???!!!@@@###$$$%%%&&&****"The Last and Lonely Christmas Tree"****&&&%%%$$$###@@@!!!
************************************By Ricky 1024******************************************
{Written on October 23rd, 2015 at 1:22 AM. EST.}
"It was a 'Not To Be Christmas Tree in 1902...
"No 'Once Upon a Time'.
"Nor and shiny bells hanging...
"Upon a vine...
"And yes....
"The year was 1902 and Saint Nicholas was going to be...
"Very, very, late...
...
"Dad?"
"Can we go shopping for a "Christmas Tree?"
"You know, for Mom, Katie you and me?"
"No son, we have no means...
"And I am so sorry for we can not afford a tree or to be jolly...
"Sorry...
...
"Well dad, perhaps there is a tree a 'Wooded Tree' for you and mom...
"Katie and me...
"For free?"
"No son, forget about Christmas and Saint Nicholas...
"Christmas is a time for happy people...
"Not for those whom struggle so hard....
'Like us...
...
"Knock!"
"Robert Goodman opens the old, wooden, door as it creaks with anticipation...
"Mr. Goodman...
"Are you here?"
"Robert Goodman slowly opens the door as it creaks with anticipation...
{It is the Banker Mr. Jones}
"Mr. Goodman, I presume?" He asks.
"Yes, can I help you?"
"Well, you are now three payments behind on your mortgage in this...
"Ah...
...
"Fine house of yours you have here Goodman...
"Sorry, I have no job means, no food {let alone} to feed me or my family...
"Let alone to pay you kind sir...
"Or even for a "Christmas Tree' as you can see."
"Well Goodman, you have thirty days and not a second more...
"Intel sir?'"
"Until?"
"Until Goodman {making fun of him}
"Until I repossess this chump!"
'You are three months of payments behind to this fine banking institution here in Center City Philadelphia!"
"And you owe $46.14 and that includes not the past interest or {let alone} future interest payments!"
"I suggest hast you guy your lazy ass out there in the cold and fine employment!"
Goodman!"
"Good day and have a fine Christmas Holiday...
"Slam!"
...
"Might as well be a hundred Ricky...
"Please do not tell your mom as she has suffered so from her two, recent, heart-attacks...
"And Ricky, unless a miracle happens soon...
"It's goanna be a nasty Christmas and Winter here at...
"The Goodman Residence..
...
"After a dinner of "Mud Stew' or anything that Robert can beg, borrow, or steal....
"little Ricky lays down his sweet head...
"And he prays for a little Hope...
"Perhaps a small miracle...
"A miracle, or to hang from a rope...
...
"Robert goes back to Center City Philadelphia and knocks on doors but with little skills or an education...
"A broken, right leg...
"His clothes turned, holed...
"His shoes holed and cracked...
"His feet painful for he has lost all hope and dreams for the future...
{Let alone Faith}
....
"Little Ricky goes to bed prays and dreams...
"Not for himself...
'But his sick and poor...
"Family and [as he write a letter} this is what He has to say..
...
"I write this letter to You God to help so please help my dad Robert find a job before...
"And Dear Lord I write these words out of desperation to You that...
"All that matters is not for me but for my family."
'Write a letter to Santa Clause{Saint Nicholas} and your wish will come true if you are 'Pure of Heart" Ricky...
...
"So, Little Ricky writes the letter that God told him in his dream and gets on his old and broken bicycle and heads to downtown Center City Philadelphia, in hope of a miracle...
"He then goes to the Post Office and mails it out [without a stamp} and it is address to Saint Nicolas {or Santa Claus} at the North Pole."
"Later that day...
"The Post Master [Mr. Franks} notices a letter written to Santa with out a stamp...
...
"Look Mark, this is the first time I have ever received a letter without a one-cent stamp?"
"I read it and it was a poignant peel for this 'Ricky's family.'
"It stated that his name matters not that he is concerned for his mothers health sand his dad who tries to find a job...
"He says that he does not want a Christmas Tree with presents for he...
"But for his family?'
"With tears,
"Ricky...
...
"The next day, a miracle happens The Post Master had {noticing previously} that a letter without a stamp would need a 'Special reply!'
"And he takes the letter to the ' Philadelphia Gazette' and a front page article is posted...
"The day is December 22, 1901.'
"It states "WHERE IS RICKY?"
...
'People read the paper that morning and touched...
"Two fund raisers are started for "The Little-Ricky Fund.'
"At first, only nickels, and pennies come in but later it's quarters to dollars!'
"Soon there is over $300.00 dollars raised...
"The post Master is delighted realizing that this was more money that even he makes in a year!"
'But where is Little-Ricky?"
"The next day...
...
Ricky leaves the house and sets off on foot {his bike was shot] and goes to the Post office in hope of a reply...
'Sir?"
'Who do I speak to...
"My name is Ricky Goodman and I am hoping Santa got my letter and wants to help my family."
"With a dirty face of soot and...
"A BIG AND CHERRY SMILE...
"Blazing and...
"CONCERNED EYES OF BLUE...
"The man tells him to wait...
...
"The Post Master asks the child if he is 'Little Ricky' and sent out a letter to Santa Claus without a stamp."
"Yes sir...
"Did He not reply?"
'Tears streaming down his cold and chilly face...
"The post master brings Ricky the letter and asks him if it was him."
'Yes sir..
"Where have you been Ricky?"
"All of Philadelphia has been hoping and praying that you would...
"Never the less time is wasting and we have shopping to do!"
'The day was December 24th 1901...
"Christmas Eve!"
...
"Knock,,...
"Is this the Goodman residence the postmaster asks with a smug on his happy face!"
"Yes..
"Oh..
"You found my son Ricky...
"He has been gone all morning...
"I thought he was kidnapped!"
...
"What do you have there Ricky?" Dad asks.
"It's gifts from Santa!"
"He sent them to the post office by accident daddy!"
"And the postmaster told me that he has he best gift of all for you daddy!"
"Yes, Mr. Goodman I hearer you desperately need a job?"
"Yes I do we are about to...
"Enough of that!"
The End.