LETTERS FROM LITTLE FOLKS.

Otago Witness, Issue 1928, 2 November 1888, Page 34

LETTERS FROM LITTLE FOLKS.

Deak Dot,— We have got a lot of chalk or white clay here — it's all the same, and we used to writie over everything until mamma safd we shouldn't. This morning all our bedroom door was covered with letters, and mamma asked who wrote it, and everybody said they did not know. Only three of us could have done it, and mamma said she did not think it was me because I always tell the truth, but as some one of us three must have done it — the others aren't big enough to reach, and, besides, can't make capital letters — she said that I must be punished too, till the right one tells, and we 're not to get anything nice — no pancakes or pudding, or anything, or to go anywhere. Dear Dot, how will mamma find out if nobody tells ? I don't like being punished and thought mean. [This little body does not wish me to print her name, or where she lives ; and no wonder. Of course mamma will Hud oub in time, and then won't the guilty one be sorry she did not admit her fault. Perhaps if she goes to m&mma and tells her now before she finds out she might escape punishment. It would be much better for her to do bo, as I am sure she will not be happy till she has admitted her fault and asked her forgiveness. — Dot.] Dear Dot, — I will tell you about my visit to the coast. My father drove me down in the trap. We went to Mr Chrysfcal's, and stayed there for three and a-half weeks. When my father was coming down to fetch me up there were two ladies in the trap. He did not put the bit into one of the horses' mouth, and they bolted. ( The two ladies fell out, and one of them got very much hurt and would come no farther. We enjoyed ourselves at the beach very much— gathering shells and seaweed, hunting and bathing, and fishing. — Yours truly, R. M'K (aged 10 years). Dear Dot,— My sister has a big doll. ,It has pretty blue eyes and loug hair hanging down its back. Would you please give her a nice name for ifc. My sister and Igo to Flag Swamp school, and our examination wa3 held on the 21st September, and I passed into the Second Standard. — Yours truly, Catheeinb Davidson (aged 9$ years). Hawksbury Bush, October 20. [Fay, .short for Fairy, would be nice ; or Lily or Blanche. — Dot.] Dear Dot, — Our examination is near, and I hope I sitiili pass. My birthday is just past. My sister gave liie a pretty workbox as a birthday present, and not long afterwards I heard that she had got a little baby. lam so pleased that I have got a little niece. Her name is Mabel Annie. I have two nephews. One is three years old and the other two years. I have not been down to see my little niece yet, for she is in town. I hope I shall soon get down to see her, and then I will be able to tell you all about her. We have the Salvation Army tip here. There was a very 'sudden death here the other daypoor MrHalcrow dropped down dead at his gate. — Youra' truly, Ma&y Winsiaoe. Kelsoj October 22. Deab Dot,— We have had some heavy rain up here lately. The crops are coming on fine, and the ( fruit trees show well for fruit. We have peas, beans, and potatoes up. Dear Dot, we have got three hens with chicks. Onehss 11» another seven, aud the, other eight. One of them has no toes at alL— Yours truly, Henby WiNSfcADE (aged 9 years.) Kelso, Ootober 22. [I never before heard of a hen without toes, bat I have-heard of a canary with a wooden leg, and of another which got its foot .cut off, and although ifc was a nice singer before never sang after the! accident. 1 Wasn't that fltange'.— Dor.J BHAii ' Daiy^Tfae btnef day 'a ' starling tumbled down] our chimney. My sister Ada heara a noise io the grate, and wag very muoh .afraid

because she thought it might be a rat. There was no fire on, and the trap of the grate was down. She at last openod the trap with a long stick, when, lo and behold a starling flew out. After a lot of trouble sbe caught it on the window, but it bit her hand. She pub it in a box, but as she did not want it we gave it away to a boy, who is keeping it in a cage. — Yours truly, Kate. Dunedin, October 22. Deak Dot. — There was a flood here not very long ago, and we had to leave our house for a time, but we soon got back again. My sister and I did not get back for three weeks because we went over to Brighton. — Yours truly, Jessie (aged 9 years). Henley, October 25. Dear Dot. — I am very sorry to say that we have not a school here, but a kind lady, Mrs Hoddinott, teaches us an hour or two every day ; but I hope there will soon be a school put up. — Yours truly, Daisy (aged 11 years.) Henley, October 25. TO CORRESPONDENTS. Minnie, Tomahawk. — The writing is very good considering that it ia the first time you have written with a pen. Eva. — Your letter was not of sufficient general interest to be published. LITTLE FOLKS' RIDDLES. (Answers In three weeks.) 171. By Mary Ann M'Murtrie, South Hillend:— Why are a newly-married couple like a pair of sugar tongs. 172. By Lily Wallace : —As I was going through a field of wheatll met a body with a body. Can a body tell a body what a body with a body meins ? 173. By Eosa Wosley, Teanaraki : — Why are ripe potatoes like a thief? 174. By Nellie Leslie :— Why doe 3 a", loaf of bread on the top of a church steeple resemble her Majesty the Queen ? 175. By Maggie Mackenzie, Windsor :— What is that whfch goes through the bush without touching the branchea ? 176. By Alice Beatrice Archer, Kyeburn:— How many stfeka go to make a crow's nesfc ? ANSWERS TO LITTLE FOLKS' RIDDLES. Published October 12. 152. By Jessie Jane Couper, Albury:— A woman walking across a bridge with a tub of water on her hend is on water, under water, but is not touching water, 153. By Daisy Callaghan. Fairfax :— A lamp in a window is like a tombstone when it is set up for a late husband. 154. By Arthur:— James, Anne, and Mary were the sweetest rulers of England because their initials apcll jam. 155. By Archibald Campbell : —A hen pecks a pofc because she can't lick it. 156. By Edith Blair, Wanganui : — A book is black ami white and reid all over. 157. By A.C., Clyde :— A man is a not mau when he turn 9 into a lane. 158. By Alexaudrlna F. Taylor : -Five streets in Edinburgh— viz., Rose, Thistle, Queen, King George, and Princes streets.