LETTERS FROM THE LITTLE FOLK.

Otago Witness, Issue 2436, 21 November 1900, Page 65

LETTERS FROM THE LITTLE FOLK.

Dear Dot, — I have written to you twice before, but it was a long time ago, and I suppose you have quite forgotten me. In those days your page was not worth reading, but lately it has become more interesting. So Solomon ' Slow, who seems to think he is slow and dull, is- in desperate haste to leave the page, but I hope he will think better of it, and come back again. It must be very rough when Con 'has to write Jus letters on the ground. It's a wonder he can get writing paper at all. He seems to have had some bullets whistling past his head, but as he has joined an artillery corps, he was not with the colonials m the charge up the rocky hill now called after the bold .captain who fell there, so he cannot tell us much about it. What a fine letter Shan wrote last time about the bravest of the brave. That fine soldier whd fought, bled, and , died for his country .had before been wounded, but 1 never would go on the sick list. Harry has had some queer adventures in school life, but I believe he could stop there all his life. I did not write this on the ground, but I made plenty of blots,© and wrote about nothing, and badly at that, but will do better next time. Good wishes to all. — Yours truly, STEADY. [Really, Steady, yoti are painfully frank in expressing your opinion on our page as it was in bygone years, but us you admit that it is interesting now, I think we must forgive you. We shall, however, expect 3'ou to help towards making it popular by writing interesting letters.— DOT.] Dear Dot, — I- was so glad the Critic Club did not criticise my last letter, as I am veiy shy, and if they had done so I don't think I could have felt courageous enough to write again. Kapunite had such a nice interesting letter in the last Witness. I see she has found me out. I knew the had written, and I was watching every paper to see if her letter was in. I made some scones yesterday, and my brother said if they only had them over in the Transvaal (at which I felt very elated) — but then he added that if one was thrown at a Boer it would stun him. We have been trying to persuade some of my brothers to write to you. I have four of them under -20 years ot age. I intended going for a drive to-day, but at the last minute coiild not do so, and was very disappointed. With love to Kapunite, the editor, not forgetting Dot, — Yours truly, AN AUNT. [What awfully sarcastic creatures brothers are, dear. lam sure your scones were very good, and that your brother belied his sarcasm by eating as many of them as he could eet. — DOT.] Dear Dot, — It is nearly three months since I wrote to your page, but among so many correspondents lam not missed. What a 'terrible lot of letters you must get. Just fancy having another monih's holiday so soon after the last one. There was a concert held in oui school on the 31st October, but, unfortunately, it turned out to be a very stormy night, and poor I had to stay at home. I had a recitation all ready to give, and it was very disappointing, for 1 had looked forward for so long. Dear Dot, would you mind forwarding me Laddie's address, if it is not too much trouble, and if he does not mind, as I should like to write to him. I read in some of the little folk's letters that they often go for rides. I ride to school every day. .Rosarona and I often go for some grand rides together ; we change ponies when we go out. One day we were out riding, and we changed ponies, and her ponjr stuck me up several times. If you thrash it, it bucks and rears, so I thought the wisest plan was to get off and lead it. Don't be shocked, Dot and little folk, when I tell you that I ride like a boy. It is not that I haven't a side saddle, for I have a very nice one, but I like riding stride-legs the best. I know one of your correspondents well, and that is Annie Peter. Dear Annie, I hope Nigger's paw will soon be all right again, I suppose you will be wondering who I am, Annie, but I shall leave you to find that out. Dear Dot, I sent yoxx one of my phctos last week, and I hope that it will be in time for the next group. It is not a very striking likeness of me. I think that the Old Writers' Week is a good idea, and it ha 3 proved to be very successful so far. Oh, 8.0.8., why did you leave our page? lam sure that you are not 20 yet. I tender you my sympathy in your sad bereavement. Dear Dot, I must thank you for your kind answer to my last letter about the loss of my brother, and, alsq .Wattle. Blossom and Ladclie fox their

sympathy. I shall V»e 14 -years old at the end of this month, so I bhall not be leadingyou for six years yet. Dear Tussock, doas your surname begin with R? If so, I know who you are. Dear Joe, you might give me a small hint as to who you are. I was in G-ore about three weeks E.go, and I did not see a single badge, though I- kept looking out for some. Dear Dot, do you ever go out fishing? I have been out once this season with a few other friends, but we never caught any trout. My sister says that, you are" the editor's daughter, but I s-ay that you are a very small and genteel lady, about 23, and that you have soft, wavy, brown hair, light brown eyes, and rosy cheeks. I wonder wherever Liamb has got to ? She has not written for such a long time. Huny up and write Dot a long letter to make up for your silence, Lamb. Do you like gaidening, Dot? lam very fond of it.. I was busy in my garden tc-day, and I could bear the volunteeis practising in Gore. I think that they were having a sham "fight, for you could hear _ _ such a lot of rifles going off at once. I see that my letter is beginning to lengthen, so I shall conclude with best love e to Tuasock, Laddie, the editor, Wattle Blossom, and all the rest of the little folk, and heaps of love to yourself. — Yours truly, FATIMA. [It must, indeed, have been very disappointing, dear, to be unable to get to the concert after preparing your recitation ; but never mind, if you read it over occasionally you will have it ready for the nex« time. Yes, deai-, I have been out with ,a trout-fishing party, but not in a big river like yours, only in a small stream. — DOT.] Dear Dot, — I've come back once more, and I can't think of anything new. Oh, dear me, yes!' One of my old masters got one of my rnajps an y d showed it to the class. I told Bert he would set me up as an example. When Bert told me I gave the master three hearty cheers. I sup- ! pose Bert giggled into smiles, as he had only 85 out of 90 marks for conduct. I expect the master has forgotten all the trouble and anxiety I caused him. I'm awfully sorry now, as I sail quietly along without a licking at all, at all. One of D. L. F. is going to visit Dunedin. I think I shall meet her at the station with my tiolley, and as the wheels are about 6in high, there will be iio danger of a capsize. I can get half a dozen little nippers to pull it, and JL'll keep them in order. She'll look quite a queen, seated on her luggage. If any of the D. li. F. see such a turnoixt, they will know who the owner and driver is. When the cot is established -in the hospital I shall give a chicken to make beef tea for the first little patient. The 0. P. and Bert are going to give fiesh eggs. I'd like to zee theni have a squash up. Now, little folk, for a secret : While you think the Old Phil is looking at the articles in a ceitain shop window, — there is a mirror which reflects the window opposite, and of course, all those who are at the windows. Now, beware, as ,when his back is towards you, he sees you plainer than if looking at you. I'll get into hot water for this; but that's nothing new. Thank you very much, Ziska and Eegina, for your pretty birthday cards. They were a welcome surprise, and I felt myself ever so much, bigger. A friend of mine made puddings and. pies as I was spending my birthday with them. I'll wish you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year when it comes. Bravo, Dicky Donovan, you're quite the poet now, and the only one in the world that thinks I'm famous. — Yours truly, SOLOMON SLOW. [Oh, shouldn't I like to be at the station, Solly, to see your magnificent equipage when you go down in state to meet our country cousin. I 'expect that all the small boys in the town will turn out to see the fun. I shall not forget to keep you, the O. P., and Bert up to your promise when our cot is established. — DOT.] Dear Dot,'— As lam hard up for a sister, I am busily engaged sewing a bag to hold my things, as I'm getting all my pockets torn carrying them about. We are laughing at "Sol's beef tea," and he can't see through the joke yet. lam in hot water at home ; I've not once got full good conduct marks, and really, Dot, I'm as good as gold at school, and I don't see why I don't get full marks. Sol Slow gets full good conduct marks, and how he manages it I can't tell. Wasn't he conceited when I told him that my master showed one of his maps, which he had kept for ages in the cupboard; but I guess he didn't show me that coal-smut- ■ ted exercise. I don't think I'll get a lesson prize this year, so dad does not expect one. None of our squad missed half a day from school as yet. We all like our master, and we're going to work hard to please him. Some day I should like to see the office again. Our master is going to take us some trip, and I hope one of his trips will be to the office to see the machinery. I always toddle round with our baker. One wet day the horse slipped, and I toddled off the cart on to my head in a pool : of slush. I looked like a mud lark instead of a baker that day. Sol got five birthday cards and a clucking hen on his last birthday. Sol's beef tea "takes the cake," doesn't it? A Merry Christmas to all, with plenty of cake and nuts. Farewell for the present, Mr Editor, Dot, and little folk.— Yours truly, BERT. | [Why, Bert, this makes one feel how much I Christinas is in the air. Fancy receiving Xrnas wishes already ! Well, I ' am sure we all reciprocate heartily. I feel sure that the editor will be prepared to arrange for you to see the machinery again. I shall be pleased to do what I can for you in the matter. — DOT.] Dear Dot, — I see that I cannot retire so easily as I had imagined. I shall never be tired of writing to Dot, Fancy Free, as she was my first correspondent. I think Dot will tire of me first. Fancy a fellow of sft Sin as a little folk! Preposterous! Never mind, L. F., I'll " bide a wee." Dear Jessica, can you kindly manage to throw your poetical mantle on my shoulders, so as to enable me to dedicate a few lines to Leo? Yes, Phyllis, I knew the young Adonis whose initials you gaye — a quiet High School boy without the distinguishing mark of the "calico suit." He advised me to write to Dot on foolscap paper, kindly giving me all his spare papei, at one of the exams, some years ago. Wild Daisy has a retentive memory, so I had better keep my promise and write till 20. Solomon Slow has promised ,to write again to the page. He has been taunting me by saying that I had written my farewell letter without lifting my cap, and saying, " Ta-ta, Dot and little folk." Kindly overlook that, won't you, Dot, and I shall write occasionally. I shall send my auto. Millicent, when I get your address. I wonder if Wullie will illustrate the story of the '" Sisterless Boy ? " It was a little too bad, Ziska, exposing me like that after niy congratulating myself on not being so well known as I had thought I was. I was told privately that Harry was the printer's "devil " in the Witness office,. No wonder I am a nut after that. Well, we all know that Harry entered the Witness office, and always wore tho "calico suit." Everyone will know me after this. Now to tell you how I got my norn de plume. I used to write and sign my full name in large capitals. After an absence from the page for a year or so I recommenced writing in the hope of finding a congenial chum, and signed the letter " Hard Case," but the editor scored out the "d " and added "ry," ignoring " Case." I really thought you had done it, Dot, till I saw that he lengthened yo\ir name by the addition of "by." I fancy Con was one of the first to barrack me. I little thought that

Con was ouf Corporal B. I thought "Con" vrf short for Constance. 'lhat confession will .-nake him smile. Solomon Slow says that if he has any luck with his chickens this year, one of them has to be slaughtered to provide beef tea (Sol's expression) for the first little invalid >vho occupies Dot's cot. He has got quite huffy at Bert and I laughing at him. Beef teai from a chicken, L. F. ! Here is where I used to feel my sisterless condition No sisters foir sewing. However, my being sisterless now is absurd, when I belong to the page, so I do not think I shall leave you yet, L. F. When X grow too old, I shall join Emnieline's columii. I know one of Emnieline's correspondents. I must have frightened Henry from the page, or perhaps he does not want to be blamed for my failings. Is that it, old fellow? I am glad a Harriet has come on to the page. I am sure &he is welcome. Since I last wrote, I have bidden farewell to my old mates. No more does thy melodious voice, Joe, reach my office! Have you learnt any more than those two lines yoii were always humming? I must drop in now and again-lo see how you are all, getting on in those lower regions. Your far-seeing shopman has actually penetrated my identity, so I do not care now. ' I- might dedicate a piece of poetry to you, Andrew, for being so considerate as not to give me away. "Pater's Chats " are vei-y interesting, as also are " Banker's" diecourses. I like Emnieline's Cosy Corner Club jery much. Where art thou, Ita? You have "not written lately. My Garston correspondenthas utterly deserted me. I ehall conclude with love to you all. — Yours truly, HAEEY. ; P-S. — I received the photo all right, Pearl, and knew a pear] when I saw one. H. [Well, never mind, Harry, eVen if you are sft Sin, we are not going to allow you tc leave us yet, so I am glad you have banished all intention of doing so. You are very quizzical about Bert's "beef" tea, but I should not be surprised to find you trying bo pass yourself off as our first invalid in order to get some of it DOT.] - Dear Dot, — I had a birthday party last weeK and invited six little friends, but seven put in an appearance. One of my brothers is too big to go to little girls' parties, but I asked him because he -always brings me fruit. Boys pietend to liW fishing, and it is all well enough when Jgo for a picnic too. The days are getting longer, though the weather is changeable. I hope it will be good for the holidays, as I expect to get out for them. My brother and I passed oui examinations. I am not much of a gardener, but get boiiquets of lovely flowers sometimes. They keep so fresh for a le&ig time vhen put in water. We have not a " piano, and travelling showmen generally stop and play near oiir house. One morning it was an orgaa on a cart, and one evening a man came round with a musical box. If the weather is good we are — baby and all — to have a day out this week. Christmas will soon be here. Dot, but we don't go out together, the- Christmas season being a busy time with us. With love to you and all the little folk,— Yours tiuJy, FIE. [I hope, Fir, that your big brother will no's be offended when he sees your confession that you invited him because lie brings you fruit, but of course you mean that you invited him by way of repaying his kindness in bringing you fruit. And it is kind of him; not all brothers are so kind to their little sisters. — DOT.] Dear Dot, — V\ T e are having some awful weather up here just now, but I hope it will soon clear up again. There are 56 children going to our school, and one schoolmaster teaches the lot. I know the names of eight of the D.L.F., but I hope i shall know more than that before I leave oft writing. , I have not seen my last lettei in print yet, but I hope to see this one. The Soush African war is not over yet, but I hope .t will soon be. My nephew said that he was going to write to the D.L.F. Page next year. Now I think I must stop, as I must get ready for church, go with love to all the D.L.F. , not forgetting yourself and the editor, — Yours truly, ICH DIEN. [Fifty-six children for cne man to control day after day! lam sure your teacher must look forward to the holidays, Ich Dien. I hope you all try to give him as little trouble as possible.— DOT.] Dear Dot, — I hope you enjoyed your holiday a 9 well as we did ours. First of all I went up Whisky Gully and saw the beautiful waterfalls, and then to the top of the Blue Mountains, where there are a lot of lagoons, and hundreds of sea gulls. There I stayed for the rest of the day in search of seagulls' eggs, but I was very unfortunate, as I only got one egg. — ifours truly, SKIPPER. [What a good place to spend a holiday in. Skippei. It seeme curioiis that seagulls go so far inland to lay. I should have expected to find them on the cliffs along the coast. Of course I know they follow the plough, and if they were only not quite so relentless in picking out the eyes of exhausted sheep an<? lambs, nc doubt they would be great favou--rites.—DOT.] Dear Dot, — It is very windy and cold to-day. My Aunt Sarah has a pet lamb. She calls it Hector, and it will eat sugar and scones. I set two rabbit traps to tatch rabbits, and in the morning, when I went to see what was in them, the first trap had a rabbit and the, second a ferret. We had some fun to tak& it out of the trap, and my brother did laugh. A friend of ours took it out. Snow, my kitten, caught a lark, but we took it from him. The poor little bird was not dead, so I put it in a box for a lew hours, and gave it a drink of cold water and some breadcrumbs to eat, and in a short time it was flying about up in the f-ky with the rest of the larks, quite happy. Dear Dot, I think you a kind, good-tempered young lady. I know Wattle Blossom and Kelly. As it is nearly bed time and 'I am sleepy, I must wish you a merry Christmas and a happy New Year. I almost forgot to tell you how much I admired the photo of Dot drawn by Wullie: it looks well. With love to Dot and the editoi, — Yours truly, • HIGHLAND LASSIE. [How fortunate you were close at hand, Lassie, when your kitten caught .the little lark. Pussy would soon have made short work of it had you not been by to protect it.— DOT.] Dear Dot,— l saw by a letter from Trooper Con in the Witness some time ago that he is a corporal now, so we little folk will have to call him Corporal Con now. I was very much interested in his letter. Have any L.F. watched tli6 sun sinking. It is beautiful on a cairn evening. How beautiful, too, is a moonlight night — how weird everything looks. lam always interested in watching the sun sinking. One day my sister and I and some others went away for a walk, and we climbed a high hill, so that we had to sit down several times. When we reached the top I wrote my name on a big stone, and then we sat watching the sun go down. Far away we saw a river and a great many houses. My giandfather used to sail up there, and many ? time we went with him. I # wish Rimbceco a merry Christmas and a happy Nev Year. Dear Dot, spring has left us now,- Deal Shan, will you exchange autographs vith me? If .you will, send yours to Dot and she will send "it down to me, and I shall send mine in return. I know Duneclinite, Holly Hedge, Areta,

•Larrikin, Shamrock, Cleopatra, Hollyhock, and a lot more. Cooee has found me out. Where have Laudie, Harry, and Wullie gone to? I hope we shall hear from them soon. My description of Dot is: a fair, tall man, fail hair and fair moustache, between 35 and 39 years. Are you like that, Dot? Are you a brother of the editor? If you are I thmk I know you. I know Dockleaf, Maisie, and Echo. How calm the mornings are. This morning -s very calm. Not a, 'breath of wind is blowing, and not a sound save the loud roaring of the sea. The bush looks so pretty, with clematis here and there. ■I have just come back from hUving a walk in the bush, and enjoyed the sweet scent of the lawyer flowers. Oh, Dot, it is nice to have a stroll in the bush in summer. 'During the winter T was always looking forward to summer, and now it has come round. I expect to see a lot of people down at the beach this summer. Last year there were not many people down, but 1 expect more •will come this season. Lots of. people came ■from" Dunedin to Willshir Bay. There are a great many empty houses here, but about a week before Christmas they are all full_up. Deai Cigarette, in your last letter to Dot some few weeks ago you asked if I lived at T." F., and if I Jiacl ja girl in my class with the initials M. H. D. No, Ciga-l-ette, I don't live at T. F., and I haven't a girl in my class with those initials. I think you must try again. "Dear Dot, to-day 1 ■went to see Cooee, and vhat do yoti think she did? She broke the broom chasing some chickens. I did laugh at her. Now, Cooee, don't come upon poor me for telling tales out of school. I have to write a letter to -Holly Hedge yet. I wonder where Beth is" now, and also Cuckoo, Ann Boleyn, and C. G. M. Quecnie Strides, are your initials M. A. or E. A., and do you live at B? Tell me, Queenie. We shall give Doughnut * a. hearty \velcorne when she returns to the south. — fours truly, [I* hope the Port Molyncux "season will be a good one this year, for I am sure the enjoyment must be very much lessened when the numbei of people is lirnitad. , If there were only a branch line of railway down to the Po-'-t, what numbers of people would go down! — T>Ul\] Dear Dot,— l know a good many of your L. F., but I know Cooee the best. We have grand times when I see her, but it is only oncem a while that she comes up here to. see me. Two days ago we went for a stroll up in the bush, and we had grand fun. The bush was pretty, as the flowers are all out. There were lots of sheet: and lambs in the bush, and we had some larks with them. The rabbi Is were so plentiful that if you aimed at one you could linock over a "dozen. A fact, you know! We hunted for birds' nests, but were not successlul So we started off to look at an old hut. I saw the hut first, and oh, what a fright I get; it looked so ugly. We went up to it and looked in, but Coose called out, " Look out, there are ghosts in there, and they bite." After reconnoitring the old ruins v/e went back to the bush and became so interested ever what we were talking about thai we got a terrible start when we heard the report of a gun. Coming out of the bush, we saw a buggy coming up the road, and we started ofi at a lun, so as to catch up to it as it crossed the bridge ; but we sound the race more than we bargained for, as it is not an easy job sunning against the -wind. 1 know who you are, Queenie Strides, C. C. M., Fifi, Cis, Alys, and J. O. V., and I know 20 others, including Denis, who is a great friend •3i mine. I have not had my photo taken yet^ but Cooee and I are going to, soon. Dear Dot and senior folk, do you ever gc out for moonlight strolls, looking into the sky, and trying to name the sta,rs? And have you ever found the Southern Cross? It is composed of four big stars forming a cross, and there are lots of little ones among them. -Talking about stars,, I was running the other day enough to break my neck when I fell into a guttei, and not only saw stars, but comets also; i-nd what a sight 1' was! "With love to all,— Yours truly, BOY'S LOVE. [Boy's Love! What a cuiious signature. I vronder what Boy will have to siy on the selection? You had an enjoyable afternoon in the bush, but it was a pity Cooee frightened you at the old hut.— DOT.] Dear Dot, — Our exam, is ovei, and I have passed the Sixth Standard. I have left school now, and find plenty of work to do at home. The war sin Africa seems to be nearly at an end, and it is a good thing, tco. The Boers seeni to hold out to the last, but I think they are finding themselves being beaten now. Please Dot, would you kindly forward my autograph to Ziska if it is not too late? „ I know some of your correspondents, but I think there is only one of them who has found me out. I have seen your photo, Ziska, although I have not seen you in reality. With kind regards io Marguerite, Tommy Atkins, and yourself,—Yours truly, TRILBY. [The autograph has been sent on, Trilby.— DOT.] Dear Dot, — Mother and father have gone to Christchurch for a trip, so Jack and I are staying with our cousins until they return. We are having fine times. I had intended sending for a badge, Dot, but Hindoc told me she had sent for two, and was going to give me one for a birthday present. I v/as verj much surprised and pleased to hear it. I have put my shilling towards the Cot fund, instead. Dear Dot, ■we had our annual exam. List week. Up to the present we have not heard the results. 1 expect I haye come out top (at the wrong end). Some of the senioi pupils at th? dancing class (including Jack and I) received invitations to a private Pinafore ball last month. "We went, and enjoyed ourselves immensely. Among others we had a "Franchise dance," Dot, and some of the girls were too shy to ask a boy tc Janco with them, bo had to sit it out. I was not one of the bashful girls. I had such a droll little partner, Dot. Aftei we had our dance, he said, " Now, take me down and get me an ice, please." I nearly collapsed. The best fun was when it v/as time for the boys tc don the pinafores. Oh, Dot, they looked so comical! It was plainly seen that they were unaccustomed to wearing them. A bey won a prize for having the prettiest pinafore. It was niado of a -'delicate shade of. pale green accordconpleated silk, embroidered in silver, and trimmed with dainty bows of white satin, bebe ribbon. It was lovely. I see Dicky Donovan is keeping up his reputation as "little folk's poet." I must thank you, dear Dicky, for your graceful compliment. I shall always treasure your verses ia memory oi you and D. L. F. Dear Little Lady, when are ws going to have another of youi bright, chatty little letters? Dear Rimbecco, are you related to Vendetta? I wondered, on account of your noms de plume. Please do not think me unduly inquisitive. Dear Dot, what a lot of descriptions of you there were in Ziska's last letter. Nearly all the 3ittle folk think you have blue eyes. That must be their favourite colour. What a dear, 1 delightful, old lady yoxi would be, Dot, if you ■were like Nancy's quaint description of you. We had lovely weather foi the Prince of Wales' s Birthday — quite a treat»ior Wellington. We ■went over to Day's Bay in the afternoon. On looking over my letter, Dot, I am surprised to Bee how long it is getting, so I must not trespass on youi space any longer. You may consign all the uninteresting parts to the W. P. 8., Dot, and I shall forgive you. Witb best love to

each and every little folk, and a double quantity to yoti, dear Dot, — Yoi rs truly, KIMB.ER LEE. P.S. — As soon as mother comes home, Dot, I am going tc have my photo taken, and I shall ask Mrs Hermann to finish one quickly, so that I may send it on to 3'ou. — K. L. [I hope you come out at the right end" in the examinations, Kimbcr Lee. What a novel ball -a Pinafore ball with a ''Franchise dance" in it. The girls should not have been shy in asking the boys to dance, for it was all fun, wasn't it? You should certainly have got the ice for youi partner. What a pity a snapshot could not have been taken of the boys m pinafores. I am sure I could have persuaded the editor to put it into the illustrated pages. There is no uninteresting part in your letter, dear, so it all appears.— DOT.] Dear Dot, — It is just. three months since I last wrote, so I think I may safely write now. Well, little folk, I have found out who Boy is. I used to be in- the same standard at school with him. I don't think you will find out who I am, though. Barney, my old friend, I 'see two other girls have started writing from this locality. I have found out one of ''them already. I see a lot of your correspondents have a craze for saving stamps. My sister and I have got it, too. We have a very good collection now. I am also very fond of reading. I have read nearly all Dickens's works. Among my favourite authors are, Annie Swan, Marie Corelli, Charles "Kingsley, anJl Mrs Henry Wood. I may come to Dunedin for a trip at Christmas, when I hope to pay a visit to the Witness office, and see if I can catch the infection of this Witness smile you read so much about. I started to keep a list of the names of D. L. F. I got over 500, and I gave it up in despair. I am going to get my photo taken soon, Dot, and when I do I shall try to send you one. Could it not be put in without the norn de jjlume? I saw the last group of D. L. F., but it was not very distinct. What a surprise I got when I saw Loafs phrto! I always thought she was a boy. (No offence meant, you know, Loaf.) What a nice, long, interesting letter Corporal Con's last letter was. I was so pleased to see "that he had been made a corporal, and I am sure all the little folk will be, too. Well, I must bring this to a close, or I shall bef alling into the editor's black books. With love to all the D. L. F., the editor, and Dot, — Yours tiuiy, POPPY. [Yes, Poppy, there are plenty of badges now, so you can get one whenever you like. You could put in your proper name instead of your norn de plume if you like, dear. — DOT.] Dear Dot, — -My school lessens are now finished, so I have leisure. I have taken my pcn — not tc scribble, 'but to write my best to such an all-important person as the little folk's Dot. On the Princs o! Wales's Birthday I was going to a picnic with some companions; but a few days before it, I took ill, so I spent my picnic in bed. While I was sick I had books; but mamma would not let me read- too much. I read a few books under the titles of " Vice Versa," " Macaria," and "Infelice." I like humourous books very much. Just now I am reading a book called "We Two.' But enough of the book topic, or you will be thinking I am a prey to books. Mamma sometinfes tells me I am a little bookworm, but I assure you I am not. My list of little folk that I know is not what anyone would call a great number, but " there'll come a .time some day." -They are — Marguerite, Bert, Cicely, Priscilla, Miss Muffet, Jioy, Hany, Scarterbrain, Pauline, Ocean ..ave, Solomon Slow, Huckleberry Finn, Bookworm, Minerva, St. Clairite, D. O. S., Macaria, Mayflower, and Mayflower 11. I am almost sure ot a lot more, but have not yet pierced" their identity. When Christmas hrs glided away I shall have beer' writing to your page 12 months. M> letters have not been very fie*quent (I think I have written but five times), but with 894 correspondents I do not want to write too often. lam 11 years old at present, but on New Year's Day I shall at- * tain the age of 12. Kruger and Cronje, am I r'ght in saying that the answer to the riddle you sent, "What is that which is cut, passed, but yet not eaten," is "'A pack of cards"? Dear Dot, as I was returning home from a visit one Saturday, I saw a girl with a badge. I was in the car, and the girl was walking. She wore a red sac jacket, a white sailor hat, and as the car was going very quick, I could distinguish no more. I hope that when the .girl writes to you she will let me know her norn de plume, and then I could have the pleasure of spesking to her. I am going to a bazaar on Tuesday night, and I shall keep a sharp look-out for D. L. F. badges. Next time 1 write I shall tell you if lam successful. lam following Daisies example by sending some puzzles. The idea never occurred to m& until I saw Daisies hidden L. F. names. Here they are : (1) See the niggei grab oysters. (2) Mamma visited you yesterday. (3) Do rainbows always come after rain? (4) It is me, Nellie, that is calling you. (5) Mr McLeod, I am on duty at present. (6) Inez is Kathie's sister, and I am her cousin. (7) The boy had the cholera, so the doctor said. i (S) Please tell auntie to pass that book. (9) The flower would be nice, but for a petal. As Sields, our gardener, told me, I know it. (10) My father is going to sign a will in your favovir. Dear Dot, I shall send the answers to these next time I write. That will not be until after New Year, so I take the opportunity to wish Dot, the L.F., and one and all, a bright and happy Christmas; and just as happy a New Year. Now, farewell, with very best love, — Yours truly, GLEN. [You promise to write a pretty hand, Glen, and it is worth your while to continue to take pains with your writing. — DOT.] Dear Dot, — I have not written to you for a long time, and when I wrote last I used someone's norn de plume. It was a mistake, Dot, so you will not, I hope, bj angiy. What a lot of new correspondents you have got now, Dot. I am going to start and take down their noms de plume, but I am afraid I shall have to buy an exercise book for the purpose. Dear Dot, this -writing is both upright and slanting, but I am a bit shaky to-night, pc thcit is my excuse. I fancy I can hear you say, "She - ■• bit too shaky." Dear Harry, aie your i H S C, and was that youi photo ia »,, ' Please tell mo iii your next letter. j *-...<. axi idea who Miss Conceit is, but she does i:ot know me. Dear Rimbacco, I don't agiee wiih that recipe for toothache. I tried it, but it only made the tooth worse. Jam a great reader of books. "The Fiery Cross ' is one of my favourites. I shan't write ngain until after Christmas. With best wishes for . a joyful Christmas and a happy New Year to all, — Yours truly, BUTTERFLY. P.S. — T take you lo bo a nice young lady ■vrith soit brown curls and brow-n eyes. [Oh, -uutterfly, that is better than some of the descriptions of poor Dot. However, it would not do if everyone thought in the same gioove, would it?— DOT.J Dear Dot, — It is nearly six months since I last wrote to your page, I'nd bs Fatirna was staying with me, she got rue to write again. What a lot of correspondents you must have to have been compelled to take another holiday so soon after tho last one. Since I last

wrote to you one of my biothers made me a present ol a dear little white pony on my birthday. It is a terrible pony for sticking us up, and for bucking. When we go to catch it, it chases us and tries to bite. Fatinia and I have some grand fun with it sometimes. This morning Fatima and I rode round the sheep on it bare back, and we did enjoy the ride. My sister and I have a pony each, and we ride to school r early every day. We always ride stride-legs. We are milking six cows at present, and I milk one sometimes. We have one pet calf and two pet lambs. The calf is a pure black. We call her Satanella. This is the day that the Volunteers are holding +heir sports in Gore. When we were outside this morning we could heai their rifles going ofi quite plain. G-ore is about 11 miles from here, so that is a long way to hear the rifles going ofi, isn't it, Dot? The pictures make tho Witness far moi',e interesting now ; don't you think so ? Dear Dot, when is the next group of little folk to appear m the Witness? The last group was not so clear as they generally are. A concert was held in our school on the 31st October, and I was at it, Dnd enjoyed myself -immensely. It turned out to be a veiy wet night, but that did not prevent me from going. I can sympathise with 8.0.8. in his sad bereavement, as I lost two biothers a year ago, one of them dying over in Western Australia. I shall now conclude, as I want to catch the mail boy. With love to all the little folk, not forgetting yourself and the editor, — Yours truly, ROSARONA. [I should scarcely have thought that you could hear the rifle shots of oiir brave defenders so far off as that Rosarona, even on the calmest of mornings; but then m town we do not get such a good chance as you do in the quiet of the country. The next group is now being prepared, and I hope it will appear in the course of a couple* or three weeks. — DOT.] Dear Dot, — I know nine of your correspondents, but that is very few compared with the number known by some of the L.F., but then I am only beginning to find them out. Dear Dot, I have a pretty little heifer calf, and I am going to call it Paaone, after the pseone rose, which is blooming so beautifully just now. We are milking seven cows, and feeding six calves, so, you see, we have plenty of work to do. With love to Camellia, Lorna Doon, and Minerva,— Yours truly, CORNELIA. [You have, indeed, Cornelia, but then, dear, how much happier we are with plenty of work, and how much more we t-njoy ourselves after it is all over.— DOT.] Deai Dot,- — B am acquainted with five of ycur correspondents. Our examination was held last week, and I passed into the Fifth Standard. I am 10 years old. We have a cat that has kittens under the house, and the only one we can see is a pure white one with blue eyes. Dear Dot, there are very few badges up this way. Do you like reading Dot, for I have a sister who is always reading, but I do not care for it vcr j much ? This place is surrounded with rocks, which are very dangerous. With love to all the little folk, not forgetting your own dear self, — Yours truly, OKA. [How fortunate of you to get -i an albino kitten with blue eyes, Ona. You should try to make friends with it, and tame, it. — DOT.] Dear Dot,— Re the Old Writers' Week, I think Boy's idea a very good one. I consider it would be asking enough of you if you allowed those who have retired to write once or twice during the year. I have another idea. If "Emmeline" has a Cosy Corner Club, why shouldn't Dot have an Old Writers' Club? the said Old Writers to be enrolled as members as they retire, and to promise to write once or twice during the year to the number devoted to -the Old Writers on some subject of interest. May I also suggest that the proper names, with noms de plume, of members who have written during the year be published in the Little Folk's Page at the end of~" every year ? This would help to keep the names of the old writers fresh in our memory. Apologising -for troubling you, — Your old friend, DICKY DONOVAN. [Well, now, Dicky D., I rather like that idea of an Old Writers' Club, but of course it needs a little thinking out. Meanwhile I publish your letter and hope there will be some comments and suggestions on the subject in due time.— DOT.] • Dear Dot,— l know about 50 of the D.L.F. There are a lot of them writing from this district, and there are only one or two that Ido not know. lam going to leave school in a month, and then I suppose I shall have to do hard work. - Two dredges are being built up here. Dear Dot, in the last letter I wrote I enclosed stamps foi a badge, but when it appeared in print there was nothing about the badge in it. I was very glad to see that you had put a stop to so much talking in the letters. I wonder if Giulia will ever get over it. What do you say to that, G-iulia? Dear Dot, I saw the photos, and I think that Jessica, Scatter biain, Lanette, and Hindoo were the best. • Our exam is over, and I passed the Seventh Standard. At one school near this place only six passed and 23 failed. Dear Eoy, will you correspond with me? Dear Dot, I know who Ziska, Harry, Solomons Slow, Bertwyl, and Ernest are, though I live a long way from any of them. The last four are brothers. Giulia said that Patsy wa3 an impostor, and if she is, so is G-iulia. Giulia was also at Patsy about her Irish, but I think Patsy's Irish is a good deal better than Giulia's. This is all I shall say this time, or I shall be getting intc the editor's bad books. — Yours truly, OSCAR. [What has Giulia done to you, Oscar, that you should be so severe upoa her? I don't think she meant to hurt Patsy's feelings, and I fancy Patsy has forgiven her long ago, for a good-natured Paddy can't bear resentment long, you know. — DOT.] Dear Dot, — 1 did not have a letter in the last Old Writeis' Week, as I had sent a letter away the day that the Witness came with Laddie's letter in it, and I felt like running after it to bring it back. I have put: away the Old Writers' Week page, and mean to keep it. I intended to write for the -lext Old Writers' Week, but as we had our flower gardens to attend to, which was pleasant work, I could nevev settle down to write. I an? going down to Dunedin foi my Christina? holidays, and I wonder if 1 could venture intc the Witness office? Of course I don't think the editor is so formidable as he i 3 made out to be, but it would be queer going through a strange place. Co.i's letters are very interesting. I am so glad that peace is to be proclaimed. Don't you think it would be nice, if the little folk were agreeable, to get Con a present and give it to him when he coine3 back? Gillian was qiuite correct in my initials. I c 7 on't live at Chiistchurch or St. B. Oh, Clydevale, I wonder whe you are' I was nearly forgetting you. You are most welcome to pop in any day you like. One of the little folk &aid. tbat J was at T. M. on Friday night. Well, I wasn't. I must close now, with love to Bubbles, Dimples, Rata, and also dvi dear Dot, — Yours truly> ' MOTI3IE. [I have no doubt the editor will be glad Lo see you, Mousie, if lam not in. It is worth your while trying, at all rvputs. Of course

it would be very nice to show Corporal Con a : mark of our appreciation of his seivices to his : country, and when the tinie comes I shall ; think the matter over and give my ideas on the subject.— DOT.] '. Dear Maidey, — Thank you very much for ' your letter. I suppose you would be thinking ' that I was never going to answer it, but better j late than never. I should not have, liked to i have been in youi shoes when you tumbled ; in the river, especially if it was a cold day. ■ "When I went to school first another boy and I made up between ourselves that we shouldn't ; cry for the cane, and we never did, bvit it took a pretty strong effort to keep from howling when it came to a dozen cuts of the cane from j a master white with fury. One day a lot of boys sneaked off with the cane, and at night, after we were turned loose, we all assembled out of sight of the school, and that cane was solemnly condemned to be burned alive. A large snowgrass tussock was chosen as the stake, and the" cane being firmly fixed in the centre, the fire was lighted. "When the tus.sock was reduced to ashes the- cane was found to be only burnt on the outside, and, as time was pressing, another mode of extermination was agreed on — " death by drowning." A' large stone was soon found and made fast to the cane. An adjournment was then made to the nearest hole for the purpose of consigning that cane to its watery grave. Before doing so the executioner decided to give a snecial cut to anyone who -would hold out ( his hand. I volunteered, md that cvt — I shall i never forget it. The cane was then consigned J to its resting place, and is still sleeping peace- j fully. I shall have to stop, so good-bye, : Maidey-— Yours truly, AGUINALDO. . [The "tale of a cane" is very touching, Ag. What trouble you went to to get rid of it to be sure, and then your volunteering to take the last punishment from it! I think you would make a good soldier. — DOT.] Dear Dot,. — Seeing all the letters that other children write to you, and so few from Riverton, I have suddenly taken it into my head to write too. 'Well, to begin, Riverton is a beautiful little place — in fact, tourist 3 believe South j Riverton to be the prettiest place in the South | Island — barring Nelson. Noith and South Riverton are connected by a v.ooden bridge, beneath which flows the junction of the rivers i Aparima and Jacob's. I have not always lived in Riverton, Dot. A few yea-rs ago I stnuied too hard at school in Invercargill, and my brain >■ became "unhinged." But I am all right now. I live with my grandfather and <;raiirlmothtr, who have a small farm, and ~-^e a vo-iy r r me " val life indeed. They— my grandfather particularly — believe that Early to bed, and early to rise Makes a man, healthy, wealthy, and wise. So, bearing this in mind, we get up at halfpast 4 in the morning, end breakfast at 5 a.m. Igo for the cows, wliich we milk and take to pasture again, and then work about the place till dinner time, which is at halfpast 10 regularly. We milk the cows again at 3 p.m., and take tea at half-past 3. ' I can then follow' my own inclinations until dark, and when it is dark we go to bed, and thus encleth the day. We, vary the monotony on Saturdays by going to Riverton to sell butter and eggs. Among other pets, I have a penguin, which I call Jack. It is a pretty walk 'round the bay road. The goise and broom growing on the loadside are really quite exhilarating, and there are Seats beneath the shade, For talking age and whispering lovers made. Well, Dot, my education of late has been sadly neglected, and I want you to remember this when you 'criticise my letter. I have a dear friend called Willie. The other boys think he's soft, but I don't. One day he was driving over the bridge with his father, and his father said, "Whip up the mare, Willie." Y/ell, he hit it once, and then said, "'Shall I hit her again, father?" and some boys laughed. I think he was obedient; don't you, Dot? — Yours truly, PAKEHA. [I certainly cannot see anything "soft" about Willie asking his. father if he should apply the whip again, Pakeha. Your regular and j healthy life was certainly th<=- best thing for you after your break-down, Pakeha, and no doubt it soon put you on your feet again. — DOT.] Dear Dot, — I know three of your correspondents — Azalea, Tot, and Rimbecco. The spring flowers are all out now, and our garden looks very pretty. The bush flowers are all out too, and they also look pretty. I think the old writers write such nice letters, especially Dcckleaf and Con. It is very good of Con to write from South Africa. Dear Dot, have you any badges left? If you have I shall send for one. We have three little calves, and we call them Susan, Fannie, and Dora. What a nice piece of poetry Jessica had in the Witness. My sister cut it out. - With love to Azalea, Tot, Rimbecco, Dot, and the editor, — Yours tiuly, COLONSO. [Now I wonder if you meant Colonso, or Cclenso, chum? However, you have spelled it with an "o, ' sp we may leave it thus. Yes, I have plenty of badges now. — DOT.] Dear Dot, — I cannot wait any longer; I must write now. Since I last wrote I have found out four niore of your little folk. What a number of correspondents you have writing. It is a great pity 8.0.8. has left our page. Farewell, B.O.B. ; you have my sympathy* in your sad bereavement. Dear Dot, are you fond of flowers? I like violets the best of all, becau=s they are such f-weet-scented flowers. What nice weathei we are having. Most of the spring flowers are out now, and the fruit trees are out in blossom, and everything looks so pretty. Deal Dot, I s-hall likely be down in Dunedin ?t Christmas, and L shall have a good look out for badges. I "am also thinking of seeing some of our baud. I think 1 ought to bring my diy letter to a close, or you will be saying, "Bother the girl, I wish she would writ© cheerful letters instead ot dry, simple letters.' Will you tell me if they are d^y ; if so, I shall try to write better ones. I shall draw to a close now, with, love to^vangel Lottie, Elaine, Maidey, Flufi, Mr Editor, End not forgetting yonndir-Ymns^ta^ [Well of course, these is loom for improvement, Kosalie, but they are not so dry as all that, dear. I hope you will be successful in your search for badges and D.L.F. at Cnristmas, dear.— DOT.] Dear Dot,— lt is now 'some time since I wrote to you, so I intend to favour (?) you with another epistle. What di&agrecnble weather we are having now! It is always either raininf or blowing, sometimes both. lor a wonder, the Prince a? Wales' s Birthday was fine, but the wind made up for the absence oi rain. It blew down one of our rose trees — one i five ox six yeais older than 1 am, and as it was tco big to plant again, it was cleared away, j leaving a strange gun in the garden. Now I have relieved my feelings by a good growl at the ■w bathe! , 1 cam go Oil tc something else. The garden looks baautiful at present. Theicare utusual quantities cf roses, tulips, and narcissi, and the lilac, now almost faded, was lovely. In the bush there -was an extraordinary amount of clematis and bramble. The way people tear down the clematis is a shsme, for it soon withers when prilled., and. novel looks so nice as ■whan dotied over the gieeii bush. All the good bush about here was cut .iown a few years ago, when the sawmills weie about. There is little else but scrub left now. Besides, there are ■ no gullies in the bw»U down, here, for it is all

flat country, consequently there p.re no rare ferns. I went for a ramble a. few days ago and cams home with my pinafore in shreds. I was glad it was an aid one. I supjoose you have never experienced the joys of lighting swamp fires? I haven't done much for a year or two, but it is a grand sight on a dark night when two or three acres are in a blaze. I sent for a badge some time ago, but it has not yet arrived. Perhaps it is on its way now. Ido not know many of your correspondents — only seven. I know the names of three others — • namely s>Feo, Madcap, and Pegleg. What capital letters Con writes — so full of interest. I see he has been promoted to the rank of corporal, and I don't think his success will stop there. Dear Dot, must correspondents send their proper names and their addresses every time they write? Were all back letters inserted by the 7th of November? Dear Dot, I won't waste any more of your time with my nonsense, so I shall close. With love to yourself, the editor (if he wants it), and any of the little folk who care to have it, — Yours truly, < " VANITY -FAIR. [Yes, Vanity Fair, all the back letters were inserted by the 7th, and we made a clean start last week. The holiday delayed a good many, or they would have been in time for last week's page. Your badge has been sent, dear. — DOT.] Dear Dot, — We live about three miles from, the nearest school, and can go only in the summer, as the roads are muddy in the winter, and sometimes they are flooded. Dear Dot, I have a black and white pup, which I call Csesar. We have five cows rmlking, and two of them are my own ; their names are Violet and Strawberry. I am 11 years old month. ■ I have one brother. I know one of your correspondents, whose initials aie M. B. With love to the editor and the little folk, not forgetting your-, self, — Yours truly, SOPHIA. [You should study very hard in summer, Soohia, to make up for your lost time m winter.—DOT.] Dear Dot, — [ am so glad we can write again. When I saw in the Witness that we were not to write lor a month, I did not know what to do, ifoi I had just, finished a letter. My birthday was on the 18th of October, when I was nine years old. Yesterday was H.R.H. the Prince of Wales' s birthday, aiid a cousin of mine, who is staying with us, is very glad not to be in town for it. It is so funny, she says, to v go intc town and find all the shops v shut. The roses are corning jut. I am learning to play tennis now, and I like it very much. I see one of your little folk asked if she was tco young to write to you at nine. Why, lam only nine, -and I staited to write when I was seven. Dear Dot, do yoti lemembei when your page only had a few letters in it — perhaps none — in the week, and there was talk ot shutting it up? Now good-bye, dear Dot, and Mr Editor.— Yours truly, BRENDA. P.S.— Dear Dot, would you like some nioa bones and some Maori knives? — B. [My dear Brenda, whatevei should I do with raca bones and Maori knives? It is very kind of you to offai them, dear, but I am afraid I should not be able to do anything with them. - Yes, I remember when it was quite the exception to see more than three or four letters a week. How different it is now. — DOT.] Deai Dot,— When, are you going to have' another Old Writers' Week, for I am -longing to hear from the oldei folk. I think it is near trme^ I thanked you for the badge, as I received iffrnorrths ago. lam very pleased with it. 1 have it fastened to my coat. Since I last wrote to you, Dot, I have found out who you are, also - the editor (with his grim smile). I really think Priscilla has forgotten the- page altogether, as I have not seen a letter from her for a long' time. lam sending you my photo for the next erouw if you do not think it will frighten the little folk. The other day, Dot, there was a young lady at aur place, and mother told me to make a batch of scones, when all of a sudden we started to talk about the Witness; then, of course, Dot turned up, and this yotmg lady happened to know some of your correspondents, amonc them being Jam Roll and Macrocarpa, and of course we forgot the time, when suddenly j I remembered the scones. Off I ran to the 1 kitchen, and there was mother.sleeves up, scones made, and some more good things smelling in, the oven. Dear Denis, you will wonder why I have not sent my -autograph. J had it written out, but always forgot to give it to Areta. I think my stock of news is now,exhausted, but before I close I shall name all the D L F I have found out since I last wrote: — C. C. M., Fifi, J.0.^., Echo, Little Dorrit, Little Lady, Cooee, Denis, Priscilla, Dockleaf, Scallywag, Chum, and Hucklebury Finn. I shall now close, with love to Dot and all the little folk, and a double dose to the editor.-Yours truly, , [Well, that is a real good list, H. H., anJ I think you have done well in, finding out so many correspondents in &o short a time. How good that was of your mother, but you must have been sorry at so scon forgetting her instructions.—D OT .]