OUR COT.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XVII, Issue XXII, 28 November 1896, Page 127

OUR COT.

The last news from the Hospital is that Florrie is just about the same, and is exceedingly pleased with her beautiful scrapbook. She gave Johnnie the magazines in it which Cousin Phoebe kindly added for him. Johnnie is better. He was delighted with the nice book which one of the boy cousins was good enough to send him some little time ago. Johnnie was out of the Hospital when the book came, so I waited to give it to him through his sister. However, he has now received it himself. —Cousin Kate.

Dear Cousin Kate.—l have not written to you for a long time. I will tell yon the reason ; it is because the annual examination was being held. I came off well, and the class was put up a few days after the examination was finished. I was in the Fifth Standard before the examination, and now 1 am in the Seventh Standard. I will tell you why I missed a standard. It is because lam young and passed well. Four more boys and five girls were put up with me. I often go out fishing with my father, and often get a few fish. The name of our dog is Leo, and he often used to chase the fowls. Our canary got away. The bottom of the cage fell out, and of course the bird flew away, so we wasted our trouble. I will send in some riddles this time.—Your loving cousin, Boz. Masterton.

[Let me congratulate you, Cousin Boz, on your great success at school. What are you going to be when you leave the Seventh ? Are you a successful fisherman, or should I say, boy ? I used to like fishing, but lam not in the way of it now. The only fishing I indulge in is fishing formoney for the Cot Fund. That is better, anyway, than fishing for compliments, which, you would say, is the sort of fishing most girls go in for. I laughed when I read that the bottom of your cage fell out, though I daresay you did not think it a joke at the time. lam sure your father did, though he would not hurt your feelings by showing his amusement. Many thanks for the riddles. How did you cure Leo of chasing the fowls ? We had an exciting rat hunt last night. A rat got into the pantry through a hole, and we tried to kill it with a bar. He got back to his hole, and I threw the pepperpot at it'. Some must have got into Mr Rat's eyes, for he squeaked horribly—Cousin Kate.]

Dear Cousin Kate.—l did not get the badge or card. I went to the post office to see if they had come. Cousin George’s father's place was burned to the ground on the Prince of Wales’ Birthday. I went with the Good Templars for a picnic at Te Ante. It is a pretty place all surrounded by hills. The place we went to was smothered with ferns. We had dinner early, and after playing for some time we went to find a swimming place. After we had a swim we went to see the College sports. There was a bit of fun in the obstacle race. Cato, when halfway under a heap of wood, was stuck, and so the other got away. When it was over we went and bad tea. After tea we had some more games, then we went to the station, and so home. We have got two horses, one we had for a long time, and the other a new one, which we call Bessie. I must now close.—From Cousin Frank.

[I cannot understand, dear Cousin Frank, why the card and badge have not arrived. Please send me the name of your house or street ; or give me your father’s

name, and I will post others to you. The uew cards are ready now. and you shall have one of them. Your letter is nice and interesting, and you seem to have had a good time at Te Ante. lam so sorry about Cousin George's home. Where are they going to live ? Did you see the fire ? Did you collect any ferns at the picnic ? Have y< u a garden ? Most of the children are busy with the Flower Show, which comes off in a day or two. lam glad to see that many boys are exhibiting.—Cousin Kate.] Dear Cousin Kate.—l must acknowledge the receipt of a collecting card which you sent me last week concerning the Cousins’ Cot Fund. I will do all in my power to collect and fill the card, and will send it back at the shortest possible notice. I am going to play a violin solo at a concert in Parnell next Thursday evening. lam not at all nervous, as I have played in public on previous occasions. I went to an afternoon tea at Judge’s Bay last Saturday, and enjoyed myself fairly well. There were not so many there as on previous occasions, owing to the many counter-attractions on that day. We have a cat named Trilby. She is a great pet with all of us, and, lam afraid, is greatly spoiled. Her original name was Floss, but as everyone is ‘ Trilby-mad,’ we had to be in the fashion, too, you see 1 I must conclude now with love from Cousin Sybil. [I, dear cousin Sybil, have the pleasure of acknowledging the receipt of a very prettily-written little note. I quite thought I had sent you a card before, and it was only on writing out my list of cousins for the paper that I discovered my omission. I conclude since you have honoured DuMaurier so far as to name your cat after his heroine, that you liked ‘Trilby.' So did I, and yet I heard people say they would not cross the road to see it 1 I have not yet made your personal acquaintance. I hope before very long to meet all the Auckland cousins. Ido not know whether you have a badge. Would you like one ? They cost 6d.—Cousin Kate. 1