LETTERS FROM THE LITTLE FOLK.

Otago Witness, Issue 3112, 5 November 1913, Page 69

LETTERS FROM THE LITTLE FOLK.

1. L, I IUUJ i Motto:—We writ® for the benefit of others not lor ourselves. /ter No letter to contain more than 450 words.

Dear Dot,—l have been anxiously waiting SLrmtst si t’3| s s a year, so I am going to TP tirin" age comes, y I ro shali an feel t that I have done my iriot -Sf p As I sit here I cannot help noticin*, and admiring the work of Nature s hand, around*me is the fresh, green grass; above the trees with their clustering leaves, already covered with birds nests, little iambs jumping about in ™ paddocks, now lying down ™ ? warm sun then up and running about again,'while everything Ece “.® V* rc^ el in such glorious weather. Last nigh. I lay in the hammock reading; but I was t much absorbed in the beauty around me, so my bcok fell unheeded to the ground. As I watched, the moon appeared aboie the horizon. It moved so slowly, yet 1“*! the movement. It scattered the little ne«-> clouds on its way, and sent a beautiful hgh. all around. As I lay there my thoughts strayed—l could not realise how all these things were made. This world is a P uzzl «7" and the next a far . greater one. I could come to no conclusion, and my thoughts seemed all muddled up, so I roused myself and went inside. Uncle has a gramophone now, and 58 records, so we have plenty ot music. It is impossible to keep fiom lau o hi at some of the songs and they are all so good and distinct. Mother, Beautiful Mona, and I'have each a little lamb now and they are little tricks. We do have fun sometimes with them. We keep them in a paddock with the six calves; but as soon as they get hungry they hop out and come scampering up here. Mary calls hers Lovie. and he knows his name. The cows are coming in now, so we have mote work to do. I don t know how many we milk, but I know there are six newly calved, and I think there are four more. All I know is that it takes us an hour to separate the milk twice a day; but I think the creamery opens on November 4 so that won’t be long, and we shall not be sorry cither, for ’tis a nuisance having to make butter these hot days. We have quite finished our papering now, and are not sorrv. for it is tiring work. How do you like" it, Welsh Boy? Our garden is looking splendid now, iis Bell waters it almost every night, eo it ought to. Our concert on the 17th came off all right. There was a large programme and a good one. I recited, or tried to. “The Touch of a Baby s Hand”; but it so happened that one small person thought I wasn’t going to have all the talking, so it sat up and began talking and laughing. We enjoyed ourselves very much, and arrived home at 2 a.m., which wasn’t so bad, seeing that it was the first concert we were at since we came hero, which is now six months. When you were calling those mice to account, Elbon, I hope you did not make use of my N.D.P.—I really felt sorry for the poor things. Shining Sunbeam, I could not guess all those things you spoke of in your letter to Dot, and as your to me has not arrived yet, I am still igno-‘ runt as to wliat you mean. Little Cupid, A Country Maid, Terra Nova, Sweet Innocence, and many others, where are you all Wake up and send in a letter; you are surely not forgetting the dear old page, are you? Saucy Joe and Elbon. I am anxiously waiting for those photos. I received your Post-card last night. Silver Bell. I thought it was ycur turn to write to me, and am sorry that I was mistaken. Here comes the tiio (lamb?) again. They don’t like much, but that very often, ps 1 shall have to go and feed them. Good bye until next time. Love to all my correspondents and your own dear self from —Ycura truly, TYNE LASS.

[Surely you are rather young to worry over the’ riddles of the universe, Tyne Lass. If you enjoy to the full the beauties of Nature, as your letter leads me to (relieve, there should be no room for doubts.—DOT.] Dear Dot. —Here is a bad penny that has turned up after being lost for nearly six or etvn years. I used to write in Mr Fenwick's "time, and once in your predecessor’s ti to. and I really don’t know why I haven’t written oflener; but the Little Folk’s letters are getting so interesting nowadays that one can scarcely keep from joining in your happy band. • We have had a very good spring this year for Central Otago, and everything is looking splendid. During the past few days the north-westerly wind, f the drawback of this climate, has been very strong, and it drier the ground up until it is as hard as bricks. Where have you got to, White Maple’s Mate? Not left our country, I hope. Send us a line in your spare time. Christmas will soon be here again. How the time goes by, especially. I think, on- a farm, where there is a lot to do. Hill’s Creek is a very quiet corner of the globe, and all the children and young people are growing up and going away, and there seems no prospect of any new residents. I think there arc scarcely a dozen at the school now. They have managed to raise a Tennis Club this last few years, winch seems to be a success I haven’t much time for playing, and I can’t say that 1 am very fond of the game, so I don’t bother about it. They held the opening a fortnight age, but, unfortunately, it was a wet afternoon; but they had the usual dance in the evening. I used to be very fond of dancing; but I think when one learns all the dances one becomes more inclined to look on it as hard work, especially if you have to be up early the next morning. I don’t think there is anythin? moro to write about. I know

you won't be interested to hear how many hens are laying or how many cows milking, so I shall conclude with kindest regards to all the Little Folk.—Yours truly, NEW ZEALAND MAIDEN’. [So glad you have reappeared again. New Zealand Maiden. It is alfvays gratifying to see the older writers coming to life again. DOT.] Dear Dot,—This is my first letter to your page, and 1 hope you will let me join your happy band. I am only five years old, and am in the First Primer at school. My auntie-is writing this letter for me, as 1 can’t write it myself yet; but I hope 1 shall soon be able to do so, as I ahoulc. like to be able to write my own letter, i am the only girl in the family, and I have four brothers, three older and one younger than myself. We have a long way to walk to school; but when it is wet I do not go, but my two big brothers always go, wet or fine; but I like going to school very much. I know three D.L.F.—Silver Bell. Dina, and Welsh Boy,—and they are my aunties and uncle. My father is away from home just now. and mother looks after the farm. In© ostrich farm joins our farm, and it is very interesting watching the big ostriches, iiiey have sucli lovely feathers on their wings. Well, Dot. tills is enough for my first letter, so I shall close now with love to all D.L.b., not forgetting yourself.—Yours truly, MOTHER’S ONLY GIRL. [I believe you are quite the youngest of my L.F., dear. I hope you will soon write yourself to me.—DOT.] Dear Dot, —This is my first letter to your page, and may I please join your happy band. I am eight years old, and I go to school, and like it very much, but I don t care for it when the roads are muddy. 1 have a mile and a-balf to walk to school. My auntie is writing this letter for me, because I cannot write with a pen yet. My two brothel's and my sister write to your page. "We are milking five cows just now, and we take the milk to the factory. Well, Dot, I think I have told you enough for the first time, so I shall close. Kindest regards to all D.D.F.. not forgetting your own dear self.—Yours truly, TOM THUMB. [Trv and write to me yourself soon, dear. It will be good practice, won’t it?—DOT.]

Dear Dot,—Well, to begin with, I must say it is just teeming with rain, and it makes everything so wet and muddy one goes up to their knees in mud, so the best place is by the gcod old fireside, doing faneywork. I am living with my married sister at present, and am having a royal time. My sister lets me do all the cooking, which I like very much, and am always happy when I am in the flour. My sister has a farm here, and it joins the Helvetia Ostrich Farm. It is very interesting watching the cstriches, and the antics tlfe big birds go through, flapping their wings and fighting. There are about 800 ostriches on the farm, and each year they hatch a great many eggs in the incubator, and the little birds are so nice to look at after they are a few days old. The ostrich lays her eggs in the paddocks in a clump of scrub or in the open. The eggs are very large, and weigh 31b. My sister had one, and weighed it just to see how heavy it was. There are some beautiful feathers on the wings of the ostrich. The black birds have lovely white feathers, and the grey feathers are got off the grey birds. It is very interesting to go through the factory where they dress all the feathers, and they do them up so beautifully. Well, I think this is enough about ostriches, Dot, sb I shall begin with something else. The Auckland Exhibition will scon be starting now, and I am looking forward to seeing it and having a really good time. We will be able to go in often, as it is only an hour’s ride in the train from where 1 live. Have you ever been up to Auckland, Dot? It is a nice place. I am looking forward to meeting a few U.L.F. comrades at the Exhibition. P’ukekoho is a great farming place, and everything looks a picture just now: all the crops are up. There are hundreds of tons of potatoes dug out here in the potato season, and the busy time is coming, as they get the potatoes out early in Pukekohc, and are digging a good many acres at the present time. My sister has a good many acres in crop, so the work is coming for us when the men are here digging them out. I may be going up Rotorua way to stay after Christmas, so I shall have the pleasure of seeing Rotorua and the wonderful sights. I don’t think I should care much about living in Rotorua, as I have a dread of earthquakes, and I believe they feel thorn very often there. My three little nephews and my little niece have just started to write fo the page, and they are waiting for the Witness to come to see their first letjffrs in print. I have net seen the Witness yet with the Old Writers’ letters in, but am waiting on my brother to send it on to me, as I like reading the letters of my correspondents. We have a parrot here that was got out of the bush when it was young, and it can talk splendidly.. Every morning he tells me that he is ready for his breakfast, so I have to give him his breakfast, and then he is happy, and says, “Joe’s a beauty,” Is it not wonderful to think that a native parrot from the bush can learn to speak? Well. Dot, I must close this uninteresting letter and leave room for some other letters of more interest, so I shall close now. Love to Tyne’ Lass, Snowdrift, not in the least forgetting yourself.—Yours truly. SILVER BELL. [I found your letter most interesting, Silver Bell. We have not many correspondents who have such instructive and interesting subjects to deal with as you have, and hence your letter is doubly welcome.— DOT.] Dear Dot. —It is quite 18 months since I wrote to your page. Of late we have had very windy weather, but to-day, for a change, it has been raining. There was a ball held here on Wednesday. October 15, and I—as did everyone. I think—enjoved myself very much. The night was fine, and people came from ail directions, even as far down as Oamaru and Ardgowan. At the ball I noticed E. A. M., Lily of the Valley. Tussock, Lady r Noggs, and Golden Pippin’s Mate. Hurry up and write. Daisy Bell, or you will soon ba as bad as I at writing. At present we have a little cousin staying with us. She has been with us for five months, is great company, and does not want to go home. Well, Dct, I shall close now. Love to E. A. M., Daisy Bell, Ivanhoe. Tussock. Star of Duntroon, Lady Noggs, St. Ronald. Golden Pippin, Golden Pippin’s Mate, and yourself.—Yours truly, STAR OF HAKa.

[You have had a long holiday from the page, dear. I trust we shall not be overlooked for so long again.—DOT.] Dear Dot, —It is gome time since I last wrote to your page, and in that time I have come to Dunedin to live, and attend school. I like here very much, and though 1 am always glad to go back to the country for the term holidays, I do net think of it as long as I have my lessons to attend to. I was up in Central Otago just a few weeks ago for my holidays. My real homo is in Central Otago, and T think it is a very healthy place to live in. Last Christmas 1 spent my holidays at Tirnarn. where I enjoyed the surf-haihing at Caroline Bay very much. Timaru is such a lovely little place, and the beach is eo safe, too. I was at the

Boys’ High School celebrations, and though'!, it nice to see the old gentlemen with tho present boys. I know many D.L.F., and since I came down to Dunedin I have, mot more. Doth my sisters used to write, but they do not now. How lovely tho spring flowers are. Dot I As I am writing, the lovely fragrance of a vase of hawthorn flowers is almost overpowering. The flowers are so pretty too. In the garden round our house we have a few primroses, roses, pansies, and columbines out. All the fruit trees are out in blossom, and on the gooseberry trees small, green gooseberries have formed. Tha evenings are so nice and fresh now, and it is not dark so soon. It is nice to have the daylight to do one’s lessons in, for the gas is very tiring on the eyes. I do very little reading now, but before I came down hero I used to read a great deal. I liks poetry best of. all. As I_ am writing, tha cat, is sitting on the sill of the open window, rubbing against my arm and enjoying the breeze from outside. I am very fond of cats. Well, dear Dot, I will have to conclude, as it is getting late. With love to all the Little Folk and yourself.— V cv.ro truly, DADDY’S GEM.

[Everything certainly looks very beautiful at present, and the gardens' are a treat.— DOT.]

Dear Dot, —I am writing to the page to let you know that I have not forgotten you. What kind of weather are you having down in Dunedin, Dot? It is blowing very hard down this way. We have 15 cows milking now, and we have 11 calves. Do you like flowers, Dot? I do, but we have not very many. There are a lot ot ferns in tho bush now, and the birds have begun to build. We have a gramophone now, and over 61 records. As this is all the news, I shall stop. Love from—Yours truly, • MILLI.CEKT.

[Your busy season is rapid’y approaching, Millicent, as I suppose you will bavc to take a share ot the milking.—DOT.] v

Dear Dot,—l take the pleasure of writing you a few lines. I hope it will be published in the Otago Witness. I was glad there were, a lot of writers in Old Writers’ Week, and there were some very interesting letters among them; don’t you think so. Dot? The weather has been lovely here lately, il'lia farmers with crops in are wanting rain. Do you like young ducks Dot? We have soiao ducks, chicks, and goslings, which are pretty little huffy things. Christmas is now drawing near, and it seems no time since last Christmas. What a. collection of new writer* have joined the page since 1 first wrote to it! We have a nice let of flowers out now. The pansies arc just covered with bloom this year. Our daffodils arc just about finished blooming. We have also window flowers out, and we have a creeper called mother of thousands. I don’t know whether that is th-i proper name or not, but it grow# so quickly and it looks pretty creeping down tlie window. I think I shall now conclude with kindest regards to all the L.F., not forgetting Dot.— Yours truly, MEHLO. [Wee, Merlo, I think young ducka and chicks are lovely. O.W.W. brought forth some most interesting and enjoyable-letters. --DOT.]

Dear Dot, —I have been away for a holiday since I last wrote to the page. I visited .the Bluff, Invercargill, Clifton, aud Otautau. When 1 was at the Bluff 1 went aboard the Ulimaroa, and 1 also saw the Rotorua, but was not aboard her. Although it was rather rough most of the time, I enjoyed myself very much. 1 went to sea the moving pictures and the Band Carnival. Everywhere you go you see little lambs frisking about in the paddocks. I ha-e s pet lamb; could you give 'me a ipiiue for her, Dot? I received your auto-card. Wee Woman. 1 also tried the plum duff. Plum Duff, and think it is very nice. I have just finished reading a book called “The Welsh Witch.” Have you ever read it. Dot? I can play three hymns, two songs, and fiva or six pieces, on the organ now. 1 have an autograph book with 31 autographs' in it. We have not many flowers out now. I think the spring flowers ore the nicest of all. I will tell you of a trip my cousins ae-1 Mabel had. It was ab:u; half-past 2 when they started away to see a friend. She had moved from near my cousins’ place, and was living about three miles away. They asked at six places to find cut which house she lived in, and after they did find the house their friend was away; but her mother wka home, and they stayed for tea. When the/ arrived home it was dark. They were so tired that tiiey vowed they would never go to see anyone again without knowing where they lived. Wo have an old sheep that la always coining' into tlie garden. You can't leave the gate open for a minute but what shs and tier lamb aie in. She is a pel sheep. Mabel is bmy playing the organ. You will ba lonely, Pixie, now Wuybuck is away. It was raining when I started this letter; but it has stopoed now-, and all the flowers look nice and fresh. It will soon be Christmas again, ami holiday time. We aie milking three cows now, but they are no! giving much milk. .We will have one coming in in aliout a week, so we will bo all right then. W'o are not feeding any calves. The smallpox ia a terrible thing; is it not, Dot? I suppose some people will be frightened to go up to the Auckland Exhibition. 1 have got a pen which my grandmother brought mo from tlie Christchurch Exhibition, with my name on it. I have joined a band called the League of the Empire, and 1 write to a girl over in Sussex. England. She has sent me about 20 post-cards and as many letters. She also sends me pressed flowers. Her letters are very interesting. Ore day mother can e in and saw two legs sticking out from under the oven, and when she pulled them out she found it was my pet lamb who had got there. He was all covered with ashes nlul was as black a - anything. I shall cloea now. Love lo all the D.L.F., not forgetting yourself.—Yours truly, WA IRAKI DAISY.

[I have not much knowledge about the naming of lambs, Daisy, but the only one I ever possessed was called Tilly. It was such a queer wee thing, and the name seemed to suit it.—DOT.] Dear Dot, —Here 1 am again, trying to think of something to write about, but cannot think of anything. Everything goes clean out of my head when I take pen or pencil in my hand. However. I suppose I must try to collect my thoughts a bit if li am going to make my few lines worth reading. I am hoping. Dot, to be able to write like some of the Old Writers some day. What a lot of interesting residing there is in some of the. letters this week. Father and mother think The Helmsman’s is a good one. You see, Dot, not only is the page/ interesting to young folk, but to old ones as well. Summer will be here soon, with ail its glories Oh, Dot. what do you think I was going to attempt?—to try and describe summer just like the writers in Cosy Corner this week. It looked so cosy when reading them I thought I could rattle it oil like they do, but have failed. It is just like on the piano; when I see others with their fingers darting from one key to the other j>.l nost like lightning, 1 think I can do the lame; but, needless to say, here, is i failure again. I wonder how it is I would like to do everything without let ruing? On Labour Day there is a picnic to bo held some eight or nine miles from hero. I looking forward to going. Next time t write I shall

tell you if I enjoyed myself and if I received a prize for running. I find I am usually about the last to come in to the winningpost. 1 ;. Our examination is over, but I do not know if I have passed; if so, I shall be in the Fourth Standard, ■■ and shall have to work a bit harder. --However, that will be after the holidays/ and I am not going to think of unpleasant things until I Kav| to do so. I was wishing in my last lottery to the page that I could go to Dunedin. Well, Dot, I do believe I am going at Christmas. What a jolly time. I shall have! I do hope I shall see you/ perhaps some of my friends may point yon out in the crowd. I snail take great notice of all I see, so that next . time. I write to you X shall be able to describe my holiday. It is hard to write when you try to keep secret who you are. 1 shall perhaps let it out some day. then I shall be able to do ever so much better. Anyway, I shall try to do so, and I can but fail. I shall close now. Love to Lollie’s Darling, Polly’s Pet, and Queen Rose.— Yours truly, OSMUND A. [You dear old philosopher, Osmunda! I think most of us would wish to do things without .the labour of learning; but, though progress is slow, achievement will, surely come ir. the end. Call at the office to see me when „you come to town. I shall be charmed to meet you. —DOT.] Dear Dot,—This is my first letter to the page, and I now ask permission to join the D.L.F. band. I take a great interest in the page. I read most of the letters every week, and I find them very interesting. Every, week there seem to bo more new writers. There were also some very nice letters in O.W.W. this time. We are having beautiful weather here. I think the world would look very dull if there were not any flowers,;' but I think most people like flowers. My favourite flower?* are a Ted rose and a cream, rose. What are your favourites, Dot '] How beautiful all the gardens are looking just now, and how lovely all the trees look with their new coats on! Fancy', it is just two months until Christmas! How the time does fly! I am not very fond of reading, though I have read a few books, but nothing to speak about. We arc busy just now' putting in our vegetables, and we have a few seeds up—namely, lettuce, radishes, onions, parsley, potatoes, and peas. If they keep growing (he way they have been doing lately I think they will be ready' for Clnistmas. All the farmers about here are very busy putting their crops in, as the weather has been a great drawback to them this year. Well, I shall close now. Best wishes to all tho D.L.F. and yourself.—Yours truly, BOF AMI. [Certainly you may join us. Bon Ami. There is a large number of young folk now, and always a few fresh writers.-—DOT.] Dear Dot, —I was very pleased to see my letter in the Witness, and glad you received me again as one of your L.F. I road most of the Old Writers’ letters in last week’s Witness, but did not see any I knew; but there may be some in this week. We do not get the Witness, but I generally see it every week at a friend’s place. What is the weather like in .Dunedin at present. Dot? It is very changeable here, but we have had some very nice days, all the same. It won’t bo very long now till tho fruit is ready. I am just dying for a feed of gooseberries and currants. We have' only one peach tree, and it has a lot of fruit on it, 60 we shall be able to get some of them this year; at least, I am living in the hopes of getting some. The opening day of the tennis club is on Monday, so I hope it is a nice day for it, although I cannot play, much as I would like to. The Oddfellows are having a euchre tournament to-night, and I think I shall be going. I have never been at one before, so it will be a novelty for me. I have not seen a letter in from Linnet’s Mate for a long time. I wonder what has happened to her; she seems to have forsaken me, too. Hurry up there, too, Pete; you are quite a stranger to the page. I must close this now, Dot, so an revoir. With love to Linnet’s Mate, Yum Yum, Pete, Waitress, and all the rest, including yourself and editor, —Yours truly.

puritan soap. [I hope you are successful, and enjoy yourself at the tournament, Puritan Soap. Tennis is a splendid game, I think, and such good exercise.—DOT.] Dear Dot,—Once again I take time with pleasure to pen the dear old page a few lines. I hope you received my subscription for the Gravel Memorial Fund, and that I was mot too late in sending it. I am sitting by a. great big lilac tree, writing this letter. It is covered with blossom,, and what a beautiful perfume it has, don’t you think, Dot? What has become of you, Pig’s Whiskers? Wako up and write to the page; and you also, Princess Maggie, and Plum Wine. We are having lovely weather up here at present, and it is just a treat to be but of doors to-day. I was down at the dentist's on Friday, and had two of my teeth extracted, and what a sensation it was to me. Dot, for I have never been there before! I just sat down in a chair, and had neither gas nor local anaesthetic, but let him puli. I wish I had a cycle, for the roads up here are in grand order for hiking. Have you got a bike, D >t? It is my birthday on ■November 4. Well, Dot, I thin* this is all the news this time, so I shall close. With love to Pig’s Whiskers, Princess Maggie, Plum Wine, Inkpot, Mabel Juno, Saucy Joe, and all the other LF., not forgetting yourself, —Yours truly. SILVER. CUP. [I received your subscription safely, Silver Cup._ The list will be published shortly, as the fund close? next week. I live up on the hill, dear, so a bicycle would not be of much use to me. 1 as I should have to push it home.—DOT.] Dear Dot.—Just a few lines to let you know that I haven’t forgotten you, and that I am still in Kaitangata. We are having lovely weather down here. I am very sorry that I can’t get down to the D.L.F. picnic. The last picnic I was at was at Mount Stuart, and I enjoyed myself all right. I hope they all ejjoy themselves again at Mount Stuart, because I think it is such a lovely place to have a picnic. I will close now.—Yours truly, KAITANGATA. [The day for the picnic was fine, but very windy, and I have, no doubt the L.F. enjoyed themselves.—DOT.] Dear Dot, —Just a few lines to let your page know that I have not forgotten it. I have just come home from tire Show. This is the fiftieth Show in Hastings, and they call it the Golden Jubilee. It rained hard all the time, and made everything very wet. I had a good look all round, and saw most of the things. There were a lot of cattle, and some of the bullocks were so fat that it made me think of being in a field with them. There was an Ayrshire cow with its horns polished up to look like glass. The bullock that was to be guessed the weight of was a Highland one, with great big horns. The dead weight had to bo guessed, although you guessed it alive. The flowers, ferns, and vegetables were lovely, especially the roses. 1 bought a maidenhair fern. I went to some Bideshows, and they were not bad. There were a lot of motor cars shown. I do not know any D.L.F. in Hastings. As I have

no more news to tell you, I shall close. With love to yourself, the kind editor, and the Ij.F., —Yours truly, HERETAUNGA. [What a pity it was so wet for the Show, Heretaunga. The Ayrshire cow must have been a sight worth seeing.—DOT.] Dear Dot, —This is my first letter to yen, and I hope you will accept me as one of your L.F. I am nine years of age and in the Second Standard at school. We have about a mile and a-half to go to school, but vye go down., the line, as it is shorter.« My sister writes to the page, too. I have two brothers -and one sister. We are milking nine cows just now', and are sending the cream to the Waitaki Factory. As this is my first letter I shall com© to a close. With love to all the D.L.F., not forgetting yourself, —Yours truly, MISCHIEF-MAKER. £Yes, you may join us, Mischief-Maker. You have quite a nice little walk to school.— DOT.] Dear Dot, —I don’t think I wrote as long a letter last time as you expected me to. The weather down here is behaving very well just now'. What is the weather like- in Dunedin ? The farms round here are looking very well, especially the fields with the now grass , growing on them. I was over at Stewart Island a good while ago. Have you ever been there ? If you have, I am sure you would have enjoyed yourself. I was at the pictures in Invercargill cn Saturday. Now, Dot, I have no more news to tell.—Yours truly, TINY.

[Stewart Island is a delightful place to spend a holiday at when the weather is fine.—DOT.]

Dear Dot,—We are having some lovely weather just now, and I hope it keeps fine. Our crop is all in now, and the oats are nearly covering the ground. Well, Dot, I had never seen a young dotterel until my brother showed me one this morning. They are such dear woe fluffy things. My oldest brother has a young horse that he ride?. One morning he got on its back, and it reared right up and fell over the other side. My brother fell down its rump, but, luckily, he did not get hurt. Dear Dot, W'ould you like some violet and pansy seeds? We have such a lot that we let, them go to waste. That was a good name you gave me for my pet lamb,, and 1 like it very much. I haven't seen Lady of the Kile’s letter in the Witness lately. I must close now. With love to all the L.F., and yourself,—Yours truly, WHITE WINGS.

[I would be delighted to have some seeds, dear, if you have more than you can utilise, and thank you for thinking of me. —DOT.] Dear Dot,—We have been having changeable weather, and had a fortnight’s holiday from school, because most of the children were- away with whooping-cough or influenza. -1 was in bed for four days with the influenza, and I still cough. I have a pet lamb. Will you name it for me? We have planted a lot of flowers at school. We had our school examination on , September 1. I have not seen a letter of yours for a while, Mither’s Wean. You must be asleep, Puddock. My little brother can talk a wee bit now. The birds are starting to build their nests now. We have our doves and pigeons yet. We have two cows and two calves. The cows’ names are Daisy and Nancy, Will you name the calves, please? MSost of the flowers are out in bloom now. The weeping willows, with its branches covered with green leaves hanging down, look very pretty. I made a necklet and bracelet to-day, out of clover, for my little sister. I have just finished reading a very nice book. It is called “A Gipsy Against Her Will; or, Her Weight in Gold.” - I like reading. My little sister will be four years old on November 3. I am not going to the Show. It is blowing a nor’-wester to-day. I did not go anywhere for my holidays. My little brother has been very sick, but be is better now. I pulled out one of my teeth just a while ago. Some of the school children go to school bare-footed. I was bare-footed for a little while yesterday. We have one horse, and we call her Fan. I have about a mile to walk to school. I shall close now. I hope I shall see my letter in print. Love to Puddock, Mither’a Wekn, Linnet, and Kilty Lad, not forgetting yourself,—Yours truly.

BONNY SCOTCH THISTLE. [I am sorry you have been ill, dear, also your little brother, but sincerely hope you are both better. You did not mention what sex your animals are that you want named, so 1 shall have- to defer the ceremony till next time you write.—DOT.] Dear Dot, —Maid Margaret is away f2f school, and likes it very well, and her little sister goes with her. They ride their ponies on fin© days, and have a fine time. We are having visitors to-night, and plenty of music. Our school teacher is up here, and a friend from the city. I am learning to lido Black, the pony, now, and am getting on splendidly. Last night he tipped me off, and would not go, but he is right now. I shall stoj) now.—Tours truly, MOTHER’S NURSEGIRL. [I am glad you escaped damage when tbo pony upset you, dear, but I believe that is part of the training.—DOT.J Dear Dot,—l was very pleased to see my first letter in print, but have not had time to write another one until to-night, for I have left school now. I passed the Sixth Standard, and was very pleased to do so. I hope the D.L.F. enjoyed their picinic on Labour Day, which was the day of our examination. It was very windy that dsv ■and was windy to-day, too, but not so bad as yesterday. Some people lit bush fires yesterday and to-day, and made the place very smoky. I made the dinner to-day, Dot, but v didn’t' poison anybody, as dad said I likely would. We are milking 16 cows now; one came in to-night, and we expect more in yet. Christmas and New Year ar© coming on quickly, are they not? The roads ar;j nice and dry, but a bit rough for cycling yet. I suppose you receive a great number of letters from the L.F. every mail. Dot? You must bo very busy all day, and I think that it is worse on a hot 'day, such as today. I think I have written enough this time. Dot, for I am very tired. With best wishes to all tbo D.L.F., not forgetting yourself,—Yours truly, SWEET PLUM. [I congratulate you on having passed your standard examination. I am sure, dear, you cooked a nice dinner.—DOT.] Dear Dot, —This is my first letter to your page, and may I become a member of your D.L.F. band? I will be 10 years old in January, and am in tho Fourth Standard at school. I have no sisters, and only on© brother, and yet I have plenty of fun. I have a nice white guinea pig. hut it is not tame yet. I have a cat, and her name is Monas, and also have a dog, whose name is Donald; and I have fine fun with them all. 1 went to tho D.L.F. picnic at Mount Stuart, and enjoyed myself very well. I have a nice flower garden, and a good many fruit trees. A river runs quite close to our house, and in summer I often wad© in it. My brother and I set hooks to catch eels

in it. I cannot think of any more to tell voir about, as I have to go to bed.—Yours MARY OP THE GLEN.

[Yes, you may join us, Mary of tire Glen. What a happy time you appear to have! So glad you enjoyed the picnic.—DOT.] Dear Dot,—-We are milking 27 cows now, and are keeping seven calves—six heifers apd one bull. The bull-calf and a heifer are sucking a cow. We are taking eight cans of milk to the factory. We have 14 pigs--12 young ones and two big ones. Having nothing more to tell yon, I shall close now. With best love to all the D.L.F., not forgetting yourself,—Yours truly, SIMPLE SIMON. [What a large family you have on your place. Simple Simon. I suppose they keep you busy.—DOT.] Dear Dot,-—I have often read the letters of the L.F., and thought I would like to join your happy band. 1 am 13 years old, and have left school for one year. I live on a farm amongst the hills, where there are plenty _of rabbits. We have , eight cows —but only six are milking—and five calves. I get up in the morning and get in the cows, milk three, and then have my breakfast. I then yoke up the horse and drive the children to school.. Wo have over five miles to go, so it takes a long time to go, as it is all up and down hills. We are having. nice waim weather now. As this is all the news at present I shall close. Hoping to be a member of your happy band, and with kind regards to all L.F., and yourself,— GRIZZEL. [lt must be lovely driving so early in the morning in summer, Grizzel, but I suppose not so pleasant in the winter time.—DOT.] Dear Dot, —This is my first letter to your page, and J hope you will let me join your happy band. It is raining very hard today, and our creek is running over the bank. I had a very bad cold last week, and was not at school. Some of the daffodils aie out in the garden. I shall be 10 on November 9. We had our school examination on Friday, and the school will soon close for a week’s holiday. I shall close now. With love to all the L.F., and yourself,—Yours

truly, BLACKBIRD. [Best wishes for a very' happy birthday, Blackbird, and I hope you enjoy your holiday—DOT.] Dear Dot,—This is my first letter to your page, and I hope you wdll let me join your happy band of writers. I am seven years old, and am in the Third Standard at school. There are two others in the class besides myself, and 22 going' to school altogether. My sister, whose name is Jess, writes to the page. Some of the spring* flowers are coming out now’, and s all the primroses and daffodils are dying out. We have five horses, four cows, one calf, and two pet lambs. I shall close now. Love to all the D.L.F., not forgetting yourself,— Yours truly, LAROLA. [Yes, you may join us, Larola, and I am so pleased to see you are doing so well at school.—DOT.] AUTOS. Millicent (Tottie Anderson, Kate a) wishes to exchange post-cards with Linnet, Viola, and any L.F. willing. Bon Ami (Ethel R. Pallett, Te Houka, via Balclutha) wishes to exchange post-cards and correspond with any L.F. willing. Prompt replies. Bonny Scotch Thistle (Bella Stew'art, Sutherland’s Post Office, via Timaru) wishes to exchange autos with Linnet, Snowdrop, and Auntie’s Girl. Silver ~Cup (Vera Kendall, Te Houka, Balclutha) washes to exchange post-cards and correspond with any D.L.F. willing. Silver Bell (Gladys Hughes, Pukekohe, Auckland) wishes to correspond with Captain Bluitt. NOTICE TO CORRESPONDENTS. Trump Card. — 1 am so sorry you wrote your letter in pencil, as I am unable to publish it on that account. Use ink- next time, please, dear.