LETTERS FROM LITTLE FOLKS.

Otago Witness, Issue 2289, 13 January 1898, Page 51

LETTERS FROM LITTLE FOLKS.

Dear Dot, — I feel too tired to do aaytbiag but write f o 50a. I ana enjoying iDj'&eH to fche fusl, however. I received two wi«e i'ooks, entitled " Glover Boya " and " Successful Men." A clever boy ought in hh time to become a successful man. I can't lay claim to he clever, but; I am successful iv the raattet of kind pastors, masters, friends, at;d chums. I suppose yonr little folks have often sr<.-s<i of hookm'3«), bufc a book-boy l eema a novelty ; y&b it is only a distinction with a slight difference. I see by the Witness that the "High School Boy's " identity has baen discovered, aud thab he has besn chaffed over hi 3 letters to tha paper. I would adviss him to take !lxe editor's advice and keep on wrifciDg his letters to the paper. I like very much to read his humourous and racy epistles. Tfao fellows wlso are fceasicg him with chaff are doubtless jealous of his writing abilities. The '"High School Boy" gave me a few bard ktK,cka in one of his former letters, but chaff falls ou me like rain on a duck'ri back. li he takfes a common norn de plume like myself he will be less likely to be discovered. I shall always lika to read bis letters about the back blocks. Cheer up, H. E G , whoevec you are ; don't let your spirits go down. My norn de plume is common, and it woul<i be like looking for a needle in a haystask to discover niy identity, for " Harry " is in nearly every well-regulated household. If it isn't, well, it ought to he, if only to keep me in remembrance. At prestnt I am pulling fruit, bat when I hava a book for a companion, it is nothing bub " leaves ; " and I've got to grieve over my wasted lime, for it is a job separating the leaves from the berries. If I had followed the plain path of duty instead of pleasure my task would have been easier. lam determined to follow duty's path in future and pull berries. I have such a congenial mate, whogh\.s me invitations to his sanctum, and there are books and books that suit me exactly. lam fully determined to read one of the • ' fattest " volumes on the bookcase. lam dedicating this verse to R. B. G. in sympathy. I have taken it out of " Clever Boys " in compliment to him. Let not, oh, generous youth, thy mind recoil At transitory pain or manly toil ; Nor fondly linger in the painted vale, Nor crop the flower, nor woo the summer's gale. Ileeedless of Pleasure's voice, be thine the care Nobly to suffer and sublimely dare ; While Wisdom waves on high the radiant prize, And each hard &tcp but lifts thes to the skie3.

Harry.

[I trust "High School Boy" will take your advice, Harry, and not desert our page altogether. We do nob like losing old friends, and I tiu&fc we shall hear from tho back blocks now and again. Thank you for the pretty card.— Dot.]

Deab Dot, — My master gave me a nice Chrisutnas box this morning. lam going to see him away in the train on Monday. He is going to Kyebuun. I think the boys at Kyeburn ought to be glad to get a nice master. I wish I could shift to Kyeburn. We had a nice lady teacher aftsr Mr Bannerman left, bub he was ouc very first master, and I liked him very much. My elder brother has got six prizes this year, and I only gob one — an attendance book called "The Swiss Family Robinson." It ia a nice one. I gob a certificate from the Sunday School Union, and I don't know whether I will get any more, for they tell me I am only clever at eating. Anyway lam sick of it now— -green berries, and puddings, and cakea — and they don'b pity me. The Philosopher says I eat too much "and bolb ib 100 quickly. Well, lam always ready for a game. I have read three books, and the Philosopher has given me another, and he enma out and we had a battle with crackers. — Yours truly, Ai,wyn. P.S. — Another reporb, and it is not very good. [Don'fc despair, Alwynj I think you are doing very well, and other people seem to think so too when you geb such a handsome prize as " Ilia Swiss Family Robinson."— Dox.j

Dear Dot, — We got lots of cards, and baby got a nice present, and a gentleman left U3 a big packet of lollies. I got a prize for attendance, called " Robert Martin's Lesson." Bcnie got a large picture-book for attendance. We forgot to hang up our stockings on Christmas Eve, and Santa Claus couldn't; get down the chimney because the little door waa snub, but he might come down uexb week. — Yours truly, Bertwyl. [I am afraid not, Bert ; you will probably have to wo.it till next Christmas. — Dot.]

Deae Dot, — I am in the Third Standard at school. We have a calf. Please will you give me a name for him. We are having our holidays ju3t now. I like to read the little folks' Jeiters. I have a little tister who has a doll, and she wishes you to give her a nams for it. The name of our echool is Tahora School. Out picnic is over, and we had some good fuu at it. First of all the priz23 were given, and tbea there were some very good sport 3 — Yours truly, James Wallace. Hiudon» JaDuary 3. [[ am gl*d you enjoyed yourself, Jame', and I tru3fc you will have a good time during the remainder of your holidays. Call the calf Major and the doll Rosy. — Dot."]