OUR LITTLE FOLKS.

Otago Witness, Issue 1819, 1 October 1886, Page 33

OUR LITTLE FOLKS.

By Dot. to our little folks. [Dot will'be pleased to receive short letters from juvenile correspondents on any matters of interest to themselves — short stories <>f pet animals,, descriptions of their favourite toys, tbeir parties, amusements, &c. the letters to be written by the children themselves and addressPd " Dot, care of the Editor." tnd to be published in tho pnge devoted to "Our Little Folks."] Sometimes the children's letters do not reach Dot intime for ime'tion and reply tho same week, but in all cases will be acknowledged in due course. LITTLE GLAD HEART. A FAIRY TALE. (Concluded.) It was a bright and beautiful morning when Brave Heart sailed away in a ship from Fairyland. She was going to a land where no cowards were allowed to go — weak frightened people who could not fight and conquer Temptation. If she had been terrified or persuaded by Prince Evil to remain as one of his slaves, she would have been wretched for ever. Truly she had grieved to find that never again could she enter Fairyland ;• but when her brave heart was given to her she bore the disappointment quietly, and turned her face to the strange country with a smile. All the fairies came to the shore to see Brave Heart off, and cheered and called out j good wishe\ and a pleasant journey to her. The Fairy Queen wept bitterly as she turned away, for she knew that she would never see her adopted child again. " Farewell," said Brave Heart, waving her hand from the ship. "Farewell, good fairies, and thank you for all your kindness to me. ' I shall love you all my life. " Farewell! " saug the fairies, " May your future aye be happy, Filled with sweet and joyful hours, . And your heart, as light and peaceful A» when you played among the floweve. May the waves you travel over Bear tliee to a land ot roat Where no sorrows dark will touch thee, Where thou ne'er wilt be distressed. Keep thine heart ot love and courage, And do thou for ever fight Bravely on'the side of weakness — Bravely on the side of right. Farewell, Brave Heart, may you prosper On the new and untried shore, And be very glad, dear Brave Heart, Though you come to us no more." After a long journey over the Sea of Effort, Brave Heart landed at the Bay of Success, and was welcomed by great and noble lords and ladies named Victory, Self Control, Courage, Patience, Trust, and others, who— -having heard of Brave Heart's birth and childhood in Fairyland, and her journey to the Land of Wrong, and the courage she had displayed while there, and her determination to get away again— were very glad to have her among them, and made her welcome. Then, after resting for several days, they took her over their island. It was a wonderful place. Not like Fairyland, for everyone was busy at something. The palaces were built by the people themselves, and all were cheerful and happy. There was a large Temple of Knowledge to which the children went to learn things to make them good and wise, and in the centre of the city was a fountain called Contentment, a draught of whose waters anyone troubled or tired, drinking would revive again. Here in this country "Brave Heart lived, doing all that she could do with willing hands and a cheerful heart. Little acts of jrindoees, little words of love came readily frwa her hands ana lips, and the people

grew to love her much, for wherever you go loving words and kind deeds win many friends. Then one day a great prince called Rectitude married her, and there was a great wedding feast given to all the land, at which there was much rejoicing. But although Brave Heart became a great lady, she never greff proud and idle. Her days were always as full of kind deeds as her heart was full of love, and by patience, gentleness, and generosity she won and kept the hearts of all who knew her to THE KND. LETTERS FUOM LITTLE FOLKS. Deak Dot, — I have been reading in theLittle Folks' page about boys and girls writing to you of their pefcs, so I made up my rniad to write you a little story about my cat. Didymus is the same ago as myself, and every night be brings a rabbit, a rat, or a mouse to the door, and makes a great mir-rir-row to bo let in. He never makes that noiso when he has nothing. Everyone in the house must give him a clap, and then we let him out Again, and sometimes he catches two or three. Now, dear Dot, don't you think my cat is a good one ? — Yours truly, Patience (aged 8). Kaiwera, September 13. Dear Dot, — My first letter to you 13 a very sad one. It is about the death of our dear schoolmate, Nathaniel Arnold Mitchell, who died on Tuesday, 7th September, of brain fever, caused partly through a fall on his head, and partly through being over anxious to pass his standard at school. He had a bad headache on Thursday and Friday, the 2nd and 3rd September — the two days of the examination. Dear Nathaniel was such a good boy, and was so anxious to pass that he would go to school. When he went home on Friday afternoon his head was worse, and on "Sunday, the sth, he was very bad. The doctor could do little for .him, but did everything that was possible to save his life, but ifc was not to be, and Nathaniel died at half-past 11 on Tuesday. Dear Dot, I cannot tell you how sorry everybody about here is, for he was such a good, kind, gentle friend, and was always ready to help anyone. I think he was the best boy in the school. His fuueral took place on Thursday, the 9bh September, and there was such a lot of people there. All the schoolboys went. They took wreaths, crosses, and bunches of flower 3, and threw them iv thfi grave. It made such a lot of us cry to see dear Nat put down the deep hole and covered over with dirt. Mr Murray, the schoolmaster, had such a lovely cress made in Dunedin as his last token of respect for dear, dear Nathaniel.. He is deeply regretted by all who knew him. Dear Dot, it is a very sad death, and is mado mord so by the fact that only a year ago his mother died ; so you will .know how sad all his people are. — I am, dear Dot;, yours truly, John (age 13). Taieri, September 15. Dear Dot, — I will begin by telling you of a birthday party given by one of my schoolmates on Saturday last. My sister and I were at it, and there were eleven of us altogether. We had our tea outside on the verandah, then we had a lot of fine games that the aunt of our friend taught us. A showor of rain came on and sent us inside, and while there we were shown some pictures through a glass, amongst them being one of the mission station at Tonga. We enjoyed ourselves very much. — Yours truly, Kate Cameron (aged 11). 1 Merton, September 15. Dear Dot, — We have had a hunt club this season. I went to one of the meets, and rode our pony. She 'is a good jumper. My brother rode her several times. The hounds went very fast, aud several people got thrown. When I rode the pony I got thrown off and had my lip cut. Now, Dot, what do you think of my pony ?— Yours truly, AuNOLn (aged 10). Riverton, September 13. Dear Dot, — As so many other little boys and girls have written to you about their pets and amusements, I thought I would tell you about my birthday party. I invited about twenty girls, and all came, and we had fine fun, especially at night, when pa came home to play with us. We played nearly every game that we could think of. I got a good many presents ; some of them were very pretty. The girls did not go home till about 10 o'clock, and their mothers did not know what had become of them. My brother was the only boy amongst us. I think he would feel very lonely among so many girls, don't you? Next time I write to you I hope ifc will be about my pets. — Yours truly, Violet (aged 13). Christchurch, September 13. Dear Dot, — I am in the infant school, and I read out of the Primer book. I am Violet's brother, but she is not holjjtng me. I had a a dog, his name was Mick. I can't write any more ; so, good-bye, Dot. — Yours truly, • ■ AR'muß (aged 7). Dear Dot, — You will be wondering who I am. lam only a little boy living at Wendonside, but I like to read the little boys' and girls' letters in the Witness, and I think they would like me to write one too. I can't read very well yet, but I spell the big words. I have never been to school, for you know we have got no school at Wendonside. Mother has just to teach us at home. Father says we wiU get one by-and-bye. I don't know when that; is, b.ut I would like it soon, for I think it will be grand fun to go to school with a lot of other little boys and girls. Kind love to them all from JOhnnie (aged 7). Wendonside, September 18. Dear Dot, — I have not been to schonl for a long time, because I have whooping cough ; so papa bought me a "Chatterbox," and I have been drawing an elephant. — Yours truly, * Willie (aged 6). Dunedin, September 20. Dear Dot, — My grandmother had a cat, which had a little kitten. One day my little brother and I were at my grandmother's and we saw the kitten ; bo we took it out of its nest, and put it on the floor, and it walked a few steps and then tumbled down. Grandmother gave us the kitten. Mother put a saucer in a corner in the kitchen, and taught it to go to ifc for its food. Ifc followed mother to the beach one day, and got lost. When mother #ot home she found that the kitten was not with her. Three weeks afterwards mother was out for a walk, anil the kitten came running after her, and she picked it up and brought it home. The first thing ifc cjirl was to run to the saucer. It is a wonderful eat now, and it would take too lqnr to tell you any more in, one letter; so I will write another one about it rome other time, if you would like me to. — Yours truly, Ferguson Mack ay (aged 10). Fitzroy, September 9. Dear Dot,— During the last holidays my brother and I wont to Timaru. We went in theWanak*, and had a very rough voyaje, but

were not at all seasick. We left the Dunedin wharf at 7 o'clock. in the evening, and arrived in Timarti at 6 o'clock next maraing. We did not expeot Timaru to be as large as it is, and were quite surprised to see what a number of shopß aad banks there were. The hospital is near the house where we w«*rc staying, and ib is avery pretty stone building, with tall trees all round it. Behind the hospital there is a very pretty park, with trees and flowers all over it. We have a lot of friends in Timaru, and they were all very kind to us. The beach there is a very long one and is covered with pebbles, not sand, like the Dunedin one. Of course you cannot enjoy yourself quite so much as if it were sand. There is no wharf there but a breakwater, aud sometimes in stormy weather the water dashes right over it. On one part of the beach there is the remains of a ship that was wrecked in 1882. lam afraid c £ write any more just now that my letter will be too long, and if you will allow me, I will write next week and tell you all about the parties, picnics, drives, &c. that we were askod to. — Yours truly, — Lilias (aged 12). Fitzroy, September 9. Dkak Dot, — Wo live at Gladstone, near Invercargill, and alongside the road is a puddle hole. My two little brothers go and walk in it day after day uutil fcho mud and water runs out of the tops of their boots, and mother gets so angry with them. We wish we lived somewhere else, where there was no puddle hole. I expeot some day some little children will get drowned. — Yours truly, Laura Moreton (aged 9), September 22. Dear Dot, — I am very fond of a pussy cat. I once had a pussy that I liked very much. It used to jump up on my knee and lick my face. I got it as a present, and when it was brought home it ran out of the basket aud jumped up on my knee and mewed, because it did not know where it was. It used to run up the trees very fast, and often used to catch a lot of the birds and eat them. But it got very ill at last, and we had to have it shot;. I was very sorry about it as it was a pure white cat, and I have not seen another iike it. I have nothing more to tell you about my pussy ; so good-night, Dot, as I have my lessons to learn. — Yours truly, MiNA Pjiaik. Mosgiel, September 21. Dear Dot, — I have had a holiday to-day. I had a mate wit me, and we have had some sport catnhing rabbits with two ferrets. I have passed the Third Standard. We play a game at our school which we like very much. Ix> is called rounders. I got the prize in my class, aud it was a very good one. Ifc is culled "In the King's Name." I hope I shall be able to write a better letter next time. — Yours truly, Archie Ashworth (aged 30). September 22. Dbati Dot, — I am going to tell you a story about my dogs. I have two. Their names are Nero aud Julia. They are very good dogs for rabbits. Julia is not very big, and she goes in tho holes and pulls poor bunny out, and holds it till I take it away from her. Nero is a good dog for carrying. He once caught a wild sucking pig and carried it home. It was the size of a rabbit. He carried it very gently and did not hurt it much. We fed it well, and piggie got so big and fat that father had to kill it. He weighed 1001b. We have got a little calf siuce I wrote my last letter. It is a fat little thing. It runs about like a racehorse, with its tail in the air. — Yours truly, Willie (aged 12). Sepspmber 18. Dear Dot, — I can't write very well, because I got one of my fingers cut off with the chaffcutter ; but I like to read the letters from the little folks. I am going to tell you about our paroquet. His name was Jamie, and he could talk ho well. We all liked him, but one day he became ill and died. He was ten years old. I aj>ked all my friends to the funeral. We put him in a box, and buried him in the garden, aud we planted flowers on his grave. — Yours truly, Little Jbannie (aged 9). Mosgiel, September 20. Deab Dot,— My brother David had a rabbit, but it is dead now. We were all so fond of it that we squeezed it, and that killed it. We have a creek at the foot of our garden l and we can go for a sail sometimes, as we have a boat of our own. At the shooting season a lot of gentlemen generally go up the creek in boats shooting ducks. The duck season is over now, and they will be coming to catch eels. I think " Qlad Heart " a nice story. — Yours truly, Florence (aged 10). Otakou, September 15. Dear Dot, — The story I am going to tell you is ,abou fc my doll. Saturday being a holiday, I undress and wash her clothes, and prepare her for the week following. She is a great amusement to me, as I have no little brothers or sisters to play with. I ought to be thankful to the man who invented dolls. Don't you think so too ? — Yours truly, J.D. (aged 8J). Alexandra, September 20. Dear Dot, — Having reached my second childhood, I thought I must write to you tou. I have been having some good games of marbles lately with the little ones, but I'm not so good at it as I used to be, as my hand shakes ho much. I and my favourite playmate and grandson Tommy have just finished making a beautiful kite — both very excited to fly it the next fine day.. There is no more new<i to Ml you at present ; so I remain yours truly, Willie (aged 90). Invercargill, September 25. P.S. — I've written this all by myself, so please excuse all mistakes. [For Buch an old man, Willie, this is a very good letter indeed, but as my age is at least double your own you will, I am sure, excuso me taking a parental tone. Don't play too much, Willie ;it is not good for you. I am astonished to find you take such a keen interest in amusement at your time of life. Your second childhood seems aggrayatingly merry, and it upsets my feelings to picture you capering about with the little ones while I have to work.— -Your affectionate grandmother, Dot.]

• — " A man never loses anything by politeness." At all ovents, there are some men who never do and never intend to. ItOYiTLANDS' ODONTO is the best, purest . an-! r.obi ti-Kgwuit tooth (louder. All dentists, allow Him ■wither wat.hi.-3 nor pnstesean poss'bly be as efiieneioi,t.>r polishing the teeth and Icwpiug'them sound .111. • .\ Kite nan pure and i.oii-Rrit.ty tooth powder; sue) INwlniiits Odonto lias xlv.ays proved itevlf to b<ROWLANDS' KAJLYaOR is a most cooling, r'mailing and healing wash tor the taee. hands, nml iritis, and contains no rnmctttl nor injurious ingreliionts; it effectually eradicates all freckles, redness iiiflamniation.exzeraa.teii.sunbiirn.aiidrodghneßso' tIH-3 ktn.and produces a beautifully pure and delio.ato' complexiou. Ask anywhere tor Kowlands' article*, ot 20 Jlattou Garden, London, and avoid spurious imitations. Wholesale aud Retail Agents ■.—frump&°i;n^J Prol L w 'JJ l P d Co - -Duruxtln. Auoklawi, arid Ohristohurch j Baitubury SUliidon, * o*,, Dunedla