What Hi Ricketts Says

Say, pa, is they a Santy Claus?

     A reg’lar Santy Claus?

Hi Ricketts told me other day

     They ain’t an’ never was.

Hi says it’s jest a make believe,

     ‘At’s what Hi Rickett says;

An’ says it’s done to make boys good

     All thro’ the holidays.

Say, pa, now how can Santy come

     Down little chimneys. hey?

An’ how, when ain’t no snow at all

     ‘S he goin’ to use a sleigh?

Say, pa, I’ve laid awake at night

     An’ never heard no noise

‘Cept you a-snickerin’ with ma,

     An’ playin’ with my toys.

An' say, pa, how can Santy be

     Everywhere the same night?

An’ say, pa, now jest for fun,

     Ain’t Hiram Ricketts right?

Say, pa I warn’t to know these things,

     I want to know because,

Well, what’s the use in thinkin’ so

     If ain’t no Santy Claus?

August 7, 1900

                                                                  Says

(scratched out working title: ‘Hi Ricketts Makes Trouble’)

                                                                      ^