Bennington semi-weekly banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 1894-1902, 1894-12-21
Some chiIdren's Letters.

We print the following letters as good
examples of practical compositions by
children seven or eight years old, who
have been in school, on the average,
about two and half years. 1t is seldom
that children of that age can do anything
in the way of correct composition. In
all the past the matter of speaking and
writing were never expected until late in
school life. In our Graded Schools it
now begins when the child enters, and
these letters show that children may be
taught to express themselves with force
and elegance at an early age.
In this case the children were given
twenty minutes in which to write what
they pleased about Christmas, either to
Santa Claus or to their teacher. The
letters are printed from the children's
bands without the least correction or
change. The date and the closing is a
form required for all such letters. The
body of the letter is each chid's thought
and expression without suggestion or
aid, save where information was asked
as to the spelling of WORD. For Oyigi-
Dality and for correct and expressive
English they tell great deal in regard
to practical composition for young child
rem when well taught.
Bennington, Vt. 10Th Dec, 1894.
Dear Santa Claus,-I hope you will
bring me dolls head, and pair Of
shoes for me, will you? Just what l
want | can't have, can i? If | can.
want you to put some candy in my stock
ing; | will hang up my stocking all ready
for you; | want some over shoes, but
suppose that | can't have them.
1 hope Mr. Davis will get Christmas
tree, Your loving
MARY WALBRIDGE.
Bennington, vt. 18th Dec.. 1894
Dear Santa Claus love you very
much, l hope you are well.
Are you going to bring me doll and
a Christmas tree? hope you will make
a nice Christmas present for Mr.. Davis
and his wife, and his little girl, and for
Miss White, and every body. | hope
you will have a nice Christmas.
| want to spend Christmas down in
West Troy with Grandma and Grandpa
and my cousin.
like my teacher. She is kind to me.
Your loving
GEORGIANA AUSTIN.
Bennington, vt. 18th Dec, 1894.
Dear Miss White,-l hope you are
well. l think Christmas | will have
three dolls and some skates and six nice
books, box of nice paper and a ring.
Fanny is going to give me something, |
don't know what it is. Mother is going
to give me great big baby doll. Christ
mas is coming in two weeks and two
days.
j think Santa Claus is a pretty good
old man. | think MIR. Davis is very nice,
he is so good to me.
school will be out Christmas. l like
to write letters. am going to write a
letter to Mr. Davis sometime.
had a nice spelling, book and num-
Der book. am tired and | want to go
home. Your lovil g
DOROTHY NORTON.
Bennington, Vt. 18th Dec, 1894.
Dear Santa Claus,-I want sled bet
ter than mine, and | want Christmas
tree 700, and want it full OF candy so l
can have lot. | want book too, but l
don't want it with the A. b. G. in it for
] have five books with the A. b. c. in
now. | would just as soon you would
bring me a sled like my brothers. so l
could race with him, and if | beat him
he will want to trade, but won't do it
for if | did he would say he had the best
sled and | don't want him To.
Your loving, LORENZO MOORE.
Bennington, VT 18th Dec, 1894.
Dear Santa CIaus,-I thought would