LETTERS: `TWAS THE NIGHT BEFORE CREDIT-CARD EXPLOSION

To the editor:

'Twas the night before Christmas

When all through the night

My wife thought she'd charge

Almost everything in sight.

The car was all gassed,

All ready to go,

In hopes that the roads

Would be free of snow.

She was dressed all in black

From her head to her toes,

And with (credit) cards in hand

She was ready to go.

On Kmart, on Wal-Mart,

On Venture, on Sears.

I opened my stash

To get out some beers.

Her eyes how they twinkled,

Her cheeks so red

Gave me the feeling

There was much to dread.

And I heard her exclaim

As she drove out of sight:

Kiss the kids for me, Honey.

It will be a long night.

JOHN B. GRAY JR.

Jackson