LETTERS FROM THE LITTLE FOLK.

Otago Witness, Volume 02, Issue 2420, 2 August 1900, Page 65

LETTERS FROM THE LITTLE FOLK.

Dear Dot, — The last time I wrote to you I was in' the middle of my summer holidays ; now I am in the middle of a French lesson in school. There is a great difference, but lam just as happy now as I was then, having done my French task, and having a moment to spare. Home time at last! It is evening now, Dot, so I can write in peace, and not be afraid of in'y name being called out in a reproving tone by one whose duty it is to do so during certain hours. Oh, Dot, what a lot of letters you get. I envy you sometimes, for I receive an average of about three a year ; but being so rare, I think I enjoy jnino more than you could yours. I see your badges are beginning to travel about, Dot; I see them everywhere I go, and often wish I had one myself. I will have io wait, however, until I can save a shilling from the awful fate of exercises, rubbers, pencils, etc. It seems funny for a "lady" to be in these circumstances, does it not ? Names, however, are nothing in these times. I once hfeard of a lord who earned an honest living by hawking. In the magptime I must have ,a badge of some kind (for^early everybody has one), so I show my loyalty to my country, even when we are not hearing of many great victories, and wear a pretty patriotic badge. Dot, liave you noticed how people deck themselves in red, white, and blue when news of some great "victory conies, but when our armies are not in "luck,", they take off their patriotic emblems ? I think it is so mean, so I wear mine always. Thank you very much for the information yoii gave me last time I wrote. I remember it better than any school lasson I have ever learnt. I suppose that i 3 because it comes from such a mysterious little bit of nature. Could you tell me this time, Dot,what is supposed to be the greatest wonder in the world, please? And how is it that in children's columns in other papers I sse the children describing whom they know to be the person whom they are writing to, while they always draw an imaginary picture of you, Dot?— Yours truly,

LADY CLARE,

[Well, Lady Clare, I really do not know, unless it is because there; is something in a name, notwithstanding your dictum, to the contrary. If Dot were Aunt Emily or Aunt Mary, for instance, I don't think any of you would bother to find out what she was like, but » — ah, ■that excises one's curiosity, do»s it not? There are so many great wonders of the world, that it is almost impossible to select one above all the others. There -was Solomon's Temple, for instance, in its time, and for long afterwards it was certainly the greatest ■wonder of -the world. Then there was the Coliseum of Rome, which would seat 100,000 spectators; the eight aqueducts of Rome; the Temple of Diana at Ephesus, which was 220 years in building; tho Pyramids, the largest of which covers 11 acres, and is 543 ft high ; the Temple of Ypsarnbul, in Nubia, cut out of the_ solid ropk, in which were four figures 65ffc high, 25ft over the shoulders, with faces 7ft and ears 3ft- long ; the Temple of the Sun, at Boolbec; Pompey's Pillai, etc. Modern •wonders are, of course, even more numerous, but I will only select one, which I think is •wonderful enough for anyone — the kineinatograph: can anything be more wonderful than, for us to see events as they actually occurred and with the simultaneous use of the phonograph hear what was taking place at the same time?— DOT.] .Dear Dot, — This is my first letter, and I hop© you will be able to read it, as I am only in the First Standard, and cannot, write very well yet. My teacher is Miss Barclay, and I like her very much. She is so kind to us, and she. doesn't use the strap much. I have ■three dolls.* One is called Lady Hamilton and another Daisy, and one I had brought from Christchurch as a Christmas box, so I think I shall call it Christie. It has white lair and blue ,eyes. Dear Dot, I can slEg "Soldiers of the Queen" and "Just as the sun ■went down." They are about the war. I do like singing. If you think I can write good enough, Dot, I shall write again. — Yours tiuly, ANITA KINSMAN" (aged 8 years).

■ [I should like to hear you sing the two patriotic songs, Anita, but I suppose that is impossible. lam sure Christie must bo very pretty, with her white hair and blue eyes. — DOT.]

' Dear Dot, — I am getting on fine at school, and lam in the Third Standard. We have a mile and a-half to go, but sometimes we get a ride. There are about 28 pupils attending our school. "We have three horses. One of them ia a pony, on which we sometimes ride to school. His name is Nip ; do you like that name? We have two dogs, whose names axe Dick and Skipper. We are getting plenty of sliding this weather. It is very cold, especially in the mornings. — Yours truly, CECIL RIDLAND (aged 9).

[Yes, Cecil, I think Nip is a veiy good name though it is offcener given to a dog than to a pony. I can quite imagine there being plenty Hi ice at Patearoa this winter, for even on the

sea coast we have had a good deal of frost. — DOT.]

Dear Dot, — 1 am just going to write you a few lines to tell you how lam getting on. I have a cold, and I am taking peppermint cure, and I like it. We have two cats, whose names are Tiger and Fairy. The grey cat catches a lot of mice. She brings them home to Fairy. lam in the First Standard. I like going to school when it is warm. lam sewing a handkerchief at school, and am doing patchwork at home on the machine. I like sewing on the machine. I have a doll, which I call Rose. — Yours truly,

ELSIE RIDLAND (aged 8)

[It is very good of Tiger to bring the mice home to Fairy. Of*ecurse it v/ould be quite out of the question for Fairy to go hunting, though it is the proper thing for Tiger to do. — DOT.]

Dear Dot, — I live in an outlandish place called Orepuki, which is a very pretty place in the summer, but very muddy in the winter. Dear Dot, I have four brothers and two sisters. One of my sisters is married, and has a baby boy; please will you give me a name for it. She wants a name to put with John. — Yours truly,

ETHEL,

[Well, really, Ethel, it is a difficult thing for anyone outside of the family circle to suggest a name which is likely to meet with approval. If John were a girl I might suggest Pretoria as tho second name, but probably you would net care about the male form of it — 3?retorius. How would it do if you called him after that wonderful indtistry which is being developed in your district — Shale? — DOT.]

Dear Dot, — Having a little spare time, I thought I would make the best of it by writing to you. What a lot of correspondents yovi have now, Dot. No wonder you have to hold many"'letters over each week. I have just been laughing at some most amusing sketches by Lady Clare. Really, she is becoming quite an artist. I must get her to draw you as she pictures you to be. I wish I could put my idea of you into pencil. It would really be a pretty picture, for I think you to be one of those charming little ladies whom everybody loves. I know the names of quite a lot of the D.L.F. now. I think I know who your new correspondent Monica is. Are your initials E. 'M., and do you live at Gore, Monica? I came home from school tonight with ono of your correspondents, but she would not tell me her norn de plume, but I think' I shall' get to know soon, at least I mean to keep my eyes open. I see you have a. good many correspondents at the High School. Among them I know Whiffles, Desdemona, and Lady Clare, but the others are-mysteries to ma just now. I think we shall soon be having our mid-term exani.^ so I must begin to reviso my lessons. Ido think exams, are a nuisance, don't you, Dot? The subject lam dreading most is algebra. I get into a hopeless muddle when I begin with a+b and a 2 -x2 etc, but' l am fond of arithmetic, and Euclid is rather interesting. Are you fond of Eiiclid, Monica? If lam not mistaken in your identity, you once told me you simply detested it. I think I must get my photo taken and send it to you, Dot, for here in Invercargill you can get a dozen photos for Is. I think it would be- a good plan for all your High Schoel correspondents to be taken in a group, don't you ? I find that I am coming near your limit, so with leve to Monica and Whiffles, I remain, — Yours truly,

EUTERPE,

[I should be very glad indeed if you could arrange for stick a group, Euterpe; it would bs most interesting, if well taken. — DOT.]

Dear Dot, — I live in the country, at Houipapa, which is a very pretty place in summer. The roads are very muddy just now, however. I have a pretty little grey and white kitten, which I call Tibbie. I know four correspondents, who write to you — Rimbecco, Mistletoe, Eibbonwood, and Paddy. Mistletoe, are your initials I. B.? Paddy, are yours A. M.? I think I must stop now, as it is bedtime. With love to Rimbecco, Mistletoe, Ribbonwood, Paddy, and yourself, — Yours truly/

FUCHSIA TREE.

[We must expect the roads to be muddy in winter, Fuchsia Tree, but the dreaty season of the year is quickly passing . away, and we shall soon have beautiful spring on us once more. — DOT.] "

■ Dear Dot, — I have at last taken up my pen to write to you, though I am rather short of news. The weather is dreadful just now, but as it is winter we can't expect anything else. The war in South Africa will soon be at an end, but fresh trouble has arisen in China. I should imagine the Chinamen to be much fiercer and a more cruel enemy than the Boer. The second lot of photos have made their appearance in the Witness, and are also very nice. I think Con and Laddie looked the nicest. Your correspondents seem to be getting quite numerous down thTs way, as I have seen several badges lately. So Maisie has resigned. After all our waiting she has appeared only to vanish for ever from our page. I hope though you have resigned, Maisie, you won't forget the cot fund, on which, by the way, you wrote a piece of poetry. The cot fund has been eagerly taken up by D. L. F., a.nd will, I am sure, be a success. The books I have been reading lately are by a new author— namely, Miss Ellen Thorneycroft Fowler. The books were " Concerning Isabel Carnaby" and "The Doublo Thread." She is a very clever and witty writer, and her books ai% very enjoyable — quite out of the ordinary run of books. I wonder why Desdemona never writes. I think Twinkling Star wished to correspond with me. I shall be very pleased to do so. If you forward your letter on to Dot she will send it on to me, won't you, Dot? So I shall be looking forward to receiving a letter froni you, Twinkling Star. We have a G-irls' Literary Club here, to which I belong. We have debates, book reviews, and several other interesting and instructive ways of spending our evenings at " the club." I think Dockleaf mentioned in her last letter something about photos (the quintette group). Well, I may as well tell you they were no good. I think I shall now close, with love to all D. L. F.-— Yours truly,

FLUFF.

[I hope Maisie, 8.0.8., Sybil Scrybils, Dumpling, and all the rest of our departing lights will at least make their reappearance in Old Writers' Week, Fluff, so that is something

to look forward to. After a twelve-year back favourite turning up once more, I have hopes of even Lamb and Rita making their reappearance some day. — DOT.]

Dear Dot, — We had processions here on the relief of Mafeking and Pretoria, about which I shall tell you. As soon as we got the news of the relief the church bells tolled, the people soon gathered together, and speeches were given by Mr Walker, our Town Board chairman, and others, which were very interesting. There were torchlight processions through the streets, arid they were very large for a small place like Wyndham. The band also turned out and gave some very nice selections. If it had not been for the band it would not have been much. Dear Dot, can you tell me why it was my last letter was not published? I thought perhaps you did not get it. Is it not a terrible thing the Chinese going to war? I thought there was enough trouble without them going to war, but I hope war will soon be done with altogether, lor it is a teirible thing all thiough. I think William Tell is mistaken this time, for I have never been out of Southland, only to Dunedin at Jubilee time, but I would like your address, W. T. I have a friend who has often been going to write, but she has never managed it yet. However, she will pluck up some time. Dear Dot, I often wonder if you are a man or a woman, and I fancy you are the editor himself. I must draw to a close now, as my letter will be getting too long. I am sending you a riddle: — " Why is a bald head like heaven ?" Love to William -Tell and all the little folk, and also yourself, — Yours truly, KITTY CLOVER.

[I don't think your letter can have come, Kitty, or it would have appeared. I have not been able to find room for some of the poorer letters, but I am sure yours was not among those left out.— DOT.]

Dear Dot, — It is a long time since I wrote to you, but I have started once more. We were very glad to hear ot the relief ot Mafeking. I saw in one of the letters to you that, they heard the bells ringing seven miles away. One of my brothers heaid the bells ringing and the/ band playing in Gore, and we are quite ten lnile^s away in. a, straight line. He cams in and told us Mafeking was relieved. That was the first we heard of it. We went out ana heard it too, and then we put up the flag. I thing General Baderf-Poweii is a very plucky fellow. I know a good many by name who have gone from New Zealand to kJouth Africa. I am going to send you a piece of poetry that a boy that I know wrote, and 1 hope you will like it ard will think it worth publishing.— VY ° UrS tlUly> HAZEL. [Well, Hazel, the sentiments of your boy friend's poetry are all right, but i'o is a little bit too rugged, to merit publication. Tell him to study the rules of poetry and keep on writing, but not to expect it to be published for a few years yet. — DOT.]

Dear Dot,— We have had very good weather lately, with plenty of frost, and now we are nearly out of water. My brother started to cart water to-day. The place where 1 live is a large farming district. Dear Dot, we have a few pets — dogs, cats, and a cockatoo. We have seven dogs — three are collies, two terriers, one a retriever, and one a greyhound. We have three cats, two white and one black. My father brought the cockatoo from Melbourne for my brother. He is very cheeky and mischievous, and he is always out of his cage in the daytime. One day my mother put a plant in the ground, and covered it up with an old shovel to keep the hens from scratching it up. ' Alter mother went inside cockie *^ent and dragged the shovel off and pulled up the plant and tore it to pieces. If he sees, us out in the garden weeding, he will come out and try to help us in his way of it. Another day my father left his coat on the palings. Cockie climbed up and bit all the buttons off. Ot course father got angry and gave him a beating. I could tell you a lot more about him, but I shall leave it till next time, if you wish to hear it. I aim now going to tell you a funny thing I heard yesterday. My sister and I were talking to another girl and she was telling us that she had three new cows, and one of them was a great kicker. She said it could kick the stars off the sky. I don't think any of the little folk's cows are so smart as this one. I would suggest that it should be sent to the war to kick the Boers — Yours truly,

CURLYHEAD.

[Or made to do as that other cow in " Hey de de diddle " did — jump over the moon, eh, Curlyhead? Your friend had better mind that the kicking cow does not end by kicking over the milk pail. Why, of course, we should like to hear more about mischievous Poll's pranks. I hope they are not all so annoying as taking up the plant and cutting "off your father's coat bvittons.—DOT.]

Dear Dot, — I havejust finished reading Little Lady's letter, and I do think she must be a very nice girl. lam home again now, and I enjoyed my visit to the goldfields very much. I was in town to-day. I did not see one badge, and I waa so disappointed. Dear C. L. 1., will you- tell me in your next letter what Cosma's initials are, please? Dunedinite, if your 'initials are M. P., I know you very well. Fancy, Dot/ somebody told me you were the editor or siib-editOi, and I am certain it is nob true. Coming down from Roxbuigh, the coachdriver's onoustache was frozen, and he had such a bad cold. I was so sorry for him. Have not there bee 1 ! a lot < of railway accidents lately? Mother Hubbard, do you remember J. C, who stayed with O. L. ? Well, I must conclude now, dear Dot, with love to C. L. 1., Dunedinite, Molher Hubbard, Eglantine. — Yours tiuly,

ST. CLAIRITE,

[I only wish I was the editor, dear, and I should take good care that we should have more than eight columns for our letters. No, lam afraid your friend will have to guess again, and try someone not quite so masculine as an editor or sub-editor. What a disagreeable experience for the coachdriver. I wonder what his feet were like ; * they must have been nearly frozen too.— DOT.]

Dear Dot, — The weather is awfully cold up here now. My sister has a little calf, and my brother a little curly dog, of which he is very fond. Dear Dot, they have all sorts of names for those two pets, and just to settle the matter I am going to take it in hand to ask you to give me a name for each. I know about six of the little folk, two of whom have badges. I have two cousins away to this horrid war, and it is puzzling to know whether they wiH return or not ; but it is to be hoped they will. Now, Dot, I must bring this awful scrawl to a close, or Mr Editor will be grinning and saying " What old hen is thia who has been trying to write to Dot?" With love to all little folk and yourself, Dot, — Yours truly,

NOBODY'S DARLING-.

[Fancy the editor calling Nobody's Darling an old hen! ' No, dear, I don't think he is likely to do that; indeed I should be very indignant with him if I thought he could think such a thing, much loss say it. You do not mention the names you have been giving to your pets, so how am I to make a selection for you?— DOT.]

Dear Dot, — Wo are two companions who have heard a good deal about Dot, so we thought we would like to write to you. We attend the same school, and arc in the Seventh Standard, and are learning French and Latin. Which do you prefer, Dot? We prefer French. We have been learning rrnisic for three years, and

can play fairly well now. Some days we spend hours practising duets together, as we think there is not a better means of making you play perfect. , The weather up here has been very frosty lately, and we will not be sorry when the winter is over, as we have not been out for a ride on our bikes since April, a very long time for girls like us, who are so very fond of cycling. But every season brings its own amusements. About three miles from where we live there is a large lagoon, so we, in company with a number of other persons, often go there to spend Our time skating. Sometimes we get a fall, but we do not mind that. There is a dancing class here, but we do not attend it, as oxir mothers think it is time enough for us to commence "dancing when we leave school. Red, White, and Blue, you have a brothei working in the post officehave you not?— whose initials are M". H. A. As this is the first time we have written to you, we shall not trespass too much on your precious space, but, with your kind permission, we shall write to you again. We conclude with love to the editor, Priscilla, Red, White, and Blue, and Captain, and last, but not least, your dear self, Dot,- Yours truly DOROTHY AND G-WYNNETH.

[That is a long time to have had your bik«-s put away, girls. June was a most enjoyable month for cycling in Dunedin, but,-of course, July is too wet a month, and the roads are dreadfully sloppy. — DOT.]

Dear Dot, — I enclose my autograph for Fiona, which I ask you kindly to forward. Dear Rollo, Millicent and I are desirous of finding you out. M. thinks your initials are J. M., but I'm not sure. Are they H. M'K.? How do you come to see us so often? You do puzzle me. Every person I see staring at me I always think, '"Perhaps that is Rollo." Don't forget to write again, Rollo, so that we may have an opportunity of penetrating your identity. Please, Dot, don't think my letter is too personal this time, as you know Rollo has tempted me. Dear "Dot, I have now received a nice letter from "Produce," and they are arranging to buy eggs. Now, Dot, would you kindly answer me a question: Has the same Dot always, ruled the D.L.F. Page ? I mean, is the present Dot the Dot that started the L.F. Page? Now I'll conclude, with best love to Jean, Fred, yourself, and the editor.— Yoiirs truly,

C. C. M,

[And what is Dot's age, eh, C. C. M. ? for if it is the same Dot that started the D.L.F. column 14 years ago — ah, dear, how old she must- be ! And yet if she is not the same Dot, how dare she take the original Dot'o name? More mystery, and I should think you will be quite anxious for Dot to come to the retiring age to have it all cleared \m. — DOT.]

Dear Dot, — My sister has a calf, and its name is Kruger. The war is still raging in South Africa, but I hope it will soon be a,fc an end. Dear Dot, you have a lot of little folk writing to you. I spent my winter holidays very well. I like the letters of Little Lady, Maidey, Shan, Maggie, 8.0.8., and Wullie best. - Dear Dot, do you like cats ? We have three up here. I must close now, with love to dear Dot. — Yours truly,

CATHOSLINE.

[So the signature is written, and I wonder if it is really meant to be spelled that way, or whether the intention was for it to be Caroline or Katherine. Now which is it, Carrie?— DOT.]

Dear Dot, — What rejoicings we have, had down at Invercargill — of course you all know what for. Dear Wattle Blossom, did you have a badge on the day j r ou were in Invercargill? I was jap town the same day as you were, but I did not notice any badges. What a nice long letter from Trooper Con began in last week's and finished in this week's Witness. I hope he comes home from the war safe and sound. Do you know when his photo is to be in the Witness, Dot? What fine times L. L. and Echo have trying to find out the names of the correspondents. Fancy knowing 60. I wish I knew half that number. Dear Joe, do you live anywhere near Invercargill? What has become of B.O.B. ? He has not written for a long time. I have found out your name, 8.0.8. (or rather I was told it) ; I also know Ziska's. I suppose my sister told you who I am ; didn't she, Ziska? Dear Dunedinite, I have not received that letter from you. Have you forgotten my address? I wish I had been standing behind Harry at the book sale, just to see how many books he did buy. Why doesn't that chum (Struant) of yours write to the L.F.P.?. He is not 20, is he ? Dear Dot, wasn't the Easter group of photos capital? -I suppose you will have another group *in soon. I hope it is a success also. I think I have taken up enough of your valuable space,. If you worry much more about getting the letters all in the Witness your hair will soon turn grey. I will clo3e with love to Harry, 8.0.8., Maidey, Dunedinite, L. Lady, Echo, and all the rest, including yourself and the editor. — Yours truly,

P.S. — Harry, don't take my name for Rita's this time. — I.

[That is a solemn warning which I had better take to heart, Ita. lam afraid a greyhaired Dot woixld be a very xininteresting person, and would indeed have reached the retiring age. This, I think, will frighten the editor, and make him take a little more on his shoulders. You will have seen our last group before you see this in print, dear, and I hope it meets with as general approval as the Easter one did.— DOT.]

Dear Dot, — I have intended to write to you for a long time, but I have never got any farther than '"Dear Dot." We are having very hard frost in the mornings just now, and it is very cold going to school. I know two of your correspondents — namely, Pique 'and Daisy. Isn't the war in South Africa terrible? I hope it will soon be at an end. I spent my Christmas holidays at my grandmother's. Have you ever been up at the top of the mountain, Dot? I was up one day with some of my schoolmates. When Ladysmith and Kimberley were relieved we got a holiday from school. At night some of my schoolmates and I made a big bonfire. My favourite writers are 8.0.8., Maidey, Pique, and Shan. Dear Dot, I must close now, as it is nearly bedtime. With 1 love to Pique and Little Lady, not forgetting your own dear self, — irours jruly,

LOCRINE

[You do not say what mountain, Locrine, so I cannot say whether I have been up it, but I think not.— DOT.]

Dear Dot, — Once more I join you. How did you enjoy yourself at the ball, Alys? Dear Fluff, I think I have found you out. Are not your initials K. L. ? I will correspond with you, Camellia. What a lot of interesting curios "a girl from Dunedin en route for Europe" will have when she comes home to remind her of her pleasant trip. Con seems to be enjoying his journey over to South Africa. I hope he will come back safe and well, with a V.C. on his breast. Will you tell me, please, what date the war began. Dear Dot, I cannot describe you, as I cannot imagine you anything but a mysterious person called Dot. What a nice piece of poetry Rimbecco has in last week's Witness. I have found you out, J. O. Y. Are not your initials J. 11. C? Will you exchange autographs with me, Rhnbecco? I should like to so much. Z will join with all the D.L.F. in

giving our littlest friend a heartyV v/elcom&j With love to all,— Yours truly, W

< MILLICENT. [The date of the Boers' ultimatum to ta«) British was October 9, 1899; martial law waa proclaimed in the Transvaal on October 3 3-1. the first serious battle took place at Grlencod: on Friday, October 20, although previous tq that the Boers had attacked trains'. DOT*!

Dear Dot,— l have not missed a day fromf school this year. The school is about two miles away, but there is a good gravel- roadi right to the school door, so I do not mind the distance. Three of us attend school— my) brother, my sister, and myself. I know three of your correspondents—namely, C. C. M., J. °, : , Y-'Y -' and Fifi. but I am not very sure of Milhcent. I have a, little dog called: Fly, which is a very good rabbiter, and she sometimes kills cats. The Molyneux runs past our house. The river is a very swift one, and carries down big stones which are called boulders." These stones are carried all the way from the mountains, and at last form a bar at the mouth of the river. Dear Dot, isn't the war terrible? If I were old enough I would- go along with the other soldiers and try to .put a bullet through old Kruger. It was a very good picture of eld Kruger on the boar pig with the lion after him, the lion representing the British. I must stop now, with love to all the little folk, not forgetting -yourself. — Yours truly, COLONEL BADEN-POWELL.

[So this young Colonel 8.-P. would like to follow in tbe footsteps of his illustrious namesake. Well, I stippose that is only natural, • but it seems very dreadful to talk in cold print of "putting a bullet through 'old Kmger,' " doesn't it? Of course, if I were a man I perhaps might look at it in a different light, but were I a soldier I don't think I should care to keep thinking about such a thing until I was called into action. — DOT.] '

Dear- Dot, — Since I last wrote to you lots of things have happened at the war. Mafeking has been relieved, Pretoria taken, and a great many other places. I think Con writes very good letters about his voyage and when he was at Albany. I wonder when Priseilla is going to write again. I hope- she has not left, like a lot of our other correspondsnts. I know who she, Pauline, iind Miss Muffet are. It is very wet on the Peninsula to-day, and I cannot go to school. It is a good thins the rain came, because we were all snort of water, and lots of the people had to cany theirs. — Yours truly, " CHLOE.

The Peninsula, July 2,

Dear Dot, — I see your letters are coming in as fast as ever, and new correspondents are joining every week. The editor — 3'iould I spell editor with a capital E, Dob ?— d >£3 not seem to take any heed of the sayings of the little folk, or perhaps he takes tbciu the wrong way. He must have read JJ.O.B.'s letfsr the wrong way, because such a letter would have had some effect on anybody. Two of my sisters write to yeni, " but I know the norn de plume of one only. My eldest sister wrote to you asking for a badge, and I did not know she had written at all until I received the badge from the poEt office. Nothing will induce her to tell me her norn de plume. As my sister does not want her schoolmates to know it, I shall not mention it On the 24th May I was in town with my cousin and. my sister, and when coming in we saw, coming from the direction of the railway station, a girl with a badge on her hat. Later on agirl, dressed in grey, passed us in George street. • She saw the badges in our _hats, and said something about Dot's little folk to us., I did not catch what she said, though. On the same day we saw Ma-feking in the Agricultural Hall, but, as she was up in the gallery and I in the main hall, I only waved to her. The letters written by the girl travelling to Europe are very interesting, and I am sure the little folk will enjoy reading them. Patsy writes very amusing letters. I quite agree with him. when he says that Taffy gives fiva lines to criticise other letters and 25 to their own doings. I wonder if they will see this when they read the letters. At any rate, they will see Patsy's letter. With love to the editor and yourself, — Youra truly, ZARA.

[No, Zara, you need not bother about giving the editor a capital "&," as he seems quits content with a small one. Editors become very callous about criticism; they have to ciitioise so many people that it would not do if they were thin.-skinn.ed themselves, so. I suppose 8.0.8.'s remarks did not make much impression on our editor. — DOT.]

Dear Dot, — Here I am again writing to you. I am glad you are going to put your photo in the next group, Marie. What an immensa crowd of dishes you must have had when tha threshing mill was at your place. * Dear Dot, the other night when Koa and I were at the train we saw a girl with a badge on, and oJ course went and spoke to her. After conversing with her a while she told us her norn de plr.me, which was Marie, and we told her ours. I think I know who you are, Ting-a-ling. I. S. told Koa and I that you wanted us to write to you, but wo have not done so yet. Dear Dofc t I know 25 D. L. F., but that is comparatively few to what Ziska knows. I wonder which, one or your correspondents wearing a budgt was in the train which left Dunedin at S p.m. for Oamaru on th"&3oth day of May. Two girls whe came up in the same carriago said they heard a person addressing him as Plulip. I suppose that was his Christian name. Dear Dot, have you read a story called "Yvonne?" because it was from that story I got ray nora de plume. Fancy having another letter from Con. I think it is very good of him to write to the little folk's page all the way from South Africa, don't yoxi think so too, Dot? Lesetta evidently knows who the girl I saw at Warrington is. I think it must have been yourself, Lesetta. Dear Dot, I got a terrible fright in church last night. I was just going to find a hymn when I looked at my skirt and there I saw a great big spider. I gave an awful jump, as you may be sure, and knocked it on the floor, where it soon expired from ths effects of ray shoe. I have a good few years to write to you yet, Dot, as I will not be 14 until August. I must stop now, with love to all little folk and yourself — Yours

YVONNE.

[It was evidently the spider that had cause to be frightened, not Yvonne, as the poor beastio found out. Do yovi know,- dear, I cannot imagine why people should be frightened of spi&fcrs. They do not bite, like a mosquito or a sandfly, and they are not like dirty flies for ever going near our food. However, most girls have an unreasoning fear of them, and of course if cannot be helped, but 1 must say my dread is of the fly not the spider ; the fly is far more objectionable to my mind. — DOT.]

Dear Dot, — I saw a little girl with a badge: in her hat one day. I had often noticed it in her hat, but could nob get a good look at it, so this day when she was passing the gate where I was standing I asked her to let me see it anc{ she told me she wrote to Dot and I told her I did too. I did not like tc ask hei what her noni de plume was. Do you remember the little chat we had at the gate, T. MC. ? _ Now you will know who Malecn is. lam going to follow some of the little folk's example, and tell how I got my norn de plume. I took it cut of a fairy tale, in which there was a princess called Maleen, who was shu + up in a tower with her maid for years. It was the fust name that I could think of when I wrote my first letter. I have been travelling the " found out " road since I wrote last. Now, , .0.8.. are not yomt

initials B. G-.? I -know who -you are, Twin 1 ; your .initials, are M. M., you live at H., and your teacher is Miss 'B. My brother went to that school for .about two months. Do you kuow the -C's. ai CherTy Earm in Catlins, Rimbecoo ? X>ear JDot, I -had .such .a funny dream about yon last .night. I dreamt any brother ■vraote .you a .letter and ii was all 'about Mb Bchool -sums. You -were -very angry at him for ■writing .-such a letter ami you 'told him not to ■write any more letters. My jpicture of you, 'Dot, is. a, little lady between 30 and 35, with dark •wavy hair and pretty "brown eyes. I also think .you axe Emmeline's sister. I must stop now,, Dot, with love to C. C. 2L, Lyddite, Jean, arid yourself* — Yours truly, • MALEEN. ~?.g. — Was Con's photo put in ihe Witness, <Drft ? I did not notice it. — M.

II think the ■selection of a iiorn de plume from the fairy tale was a very good '.dea, Maleen, especially as no one is likely to take the same name. That is a very sensible description of ' Dot, but I shall not say whethei it is correct or siot You would probably see Con's picture after you wrote, .dear, as it was in the Witness ;oi Jixly S.— DOT.]

Dear Dot, — I am 11 years old, and am in tha fourth Standard. I have three miles io walk ■to school. As the railway has gone to Wcdderburn, Ranfurly is not so busy as it used to be. Dear Dot, have you .ever been in Naseby? I ' was at ihe sports there last year, and I enjoyed ■ myself very much. With love tb all the littlo folk, not forgetting yourself,— Yours truly, NELSON.

"[I suppose you arc quite sorry that RanTurly is 'no longer the terminus, Nelson, but of course every place, till ihe line reaches Wanaka, can 'only be a iemporary terminus. lam afraid it -will take some .time before the end is reached, but when fine Clutha lias a fleet of dredges on it- as well as the Molyneux and Kawarau, no fdcubt the -G overnmeut will think it necessary to .gush matters iorward. — DOT.]

"Dear Dot, — I was at the catble show, .where 1 saw a lady jumping, anel a lot of little boys and girls riding"; ,also 8.0.8., and the band playing. Dear Dot, have you ever heard a magpie talking? I have ieard one say, "Up in the morning early, up in the morning early ; a cup of goad tea is better for me, than up in the ariorning early." Ten of us go io school on three liorses, and we hardly ever fall off. I live "in a beautiful valley, between two gorges. The gorge is about 1000 ft deep, with a river running through it. Come and see one of "the most beautiful places in New Zealand, and I will take you to the top of a hill, where you will see ihe Christchurch Plains on one side and Mount Gook on ihe other. I enclose some [ems ■which grow in our bnsh. With love to Do-; -and "the little folk,— Yours truly, LALY (aged 11 years).

[The invitation is tempting, Laly, for the ralley 'to be one of " the most beautiful places 'v. JSTew Zealand " must indeed be charming. Our beautiful country abounds in lovely scenes, and we should be all very proud -of it, as you evidently are.— DOT.]

Dear Dot, — We.get the Witness every Sato- 1 day and the first thing I look for is the little , folk's .page. I know six of your correspondents, but I don't think they will find out who I-,am.- I think it is great fun finding out one another's names. With love to -all the "little folk, and yourself,— Yours truly, . . MAUPOKO. • ;[Yes, 'it certainly is -interesting to <endeavour to yienetraie everyone's anonymity, Maupoko, ata,d no doubt we shall have you by-and-bye finding oui all -manner of correspondents. We shall -see.— -DOT.]'

Dear Dot,— -I have three pet rabbits, -which I call Lord Bqbs,' Lady "Bobs, and Mrs Xruger. The .tamest is Lord ±sobs, and he is very frisky, ihe .one I eall'Lady Bobs is a -white rabbit, and it is very shy. Mrs Xiuger is a veiy crabby rabbit, and 1 think she deserves 'her name. We have iad some skating here this week, and a great many people have "been skating. \Vith love to all your little folk.— Yours truly, BUNNY. -

[A Bunny on ice would be rather amusing, I should .say, but as in .this case it was a twolegged Jranny it no. doubt found ihe fun very exhilarating.—D O T .]

Dear Dot,— l idid not 'see my last letter in print, so I thought Iwould write again. . These last iiwo or three days 'have been so wet and misty. Ido like reading Alys's letters, and those 'of ihe other little folk. 1 .am nine years of age, and aw. in ihe Second Standard. I have two larotheis and one sister. Three of us go to school, und -we have such a- kind teacher. I ha-ve two little calves. I call one Miss Roberts and the other Ladysrnith. ' 'I have two dear little Mends wlio are going to write to you aoom Dear Dot, I think I shall come to-a close .now, with kind regards io all ihe little [oik and io your own dear self, — Yours truly, MEARL.

[I hove you will -see this letter in print, Mlearl, and thai it will make up for ihe other miemot having appeared. Of course 1 cannot find room 'for allthe 'letters, so when one does not -appear the writer should makeup her mind tc send such a nice one jiext time fhat I shall not be able to leave it out.— DOT.]

Dear Dot, — 1 wonder -when I shall see Dunedinito again. I like "her so much. I haven't seen many badges lately, Tmt I saw one yesterday on ihe hat of a little girl who goes to ihe Albany street school. I am going to try and find out ii she writes to you. Dear Dockleaf, I think ii must be nearly three months since I saw you, but I remember you quite distinctly. Did yoit not have a pink dre&s and white hat "on, with a badge in "the centre? It was a little before 9 o'clock in the morning, and you were passing Fyfe and Cuming's at the lime. I got a very nice le'utei from Pique, and in my last letter to her 1 told her that I was going to write to Cosmos and So you, but this is the farthest I have got as yet. I have dreamt about Echo twice. In one dream she was sitting among a lot of .holly bushe3 reading a book, and in the other she was playing a violin. Last night I 'dieaant that I was talking to one of youi correspondents, whose norn de ,plunie was Patima. The letters ihat 1 look forward to most are ihoso written by Dunedinite, Punch, Echo, Tiittly Lady, Dockleaf, Cosmos, Cinderella, Pique, Daisy, and others, whom I cannot think oi just now. I hope we shall have some snow soon, as it seems cold enough for it. Wishing dear Maisie back, I will say good-bye, with love 'io all the little folk, ihe editor, and lots to yourself. — Yours truly, CHERRYRTPE.

P.S. — I forgot to say thai I got my norn de plume' from a picture entitled " Cherryripe," which came out of Pears' Annual. — C.

[I remember the -picture well, dear, and very pretty it was. What a little dreamer you are to be sure.— DOT.]

Dear Dot, — You did not prinl my last letter, iijut it does not matter, as it was only what 8.0.8. calls 8 " Mary Smith " letter. "Ii is training very hard, and I cannot go outside. Our lady teacher has resigned. When Igo !tlcvwn to Dunedin I am going to keep my eyes .-open for badges. I have only seen four yet. .Dear Dot, I Ahink Little iady and Echo were (the beat in the Easter group. I like Shan's letters very much. Dear White Lily, are your initials R. 1L? Boy and Dick had grand times camping out. Dear Dot, do you like •reading? I don't. I like reading the little ■folk's page tnough. Have you any chilblains? I have not, .but my sister has. I, .know .who Hilda and Sunflower ,are, and where

they live. 'Our 'examinsttion -will soon take place, and I >hope I shall pass". lam 'looking forward for the next group of photos. I like reading ihe old Witnesses. The garden is looking very -wintry just now. With love to Little Lady, Echo, Dockleaf, Maisie, Harry, and not forgetting yourself, — Yours truly, THEKLA.

[Well, Thckla, 'this letter has met with a better fate than ihe last one, which shows "that it at all events is not a " Mary Smith letter." You will have seen the group before this, and I hope it interested you. — DOT.]

Dear Dot, — I see two of my mates are writing to you. I only know three of your folk — namely, Jessie C, Annie Laurie, and T.A.T., Jessie C, are not your initials J. C, and do you not live at Gore ? You will wonder how I found out. And yours, Annie Laurie, are A. T. ; of thai I iim quite sure, and I think T.A.T. is a sister of yours ; also of A. T. If so, please say so in your next letter. Dear Dot, I hope nobody will find me out. What a lot of little folk write to you. 1 like reading Con's letters very much. Wliat a grand time that girl must be having in Japan— the girl who signs herself H. F. I saw the Easter group and I think I like Ziska's and Harry's photos best. I must stop now, — Yours truly, LADY G-OWAN. [Yes, H. F., is certainly a lucky girl to get such a delightful trip, Lady Growan. I hope sho will write from other places as she goes along on her journey, and that her father will kindly hand me the letters for us to sec- how she gets on as the journey progresses. — DOT.]

Dear Dot, — Since last I wrote to you, my little niece has been very ill. She took a convulsive fit. She was suffering with her eye teeth. My youngest brother once took 15 convulsive'fits in a day. He was suffering with the tonsils in his throat, and mother took him to (Duxedin to the doctor, and had them cut out. He says he has got his lungs cut out. I have found out who Hilda, Sunflower, White Lily, and Eeka are. Our lady teacher, Miss M., went away yesterday. She knows I write to you and what I sign myself. She was at Hillend before she came to 'our school. We are very sorry she has left, for we liked her so well. The pupils of ihe school gave Jier a writing-desk iurnished with materials, and the choir gave her a handsome Bible, and her sister an album. In an old paper to-day I saw a letter from ■Con, and also one from 8.0.8., but no others of any consequence. Fancy having three letters from Con. I will never get used to calling him Troopei Henry Rayne. I looked at the roll call last night to find his name. I was dreaming of you last night. I thought I was at school, and it was examination day. The first thing on my arithmetic card was who did I think Dot was ? " Oh," thinks I, " that is easy enough," and I wrote down " Dot is "the editor." When the inspector came along he said it was wrong. My brother is away to the hospital. He has 'been under an operation, and had his knee opened. He is getting on fine now. I have cut out the Easter group of photos and put them in my album. We just need your photograph to complete the group. If there are not enough photos for the second group you should put iv your own photo, and the editor's also. We have a little dog whose name is Tip and lie does all the tricks you could mention. He is such an intelligent little fellow. T would rather have him than a dozen cats. With love to all the D. L. F., the editor, and yourself, — Yours 'truly, LADY ADELAIDE WESTEAY.

[I am sorry for yovir brother, clear, and I hope his knee becomes quite strong again, and that the growth is not checked in any way. What a funny dream to have, wasn't it ? The inspector evidently j:eads our page or lie could jiot .have corrected your assertion so neadily. — DOT.]

Dear Dot, — I am six years old, and I am in the "First Standard. We had a picnic yesterday and boiled the billy, and had some 'fine fun. I liked Little Lady the best in the Easter group. Dear Dot, I only know one of youi correspondents, and that is Grasshopper: I shall conclude now, with love to Grasshopper and Little Lady. — Yours truly,

"WILLOW.

[Willow is joining us very yoitng indeed, and though she has had to get a nruch older hand and head to write her first letter, no doubt, after a few years, she will be -writing us really nice letters all by her own self. — Dot.]

Deal Dot, — The chilblain season has commenced in good, earnest. My wee brother can't understand his feet at all, and walks about saying plaintively, '"Ere's a fee (flee) in ma boot," or '"Bad fees, bile ma- foes." I don't know what is the matter with me, Do I. Something serious, surely, for 1 can't think of anything to say. Can it be the plague, do you think? You must feel yourself flattered when some of the X,.F. commence with "Dear Dot, as 'I have nothing else to do, I thought I would write to you." I really feel for yon when I see that in a letter, "but I think it is just want of thought that makes them say it. I often feel an almost irresistible impulse to sit down and write when washing dishes, or something. If many of us .have i;hese,attacks, little wondei the -letters pour in so hard and fast. I think, Dot, that if it were not for us, the Government would have to levy a great many more taxes than it does. Just think of the postage stamps. If we weie all to strike, what would happen? The G-overn-ment would pay the editor a large sum of money to induce us to come back. That money would enable the editor to give us 20 pages all to cm selves. Suppose we strike, little folk, with Dot as our leader (or" whatever the term is). "Whenever you intend to resign, Dot, will you please let me know, and then I shall apply for your place. That would be right into the editor's hands, as the letters would begin to fall off, for I should be quite incapable of taking -the kindly interest m and replying to their letters in the engaging manner that Dot does. Fancy meeting Puer in Dot's poge, of all places. You will have to share the teasing with Daisie and me, Puer. lam so glad someone else has written from C, but what a. life they will lead you when you aie found out. It would amuse you, Dot. were you the bearer of a badge and a "found out" to see the curious little upward glances people take at your hat. One Sunday I noticed a boy, instead of listening to the minister, a? all good boys should dc, taking furtive looks at niy hat. 1 was sc amused that I could not help grinning, and I held my head up, fco that he could not see my badge. You onoo expressed ."the wish that a friend of mine should descend from her pedestal cf :igc and digjrty and write to c-ui page. "Weil, she has anno so, but with what an effort, what stiffness. and with what coaxing on my part ! The worst ol it is, sh' intends to mount it again. What a thrill it sends through one to see one's own writing in print for the -first time. Don't you think so, Quita? This is a poor letter, but my wits are a- woolgathering, so please overlook all faults, Dot. Mv love to Fiona. "Fancy Free, Puei, and Dunedinite (you see, I have ai, last entered the great list of lovesenders, Dot). — Yours truly,

PIQTJE. F.Sj— Woulc a cabinet photo Jc for th° D.L.F. group, Dot? And it must be unglazed, must it not? — P.

[Yes, dear, a cabinet photo will clc very well. TJnglazed is best, but glazed will do so long ar it is not yellow or faded. You would be surprised how many letters nre begun in that way, Pique, but I almost always leave out all such explanations, or rather, apologies; but

whether 'the -writers "take ihe "bini or not I cannot say. It is wonderful what you would do if you were put to it, Pique, -but I -am afraid you- will not have the chance yet a .bit, for, to tell you the -truth, dear, I have a .good many years ieft to gc before reaching Dot's retiring age. (It should, of course, be double that of her corresjpondents, you know.) liy friends certainly do help the Postal department very considerably, but we get no thanks for that, I can assure you, and I am afraid our strike, would have no result. Now, I think your friend did very well, and she should be encouraged to mingle with us once more. — DOT.]

Dear Dot and Little Polk,— At -last I have once .more the opportunity to take up the most pleasant of all duties, in addressing you and my clear comrades after an absence of seven months. "Was it rea-lly seven months since I wrote you last? Oh, dear, how quickly the time has flown by — so quick that it seems only to me to have been seven weeks. And how many changes there have been since "my last contribution. - Summer has como and gone; autumn has appeared and disappeared, leaving no traces of her visits behind save the lepfless trees and the barren orchards. Winter is now in our midst. We were really beginning to think that winter had forgotten us, and spring had come instead, but, alas ! during the last two or three days it has been raining and blowing like anything. On Saturday morning, when I wdke up, T looked out and saw what a miserable -morning it was. Icouldn't but think, "It's only Winter wishing to remind us that he is still in our midst." Lately we've been having pretty fair weather. I don't think we had any rom for a month or bo. Not bad, considering this is winter, you know. Jtfow for the changes in otu- page. The page has increased to an astonisliing size, notwithstanding the' fact that the editor only allows iis eight columns. I tried to get a list of all the D.L.F., but failed, as I was getting mixed with the names; but it was a eonaiderable number. Let me see how many I had down. It was over 450, bij,t of course there have been new ones lately — in fact, in every Witness there is always a letter from a new D.L.P. Doughnut and Devonshire Dumpling have sent in their adieus; also Daffodilly — such a bad example, too, eh, Dot? And there s Maisie — why, what is she thinking of, I'd like to know? Tut, tut, Maisie, I shouldn't take any notice of what others said. I was at a place for 12 weeks, and I got nothing "but " Cooee!" They said 1 was too big for a little folk, and all such nonsense, but it went in at one ear and out of the other as fast as they teased me. I don't intend to leave Dot for a while yet; so prepare yourself for my uninteresting c-pistles, Dot, which you will get when you least expect them. Any way, farewell dear Maisie. But, one word : can you favour me with your autograph ? Dot will send you my address if you ask for it Dear Dot, lam 17 years old to-day — this ' is my birthday: a cold, miserable .day it is too. There are Cuckoo, Anne Boleyn, and Dardy whose birthdays, too, fall in this month ; and I wish them all many happy returns o T the day. I have already written a birthday letter ' to Cuckoo, Ziska, and to Dardy. And new I am writing one to you, Dot. I am confined to the house on account of a bad arm. A ijice present for :a birthday. Well,- this is -"how it happened. I was going down the road the other d?y when my ioot caught in ihe root 6f a shrub, and over I went, and found myself at the ' "bottom of the bank. As I landed I -felt «omcthing crack, but when I got up I felt no pain. When I fell down I said, "So far so good" so comically that my mate burst out laughing, and I couldn't help saying, "'You are an unsympathetic one too." When I went to the post that day, and on my -return, I felt the pain in my arm. Since then T have had to keep it in a sling. More's the pity, say I. It all comes of being in too great a hurry. If I hadn't put off so much time that morning I shouldn't have had -to hurry myself at the end, and the result is, an arm in a sling. This may teach me in the future never to put off time, but I stippose, as soon as my arm is better, I'll very soon forget it. Like me all over. I have a great deal more to say, but as I am siire "the limit ha& been reached already, I shall put it off till next week. — Yours truly,

COOEE

[I hope the arm is not broken, but only sprained, Cooee, though that is quite bad enough. Anyway, 1 trust you have not suffered much pain, and that you will soon be all right again.— DOT.]

Dear Dot, — Having just finished reading the C. C.'s letter, I must say that my opinion about writing on one subject and going into that thoroughly, differs irorn tbeirsj or should I say from Dick's? If we were to do as he suggests, then we should no longer write letters, but essays, should we not, Dot? Bvrfc of course opinions differ, and Dick and I will no doubt '"agree io disagree." What a long time it is since either B. O. B. or Harry has written. Where have you gone to, boys? Last week, when the Little Xiady was reading an answer you had given to one of ihe httie folk, she laughed and said, " Well Echo, Dot is clevei\" I smiled, too, for I guessed to what she was alluding. I wonder if you will guess what caused the merriment, Dot? Perhaps I should not criticise, as the C. C. vrill tlimk that it should be left ie them, but don't you think that this question is becoming rather nionotonons, Dot. '• I hope the C. C. viil not bo hard on me, as this is my first attempt," to be found in nearly every new wrifcei's letter? One thing more I have to say, and tlien I shall have finished my criticising, or rather scoldirg ; ii is that I think some of the little folk are tco fond of copying one another — ior instance, when Nemo wrote her first letter she said, "I will send my love to the C. C, and then they will not be hard on me," and I leave it to the little folk to say how often that has appealed. JSTow I have finished, I'll turn to something 1 more pleasant. When L. L. asked you, Maidey, if your initials were JM. S., she should have asked Marie. Oh! I liad almost foigotten to thank you, Dot, for correcting the misprint regaiding the pronunciation ot "'ELruger. 1 hope jou won't be disappointed n I tell the truth and say that I did not believe it was "iixnger." It shows an alarming absence of faith; but when I give yor. my reason perhaps you will foigive me. I noticed in tire Times one morning an " Interview with President Kinder," by a special correspondent, and I noticed that the "v" was pronounced as in tiuo, fo ox co-.u-se that makes "Kruyer." I rmist not make thi? latter too long, or the little folk will have that to say against me when their wrath descends on my head, as ihey may say that as I am one of the little folk I have no right to say such things about; thorn, but I knov/ that I am just as liable tc be scolded as to scold, and am quite wiling to b found fault with because no doubt it will be deserved. With love to Hinibecco, Marguerite .(by the way, I have found out your name), Harry, and, of course, yourself,— Yours truly,

[My dear Echo, how can I possibly guess when I don't even know wlvat the answer wa&? Do tell me next time you write, dear, so tbst I can participate in 'the fun. I quit agree with you in your criticism of Dick's proposal. It is the naturalness of our letters that constitutes their charm, and that would bs completely lost in writing to order. And then ; again, the KUle Dots would be quite out of it if thai style were adopted, and we know the very little people

even -Trow have a feeling -that -they are Bot -quite in it like they used to be.— DOT.]

TO MISS CONCEIT. (Per f<wour of Dot.) You have made me quite conceited by Your letter, Miss Conceit; With alterations here and there, The portrait is complete. For instance, I am very dark (by night), and I'm a — well — Perhaps for Miss Conceit's aweet sake, it would not do to tell. For simple quaintness, "fairly tall" '' Is quite a, master stroke, While "medium build" is good — ha! ha! I'm chuckling at the joke. A favour, Miss Conceit. My sketch With fresh conceit is fraught And begs, to keep it company, A lightning sketch .of Dot.

I've chuckled — thank you, Miss Conceit, Your portrait is a gem Of art, that will be -treasured by "Sincerely yours, — J. M.