LETTERS FROM THE LITTLE FOLK

Otago Witness, Issue 2572, 1 July 1903, Page 82

LETTERS FROM THE LITTLE FOLK

Motto : — We write for the benefit of others, not for ouiselves.

Dear Dot,— l was at the Clyde Enster sports, end cn.ioyed myself immensely. I got home at 3 o'clock in the morning, and was very tired nest day. The wcathei here is very cold at present. It has been raining off and on lor a week, which is a veiy raie thing for this part o£ the country. This locality is very tilly, and there are a number of fruit ;ardens Ebout here. I have b<>en living at Earnscleugh Flat all my life excepting two weeks I was up at Cromwell. There is a dance -n the school eveiy week, and you may depend I go, lor -we live close by, and I am very fond of dancing. I have such a fine big pet lamb. Father always says he js going to kill it, but 1 know he does not mean to do so. I am waiting patiently for the sports m Wednesday, and am in hopes it will be a good day. With Jove to all the D.L.F., and not forgetting yourseh,— Yours truly,

MAID OF DIAMONDS

tYou neglected to enclose your proper name, Maid of Diamonds; please do so next time you write.— DOT.]

Dear Dot,— Everyone else having gone out to Bee the opening of the football club's new pavilion, I am left alone, and have therefore a few spare moments to myself, and 1 think I cannot fill them in better than by writing a few lines to you. The local brass band is to be in attendance at the pavilion, and the Mayor is going to open it. There is also to be a iootball match between a team from Port Chahners^and a local team, and a concert and dance at night. I intend to be present at the concert, but I really could not be bothered going to the pavilion affair. I don't take much interest in football, though, having three Ibrotliers in the team, I suppose I oughi to do so. I see Tony thinks I am giving the page a "spell," but I don't liimk Dot will complain if I do forget to gne he r my usual old Scrawl. Since writing luy first letiei 1 have collected the large number of three aulos, but I am still hoping to get .i few more. I do wish that Lcdy Honour wou'd l.uriy up w.th ter auto., for I think I gave her il.iic 100 j carts

a»o T think -when you give anybody your auto, they ought to returns theirs. As mo»t of ihe L.F. tell you how or where they get their noms de plume, I shall tell you how 1 got mine. I ivas staying with some friends and they got four or five different kinds of flowers from relations They had a lot of different names, among them being the one which I chose to write to you under. I need hardly say that I chos« the longest and the hardest to remember. When I tell any of jny friends roy norn de plume they usually mix it up and bi others in the team, I suppose I ought to do forget it. Well, Dot, this is all my news, I think, so I -shall conclude and remain, — Yours truly,

POETICUS FLORE PLENO,

[There is one good point about the name, P. F. P.; no cne is likely to try to take it from you, so it will never be necessary to call you "one" and someone else "two." — DOT.]

Dear Dot, — My sister, another girl, and I went up to the bush to Maid of Norway's 'place on Good Friday. When we got there we played games. In the afternoon we gathered ferns in the bush. When we came back we had tea, and then made for home. When we were nearly home we crossed a paddock where some cows were. We were about halfway across when one of the cows chased us. The three of us made for the fence, and as soon as we were through the fence the cow went back again. We got home about halfpast 6 o'clock, after spending a most enjoyable day. We have had very wet weather this last week, and there has b«en a big flood on the river, a number of cattle being drowned. We got a holiday on Empire Day, but I did ■not go anywhere. With love to all the L.F., not forgetting yourself and tho editor, — Yours truly,

EDENDALEITE.

lli looked a« ,'f the cow knew you were trespassing, Edendaleite, and was quite satisfied when you were out of the paddock.— DOT.]

Dear Dot,— The farmers have all got their crops in now, and the null is busy. I have six miles to go to school, but I do not mind. Not far from the school is a river, and in summer all of us boys go down and swim, and we have dandy fun. It is terribly cold in the mornings now, and the ground' is white with frost; but we have no ice yet. Where I live is a very bushy place, and my father says he could not walk through the bush without a tomahawk to cut away the vines. They were so thick that' a deer was caught in them, but the deer are not so numerous now as they were. In the old days this place was a great lesort for the whisky makers. They always made their fireplaces beside a stream of running watei. The fheplaces were made with a row of stones placed in a semi-circle, and fed with wood from tho bush. The police could never see them for 1 the thickness of the bush, and if they saw their smoke the men were always away before the policeman could come up, for one of their number always kept a look-out. About a year ago I .picked up a six-chambered revolver, which father said had been dropped by some policeman, and must have lain where I found it for about 20 years. It is quite good yet, only the catch is gone, buU.it is very rusty. The Maoris used to live here long ago, for we have found their broken stone axes, and there are lotj. of shells scattered about where they had eaten the fish out of them. They must have carried them from Ihe beach, for it is about three miles ftway. Seme places are very good for fishing, especially the rocky places, but the fish are not very big. There is a lighthouse about 20 miles away, and it shows its light far over the water. Sometimes we see a searchlight, and it illumines the land for miles. With love to all the D.L.F. and yoilrself,— Yours truly,

ALBIN.

[You have told us some interesting facts about the district you live in, Albin. It is the oldest settled locality in Otago, so I don't wonder at you finding traces of old Maori camps.— DOT.]

Dear Dot, — Most of the settlers around here have all their grain in now, and are waiting for a mill to thresh. We had a party here one night, and such a lot of visitors came, for it was a lovely night. My sisters like visitors, but, do you know, Dot, we had a visitor one day, and as it came n at tho back door my sisters made a rush — one for the open window, while the other cried, "Oh!" and ran out the front door; but I sat still, and watched our visitor sailing round the kitchen. It did not like to be indoors, and what do you think? — it was just a large humble bee, and it was a beauty, but so very cross. We had a young girl btaying here for a week, and she and my sister had a rare time. What a time of talkingl Their tongues never ceased. When our friend went home one of our kittens died— poor wee thing' and we were all ill oursehes. I have nearly four miles to walk to school, and the roads now are very bad With love to Antha, not forgetting your dear old self, — Yours truly,

F. T. P,

[Surely, F. T P., you don't mean to infer that the kitten was talked to death, and that your sister and her friend talked you all ill } — DOT.]

Dear Dot, — One of my sisters is writing to you, and arother one is talking, and I thini I may ns well write to you if 1 can get qulo£ ness, but, Dot, how girls can talk! and so loud' Perhaps they are glad because it is snowing to-day. I am very sorry to say that our schoolmaster is leaving us to go to Invcrcargill to teach a school. There is a great flood in the creek just now, and it ha 9 stopped the train between Heriot and Ke'«o. There is going to be a railway to Edievale, and I think it will be just "the glassy marble." I think the school will be shifted down to Edievale in time, because there are not enough children in Dunrobm. I must stop now, as it is cow time. With love to all the D.L.F., not forgetting yourself,— Yours truly,

WAIT-A-BIT.

[I don't quite understand why the railway down to Edievale will be "just the glassy marble," Wait-a-Bit. It is a pitj your school is not better attended.— DOT.]

Dear Dot,— There has been terrible rain lately, followed by floods, the creeks being all up on Fudny. One of the toal carters was narly drowned going home, and two waggons {jot stuck m the middle of the same creek. I v.,is rot ot school, oi I should not have got I.' me ;<£:.>!ii A n'imber of people about here luuo the v. Lxo^iug coujli. On the night of

the floods the mail had to be carried from Lawrence to Roxburgh on horseback, because in the morning the coach, gob stuck in the Beaumont Creek, but nobody was hurt. Another night about the same time the coach had to stop at the Bengerburn, because it could not cross tho Bengerburn. "With lo\e to you and all the little folk,— Yours truly,

LITTLE BRIGHT 'EYES II

[What a rough time it must have been, Little Bright Eyes, ajid how pleased you must have felt when the ram stopped and the creeks began to fall. It was a good thirg there were no fatal accidents, however. — DOT.]

Dear Do', — Since last wuti'j: to you a great many changes have taken place in this quiet place. I have shifted headquarteis, and like the change very well. Every time I go into the street a boy cries out, "There's one of the dirty little frr>g«," but I march on, pretending not to hear him. There is to be a school concert here soon, and I hope to get to it if 1 am still alive and lucking. A great. number of people from here have gone to the Dunedin winter show, but no such luck ever comes to me. I am very fond of reading, and have started p 'tending tho free hbraiy. Two L.l, call for me e\ery Saturday night, arc! off we go together. With love to all the L.F. and yourself, — Ycurs truly,

VERONICA.

[That is the proper way to tieat such a silly remark, Veronica. I suppose the boy thinks it witty, but I don't think a Philad?lphia lawyer could discover the wit if he tried.— DOT.]

Dear Dot, — Unless I make a start again, and write a few lines, Civis — or, rather, his Worship—will be thinking that he has struck a fatal spot. Although you brought the discussion to a sudden stop, yet I see that his Worship, with his own tongue, has openly declared to the whole page that the victory rested with him. The thing was not fought to an end, so we must therefore for the present consider ourselves "quits." In his notes, Civis discusses expressions, therefore if ever he is short of ono he can make a few remarks on tho word "quits." Since last writing I have made a shift to rocks, tussocks, sheep, rabbits, wind, and rain. Rabbits are as common as dirt up here, but soon, as the feed 1 gets scarce, we're going to be kind enough to teed them on bran, only taking good care to put in a little phosphorus. Very kind of us, is it mot? No longer now shall I have to "dodge" round corners to get out of the road of L.F., as I had to do before I came up here. Like Harry, I am very bashful, only I think I'm worse than him, for I saw him not long ago with a couple of girl L.F. along the road. Don't blush, old fellow; it was a. little dark, so I took a great privilege and chucked some "slack" off at you. — Yours truly,

SIR TOM. P.S. — You'll see. a green moon, Civis, before you'll see an apology from me. — S. T.

[Fightable as ever, Sir Tom. Take care you do not come across some L.F. even in the land of "rocks, tussocks, sheep, Tabbits, wind, and rain." There is more than one even in that uninviting locality.— DOT.]

Dear Dot,— So long it is since I have written to you that I am afraid I shall either be disqualified or else at the very least someone ■will have stolen my norn da plume. I shall tell you about a ramble some friends and myself went when the weather was warmer. It may interest some L.F. "We left home shortly after dinner, with the intention of going for bulrushes (raupo, I think, is the

Maori name foi them). The afternoon being very warm and our journey all up hill, we felt the heat very much. By the time we had mounted two steep, weansonie hills I began to wish and watch for our destination. On the way a gentleman and my brother amused themselves shooting rabbits. There was not much pretty scenery on our Toad, unless one would call inatakouri bushes, rocks, and Tough grey hills pretty, but even a rugged landscape like this, with New Zealand's own dear old native bushes, ib pleasing to the eye of a New Zealander and a loser of nature. At the back of us and to the left, however, the scenery was much moiefair. At the back of us, in the valej, lay the town, through which flowed the river. From our position we could not see the dusty stieets, and trees dotted here and there among the houses gave the town a cool, shady appearance, and made us wish for trees along our path. To the left of us for miles stretched farms, with their not very go.den. crops and green pasture lands. Far, far in the distance, on the topmost peak of a pretty blue range of mountains, we could see snow. It 19 not necessary 1o look far for snow now, for there is plenty on the langes, and how dazzhngly beautiful it looks on a clear frosty night, when tho moonlight touches it here and there and the stars seem so near as to look like fairy lamps hung round the top to ornament and finish off the scene! But this is leaving my subject. On our way wo passed many huge cliffs. One in particular caught my fancy— tall, straight, and stern looking, with openings in it. It reminded me of pictures I had seen of ruined castles. At last we reached "there"— the Bulrush Swamp. While the men folk boiled the billy and the ladies prepared tea I went off ruuphroom-hunting. So nicely and carefully I proceeded to pick my way through the swamp, but, alas and alack 1 I could not come back, for I vas bogged. I found no mushrooms, and Iliad to come back a long roundabout way. Our long walk had made us very hungry, and we thoroughly enjoyed our tea. A bottle which I found on the way and brought on for the purpose was placed on a bush for me to shoot at. I took the rifle, aimed steadily, and proudly shivered the top of the bottle to atoms, and a member of the sterner s*x completed the lest. After collecting our things and gathering our rushes, of which I secured a few roots, we, taking our things with us to a race Tunning round the hills and leaving them at the side of it, ready to pick up on our return, went for a ramble I walked alone, looking at and enjoying the ecenery. We followed the race round the hill some little distance, and I picked up one solitary mush-

room and a few ferns. We left ihe race, and I descended the hill on the side. Far down rippled a creek. To-night, dear Dot, it roars, but of that aftenvards. On the opposite hill the sun began to cast shadows. How different it looked where the sun played ; there the hill looked plea?ant, the waters invitingly cool, but where the shadows were the hill looked damp, the precipices grim, and the waters cold, dark, and mysrlic-'ookmg A vsry pietty fall was lushing down the nill into the creek below. That creek can be seen fiom my home, and even as I write I hear the roar of its waters rushing down the glen. Last week it was very h.gh, and presented a grand, wild scene. How it loaredi, th-en died right away as if going to its nio'her fall to gather strength; then back with a louder roar and higher fall, as it foamed and tumbled over the rocky boulders I'm afraid I am doing wrong by going away from my subject so often. After a pleasant ramble we returned by the lace, gathered up our things, and turned homeward. We reached "home, sweet home,' at dusk, very tired, but none the worse for our day's outing. Kind regards to Dot and L.F.— Yours truly,

RED RATA.

[Although we have half a dozen Rates, no one has taken Red Rata s norn de plume, so she is welcome back over the old designation. She has made a very good beginning, for her description of the outing is a very good one. — DOT.]

Dear Dot, — The hilltops up hero r.re covered with snow, and it is of course very cold. When my cousm came up three or four years ago lie and myself went out over the hills TP.bbitmg. Wo took our dinner, and went far up the hill to the place we intended to stop at. Wo dug out a rabbit hole with two bones and a stick, and at last we got the rabbit. Then we had our dinner, and we had just finished when a thunderstorm ;arne on, and we had to iun for all we were worth. — Youis truhr,

TWEEDLEDUM II

[You see, you are not the first Tweedledum we have in the page, so I have put No. 2 after your signature. It is a very hard matter to select a norn de plume that has not already been called into requisition. — DOT.]

Dear Dot, — I have not written for over a year, so I thought that I would let you know that I was still alive. Since I last wrote we have shifted a. long way from Dunedin. Where we lived before 1 knew of only one D.L.F., but up here they are very plentiful. I have collected a large number of autos, mostly from my old schoolmates. I notici that Tugela, Nilas, Britta, and Kianga have not written for a long time, but perhaps we shall see some of these old writers in the column in our Old Writers' Week. The weather has been pretty bad up here, but I suppose we cannot expect anything else at this time of the year. There is to be a social up here on Thursday night, but I do not know whether I am going or not. The Prince of Wales's Birthday was very quiet up here. My sister and I went for a bike ride, but the roads were very bad, and we had to get off and walk in a few places. With love to all the D.LF. and the editor, not forgetting yourself, Dot, — Yours truly,

ROBINA.

[It is late in the year for biking, Robina, and it is not to be wondered at that you had to walk in places.— DOT.]

Dear Dot, — I have read the little folk's letters Tor three years or more, and they are so tempting that I have at last started to write too. Well, I shall tell you about a Sunday school picnic held here not long ago. We went to the day school until half-past 11, and then, going home, we got dressed and were given our cups, and started for the place where the picnic was to be held. Arriving at our destination we sat down and had lunch ; then we played rounders, two's and three's, and other games. After that the races began, and I had the pleasure of winning a Jovely purse. Tho prize for the young men'° race was a "Jack-in-the-box." Then we had tea, and after playing games again we leached home at half-past 7, tired but happy, after a most enjoyable day. Yesterday a boy brought a cat to our place, and father was putting it in the box with all the rest of us standing by, when all at once it got out between the bars and ran off. I think there were too many cooks about — eh, Dot? Well, I must spy good-bye to all. — Yours tiuly,

CURLY LOCKS.

[Possibly, Curly Locks; no doubt your father would have been more successful if there had been no one looking on and making suggestions.—DOT.]

Dear Dot, — I take the opportunity to join ycur band, not from mere cunosity, but from an interest derived from "reading the wellknown pages devoted to the junior corresponding members of the readers of the Otago Witness. I admire the free-and-easy styip in which tho D.L.F. tell their fellow members about some amusing incidents which have occurred to some or some of their mates during the week. The principal -ndustry in this locality is goldmining, it being carried on in a most up-to-date and systematic manner In the winter rabbiting is carried on most successfully both to the exporter and rabbitei^ though the middleman generally has the laiger piofit. The Witness in this district is not confined to one family circle, as in most cases it is passed from one to mother, and when it returns to its original owner it is a few shades blacker than when it left the press. Wo are experiencing a rough cold winter, though somewhat clear of frost — rain, sleet, and wind being the prevailing elements: Lawrence is only three miles distant from my home, so we are close to the railway, though 60 miles from town. Dear Dot, time and news are waning, so I must quietly and quickly close. — Yours truly, CORNISH.

[Cornish has certainly a style of his own, and hence is heartily welcome as a member of our band. I have no doubt he will develop into an excellent writer.— DOT.]

Dear Dot,— This is about the third time that we have written to you, and we hope this letter will receive better treatment than the others, which never reached the letter-box at the post office. Yesterday, being the day on which we generally receive the Witness, found us anxiously awaiting the delivery of the mail. What was our astonishment and disappointment when, on receiving our mail, we found no Witness amongst it? Still greater was our astonishment when the same thing occurred to-day. However, our spirits were revived on finding on our return home that it had arrived after all. We have made the acquaintance of a few of the contributors to your page, and though we once thought them very foolish, we are now anxious tc be classed among them. Wt shall now conclude, requesting you tc give our love to Goldilocks, Alma, and Jack. Since writing this, on happening to glance over this week's Witness, we spied a very bad description by Poor Old Joe of a place on the Otago Central. He must indeed have had his eyes in his pockets when he saw only three or four poplars out of the abundance of trees which are dotted all oveT that charming little spot. And as for wind and cold, the inhabitants there think themselves very lucky in being subjected to co small a quantity of each. We shall say goodbye in reality this time, Dot.— Yours truly, EIKAM ET ECILA.

[Now, I like the way Eiram and Ecila defend the place they live in against what they consider a misleading description of it, Ec

f can easily make ourselves believe there is no place so bad as oui own district, but when wo live elsewhere for a while we quickly sea that every place has its disadvantages and ita pleasant features. Let all L.F. cultivate a contented state of mind, and they will not mind a little rough weather, but will soon find! that every cloud Ms a silver lining. — DOT.] Dear Dot, — Measles and scarlet fever hava lately been prevalent, and we have just received a fortnight's holiday on thia account; but there are not very many cases. We were trying to persuade a boy in our class to writa tc your page, but he seems to think that it is only for girls, and of course he would not do anything that he thought was girlish. Wa have got round the right side of him at last, and he says he is going to write, but of course 1 we shall believe it when we sec the letter. We are having nice weather this week, but last week it wps pouring in torrents — lovely weather for ducks. The Pipe Band bazaar is to be held! to-night and the three following days. I suppose there will be a good crowd ihere. A cooking class has been started here, and about 20 of each school go on different days to get a, Jesson. Mrs Miller, from Dunedin, was appointed teacher, and she makes a really good) teacher. Fancy it being a year ago since peace was proclaimed! It does not seem half, that time, but time flies, doesn't it? I remember how we used to wait every day to hear the bells ring conveying to us the welcome news that peace — welcome and much-longed-for peace — had been proclaimed at last. I saw Darkey's letter in the other week's Witness, and I quite enjoyed reading it. Doesn't he write a good one ? He must be a full-blown Darkey right enough. With best love to Enoch, Khaki, Ginevra, Roskeen, Tin Tacks, Veronica, and all other D.L.F., the editor, and yourself, Dot, of course, included,— Youra truly,

QUEEN BEA. [What a lasting memory peace day— only equalled by the relief of Ladysmith — will ever be to those who were privileged to join in the rejoicings, Queen Bea. Why, the thought of it even now rouses all our patriotism, does it not?— DOT.] Dear Dot, — It has been snowing up here, and! the ground is all white. It is freezing now. We are milking three cows. The winter is coming on fast, »nd we shall soon have our winter holidays. They are going to asphalt round the school. What terrible things boys are. One of my brothers met with an accident, cutting a lump out of his tongue, and he had to go to the doctoi and get it stitched. I have six brothers, and they sometimes have me nearly si'ly, they are so annoying. I have a wee flower garden of my own, and I have a lot of plants in it ; but there is only ono flower out, and it is a little blue violet. We are planting a. lot of fruit trees. I found the monkey in the picture puzzle. Shamrock has left here, and I miss her very much. Dot, could you give me a cure for chilblains? I walk three rmlea to school every morning. The D.L.F. girls had their photos taken not lorig ago, and I was among them. With love, — Yours truly. VIOLET LEAP.

[That was a serious matter for ycur brother, Violet Leaf. Did he bite tho piece of tongue out, or what? Steep your feet in hot water every, night for 10 minutes, keeping the water a 9 hot as you can bear it by adding more as it cools a little.— DOT.] Dear Dot, — As I have the house to myself to-night, I thought I would write to you. It is now three years since I last wrote. What awful weather we have had lately in Dunedin. If it is not. raining it is blowing. Did you go to the Early Settlers' Carnival? I -went, and I thought the dancing was very nice. I did not go to the show, because I do not care for them very much. Hasn't there been a lot of country people in town this week? Do you know, Dot, that although I have lived in town all my life, except for occasional visits to the country, I like the country best! I see that you have_some D.L.F. writing from Wyndham. I have been there two or three times, but I only saw one girl with a badge on. The next time I go I shall wear my badge. I know both E. O. A and Infanella well by sight. Hoping jou will not put my letter through that dreadful mincing machine (if you do I shall write again soon), and with heaps of love for yourself and a fair share for the editor,— Yours truly,

SNOW WHITE. [Well, there is a threat, Snow White. Nojr, as your letter has not gone through "that dreadful lmncing machine," what will you do?— DOT.] Dear Dot,— l live in tho " back blocks." I suppose you would not like to live up here, but I like it all right, even although. it is lonely. I have a pony, and he threw roe off one day, but I did not get hurt. Wo are having very bad weather up here just now. r know a number of D L.F., including Misa Miiffit, Jessica, Santa Claus, Genevieve, and Orio. I travelled on the Otago Central line once, and although some parts looked very, rou-^h and dangercms, I did not mind it a bit. Over 20 miles of ttife railway runs through] the Taieri Gorge, and you can look straight down perhaps hundreds of feet into the Taieri River. There are quite a number of email bridges and tunnels, the largest of which I think is at Mount Allen. There is a great difference between the Tajen Plain and the Taieri Gorge. The Taieri Plain is rich and grassy, and the gorge is rocky and barren. There is hardly a blade of grass to be seen, for miles. When I travelled along this lino it was holiday time, and every now and then I could see tentq peeping out from among the rocks. I suppose they belonged to town people who had come up to spend their holidays. A little distance away from the line were a number of troopers being drilled. Dear Dot, I shall be in Dunedin m a few weeks, and if I call at the Witness office could I get a badge, for it is not worth while sending for one If I can get one by calling? — Yours tTuly, ALLARDYCE. [Yes, certainly, Allardyce, you can get a badge at the counter. The Taien Gorge is certainly very rough, Allardyce, but it is only tho road to the Central plains, you know, and every place cannot be level and green, can it 1 /— DOT.] Dear Dot, — We had very bad weather last week. It rained nearly every day, and the township was flooded. I suppose it was the same in Dunedin. I think it is going to take up now, for we have had a few nights' l frost. We got our crop in and threshed before the bad weather came on, though there is tome crop out yet, and there is some still to cut ao time of writing. I have read a good man' 1 " books. I think the best one I have react waa "Ursula Vivian," a very good book, n - deed. I have stopped trapping now, as thci ; are not very many rabbits about. Dear Do have you a garden' I have, and I am gonv to do it up some of these daye, as it is prftt - weedy. I have a 6ister who is very fond r • making rag dolls. She sews a bit of shoe;/ wool on the head for hair. I have a f, rr ' laugh at her sometimes, for she makes ti ■ugliest dolls you ever saw. There is a c~< of scarlet fever here, but the patient is get

"Beliero Me, if all Thcwe Endearing Young Charme" which I gaze on so fondl.v to-day wem disappearing, the Century Curlers wouM effectively cause them to slaJ!

ting better, and I hope it does not spread. Dear Dot, don't yon think boys should learn to eew a* well as girls? One of my sisters is teaching l me to sew. I have finished -one handkerchief, and I" am going to do another one. lam going to hem-s-titch it. I hope you will not laugh at the idea of a boy teaming to hem-stitch. With love to the little folk and the editor and yourself, — Yours truly, COWBOY 11.

[No, indeed, Cowboy, I think the boy who is willing to learn to hem-stitch is deserving of every credit, and I am quite sure he is an excellent brother, and not one of the teases we hear so much about. I once knew of a boy who not only learned to sew, but also to knit. Both accomplishments would be invaluable for a lonely bachelor, would they not?— DOT.]

Dear Dot,— We have been having very trying weather lately, but what could you expect at this time of the year? I live near the sea, and it is very nice to go for a walk round the beach on Sunday. Some of the girls say that beys are teases, but I do not think so. I have no brothers or sisters, so I suppose that is why I stand up for the boys. lam a great reader, and as I have very little work tc do I read a good deal I was in Dunedin once when we were passing through to the Christchurch show, but I did not have enough courage to go into the Witness office. With best wishes to all the little folk, not forgetting the editor and yourself, — Yours truly, LONELY ONE. [Lonely One would not be quite so lonely if ehe had two or three brothers to tease her, co I don't wonder at her thinking other girls ate mistaken in thinking their brothers teases. — DOT.]

Dear Dot, —Wo are having lovely weather at present, and I hope it will be the same next week. There was a carnival held here on the- 3rd uft., and I went to it, and I ssw two D.L.F. It was a ■beautiful day, and I enjoyed myself fairly weil. There was a concert and danoe at night, but I did not go. I am learning the dressmaking, and I like it very much. I have two miles to walk night and morning. Queen of Diamonds cays she is already tired of writing to your page. I was speaking to a girl on carnival day, and she asked me for your address, and I told her, and she said she was going to write to you; 6O that will be one more added to your column. I was- going down the street the other day, and I passed a D. L. F., but she was a stranger to me, and I did not speak to her. Wfth love to Peail Queen, Queen of Diamonds, and not forgetting yourself and the editor,— Yours truly, M. P. D. [What a fine place to live in your part of Otago Central must be to have lovely weather for a week in midwinter, with a possibility of its continuance into the following week, M. P. D. You will no doubt think yourself very lucky when you read complaints of bad weather on all hands. — DOT.]

Dear Dot, — I must write and toll you how I enjoyed myself on Empire Day. In the morning wo went up to the school and sang "God save the King." While we sang our 6choo?mistress hoisted the flag. We all went home after tEis was over and had. our dinner. Wo then got some cakes and started off on our picnic. The party went to the top of the mountain. When we got up there we boiled the bi'-ly and eang a few songs. They all stopped there a while, and afterwards we went down to a bluff. There the billy was boiled again, «ftor which we wont down to the beach. We gathered some ferns and got our hats decorated with them. The party then came home with bunches of ferns, etc, in their hands. We got home safely, had our tea, and went to bed quit© happyafter our day's walk.— Yours truly, M. L.

[And I have no doubt you all slept as sound as ft top after your day's romping and climbing, M. L.— DOT.]

Dear Dot, — We are having lovely weather down here just now, and the harvest is nearly over. I am going to telf you about a picnic that two D.L.F. and myself had. When, we started off wo bought some cakes and lollies at the store, and then made our way to the bush. When, we got there it was lunch time-, so we boiled the billy. When the billy waa boiled and the dinner was eaten we started off to gather flowers and ferns. When we were halfway in the bush wo saw a pretty black rabbit eating the nice green clover. Then we saw a lot of ferns, so of course we dug them up, and we started back to the place where we ate our dinneT. Arriving there safely, we got the billy and things together, and started for home, having enjoyed ourselves very much. With love to Queen Charlotte, A. P. E., Queen Caitheriue, Lady Ellice, Saucy Nell, and all the reat, not' forgetting yourself and the editor, — Yours truly, GREY GOOSE. [I hop© you planted the ferns in a shady place, Grey Goose, and watered them well so that they would have a chance to come away nicely m the spring time. — DOT.]

Dear Dot, — Since my last letter we have been baying very wet weather In the morning when we go to school we pass a small lagoon, which is generally covered with ice, and is very tempting for the boys. The other morning, while we were skating, one of the boya who thought himself smarter than the others went • little too far, and suddenly found himself sitting in the water. We all laughed very much, and the boy who fell in was the onJy one who did not enjoy the fun. He went home and was not seen at school that day. I must tell you about a little dog I have. His name is Sam, and I am sure everybody loves him, because he i 9 so wise. When we are having our tea in he comes anß seats himself beside the table and goes around to" everybody for a little piece of meat. Ho has dark eyes and lovely white woo), with a dark spot on his back. Sometimes we gnc him a stick, and he bites at it until it ia all bitten away. When we are coming home with a parcel he takes it from U8 and brings it home with the greatest caie. Dear Dot, I was at the races on Wednesday, and was very much disappointed at not seeing any D.L.F. there. With love to Vera Lilms, Chips, and Bridesmaid, not forgetting yourself, — Yours truly, JEAN GERARD. [Little dog Sara evidently appreciates kindness, and knows how to behave when ho 13 properly treated, Jean Gerard. No wonder he is a favourite with you all. — DOT.]

Dear Dot, — I have been starting to write to you for about three months now, and every* letter reached the waste-paper box. But I shall finish, thi3 time, even if it does not look well. Well, we are having terribly bad weather ju3t now. You would think you were in. the freezing works if you came up here, Dot. We had a pretty heavy fall of enow a while ago, and then came Jack Frost, and settled the weather for a while, but now we have a Scotch mist hanging around. We had our photos (I mean the D.L.F.) taken, a fortnight ago, but I have not seen them yet; but Agata told me they were very nice. We were taken twice under the trees. All of the Hyde D.L.F were there, except Diamond and A. N. T. We were standing very quietly, ready for the photographer, with our photo faces on, when a young man coming along the road made us all laugh, he made such a funny noise. Two

D.L.F. have left Hyde la-tely — viz., Diamond and Matty; but I think theie are three or four started to make up the number again. I am learning to milk now. I think it is a fine game, but my brothers say if I had to get up early every morning and milk about a dozen oews ioi the factory I would, soon see if it was nice. "Well, I suppose there would be a difference between one and twelve. The farmers of Hyde are trying to get a creamery started here. Some of them are going to milk such a lob of cows. Soon there will be no working clas3 left here, as they will bo making their fortunes out«of the creamery and resigning altogether. The bunny catchers have knocked off work now through the bad weather. I suppose bunny wishes the b.id weather would stay, even though he couldm't run about much in it. "We haven't had any mill yet to thresh or cut chaff, and there isn't any sign of one so far. The school committee here are ' trying to get a sewicg mistress for the girls, but they haven't succeeded yet. It would be fun watching some of them trying to thread their needles and knotting the thread. I bet they will jag their fingers a good, many times. I suppose there would be a, good many peopje in Dunedin on the Prince of Wales' s Birthday. I saw a good number on the train passing this way, besides tb.033 coming from other parts of the railway. I see somebody has asked for a badge signing herself Evangeline. She will have to ba Evangeline 11, won't she, Dot? I have a good many autos now. With I love to Agata, Tin Tacks, A. N. T., Matty, • Diamond, Rum, E. R., Green Poplar, and all the other D.L.F., not forgetting jourself,— Yours truly, EVANGELINE. [Yes, Evangeline, you wers certainly first in the field, so the newcomer will have to take her place as E. II.— DOT.] i Dear Dol, — I live at Christchurch, aud 1 have asked many L.F. if they write to you, but they all say "'No." 1 saw Perizzite's letter in which she said she lived in Christchurch, and that she never saw auy D.L.F. either. 1 think the condens-ed column is a very good idea; yet some DJL.F. ask you not to put their letters in it. I think ;t; t is very kind of you even to put a bit of their letter 9in print at all. The river Avon, on which is situated the town I live in, is very pretty. All along its banks are lovely weeping willows, and there are little isles in it, which have Howers growing upon them. Next ti»e I write I shall tell you about the Museum we have in this town. Shall I write my name and address every time I write, or just this time? We get the Witness weekly, and I read the letters regularly. With love to all L.F. and the I editor and yourself, — Yours truly,

AVONIA. [I hope you will yet come across some Christchurch L.F., Avonia, for there are some, though they may not have been writing lately. Yes, dear, write your nameand address on the back of your letter each time. — DOT.] Dear Dot, — We are having very hard frosts, and it is, oh ' so cold milking and feeding the cows in the morning. Ind-eed, I am getting tired of it, because the young ones are always kicking me or knocking over the milk. I have been to the North Island with my mother for a three weeks' visit, and I enjoyed the trip very much. I was through the Parh?ment Buildings, and went up the Wanganui River a distance of 18 miles. I have a pet white rabbit with pink eye 3, and I call it Dainty. With love to Snowy Princess, Maid of Orleans, and all the L.F., not forgetting yourself and the editor, — Yours truly, FAIRY QUEEN. (All woik becomes a. little tiresome occasionally, Fairy Queen., but we soon get over the feeling and become interested in it again. — DOT.] Dear Dot,— For the last year the girls in ray class at school have been trying to persuade me to write, but I remained obstinate and wouldn't do so till they gave me up for a bad job and left me in p°ace. Then I determined to write to you. We are having very bad weather up her this week — not exactly rain, but a steady sort of haze, which makes everything wet and missrablte. Some of the farmers here began ploughing for early wheat last week, and got nothing but fine weather for a few days, until they began to think that they would get it in as early as usual, despite the late harvest; but this week ail their hopes for eariy wheat were dashed to the ground when it began to rain. We got a little stone Presbyterian Church built here last year, and there is a small debt remaining on it, so the committee are holding a sale of work to clear it off. 1 don't think the debt amounts to very much, so they ought to make a finish of it this time. I think this is the fourth sale of work which they have held in aid of the church. Tho races- were on in Oama.ru on the 11th and 12th ult., but I didn't go to them, as 1 didn't see the good of walking about seven miles to see a few horses racing in the mud. I must conclude now, aa it is time to go for the kye. With love to the D.L.F.,— Yours truly,

TOTARAITE. [Totaraite will, I am sure, prove a valuable addition to tho list of our boy correspondents, and I therefore give him a hearty welcome and hope he will be with us for many a year. — DOT.] Dear Dot, — It has been very cold up here for a short time, and on Saturday it was blowing over the Rock and PiMar. I can get a grand view of the neighbourhood from a small knoll in front of our small cottage. I have a dear little dog, which I call Glen. The Rock and Pillar looks very pretty with its snowclad tops, looking like balls of fire when tho sun's rays fall on them. My cousin writes to you, and I write to keep her company. — Yours truly, GABRIELA. [It must indeed be pretty, but I should think you would require to move about to keep yourself warm, Gabnela.— DOT.] Dear Dot, — I live in the country, and it is very quiet. I sometimes set traps, but I can only catch cats and rats, and I don't think it much use doing that. It is a nice calm night to-night, bo I thought I would write- to you. Can you skate, Dot? I once tried it, and I fell and hurt myself. We have a football at school but I don't like playing football very much. Wo are not getting any eggs just now, and we have to feed oui cow. To-night I was carting in turnips, and I don't hk« tho job very much. There are not very many people here who have had the scarlet fever There has been a big flood, and the roads were very dirty. My mother is sewing with tho machine, and it shakes the table. With love to all the D.L.F., not forgetting yourself and the editor, — Yours truly. CARPENTER. [It is unfortunate for tho cats that they get into your traps, Carpenter, but I should think you are very glad to find Jits in the traps.—*

Dear Dot,— The winter has now set in, and it is very cold. We have not had much snow, but the mountains look very prefty tipped with snow. The ponds are frozen, and we have plenty of slides. I am frightened to venture on the ice, seeing so many boys fall in. Dear Dot, I am troubled very much with chilblains ; please can you give me a euro for them? We shall havo our examination very soon, and I hope I shall pass My father is bu«y carting away oaia. We can hear the humming of tho

threshing mill a long way off. There is a flaxlnill at Josephville, five miles from Lumsden. The Oreti River runs at the back of our place, and sometimes it gets high and floods. — Yours truly, PANSA. [I can only give the cure I have recommended so often before, Pansa — namely, to steep the feet in hot water, keeping it as hot as it can bs borne by addiug more as it cools, for five or tea minutes night and morning.— DOT.]

Dear Dot, — Here are three more additions to your page. We are having horrible weather up here at present. It is so unsettled, and one feels unsettled too — don't you think so, Dot? There are not many writing from our district — only a few school children, who are trying their best to find out our names. Daisy Primrose and Florodora are our favourite writers. We are not sisters, but are very intimate friends, and are constantly together. Golden Dream has not left school yet, neither has Golden Butterfly, but Golden Sunshine left last year. We have not had our school concert yet, so we don't suppose it will bo held till spring now. This is a very dreary place: no bush or sea to go to for picnics or parties. This is all the news we can muster, so good-bye. — Yours truly, GOLDEN BUTTERFLY. GOLDEN SUNSHINE. GOLDEN DREAM.

[Surely the district cannot bo so bad as all that, with such brightness as ■Gc-lden Butterfly, Golden Sunshine, and Golden Dream in it. I know there is plenty of golden sunshine in it in spring and summer, and of course we must expect storm and frost in winter. — DOT.]

Dear Dot, — I am going to tell you how the football match got on. It wa3 the Waikaia and the Gore teams that were playing, and neither of 'them -was beat, the game being diawn. At night there was a dance, and I enjoyed myself very much. This morning it was snowing and raining, but in the afternoon it cleared up. When the Gore footballers came into Waikaia there was great excitement. The dance lasted until 12 o'clock, and the Gore footballers stayed with us till the finish, and then drove straight away. It poured ram not long after they went away, but it would- not harm them, for they were in a covered coach ; but the driver would not find it very pleasant. With love to the D.L.F. and the editor, not forgetting yourself, — Yours truly, LADY CONSTANCE.

[So the match was a draw, Lady Constance. Well, that is not so satisfactory for either side as a win, is it?— DOT.]

Dear Dot, — I have not written to you for some months, and as my last letter was condensed I think I shall try to write a better one this time. lam in the Fifth Standard at school, and shall soon be 11 years old. When I reached school the other morning Merlin's brother told me that she had written to you and also something she had put iD her letter. We got the Witness last Thursday night, and since then I have reaa most of the letters. 1 have about two miles to go to school, and the roads are awfully muddy, especially in winter time. We are having very wet weather here, but it is not so bad to-ds>y. I came home from school at 12 o'clock to-day to stay with my sister, as my mother was away from home, and I am no-fc very sure what my lessons are for to-morrow. — Yours truly,

AUDREY.

[No doubt your toa-cher vvould be easy with you under the circumstance's, Audrey, and give you a helping hand when you needed it. — DOT.]

Dear Dot, — Will you accept me as one of ycur band? For a long time I have read with interest the D.L.F. Page. I think it is the most interesting page in the Witness. I am going to tell you about a picnic my brother, sister, cousin, and I went to a short time ago. Wo took plenty of eatables, lollies, and fruit with us. It was a delightful day. After going up hill and down dale we came to a nice grassy spot surrounded with scrub (bush being unknown to this particular locality). Being both hungry and tired, my cousin proposed that we should rest and have 3ur lunch here. When we had finished we took off our boot 3 and btockings, and bagan to wade and gather ferns. Later on in the day we found a pcol in which abounded plenty of crabs, minnows, etc. Just as we were thinking of going home lightning, followed by a peal of thunder, terrified us. Down came the rain, aud long before wo got home wo wero wet to our skins. We got homo tired and wet, but happy. With love to all D.L.F., not forgetting jourself,— Yours truly, PRINCESS VERA. [You must have had a trying walk home under such circumstances, Princess Vera, but I suppose the walking kept you from getting cold.-DOT.I