Untitled

Otago Witness, 25 January 1900, Page 61

OUR LITTLE FOLKS.

By Dot.

Dot "will be pleased to rcfiei\e short letters from juvenile dorreof pet tuircals. descriptions nf their favourite toy*, their names, amusements, &c. The letters to ha written by the children themlelves and addressed "Dot," oaie of tho Editor, and to be pubUihed iv the page devoted to " Our Little Polks."

Dot— E. H., Tar?.naki. I ohall send her a photo as a keepsake and for her trouble. It was M. W., Waitahuna West, who should have received the photo. It was my mistake, Dot, anS not yours, for M. W. signed herself "A Friend" on the Christmas caid she sent me. However, all's well that ends well. Dear Maisie, be blind to all my faults. Try to think the best of a sisterless boy. Your letter arouses envy in me, for I have no gentle sisters to write about. A few stitches will soon end — ahem! — Little Lady. How do you like sewing— Ehems? Oh, that is bad grammar. You do like taking a rise out of a sisterless boy, Little Lady. I think I know you, Ella. We go to the same Sunday school ; do we not ? Now, Henry, you and I ought to become partners. My Sunday-go-to-meeting name is Henry, and my everyday name is Hariy. I suppose yours is ths same. Now, little folk, whenever you see a letter signed Henry— well, that's me. Whenever you see a letter signed Harry, that's the other fellow. If you write, Diamond, I will answer; Dot will kindly forward on your letter. Poor old Taffy, we would not eat you even if you did criticise our letters. General Joubert wrote his last letter very unlike a general. It was that of a jilted and disappointed lover. I fancy I heard his heartbroken sighs at Mosgiel. Thank you, Is at Leigh, for your pretty card. "To err is human ; to forgive, divine." I hope I have obtained your forgiveness for thinking you were a schoolboy—one of my mates. I thought you weic a schoolboy until I saw your photo. 1 wonder what Solomon meant when he said we put on "side. ' You should have seen the pater and the boys, Dot. The beloved pater was "buried ivd to his chin in parcels. Sol was iooting on an apology for bagpipes through the most fashionable street in Dunedin. Bert .was blowing a penny whistle to the tune of "England will see it through." Two little nippers trotted one on each side of the pater, eating a bun almost as large as themselves. They were all wearing a Christmas grin, and "behaving like a tiavellmg menagerie. The •Doter looked as if he had been in the front Sank of battle, and had come off second best. I hope to send a more interesting letter next time. I expect a letter from the seat of^war.On Saturday my chum took me to see '•Tile 'Adventure of Lady Ursula." I enjoyed it very much. Mrs Brough acted well as Lady (Ursula, while Mr Brough kept the audience in a fit of laughter. Trilby hasn't written to me lately. If you do not see this letter in print, little folk, you must take the will for the deed, as I do, and say there is no room ior it. — Yours, with love, HARRY. [So Harry has supplied another picture of ■Dot, and even- though it is 11 years old, I jiope collectors will note it. » I wonder what the pater will say when he sees howi his good nature made him appear to his first-born on that enjoyable Christmas Eve. Now, Sol and Bert, is the Old Phil really in earnest in his discription of your musical efforts, or is i-e a trifle jealous?— DOT.] - DEDICATED TO DIAMOND. Write to me very often, write to nic very soon ; Letters to me are dearer than the loveliest flowers of June. They are affection's torches, the lighting of Friendship's lamp, Flitting around the heartstrings like fireflies in the camp. .Write to me very often', write in the early morn, Or at the close of evening, when all the day is gone. Draw up thy little table, close to the fire, and write — ,Write in the early morning,. or write to me at night. Write to me very often — letters are links that bind .Truthful hearts to each other, fitting mind to •mind ; Giving to kindred spirits lasting and true delight— If you would strengthen friendship, never forget to write. c-Yours sincerely. HARRY. Dear Dot, — I hope you will excuse me for not writing sooner, but I have been so busy preparing to go for my holidays. I was to go last week, but I took sick, and the doctor said I hadn't to go on any consideration, not for a, week at the least. Last year I went to Dunedin for two months. Every evening (Maria Parker and I would take a tram as far es St. Clair, instead of walking the streets. One evening we went to St. Clair, and after .we had had some refreshments we went to g^et the tram, but, to our "astonishment, when ,we reached the place where the tram was supposed to leave, hadn't it gone without us! So •we had to make a start and walk home. The next day we were quite exhausted after our long journey. What do you think, Dot? — I ihave got a bicycle. I was out with it as far as Milton on Monday for the first time. Just fancy! our school is going to reopen in a few ■weeks. What do you think of the war? I ■would, of course, like to see the British win. I saw by the paper the other day that the New Zealanders had. won a battle. I was so over.joyed when I read it, to think that our young lads were so brave. I will now say good-bye, flear Dot. — Yours truly, LADY SMITH. [I hope Lady Smith will have many a pleasant trip on her newly-acquired treasure. She h?.3 made a good beginning by getting as far as Milton, but I should fancy the train took both bike and her back again. — DOT.] Dear Dot, — As we are having our holidays 1 thought I should like to write to you again. We have got the Chiistmas Annual, and I think the photo 3 are. very good. Jessie M. C. comes out very well. I did not go anywhere on Christmas Day, but I was at a picnic on QSTew Year's Day, and enjoyed myself veiy much. Pauline and Princess (of Edendale) have not •written*ior a long time. I hope they have not stopped writing. I know who Princess is. She got a badge not long ago. Solomon Slow does not seem to be very slow in his photo. It was a pity he lost his piize through scalding his foot ; but Harry says he is getting all right now. I got a prize and a certificate at school. What a lot of cards you rnu&t have got to send to your little folk from one another. I have been away for my holidays, but I am back now. — Yours truly, A YOUNG COLONIAL. [Yes, Colonial, and some of those for whom they were intended appear to be so indifferent about them that they don't think it worth while to send me their addre3s-.es. There are quite a number of things waiting for both Lamb and Rita, and they are not the only offenders. I do not think this a bit nice, for the senders were actuated by the kindest of motives, and sUrely it is not asking much that their gifts should be sent for and acknowledged. I hope you enjoyed your holidays, dear.— DOT.] Dear Dot, — I am wiitmg again to let you know how very sorry I am that we deprived you of a holiday. I really think we have Jaeen very selfish ; don't you think so too, little folk ' Well, I think we can make up for it j et, can't we? Suppose we all piomise faithfully to give Dot a holiday at Easter. Come now, little folk, and promise. Not only promise, but stick to your promise. We have dII agreed that Dot deserves a holiday, and yet v/e did not give her one. Mean, I think. I was going tr suggest that we should have a Dot's patiiotic fund, but I see someone has suggested it before me. Well, dear Dot, don't you think you could get up a subscription from those

who have left school? I wrote -all ..this before, but I wrote on both sides of the paper, so I had to write it over again. This is the second time I have done that. Really, Dot, I can't think anything else of the editor, but that he still weais the Witness smile. For has he not put four extra pages of illustration^ in the Witness. I thmk it would be very nice if we could have some little lolk's photos in sometimes. Do yoii thmk the editor would — cr — allow you, Dot? I see that Lamb would like to be an authoress ; well, my great ambition is to learn to pamt. Not to paint houses — oh, no, not that, but to paint pictures — that is, to be an artist. I don't suppose I shall ever learn, as, you know, I can't afford it. Most of your little folk seem to bo great readers. Well, so am I, I just love reading, especially boy a' stories, and also the little folk's letters. Wasn't that a pathetic story Mr Hammaker wrote f Ido feel so sorry for him, for even though five yeais have elapsed, he will still mourn the loss of his children. I do hope he will write again; don't you, Dot? I was verry sorry to see (on the appearance of the Christmas Annual) that the photos were to indistinct. 1 really hope they will do better next time. I posted a letter to Marguerite this morning. A while ago I asked Echo and Mona to correspond with me. Mona said she would, and I got her address and wrote to her. I have never received a letter from h>r yet. Echo either doesn't read my letters or doesn't want to correspond with me. Will Echo kindly send me her smograph, please. I would also like all the other little ioik's autographs. Where do you think I saw Maisie's poetry, entitled "Her First Cake," last? I don't suppose you can think, so I will tell you • — in Woman's Life, May 6, 1599. I will now conclude, with love to Maisie, Doreen, Echo, Mona, Lamb, Opal, Shamrock, Dunedinite, and all the othei little folk, not forgetting Dot and the editor. — Yours tiuly, ROBY. [The editor again! lam sure he will be donning higher collars and high-heeled boots. However, it he does I shall tell you about it immediately. I had not thought of a holiday at Easiei, Hoby, and do you know, dear, I shall be quite satisfied with my holiday next Christmas, .but that really has to be a proper holiday. It v/ill have to be understood that Dot will not open a single letter that comes between December 23 and January 6, no matter what they may contain. lam giving you all nearly a year's notice, so that there can be no mistake about it. l'es, i\oby, I am sure I shall be allowed to have groups of photos in occasionally. Suppose we fix tho first group at a dozen, to be published at Easter, instead of my taking a holiday then. What do you say, little folk? Then about who is to go into the group : how would it do it each writer in February be allowed to nominate three names, and those getting the greatest number of vote 3be decided upon? The announcement could be made in the Witness of March 1, photos to be sent in before the Ist of April, and the group to be published m Easter week if possible. Tell me what you thmk of the idea, little folk, and at the same time send three names, as next week will commence the voting.— DOT.] Dear Dot, — I think some of your correspondents have very nice names. Whenever I read Ch,erryripe's letters they remind me of a beautiful picture that we have, entitled "Cheiryripe." Dear Dot, lam very fond of reading, but I have not read much lately, as we have been busy packing fruit for jam. I wonder if Ziska is like the girl in the story who, when she was washing her face, washed one eye and read with the other, and then washed the other and read with the washed one. So you were at the show, C. C. JM. ? I wish I had seen you, because I think your letters are among the best. Perhaps I did see you, but how was Ito know you? When we have all badges we shall be able to' pick each other out; but, dear Dot, what shall we do — smile or speak? That was a very nice story, "The Bed Flag." I like true stories best. I hope Mr W. S. Hammaker will soon write again, becavse I enjoyed both his lettor and the story. A few days ago aunty snd my sisters and I went for a small picnic. We did not much enjoy the walk, as the day was very hot. When we reached our destination we began to fish for crayfish, but I was rather frightened of the horrid things, so I went and sat beside aunty, who had provided herself with a Witness. Soon after we had afternoon tea, and then, while the little ones climbed a hill for Chinese oranges (as they call them), aunty read us '"The Red Flag" and "The Legend of the Tui. ' We returned home, and after alarming the only inmate of the house by blowing a great nuniber of whistles made from stalks of oats, we had tea. Do you think, dear Dot, that we shall ever have snakes living in New Zealand? I have been hearing that snakes come here in big bunches of bananas. I hope they won't live here — I think lizards bad enough. Ido not know how much this letter will take up when it is printed, "so -you must excuse it if it is too long. With love to Dot, C. O. M., Wullie, Phcebe, and Roby, — I remain, yours truly, ADELAIDE. [That is quite a new yam to me, Adelaide, and I think it is a very good one. I hope Ziska will not take the suggestion too seriously, and put it into practice. I think it would be better to be gvrided by circumstances as to whether you smile or speak, dear. If you are thrown into each other's company you might certainly speak, but if you only meet casually a smile, with a glance at the badge, should be sufficient. Ido not think the snakes that come in bananas would live over one or two winters, so that there is not much to fear ; and besides, it is only very occasionally that one gets into a ship without being observed. — DOT.] Dear Dot, — I am going to tell you a little about the trip we (that is, pa, ma, and I) had to the Bluff to see the regatta, which did not come off on account of the wind. It was terribly windy, but we enjoyed ourselves very much, as it was the first time we had been at the Bluff. We were all through the 6.5. Monowai, and I thought it was just lovely. We met a lot of our friends, and we had a picnic up on the hill. Altogether, we had a splendid time. Dear Dot, our twenty-fourth annual picnic was held on Christmas Day in a paddock kindly lent by Mrs Carpenter, alongside of the Mimihaii School. It kept up fine all day, and there were a lot of people it it. There wore lots of races for the boys and girls, and plenty of tea and good things for everyone. With love to you and all the little folk, — Yotirs truly, ELSIE LEITCH. Wyndham, January 16. [It was a pity it was so windy, Elsie, but still tint was not so bnd as rain, was it? And after all you seemed to have a real good time of it, notwithstanding tho wind. I am glad you had a real fine day for your picnic—DOT.] Dear Dot, — I am in the Third Standard now, as I passed the l?st exam. We had a school picnic last December. I had the pleasure of meeting Miuiel, and she is a very nice, pleasant gill to ppeak to. She wag wealing the badge. lam glad to see that little Lamb is much happier now. I also think that Cherryripe is a very mco and sensible girl. In fact, I enjoy oil the letters very much. We got two copies of tho Chii&lmas number, and we scut one to the United States of America, where my grand-pjnents and uncles live. We very often send the Witness theie, especially when there is a lettei of mine m Dot's page. And now I am going to tell you about my pets. I have two goldfinches' nests, one with five eggs

in it, and the othei containing young ones. I have a big doll ; .please, dear Dot, will you give me a name for it. I have also a little kitten, which is very playful. We have a lot of fowls, and they will eat out of our hands. Wo have also ducks and geese, and we are going to get a cow next week. Dear Dot, you will see that we do not live in the same place now. This is a very nice place, and there aro nice feins and also lovely musk gi owing here. That was a very pitiful story that the gentleman from America wrote to our page, called "The Red Flag." We aie very much interested in any letters fiom America. I know what diphtheria is, for I had it myself wh°n I was afc Christchxiich, and the doctor told mother that it would be a miracle if J lived till morning; but that is a long time ago now. Ido hope the gentleman will wnte again. Dear Dot, I think I must draw to a cioso now, as I am afraid my letter is getting too long. With love to yourself and all the little folk, — Yours truly, EHODA. January 12. P.S. — D. O. S "s suggestion is a good one, and I approve of it, srd think you are a worthy young lady to be treasu:er. — R. [lhank you very much, Rboda, but you will Fee that 1 have decided not to €o anything in the matter. Call the doll Daphne.— DOT.] Dear Dot, — It is such a long time since I havo written to you that it seems like commencing our acquaintance afiesh ; but although 1 have not written to you ior &o long a time, I do not miss a week without reading the little folk's letters. Perhaps you will have forgotten that I ever v.rote. I think tho letters are getting more mteiesting every week. What a lot of new coirespondents you have got. 8.0.8. ought to feel very proud, for it was he who first started to make the pages so interesting, for when I wioto my first letter, a few years since, they weie all pretty dry letters then. 8.0.8. was not writing then, but since then he has started, and irom that out they seemed to get more and more interesting every week. 1 should veiy much like to know 8.0.8. There are a lot ol other very good writeis, but 8.0.8. was ths first to make the pages so interesting. Echo, Ziska. and Marguerite write very good letters, and there are a lot of others. Some of the girls write very good letters indeed. Dear Dot, I have sewn the badge in my hat, and am quite proud of it. I shall alwajs keep and treasure it as a keepsake of you. "\\ c goi the Christmas Annual, and all the little iolk are taken well. I was soriy, when 1 saw them, that I had not mine taken. I think I shall bring my letter to a close. I could write and tell you more about my Christmas holdiays, but J shall leave it till next time, as there is susli a lot of other ieUeia to bo printed. With love to Echo, Ziska, Marguerite, Jessie C, 8.0.8., Dockleaf, Alys, and last, but not least, Dot herself. — Yours truly, Ivl. C. H. Woodstock, January 15. [We shall all welcome M. C. H. back, especially as she has continued faithful to the page by remaining a constant reader, oven if she has not been a regular writer. — DOT.] Dear Dot, — I see 8.0.8. has written once Bio-re — a very good reason for not writing so often or such long letters, 8.0.8. I also see a letter from Y/ullie. I _suppose you are having, a fine time, Wullie. I quite agree with you. Maidey, in not saying good-bye to Con if he resigns. Poor Lamb must have been leading a very sad life. Ido not think I know any of your correspondents. I am sending a riddle: "Why should a gouty man make his will?" My favourite writers are , Cooee, Lamb, Shan, Maidey, Queechy, and Flfi. Next time I write I shall tell you about our cat saving her kittens from a dog. I must now draw to a close, as I have to lay the breakfast table. — Yours truly, SHARP SHELL. [We shall look forward to hearing all about the cat, kittens, and clog, Sharp Shell.— DOT.] Dear Cot,— This is the first time I have wiitten to you. My mother is sewing at the machine, and it makes such a noise. We had our school picnic about two months ago, and I enjoyed myself very much. Oust fancy Doughnut stopping writting. Write once more, Doughnut, for I like your letters veiy much. Dear Dot, have you had the influenza? Some people had the measles with it, but I had only the influenza, and that not very bad. Dear Dot, how many badges hove you got left; do you know? My two sisters are reading what lam writing. I must now conchide, as I have to go and cut chaff.— Yours truly> WILD WAVE. [A Sharp Shell laying the table and a Wild "Wave cutting chaff! What next, I wonder! Ah well, never mind; curious things are' happening. I think I have about 100 badges left yet, dear.— DOT.] Dear Dot, — We had lovely weather up here for the Christmas holidays. The sports were held on the first and second day of January, and the carnival on New Year's Day. I did not go to the sports either of the days, but I went to the carnival. The first day I went down to the wharf with my cousin to see the excursion steamer from Dunedin going away. After that I went up to a friend's place for lea, and then to the carnival. So ended the first day. The second day I went for a picnic to the Bushy Beach, and I enjoyed myself very much. The next day I went out to the Waitaki Boys' High School, and was shown all through. There is such a lot of rooms I thought I was lost. I went for a ride on a bike last night and this morning. On Saturday I went down to the station to see my cousin away, and I saw a girl on the Kurow tram with a badge in her hat. Hard Case told me that one of your little folk v/as wanting to correspond with me, but I am not sure who it was. She told me she was with her at the sports, and that they got their photo takepf but as I was not at the sports I did not see them. She showed me their photo, ar-d it was not bad at all. As our letters have not to be very long, I think I shall close, with love to- Dot and the little folk. — Yours tiuly, E.T.I. [Thank you, E.T.1., for keeping your letter short. I hope all the little folk will follow your example. — DOT I .] Dear Dot, — I am stopping for my holidays at Benmore. The other morning my mate and I were taking the horses up to the house for them to go for a ride. The avenue is about a .quarter of a mile long. My friend started first on Lassie, and I came aftei her on Hmcliy on a man's saddle without my feet in the stirlups. I whipped my horse to make it catch up on Lassie. Lassie, hearing my horse coming, went off. They both bolted, an.d when we came up to the house Hinchy went past a little. If she had gone a step farther we should have gone over a kind of precipice ; but instead of that he turned suddenly round, and I to my astonishment I found myself on the ! efound. — Yotus tiuly, | SUNSHINE. [You forgot to enclose the stamps for the badge, Sunshine. Of course the stamps have to come before I can send the badge, or what would the people in the commercial department | say to me when they counted the stamps and i the badges and found a shilling missing? — I DOT.] ! Dear Dot, — I spent part of my holidays in Mociaki, but, although the place is pretty, I can't keep from sayms; that the place would be

still prettier if the, mud and fishbones were away, and I think that what the Moeraki people call sand is not sand, but red gravel — at least it feels like that -when yon put your bare feet oa it. For my part 1 would rather be on St. Clair beach than on it. I like books very nuich, and read anything I come across. At home 1 am called a bookwoun, so I thmk I will accept that as my norn de plume. Maxiy of the little folk have friends among themselves, but, poor me, I have none. I don't even know their right names, but I hope I shall do so soon. I thmk I will .stop now, with love to all the little folk and twice as much to yourself, — Yours truly, bookworm. [I am sure Bookworm will make many friends, and that she will soon be quite a favourite among the writers of the pa°-e. — DOT.] Dear Dot, — You will think me very ignorant, but I had to go and turn up ■•shall" and "will" to see what the rule was, and two or three times since I have had to correct myself. Father wps giving me a description oi you, 13.0. J3., when he cpme home on Wednesday. He t>jid your little brother — Faniey, "i think it was — had Ins badge on, and was quite proud of it. You c\identiy don't like school work, Dum Dum, snd you did indeed have an excellent report — t^e wrong way. I think I would rather work m school time than live in fear and trembling till my father caw my leport; but, being a boy, I don't suppose it affects you much, as boys don't seem to care as much as girls. Chrystal H. Las a nice letter in this week, and I hope she will soon get quite well and strong. Harry had just better try to send m his resignation, Soic.mon Siow : you tell him that we will take you at your word, and " sit on him." So, Harry, beware. And don't you think of charging you name, Solomon Slow. J really think that you ought not, to allow any of the little folk to change their noms de plume, Dot. Oh, •I was just trying to reckon up how oiten l would have had to change my name if I had done go every time I have been found out, but I'm Echo, and Echo I'm going to stay. 1 have a strong suspicion that Fluff is just another name of one of the little folk who has seen fit to change her narnj, but S may be wro ic\ The Little Lady and I aie still on the finding-out trpa-k. Our hst hai> gone up to 26. I sup]3O?e Alvcia will be having a good time: she i3up at Lawrence. I was speaking to Maisie, and she told me that she meant that if you had a patriotic fund, oi if we have any fund like the kiiiderga: ten fund, that it would be a goo 1 thing to make those whe tised any slang forfeit a penny st.inip foi each woid, and then the writers would Cthose who use it) soon leave out the slpng, b"t that is, of co-arse, just if you have a fund. You must have forgotten, Maisie, when yo\i said that Mona was the only one that knew you, as the Littly Lady and 1 know you. It will be very nice, "won't it, Dot, to have a. group of the little folk in the Witness. Has the editor resumed his Witness smile yet, Dot? Ido hope he has, as such a fair young lady as Dot is could not, thrive under anything but smiles. "Worried and stern looks might worry Dot, editor, so be stern on tho little folk — not on Dot. I suppose you are thinking that if the stern looks worry, perhaos frighten, Dot, the little folk's letters woriy, perhaps frighten, the editor, as he might think we are tiymg to take up all the Witness. I must stop now, as Dockleaf has come- in, and I want to talk to her. ~I will conclude with love to the editor — (I bear him no illwill, although he does worry Dot) — Fluft, Grace. Sunshine, -rt.0.8., Harry, Solomon Slow, Boy (by the way you have not written for a long time), Coralie, Dolly, and Dinah (a little folk to be), and, of course, yourself, Dot. — Yours truly, ECHO. Dunedin, January 39. [The respective use of " shall " and " will " take some little consideration, Echo, and I am not a bit surprised at your having to correct yourself at first. To tell you the tmth, dear, I have to put on my considering cap myself sometimes, and little folk who experience a difficiiltj' need not be discouraged because they don't grasp the difference immediately. It will come in time. I quite agree with your remarks about changing noms de plume. I don't like it at all, and I really wi«h to discourage the practice. Of course, de?r, we really cannot help the editor feeling worued, and though lie has a distressed look many a time, he Rirtmlv ends up with, " Well, well, I suppose I must take them from you, Dot, but do, like a gooi girl, try to keep your correspondence within bounds." Of eomse 1 have to promise, but then a six-page letter comes in from Echo, instead of four pages, and what am I to do 0 DOT.] Dear Dot, — J was very pleased indeed with the badge, and have got it in ray hat. I did not tell anyone but my mother about about it, and when the badge came my litde sister was very curious, but I did not tell her I had written. When the Witness came I was out, but when I came home I w?3 greeted with, ''ifou've been writing to the Witness, and signed yourself Cremona. ' "What makes you think that?" said I. So Winnie said, "Oh, I know; and you said that about the Annual." So I had to own up. Dear Dot, what sort of a Christmas did you have? Mine was very happy. I think it would be a good idea for each of the little folk to say where they derived their noiiis de plume. Mine is from a new piece of music. I thmk tho Dunedinites have the best of it with the badges, as there are so many of them, and they arc sure to come across each other. I thmk Shan, Mona, and Lamb are the only others from Wellington but myself; but never mind, lam looking out for them. To change tho subject: the contingent are leaving on Saturday, and the town is in a state of ferment. I live right on the load to the park where they camp, and it is very entertaining to sit and watch the people troop up and down, especially when there is anything special on. Last Saturday there was a sham fight between the contingent and the Heretaungas, the latter winning. Of course that was no criterion of skilly because when a man v/as shot he did not know whether to fall down dead or not. Next time I write I shall tell you about them going awaj r . I will now close, with much love to Dot and the little folk. — Yours truly, CREMONA. Wellington, January 17. [Thank you, Cremona, for your promise to let us know all about Saturday's festivities. You are fortunate to be on the spot. What a day it must have been in Wellington. I suppose it has not been equalled in the colony. —DOT.] Dear Dot, — So Christmas has come and gone, and I must say I have had a jolly time, and sincerely hope all the other little folk have had as good a time as I. There is a great deal of tiuth in the old saying: — Christmas conies but once a year, But when it comes it brings good cheer. Thank you very much, Shan and Cuckoo, for your Christmas greetings, which were most heartily interchanged. Cuckoo, however did you know what you put on the back of the card? Now just think what it was, and do not lei it out for the world. I think the Critic Club is a splendid idea, and don't mind them criticising my letters at all, because it is only a bit of fun. It was very funny the remark you passed about my pen. Taffy, and the rest of you, and I. must strongly advise you to invest in one of the same kind. As Harry is going to give a description of Dot, I think I shall do so too.

Well, little folk, Dot is not remarkably tall—^ fair to medium, you know; I don't think she i 3 particularly thin, and in the winter lime she was wearing a grey skirt and a. black sac jacket and black felt hat, and always looked very nice. Ah, Dot, you didn't know a little folk was paying such attention to you, I am sure. Ha, ha, ha! I wouder if Harry's description will in any way coircide with mine; does it, Harry? So, Bunedmite, I say,- you on Sunday when I was coming home from church, and felt inclined to stop and speak, only there was a gentleman behind that was doing his best to catch up on. the young lady that was with me, and I thought it I stopped it might give him the chance, which I so very much wanted to avoid, Now, Ui_cle Walter, what about the shilling — you'll understand? So Marguerite, Echo, and the Little Lady, in relation to the unravelling of little folk, I can beat you by eight, two, and one respectively, as I know 26. Did you go to "The Messiah,"' Dot? We all enjoyed it iirmcnsely, especially the singing by Miss Alice Coirick, from Christchurch. We also went to Mr Kirby's popular concert on Saturday isight, and thought it was very good. I have a friend staying with me just now from Chustchurcb, and we are having grand times. We intend going to the floral fete on Saturday, and I hope it will be a fine day, and that there will ba a good attendance, seeing it is the first of its kind in Dunedin. They seem to have very nic? ones ir Christchurch. There is a very nice-looking girl in town, Dot, wearing a badge. '" I don't know whoever she can be, but 1 see her so often. She has a yellow and black hatband, and the badge looks so pretty in it. Oh, I could go on writing, but I must draw the reins and not encroach upon any more space. With love to 8.0.8., Harry, Solomon Slow, Shan, the Critic Club (including little Daisy), Dorothy, Lamb, and Fluff, and all the other little folk too numerous to mention.— Yours truly DOCKLEAF. [Thank you for your consideration, Dockleaf, jfou see how the letters have mounted up almtdy, and I am afraid a great number will not see print— for a time, at all events. You know I really do not like to go over two pages, even n the editor does not say anything I wonder if we shall hear from the nice-looking girl j'ou describe ; I feel quite curious as to her identity.— DOT.] 7!ear Dot.— Our meeting was a very businesslike one tnis week. Several matters connected wun die club engaged our attention, and when they were disposed of we had but little t-"me to read the letters, consequently several were, lett unread. Ihe club presents its compliments to General Joubert. Id recognises in. him a, foeman worthy of British steeP 4.s t'io cub would be sorry to hear of his death, they ho-oe soon to hear oi his capittiMion. Biuebell was indeed fortunate. Tom said he thought it rather a novel idea for Scotch Wullie to send a thistle to the Scottish Bluebell. It took a long time to i;et through with Roby'a lelier; each member wished to air his particular^ views on war matters. The discussion was rather disconnected, as we were sent out while the cushions were put back in place, for I regret to say the debate had much in common with a pillow fight. It was at lasfc decided that -the club has no connection with, a general who refused to go to the war, when good leaders are so sadly needed. Aroha, Dick said, was quite right about letters of six years ago: he was afraid he would be accused of cold water pouring, but he could not help 'thinking the same might be said of the letters of to-day. Shamrock mentioned Lamb's dream. JUally said he had a lovely uream last night. Someone left him £20,000. He got so excited while telling us that 'the president had to give him a gentle hint -in the shape of a cushion, tKat time was limited. The club gave three cheers for Harry, and were delighted to think he was afraid of them. It is my private opinion — but I beg pardon; I do not think "private opinions" are supnoscd to appear in reports. Buttons begs Stella to exercise a little selfdenial and refrain from reading Wullie's letters if, as she says, they make her die laughing. As our time was up, the president spoke as follows: — "Gentlemen, — We are accused of cold water pouring and over-much candour. We may have been rather candid at times, but I am confident we are innocent of all attempts at cold water pouring. It is impossible to be fair in our criticisms if we pronounce all letters good. lam not sure but it would be an well to let it pass, as becomes a critic; but I feel bound to uphold the honour of our club." The meeting closed with a vcte of thanks to Dot for printing our last letter. — Ycurs truly, TAFFY, Secretary C.C. P.S. — Please, Dot, can you tell us why this year- is not leap year ? — T. [The explanation will require a little shidy, Taffy, but here it is: The Julian calendar assumes the length of the solar year to be 3S3J days, whereas it is llmin and a few seconds )es.-5. This annual error — a small one, doubtless — accumulated as years lolled on, aud began to be fully recognised about the beginning of the sixteenth century. As in 1552 the vernal equinox occurred at a date (11th March) 10 days earlier than it did at the time of the Council of Nice in 325 a.d., Pope, Gregory XIII published a bull dated 15th March, 1552, annulling JO days, so that what would have been the sth October was reckoned the 15th. In order, aiso ? that the displacement should not recur, it was further ordained trat three of the leap years which occur in 400 years should be considered common years. - The three leap years selected to be zotuced to commoii years were those which close the centuries (i.e., which end with 00), }nd are not divisable with 4.00. Thus IGOij was leap year ; 1700, 1800, and 1900 common years ; while 2000 will be leap year, and so on. — DOT.] Dear Dot, — I am paying a visit to one of my relations, who lives near the bvish. I arrived here some time ?go. I came part of the way by coach, and the rest — 30 miles — on horseback ; and don't you think that that is a long way for a girl who is not accustomed to riding? The bush is composed chiefly oi Ted and white birch, and there ai»e also a lot of pretty ferns and flowers too, and it is nice on a fine day to gc into the bush and gather them. We had a lot of rain lasfc week, and the river was up very high, and the waterfalls were very pretty to watch. I like reading • 8.0.8.'5, Ziska's, Jessie C.'s, and especially Wullie's, letters. Wvillie writes capital letters, but you see you can't rub out the Scotchman yet. Isn't this a terrible thing about the war. I wonder when it will end — I hope soon. The Boers are not so easily put down as the British thought. Deal Dot, I must now stop, with love to all. — Yours truly, EVOLINE. Matukituki, Janviary 13. [It was indeed a feat for you, Evoline, and I am sure you must have been very tired after your long ride. The war is indeed terrible, dear.— DOT.] Dear Dot, — I hope you enjoyed Christmas, and also sincerely wish that your New Year will be a happy oae. lam staying at present at Port Molyncux, in a cottage by the sea. Probably when this is printed I shall be back to my own beloved town again. We drove to Port Molyneux in a victoria, and stayed one night at Clinton. At night we were suddenly awakened by the horn of the railway engine, making the most alarming noises. We jumped out of bed, not knowing what was about to happen, and just then my father ran into our room and told us to dress "quickly and go downstairs, for there was a big fire Qj)Bft*

fiite, and it was very dangerous to remain ■where we were. Everybody in the hotel was by this time fully aroused, an,d you may be sure wo did hurry. We took our luggage, and rushed downstairs and boiled out at the front door. Oh, it was a big fire — sparks flying about in every direction, and excited people rushing about and shouting. I forgot to mention that we were staying in the Prince of Wales Hotel, opposite the railway refreshment looms, which were destroyed, along with the railway station and other buildings. Although I can remember every detail, it is easier to speas than to write about it, so I shall only say that we were none the worse 'from our adventure, excepting that we got a bit wet from the water dripping irom the staircase as we went tip to bed again. We went to the Maori school at Port Molyneux one Sunday afternoon to a meeting. The Maoris about here seem very nice indeed. I have been several times out fishing, but to my disgust caught uothting. Pishing is a fraud, I think. Oh, yes, I forgot— l did catch a crab once, and some seaweed. I have been to the Nuggets, on which is situated a lighthouse. We were shown through the lighthouse, and were told that the light could bo seen 27 miles out at sea. The glass was beautifully clean and bright, and we wrote our names in the visitors' book, of course. Today I have been gathering on the beach a species of seaweed called carageen, used for puddings. We have been in the bush also, and have got several different kinds of pretty lerns. I hope this war will soon cease, and that Britain will put her foot down firmly .and astonish those stuck-up Boers. "Well, I must really stop, so good-night, dear Dot, with best love to you and little folk.- — Yours tiuly, THELMA. Port Molynetix, "December 17. P.S.— I have persuaded Lady Clare to write. fp_ [What a capital holiday you had, Thelma, although I must say your experiences at Clinton was anything but a pleasant one. It is a great pity to see valuable property destroyed by fii-o in that way, and the people of Cliulon must be very EOIT3-, especially as it is said the refreshment 100 ms will not be lebuilt. — DOT.] Dear Dot, — You will be thinking I have deserted your little band, but here I am again. I saw in a letter fiom Hondai-lianka that she (J. F. I think her initials are) thought S. H. was Pegleg; but she is mistaken, and I might have told her so before now, only I was too busy holiday-making. I see in\ this week s Witness that S. A. H. is again being accused of being Pegleg by Apple Pie. Apple Pie is mistaken, and as a friend of mino told me her name was N. W., ] am vcntimng to ask her if it is. ' Hoping she will reply, 1 am, — Yours tiuly, PEGLEG. [So there have evidently been some guesse3 wide of the mark in connection with Pegleg'a identity.— DOT.] Dear Dot, — As you so kindly invite any little children to write to you, I hope you will be kind enough to hear from ma. f want especially lo tell you about my_ holiday, which I am spending at a dear little seaside place. Port Molyneux. Here there is a long line of beach, broken by rocky points, that jut out into the sea, forming many pretty sandy bays, with richly-wooded hills for backgrounds. In the bush, different parts of which I have explored (?), are many beautiful ferns, of great variety. One part is covered with an undergrowth of lovely fe*"n trees, which give the place a - very . fairyland-like appearance. Single-crepe ferns ara also in great abundance. IThere are not as many shells about here as I should like, for having started a shell collection I was hoping to find a great number. I have had three baths siuce T have been here, but I think I am a little bit afraid of the water, for I did not go in very far. You know, Dot, I think it is best to always be on the safe side. I have also gone out fishing twice, and had the fortune to catch' four fat fish — must I add, poisono\i3 ones? Yes, lam ' afraid so. I was a little disappointed at my fish being uneatable, but I enjoyed fishing for them very much. It's so nice feeling a tug at youi and better still to be able to pull a fish out on to the rocks, for often the bite is but a piece of seaweed tasting the bait. There is the remainder of one or two wrecks in the sea down here. One fragment look 3 like a boiler. Do you know the names of any vessels that were wrecked near Port Molyneux, Dot? I visited the lighthouse out at IsTugget Point, and was much surprised at the large globe of magnifying gla^s which causes the light to be seen 27 miles out to sea. The other girls and myself that were there had great fun viewing each other's distorted appearances through the glass. Have you visited this lighthouse, Dot? I did not sea any "Dot' - mentioned in the visitors' book. I have not seen any whiles spouting about here yet. Perhaps all the visitors have frightened them away. We are- rather behind the Mines down here in the way of news, so I have r.oi heard the latest about the war, in which all are interested. I have a book called the ' "Transvaal Trouble, and How it Arose, ' which tells all about the quarrels in South Africa fro-ii the very beginning. I have i-'ofc raad much of it, having spent most of my time outside, for I -want to get a good colour in my cheeks to start the work of the new year with. Could any of the little folk or you tell me the names of some story books about the life of the Boers, so that I could learn the meanings of some of their funny words. I must now close, hoping, dear Dot, that you have enjoyed your holiday as much as I have mine.— Yours truly, LADY CLARE. Port Molyneux, January 18. [You wero quite right, Lady Clare — hew aristocratic, to be sure! — in being cautious in your eea bathing. It is so easy tc gel beyond your depth at the ocean beach, and then what peril you are in. The boiler of the Otago is still io be seen, but of course I cannot say whether it was it you saw. She was wrecked in 1876. Then there was the Surat, which was wrecked at Chasland's Mistake, but that is a food way down the coast. — DOT.] ° Dear Dot,— l have just returned home after a very enjoyable holiday spent in Invercargill, and shall here give you a brief account of it c j pleasures^ The train journeying down was rather tiresome, but of course we could not expect it to be otherwise. My cousm was waiting for us (my brother and I) when we arrived at Invercargill, and very glad we were to reach our destination. I only saw one other badge besides my own all the time I was away. It was worn by a girl travelling in the same carriage as we were. I should have liked very much to know who she v/as, but I could not pluck up enough courage to go and speak to her. She got out of "the train at Waipahi, and I saw no more of her. I hope the girl to whom I allude will write soon and let me know her name, 101 I am sure she did not know that her travelling companion was Pauline, and will be, I daresay, as anxious to penetrate my incog, as lam hers. But -(unhappy thought!) what a disappointment for me if I find out that she is merely a, reader. However, £ must' change the subject. On Boxing Day a x^arty of 11? went across in the excursion boat to Stewart Island, and oh, what rare fun we had! But it was not all fun for some of the other excursionists, for a great many of them were sick. The boat took three hour? to cross the straight. HaUmoon Bay and Stewart Island are veiy pretty, Dot. As we steamed into the bay the scene was made &till more picturesque by the miruero.US yachts, etc., sailing out and about. Other

excursionists were over before us, so you sec it was a red-letter d«y for the inhabitants, as by all appeal ances the island is a lonely place. The day before we left Invercargill my brother and I climbed up the towel. (Oh, thoso terrible stairs, I can also say.) From the top one bos a splendid view o{ the town. The wails all the way lip are evidently a good substitute for & visitors' book, as they are just covered with lwmes. Dear Dot, how thoughtful it was --of Shan to send so uwny caids. Mi-35 Muffet and I each got an agreeable surprise when we received ours. When I received cards fiom my friends I think of this verse : Although a trifle buys a cpicl, And some refuse to spend it, No gold can purchase the regard That prompts the heart to send it. My old friend Huckleberry Finn is up here in Waipori spending his holidays, but I have not met him since he came. I intend to have a gcod chat about old school times when I do see him. I shall here do a little reckoning, Dot : Maidey, Maisie, Daisie, Daidy, JapOiiica, Punch, Marjory — stop ' I find it an impossibility to count the new correspondents. What an age it seems snide the old favourites Cooee, S. E. M., and Nat i_ieigh have written. I should like to know if Sybil Scrybils would bo willing to send me her address if I sent a stamped envelope to you for it, Dot. How dearly I would like to write just one letter to her and receive one in return. Fiom the beginning of the ''norn de plume age" she was my favourite, and Trixie was Priscilla's. I keep a diaiy, dear Dot, and shall send some extiacts from it later on. Adieu now, Dot and tho little folk, with heaps of love from your old friend -PAULINE. [It is indeed like old times to see you back once more, Pauline, dear. And what a capital holiday j'on had. Stewart Island is an ideal place for a holiday trip. I hone Sybil will respond to jour invitation. — DOT.] Dear Dot, — I see we have a Critic Club now. Well, I hope they won't be too hard on a new chum. Don't you think the editor should have put the brake on at the beginning, Dot? 8.0.8. need not think that his writing is the worst, for my teacher told me that mine was "terrible,"' a*id a1",a 1 ", another time '"hoirid," and, again, "abominable. Surely that vns bad eiio-igh? Do you think that the little folk should have (like Phosbe) a fit of melancholia because or.c of their number is leaving the page/ Would it not be better to put on a more sprightly air. It would certainly be ever so much better for the person leaving. I think all correspondents should leveal their identify on retiring. I don't think that the little folk should have a patriotic fund of their own, because it would interfere with the school collections. Hoy/ever, those who have left pcliooi might contribute to the fund. Sabina must be very neivous, for she is shocked whon she hears some people desciibing you, Dot. She should tell them that Dot couldn't possibly be like that, as Dot is 0 model of eveiythmg good and pretty I can't understand why Ziska should have been thought a grandmother; can you, Dot? Ziskti, mmy opinion, is one of the best of your correspondents. I hope Nahau will not have my experience of tho Seventh Standard. In ,that standard the more a teacher seems to work the less you do, but I hope my troubles are nearly over. Don't you think it wonderful why XJsca's, no, Gillian's — I beg your pardon, Usea — feet should grow smaller? Mine do the opposite — they grow larger. I do not know why boys and girls should quarre l , for most girls — there are exceptions — are very nice; I don't mean pietty. There can be no doubt that war is a terrible thing, but it is (as yet) a necessary evil. Arbitration may yet largely do away with war. The Critic Club thinks it has given 8.0.8. a nasty knock. Eojy thought that women were going to rule New Zealand. Well, I never thought anything of the kind, for I have heard again and again that they weren't fit io. I see that Maisie objects to girls using slang-. I have not heard any girl of my acquaintance using slang; but the boys 1 must cloqe now, with best wishes to Ziska, Dingo, Jessie C, Harry, and Dot. — Yours truly, ROY. [Well, I am very glad indeed that Roy's girl friends do not use slang, and I hope they will try and stop bo 3's using it also. — DOT.] TO CORRESPONDENTS. Rosy. — It is very good of you, dear, but I have quite made up my mind that if Dot's badge is good enough for her little folk it is good enough for Dot; and if the town little folk only keep their eyea about them they really may find out Dot by the b?dge in her hat. They would be quite certain about my identity then, so I shall ask any who do find me out not io tell anyone else, or do anything but mention the fact in their letters, without giving a description of me. Boy. — Thank you for your pretty New Year sentiment and your charming Christmas card. Elsie and Kabangamai. — Thank you, dears, for your pretty cards. Mcna. — What a direct question to put to me! No, dear, I don't think it a bit impertinent, but yo-i won't think it discourteous if I don't reply; will you? A Feiend — Thank, you, dear, for telling me. for T really did wapi to know who my kind friend was. It was awfully good of you, dear. Hjsbry Farkex. — Your long description of your tiip to Stewart Island came to hand after my last batch of letters was in, so it has to stay over till next wer-k. The beautiful book you sent also came to hand in sofety. It is too sjood of you, Harry, to have Pont me a large bcok like that ; a- Christmas card is all right, but I don't like my little friends to tax themselves to buy a book for me. However, you may depend up my li ensuring it as a memento of your kinci-heartedne-s. Eauangamai. — The packet was posted on Dpcember 12, but by some means it was addressed as if Otahu was the name of the ulace. It will be returned to the office fiom the Dead Letter Office, so I send you duplicates. J. L. O. — You did not enclose your addres«, so Jam unable to send the badge. Please send the address at once,. I do not wish a brooch, being quite content with the badge. Thank you all the same, dear. LITTLE FOLK'S BADG-ES. Badges sent between January 15 and January 22:— Elsie Leitch. Violet Paddon, Clare Dillon, Laly, Rhoda, Adelaide, Pansy, A Render (3), Jenny, Ruth, Maggie, Sharp, Hilda, Elsie Ryan, Daisy H. King, Arthur King. ANSWERS TO LAST WEEK'S RIDDLES. By Simplo Simon: — When she is attached to a buoy, and when she is anchoring" after a swe 1 !.