RETA'S FAREWELL LETTER.

Otago Witness, Issue 2714, 21 March 1906, Page 74

RETA'S FAREWELL LETTER.

Dear Dot,— 'Tis with pleasure, mingled with legref, that I tiave once more penned those two fomihrr woids. It is now four years Bjnce I first wrote to dear Dot, and since then I have spent many a pleasant hour both reading and writing to the DLF Page I have often been told I that it v.is childish for a big girl like me

to be writing to the Little Folk's Page ; buf I always upheld tae honour of our page^ and firmly declared that I would not stop writing to " Dear Dot" as long as I could steer clear of the retiring age; and, alas! my regret is that I can no longer conceal the fact that I have now reached the age banner, and this must necessarily be my retiring letter. Although there are some who like to find all the fault they can with the L.F. Page, saying it is childish, etc , we can afford to ignore such remarks, as we know our page has afforded both pleasant and profitable reading to a, large majority of both old and young folk scattered lar and wide m this and other colonies. For my part I have never once regrexted joining Dot's happy band or wearing the beloved badge, which has won for me many true D.L.F. friends, of whom not a few are correspondents with me, add their letters I always heartily enjoy. Since I became interested in the L.F. Page it has in seme ways been like a second education to me. I have also found advantage ins wearing the badge, for no matter where you g) you will nearly always find some wearer of the badge there before you, and by introducing yourself with the aid of the badge many delightful companionships are formed. This is especially the case at such gatherings ai shows, picnics, socials, etc., where we often meet and become acquainted with those whom, wo have before only known by their pennam«s. Truly, the D.L.F, have many advantages, and I have often thought this was very pronounced at our last social gathering. During the afternoon fie had a large group photographed ; then, through the generosity of our kind and sympathetic editor, we were treated to an abundance of delicious fruit and a general inspection of the intricate machinery and different methods used in the preparation of our newspapers, which was both interesting and instructive; and last, but not least, our feocial evening, which those who had the gocd fortune to be present will long remember. While in the midst of the pleasure and excitement of a time such as that one is called upon to give vent to their feelings in the exclamation, " Oh, who wouldn't be a D.L.F.!" My sojourn among the L.F. has been a hanpy one, productive of many pleasant andlasting meruoiies, which will provide food, for reflection thiough years to come; but although I must now take a step forward and join the ranks of Old Writers, my interest in the page does not stop here, and when oppoitunity provides it you may still get a letter from Eeta, just for old times' sake. On several occasions I have taken a. prominent part in socials and picnics, but I must confess I have sadly neglected the L. and D Club, as I have never even as much as written a paper for -it yet, so the club does not owe its success in any way to me. Often when an unusually energetic fit came over me I would resolve to make an attempt at writing a paper for the benefit of the club, but some other duty always seemed to come in the waj, oi the energetic fit would pass off too quickly, and that was all the length my paper ever got. However, I hope I shall do better in the future, and be able to help the club in some way Every year the L.F. seem, to make a fresh stride. Last year Quago and T.I C. caused great excitement, but that to a certain extent has passed over; and this year it will be the D L.F Bay that will cause the excitement There seems little doubt but that it will be a success, and the D.L.F. visiting the winter show this year will feel quite important when they stop to admire their bay, especially those who are working so hard for it. I have been wondering for some time what I could send as my contribution to the bay — something a little difieren to the lest; but I hit on a plan a short time ago. A little o\er a month ago my mother invested in a knitting machine, which you see advertised in the Witness and the Otttlook as the '" Family Kmttei." The agent came out and instructed us in the working and mechanism of the machine, and with a little practice we shall be able V> knit you a pair of socks or stockings while you wait — qvite a companson to the old way of the steady knit, knit for days. Well, my idea was to knit Quago a pair of socks (or should I say stockings) for the wintei, as I have no doubt he will wear out his socks quickly, travelling about gathering notes here and there; and if I knitted him a nice warm, pair acd branded them " Quago" he could get them after the show wss over. How would that do. Dot '-* It wou'd be something original anyway, and that would please Aivkwai'l Ned. I have another idea in my head foi " something" that would make & little variety for the bay, and would no doubt cause not a little amusement; but I won't say what it is, as I don't want Quago, etc., to know yet I have bsen v long time in writing thjs letter, as by the time this appears in print I bhall be nearly two months past retiring age, but it was a great thought to rae to write this letter, and I put off the evil day ai long as I could. It has been the custom of Jessica and I, whenever we got the opportunity, to celebrate our birthdays by a jaunt, either on horseback or on bicycles . and we went for a bicycle ride the day Jessica reached retiring age. We intended to repeat the performance when, my turn came, but m that we were doomed to disappointment, as Jessica's sister (Tussock) was away or. a cycle tour at the time, and as my bike wouldn't carry two we had to give up that idea. However, not to be outdone, I put on my thinking cap, and very soon had another scheme afloat, and invited all the L.F. round a-bout to gather together and go to the top of Mount Misery and hg.ve a picnic there. Now. judging from the name of the place, you wi 1 thn.k that that was* a queer spot to choose for a picnic, but 'tis said there is a splendid view to be obtained fiom thp summit, and a }">relty little r.a'ive bush quite near aUo , and I felt sure a '-an-i of D.L F , however small, would soon change the name of the hill to Mount Lively, iii-t the fates seemed to be against me, for it rained all the morning, so the picnic 1.,-c! to be given up also. I was greatly disapp ) ii'eJ, not so much for my own sake, but for tho?e whom I had invited, and who were looking forward to the outing. While speaking of picnics I may here mention that Jesou-a n'"d I are again thinking of having a picmr i,f I Easter tuns, at the same place as we held ' the one on November 9, but jou will hear more about it later on. And now, dear Dot, I must bring this lengthy and rambling ' epist'e to a clce, ard in =o doing bid a ! leluctaiit farev.ell to the dear old page, which I Mnceiely hope will go on increasing and ', improving through years to come. With one la=t fnnd glance into the happy past I quietly I slip over the age barrier into the land where i the Old Writers dwell, to walk with them I into the unknown and untried future Fare- ' well, mv comrade 5 , and though yeais may roll on I will ever lema^n ycur loving and well-wishing comrade, RETA. (Agnes Cuirie, Clarksville.) [Farewell, cb*r Kcta. Your cheery personality will indeed be missed from our page, I and one and all may well ble?s the originators 1 of OV* W and S S Week, who have enabled 1 us to remain in touch with valued and favourite writers who would other wi°e ha ■ lo.st to us altogether. I phall look forward to your reappearance on such occasions, and! also to the evidence of your industry in tlis . bay.— DOT.l