COUSINS’ CORRESPONDENCE.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXXII, Issue XXI, 21 May 1904, Page 59

COUSINS’ CORRESPONDENCE.

Dear Cousin Kate, —I do not want to miss writing to you this week, but I am afraid 1 have no news to tell you. 1 am glad to say we break up on Friday, bu I am not going away anywhere. We are going to have another little play in the holidays called "Beauty and the Beast.” I am going to be “Beast” and my little sister is going to be “Beauty.” The rest of the parts are being taken by various girls. Cousin Ruby is going to Ire one of “Beauty’s”’ sisters. I am reading such a pretty book called “Trefoil,” by ■ Margaret I*. Macdonald. I have never read any of her books before. Yesterday we got the result of our French exams., and I am glad te say that I tame out top, at the right end, Bast Saturday I went to a children’s party to help, and I had sueh fun. It was about the nicest young children’s party that I have ever been to. On Sunday afternoon I and one of my cousins went to Remuera. The only tram that we could get Was a Kingsland one, so we had to walk the rest of the way, and Homing home we had to cvait about ten minutes at Newmarket for a car, and then When we did get one we had to stand all the way home. Now, dear Cousin Kate, I tun afraid I must say good-bye, but there is really no more news, and I am •just going to begin lessons, with plenty of love to you and all the cousins.—l remain, Cousin (Swen. ,

fDear Cousin Gwen—l was afraid your [Dear Cousin Gwen, —I was afraid your letter was a little late for this week’s “Graphic,” but I think I shall manage to get it in. It didn’t come till Friday, anil I usually get yours on Thursday. .What are you going to do with yourself all the holidays? I suppose a good deal of your time will be taken up in rehearsing “Beauty and the Beast?” I hope it will be a great success. I am glad you came out so well in your French examinations. I’m afraid I have forgotten nearly all the French I ever learnt. I never eared for it, and always liked Batin much better than French. I don't think I have ever read any of Margaret Macdonald’s books. What others has she written? Do you know I think children are much harder to entertain than grown-up people now. I have been to one or two lately, and have really found helping quite hard work. You must have had a long walk out to Remuera last Sunday, but you cannot depend on the trams a scrap oh Sunday, and they always seem to be packed.—Cousin Kate.]

Dear Cousin Kato., —T know it is a very long time since I wrote to you last, but as I cannot say exactly what has kept me from writing, I shall have to ask you to excuse me without hearing my excuse. Ivy is not very well, that is why she is not writing as well as myself. I do not suppose you have been to the Anderson Company? as I think you told me once before that you liked operas and not melodrama. I went to “The Power and Glory” and “While London Sleeps.” I did not onre much about the former, but I thought the latter very exciting, especially wh«r« there was a

house set on fire by the villain, and the heroine saves a little girl and herself by climbing to the roof top and walking a telegraph wire. Do you care about dancing? 1 simply do not like anything better. I am not learning this year, but I learned from Mrs. Boult last season; perhaps I ‘may start at the next quarter. Dearest Cousin Kate, I am really very anxious to see your photo. I saw Cousin Muriel’s photo, in last week’s—she is about my age, is she not? Was not Morrill’s a terrible fire? I saw it out of our window, and the glare was so bright that we could plainly see the brigade moving about. Did you see it? If you did, do you not think that it looked worse than the picture in the “Graphic?” Perhaps it might not have been, as we could not see the baek, and it only showed that part. I should have thought it was very dangerous to have been near it on account of the explosions. Now, dear Cousin Kate, goodbye, with love, from Cousin Mabel.

[Dear Cousin Mabel, —It certainly is a long time since I heard from either you of Ivy, but better late than never. I am sorry to hear that Ivy is not well. I suppose she got the horrid cold that everyone seems to have just now? I hope she will be alright again by the time you see this. I did go to the Anderson Company once, and it was to see “When Bondon Sleeps.” The scenery was .very .good; but otherwise I did not care for it much. lam very fond of dancing, indeed. Mrs. Boult *is a splendid- teacher; it is a pity you are not going back to her. I should try and go next quarter if I were you. Yes, I think Cousin Muriel must be just about your age. Morrin’s was a terrible fire. I saw it from both sides, and it did not look nearly so bad from the Park side as from the other.—Cousin Kate ]

Dear Cousin Kate, —I have just been reading the interesting letters on the Cousins’ Pago, and I would be very pleased if you would accept me as a cousin. I turned 13 last September, but I have been told I am very tall for my age. At present I am not going .to school, because we have sueh cold winters here. I have passed Standard VI., and when the warm weather • comes round again I am going to a high school in Paeroa. It has been sueh a dull cold day. I would be so pleased if you would kindly send me a badge. J will close now, with love to all the other cousins and yourself.—l remain, yours affectionately, Cousin Ida.

[Dear Cousin-Ida, —l shall bd delighted to add your name to our list'.of Cousins, and I will send you a badge directly you send me your full name and address. I have stayed at Te Aroha, and think it is sueh a pretty place; but I know it is very cold at this time of the year. What part of the town do you live in? Are you going to bo a weekly boarder at the Pearoa High School? and will you go down by the early train every morning? It would be nice going backwards and forwards in the summer time, but horrid in winter, as you would have to get up before daylight to catch the train, and it would bo so fearfully cold, too.—Cousin Kate.] .. . .

• Deal’ Cousin Kate. -— I am learning gymnastics, and like it very much. lam getting on nicely with my music. I am nearly finished the first book. We had our on Tuesday, and finished on Wednesday, and we got our reports on Thursday, and I came top of

the class. Father has promised me a nice muff for getting the most marks. We went for a nice drive on Sunday to New Brighton. Last Saturday 1 bad a dear little boy and girl to stay with me. The little boy’s name was Eric, and the little girl’s Rita; they are going to stay till Monday, as their father is very ill. I am going to have a fortnight’s holiday. Cecil and 1 were taken to a concert lecture at the Boys’ .High School. One gentleman told us all about what they did on the ice and snow, ami what a lot of penguins and seals they saw; at the Pole the men bad to get the jam out sometimes with an axe, as it was so frozen. How funny frozen jam must be on your bread. lam glad I do not live there. He told us if you put a stick in the ice it would be blue. It is so eold in the mornings here now. I 5111 going to bring Erie and Rita to play with me to-day. 1 got a lovely book on Friday, bound with red kid: it is called

“The Bittle Princes in the Tower ’; have you read it, dear Cousin Kate? it is a history book. Cecil had an accident lately. He was run over by a cab: he might have been killed, but he got his leg badly bruised. He was in bed for some days, but he is better now. 1 think I must close now, with lots of love to all the other cousins and lots to yourself, from Cousin Doreen.

[Dear Cousin Doreen, —I was so pleased to get your nice long letter ibis morning, but I am afraid I won’t have time to write you a very long answer in reply as I am very busy. 1 am glad you are learning gymnasties; they are so good for you and will make you keep your baek so straight, too. Are you fond of music? You must be getting on very well indeed to be nearly through the first book. 1 must congratulate you on being at the top of your class, especially as you are going to have a nice muff. I remember you told me before you wanted one. 1 hope your little friends’ father is better by this time. Did you enjoy the lecture you went to? It must have been very interesting, I think. It would be very funny to have frozen jam on one’s bread, wouldn't it? 1 don't think it would be very nice either, do you? I was very sorry to hear of Cecil’s accident; will you give him my love and tell him so? Yes, I have read “The Bittle Princes in the Tower,” but it was so many years ago that I have nearly forgotten it.—Cousin Kate.J

Dear Cousin Kate, —I am awfully sorry to say I hayp not yet seen lasi week's “Graphic.” Ours generally comes on Wednesday* afternoon, so, when Friday came, and it had not come, mother rang up the “Star” Oilice. and they said they’ would post one straight away. Valerie and I went to “Uncle Tom's Cabin” on Saturday afternoon, and we both enjoyed ourselves very much. Mother got another song out from Home called “Mister Dooley.” I suppose my music will be out by next mail: at least, I hope so. Father’s eold is not better yet, and I am sorry to say mother has one too. It is Desmond's and Valerie's turn now*, don't you think? Desmond went out to Ellerslie with our school football team on Saturday to play football, but Ellerslie beat them: luckily it was only a practise match. I am anxiously waiting for Wednesday to come, as I think I am going to the matinee. Are you fond of chrysanthemums. Cousin Kate? Valerie and I got a lovely large bunch on Saturday; some are such a rich yellow. I got a pretty post-card from Sydney to-day, and it has a picture on it taken from “The Country

Girl.” Have you seen that opera? The German Band was round our way last Thursday evening, but it did not play half such pretty pieces as it usually does. Now, dear Cousin Kate, I must conclude. ns I have a very bad headache, and it hurts my eyes to write. With line to all the cousins and yourself, from Cousin Muriel .1., Auckland. N.B.— Love to you and the cousins from Desmond and Valerie.—M.G.J.

[Dear Cousin Muriel, —I wonder how it was that you did not get your

"GrAhie” at the usual time last week? 1 hope you got it all right afterwards. 1 haven’t been to see "Uncle Tom's Cabin,” but 1 heard that it was to bo very good. Did you think it was? Had you never heard "Mister Dooley” before? It was sung in one of the operas here some time ago. Styne-Evans’ Company it was, I think. So many people have colds just now, and they seem hard to shake off at this time of the year. 1 have been very’ lucky and escaped so far, but it is unwise to boast too soon, isn’t it ? J hope Desmond and Valerie will escape it too. Did you enjoy the matinee? I wasn’t able to go, unfortunately, as 1 had another engagement. 1 like some varieties of chrysanthemums very much indeed, but 1 don't eare for those huge ones that one secs at the shows. No. I haven’t seen “The Country Girl” yet, but I am looking forward to it very much. People from the South say it is splendid.—Cousin Kate.]

Dear Cousin Kate, —I almost feel ashamed to write, as it must be over a year since I wrote. But the beginning of last year 1 went to Miss Freeman’s School as a boarder, and we only have Sunday afternoons to write, and then only an hour and a-half, and it takes me nearly all my time to write home. The first term I had measles. Bast term of last year my eyes were bad, and the doctor said 1 was not to read, write, sew or practice for a whole term, and though I was home I could not write. I have to wear glasses now— l don't like them much, but one gets used to them. 1 came home last Tuesday for my holidays, and I am enjoying them. Bast Wednesday I went to the flower show here in Pietim. In reading the cousins’ letters I see they’ mention Cousin Ruby living in - Pitton; that is where 1 live; 1 wonder if I know her or not? 1 have not been for any bicycle rides these holidays, but 1 hope to this week. 1 am commencing to collect post-cards now. I collect stamps, too, they are both interesting. There are a great many cousins now, aren't there? The holidays are going too quickly. I don’t like boarding schools, 1 get home sick sometimes, but J try’ not to all the same, as you cannot do your lessons half so well. I go nearly every day to take my little nephew and ncice out; J simply love children: 1 always have them around me, and then I am quite happy. Love io all the cousins and yourself from Cousin Rosie.

[Dear Cousin Rosie, —It must be more than a year since you wrote to me last, because 1 started a new book for the cousins a year ago, and wrote their full names, addresses and their ages in it. I looked for yours this morning ami could not find it. Next time you write will you write them out on a separate slip of paper, so that 1 can enter them in my new book? You have been very unfortunate lately, haven’t you? Fancy having measles one term, then having to stay at home for a term because of your eyes. It must have thrown you baek in your lessons a great deal. I am sorry your eyes are still troubling you. Docs the doctor say you will always have to wear glasses, or is it only for a time? Was the Hower show good? Gm’s is just over, but it wasn’t so good this year as it was last. Cousin Ruby does Jive, in Pieton. and her photograph has been in the "Graphic,” so if you have a few back numbers of the -paper you can easily find out whether you know her or not. I am gjad you are enjoying your holidays so much, only I am afraid you will feel more home sick Faun ever when you go baek to school. Try and write to me sometimes when you do go baek, even if it is only a few lines.—Cousin Kate.] ♦ ♦ ♦ Dear Cousin Kate, —I looked for your photo in last week's “Graphic,” and I was disappointed in not seeing it. Are you going to put it in this week’s? We went to see “The Country Girl” and

••Lady Molloy” the other night. They were both splendid. Miss Young is a lovely actress, and her voice is perfect. There has not been such good acting in Christchurch for a long time, and both nights we wont the theatre was packed. Don't you think we are getting a great many new cousins now. Cousin Kate? I think the Cousins’ Page will have to be enlarged to hold all the letters. iWhat a long time it is since Alison wrote. I hope she will not stop altogether, for I do like her letters. Cousin Dora told Winnie she is a great friend of hcr’s, and they write to each other always. Do you think any of the cousins would care to write to me? We could exchange post-cards, etc. Have you many nice Howers out in Auckland? There is going to be a big chrysanthemum show here next week, nnd we arc all going I think. With love to all, 1 am yours loving, Cousin Olive.

[Dear Cousin Olive, —I am sorry’ you were disappointed at not seeing my photograph in last week’s ‘'Graphic.” I did have some taken, but they are not very good, and I thought I would wait and have it taken again. I have been bo busy for the last ten days that 1 have never found time to go to the phoographers again. So you must exercise l*ae virtue of patience for a short time longer. 1 am so glad that the Opera Company is so good because ’£ have been looking forward to seeing them for such a long time. Which did you like the best, ‘'The Country Girl” or “Lady Molly”? Yes, we do seem to be getting a great many new cousins lately, but some of the old ones have taken to writing much more regularly, too, I am glad to say’. 1 am sure some of the cousins would like to write to you, but I can’t think of one particular one just this minute. Arc you writing to Dora? I know she wanted you to. We haven’t a great many’ flowers out just now. We are much earlier than you are, you sec our chrysanthemums and dahlias are very nearly over. I got a lovely bunch of tea rosebuds yesterday’ out of our garden, and they are lovely I think, don’t you?—Cousin Kate.]

Dear Cousin Kate, —Thank you very much for your kind offer, which I will very gladly accept. I have often read your cousins’ interesting letters and your answers in the “Graphic.” I would be very glad if you would print my story. The mistake which I made in the broken English 1 must beg you to excuse, as I never studied life 'Maori language, but in future I will study it most carefully. Will you please thank the editor for me for his kind remarks. With all good wishes for the welfare of the “Graphic,” I am, dear Cousin Kate, your affectionate cousin, Muriel.

[Dear Cousin Muriel.—Thank you very much for your nice little letter, which I received this morning. Do you know, yon are the third cousin Muriel I have got now? The other two Muriels both live in Auckland, but one has changed her name to Lyjidal, so as to prevent mistakes. When you write to me will you please sign your letter “ Cousin Muriel,” Wanganui, and then I shall know which cousin it is from? £ am so glad you will allow us to print your story, and I am sure the cousins will all read it with great interest. 1 don’t quite know when it will be in, as we have to wait until we can find sufficient space for it. Would you care for a cousin’s badge? if so, 1 will send you one.— Cousin Kate.]

Dear Cousin Kate. —I would very much like to become a cousin, as I have many pets which I think the cousins would like to hear about. We have 10 dogs and four cats. I think I would rather have dogs than cats. I am nine years old, nnd I am in the third standard at school. Please would you send me a badge? We have two little wild kittens, which my brother found in the bush. They arc both yellow and white, but one has a yellow face and the other a white face. I cannot think' of any names for them. Please could you tell me two little names for them?—With love from Cousin Helen.

[Dear Cousin Helen, —I shall be very glad indeed to welcome you as one of our baud of cousins, and I will post a

badge to yon to-day. lam sure the cousins w ill be as pleased as I shall be to hear about your numerous pets. Whnt a number of dogs you have—what do you keep so many for? I think I like eats better than dogs, because they are not nearly so mischievous, but I am not very fond of pets of any kind. Will the kittens your brother found let you go near them? I don’t know of any suitable names for them, but as you found them how would it do to call them “Waif” and “Vagabond?”— Cousin Kate.]

Dear Cousin Kate, —I am late again in writing, but I have been so rushed with one thing and another that I did not have time before, and even as I write now I am watching the clock so that I won’t be too long and miss the mail, so please excuse my writing. We are having lovely fine weather here—what is it like in Auckland? There is a kinematograph show here to-night, but I do not think I will go. as I want to see a wrestling match here to-mor-row night for £5O a-side. lam sorry I am unable to give any tricks or puzzles this week, but I’ll try and send some by the next Auckland mail. At any j-ate, here is a little comic cutting which might amuse the cousins:—One day, says a gentleman, my groom and I were in my stables looking at some hull-terriers in the harness room, when I heard an odd, indefinable sound. “Pat, what is that noise?” says I. “ Share, sir,” said Pat, “ it’s the singing in my ears. I have been a-hearing of it now for six weeks or more.” “Johnny,” said the mistress, “will you take some cake home for your little brother? If you have no pockets, you can tuck it under your jumper.” “ Sorry,” said Johnny, “ but that is full already.” My time is nearly up, so, with love to you, Cousin Kate, and all the cousins, I must close. —Carle. P.S.— In the play to-night there is a conjuror named Professor Carl, I think he must have seen my trick in last week’s “Graphic,” and must be travelling under my good name. Shall I summons him? Good-bve.—C.

[Dear Cousin Carle.—Thank you very much for your letter this week. I too am sorry that you have not got any new tricks or puzzles for us, because we were very interested in the last ones. Your comic cuttings are very good, and they are new to me, too, but, of course, I have seen plenty of stories very much after the style of the last one. We have been having the most beautiful weather here for the last week or two. I hope it will last. I think we ought to have a nice fine winter, for until the last fortnight we have had the most unsettled weather. I expect the wrestling match will be much more interesting than a kinematograph entertainment, for you, at any rate. For my part I think I should prefer the kinematograph. I think you ought to go. and see your namesake perform, though.—Cousin Kate.]

Dear Cousin Kate,—What a silly mistake 1 made when I addressed my last letter to Wellington. I don’t think that I wrote any letters to Wellington when I wrote to you. I don’t write to many people there. lam so glad that you are going to put your photo in the “ Graphic,” and I will know you when I see you. lam going to have ray photo taken, and I will send you one. How nice to get a letter from cousin Roie again; and lam so glad that she is going to write every mail. I am going over to North Shore beach on Saturday with my cousins, that is, if it is fine. I like Cousin Muriel’s photo; it is niee io see the cousins’ photos in the “Graphic.” When I have finished this letter mother is going to take me out to Epsom. 1 did not go to school this afternoon. What an awful fire in High-street last week. I think that you must have been in a dangerous place watching the fire, because of the explosions. I did not see it, and I think that it is just as well, because I don’t like looking at fires. I must close with love to you and all the cousins.—Cousin Lyjidal, Auckland.

[Dear Cousin Lyndal,—l got your letter quite safely 'this week, with no mistakes in either signature or address. It was funny that you should make a mistake two weeks running like

that, wasn’t it? I hope you will have your photograph taken soon, because I am so anxious to have all the cousins’ photographs in the “ Graphic.” It was very nice to hear from Roie again, and I am more glad than I can say that she is going to write oftener. I have a long one from cousin Alison this week, but I am so busy that I don’t know whether I shall have time to answer it this week. I hope Saturday will be fine for your picnic over to Cheltenham. Don’t stay too late, though. It is getting so cold in the evenings now. Fires are dreadful, I know, but I can’t help wanting to watch them always; there is a sort of fascination about them I think.—Cousin Kate.]

Dear Cousin Kate, —Just a few lines to you and the cousins to let you all know that I have not forgotten to write, though it is such a long time since I wrote. There are such a lot of cousins now, and I see that you have another cousin Jenny. I wonder if she has another name besides Jenny, because I have only one name, and I would like to know what other name cousin Jenny has, and I hope she does not mind me asking. Dear Cousin Kate, the mornings are getting very cold, aren’t they? When I finish writing this letter I am going out to have a nice skip. The other evening my brother saddled up the pony. He was going for a ride, and while his back was turned I got on its back and rode round the paddock. When my brother missed the pony he picked up a stick and beat it to make it run, and I got very much frightened, because I am not able to ride. Dear Cousin Kate, are you fond of ferns? I am, and I have three different kinds of maidenhair. I will send you three leaves, so as you will see what they are like. lam going to put the ferns in the flower show —i think it is in November—and I am going to put a pot of musk in also. I must close now, with love to you and all the cousin.—l remain, your cousin Jenny.

[Dear Cousin Jenny,—lt is a long time since you wrote to me last, but I haven’t forgotten you, so I hoped you had not forgotten me. I have got another cousin Jenny now, but I don’t know whether she has another name or not. I will ask her the next time she writes. Yes, it is getting cold in the mornings now, but a good skip soon makes you warm, doesn’t it? Wasn’t it a little dangerous for you to run off with your brotKfer’s pony when are are not able to ride very well? You might have fallen off, and hurt yourself very much. lam very fond of ferns, indeed, and I shall like to see fronds of the maidenhair you have. You forgot to put it in the envelope, though, but perhaps you will send it next time. —Cousin Kate.]

Dear Cousin Kate, —I have such a little cat, he is just one year old, and I got him when he was one mouth old, and he hasn’t grown since. I used to call him Tom, and now I call him Tom Thumb. He can jump so high, and is such a little thief, and he catches mice. He is so smart for his size. Dear Cousin Kate, I haven’t much to say this week. Give my love to all the cousins and yourself.—Cousin Colin.

[Dear Cousin Colin, —Thank you very, much for your nice little letter, which I got this morning. What a funny, little cat your Tom Thumb must be. What do you think has made him stop growing? Did you enjoy watching the Avondale races? I remember in your last letter you told me you liked looking at them. I went out one day and enjoyed myself so much. Did you see the hurdle race, where all the horses but two fell down? Well, Colin, I must stop now, as I have several other letters to write this morning.—-Cousin Kate.]