Dot's Little Folk.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 21735, 29 August 1932, Page 11

Dot's Little Folk.

w by trxei OTAGO WITNESS

THE WEEK’S POEM Here you have somebody whose mother has been 111, and who, when that mother Is better, walks with her In the garden, children. It Is springtime, and the flowers are beginning to appear. But all they mean to the child 'ls that his mother has touched them, and Is no longer 111. DOT. # V * BETTER. The air Is still gray The buds are still cold; The sun sets early In a pool of dazzly gold. But my mamma got up to-day and fastened on her gown, And on the sheltered terraces wqnt walking up and down. Violets blue, violets white, We found one of each; She touched with her fingers The buds on the peach. A cold-stalked snowdrop I put Into her hand, And we were both more glad than we could say, or understand. —Frances Corn ford. WEAVERS OF WORDS. I am introducing you to a new weaver of words this week, children—Virginia Woolf—whose description of the Great Frost in the reign of King James I will, I think, Interest you very much. Last week we had the country; this week we have the Court, which is noteworthy because it is described so cleverly that it makes a picture you can almost see with your own eyes. DOT. * * * THE GREAT FROST. (Continued from last week.) But while the country people suffered the extremity of want, and the trade of the country was at a standstill, London enjoyed a carnival of the utmost brilliancy. The Court was at Greenwich, and the new King seized the opportunity that his coronation gave him to carry favour with the citizens. He directed that the river, which was frozen to a depth of 20ft and more for six or seven miles on either side, should be swept, decorated, and given all the semblance of a park or pleasure ground, with arbours, mazes, alleys, drinking booths, etc., at his expense. For himself and the courtiers he reserved a certain space immediately opposite the palace gates; which, railed oft from the public only by a silken rope, became at once the centre of the most brilliant society in England. Frozen roses fell in showers when the queen and her ladles walked abroad. Coloured balloons hovered motionless in the air. Here and there burnt vast bonfires of cedar and oak wood, lavishly salted, so that the flames were of green, orange, and purple fire. But however fiercely they burnt, the heat was not enough to melt the ice which, though of singular transparency, was yet of the hardness of steel. So clear indeed was it that there could be seen, congealed at a depth of several feet, here a porpoise, there a flounder. Shoals of eels lay motionless in a trance, but whether their state was one of death or merely of suspended animation which the warmth would revive puzzled the philosophers. Near London Bridge, where the river had frozen to a depth of some 20 fathoms, a wrecked wherry boat was plainly visible, lying on the bed of the river where it had sunk last autumn, overladen with apples. The old bumboat woman, who was carrying her fruit to market on the Surrey side, sat there in hen plaids and farthingales with her lap full of apples, for all the world as if she were about to serve a customer, though a certain blueness about the lips hinted the truth. 'Twas a sight King James specially liked to -look upon, and he would bring a troupe of courtiers to to gaze with him. In short, nothing could exceed the brilliancy and gaiety of the scene by day. But it was at night that the carnival was at its merriest. For the frost continued unbroken: the nights were of perfect stillness ; the' moon and stars blazed with the hard fixity of diamonds, and, to the fine music of flute and trumpet the courtiers danced. TO ALL Dear Little Folk,— Commencing .on Saturday you may write to me as you please, and I shall hope to find room for your letters as they come to me. It is a pity that newspaper space is so scarce, but never mind: we have a good share of what is to be had, and should be thankful. I am printing two letters in full this week —Colorado Fern’s and Te Aorangi Girl’s—because they are both too interesting tor me to shorten. I think you will agree with me when you have read them. I hope that,you are having a happy time in your holidays, and that you are filling every moment wisely. Spring holidays sound delightful to me.—Your loving dqt

Ineu-iouraled Uulij 16,1886,

Dot Invites short letters from her young friends throughout the Dominion on matters of Interest to themselves. New members must enclose their name and address. These will not be published, and are for registration purposes only. Little Folk should write on one side of the paper only, and In Ink, and should address their letters. “ Dot, care of Editor, Otago Dally Times." Dot's Little Folk’s Badge, with pin, for use as a brooch. Is obtainable on application to Dot. Price 2s 6d, in stamps or postal notes.

LETTERS FROM LITTLE FOLK

Motto.—We write for the benefit of others, not for ourselves. A LETTER FROM COLORADO. Dear Dot,—lt really was kind of you to make me a member of your page in order to print my auto, and. I appreciate It. In fact, I like the idea of being a member. I do not see the page very often, but when 1 do I read It to the end. I remember studying New Zealand geography several years ago, but I never dreamed that I should be as interested in your country as 1 am now. The letters I received were very interesting, and I am sorry that I was unable to answer all of them. I plan to enter the University of Colorado this fall. It Is located in Boulder, one of the prettiest town in Colorado. It nestles at the foot of the mountains, and one is pleasantly surprised to see a pine or a mountain right around the corner. The university campus is beautiful. A little lake and beautiful buildings give It much of Its charm. Old Main, so called because it was the first building, and for a long time the only building of the university, interests me In particular. It will be a pleasure to attend classes in this old red brick building covered with vines. Like many other people I used to like to read “thrillers of the old West —perhaps you know the type. All those magazines with pictures of bucking broncos, provided much exciting entertain* ment. I remember one story with the scene of action laid In Boulder. The hero accompanied by his henchmen entered a saloon, fought a duel with shots with the deep dyed villain, and galloped out of town firing their six guns as they rode. Now one sees the ancient flivvers covered with students as they struggle up the hill to the campus and chug merrily down again. These old wrecks are dear to the hearts of every undergraduate student. The clatter of hoofs is-heard only when the members of a riding cldb take an outing. I have never seen a grizzly nor any of the bob cats and mountain lions that are supposed to Infest our mountains except In the city park In Denver. There really are wild ones in the Rockies, but one never sees them near the well travelled roads. Early this spring I saw a herd of deer near the road In Estes Park. The heavy snowfall forced them to come to where they could find more to eat. Right around here we have tew wild animals —only Jack rabbits, cottontails, skunks, and gophers. Last summer, however, my brother killed a porcupine with the mower while he was cutting the alfalfa. Coyotes used to roam around down here, but the farmers 'got rid of them. I remember my dad killing some when I was small, and most especially do I remember the high, thin wall that pierced the night. I wonder It there is anything more dismal. Going for a drive on the prairie a few days ago. we saw a prairie dog-town. The little fellows were fat and curious. As we drove past they would sit up on the mound around their den and bark. Some would come to the entrance and stick their heads out cautiously and jerk them back. Others were running around outside, and scattered for their respective homes as soon as they saw us. t once heard a story to the effect that, cottontail rabbits, rattlesnakes, prairie dogs, and owls live In the same holes Maybe so, but 1 would say that they lived In them at different times The West seems to have lost some of Its characteristics. In a neighbouring town I saw a small motor car cruising around with the sign " Nelil” on it. " Nehl " fyes. vou pronounce It knee-high) refers to the newest kind of soda pop. but In any case the sign seemed particularly apt. The miners down at the London gold mine at Alma, Colorado, have become more interested In the dinosaur that thev uncovered there than In the gold. The residents of Alma call It Genevieve It Is unusual In that it 1s the petrified body rather than the usual bone fossils. The body has been permeated by gold, and this makes Genevieve a valuable creature In addition to her historic Interest There has been much conjecture as to how that happened For a long time miners had hung their hats on a knob that protruded from the wall. One day one of the engineers, who Is also interested In fossils, decided that this was more than an unusual rock formation. Work was begun to uncover the creature. Genevieve was found to be 16ft long and 6ft tall. She Is estimated at being 95,000,000 years old. No one can guess how large this creature was originally, but all are agreed that It must have shrunk tremendously during the process of petrifaction. Living about 60 miles cast of the Rockies, as we do, we have an Interesting view of them. They are very seldom the same two successive days. One night they were heavily blue;

next night they were purple, and a lew minutes later turned to an Indescribable stormy colour as rain clouds were blown across the sky. In winter the snow caps glisten In the morning sun, and In summer fleecy clouds float over the peaks. At times they are plain, and on other days a haze seems to hang over them, making them a faint line on the western horizon. This letter Is so long that It seems quite time to say Adlos. COLORADO FERN (Colorado). [Although your letter la long It Is so Interesting that I have printed It all, Colorado Fern, for I know that It will Interest my Little Polk. The retiring age is 21, so you have four years yet before you need become an Old Writer. I hope you will write again when yoit havfe ilme.—DOT.] ¥ ¥ ¥ OUR BIRDS. Dear Dot, —Spring Is here bringing Joy and warmer weather to all living things. My ambition is to write a little about some of the birds in spring. One of the first sounds we hear In the early morning Is the song of the birds as they flit about looking for food. In the early part of the spring birds begin gathering materials for building their nests. The big birds, such as thrushes and blackbirds, make rough nests, using twigs, clay, and rotten wood; while the smaller birds build - warm cosy little nests with moss, feathers, or any other soft material that they can find. Some of the nests—such as the grey warbler's—are a remarkable shape when finished. Skylarks and plovers make their nests on the ground, but the male skylark takes great care that he alights some little distance from the nest. This Is done so that If any enemies happen to be watching they will make a mistake by thinking the nest is where the skylark has alighted. Of course he will be able to creep through the long grass unnoticed by anyone. After sitting for about 10 days the mother birds hatch out their young; and oh, how pleased they are to think there will be no more sitting for a little while! At once they fly about hunting tor food to bring back to their babies, which are waiting with their mouths wide open like a rhinoceros or hippopotamus when It yawns. Presently along comes mother with worms or grubs and drops a little food Into each mouth. As soon as the babies have devoured one mouthful of food their heads are open again awaiting more. For some time this goes on, until the mother thinks It Is time to teach them to fly, so that they can hunt for food for themselves. Some rnothef birds, such as the eagle, push their young ones over the edge of the nest, so that they will flap their wings trying hard to keep up. It the mother thinks they are going to fall on to the ground she quickly catches them, and carries them up to the nest again, where she starts them oft once more. In this way they learn to fly. When this lesson has been taught they play about their home for a while, till suddenly they make up their minds to leave home. So the bird-life continues. I do not know what we would do without birds, as they eat pests and insects out of our gardens. Certainly a little harm Is done In the spring when they scratch and nip oft some of the farmers’ produce, but that is not very noticeable, as they are so beautiful and helpful. Love to you and all the Little Folk TE AORANGI GIRL (Taumarunui). [I have printed your letter fully,. Te Aorangl Girl, because It is so full of information. You are a wise Little Folk to be so fond of birds. —DOT.] ¥ ¥ ¥ Dear Dot, —May I Join your happy band of Little Folk? I am 16 years of age, and my birthday is on February 8. There are four girls and four hoys In our family, and all the girls’ birthdays are In February. Mother was married in the same month, so Instead of having four parties we have one big one. Mother is an Old Writer to your paper. I will close now seeing the space In your paper Is very precious. Love to all your Llttl'e Folk and your dear self. QUEEN MAR’S - DAUGHTER (Brighton). [I am pleased to welcome you, Queen Mab’s Daughter. The big February party interests me.—DOT.] ¥ ¥ ¥ Dear Dot,—May I Join your happy band of Little Folk? 1 am eight years old. My birthday was on August. 5, and I am In Standard I. ’ I have two kittens, and would like you please to give me a name for them. I must close, with love to your Little Folk and your dear self. WHITE WIND (Tokoitl). [You arc welcome, White Wind, Do you like your name? Call the kittens Cupple and Saucle. —DOT.] ¥ ¥ ¥ Dear Dot, —May I become a member of your merry band of Little Polk. I am 11 years of age, and am in Standard V .it school. I have a dear little, Angora rabbit, and would like you please to supply a name for it. I will close now, as I know space is precious. Best wishes to all other Little Folk and to your own dear self. ( MOSS BLOSSOM (Alexandra). [You mgy join when you send your private name and address, dear. The name you chose was taken. —DOT.] ¥ ¥ ¥ Dear Dot,—-Please may I join your happy Little Folk? I am in Standard IV, and 1 shall be 10 on October 7. My father has a shop in which he works every day. I have two sisters. One has left school, and the other one is in Standard VII. I have one brother In Standard I. As it is time for bed I must close, with love to the Little Folk and your.dear self. SUNSHOWER (Tokoiti), [I am pleased to welcome you, Sunshower, Do you ever help your father in the shop?— DOT.] ¥ ¥ ¥ Dear Dot, —May I Join your happy., band of Little Folk? I shall be 10 years old in September. We are having cold weather Just now. My sister and I go to school In a bus. My grandmother from Cromwell is staying with us. I will close now, with love to all • the Little Folk. SAUCY'NANCY LEE (Island Block). [Welcome to Saucy Nancy Lee, whose name was taken. You will like having grandmother as a visitor. —DOT.] ¥ ¥ ¥ , Dear Dot, —May I join your happy band of Little Folk? I am 11 years old, and am in Standard IV at school. I go to school by bus, which leaves our place at half-past eight and arrives home at half-past four. We have lunch at school, and In the winter we have cocoa, I play basket ball at school with the other girls. I am knitting a pale pink coat for my doll, which I have had since 1 was five. Love to yourself and the Little Folk. MILLIE THE MOUSE (Roxburgh). (Certainly you -may Join, dear, but I have had to call you Millie the Mouse. What is the doll's name? —DOT.]-

Dear Dot, —May ! join your happy band? I am 18 years old. so I hope I am not too old to Join. We bad plenty of snow and frosts this year, and they suited our winter sports party for their ski-lng, skating, and curling. The bonsplel this year was delightful. Have you ever been to one? I am glad that spring is here, as 1 am looking forward to my favourite bobby—the flower garden. 1 have a sister • who Is an Old Writer, and a little brother who also writes to your page. I will close now, with love to the' Little Folk and your own dear self. A PIPER’S SWEETHEART (Central Otago).

[Welcome to A Piper’s Sweetheart. No, I have not seen a bonsplel. I wish I had. — DOT.]

Dear Dot, —Please may I Join your happy band of Little Folk? We have a few hens, but they are not laying very well. Some nights It freezes so hard that the eggs are

cracked. We have-had a dry winter, but have no ponds with water In, so there is no skating hero. It must be delightful skating and curling up at Naseby. I am In Standard 111 at school. My birthday is In November. I will be 11 years old then. Best love to yourself and the Little Folk. HIAWATHA THE INDIAN (Mlddlemarch). [Certainly you may Join, Hiawatha the Indian. The frosts must be very hard indeed, I think.—DOT.) ¥ ¥ ¥ Dear Dot, —May I Join your happy band of Little Folk? I am 12 years of age and am In Standard IV at school. At present the hills surrounding our place are covered in snow, but It is gradually thawing. 1 have a oat named Ginger, which is very playful. I will tell you more about him next time I write. Kindest regards to all the Little Folk and yourself. GOLDEN KOWHAI FLOWER (Whare Flat). [Welcome to Golden Kowhal.Flower. Your name was taken, dear. I shall like to hear about Ginger.—DOT.) \ ¥ ¥ ¥ Dear Dot, —This Is my first letter. We have been having very severe frosts this month, but the days are just like summer. We have had only about three falls of snow this year, and there has not been much rain. I have a little bantam, which lays one egg every day, and four hens laying besides her. I am nine years old, and in Standard 111. WILL OF THE WATERWAYS (Ophlr). [I am pleased to welcome you. Will of the Waterways. I see that you have had a dry winter. —DOT.] ¥ ¥ ¥ Dear Dot, —As this Is my first letter to you I should like to Join your happy band of Little Polk. I am In Standard 11, and I am Just about 11 years of age. I have a ferret and a cat. Every Saturday 1 go down to Leask’s and go ferreting. We milk four cows in the morning, and at night we teed them on turnips. Would you give me a name tor my ferret? FROSTY JACK'S MATE (Ophlr). [Welcome to Frosty Jack's Mate, whose name I had to alter. Call the ferret Creeps. —DOT.] ¥¥• ¥ , Dear Dot, —This Is my first letter to you. I am 10, and in Standard IV at school. I have a kitten at home. Would you please give me a name for It? We are to have our holidays on August 26. Our Uncle Jack gave Bernie and Ken a white-tailed pigeon each. Bernie has a dog called Tom, and Vin has a dog called Sharp. Last year at the calf competition I had a calf called Rosebud. It was a black and white one. My cat has two kittens, one being a fluffy one and the other a black plain one. The fluffy kitten's name is Rosemary, and the other’s name Is Tom. BONNIE BELLE MAHONE (Ophlr). [You are welcome, Bonnie Belle Mahone. Call the kitten Scuffles, and give It my love. —DOT.] ¥ ¥ ¥ Dear Dot, —1 am 11 years old, and am In Standard 111. I was sick In the Dunstan Hospital. There are seven in my class at school. At home we have a dog that will bring the sheep In for us. My father has a wireless set, and we can get many stations with It. One night, as It was blowing very hard, the wind blew one of the poles down,, and we had to put a now one up. CHARLIE’S BOY BLUB (Ophlr). [I am pleased to welcome you, Charlie’s Boy Blue. What a clever dog that must be j—DOT.] ¥ ¥ ¥ Dear Dot, —How are you? May I Join your band? We have been having very severe frosts lately, and It has been cold. One Saturday I went over to Omakau to have a slide on the lee. When we have our Christmas holidays I am going to Dunedin for six weeks, so It will be all right for me. OPHIR GOLD (Ophir). [I am very well, thank you, Ophir Gold, and pleased to welcome you to my band. — DOT.] # * * Dear Dot, —1 wish to join your Little Polk’s band. We have had some very cold mornings lately. I have a cat called Joe, and a dog called Night, of whom 1 am very fond. Joe. who has been caught In rabbit traps four times, lost once, and poisoned once, is still very lame. We have three bantams, one of which Is white with a brown breast. It will feed out of our hands. BILL OP BAINESSE (Ofchlr). [You are welcome, Bill of Bainesse. 1 am sorry to hear of poor Joe's misfortunes. —- DOT.] ¥ ¥ ¥ Dear Dot,—As this is the first time 1 have written to you I would like to join the Little Folk’s hand. I am in the Manuherlkla Band, and 1 play a cornet—a silver one too. As I have no more to tell you I will have to close, with love to you all. RON OP THE RAGGEDIES (Ophir). [I am pleased to welcome you. Ron of the Raggedles. How proud you must be of your cornet. —DOT.] ■ ¥ ¥ ¥ Dear Dot, —As this is my first letter 1 will begin with what pets we have at homo. 1 have a cat, whose name is Tom. As someone shot him through the hind leg he cannot run or climb very well. My brother Jim has two dogs—a black one, whose name is Mick, and a fawn-coloured one, whose name is Spring. We called him Spring because he half springs along while running. I must close now. DICK OF THE DUNSTANS (Ophir). [Welcome to Dick of the Dunstans. I enjoyed hearing about your interesting pets.— DOT.] ¥ ¥ ¥ Dear Dot,—May I Join your happy band? I shall be 14 years old on the 25th of this month, and am the oldest of a family of five. There is snow on the hills round us, which gives the country a wintry aspect In spite of the sunshine. 1 have an aunt who wrote to your page 33 years ago. She was going to school when she first wrote. I have always enjoyed reading the Little Folk’s letters, as I find them very Interesting. I left school last year, and am now at home helping mother. Love to all the Little Folk and yourself. TAIERI BELLE’S DAUGHTER (Outram). [I am pleased to welcome you, Taicrl Belle's Daughter. What was the name of your aunt?—DOT.] OLD WRITERS' NOTES. Ivanhoe (Mr M. H. Ramsay, 114 Earn street, Invercargill) is endeavouring to compile a register of past and Old Writers in connection with the Jubilee in 1936. He would be pleased to hear from those willing to supply names, addresses and noms de plume, and, where possible, year of first writing to Dot, Acknowledgments will be made periodically in this column. OUR NEW MEMBERS. Dot extends a special welcome* to the following Little Folk who have written to the page tor the first time this week : Joan of Orleans, Bluefeather, Lady Lorna Doone, Flower Maid, Crusoe. China Chimney Sweep, Plucky Prospector, Curly Child, Captain Dan, Wattle Gold, Maid Marigold, Stella Marie, Queen of the Pixies, Dainty Tinker Bell, Gladdy Paddy, Jim Plm Paper Hat, Orlando’s Rosalind, Silver Sunset, Amber Sunset, Blddy-hidt-bld, Dancing Water, Countess Patricia, Plcola’a x Daughter. Mother’s Bonny Lass, Trixie’s Pilot. Tiny Dot. MANY HAPPY RETURNS. Dot wishes many happy returns of the day to— Gladioli, who was 10 on July 23. Mousie Mick. who Is 14 to-day. NOTES Girl of the Golden West. —Erminlo Turcotte, 34 Via. Nava. Milano, Italy. The other address belongs to a New Zealand Little Polk, so I cannot give It to you.—DOT. ¥ ¥ ¥ A Nevis Girl. —I do not know the names you mention. They are not In my roll book. —DOT. LITTLE FOLK'S LETTER BOX As the Little Folk Inserting the following requests do not know the addresses of the companions with whom they wish to correspond, It is necessary that those companions should send the first letter.— DOT ¥ ¥ ¥ Bunny Bobtail (Dorothy Morton, "Glen Dho,” Dunrobtn, Herlot) would like to correspond with any Little Folk between the ages of 12 and 14. * v * Careless Lady (Lorraine Eaton, Excelsior Hotel, Dunedin) Is anxious to correspond with Flower Child. ¥¥ , ¥ Frosty Earthquake (Fraser Urquhart, Hawea Plat, Central Otago) wishes to correspond with Halsman’s Laddy, Rhodesians, Somasundara, and any other overseas Little Folk willing. ' ¥ ¥ ¥ Pretty Little Dear (Florence Higgan, Lowburn, R.D., Cromwell) wishes Nunny to write to her, as she has lost her address. ¥ ¥ ¥ Wild Clematis Flower (Elizabeth Hurring, c’o Mrs H. Hurring, Romahapa) would like any Little Folk between the ages of 18 and 20 to correspond with her. ¥ ¥ ¥ Maid Marigold (Margaret Pollock! Palmerston) wishes to correspond with Princess Patricia and Roses of Argyle. ¥ ¥ ¥ Spring’s Fairy (Mollie Paisley, Wharetoa, Balclutha) wishes to correspond with A Mountain Duchess and Sunny Nelson Lass, also any other Little Folk between the ages of 12 and 14. i The salt in “ Huia ” is iodised for health. It is the butter recommended by doctors.—Advt,