" EXTRACTIONS."

Otago Witness, Issue 2692, 18 October 1905, Page 84

" EXTRACTIONS."

Dear Dot, — Last meeting of the Invercargill D.L.F. Literary and Debating Club was devoted to the contributions of the town members, and although the attendance was somewhat smaller than usual, a very enjoyable timio was spent listening to the various papers. Willow Brook, who always writes good paners, treated us to a, most original essay on "The D.L.F. Magazine.'' Boy, whose contributions are ever welcome, joined us with an excellent paper on "Patriotism." We owe much to you, Boy, for the grc-at success o four open meetings-, and for your untiring oncigy m furthering the interests of o«r club. Maidie M. and Zealia, v,-ho recently paid a \isio to the Lakes, gavo us a delightful account of "A Trip to Quecnstowu " ; Whakatapu contributed a most amusing paper on "Man"; and the papei read by Ceres on "Companionship 11 was very well received. The following are a few extracts from the various papers: — "What is it that is essential to the success and well being of all movements, whether common oi State, without which no organisation can bs successfily maintained 9 It is Patriotism! Patriotism, the sword of victory! Patnctisnr, tho mothei of valour! Patriotism, the common leveller." — (Boy.)

"It is patriotism that prompts the soldier to leave home, relatives, and friends, and go to the uttermost end of the cs.ith to faco difficulties untold., and, in his country's cause, lay down his life. In extremity patriotism welds a nation together, causes class, creed, and social difference to be forgotten, and the rich and the poor, the renowned! and the unknown to join hands ; all else forgotten in the contemplation of the common danger. Behold! patriotism, the greatest of all social levellers." -(Boy.)

"Our ciub has been forn:*d in patriotism, and in patriotism it has b*en raised to its piesent commendable position. Then, comrades, faint not, shirk not, let us be up and doing; maintain ourselves as true patriots, having deeply at heart iks common cause; remember that each lias itC"?.iVii duty to per-

form, and it is a sacred duty that cannot be perfoimed by another." —(Boy.) "You afi know how, when the express from Dunedin was rushing to Invercargill in the dark of the night, it ran against something and was 1 stopped at once, and it is recorded; vith what Era-prise and wonder the amazed passengers behead, instead of tLc fair city of the sot^th, nothing but a hu?e lull rent from top to bottom, completely covering ihe city." —(Willow Brook.) "I will read to you some of the interesting documents discovered there lately. One peculiar document being much torn and tatteied is not quite complete, but what has bsen gathered will go to prove what a wild and peculiar people inhabited this fair earth of ours in those barbarous ages." — (Willow Brook.) "The document reads thug:— "And, behold), one Ceres, he of the curly pow, brother to tlie fundocter, nse+h, avid txelaimeth. "I will speak" And it was so. Mighty words spoka ha paying— "Verily, verily, brethren, I s>ay vnto you that this beeth the time for progress. \'c world piogre&seth, countries progress, ancl why should ye not progress too, my brethren. Xow, therefore, be iT; known unto all men and women of sound understanding, educated and uneducated, pietty or ugly, that it hath become time, yea, ripe is the time, indeecll, that ye, my brethren, should have a magazine.' "— (, Willow Brook.) "After much talking amongst the assembled company, one lketh and asketh, 'What shall be the name of this miglrty work of literature, our magazine?' And after much solemn thought, and great speaking amidst the assembled company, it was decided to leave this mighty and imporiant subject until the next time ,-tl^e company assembled together for thoughtful reading, speaking, and learning — And it was so.'" — This appears to be the end of the document. It- will go to show, however, what a barbarous nation the British were in tins year 1905.— (Wi'low Brook.) "In journeying through life we all have our companions, and '{Tie moulding of our characters' depends in o. great degree jn the* influence which our friends exercise over us." — (Ceres.) " It has been truly said that we cannot herd with swine, without running a terrible risk of I: scorning swinish ourselves, and that we cannoet roam with lions without catching something of the grandeur and courage of our noble conwades. 1 ' — (Ceres.) "The example and teaching of our parents shape our character more than anything else in the world, but we cannot choose our parents, Brothcas and sisteis shape ifc, not so much) certainly, but still to a very great extent; but we caanot choose them either. But we can choose our companions — that is, the friends whom we make, and tho people" we associate with, outside of our own family circle." — (Ceres.) "If our companions have so much to do witih the moulding of our character, it also follows that we have a great dleal to do with the moulding of theirs. Therefore, let us strive that our example may be a- wholesome and blessed one — a softening, refining, purifying nifluence, and that' all whom we may come in close contact with may be the happier, tihe better, and the nobler for having come under our influence." — (Ceres.) "Wo had a very enjoyable drive to Arrowtown, via Lake Hayes. At the latter place we ceiled on Boy, and had a few hours' sailing and rowing on Lake Hayes. We raturned to Queenstown via Arthur's Point; the scenery round this way being grand, especially crossing the Shotover River. It is a sight once seen, never will be forgotten." — (Maidie M. and Zealia.) "We had a camera too, and took a great deiigat in taking snapshots ; but of course we had to take if for a drive in a trap, and! discovered, at the end of our journey, that it had fallen to pieces. We certainly felt very sorry, as it contained some peculiar sights, but it was laughable to hear it rattling like bottles m a wheelbarrow." — (Maidie M. and Zc alia . ) — Yours truly, THE DENTIST* TO COMRADE ROBY. Dedicated With Love. Dear little folk, go wea.ve a wreath Of laurel leaves so green and rare, That we may crown with loving handa Our comrade Roby, young and fair — Ihe greenest laurel leaves of fame We would entwine around her name. Go, search the gardens of your hearts, Pluck there the flowers of richest live, Entwine with them the laurel leaves Entwine with them sweet thoughts an<3 true, That we may deck our comrade's brow With richest, feirast garland now. Thus in the morning of your life, When Hope's bright star is shining clear, When Life's horizon clear and bright Is still undimmed by sorrow's tear. Thus, we would gTeet you, comrade true, And offei of our best to you. Oh, comrade mine, in future years *f Your feet may tread the paths of fame, The world with words of praise may wreathe The laurel leaves around your name — The bro-w we crown with our heart flowers May wear a gayer wreath than ours. Yet, comrade, though you pluck the flowers Of praise and fame each day you Kve, Yet though you wear a laurel wreath, The richest that this world can give — Among earth's treasures you'll ne'er prove Aught dearer than your comrades' love. Jessica. D.L.F. -land. October, 1905.