LETTERS FROM THE LITTLE FOLK.

Otago Witness, Issue 2454, 27 March 1901, Page 65

LETTERS FROM THE LITTLE FOLK.

Dear Dot,— l have not written for quite a ]png time, but as I met a churn who is a D.L.F. just the other day, I positively couldn t resist the temntation of writing. O Mimosa Sfci was ,gua«l«4 over tio identic? si one oi

the letters in the D.L.F. Page, and she gave it to me to read, as I had not acen that Witness. I guessed who it was, Mimosa — Vanity Fair, of course. "When I caw the "troublesome Latin and the form I sat m, ' I remembered those little poems slie used to compose last year. Do you know, Dot, that the poem 3 were awfully good. I always said you were a budding genius, Vanity Fsir. Why did you not take ''Plum" for your norn de plume? Oh, Dot, what did jou think of the Indian tioops '' Were they not splendid? They were such handsome men — so very tall and dark, and they were polite also; much more interesting than the Imperials. I wish they had Etnyed longer at Invercargill. They arrived between 12 and 1, and went away at 3.30. The intended time of their arrival was 6 in the morning, and we had fully resolved to rise at 5 and go out then to sea them. I was rather glad they did not r«rrive then, as the weather was horribly stormy and cold. We thought that the troops would dine partly on ciirry and rice, but were disappointed at not seeing any. After lunch they were allowed to mix with the people. I enjoyed myself veiy much then, and I have an interesting little souvenir of their visit, which lam sure I shall keep always. Some did not speak English (Englecse, no), which was rather a pity; but others spoke it perfectly. It was very amusing, Dot, and a few who had a small stock of English words, of which they were rather proud, aired them to their own satisfaction ., and our amusement. Don't you think, Dot, that they were exceedingly good-natured— the majority, at least? I should like to tell you all we did ofl Friday, but I espect the girls at school would find out who we were if I did. I lost Lady Clare at the beginning ; but found her on the grounds afterwards. Did we not have a splendid time, Lady Clare? Vanity Fair, I saw your sister, and I am sure I saw you at the- (jr. train, 0 Mimosa San. Were you not rather hard on the "induction ceremony" of the H.S. boys? I think it .rather a good idea — it shows what sort of stuff the new ones are made of. What do yoii think, Dot? You know about it, I believe — the new boys being clucked in Puni Creek? There are quite a number of D.L.F. down here, Dot, and I should like to find out who they are. Dado and Wattle Blossom are evidently Invercargillites. Winsome has not written for a long time now; I liked her letters, but don't know who she is. Oh, Dot, can you suggest an idea of ?, badge for our Tennis Club? We have not decided on one yet, though some of Lady Clare's ideas were good. Before I finish, Dot, I must tell you that I am sure I know who you were in those photos in the Witness. It was just my idea of you. Was yours in, Dot ? With love to all the D.L.F. and to you (not to the editor — he has heaps), — Yousr truly, K&THERINCHEN. [Of course, Katherinchen, the Indians were agreeable fellows, because very many of them are gentleman who hold good positions, are well educated, and are in the habit of mixing with the better sort of Europeans. They were picked specially, you know, and it i 3 pleasing to learn that their visit to the colonies has been a thorough success. Well, really, dear, I do not quite approve of some of the trials the new boys have to undergo, and I certainly think the ducking should be dispensed with. — DOT.] Dear Dot, — I have read your page for eight years, and have always taken a great interest in it. Some of your correspondents write very interesting letters. Patsy's letters are very amusing indeed. Dear Dot, lam very fond of riding. All the farmers about here are busy harvesting. lam going to Clifton for my holidays soon. I have -a- pet lamb, and sometimes he comes into the house and pushes the chairs about, and whea you go to put him out he runs into the room. — Yours truly, DUCKIE. [I am afraid your pet lamb will become a nuisance by-a.nd-.bye, Duckie, unless his liberty is' restricted.— DOT.] Dear Dot, — I have just finished reading the Little Folk's Page, and I find some of the letters very interesting, especially Dum Bum's and O Mimosa Sans. I know a. lot of ycur correspondents. I was away for my holidays, and I had a fine time. I think I know who Roby is; are your initials K. A., and do you live at M. ? With love to all the D.L.F., not forgetting yourself, — Yours truly, FORGET-ME-NOT. [What, another Forget-me-not! Why lam sure we have two or three already, a,nd wha,t will they say to having their norn de plume appropriated ?— DOT.] Dear Dot, — After glancing through the D.L.F. columns of to-day's Witness I thought I would bring before your notice a matter which I have been thinking of for the past week, and was only waiting to see if some other correspondent would mention. It is now almost four months since the last 0.W.W., and I was wondering if it would not be a good idea to have one in the Easter number of tho 0.W., or during the fir&t week of April? O course, that leaves only a very short time for the Old Writers living at a distance to prepare for it. However, I feel sine you will arrange the matter sa-tisfectorily for all, and I hope you will not think me forward for mentioning it. But really I am longing to see a letter from some of our old writers, who so rarely write now, and I fancy you are too. Somehow, the old ones are always the best. But it only seems natural for us to think most of old friends. I say friends, for I think all Dot's little folk ought to be friends, and I must say I feel very friendly towards them all, but most of all to Dot herself. A few weeks ago you gave the language of seve- , ral well-known flowers, but omitted roses. Kow, | would you mind telling me what roses mean, or if the different kinds and colours stand for different things ?— Yours truly, JEAN. [Thank ycu for your timely reminder about the advisability of having another Old Writers' Week, Jean. I quite agree with you as to the advisability of a number of our good friends who made our page what it is having a turn once more, and that at as early a date as possible, but I am afraid Easter week would scarcely give time for all to send in a letter. How would it do to have it in the first week in May. That would give us sixweeks' notice. The ros-e is symbolical of love ; a deep red rose, bashful shame ; yellow rose, jealousy ; white rose, " I am worthy of you " ; mo3s rose, confession of love — DOT.] LINES DEDICATED TO BRITANNIA AND HER CATS (See Witness, February 6.) (£y a Well-wisher of D.L.F.) There's a maxim most tiue, and the soldier, tho scout, And the sailor can all vouch for that — ] Let the " Gyp " and the " Rus ' brandish ""Kourbash" and "Knout"— I Britannia's abolished her " cat." Dear Dot, — It is such a long time since I told you I was going on a trip to Middlemarch that I suppose you will be thinking I have not gone. Well, the first fortnight of my holidays were spent in town, but I did not enjoy myself very much, because it was such miserable weather. I saw one badge, but I did not speak to the girl who wore it. She had on a macintosh cloak and a white sailor hat. I went to the Queen's memorial service in the First Church. I saw the Imperial troops coming in, and really I never thought the people of Dunedin could be made so excited. I think they were more excited that night than they were the day they had the procession. After having stayed those two weeks in tovrn I took the train to Mi4dieiaaj:ch. It was » yoi^ iiot day^ aad

the carnage in which I was seemed veiy close, so I opened the window and enjoyed the cool 1 air. To see the nice shad}' nooks and the clear ciystal water rippling down the hillsides made I one loi gto bs there. I was beginning to weary a little, but before long I reached the end of my journey, and was ready for a good dinner. I had veiy good weather during most of my stay in Middlemarch, but I was only too glad to get home, because I think it is too dreary. There are some very pTetty spots, such as Gladbrook. It is dreadfully hot sometimes, but I fcuppose it is very cold m winter also. I intended going to the top of the Rock ar.d Pillar, but it looked iaiher steep and long to climb to the top. I did iot see the Witness all the time I was away, and I did miss it, especially the Lt.F.'s Page— l do believe I could not live without it. I have met tvio or tbiee people who used to wiite to you. Of course they tire grown up now. One says she will write to you again, "but I told her she was overage. She said, " That is nothing. ' Bingo and I had a happy time together at Middlemarch. Before closing I shall indulge in a little private talk. Did Flower Garden come down on the O. C. tram on Friday, the 22nd Febiuary? If she did, I was in that train also. A young lady told me there was a girl on the tmn I with a badge, but I did not happen to be in the same carriage as she was. I got in at Middlemarch, so you may have seen me, F. G. It is a pity we did not meet, but we may have better luck next time. With love to Beatrix,— YOIUS trUb '' PORTIA. [I am Eoriy you did not have a better time during your holiday, Portia, but the change to Middlemsrch will do you a. lot of good, even though you did find it a little dreary.— DOT.] Dear Dot,— What do yon think has happened? I am discovered. I went to choir practice last Sunday evening, and there was an acquaintance there, who told me he had found me out. Now there are two or three more who know me. They are not writers, but i readers. They could tell me everything that was in my letter. But they could not think of my norn de plume. Dear Dot and L.F., <3o you not think it wise to change my norn de plume? The friend I saw at choir practice told me he knows you, but he would not tell me who you sre. Although I should very much like to know, still I think he wes right in not telling me — don't you? I should not like to be near the editor when he is publishing this,* as I suppose he will bs as cross as two sticks. "You never can't tell," can you, Dot? Last Wednesday I rode to a picnic on horseback. It was held at T. F., a nine-mile ride, ard I enjoyed myself immeneely. I must now close this epistle, as lack of news prevents me writing any more. With love to the L.F., editor, Loaf, and last, but not least, Dot, — Yours tiuly, FOKEN THELMA. [It was very kind of >our friend not to divulge my name, Foken Thelma, though I should myself like to learn where he met me, and how he knew it was Dot when he did see me. No, dear, X do not think it is reason enough to change your norn de plume. If you did &o you would probably be found cut just as readily again. — DOT.] Dear Dot, — I want to tell you of a funny adventure I had last year. I went to school every Monday morning by train, and on one memorable Monday morning I was sailing — at least, journeying— to 3chool in all the glory of a- new hat. Whether I was too proud of it or whether that hat was of a roving disposition, I have never; been able to determine, but, at all events, when I was halfway on my journey my hat winged its- way out an open window. I was simply dismayed, and my mates, instead of sympathising with me, nearly hurt themselves laughing. Poor Desdemona almost expired. In a little while I co'.lected my scattered wits, and determined what to do. At the next station I changed tiaina, and went back. I must have looked half-witted, without a hat and my hair streaming in the wind. So I sat on the step all the way up. I passed the hat, and could hardly restrain the impulse which prompted me to jump off and get it. However, I went on, and whan I did get off I j had to walk back about a mile, and ob ! it was so windy. At last I got the hat, and then found I had to walk about three miles to Edendale. My troubles had only started. With a sinking heart I began my journey, and a very lonely one it was. After walking for what j seemed to me miles — in reality, a mile and ahalf—l met some surfacemen, who on hearing of my distress, kindly gave me some dinner, and then one kind old man took me on his trolley to Edendale. I did enjoy that ride. From Edendale I took the train to luvercargill, and I (aad my hat) reached town safe and j sound. I often laugh wherr I look at my hat, j for it brings back so many funny but pleasing ! memories to me. By the bye, Dum Duni, I ! think I know you. Didn't you once attend the Invercargill High School? I doa't think you know me, but please tell me if I am correct in my supposition, and allow me to join with the L. F. in asking you to remain. Don't deprive us of one of the pleasures of life. Hurry up, O Mimosa San, and write again. Surely Dum Dum will hurry you up. With love to Katherinchen and Lady Clare, — Yotirs tfuly, EUTERPE. P.S.— Victor, are your initials V. J. C. ? [You certainly deserved to get back your hat, Euterpe, when you displayed so much determination. I can quite imagine how you enjoyed the trolley ride; it must be a novel sensation. You forgot to enclose your name, dear. — DOT.] Dear Dot, — I notice a letter from Kelly this week in which she says that she has kept a doll for three years. Well, I have kept one longer than that. Let me see — it's just 32 yeais last Christmas since I got my doll. It was sent all the way from my grandma in Sydney. It is a very pretty dolly, with Teal hair, and it is jointed. It has fair hair and blue eyes. My sister received one at the same time, and she has it yet. It is bigger than mine, and very dark. My D. L. F. list has gone up to about 160. I will now tell you about tho school trip to the Bluff. Well, to begin with, my sister didn't make up her mind to go till tha last minute — the night before the trip ; and then we had to hurry and get things ready. W) got everything ready""before we went to bed, and then the job was getting up in the morning. Mother woke us several times before I made up my mind to get up. I was just dressing when I heard the tiain whistle, and mother sang out, "There's your train!" I can tell you I was in a stew, and I looked out of the window, but the train went right through and didn't stop, and I found out it was going to C. There were ■& few solitary trucks at the station, and the train was composed of two cairiages and the rest trucks. A drizzling rain was falling, and everything looked as though we should have a veiy unpleasant trip. However, nothing daunted, we got leady and made our way to the siation. On arrival at the station we saw that nearly everybody was standing about waiting for the train to come in, expecting to get in the carriages. I knew they would be disappointed, and we got into a truck. Just then the train steamed in, a2id everybody rushed for the carriages, but they had to take trucks after all. We got away at last, at about 10 minutes to 8. The ride down was very dreaiy; but it cleared up after a while, and things were a bit brighter. There were three D. L. F. in the same tiuck as I. We stayed at Invercargill from half past 9 till half past 12 to see the troops. They did not come till a few minutes past 12, and I cpn tell you it was nice, waitis& j£ tUe crush fas the© to ceffigi We saw

them all march past us, and thon had to rrn for our tram. Several people missed it, s<d came on by the next. When we arrived at 'Aie Bluff we had luncheon, and then my sister and I made our way to the wharf. We were shown all through the Knight of St George by one of the men. Ho showed us thicush the cabins and dining saloon, and alto lei us the compass. There were cats on the steamer, and such a- lot of pretty birds. We went down into th 3 kitchen (I suppose that is what they call it), and the second cook was scrubbing a bench. He did not do it the way I do. Fir=t he wet it all with a cloth, and then, instead of rubbing the soap on flhe brush, he rubbed it on the table, and then used the brush. We went from the steamer to the tug, and ?sked the sailois if they weren't going to take us out, but they said they hadn't been told to. However, thry took U3 for a short trip. They said their boss was at Invercargill, and they couldn't ta-ko us out without his orders. A good excuse, wasn't it. Dot? The sail was grand, only they didn't go far enough for my fancy. Well, we left for home about 5 o'clock, -after having spent a very enjoyable day. At Invcrcargill, coming back, the train stopped about 10 minutes, and while there a lady got out to speak to some friends, and the door of the tiuck was let down on her foot, and she had to be cairied into the truck. We arrived home about dusk, and were indeed glad to get back again. We had a lovely day throughout, the sun shiniog brightly alt the time. I saw Ita, dov.m at Invercargill. The Indian troops stopped 10 minutes here, and we got a fine view of xhera. Will none of the boy L. F. send me their autographs? I have only received one jet (Dicky Donovan's), and I don't know how many girls'. Before concluding I mußt say that it would never do for Durn Diim or Daiaie to leave us yet. I got a letter from. Evangel, and she is going to send you an account of her voyage. I shall now conclude, with best love to Evangel, Mona, Doreen, Balonica, and yourself, Dot. — Yours truly, ROBY. [I am so pleased your pluck in braving the weather met with such a pleasant reward, Kony. It very often occurs that a, damp momin? turns into a glorious day, and so it is not always wise to put off going anywhere because it looks " weepy at the time of starting. It was a pity the ' boss " was not on the boat, so that you could have been taken farther out. but then perhaps if you had you might have been seasick, and that would not have been very agreeable, would it? — DOT.] Dear Dot, — Heie we are, still busy with the harvest, and likely to be for some time to come, unless the weather improves. It is veiy changeable here just now — four seasons m one day. To make things worse, we have to cut all the grain with the scythes and the oldfashioned back delivery. Oh, it is slow! Dear Dot, the Indian troops had rather cold weather during their stay in Dunedin, hadn't they? But though the weather was cold, the reception they got was decidedly warm. The day of the parade Lancer and I went into Dunedm. As the cavalrymen were all mounted and marched with <lrawn swords the scene was a, very imposing one. Woids cannot express the admiration I felt for those dusky warriors, who, though their forefathers were once our bitterest enemies, are themselves evidently as loyal and devoted as any of the King's subjects. Most of the men appear to have seen active- service, for the majority ol them wore medals, some- having a great many, whilst one or two I saw were the proud possessors of the coveted star, awarded for valour, and said to be equivalent in order of merit to the Victoria Gross. A great m^ny of the men wore earrings. There were some very amusing scenes down at the hall. After the parade wa3 over, people were tumbling over each other to get shaking hands with the Indians. Lancer and I were very fortunate in this respect, as we received a handshake from * great number of them. One chap (a Madras infantryman) got a gnpr of my hand, and didn't he wring it ! I can tell you my fingers tingled for a while afterwards. I told some friends next day, £>nd they roared with laughter, and said, He must have mistaken you for one of his own countrymen. It would be hard to tell the difference, yoa know! " That was a compliment, eh, Dot'-* Would you like a photo pfter that, Regma? or you, Verna? They would serve as mementoes of the Indian troops' visit to New Zealand. But never mmd — I'll be even with those complimentary friends some day. At any rate, I shall always remember with pride and pleasure the very hearty handshake I received from that dusky soldier of the King. As I shall net be writing again for a considerable time I must thank you. Dot. for giving me so much space lately. With kindest love to. all, I shall say farewell for the present. — Yours truly, BLACK WATCH. [I don't believe you are quite so dark as that, Black VVatch, notwithstanding your name. The Indiana were certainly fine men, and it is really a compliment to be compared to some of them. I hope you will not take too long a. rest, for you know we have r.ot too many good boy correspondents. — DOT.] Dear Dot, — Very many thanks for ths prelty badge. I am very pleased with it, and intend to get a pin in it and wear it as a brooch. T do hope Duin Dum changes his mind about leaving our page. He is too good a correspondent to lose. What interesting letters he iised to write about his tup. Dear Winsome, did ycu get your norn de plume from the book " Winsome Charteris " ? Dear Dot, I suppose yon saw the Indian troops in Dunedin. I should have liked to have seen them, but we did not know for certain whether they were going to call at Gore or just pass through. What lias become of Wnllie? Has he- deserted us, or has a Maori girl run away with him? If you are still in the laud of the living. Wu'he, write a long letter to the page, and cheer us up. Since I wrote the beginning of this I see by the Witness that Dum Dum intends to continue wiiting to the page. Corporal Con had a very interesting letter in last week. I do hope he conies back from the wa r safe and sound. It is a great pity the poor old Queen did not live to see the end of the war. Dear Dot, when is the next photo group to bs in ? Aie you going to have your photo in the next gioup? Do say you will. So Dicky was seasick; poor fellow, I pity him, although I was never seasick myself. I have seen plenty of other people laid low, and I don't think it can be a very pleasant sensation, dear Dot. With love to all the little folk, yourself, and the editor, — Yours truly, DELIA. [I hope Wullie has not quite deserted us, Delia, but we shall see in a few weeks. If he doas not respond to the invitation to contribute to Old Writers' Week I shall begin to have grave doubts on the subject. I have scarcely enough photos for a group yet. but they are coming in surely, though slow. No, dear, it will be time enough to have Dotf s photo in when she is compelled to do " the vanishing trick," and somehow I think that will be a long time yet, for I am not near Dot's retiring age.— DOT.] Dear Dot,— The weather is very squally here just now, stopping both harvest and everything else. So Dell wants to know who the girl m a grey costume was. Well, it was I, Vevette. I had no idea vho you were when I spoke, Dell, but should we ever meet ni Gore again I shall speak to you. I also spoke to Fatima that day. She seems a very nice girl, and she told me who Lyddite and Laddie are. Do you know, Dot, it is over nine years since I first wrote to you. I wa3 10 then, and I am 19 now. Like Zi3ka, I have my hair up. Did you ev«j toy to nde^ Dot ? It is njiy cluei rag-

time. I weiu to show a lauy a shorl (.lit ta s place yestcid- I}'.1 }'. and I had 11 gates t" open going and 12 coming bpclc, and when 1 came home I had only been away an hour. Onco when I was cormug home from school ir:y hoiso fell in « mud hole, and you can imagine what kind of predicament I was m. Another timo T Incd to make roy horse walk over 'oac ice. Of course he cou'd not keep Jus ifc''t, and E jumped of! and foil into the w.iter among the rushes, the iesu!t being that 1 had to go Jiomo and get dry clcthna, which made nic late for school. While my teacher was busy c^ossquestioning me in came another late- Fcholar who h:ul had wie misfortune "tc tumble m tho mud, and tins unfortunatu individual was; Aguinaldo. Yes, Aguinaldo, little did Skipper and I think when wa started to read your last letter that we should find we had made sucli a mistake as to your identity, and that you were an old schoolmate. I was very disappointed at iiot r.eauig the Imperial tioops m thea- uniform after going two "days running to Fee them. The Boer 3 are losing all hope nov.% I ses, but they have fought manfully, e<sT>cciaily De Wet. I I'ave i cousin in the Impeiial Yeomanry, and he has been promoted three times for his own merit, but he doss not como fronu New Zealand, so he will not hs able to tsll us all rbout his adventures. Was not that a. ridiculous sUteme.ii that the French made about trying to take London? I only hops that war dois no I break cut with the French tintil our army becomes stroneer again. Jiircbecco, I wish J could get to the sea as easily as you can, for I think the sea is always beautiful, whether it is calm or wild. What has become of Patsy? She must be tired after her Christnia.3 hohday3. Th» L.F. cot, I think, is a splendid idea, cud I shell send my mite towards it, too. biit do r.ot be disappointed if I do not c-ond it this tine, for I may'not be able to get stamps. I must really stop now, as all the rest are away to Blanket Bay." With love to all, — Yours truly, VEVETTE [Why, Vevefcte. ycu aie one of Dot's oldest correspondents sti'l writin?. Xme years — what c long period to be a D.L.F. Can anyone show a bettei lecord?— DOT.] Dear Dot,— The crops are nil being cut down now, and we sha'l boon be having cur harvest ho'idays. I say the Impe/ial troops, but I was disappointed in not seeing them in full umiorm. Jessica must be a geed rider, Dor. I never ride at all, but my sister (one of your correspondents) is a very good rider. I think ifc will be veiy nice for tho little folk to have a cot in the hospital. When I go to Dir.icdiu the next time I am going to the Witness Office to see if Mr Editor will show me how the Witness is printed. It is a-ouaiier to 10, Dot, ar/il I am getting sleepy. Good-bye. With love to all the little folk and yourself,— Yours tiuly, MERINO. [I have no <?oubi he will do so, Meiino, but, of course you must not take up too much of Ins time, as editors have always more work than they can get through in a day.— DOT.] Dear Dot,— Since writing to your page I have been to Invercargillfor a holiday, and I d:d enjoy myself while 1 was there. I only sfw two badges while I was away, but only spoke to o.ie wearer, and that was Dado. Tho day of the Gore school excursion I went down to tho station to see if I could meet in with any badges, but I only saw one. We smiled to each other, but did not speak. Dear Dot, have you ever been to Invercargil.l? It is a very mcj town, but very flat. The gardens are looking lovely just now. I will not trouble you with a description of the place, for one ol your correspondents has done so already. Last Thursday some friends who were staying here, father, and I look a drive to Glenham, a distance of some 33 miles or so. We started from here at half past 9, and arrived at Wyndham about 1 o'clock in the afternoon, where "we had! our dinner, and gave the horse a rest for an. hour or two. We resumed our journey about * o'clock, and arrived st our destination about 5 in tha evening. The road from Wyndhami to Glenham is very pretty. Wo passed such a, lot of lovely buah. On Friday evening we wera taken up to a trig station called Robin Hood, flora which we could see Fortrose, Bluff hill, Wiupapa Point, Invercargill, and the ocean. On svveiy dear day we were told that anyone coiild sep the water tower in InvercergilJ. We left for home on Saturday morning, after spendliig a most enjoyable time. Our only misfortune was the weather, which was wet and cold. It is just pouring rain this afternoon. What a time the people in Dunedin had when tue Imperial troops were there! I went down, into Gore on the Monday, but they did nob turn up, so I had to come home without seeing them, and I can tell you that I was disappointed. I saw several badges that day, but only spoke to tv.o wearers. They were Yevotte and G. Y. 51. I had such a, nice yarn to them. They are both very nice girls. I Vise saw The Skipper, but I did not speak to him. Wi>tt!e Bioasom made a mistake when she asked it Camellia and I were sisters. The photos were very good this time. I think that Csniplht and P?arl were the best. I hud to look at the name's before I could lecognisd myself. It is not very like me, for I ha.-c red hair, and I looked as if I were a Mdoii, I came out so daik. What a splenfhd letter Corporal Con had in last week's Witness! I always look forward to his letters; they are so interesting. ArD they not. Dot? Feo had a very nice letter m last week. What a comical girl Trixie must ba. Dear Lyddite, I received your letter' to-day, and I shall answer it shortly. Dear Louie, I tender jou my sincere =ymnathy in your sad bereavement. Dear Dot and "Matilda, I thank you very much for your tokens of sympathy in my bereavement. With love to Wattle Blossom, Matilda, the editor, and yourself,— Yours truly, FATIMA. [What an inteie-ting trip you had to Glenham Fatima. The view from Robin Hood trig station must uidco-I bo worth going the journey for. It was a pity jou had not n, clear day, but c en as it v,a=, you vere evidently rewarded for your climb. — DOT.] Dear Dot,— l see Tweedledee has desenbed mo, so I shall descube her. She is veiy tall, brown eyes, black cuziy hair, and a very pink and white complex.on"; rather pretty on the whole, 'lwecdlcdee and I went for a long bicycle ride on Thursday. It was out on * lojely country read. When we had gone about four miles we thought we would turn bpek, and a3 it was beginning to get dusk wt weie a little frightened. However, we got home safely at about half past 8. We were very tired, and we d:d not go out that way again. I like Solomon Slow's letters verymuch ; I think they are very interesting. Don't you, Dot? Dum Duiu's description of his trip to Stewart Island was also veiy interesting. With love to S. S., Dahlia, Tweedledee, anc! Dot, — Yoius tiuly, AIME. [You should start a little earlier on your bicycle trips. Aime, as it is diiJigeious to lide in the dark withouc a light. — DOT.] Dear Dot, — Heie I am agsm to trotible you. I see your arc collecting photos for another group. I was thinking of sending mine for it. I hope Kca, sends hers. The last group was. veiy nice. I think Nosher, Camellia, and Pearl were the nicest. I fancy I know who One of Dot's Little Folk and Her Trusty Friend ' is. I think that is tue nicest picture in t'll3 week's Witness. I recognise my cousin aniong tht? Navals. Such a lot of people about he.-c know my norn de plume. My &i=tci- e\cn told her tencher my norn de plume, but of cou <-o e h© a3ked her because s=hc saw my b^dge. I c.o.it knew whether she told her own o. not. Our Suad.aj' Eckool jpicuig is over, and it was ftt-

tended by a fairly large number. I got a nice fcook entitled " Around the Fire." I have just •■been looking at this week's letters, but I see ILwnb is' still missing. I think she must have Seen a "fraud." I was up at Palmerston fiouth a few weeks ago, and was on the lookput for D. -L. P-, but did not see any. I am erlad Dum Dura is not going to desert us. ±Ie leems to be filling 8.0.8.'s place admirably. fff)c« Dot, people lay there was terrible thun'fier and lightning here the other night, but I t&fd not heir it. lam too fond of sleep. Such ft lot of little folk are scared of going to see Wol YvS, NQBher, and Uxdmown.-Yows , |IU1 *' LAT>Y ADELAIDE WESTRAY. : i [Ve 3 , Lady Adelaide, and lam not^ quite ■be done with them.— DOl.] T> o *r Dot —I have got my badge on a safety Feo haaa capital letter in also fy cousin a^^ ter litUe baby were down, but sue is aw..y Sain She was in Duucdm, and she was ; stayin* with Nosher. We have been having Wy group. Corporal Con has another letter m this week but I have not read it yet With Jovetoall'D. L. F, yourself, and the editor,I'ours truly, ' THEKLA. P.S.-With reference to Old -boys sugges10 [Well, that is sufficient reason for the Sunday school holidays, Thekla. I had not thought of the possibility of most of the chilaxen being away.— DOT.] Dear Dot,— l come and go like the bad weather. I haven't written to you for a number o£ months; such a long time that I h«e lost count I have counted them up, and I have no 3e«s" than 10 cousins and one sister writing to you. I have the L. F. groups pasted into a tools, and my slater, a nipper of three, askea rane who Loaf was. I told her, and a few , immutea after I asked her who it, was just to I ccc if she remembered, and alter thinking a ■while she answered " Bun." Dear Erin-go-Bra<rh are your initials H. E., and do you ,arve"at "W.? If so, I know you well. Now ior Ithe -weather. Hasn't it been great? Ram, j rain rain, from morning till night; but it lias ; (cooled d'owi lately, so I suppose it is about »11 done. Koa and I got to town at Christmas f*ll rio-ht. Koa and Yvonne and I were at St. itPaul's Cathedral, where we met Carmen Sylva ( end Ella, -who seem very nice girls. Uhile in 'rtovrn I also went to the Museum, and to i,he •waxworks. I was very sorry I could not go , Jto the Witness Office with £oa and Yvonne, ihut I was not in town at the time. Coming ' Vlowu in the car one evening I saw a boy with 'iair hair, and who looked about 14. He had 'a badge in his cap, but I did not notice it till j it was too late, as the tram only stopped a j dew minutes. Of the last group of the L. F. .photos I liked Nosher and Camellia the best. •Another piece of news: I have found out who iDot is ; but I shall not tell anyone j-our name. Queen Alexandra, I have no idetf who you aie, '.unless your initials are M. D., of C. Dear ((Dot, E-cossais and Makyth and I have been i -trying to get a mate of ours to write to you, »nd I believe we will succeed. Did you see She Indian troops, Dot? The train stopped 10 aninutes here, so we had a good view of them. Everyone seems to be going "Dot crazy" about Ihere. There are no less than 17 writing from liexe, and I consider that a good supply from such a small place. Reka has not written for many a long day, nor Ting-a-ling. However does Con find time to write to the page? You .would imagine he wou-d have enough to think about out in South Africa. I think I shall stop now, as I hear Equibel and Miranda laughing in the kitchen, and for all I know it onay be at me. With love to the editor, liNosher (who has not written for a long timel, »nd Carmen Sylva, and of course some for I>ot,— Yours truly, UNKNOWN. ' [So another of my friends, even though she as Unknown, has found me out. Well, I don't mind much, so long as they are all as discreet a-s Unknown and others who have announced "their discovery. But then there is always the 'risk of a chatter-box getting the information, mnd then .—DOT.] Dear Dot, — One morning mother and I were topping and tailing gooseberries. We were "talking about Bert and his chickens and beef 'itea, and were wondering if he would have betJier luck with his duck eggs, when Leslie said, "' I suppose if he gets the ducks out he will |be making duck tea for the little folk's cot." 'Although I do not go to school, Leslie and I got a nice book each from the school. We got some nice presents at Christmas, too. iLast Sunday two of my cousins came to see •us, and brought Leslie a gun and sword, and ana a shell box. We have two new kittens, Sixpence and Twopence. All cur old cats have f;oiie away except Sandy. We were in Tiinaiu ast Saturday, and we went down on the breakwater. Just as wo were leaving town a big vebsel came in, the Banffshire. She came for frozen mutton. Dear Dot, why did you not put your photo in with the rest of the photos ? I see Fuchsia calls the fuchsia berries "' tuki" ; here they are always called " konnii " berries. ."With love to you, dear Dot, and all the httle - folk, — Yours truly, MYRTLE. [I am afraid the poor little sick cat patients would not improve in Bert's wonderful es3a>3 at cooking, and Leslie's suggestion about the iluck tea wculd no doubt be leadily adopted by our friend. What amusing names you have for your kittens, Myrtle, and so easi'y written, you know— 6d, 2d, aren't they.— DOT.] Dear Dot, — I have been reading the three-act [3rama by Dum Dum, and have come to the conclusion that we can't possibly spare him from the L. F. Page for a long time yet. His letters ?rp veiy amusing, and I thmk he is a eecond 8.0.8. Don't you agree with me, Dot? 'Although it is rather late, I must thank all the L. F. v,ho so kindly remembered me at Christmas timr. Denr Ynieta, don't foiget the auto. If you kayo not remembered the addres3, will Dot be so kind as to forward it on? I am so glad the Cot fund is piogressing, and you may Toe sure I shall not lorgct you. What did you rthink of the Impenal and Indian troops? I thought them very nice, and both thought a lot of their welcome m Dunedin. Thank you very much, Dunedimte, Sabina, and Jean for sending me your autos. Dear Dot, I had a lovely holiday m the country, and emoyed myself ■very much.. Did you have a holiday, Dot? I

also went to a picnic at Mount Stewait, and while there I met Highland Mary and Mignonette. Mount Stewart is a veiy pretty httle place. On the journey there I saw a dredge working, but it would be very nice to see all over it ; would it not, Dot ? I wonder who Moonbeam is? She was stopping at the same place as I was. It is getting rather late, so I shall close. With love to Dunedinite, Maori, Yineta, Sabina, and Jean, not forgetting yourself, dear Dot.— Yours truly, CHERRYRIPE. [Yes, Cherryripe, T shall forward on the autograph if it is sent to my care. I am glad you enjoyed your holiday, dear, and I don't wonder at your having a good time at Mount Stewart — it is such a complete change to town. —DOT.] Dear Dot, — T am eight years old, and I milk one cow. I have two miles to walk tq school, anil I like my teacher. I have two sisters and three brothers. We have a pet foal and lamb. Good-bye. With love to Dot and the little folk, — Yours truly, CURDS. [That is a good long walk— especially in wet weather for a little girl of eight, but no doubt you have plenty of company, and that makes the time pass, doesn't it?— DOT.] Dear Dot,— We have a pet lamb, and it has been chasing us about all the evening. We are having very -wet weather just now. We have.been harvesting, and got all the ciop that was ripe cut before the wet weather came on. There are such a lot of animals about the place, such as cats and dogs, lambs, foals, p'gs, cows, calves, horses, and turkeys, ducks pnd hens. I ttsed to have a dear little baby to nurse very often, but the people shifted from the place. Father went out fishing to-day, but it come on so wet that he had to turn back. With love to all the little folk, not forgetting yourself, — Yours truly, FLOSSIE. [There is certainly plenty of life on the faim, Flossie, but I am sure you would miss the baby notwithstanding that. — DOT.J Dear Dot, — While I was staying m Invercargill I met a boy I knew up town, and he called out "Halloa, "Wyndham tomboy! Not extra complimentary, eh, Dot? The people 111 Wyndharn expect the volunteers here at Easter for a week at least, and it will be nice watching them sham fighting. Dear Dot, I went to Invercargill to sec the Imperials, but as they did not come on Monday I came home and went to Edendale on Tuesday to see them, and we had a lively time of it. I also saw the Indians, and we had some fun with them, too. Dear Dot, I shall try to send you a description of Wyndham if you will accept it, the next time I write. Our Sunday school picnic took place a little while ago in a bush through which the Mirnihau River flows. lam sure all the people enjoyed themselves, for I did, scrambling thiough the bush picking ferns, . and decorating our hats. We did not leave till 7.30, and reached home at 8. The prizes were given out the Sunday before, and as our Sunday school only started between three or four years ago, we have not got so many prizes as some, although all the children get a book presented to them who do not get a prize. Grizel has won all the biggest books in the school, and I got one this year named, " A Thorny Way." Dear Dot, I see you have a lot of writers from Port Molyneux, and if they see this I wonder if any of them will remember the little girl who was staying with a Mrs M'P., and who used to push a go-cart often along the beach?" Now, dear Dot.Wfill you let me have the least bit of private talk in my letter? Dea-r Dado, are your initials S. D.? Miss Bobby, yours A. B. ? And do you both live at Invercargill ? I sec Orphan said she -was staying in* this place; are your initials T. C, and do you live at Gore, and do you remember the girl in the coach going to Edendale to see the Tommies on Tuesday, with the pink dress and brown cap? And, Baden-Powell, are yours K. MA., and do you go to the High School in town ? I thmk Scotch Thistle, ycur initials are J. M., and you live at C. There is also a girl who often comes to- Wyndham from M. 1., and she wears a badge in her hat. I have found out Erina, Denbigh, and a few others lately. While I am writing my little sister keer>s knocking my arm and saying things that I write, instead of allowing me to attend to my business. Oh, Dot, I had better stop now, because the editor will be growling at such a. letter. But I do not think I am a3 bad at writing letters as the lady mentioned in this tale:— " There was once a, man -who \jjrote to a lady asking her to be his wife, but she sent this letter back: ' Mr W., I am sorry to refuse your proposal of marriage, but I could not love you as a wife should love her husband. — Yours sincerely, A. M.' Then she added : ' P.S. — Dear Jimrnie,- — Oh, I do think I love you; do not let time go by before coming to see your darling. — A.' " With love to Khaki, Ivis, Dot, Mr Editor (if he will accept it),— Yours truly, LADY CROOME. [I shall foe very glad for you to descrrbe Wyndham to us next time you write, Lady Croome, and I am sure many of our friends will be interested in it. Miss A. was certainly a very contradictory young person, and I am afraid if '" Jimmie " accepted the statement made in the " P.S. ' he would have anything but a pleasant married career.— DOT.] Dear Dot, — I see a few of your correspondents have been a trip to the Bluff; I was there also. In this week's Witness Daisie said that she saw a, girl at the Biuff with a cream sailor dress on, and also a badge, but that she (Daisie) was too bashful to speak. Well, you need not have been, Daisie, for if I am not mistaken that girl was my sister, and she is also a litt'.e bashful sometimes. Dear Dot, I was in Gore to see the Imperial troops on the Monday, but was a bit disappointed that they did not come. However, I went back and saw them on Tuesday. I could have watched them marching for long enough, but they had not much time, as they had to go on to Dunedin. I saw a good many badges in Gore that clay, Dot, but _ did not know many wearers. One girl, a friend of mine, promised to give me a hint as to what her norn de plume was next time she wrote, and I promised her the same, so if she reads this she will know me, but she must not tell anybody, please. Dear Dot, when my last letter appeared in the paper my cklcsS sister started to read out the D. L. F. letters, and when she came to mine she said, " Oh, dear, here is somebody who thinks she knows a bit about this place. ' You may im?^.ne my feelings, Dot, but she never thought it was I who wrote it. I sec you h-ivc another conespondcrtt with the same rto:ii de plume as I have, so henceforth I shall be Hmemoa 11. I shall send something for the Cot fund next time, if I have it. — Yours tiuly. HINEMOA 11. [Your eldest sister will know now, Hinenioa, if she ha 3 not found out since. — DOT.] Dear Dot, — I have got a pin put mmy bntige, so tEat I can change it from one hpt to urothei, because, of course, I am not always weiring the same hat. Do you like cycling, Dot 1 ' I am very fond of it, and I often go out for a spin. I did not go anywhere for hohdavs this year, so I spent most of my time cycling. Our school trip was to the Blufi this year. I went, and I did enjoy myself. I suppose you would see the Imperial and Indian ticops, Dot' I saw the Imperials at Invercaigill and the Indians here. The Indian troops stopped here for a quarter of an hour, so I got a look at tiieaa. I think it would be a great eliame ii

Dum Dum left the page, for ho is one of the best writers. What a grand time he must have had at Stewart Island. I have been always wanting to visit the island, but I have never managed to get there yet. With love (o all the- D. L. F., not foigcttmg yourself,— Yours truly, PANJY. [What a curious name. I thought you meant Pansy at fust, but the "j " is wntten distinctly, so you evidently intended it to be Panjy. Where did you get it fiom?— DOT.] Dear Dot, — I have only two birds and a doll, the latter of which I have had since I was live yeais old, and still it is as good as new. 1 hope all the L. F. enjoyed their holidays, for I enjoyed mine very much. First I went home for three weeks, then I went to Dunedin, where I had a very gay time of it. I think town is very nice, but after I have been there for a few months I long to get back to the country. I do not know many of your correspondents, but I know Moonbeam, whose initials are D. 8., and she lives at T. I also know her sister. I met her at the Kelso ball. What a nice dancer she is. I also know Sweet William, whose initials are S. H., and she lives at K. Oh, bother, there is ma calling me now to go and practise, and I wanted to try my new bike. Well, never mind, I suppose I must go. With love to Dot and the little folk,— Yours truly, MASTER CONCEIT. '[Fancy Master Conceit with a doll I I wonder if he takes it to bed with him. I should think ma's older to go to practise must be obeyed. It is certainly of more importance than trying the new bike. — DOT.] Dear Dot,— The weather in this locality is at present exceedingly bad, and there are no signs or it getting better. Dear Dot, it is a good while since Corporal 'Con had his last letter in oiu- page, but I suppose when he does write again his letter will be all the longer, and therefore more interesting. Dear Britannia, yon cannot guess who I am, although I am your cousin. Did you not feel sad, Dot, when the news arrived announcing the death of our beloved Queen. It does seeni odd to hear people talking about the King. Dear Dot, all the L. F. are very anxious to find out who you are, therefore I propose you put your photo in the centre of the next group. That would, I think, satisfy our curiosity. Dear Dot, here are two riddles for you and the L. F. :— (1) Why is a novelist the most extraordinary of all animals' (2) When is a ship in love? With love to all the little folk and yourself,— Yours truly, FLOUNDER. P.S.— Dot, you must be all love together when 1000 correspondents are loving you.— F. [Why, Flounder, you must have missed Con's last letter, and as for your pioposal that Dot's photo should appear in the centre of the next gioup, why that proposa.l was threshed out over a year ago, so I think Flounder cannot have been reading our page very attentively. I fancy there are a good many more than 1000 correspondents now, but I have given up counting, as I am quite satisfied -with 1000.— DOT.] Dear Dot,— What rough weather we are having. It seems as if winter had set in very early this year. However, it is to be hoped that we shall have some fine weather, or the farmers will not get their crops cut and stacked. Father is just half finished cutting his oats, so it will be a while before he is finished. I am going to tell you about my little sister. She was helping mother to clean the stove. She had a cloth tied round her head as a substitute for a dust cap, and a big apron wrapped iound her to keep her pinafore clean, and her sleeves drawn up above her elbows. You can imagine how a little mite three years old would look dressed like this, and with a brush in her hand brushing away at the stove, and saying •' Me a, dood polisher, mammy." Children are most interesting when they are between one and two,' don't you think bo, Dot? Our annual district picnic was held here on February 13, and the day being fine I enjoyed myself immensely. I have found out several moie correspondents. I think I have found out about 30 altogether. Lanette, -will yo\i coriespond with me ? Will you please say in. your next letter whether yo i will or not? You will forward on the letter (if it comes), will you not, Dot? I was at the Gore show in December. I saw several D. L. F. badges, but although I wore my badge not a. badge-wearer spoke So me. I attempted to speak to one, but received no answer, and the gill looked the other v/ay. I did not make a second attempt. Will any of the L. F. send me their autos.? I shall send mine in return. I think Feo's letters are very interesting, and I hope she will write again. Dick's letters are also very interesting. With love to all and best love to yourself, — Yours truly, ELAINE. P.S.— I shall send my mite to the Cot fund when I get some spare cash. — E. [Yes, Elaine, I do think little tots are full of interest, but I think I -would extend the age considerably beyond the limits you mention. Yes, dear, I shall foiward on Lanette's letter, but you must both remember my rule — that no correspondence is to be started unless the parents on both sides have given their permission. Your experience at the Gore show was ; anything but encouraging, dear. — DOT.] [ Dear Dot, — I am going to try to write a few lines. Time: 8 o'clock. Place: Dining room. Position. At the head of the table. Now to begin. I am in charge here for the I next hour, and I hope not to be distuibcd save for my mischievous little coxism. I have had a long afternoon in the countiy, and have not long returned, so I am rather tired. About 1 o'clock I set out to walk to a farm three miles distant. I had not gone far, however, before I met the trap coming into town, but as it happened they were not long in returning and overtaking me, so I get a ride the latter half of the way. It was a grand day, so I enjoyed myself very much. I got a drive home in the evening laden with fruit, roots of flowers, and cut flowers. So ended my visit. I am so glad Dum Dum has decided to keep on writing, for his letters and descriptions are excellent. His account of the L. F. visiting Dot was very amusing and interesting, but I am afraid he did not exercise much taste in choosing Alvera's attire. Dear Dot, have 370u3 7 ou permission to tell the norn de plume of the L. F. whose photo appeared m last week's Witness? With love to all, — Yours truly, ABIGAIL. [No, Abigail, but if she gives me permission I shall be only too hanpy to let ycu know. — DOT.] Dear Dot, — I have just finished leading the D.L.F.'s letteis, and I think I like Auchcn- ' draj lie's and Fpo's lettei'3 best. Now, AuchcnI diayne. you said that you did not think anyone I would nuss your letters. Well, I bhould for one, | r.nd I mi quite sine that I krow more who would miss them. I am very fond of leading, and have re?d " St. Elmo," " Little Lainkin, ' and many more books too numerous to location. I I only know about 149 ol the L.F. — not many out o"f*100y. is it, Do!.''' I was speaking to a gentleman the other day, and he said the fust thing he docs when the Witness is biought to him is to lead the I/F.'s letter. He was much amused ?t the cricket match th^t Dum Dum describe-!, and p.lso said lie deser\ed cieat prni = c fo. - it. With lo\e to Queen of the Foiest, Milanda, and Auehcndrayne, not loigottmg yourself and the editor, — Yours truly, EXCHANGE. [I thmk 140 a good number to know, Exchange. Why, 1 don't_thmk I have moie than SSJ names and addiesses myself. r J his is due to «om? coirespontlenls foigetting to gnc the name of the town they wute fiom, though mentioning their pioper name, llie a&Uess is tlius

incomplete, and I do not keep it. Will little folk please remember that 9 — DOT.] Dear Dot, — The district in which I live is | sometimes very cold m winter, and to hot in summer that as soon as we are let out of school we go and have a bathe in a river which flows close by, called the Ophia. Our school treat is going to take place m a week, and I hope it will be fine. We often go to a bu&h called Paddy's Market Bush, which is three miles from here. With love to all the little folk and Dot,— Youis tiuly, FKED ANNISS. [I tiust you had fine weather for your hohdny, Fred, and that you all enjoyed yourselves. —DOT.] Dear Dot,— lt is about three months since I last wiote, so no one can blame me for writing often. Dear Wild Daisy and Gipsy Nell, I suppose you will thmk I did not see the letters in which you asked me to tell each of you your initials; but by this letter you will see that I did, although my answer has been a long time in coming. Dear Gipsy Nell, your initials are M. H., of L , aicn't they, and yours F. N., of P., Wild Daisy. Dear Erin-go-Bragh, I thmk I have found you out. Are you H. X., of W. ? Dear Dot, I was in Dunedin to see the Imperial troops, and I kept a good look-out for badges, but did not see one. Dear L.F., where were you all that day? I was quite disappointed, at not seeing =ome of you. The tram in which the lndipn troops came stopped for about 15 minutes (not bad, considering what a small station it is), and, of course, I was there to sec the Indian soldiers. I thought they were very nice (although I did not taste them) — much better than the Imperials. Besides their curious dress they have a pleasant manner. Dear Dot, there is to be a picnic, social, and dance next AVednesday, March 13, on the occasion of the jubilee of W., our small country town. The jubilee is on the following Saturday, but for convenience sake it is to be held on the aforesaid Wednesday. Dear Dot, I have been trying for months to get a schoolmate of mine to write, but have not been successful yet. Now, M., you ought to " take the hint and hurry up " when I have told Dot of my entreaties and threatcmngs. With love to Ecossais, Unknown, the editor, and your ■own dear self, — Yours truly, MAKYTH. [Why, Makyth, it was a good deal more than jubilee — it was the 61st anniversary, and a most successful celebration it proved, did it not--' I thmk your friend really should write after all that pressing. — DOT.] Dear Dot,— l live in the country many miles from any town. I am m the Fifth Standard. There are not many children going to our school. We have a nice playground and shed at school. I went for a holiday a while ago to see my uncle and cousins. There are a great many labbits about our place I have seen a good few little folk with badges about here. I think I know some of the little folk. — Yours truly, MARTHA JUMPS. [I wonder wherever Martha, Jumps live.s ' She does not tell us in any way, snd I don't know whether that is her real na-me or a norn de plume. You must tell us next time you write, Martha.— DOT.] Dear Dot, — Did you go to see the- Indian troops? I did not go to see them, although I should have liked to. We have had very miserable weather up here. Has it been laining very much down your way? Dear Dot, did not the Queen die suddenly ' I suppose it was the war that helped to cause her death. I must close now. With love to all the little folk, not forgetting youiself, — Yours truly, RAINBOW. [Well, so people say, Rainbow, but we should remember that she was very /©ld, and that she had far exceeded the allotted span, and her death need not have caused much surprise at any time, for anyone over 60 is necessarily very frail.— DOT.] Dear Dot, — I am going to try to tell you about our excursion to Brunnerton. We left here at half-past 8, and after passing through G reymouth arrived at Brunner at half-past 10 ; then we went to the Recreation ground, and stayed an hour or so there, after whicli^we went down to the Grey River dredge. That was the first tune I had seen a dredge. Then we went (a girl friend of mine and myself) down to the coal mine, and were shown all through .it. Have you cvei- been in a coal mine, Dot ? It makes such a noise when they are putting coal into the trucks. We were shown where the men were killed at the great explosion, and were also shown how they make bricks. Then we came out and went across a wire bridge, and, oh, Dot, it did make me giddy. I thought I I was never going to reach the other side. When we did reach it, I had the pleasure of meeting two of your L.F. — namely, M. C. H. and Geraldme. Fortunately, I had my badge on. M. C. H. told me who Rimbecco is, and I told her who Alys is. Brunner is a very dirty place, but the people are so nice; they are not like the Greymouth people. After having a bit of a chat with M. C. H., and thoroughly enjoying ourselves, we got into the tram, and left for Hokitika. There is a boy up here, Dot, and he is a regular scapegoat. His father and mother do not know what to do with him. He won't go to school or to work. The other day he got into a box and set it to sail on the creek. He had a flax stick pushing himse'f along, and he gave an extia hard push when the stick broke, and he went over on his back in the water. Did you ever go /black-beriying. Dot? I got a bucket and a billyfull yesterday. It's grand fun going blackberrying. Yesterday when we were coming home, my mate kicked my bucket, and spilt half them out, so when she was not looking, and had her billy up close to her face, I gave it a push, and all the blackberries went in her face and everywhere, so it was tit for tat. What nice letters Koa writes. What hd.s come over Jessie C. and Maiguerite? They have not written for ages. Surely they have not forgotten the D.L.F. Page With kind regards to M. C. H., Rimbecco, Alys, and Dot,— Yours truly, MIXNEHA.HA. [How fortunate you were, Miimchaha, to fall in with M. C. H. and Geraldme, and to have your badge on. I am sure they wovJd be as delighted to see you as jou were to see them. I hope we shall have letteis fiom both Jessie C. and Mdigueutc in the conin 1 " Old Writers' Week.— DOT.] Dear Dot, — We seem -^o be experiencing the South Island weather just at present. °It is awfully cold, wot, and disaqieeablc altogether, ily sisters and I all went to a social the other mt,ht, and vhat do you thmk we did. Dot > Well, when v, c v,\nt to fie yaid for the hor=p 3 to come home agam, we fou.id the vaid full. ETowevei, we seen) ed our hoises and staited for home. My slater's horse seemed to bs awfully fmkv. and wrnted to bolt all the time. "We took no not'Lc of it, though, as we thought it was iml the cold that was troubling him. When about halfway Lome I looked mound, arcl saw my sister on the jriound and two \oung fellows, who were ruling, alona, e.itch'iji; her hor-e for her. We at once wont b.ul: to disco- cr what luul happened, and Icamrd that she h >1 been thrown o!r, but hic^iiy c^cap^J -\cry lightly. Wv-11, &he mounted ream, and ;ill went well. Next mon nc; D.'d "came mm a Sic.it and i anted to ki.oiv it we wuit hoisp-stcilm% the ni^ht beio:c. "We were quite sUitied at th.s, and a=kcd v, hat caused hum to say it. Ihen he told in to 570 and have a look at ihc slra/igo hoi ,0 wo had nddeii home. 011, clear, wo aliro-t diocl laughing to find that we had mistaken tomcone clse'o horse foi our own. We Wok it ba'.k as acou sd and loiaid

that the owner had taken ours to ride home. However, all's well that ends well, and everything was settled after a short time. "We are both pleased we escaped without being had up for horse-stealmg. We aie teased fiom morning until night about it. My biother had a cage of young blackbhds and a cage of goldfinches. They had been in the cages a^ few days and the mothers fceoing them, v hen me morning we found that the old b,'cls bad poisoned them all. It was so strange that they all died the same night. Birds always poison their young ones ii they are cnged. We have reared them, though, by taking them ?>w.\y while they are still young, and teaching them to feed themselves. Jdo not take an intere°t v? birds, so cannot tell you any more about the little feathery creatuies. The only dumb an-.n; 1 ! lam fond of is a horse. That is my favcimte. I love to get on a spirited horse. That ib the best of living in the country, you se°, Dot. We get a lot of advantages which you townspeople do not get. But then the bike takes the place of the dear old neddy. Now I must come to a sudden stoxo. Love to all from, — Yours truly, MAIDEY. [Ah, but the bike cannot leally take the place of the hors°, Mauley. It is too hard v ork going against wind or up hi]], and it is different altogether having an animated being speeding along with yen and having to propel a steel frame with rubber tyies.— DOT.] Dear Dot, — Instead of a letter this time I am sending you a piece of poetry. It is a pretty piece, and I don't think mimy of your correspondents will have read 't. as I took ifc from an old magazine called "The Family Treasury," dated September 1, 186 S. So it 13 old enough, isn't it? I lia\e been in Dunedin for a holiday lately (that is, since I last wiote), nvd I met Cherryrjpe and Bookworm there. I didn't see much of Cherryripe, but what I did Eec I liked very much. As for Bookworm, she couldn't possibly have been nicer I am sure you could not meet, a nicer girl than, she is anywhere. I didn't manage to inn across Harry (and I was m a good few bookshops, too), though I thmk I stared pretty hard at every distinguished-looking young 1 man (?) whom I thought might be "the famous Harry" to see if he wore a badge and the Witness smile. But I stared ; no, I mean looked, in vain. I suppose, Harry, you aie fairly weeping because you have missed seeing the latest specimen of a country bumpkin. Another thing I didn't see was Dot, but Bookworm told me what she is like, or partly anyway, so I can console myself with U*at, eh, Dot? I saw the Indian trop3, though. Well, this letter that was to have been no letter has lengthened, and has also managed to harbour a3 much rubbish as its predecesscis (oh, what an effort it has cost me to write that woid correctly — if it is correct), so I 1 shall conclude by saying that I shall be only too glad to exchange autos with Bluebell, and j I would also say good-bye for the last time, only it might be a. case of "They thought it was a gor.er, But the cat came back. if I did, meaning that I rn^crht come back again when >ou all thought I had departed in peace. — Yours truly, VINETA. [In order to save our space, Ymeta, I have handed your verses to the editor, who will no doubt find a, corner for tliTr. somewhere in the acres of space he has at command. I hope the little folk will search for them m the dreary ■wastes of the '"grown-up" pages — DOT.j Dear Dot, — We have now commenced the harvest, but are not getting veiy good harvest weather, though I think it will clear up and hope it nisy be fine «t£ll the harvest is over. The turnips in this district are not growing very fast, for thr-re has been very little growing weather all this summer. Dear D^ot, I went to town on Saturday to see tiie Indian troops. I left home a little after 8 o'clock, inj with over five miles to walk 1 was a bit timl when I reached town. I went down to iha Agricultural Hall and saw the Indians killing a sLeep. Two men brought the sheep out into the yard, one mar. got hold of the sheep's hind legs and the other had a. rope round its neck. The Indian pnest came along with a sharp weapon, and with one blow the head rolled ever to tho ground. They skinned it very quickly and cut it up into pieces and divided it cut to those who had a share in it. I then walked up Princes street, where I saw a girl wearing a badge. She was walking down towards Kattray street, but I did not speak to her as I had no badge. I then went down to the Triangle, and the Indian troops were just coming along. There was a crowd of people running along to get a glimpse of them. I saw them at three different places, and at each place there were crowds of people. I thmk they are a grand class of men, don't you, Dot? I reached home about 4 o'clock alter thoroughly enjoying myself. With love to all of the little folk, the editor, and yourself, — Yours truly, SEAFORTH. [Yes, Seaforth, I agree with you in thinking the Indians a fime lot of men. I wonder if any, of them will ever write a book relating the experiences they have had during then- tour. They would have some amusing things to tell, wouldn't they?— DOT.] Dear Dot,— l went to Edendale to see the Imperial troops as they passed through on their way to Duned-n. As I was waiting for the tram I saw a girl standing on the plati'oVm, with a badge on her hat. As I had not my badge on I did not like to go and speak to her, but at last I went and asked her her norn: cle plume, and it proved to be Orphan. So, if you happen to see this letter, Orphan, you will know who that girl was. I was awfully disappointed at not seeing the Indian troops a.a they passed thiough Edendale. The people who saw them seemed to like them better than the Imperial troops. We are having such lovely harvesting weather just now, and all the farmers are busy getting m their crops. Dear Dot, the other day mv sister and I went to get our photos taken, and, leally, Dot, when the photographer asked who was going to get taken first my coinage failed. Of course, my sister wanted me to get mine taken first, but catch me, so at last -we got them taken somehow, but really I don't thmk I'll ever get mine taken again. By-the-bye, a thousand voluutecis are to be camped here at Easter, some from as far off as Oamaru, so they ought to liven things up a bit. I wonder what has become of iiren, and Fiona > It is such a long time since they wrote. I say, do huriy iri and write again, girl', and tell us hoy -\oa aie getting on. I am go us; to slait t.i 1.1113 music les^ojis this v. eel:. "We have such a lot of unit this -j ear. I realiy could not tc'l \cu hoc many bags of plums we pulled tins weel:. Y\*ith lo\c and best wishes, — Youi 3 liulv, FIND OUT. [That will be a fre^t werk. Find Out. I wonder if the editor v.iil Feud d photographer dou.-i to get some snaps o, 1h 0 volunteers m camp. 1 hope so, as we phall .11 v. anl to sea ■something about it — DOT J Dr t Dot, — I haven't ic=;gnrJ aftei ?!!, fit uhl -i .-*3 nciily clou- ,< o. 1 onjoyrcl Dnirt Duni's di?ni£t oil our vi-.'i to the ~\\'i!i:ct,3 ofnYe. It v, as quite ori^m^l and no mistake Well, I v,is full or busmc that da\ apparently, but I couldn't help noticing that whenesci anyone passed us on a bike Echo would look lornd, stait, and blush. I wondcied what was the matter, but I know nc.\. A few days licfoio the had been struck, someubeic aLout the region of the henit, h\ a Dum Dum bullet, and t'ucu a ii ili<s &4Svki £,4. 1-2 1 i)ic»Q kUlj it aiedo

"h&t a bit nervous. Nwer mind, Echo, I hop* you are quite recovered; you'll be able to sympathise with our boys in South Africa now, ■won't you ? Well done, Sol. Slow ; you see little folk, we bare quite convinced Sol. that his norn de plume was inappropriate, when he applied for a "smart" boy. With best wishes to all the little folk, and love to Dot,— Yours tlUly ' REGINA. [Why Regina, a whole letter of private talk! Is that fair, dear?— DOT.] Dear Dot— lt is just eight years since I last •wrote you a letter, so I thought I would -<kc to write to you again. What a change m the Little Folk's Page now. I have been reading the letters ever sir.cc I can rememoer, and find a •great difference in them. X know a good *ew little folk who write from about here, but it would not do to name any of them, as i should be found out very quickly. I did not go for any holidays at Christmas, but just contented myself at home. I have never seen a train or the sea yet, but hope to see one some day. I live in the country and think it is very quiet, as I like to be in a town best. Pho wople about here are mostly farmers and they ire all busy getting in their crops. There w a dredge working not far from where I hie, and we often go lo see it, as I take a great interest in dredges. I saw the last group of photos, and I liked Pearl and Mona the best, although they -were all very good. That was a very good piece written by Dura Dum, "bating Dot. and I flunk he is a second 8.0.8. right enough. Oh, how I wish I could write letters like RimTjacco, for we all take an interest m ncr letters The Cot fund is getting on very well, and I Ehall send my contribution later on, also some stamps for a badge. Da- ay Primrose has given ■U3 a grand account of Pigeon Aland, and Feo t>? Trixie's pranks. With love to all ihe DJi.-F., not forgetting yourself and the editor,— Youra truly ' KAT7ARAU. [This is really delightful, another of the originol correspondents turning up. There, will he no old friends to welcome Kawarau, but our present-day writers will receive her wrtli , open arms, lam cure. Our page is' really full of pleasant surprises; every now and again someone who is cmite forgotten "bobs up eexenely" and revives a host of old memories for Dot aiid I am sure for many old readers of the page.— DOT.] Dear Dot,— l wonder wb»n the war in South Africa will come to an end. We had a. concert here on the 6th of February on accourt cf Trooper Stewart, back from the war. lam in the Fouith Standard, and I like it very ■well. One of 'our horses has a black foal, but I cannot catch it. I know a good few D.L.F., and I must try to find out some more. We have two cats, a bleujk and a. white «ne I have a flower garden, but there are not many flowers in it. With love to all the D.L.F., not forgetting your own aear self,Yours truly, ENID [I am not surprised that you cannot catch the foal, Enid. Those spindley legs can carry it out of rtach of short human legs very quickly. —DOT.] Dear Dot,— Here I am, away up in the back blocks lam in quite a lonely spot, our nearest neighbour being about half a mile away. .However, I don't weary a bit. I see the Witness every week, so that is not so bad. A .■nice old bachelor— (oh, I shouldn't have said that, as ho told me he was rather young to ■get married. I hope he doesn't see thie)— lends us the paper. One day he •tried to get me wild by teasing me about being jan auntie. "Oh," I said, quite composedly, "I have been an aunt for years." But h© said 'just as quietly, "Oh, well, you'll soon be a 'granny,' " then. At that I burst out laughing ; who could help it? It was so funny. But -I was nicely "had," wasn't I, Dot? It is three weeks to-day since I left home, and in another week I'll have to make tracks back again Since coming here I have got to tnow the names of three of your writers— namely, Old Gold, V.R., and Muriel. I know ihe names of over 260 writers. I have great adventures (by my way of it) with the cow here. One night it was getting dark when I went for her, and sticks being a bit scarce about here, I took an old broom, and marched feoMly forward. I caught sight of Daisy an the top of the hill, and called to her. She came quietly for a while, then she started to perform— tossing her head and tearing about like mad. Of course I made for the nearest eate and got over a? quick as any boy. I sat on top of it for a while, calling to the cow, but Bho never heeded. At lust I remembered about Harry getting chased by a bull, so I ■ulucked ud courage and got her m. I don t think she "would rush anybody, but whenever she starts horning the gates, etc., my sister and I make ourselves pretty scarce, for fear she night mistake us for the gate. Every night I shoulder the old broom and go for her, and sometimes it is as good as a play to see her. I would take a good photo with the old broom. You had better sketch me in your imagination, Macrocarpa. Dear Dot, there is nothing to be Teen from here except hills I never see » woman (except my sister) unless I go down to Miller's Flat, a distance of over three miles. Some days we don't- see anybody but each other, while other days we see a, shepherd or two. So we are in what you. would really call the back blocks. You'll allow me a little private talk, won't you Dot? Dear Harry, do you remember "One of D.L.F. ' dedicating a Verne of poetry to you once? Well, you thought it was R a, but it was "only me. Pear Mimosa, I remember; are you E. S. ? Oh Lorenzo, you did make me curious, but I think I know you. Did I ever read L.F.s letters to you long ago? Anyhow, you re a mato for Jessica; but you'll have to look out for Shylock. I have to own that L.F. are finding me out on all sides. Tot and Fairyboll we light. £LWi Nyp^er, the mine person.

I that told you my name told me yours. I asked I how he found out, and he said, "Just by obserI vation," and with that I had to be content. Too much private talk, eh, Dot? Well, the L.F. wouldn't be pleased if their questions were not answered. So please forgive me. Harry and Dum Dum are the reigning favourites just now. I should very much like their autographs. Dear Dot, a good while ago Regins, asked me to correspond with her. I ' consented, and a while afterwards I noticed ' that you said you had sent me her autograph. j I'm very sorry to say that I never got it, and ! the mystery of its fate is still unravelled. ExI cuso me, please, but I couldn't help putting in that. liove to Zenobia, Spinnie, Shylock, etc., and of course to yourself. — Yours truly, JESSICA. fYou certainly ai - e in the back blocks, Jessies, and you will be able to appreciate home when you get back. Fancy sesing no one for days' I should not have been surprised if you had | told us you were homesick. However, the tow ] evidently relieves tha monotony with her "olnyful tricks. It i<? very strange about the missing autograph ; but perhaps Regina will iVi d another one to you. — DOT.] Dear Dot, — I really cannot writing these few lines relating a dreans I had about j you lately. Well. I dreamt I paid you a visit ' at the Witness Office, and was shown into your room. After sitting shaking for a little time, you suddenly came up behind me and gave me j a most unmerciful "hiding." You were a I hugo woman with a bad temper, and wore » purple dress. You also said I had killed the editor, and threatened to call in the police if I made a noiso. After you had given me thi3 hiding "for, as you said, writing that drama, you made me promise never to write again. But here comes the funny part — you ended U P by G* vv * n S ule a nice little button-hole of white forget-me-nots, as if I were likely to forget you, after you had given me that "hiding" ! You needn't wonder at my being "scared" of you after this experience. Trusting you will not give me another unmerciful "hiding" for breaking my promise, — Yours truly, DUM DUM. P.S. — If I remember right, I forgot to thank ! you at the time for those flowers; but, really, I Dot, I was so anxious to get out of the Witness ! Office that manners were only a second thought. — D. D. [No wonder, Dum Dum. I think had I been in your place I should have tried hard te get out of the clutches of your Demon Dream Dot without giving her the opportunity of mak- | ing peace by the presentation of a button-hole of white forget-me-nots. Had you come to see the real Dot when you were up in Dunedin, perhaps you would have b?en saved that trying quarter of an hour, even if it did occur in your sleep.— DOT.] Dear Dot, — I have a nice retriever do:?, which carries a basket, and I set out to-day v ; ith him, and the harvest hands gave me conic contributions for the D.L.F. Cot fund as follows: — Tom, Is ; Davie, 6d ; Mother, Is ; Daisy Is ■ Ken, 3d, Papa, 2s; Friend, 3d; lso, 6d. We are thinking of dressing a dolly for the cot's little occupant, and mamma says it will be a useful amusement during the coming winter evenings. We are all interested in the letters, and especially Corporal Con's. With love,— Yours truly, DEWDROP. [Oh, Dewdrop, dear, what a good thing mamma was by to send me a translation of your letter, for I really believe it is in shorthand, and I don't understand shorthand, yon know. However, there it is, and it is very nice for a little four-year-old. What a useful dog that is. I am sure you must be very fond of him, and between he and you what a grand contribution you have made to th« Cot fund. He won't be able to help you with the doily, but I am sure lie will take an interest in your work if he is by, and sees you all at it. — DOT.] THE CEITIC CLUB. "Dear Dot,— Though silent so long as regards their own doings, the club has been at work regularly, though less rowdy than usual, for Buttons as president is too busy to give any thought to nonsense. When Buttons read about half of the letters, he said, ' I wish to draw your attention to an expression used by both Mossrose and Dardy, and also very much in vogue with many of the writers. I refer to the inelegant one of ' Never mind.' I know a great many people use it when talking; m all probability we do ourselves, but that does not prove it correct; and you must remember •more license is allowed in talking than in writing, when you have time to think of what you wish to say, and the most Approved style of saying it. I know, Tom, it does not relate to the memory alone, but, rather means ' do not attend to.' You can't see anything wrong in it? Well, granting it is not exactly wrong, you must admit it is somewhat clumsy, and might be improved on, and our aim in writing should be to reach the best and not make use of as many doubtful expressions as possible." When he had finished reading Dum Dum's letter, Sally interposed with "Dum Dum hopes we liked the drama. I have been thinking seriously of Roy's generous advice, and feel sure I was meant for the stage. I'll think about it when I leave school, and, who knows, I may become a Washington Irving — but I fancy lie was a writer, wasn't he?" "George Washington," suggested Tom. " Oh, no, Tom. George would never make an actor; he had no imagination; he couldn't even make up a decent lie when he chopped down the tree. He was the president who started life in a Jiut. but the rain came through, and ended it in the president' 3 white-washed house. Oh, I know who I mean. Sir Henry Irving. When I start in opposition to him I'll invite Dot and some of the nicest little folk to see me play. I'll givo Dot a season's ticket for the dress circle, or what you call that place where they sit with ton" dresses and grave faces. I 1 dare say Roy would act as critic, but I that

fancy I'll let Dum Dum write my plays. I should scarcely like to figure in last week's drama. I think he uses other people's names too freely, and in a manner that can scarcely be agreeable to some of the owners if they are at all sensitive. I think it would be better named a farce." Tom says, " Nell is Talker fond of adjectives, and not particularly nice ones either. One of the teachers in a Dunedin school has, I believe, a great objection to adiectives as an unnecessary waste of words." Buttons is of the opinion that adjectives, if well chosen and limited are a great improvement, and make reading and conversation much pleasantcr. The adjectives motioned by Tom were scarcely well chosen, nor, in his opinion, were those in the article in last week's Witnpss, " Camping on the Wild West Coast." There they were far too nurueroii3 and soiuewhat exaßgergted. Sally said, " Buttons, don't you think you are going rather beyond your province? You may be justified in criticising the L. F., but you have no right to say such things of grownup writers." Then Buttons, hotly, " I have the right. The articles are there for anyone to read, and I have a perfect right to think what I please of them, and say it too. If people don't like their articles ciiticised, they must not put them in the papers." " Well, as I mentioned before, the man was a school teacher, and he ought to know, Buttons." "Of course, he did, but you know, my dear Thomas, the cleverest men are very often weak on at least one point, and this must be his." " You are mad on a pood many, I fancy," spoken m some disgust by Sally, put an end to the meeting, which after a time reopened to discuss the Cot fund. Buttons had by this time regained his good humour, but gave iis a little more "reason,"' and another speech:— "Ahem! Gentlemen, as you- are aware, we have met to discuss the Cot fund, and to discover, if possible, the state of the club's finances. They have been greatly diminished since our worthy president's absence. The slang fees have fallen off considerably, for which I take great credit to myself. " The funds amount to 2s 6d, which we shall forward." Regretting it is not more, — I am, yours truly, TAFFY. [So the Critic Club is enlarging its functions, and bringing " grown-ups " within reach of its lash. Dear me, this is somewhat alarming, for I am conscious that I make quite palpable slips myself, and some of these days I shall probably find Dot's little shortcomings under discussion. Ah, well, if it is necessaiy. ; boys, treat me es leniently as possible, and meanwhile accept my thanks for your enter- i taining reports, and also for the half-crown for j the Cot fund.— DOT.] | Dum Dun.— lt is a veiy pretty little picture, and it seems to me to be capitally taken. Thank you very much for sending. By the way, I intend to include* your photo in the next group; I suppose you have no objection ? Pandora.— l was not in despair when I received your letter, but I am in grave doubt as io its genuineness. If you write again don't describe a boy as having " beautiful eyes." or talk of girls kissing other girls' brothers. I do not like such silly talk, and should not allow it to appear even if you had complied with the rule that the correct name and address must accompany each letter. C^ c ?ff.°-~ I cannot send you Priscilla's or Gillian's or Giulia's addresses unless th^y give me permission to do so. Would it not be better for them to send me their autograiihs to be forwarded to you? Yes, I shall send yours on if you let me have it. Coral.— No, dear, the name and address is quite sufficient. Dewbrop's Mother.— l am afraid the hf-.le tot will scarcely understand her letter when you read it to her, but' you v.-Jl be able to .explain enough for hor to be delighted^. I have no doubt. Thank you so much for your kind wishes. I often feel sorry that our page is so much above the heads of the very little ones, but it almost seems as if it had to be either one thing or another, and the development is really spontaneous. Denis. — Emmehne's and Civis's names ase great secrets, and no one knows for certain who either one is. There are many guesses, but most of them are very wide of the mark just as wide as those made as to the identity of Dot. The 'third name you give is that I of the editor himself. Cooee. — I certainly do not see any reason why you should think of resigning, and should I be very sorry were you to do so. If you find ', writing too much of a tax on you, why not ■ write shorter letters. They aie sometimes S very long, you know. I shall bend on any J autographs that come for you. j Usca. — I am exceedingly soriy for you, dear, ! for it is indeed a terrible loss. The editor | tells me that the photo is a very bad one for i reproduction, as it is an enlargement fiom a I small photo. He has promised that the best • possible shall be done with it. The obituary j lines, however, cannot be put under it, as that is not the place for them. I Edendale.— Thank you for the warning; I ! shall be on my guard. At the same time I do not think much of the warning of a correspondent who has not the courage to send his name and address even privately. My experience of correspondents of this class is that they are usually far worse ! i than the parties they profess to warn one against. ! Dum Dum.— You have misread the announcement, Dum Dum. The time for stopping is only a fortnight, between April 23 and May 7, so that I shall be glad to hear from you any time before the former date and after the latter one. I have sent the paper on lo Alys , as desired. LITTLE FOLK'S BADGES. : Badges have been sent to the following. — Annie Kennedy, Bella Weir, James Craig.