LETTERS FROM LITTLE FOLKS.

Otago Witness, Issue 2318, 4 August 1898, Page 51

LETTERS FROM LITTLE FOLKS.

Dear Dot,— l passed the Sixth Standard la-i October, and I am going to try for a scholarship, and hope I shall win it. We are having very changeable weather just now. Is it lino in Duuedin, Dot? The roads are very sloppy, and it i-, not pleasant lo go out anywhere. Y\ o have a very pretty beach up here, and it looks so grand on a rough, stormy day, when lie waves are dashing up against the cliffs like some angry spirit, and then when its rage is spent ali is &o calm and peaceful. Do you like the sea, Dol? For my part I shall always love it whcthui calm or angry. We have aho a \ery pretty bush, and when the vines and lawyers come to blossom, and the ferns grow in abundance, it =3 very lovely. Dear Dot, did you ever live in the country? I must conclude now with best wishes lo " A Devonshire Dumpling- I '— l am, &c, Ivi Popham. Orcpuki, July 18.

[Yes, Ivy, I like the sea, but I think a nice piece of bu&h scenery is equally attractive, and quite as interesting. At the time of reading your que&tion it is a beautiful sunshiny day, but, in Dunedin as elsewhere we have had a very cold winter, and I think everyone will bs glad to get well into August in order lo see the end of it. — Dol.]

Dear Chum,— Many thanks for your letter. So you think I might have got a decent name ! lam sure it is very decent. You see I come from Devonshire, and everyone says it is easy to (ell I'm Devonshire, so what name moro appropriate? When I get plenty of money, and don't know what to do with it all I shall go Ikme lot n trip. Would you like lo coivo tto? If you like we'll go together. 1 don't find it hard to excuse the slang in your letter, as I often get- into trouble for it myself ; but it is hard not to be "olangy" when you have brothers. lam glad you have. I have five, and they are all older than I am, so you may guess I have a pretty lively lime. I went out shooting with one of them one day. I had often practised shooting at posts and bottles, and generally managed to hit them, but thought I should like lo try my hand on a rabbit. I saw two bitting nice and quiet, ai\d thought I was sure to get one of them. I knelt on the ground, rested the gun on a willow tree, look steady aim, &h»l both eye*, fired, and— miwed. If the rabbits weie not hit, it was pretty plain I was. I don'l know what happened ; 1 thought at the timo I was shot through the head, but I wasn t. l<or a while I could neither hear nor see. 1 did not want to go shooting any more. I was not i vy sorry that the rabbits got away ; shooting X > ;s it right enough, but when it comes lo i -V'uts and live things it is another matter. 1 ,rhig from the letters in this column lately, 'hi hoys are all anxious to be off to the war, < i i ' W akk io kg JM Oiom m» 1 5M« J YUm&

they had better stay where they are for tha j present, as from all appearances their services j may be required here before long. I don't j think it ncr«*sary to practice bandaging on j cats either, if you have any brothers, as boys j havu inr.umej.iblo vvayt ol mutilating them- j selves e\en though tUc-y arc not soldiers, j They can't even trim a fence without cutting the top off their finger with the hedge knife, or guide a plough without knocking thoir knuckles ; bus as you evidently live in Dunodin you will hardly know much about ploughs. I know one girl from the town who said she could only tell a leapev and binder, and that "had something on it that wen!, round like a windmill." But to return to the wir. I see a Maori duet up North wants the Government to make up a corps of Maoris, and train them in Hie use of firearms, so that in case of a war vith England they may fight for her. I don't know what sort of soldiers Maoris would make, but they are tathcr lazy as a rule. iVrlnps I may write a httlc aboir, f the Maoris some othvr (ime, if Dot think/ .1 i would interest ai.y of the little folks, i-ow, dc.v- Chum, I dunk I luue written a Uirty lone; lettei. and hud better stop. I should like' to b-ee you now, <nui mike your acquaintance, t an' Hue you would be nice. L hope you will come •• net" see me if ever you come up 'thi* way I should not ad\ise you to come now, as the rcacK are in a terrible siate, and you can hardly cross from one side to the other. I hope they will soon clear up^ for t hate the mud. Ta-ta, dear Chum.— Yours truly, A Devonshire Dcmplisu. ff. am sure "Devonshire Dumpling" will have something interesting to tell us about the Maoris, so we shall look forward to her lette:. -Dot.] Dear Dot,— At the pie°ent time we do not get the sun till 10 o'clock, and 1 &hall be glad when the winter is o\er. I am pleased the Americans are winning in Hip contest with Spain, and hope that the war will soon be ended. Dear Dot, I mvr-t tell yon that we have a mistress at our s-ehoul, and slices a *cry kind teacher. We have sewing and singing.--Yours truly, Nellie Joines. Porter's Pass, .luly 20. [You must bo very much in the shade in'Portoi's Puss, Nellie, and 1 don't wonder at yoiu being anxious to get tho winter over. — Dot.] Dear Chum.— l have just finished reading youi letter to " A Devonshire Dumpling," anJ like yourself, I am glad to see "that our new \ friend " tho Dumpling has started the conespondence between us girlp. It is not alto- ' gether right that the boys should have all the ! letter-writing to i hemselves ; but now that we girls have btarted, they won't get every1 thing their onn way. All the game, I think it would be hard to write such letters as i "B. 0. B.'s." It was no wonder you were 1 templed to write to him: 1 don't think he I would havo been at all wild, because he has ! no v < h.usged his opinion about us " despise-l j cvo'uvres." New, dear Chum, before I writo 1 tu-.y more I must ask you where you live— in ' thf" country or the town Do not think mo [ too inquisitive? Some girls, like the boys, are : a bit that way : at all events Dot, by my last ! letter to her, must think I am. I see by your letter you have read some nice books. I have j read a few, too, some of which aie entitled i " The Three Ifomos," " The Three Boys," " The Curse of the Clavorings," and "J. Cole." I think I shall conclude now and write a longer letter next time.— Yours truly, 0. 0. M. [Dot doesn't mind either a boy or a girl being inquisitive, so long as their thirst for knowledge takes the right direction. Idle ciuiosity is, of course, lepiehensiblo, but there is such 'a thing- as being desirous ol improve- • iwnt, -md how is this to be effected if a ccrtiin amcunt cf uTyuisitiveness be not evinced? -Dot.] Dear "B. 0. B.", You seem a great attraction to all the boys and girls who write to the Little Folks' page, and especially to "Tiicksy" and "Sybil Scrybils," who evidently have quite made up their minds that whon they become Red Cross nurses and you a war correspondent they will see a great deil of you. Indeed, I have no doubt that they would be quite disappointed if you were not wounded and taken to their hospital, where they would be able to nurse and tend the Groat War Correspondent. You remarked in your last letter that your father said boys and girls should know something about politics before they become of age— gins especially. Why girls especially? I ask. You certainly put your foot in it trying to describe the ladies' dresses at the tennis dance. I advise you not to try that kind of thing again. I think '"only a girl" would have managed better. When you become a war correspondent you will have to bo careful not to make so many mistakes as in the description of the dresses, or your services would very soon be dispensed with. Are you going to learn sewing? You would find it very useful, especially if you happen to be in rathor out of 'the way places. You might by chanto if very lucky find yourself near to where "Tricksy— or ■"Sybil" might be, and 1 am suie they would offer in a rninate to do you; 1 mending in their spare time. It is quite natural fov men and boys to despise needle- ! work, as they have been always taught from their infancy lo think it far beneath them — work only fit for women. It never seems to fclrike them that; we might dislike it just as much, and prefer other employments just the same as you would yourself. Do you not think that women would like to choose their own work just the same as men? But because Nature has made them what they are there is no reason ever to despise them. A great many aie ju&t as clever as many men.— Yoms truly, Koea Cakringtox. [There, Master "B. O. B." you had better mind how you write about girls in future, or you will bo in everlasting trouble. Nora is evidently very indignant with you, and I hope you will see your way to reconsider matters and make all due amends,— Dot. j Dear Dot,— l was horrified when reading the little- folks' letters as usual to see a letter from one of your little folks talking about killing sheep. A girl of her nature cannot be a nice companion for anyone, and I am glad to say that she is beyond 40 miles of my pels, for I have cats, dogs, and birds. I hope she reads this letter, and that she may learn to be more humane, and that no more poor sheep will suffer at her hand's. I enclose bix stamps for the Kindergarten Fund.— Yours truly, Invercargill, July 25. Nettie. [Thank you for the stamps, Nettie.— Dot.] Dear Dot,— l milk tines cows, and we have about, 20 cows milking. My father has fouv hoipes, ono of which is only; about three years old ; will you please give him a name. I and my sisters' havo a little white kitten which is very frisky, but it sometimes scratches. My sister has a doll with black hair; will you please give it a name. I must stop now, as :L is neat bedtime.— Yourd truly, Minnie Mathieson. [How am I to know what the other hor&es are called, Minnie, and if I tell you to call the three-year-old Don or Yankee, I may select the name one of them is already known by. Call the kitten Frisk, and the doll Donna , MsHfcHßsM

Dear Dot, — I ran a little waite kitten, buthave no naire ; will you ploase give me one. 1 - am deaf, and cannot hear what anyone is say* ing to me. lam a very playful little kitten, and my mistresses are very fond of playing wi'h me, anil romelitnes I bile them, i think I tluill slop now, because .7iy paw is soro, ea, good night.— Yours icvlf, A Little White Kittbx.

[A jvliile kitten with pink or blue eyes \i called "an albino, so I think Alby will be a good name for you. — Dot.]

Dear Dot, — I was bo very sorry that you fiought to lil.tle of my last letter. Dad just: grinned (smiled, I should say) and made a face at me as usual. Mamma s?.id, '' I am very sorry that your letters should lead anyone toinfer Mial you Qre lacking in modesty." Cuiiein Prim r-aid, " You have gained a lesson by which I hope yon will profit." Curly (my h other) said, '"Serves yon right. You aro too jolly smart, anyway." This ralher surpiised mo from Curly, because he and I are equally on the best o f terms. But, poor fellow, 1 « wasn't accountable for his actions that morning, as he had bent the pedal of his bi'.-j-rle, while having his morning spin. Danclcr (my particular chum) was the only om who ga\e me any sympathy at all. She gave me a stick ot Russian toft'eo (1 prefer almond, but I didn't '•ay &o), and said, "Never mincl^ Jock (my own nickname). I'm sure if Dot knew with what a sensitive being she was dealing she would not ha\e been so hard on you." 1 1ml a strong suspicion that she was laughing at me, but 1 determined to take no notice ol that, and when I had finished my toffee, my ruffled feelings were considerably tmoothed (sweetened, 1 mean), and I looked on thft world in a more amiable frame of mind. De?r Dot, I'm afraid I'll have to disagree with you about the "nurse" business, for since I last wrote to you poor Dander fell off lw bicycle and sprained her wiist, and I did the bandaging. The doctor told her that it was very creditably done for an amateur. 1 have tried "B. 0. B.s" recipe for the plumlcss plum pudding, but I'll tell you all abcut it in my next. I do hope "B. 0. B." won't snub me as you did, Dot ; becauso if he does 1 don' l thmk I shall ever have tho courage to write again. I was -very much interested in " Shasla's " letter, but I'll tell you my reason in my next letter. Ido hopo, dear " Shasta," ! that you won't forget tho little folks, even ! when' you go back to your mountain, away in California. And now, dear Dot and little folks, I have a very important piece of news 1 for you. " Sybil Scrybils "is dead. " A I good thing, too," you will all say. Well, she i is dead, poor thing. Dad said that the causo of death was shock to the self-complacency j system. Cousin Prim's opinion was that ib I was from wounds inflicted on her self-conceit. j But t think she was tired of living any more* like the darkie in that song, " A. low green valley." I buried her deep in the Sea of Forgel fulness, and I trust, dear Dot and little folks, that you will consign her memory there also. But, dear Dot, Ido hope that you wilt admit having a kind of pitying regard for poor Sybil in spite of all her faults. It would, I think, cause her to rest more contented in her sad and lonely grave. But I must nofc forget to add that in her place stands a now I person who will in future stylo herseli honest, homely Jock. Kakanui River, July 22. P.S.— l want Dander to write, but she won't. »Says sho is afraid. B(j sure, doav " Shasta," that you remember to write to Dot and the little folks. [" Sybil Scrybilq " metamorphosed into plain f,q\iat "Jock" '. My regret is both, sincere and lasting. There was a distinctive-ncs-s about Sybil which I urn afraid Oo^k can never attain.— Dot.] Dear Dot,— We are having our winter holidays ju^t now. Our school teacher, Mr Harrison, is leaving our school, and we don't know ■who is coming yet. Foui of us go to school, but I have four sisters and seven brothers. Ih •was snowing here on Saturday and Sunday. Dear Dot, my feet are covered with chilblains ; will you please give mo a cure for them.— Yours truly, Annie MacKay (aged 12 years). Hindon, July 25. [Steep your feet in hot water for 10 minutes before going to bed for a few nights. As soon as tho water becomes a little cool add mo>e boiling water to it. — Dot.] Dear Dot,— As it is snowing to-day, I thought I would write to you. I read the little folks' letters every week. I think " Harry's " and " JB. O. B.'e " letters are very interesting. There is no school now, as our teacher, Miss Christie, has left. _ We have three cows milking just now. Their names are Rose, Beauty, and Diamond. My littlo sister Dolly has a little heifer calf ; will you ploase give her -a rame for it. My sister Maggie is afraid to go outside for fear I should givo her a snowball on the nose. Please excuse scribbles, as Maggie is shaking the table. I will now say good-bye, as I want to have a run in the snow.— Yours truly, Esther M. Pi.ew (aged 11 years). Lander, July 26. [I hope you did not snowball Maggie, Esther. I don't suppose it would hurt her, but if she does not like it you Bhould not doko. Aa you have a cow Diamond, call the calf Pearl.— Dot.J Dear Dot,— l am very glad tho girls are not going to let the boys have all the fun. I enjoy reading Harry's and "B. 0. B.s" # letters, especially" B. 0. B/s". Harry seema so studious, but I think he would be splendid for a big brother, as he would help us with, our essays ; but ho does not Beem to be verybig, either, when he can be tossed on to a man's shoulders when he made his escapw from gaol. 1 do not have much to do wiMi the boys here, as they are so rough, unless t« box feome of the'r ears when they have beer*, too hard on my little brother, who is a goodnatured little chap, although a greafc blunderer. Very often after he has dressed himself we find his boots on the wrong feet, or his pants back to front, and when he goes to bed by himself he will got in under (ho bottom sheet, ox on top of the upper one. I think it would be a splendid idea for the editor of the Witness to send B. U. 13. out to the wars a? a special reporter. I hose tele^iams do not tell us half enough, anu then you°cannot always believe them. I am suro the suscribeis would pay an extra penny a. week for the Witness if they were sure they Wl iv C o-otting reliable war news, and if that is not enough pay for Mr " B. 0. B.", aa he is buch a boy for eating, I would propose that you call on your little folks to fill a hamper to send to him occasionally, and as I am very. good at making sponge rolls, I. could send too, and will not forget to put plenty of jam in.— Yours truly, Na.vCT. [Nancy's faith in "B. 0. B.s reportonal qualifications and also in the liberality of newspaper subscribers is charming. I wonder, if she has any idea thai the American newspapers have over 200 of the sharpest reporters in the Stales at the seat of war. I am afraid a young Maorilander would not have much show among these live men. It is, however, rather cruel of her to make "8.0. B. b ! mouth wate* with the prospect of a hamnof.

Containing among delicacies from all over the country jam sponge rolls made with her own fair hands. I am afraid "B. 0. B." will be more ertger than ever to try his fortune as a war eoiie.iponclent after that. — Dot.]

PniLATEUCUS.— I have sent your letter on lo Ernest.