LETTERS FROM LITTLE FOLKS.

Otago Witness, Issue 2356, 20 April 1899, Page 57

LETTERS FROM LITTLE FOLKS.

Dea>- Dot, — Anotlior Easter has come r.nd gone, and also our few holidays with it. I expect that by this time we havo all settled clown to the humdrum worries of business and school life. My home is at Owaka, on the banks of the river of that name. la the summertime the placewhere I live is a perfect paradise, with a clear blue aky, the verdant bush, the sweet .songs of the birds, and the tranquil river with flocks of wild cluck swimming gracefully over its surface. For those who con* spare the time there are many ways of amusing oneself. Sometimes I go shooting bunnies, ducks, pigeons, etc. Riding is another pastime. I have a good roadster horse to carry mo wherever I wish to go. A picnic in the cool, shady bush, with plenty of pleasant company and good tucker, is also \ery enjoyable. Then again one can fish for those spotlecl beauties of which our river has a good share. In tho winter I may say tho place is miserable — what with the rain, mud, and rough roads. The bu=h, too, which is so pleasant when the sun shines, is often enj veloped in a thick mitt. 1 generally manage • to spend a few weeks of winter in Dunedin. ! Just now there aro li number of sportsmen i clown here, and the reports of their rifles ] awake the stillness of the bush. Our little : settlement is becoming quite a resort for holi- ! day-makers. The local farmers have now tho most of their crops in, and there are some fine stacks of oaten-sheaves to be seen. lam greatly interested in the little folk?. I enjoy 8.0.8.'5, Dicky Donovan's, Harry's, and Ziska's letters very much. Some of the wee folks' letters, too, sre very quaint and taking. I am so sorry to see that Con is letiring from the ranks of little folks. Let us hope that he will think better of it, for his letters were very pleasing to us all. This is my first time of writing and I trust you will not think my letter too dry to publish. With kind regards to yourself and the little , folks, I remain, yourn truly, i DON LEO. [On the contrary, Don Leo, I think your letter is full of interest, and I hopo it is tho first of many we shall get from you. As general regret is expressed at Con's projected retirement from our little band I hope he yet may reconsider his decision, and decide to writo occasionally even if he is a big boy now. It is a pity we havo to get a turn of winter, but if wo had all summer we should not appreciate it. The change makes the spring and" summer all tho more enjoyable. But wo are naturally glad to see an end of the discomforts of the short days and damp cold weather.— DOT.] Dear Dot, — I have been a long time thinking about writing to }-ou again, but somehow there seems no time in summer — the days i^eem to go f-o quickly. 8.0.8. Ib just a mar■i el. Sometimes I think lie is not a boy at all, but someone writing just to fill up tho paper. I can't imagine a boy of his sort luning such patience. If it was Harry I 1 should not wonder, as it would seem more in his line lo keep up mi eh a steady correspondence. I ha\e always meant to write and give the girl who said that 1 would put poison in tho soldiers' food wo cooked a good blowing-up, but as it is such a long time ago, I suppose she- has forgotten all about il. We had a glorious timo this summer. We had about three months' holiday on acoount of tho measles and other sickness.^ I think it is a very good idea to have the children's photoa in the Witness at Christmas, and I would send mine only you won't make mo good-looking enough, as my noso turns ; up a little bit, and if you make me worse I what a fright I should look! I have noticed : in tho paper that tho printers tlo not improve j people's photographs very often. I f-ee the { letters have still something to say about ; Jessie killing tho sheep. If il had been a ! boy they would not have thought anything 1 about it, but I don't sea why a girl should not be ablo to do the same things as a boy. I hear people say that men are getting very scarce, and perhaps we might have lo do without them altogether some day, but I suppose they think we shall never be ablo to get • on without them. — Yours truly, April 6. NANCY. fNow, Nancy, dear, that is rather a shabby way of getting out of sending your photo, and I hope you are not really serious. A [ slightly retrousse noso is sometimes regarded j rather as a sign of beauty than otherwise, and j I am &urr> the printing people will all do their I best to muko your photo presentable. You will have seen that 8.0 B. and his celebrated hoi so Moses aro lo be in our gioup, and I ; hopo our best correspondents, of whom you are certainly one, will not hold back and leave us in the lurch —DOT.] I Dear Dot, — I am very sorry about my last letter. 1 mean, it was too bad to let you pay '2d on it. It was all a mistake. Dot. It got ! posted last Friday, and as it was very wet I j did no 1 go up to tho post (I generally post my own letter- — the post oflico is three miles off. or thereabouts) ; I put the stamps on, or at lciht 1 stamped it, and when tlie gentleman who wont up reached the post, the postmaster told him i had to pay extra ps there was only a penny stamp on. Anyway, the letter was i posted," for the postmaster oaid, "Those at tho j other end can pay." When this gentleman , readied homo he told us all about it, and j 1 told him I was quite suro I stamped it. Ho felt in his pockets, and sure enough, inbido a- corner of one of his pocketr were the other stamps. Dear Dot, tho stamps had come off, for I couldn't have damped it properly. Anyway, Dot, I am going to enclose some stamps for you, and also to ask you to for- : givo me for this trouble. This leminds me that, although I've been a long whilo in your society, I've never subscribed towards the Kindergarten Fund. So I hope you'll accept my stamps for the fund. I read in your interesting page a letter from " Boy," who says he objects lo "Jessie C.'s " stamp. So do I, , and 1 agree with him. I don't feel called upon "to tread on tho tail of his coat," for I don't think he meant what he said. And he evidently has a good "fancy" with girls. It would look ridiculous to see girls playing football.

I licpe the other girls won't be too severe on poor " Boy." Quite a gloom, was cast over the district at the announcement of the death of an old and well respected settler, some two miles and a-half from here. He was paralysed, Dot, two days before he died. He leaves a widow, three sons, and one daughter. They havo all their friends' sympathy. The funeral will take place to-morrow." The last few days have been very stormy, and it has been raining to-day. Towards evening it cleared vp — at least the rain did. The easterly wind is blowing very severely at the present time. Do you think, Dot, it will be rough out on the ocean? It's a ridiculous question, isn't it? I only asked because I was wondering about the sailors on the wido ocean, trying all they could to keep away from danger ; while — At night when we are lying In our beds, secure and warm, We hear the howling winds that tell The iafing of the storm. ".■ " * * Amid the howling of the storm We humbly ask of Thee, Kind Father, in Thy mercy, save Our sailors on the sea. I hopo 8.0.8., Harry, and the rest of tho boys won't think I'm getting superstitious, for I'm not. It's only a feeling I have for the poor sailors and soldiers. Whenever I be;{in to write, goodnes3 knows where I leave off. I'm now fairly in good trim for writing. But I am afraid I will have to conclude, as it is getting late— past 11. With "love lo 8.0.8., Harry, Zicka, and Trixie, not forgetting your own clear self and little folks. I remain, yours truly, COO-EE. April 9. [I honour you for your kindly feelings for tho poor sailors and soldiers, Coo-ee. They are both deserving of our sympathy. The sailor's life is a hard one, and so is tho soldier's when he is m active service. The gum on the stamps must havo been bad, or they would not ha\e come off in your friend's pockol. Never mind, dear, such a thing may never occur again. — DOT.] Dear Dot, — Tho first thing I have to tell you is that I am goinc? to get my photo taken, and you may expect it witli my next letter. I want it to be the first ono in, if possible, and then if it is not correct you can tell me what is wrong with it. 1 see by 8.0.8.'s letter that Moses won a prize at the show. How pleased 8.0.8. will be at that. I hope that you will put Mosea in the Christmas Number (I mean his picture), for 1 am suro that wo should all be pleased lo sec what ho is like. 1 am send in f; a poem entitled " MoseH," which I made up in honour of Moses and 8.0.8.. and, clear Dot, I hope you will think it good enough to, print. Hero it is: — MOSES. Now, young folks all, attention pay, Whilst I sing of a famous charger — > Hurrah ! Hurrah ! for Moses ! The Back Blocks vrilrl saw his uatal day, And each day this colt grow larger. Hurrah! Hurrah! for Mose3! . Now 8.0.8., of "Witness fame. Was the proud possessor of Moses— 'Huruih! for Boh and Moses! A beautiful colt, and a grand old name, Heroes the two oh'tll pose as — Hurrah! for Bob aud Moses! Tegetlier they flew o'ev the tussocky hills, And sniffed the mountain winds, Across the brooks, and o'er the rills, Aiicl they leave every river behind. At mustering sbeep they couldn't be beat, With cattle they were in their glory, In winter's sjiow or summer's heat, Their young blood quickens boldly. Now 8.0.8. and his gallant horso Increased iii strength and during — Hurrah ! for Bob and Moses! So one beautiful day, as a matter of course, 8.0.8. and MobC3 went fairing — Hurrah ! for Bob and Moses ! Ho met the pick of hunters quick, Bvit baulked the first time squarely — Alas! for Bob and Moses! Then 8.0.8., with a supple-jack stick, Gave Moses a hiding so rarely — Alas! Alack! for Moses! This quiet expostulation, so I'm told, Filled Moses with vigour that nothi jg could stay — Hurrah! for the good horse Moses! O'er brush and dyko and hurdle sailed he bold, And won the " Hunters' Maiden " on that day — Hurrah! for the good horse Moses! And proud was he, the gallant Bob, Of Moses, Ilia heart's delight — Three cheers for Bob and Moses! Quoth he, " Your glory none shall rob, Nor on it cast a slight " — Three cheers for Bob and Moses! Now Mosea and young 8.0.8. Were heroes on that day — Hurrah! for Bob and Moses! And I hope their photos we shall see. As they rode into tho fray — Hurrah! for Bob and Moses! — ZISKA. In Pauline's last letter, she said she was sft 7iin in height. I wonder if I could beat her. Wait a minute while I measure- my height. (A minute lalei) : No, I oan'l do it anyhow. lam sft 4in, and I couldn't make it any more, no mailer how I tried. Never mind, if I can't bsat Pauline, perhaps I can beat you. Can I, Dot? I wonder if we will be able to pick you out from tho other photos, Dot— that is, if you put your picture in. Dear Dot, do put yourself in witli us, and even if wo are not successful in finding out which is you, we will at loast know thai you are there. J will now bring my letter to a close.— Youis truly, iOlolvA. April 12. [I bhould think you could beat poor little Dot, Ziska. How could a Dot reach even 4ft Oin much lee-; sft 4inV But remember that the Queen is only a couple of inches over 4ft, so you see- Dot is in good company. 1 don't know whether you will be able to pick out Dot in the group, but keep your eyes open, and perhaps you may. I hope 8.0.8. will not be carried off his head with all the attention ho is gelling, and begin to think himself above writing to the little folks. But, no, I don't really think there is any fear of that. I should not be surprised, however, if ho has Ziska's lines framed and hung up over the head of his bed.— DOT.]

Dear Dot, — There are 30 children going to our school. I have four brothers and two sisters. There are two of u« going tr school. The name of oui school is Benio and our teacher is Misp Bout. We have three miles to walk to school. I havo been to two picnics this year, and to the Tapanui Bush for a holiday. I ha\e also been to Chriblchurch and Sumner. 1 enjoyed myself very much. I did not see much of Dunedin, I think it is very pietly, but I think Christchurch is the prettier plate. I went to the museum in Ourißtohurch. I like reading

the letters from the Back Blocks. — Youns truly, IVY ORCHABD. Landslip, April 10. [You have had a lot of enjoyment this year, Ivy. The trip to Christchurch and the stay there must indeed have been a source of delight to you, and I suppose you often think and talk of all that you saw both on the wav and while you were there. — DOT.] Dear Dot, — I always read the little folks* letters, and I have been thinking of writing to you for a long time, so I thought I would make the attempt to-night. We had fine weather * for the holidays, but it has been wet these last two days. Igo to the Benio school, and I am in the Fifth Standard. We have just had our harvest holidays. I think it will be very nice to have the little folks' photos in the Witness. I and my sister are thinking of sending ours if you will accept of them. I live three miles from Pukerau, just below a landslip, and we often go up to th§ top and have a look about, for you can see for miles around. My grandfather came out to New Zealand in one of the first four vessels, and my father was born out here. I have not seen a letter from 8.0.8. in the paper lately. I hope lie has not given up writing, f&r he writes such nice long letters. I have been in Duuedm twice. The first time I only stayed ono night, but tho second time I stayed all Sunday. I think it is a very nice place. 1 like the town, but I should not like to live there ; I like the country best. — Yours truly • JESSIE LEILA ORCHARD. Pukerau, April 10. [A very good attempt you have made, Jes sic, and I hopo we shall hear from you again soon. Of course I shall be glad to get your photos, clear. I want as many little folks as 1 can possibly get, and I hopo you will send them in early, as the 30th Juno will soon come round. — DOT.] Dear Dot, — I always enjoy reading thb Little Folks' Page, and I intend writing to you occasionally, if you have no objection, that is to say. We have been having very bad weather here lately. For a week we have had nothing but thick mist, rain, and mud up lo the eyes. That is a splendid idea of Ziska's about the little folks' photos. I do hope you will have your photo printed in the Christmas Number. Don't you think, Det, that it would be a little unfair of you not to, as all us little folk would like to see what you are like. It was very kind of 8.0.8. to warn us girls to he kind lo our brothers. I sometimea think I air a bit hard on mine; but I really think they deserve all the "picking" I ever give them. My eldest brother, who 13 14* years old, thinks he knows as much about horses as a horse-dealer. I sometimes sayit is a wonder he doesn't try to teach Dad how to read a horse's age. But of course it is like boys to think they know more than their elders. We must excuse them as they belong to tho "superior sex." I hope Ziska. enjoyed herself at the ball. I have not been, to a ball or dance of any kind this year. I am very fond of dancing. Do you like it, Dot? I don't know very well what to write about this time, but I hope I shall be, ableto write a better letter next time. 8.0.8. seems to have had a good time when he j and his mates were camping out. I 'wish girls could camp out, and go shooting and fishing and bearing about on horse-back. That's tho sort of holiday I should • like. There is a lot of lovely bush about here. I am very fond of roaming about in theibusli or sitting among the ferns on Sabbath afternoon reading a book. 1 am very fond of reading. I must now conclude with love lo all the little folks and yourself dear Dot. — ■ Yours truly, ALYS. Aptil 10. [I am only too delighted to Iwe you as a correspondent, Alys, and we shall all bo glad to hear from you whenever you like. I hopo our group will be a success, but I ennnot definitely promise that Dot's picture shall appnai. ft does appear as if boys hail the best of it in holiday-making. lam sure girls have nothing to ecjual the pleasure of camp-ing-out, if the weather is fairly good. 8.0.8.'s expedition was not favoured in this respect, however.— -DOT.] Dear Dot, — I have been rather lazy lately, and you must have thought that 1 had forgotten you. As this is a wet clay, however, I made up my mind to write to you. I forgot to 101 l you before that we keep a store at Wright's Bush, and we have a 'ofc of things in it. My father kills sheep and we sell a lot of mutton sometimes. He killed two this morning. Do you think it is cruel to kill tho poor sheep? I think it is very cruel, but we have to kill them to get some- meat. I think this is all the news I can tell you. — Yours truly, ADA PETRIE (aged 124 years). Wright's Bush, April 11. [It is a pity to have to kill sheep, or indeed any animal, but as it is neceasary to do so, one can scarcely regard it as cruel, Ada. I am afraid the world would be overrun with animals if they were not killed for food, and we should all have a very poor look it' wo depended entirely on vegetables and cereals I for food.— DOT.] Dear Dot, — It has been wet for more, thana week, end I can truly say it 13 not very nice. The inspector was at our school on a surprise visit to-day, and I can tell you it was a surprise. I have got a mile lo go to school, and I like going. Vie have 23 cows milking, and we havo also two heifers and thieo calves. I like reading the little folke' letleis. At school we have two teachers — a master and a mistress. We play here different games in our play hour. My sister has _ a doll ; will you please givo me a name for it. I like reading books, and every year we get a book at tho break-up of the school. I hay« got four, named " Hand in Hand," " Gideon Hoolc'k Secret," "Barbara," and "Carry Vance." — Yours truly, RITA. [F hope you take care of your books, Rita, and look upon them as the beginning of ■•> library. They will gradually mount up, you know. Call the doll Flora.— DOT.] Dear Dot, — I have never written to you before, but I alwayp enjoy reading the 'little folks' letters. 8.0.8. writes very interesting letters, but ho has a poor opinion of girls. It is a nice suggestion of Ziska's that the little folks should sond their photos, and I hope it will be carried out. A dredge is being built neat here. I have a nice grey hack, and I havo many a splendid gallop, for I am very fond of riding her. Dear Dot, are you fond of reading? I am, and I have quite a library of books. At present I am reading " The Elsie Books." There is a great number of them — about 21, I think. They are very nice books, and tell about the American war and when the slaves were set free I saw in 000-ec's letter that she has road " Uncle Tom's Cabin." I alho have read it, and agrea with her in Kiyiiiß thai it is a sad book. I have nothing moro lo Hiy this time, so goodbye, Dot. — -Yourb truly, GRACDD. April 14. [Yes. dear, of course I like. • reading, an£

I am glad to see you are reading such good books. " Uncle Tom's Cabin " is certainly very sad, but it is a much better book than many that are written at the present day — DOT.]