St. Nicholas/Volume 40/Number 3/Stray Letter
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BY MRS JOHN T. VAN SANT
I did n’t want a story-book; I did n’t want a doll; I did n’t want a thimble or a satin parasol. I did n’t want a bonnet With a curly feather on it, And everything that Santa brought I did n’t want at all!
I put a letter in the mail, and told him what to bring; I told him not to worry about a bracelet or a ring. I thought I would n’t bother My mother or my father, So wrote direct to Santa Claus, and asked for just one thing.
I said: “Dear Santa, all I need is one small pussy-cat, A little furry puss that I can love and pet and pat.” I wanted just a kitty, And I think it is a pity He brought me all these other things and did n't think of that.
And Father said it was a shame, and he would write the gent A line or two or three or four, and ask him what he meant. He said that Santa ought to Have a lesson, and be taught to Pay a little more attention to the orders that are sent.
And so, to-night I got a note from Mr. Santa Claus Explaining how it happened; and he said it was because He never got the letter. And that little girls had better Have all their mail at Christmas posted by their Pa’s and Ma’s.