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Otago Witness, Issue 2516, 4 June 1902, Page 68

ft)ot, have you ever been up the Otago Central kailway? There is some beautiful scenery all iilong the line, the hills on one side being icovered -with, ferns and manuka, and a. deep jgorge on the other, with the Taieri River tunning through it. The next time we write jure, shall describe Ophir to you. With love to *I1 the D.L.F., not forgetting yourself, — Sours truly, TWO NIPPERS. tThe scenery up part of the Otago Central Is certainly very rugged, Nippers, but I am mot quite sure about it being beautiful. Howpyer, there are, no doubt, many charming spots Wong the route.— DOT.] Dear Dot, — We hope you will not mind our intruding on your page; but as you have so pnany writing, w« thought you would not mind kwo more. On Coronation Day Oamaru is Woing to have a church service and a. children's procession in the morning, a volunteer procession in the afternoon, and % torchlight procesfeion and a bonfire on Cape Wanbrow in the {evening. A few months ago Oamaru was jnearly flooded. Our new railway bridge was. [partly washed away and our gardens were fcovered with water, and many of the pretty were spoilt. With love to the L.F. ♦nd yourself,— Yours truly, THE TWO PERT CHICKENS. Clt was a pity that the beautiful gardens «rere damaged, Chicks, but no doubt the gardener will get them in good condition again before spring.—D OT.] Dear Dot, — The- weathei for the past three •reeks has been very disagreeable. The snow fcas lying on the ground yesterday morning, und iof coarse we could not see the mudholes. I went out to milk the cows as usual, and it was well foi me that I found sin old pair of gum-boots, for really, Dot, I got my foot into » 'hole, and in trying to get out I put my other foot into another hole, and before I could wink I was down in the mud. It only wanted someone with a camera to take a snapshot of me and the gum-boots down in the mud; it •would have been a fine illustration for the Witnees. With love to the editor, P.ot, and all little folk, — Yours truly, FUN. CThat -was rather disagreeable "fun," but I puppose you got a good laugh out of your toeculiar experience, dear. I am afraid, howfever, you would not have thanked a passing photographer for taking a snapshot at you. — JbOTj ' Dear Dot, — I am going to tell you about a bioscope and microphone entertainment I was it sot long ago. Although it was a very cold and dark night, and I had to go to it by myself, as my brother -took his bike, I enjoyed it very much. Some capital pictures were shown of the war and the New, Zealand nurses in the field after a battle. The microphone gave some very good songs, such as "Rocked in the cradle of the deep," "Sleigh bells," and a song with » laughing chorus. I had plenty of company going home, as there were rune riders besides myself, and we were not long in getting back. It is very seldom any entertainment of that kind comes to this part of she globe, so when one does come it is very well patronised. It has been raining hard Eor about a week, and the river is out in flood for about a xnile on each side of the bed. (Some of the farmers had a great job to get jfchdr sheep and cattle out of the river-bends (during the flood. Sine I last wrote to you tare have had better >. jws of my brother in Bcutli Africa. He is now convalescent, but he be able to come home with the Seventh Contingent. We received a letter from him to-day, but it was written before he took so (bad- He was in the hospital when he wrote, jbut lie said he was able to stand, and that he /was going to be sent to Durban. lam always glad when Saturday comes, for that is the Iday we get the. Witness. My brother says {whenever he finds the Witness it is always tainted to Dot's L.F. Page. With love tc H)aisy and Nance O'Neil, — Yours truly. ALPINE PRINCESS. [And I suppose if you found it after he had Jbeen reading it, Alpine Princess, it would be /turned at football or cricket — unless, of course, lie was having a quiet look over our letters jb'mself.— DOT.] Dear Dot, — There is awful weather here just and the roads are in a state of plvsh, for the farmers are carting their grain {down to the station, to send it away by the train. I have not very far to go to school, but I have got a bad road. There are not very knany children in my class, but there are more tin the other rooms. I live at the foot of a mountain, and I often take a fit and try to climb it, but I only get about half-way up vrhen I have to turn back. I know people who have climbed it and got lost, for if they ctay later than 5 o'clock a dense fog comes on, and they can't see where they are going. We oTten have a flood here in the winter time, and X don't like them, foi they do a lot of damage, and sometimes wash horses and cattle down the river; so the farmers are always in great dread of the floods. Good-bye, Dot. — Yours truly, BUSHRANGER. '[I have an idea that this is a- very harmless bushranger — not by any means one of the Keniff stamp. I don't wonder at the farmers idreading such destructive floods as that. — JDOTJ Dear Dot, — A few weeks ago Silver Mist and I were at si biograph entertainment* which we enjoyed very much. Besides numerous moving pictures, phonograph selections, songs, etc., there were recitations, one of which wai entitled *' Nelly's Prayer." Limelight views irere shown while the young man was reciting it. A. biograph picture was shown, however, at which I was disgusted, for it was a lot of men beheading a Chinaman. The second part of the programme was chiefly limelight pictures, Mrnt td- '■hMfc MHi ftfao"fc th* ateaeat jrar and

its generals. They showed a life-sized picture of Baden-Powell. Of course, he being a British • officer, the people were very enthusiastic. The next picture was that of Kruger, which was not at all pleasing to the audience. The first picture they could not make enough of, but •when Kruger's vtgly face appeared they showed their disapprobation in many ways. The interesting affair was brought to a close by a, ventriloquist and his talking dolls. I suppose you have heard of the famous new game of ping-pong, Dot? Well, the other night a lady told me how she played "pan-pong." She places a fender in the centre of the table, while her husband and herself get a frying-pan each and stand at each end of the table; then, instead of ping-pong balls, they use potatoes. I suppose she was only spinning me a yarn ; but if she really ping-pongs in such a fashion I should very much like to pay her a visit and watch the procedure of the game. Dcn't you think it would be a capital idea to get a group of D.L.F. tak*n on Coronation Day? I think it would be grand to get all the ii.F. •together from different parts of the country. Nearly every D.L.F. I meet seems to be all on for carrying out the plan. Couldn't you suggest something, Dot, so that all the country little folk would know where to meet, and at what time? What a number of the happy band will be in town on that great day; and I think it would be a great pity to miss such a golden opportunity, for it will most likely be some time before a good number of D.L.F. can get together again. 1 do hope you can propose something, Dot. for we are all so anxious to have a large group taken, besides making the acquaintaace of many L.F. Could not you appoint a place and publish full particulars in the Witness, so that all the country D.L.F. could get the benefit of it? Of cour3e, Dot, we will not expect you to be present, so you need meke -ao objections on account of that. I had the pleasure of meeting Octavia, Ruby, Mariner, and Little Bertie the other day. They are all charming D.L.F., especially the first-named. I will write you. a letter as soon as possible, Octavia, so have patience pnd wait, dear. I have just finished reading such a lovely book, entitled "The Lust of Hate," by Guy Boothby. It &hows what wonderful power one man has over another, where an innocent man is tempted to do such dreadful things, and even go as far as murder. I do not know why you do not like Guy Boothby's books, Rough Rider, for they are not, as you say, Oiily cheap novels, they are very inteiesting books. I should like to exchange autos with Boy, Texas Jack, and Chatterbox. With love to lolanthe, Silver Mist, Black Watch, Dot, and the editor, — Yours tiuly, FLORODOEA. [I have spoken to the editor about a Coronation D.L.F. group, Florodora, and he says be will be only too happy to arrange for one if one of the photographers can be spared. I am to see him again about it, and in the meantime he will consult with the photographers.— DOT.] Deal Dot, — We are having dreadful weather here. It is snowing to-day, and lying about three inches deep on the ground. We are expecting the mill in a week, if the weather keep fine. We are milking three cows and feeding one calf and two pigs. My brothers are a perfect nuisance they torment the very life out of me, and nothing will suit them but pulling my hair as hard as they can. My little brother has started to go to school; he went five days, and he says he is not going again. With love to all the little folk and your dear self,— Yours truly, ANTOINE. [The playful ways of boys are past all comprehension, Antoine. Surely they might be content with pulling each other's hair, without giving their attention to you.— DOT.] Dear Dot, — I fancy I see the editor frowning and saying, "Oh, dear, here is another intruder!" Well, to begin with, I shall tell you of a walk wo had one day — my sister and I. We started and got up the hill we wished to reach before dinner time. There we sat down and began to read a story-book I had with me. We had not been reading long when we heard the bellowing of some cattle not far off. My, didn't we get a fright! and, needless to say, we took to our heels and ran. We had about two miles to go before we could get mto a place of safety, so we got up a cabbage-tree, and thert we stayed for about an hour, but the cattle would not go away. At last one of them came right up to the tree, and my sibter gave euch s scream that it took fright and went away, and the> all followed. We stayed up the tree for a while, and then jumped down, forgetting the story-book, and ran. I can tell you, Dot, we never stopped till we were in safety. Gcod-bye, Dot, and D.L.F.— Your* truly, PErPERMINI CURE. [But was there really any cause for being go frightened, P.C. ? The cattle do not seem to have been very wild, when they took to their heels because your siste screamed. — DOT.] Dear Dot,— We have a dog called Turk. He is a German collie, and is a great pet with us all. He is very fond of children, md likes to play with us. 1 used to have a pet white Leghorn hen, called Lame-leg. She was very tame, and would let me nurse her. When I first got het she was packed in a case with some other hens, and in her struggles to get away she broke her leg. It had to bY bandaged for a few days, but coon got all right again. For my Christmas holidays I went to Portobello, and had a fine time. I went for a bathe every morning. We went to Hooper's Inlet to gather gooseberries with some friends. One of the boys got me a little rabbit. I was very much pleased with it, and carried it home. It was a dear wee thing, and became so tame that I let it run about the house. When .we were coming home father aaid I must let it t;o. I w»a very, aorrvj but, I goon learni that »t

were not allowed to keep bunnies in Dunedin. With love to yourself and little folk, — Yours truly, MOANA. CMoana is evidently fond of animals, and thus gets lota of pleasure from their companionship. — DOT.] Dear Dot, — I have shifted my quarters to the Bhiff, where I intend staying a few weeks. I am keeping house for my two brothers, the elder of whom is to be married in a nionth or two ; then I shall be going home again. I do not like this place as well as where I came from. It has been blowing and raining the last six or seven days, and is likely to continue: doing so. Bluff is noted fcr its wind. There are four big boats in at the wharf, but two arr> leaving to-day. The Salvation Army liere had a coffee supper and a. sale cf work the other night, and the men off the boats came along, and they bought all sorts of things and gave them away. I got some mats, doyleys, turnips, canots, and goodness knows what not. One man bought a. lot of vegetables, and then lie had to buy a big pinafore to tie them in. He said he would not know wha'., to do with it when he got his vegetables to the boat. The weather is very cold down here, but I suppose it is the same everywhere. Two of the troopers from Riverton returned home by the express yesterday^ and were welcomed by their friends. I went to Invercargill to see them before they went on to Riverton. Tvoopei Goode, who died of fever, also belonged to Riveiton, and the mayor is now gathering money for a memorial to be erected for him and some, others belonging to the district. It is to be erected in the centre of Riverton. I have to go up the street foi somethmg for dinner. I would sooner stay and write, but I must go, or the boys will be coming in at dinner time and giving me the rounds of the kitchen — and it is a fairly big one, too. Boys again ! These two are not so bad, though; they let me have my own way and get whatever I please for dinner. If they start to "boss" me they know what the consequences will be: I shall go home, and they will have to cook for themselves. With love to Dot, the editor/and little folk, — Yotirs truly, BLEEDING HEART. [No wonder B.H.s two brothers are good to her, with such a threat hanging over their heads. To cook their own dinner, clean up the kitchen, and make their own beds is an ordeal few boys would care about facing — unless, of course, they are camping out. — DOT.] Dear Dot, — Isn't this weather disagreeable? It is blowing gales to-day, so I cannot get out. I have not read "Alice in Wonderland" yet, but I shall do so as- soon as I get an opportunity. The last book that I read was "The Dog Crusoe and His Master," and I think it is a very nice book. I was in town at Easter, and enjoyed myself very much. On Good Friday I saw Harry on the wharf and was fitanding next to him, but I did not have my badge on, so I did not like to speak. When my friend and I were going to the Gardens on Easter Sunday we met a young man with a badge on. He was riding a bike, and he asked us to have a ride. I should like to know his nom-de-plume, if he does not mind telling me. I also went to the sports on Easter Monday, and I think they were very nice. One of my cousins came home with the Sixth New Zealand Contingent. I shall be glad to exchange autos with any DJLi.V. who are willing. There are a number of D.L.P. who live down here, and I think I know them all personally. I am sorry Daisy Primrose has stopped writing now. She used to write such interesting letters. I had a cousin in the Seventh New Zealand Contingent, but he was killed. The Seventh was a very unlucky contingent altogether, pear Dot, won't Coronation Day be a great day in Dunedin! I think I am going up to Dunedin — at least I hope so, anyway. I shall have to stop now, or the editor will be chasing me with the broomstick for writing so long a letter. With love to all the L.F., and most to yourself, — Yours tru'.y, "CINERARIA. [If any such event as the editor chasing Cineraria with a broom=tick occurs, I fihall certainly have a photographer on the «pot and have a <vnapshot of it taken for the Witness. It would certainly make an amusing picture. — Dear Dot, — I am learning to ride now. I am a bit shaky yet, but I suppost I shall get all right soon. One day I thought I would do a stroke. I got on bareback to ride in some horses. I got them started off all right, but one of them took a turr and off like the wind, and my hack after it, and of course I could not stop it, so I let go the reins and hung on to the mane; but, alas! just as my hack wa? jumping a ditch, oft I came such a spill. I got up and looked around, and did not know where 1 was for a while, and the first thing I saw was my hack running away up the paddeck as hard as he could go. It 3s getting very cold up in Central Otago now, for the winter is upon us , but I like winter, for you can have grand fun sliding. We are only milking three cow= once a day now, but I think it is T>leiitv in the cold weather, don't you. Dot 9 With love to Matak^nui, Sharpshell, Flower Garden, Otago. and yourself, — Yours truly, DOLLY [I suppose it i-> r-novjjli if you do the milking, Dolly, but I should imagine your parents will wish the number wr.s double what it is. — DOT.] Dear Dot, — MotLrr h.T Vc-n to Glenore io>a day or two, and l- ret coming home tili next \\cek. and New Chum and 1 are left m rharge. .Since I li>«t wrotn my grandfather lias gone to re ef . Hr hsd been paralysed for some tune, and In v dto weary lying in bed month aii^r mouth -. ithent getting out. Our corn i? .'!! t\re=h r 'l ->\r.\i . the mill went away on Ri'mun li h ! •~ 1 it b?gan to snow on bauUi... ti Ai-u it k~ suit I was srlad they

' finished before the snow came. We had a traction engine this year instead of a portable, and. I liked to go out and watch the threshing. There was a hut and a chaffcutter besides the mill, and it was amusing to watch them going through a gateway. The storekeeper brought some lellies for the children to-day, and every now and then New Chum is throwing lollies on to the paper 1 am writing on, but I have a tooth for sweets, so I don't mind the disturbance. — Yours truly, LAURA. [The threshing must be pretty lively wlii'c it lasts, Laura, and as you evidently had fine weather while it was on, you no doubt enjoyed the scene of life and bustle. — DOT.] Dear Dot, — I make all my doll's clothes by the machine. I can thread the shuttle and the needle, -and wind a spool to ptiu m the shuttle. One day when I was making a dolly's dress my dolly fell on the machine and broke its face. R-eally, Dot, I did feel sorry, for I thought my dolly would hz no good any more. However, I was quite pleased when my daddy came home, and I showed it to him at once. He was as skilful as a doctor. Of course, poor dolly was crying very hard, but we soon had her under chloroform and her face mended again. The operation was a great success, and dolly is the same old girl again. I have six dolls altogether. Some of them I have had for four years. — Yours truly, IYYLEIGH. [Dolly evidently had a narrow escape, Ivyleigh, but things proved all right under the skilful management of your father.— DOT.] Dear Dot, — The craze to write to you has been gradually working on me for a long time now, until at last I find it has reached its highest point, and has got hold of me like "grim death." There is only one cure for it, and that is to write to you at once. Have you ev.er been for a drive to the mouth of the Waiau River? If you have not been to Invercargill, Dot, you nrast come for your next holiday, and you will have an opportunity of going for this drive I am going to tell you about; but don't bring any of your bad weather with you, or you won't enjoy yourself. Foi the first part of the drive the road winds in and out, and you get some very pretty Views of the sea where the waves dash up against the rocks. Then there is the bush, a most beautiful one, where its splendour is laid out to its utmost. It is very thick on each side of thie road, and, being very close to it, it lookß a sight of unbewildered loveliness. When the sun comes out, too, and shines on the artistic ferns and trees, it adds to the beauty of the bush, and gives it a soft, delicate appearance. All this goes on for a considerable distance, and when my mate and I came to the end of our drive, we were quite sorry to have to stop, for we enjoyed it so much. I was in Dunedin for a holiday a short time ago, and what do you think, Dot? — your weather clerk had a painful attack of the blues, and it rained the whole time I was there. Just like Dunedin to the ground, wasn't it? Say "Yes," now, Dot, or I shall be even with you. With love to the editor and yourself, — Youis truly, POPPY BUD. [No, I couldn't say "Yes" to that, Poppy Bud. The trouble with Dunedin is that the lovely mornings in summer are apt to_ end in a wet afternoon, but steady rain for more than a day is quite the exception. You evidently were very unfortunate, P. B. Sc I am afraid I must look out for you to be "even "with me." —DOT.] Dear Dot, — How our page is increasing! It seems to grow like the grass. I saw a few weeks back where a member of our band — I don't remember who it was — thought the page was not nearly so good as it was 12 months ago ; but I think it is. It is true we have lost some very good correspondents, but their places are always being taken by fresh writers. 1 was very sorry when Marguerite resigned. I used to write to her privately, and I always enjoyed reading her letteis, and mi' 5 s them so much now; but I s-uppose all good things must come to an end. However, 1 wish her long life and prosperity in her future life. What awful weather we are having just now! There has not been one fine day this last fortnight. Is not it awful the plague in Christchurch ? 11.1 1. is to be hoped this cold weathei will kill it, and not allow it to spread down this way; j but even if it did, I don't think we would run i any risk of getting it away up in the back blocks. Fancy Con gone back to the war! He must have bfen well treated the first time, and I hope he will come back all safe and sound next time. I sec "Alice in Wonderland" is the talk of our page at present. I have not read it, but wil' do so the first opportunity I get. I have read a great "many books, among the nicest being "St. Elmo," "Monica," "The Wide, Widfe World," and all Annie Swan's books — my fa\ounte being "St. Elmo." I have lead it twice and am going to read it again. I have not seen the Witness very often lately, as I have been away from home, and j I did miss it. They say you do not know the value of a thing till you lose it, and I thmk that ia quite correct. " What long evenings we have now l Plenty of time for tewing, playing games, etc. Ping-pong seems to be a very popular game at the present time, considering it is such a short time su.ee it was introduced. I think it is a very nice game, and there is a good deal of science in it, too. Another thing, too, it kpeps yon fine and warm the=e cod Tights. The cc^d :s the first topic in this part of the country — about- every fcecond person yon meet crecih you with, "Have you pot p eed'"' i have b»en very lucky ho far, but I suppose ;ny turn 13 coming. Don't you think, dear that it would be nice if all tbe little foi'- wouid tell us what their favourite pastimes a.?? Mine are reading and riding, both or which I am very fond of, especially ths latter. How t:m> does secui to fly! It just seems a short time azo since I wrote my last lelter, but it is actually 12 months ago, so you cannot S£Ciifl£ me of fcCSCitASiltfLfill JfiUX xai»- '

able space very often. With love to our everpatient Dot, the editor, and all the little folk,^ Yours truly, VTVIENNE. ' [No, Vivienne, I cannot. It does not seen* =o (long, dear; and although there have been ißiiny liundreds of new noms-de-plume in our page since then, yours appears quite fresh in my mind.— DOT.] Dear Dot, — I hope you will excuse my writing so soon again, but I do not trouble you very often. I have been "writing t= your page for nearly two years, but during that time I have only had two letters in print. The Black Family gave a concert on Friday night, and everybody seemed to greatly eujoy their music and singing. My school troubles are ended now, and I was really sorry to leave school. I used to go into town in the train, and oh, what fun Zelica and I used to have ! I have 22 autos now, but if any L.F. will send their autos 1 will get them if they address them to "Miss F. James, Eufield, Oamaru." Isophene learns dressmaking from, my sister. She writes some very nice poetry. She -tells me that I am always saying something to make her laugh. She thinks I am. an awful girl ; but, dear Dot, lam the quietest one of the family — when sleeping. I know you, . Harry, and would like your auto, if you will send it to me. I received a letter from some one — I have no idea whom. She is evidently a D.L.F., but she does not even pnt the name of the street she lives iv. She signs herself "Mystery" — a very good nom-de-plumc, too, — and yet she asks me to tell Khaki to correspond with her. I'm looking out for you, Mystery. Dear Dot, what makes some of the badges go I veiy black-looking? Mine is all right, but I ', have noticed some quite black. I must now ( say au revoir. With love to Khaki, Chocolate, I Giulia, and all the little folk, and yourself, — I Yours truly, AVERNA. [All silver tarnishes when exposed to the air, Averna, and need polishing occasionally. Probably you give yours a rub up every now and again, while those whose badges are black ' forget to do so. — DO'i.] Dear Dot, — I am an old cat, and I catch as many mice as I can for food. My colour is black and white, and I have a mate, who ia very black. Sometimes when I catch a mouse I run away with it, and he growls very much, to get it from me ; but I don't let him have it. One day I couldn't see any mice about, so I started out to get a rabbit, and what dc you think I got into? A trap! And I tell you, Dot, it was very, very sore. About an hotir afterwards a little boy came along, and I said "Miew, miew, miew!" and he let m* out; and I tell you it was a relief. Now, , Dot, my paw is sore from scribbling, so I ' think I shall draw my letter to a close. With 1 love and best wishes to all my mates, — Yours truly, SI. BATHANS. [A cat's best love and bast wishes to her mates! — that is rathei amusing. I wonder if the growling black cat will understand it? — ■ DOT.] Dear Dot, — It is Sunday afternoon, and very cold at that. There were only three at Sunday school this morning. On Thursday evening it began to snow very hard, and in about an hourit was lying thick on tho ground ; but on. Friday it was not so bad, for the wind had blown I part of it away. Since I wrote last mother has I been ut>. She stayed for a week and a few f days. I went down to see hei off, but it was Wednesday, and of course my sister cnnld not get away. Last week I had a fine r.Tte with the children of one of the settlers. We were double-banking on an old horse. It was fine fun, Dot. I cannot write any more, as I feel too frightened to settle to anything, as a swagger has taken up his abode in the school nlayshed. With love to D.L.F., yourself, and the editor, — Yours truly, VENETIA 11. i [Well, that is not very pleasant, Venetia 11, I but probably you have found out since writ1 ing that the poor fellow's appearance was the | worst part of him. No doubt the school shed ' was tempting to hirr these cold nights. — DOT.] Deai Dot,— l have not written for six months, =o it is time you heard from me. The weather here is terrible just now— rain, hail, snow, and ] wind for the last fortnight. I gather stamps, i and have got 150 foreign ones. I think peacwill soon be proclaimed ; indeed, at the B. md G. the people were out in the streets making a fuss about nothing. A person living not far from here had nine cows killed! through their eating tutu. I have read a good! many books, such as " The Miner's Cup," "Treasure Island," "Through Storrr and Stress," "The Log Cabin Series," "Lake Distncts of Central Africa," "Worlds of Ice," "Petci the Whalei," and a few more. I like any books of adventure and travel. With !ov« to all D.L.F. and yourself — Yours truly, NOKOMIA. j [Tli at was a serious loss, Nokomia, and I suppose an unavoidable one. Is the tutu in seed now, or have the leaves proved poi&onoua in this case?— DOT.] Dear Dot, — This is not my fhat letter to you, as I wrote a yeai Oi tyro ago and got a badge. I still have the badge, and weai it occasionally, but now, after this letter, I shall always wear it. We are getting on towards winter veryfast now, are we not? The ice on the water is very thick up here. If the frosts keep onwe shall goon have skating. Do you like skating, Dot? I do, and have a try at it every, year. We have only had one fall of snow this year ks yet. The plague is coming slowly round New Zealand, and I" suppose we shall get our turn. Between wars, plague, eruptions, and earthquakes, the world seems to b» pretty mixed up, does it not, Dot? Florodora. looked very nice on her horse. She must h? proud of that horse, for it looked sc nice in. the photo. Do you like reading, Dot? I 4, . and im'c leid a "streat rarjiy books; and *tori»%