THE CRITIC CLUB

Otago Witness, Issue 2398, 15 February 1900, Page 64

THE CRITIC CLUB

Dear Dot, — Our last meeting av*is held at Tom's home by Avay of a little variety. After reading Diamond's letter, the piesicknt askect the club what they thought of the Dot's Little Folk Cot. Sally said he Avould be in favour of it, on condition that it Avas to be used by Dot's little folk only. Buttons saicl, " Oh, that's just like your selfishness, Saliy ; you are ahvays thinking of yourseli. I suppose you Avculd like to break your leg to begin with, just for the sake of being the first to use it." Dick saicl, •' Noav, Taffy, .Avhat is your opinion P" ' Well," I said, " I think it a splendid idea, and Dot must be a fairy that such excellent ideas should x^i" 0 - 66^ from tho bism of avcli a diminutive personage." Tom said, " I think it would be a better plan if the little folk Avere to contribute to {he more hoi-ss fund. Wo could purchase a horse (we would call it Dot) and present it io Major Kobin. ' Dick said, " 1 agree with what Tom says in all but presenting tha hoise io Major Eobm. I don't think that m a matter of this kind any distinction should be made. I propose that the question bs left open in order to allow the little folk to ejepress their opinions on the matter.' ' — Carried unanimously. When the president icad Yvonne's letter, he stud he did not th.nk it right, pfior putting Dot to the trouble of getting the badges made, m order that the Avuter^ might speak Lo each ocher, to pass theia A v itlicut speaking. He says he speaks to eA - eiyone he sees wearing a badge. S;>lly r-aid he A'-'as giad Fiona appieci-xted the boys at the piciiic. Git-h fue so apt to forget these things,. Vulcan's Ittisr wa 1 ? veiy well received by all the members of ihe club. Celine's letter avuo then read. Tom said, "We are ahvayo learning. Frcm Avha+ Csli^e sayj in her letter, J understand that she &ay.- some pink smd Avhitc ferns up st the bu-=h. If she would kindly send me a "few of this v«ic ppecios i should bs truly gratefaJ." Dick esk-I Old Bey's remaiks as io tho length of the leitevs wcie Aery sensible. " And Tafry,' he corti. uod, " let me give you a feAV Avords of advice. Boil your letters doAvn a bit; they are far too long. 1 ' " If I Avere to do that," I paid, " I \ ould -have to leaA'o out half of ttic ciiticisms. What nm Ito do, Dot? While the president is busily engaged in i aailuig Boy's letter, he was interrupted by a perfect roar of laughter, tnid the members exclaimed with oiie accoul, " Eoy Is looking ahend. Thig m^ in reference to Boy shcAviiig his badge to his grandchildren. Doily's letter was the next i,o ieceive any comment. It Avas not very favourable, as the club think it very b.id foj.m In write about thi-igo oT whirh the little folk are ignorant. It is noL in the least "iiitorestiii^ to know th?t you hope Archa. avill dream oi cloor mats. Tom i^oyosea that Vamwiro shou'd present sucL Toinarkab'y Irrge ttiska as he speaks about tc the mu^um, ancf also that Snooks should_ be prcseiitcd Avith a mec^fil froaa tlie Royal Hni/iane Society for so bravely assisting his cormncle }?i his dioiger. Tom was delighted with Hru-y Fa.rar's description ol Stewart Island. Nemo's letter was voted good. Sally s?id Maidey's description of Wullie Avas anything but flattering,, Tffe are of the opinion that if the boys A"ere all like the ones who threw piri-piri at Naiun, life Avou'.d become iiitolemble to the girlc. Dick advises Patsy to write his loA^e letters directly, an'l not through the medium oi the little folk's page. Dick alao proposes thit all loiters contaming slang be left out. The lest of the letters Avere pronounced good, and then Tom invited us to have some raspberries and cream. What critic could withstand so tempting an oiler? We ceitainly could no;, — Yours tiuiy, TAFFY, Secretary Critic Cbib.

[I couldn't think ol! asking Taffy to boil down hia reports: they arc too interesting. Tho difficulty that presents itself to me over the horse proposal, Taffy, is that avc should not be in time. Had this proposal bee.i made two months ago, I think 1 should have t.iken your suggestion, and I feel certain ye should have successfully carried it out. At present lam afiaid the horses a«11 all bs sent lon 0 ' before the subscriptions ccraid be got in, and Chen Avhat should we do with the money .' Besides, dear, haA'e not neaily all the children given now? Otago has sub-scribed far and aAvay mere liberally than any other district. — 1 am told the total will bo something like dC25,000 — »nd A^'hen that is the case I do not like to begin asking my little friends for more money. — DOT.]