OUR LITTLE FOLKS.

Otago Witness, Issue 1947, 18 June 1891, Page 39

OUR LITTLE FOLKS.

Bt Dot.

D*t will b* pleued to reoelr* ibort lettari from jareolle eorrerotndant* on »nr mitten or Intoreit to tbemielTH— ihort ttonu ef pet »nim»li, description, ot their favourite toy*, tbelr pvUe«, •muceiucau, 40. Tb« MUeri to bt written b; th» obildrai thtasalve* »nd Udrtned " D*t, cars of the Editor," ud to M P*« Uib*d ia tilt »•(• <«T«t*d to " On Llttte r«Uc«."

THE BIRD IK THE LINDEN TREE. By Howabd Ptle.

The Prince wrapped the beautiful Princess ia a ram's akin, and they started away for bia home. Along and along they went until they had come so near* to the King's house that they could see the high roofs and the weathercocks Over the crest of the nett hill. There the Prince bade tbe Princess wait for him until he went home and brought her a dresß of real silver and gold, suoh as was fitting for her to wear. Then be left her, and the Princess sat down beaide the roadside to wait until he should come again. Now, as the Princess sat there, there oame along tbe old gooseherd of the palace, and with her came her daughter, for they were driving the royal geese home again from where they had been eating grass. Then they wanted to know all about her— who she was, and where she oame from, and what she sat there for. So the Princess told them all they wanted to know. Then the old goose woman thought that it would be a fine thing to have her daughter in the Princess' place. So the gooseherd'a daughter held the Princess, and the old gooseherd stripped tha ram's skin off from her. No sooner had they done this than the Princess was ohanged into a beautiful golden bird, and flew away over hill and valley. Then the gooßeherd's daughter clad herself in the ram's skin, and sat down in the Princess' place. After a while the Prince oame with a fine dress, all of real silver and gold, but when he saw the goose girl he beat his head with his kuuokles, for he thought that it was the Princess, and that she was enchanted again. Why did he not look through tbe ring of the magio key? Perhaps for this; perhaps for that ; one oannot be always wise. Then the Prinoe dressed the goose girl in the fine dresß of gold and silver and took her home with him. Hu ! how everybody stared and laughed when they saw what kind of a Princess it was that the Prince brought home with him. Aa for the poor old King, he rubbed his speofcacles and looked, for he thought that this was a strange, sort of wife for the Prince to make such a buzz about, So orders were given for a grand wedding on Thursday, and the old King asked all the neighbours tc come. But the old gooseherd told her daughter to mix a Bleeping powder with the Prince's wine at supper, for if the real Princess were to oome at all, she would oome that night. The goose girl did as she was told, and the Prinoe drank the sleeping powder with his wine, and knew nothing of it. That night the golden bird oame flying, and sat in the linden tree just outside the Prince's chamber window, and she clapped her wings and sang '• —

I wept over you once, I wept over you twice, I wept over you three times. In the ram's skin I waited. And out of the ram's skin I flew. Why are you sleeping, Life of my life? But the Prince slept as sound as a doormonse, and when the dawn oame and the cooks crew the golden bird was forced to fly away. The next night the false Princess did as she had done before, and mixed a Bleeping powder with the Prince's cup of wine, and the golden bird oame again and perobed ia the linden tree outside of the Prince's window and sang. But once more the Prince slept through it all, and when morning had come the golden bird was forced to fly away. Now it chanced that that night some of the folk of the King's household heard the bird singing, and they told the Prince all about it. So when tbe third night oame, and the false Princess gave the Prince the cup of wine with the sleeping powder in it, he threw the wine over his shoulder, and never touohed so much as a drop of it. That night the bird oame for the third time, and sang as it had done before, But this time the Prince was not sleeping. He jumped out of his bed and ran to the window, and there he saw the bird, and its feathers shone like fire, beoanse they were of pure gold. Then be got his magio key, and looked through the ring of it, and whom should he see but his own Princess sitting in the linden tree. Then the Prince called to her, " What shall I do to set you free from this enohantment ? " "Throw your knife lover me !" said the Princess, The Prince threw his knife over her, and there she stood in her own true shape. Then the Prince took her to the 'King, and when the King saw how pretty she was he skipped and danced till his slippers flew about his ears. Then they had the grandest wedding that ever was seen in all the world, Everybody was asked, and there was enough for all to eat as much as they ohoße, and to take a little something home to the children besides.

THE DOLL-LADY. Once there was a Bweat doll-lady, Game from Paris o'er tbe sea. Wore a cloak of finest satin, Ottriob plumes her velvet bat in, And a gown all 'broidery. Ab, ber manners were so charming 1 She could sing and eurt'ey low, Walk and dance a minuet— Sweetest doll you ever met, You'd have surely said, I know. But, alas, this sweet doll-lady Oame to visit Bmall Miss Rose 1 First she lost ber golden tresses. Then she lOßfc ber lovely dresses, Then she lost ber eyes and nose. She was Boon a helpless cripple; She was never put to bed. Could not liDg, she was so jadpd — All her waxen roseß faded. And at last she lost her bead. What this pretty sweet doll-lady Must bave thought is plain to me, Just before ber execution — That a new Prenoh revolution Had arisen this side tbe sea. —Mary E. Wilkins in the Leed» Mercury.

LETTERS FBOM LITTLE FOLKS.

DBAB Dot.— Every Saturday I look forward to hearing my big sister Queenie read the little folks' letters in th 9 Otago Witness ; they are ao interesting. lam writing you to see if you will be so kind as to publish mine. I have four sistei'B and two brothers. One of my brothers, the eldest, is at sea, and he likes it very much. My youngest brother ia learning the violin and drawing, and I learn draw'ng and muaic, aud am getting on. very well. Igo to the Convent ; so doas my sister. The nuns are so kind. We have two dogs, River atd Don. We have also a Turkish bath built in oar place. I think it is the only one ia Inveroar*

gill. It has three rooms, »nd is built a little bit from the houße, It has a hot room, a bath room, and reclining room, I have bad a bath, and I liked it very much. Our baby is nine months old ; its name is Lavender Gladys Irene, but we call it Sammy. Is it not a shame when it has such a pretty name ? I must close my long letter now. — Yours truly, Rowbna Obobs (aged 10| years). laveroargill, June 8.

Deab Dot, — There are four of us going to eohool. We have a long way to go, and the roads are very wet and muddy. We are having very rough weather here just now. I think we shall be having our mid-winter holidays this month, and my little brother and 1 are going to jpedd our holidays with our auntie in South Biverton. It is a very pretty place. There is a big bush in whioh there are plenty of nice fernd. Auntie's bouse is quite dose to the ooean, and it is a very nice beach to walk along when the tide is out. It is a nice place to go for a picnic amoDg the rooks on a fine day. My little sister Maudie baß a doll, and she wants a name for it ; would you please give her one. My brother is writing to you for the first time, Dear Dot, I think it is time for me to stop writing now. — Yours truly,

Jeannib Fbbw. Sea View, near Riverton, June 5 [Tell Maudie to call her doll Mermaid.— Dot]

Bear Dot, — I go to the Riverton school, aud am in the Second Standard. I have four milea to go, two of which I walk, and the other two I go in the train. Dear Dot, they are trying to get a harbour at Riverton, bo that the big steamers can come in. We go down to the jetty Bometimes when the steamer comes in. The Napier cornea here now. The Kakanui used to come. We were all very sorry when she was lost, for the captain was very kind to us boya when we went on board. I must stop writing now as mamma says it is time to go to bed. Please may I write again?— Yours truly, ROBKBT Fbew (aged 9 yers). Sea View, near Riverton, June 5. (.Certainly, Robert, write whenever you nave anything to tell the little folks. — Dot.]

Deab Dot,— l always read the letters that appear in your columns of the Witness, bo I jaat thought I would write to you and tell you something about this plaoe, and about a nice little book that my sister Kate Bent ma all the way from Queenstown. She has been away four months, and has only written one letter home, and we have been so anxious about her. You don't know how pleased we were when we saw her name signed in my book— it gave us all a jolly turn of mind. The plaoe where we live is virtually a mining township, with a few farms round about. The farmers are busy threshing their grain now. My mother has a farm, but all my brothers are mining. I wish the mill would hurry along and come to oar stacks, as I want to stay away from school for a day or two. Dear Dot, if ever you think of coining up here for a holiday, don't choose the winter months for the trip, as you will not enjoy yourself unless you like muddy roads. Then yon need to be able to swim, as y>.u will find a exeat many waterholes to cross. I milk three cowa before going to school and after I come home. I like milking, bat mother is going to stop me milking, and make me do the h k. — Yoira trnlv. BELLA.

OUBBWOr

Dbab Dot, — I go to the Longbush School, and have to walk two miles and a-half every day. I have three brothers and one sister. The baby is such a dear little fellow, and can blow a trumpet. His name is Arthur Bertram. Two of my cousins are staying with me just now, and we go for a walk every Sunday in the paddocks. My little sister has a new doll with blue eyes and yellow hair. Would yon kindly give me a name .for it. — Youra truly, Gussie Tatlok (aged 10J years). Woodlands, June 8,

[Call her Beatrioe?— Dot.]

Deab Dot, — I live in Inveroargill. I attend the Central Sohool, and am in the Third Standard. I have a boat, and it is named the Hinemoa. I have a dog and a oat. The dog's name is Sailor, I have lent it to a man who iB going gold digging round the West OoaBt ; and the cat's name iB Captain. I have two Bisters, and their names are Mary and Grace. Have you ever been up on the Waterworks Tower ? I was once on the tower. My father works there, and he took me up. This is my first letter, but I hope to do .better .next time.— Yourß truly,

Theophiltjs J. S. Daniel.

Doon street, June 8.

[You have done very well indeed. Yes, I have been up the tower, and it isj well worth going up. — Dot.]

Dbab Dot, — I live at a'plaoe called Spring Hills. I passed the First Standard at last examination. We have 80 sheep and 20 cows. My '.sister has a kitten, and she wants a name for it. We have a dog, and his name is Soldier ; he is a collie. We have about 50 o a the roll at sohool in summer time. — Yours truly, Geobqe Kennedy (aged 7 years). [Hers are a Soldier and a Sailor, so the kitten must surely be called Tinker. — Dot ]

Deab Dot,— l live at Sandymount. It is a nioe place in summer but very oold in winter, Igo to the Higholiffe School, which is four miles off, Mr Hodge is our teacher, and we like him very muoh. lam in the Third Standard at school, and am getting on very well. I have rue little sister. She is five years of age. She is going to the Higholiffe Sshool with me next year if I stay at that school.— Yours truly, Albebt E.'CABNBiiii(agedl9 years). Sandymount, June 8.

Dbab Dot,—! go to sohool, and am in the Fifth Standard. We live at the seaside and oan get many nice shells. I have four sisters and three brothers, and two of us go to sohool, I read the story in the little folks' column every week. Dear Dot, would you please give me a oure for chilblains. We have a new teaoher. She came a little while ago. We have not got many flowers. We got some ferns and planted them in the garden. They are growing very well, and are all fresh and green. I have not a very long way to go to sohool, The threshing is over now, so we are not very busy.— Yours truly,

Babbaba Dippib.

Kuri Bush, June 5.

Deab Dot, — I did not go to sohool to-day because it was snowing, and so I thought I would write a letter. The snow was not much. I read the little folks' page eveiyweek, and I like it very muoh. Would you give my Bister a own ? for her doll, and one for my mother's cat.— Yourß truly, Willie: Johnson (aged 12 years). Dunedin, June. [Call the doll Iria and the <*at Jvrio.— Dot.]

Dbab Dot, — We all thank you very muoh for putting our letters in the paper. Igo to the Native school at Karitane. lam in the Fifth Standard. We have not to pay for our books. The Government supplies them all — s!at>9, pencils, copy books, drawing books, &o. Every night two of the school girls sweep ani dust tbe sohool, and two lay the fire, so that it may be ready for the morning. We each have to fetch a Bmall bundle of wood every year* and have to pay la towards coals, Eagn

of the girls at the sohool has a flower garden. The .teacher also has a flower garden, which looks very nioe in summer. We would like to know if in writing to you it ia sufficient for us to Bend only one page written on one side, or must we Bend a soars page as well ? -Yours truly, Lizzie Mv b (aged 12 years). Native school, Karitane, June 8.

[It ia sufficient to send one page only. The object of having it written on one side only is to allow of it being cut up into two or more pieces, so that two or three printers can each have portion of it if necessary. — Dot ]

Deab Dot, — I live at the Maori Kaik, and it is a very pretty place. Last night it was blowing very hard, and the mountains were thick with snow. On Saturday laat Hannah Woods and myself went up to the bush aud we gathered some nice ferns. I go to sohool and am in the Third Standard. I have two oats. Their names are Pansy and Daisy. — Yours truly, Ltdia Hoggie (aged 13 years). Karitane, June 8.

DeaS Dot,— l live at Brinn's Point. It is not a very pretty place. It Was blowing very hard last night, and this morning when I got up there was snow on the hills, and it was very cold. My brother has two little guinea pigs. They live on grass. He has also two dogs, and their names are Tine and Soamp. I go to school and am in tbe Third Standard. — Yours truly, Mabtha Pabkeb (aged 12 years).

Karitane, June 8,

Deab Dot, — I go to school, and I like it very much, and hope you liked it too. We have a new teacher, the old teacher (Mr Green) having been sent to the Native Sohool at Little River, near Akaroa. Mr Green is absent on a trip to England. A sawmill is bemg started in Pukiteraki by Matthew, Irwin, and 00., bo the people in the district will be able to get planks instead of going to Dunedin for them. My father has gone to Wellington, because he is_ a men bar of Parliament, and I hope he will arrive safely and see my brother Charles, who is learning to be a lawyer in Wellington. I must close my letter to you because the sohool is going out. The answer to last week's riddle is an egg. — Yours truly, William Pbatt (aged 12 years).

Native Sohool, Karitane, June 8.

Dbab Dot,— The weather here is very rough just now. Last week I was not at school because I was away for a holiday over at Taiaroa Hsads. I was staying with my sister. I went over with her as far aB Port Chalmers in tbe train, and then we went down ia a boat. I liked over there very much, and would have liked to have stayed a little longer. Mr G. Taiaroa and I drove over in a spring- cart. We left the Heads at 10 o'olook a.m., and never returned home till 8 o'clock p.m. It was very oold on our way home. — Yours truly, Tame Pabata.

Native School, Karitane, June 8.

Deab Dot,— l go to the Native School. We have a new teacher. I dc not go to school on cold dayß. I have two brothers, and their names are Johnny and Robert. There are two girls and three boys, Each girl and boy has to pay la every year for coals. I have a little pet calf, all white. Would you be kind enough to give me a name for it. — Yours truly, Mabtha Pratt (aged 11 years). Native School, Karitane, June 8. [Snewflake would be a nioe name for the Oftlf.— DOT.]

Deab Dot, — I am going to give you »n account of the soiree which was held here on the 22nd of May. We had all been looking forward to it, and it turned out to be a great success, as ereryone wished it to be. It was held in the Obautau Public Hall. The ladies of the district provided the eatables. The Bight that met your eye as yon gazed around the hall was a very pleasing one. The tables were spread with the most tempting viands, and this and the floral deoorations made the scene a very pleasant one. Then there were the smiling faces of the ladieß who presided at the tables to complete the picture. After tea was over those present adjourned to the church, where speeohes were made. The Rev. Messrs Neave, Ross, Nott, Ferguson, Ewan, and M'Nab were on the platform, Mr Ewan occupying the ohair. The choir sang many melodious hymns, and great praise is due to their leader, Mr j. F 0. Hiddlestone, for the excellent way in which he has trained the members. The last speaker, the Rev. Mr Ferguson, fairly brought down the house. The Rev. Mr Ross oalled for a vote of thanks for the ladies who had provided the edibles, also for the oboir and its leader, which waß heartily responded to ; after which the soiree came to a close. Dear Dot, we are having very cold weather here now, and everyone is expeoting a flood. I must now say good-bye, as bedtime is drawing nigh. -Yours truly,

S. L. Woods.

Otautau, June 8, Deab Dot, — A great new bridge is being ereoted in Cromwell. There was a fall of snow here a few days ago. My sister is married, and she has two pretty little children, and their names are Mary Jane and Elizabeth. I go to school with my brother and sister. We have a nioe schoolmistress, and we like her very much. My brother has a little black-and-white pup. Will you please, Dot, give him a name for it.— Yours truly, Elizabeth Henderson.

Roaring Meg, June 6.

[As we have this week Soldier, Sailor, and Tinker, suppose we complete the quartette and call tbe pup Tailor.— Dot]

LITTLE FOLKS' RIDDLES

600. By Frank Menzies, Invercargill :— What is the easiest thing for a nigger to do ? 601. By Evelyn, Otautau :— Why is a fust young lady like a steamboat ? 502. By Annie:— Why is the polka like bitter beer?

AIT SWBE TO LAST WBBK'S HI DDL! 3. 496. By Sybil :— A player. 497. By Constance s — When It Is dripping. 498. By Evelyn : — Because they are bound to adore. 499. By Annie : — Became they are apt to give you the heartburn.