Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1870-01-01
ANNIE AND wILLrE's PRAYER.
BY MRS. SOPHIA P. Snow.

And each little bosom was hesving with sighs,
For tonight, their stern fathers command had
been given,
That they should retire precisely at seven
Instead Of at eight; for they troubled him more
With questions unhearl of, than ever before;
lie had told them he thought this delusion sin
No such being as santa Claus" ever had been,
And he hoped af(er this. he should ncvcrmore hear
/ How he scrambled down chimneys with presents
each year.
/ And this was the reason the two little heads
20 restlessly tossed on their son, doWny beds.
Eight nine and the clock the steeple tolled ten
Not \ word had been spoken 10y either till then.
when W lle's sad face from the blanket did peep,
And whispered, Dear Annie, i YOU last asleep -
WHY no, brother Willie sweet voice replies,
| "Tve tried all in vain, but can't shut my eyes,
For somehow IL makes me so sorry because
/ Dear papa has said there IS no "SSnia Claus
Now we know that there is. and it cantbe denied
For he came every wear before dear mamma died
But then I've been thinking tbSt she used 70 pray,
/ And God would hear every thing mama would say
And perhaps she asked Him 10 send santa Claus
here,
With the sacks full Of presents he brought every
year
well, why tan't we pray dest as mama d"l then,
And ask Dod TO send him ith presents aden''.
. ..Tve been thinking so too and without worI
more,
ro,,r I.t,lc bare feet bounded out on tho hoor.
And four little knees the sofl carpet pressed
Aud two tiny hands were clasped close to each
breast
"Now Willie Won know we must firmly believe
That the presents weak for were sure 20 receive,
You must wai, just a. still, tiu say the Amen
And 10y that You will know Iha; your turn has
come then"
Dear Jesus. look down on my brother aud me-
And grant us the favoys we're asking Of Thee.
l wan, wax dolly, = iea-sct and ring,
And an ebony work. box that shut- with spring.
Bless papa. lear Jesus, and cause him TO see.
That santa Claus love, Us Ear better than he;
Don't les him get fre;fal and angry again
A. dear brother Willie and Annie, Amen
please pesus ct santa Taus tum down tonight,
And bling Us some pescnts before It Is isht,
want he should dive me nice title sed
With bright ,hinin uuuers and all painted ed;
\ box full OF tandy, a book and toy,
Amen, and then Desus. I'll be = dood boy"
Their prayers being ended they raised mp their
heads,
And with hearts ligh; and cheerful, again sought
their beds,
They were soon losti slumbcr, both peaceful and
deep,
And the fairies in Dreamlaad were roaming in
sleep.
Eight nine and The little French clock had struck
ten,
Ere the father had though: Of his children again
Tie seems now 70 hear Annies half suppressed
sighs,
And to see the biz tears stand in Willie. blue
evcs,
Il was harsh with my darlings' he mentally said
And should not have sen, them 50 early to-bed,
But then Was troubled my feelings found vent
For bank stock to-day, has gone down ten per
cent
But Of course they've forgotten their troubles ere
this,
And tha, denied them the thrice asked for kiss
But jus, "a make sure I'll steal NJ 10 their door
For never spoke harsh to my darljngs before
50 saving. he sollly assembled the stairs
And arrived at the door, 10 hear both of their
prayers;
His Nunie's "blcss papa" drew forth the big tears
And willie's grave promise falls sweet on hi-
ears;
strange. strange Ia forgotten, said he with a
si2h.
How / lonsed when child 10 have Christmas
draw nigh
I'm atone FOR my harshncss - he inwarily said
by ausw ring their prayers ere sleep IN my
bed"
Then ne turned to the stairs and softly went down
Threw OF velvet slippers and SIX dressing gown
Donued hat, coat and boots, and was out IN the
street;
I millionaire facing the cold driving sleet
/ Nor topped he until he had bought everything,
! To the box full OF candy and the tiny gold ring;
/ Indeed. he'd kept adding 80 much TO his store,
| Tbat the various presents outnumbered = score.
I Then homeN ard be turned with his holiday load
And with Aunt Mary's help in the nursery twas
! slowed:
Nj, Dolly was seated beneath pine tree
By the side OF a table spread on; for her tea,
/ 4 work.box well filed, in the center was laid
And IN /; the ring Tor which Annie had prayed,
\ soldier in uniform stood by sled,
.wth bright shining runner, and all painted red :;
There we're balls, dogs and horses, books Pleasin!
10 see,
And birds Of all colors were perChed in the tree,
While santa Claus laughing stood up In the top,
As ii getting ready more presents 10 drop.
And as the fond father the picture surveyed,
He thought fo- his trouble he Il amply been paid
And he sa..1 20 himself a. he brushed of tear,
I'm happier tonight than I've been Tor year
Iy. enjoved more true pleasure than ever before
wha, care If bank stock falls ten per cent. more
Hereafter III make il a rule, believe,
To have santa Clau. visit u each Christmas Eve.
- thinging. he gently eXtinguished the light,
And rrpped down the stairs 70 retire for the night
A. soon as the beams Of the bright morning sun
Put the darkness 10 1isht, and the stars one b
one,
Pour little blue ewes ont Of sleep opened wide,
And n the same moment the presents espied.
Then out OF their beds both sprans with bound
And The very gins pray yed'ior were AL OF thei
found;
They laughed and they cried in then innocent gle'
And shouted for papa" to come quick and see
What presents Old santa Claus brought IN IN
night,
Just the things that they wanted, and len eefor
light;
&" And now, - added Annie, IN voice son anu lO"'
you'll believe there's santa Claus papa,
know
While dear little Willie climbed up on his knee,
determined no secrets between them should be,
And told in son whispers how Annie had said
That their dear, blessed mamma 20 long ago doa'
Used 70 kneel down and pray by the side OF h'
chair,
And that God up in heaven had answered he
prayer
"Then we dot up and prayed dest as well as
tould,
And bod answered our prayers, now wasn't
dOod -
~ .houId say that He was if He sent you all thes
/ -. =, rrb,. r,resents my children woul