The Manchester Journal

"Dear Santa Claus," wrote
little Will, in letters truly
shocking. I've been a good
boy, so please fill heaping
up this stocking. I want
a drum to make pa sick
and drive my mamma cra-
zy, I want a doggie I can
kick, so he will not get
lazy. I want a powder
gun to shoot right at my
sister Annie, and a
trumpet I can toot just
awful loud at granny. I
want a dreadful big false
face to scare into fits our
baby. I want a pony I
can race 'round the par-
lor, maybe. I want lit-
tle hatchet, too, so I can
do some chopping upon
our grand piano new
when mamma goes
shopping. I want a nice
hard rubber ball to
smash all into flinders
the great big mirror
in the hall, and lots
and lots of windows.
And candy that'll
make me sick so
ma all night will
hold me and
make pa get the
doctor quick and
never try to scold me
And, Santa Claus, if pa
says I'm naughty, it's a story
Just say if he whips me
I'll die and go to king-
dom glory; and then I
guess he'll be
sorry."