LETTERS FROM LITTLE FOLK.
■— Dear Dot, — I have had nothing but disappointments this week. First of all, I wanted 'to -go to' the show, but didn't get. Secondly, "I discovered that I was going to get a present last ■ Sunday, and haven't got it yet. Next, a '•certain girl was writing to you, and I thought % '.it would be in thi3 week, but it wasn't; so there are three big disappointments to survive. 'Ashamed of our names, Thornton ! What an idea! What made you think that? lam i sure J. am not, anyway. Yes, Mona, I have always (since I found you out) wished to know you better. Why don't you persuade Doris to ■write? I see that Gipsy has found you out too, Dot. 1 think you will be found out by everyone at this rate. Oh, dear, what should So-and-so do but Bpill the ink just before she starts to write. So, Little Lady, you are Echo's sister — the one that was with her that night I met Echo. And you, also, Dockleaf; don't flatter yourself that I didn't recognise you as you passed under the lamp post at Howe street the other night. Ziska has reappeared again ; that is good. How sad for the British flag to be buried, wasn't it, Dot? What nice letters Roxburghite, D.0.5., and Cherryripe write! I have saved each week of the "Wooing of Monica," and now I will read it all together. I went to *he Witness office the other day to get the Witness (just as an excuse), and I went into the publishing room, but as it was dinner time there were only three little toys, so I just got it and came away. But I think I will take a letter some day when I can screw up enough courage to ask for you, Dot. Are E. B. your friend's initials, Echo? Does your last name begin with A, Pearl? and do you live in E N? What miserable weather the people 'in for the show are having. It will give poor Dunedin quite a bad name. But don't think _that Dunedin is always in the,midst of a Scotch mist, show people. Were any of the little -folk- in for the chow? lam impatiently wait- "- ing for my badge. I have been looking several hats, but I have not seen any as yet. ' I must stop now, with love to Marguerite, Shan, Echo, Mona, and yourself. — Yours truly,
DUNEDINITE.
December 5. P.S. — So-and-so is only in the middle of the itart.— D.
[Did you mean you initials to go in, Dunedinite? You put them -in after your signaturo, but I have .omitted, them till I hear de-
finitely from you. You will have got your badge long befoTe this appears in print, dear, and I hope you will also have seen some hats with it in. I just heard of a girl with one who met someone she imagined was Dicky Donovan with one in his hat. He smiled when he saw the badge in her hat, and no doubt wondered what her norn de plume was. She was wrong about Dicky, however, for he is up north, and not in Dunedin. — DOT.]
Dear Dot, — I have often thought of writing to you, and have at last made a start. This is my first letter to you, and I wish to become one of your correspondents. I .think it a very good idea about the badge, and that it is only fair we should pay a shilling for it, and I for one am going to have one. Is not this war dreadful, Dot? The Boers are getting a regular doing, at any rate; but I suppose wo should be sorry ior them, although they are our enemies. I sympathise with poor Lamb; it must be dreadful to bp so lonely, musn't it, Dct? -. I think the piece of poetry she wrote very pretty, and I am glad she has found comfort in the Little Folk's Page. I see Pearl likes the Elsie books, best; so do I. -I have not read them all, ISut I expect I shall some d,ay. Have you ever read them, Dot? I jubt love reading, and if I get a good book and get seated comfortably, you cannot get a word out of me. I see Dockleaf, 8.0.8., and Gipsy have found you out. Oh, how I envy taem. I see by some of the little folk's letters they are complaining, of having winter weather. We are having summer weather here, I can tell you. lam just longing for the Christmas Annual to come; I 'was a little disappointed at first that you were not going to put your photo in, but I suppose, as Mousie says, it is fun to live in mystery. lam sure it is not true that you are a young man, because you write such nice answers to all the letters, and. I am sure a young man could not do that. I think that you are a nice young lady, and as for your being an x old man ! — I don't think that could ever be. Dear Dot, I did not mean to make this letter so long, but you must forgive me, and excuse all mistakes, and also this scrawl. With love to Lamb, Marguerite, Cynthia, Ziska, Cooee, 8.0.8., and all the other little- folk, not forgetting your own dear self, I remain, — Yours truly, • JAPONICA. November 26. [I hope -Japonica will keep up corresponding now that she has made a beginning, as I am sure she. will get a hearty__ welcome from both writers and readers. lam not quite sure that it is right, dear, to become so absorbed in" your book. Supposing that anyone required a little seivice at your hands, and you know our eldeis ara entitled to such little considerations, you would certainly miss an opportunity to be useful by allowing yourself to be carried away by what you were reading. I wonder if anyone has adopted my suggestion of last week "that someone should keep account of all the descriptions of Dot that appear from time to time? If bo I trust Japonica's idea of Dot will be included in the list. — DOT.] Dear Dot,— l saw by Lamb's letter that she accepted my invitation. 1 will look forward to her visit with pleasure. Wullie is away now. I liope that he will enjoy himself. If I had .known the day you were going, Wullie, I should have hoisted our flag, and I am sure if you had looked up when you were going down the harbour, or if you had gone by train, you could have seen it .waving among the trees. Dear Dot, I am wondering what part of Scotland Jean comes from. I see she writes a Scotch better too, Tarn looking forward for the '•Christinas Animal, as I am going to send it Hohite to my grandpa, in ScdMaud. I wonder where Jessie C. is, for I have not seen a letter from hex this week or * two. Have you fallen in a creek, or what is the matter with you, or hayo you got a good claim, Jessie? If so, write for me, and I will be a mate for you. There was a gentleman at our place to-day, and he had with him a horse which you named Sapphire. It is such a pretty horse, and a good one too. I don't think I will write any more this year, as time goes so fast. Wishing Dot and the little folk a merry Christmas and a happy New Year, and with love to all,— Yours truly,
DOLLIE HTJTTON.
Blueskin road, Port Chalmers, November 30. [I am glad the name I gave the horse so long ago, Dollie, has proved so appropriate. A sapphire is bright and sparkling, and your friend's horse must be bright and intelligent to bs so well spoken of by you. It is a pity Wullie or his friend did not let us know what boat they were going in, and we could have all looked .out for Wullie nnd have seen if his renowned sketch of himself was a true likeness. — DOT.]
Dear Dot, — I have turned up again. So the badgo_ is being distributed, and worn by the little folk. I think it is very good, but I "agree with Laddie in saying that it should only bo worn by the correspondents, for if the readers wear it as well, we won't be able to tell the readers from the correspondents. If only the correspondents wore it, when we saw anyone wearing the badge, we could smile at them and speak, but we don't want to know the readers. Old Boy seems in earnest about it, doesn't he, Dot? He is loyal to you at any rate. Your proposal is very good for boys, Old Boy. but you know' girls would not want to wear anything" large on their hats. 1 bee 8.0.8. has written at last, and has given us a description of the wonderful ball. I think it is very good, but h<» did not give us a description of his favourite partner's dress, but perhaps it was hardly fair of us to expect that, for he would not like to offend the other girls by giving a description of one's dress, and perhaps — ho had other reasons. He seems to have enjoyed himself. Cleopatra has a very nice letter in this week, and I agree with Dot in saying we shall exnect great things of her. It is a pretty name "too. I know her, and also Karangamai, and I think I am pretty correct in my guess as to who Gwelder Rose is. The girls down here are all beginning to write to you now. I was the first o.ic, and you should have heard them talking about it ; but now that they see other girls writing nice letters they must try also. Apple Blossom had a letter in last week; I know her also. Jebsie C. has not written for a while. "Wherever have you got to, Jessie? You surely have not gone to Blanket Bay and stayed there. If you have I will have to come over and wakeyou up. You havo not answered my last letter. Hurry up, as I have a lot of news for you. So Gipsy has found you out, Dot. Well, she was a little more thoughtful for your feelings, for she did not boast of it like Dockleaf did. And she has found out Cooee also. Mona says she is sft 6in. Well, you are tall, Mona, but not as tall as Guilia, but really, I don't think there is anSther person writing to Dot so tall. Yes, Mona, I will send you my autograph if you will send yours in return. I will send a stamped envelope to Dot to forward it to you. And so Roby thinks Dot should have a holiday. Well, I think so too; don't you, little folk? "Surely she deserves a holiday after wading through all those letters for a year. About Pique's suggestions, well I don't know what to say about it. I should like it very well for* other correspondents, but when it comes to my turn to resign, I don't think I should like it. But I must not be selfish. Anyway, a great many know who lamas it is. So we have Daisy Bell, j Molly Riley, and Annie Laurie among our correspondents. Wouldn't it be nice, Dot, if all your writers took girls' or boys', flowers' names, or names of songs? And Molly Riley thinks Cynthia and I are hard cases. _ Well, everyone is being designated a, "hard case" now. I would like someone to give the real meaning, of
' it. Dear Dot, do you know where Madcap i Eileen is gone to? I hox^e the little folk have j not frightened her away with all the nasty things they said about her. I see Maisie has a piece of poetry in the Little Folk's Page abotit a girl who baked a cake, and she put in the baking powder, lemon peel, and everything else except the flour. Well, Maisie, yoxi don't expect us to believe that you made it up yourself ? Why, I saw it in Tit-bits about two years ago. Melba and Dunedinite have been saying that they would have liked to correspond with me, but they thought that I had enough to do already. I would have corresponded with both of youuf you had asked me to. Punch thinks Cynthia and I are sisters. Well, Punch, as a matter of fact, we're not. She is — now, don't Isugh — my niece, but there is only a year and one or two months' difference between us, so you see we are just like sisters. We have I grand times together, don't we, Cynthia? I couldn't help laughing when I read Maidey's account of a row with her teacher. You must | have been a young rasoal, Maidey. Weren't j you frightened to do that? Shamrock has written at last. It was about time, too. I've news for you next time I see you. ._ Rimbecj co's letters — aren't they good? The language" j she uses is really excellent. You must be a nice girl to write. such pleasant letters. Myrtle I has written again. Poor little Myrfle ! I hopeI she is keeping better. There arc two girls j writing under the names of Ruta and" Etera. j Aren't they pretty Maori names, Dot? 1 1 think they mean Lucy and Edith in English, ( don't they? And Boy has been trying "to take j a rise out of me," as he would say. Now, that i was very funny, Boy, and I expect you are" . laughing over it still ; but don't laugh too i long— you might make yourself ill, and then, \ as J was the cause of it, or at least partly, I J should feel it my bounden duty to crane over , and nurso you. Cynthia suggested that as • you seemed pretty hard up for 2d stamps'-to put on your letters, we might raise a subscription amongst the little folk, each one to contribute the munificient sum of Jd, and send the amount in 2d stamps to you. I think it is a very good idea. So Roby has had a letter from Dot ? Oh, Roby, you are a lucky -girl ! What a keepsake! Treasure it up, Roby, and let it be handed down to your children, and from them to their children, and so from generation to generation. G-. Y. M. says she or he — which is it? — knows Jessie C. and Aguinaldo. That just reminds me that" last-named, j far-famed personage has not written for an age. Just hurry up, sir, and furnish us with |an explanation — or a letter. I expect the next ; thing will be to see-Trixie, Devonshire Dump- ! ling, Aguinaldo, and several others who have f not written for a long time saying "Good-bye." j Dear Dot, I think you ought to make it a rule j that when anyone joins your page they • have to write at least once a month ; 4hat I would do away with all this business of not ■writing for months and months. Alys thinks wo should keep on writing to Dot \intil we are 20. Don't you think that is too old? "What a rare adventure Dockleaf had. After' that I shall feei afraid to go to the Witness office, and I think I shall postpone my visit for a while yet. And Shan has written at last; but he — see, I said "he" this time — has not given us an account of the departure of the New Zealand Contingent. I fully expected he would do so. Really, Shan, I thought you were a girl, and that Monica was your friend. She is your sister, isn't she? And oh, how ashamed I felt when I remembered that one time you said you had %vritten a letter to me, but as it'did not appear (it has not done so yet ,, — goodness knows why!) I suggested that yot^ get my address from Dot and write privately. I Wonder what you thought of that, Shan? Of course, didn't know you were a boy. You •will forgive me/ won't you? If you don't, I won't sleep at nights. I'll pine away, and then 3'ou'll know that you were the cause of it. But really, Shan/ 1 don't know how anyone could think you were a boy, because you talked about the fashions, and I don't think boys are in the habit of doing that. But since you say you are a boy I v/ill have to believe it. But where did you get your name from? Did you get it out of a tale called "Shan's Diversions" in ih ß Windsor Magazine? Dear Dot, lam afraid I have made this letter too long, but I did not notice it was lengthening out so. Wishing you and all the little folk a very merry Christmas and a happy New Year, with extra heaps of love to Dot, Dunedinite, Punch, Echo, Dorothy, Dockleaf, G. Y. M., J. G. C, Shan, Monica, and Shamrock, — Yours truly,
MARGUERITE,
[I don't think Dockleaf meant to boast of her discovery Marguerite. Anyway I was rather amused than otherwise, for I sometimes begin to wonder if I know who I am myself, I am preaented in so many different guises. Thank'you for your good wishes, dear, which I am sure we nil reciprocate. Thank you also for your pretty card. — DOT.] Dear Dot, — I am just writing you a short letter to wish you "A merry Christmas and a happy New Year," and hope you will have a very pleasant holiday. It is raining heavily today, and it seems to be so very soaking that I thought I would not venture out to school, bui ono day won't make much difference, as wo have our class in the morning, but we can go in the afternoon - if we like to prepare next day's work. Of cour3s it makes it all the easier the next clay if we go' and prepare our work in the afternoon. Is there not a lot of Christmas Annuals out this year, Dot? Nearly every paper and magazine has a Christmas number, and it is co nice, I think. I was going into the bookseller's this morning to see if "our Annual" was out yet, but of course 1 was not up town. Last time I wrote, Dot, I knew 13 of your correspondents. This time I know . 17 — a slight increase, is it not? I just hear them accidentally; it is so funny. When I meet any of my girl friends the conversation invariably turns on Dot ; then we get discussing the little folk, and so-and-so — didn't you know? Oh, I shouldn't have let it out; I thought you knew, and that is how it comes out; do-you see, little folk? Do you know, Shan, I always thought you were a girl. I suppose Monica will have a laugh at me now ; but I don't mind. It was not until your last letter that I found out; but there were otheis in the same box as myself. Don't you think Boy was rather too funny over the stamp business, Marguerite, or was it to you, Roby'i' I really forget which ; but all the same I shouldn't mind knowing you, Boy, as you seem to bo a very, jolly sort, according to your letters. I went out to see Echo just now. She was trying her hand at some oat cakes. Ever since she has come in from St. Clair she has been mad on oatcake. She said to me it is a grand thing to make, you know. After you have been doing a little bit of work it makes one's hands grand and clean. Like Boy, she is rather too funny. After that I thought I would leave, and she called out, "You might wait and-, taste a bit," but I called back, "'Oh, I couldn't think of it ; it might- be something like the curds you made." Echo was telling me that she and Little Lady rush to the door every morning as soon as they hear the postman's knock. They are in a great way about their badges, and think they must have been lost, in the post office. They seem to be never done talking about Dot. Their eldest sister tells them she thinks they are a little bit dotlie. Rather a weak pun, isn't it, Dot? I was dreaming about Ismene last night, but 'l cannot think who she was. Do you live in a place beginning with L, Ismene? because your initials tally with a girl I know. Now, Dot, I think I must stopi as mj letter is lengthening, with
love to Dorothy, Shan, Monica-, Alvera, Jessica, Mona, D.unedinite, Con, Boy, C. C. M., Marguerite, Cynthia, Harry, 8.0.8.," Maisie, Echo, 'Lamb, Forget-me-Not, Solomon Slow, Sunflower, and last, but not least, Dot herself. — Yours truly, DOCKLEAF. [Dear me, Dockleaf, you are quite a private detective! In addition to poor Dot's identity, fancy you penetrating the incog, of no fewer than 17 correspondents. I should think that is a record which no one can hope to break. I hope Echo and the Little Lady got their badges all right, Dockleaf, for the clerk assures me he sent them to the post along with a lot of others, and they are in the • list I gave him. Echo must be a tease when she put you off eating her oatcake like that.— DOT.] Dear Dot, — Byngo and I are sittting up on the garden seat. He is snoring very conten-. tedly. I can see a little bit of the harbour, but it is not pretty, because of the mud being stirred^up. I hope you received my stamps for the badge all right. I posted them on Friday, the 17th ult. lam very sorry you could not have a ppparate badge as I suggested. I 'went to the .show at Tahuna Park, and enjoyed myself immensely. Last Friday I went to the Art Gallery Exhibition. 8.0.8. seems to have enjoyed tho fancy dress ball. I have never been to one yet, so I have that pleasure to look forward to. Little Lady, as I confess J is right, will you confess that P is the first letter of your surname? Dot, I wonder if you or the little folk could swallow this tale. I can't, although it was told ta me all in good faith. ■ It» is this: The house of a -friend of ours was overrun with rats, and they were so bad that one day when he was digging in the garden four rats came' about him and ate the worms out of the turned-up soil. He said once -or twice he could have caught one, only he .had such a horror of them that he dare not. I think Maurice and I are to have a bicycle between us at Moeraki. * My two sisters have" just come home with a lovely' bunch of flowers, so I must go down and see them (the flowers). So good-bye, with love from ■ D. O. S. • December 3. P.S.— I thought I had better tell you that my last letter was mixed up (by the printers, I suppose) with Maggie Shillinglaw's letter. — D. O. S. [You will no doubt have got the badge long ero this, dear. They took longer to make than I thought they would, and hence the delay. I was so sorry your letter was mixed up in that absurd way. Yes, it occurred in the printing department, but as they don't do things like that often, 1 think we may excuse them this time. What do you think? — JJOT.J j Dear Dot, — Since I last wrote I have been in Dunedin, and if I had been quite sure that it was you 8.0.8. saw, I should also have tried to see you. I don't think J3.0.8. saw you. Somebody was just taking a rise out of him. I was told in Dunedin that it was easy to stuff country folk. But anyway, I know who you are, because a business man told me to call at the office and ask for Miss So-and-so, but he might only have been trying to hoax me. Anyway, I had not the pluck to try. I stayed in Dunedin three weeks;' and I had a turn round even to the London Dental, where I had two teeth extracted. I took gas, j but gas and I-didn't agree," so,- in consequence I I hart to go back ji second time, and I managed to. get them, out all right. -The- first I time- I' went "into; .hysterics. Marguerite' says 1 she was born in Hyde^ Mother told; met who \ you. were. Are you M. B. ? - If .so, grandma has your photo, but I don't suppose you will guess who I am. . If you like I will exchange autographs. I see one correspondent is ialcing me to task over Wullie. Really, I might ask your correspondent, Would you talk about your, parents like Wullie did through Dot's page? — setting the younger little folk a bad example. Let us hope not. And if Wullie hasi taken the advice of A. N. T\, surely you ought to have had more sense than bring the matter up again. I tee t 8.0.8. had a naval rig on, but he did not tell us that he had a penny trumpet. I am sure tho parson 8.0.8. speaks of, that would not pray for the British army while fighting against that brave, although misguided, people, the Boers, had he been with tke Gordon Highlanders at Elandslaagte, would have prayed in earnest for one, at any rate, to be back in Now Zealand. He should remember that the .British soldiers have dear relations and friends who weep and pray for them, and these dear ties are broken on every battlefield. Dear Dot, I see you call me n termite, and I suppose I must be one if yov» say so, but the editor of the Witness, or somebody else, is accountablo for my mistake, as it was" in the Witness I got my information. It is time I brought this note to a close. Good-bye, with love to all the little folk. — Yours truly, * A. N. T. The Country, November 25. [I ""should think A. N. T. would be very glad indeed to see the last of the dentist after such an experience. I don't think -town people, as r. rule, try to take "a riso" out of countiy people, or think they aro easily diiped. Of course -.you can find one here and 'there who . thinks he is very clever in endeavouring to "have" strangers, but I am sure they are the exceptions. — DOT.] Dear Dot, — 8.0.8. gave us a nice account of the fancy dress ball in his last letter. I looked in the Witness to see if I could find a full account of it, but I did not see anything like it. Old Boy was quite wrong in his proposition about the badge. lam afraid, if his plan were adopted, there would not he many, wearing the badge. I think that the badge you have got up, Dot, could not be improved upon in any way. Dsar Dot, were you at the Dunedin show? It was supposed to be a very good cne this year. I know a few of your correspondents that live pretty near where I live, two of whom are Sunbeam and M. H. M. I suppose the Christmas Annual will be issued by the time this is in print. How nice it must be for the little folk that live in Dunedin, where they can always know each other by your badge. I suppose we shall soon be getting a nice long letter from Wullie tolling us about his trip to Auckland.- He might have a chance of seeing' Shan and Lamb when he passes through Wellington. With love to Ifimene, Mona, and Ziska, and wishing you and all the little folk a merry Christmas and a happy New Year, — Your 3 truly, „ MINERVA., [Yes, Minerva, I was at the show, and a very good show it was. lam afraid Wullie would not have much of a chance of falling across either Shan or Lamb in Wellington — unless they recognised him from his picture in the Witness, and I should hardly think they could do that, do you?— DOT.] Dear Dot, — A gentleman who had seen my letters in the Witness found out my address, and came to see me yesterday. He talkdd very kindly to me, and explained how I could make good use of my life, and he gave me the following little poem: — Look always on the sunny side — 'Twill make us happier far; Why should we try to find the cloud When brightly shines -the star? Some people only see the world As through a smoky glass; They go half-way to meet the woe, " iAnd let the sunshine pass. Uncle and auntie are going away to live in the
South" "Island, at' Greymouth, arid I shall -not see them again ■until the next winter holidays,: when I am going to stay-with them.'. Dear Dot,* why do some of the little folk doubt Wullie being' genuine? I don't see anything impossible in' his letters for a boy of his age to write, and I know the Scotch people are generally humor-* ous. lam sure that if an English boy wrota' nice letters to a Scotch paper, the wee lad 3 and lasses would not doubt his being genuine.We should all trust each other, don't you think! so, Dot? And lam sure no one would take a mean advantage of our Dot's kindness, and? try to deceive her. I think it must make Wullie feel unhappy when he sees that some of hia little friends doubt his genuineness. I know it would make me feel miserable. Thank you Zephyr and Mona for kindly offering'to correspond with me, and I am so sorry that I am unable to do it. lam going to try and be very, good, and then perhaps uncle will change .hia mind, and allow me to " correspond "privately with the little folk. Ido hope he will. I did not have'a flower gardfen'at home, Hyacinth", and perhaps, as you say, if I had had one I should not have been so depressed; .but when • I -used to wander about feeling miserable, it never struck me that I might make a garden, and now I am in town, of course I cannot have one. That is an . interesting letter from Mary in this week's Witness about Majuba Hill. I hope the little folk will adopt Pique's plan of disclosing then- real names when they - are going to desert us; but I also hope that none of them will ha-yo need to leave. us for a; long time yet. Jeannie — the girl. who was stay-" ing "here when I .first came into tbwnr-rcamo. to stay hero". again ,las,t .Tuesday, and is .still here. a Her home is at Greytown, .and- she' came down to see. Bland Holt's company, t I -am, so glad that, she is here, for she.'is^so nice,. and . I am" trying tq^pers'uade her id yriite to you; and send her, letter along with mine. Jeannie reads to me every-jiight, and it is such 1* nice "book sho is reading. It is about a .young girl who was dying of consumption, s and she was .dying such a beautiful death — she seemed so saintly and happy. We couldn't help crying over parts of it, it was so terribly sad. I thin! dying of consumption is quite tho nicest dteath anyone can die, because you have so much time to repent and. become good, if you have been wicked. Jeannie nnd I went for a lovely walk up to Mount Victoria on Friday afternoon. We had a lovely view, and it was such a beautiful day we were quite sorry when it became dusk and we had to return home. In the evening Jeannie went out and left me with a grand book to read, and I fell asleep over it, and what do you think I dreamt? Why', I dreamt that I was walking along Lambton Quay with ■ Dunedinitej and suddenly we met Isnieiio carying; Ziska in her arms, and Dunedinite asked, me if it was Dot, and I said "No; surely you know Ziska by now!" I can't remember what happened then; but I woke up and Jeannie was standing by me saying, "Whatever made you go to sleep? I'vt got some chocolates which I want you to share with me, and I've been trying to wake you foi about five minutes." She did laugh when 1 told her about my funny dream, and said:' "Why; even your sleep is disturbed by -Dot and her little folk; you must have them on the brain." I wonder what made me dream about those three in particular-? And fancy Ismene carrying Ziska! She didn't seem to find it hard work at all. I can't remember what Ziska and Ismene were like, in appearance at all ;. but Dunedinite was dark, and was wearing a pale blue blouse and a white hat. - "Are you dark , or , fair, • D.uneclfnite ?..' I -wjmld - \q , like to'kriow^if "you are "anything like I v dr«unt/you. • were, so you might -tell me just that' much; .Jeannie as,ked , me"-toi send ybn v the, following' poem for you'f page,*"'and she hopes you: , w ill v accept it. She says, as she wis eighteen "last birthday, she is too old to start and. write to you. * . , THE SILVER PLATE. * \ They . passed it along from pew to pew, ' ' And gathered the coins, now fast, now few t That rattled upon it; and every time . Some eager fingers would drop a dime On the silver plate with a silver sound. A boy who sat in the aislo looked round With a wistful look: "Oh, if only ho Had a dime to offer, how glad he'd be!." He fumbled his pockets, but didn't dare To hope he should find a penny there ; • And much as he searched, when all was done Ho hadn't discovered a single one. He had listened with wide-set, earnest eyes,As the minister, in a plaintive wise, Had spoken of children all abroad The world who had never heard of G od ; Poor, pitiful Pagans, who didn't know, When they came to die, where their souls would go, And who shrieked with fear when their mothers ' made i Them kneel to an idol god — afraid He might oat them vp — so fierce and wild And horrid he seemed to the frightened child. "How different," "murmured the boy, while hi* Lips trembled — "how different Jesus is!" And the more the minister talked, the more The boy'a heart ached to its inner core; And the nearer to him the silver plate Kept "corning, • the harder seemed his fate--That he hadn't a, penny (had that ''sufficed) To give that theheathen might hear Christ. But all at once, as the silver sound r Just tinkled beside him, the boy looked round, And he blushed as his eyes began to swim. Then bravely turning, as if he knew There was nothing better that'll© could do, f ' He spoke in a voice that held a tearr "Put the'plate on tho bench 'beside me -here." And the plate was placed, for they thought he meant * To empty his pockets of every cent. But he stood straight up, and he softly put Right square in the midst of the plate — hif foot! And he said, with a sob controlled before: "I will give myself— l have nothing more!" I think it a very nice poem, don't you, Dot? And do you think you will be able to find room for it in your valuable little space? Jeanni« wrote and asked uncle if I might go and stay with her at Greytown when she goes home, but he will not allow me to. I was so disappointed, but Jeannio tells me all is for the best, and I must not fret about it. Well, dear Dot, I must say good-bye, with much love to yourself and all the little folk from LAMB. November 26. [What a remarkable dream, Lamb! It • shows that you think a great deal about your friends of Dot's pages, dear, and I am sure • we all think a deal about you, and are very glad that you are happy now and pleased with all the friends you have made since you came, amongst us.' Jeannie's poem is a, very good andP instructive one, dear, and I am sure many a reader wi.U learn something from it. Jeannie seems to be a good, sensible girl, 1 * and no doubt she saw that your uncle may have some good reason for not giving you permission to go, even though you cannot see it at present. — : DOT.] Dear Dot, — In this week's Witness I see a picture of our wonderful badge, and I think it is splendid. But, dear Dot, are you sure * shilling will pay for the badge and postage too?i because I would gladly send .more if it ia needed. Now shout your own brooch, you will! have to wear ono with a' big "D" on' it, so thavj we shall be able, to .recognise you-;ii we meet? you anywhere. ■ Dear Dot, fancy TJaca'takirigy Ts in boots I Why, I only take 3'b. and, the/.
are a little too large for me. . Never "mind, Usca, though you do. take big. boots, .yon can write a very-- nice^ letter.'. • I nvpnder where -Jessie C. has got to. 'Wake up. Jessie, and •write soon.Dear Dot, my schoolmate and I went up the gully the other day, and -we trimmed our hats with crape ferns and buttercups, and they looked bo pretty. We also went bird-nesting, and we got 21 eggs (mostly sparrows'): Dear Dot, if "you were a little girl and had very fair hair, and you liked black better, what would you do to change the colour? Well, mamma, •when she was a little girl, had fair hair, and she did not like it, so she got some butter and melted it and mixed soot with it and then rubbed it on her hair to dye it, and a nice pickle she was in. Fancy Wullie going up to Auckland! I hope you will write and tell us about your trip, and how you enjoyed yotiTeelf, Wullie. Please, Dot, excuse my writing, as my hand it aching. I suppose you will wonder what makes my hand ache — well, I have to milk three cows night and morning (sometimes four) and attend to' five calves, which we call Dot, Ziska, Jessie C, Bob, and" Wuliie. lam sending you some conundrums. Dear Dot, couldn't you put the names of the correspondents who send for a badge at the end of the Little Folk's Page? Now dear Dot, I must close, wishing you all a happy Christinas and a bright New iTear.— Yours truly, •SILVERBELL. [Yes, Silverbell, the shilling will just about cover the expenses, so that if the whole 500 are disposed of I shall be quite delighted. Over JOO of them are gone already, so that I have no doubt whatever "'about the result, tt is very kind of you to think of it,' dear. Yon -will see that "I commenced last weeli putting m the names, but I am not sure whether all the little folk like their names in or would prefer the n<sm de plume. — DOT.] Dear Dot,— There are Buch a lot of boys and girls writing to you that I should like to write too. My homo is in a place called Nenthorn. I am having a holiday, and am staying with my sister at Middlemarch. Igo to the MoonHght school, about two miles Itom home, and [am in the .Third Standard. Mr Borthwick is our teacher. There are three of us going 'to school — a twin sister in the same standard as I, and a brother in the Seventh Standard. The Strath-Taicri i 3 looking very pretty just now. We have a black cat here, and its name is. Taipo. He goes out every day to get a rabbit for himself, and after he has eaten it he lies in the window, where the sun shines. We have a pretty little bay foal; would you pleaße give me a name for her?— Yours truly," JESSIE M'RAE (aged 10). Middlemarch, December 1. [As we hear so much about war nowadays, Jessie, I think you might call the foal General. —DOT.] Dear Dot, — I have got to stay in the house to-day, as it is thundering s.and raining. I •was at the Clutha show on Wednesday, and I ' enjoyed myself very much. I was in one of the tents seeing the Transvaal war and the Spanish bull fight, and a number of other pictures. At another -tent there were a few monkeys, and veiy amusing little creatures they ■were. With love to Dot and all the little folk. •—Yours truly, ADMIRAL. Stirling, December 2. [Here we have an Admiral writing to us, and I have just told Jestie-to «all her foal General. We are getting quite warlike, like everyone else. I)OT.] Dear Dot, — I have iro pet 3 'to- tell .jtotdT about juat now. I rnj- in the* Third' Sraridard at echool. We get rthje -Witness every week, and I enjoy reading'the- littls folk's Jetters, especially those of Marguerite, C.C.M., and Wullie. . My sister and 1^ go bird-nesting. We have ,%ofr'.-over-.ihrea jrendred eggs • between - us. • Don't you think we are great tomboys, Dot? I now -"conclude, r/ith love to Lamb, Dimples, Btibblcs, and 'dear Dot. — Yours iruly, CHERRY. Country, November 30. [Well, Cherry, 1 suppose you are, but gather_ng birds' eggs is harmless anmsement. — DOT.] Dear Dot, — Our exam, took place on the 25th October, and I passed intd the Fifth Standard. [ like Wullic's and 8.0.8.'s letters best. Dear Dot, there i 3 a- sawmill near where we live. Next time I write I shall describe it. I have i little kitten; pleae? will you give me a name ;or it. I must now draw to a- close, with love to Ziska, Isniene, Lamb, and Dot. — Yours truly, IRENE. Country, December 1. [Well, Irene,- we had better' keen to the «rmy ; and call the kitten Captain.— DOT.] Dear Dot, — I have just finished reading the little folk's letters, and I agree with you that 20 should be fixed upon by the little folk as the age at which to retire from cur page. Boy is lamenting his fate at not being able to go to the Transvaal with the New Zealand contingent. Never mind, Boy, you may wear the —"Victoria, Cross come day, but you must not thjnk oi leaving Dot's page "yet- awhile — must he, little folk? I like the'lettera Doekleaf and A/N.T. write very much, Dot^ « Just . fancy Dcckleai knowing 13 of , the little lolk and I . ddn't know one! She must be a private detectiv/; or something. Even in this out of the way place I begin to tremble for my own security. Dear Dot. we have started a sewing guild here to rai«e funds fcr a new organ for the church. We meet every Wednesday, and I am dressing a doll for the bazaar. — Yours truly, MOKI. * Mandeville, December 1. [I doa't think Dockleaf's penetrative powers •will extend" so fay as your locality, Moki, although she l.as increased the number of her acquaintances. I hope your bazaar will be a great success, dear. — DOT.] Dear Dot, — I have never written to yen before, but as I know one of your girl * correspondents I thought I weald write to let her know. Pool Rhona, I was very sorry for you when I saw the hor£e jibbing, and .highly aniusdd at watching the antics of Safry. I suppose you were disappointed at not getting to see your friends that day, but let us hope you will be more fortunate next time Dear Dot, I think a lot of Ziskn's letters — they arc so interesting. 8.0.8. and Ziska aro my favourites in the Little Folk's Page. I was also at the ball on the 27th that Rhona was telling you about, and I often got in tho same set as her. I enjoyed myself very much. lam learning the piano, and am just beginning to like it. I was Forry that JtJ.O.B. did not give us a description of his fair partner's dress at the bail. " I wonder what will be thinking you arc next! My opinion is that you are a tall lady, with eyes, golden hair, and dressed in white. as- 1 have started writing to you, 1 I would like to, write again (with your permission). Mother takes as much interest "in the Little "Folk's Page as we do ourselves. There is always a rush between us for the Witness on Thursday nights, and the first thing asked is, "Has B.O.B:- got a -letter in tins week?" Dear Dot, I think this is all at present; Hoping I'am not trespassing •■too -much" on your, precious space, I -will • conclude, with -love- to Khona, 8.0.8., Ziska, Lamb, and your•Belf.—Yours truly,
Heriot, November 30. . [Well, Ilex, that is not so bad for a- descripti&n of Dot,- butrdo you really think Dot can be tall? Then, again, the days for a white, dress in Otago are not too many in the year,
are 'they, dear? ' I wonder what Rhona willhave .to say about your discovery of her . idan-tity.'-DOT.] ■.
Dear Dot, — If both readers and correspondents get^badges you will need to Tray more than 500. lam glad 8.0.8. enjoyed himself at the fancy dress ball. I wonder who he had the most dances with? I was at a fancy dress ball on the 30th September, and enjoyed myself very much. Some of the characters were flowers girls, "Ivy," Japanese ladies, etc.. the men also being in. fancy dress. lam very fond of dancing. I learnt to dance from a lady all last winter. Would you like to' go out to the Transvaal and nurse the sick coldiers, Dot? Did you have a holiday on the 9th of November? I did. My mate and I went for a uicnic, and we did enjoy ourselves. I am very fond of reading, Dotj and I suppose you are too. Some of my favourite books are "The Seven Little Australians" and its sequels, "Wild Kitty," and a great many others too nuaierous to mention. Have you had the influenza yet, Dot? I had it about two or three weeks ago, and was in bed two days' - Do you not think it a pity that Lamb is not allowed to write privately to any of your correspondents ? 1 wonder 'if Lamb composed that piace of poetry herself? II 11I 1 must stop now, as I am learning music, and will have to practise. With love to Ziska, Lamb, Dunedinite, 8.0.8., and heaps to your dear self,--^ Yours truly, ~" YVONNE. [No, Yvonne, I certainly should not like to go out to the Transvaal, but of course it would not do for everyone to look at it in that light; or what would our poor wounded soldiers do for 'nurses?— DOT.] ■ Dear Dot, — The annual summer show is to be held to-morrow, and I am going, providing it is a fine day and all keep well until then. I see another of your little folk has chosen the same norn de plume as I, so I will change mine. I am. going to send the editor some of my love, because I think if he knew the little folk loved him, of course in a brotherly or sisterly way, he would not be so fidgety and say unkind things to Dot when she walks in with her letters. I see Wullie has gone to Auckland. • Lucky fellow. I wish him every success and enjoyment. Another month, and then it will be Christmas, Dot. And now I must say good-bye, with love to Dot, the tditoi, and ail the little folk.— Yours truly, VERNA. Milton, November 27. [It is not so much what the editor says, Verna, as tho sad way he regards me when 1 take him in a few dozen letters. It is really quite depressing, and when another batch of letters comes in I think I .must find tome portion of each to omit, co as to make them shorter, and also keep my answer as short as possible. However, I feel sure he will look quite amiable when I take in the next batch, as your remarks will be quite fresh in his mind then. We ~ must remember, dear, that we have encroached column after column on his space, till I am almost afraid to think how many columns 1 wo occupied last week. Did you all count them, little folk?— DOT.] Dear Dot, — We live in a pretty place about two miles from the sea and one from the bush, which looks very pretty now, as the clematis is in flower. lam learning nr.usic, and I like it very much. I think the badge looks pretty. rWith-all love to the little-folk,— yours truly, ;CKATTERBOX. [The clematis does indeed' liven np the bush, dear. ' It is a pity it does not keep fresh, when it i's picked, isn't it?— DOT.] - Dear Dot,— My little brother and I thought we should like to write you a letter. We live in the back blocks of Catliiis. We get the Witness every week, and we like reading the little folk's letters very much. We go to school, and we ?ve both m the Second Standard. We have got 11 cows milking. lam just learning to milk. It is very nice to listen to the birds every day, Dot. 1 am ten years old, and my little brother is eight. With love to the little folk and yourself, — Yours truly, CHARLES. - Catlins, November 30. [It is indeed, Charles, and I think there is no place where they sing sweeter than in the Catfins bush, so you are privileged little folk to hear them.— DOT.] Dear Dot, — I live in the Maniototo plains, which is mostly a sheepfarming district, but ■there are crops grown here as* well. In Naseby there is a little gold mining carried on. Sheep shearing is just abotit to commence. I hope yen will meet with success in selling the badges. We have had every wet weather durVj ins the pnst week. — Yours truly, MANIOTOTO. [I hope the weathci tcok up for the-ghear-ing, Mani, and that it has not had to be post-poned.-DOT.] Dear Dol, — Here ~ am again, for Averil has been asking me to write. About .a week ago, I began a letter to you, and had written about half when niy tooth, began to ache. Oh-! the horriblo thing; it ached and ached till I thought I would go mad. It was threatened with the dentist, and of course it gradually got better (of fright, J suppose); at any rate we have not -parted yet, and it is doubtful when we shall. I wonder if I know Melba ? I know a girl in Gore who came from Melbourne, and who also went to Miss Preemau's lecture, and I fancy that, girl and Melbn. are the same. 1 know Olgn, Averil, "Wullie (I think), and Jessie C, although I am not personally acquainted with the latter. One day AvenJ, Olga, and some other girls and myself weiit for a picnic. We first went to the Domain, but this not suiting our fancy we went by the riverside, at a "place where there are small waterfalls. We had grand fun, and of course we all, with one exception, took off our shoes and stockings and waded in the river. The tea was just lovely — not a 'bit smoked, as billy tea Eomctlmes is. After afternoon tea was over, a few girls, including myself, went for a short walk. We presently reached a target, and of course we went up to it. We saw au old red flag lying on tho giound, and one of the girls seized it and going outside waved it above her head. Then we started down the hill, and I wanted them to come quicker, so I pretended that I saw men running towards us to see what was wrong, and they came quick enough theu. Oh, I am so glad cm dreaded exam, is at last over. I was examined in Euclid, algebra, and English, and this year we are to have more of those subjects with the addition of Latin. Latin seems to me so funny and hard to understand. Himbecco gave a. grand description of her walk throiigh the bush. Ir wonder if she writes poems. I have a bicycle called the CJiandos. I sec Jim has been tolling you of his sister's difficulties in learning to lide. When I was learning I got on the thing easily enough, and sat there for a moment, and then fell off, and my sister, instead of helping me, sat down on the grass and laughed and called me a little goose. After I had learned I was speaking to a gentleman at our place, and he had the impudence to ask me if I was the one that couldn't ride the bike, and he said he had seen me tumbling off a lot of times. — Yours truly, THELMA. " [You had a happy day, Thelma, but will your companions ever trust you again afte* "selling" them in that way? — DOT.] Dear Dot, — Here I am writing to you again, bu^ only, because Marguerite has persuaded me to write once more before I go to town. There' were a great many letters in the Witness last
"week, and a large number of "good ones among them. Hyacinth — what a pretty :name, and what a nice letter. yo\t had in last week. Don't you think so, Dot? All our little folk aTe hard cases — at least, so Molly Eiley thinks. We have a garden in the front of the house. -■ I think I liad better call it a garden of docks, as that is nearer the mark than flowers, and we were out weeding it and cutting down the docks th 3 other day, Marguerite being on one side and I on the other, when I got a terrible start by hearing loud screams from Marguerite. Of course, I went over to her, and asked her what was the matter. "The matter!" she screamed. " Quick, take it off." '• Take what off " leaked. " I have a big beast about a foot long on my back." But I assure you. Dot, that she was not much more than* lljiu out. At last I managed to stop fchs scraains, and she thought that the spider might be on the t-ee still, so we had a look, and there on a branch was a spider not much bigger than a fly. But it is all very well foe me to talk like thia, and qtiite a different tiling to go near a spider myself. No, Shan, I did not get my name ficm that. I have nevsr read the book. Marguerite suggested the name, which she got from one of the Windsor Magazines. There was a song dedicated to Cynthia on her sixteenth birthday, and also a picture of her. I think I shall close now, with love to Hyacinth, Dockleaf, Shan, G. Y. M., Cherryripe, Shamrock, Jessie C, and yourself. — Yours truly, CYNTHIA. [I think I saw. the verses and piciure, Cynthia, and very pretty they both wore, dear. Fancy. Marguerite screaming among the docka, and all over a' spider "-a bigger than a fly. What have you to say for yourself, Miss M. ? — DOT.] Dear Dot,— l thought I should like to t«>ll you about this place. The climate is very cold. We live close to the beach. Tlnre is a rert 'of rocks running off the beach, where the Tararua was wrecked. When the tide is lew we can see her boiler, and if you look through a telescope yon can sea two spikes sticking up from it, A great many of the people on her were drowned, and were buried in a cemetery not,far from the beach. This cemetery was fenced in and painted last^year, but it wants another coat of paint this year. The beach is a nice long, one. It is pleasant to be on the rocks catching fish and getting seaweed. Dear Dot, the shells we get here are not valuable. | Sometimes -the mutton birds -drive ashore a I great number of fish like sardines, and they also go into pools. We have a boat harbour. It is nice to go out in it for a pull. My father has a punt, and -my brother cook my sister out for a row one afternoon. Dear Dot, I forgot to say that the Star of Erin was wrecked on a reef, but all the people were saved. On a calm day we can ccc a piece of her sticking -out of the water. With love to Dot and the little folk,— Yours truly, FLORENCE HENAG-HAN. Waipapapa Lighthouse. • [You are in a most interesting district, Florence, although it is so cold. It is a pity tha sardines cannot be caught and tinned, like they are on the West Coast. I wonder if someone will take note of the fact mentioned by you that the Tararua Acre fence needs painting again.— DOT.] Dear Dot, — This is a veTy pretty place, near the sea, and there is some lovely bush, about here. Not very long ago my brothers, sisters, some friends, and myself went for a picnic to the bush. We were looking about for ferns, when we- saw, a tree with- such pretty flowers on* it, but we.- did not know f the name of it. "We thought we would have such pretty flowers to take home, but they were all withered by the time we started for home, and as we were gathering the flowers we were v taken by suj> prise by seeing two boys come along, and they helped us to boii the billy. One of my friends was trying to cross a stream, when her foot slipped into the mud, and her shoe came oil as she was pulling her foot out. She thought sho had lost her shoe. One of the boys got it out for her, but it took a Jong time to get it out. _ Wo could not help laughing at her, she looked so funny with only one shoe en and her stocking covered -vvith mud. She dried her shoe by the fire which we boiled our billy on, and after it was dried • she had to tug and tug to get it on. When we weie coming home we went into a house which is supposed to be haunted, but I don't believe m such things, do you, Dot? lam very fond of reading, and I have read a good many books. I like Annie Swan's books, and T have read nearly all Sheldon's books, and I liked them very well. I see in 8.0.8.'s letter that he thinks he saw you, and was introduced to you, Dot, and I also see that someone thinks you are .a nice young mon. Well, Ido not think so, because yon write such nice answers to the little folk. I like music, and can play the organ. lam looking forwnrd to the Christmas Annual, to see the photos of the little folk, and I hope to see yours also. I have not seen any of Devonshire Dumpling's letters in the Witness for a long time. Where are you, I). D. ? You are not going to neglect us altogether, are you? I will close now, with love to all the little folk and yourself. — Yours ■truly, CARNATION. [No, Carnation, I certainly do not believe in haunted houses. There was one in Dunedin whicn had this reputation for many years. Every night there was a sound as of peas rolling down the stairs, and it was years before someone, with an investigating turn of mind, solved the mystery, after sitting up and watching night after night. He found that the noi&e was made by a beetle, which were found in numbers afterwards in some decaying beams. So the house lost its reputation for being haunted, ' as many another would if people would only search for the caxise. T knew of another in which footsteps were often heard without anyone being about, but these were afterwards shown to be conducted, through the ground being of a boggy nature, from a path a good way off. 'Those were nice polite 'boys you met at your picnic, and they did you good service. — DOT.] Dear Dot, — I do not think any of your writers know me or my name. I know the names of Priscilla, Pauline, and Miss Muffet. suppose you know Mr T. H., Miss Muffet, because it was from him I learnt your name. Miss Louden, who. used to be schoolmistress at your school, is at our school now, and we like her very much. We are practising for our school concert just now. Last year the Peninsula A. and P. show was the day after our concert, but this year it is a week before. The show is hold at Portobello, and I hope to sco Mprguerite, Cynthia, and Tui there. I wonder if any Dunedin writers were at the Dunedin A. and P. show? I was there, but I thought it was too tiring. The weather is very bad just now, and it was very fortunate it was Eiich a nice day for the show. Dear Dot, need I send my name every tin^e I write? I think I will say good-bye. — Yours truly, ZAKA. [Yes, Zara, it is just as well to do so. You can put it on the back instead of on a separate slip of paper. — DOT.] Dear Dot, — I think this is the eighth letter I have_ s.tarted to write to you, but I have determined to post this ono. Although I have never contributed anything to the Litle Folk's Page, I always read the letters and enjoy them very much. lam jtvearying for the Christmas Annual, but I suppose it wi.'l be out soon. I don't know any o! your correbpondents, and have no hope of finding them out. Don't you think summer is long in coming, Dot? It is not a bit like summer hero. JU< was awfully
-cold -here en the 9th of November, but still ' t that did not prevent -my mate Yvonne -and I - going for a picnic. There was somei/beautiful maidenhair fern where we were, and we got a few stalactites in the caves. We .would. . have got more, but we had nothing to break them off with. I see some schools have been closed on account of the influenza. I'm very ours hasn't, because it would just be taken off our Christmas holidays, and I would rather ", have them then than now. I got such a- c'iaj appointment just now. I asked a lady from Dunedin if she knew who Dot was, 'and she said she had often heard her name, but couldn't i remember it just then; but she told me who 1 "Emmeline" is. If Ziska reads "Black Doug- i ! las" she must be a very different girl Irom me. I J I started to read it, and it nearly gave mo the ' , horrors. I think I will close now, as this ' ' is my first letter; so good-bye. — Yours truly, , KOA. [Dear me, Koa, so "Emiaeiine's", incog, has been penetrated also. Ido feel so curious to I learn who your friend told you she, is. "Will yoti not tell me next time you write, dear? — ! , DOT.] ' '• Dear Dot, — This is my first letter to you, and ! I wish ,very much to become one of your correspondents. What a lot of nice letters you get, Dot. It must take yoti a time to answer them. I like the idea about the badge, and l I am sure sill the little folk will try and get i one, as it will be something to keep m reinemI brance of dear Dot. I like Cynthia's, Ziska's, ' , Lamb's, Marguerite's, and Docicleaf's letters, the '. best, and I wish 1 knew them, but I suppose , I shall have to wish, as I live too" far away. ' r Poor little Lamb! lam glad she finds comi fort in reading the litt.'e folk's letters. My sis- • ter Japonica is writing, and if eveT we come ' (o Wellington, Lamb (as I expect wo shall do), • , we shall try to find you, as we live just over : in ,We are having very, hot weather here no\v, and I am quite sure it would ' bake Daughnut. Dear Dot, I have a bike, : and ' I have not . had any spills yet, but I suppose I shall. With love to Lamb, Cynthia, Marguerite, Ziska, and Dockleaf, and yourself, — Yours truly,' j ' . TOPSY. i Spring Creek, Blenheim, November 26. J [You will get your badge long -before you see your letter, in print, Topsy, but jou know I had to stop on Saturday last week, as there were so many letters in. There are quite as ' many coming in this week, and I feel quite nervous about going to the editor with batch ' after batch. I 'am afraid I '.shall be pulled up this week, though, long , before I manage to smuggle them all ] in, but if so, the remainder will just ; have to be content with first place the following week. If we go on like this it may be necessary to start a Witness junior som& day ; r -who knows?— DOT.] y . j I Dear Dot, — The school excursion was to Orej puki on November 35, and it' was a beautiful ; day, but I wrs not there. My two sisters, ; younger than myself, went. We have 50 cows milking now. -Since I wrote last time 14 of \ our chickens got poisoned. We have another'! ■ clutch of chickens, and also 10 little duck's. ; '_I was weighed last night, and I am ost 6Jlb. i ■ We shall soon be having our Christmas, holi- \ ! days now. This is a very tnort letter this j j time, but I will write a longer one after the'; holidays. With love to all the little folk, not [ ■ forgetting yourself, — -Yours truly, " j - MAKTHA CKANSTOUN. Edendale, December 2. *.,., P.S. — Will you kindly < give" me a cure for warts. — M. C. r) - ; I [Keep *a piece of washing soda in your pocket, tand; every time you think of it damp the wart, and rub the soda on it. If you persevere ; . with this treatment, Martha, the warts will soon '" . disanpear.— DOT.] I * ' -f 1 Dear Dot, — I don't know which of the letters j I like best, because they are all very good. ! The weather is very unsettled up here just now. I ' On Saturday and Sunday it was very warm, ! ] but on Monday it was raining as if it were ■ ' never going to stop. Sunday, December 3, ! ' was my birthday, and 1 got a good few pre- j sents. lam learning music, and have to prac- I tice three hours a day. My last piece is ".Balmoral," nnd ( the one before that was •'Moonlight on the Danube." They aye both hard pieces, but still they are very pretty. I i do not remember what my sister signed herself, , because it is six years ago, and I was very little. I will have to close now., as it is time I to go to music. — Yours truly, j , E. T. I. I [No doubt youT two pieces are hard, dear, but when you get two new ones you will think the old ones quite easy, and will wish your teacher would be content; with them. J3ut of course that would not do, as it is only by over- [ coining difficulties that we gather knowledge ' and improve our minds. — DOT.] I " Dear Dot,— The Little Lady and I received ! our badges on Weduesday, and we think them j, very nice. The letters are very plain on the i badge, are they not? As we were going out iv. tbe afternoon, we were not long in getting them stitched into our hats. We saw Alvera with hers, and when we were coming down Mornington we saw another girl with one, but sho was not looking our way. One of the little folk said that she was sorry. Con had i-left. Sorrow no longer, for Con has not yet j made his exit; he has promised us one more- ' letter, but now that the age of twenty is fixed for retiring he may be able to give us more ' than one letter. Is that not so, Dot? Don't ' be frightened of the editor, Dot, as I^m quite sure if he was to do anything to our Dot — be- ', eides looking solemn and getting fidgety — his 1 life would not be worth living, as the little folk would, 1 am sure, rise of one accord and make him answer for anything that would hap- ■ pen to you. Wouldn't we, little folk? But- . somehow I don't think that the editor is at all j formidable — I don't know why; perhaps it is just' fancy. Maisie has forestalled me in telling you about our finding one another out. Dockleaf was in while .1 was trying to make some oatcake, and when I asked her to wait and taste it, fancy her bringing up about the curds ! I passed Harry the other day in Mornington — at least, I think it was he, as Dockleaf (who knows him by sight) had described him to me. J hope you will do well in your exams., ! Harry. I don't know when I laughed &o much i as'l did over \he answers to some of the writers, j Oh, Dot, you tie funny! Someone said 8.0.8. ' was not writing such good letters. I think ' his letters are very good, and it was really ■ 8.0.8. who started the page— or rather pages — on the road to become what they now are, wasn't ! it, Dot? Prisi-illa, what good fairy prevailed on you to write again? The Little Lady had i made up a piece of poetry asking you to come ' back, but now ie will*not be needed. Fancy, j Dot, I don't neeil to dream of sending in my I resignation for five who!e years. The Little Lady says she is /still better, as she has eight yeare. But, oh ! are not we looking years ahead? I believe I would rather write under different pseudonyms than let the page go down but there is no fear gf that happening. Are Monica and you coming to Dunedin at Christmas, Shan? Quito a number are. ■ We' received the Christinas Annual to-day, and of course there was a rush to see the photos. We wore telling pa to-night when he came horne — he has been down south — that as he always reads the little folk's letters ho would have to get a- badge. Little Lady said that he could" wear it in his coat below his buttonhole. We I never miss putting in a buttonhole, and to tell you the truth, I don't think he would go ! without, one. _Pa smiled — I don't know if that ■ means that" he will, do you, Dot? As , Little Ladj; will not be writing a^ain before
'. Christmas, she joins with me in wishing yott and the little, folk a- merry .Christina? and a> very happy New Year. Hoping that Dot's pages will' have- still- greater -success irr 1900, I will conclude with love fa you and the little .folk.— Yours truly, ECHO. DuneTlin, December 7. , [I am sure I shall be only too happy if Con can see his way to comply with your sugges- [ lion, Echo. Do you know, dear, that looks I rather like intimidation of the editor, and X think it will be my duty to direct his attention to it before it appears in print. If he passes it I think jvc may be justified in overlooking his desire to repress us, don't you ? " Yes, dear, 8.0.8. set the ball rolling, but little did either . ho or any of us think what latent talent there was only waiting the hint to embrace Dot, so> to speak. , I sun sure pa should he a happyman with a bevy of daughters always on the look out for his welfare. ■ I am not quite sure ! about his wearing the bodge, but if he decides >• to do so I shall be only too happy to supply | him with one. lam sure, t however, that we all reciprocate your kind wisnes, Echo, and that | everyone will be be glad Echo and the Little i Lady will be with us so long.— DOT.] Dear Dot, — I was just reading your letters and finally thought to myself that as there were so few boys writing I would enter the lists if , you didn't mind a fellow of 17 among the wa« , folk? I am in the house by myself, so I will have peace and quiet to. say all I have torsay. Isn't it disgusting weather' for December, - Dot? I know a few- of -your Dunedin 'correspondents,- and fancy I know the others bjj sight. ■It is only a fancy,. Dot. ' For instance^ ; , I was on the St. Clajr car- the other day, and -' at egg's corner a- girl— beg pardon, a. young " ; lady k came- in and sat opposite' me. I don's know what it was, but something told me it was Priscilla. Just to see' if if was you,' Priscilla* [ I will give you an. account of her.- Hather tall, : dark, with large brown eyes, clear « skin, *net even teeth — I saw her smile at one of the paa- . sengers — a blue sac and skirt, stand-up collar. Am I right ? Another day, I was standing down at the Times' corner, a favourite place ot minej and just happened to look up and saw another young lady, the same size as Priscilla, only darker hair, and large, very large, brqwn eyes, nici rosy cheeks, rather nice looking, with a black skirt mid jacket (fashion, no_doubt),coming down the street. What should this young , lady do but walk straight into the Times' office, 1 turn the handle as if she were accustomed , to do so, and walk in. . Presently • she came out with' a Witness under her arm. Just [ outside she stopped, opened the Witness,- and read a little, then she laughed 'outright ; then seemed to recollect where she was, for she looked up , and down the street, . saw me looking at her, turned away, and, walking quickly up - the street, - disappeared round I the corner. That happened one dinner-time j and since then I have often seen her, and i fiom scraps of conversational hear as .you J pass I have. reason to believe that yon are one ! of Dot's littie folk. I know Harry 'and Solo- | moii Slow by sight ; also Doughnut and Mona, * I Doris, and Echo. And also I have the honemr ! of knowing that mysterious person, Dot. Never mind how I know, Dot; your secret is safe with me. I also am "going to leave Dunedin i oi Caversham this Christmas — viz., nowhere. I Bhonld like to get acquainted with Dunedinitei ' I imagine her. to be a very sensible girl, and a trifle" proud, but I see Dot says' she writes » capital hand. How elevated you must feel to, tie' praised by " Dot,"- Dunedinite, . \ if' , yoj , 'deserve 'i,t, ■»* and "Dot 'would -not-, piaise you unless you, 'did. 4 1 ' was wishing yesterday that I was oldj'enotigh to . have a vote. "I would, h'd've voted for" 'tho Labour Party and " Jfo License, Bill," wouldn't you, little -folk? I will send ior>_a 'badge 'when I have the stamps, but, like Ziska, I will have to wait till nexti-pay day. I do hope you "will be able to sell them all, after the' trouble you have taken with them. I was talking ' to a : girl the other day, and she said that anyone could see that Dot favoured Ziska and Priscilla. Now, I don't see that at all, and I am sure Dot and her wee folk will agree with me , in saying that she treats them all aiike. Oh, , dear, here is my sister back home to make tea. I never knew it was so late. • Yes, I have read '• The Last Days of Pompeii," and liked it very much, Dunedinite.' lam new (n<* just how) reading " The Old Curiosity Shop," by Dickens. I was also an onlooker at the Manse stSeet meeting and was disappointed .to see so few come, but I waited until the car had left, and went home smiling to myself, thinking' of what th-i little people would say when an account was sent in of the holiday. Oh, dear, what a scream! I must go and see what is wrong. Hero I am again — my much-loved sister has burned her finger, and I had to wrap it up. She has succumbed to a book and the eofa for a remedy, and left me to get the- tea, so I must leave off and get an apron on. Aurevoir. - With-lov-3 to all and sundry, — I am, for the present, THE GOOK. [Priscilla and her friends will laugh wh'ett they read .this 17-year-old Cook* -description of the girl he mistook for her. Yoii must have grown wonderfully and changed very much, -Prisciila, since I got a peep. at you, if this description is anything near the mark. I wonder if our new correspondent i 3 as far out in his recognition of Dot. As he has pronzised to Seep my secret it is all right ; but you I know, little folk, I have my share of the I curiosity of our sex, and I do wish Mr Cook had given us a true and accurate description of Dot. Perhaps he will do so next time ha I writes. You arc quite right in saying that I d ) not favour any one of the little folk more than another, for are you not aIL my dear friends, and through not being brought in contact with anyone personally, I am able to_ regard you all with equal affection. Now little folk, "does not the assertion of Cook's friend* prove to you that I was right in not having my portrait with yours, however much I might have liked to have been with you.— DOT.] Dear Dot,— l don't think I should like tohave as many correspondents as you have, and I don't~think I should answer half their letters. A number of your correspondents write very pood letters. I think the best writers are Harry, 8.0.8., Boy, Laddie, C. C. M., Ziska, nnd Cooee.. Don't you think Maidey must ba a regular jockey. Dot? I can't stop on a horse nidf.ways when it canters, so I don't know what I should do if it bolted. It is not so very long; ago sinca I fell off one. I am glad you ar» going to take a holiday, Dot. for if you didn't you might brsak down, and then there wouldn't' ba any Dot. Some of your little folk think Wuliie i 3 not genuine but I think he is, and I hope he will enjoy his holiday. The boya liavo stopped quarrelling with the girls. I x'.sed to think that some of the writers would have nothing to write about if they stopped quarrelling, but I am glad to see that I was mistaken. What do you think of the war, Dot? Do you think it will last much longer? — Yours trelv, TIKITIA. [We can only hooe not, dear, but I am afraid there will be dreadful carnage before it closes, however soon that may be. The whole affair is too awful to think of, isn't it?— DOT.] Dear Dot, — I live at Quartz Reef Point. The/c is_ a river called the Clutfea dividing Quartz Reef Point from Lowburn. The school is on tho Lowburn side, and we hava to cross 'Over t}n river in a punt. About 30 children cross from this side to the other. Our examination took place on November 22. We all passed. and-, lam now in the Sixth Standard. , There. is * . -ivedae, called the Maori, woikine jipt' ver^.ftt
"from our place, and it sank and they are trying, very hard to 'get it up. I have seven brothers and four sisters. One of my brothers was drowned in the Clutha River about six years ago. With love to you and all the little folk, — Yours truly, CHRISTINA JESSIE CAMPBELL (aged 12). Quartz Eeef Point, Cromwell. . [The loss of your brother must have 'been very sad for you all, Christina. Even among so many of you, one could not be spared, I am sure.— DOT.] Dear Dot,— So oui little friend Wullie has gone for a trip to Auckland. 1 wish him a successful trip. Poor Lamb, how I pity her. Sh? must have felt lonely with nobody but her aunt and uncle. But tihe won't be so bad now when she is going to school for she will have playmates about her own size. Isn't the war terrible? I hope the British are victorious. Dear Dot, I should have liked to have sent ior the 'badge, but mother says I had better wait and see if you will allow me to join your band first. Our exam, was about a week ago, and I passed into the Fifth Standard. I see you have a Ptrnch writing to you, so I will sign myself, with love to all the little folk and io Dot. — Yours truly, JUDY. [Of course we shall be glad to have Judy an. ongst us, but I somehow think we have .had a Judy before. However, if so, it is so long ago that the writer has lost all claim to the name, and our "new Judy must be the only one in the page now. — DOT.] .Dear Dot, — I have been waiting until {here were fewe"f letters, but they are still as numerous a3 ever. We have a pet duck, and Ken made a cage for it. It- is such a cunning little thing, ilt wanted to' get into the bath water witli. baby. We put it in with baby, and she ■wa3 -delighted. ' It swan about her toes and nibbled them, and looked up in suoh a comical way — it amused us all. We have lots of pets — pigeons,' geese t turkeys, hens, and chickens, •pussies and canaries, and seven calves, but . the best pet of. all is my brother's white collie, Tui. Our garden is lookiDg nice. 'i'he roses are -blooming nicely, and the mignonette is • very sweet. We have quite a hedge of sweet peas coming on. They will be very pretty. Mother and Igo out for nice drives. We have a dear old horse, and we all love him, he is so good and quiet. Now, dear Dot, we want some badges. One for my brother, one for myself, and the other for a friend who reads the letters. Mother says she thinks she should wear one too, as she reatfs the letters to v?. We all thing- it a pretty design. I hope to become :i constant writer to your page. Mother says it is good practice for us writing to you. Wa went to see a wee baby yesterday, and it died >7hila we were there. It was only seven weeks old, and was its mother's only cHId. With love to 3'ou, dear Dot, — Yours truly, MIGNONETTE. Flaxmere, Otautau, December 4. [How sad for the poor little thing to die, dear, but I suppose it must have been very weakly, and' perhaps its little life would not have been very enjoyable on that account. Thank you, little one, for the pretty cards from yourself, your brother, and your sister. — DOT.] Dear Dot,--Wc have had some very • heavy "rain during the past week or two. I have a littlp- brown calf; will you please give me a name for him. The little folk's badge looks Very nice when sewn on a hat or cap. Certainly you have -been very energetic, to be able to have the badge ready so soon. How kin"d.,of you, dear Dot, to put yourself to ko much trouble in trying to get ' the price reduced Dear Dot, do you like riding? 1^ am very fond of it, but it is very seldom I get a chance of having a lide. We have a young filly foal; will you please give me a name for it. lam glad Wullie is getting a trip. I hope he does not lose the Scotch accent in his travels. 'I shall bid you good night, Dot, with love to all, not forgetting y our self, from A YOUNG KYEBUENITE. [As the calf is a little "brownie," suppose you call her Pixie, and the filly you niigtit call Zephyr. ' How will that do, dear?— DOT.] Dear Dot, — I saw my name among the KUlo folk who had bought a badge. It must have been a mistake, because I did not order one, but it is all the same, ns I am going to get one. I think Marguerite must be a nice eort of a girl, because nearly all the little folk are asking for her address. So 8.0.8. has come back again, after a long spell. I know four of your writers — namely, D. 0. S-, Harry, Daisy -Bell, and Jeanie Bray. Our school breaks up on the 21st of December. It is rather late this year. I hope 1 shall get a prize, buf, lam afraid I shall not. My brother set a trap to catch birds, and he caught one, but my sister let it go. — Yours truly, ELLA. [No, dear, it wa3 not a mistake, for the •bad= j was ordered by and sent to anotke* Ella.— DOT.] Dear Dot, — We have been having very rough .weather lately, and the fruit trees are being destroyed by the hail and wind; but I „ hope it will not last long, as the holidays are coming near. I was at a social last Friday which was a great success, the organist being presented with a beautiful watch and chain. .1 kDow a- few of your correspondents — namely, Alys, C. C. M., J. Falconer, aim Ritchie Wright: " That was a very nice letter you wrote, "[Ritchie. I hope you will write again. Love to all the little folk, not forgetting yourself, Dot, from LOVE. fit has been very rough, Love, but I don't think the fiuit trees have suffered very much. — DOT.] Dear Dot,— l am just writing you a short note to let you know that I received the badge safely. lam delighted with it. When I went down to the school for the mail, it was dinner hour, and I opened the box and let all the children have a look at it. They all thought it was very pretty. Thank you ve: y' much lor going to so much trouble. Wo have been practising singing for a soiree, which is to take place on Friday— night. I have to sing contralto in the choir. lam very tired to-night, •Dot, so I will say good-bye. "Love to all the little folk, not forgetting yourself, dear Dot. Yours truly, ALYS. December 6. [I am glad you like tho badge, Alys. You know what will please one may not please another, and I have felt a little anxious in undertaking the work of getting the badges out ; but ,if my little friends are pleased I shall be doubly rewarded. — DOT.] Dear .Dot, I—l1 — I am starting this letter very late to-night, so I shan't finish it until the ' morning. I was up Mornington this after- " noon, and two other girls and myself went for a scramble in the bush. We got a lot of white violets along the banks of a small stream. Don't you think it is rather late for them to be out? Last Sunday I was feeling in my pocket for my penny for the missionary box, and what do you think I handed to the teacher? — a lolly! You can imagine how I felt. No, Dunedinite, I don't know Echo, although I wieh I did, and I would very mu; % h like to know you also. What school do \ou go to, Dun.? I have left, but I was wondering if you went to tho same school as I used iQt Qe&c P. Qt, I 93n glgd you are going to liave
a holidas', because you deserve one. It is good of Priscilla to make her reappearance. I really thought she was going to leave us. Oh, Doughnut, why could yoii not stay a little longer? I'm sure you are not so old as you make out. lam 2in taller than my mother. I think Yum Yum made a bid for a large order when she wanted your photograph. There was a splendid lot of letteis this week. Among those which I liked were the letters of Harry, Old Girl, Zealia, Lamb, Jealousy, and others. Dear Lamb, you don't know how sorry I am, because you can't correspond with me, but still there is always Dot's page, where we can write a few words to each other. I see the Christmas Annual is out, and I hope to be wearing a badge soon. My letter is lengthening, so I will now close, with Christmas greetings to Dot, Lamb, Harry, Dunedinite, Marguerite, and the rest of the little folk. I hope you will accept the card P send you, with sincere love from CHERRYRIPE. Dunedin, December 7. [ don't think the white violets are out of season yet, dear. You must have had a pleasant day, and I suppose you will have many such during the holidays. Thank you, GherryI ripe, for your pretty Christmas card, and accept my greetings in return, dear. — DOT.] Dear Dot, — What awful weather we are having now, not a bit like summer weather at all. There was a hailstorm yesterday, and I 'don't think I have ever seen such big hailstones before. You need have no fear of me srlittlng on you, Marguerite, for if I did you could treat me in the same way. Yes, you guessed my initials correctly, Cynthia ;- but 1 do not need to say (or rather write) that you guessed them, 'for did not M. W. te.'l you my name? Too bad of her — was it not? — when I did not want you to know. But never mind, she told me something — but I had better not say what, or she will be giving me a good beating, as she promised me once before, and I really do not want one, so I will say no more about that subject. M. Said someone was wanting her to write to Dot ; but she said that she could not think of anything to write about. I am sura she could write a much nicer letter than I can if she tried ; but 1 think she must be a little bit lazy. Cynthia said that Marguerite and herself were going to take a spell; but I hope they will not want a loug one, as , I am sure all the little folk enjoy reading their letters very much. Fancy having a Kruger writing to our page! Now, I wonder if he is any relation to Kruger in tho Transvaal? If I he is I must say I do not think very much o£ your relation, Master Kruger. Was it not a luetm trick for the Boers to put up a flag ot truce, and when the British ceased firing to fire upon them? The British could do the eamc thing ; but you ses the British are honourable men and brave soldiers, and not cowaTds, a-s the Boers have proved themselves to be. But I think that whatever the Boers do now the British will win at the end. Who do you think I know now, Dot? No other than dear Trixic herself, and she says that she is not going to write any more. Of course it is the ueual excuse, "'too old." But she i 3 not GO yet, so of course that excuse is no good, and if she wants to leave us she will have to find a better excuse than that. She said that .you would have forgotten her by now, but I don't think you would foiget ore of yoirc best writers so very soon. We cannot afford to los^ her, for so many girls are leaving now that if we lose many more the boys will be having it all their own way, and that would noir suit the girls at all. Trixie and I are coming down to the office some day this week, Dot, and I hope we shall see -you and that you will persuade her to write again. TrLtie and I wisji Dot and all the' little folk a merry Christmas and a very happy New Year. I must now close, with love to all from LESETTA. [How absurd of Trixie to think that either Dot or tha little folk have forgotten her! Of course we haven't, p.r.A I am sure we all hope that she will not be prcoi against persuasion, but will write apain, and that . very soo.i. — DOT.] ' Dear Dot, — I would very much like to become one of your regular correspondents, but you have so many little folk that 1 was almost frightened to be^in. The district I live in is very pratty, but 1 suppose every one thinks his own district the best; I know I do. It has basn thundering all week, and -last night iha rain, came down in torrents, and tho creek which runs past the house was flooded so high that 1 wished I had a camera to take a photo of it. lam very fond of reading. Charles M. Sheldon and Mrs Her.iy Wood are my favourite authors, but I like Annie Swan's books too. 'Ihe last book I read wna "For so Little," by Helen Davis. I know one writer who calls herself Fiona, but I think she will know who lam too. I noticed one of your correspondents says she always felt sleepy in the mornint,. Well, I think it must ba natural, foi when 5 o'clock conies I always feel inclined to li 3 just five more minutes. My favourite writer 's Harry. He seems so sensible, you could almost imagine he was a girl. iam sending you a piece of poetry, which is a mate to "Boys' Rights," and it expresses my feelings to a T. A CANDID OPINION. I'm very fond of quadrupeds, I think they arc .fond of me ; My cat is always friendly, And as gentle as can be. My dog may growl at strangers, Yet I never knew him bite; But boys — oh, they are terrible! — They seem to love a fight. I've heard that men are animals, But it often seems to me Boys must be a sort of insect Lika a Wasp or humble bee. They keep on buzzing round one, With a xjusli or pinch or squeeze : My brothers in the holidays Seem only made to tea&e; They romp and tear and struggle, They snatch and break my toys — j t Yes, although I'm fond of quadrupeds, I could do without the boys. I was going <o propose for the editor to leave out some of the advertis-cments, as I am sure they are not so important as the letters. 1 wi&h Pique would write to me. If she will, please send my address. Good-bye, Dot. — Yours truly, BREN^ [I am afraid, Bren, those lines of yours will stii up the old strife between the boys and the S'iils. 1 hope not, however, as I don't like bickerings, even though they are half goodnatured. Are you not afraid the editor — or, rather, I should say the manager tliiß time — will have an apoplectic fit when he reads your picposal, dear? Fancy leaving out the advertisements! Why, where would the money come from to pay all the wages and salaries, and other expenses. No, Bren, lam afraid I should not dare to make such a proposal as that. I have had to shorten your name, as we have already a Brenda writing in the page. -OCT.] Deal Dot,— I have never lived in New Zealand, but my father and mother lived there for many years. Father used to take the Witness, and he liked the paper very much. I am in the Thiid Cla9S. Our teacher is Mr M'Kay, and there are About £0 echfflaia going to our. 1
school. Our teacher gets up a concert every year to pay ior our annual prizes. Our next concert is to be held in March. We have some almond trees and peach trees and three X>cpper trees. I have a small flower garden with a big ice-plant in it. It is very big, si bout 3ft in diameter. There are a few other flov. ers too. We have a good flower and vegetable garden, also three Cape wattle trees and one " tree of Heaven." There are a lot of vines about Dcokie and vineyards, in which they make wine and brandy. Wq_ have also a cow, whose name is Beauty, and fowls and chickens. I have a little brother three years old. The pupils will soon have their holidays now Nearly all the pupils in the school help with the concert. It is cool here now, but the hot season will soon be coming. I shall be eight on December 5. — Yours truly, DAISY SANGSTER. November 27. ' [We have not had any letter from outside the colony lately, so Daisy's letter from Victoria is very welcome. I expect some of our little folk will wish they wore where almond tree 1 ? grow, and where there are big vineyards, hk-" those spoken of by Daisy. — DOT.] Dear Dot, — I am ashamed to write now, as it is so loug since I wrote the last letter. But better lata than never, I suppose, eh, Dot? I must have a wee chat with Alys. 1 have not forgotten what you asked me — if I knew yon personally or just by name? Well, dear Alys, I cannot say I know you very well, as I've just spoken to you two or three times. You said that I might give you a gentle hint of who J am. Impossible. My dear, if I gave , you a hint everybody would know me and then I'd be euchred. Another ihing I must tell you, Alys, is that I quite' agree with you about not retiring til! we reach the age of 20. Oh, do come back, dearest Doughnut, for we can't spare you. Back me up, girls, nnd barrack her.' till sho conies back. Denr Dot, I see a correspondent fiom Oamaru signing her letter E. T. I. Dear E. T. I. I should like to know you very much. I was in town at the show time, ,and I am going in to the sports at New Year, so try and get a badge before New Year, and I shall do so too, and then we may meet. Look here, Dot, every little folk we meet with a. badge on I suppose we are to speak to? 1 intend to do .<=o at any rate, so any of you little folk that wear a badge if I speak to you don't tliink me cheeky. Maidey asked if any of the girls were as bad as she when they went to school. Well, Maidey, if that was the worst ever you did at school I reckon you weie a goody good}-. Mnny's the time I did that, but my father didn't know it. One night I was to stay in for giamniar (that was my enemy), and I packed my books into my bag (we used to have ouv bags in school sometimes) and made my ex-t by the open window, rushed round to the porch for my hai, and away round the hill, and off ]'ke fun. The teacher forgot it next school day (Monday), as it was on a Friday I cleared. Wo had a great game in school of pulling off the one's boots behind us, and passing them from seal to seat till they got to the other end of the school. One day I asked out, and I had a girl's shoe under my arm. I had an overall pinny on, so it wasn't noticed and when I got out I hid it in the hedge, and fun was no naniG for it when she missed the shoe. No one suspected me as I was so innocent when J thd teacher asked u-j about it. and I was sympathising with the girl and looking high and low i for it, but couldn't find it. The teacher lent her a shoe to put on gcing homo, and everyone came to the conclusion that the teacher's dog took it. In about three days afterwards' we were playing near tho hedge and I put in my hand and pulled out the shoe. But they couldn't prove it against me, so the matter" dropped. What a pretty badge, Dot. Ido not think anybody could find fault with it. I noticed a letter from Maggie Gordon this week. I think I know you, Maggie. Dp you live in Eden street? I was coming in from Ardgawan on the Wednesday after last New Year with Nellie G. (I won't pay her name), and we met a girl and a boy going out to her place. She gave mo an introduction to the girl. Would that be you, Maggie? I know her surnsvme was G. Tell me next letter if it was you. The answers j to your riddles are: (1) None for they are all carried ; (2) Wlien he dia3 a hat on that's not paid fcr. Surely, Madcap Eileen, I did not frighten you out of the page. I'll take back all I said. I know your name, Pauline. You j were at a ball a few weeks ago, were you not? I found out your name in the simplest manner possible, and I had never heard it before. I don't think I know you aftor all, Pauline. Shan says ydu and Misa M. are the Misses D. But are you not the Misses C. ? That's who 1 take you for. I never see any letters now from Ida F., of Oamaru. Where have you got to Tda? So you can't ride sideways on a Mian's saddle, R. S. H. ? My dear girl, you must live and learn. When I learned to ride sideways on a man's saddle I held the reins with one hand and the saddle with the other. If you want to make a man's saddle into a side saddle, just get a bottle, and roll it up in a . sugar bag, and strap it on to the saddle for a pommel, and sec how you a^ree with that. That's the way I do. Oh, goodness, Dot, have a bucket of waier handy when you give tho editor tlhis letter, for fear nVII faint at the length of it. Give him my best respects to cover it. Well, good-bye, dear Dot, wishing your a merry Christmas and a happy new year. I should like to write to E. T. I. Ta-ta, Dot, with love, — Yours truly, GUELJA. Back Blocks. [Upon my word, Guilia, I almost think it will be necessary to follow your advice. Do you know, dear, 1 think after the holidays I shall have to put some limit to the length of the letters, for I cannot expect to have so much space given to us all through you know. I shall think it out before we begin again, and let my little friends know how many words we shall fix upon as the limit. This will be rather an advantage than otherwise, for it will teach our good correspondents how to condense, which is a mo3t important point in newspaper writing.— DOT.] Dear Dot,— l was just reading the letters and I saw one from Little Lady, a girl whom I know, so I thought that I would write too. You ars in the standard above me at school, Little Lady. Can you guess who I am? I also know Echo, Doris, and Mona by sight. I often see Mona on the bike. You have not written for a long time, Priscilla. Why is that? I am just wondering if we shall get" a half-holiday to-morrow for election. I think a short letter will be best for tho first, to. see if you will print it. I must stop now because the dishes are waiting to be done. — Yours truly, CATHY. Dunedin, December 5. [Cathy would see that Priscilla broke her l lori-^ silence last week. — DOT.] Dear Dot, — Please, Dot, can you tell me if the British will kill all the Boers before the war will be over? I shall be glad when the war is over ; it seeniß st> cruel, don't you think so, Dot? Christmas will soon bo here, and I am going to the seaside for my holidays. I hope it will be fine weather. My grandfather is 76 years old, and mother's grandfather is 82. Doesn't that seem old? Now, dear Dot, I will close with love to you and the little folk, and wishing you all a merry Christmas and a happy New Year. — Yours truly, THE DAME. [No, dear, the British will kill as few Boers as possible, but a lot on both sides will unfortunately be, killed before the Boers are pro.- .
perly beaten. After the war they will be disarmed, so as to prevent trouble afterwards, and a limit will be placed on -the armamentof the couitry. It is indeed very sad that so much cruel fighting should take place through the wickedness of the Boer leaders. — DOT.] D-.ar Dot, — I think the badge is a splendid idea, and hope you will be able to sell them -.11. The letters in the Little Folk's Page are very interesting, and I quite enjoy reading them, especially Wullie's, and I hope he will enjoy his trip to Auckland. The bush here is lovely just now, tho ferns look so fresh and green, nnd the rata trees are in blossom. I often go to Cape Foulwind for picnics in summer. Sometimes we go up to the lighthouse, which is kept very nice, and is we'll worth seeing. At other times we go down to the beach, and have a good bath. I have had a' trip up to Denniston since I last wrote. It is a very steep climb after you get out of the train. I was shown the place where the coal comes out of. We also have a good river, the Buller, on which we gG boating. I am looking forward to the Christmas holidays, which I hope to enjoy very much. Wishing you and all tho little folk the compliments of the season. — Yours truly, RATA. , Westport, December 1. [It must be very interesting to see through the lighthouse. Cape Foulwind sounds dreadfully stormy and rough, doesn't it? But I suppose, like other places, it 13 only rough now anfl again. — DOT.] Dear Dot, — Is this war not terrible? I see by the papers that the cable wires have been cut, so. that the Eoers cannot scud home any more false reports. The war has put nic in mind of these few lines: The boast of heraldry, the pomp of power, And all that beauty, all that wealth e'er gave. Await alike the inevitable hour: The paths of glory lead but to the grave. How nice it will be to get an account of Wullio's travels. Dear Wullie, I wish you a happy holiday and a safe return. I have found you out, Cooee. You were pointed out to me at Bal., and really I got such p, surprise that I nearly fainted. (No offence meant.) What mi good idea to give Dot a holiday. lam sure she quite deserves it. Wood-bye, dear Doughnut. We' are sorry to loso you, but we cannot briug back your happy childhood days. 'Ihe exam, at our school is over, and there was only one failure. I shall close now, with a riddle for the little folk. Formed long ago, yet made to-day, Employed while others sleep, What few would like to give away, Nor any wish to keep. With kind regards to all, — Yours truly, 1 . MILLICENT.[Poor Cooee is being fond out in all directions, but as there is nothing to bo ashamed of in her letters she need not mind that. Tho schools seem to have nearly all had good results this year. I think the inspectors must have- been especially good natured, and thus have been able to draw out all that is in the children.— DOT.] Dear Dot, — I saw a letter from a schoolmate ! of mine in your page a week or two ago, "so I thought I would like to write to you also. I am very ' fond v of . reading; the "Little Folk's Page. , , I like the letters 'tbat are written now I lav better than those that used to appear in our 'page. The idea aßout tho little folk's badgo is a, good one. • I hope all the rest d the little folk are. pleased with it. What has 8.0.8. been, thinking of this last -week -that jhe could not write? 1 think he nutst be too busy getting Moses done up for Christmas. I t'iink 8.0.8. has only been tolling us the good points about Moses. Ho ought to give us sonic -of his bad ones now, which, I suppose, 8.0J3. thiuka is a very haid matter to do. I suppose Moses is hard to catch, and when ho is caught he is no good. Wishing you a happy Christmas, — Yours truly, OTABAITE. December 4. [Oh, dear me, there is a libel on Moses — hard to catch, and, when caught, no good. i I think Otaraite will be called to uccount by 8.0.8. in his next letter.— DOT.] ' Dear Dot, — It is very wet to-day, and I am not at school. All the creeks nre flooded, and the river ia rising fast. It will soon be holiday time now, arid I am going to spend my holidays with my grandpa and grandma in Mataura. I used to live there at one time, and I liked it better than I do here. I have two litt'e sisters, and their names are Maggie and May, and, like Dewdrop's little friend, they like me to read dear Dot's letters to them. — Yours truly, MARTHA (aged 8 years). Dipton, December 5. [I hope yon will have a happy time with your grandparents, Martha. — DOT.] Dear Dot, — We are dreading a flood down bere. Tiie river is right up to the~ top 'of the bank, and it is still rising. Some of the people are already Hooded out. I think the badge will,b'e" splendid. It shows your good taste, Dot. lam sure the little folk will be delighted with it. Just fancy Dockleaf finding out 13 of your correspondents. Lucky girl!, I think Averil lives in Gore, but I can't find out who she is. The Gore show was held last Thursday and Friday, the second "day being the best. The town was crowded with people dressed in their Sunday togs. I can't help laughing yet at the funny sights I saw that day. You do see some funny sights here on show day. I see Dorothy seems to know the Zoological Gardens in Melbourne. I wonder if we ever ran across each other there? We used to go every Sunday after Sunday school." 1 wonder if Dorothy would tell me where she lived? I went for a drive to Wyndhain the other day. It was a splendid day, and the country is so pretty, so that I enjoyed the drive immensely. . 1 really must go and see if those* Christmas Annuals have arrived yet. I am sure they are sick of^seeing me come into the shop. lam always inquiring about them. So Wullie lias gone for a trip to Auckland. A jolly good time may he have! lam so glad Dockleaf is going to correspond with me. Dear Dot, I am not sending the stamps for the badge this time, as I have run short of pocket money, and won't get any more till Saturday. lam going to enclose a letter for Dockleaf, which I hope you will bo kind enough to post for me, Dot. I think that I will stop this letter, with love to all the little folk, not forgetting Dot, from MELBA. December 5. [I have posted the letter, Melba, and no doubt Dockleaf will reply to it in due time. Fancy you, too, having lived in Melbourne. — DOT.] Dear Dot,— lt is such a long, long time now since I have written to you, that it seems like commencing our acquaintance afresh ; but although I have not written to you for a long time I do not miss reading yours' and the little folk's letters. Perhaps you will have forgotten that I ever wrote. " I have written three or four i letters since I started. I think the letters are more interesting now than ever. What a lot of new correspondents you have got, and what nice letters they write, too. All your little folk write nice letters, don't they, Dot? but of course some are better than others. Dear Dot, - 1 think it a very- good idea about the badge, and it is very. kin£ of you to go. to eqr
much trouble, and then risk whether you sell them or not. lam going to get one, perhaps next Friday.- I shall wear it and keep it aa a keepsake of you. I- sent for the Christmas Annual on purpose to see the little folk's photos. I understand that 8.0.8. is included; are you, Dot? — I hope so. lam patiently -waiting for Friday to come. We will then see 8.0.8.. Ziska, and perhaps that mysterious person Dot. How pleased all the little folk who have seen you must be. If ever I go to town I have made up my mind to go to the office. What can Ido or say to the editor when I tell him I would like to see Dot, being one of her correspondents, and how would 1 know you? Will you wear a badge yourself, Dot ? I think you should. lam afraid I would feel like Dockleaf— l would feel so shy, and would hardly know what to say. lam sure you are like what 8.0.8. says you are, Dot. There was someone talking ,to me the other day about the Witness, and I said I wrote to I Dot, and liked reading the letters, and he said if I knew who Dot was I shouldn't be so fond of writing to you. Do you know 'what he said you were like? Well, I will tell 3-011. He said you were an old man with sandy whiskers and wore a pair of spectacles. I got quite indignant at him, and told him he should not say that, for Dot was a very nice young lady, and I told him rhat no man would take the trouble with us that I>ot docs in getting the little folk's photos and badges. Hadn't he an impudence. Dot? I told him I should just tell you, and 8J I've done so. I see a letter from Roby last week. I think she writes such nice letters; so does Cooee. - I would like very much to correspond with Roby and Cooee. Will you correspond with me, girls? lam sending r^r_ address to Dot, and hope to hear from ' you v shortly. Would * you mind, Dot, giving me 1 ' Cooee's and Roby"s addresses? But perhaps you want their consent first. However, I shall wait theirs and your reply. It is very nice for Ziska getting so many letters. I-- should like her address also, but I think she has plenty to do just now answering letters she is getting. I would like to get a letter from you, Ziska, whenever you have time to write; Dot has my address. We are having changeable, weather here just now — wind, rain., and sunshine all in one day.-- We have had an awful lot of rain, too, but it has brought on the grass and the crops wonderfully. I went for a ride yesterday on my horse. I to tell you all about my horse. I had him given to me when a little foal. He is now three years old. Igo for a ride on him every Sunday. It is nice practice, and Ido enjoy it. My friend always comes with me. I call my horse Magic ; she calls hers Cooee. We had a race together last Sunday, and if it wasn't fun! .They went off at a fair pace, and then one was trying to get past the other. It was rather windy at the time, and my mate's hat was bobbing up and down. It took us all our time to hold our horses. She was holding her reins in one hand and her hat in" the other, and I was away ahead > of her laughing as if to split my sides. ' Any way, we both enjoyed it, and arrived home safely. I was at a concert here the other nighV, and I Bang a song and my sister played. When my name- was called out, oh, I did tremble. I did noi sing nearly so well as I should have done, and mamma was vexed at me, but I couldn't help it. I felt as if I could have just bolted out of the room, or hidden, or such like, I was so nervous. I suppose, dear Dot, .you will v say lam unkind taking up so much room ; if so, kindly leave some out. _Isn't it awful about the war? I alwaya am so anxious to -hear the news. I read, too,' where a wounded. Boer asked for a drink. One of our officers gave him one, and then the cowardly Boer picked up his gun and shot him. How cowardly they are! Love to all the little folk, not forgetting your dear self, also Cooee and Roby. — X^ours truly,
CUCKOO. [I don't wonder a bit, dear, at your being indignant at such a caricature of Dot. I cannot understand why silly nien take a delight in teasing their girl friends in such an absurd manner. However, it really does not matter, because I know all my corresponaehts and readers aro loyal to me and do not believe a word of it, so that I am quite happy, no matter what is said about nie. Yes, dear, I want Roby and Cooee's consent first, so you will require to wait a while. Of course you could noi help being nervous, dear, but I cannot wonder at your mother being disappointed, nevertheless. You need not stitch the Eheets together, as they are quite big enough. — DOT.] Dear Dot, — I take a great interest in the Little Folk's Page. What nice letters some of the little folk write, but 8.0.8. is boss of the show. ' "We have had grand weather lately, but it came on very rough and cold last night, and this morning the creeks were flooded, which mado it very disagreeable for this poor boy to have to wade through in the pouring rain in search of the cows. But such is life, Dot. What fi^ie times the tovhi boys must have compared with us country boys, and yet they may think we have the best of it; but there ib no accounting for taate.^is there, Dot? I went to an excursion on the 15th of last month, and enjoyed myself thoroughly. We went to Orepuki, which is a very pretty place. I and some others went down to the beach and had a bath in the sea. It was a splendid day, and as there were a lot of boys there from our district, we had a toff time. Dear Dot, I hope you will -see a great improvement in my writing the next letter I send you. lam fonder, of reading than anything, and when I get hold of a book I forget about everything else. I think I shall say good night now, Dot, as it is getting late, and we cow spankers have to be up very early in the morning now. With love to yourself and the little folk, — Yours truly, / HENRY C. [There can bo no doubt about the country boy having a harder time of it than the town boy, Henry, but then there is the advantage o£ the life being a much healthier one than that of most town boys. I shall watch your writing, and see how it improves as you go on.— DOT.] ■ Dear Dot, — It has been very thundery weather here lately. We expect our holidays from school soon, as Christmas is very near. Dear Dot, I am longing to get the Christmas Annual to see ttie little folk's photos, nnd I hope to see Dot's also. I saw Wullie's letter in the paper, and a very good one it was. Dear Dot, I hope to see Wullie's letter about his trip soon, and I also hope that he is getting on well, and will tell us all about his travels. We will have the election here on Wednesday and tht show ar» Friday. It is very sad to hear of the dreadful losses at the war. Withing you all a merry Christmas, — Yours truly, THORNTON HARRIS. Riverton, December 4. [I am sure we are all looking forward to Wullie's account of his travels, as I am certain he will have sometfling amusing to tell us —DOT.] Isn't it nice, little folk, to get a, letter like this from one of our original little folk? I feel so happy to think that some of our oldest ■members still take an interest in the page: — Dear Dot, — Will you please send me one of your little folk's badges. I 'am not a little folk now, and have not been for 11 years, but I should like one so much to keep in memory of tha days when I too was one of Dot's little folk. Your page is far nicer now than when I was one pf spue youngsters. With lave and beat
-wishes -for a happy Christmas 'and New Year, — Yourß truly, A LITTLE POLK' THAT WAS. - [Of course vie badge has' been sent," and I hope Little Folk That Was will even put it in her hat for old time's sake. — DOT.] Dear Little Folk,— l think there are more letters-than ever this week, but I suppose this is through our holiday coming on, and also as a result of the badge being ready. I ani keeping over all letters that came to hand after Friday, really Saturday's and Monday's letters are quite enough for next -week. lam sorry to disappoint my correspondents, but you know, comrades, it is not desirable to try the editor too much, and really a week or two will not make much difference, will it? — DOT. Lamb. — Cherryripe has sent a Christmas card for you, which I shall send on if you give me your address. Guilia.— No, dear, it is not necessary to be of any particular age to write to the Cosy Corner Club, but, of course, you know it will be necessary to take great pains with your contribution, as Emmeline is naturally much more- exacting than Dot. Rita. — Please send me your address. I have mislaid it, and have a letter to send on to you. Laddie. — You did not enclose your address, and I have not got it by me. Please send it, when the badge -will bo forwarded. -
ADDITIONAL BADGES SENT BETWEEN, DECEMBER 4 AND DECEMBER 11. ' "
-, -.Flossie Calveriey, Marguerite, Cynthia, -Jdartha Cranstoun, Japonica» Topsy, Charles Gibson, J. M. (2), Herbert B. 1 Knight, Dun-edinite,-Thornton" Harris, L. Irvine, B. Bush, A. B. (Riversclale), Jane Turnbull, J. B.(Kyeburn, 2), W. R. C, Hajora, Ellie M'Lennaa, Emilia, Rata, Millie, Tikita, F. O. G-.j'Mai? Jane Taylor, E. Messent, Chris3ie Ivcrsen, Christina Jessie Campbell, Daisy Irene Carrick, Sara Wilson, Ella Brown, Jessie Hunter, Lesctta, Love, Cherryripe, Cinderella (3), Gladys Webb, Sydney "Knight, Victoria Knight, JMary Jane M'Leod, Eila Bain, Janet Earl, Christina Aifken, C. C. M'Coll, Auta, Norah, Lefcty Scott, Floience, Zarp, Margaret E.'Key, jack Corkill, John Thomas Gibson, Jessie Jl'Bvids, Beatrice Adams, MatiHa' Wade, Thomas Wade. Olive if. Laidlaw, This'tlc, Jane R_ Falconer, Lottie M. Grant, Noel BiiKton, Kennedy Cairiclc.
ANSWERS TO LAST WEEK'S EIDDLES. By Thos. Eitchie (Waikaka Valley).— Go to the butcher and buy it. - By Sancho (Catlins). — A plough.
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Bibliographic details
Otago Witness, Issue 2389, 14 December 1899, Page 57
Word Count
20,984LETTERS FROM LITTLE FOLK. Otago Witness, Issue 2389, 14 December 1899, Page 57
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