LETTERS FROM THE LITTLE FOLK.

Otago Witness, 5 December 1900, Page 65

LETTERS FROM THE LITTLE FOLK.

Dear Dot, — I have very often thought of writing to you lately, but somehow I have always kept putting it ofi until to-day, when I have made a start at last, and it remains to be seen whether a letter from me will ever appear in Dot's page or not. It is ages since 1 started to take an interest in the aforesaid page, and I can still remember Vida M'Kellar's letters, also other interesting ones of auld lang syne. To tell you the truth, I myself contribtited (with a good deal of help) two highly interesting epistles for the good of the cause; they cased rue a -good, deal -of thought and labour, anyway— l can remember that much. I noticed a letter the other week from one of my old schoolmates, so of course 'l was seized with a greatel desire than ever to become one of your" correspondents, too. I suppose you will soon guess who I am, and whence I come, Vivace? -I should like very much to get' this letter written and sent off without .anyone at borne knowing, to see if they will guess who lam if this appears in -print ; but I suppose my sister will eithei find' out or else I shall tell her as soon as I get a bit confidential. She came in here 311 st now, but I believe she is under the impression that 1 am writing a story (to amuse myself, I suppose), so she didn't stay long, for fear she would disturb genius in its worst form, no doubt. Her Royal Highness just remarked very mildly that she thought I was reading, and departed peacefully. It is just pouring to-day, the paddocks and creeks being quite flooded, the creeks especially. I am beginning to think that a dream I had last night — namely, that a "ship and its crew were in the agonies of being, wrecked and drowned in a paddock at the side of the house • — will be coming true soon ; or at least 'that a ship will be able to sail over the paddocks in a short time, if this rain continues much longer. I must not forget to add that in the above-mentioned dream I was behaving in true Grace Darling style. Quite heioic I was, to be sure, for I believe I saved the whole crew, and the ship into the bargain, though how I managed it is more than I can tell. Perhaps the fact that I had been suffering from very severe toothache before going to sleep will explain this most wonderful ol di earns a little. What a nice letter Ayshea wrote to your page the other week; I hope she will write soon again. Like most, of the little folk, I am very fond of reading, and have read a- good rn'any books in my day', though not all I should like to read, by any means, or my list would be a good bit bigger, I guess. ' ittie Orange Girl" (Sir W. Besant) is one of the last I have read, and a while ago I read "Richard Carvel." They are both very good, though of the two I think I preferred 'Richard Carvel." Well, Dot, if I write much more rubbish I am afraid you will bs after taking yourself to a neighbouring river and drowning yourself out of sheer respect (or sympathy) tor my lunacy, or perhaps from despair on your own 'part. • So ffood-bye, with love to all, — Yours truly, VINETA.

[Now, this is what I like: one of the very juvenile correspondents of "'auld lang syne joining our band when she is capable of writing such an interesting letter as this. I hope, Yineta, ycu will not make this the first and the last of the second series ; but that we shall hear from you from time to time in future. And should that Grace Darling dieam come true, do not neglect to send us a true account of all your heroic actions, and — who lmows? — a recommendation fioin Dot might result in your being awarded a Royal Humane Society's medal.— DOT.] Dear Dot, — We are having very bad weather down here now. We are going to have our examination on Wednesday, Dot, and I hope to pass. We have a good many cows milking now. I know four of your correspondents — Rimbecco, Tot, Tec, Zela. We are getting our roads sorted, and there is going to be a good many men working on them. We are hearing nothing but dynamite shots going ofi every day from early mornii.g till late at night. — Yours truly, CHARLES. •["Sou will find the benefit of the roads being sorted now, when the winter comes round again, Charles.— DOT.] Dear Dot, — Whatever has happened ? — only three and a-half columns of L. F.s letters ! Even the kittens at the top. of the page look surprised. As soon as my sister saw the ppge she said she would write ai once, but if all the L. F. are of the same mind, you will have to lay some letters aside; but, dear Dot, if you imve to leave any out, leave mine. I'm only " a beginner, and my letter won't be as interesting as those of the older writers. 1 haven't got a cat, and I have left school, to 1 can't start in the old-time style. I know a lot of your corresijondenta, and they know me, too, but I dea't thick they will find me ov.t in a hurry;

Have you met anyone home from the war yet, Dot? I haven't; but I should like to. I live in such a pichiresque little place surrounded with hills, and away on one side is a range of mountains covered with native bush. A charming river flows through the centre of the town. Recent rains have swollen the river just now, but in summer it is dandy to bathe in. I wonder did Captain Jackson Barry write his letter on the back of a whale! Did it smell fishy, Dot? Or, rather, as whales are not fish, did it smell of the sea? On the 9th we had a picnic in the Maori bush here, and I for one enjoyed myself very much. I got five different specimens of ferns, and some lovely native flowers. As this is my first letter, I shall bring it to a close and write again, if I may. With love to you, dear Dot, fiom, — Yours truly,

MEI. [I am sure the kittens were no more surprised than 'l was, Mci, as you would see by my answer to Roby. Oh, the editor thought it Mas a capital joke, but I cannot see where the fun comes in, can you ? You have made a very good beginning, dear, and I am sure you will be heartily welcomed by all. — DOT.] Dear Dot, — I remember having written to you when I was a little boy 7 or 8 years old. I think I wrote about a lion which got loose from a circus. All the letters were very similar then; but now, I am glad to see, all that is altered. Since I am going to be a regular writer I shall first 'select a norn de plume. 1 shall choose Casabianca, because the lad who bore "that name was of such noble character : not that I am a very noble character, however. I have not noticed many letters from the illustrious Critic Club lately. Dear Dot, do you not' think that the Witness is a very good 6d worth? I, saw that Alys had been at the top of Saddle Hill. Next time I am out there I shall make inquiries as to her" identity. I have had that same distinction, and have climbed to the top of that same tree. • My companions told me they could make oub the masts o£ a ship at the Dunedin wharf, but, alas, I am short-sighted, and even a strong pair of glasses will not carry my sight half so far. Here is my version of Dot: Dear Dot, I am sure you're not Of the feminine class of being ; You're a gentleman strong, With dark hair and beard lor.g, Quite a specimen worth the seeing; Don't you think, Dot, that if a few of those silly pictures in your columns were omitted we should have more room (I mean those cats). Would you believe that I have changed my mind since I began. I believe you are a lady, so good-bye for a couple of weeks. — Yours truly, CASABIANCA. [Casabianca will certainly bs welcome to our page, though I do not think many will agree with him about the cat pictures. I fancy they are very amusing ; what do other correspondents think about them? — DOT.] Dear Dot, — We are now going to tell you about our trip to the country. We left our homes cue bright spring morning, and set off on our long-iooked-for visit. The roads were beautiful, and we went riding along very nicely — too nicely, we afterwards found out. Both of us thought we knew the road, but alas! only "thought." After travelling about 10 miles, we came to a house, and we went in and asked the people if we were on the right road, and they told us we- were two miles out of our way. They were very kind to us and guided us on to the right road again. We arrived at our destination at about 5 in the evening, and our friends were beginning to feel anxious, as they expected us about 4, but we soon explained matters. Of course we were very tired that night, and wont to bed early, but when we got up again in' 'the morning we were as fresh as ever, and then began our lambling. We went into a, bush about a mile from the farm to look for moss and ferns, which* we found there in abundance. The farms look very nice now, as all the grain and seeds are above the ground. We should have had bettor fun had we waited till the harvesting or the shearing, but nevertheless we enjoyed ourselves very much. We arrived home safely the Friday before our school re-opened, both agreeing that it was one of the best holidays ever we had. Dinah and Mavourneen will be coming home next month for their Christmas holidays. How do you like "city" life, Captain? Write soon and let us know how you are progressing. Dockleaf, we used to know you when you lived in L., but wo do not think we would recognise 50U if we saw you now. We are finding out the little folk one by one, and our list i 3 growing fast. Jessica and Tussock, you live at L 's Flat, do you not? C. K. told us who you were. Pauline, your initials are A. C, are they not, and you live at W.? We have a mounted corps hare now. They were to go into camp last night, but it was too wet, and they are going in to-raonow morning at 5 o'clock. They had a parade last Wednesday afternoon, and they all looked veiy vice m their khaki suits. What has become of the Critic Club? Dear Dot, the other night we were at a place, and a person told us who you were, but we will not give you away by telling your initials even. We do not think we shall be writing again before Christmas, so we wish the editor, Dot, and all the little folk a merry Christmas and a happy New Year. We conclude with leve to Do.t, the editor, Priscilla, Signa, Cicely, and Zeta, and best wishes to the Critic Club, — Yours truly, DO SO THY AND GWYjXNETR. [Well, I think that was a capital holiday, D and J?., notwithstanding your missing the road. The little extra ride only made you appreciate your good bed all the more. — DOT.]

Dear Dot,— l hope you won't mind me intiudmg in your columns, but, of course, if you do not want any more new friends, I shall not trouble you again. I used to be awfully shy of girls, nnd thought they were useful only ior entertaining visitors at afternoon teas, and playing tennis. L-itely I have altered my opinion, and this is what biou&ht me ■round: A fond aunt invited me to her house to help (as siio afterwaids infoimed me) to look after her young lady visitois. I expressed my gratitude in rather stiong terms (not to her) until the_ ladies amved. They soon found out that I was only an unfledged schoolboy. At last one girl took pity on me, and soon showed rue that all girls are not alike. She knew how to punt, to play cricket, and could discuss the latest ioctball match, besides being useful in the hoiise. Now I hope the Witness girls will not deapise me for misjudging their kin, for I think, by their letters, that they are like my little friend. Do any of you little folk caie for cycling? I have just come in from a grand ride. Having plenty of time, I left the town and entered one of the country loads, where the air was "splendiferous, ' being laden with sweet scent of the white find red may on the hedges and the perfume of the yellow gor33. The lambs are gradually growing bigger, and do not get so scared when one goes sprinting past at the late of a mile a minute (not quite). So the bathing season is coming gradually in. It is jir,t glorious to be dancing about in the white-topped waves as they come rolling slowly toward the shore. Swimming, floating, divi.is;, and having seafights form an unsurpassed programme when the thermometer is about 103deg in the shade, tioping you will recc-lve this letter without heaping imprecations on my head, I wili concl'dde by wishing you "Hie to"p o' the morning" 01 the evening, as it mr.y be. — Yours truly, • JDAVIJiI. [Fancy Dot "heaping iiaprecations" on

Davie's head because he has sent us an interesting letter. Oh, no, Davey, you are very welcome, but next time fyou must send your name and address. — DOT.]

Dear Dot, — My friends say that I am not a good writer, and that I should write letters lilce Ziska, Roby, Rimbecco, Harry, and the rest of the little folk. They say that lam too slow to catch a cold. What interesting letters Rimbecco writes ; it is too bad. to criticise her as they do. I know four correspondents. Whiffles and Nora, are your initials J. M. and N. M. ? I also know Roby and Mei. In my next letter I shall ask some of the little folk to change ruilographs with me. Next time I write I shall send for a badge, if you have any to spare. With love to the editor and little folk, not forgetting your dear self, Dot, — Yours truly,

KOWBMA. P.S.— My norn de plume is Maori for November.- — N.

[I have plenty of badges, and can get more made when my stock is sold out, so that you need not hesitate to send for one. Nowema. — DOT.]

Dear Dot, — After many months of consideration, I have at last made up my mind to write to you. I have been a constant reader of the little folk's page for a long time, and how well I remember 8.0.8.'s first letter — so full of interest and humour. I think his letters were enjoyed by both young and old, and I feel sure that his resignation was very keenly felt by all. I only know one of your correspondents personally, but have, been told of the initials of others. There is a girl living not far from here who wears a badge, but I am not sure whether she writes or not ; she may merely be a reader of, and not a writer to, your page. What terrible weather we have had lately. Our garden was under water in some places, and the young plants were in danger of getting washed out. I was going to Wellington for a trip last week, 'but I had to postpone my journey on account of the rough weather. However, if all goes well, I shall very likely be away before this appears in print. If I may I shall write again later on ifrorn there, when I will be able to write something interesting. I think it would be hard work to say whose letters are the best, but I fancy that the majority of the little folk enjoy Con's letters, but of course we can hardly regard him as a little folk. I had the pleasure of meeting a cousin of Con, and it was quite by accident that I £id so, but 1 fancy it was all through the photo that appeared in the Witness some time ago. I see some of the little folk are telling which" picture they most enjoy in the Witness. Well, I must say that I take an interest in nearly every picture, and some of the sceneiy is certainly veiy pretty. What an interesting letter that was that Rimbecco last wrote. I think it would take me a long time to write one half as good, and I must say that you are to be envied, Rirnbecco. Well, Dot, if I don't stop I shall be having the editor and all the little folk down on me for trespassing. With best wishes to Dot and her band,— Yours tIU y ' BAYRONIE." e S [I am sure, Bayronie, that all the members of otxr band will be very pleased to read an account of your trip to Wellington. Many have never been on a steamer, and some have never ridden in a ttain, so a letter discussing all the places and things of interest which will come under your notice cannot fail to be eagerly read.— DOT.]

Dear Dot,— Although it is not a very big place where I live I shall give you a description of it. The small town called the Nevis lies in a large valley, with two big mountains on each side. Down the centre of this valley runs the Nevis River, on which are working four dredges, and another one is being built. This is a nice place to live in summer, but in winter it is very cold, there being so much snow, which on one mountain lies nearly all the summer. We are rrulkmg one cow at present, but expect to milk two more shortly. Dear Dot, the war will soon be over now, and Peace Day will then be proclaimed. It has helped New Zealand greatly, this war, but what a lot of soldiers have been killed and wounded in it. I think lam about the second to write from here, and I hope you have space to put my letter in. With love to all the little folk, not forgetting yourself and the kind editor,-Yoars tiuly, LADy ROBERTS . P.S. — You will see by my norn de plume I am interested in the war as well as in the little folk.— DOT.] [It is, of course, oiily natural that Lady Roberts should take an interest in the war, and should deplore its cost in human lives. Now that she has left South Africa, and come to live among us, we hope to hear from her frequently.— DOT.] Dear Dot, — I want to know the rules of the little folk's cot in the hospital for children; the address of the place we are to send anything to; and the sij^of the child to go into it, because I want to 'make some clothes for it. Aie we allowed to make its clothes, oi must we only send money? I expect we are allowed to make them,, and scrapbooks, and dress dools for them. Our flowers are just coining out now. Most of the roses are out. We have a ' great -lot ot them, and many different kmd&. They are very pretty. Dad brought in the first strawberries to-day and yesterday, and you mr.y be sure they were very nice. lam writing in Frank's room, and he is in bed and calling and talking. We have two very ugly rams, about as ugly as they can be, hut very valuable. There was a picture of a bulldog that was sold for a thousand pounds , just fancy! Country Lassie has not written for a long time. Hurry 'up aad write, Country Lassie. I live near you, Conqueror; your initials are W. C, and you live at G. V., don't you? Now, Mr Editor, I say we must have "more room. How do you expect 1000 people to get into eight columns? I "wonder if you remember me; do you remember when you gave us some windows in" the Witness office? Now good-bye Dot, — Yours truly, BRENDA. [I am just back from showing your letter to -the editor, Brenda, and he bad a good laugh at it. He said it in as a good thing Dot had not many such '"stand and deliver" correspondents, or he should have to get a room in the most inaccessible pait of the office, and be "at home" to nobody— either that or gep that thousand pound bulldog to guard his door. There are no definite arrangements made about the cot yet, dear, bitt "I should think it will be available for any toy or girl who requires attention. Of course it would be nice if we could limit the cot to the little folk of our page, but thai would look lather selfish, would it not? Anything made foi the occupants would require to be sent to the house steward, at the hobpital, and marked, "For Dot's Little Folk's Cot. '—DOT.]

Dear Dot, — The other members of our family are all away to-night, except two biothers and myself, and as I have two hours to spare, I shall take the pleasxvre of writing to you, so here lam with pen in hand. How luce the letters were in both Old Writers' Weeks. I was quite , disappointed in both Old Writers' Weeks in one respect, however — because Jessie C. did not write, but I suppose this will be her bu3y season. What were you thinking of. Prejudice? Why did you not patent fhe lut exterminator before letting eveiybody know? I wonder, Prejudice, if it is possible that I have your photo? Are you taken in the -Raianui school gioup of- 1897? You see, Dot, I was thinking Prejudice's photo might do equally as well as Bo.y's; besides, I ani

afraid anyone with so limited an income as " myself, will not be able to afford Boy's patent rat exterminator. He speaks of making his fortune by it. I know, DoL any picture will ■ not do to frighten rats. I speak from ex- ■ perience. About 10 years ago my brother and j I pasted some pictures' ixp in a shed — men, j houses, children, etc. Mother was in town, > and we were at home with papa. We used ■ flax gum for paste, but we had become tired I of collecting it, when a happy idea dawned upon me. Wasn't honey just the thing? John i decided it was, and we acted upon the idea. Between you and me, Dot, we did not try honey again, for the pictures all went black and wouldn't stick. Some of the pictures j we put up first are there to-day, quite fresh ! and clean, while the place abounds with rats, J of which we only manage to tiap a few. What nice letters Pete and John Bull wrote. If j they always write like that, we shall soon quite' look forward to their letters. Pete says that girls frighten all the fish away; I think that is pretty true of me. One evening a friend, my brother, and I went eeling. I felt an eel at my line, or I thought I did, when I I heard such a splashing in the water where I my friend was, and thinking she was whipping her line in the water, I said, "Don't splash." Withotit answering she threw out an eel at my feet, giving me such a fright, and they all j laughed. Sympathetic, wasn't it? I don't j care much for eels, but it is fun to go fish- , ing, when there is someone there to throw j them out. With love to Wattle Blossom (are , your initials J. S.?), F.L.0., Kosebud, aud 1 yoiirpelf, and sympathy to Troubled Housewife. ( (What are your troubles, dear? I hope your ; mother would be able to put things right when i she came home), — Yours truly, > ALTHEA. [I do not wondei at you getting a fright ! when the eel landed at yoiu' feet, Althea. They ■ are so slimy, and always give one the feeling • that they are a kind of snake. A little boy I : know says ihal if you put a horse hair into ! running water it will turn into a snake'i He says • that one must put a stone in with it, and tie j it round it ; but whether the horse hair is to be j tied round the stone or the stone round the • horse hair he is not quite clear. — DOT.] Dear Dot, — I have fovir cais, two big ones i and two little ones. lam thinking of calling them Alpha, Beta, Gamma, and Delta, alter tho first four letters of the Greek alpha- j bet. I had seven young wild ducks, but two j died. My brother found them by the river when he was fishing 101 eels. lam 10 years old, and am m the Fourth Standard. I have about a mile and a-half to walk to school. 'Our teacher is always giving us the oane. I have ; four brothers, but no sisters. My eldest ! brother, Stanley, is aged 19, and he has joined i the Eltharn Sifie Corps. Two of my vmcles j v/ent to South Africa, and one of them has j come back invalided, but the other, who went ,' as captain of the Fifth Contingent, has not come back. With love to you and your little folk, — Yours truly, BLOSSOM. [Fancy having "a, clutch of young wild ducks! Your brother nrast indeed have been "spry," as the Americans say, to have caught them, Blossom. You must write and tell us how they behave when they are full grown. — DOT.] Dear Dot, — I was very much smprised when I read Hoy's last letter. He says that Wattle Blossom held that criticism was unnecessary. Now, I always liked Roy's letters, but he ought to /be surei about things, before rushing into print. I told G-iulia that 1 agreed with her that people ought to mind their own business, and that I thought it bad manners to talk private in letters to Dot, but I never" said criticism was unnecessary. I also said there was no fun in Taffy's letters, as I think what Patsy says is quite true. I like Patsy's letters. Since I last wrote, Dot, I have made a great discovery. I have found out Echo, Dockleaf, Maisie, and Little Lady. I often , wondered who they were. Maisie, Dockleaf, 1 and Little Lady were all at our piace long J ago, and I hope they will come again some day. I wonder if they know who 1 am. I think 1 know who Daffodil is (is the initial of your first name M.?), so I know about 20 little folk. We are having wet and windy weather just now — nothing like summer. 1 hope we won't have a flood. I went to church last Sunday, and the wind was in my face all the way to the church. Sometimes I could hardly keep my feet, the wind was so strong, and I was glad when I got inside. Just be- ] fore we came out of church it commenced to rain, and it rained heavily while I was going home, and I got wet through. I had nothing with me, not even an umbrella, as the sky was quite blue when I left home. The country is nicest in early summer, when the hawthorn hedges are white with flowers, and all the trees in the bush and on the river bank are covered with blossom. The elders, lilac, Virginias, rowan trees, gorse, and broom are all flowering. The flower garden is also very nice ; we have a lot of blue and white irises, and the roses are out now. I went to the bush some time ago, and I got a lot of clematis snd other bush flowers. All the people about here have good vegetable gardens. We have a garden, at ,tlie river, and - also one at the house) "with all kinds of vegetables in them. We are milking nine cows, and they are all v very quiet and give a lot of milk. Their* names are: — Beauty, Jeannie, Primrose, Conn- j toss, Lily, Bluebell,' Cherry: Susan; .and i Flora. We are hand-feeding Seven calves. We have also 12 pet lambs, foal, and five pigs. lam sure all town .children would like pet .lambs; they are the- nicest little things i I ever saw. Dear Dot, ~J. think the war is [ drawing to a close, and I suppose it will not | be long now till Con comes back. I think the pictures in the Wit/iess of Seacliff were the nicest I have seen yet. With love to all the little folk and Dot, — Yours truly, WATTLE BLOSSOM. [A life like yours, Wattle Blossom, would be full of interest foi town children, who would never tire of romping with those pet lambs. I think, too, that many of them would be delighted with the garden and the river, and wotild like to try their, hands at milking. —DOT.] Dear Dot,— Since I last wrote to you, the volunteers of this district have been in cr.mp for eight days. Sports were to have been held on the 17th, but the rain rame on the Saturday, so they ilid not come off. The lain J caused a slip on the line at Hindon, so the r tram will be stopped running for a few days. | The weather lately has been very cold, but I it was a nice warm day yesterday. The grass | is looking very green, and crops also. Tux- , nip-sowing is going on, and shearing will j commence shortly. With love to Dot and the D. L'.'F. — Youis truly, MAKIOTOTO. [It was fortunate that the slip had no more serious results than stopping the train running for a few days, Maniototo, wasn't it? — DOT.] -Dear Dot, — As we are three schoolmates we thought we would write you a short letter. We went to a dance lately, and we enjoyed ourselves very much. Tulip is in thfl Fourth Standard, Cucumber is in the Fifth, and Carnation is in 4he Seventh Standard. We know ten of your correspondents, so we are a little behind time. There are 12 dredges working in this district. Dear Dot, we think , you are a young lady with golden hair and blue eyes ; you are about sft Bin tall, and 8 stone in weight. We are sending you two riddles.— V ours truly, TULIP, CUCUMBER, <^ CARNATION. [I am quite relieved to find that I am getting back to the young lady stage ,once more, with the attractive golden hair and. blue

* eyes — it. is so much nicer than a grey-beardea man or an old maid, isn't jt?— DOT] Dear Dot, — Ella and Auchendrayne and my, , elder sister are away to a concert with father.' , I could have gone too, but I wanted to re- • main at home to write this letter to you. I I had my wish; so here I am, writing to you. ! My old roll-book is nearly full of the little . folk's names, and father has given me a great big diary, and I'm busy entering the norn de , plumes into it. Fathei said he thought ifc rather too much of a joke writing 956 names (for that is the number of the little folk now), but I don't mind, for I like writing. The j new roll-book has eight hundred pages, and j you can get sixty names on each page. I i went up for the Sunday school examination j held m October, but I don't know how I came " | off. We shall likely know some time this ,; month. I didn't see you at the exam., Harry. Perhaps you competed for the essay, as you did last year. How did you penetrate our norn de plume (Ella's and mine)"? Did aryi one tell you? I did give Ella away, Areta, . and I think you did so too. Ella was in a bit, j of a scot, but she soon came out of it. I hope . you have received the autographs all right, Chenyripe and Pique? Would you ■ please send your own in return? You must have thought I didn't want co send them to you, j Chei-ryripe, for I was so long in writing them. I Cherryripe is such a nice girl, Dot. I took a. ! fancy to her as soon as I was introduced. I J have found out 20 of the little folk lately— ; Jilay, Yvonne, Uoa, G-iulia, Jessica, etc. I know you quite well, Yvonne; you are my old ; friend — ah, no, I shall not give you away., jX ; always remember the day when you— but there, [ I won't say any more.' for you will then know j who lam at" once. lam not going to give i you any clue to my identity, for I want you |to try to find oiit that yourself. You . were- : a little monkey in those days, Yvonne, and I suppose you are ■<> bigger one now. Your . '• toffee business did come off a success, Yvonne, i and if Dot doesn't mind I shall give you a ; good recipe for it— will you, Dot?— Toffee j recipe (good:* I make grand toffee out of it): ] lib sugar/ Jib butter, one cup water, one iablej spoonful vinegar, boil half-an-hour. I have ii ever given you my description of you, Dot, j so I'm going to give one of you and one of the editor — not an impossible one, but a leal one, as I have seen you. I haven't seen the : editor yet, so I'll picture him as I think him, jto be. Dot: A fairly-tall young lady, always stylishly dressed; pielty brown hair, and eyes, and a nice complexion. The editor: Pretty tall, a little taller than Dot, with the sama colour of hair, streaked a little with grey ; grey ' eyes, with a twinkle in them, and the inevitj able specs; a very kindly expression, and j who can look ferocious when he chooses to. Is j that anything like the editor, Dot? I have j read one of "Alien's" books, "A Daughter of ! the King," and I liked it very much.— Yours | truly,

CARMEN SYLVA. [Mind getting a good recipe for toffee, Carmen Sylva— no, I shall be only too glad; and perhaps I may be induced to try it and report results. It certainly looks promising enough. So j-ou know Dot, dear. Well, the description, as the boys nowadays say, is "all right," so we snail let it stsnd. I fancy the. editor will be quite willing to accept your description of him also ; lam sure he will not '" object to the twinkle in his eye, whatever opinion he may have of that ferocious look. — • DOT.]

Dear Dot, — I see you have, got ahead of the ,' letters at last. I suppose the month's' holiday, wilt be over by the time this letter reaches' you. Will it be the first week in January before you start the cot fund? I should like to know if any of the little folk could send mo the second group of the little folk's photos. Dear Wattle Blossom, will you correspond j with me? You could get my address from Doj:. t In my last letter I asked Miss Conceit to cor1 respond with me, but I do not think she could ' I have seen it, as I have not received* a letter from her yet. The rain has wasted, most of the flowers, and the gardens are not looking very pretty. When are you '-oing to write again, Easter Lily and Maple? I don't know .when I shall get this" letter posted, as it is too wet to go outside the door. As it is drawing near Christinas now, I hope the weather will change, and let holiday makers enjoy themselves, as I Junk they would take a set on Catlins if they were to come in wet weather. With love to Silver Bell, Wattle Blossom, Miss Conceit, Fansy Free, and Dot,— Yours truly, LORNA. [I hope yoxi observe the rule to ask your parents' permission before offering to correspond with anyone, Lorna. Parents are the best judges as to whether children should . begin corresponding with each other, and I want this rule strictly observed by everyone. The change in the weathei must have come immediately you wrote, 1 fancy, for it has been so bright and warm for some time past now. — DOT.] Dear Dot, — The weather in Catlins is worse than awful ; it has done nothing but rain for ever so long. The flowers in the bush are very pretty just now; the clematis is simply lovely, though- the rain has ■ destroyed most of those in the open. I don't ; think I shall write agaiu before Christinas, . } but are you going to take a holiday, -Dot? (at Christmas, I- mean). I am sendiiig you a. ' , piece* of poetry, Dot, which I think will intere^' the little folk, as it is founded on arj a etna . j occurrence. •The poem -is- entitled : — j DON'T LET THEM BURY ME DEEP. ! Dift me a bit in my bed, father, Press your warm lips to my cheek, Put your arm under my Lead, father—,, I am so tired and so weak. I cannot stay long awake now — Many a night 1 shall sleep, Promise me one thing lor my sake, now— Don't let them bury me deep. Cover my bed v/ith sweet flower?!, father, Those I so well loved to see, So in the long, lonely hoiira, father, They'll be companions foi me. If I should wake in the night, then, Their lips my sad face would sweep, Make my grave cheerful and bright tiien, Don't let them bury me deep. | When to the church you'll all go, father, j At the sweet Sabbath bell's tone, | I shall be dreary you know. > father, j Lying out thtre all alone; ' Hang my bird near in a tree, then — i Watch over me he will keep, j He will sing sweet hymns to me then— * I Don't let them bury me deep. Call on me whene'er you pass, father, Where by your side I oft ran, Put your face down on she grass, father, Near to my own as you can; If I could look up and hear you, Into 'your arms I would creep, Let me sometimes nestle near you-.-Don't let them bury me deep. Look! who has come for nic now, father* Standing so near to my bed? Someone is kissing my brow, father, Mamma, I thought you were dead! See she is smiling so bright to you, Beckons you not to weep, 'Tis not good-bye, but good-night, to you, They cannot bury me deep. I have just finished reading a book entitled "The Scarlet Panel." I liked it very well. I have-,, TUJ3SICURA Cures Bronchitis, Catarrh of the Lungs, Oppression of the Chest, etc. Sold all chemists. ,

read another one by Miss Braddon, " Juady Aiid- i Jey's Secret" It is a splendid story. But , bhere is not much time for reading in the summer-time, only on a wet afternoon. I am sure in the winter I read about three j dozen books. On a bright day it is much ■ better to go for a ramble (like those Bimbecco : speaks of) than stay indoors. If you do not j take a holiday at Christmas you will have a j lot of work to do, sending cards away and all bhe rest of it. My list of correspondents (that is, the ones I know) amounts to about -10 — not , bo bad, is it, Dot? I shall have to stop scribbling now, so with love to Dot and the ! editor,— Yours truly,

PREJUDICE

[Well, I really do not know about a holiday at Christmas, Prejudice. If Ido not get swamped -with letters before then I do not think I shall take one, but if a large number of my Thousand Correspondents Lake it into their heads to write to me before then and our pages get filled up weeks ahead, I may be compelled to do so. However, we shall see. The lines are very sweet, dear A is certainly better ihan too much rep ding. Sunshine and exercise are the two best health givers.— DOT.]

Dear Dot, — I have written before, but it is a very long time ago. I hope you will not shudder at the thought of another wiiter to take up more space m your page. I was at a concert and ball the other week and I enjoyed the concert very much. There are a great many lambs about here just now. I hope to be able to get to town when ( ur boys" come home. There will be more rejcicings when they come back than when they went away. I think I know a good few of your correspondents. lam collecting" birds' eggs to sell, and I have got a good few. We boil them so that they do not break. Our exam, is over, and I am glad to say I passed. My sisters and brothers all passed too. I must conclude now, as I am afraid I have taken up a large space, so good-bye, Dot, with kind regards to you, editor, and all Dot's little folk. •—Yours truly, JOHNKY SCHMOKEE. [I hope Johnny is not a smoker, though, notwithstanding his name. Don't the boiled eggs go bad in time? I should not think they would be so satisfactory as the blown ones, though the latter are so fragile. — DOT.] Dear Dot, — I was at the Oamaru show, and I enjoyed myself very much. I have three brothers going to school with me, aid I am in the Fifth Standard. lam staying at my brother's to look after the baby, and I go to school from there. I know two of your correspondents, and' I hope to know more soon. We have five little pigs at home, four of them j being white and ,one black. The garden is not looking very well just now. I have four sisters, one being a dressmaker, one out at service, and the other two at home. With love to all the little folk, not forgetting yourself, — Yours truly, HELEN" JAMES. [Why those must be the very little pigs that we are all told about — this one going to market, that one staying at home, etc., for there were just five of them, as you can see, Eelen, by going ovei them, on your toes. — DOT.] ■Dear Dot, — Here we are again! I was pleased to see my last letter published — 30 pleased that I snatched (with reluctance, I confess it) my grandfather's hat off his dear, old head — and such a *'hip, hip, hurrah," floated heavenward! Why, even the seagulls, -I think, were startled, for they seemed to^ scream louder than ever. It may have been so, 'but they say that imagination goes a ' long way sometimes. ... I am sure you will be sorry to hear that we lost five chickens this week. J don't thiifk whooping-cough was the cause of their death — it was more like croup, for one that I noticed seemed to be choking. Do you like back-hand writing, Dot? lam practising it. Good-bye, till our next merry meeting — on paper, — Yours truly, PAKEHA. P.S.— Should yon like my photo, Dot?— P. [Yes, Pakeha, I should, for I do not feel quite sure about yoxir genuineness after the silly talk aboiit Wwllie which I have left out. —DOT.] Dear Dot, — I was up at Wanaka Lake on the Prince of Wales' s birthday. The steamer I "was on went up to an island called Stevens' s Island, as it was a bit too windy to go to any other. I think some would have liked to have gone to a different island, by the name of Pigeon Island, but I don't suppose it mattered much. I saw a good few boys and girls, "but I only saw one badge, and it was worn by a girl. We were chums with that same girl all the day. I saw all lound the island, and on it were growing mistletoe, and also another tree like the maple, besides manuka and some creeping scrubs. I think I caught sight of another little folk, but she was at a house. It was- pretty merry coming down in the steamer, as some of the people were da-ncing in the cabin. These days we aregetting more wind than anything else up here. How are you off for wind down there, Dot? Mind,- I don't close some in the envelope, or it might knock you down. I don't think we're going to have a warm summer either. I must stop now, as Clutha is telling me to write on when I stop. With love to Dot and the editor, — Yours truly, QUEENSBEERYITE. [I don't think oxir wind is quite so strong asthai, Queensberryite, though cyclists find it very trying sometimes when they are endeavouring to siurmount a hill. However, the wind though a little trying to all of us sometimes, helps "to make our climate so healthy, as in conjunction with the sun's rays it purifies everything, and gives all young New Zealanders their rosy cheeks and fresh complexions.—DOT.] < Dear Dot, — Once more lam to the fore, after ■% s^sll of six months. It has been raining all day, and everything looks horrid. Well, ■Wattle Blossom (I was just going to put a small "W" and "B"), I am one of the little folk who thought you were about 15 years of age, because you write such interesting letters. Do you feed your cats night and morning? : ■We have a few cats, and I hate the sight j of them, except a white one. Queensberryite and I went for a lake excursion on the 9th ult., and we found out another little folk, whose norn de plume is Pinkie. We were on the Makaroa steamer, and before we spoke to each other we smiled across (too bashful to speak) at one another; then I went over to her. She is such a nice girl, and I am siire she must write lovely letters. I had Queensberryite's 'badge m, so she had to go without it. I Sid not go home that night, Pinkie, but stayed till Saturday. Langshan> are "your initials B. T., of C. ? I suppose you will wonder who I am. - My favourite writers among the ■boys are 8.0.8., Con, Boy, Sol, Bert, and Harry. Well, Harry, perhaps you are Alys's forty*-second cousin. With love to all the little folk and Dot,— Yours truly,

CLTJTHA.

[Your trip must certainly have "been made Snore interesting, Clutha, by meeting with Pin^kie. 'How eagerly you will look for each other's letters in future. It must be very delightful steaming along on the beautiful lake J on a fine day, and I can well understand you' enjoying yourselves.— DOT.] ' Dear Dot, — Our examination took place on Monday, the 19th ult. The inspector surprised •ug greatly. He sent word to say that theexam, would be on the" Thursday, and he came ' ©n the Mgndaj. However,, surprise pc noti I

passed. My sister and I are going to St. Hilda's College after Christmas. lam going to learn to play the violin, when theie. It seems funny for a girl to be pla-ying the violin. Perhaps we shall see the Duke and Duchess of York. We also hope to see "our boys" come home. It will be grand in town after living all our lives in the country. Wild Daisy, your initials are J. MB., are they not? I must stop now, so gocd-bye, — Yours truly,

DE WET.

[You will certainly find it a great change, De Wet, and there will be many things to interest you in your new siirroundings. I hope you will see the Boyal visitors and majiy other sights during your residence in the city. —DOT.]

j Dear Dot, — Allow me to claim your atten- , tion for a few moments to read this short letter j from an Invercargil] correspondent. An ob- | sciire writer, no doubt, I am ; but I hope that at some future date, if I persevere, I shall be able to send you along a letter that will be wcrth reading. However, until that future date comes, I trust that you will not condemn my worthless scribbles of to-day. I daresay that all of your writers remember the time when they penned their first letters to Dot. They wondered how you would receive them, and whether you would deem them worth printing or not. Now, after a good deal of practice, their letters show a great improvement, and are eagerly looked for by all readers of your page. I suppose letter-writing is like everything else — only by patience and perseverance can we ever hope to attain any degree of proficiency. I received a letter from Peveril a short time ago, and she said that she would not be writing to the lit'olc folk's page again, as she does not see the Witness since she removed to "Wellington. If you have another Old Writers' Week, Dot, you might ask Peveril to send you a, letter. She is a splendid hand at letter-writing and would be sure to send us something worth reading. She wishes to be remembered to Dot and the little folk. Will any of the little folk be down this way at Christmas? I intend keeping a look-out for badges anyway. Wrth love to Dot and the little folk,— Yours truly, DADO. [You have made a very good beginning, Dado, and I am sure you vill improve and become a valued correspondent hi time. I am sorry we have lost Peveril, and shall be only too pleased for her to write for the next Old Writers' Week. This lam thinking of fixing for Christmas week, so you might let her know.- Her letter will require to be in not later than the 19th.— DOT.] I Dear Dot, — We are having very snowy weather just now. We have had our examination I and all passed but one. I had the best pass in my class. The school has been moved, so we have 'a longer way to go now, but it is on a, nice sunny site. I have a flower garden and have a lot of flowers in it — namely, daffodils, forget-me-nots, orange lilies, pansies, and sweetwilliam. — Yours truly, MAGGIE H. [You were fortunate in being so successful at the examination, Maggie. It is a pity the J school is further from you now, but it must be ! nice to be on the sunny side, and no doubt it will be healthier for you all. — DOT.] pear Dot,— l suppose the little folk will think I have forgotten them, but I have not. Indeed, it would be impossible for me to do so, j having so many delightful correspondents among them. I enjoyed reading the Old Writers' letters — they were -so bright and interesting, Old Boy and Hany Farrer have not forgotten us, .but where are Captain and Boss ? They used to write such nice letters at one time, but lately we have not heard from them at all. Harry and Solomon Slow thought better of it, and have written again, I see. I hope Methuen will do so also, as I always liked his letters, and I am sure he hasn't reached retiring age yet. I should like to exchange autographs with Bookworm, Lady Clare, E.iinber Lee, Dockleaf, and Ziilieka, if they would. I shall send them mine first, and then* they can send theirs if they care to. One of the little folk from this quarter of the globe has been told my norn de plume. Don't tell everybody, L. Please write soon, for of course you know my address. With best love and regards to all, — Yours truly, EEGINA. [Well, Regina^ you have shown us that you have not forgotten us, and I am sure we are all glad of it.— DOT.] ANOTHER VERSION OP "ONLY A BOY." Only a boy with curly hair, Who writes to Dot when he's time to spare, Only a boy, a meiry boy, Dot's friend, the little folk's 'joy. Only a boy, who writes to Dot, Our old friend, Boy, the be3t of the lot. Only a boy, a clever boy, The letters he writes we all enjoy. His camping-out letters were all the rage, A double interest they gave to our page, Read by us all with the deepest joy, Though they were written by only a boy. Only a boy, our friend is he, And frieijds of his -we'll ever be, Only a boy — he'll soon be a man, But he'll write to Dot as long as he can. A few more years to retiring age, I hope till then he'll -write to our page, And then he will bid us all good-bye, In a farewell letter "From dear old Boy." ■ r - KEGINA. (With apologies to Jessica). Dear Dot, — I hasve been waiting for the little folk's letters to decrease before writing to you, but instead of decreasing I think they are increasing. I know a few of your correspondents, and I am trying to find out more. How I wish I were you, Ziska. Fancy knowing 93 of Dot's little folk! If I knew 20 I should think that enough. I live in the country, but I have been in Dunedin a few times. The next time I am there I am going to the Witness office to see the mysterious Dot. Dear Dot, which do you prefer, the country or the town? 1 like the country much better than j the town, which is far too noisy for me. Dear 8.0.8., accept my sincere sympathy for your sad bereavement. I have never lost a paient, but I can imagine what it must be like. Dear ! Dot, was not the Old Writers' Week a success ? Of -the little folk's letters I like 8.0.8.'5, ! Ziska's, Jessica's, and Boy's best. 1 \ must now stop, so, with love to all the little I folk and Dot,— Yours truly, MURIEL. P.S. — I hope no one has the same norn de plume as I have chosen. — M. [I don't think we have a Muriel, dear, but we shall soon see. Well, you know lam so used to the noise of the city that 1 don't think anything about it. I like the country for a holiday, and iJE 1 lived in it permanently I fancy I should, like you, prefer it also. — DOT.] Dear Dot, — You must have had a lot of letters when you had to take a holiday so soon after the othei one. About a fortnight ago I was going along T. street ,and just in front of the E. Church, when I met a girl with a badge in her hat. She had on a brown mackintosh, and a white sailor hat with a black band round it. 1 had on a short fawn sac, and a blue skirt, and a white sailor hat. However, as I hadn't a badge on I did not speak. Now I wonder who she was. If she sees this letter she cannot mil to recognise me. What I lovely weather we are having now. I went ■ down to the Bluff last Wednesday to see the Theresa Wartl, christened* <aaad ihe Waid

Parade opened, and I enjoyed myself capitally. Lois arid I went all over the new post office. What moe letters Kimber Lee writes; I like Shan's and her letters best. With best love to Kimber Lee, Fighting Mac, the editor, and heaps to Dot, — Yours truly,

[Yes, Ivis, there were plenty of letters for three weeks, but not quite enough for the four. The Ward Parade is a very nice name, and it makes me almost wish to take a walk along it. —DOT.]

Dear Dot, — I am 13 years" of age, and have not left school yet. We have four cows and three calves. I have two of my brothers going to school with me. Christmas will soon be here now. I read all ,the little folk's letters last week. We are having very bad weather up here just now. It is my little sister's birthday to-day, and my other sister is away to get her., a present. I only know one of the little folk, but I am not going to tell you her name, because I do not want the little folk to find out who I am. With love to all the little folk, not forgetting yoiir dear self, — Yours truly, v

ANNIE LAUKIE.

[To know even one is a beginning, Annie Laurie, and I have no doubt you will soon get to know others.— DOT.] Dear Dot,- — We get the Witness every week, and I like reading the little folk's letters very much. lam not long out from the old country, Dot. I shall write and tell you all about the voyage if you have room. I know who you are, C,C.M., also J.O.Y. and Fifi. I think I know who you are, Clara ; are your initials E. S., and do you live at M. ? If so, write soon and let me know. What part of Scotland did yon come from, Wullie? With love to Dot and all the little folk, — Yours truly, ROMAHaPA SNOWDJROP. [We have several Snowdrops already, dear, &o I have made an addition to your name to distinguish you fiom the otheis. I shall be very glad to hear all about the voyage oiit. — DOT.]

Dear Dot, — After all I forgot to send you the stamps. Just like a "loafer," is it not? So dear Poppy, you thought I was a boy! Well, it is not the first time I have been taken for -a boy. What a pity 'it is that I &ent in my photo, and I might have remained a boy to the end. What do you say, Dot? Dear G-len, as you know Scatterbrain, would you mind telling me his initials? Dear Dot, my last letter was a disgrace, to the page, so I shall not write much this time. I shall not trespass any longer, so with love to Con, all the other little folk, yourself, and the editor, also wishing you all a very merry Christmas and a happy new year, — Yours truly,

[Well, I don't know, dear. While there are Doekleafs, Ziskas, and other determined correspondents about, I fancy you would be found out sooner or later. Now, really, Loaf you are too hard on yourself.- I don't think there was anything the matter with the letter. — DOT.]

Dear Dot, — I have been going to write to you for ever so long, but always put it off, so lam not going to wait any longer. I have seen all the groups of photos, and liked them very well. The Old "Writers' Weeks were very interesting! Amm who lived up here had a very clever dog. ' Every night the dog used to unchain itselt and have a- run. One night he could not chain 'himself tip again, so he went and drowned himself. Of course, Dot, we" don't believe thsrfryarn, for the man is noted for telling "fairies. ' I have been cutting the pieces of poetry about Peppermint Cuie out of the Witness, and have a lot now. I always read "Mr Bowser's Tribulations." Dear Dot, do you really think a man would be goat enough to carry on as he does. I expect I will get it from the Critic Club for a word in the last sentence, but I'll survive all they can say. I have "kept house" for a fortnight, and can't say I like the job. First one tning would go wrong, then another, till I'd feel as if I could jump up, and — bub, there, I'd only have to come down again. ' I was going to say "never come down." My brother-in-law is always saying you are an, old, frosty-faced buffer, who could not find anything else- to amuse you, so got a lot of yoiyngsters. I used to get very wild, but find it is no use, so let him talk on till he is tired. I dreamt your name was Forbes, Dot, but of course dreams are contrary. I stayed with a friend for three weeks last month. They live ,at the back of the station, three miles from here, and the road is so rough. There was plenty of clematis out there. I had never seen clematis before, and it did look pretty. Boy's last letter was very amusing. We Lave plenty of mice here, but I think it would take more than a photo to scare them away. Poor Patsy is in the wars lately. Dear Dot, don't yoti think Gmlia ought to leave him alone? Con writes very nice letters. Wullie lias not written for a long time. Hurry up, Wullie. We have ten cLickens. One of them belongs to me, aa I took it out of the shell. you will think that queer, Dot. All were out except two, so my sister and I took them, out, and put "them near the fire. Now they are quite well. I think that puzzle by Sharp Shell (brothers and sisters have I none, but that man's father is my father's son) is wrong. In the first place, he said — Brothers I have none "(we'll leave out the sisters) ; in the answer, "I am his father's brother." Supposing it was myself. How could I be his father's brother, when in the first place I have no brothers ; or how couid the man be my nephew, if I had no brothers or sisters. It may be right, but I doubt it. Would yon mind explaining it, please, Sharp Shell. Dear Loaf, you don't seem stale yet. I sent somo stamps to Dalybird, and got some in return. Love to Dot and all the little folk. I would have sent my norn de plume to Ziska, but it is too late now. — Yours ti-uly, DAKDY. [I must admit that "goat" is not a very elegant work for a young lady to use, Dardy, but it really does express one's opinion of the irrepiessibie Bowser. Although you cannot help feeling that no man could make himself so ridictilous, we are all interested in his little carryings on. The dog story is almost as inciedible as Mr Bowser. He might get oft the chain, but the rest of the perfox - mance would require to be gone through by a two-legged dog, I fancy. Your brother-in-law is nearly as amusing, as Bowser, and is certainly not worth getting wild over. The proper answer is his son.— DOT.]