COUSINS’ CORRESPONDENCE.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXV, Issue XVIII, 3 November 1900, Page 854

COUSINS’ CORRESPONDENCE.

Dear Cousin Kate,—I have been waiting to receive my letter which you said you had posted to me, but have not, so conclude it has gone astray. I enjoyed reading’ Cousin Thelma’s letter very much, and I am sorry to say I also envied her that delightful journey very much. I always thought that Cousin Beryl and Gladwys were much older than they are; they write very nice letters for ones so young. I think it is a. very pretty photo, and it comes out very well, does it not? What bad weather we have been having lately. I wonder when it will clear up.—Cousin Winnie, Wellington.

[Dear Cousin Winnie, —Will you send me your surname. I find your letters have been going to a Cousin Winnie in Dunedin. In my address book I have only Cousin Winnie, Tainui, Wellington, and do not like to post a letter without a surname.—Cousin Kate.]

My Dear Cousin Kate, —I am just writing this letter for the purpose’of asking if I may join your “Children's Page” in the "Graphic,” and have the pleasure of being one of your many cousins. I am 14 years old and am in Standard VI. at the Newmarket School. 1 haven't any sisters, but I have three brothers, all younger than myself. I have a dog, named Russ, a eat named Trix, and a pigeon named Flossy, till of whom are great pets. Having no sisters. I spend most of my spare time with my little cousin Kathleen, who lives next door. She is going to join the cousins, I think. 1 have been learning music for about 18 months, and am getting on splendidly. My address is: Clyst Hazel, Manukau Road, Newmarket. T will close now, hoping that you will give me permission to join your number.— I remain, your little cousin, Gertrude.

| Dear Cousin Gertrude, —It will be very pleasant io have you for a cousin, and as you will see your little friend has joined too. Do all your pets get on well together? or does the. dog frighten the eat and the cat the pigeon? I am glad you are doing so well at music. You will find it delightful as you grow older. Write again soon. —-Cousin Kate.]

Dear Cousin Kate, —1 am now having the pleasure of writing to you, and would very much like to become one of your cousins. I have a sister and a brother alive, but one of my brothers died when he was 17 days old. I have a lovely old dog called Watch, and also a dear little canary, of whom I am very fond, and whose name is Fluffy. lam 10 years old and am in Standard IV. at the Newmarket School. My address is: Hazel Hurst. Manukau Road, Newmarket. I will close now, hoping that I may be one of your many cousins.—l remain, your little cousin, Kathleen. [ Dear Cousin Kathleen, —You are warmly welcomed to our band of cousins, and 1 hope both cousin Gertrude and yourself will write often. Does Fluffy sing well? A canary I had used to trill so loudly you could scarcely hear yourself speak. I am sorry to say a cat knocked his cage down and he died of fright.—Cousin Kate.] •fr + + Dear Cousin Kate, —1 was so pleased to see my letter printed in the “Graphic,” and I must thank you very much for printing it. I saw where it arrived too late to be printed the week I sent it. Would you send me a collecting card and a badge. What a nice interesting letter Cousin Thelma wrote last week. I am reading such a nice book, entitled “Shiloh,” by Mrs W. M. L. Jay, and I like it very much. I have read “The Basket of Flowers” (translated from the German), “The Pickwick Papers,” and enjoyed it very much. "Quinnebaset Girls” by Rose Porter. “Robinson Crusoe,” and the one I liked best of all, “Barriers Burned Away.” 1 have read lots of others, but those mentioned are the principal ones. 1 am very fond of poetry, and I often try to decide which poet or poetess I like best, but 1 think it is impossible to say which is the best. The flower gardens are just beginning to look nice; all are coming’ into bloom. I have got a little flower garden, and my brother and I have got a vegetable garden started. He gets the soil ready and I plant the seeds, but the slugs are beginning to be troublesome. I must now bring this letter to a close before it gets too long. Believe me to remain, with love to all the cousins, yours sincerely, I rene.

P.S.— Dear Cousin Kate, would you please send my badge along as soon as possible as I want to wear it on the day peace is declared. —C.T.

j Dear Cousin Irene, —So you are fond of reading, are you? Well, so am I. 1 like all the books you mention except the “Basket of Flowers,” which I have never read. Is it nice? It sounds as if it was about gardening, and that is always interesting. Have you read the “Wide, Wide World,” and “Lilian’s Golden Hours.” Both are charming. I think your plan of gardening splendid. Do you ever try catching the slugs by putting down bran for them? It is very effective.— Cousin Kate.]

Dear Cousin Kate,—-I am so sorry I left it so late to write this letter, as I am nearly sure it will be too late for this week’s “Graphic.” Is it not nice to have a real cousin writing, but as Cousin Zadie says, we have never seen eacTi other. I am very fond of reading, and am getting quite a library. 1 am reading a book now called the “Water Babies.” Have, you ever rend it? 1 do not collect stamps, but I know a lot of girls who do. Is not to-day a lovely one, and very warm too? I have nearly finished that little story I told you about, but perhaps you will not think it good enough to

put in the “Graphic.” as it is my first attempt.’ 1 am not sure if I told you I got a camera for my last birthday, but as I have only had it five months I am not a very good photographer yet. Are there not a lot of new cousins now? I think I must end this letter, as I cannot think of anything more to say. With fond love, Cousin Roie. i’-S.—Would you like my photograph for the Children’s Page? [Dear Cousin Roie, —As you will s:e, I have printed your story, and think it very good indeed, specially for » first attempt. Please excuse a very short reply, but as you will see from a note to other cousins I have to go away suddenly to-day. and am much hurried.—Yours affectionately, Cousin Kate.—l want your photo ever so much for the Children’s Page.] + + + Dear Cousin Kate, —I am ashamed to write to you, because I have not written for so long. I still take a great interest in the Children’s Page, and enjoyed reading Cousin Thelma’s letter very much. How she must have enjoyed her trip to England. I think she is a lucky little girl visiting all those delightful places. Perhaps you would like to hear what my home is like, as it may remind you of your English home. The patch of native bush near the house is very like an English park, at least so our visitors say. We spend many pleasant hours there during the hot weather. We have a lovely lake, with bush down to the water’s edge, where we go boating. The geese we have on it are very frightened when we row near them. The swans and ducks are quite wild. There is a little stream running into the lake, where my father sometimes goes fishing. Not long ago he brought home two beauties. They were both immense. We hope to go to the Exhibition during opr Christmas holidays, so expect I shall have lots to write about after we come home. I must say good-bye now.—Your loving cousin, Freda. [Dear Cousin Freda,—Many thanks for your letter. I enjoyed reading about your home so much. What a beautiful place it must be. I quite envy you that lovely lake. Does your father get any wild duck shooting, I wonder? Mind you tel] me all about the Exhibition. .It will be just splendid, I expect.—Cousin Kate.] + + + LATE LETTERS. Dear Cousin ’Gladys,—-I have just returned from a little trip into the country and received your letter with the cards and contributions for the cot. As the “Graphic” is just going to press I have not time now to reply, but will do so next week. In the meantime 1 have to thank you for the money you and Cousin Dorothy have collected. —Cousin Kate.

STORY BY A “GRAPHIC” COUSIN. The following story is by Cousin Roie Nathan, Auckland. Roie is only 12 years old. 1 am sure you will all enjoy it, and think it very clever.— Cousin Kate.