[Lydia] Maria [Child] ALS to Anna Loring, December 26, 1843

New York Dec. 26'th.

Dear Anna,

I send you a necklace
of satin spar, as a slight love token
for the New Year. I hope you will
like it. I remember when I was of
your age, I had a great passion for
necklaces.

I had a very happy Christmas, and
I will tell you how it happened.
The watchmen picked up a little vag-
-abond in the street, who said he had
neither father nor mother, and had
lost his way. He said his mother used
to get drunk and sleep in the streets;
but that he has not seen her for
five years. They put him in the tombs,