Mr. William Shay lived in Newport, a town on Sebasticook Lake in Penobscot County of southeast Maine.
Founded in 1808 a center of agriculture, Newport developed grist mills and saw mills, and became a home for harness makers, blacksmiths, and a fine carriage-maker.
In the early 20th century, the town was connected to the Maine Central Railroad and boasted slate and marble works, a large woolen mill, and the Borden Condensed Milk Company.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Newport,_Maine
It appears that William was boarding in a private home, as the postcard was addressed “c/o Mrs. Ellis”.
In December of 1922, William received a Christmas postcard from Herman Pollard.
Herman mailed the postcard from a place in Maine, I believe it is Hartland, although the postmark is so indistinct that this may be mistaken.
Hartland is a small town in Somerset County, about 13 miles northwest of Newport.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hartland,_Maine
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The face of the postcard is a charming drawing of a child embracing a Christmas stocking that appears to be stuffed with toys.
The head of a doll and the end of a horn emerge from the top of the stocking.
Sitting before a fireplace, the child is surrounded by other gifts of a drum, a horse on wheels, an ark, and a ball.
Beneath the scene, a printed legend reads, “May Santa bring you Christmas Joys”.
From the array of gifts, one might confuse “joys” with “toys”.
The spare drawing reflects the changes in postcard art in the post-War years.
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On the reverse, Herman has inscribed only his name.
The postcard was preserved in very good condition.
One hopes that William and Herman maintained a long postcard correspondence and that they (and all their family and friends) enjoyed a wonderful Christmas.
