.ly scrutinised (even our rugs had to be opened and unrolled) we were allowed to pass out about noon. All the time we were in tho Customs House agents from the various railway companies running trains from New York were busy canvassing for passengers, so that the timei wae not altogether wasted. Wo arranged to go by the Pennsylvannia line to Pittsburg. We had lunch at a restaurant and then wont to have a look round the city. New York proper is built on an. island—Manhattan Island—and ferry boats constantly ply between the mainland and tho city. New York is connected with Brooklyn city, which is situated on Long Island, by Brooklyn bridge, the largest suspension bridge in the world. Wo did not cross this bridge but saw it, and crossed a street, passing under one end of it. J think what most strikes a visitor to New York ;s the high buildings—skyscrapers they are appropriately called. I saw building! of eleven storii s in Edinburgh, and they appeared lofty, but in Now York buildings of twenty stories are common, and several aif twenty-four stories high, while one —the Park RowBuilding—is over thirty. Besides that there are three, four, or even . five stories underground. Some of tho restaurants and many of the business places are below the level of the street. The cooking is sometimes done under the sidewalk or under tho street. Yon see the steam coming up between the rails of the street-ear, or I through a grating let into the bide-,] walk, which in some places is made-) of thick glass. Many of the skyscrapers stand among buildings of only ten J or a dozen stories in height, above which they tower like monuments, j their great elevation taking away from their breadth. We mounted the ' elevated electric train in order to view the town, but. as the buildings were so high and the train travelled ! so quickly, we could not see as well as we expected, so we got off after going a few blocks. We walked down Wall street and along part of Broadway—one of the fashionable thoroughfares and said to be one of tho finest | streets in the world. We then boarded u street-car again and continued along Broadway, passing en route the Flat Iron Building—one of the most conspicuous skyscrapers ol New York. Broadway, as its name implies, is a fine broad street, and so also is tho Bowery, which has an elevated tram an each side. We went to seo some of the parks and then retraced our steps, as we had decided to go on to Washing-ton that night by a train : leaving at half-past twelve. Late in I the evening we proceeded to the station, or depot as it is called in America, and found we had to go across in a ferry some distance to the Pennsylvania railway depot. So closely does the deck of the ferry boat fit into the platform that one scarcely is aware of embarking or disembarking-. These boats are capable of carrying several hundreds of people. As we were early for the train we sat in the large waiting-room for some time, ! and, though it was near midnight, i |hcre was a constant stream of people coming and going ; and though the room was large enough to seat hundreds of people the scats were kept occupied. Every few minutes a man came in and called out what trains were at the platform and when they would leave. Before getting to the train you have to show your ticket and pass a barrier. Properly speaking ; there are no platforms on American stations. There is a path which is the, same level as the rails. To get on I board yon mount up three or four steps which slope in towards the middle of the carriage. There is nearly always a colored porter to attend each carriage, and, as the first step is rather high, he carries a little stool for you to step on to at first. The engines an'd carriages are very large, and so also are the trucks, which carry forty or iifty tons of coal or other merchandise. At the top of every engine is a large bell, which is kept, ringing when the engine is moving about the stations. The puths and railway tracks are so intermingled that you scarcely know when you are on the one or the other. During the time we were in America, 1 saw in the paper that in Philadelphia several people were killed and injured through being run down just after embarking from a train. They happened to talk to friends a few minutes, forgetful of where they were standing. Though the carriages are large there is scarcely any space' for luggage, though we carried little, huving chirked the bulk through to San Francisco. The train for Washington was crowded. There was just one class of passengers carried on a train, but there aro different classes of trains—such as Pullman trains, tourist trains, emig/rnntj trains, etc. Then; were no Pullman sleepers on the train we had chosen, so we had to content ourselves with a cha'r car. There is a row of very comfortable double chuirs down each side of the ear. Immediately after leaving New York tne colored porter came in and announced through the ear the next stopping place of the train. As it was night wo could not see anything, but there was no chance of getting a sleep, for, if you did dose off, the porter soon gave you a violent shake up again. I suppose he was afraid people would sleep past their stations. After some hours we came to Philadelphia, one of tho oldest cities in the States, and I understand one of the best built. (To be continued.)