This episode of Christmas Past discusses Santa Claus, but maybe not in a way that younger listeners could appreciate.

If there are little ones with an earshot, save this for later. Thanks.

Your name is Francis Farsallis Church, and you are the very picture of the no-nonsense

newspaper man of the late 19th century, who sticks just to the facts.

You even have one of those huge 19th century moustaches to complete the look.

It's September 20th of 1897.

You're sitting at your desk in the offices of the New York Sun, where you've been writing

editorials for the last 20 years.

When your boss, managing editor Edward Mitchell, walks in to your office.

Church, here's your next assignment.

You do realize it's the middle of September, don't you, Mr. Mitchell?

On my desk by 3 o'clock. This is for tomorrow's edition.

And you're sure you want me to write this?

Three o'clock, church, and make it good.

Now, what am I supposed to do with this?

What are you supposed to do with this, indeed?

Because surely Mitchell knew you well enough, knew that you were a second-generation journalist,

that your father founded the New York Chronicle, that you were a New York Times correspondent

during the Civil War.

You've seen some things in your time, and at 58 years old, you'd gained a reputation

as having a low tolerance for the frivolous and the sentimental.

No sugar-coding for you.

...