COUSINS’ CORRESPONDENCE.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXVII, Issue XIII, 28 September 1901, Page 622

COUSINS’ CORRESPONDENCE.

Dear Cousin Kate, —I should like to compete for the “Angle Competition,” and am sending you one attempt: but as I did not see the first announcement of it, I do not know if I am complying with the rules or not. It has been blowing a terrible gale here all day; hats blowing about in all directions. 1 always think it is a pity not to have a camera on a windy day, for one sees such funny sights. I saw one very fat old woman struggling along to-day. She was wheeling a perambulator with a little girl of about two in it: a little boy was hanging on to her skirt. He was crying dismally, evidently the wind and the dust combined was too much for him. 1 felt very ’ sorry for her. though I could not help laughing. She looked like an old woman in from the country. She had a small bonnet on the haek of her head; she had a dark veil on, but it was torn in several places, and her nose appeared through one of the holes. She was evidently terribly hot, for the dye from her veil had formed streaks of black down her face. The little boy was dressed in kharki; but he looked a very forlorn little warrior indeed, with his cap completely hiding one eye. Just as the old woman was crossing the road there was a particularly strong gust of wind, the perambulator was blown over. Naturally the little girl resented being suddenly shot on to the dusty road, and commenced to howl lustily; the poor woman looked as if she too was going to crv. A small coverlet that had been in the perambulator tumbled out and blew along the town: the pillow, too, .•oiled along a few yards. Several people ran forward to help the old woman: someone near her laughed, then the funny side of the situation seemed to strike her. for she commenced to laugh, and became so weak with laughing so much that she almost sat down in the middle of the road. I did not wait to see her recover herself, but I suppose she reached her home safely. “Ping Pong’" seems all the rage now. I have never seen a game become so popular in so short a time. We have got it, but as we have broken all our Italls, and we have not been able to buy any more, we have not played lately. It is rather sad when you think the ball has gone under the sofa, or behind the piano, when you suddenly find you have trodden on it. and completely flattened it out. The balls seem to have a great tendency to go into the tire, and of course the heat melts them at once. I am sending you my photograph to be printed in the

“Graphic.” Hoping you will publish the results of the “Letter Competition” soon. —I remain, your affectionate Cousin, Aileen. P.S. —‘May more than one attempt be sent in for the “Angle Competition”?—A.

[Dear Cousin Aileen, —I hope to give you the result of the Angle Competition very soon. Your design is most excellent. 1 believe your letter is one of the cleverest I have ever had. but do you know 1 felt dreadfully sorry for that poor distracted woman, though no doubt it was comical enough. Ping pong is the rage here also. Your letter arrived rather late this week, so I cannot give it as long an answer as I should like.—Cousin Kate.] + + * Dear Cousin Kate, —I am home again now. We came down on Friday. It was the quick train, and we got here at five o’clock Friday evening. Have you been in the trains since they have got the new carriages? They are very nice and comfortable. The answer to that riddle, “Why is a cowardly soldier like butter?” is (answer), “Because he runs when exposed to fire.” I think it very good. Do you? The weather is not half so nice down here as it was up at Okoroire. Our dancing-class has broken up, and Mrs Williamson, our dancing teacher, is going to give a dance on Tuesday evening. I am not quite sure if I am going or not, but 1 think it will be very nice. Gladys is having a party on Thursday. It was her birthday on the 6th of this month, so as she had it at Okoroire she is going to have her party down here. Now. dear Cousin Kate, I must conclude.—With love, T remain, Cousin Roie. [Dear Cousin Roie.—How did you enjoy the dance? I am sure it must have been very nice. Yes, I travelled down from Rotorua in the new carriages. I like them very much, but they do not seem to me so strong as the New Zealand built ones. The party will also be over before this appears in print. You are really having it at the very time I am writing this, so I know you have a fine day. which is always nice for a party. — Yours sincerely, Cousin Kate.] Dear Cousin Kate, —I have a few minutes to spare, so I thought I would write to you. Have you been to see the Dartos, dear Cousin Kate? I went last Saturday night. Have you ever read “The Rightful Daughter.” dear Cousin Kate? It is such a pretty book. 1 have just finished practising, and as it is raining I thought I would write to you. Our dancing teacher is giving a little dance on Tuesday evening, but we are not going. Now. dear Cousin Kate. I am afraid I must close this short note, as I have no more news.— With love from Cousin Gwendoline. P.S.—I wish, dear Cousin Kate, you would put one of your photographs in the “Graphic.” I am sure all the cousins would like you to. | Dear Cousin Gwendoline. 1 ho|>e you as well as Cousin Roie enjoyed the dance. I have never read the Rightful Daughter. Nowadays I get very little spare time for reading. I saw the Dartos and thought them very wonderful, but they appear for a very short time, do they not?— —Cousin Kate.]