SILVER SPOON AND WOODEN FORK.

Otago Witness, Issue 3584, 21 November 1922, Page 64

SILVER SPOON AND WOODEN FORK.

[Ail Rights Reserved.] No. 19.

By

EDITH HOWES.

In the Land of Fair Beginnings two baby boys were waiting to be born and the Birth Fairy was showering precious gifts upon them, ready for their entrance into the world. Strength and courage and love and happiness she gave them, keenness of senses and beauties of body and splendours of the mind. She gave them equally of her verv oest, but at the end she stood pondering, doubtful of the last gift’s value. In each hand she held a silver spoon, rich and shining, and scrolled all over bowl and handle with beautifully chased letters forming the word “Wealth.” She looked long at them. “I wonder!” she mused. “I wonder ! Man longs for it and fights for it, but yet —At last she placed one spoon back in her fairy casket, and drew frofn it instead a two-pronged wooden fork, plain and dull, and stamped with the word “Jrlardship.” To one child she gave the silver spoon, to the other the wooden fork. “We shall see,” she said. The children went into the world, and because one took with him the silver spoon he was born' into a mansion, with nurses to care for him and to heed his every cry. * All he could want was supplied to him before he knew he wanted it. The best of food and clothing, the most expensive toys, the constant attention and tender love of wealthy parents was hia. Because the fairy’s gifts of mind and body and heart had been so generous, he grew into a charming boy, handsome and happy and gentle-mannered and affectionate. tie was well taught, and soon showed brilliance m games, in sports, in studies. Life was easy, sunny, full of blithe content. The day came when he was grown up and must go out into the world, for all young things must leave the safe home nest at last. The long time of guarding and sheltering, of feeding and teaching, was over; he must take his own way now through life’s strange paths. He was rich and had no need to earn a living, but fame and power were waiting to be’ won. He would win them ! But fame and power must be wrested from the world, and he who desires them must fight for them unceasingly. This young man had never learned to fight like 'that. It meant long hours and months a.nd years of toil, and he had never toiled; all things had come to him so easily that there had been no need. It meant, too, the sacrifice of pleasures and of present joys, and he had never sacrificed. The muscles of his body were strong with use in games and sports, but the muscles of his nature were flabby with disuse. When he tried suddenly to use them, they had no power to hold. Will and concentration and intensity of thought gave way weakly and fell back under the strain, and the unpleasantness of sacrifice was so great that he could not endure it. Had he persevered, the muscles of his mind would have slowly strengthen 1 and the pain of sacrifice would have grown less, but he had no experience to tell him this. He gave up the fight for fame and power. Now he drifted into the easv uneventful life of the mere gentleman. His smile was genial, his manner courteous, but he had no aim, nothing for which all his powers of mind must be strengthened and sharpened and put to their utmost use. And so those powers shrank and shrivelled. As he grew older happiness faded also, for he felt that his life was empty and mis-spent. He grew hitter and lonely of heart, and lost even his power of loving; and that was the grea-test loss of all. The child who took with him the wooden spoon was horn into a hovel, and hardship was with him from the first. His parents were 'so poor and had so large a family to feed that when there was work to be had both had to work all day, and almost as soon as he could toddle he had to learn to take care of himself. He was often hungry and cold, and always ill-clad, but he must learn to bear these things as best he might. Instead of expensive toys, he had but the common things that lay about the earth to play with, sticks and stones and' such scraps of string and picked-up things as a small boy finds and treasures. His teaching was State-given, and as short as the State would allow it to be, for his parents could not feed and clothe and shelter their children through long years as wealthy parents could. Yet, because of the splendour of mind given him by the fairy at birth, he drank in knowledge eagerly and used it brilliantly, and longed for more. The day came, long' before he was grown up, when he must leave his school and go to work. Out into the world

he went. Not fame and power were what he sought, but a bare living for himself with something over to ease the hard days of his parents. He had to light; for a bare living, like fame and power, must be wrested from the world. But he had learned to fight; toil had been his necessity, and doingwithout his daily practice. Though young, the muscles of his nature were already in stern use; will and concentration and intensity of thought responded easily to new demands upon them, and strengthened with their hourly use. Through the long days he toiled, year after year, throwing energy and thought into his work, and gaining more and more the mastery over it. In his leisure time he sought for knowledge, sought it in books and fields and in the arts and handicrafts and thoughts of men, and, obtaining it so hardly, valued it and used it and passed it on wherever it was needed.

The bare living came, with something over for his parents; and after that more, much more. For he who works and plans and thinks, and uses the gifts and powers of his mind to their utmost, must meet success. Success came like a stream, trickling first, but ever growing, till it swelled into a flood that bore him on its tide to wealth and fame and power. There came a day when all the land buzzed with his greatness. “See what he has done for us and for the world!” the people said. “This is genius.” But in his heart h e smiling said: “My gifts might have been wasted hut for the privations of my youth that spurred me on. Blessed be hardsliiD. from which has come the fulness of my life and its great happiness.” He who was bom with the silver spoon sat with his head bowed upon his hands. “I, too, had gifts,” he groaned. “What have I done with them? A wasted life! 0 wealth and ease, you are the cause.’ Tn the land of Fair Beginnings the Birth Fairy stood with eyes downbent upon the earth. “So!” she said. “The silver spoon has failed, the wooden fork has changed to gol*. And he who has known hardship can understand the struggling life of others. Sympathy and love have come to him. and those are the greatest things of all.” OLD WRITERS’ WEEK. DECEMBER 26 AND JANUARY 2. CLOSING DATE EOT? LETTERS, - DECEMBER 8. Old Writers are reminded that the Christmas a-nd New Year issues have been set aside for the annual reunion, and it is hoped that as many as possible will send in a, letter to renew old friendships and permit us to keep in touch with old friends. As the days of publication fall on holidays, it will be necessary to go to press somewhat earlier, so letters must ho in at this office no later than December 8 to be included. We hope to have a good muster, and to see letters from many of the Old Writers whose pen-names have been missing from our recent meetings. DOT. NOTICE TO LITTLE FOLK. As Old Writers’ Week is to be held at Christmas time, there will be no publication of letters from L.F. from the issue of December 19 until January 9. No letters received after December 15 will he published, so the L.P. are asked to bear these dates in mind and refrain from sending m letters- until January 2. LETTERS FROM THE LITTLE FOLK. Hotbo.—We write for the benefit oi others, Mft for ourselves. No letter to contain more than 350 worth]. Dear Dot, —I saw half my other letter in the Witness to-day. Why didn’t you put the other half in? Trim Up is stopping with us now, he is about the hardest doer in Central Otago, and is full of jokes and mischief. One of our neighbours is leaving this part of the country to go to Southland. There is no use stopping in the same place too long, is there, Dot? The school inspector will he here on Monday, 13th November. Mr James Horn will be there to make a speech. There- will be about 10 people there to listen to him, as that is about all the school will hold. It is supposed to be the smallest school in New Zealand, so you may guess the size of it. Best wishes to White Rose Cottage, Crown Range, Rocky Mountain, and all the rest of the D.L.E., not forgetting yourself.—Yours truly, SON OP A SEACOOK. [I reserve to myself the right to decide how much or how little of any letter shall be published. Since you ask the reason why part of your letter was deleted, the answer is that it was not suitable for publication.—DQT.] Dear Dot,—The weather is yery windy and stormy up this way, which makes things very miserable. Christmas will be with us again soon. Are you going anywhere for vour Christmas holidays this year, Dot? My brother and I are going to Queenstown for about three weeks, so I am. looking forward to the trip, as I have never been as far as Queenstown yet. I have heard it is a very pretty town. I am extra busy with the spring cleaning, but I hope to write a longer letter next time. Love to Jose-phne, White Rose Cottage, Rocky Mountan, A Caidrona Lass. Crown Range, and scores of other D.L.F.. not forgetting your own dear self.—■' Yours truly, CECILIA. Bar Dot., —We have had a lot of rain lately, and it has done a world of good. I have a flower garden, and all the seeds in it are up. Our oats arc over lin high. My mother is away for a holiday, and it will do her good. My brother is working in Pruitlands just now. All the grass around is green. Love to A White Rose Cottage, Rocky Mountain, and A Onvdrona Lass, not forgetting your own Tear self.—Yours truly MOTHER HACKEE’. Dear Dot, —We have had very windy weather and rain. A party of us went fishing to-day, but did not have any hick. Our exam, is coming off next week, and I hone I pass. We had three.-lambs. but one die! because my sister’s pony kicked it, so we have two now. The biggest lamb has ~ broken leg. Love to all the D.L.F., not forgetting your own dear self. —Yours truly, M. C. (Nokomai). [You forgot to sign your N.D.P., dear, so I am putting your initials.—DOT.]

Bear Dot, —It is about two years since I wrote to the page. However, I am going to make a new start, and hope to be a regular correspondent. At present I am living in Waitahnn-a, and like it very much. The country life is so much freer than that of the town. Two months ago I was down at Wyckiiffe Bay, which is five miles from Portobello. Tliere are many species of birds there, some of them I will mention are the rifle-birds, moreporks, tuis or parson birds, bellbirds (Anthoinis melanura), and the kingfishers (11 alyi on vaguns), which are very pretty with their brilliant colourings. They generally live on fish, beetles, insects, and young birds. The nest is usually built in a small hole about Ift in th> bank. They mostly lay from two to three eggs of pure white. There are also a good few native pjants found growing in the bush. About three miles from where we live there is » splendid beach, where we can find many curios that the Maoris had. Kind regarda t°, all the D.L.F., not forgetting your own self.—Yours truly, BAREFOOT TRAIL. [Me are very glad to hear from you again, dear.—DOT.] Dear Dot, —The weather is very cold just !- ow - My little goldfinch nearly got drowned in the rain the other day. My sister-in-law has been in the hospital, and she has a 90 1 e ove- I am glad our examination is over. Princess Athela and myself are not in the same standard at school. We have f• nlce roses and sweet peas out. My birthday is very soon, and I will be 11. We ai f. mi ?king three cows,, and we get a lot of milk. My father is away shearing, and it is very quiet without him My brother is paintng lam reading a book called “Little Women, and it is very nice. With best love to Princess Athela and all the other D.L.F., not forgetting your own dear self.—Youra truly, LITTLE REDHEAD. Dear Dot,—We are having lovely weather up here lately, but rain is badly needed, as the crops are all behind. At present I am staying in Arrowtown for a holiday, and like up here very much. ] have been here for two months and three weeks, and expect to be here for a whle yet. It seems ages since 1 left home, but 1 arc getting quite used to the place now Pictures are field here < A' er A Saturday night. I often go, and some i h . av ® beel ? V6I T good. My cousin and 1 went to a play last night, which was very good; ‘ Lncle Tom’s Cabin” was the name of it We drove up, as it is four miles out of the township where I am stay‘hg- they have the telephone on here, and I often have a yarn to one of my cousins I have only met one L.F. so far since I came up here. The measles are going around just now. f hope I don’t get them, as my cousin is in bed with them. The shearing begins here to-morrow. 1 had a long letter £ ro ™ ~^- avel ' na , yesterday. With love to bwet William, Lily of the Prairie, Crimson 1 angier, Quilp, Lonesome, Rose Pink, -bod, and especially Laverna, not forgettng yourself.— lours truly, A STRAY SUNBEAM. Dear Dot, —We are milking 14 cows I set a hen on 11 eggs, and she brought out eight clucks, and a'l of them died but one. Ue had 29 young ducks ina coup, and I put some water in and drowned seven of them We play tennis at school now. When the hot weather comes we will have swimming, as our teacher teaches us. I have another little brother since I last wrote to jou. \Ve have the telephone too. I went to a piay last night, which was veYy good. I have a very bad cold. W T e are having lovely weather up here just now. I have' been in bed with the measles. Now my brother lias them, while one oi our school teachers is in bed with them. We have three ferrets; one of them got out the- other night, and has not come back yet. V\ e are going to shear our sheep toiy ’ . ,„ Jne of ° ur neighbours is milking about 40 cows. I know a few D.L.F up this way. W’e drive to school every day—a distance of four miles,—and I am the driver. Aly brother is setting a few rabbit traps. \\e have a children’s library at school. Love to Luspina, Quilp, A Stray Sunbeam, Rose Vr ’ Lassie, not forgetting your* self.—Yours truly, TOD. [You had bad luck with the chickens and ducks, Tod.—DOT.] Dear Dot, We have three cows milking, and we feed one calf. There was a churci* social in the hall at Mokoreta about a weolt ago. All the blossoms are off the trees, and they do not look so oretty now’. We had a concert in the school not very long ago, and some of the girls trimmed hats. I received second prize, and I got a purse for it. Ihe inspector was at the school about Vn 5 a ®°» an< J I gained my proficiency. All the rest got their proficiencies, eo I think we did very well. We have seven wee ducks and five chickens. Some of our fables are through in the garden, and I hope the peas are ready by Christmas. One of our hens is sitting on 10 eggs, and she should soon be out. We have three pigs—two black and one white. I have not missed any days from school this year, and I hop© I do not miss any until the end of the year. Best wishes to Kind, A Bunch of Roses Climbing Ivy, Redan Lass, and all the rest of the L.F., not forgetting your own dear self.—Youra truly, BED MAPLE. Dear Dot, I have not written to you sine© we came to town. We have had bad luck with our pets lately, for during the night a dog got at our black rabbit, and he raJL away. Our little white kitten died about a month ago, while my g Te y parrot undid his ca-ge, and we have not seen him since. I am learning the violin now, and like it very much. I am knitting myself a jumper with butterflies in it, and hope t<o have it finished m a few’ days. Our school goes to the baths every Friday morning, and we have a lovely time. I have read quite a number of books lately as w’ell as being fond oi drawing. Our school had a jumble sale on the second of November, so we all got a half-holiday. There were many things to see as w’ell as to buy. Most of the children went for the lolly stall and ice-cream stall. The Christmas-tree was the favourite for the small children, who enjoyed it very much, and I am sure they wore all sorry when we stopped for tea. I did not go in the evening, as I had a very bad cold, which will be bettor, T hoi>e, in a few days. lam afraid I must stop now, but I shall not forget you for so long again. I have always been going to write, but have forgotten.— Yours truly, PRINCESS MAVIS. Dear Dot, —I do love reading the pretty fairy stories written bv Miss Howes; they are very interesting. We are having some awful weather lately, nothing else but rain, rain, lain. Since I last wrote I have left school. We also have another little brother, mid he is a fine big baby. The Palo Ice Queen and Queen Tellophassa are both out working. I am at home alone, but 1 dont mind that much. A few weeks ago there was a dance here, and I enjoyed myself immensely. Mura has to milk four cows cverv morning and evening. Kindest regards to Dad’s Daisy, Fairy Moonbeam, Caroline Bay, Beach Boy, Sunflower, and all the other D.L.F., not forgetting your own dear self.— Yours truly, PINEAPPLE.

Dear Dot, —We are experiencing very hot weather after some days' rain. To-day was bo very hot everyone made sure it would thunder, but up till now (8 o’clock) it has kept off, and the evening has been very cool and refreshing after the heat of the day. But very likely the rain will keep off till to-morrow night, as I want to go out. The weather seems to delight in being its coldest and nastiest when 1 wish to go anywhere. All the. nice flowers, such as the lilac and japonica, are nearly past their best now, but the roses are just in their budding beauty. I was only in Dunedin once, when the rose-walk in the Gardens was at its test, and I have always thought it was the prettiest sight I ever set eyes on. 1 have been in Dunedin several times, but only managed once to see the roses in bloom. Have you ever seen a hedgehog, Dot? I caught one in a gutter u few days ago, when the heavy rain was on. Thep oor wee thing was all over mud, and so very wet that it wouldn’t roll itself properly up. They are peculiar animals, the head is very much like a rat’s head. The birds seem to chatter without ceasing. One hears then 1 singng last thing at night and first thing in the morning With kud regards to all the L.F. and to my correspondents.—Yours truly, SWEET MARIE. [We had quite an amount of trouble with hedgehog-s when the chickens and ducklings were tiny.—DOT.] Dear Dot, —The weather is glorious at present, but the roads are very dry and hard. The farmers are starting to shear their 6heep now. The vegetable garden looks lovely, and all tli© tilings are nice and green. The spring onions are up above- the ground. I am very fond of dancing, and I always used to go to the dances, but since I cam*? out of the hospital I have not been too well, but when I recover I will make up for the ones which I missed. I am very fond of playing cards, and I like playing euchre, crib, and other soits of card games. All the boys and girls are bird-nesting up here, and nearly every tree has a nest in it. We have a little pup. and he is a cheeky little fellow'. The wallflowers are dying out now, and the summer flowers are coming up. The bollbird ha-s disappeared; it used to Bing such pretty notes. It also was a pretty colour. Last week it was very windy, and while I was riding the wind blew my glasses off, and 1 hunted for them for about quarter of an hour. Luckily they not broken, they were lying on a stone. We ha\e a lot of wee chickens out now. There are a number of pretty wild birds about here. I ha.ve a very sore throat, and I have it bandaged. I can hardly speak. The grass is coming on, and the farmers have put the 3lieep and young lambs on it. Kindest regards to all the D.L.F., not. forgetting your own dear self. —Yours truly, DTJA. Dear Dot, —May I enrol as one of vour happy L.F. ? I have often wished to become a member, but I put off writing. The inspector was at our school to-day, and I do hope I pass. I have four pet lambs; they are little dears, and are up to every trick imaginable. Their names are tkm, Pixie, Dan, and Tricks. We are having lovely summer weather; if it keeps up we won’t appreciate the warmer weather at all. I know' a few D.L.F. My eldest sister and brother used to be faithful members of your page. They are now Old Writers. When is* Old Writers’ Week? Please tell me. Kindest regards to all the L.F. and, of course, youTself, Dot.—You is trulv, STOP YOUR TICKLING, JOCK. [You did not enclose an address, dear, otherwise I would have put in an auto for you. Christmas w r eek i 3 O.W.W. —DOT.] Dear Dot, —May I join your happy band of Little Folk? We get the Witneps every week, and I find the letters very interesting. I am in 'Standard I ji-t school. My birthday is on the 22nd of this month. We have two cats and three dogs. We have GO cows bilking, and five more to come in. I walk a mile to school every day. Best wis lies t-o all the L.F. and your own dear self.—Yours truly, GINGER. [You are verv welcome to join us, Ginger —DOT.] Dear Dot, —The weather up here lately has been very changeable, anil a few days ago we had an awful hailstorm, which lasted half an hour. A big concert given by the Diggers is going to be held in Tapanui on Wednesday night, which, if it is a good night, should be a success. I may go in, because some people who have attended their concerts before say they are well worth hearing. Christmas is getting near again, so that I suppose you will be going for a holiday. I may go for a week’s holiday if the weather is fine. Love to all the L.F., not forgetting your own dear self.—Yours trulv WALLABY JOE. * [I hope you obtain and enjoy veur week’s holiday, Joe.—DOT.]

Dear Dot,—We have Lad very rough weather he’re lately. For the last three or four weeks it has done nothing but blow' and rain. For three days last week there were thunder and lightning, and there was hardly a dry day all the week. The creeks and rivers rose very quickly, and the ground got very w r et. Owing to the amount of rain that has fallen the seed sowing has been kept behind, and some of the farmers have finished sowing, but in other places where they were lucky the paddocks are looking nice and green. The shearing season, which is one of the busiest times of the year, will soon be here now, and on some of the farms shorn sheep are to bo seen already, but they must feel very cold just now with their fleece off, especially if they haven’t any shelter in the paddocks they are in Christmas will bo here very soon, and people will be getting ready for the holidays. | Tins year seems to have gone past i very quickly, as if doesn’t seem long since 1 last Christmas. The Clutha Show will be j in about a fortnight, and if it is a fine day I suppose I will b-3 going. I haven’t been working at heme for the last two months, but am working at a flaxmill in the district. I come home every night if it is fine,-, but if it rains I only come home at the end of the week. I wish T hadn’t come home this week-end, for when I was chopping wood the axe slipped, and I made a bad a few days off work. Cricket and tennis are in full swing now, and on Saturday after- ! noons people generally, put in most of their ! time on the cricket fields or at the tennis court*, r am verv fond of reading, and do | a good bit of it at night after tie day's I work is over. T was at a Scoi h concert i about a week ago. and enjoyed myself very ! much. I have taken a go d few photos \ lately, and some of them have turned out ! very good considering the dull weather they ! I have had c camera a 'rood while now, and I think it is a very j good pastime for the summer holidays. On fine days holidays anglers are to be e f-n trying their luck in the streams round j about here I haven’t had “a go at fishing 1 this a c on ■■ret, as T haven’t had much lurk in other seasons. What has become of Foxglove now? T haven’t heard from her for nearly a year. With love to all my correspondents, not forge it in-.'- yourself.—Yours truly, EROGTY. [Photography is u fascinating hobby, Fi^y.-DOT.I

Dear Dot, —Since I last wrote lots of things have happened. We had our exam, on the 24-th of October. There was a concert here on Thursday night, and I went to it and enjoyed it very much. There was a dance after it, and I waited for a while, but not till the end, as there was school on Frida3'. We are practising for our school break-up. We are having a concert at night, and there are to be songs and dialogues. Love to all the D.L.F., not forgetting your own dear self.—Yours truly, THE PIANO GIRL. Dear Dot, —Lately we Itave been experiencing very showery weather, but we cannot complain, for a few months ago everybody was wishing it would rain. "On November 12 the members cl the Bible class went down to Cosy Dell (a very pretty spot about three miles out of Herbert), and we enjoyed, ourselves immensely. We left Maiieno at 8.20, arriving at Cosy Dell at 9.30. Most of the girls went in for a bathe as soon as they arrived there, but River Princess and I preferred to go for a'walk. Later in the day we all went for a ramble in the bush. At 2.30 we went in for another bathe, and it was lovely. After we had had our bathe we had lunch. While exploring Thrup-p fell into the water and was soaked through. At 5 *p.m. we left for home, and were very sorry that the day’s pleasure had come to an end. On Labour Day there was a Bible class picnic to be held in the Domain, but as it rained it was held in the hall. The Columba Bible class came out, and I think all enjoyed themselves. At 7 o’clock a service was held, but I did not stay to it. Some of the roses arc .beginning to come out in bloom, and they look very pretty. On tlie 23rd and 24th of this month the show is to be held, and I think I am going. Love to all the D.L.F., especially Thnipp, Convolvulus, River Princess, and Jingling Jordie. — Yours truly, PATCHES. Dear Dot, —May I become a member of your happy band? I have been ill, but am nearly all right now. I am 12 j r ears old, and am in Standard V at school. I have two sisters and six brothers. One of my .brothers writes to the page. What are your favourite vegetables, Dot? Mine are cabbages, peas, and new potatoes. It will soon be Christmas now r , and I am thinking what -a tame I shall have then. Best love to all the L.F., not- forgetting your own dear self. — Yours truly, THE MILKMAID’S DAUGHTER.. [I am delighted to learn you arc nearly better again, dear.—DOT.] Dear Dot, —The Milkmaid’s Daughter and I are- looking after the house, as both my parents are away to oaniaru for the day I have two sisters and one brother. We have i ju3t had water laid on to the house. I go | to the same school as Black Diamond and | Uncle Tom’s Mate. LoVe to all the L.F.', ! not forgetting your own dear self.—Yours truly, BON AX.

Bear Dot, —I don’t sec the Witness very often, and I miss reading the letters very much. I think the last time I wrote to the page was nearly two years ago, when I v. r as at iSt. Clair for a holiday. I have been working in Temuka for six months now, but I intend going down south again at Christmas time. Temuka is a pretty little place. I have not met any D.L.F. up here: I don’t think there cun be many. I am going to j Tinia.ru for the day on Thursday. I have only been there once, and it was a Sunday, and I didn’t see much of the town. They held a- garden party in Temuka the other day in aid of the B ram well Booth Boys’ Home, and it was very successful. They have a lovely home here for the boys, and there are about 80 boys altogetheri* -We are having very nice weather, Dot, and the garden is looking lovely wilth all the roses coming out in flower. If 1 am as long writing next time as I have been this time J will be an O.W. With love to yourself and all the D.L.F.—Yours truly, QUEEN ELM A. Dear Dot,—The weather here is very nice at present, i was down in Dunedin for a white, but 1 did not see any L.F. 1 have met two D.L.F. now since we came to live here. 1 am getting a lovely Persian cat with long hair. 1 was at tlie Diggers when they were here. Do you like fishing, Dot? I cto. There is going to be a picture here on Monday, 20t-h, called “Uncle Tom’s Cabin. - ’ lam reading a book called “Boys Will Be Boys.” I was away up a Gig hill with a bike, and double-banking a pal down when his liat blew off, and it happened that we were passing a horse at the time, and it lashed out and nearly kicked the back wheel. Love to Dutch .Girl, Mary o’ the Glen, Red Ruby, not forgetting yourself.—Yours trulv, MIDNIGHT CHIME'S.

Deal Dot, —Our Bible cl rss picnic was held on Saturday at Cosy Deli, a beautiful place for picnics, because the bush has always afascination for people generally. Cosy Dell is about two miles from Herbert, and a steep road runs down into it. We started at 8.45 a.m. and arrived at our destination at 10.30 a.m. A beautiful creek winds its way through the bush, and several of the girls t-cok advantage of it. to go for a bathe, and the water proved to be quite warm. After lunch we went for a ramble through the bush, passing several lovely waterfalls on our travels, and we were keenly watching for wild flowers, but most were passed their best, except the mountain daisies* which were flowering luxuriantly, and the manuka was just coming into bloom. One of the most beautiful sights which met our eves was that of masses of yellow broom, some overhanging the creek and others overhanging rocky precipices. When we returned from our ramble

we had tea, and left for home about 5 p.m. after a thoroughly enjoyable day. One day, as we were out for a walk, we heard aI sound so far up in the air that we couldn’t | see the cause of it, but afterwards we were | able to detect god wits, which were arriving for the summer. This is the third year that they have settled in our swamp, and sometimes when we pass along to see them one will try t" attack us by flying straight into our faces until it is a yard from us, when it suddenly swerves aside, and tries again, while its mate pretends to* be lame at a short distance away. _ God wits are very pretiy birds with their long, slender, red legs and with black and white nlulinage and : long black bills. Their cry is like that of a . lit tie dog. When a hawk disturbs them the whole flock i.e-Vht in number) gives chase, j and soon puts the hawk to flight. Early in I the winter a flock of w axe yes visited us for | a long time, and they' fell an easy prey to | the cats, as they were so tame. Afterwards ! they left us. Do you know if t-hey migrate, ! Dot, and if so where to? With best wishes | to Thrupp, Convolvulus, A Girl from the • Liiuhcriosf, Patches, and all the D.L.F., | not forgetting vo*ur own dear self.—Yours I trulv, A RIVER PRINCES. ! [The waxeve is considered to come origi- | na-lly from Australia, but has remained here. They move about- from one part of tlie country to another, a,ml food and climate, etc., play .xjiTie part in their movements. —DOT.] Dear D-d,—Wo h.-w© 30 chickens out, and we have more ski'll to ccmie out. Chickens things. nice little caß.es. They are all black and white except, one, and it. is red and white. It was very cold this afternoon. I was riding along on my pony when a, shower

came on, so I took shelter under seme broom. When it was over I went on home. We have two ducks and a hen sitting on duck egg**. 1 hope they will bring- out little ducklings, for they are such dear little tilings. My Lttle sister is sitting here beside me, and she is very fond of picking up my pen and trying to write, but she is only three, and she canno-fc write. Mary was at our place a while ago, and I enjoyed her visit very much. Love to all the Little Folk, especially Mary, Grandmother’s Maid, Climbing Ivy, and Laurel Leaf, not forgetting your own dear self.—Yours truk , JOYCE’S LITTLE MAID. Dear Dot-, —We are having wet weather just now. My father is very busy at his team work. We have 38 cows in, and still have about 10 more to come in. I am in Standard V' now, and hope to get into Standard VI next year. -We have tnree geese, two ganders, and seven goslings. Standard V and Standard YI go to -.lnvercargill for manual training. The garden is getting battered about with the wind. We have two pet lambs, and they get into the garden every. Opportunity, and eat the young cabbages. We will be having our examination soon, and it won’t be long until we have our Christmas holidays. Love to all the L.F., not forgetting yourself.—Yours truly, DALLAS. Dear Dot, —The weather has been very disagreeable to-day. We have a little prp now, and he is such a mischief. The inspector has been to our school. I was at a c-hu-rcli social a few weeks ago, and enjoyed myself immensely. -The children at our scaool play hockey. The smaller ones T?»y skipping- We have 18 chickens and eight little ducks. Colds have . been going about lately. W T e have not very long to go to school before our holidays c-ome. We are feeding 17 calves. Lov? t<o A Bunch of Re-ses, Risd M-aple Redan Lass, Joyce’s Little Maid, Kimi, not forgetting your ywr. Bell.— Yours truly, CLIMBING IVY. Dear Dot, —I would like to be one of your Folk, .if I may? I go to the Hamilton West School, and hope to be in Standard 111 after Christmas. I am eight ycr.-rs of 2-0®- I have two brothers and. two sisters. I Gur baby sister is seven mc.uhs old, and she is a- little trick. I have been read '■ nLhe* | Little Folks’ letters for a long time past* and , think they are very interesting, and I hope ! that you will accept mine. As this*is my

| first letter to you i will make it short, and i hope to writ© nicer one-si nthe future. Love j to Dot.—Yours truly, SCRAP. j [We are delighted to have you join us, ! Scrap, and I hope we shall get many inter- ! esting- letters from you.—DOT.] Dear Dot, —The weather lias been very hot until these last two or three days, when i R has been wet and disagreeable. It has • been so wet that tlie farmers are not able - to work the ground. Our school teacher has i left us. and wo have a new teacher now. : We have cut down the trees in front of our ■ house, and it has made it much lighter than : before. On Thursday a little boy broke his ! l«g at school. We are going to have hardly ; any apples this year. We have peas out in , bloom. We had a carpenter at our school : Axing it, &ut a paimer has to come ancl ' P*int it yet. We had four black lambs, but i on ? died, arid wo nave only one net lamb ; P IIS year. TVe have two little chickens, and j they are black Orpingtons. We are milking | five cows, and are feeding six calves and two I pigs. Love to the D.L.F. and yourself.— i Yotirs truly, MISTLETOE BOUGH . j Dear Dot,.—l meant to have written before ; this, but tiie weeks seem to have passed' ! 80 quickly that they were gone before I I knew it. We have no-t had our examination iat school yet. I think it is later this year i .than ever it has been. I went to the Timaru j Show, which was held about a fortnight age• , All clay it was blowing a strong nor'-wester, j and people were losing their hats. I -en- ! tercel some sewing and succeeded in get- ! ing first prize for it. L-ove to the L F. — | Touts truly, WATER LILY. j [Please remember to write on only one j side of the paper, Water Lily.—DOT.] Dear Dot, —W© have had some of our final ! examination, and I am glad because this will | be the last one this year. At present we are j having- holidays, but we go back to school ; on Tuesday. I enjoyed myself immensely j the first day of the holidays, because my ■ mote, Queen of the Fairies, and I went up . the creek, ancl we took two of our girl friends with u®. The Warm Girl’s mother gave a party for children on the 9th, and Queen of the Fairies ancl I went to it. We played games and sang songs till after 8 o’clock, and then \ve were brought home in a motorcar. My sister is at heme now, and it is very nice to have her for company. One of my mates and her parents are leaving this district on i'hursday, and there is going to j be a social for them. We have been having very unsettled veat-her lately, but lhe-farmers ( are very glad to see tlie rain, because the i ground was very dry before it came. There | was a terrible thunder plump here on Satur- | day, and I think it -killed all the chickens. We had two- liens sitting, and if they have any chickens they should co-me out to-night or to-morrow morning. We have 24 chickens at present, but we had seven' killed a. week ago. We have a lovely cactus in flower now; it. is a pretty red colour. Love to all the L.F., especially Pliemie B, Queen of tlie

Fairies, The Warm Girl, and May, not forgetting your own dear self.—Yours truly, PRINCESS OLGA. Dear Dot, —The weather is very wet; it has been raining for two or three days. We have seven cats—two are mother cats and the rest are kittens. We have 14 pet lambs. I have a wee black and white lamb. Have you any pet lambs. Dot? We arc milking four cows at present. I have a lot of birds’ eggs ibis year. I caught a young starling in the chimney. We have two pigs and two calves. I found a four-leaved clover, and I put it in. a book to press. We have six dogs. Love to all the D.L.F., especially Our Bessie, The Hen Wife, Dorothy 11, A Green Ixia, Lovdy, Gentle Annie, not forgetting your own dear self.—Yours truly, LITTLE MISS MTJFFET 11. [There is not much room or opportunity of keeping pet lambs in a town, dear. Our yards are hardly large, enough.—DOT.] Dear Dot, —I have a pet lamb, and I call it Corrie. We have only one chicken. My brother has the bagpipes now, and is getting on well with them. We are having our inspector’s examination on Saturday. I have ; just rend a book called "His By Rigid,” ai d | enjoyed it very much. The weather is very 1 cold just now, not a bit like summer; but I suppose wo shall have it hot enough by Christm-as time. Sometimes 1 plav draughts with my fa I her. Do you play draughts, Dai > Our old dog that died the other day was nearly 16 years old, and we were very sorry to lose him.—-Yours truly, R. K. Dear IVI.—Wo are a! present having cur third tenn examination. We have to finish j it this week, because we are to get our proi ficiency examination next- week. Wo are liavI ing very had weather at present -a id-over is starting now. This was my music night, I to-night, and 1 just came home an hour a-go. Wo have Mar tod tennis at school, but as

iu has been such bad weather lately we have ’ not been able to play. I hop© the weather clears up beiore Christmas. L-ove to Lady Carey, Ram-bow, Little Grey Coat, and Little Grey Coat s Pal, and also your dear self Yours truly, T LADY ELSPETH; Dear Dot,—As I have not written to Hi© page, lor some- time I must tell you liow mucii 1 enjoy reading- the stories written on the D.LF. page. I find them very interesting. and am sure other L.F. share m.v opinion. I have just finished reading a- fin*> hook—namely "Dudley Napier’s Three Daughters. It was really a very nice taio.* My sister, Horse-lover, and 1 are going to the pictures to-night to see “School Days.” We did not go to the Christchurch Show, hut wo went to the Ashburton one, which was not very good. We went to the beach Friday for the whole day, and had a lovely time, although we were sunburnt for days after. We spent hours climbing cliffs, and all were tired out when it was time to start foi h-ome. I am now serving in my father s shop, and like it very much. Do you not tiiink shop life.’ an interesting one, Dot '} I do. Love to all the L.F., not forgetting yourself.—Yours truly, A YOUNG BASKET-BALLER. Dear Dot, —May I join your happy band of L.F.? I am in Standard V at school, and am 13 years of age. I have read with interest some of the letters written by the , Little 1< oh. 1 know some of the writers in .my class. As this is my first letter I think I shall close. Love to all the L.F., not torgetting your own dear self.—Yours truly,. STARLIGHT LILY. DOT 0 ] 1 ale ver -' welcome to join us, dear. — Dear Dot, —I was in the Oa-mtaru Hospital j *T r three weeks, and llie nurses were very j and good to me while there. But home . is the best place. Just before I went in I ! passed into the Fifth Standard, but the

j doctor said I was not to go to school for the ■ rest of this year. There are to be sports ■ this way soon. Christmas will soon lie ; rain here lately, which was badly needed by • the farmers. My brother sowed some rape . seen last Saturday. We have a lovely big : b-i-cck cat four years old; lie was a way for i two months, and came home last night. I j think this is all the news just now. Love j f° Averna and the rest of the Little Folk, ! n °t- forgetting your own dear self.—Yours j truly, i‘ r PIGEON. J [I hope you are daily feeling stronger, ! I*l gee n.—DO T.] I Dear Dot, —1 am very sorry about my last | letter, and will now explain the cause of it I being dated so early. I was going to Abbota- \ ford the following week, and was to post jmy letter at the station. I regret to say that in my excitement I forgot the. letter I until ± ariiv-d back. In your letter to one I correspondent you said that you admired j each flower in turn. I think I do the same | I seem t-o find in each different flower difj ferent. beauty. We have a beautiful rose- ! pink double geranium which is now in bloom. S The other day I saw a bird about the size j of a- sparrow with scarlet breast and topnot. ; I inquired if my teacher knew the name of | it, and she replied that she thought it was ! a robin. I am curious to know' if your opinion is the same. Please excuse my writing, because 1 have a terrible pen, and therefore cannot improve it. Tiza is my schoolfellow, but she does .n-ot appear to write very frequently 1 just happened to glance up from my writing and saw the little wild pansies which I think are called heari’s-ease. I think they are lovdy. My rabbits have caused me a great deal of trouble lately. The dogs injured one so terribly that it had to bo destroyed. lam afraid my kitten rogue resents the fox terrior being at Ski!bister. I think I toM year that I learnt singing, and my latest song is “An Arcadian Lullaby,” which 1 adore. Oh, well, it is getting near bedtime, I must sav au revoir.— Yours truly,

MIONONNE. [I -am afraid I cannot identify the bird, dear. Do you read the “In Touch with Nature” column in the Witness ? That supplies a lot of interesting particulars.—DOT.] Dear Dot, —I received a medal in the Pel-merst-on Competitions for tlie Highland fling. My father was a dancer. I hope to get my proficiency this year. My sister goes to Technical College and gets a free pass in the train. 1 have never been to Dunedin except when a baby. We are milking two cows. I have just- lead “Firebrand Trevison,’ and it is a lovely book. My brother and I started to make our raft to-day. All we have to do is to run down the bank and into the river. I still cross the river on stilts, and can walk (with my bathing trunks on) in the water up to my thighs. Love to Flannel Flower, The Henwife, M. Y. 0. 8., and yourself.—Yours t ruly, STILTS. Dear Dot, —May I join your happy band of D.L.F.? I am 10 years of age, and in the Third Standard at school. I have two sisters and two brothers. My eldest sister is at the Gisborne High School. We have two cats and three little kittens. My sister and I have a nice young pony each, and we ride anywhere we like. My little kitten is sitting on my shoulder while I am writing. My father caught two trout this morning. Love to all the D.L.F.—Yours trulv, OKI MS ON RAMBLER. [You are very welcome to join us, dear.— DOT.] AUTOS. Cecilia (Mabel Galvin, Alexandra) wishes to correspond with any D.L.F. 17 or 18 years willing. A Young Basket bailer (Miss Doreen M‘Giashan, Havelock street, Ashburton) wishes to correspond with Margaret