LETTERS FROM LITTLE FOLKS.

Otago Witness, Issue 1911, 6 July 1888, Page 34

LETTERS FROM LITTLE FOLKS.

Dbab Dot,— l live 20 miles fromlVanganui, in the Mangawhero district. We have two rivers close to us— the Mangawhero and the Wangahu, the first-named falling into the latter about 100 yds below our house. My brother is away at the collegiate school, and I have a ride on Bessie — his Shetland pony — every fine afternoon. She is so fat and round that the first time I rode her when we came to the first incline the saddle and" I came over her head together. I always catch her by holding out an apple. She is very fond of apples. The buggy horses run to mamma when they see her. Mamma often gives them apples. Sometimes they catch her dress in their mouth. Bessie is so jealous when the horses hold out their heads to get the apple that she runs under their necks and kicks, at them. I have a great many pets, and we have such a lot of peafowl. We counted over 60 in the paddock, 14 of them pare white.' They were all going to roost in some old willow trees. Yesterday papa took me down to the bank of the river to show me an owl. It was sitting on a low branch, quite close to ns. It did not fly away, but kept looking at us. It had such large eyes, with yellow all round them. When papa went to the other side of the branch the owl moved his head tc see what papa would do. We left him alone. — Yours truly, Q Muriel A. Polson (aged 8 years). Mangawhero, Wanganui.

Dear Dot, — Since I wrote to you last I have been to Nelson. It is such a pretty place! Papa and I stayed there six weeks. I was so sick while I was there. I took typhoid fever, and one night pa thought ho would lose me altogether. I had to go to the hospital. I waa there two weeks. I saw . a good many little boys and girls like myself lick in bed. lam far from being well yet. I have to stay indoors and have to mind the cold. I feel so lonely by day, while my pa is at work. Of course you know, Dot, I have no ma to give me any comfort. Pa talks about taking me Home to Oalstock.to one of my aunt's, who greatly wants to take me, as she thinks I have had a lot of knocking about. We get letters from her often. We sent our photos Home to aunt. Pa ami I are taken together ; he is sitting down .and I am standing by his side. We had them taken when we first came her*. Aunt thinks I resemble pa's family. She says if I do not come she will come over for me. Per* haps this Will be the last letter you will get from mo here, but if I go Home I will promise to write to you, and tell you all about the place and my uncles, aunts, and cousins. I have a great many. There are not many little boys of my age who have had so much knocklDg about, and of late I have had far mpre than formerly. I had a dog given to me a short time ago. He is such a funny little fellow. He can fetoh and carry. I have named him Twingle. .He is a little terrier, and a good rabbit dog. I with you could see him. It would do anyone's heart good to see him eat — he is so particular. I call him the gentleman of all little dogs he runs so proudly. — Yonrs truly, T. P. F. J. Bennett (agedjll years). Rose Cottage, Melbourne, Jane 6. ■

Dear Dot, — A fire occurred here last Thnrgday. My younger brothers Edmund and Gerald were in the bedroom where the fire took place, and, leaving the candle in the room, they went away. The candle appears to have fallen down and burnt the antimacassars hanging on the looking-glass. It had been burning for some time, as everything, including the table itself, must have been burning before it reached the curtains. I will tell you how we found out. We heard a noise resembling that of a train comirg or a spring-cart coming across the bridge. It seemed to be a long time going over, and papa, who was listening to it, asked what it was. Without waiting for an answer he half rose, saying: "Is there a candle in the room ?" I ran to the parlour door and, catching sight of the smoke and flames, screamed, M Oh, pspa, fire I " Papa, grandpapa, and a young man who is staying with us hurried into the room. The young man threw some water over it and papa and grand" papa beat out the fire. A,fter a great deal of trouble the fire was put out, but not before a lot "of damage was done. Eya^ about five months old, was lying in the cradle, holding the tube of her bottle in one hand, watching the flames* Fortunately the cradle was turaed towards tfce table, so Eva, being at the foot, escaped with* out injury. — Yourß truly, ' Bessie.

Deab Dot, — We are having our winter holidays now. I am very glad, but I thought we were going to have more than a week. We have got a football club up here. I may go out rabbiting to-morrow. I have got a white cst named Snow. I read the little folks' letters and Kk& them very much. I think I oan answer one' of Minnie Heeman's riddles— >fc is a snake. lam in the Third Standard. I like going to school very well.— Yours truly, Miner's Boy. Bannockbnrn, June 2H.

Deab Dot,— We have two horses, three dogp, and three cats. The horses' names arc Toby and Jine, the dogs' Spring, Sharp, and Don, and tha cats' Tom, Buunie, and Peat. Igo to school, and am in the First Standard. I like our teacher (Mr Drain) vi-ry much. 1 havo nx brothers and one sister, and their names are William, George, John, James, Robert, Tb< mas, and Ma,ry Ann. — Yours truly, Jane Lkslie (aged 9 years). Tuapeka -Mouth.

Dear Dot,— l am very fond of reading the little folks' letters. We live^on the banks rf the Olutha* lam in the Second Standard. I have two miles to. go to school. We have forr dogs ; their names are Prince. Darkey, Maori and Carlo. I have a ferret. — Yours truly t Thomas Leslie (aged 12 years). Tnapeka Mouth. ' . . . Dear Dot,— The weather is very rough np here' just now. Igo to school and have a lot of playmates. I' read the little folks' letters, and like them very much. The answer to Kitty Long's first riddle is " a candle." — Yours truly, Ploha E. (aged 9 yeaw). . June 22. Dear Dot,— l like reading the little folks' letters. We get the Witness every week. I think I know the answer to Kitty Long's second riddle — it is " a cherry." I passed my examina- | tion this year. — Yours truly, . - Lucy C. (aged 10J years). ; Orepuki, June 26. [Lucy, in a postscript, says she wonld like me to write a letter to her. I should like very i much to do so; but if I wrote to her,* bf/gourse E all the other little folks would want me to write to them, and there are so many that I ani afraid I could scarcely~dd that. However, I may s'siy" that lam very glad to see. the interest yori ail take in our column, and I trust you, will til con,*

Untie iq&> your beat. to entertain each other, ana 1 make pur part of the paper as attractive as possible. — Yours truly, Dot.] Dear Dot,— l passed my examination this Year, and I hope I shall succeed next year also. I have not got many pets— only three kittens. $v£o or them have got nanles, but the little one has not got a name. Will you give me one for it ?— Yours traly, ClabA (aged 8£ years;. Orepuki, June 27. [You have not told me what the kitten is like, so bow am I to send an appropriate name for it ? As it is the third, however, perhaps Gamma, which is the third letter in the Greek alphabet, will do.— Dorr.] Deab Dot, — I; read the little folks' letters every week, and I think they are very nice. The weather has been very rough up here lately, and it ia very unpleasant, but I hope it will soon clear up. My birthday is on the lOfch of October, and then, I will be 12 years of age. — Yours truly, Blanche. Orepuki, June 26. . Dbae Dot, — I am sorry to tell you that one of my brothers has had chilblains, but they are getting better cow. The roads are very muddy, and when we are going to school we have to walk on the side. I like our teacher— Mr Young — very much. I have a flower garden and some geraniums. They are very pretty when they are out in flower. — Yours truly, Tottis: C. (aged 9i years). Orepuki, June 26. Dbar Dot,— l t&kej great interest in the little folks' letters in the Witness, and read them ereryweek; I also Hke the stories very much. Do you like living in town or the country best ? I shouldn't like to live in town. Where I live we can see the ocean. Dear Dot, I often wonder how you can be bothered with such a lot of little folks writing to you, but I suppose it is because you love us. — Yours truly, Abbotsford,' June 19. Mabt. Dear Dot, — I have two sisters named Mary and Mabel. We have a little kitten. Would you please give me a name for it. I go to Fairfield school, and am iv the Third Standard. The master got up a concert with the children. It was very nine, and we had a fine night, and the schoolroom was full. — Yours truly, Edith Wright (aged 11 years) Abbotsford, June 19. [Call kitty Abby, Bhort for the name of the. place in which you live.— Dot.] Dbab Dot,— l live two miles from Alexandra South. I go to school, and am in the Third Standard. I have six brothers and two sisters. I have a dog named Rover. I can answer the two riddles given by Kitty Long— No. 1. A candle. . No. 2. A cherry. The annwer to William Uren's, is a man, a woman, and a child ; and to Jessie Jane Ooaper's, two feet. —Yours truly, Samuel D. Jackson. Alexandra South, June 25. Sieae Dot,— J. have a nice cat. It is yellow. 1 you please give me a name for it ? We •£aye a nice school and ' good teachers. I like reading ,the letters from the little folks, as they #re very nice.— yours truly, Habry (aged 11 years). (Qrepuki, June 26. ' * £Gall him Tiger.— Dot.-] ! Dbae Dot,— My birthday will be on the 29 th of Jane, We are having our holidays now. We have a week. lam iv the Third Standard. I am 10 years old. Is the answer to Laura Mary Dan 1 era' riddles— the inside, and one p in a pint. I have two brothers and two sisters. — Yours truly, Mary. Bannockburn, June 22. Dear Dot, — I live at Windsor. It is a very quiet place. Igo by train to the Enfleld school. I like our teacher (MrGolding) very well. I have one sister and four brothers ; their names are Barbara, John, Alex, Robert, and George. I will give a riddle for the little folks to answer. — Yours truly, Maggie MackenzieM acken zie . Windsor; June 25. Dear Dot, — J. am in the Second Standard a ( t soh'ool. jf have three sistfera'arid three brothers. Ijjly brothers have a dog named' Spot, and he is j very foud of killing cats.' 3e catches' a lot of rabbits. I have a little' kitten, it is grey and white one. Would you tileasa give me a naaie for it. answer to Davidena's riddle is a jßtar, ana to Kitty Long's first a candle burnange' and co her second a cherry.— Yours truly, AfrTflZ BRATTICE AKCHER. Kyeburn, June 25. [As there are so many Tibbies, I think you might borrow a "k " from Kyeburn, and call it Kibbie.— Dot.] Deab Dot, — I have three pets — a lamb and two cat 3.. The lamb's name is Molly, and the two cats' names are Tommy and Polly. I have five brothers and three sisters. Their names are Alexander, David, James, Thomas, George, Ellen, Jenny, and Bessie. I know a good few of the answers to the riddles — M. Little's, football; Davidena's, star; Katie Long's (l), candle ; (2), cherry ; Jessie Jane Oouper's, two feet, the rest were trotters and paws — Yours truly, John Muir (aged 10 years). Oakhili, June 25. Dear Dot, — I go to school, and am in the Fifth Standard. I have a little black kitten ■; his name in Prince. He is a very good cat. I also have a dog ; his name is Charlie. His colour is blue, black; and white. — Yours truly, 1 ■ ' " Bessie (aged 11 years). St. Bathans, June 25. Deab Dot,— j am in the Third Standard, We '< 3m!ve a new' teacher, and we like him very much. - We are' going to get our mid-winter holidays' now, and jt am going rabbiting. ' I have four dogs. '{Their names are JTfelly, Darkey, Fly 1 , and Lassie. ; .One of them is a greyhound, and he catches a good t fek rabbits. v Poor Nellie is getting too ' old to patch rabbits,.but she caught a very large ferret the other day.' I think I can answer some of the riddles. The handle of a jug is on the outside. There U one "p " in a pint. Dear here is averse for you— ' ' Snowflake, Spotty, and Little Bopeep, . ~£Jl oh the beafthrug'fast asleep: —^Tours truly, '.William (aged 10 years). 'Bdd6beck',Mataura, I June f 22. ' . ' ' JJ)eab Dot, — I am in the Third Standard, and ,like" going ' td~ach6ol very much. 'I have two and four brdfchers. , Their names are $obe,rt,' James, .George,' .Catherine, and tiUrgaret. My youngest sis.ter, Margaret; goes $o school, 'fhe answers to Kitty Long's riddles »xc (p.) a candle ; (2), a charry— Yours truly, Beetha. Brown .(aged V) yesir s)'. gaitangata, June 25. ' j Deab Dx?t, — I have a mUe to go to school. flhe roads are very jßiuddy jost now. Mr .Clark ' is our .teacher. We get a mark if we have all our lessons correct. Each of .us schoolgirls has a plot of garden ground for flowers. — Yours truly, Bjmth Ibwijst. Waiwera South, June 22. Deab Dot,— We have a big dog called Boatswain. He will run for a stick. If you aim it into the river he will bring it out. — Yours truly, Ghobgb Ikwin (aged 7 years). June 22. Deab Dot,— l have a little kitten, and lam Reaching it to jump. Oar lamb, Daisy, is getting

very big and strong. I liked the story of the "'Burning Mountain " very much. — Yours truly, Jessie Balloch. Riversdale, June 21. Deab Dot, — I live at Post Office creek, on the diggings. I am in the Third Standard at school. We have such a nice teacher here — Mr Gellatley — and I like him very much. I .have a dog, and I go out rabbiting and have such fine sport. His name is Nigger. I lire near my Uncle Lew. He has a nice pony named Dick. He gives me rides sometimes. I am staying with my grandfather just now, but he is going away soon. — Yours truly, James Doodt (aged 8 years aad 7 months). Post Office crsek, June 18. Dhab Dot, — We have had very fine weather up have lately. I live at Mount Allan. There is a nice clear creek running past our door. The answer to W. Gibson's .riddle is —the axle tree ; to M. Heenan's second riddle— a bullet.— Yours traly, Ellen Sullivan. Mount Allan. | Deab Dot, — I have a doll named May. My mother gave it to me as a birthday present, and she dressed it with velvet and cerise ribbon and white lace. I call it May because my birthday was on the 23rd May, and I am eight years now. I have another big doll named ' Nelly. Mother bought it from a bazaar, and it is dressed with white muslin and lace. I got a lot of pratty cards from my brothers and little friends. lam in the Second Standard. The inspector is coming soon, but I don't think I shall pass. I will write to you if I do. I hope some of us will pass. My brother Davy will be very disappointed if he does not. — Yours truly, Lydia M'Fadzien (aged 8 years). Fortrose, June 22. Deab Dot, — I am in the Fourth Standard. I have three brothers and one sister. Their names are Lydia, James, Thomas, and John. We have three cows milking, and two calves, three horsep, and one colt. Our" threshing is over now, and we killed a lot of rats and mice. My birthday will be in September, and I will be II years old then. We have not very far to go to school, and we go every day, wet or dry. I think the answer to Ruth's riddle is, Because the half is night ; David A. Lamb's, An egg ; and Christiana Thompson's, the letter E. — Yours truly, • David M'Fadzien (aged 10 years and 9 months). Fortrose, June 22. | Dear Dot, — I live in Chatton, but I am on a visit to my brother's farm near Riversdale. It is a nice place, and I like it very much. He has Sve lagoons on his farm, with plenty of trout and wild game in them. He is going to get a boat made this winter. I have to go home on Saturday, but I am coming back in summer to have a row in it. lam in the Fifth Standard. Mr Merrie is our schoolmaster. I like him very well. My nephew has four miles to walk to Riversdale school. He is only seven years old. I would like him to come to school with me, as I have only two and a-half miles to walk. — Yours truly, , Henrietta Jones (aged 13 years). Riversdale, June • 19. Dear Dot, — 1 live'at Warepa, and go to the Warepa school. Mr Wilson is our teacher. We are getting a week's holidays at present. I like holidays very well. I have three brothers and one sister. Their names are James, John, Hugh, and Caroline. J have no pets to tell you about, but' my' brother Hugh has a cat named Tom. My birthday is in August. — Yours truly, Isabella Cunningham (aged 9 years). Warepa, June 22. Drab Dot, — I go to school, and am in the Second Standard. I like our teacher (Miss Maxwell) very much, but she is soon going to leave us, and lam very sorry. We have a cow and a horse. Their names are Daisy and Rose. I like the little folks' letters in the Witness very much. We have a fine, big dog. He will carry rabbits very well. His name is Punch, and he ia a grand watchdog — Yours truly, Caroline Richardson (aged 8 yeais). Evans Flat, June 20. Deab Dot,— We "have a little red-and-white calf. ' Its name is Rosy. My brother has got a foal named Gipsy, and I hiVe a dog named Tip. We are 1 having our midwinter holidays now. The answers to tw6' of the riddles are a candle and a cherry. — Yours truly,' ' Bob. Matakanui, June 25. r Dear Dot, — I live at Kawarau Gorge, near Cromwell. ' Our school is on'y a (juarter of'a mile off. ' My 'teacher is Miss Fluids, and I like her very well. I have five 'sisters and fotfr brothers, and three besides myself go to school. lam in the Fourth Standard. I lived at Clyde with my two oldest sisters fop si? months, and went to school there. X liked it very muph. My father has a small farm, we have a lot of horses and cattle. Some of the horses' names are Rosy, Lizzy, Kate, Ido, Dandy, Tom, and Rsngatira. Dear Dot, I have a pretty kitten, and would you please give me a name for it. — Yours truly, Emma Wilson. Kawarau Gorge, June 25. [Qall the kitten Kawa. — Dot.] Deab Dot, — I am in the Fifth Standard, and I like going school very much. We are having cold weather just now. I think that I can answer some of the riddles this week. The answers to Kitty Long's two riddles are— (l) A candle ; (2) a cherry. — Yours truly," F. (aged 13 years). t Deae Dot, — I have hot been' to school for two weeks. We have' a very dirty road to go. It is pretty wet and cold here. — Yours truly, 1 Alexandeina F. Taylob. Pukerau, June 27. '■ W. S.— - 1 am doubtful about your letter. Ido not think any boy'c"ou.la"cat<;h 121 rabbits in one day, but of course I inky be mistaken. Get your father to certify that the letter .is right, audit will appear. — Dot. ' . . Deae Dot, — I live in the country, and I like it very much. We have 16 horses, 11 cows 1 , aiid six calves. I have five brothers and' four sisters. This week being our holidays I went into Dun-, edin with my mother, and I enjoyed myself very 'much. I went to 'the Palace Rink on Saturday night, and it was aboub 11 o'clock when I got h : ome. 'My cousins and I "went- to the museum 'on Sunday and we saw a great; many animals. On Monday we went t6 the^wharf, whence we saw the Takapuna sail. I have three miles to go to school. My brothers have a farm up at the Horseshoe Bushj and sometimes I go up with my father 'to see them. Dear Dot, this is the first time I have written to you) but I hope it will not be the" last. — Yours" truly, /Mabt. , Langsdaje Farm, Tbkdmairiro, June 30," ' [No 5 J. hope to hear from you frequently.—Dot.] ' " ' Dbae Dot,— l go to school, and am in the £>ecdnd Reading Book. '.Qhr house Is riot tar away from the school. Mr Drain is our teacher, j and I like him very much, f have only three | pets to tell you ol; they are ibwp guinea pigs and a black cat.— ?ours truly, JOffN TfitOlfAS SM*TH Tuapeka Mouth. (aged 0 years).

Deab Dot, — There are not many at our sohool. The boys have got a foofeball'club, and I lam a member. We bad a match last Saturday, "and won by one point to none.- We bare four

cows and six calvee, and a lot of sheep. Please, Dot, shall I give some riddles the next time I write ?— Yours truly, W. C. (aged 11 years and 11 mouths). [Yes, but send the answers with them, and also the answers to those you have sent with this Utter. — Dor.] LITTLE FOLKS' BIDDLBS. (Answers mnsfc be sent with all riddles.) ' By Samuel D. Jackson:— (8) Kiddle mo, riddle me rather, I suppose you think It's fun ; But what relation is a ohild to its father If it's not its own father's son. By Caroline Richardson :— ' ' ' (9) I wonfc into the wood and got it ; I sat down to look for it. and the more I looked for it the less I liked it, so I went home with it. FlaraF., LuoyO., M., Bdtth Wright. Samuel D. Jackaon (2), Maggie Mackenzie, Alice Beatrice Archer, John Muir, Hditfr Irwin, Bllen Sullivan, David M'Fadzien, Caroline Richardson, Emma Wilson, F. (Waipahi), Alexandrina F. Taylor.— Please send answera to your riddles, and they will appear. • , . .' '*'■<