Ellen Manly

“ But when she heard the dreadful news
she let the feapot fall.
And for her Sunday cap and gown
impatiently did call.
“Quick yet my steeple hat," quoth she, “my newest high heeled shoes,
And bring my gander to the door; there is no time to loses
I must away to Santa Claus before the set of sun,
To tell him this alarming tale and see what can be done!” ”

“ When you feel so brisk and lively you know it can ’t be true!
Oh, dear! I wish that some one would make me something new,
And fix me up a little, so nobody would say
A Christmas doll was needed for dearest little May!
So if you meet with Santa, do tell him, please, for me,
That I and little mother are as happy as can be;
That I ’m just as good to play with as any doll you know,
And not a minute older than I was a year ago;
Tell him not to bring a dolly, whatever he may do,
For whoever says we want one, I say it is n ’t true! ”

“ Good Santa Claus was overjoyed is dear old friend to see,
And treated her to cake and nuts from off a Christmas tree.
Just what was said on either side I can’t exactly tell,
As nobody was near enough to heat it very well. ”