Youth's Companion: "Letter to the Editor", by M. C. Sawyer (1848)

LETTER TO THE EDITOR, by M. C. Sawyer (from the Youth's Companion, December 28, 1848, p. 140)

Bristol, N. H. Dec. 8, 1848.

            FATHER.

Hard here, my children! stop your play!
And hear what "Father," has to say!
The close of year is now in view;
The printer, well has earned his due!
"The Youth's Companion" read to-day,
Must stop, unless you send the pay!

             SON.

Stop my paper!  I've no such fears!
I've read it half a dozen years!
What! stop our little paper now?
Ellen reads it well you know--
'Tis her companion, and mine too;
'Tis never stupid--always new!

           DAUGHTER.

Father! must we pay the printer?
Now, because 'tis coming winter?
Does he want money?  Is he poor?
My money, he can have, I'm sure;
If he will send the paper here,
With easy stories, short and queer!

Here is the argument, Friend Willis; and if my children never find any worse companions than the "Youth's Companion," I will "underwrite" them on the score of good behaviour. Send it another year.

Yours truly,

M. C. SAWYER