LETTERS FROM LITTLE FOLKS.

Otago Witness, Issue 956, 16 May 1889, Page 35

LETTERS FROM LITTLE FOLKS.

Dear Dot, — It is a long time since I wrote . to yon. We have had a concert and dance in [ aid of the sohool funds, at which there was a ; lot of good singing. The concert lasted till 11 ■ , o'clock and the dance broke up about 4in the , morning. We are milking four cows; I milk , ,two, and my. brothers Willie and Aleck milk . one cow each. I am getting on well with my music. My father killed a pig yesterday. — '' Yours truly, Jessie Jane Coupbb. Albnry, May 4. | Deae Dot, — We have a little black pony. Would you please give me a name for him ? I get a ride on him sometimes; he is very quiet ; he is very hard to catch. We have got four ferrets, and my sister Prances and I go ferreting with one; He is a big ferret. Igo to sohool ; I am in the Second Standard.— Yours truly, ' John Thomas Smith (aged 10 years). Tuapeka Mouth, May 5. [Call him Sultan.— Dot.] , ■ Dear Dot, — I am\ in the Infant Reader. I live seven miles from school, and I ride there every day when it is dry. I like our teacher, Mr Graham,, very much.-— Yours truly, Archie M'Kat (aged 9, years). Park Hill, May 10. C. I. B. H.— Yes, I like liji, and will print it next week. ' It came just too late for this week. —Dot. A TOICE FEOM THE BACKWOODS. Dear Dot,— Could you kindly firia room for the enclosed in your much-read page of the Witness. I take a great interest in the little folks' letters, and would feel grateful to you if you would sometimes print a letter for me. — Yours truly,* Backwoodsman. TO THE lITTLE FOMCS. Dear children, in your youthful time Enjoy each happy day, And take your share of life's sunshine For time flits fast away. The days are quickly gliding on When you will lack the power, And when your sunny youth is gone Dark clouds begin to lower : Enjoy the hour that's passing by, Nor think of future years, For then you'll find you'll often sigh, Looking back through misty tears, To the happy hours you're pa»sing now, Though perhaps you know it not, But you'll think of them with aching brow When they're gone though not forgot. Your youthful minds can now enjoy Whatever comes your wayMere trifles give pleasure without alloy And all the world seems gay. If e'er a cloud flits o'er your iky, ' 'lis the thought that you're not 'full grown, So that other pleasures you then may buy, 1 And make them all.your own*. ' " But then each pleasure is dearly bought, , And offeen ends in pain, Each day with disappointments fraught, And you'll wish you were young again. You will find that all through life you will crave For that which you cannot get, And from manhood's prime till you reach the grave You'll be thinking with keen regret : " If I'd done this, oh if I'd done that,

My mistakes I can ace quite plain ; Oh, would I'd the power to retrace life's track, And go back to my youth again." Dear children, the future, will give you the proof,, That youth is your happiest time, So enjoy yourselves ere you test the truth Of these rambling words of mine.,' There are bitter fruits on the path of life That we each in turn must eat ; We must drain to the dregs the cup of strife Which in youth tasted rich and sweet. Backwoodsman.