Dear Saint Nick, I figure asking you for things ain't blasphemous, considering you was a saint and all (plus Tom says you're up north at some pole, and I don't know how to address a letter to Heaven) For Christmas, I want a Bible for Tom sawyer. Not just any old Bible neither-one that could learn Tom. If there was a version of the Good Book written like that boy's adventure books, I would never have to drag him to church ever again. Secondly, I want a gift for Sid. I don't figure I can get him anything that you would get for a boy, cause he don't ever seem to enjoy what Tom and the kids do. He's a lonesome boy, I can tell; it ain't natural for a child's only friend to be his aunt. I'd like to give Sid a fishing pole for Christmas; no one can tease him for that. And he can fish alone all he wants-seems to be the kind of thing he would like, given that Tom loses interest in it so fast. I'll only ask for one more thing from you, Saint Nick. (if three presents is good enough for Jesus it's good enough for anybody) It may be selfish of me, but I want nothing more than a good old boy to marry Mary. I love Sid and Tom, but Mary's more than my flesh and blood. She is the bestest, kindest girl this side of the Mississippi, and Lord knows she deserves the best husband and the best life a woman could want. I don't expect nothing immediately, sir; but please let my daughter marry a good man. Sincerely, Polly