Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1888-12-22
WRITING no SANTA CLAUS.
What Some Children Wanted to Rece1y
on Christmas Morning.

The question Of what presents to give on
Christmas to ones relatives and friends has
bothered many people during the past week.
Though the stores are filed with articles both
useful and ornamental, II u difficult to make .
selection, to determine exactly what viii suit
the taste or disposition Of the person for whom
Il 10 intended.
II have been in dozen stores to-day" said .
lady to srAR reporter yesterday, land have
not yet decided what to get for some Of my
children. The older ones I can take care Of
very well, but have some young people who
are extremely difficult to please"
why don't You adopt my plan?" said another
lady, who had come up while the frst was
speaking. 81 tell my children to write letter
would like him to bring. ! select from the ar
ticles named such as think most suitable and
a. come within the limits Of the amount OF
money can afford to spend. Some OF the let
tiers are very funny" she added, turning TO
house win show them 10 you"
A call was made, and the letters were pro-
duced. II appeared that the youngsters had
not been at all backward in making known
their requests. One boy, about fourteen years
old: had asked for things which would have
~ figured up to him what it would cost to
give him everything he had placed on his list,
said the mother. "and then told him that =
the others had asked for as expensive articles
it would make big hole in $500 bill. He
hadn't thought Of that, and he knew his father
couldn't afford to spend 80 much money, SO
he said he would be willing to do without some
OF the things until his next birthday. You
will notice." she added, 'that In all the letters
there are requests for wearing apparel. That
is because have always given them something
m ofrvnoo vuo11 Tow md
tionery."
LETTERS TO SANTA.
The first letter that was handed the reporter
was from young miss Of six years. How long
it had taken her to concoct it is not known.
assistance from her older sisters and brothers.
Here is her list: "A dress, pair OF shoes, some
stockings, an apron, some ribbon for my hair.
book, toys, games. prayer-beads, set OF pink
dishes that saw down town, a cupboard to put
the dishes in, some hsndkerchiefs, some jew
elry, hobby horse, doll that is in the Boston
store window in private box, some allies,
stocking full Of candy and goodies, and any
thing else you think would like to have, dear
Santa Claus"
That's quite an extensive list for a young
lady OF her tender years, don't you think so9"
asked the mother.
The STAR man thought it was and that
marriage would be o failure so far as he was
concerned, if he should ever have to provide
for children to that extent
BOYS WANTS.
The next test was that Of boy eleven years
old. and it was as extensive and more expen-
sive than his little sisters. He probably
thought that as he was older he was entitled to
have more money spent upon him. He wanted:
"A new hat, some stockings. suit Of clothes,
some handkerchiefs, a necktie, a watch aud
chain, book called The Worlds Explorers
100 allies. some shirts. pair Of slippers, pair
OF garters, an air rifle, a book called Sports
and Pastimes of American Boys the messenger
game, silk handkerchief, a desk and black
gard to candy, nuts, and sweet things, and, as
If to show that he is worthy of the cOnsidera-
ton of Santa Claus, the young man signed him
self ''your good boy"
"You will notice." said the mother, ''that
there is no arrangement or classification Of the
articles which the children ask for. They
seem to have written them down just as they
thought Of them. This next is from my twelve
year-Old daughter"
Her requests were: "A dress, white tie,
silk tie, a set of prayer beads, kid gloves, silk
mittens. some games and toys, 12 handkerchiefs,
stockings, box Of paper, jewelry, aprons
(fine and full of lace), night gowns some NIB
bon, cologne, worsted-white and other colors-
penknife, set Of furs. a Harrison bandana.'
Then follows the usual request for candy.
THIS ONE WANTS THE EARTH.
~ think this boys list surpasses anything I
have ever experienced" said the mot M. az
she handed the reporter the letter her four
teen-year-old son, who wanted the following:
"A new hat, q suit Of clothes, q pair of boots.
detective camera, az e.coat with a cape to
it. some neckties, pair of kid gloves, pair
OF garters, pair 81 mits, pair Of those long
SHOES, some underwear pair of cuff buttons,
my watch Eted, gold watch chain a steam
engine xnn air rifle, some cuffs and collars,
g(he of base ball, book called Sports and
>fastimes Of American Boys one called The
Sketch Book by Washington Irving; pair of
ice skates, pair of roller skates, an American
bandana, q box Of pastels, q pair Of boxing
gloves, pair of Indian clubs, afifty-cent chisel
y inch: a ffty-cent mouth-organ a jackknife,
good steel, for whiting. a drum, two bracket
saws pony, and anything you can get out Of
the store for money"
"Have your children always been 80 expens-
i've in their requests?" asked the reporter
ooh, no. They are older this year and con-
sequently want more"
'Are they greatly disappointed when they
fail to receive all they asked for?"
mo, they know that they won't get every
thing. and when Christmas morning arrives
and they find some of the things which they
requested they are satisfied that some attention
has been paid to their wishes have found
the plan to work very well and / have followed
it for many years. Sometimes it is difficult to
decipher the bad spelling and imperfect chirog-
raphy of the little ones, but il gives me direc-
ton in which to spend my money for them, and
they take great deal of genuine pleasure in
preparing their Christmas letters"