LETTERS FROM THE LITTLE FOLK.

Otago Witness, Volume 12, Issue 2639, 12 October 1904, Page 74

LETTERS FROM THE LITTLE FOLK.

Motto : — "We write for the benefit of others, not for outselves. i Dear Dot, — We have had very stormy weather lately. I went for a seven-mile ridte last Sunday. I left about 10 a.m., and when I got about haJf-.vay the horse shied, and, of course, as I was on a wrong saddle, and the wrong way to suit'me, I came off in the middle of the road. ' I wss not too clean when I got up, but as it , was blowing a nice breeze I soon got cleaned again. I go* back about 5 p.m., co I had «- lively time. I must tell you of my experience in the hospita-1. Well, I' spent six weeks there, and had a fair time. I detested it terribly at first, but as I got company for a fortnight after being by myself three weeks, I began to like it, and did not care to leave. My poor olci doctor, the nurse, and the cook were all very kind to me. It is a terrible place for people coming and going with broken arms or legs, or something wrocg with them. There were two deaths while I was there, both being men. I felt sorry for one 01 them. He suffered terribly, and died of consumption ; but the other man did not suffer so much. He died of heart disease. Pcor fellows, they were taken to where neither sorrow nor pain will disturb them. The mountains called the Blue Mountains a.re a good place to -go if you are ill. The climate will cure you in a very short time. It is belter than a c"toetor for me, or, rather, for my trouble; so any of the weak town D.L.F. who do not feel m working nick, just take a few days' trip to the place mentioned. This is such a prettj' place in tiie summer, but I detest it in the winter. The children here have three months' holidays m the winter. Do you like children, Dot? I do not care much about them as a, rule ; but 'there is a little boy here — he is 21 months old — whom n.eithei- you nor anybody else could possibly help liking. He is such a hard wee case, and ho is so mischievous. Sometimes, when he gets up tc a table of dishes, especially of sugar or syrup or milk, or something of that kind, he will mix things up in his own way, but still one feels sorry to smack him, so a. good scolding has to do instead. He is so comical and so talkative for his age. "With love- to all the jj.L.F., the editor, and yourself, — Yours truly, I>TEW SCRIBBLES. Dear Dot, — Would you please let me know how many D.L.F. there are in Christchurch ? j I was wondering whether there were enough to make a group at show time. If not, it would be nice if we cculd get together and have a D.L.F. talk. There are one or two at Lyttelton, are there not? With love, — Yours truly, TROUBLED HOUSEWIFE. [I really do'nofc know, dear, but I don't think there arc very many. Perhaps your question will bring out some replies. — DOT.J Dear Dot, — I hope you will excuse the liberty I am taking in addressing you so soon again. I really did not intend encro? clung on your valuable and limited space till some distant date, only I noiiced a slight mistake in my last letter — a mistake which I should very much like to see corrected, it was ''Florabelle," dear Dc-t, and not "Florodora, ' whom I was referring to in my letter. I could not say whether it was you or I, Dot who made the mistake; but if I wrote it down wronajly I fully intended that it should be Florabelle. No doubt Flurodora will be thinking I'm a very untruthful D.L.F., and woul'di feel inclined to box my ears aiter perusing my letter. However, "mistakes will happen," and I sincerely hope that Florodora will forgive me, and T'U promise to read my future letters with more accuracy and see that no such error occurs again." With very best love to yourself a-nd Mr Editor, not forgetting FltrodoTa, — Yours tru'y, JtANNIE DEAXS. Dear Dot, — Here I am again just crawling out of the Condensed Column. We are having beautiful weather at present, but I suppose ] we shall soon have some ram. We had a fall ] of snow on the Ist of August, but it only ' lay on the ground for a week, and it was ncthing to last yeaar's frost. Gardening is be- ' ginning to get in full swing, and I am kept J busy planting vegetable seeds for the house. ' There axe plenty of lambs about now, and my lambs are getting on very nicely. A very sad accident happened in Roxburgh the other day, j when two young men were killed while at their 1 work. — Yours truly, MONSIEUR DUMMOLLET. Dear Dot, —The weather up here is very rainy and cold. I have four miles to go to school, but I sometimes get a drive in the milk oart. The teacher is very nice, and the j lessons are not so hard as they were in my last school. I have a pet lamb, and I feed it. We have also a hen with 10 little chicks. We ' have only been here six weeks. Our garden isvery nice, with plenty of flowers. My uncle is i going to milk a lot of cows, and I am to learn to nnlk and feed calves, which work I like very i much. With love to all the L.F. and your ' dear self,— Yours truly, BUTTERCUP. j Dear Dot. — I ana going to tell you about a trip v four other girls and myself had up to awaterfall. As two of the girls had not seen it before, they asked me if I would go with them. It was a very wet day, but we had our coats, and we dioin't eaie, co we started, and reached the fall at 2 o'clock. We then went down on the fall, but we did not enjoy ourselves very much, as the rain made the rocks very slippery. When Queer Fellow was up at Niagara I saw him, but c"Cd not have the pleasure of speaking to him. With love to The Maiden's Lover, Titi, Hardcase, yourself, and the editor, — Yours truly, 1 FIND OUT 11. I Dear Dot, — I see a number of the D.L.F. aie talking about the bad roads aiicH the mud ; but I don't think any of them have roads like ours. A man from here- a few days ago was driving a waggon from Lawrence, when three horses of his got bogged on the road. They , were all sitting on their tails like dog?, and a man behind him had to go back to the neaiest house to get a shovel to dig one of his horses out. I heard a great story about them the other day. Two gentlemen were riding down, ' •when they met a man walking on the top of a baib-wire fence and cracking a whip. The riders askecli him where his team were, and his reply was, ''You just watch the road there for awlihe and you will see them appearing out of that hole." A bit stretched, I fancy. I saw Texas Jack lip this way a while ago, but although I smiled very sweetly, or fancied I did, he did not take any notice of me. The Dimed.i]i D.L.F. seem to be having a good

time with their Debating Club. I wish them every success. They had one debate on Janeing, but I don't agree with the decision they came to. Dancing m»y be all right if kept in its place, but how many carry it to excess. For my own part, I would sooner have a good game of tennis or rounders. That reminds me that it is about time we started tennis again, or, rather, started to chip the court. One of these evenings we will all be arming ourse.vus with spades, shovels, and wheelbarrows, and setting off for the tennis ground, men and Indies all alike. Deart Dot, as I have reached the retiring age I must say good-bye and good luck.— Yours truly, " CONNIE. Dear Dot, — It is now summer, as everyone knows, and we are having good weather at present. Last week we had terrible win&O. Fences were blown down, sheds thrown over, and windows blown in. The last time I wrote Vida w?s here, but to-night she has gone out foi a ride on her bike. I have been away for a holiday, and I enjoyed myself very muoh. In the mcrniug my mate and I used } to go round the sheep. The flowers are all in > full bloom now, and it will not be long before Christmas is here again. Some time ago some D.L.F. were going to have a, picnic down here, but on the day proposed it was wet, so it has never come off yet. Many D.L.F. have died this year, but it is to be hoped) we shall not lose any more of our members for a long time. With love to the little folk, yourself, and the patient editor, — Yours truly. SELIuA- ~\ Dear Dot, — At the time of writing rain is jlouring down in torrents, and it is very miserable up here when it rains. Some time ago I went- to the bachelors' ball at Niagara. LordPlunket and Fifi were with me._ We kept asking Lord Plunket "\Vhere is Niagara," but we were right through "the great city" before we knew it. The dance was a. great success, there being a capital turn-out. I met a number of L.F., including Buffalo Bill, The Maidans Lover, ,A Bunch of Violets, Find Out 11, and a few more. We enjoyed ourselves immensely, and left Niagara at 2 s.m., reaching home at 5 o'clock. The cows are coming in again, so trouble is starting. I don't know if the factory will go on this year or not. but I hope it does. The L. and D. Club seems to be getting on very well. I only wish I were nearer Dunedin in orc"i3r that I might have the opportunity of attending the meetings; but we always wish for something we can't get. The garden is looking lovely just now. I had such a be?utiful bunch of daffodils sent to me the other day. With love to all the L.F., especially Buffalo Bill, kunty, Pat, "Vook of Our House, Titi, ar.d Inkbottle, your own dear self, and the kind old editor, — /ours truly, NEVA. "Dear Dot, — There was another fire to-day at about 12.30 in Powley and Keast's. That is the third time inside a month that the premises have bsen on fire. All the back part of the building was burned. I was out learning to ri<fi3 a bicycle yesterday, but I was not able to rids far. I would go about 20 yards, and then fa.U over. If lam able to ride, by Sunday I am going down to Portobello with another boy. 1 was looking over the L.F. letters, and I came acrcss a letter written by M. P. D., telling about a trip to Roxburgh. I very quickly road it, and in the middle of it a Roxburgh JJ.L.F. passed and said "Hullo!" With best love to Pr.t Sneezer, PrisciLa 11, Olive, and A Kilted Laddie, not forgetting yomself anci the editor, — Yours truly, GOJUDEN STAR 11. Dear Dot, — The days are nice and long now. We have a lot of animals, aud I like helping father to look after them. We have a "nice hoise named Bossie, and I am learning to ride, but I am rather nervous, and am not allowed to go very far by myself yet. I have made a nice centrepiece ior mother, who thinks it very pretty. It is of drawn Ihreadwork. My next attempt is to learn to knit. With love to you and all the L F.,— Yours truly, FATHER'S DARLING. [You enclosed your name. Fathei's Darling, but not the address, so I cannot send the badge till I hear from you .again. — DOT.] Deaj? Dot — It is with love and pleasure I row take time to perform a, roost "debghtful task — tnat of penning a few lines to the dear old rage. Of course, I must thank Troub'esovne, King Dick, and Verb Sap for their compliments. But, oh, surely King Dick had not been kissing the blarney' stone before writing that letter. I'm glad somebody euioys my pcor epistlos, for I've often been candidly informed that I write about the silliest things imaginable. I notice by some recent letters that the "'teasing brothers" have been catching it hot." Poor boys, it seems to be their nature to tease, but I think the girls oaa do their shai» of it a3 well, and they nccc" to, I'm, sure. C.".rls who possess brothers require a double portion of patience. I'm speaking from experience, you know, for I have six — great and smell. Many a time I "open fire" on them when they are bsyond endurance, but still I wouldn't "be a "brotherless girl"— no, not for a good deal. At times brothers can be most complimentary creatures. It's all very nice to say o\ieself that one isn't goocT-looking, but to be calmly questioned, '-When are you going to get that patent wash for your face?" or to be told, "I'd like to have a pair of boots made out of your tongue they'd never go done," is sometimes too much for one's equanimity. One f?.ct I have leernt through possessing brothers : and that is never to ask a favour of boys (or men either) when they aie hungry. Give them a good meal, and then make known your wants. Take note of this faot, girls, for 'twill stand you in good! stead in the future when — but there, I must , not anticipate. In my ' childhood days I had my brothers for playmates, and many a good old laik we used to have in those happy days of yore. Of course I used to indulge in boyish games, some of our favourites being bird-nest-ing, climbing trees, and "horses." The latter animals were koradi sticks, and you can imagine how flash aud spirited they were, snc"( how niajry hairbreadth escapes we" had. The j first ride I can recollect having on'-a real horse ] was one day when Nut, Hulloa, and I went to catch the pony. After Nut "had caught it, he i began to persuade us to have a ride. 'Twas iv vain I protested against the proposed ride; his stronger will predominated, and scon the two of us were mounted. The pony started off at a slow trot, v.-ith Nut coming leisuiely behind watching the performance. Oh. yes, no el'oubt it was fun for him io see fiist the one ar.d then the other of us go tumbling to the earth, I but I know my digra+y underwent a cruel : shock, for I have a faint recollection of starnpirig my foot at him in_ childish anger and ejactuiating between nfy sobs, "You — you wretch. I'll tell rn — mother. Dear me, how i the years have come and gone since that piece of childish by-play was enacted, ar.d many a ride and spill I've had since. But I shall leave the recital of them for another letterthat is, if you think they would prove interesting. It is some weeks since I v, as 011 horseback, and I'm just longing for p. good sv/ift gallop. A horse is better than a bike any day. What say you, Dot? I remember one night Nut and I rode m "Young Lochinvar" style. ' It was a case of "so light to the croup tha fair (?) lady he swung, so swift to the saddle before her he spuing," fJid i,t was one of the most enjoyable lides I have ever had. I ara so glad, Dot, to see that you have started to put footnotes to the letters once more. Do you know, two of my brotheis elected' to be highly indignant about tbM poem, "What is Home Without a Biothex?" so, to conciliate them, I promised to write one in favour of boys. But, sad to relate, the muse has vanished from me, and whether the goddess of poetry ever returns to dwell with mo still remains to be seen. I cr.nnot even laise a few verses for King Dick, but

can only think of the old pioverb, "Beware ot those who flatter you." Surely it dess not apply to our comrade — at least let us hope not. Awkward Necl 1 , I admire you. Now, don't get conceited; you take advice like a brave boy takes a bitter pill well sugared — with a smiling face, hinting not of the bitteniess. I wonder if any of the L.F. ar e going in for the S.S. Union Examination this year ; and also for the Essay Competition. I noticed Loaf's and a. few other L.F.s names among the prize-win-ners last year. I'm trying for both this yea* also, but have no hopes of winning a medaL But now I must conclude. With kind regards to all, and love ~to Dot, the editor, Awkward Ned, Sir Tom, and King Dick, I once more sigu myself, — Yours tru'y, JESSICA. [So. Jessica, the footnotes have been missed, have they? I am afraid they will have tc go ngain, for the letters show signs of increasing in numbers once more, and if they do, why, of course, room must be made for them someway or other, and the Condensed Column is scarcely sufficient. — DOT.]

Dear Dot, — This isn't Sunday (hope that will suit the Disgusted One), but, as I have nothing particular to do, or care to do, I thought I would ?gain honour (?) the page with a letter composed and written by roysslf. The -disgusted D.L.F. has a strong objection to that phrase, "this is Sunday, ' so I thought it would please him to see "n't" tacked on to "is" just for a change, you know. My chief object in writing this letter is for the sake of passing a few remarks about the- "stories ' of Special Subject Week, or, rather, We^s- Well, first and foremost, I was disappointed at not seeing more of the .Old Writers turn up. However, Awkwar<J Ned shoußf ba satisfied that his suggestion "caught on" so well. . 'Some of the stories weTe very- good, and a number of L.F. s-liowed off theif imaginative powers, to advantage in their attempts to respond to Ned's suggestioS. I hope they were all original, D.L.F., but some read very much like stories that havo before appeared in- print, oniy altered a little. Now, the point I want to get at is about the young man being "lost" to his parents and relations at 20, and returning home at 30 years of age. Now, L.F., just think a minute: if a. young man goes away from home, his relations know he is going, and are quite willing that ho should go, and when he reaches his destination he writes home and tells them how he enjoyed his trip, and his opinion of the place he has settled in, etc., anal from time to time informs them of his doings. Do you think that young man is "lost" to his relations? I don't. Ho h-.» only wandered away for a time, and in all probability intends to return, unless death or something else quite unexpectedly overtakes him. But when a- young man leaves home owing to some quarrel, disgrace, or dislike lie has for his home, and does not tell any of his relations where he is going, and e-s years roll on still they hear no trace of him, and know not whether he is dead or alive, it is then he is 103t — actually lost — to th&m. Now, for instance, if a farmer has a horse, perhaps grasing in a paddock, and) thrcxigh some neglect the gate is left open and the horse gets on to the road and wanders along the roadside, eating grass as it gees along, if not noticed and brought back it may wander many miles from home, and finally stray into another man's paddock, and. if the man knows to whom the horse belongs he will likely send word to the owner that his horse is in one of his paddtocks, and ho can get it whenever he likes to come for it. Well, supgpse the farmar is very busy, and has not tim.9 to go for his horse for a few days, and during the time another neighbour comes to his place and asks him where such and such a. horse is, meaning the one that stiayed away: do you think the farmer would say, 'Oh! I have lost that horse," when all the time he knows the horse has only wandered on to another farm, and he ca.n get it if he only takes the trouble to go for it? I think it is just the sanio with the young man who gOES to some neighbouring country, even though it is many miles away, and does not return for some years. Eve-n then, so long as he writes homes to his relations, he is net lost to them. I noticed a great ma.ny D.L.F. had their "lost" hero writing homo to his relatives, and Awkward Nec 3 was among them. He put his hero in gaol for a time, but still he wasn't actually lost to his friends, was he, Ned? Now, my idoa of how a story should be written where the hero is "lost" to his friends was something after the style of Jessica's and Nut's and those stories of a few others. Jessica's hero left home through disgrace, or supposed disgrace; while Nut's one took a. dislike to his home because of his stepmother, which is often the case with a young man. One L.F. imagines us carried away into the future, and sees the page prospering so we'll that they can actually have a paper printed entirely for themselves; and 330t is pre-sented with a machine invented by a L.F. for correcting letters, etc. — much necdt for it, too, eh, Dot? However, judging from tha present go-ahead state of affairs, that prophecy has a good chance of becoming a realty. I should like very much to be able to get to the social on Labour Night, but I do not think I'll get this time. This last day or two I have taken a sudden fancy that I will save up and havo a "bust cut" at Christinas, and if everything pans out as I should like I'll have a good time then. I wish the L.F. eveiy success with. their first social, and hope all present will heartily enjoy themselves. With love to ycurself amd the good old editor, — Yours tru.y, RETA.

[A very nice little piece ol argument over the lost young man, Reta, but after all 13 said ami ck>iie it does not very much affect the object of Ned s plans whether the hero was actually lost or not. T take it that all Ned wished for was that the L.F. should exercise their imaginative faculties in describing the life of a. young man who was aw^y from home for 10 year 3, without nece-ssarily bsing "lost," and I think in this many of the large number of writers succeeded admirably. — DOT.]

Dear Dot, — A good many things have happened here since I last wrote to you. The school cadet bugler died by accidentally shooting himself with a pea rifle. I think nerurly every boy and girl 111 the-school liked him, so you may bs suve that we miss hiia veiy much. The da.r.cing class, of which I was a, pupil, ended on August 31, and wo had a fancy dres3 ball. Everjo.ie seemed veiy happy, and I enjoyed mj self "vary much. It was tiie fiist b^ill of any kind that I had ever been tc, and, of cours2, it was veiy strange to me, but it was very nice, too. We h-vd cur yearly school examination on September S, and i passed into the Seventh Standard. There were very few failures m the school. Dea."Dot, I think it was very kind of Indiau Chiei to give his valuable and fuenOy advice to such stupid beings as Bread, Butter, and Cheese ancli A Bicycle Built for Two but as I have not found an original name yet. I am sony to say I shall still have to be The Bicycle Built for Two. Last SaiLurday Dou Quixote and I thought we would so fsrning. We went up to Rimutaka road, and — don't bs shocked. L.F. — we took of our boots and stockings and waded across the river. Then we commenced climbing the lulls. "We won't go dtown the gullies until v.'c get to that peak over there," said Don Quixote. When we wcia halfway up the hill ■« c saw an old tree that must have been lying there for years, as it was very much decayed. Well, the poor old tree didn't stay theie "very long. We each took an eiid and pushed with all our might, and off went the tree rolling down the hill. After this we went 011 again. The peak was too far away, so we cut oft" into some lower hil s, but ;'s there were some cattle that stated at us awfully hard, we went off into a gully, 'lliere v, ere no silver-backed fe-rns theie, so we got sonia

— ~ y T - clematis. We were tumbling over stumps, ■when we came to another very dark, deep valley. I namedi this valley "The Valley of the Shadow of Death." Every minute I was - expecting to see awful spiders, and something darted past, and I am almost sure it was a •weasel. I know it was not a rabbit. We left home just after dinner, and as we could not find our way out of the gully for a long time, and when we did there were the hills, we landed home about i p.m., and nice looking objects we were. We were wet-footed, and had our hands out and scratched, and not a fern had we. lam sure we were more to be pitied than blamed. Don Quixote says she will not go ferning for onany a day, and I am sure I shall not. Lollipops, her sister, and myself went. to a small town 12 miles from here on bicycles 'on Wednesday. Lolipop's sister had come over to see her father and mother and sisters and brothers, and as she did not care to return by herself, we went with her. At half-paa^; 4- we two commenced to come home. We had gone - about four miles, and were going down a cutting, when my hand slipped off the brake, and my wheel banged into hers, and I found myself rolling over to the otherside, of the road. Oh, Dot, what clo you think that heaorfcless Lollipops didi? She got off her bicycle and sat down an<3 laughed at me; and I sat up, but I did not laugh — instead, I looked s.to see what damage>._was don© to tihe bicycle and myself. When f found that nothing had happened "to the machine, and all that I suffered from was a cu>t arm, I had to laugh at that Lollipops. She laughed until the tears ran down her cheeks, and when I asked her to brush my dress she hit so hard that I -had ' to, tell -her to stop., From any of the hills around- this^township.' one can. obtain a grand- view -of Lakel WairaTapa, and. although it is five from hexe,~ on a fine day one can see the ripples quite distinctly. Dear - .Dot,' did- you lenow'that by looking over this' _ lake,. on - v a very fine day a, row of the mountains in.-the ' South Island can be seen? It -seems- -strange, ' perhaps, but it is true. Now I must- close, with love to all the LJP. and" yourself, — Yours truly, " THE BICYCLE BUILT- FOR TWO. [What a* remarkable statement to make, Bicycle. It seems incredible to me; are you sure you have not been mismformedl? If not, I should be greatly obliged to you if you would try to find out which mountains they are, and also some explanation of the phenomen'en. • Lake Takapuna, at^ North Shore, Auckland,' has no apparent intake or outlet, I>ut it is supposed that a subterranean passage feeds it from Rangitoto Island, but the .statement you make is' much more remarkable than that:— DOT:] .-* - _ Dear Dot,— l am re-writing a. letter that ,1. began five weeks ago, and adding a little to -v-the original copy. 'One day, as -my mother -was looking over some D:L.F. letters, she noticed the nom.de plume "Biddy Will Yeu Trot?" It .tickled her immensely, and! she suggested that I should adopt as my signature "No, Moike, Oi'll Canther!" 'What a roasting the D.I/.F. have had about their noms de' plume! . It is snowing here a month ago.-- I like snowballs^ but — oh-00, when one/ is tackled by half a dozen boys it is a different- story. Highland' Nan is very curious to know who Dot is. She- said that her sister was quite certain, that one of the - photos in the last -group was Dot's. Our examination ,is over now. I passed into the - Sixth' Standard, and the inspector' didn't manage to. poke, any holes in. my sewing, -so I am „ satisfied. .-The Story 'Weeks' were such a- sue- , cess' that I think at would not be arbadf plan ' to keep it up, -and have one every sixtmonths. . What do you think about it, Dot? ' Some of „ the stories were very- 'intaresting,^ Jessica's , "After M«ny---Years" being about the best.' I was , veary much surprised to see my own little, story published. To I night 'baby surprised'us by saying bis first sentence. Mother s -was trying, to. make him sing' (as he often does), -when that important young person > politely declined with "I eaai't sing." ji& has a natural capacity for getting into danger; ' and' more than once he has escaped from us and toddled ■down the 'road!. Then, too, he has distinguished ' "himself by marching into school amongst, subdued giggles from the children, with whom_he is a ereat favourite. With love -to Dot, — Yours tru^y, - "A WO"6TJiD-BE. AUTHORESS. P.S.— Dear Dot, what is the "Witness grin" like?— A. W. A. % , £Whai£ has the "Witness 'smile degenerated into a grin. V. B. A.? I cannot answer for the "grin," ,dear, but the smile is- simply a pleasant method of two JL»Jj.F. recognising each other, especially if they be strangers, and only "do so through the introductory means provided \by the badge." I am not at all sure about, holding a Story Week, every six months, but I shall consider the matter. — DOT.] - '

Dear Dot, — Since I last wrote to you we have had a heavy fall of snow, andi some very cold weather. I see Indian Chief has been taking a turn at criticising nearly everybody's Eom de plume, and 1 suppose he will, do the same with me. Don't you think, Dot, he should leave it for you to say whether the name is suitable' or not? However, I shall . not start grumbling, but will pass on. I am . now going to tell yoix of a little -walk. a friend a-nd I had/ We had" arranged to olimb to ' the top of a mountain on a -certain day; the v weather being'jSne, so w©.- started at about' lo' o'clock", and A reached 'Hie top at, about 12. - We had a, few rests on 4ber way, as it was ,a very .steepjhill to -climb," and' we had. no track. As scba as ( -we reached the top we liad" luncih, as -Wefelt very hungry^ -Wien we' had- finished > we had.a- 3cbk for some -ferns, but Ester (for . that was my friend's name) saw something else before the ferns. We were looking about for ferns', and, of course, "parted, but were not long sftvay- from each -other when Ester gave such a scream. I ran to her, and asked -tvhat was the matter, but for a minute she could not speak — she had evidently got a great fright. When ■ she got her" breath, I again asked her, and she told me that a great big lizard went right past her hanc). Well, that was nothing to be frightened of — ■was it, Dot? — but she had 1 thought it was. Well, we went along a little bit, and.' we saw some lovely forns in an old rabbit hole, but Ester was too frightened to put her hand in it because she was afraid the rabbit would come out, so I got all the nice ferns, but I gave her some. As we wandered along further we spied a little pond of water, so we went along to get a drink, as it was nice cool water. We were playing about the edgefor a wliile, when Ester gave nje a- push, but I grabbed hold of her, and in dioing so pulled her and myself in. Then there was a terrible scramble; but it was lucky it was not very deep, and we only got a fright and a ducking. As j'ou can imagine, it was very cold, with our wet clothe 3 and boots on, co we started foi home as soon as we could. We were very tired, so we sat down for a- rest about hal'i--way down the hill, and when we reached the foot of the bill Ester said, "Where i® your - hat?" so, in spite of being so tireai, we had to °-o right back again, and we reached home both looking and feeling tired and weary. We are going to have our school examination iaext month, and I hope I shall pass, as it is net very race staying in one standard more thsn a year. With love to Gipsy Queen, SunWin the editor, and not forgetting your dear old self,-Yours tndy^^ BLOSSOM . - rl ara sure Ester need not have been so frightened of the harmless lizard, which was no only too anxioiis to get out of her way,

Spring Blossom. You had a very thing afternoon, dear, but no doubt you slept all the soundter for it.— DOT ]

Dear Dot, — Since^lasfc writing to you winter has passed, and spring is here, with its beautiful sunny days and pretty flowers. All the fruit trees are coming into flower. There is a big cherry pluni tree in our orchard that looted very pretty about a fortnight ago, covered with white flowers. All the flowers are off now, but it will look just as pretty again about Christmas, when it is covered with fruit — don't you think so, Dot? My brother got struck on the back by a log at a sawmill to-day, and I don't know when he will be fit for work again. I went for a drive on Sunday with my father and mother and brothers and sisters. When we got about -four miles along the road we stopped and! boiled the biilly and had something to eat, and a rambl's in the bush before starting for home. Slabby's Mate uid I were <sown the load the other night for a walk, and we inc-t four D.L.F., so we had some fun with them. A bachelors' ball was held here recentty, and I was at it, and enjoyed myself veiy much. There was such a number of D.L.F. present. I counted 25. I was at a birthday party on Arigust 2, and another on September 2, and I enjoyed myself at both. I saw Micky DripponNjicte past the other day, but she did not look my way. Find Out II was over the other night, and, my, didn't we have some fun. I am making enough crochet to go round a pair of pillow covers. It takes six yards, and it i 3 about two inches wicie, so it is no small contract. With- love to all the local L.F., 3'ourself, and the editor. — Yours truly,

y A BUNCH OF VIOLETS.

[The cherry plum was no doubt a handsome sight', Bunch of -Violets, for this tree seems to blossom more luxuriantly than any fruit tree. However, it wild, be quite as gratifying to the eye' when the- fruit is ripe, and, ''"of course, much more so to the taste. What a number of L.F. to be at one ball, dear ; I should think that really constitutes a record. — DOT.] .

Dear Dot, — It is some time since I wrote to you, and now it is getting on towards November, I shoulcJ like to know how the picnic for the 9th of Novembsr is progressing? So far, there has been no definite place fixed, biyt, of course, there is plenty of time. It is with pleasure- 1 am looking forward to meeting my D.L.F. chums again, and my only wish is to have the as successful as the Easter one was. You may be sure, Dot, Ben Bacon will make a. supreme effort to get to Duaiedin in time for that day. It is worth going that distance for such, a happy ' and enjoyable time as we spent, and hope to again spend. It was with pleasure I read the papers [ on "A Mia-n's Absence from Home for Ten Years, X/ and I heartily congratulate" all those who sent in- such -interesting stories, it would 'be' impossible to pick out any one or two for special, commendation, as I consider them all good. 'The Debating* Club seem, to be having goodl times at their weekly meetings, and I hope to spend at least one night with them if -iit is possible for us to get in. Several little folk have my auto, but I regret to s-ay not one has arrived yet in exchange; but the fault is mine, bm they do not_know my address. t They will find'it in the'autor*coluinn' this weak. Weld, Dot, it is tinie I finished, so plaase " accept kindest regards for yourself and the editor, also Awkward Ned, Texas Jack, Vance, Areta, T. D. A., and Marsh Marigold. Hoping to see them soon ( — Yours truly,

BEN BATON.

- [I sincerely hope you will be able to come down for the picnic, Ben Bacon, and that you will also be able to spend a night at least at the Literary ,and Debating Club's meeting. . The members have bc-ea too busy with the social to think very much about the picnic, but no dioubt it will receive attention after this week.—DOT.] Dear Dot,— l am going to tell you about our examination:. All the school passed except , four. I "ani -in Standard I now, and I find some, of the things pretty hard. We have a number oi little lambs, and I have seven pets, and they are such dear little things. They get. very tricky. I have only got a name for one, and I call him , B. unty, as he is always , bunting for more milk. Papa is going to sow oats on Monday. He wants to get all the work done before he goes to the Hanmer Springs. Ma is going" as far as Christchurch, and we are to stay with grandma. With, love to you, —Yours truly, DAx-'DY'S GIRL.

[The lessons will get easier after each day's learning, Daddy's Girl. I hope the Springs will do your father good.— DOT.]

Dear Dot, — I am going to toll you about a trip I had to'Osmani I left home at 8 o'clock, and reached the station at 9, the train coming in half an hour later; We reached 1 Oamaru at 10 o'clock, and my cousin was there to meet me. We went straight on up to my auntie's, and we had great games there. Next day we went to the Gardens, and I thought they were very pretty. There are a great many pigeons there. Tha next day I had' to come home, and go to" school again. We are having very fine weather up here just now, and I hope it will continue, as I have a long way to go to school. Our examination is' to come off at the end of October, and I hope I shall jmsa. We have a new master, who is very nice, and two of his children write to the page.. There are 12 L.F. about here. With love to Minnie Clyde, Mountain Violet, and the editor and yourself, —Yours truly, OTAGO PRINCESS.

1 [That is quite a large number of L.F. for a small' township, Otago Princess. You should have, no difficulty^ in having a DiL.F. talk whenever you"" wish. — DOT.]

Dear Dot, — We .axe "having lovely weather, and our garden is looking so pretty. My 'sister has a dear wee baby, whose name is Kenneth. We went to the beach last week to fish, but the sea was so rough that we didn't try it. We gathered some pretty shells on the beach instead. I went for a ride some time ago to visit a great friend of my aunty's. I spent such a nice day. I got there all right, but I did dread the ride back, because it was dark, and my horse is so flash. I am always frightened to cross the big white bridge. Wo call the hors'3 Rambler. I am very fond of toffee, bud it gives mo the toothache, but I can't leave it alone. I milk one cow. She is black and white, and her name is Norah. I only know one D.L.F., but she doesn't know me. I have just - left school, and I am not sorry either, as I never liked going to school. Don't you find it horrible getting up these cold spring mornings? I do. It is great fun to go down to the wharf and watch the boats coming in, and the small boats going out fishing. On fine days they sometimes catch a lot, but oftener they catch none. I am going to Dunedin for a holiday at Christmas time, and I shall visit the Witness office if I am brave enough; last time I hadn't courage enough. I don't fall in with Indian Chief's views at all. But I won't say any more; I don't want an Indian C&ief on my track, as I am rather scared of b]ack men .at any time. Like a lot of the D.L.F., I am a great bookworm. I am reading "David Harum" at present, and I find it interesting. I hope the Literary and Debating Club will be a. success". I should like to join, but I am too far in th-5 backwoods. Ido ■wish Uncle Con would write again, for I liked Ids letters very much. — Your 3 truly, ARGUMENT JACK.

Dear Dot, — Sojne L.F. tell us about their i-rothers being teases; well, I have three brothers, but they are not old. enough to tease me. The girla here played the boys a game of cricket, but the boys beat us. The game we. mostly play at school is maxblea, jvad^ there

are holes everywhere, and groups of two and three may be seen busily engaged in the game. There are plenty of flowers cut m bloom now, and the daffodils look so pretty among the green grass. The blossoms are almost out on the fruit trees now. With love to all the L.F., Dot, and the editor, — Yours truly. PINE TREE.

Dear Dot, — Special Subject Week is now over, and we have once more got back to our dear old letters. The Literary and Debating Club seems to be progressing famously, ancli I wish them every success. I see the lnvercaorgill D.L-F. have got a club, too, but there is not such a big attendance as at the Dunediu club. As I was going for a walk the other Sunday I heard a voice say "Hulloa, Maid of Diamonds." I looked round, but could not see anybod}-. I biked out to a social at Earnseleugh last Friday night, a distance of three miles, and I enjoyed myself immensely. It was a lovely moonlight night, and it was a quarter-past 4 when I returned home. I was at a social last night in aid of the English Church, and it was very nice. M. P. D. was supposed to call for me, but she did not come. My" word, I shall give it to you, M. P. D. Our Alexandra Band is going to Gore for the band contest. The Gore people will be very ex-cite-d at the time of the contest. I must now "ring off, with fond&3t love to the editor, all the L.F., especially Karangahape, Qvieer Fellow, and M. P. D., and not forgetting your own dear self. — Yoiirs truly, MAID OF DIAMONDS. Dear Dot, — We are mates, and we have made up oui minds to write to you together. One &Uy we both had a bad cold, and as, we couldn't do anything else we went for a. sail en the. river. We were getting on, grand, when all at once we struck a rock, and my mate said, "What, oh! &he bumps!" After we had got off we went on down to get some rata; which glows all along the river banks. My mate got excited, and nearly tipped the boat over, but we managed' to get a lot. * We go to the same school, and are always up to mischief, and just now the teacih&r is scolding my mate and telling her to go on with her work. The farmers are putting in their crops now, and I suppose they will soon be tioubled" with the vats, which are very numerous here. Oh, Dot, there is a big water rat that comes down on to the river bank and squeaks eyery night near to our home, and sometimes it is very troublesome. We bofch live in Niagara — a nice little place, although a bit quiet. With love to A Niagara Lass and Jam. Tart, the editor, and yourse'if,— Yours truly, A. N. L. and F. O. T. S. Dear Dot, — I was going" to write before the Special Subject Week, but I saw your notice saying that no> letters were, to be written then, so I thought I had better wait till after the Special Subject Weeks were over. Some of the stories were very good. I read every one, and I could not say which one I liked the best, as they were all very interesting. The woather up in this part of the worlcj has been changeable, but a little raiin. now and again makes everything fresh and green, especially in the spring time; hub the poor little lambs feel it. We have a lot of lambs now, and very few diecil from the cold weather. I see by the papers, however, that away up-country a great many have died. The Taylor-Caar-rington Company - visited Wyndham last week, and I went down to see them. They .played the "Gipsy Queen," and it was very good. The night was lovely, so the people took advantage of it, and the hall was nearly full. The Wyndham Brass Band gave a bazaar a week or twq_ago. There were three nights of it, and the place was crowded every night. I liked the Posters' March the best, and the clowns were very comical, and so funny-looking that nearly all . the little children were crying, for they got quite frightened of them. Our flower garden is looking not so badly just now. We have planted a lot of seeds, .and! they are beginning to come up. With best wishes and kindest regards, and with love to all"the D.L.F. and the editor, — Yours truly, LADY O'COLDOMO. Dear Dot, — We are having very severe weather down here at present. While writing it is pouring on the roof in bucketfuls. My brothers avid sisters are away v oixt visiting just now, so the house is nice and qiiiet, the only companions that I have left to keep me company being two old grey cats, and very quiet mates they are, as they lay thernr selyes down on the mat before the fire, and make it their . duty to sleep. While casting my eyes down the D.L.F. letters a few minutes ago I noticed that the Two Niagara Laddies were enjoying grand -pleasure trips on their bikes. Well, I think the conditions aa-e now completely reversed, and they would require webbed feet in place of a bike. A surprise party took place a few weeks ago. Tbere were a few D.L..F. present, and my chief object wast to get their autos, but they would not give them to me or tell me their noms de. plumes ; -so, aft&r a long struggle, I gave them best. With love to a/11 the Niagara L.F., not forgetting yourself and Mr Smiling Editor, — Yours truly, LOVE IN A MIST.

Dear Dot. — .Since I last wrote to you a great change lhas taken place in this little village, a sawmill having started right in the heart of it, with three others about three miles from here. There ia also a flaxmill about five miles in the opposite direction. The winter ctoes not seem to be over yet, aa the hills are* covered with snow at the time of writing, but let us hope that the summer days will soon conic round, and that winter, with its chilly breezes, will be gone for another year. Niagara seems to have caught the auto oraze, as I see a number of L.F. about here are gathering autos. Tihe L.F. are becoming so numerous here that they will soon be able to start a -Debating 'Club of their own. With love to Buffalo Bill, The Two Niagara Laddies, and yourself, — Yours truly, RUSTIC.

Dear Dot, — The weather this spring has beesi somewhat unsettled, for we have a couple of diays dry, and then wet again. Although the weather has been unfavourable for getting the ground ready for the crops, we have got most of our oats sown. There has been a lovely lot of spring flowers this year. The camellia and rhododendrons are past their beauty now, the rain helping a great deal to spoil them. The Japanese plum trees have been out in bloom, and, being pure white, they were a beautiful sight. I shall now tell you something about the township of Ahaura, which I mentioned in my last letter. Ahaura is a Maori word, meaning "shining." If anyone can give me a better meaning than this I shall be only too pleased to know it. The best view of Ahaura and its suiroundings is obtained from the top of Nottle"'S', or, rather, Halm's, Hill, as it ia now called, because of a family whose residence is on the top, and whose sawmill is at the bottom. This hill is rathe-r a pretty one, being overgrown on each side by native trees,, &hriu>3, and ferns. It is not very steep, but has two or three curves on it. This hill is a •mile ffroini Ahaura, but iit a? co-nsiderably nearer as the oiow flies. From here four different levels can bo easily seen, and in the distance a range of mountains. Between this hill and the township lie 3 ground which, is partly cleared, and the river. The Ahaura River is a tributary of tlie Grey lUver, and joins it a little below tho township. The water is beautiful and clear, and quite deserves the name of "shining" when there is no sluicing or dredging going on The dredges, I am sorry to say, have all turned out "duffers" OX "gone up a tree," as the common, expression.

J is. The river is spanned by two bridges, one 1 ' for the train, the other for the general traffic A few feet above the level of the beach, but only a few yards onV&re. the grounds belonging to the Roman Cutholic Church. The residence thereor. is a large two-storey building. It has a good-sized garden, and around about it are growing willow?, pines, poplars, silver aspens, ' and various other kinds of common imported trees. There is a pretty little chapel close by which has not been in existence niany years. _ The old chapel, which was farther back from' the road, was pulled dowr a good while ago. The railway station cannot be seen from here, as H is hidden from, view by a hill which forms the next level. To reach the main part cif Ahaura, you go up, what is known as Garth's I Hill. About half way up two roads meet, one of which goes down past the chapel. Just opposite the junction of the roads is a face on , the left-hand side. From here gravel has been : taken away for various purposes. Just across the road is the postmaster's residence, which j was once meant for the vicarage, but it was not ! used ac such, the minister corning from Brunneiton. Tho lawn tennis couit is above the I face, where there is also a row od beautiful < weeping willows On the top of the hill is a library, which has no'fc been used for a number of years. The street on the top of the hill is ' called Camp road, and on to it face the post ] office, courthouse, policeman's residence, and ' 1 other residences, including hotels. The post office is rather a pretty one. It was built in place of the one thu,t was burnt down 11 years ago. Close behind it, but at the bottom of a cliff, lies the river. Opposite to the courthouse luns Clifden load, the main street This street runs up past 'the Chinese quarters, where a good numbor of Chinamen live. A Chinese lady lives hero, and has two little boys, the ' elder oif which is ijust beginning to go to school. Off this street run two roads — one, the New road, to the station; -lire other up past the school lo Orwell Creek. There are six hotels iiixAhaura', so the amount of drinking done can be well imagined, as there are only about 250 people thare altogether. The num- ' ber of shops is also large On the third levol the school is built. I have heard'of this hill ' being called E-anfurly Terrace. The school has j two rooms, and also two teachers — a master j and a mistress. The examination came off on Friday, September 16. Tho results were not s>o good as they usually are, half of the failures being due to reading, which seems to be a weak subject. Before beginning work that morning Mr do Berry was presented with a dressing case and travelling bag by the school children, as on Monday he began teaching as head master in the Cobden School. lam very sorry 'he has gone, for I liked him. very well, and ' going to school now seems very strange and queer without his being there. Mr Evison, our new master, comes from Otago, but will not be j here till after the middle of the month. The _ school, when it was built, was intended to be •• a hospital. Most of the playground lies at the bottom of the hill. At the bottom of the play- ! ground is the Church of England. At the back ; of the school is a terrace, between which and ! the next hill is a valley, where there is a farm and the brewery. Through this valley Orwell ' Creek flows. The next hill -is a very long one, but on the top is a farm', part of the bush hay- ( ing been cleared off. I may say that some , people believe that a- river- once flowed through the valley. If so, it accounts a great deal for the ups a-nd downs of Ahaura, ,for those mentioned aro by no means the only ones,. 1 The • ground, too, is rather stony. A great number of street reserves have been kept ,in Ahaura, but there is no likelihood of their being needed, at present. From the school hill a, grand 'view', of the function of the Ahaura and Grey Riv«r3 j can be se£n, and also a 1 good on©- of the Papa- • roa Ranges, but we have > better view from here. Ahaura, in my idea) is rather a pretty little place, but I have heard it described as a dirty little hole by a person who does not like it. I am not very good "at describing, and I doubt if anybody but those who -know the | place will tinderstand what I ami driving at: j Ahaura was "not always where- it is now, and in my next letter I "shall probably teil you something about it in its old location- The Ahaura of the present day is about 22 miles from Greymouth by rail, to which town it is a little closer than Reefton. With' love to all L.F. and yourself, and Mr Editor, — Yours truly, WEST 'COASTER. [I think yovi have given a very good description of Ahaura, West Coaster, and I am sure we all know a good deal more about "the town of the shining river" than we did •before. — DOT.] Dear Dot, — To-night I am alone, and just inclined to write a letter, so here it is. What a huge success Awkward Ned's suggestion proved. So original, so instructing, and so beneficial! Why have the letters^ been falling off lately both in number and in quality? Is it because those who contributed *o the Special Subject were so uplifted (or disgusted ivith their productions that they were unable to write? And those who did not contribute were co overwhelmed with the success of the others that they were unable- to pen a few lines 1 to Dot? How well the Debating Society is progressing. Let us hope that in after years lea's wish may come true — that by 1910 we shall have a hall of our own in which to hold the meetings of- the club, socials, etc. I shxrald like very nauoh to be present at,, some of the debates. I know boys like to see their victories in print; so, Middlemarch School boys, ;this is for your sole benefit. About two months ago the Middlemarch boys received a challenge from the Sutton, boys- to play a football match on the Middlemaroh ground on the coming Saturcfey. The day proving wet, the match was put off till the following Saturday, • when 'it was played * off. Middlemarch won, we score being 2§ to nil. Mr Matheson, the school master, and Mrs Mathesora. provided tea, cakes, sandwiches,' and oranges for all the boys. \ A few Saturdays afterwords the return- match was played at Sutton, where again Middlemarch won, the score being 9 to ' 3. At Sutton, too, the boys were substantially provided for by the Sutton ladies. I really think you deserve a hearty "Well done!" boys. Jeadousy (an old writer) sends love and icspects to Dot and tho editor. Love to Maid of Killeena, Dot. the editor, and lea.—^Yours truly, AUDACE. [I a.m glad to hear from. Jealousy once more, Audace, arid pleased indeed to see that she still takes an interest in our page. The falling off was only temporary, as you will see by this week's page.— DOT] Dear Dot, — I suppose you and the L.F. will by now have forgotten that you ever had such. a correspondent as Laura. I don't wonder at it if you have, for it is over a year since I penned! my last letter to you ; but now I have mode a start I shall have to try to write soma-. tiling worth, reading. To begin with, I shall tell you something about a trip to town Nev; Chum and I had- in the end of February. We staited on Thursday morning by getting up at 5 o'clock and milking the cows and doing a few other jobs, managing to be ready by 8 for our journey, the first three* miles of which, wo walked. It was all up hill, and we had a good bit of luggage to. carry, so we soon began to get tired, and I'm sure I don't know when we would have got to the end 1 of our walk if it hadn't beenJor E. Crusoe's brother, who came along riding, and kindly took all our parcels. We then got into ovu- uncle's buggy, and ifeove the rest of the way to Balclutha, where we siayed at our eoiisin's till 3 p.m., when we got abo.iid the train, arriving at Dunedin at 5. Our Aunt Annie (who used to write to the paga befoie noms da plume came- in, and afteiward-3 under tjh.o nauve of SuufioAvex) was there to

' meet us, and^tafce us to our uncle's furnitiya stop in George street, where w-? stayed till closing time, and then made our way to tha Ncrtb.-Ee.st Valley, where we stayed with our uncle and two auiits. Next morning wo went and had ourselves photographed. It was not svch a trying ordeal as wo thought it would be, only the photographer couldn't get me to "look pleasant," and New Chum, would look "too pleasant"; but at last it was over, and w« started to go about sight-seeing with easier minds. We went to the wharf, but there wera no big steamers in, so we went on board a small one called the Oainaru Presently a gentleman came along and asked us what ye wanted and Aunt A., who was spokeswoman, answered that we were just having a loolr around. "Did you get permission?" "No, but nobody told us not to." Then the gentleman {who turned out to be the captain) kindly showed us all over the boat, which turned oiit to be the one in which our Aunt J , at whoso place we were staying 1 , came out from tha Orkneys in 26 years ago. . We also went to the Museum, the Botanienl Gardens, and ever so many niore places, and, of course, li>o coimuy bumpkins, we lookcl in all, ox at least a -good many, of the shop windows. On Saturday we went to St. Clair, and I saw the'ocean for th« first time. There were two girls with ;.s, be I-side-s my two aunts, and 1 we girls took off our' shoes and stockings and waded in great Father Ocean (for as we speak of Mother Earth, it ovi? stands to reason that we should say Father Ocean), and when we hod had enough of tha«l we put on our shoes again and went round tQ what I think they called the Second Beach, end got mussels off the rocks, and amused ourselves by jumping from boulder to boulder for a while. Then-, 1 as we were getting hungry, wa • climbed the 1 bank ori to the ' roadside, where we all sat down to enjoy the good things Aunt J. had. provided. When we were about half through^ our lunch one of the girls' dropped & piece of cake, and as I was sitting on the edge 'of the, bank, which was about Bfi high (I wouldn't be advised to sit anywhere else), I volunteered to recover it for her. I caught hold of a tuft of grass, and, planting one foot a short way down the embankment, I reached for the piece of cake, when suddenly the other girl — the "wag" of the party — gave me a push, and sent me down the bank at tha rate, of 60 miles an hour. Luckily, I've got good big feet, and I managed to land on them, and it was a \ r ery crestfallen me that went slowly up the bank amid the laughter of the others. We attended Knox Church on Sunday evening, and spent the rest of our holiday, which terminated on the following Thursday, very enjoj-ably. We left for Balclutha by the 8 o'clock train, but when we got to Milton we were informed that we could get no farther, as, owing to the heavy fall of rain, the railway line was broken. We were in a fine predicament, and as we didn't know anyone in Milton v/a would hitve had to go without our dinner 'had we not met Nut, who very kindly took us to get our dinner, and, then we all went back to Dunedin. You may imagine the surprise of our aunts when we, dripping wet, walked into the shop. We met The Duke's Amuser in town on Saturday night, and had a- chat with her. She asked us for our autos, and I sent mine, but ha-ve not yet received hers, but I am living: in hope of getting it yet. We went home on Monday, having spent a most enjoyable week — or, rather, week and a-half. I, like 'Dunedin very well for a holiday, but I'm- afraid- I couldn't get along without the quiet country and the cows, pigs, hens, etc. The new electric cars are very nice, but you oan't rein them ap whenever you want to stop, as- you can a horse. It is over a year, since I wrote ip you, Dot*and I suppose R. Crusoe is flattering herseif that she has managed to silence me, but it was not so, but I haven't had. the writing craze for a year. ' What was it C. R. said again? >( Ah! yes, I .remember. It was this : "Laura, when you are jabbering you niust be truthful ; you ' are the old schoolmate, not I." -Well, R. C, I didn!t exactly tell an untruth: I just' put the cart before the horse by saying, that you were an old schoolmate of mine instead of that I yas an old schoolmate of yours, and I don't think I deserved such a rebuke, but would; R. Crusoe please ( explain What -"jabbering 1 ' means 9 I looked up the dictionary, and couldn't find it.'.Whab has become- of Tusaock? Has she deserted? I think. Dot, there should be a- penalty for deserters. I havo been writing to the page for seven years — though this is only my fifth letter, — axid J have still four years to go before I reach, the retiring age, so you shall be bothered with two or three more Jetters from me yet. I think the Special Subjec* Week issxies were a great success. T i liked all the stories, especially those by Jessica and . Ccoee, but* I have not see-n title last issue o£ them yet. Now, dear Dot, I think (and I daresay you do to6s~~it is time I stopped "jabsring." so, with love to all the L.F. and yourself and the gracious editor, — Yours truly, ! LATTRA. P.S. — New Chum is writing, but says her letter won't be finished for six months [I think our only regret is that the "jabberi ing" takes place so seldom, Laura, notwith- ! standing E. Crusoe's playfulness. lam indeed | glad to know that you will be so long with us yet before reaching the retiring age. — DOT.] Dear Dot, — Blue Violet and I have just come home from Totara- Flat after two days' holiday, which we enjoyed very much. We went up on Wednesday night, and came home on Saturday" with our litle friend, who stayed, all day. Coming home from the station we went in to a friend's place, and asked the two youngest — who are about our own ages— to come over in the afternoon. In the afternoon we were playing "tiggy" around the flower beds in front ore the house, when a naughty bee from the hives came and sat on my head/, 1 and it did not forget to sting me before it went away. We afterwards came inside and played tho ga-mes ludo and snaps. We have 95 ebicke-ns, but mother wants 200. for half of , them most likely will be roosters. Two hens' I eggs ought to be coming out to-da,y. Blue Violet is lying on the sofa reading a book today, for she is not very well. With love to all L.F. and our dear wee- Dot, — Yours truly, WATER LILY. [I hope Blue Violet is quite well again, Water Lily, and that the two hatchings resulted satisfactorily. What a busy farmyard, that would be with 200 chickens. They would need a great deal of looking after.— DOT.] Dear Dot, — I have been reading the accounts of the D.L F. Literary and Debating: Club, and I have come to the conclusion that I should very much like to attend the meetings. I love a good debate, and sometimes I manage to strike on somebody Who has an opinion en every subject under the sun, and it possibly happens that they say somethinsr that clashes with my opinions, and if I say, "Well I think just, the opposite to you," they turn round and, start to tell you in a lengthy a.nd pondero is manner that you are "not qualified to hold an opinion on such a weighty subject." or, to put it plainly, they tell you that you are an ass. Well, such people are not worth talking to, for no matter how good an argument you bring t<r bear on the subject in hand, they simply say, "I don't care what you say to the contrary, I think so-and-so, and nothing you can s&5 or do will ever convince me that I am wrong," etc , etc., etc., and they stalk out of the rooml witili virtuous indignation written all over? them. Now, I am a veay mild-tempered individual, but that sort of thing has often ruffle&l me up for a minute, but it is not worth losing your temper over. Oh, well, as I live in the North Island, I cannot attend the Dunedin De- | bating Club's /weekly or the Invei-cargill Club's* I fortnightly meetings, so I shall simply m^-'

— The Paternal Rack.— Young Man : Ir Wihy does Mr Brown have such a hangdog look? Is it because he is in financial trouble?" Old Man: "Oh, no! It is because he is the fattier of children of school age, and they have begun to ask him i-o help them wj-ih. their arithmetic."

— "You don't known how to play chess, do you, Mr Adlet?" asked Miss Skitfcs, ■with a look at the clock which indicated 11.30 p.m. "Why, yes, I do, Miss Skifcts. What made you think I didn't ?"— "Why, you don't seera to know when it's yoar ttove."

them every success. Fancy poor old Mr Mel. B. Spurr being dead. I am very sorry to hear it. I went and heard him when ho was heie, and I enjoyed it immensely. He was very clever, and he seemed to be such a genial man. Well, Dot, I suppose I must close now, and li you do not like the letters type-written just say so, and I shall not do it again, only it, i& so much more easily read. Love to all the little folk, Dot, and the editor. — Yours tiuly, MAORTLANDEE.

IT am only too glad to get a type-written letter, Maonlander, it simplifies matters so much all round. I have no doubt you would be a most welcome addition to the- debating rower of the L.F. L. and D. Club, but I am afraid the members will have to be content to have you with them in the spirit only. — DO!.]

Dear Dot, — Waitahuna Gully, or, as it is generally termed, "The Gully," being the fairest spot in "Eden," is a small village of about 100 inhabitants, lying about two miles to the east of Waitahuna, and about seven miles to the south of Lawrence. The Gully, as its name signifies, is a valley branching from Waitahuna, a low-lying township built on both banks of the Waitahuna, River. A road runs from Waitahuna up the centre of the Gully. Most of the houses are built upon the south side of the rood, that being the more sunny side. Gold-mining is the principal occupation of the inhabitants of the Gully, who are a most kindly and hospitable people, a little different from some of their Waitahuna neighbours, who, at a social, club together like the aristocracy, and think themselves too proud to associate with what they deem the rough and uncultured people of the Gully. Rough and uncultured they may be, compared to the select parties of a large city circle; but until cut the diamond is a rough, dull stone. The Gully can boast of one store, one of the best libraries in the district, three or four hydraulic claims, and talk of a former dredge, of which the remains still lie where they once worked. — Tours truly, GULLYITE. [Gullyite is a welcome addition to our band, and I feel sure he wall prove a- valuable one, as his first letter bears evidence of both thought and observation. — DOT.]

Dear Dot,— Although I don't like to "stir up " more strife, I think it's about time someone began to "chuff" when L.F. write over such names a3 the correspondent who wrote to the page last week calling himself A Little Jap. I hope that personage's (his name is too long to spell again) conscience will reproach him when he reads this. I think, Dot, that you should collect a few lensible noms de plume, and when a new L.F. wants to join your happy band— why, let him write to you "stating his cr her sex, and you can forward him a few names on approbation. I know some L.F. will say, "If Dot is content, what right has To Capi to object?" Ah! L.F., Dot is just a. little bit too peaceful in this respect — that's why my finger's in the pie. With best wishes for the prosperity of the page, an<3 with many apologies for "chuffing,"— Yours truly,

TE CAPI.

[Do you know, Te Capi, I do not think you have been particularly happy in selecting a norn for protest. Personally, Ido not see anything to object to in A Little Jap, and if you could only get the opportunity to look over the five or six thousand names on the editor's printed list I feel certain you would admit that there are hundreds more deserving °* criticism than the one you have selected.—