E-text prepared by Juliet Sutherland, Tamiko I. Camacho,
and Project Gutenberg Distributed Proofreaders
A young New-Yorker of twelve lately heard an appeal for theFatherless Children of France, and his heart was touched. He had nomoney, but he resolved to give his spare time and his utmost energyto support a "kid in France." The French child needed ten centsworth of extra food each day, in order to grow up with strength andcourage. The little American godfather earned those ten cents; hesold newspapers at the subway entrance, after school hours, andundertook an amazing variety of more or less lucrative odd jobs.Sometimes business was slow, and it was hard to keep up the game;but he did. He is still, in the true American expression "makinggood" for his deer godchild, and doing it with a broad andbrotherly grin. He is James P. Jackson Jr. His letters to and fromthe kid in France are published just for fun—and yet in thehope of encouraging more "dear benefactors" to join our largefamily and help along, in the same spirit and with the samejoy.
EDITH SERRELL.
Greenville Falls,
November 27, 1916.
Deer miss Secretary
How are you? It is al-rite about the french orfan and I woodlike a boy between ten and twelve if it is the same to you. At fustdad sed I coodnt have him because there was plenty of richgodfathers who wood take him if I didn't, but mother told him ofthe apeel you made and that I was goin to raze the money myself,and he sed well I guess you are rite and if he can raze enuf moneyto raze a kid on he is well come to it, and she sed I guess that isthe rite spirit. And so I am sending you 85cts. which is 70cts, ferthe fust weak, and you can keep the change which is 15cts, fer thenext weak, so I will only send 55cts, fer the fust weak after that.The 85cts. is my birthday money which was on thanksgiving day and Iguess the folks will be glad to give me work when they no I amsuporting a kid in france.
Hoping you are well and I am the same I will, close.
Yours truly,
James Prendergast Jackson Jr.
P.S. I shood like his name to be Bill or Pete in french and notone of those girly names if it is the same to you.
To Mr. James Prendergast Jackson Jr.
Dear Sir:
According to your instructions, we have assigned to youAndré Leblanc, aged 11, No. 18 rue d'Autancourt, Paris, asyour godchild for one year. Thanking you for your interest in thisworthy cause, we beg to remain
Very truly yours,
The Junior Committee for the Fatherless Children of France.
Greenville Falls, N.Y.
Dec, 1st, 1916.
Deer godchild
How are you? I am very well and I have ganed 5 Ibs. in one weakwhich makes me 85 Ibs. which is thot very good in America. Have youhad much snow? We have had it considerable hear which has spoyltthe skating on Frost Lake which is beehind old Sam Bursars housewho is our naybor. I am glad you have a short name, I had ruther becald André than Nickulus, Cristuff or Jean-Marie, but I woodruther you were cald Bill or Pete or Sniper, but you cant helpbeing what they call you so never mind. I suported you this weak