LETTERS FROM LITTLE FOLKS.

Otago Witness, Issue 1847, 15 April 1887, Page 34

LETTERS FROM LITTLE FOLKS.

[Little folks, as well as big folks, BhouM always remember that letters should be written on one side of the paper only.] Dear Dot, — Some little time ago there was a public meeting of volunteers. Being a holiday, my father drove us to see them, and my cousius cama to meet us there. When they were going home my brother Tom and Sis went part of the way to s«e them home. To come home they had to pass a very dangerous bluff. On coming back the wind was blowing in great gushes, causing the stones and gravel to roll down the sides of the rocks. Tom was on horseback, and one of the stones struck the horse on the head, and caused it to shy and roll over the bank a distance of SOf fc ; and if it had not been for a big rock projecting out, he would have gone into Kawarau river. The horso stopped half-way down, and managed to come to the top again safely. A shepherd happened to be passing, and picked up Tom, insensible. He was badly bruised about the face, but now he has quite recovered. — Yours truly, Maud Owens (aged Uh years). Gibbston, April 3. Dear Dot,— We have a cat that had kittens in the barn. My brother, who wanted to feed her, brought two little black rabbits, but instead of eafeing them she nursed them just as if they were her own kittens. She brought the kittens up to the house, and the rabbits too, The barn is about 200 yards from the house. They lived for two or three weeks, but I let a piece of wood tumble on them, and k|iledthem. We were all so sorry about it. Papa said they would have made " good mousers." Do you think so, dear Dot ? Wouldn't it have been great fun seeing rabbits play with a mouse i In this letter I send a Christmas card. From your loving friend, Bessie. Oterarnika, February 25. Dea# Dot, — I must tell you about a dear little canary that came flying into the verandah last Friday. We caught it, and put it under a wire dish cover, as we had no cage. I went round to several of our neighbours, but could not find the owner. But one of our neighbours lent us a cage, an old one they had. The little bird is so plump and pretty. Mamma says that if no one aeks for it I may keep it ; ai d if I do, every Saturday I will clean the cage, and keep it nice and freah.— Yours truly. Mabel (aged 11 years), Cumberland Lodge, April 4. Deah Dot, — I live at Richmond, a small place seven miles from Nelson. When we want to visit Nelson we go in the train, which goes very slow — not at all like the trains in Dunedin. I know they go very fast, dear Dot, because I used to live down there before I came here. We have very hot weather here. I think it is much hotter than you have in Dunedin. We have no snow in winter, but I often wish we had, because I think it is very nice to play with. We had an earthquake early this morning, and I did not like it at all. — Yours truly, Mama Murray (aged 10 years). Richmond, Nelson, March 18. Dear Dot, — I must apologise for not sending my name when I posted my story to you, entitled " The Lost Children." Nobody knew anything about it but myself. I wrote it at odd minutes, just as I made it up in my head. Nobody knows about it yet, and unless I gain the prize they shall not know I wrote it. You are not to put this in the paper, as I am writing to you for the purpose of letting you know my address. — Yours truly, Jails. Dunediu, March 29. [Although I have put Jails' letter in I haven't given the name, so that no one will be the wiser. At the same time I cannot help thinking that Jails is too modest. Her story was a very excellent one, aud even if another one has been awarded the prize she need not lie ashamed of her work.— Dot.] Dear' Dot, — As I have not seen any letter from Catlins river to you, I will let you know what a beautiful place it is. There is a beautiful river here called Owake. Wo go down the Owake river to Catlius river. There ure two sawmills standing idle, but there i» one mill being worked by Mr M'Farlane at what is called the Lakes. I wish you would come down here. I would get my brother to take you to the Blow Hole and Bloody Jack's Island, aud round about it. It is such a pretty place. I have a long way to go to school. I am in the master's room". Mr Briaut is good aud kind to us all. He has taken all the school children a trip down the river. There are two stores, one schoolhouse, one hotel, and n Plymouth Brethren's Chapel/ Mr M'Lar i !\ 5- thi- minister of the church. He preaches ia r,h<- nchoolbouse. Hoping to see you some day. — I remain, yours truly, Helen M'lntry (aged 11 years). Owake, Catling river, March 27. [The editor is lookiug very severe, because this little correspondent and several others have this week written on both sides of the paper. He says that if my little friends will persist in breaking the rule in this manner I shall have to copy their letters out again. I hope, however, I shall not be put to all that trouble, but that every one will, in future, remember to write on OKE SIDE OP THE PAPER ONLY.— DOT.] Dear Dot, — I will tell you how I spent my Christmas holidays up at my aunty's. We had to drive five miles to church. Ou flue Sundays it was so nice. Tho night before I came away my cousin Jack gave me a ride on his pony. It was so nice galloping along the smooth road. Dear Dot, you should go up and get a ride too It would be a fine holiday for you. — Your, truly, Minnie (aged 10 years). George street, March 31. Dear Dot,— l have got no brothers or sisters to play with, so you see that I have just to play with my companions and my dolls. On Saturday afternoon I had. such a nice play wiih my companions. We played at school, and our scholars were very good indeed. I have got another pretty doll, be is such a pretty boy, with fair curly hair, and large beautiful blue eyes ; he is in a little basket carriage, dressed in scarlet, and trimmed with white lace, aad as you Eull him along he cries and kicks, aud turns his cad round, and makes bis arms go, I want a

nice name for him, so I will ask if you will be kind enough to give me one. — Yours truly, Maby Ann M'Kbnzie (aged 10.) Invercargill, March 28. [Call your doll Ernest or Harold. — Yours truly, Dot.] Dear Dot. — I am going to tell you about a a circus that my brother James and a little friend of his got up. They had rabbits and a lot more other things for it. This is my first letter ; Shall I write again to you ? — Yours truly, May (aged 9J.) Waianiwa, March 2 [Yes.— Dot.]