The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1871-12-23

WILLIE AND ANNIE,s PRAYER.

WILLIE AND ANNIE's PRAYER.
The following poem written by Mrs. SOPHIA
p. SNOW is one of the most exquisitely touch
ing and beautiful, says the Pittsburgh Post, we
have ever read. 1t cannot fail to reach the
hearts of all who peruse it, besides being pecu-
liarly appropriate to the holidays;
Twas the eve before Christmas; "Good night"
And Annie ahd Willie had crept into bed
There We're tears on theft pillows; and tears I'll
And each little bosom was heavy with sighs;
For tonight their stern fathers command had
That they Should retire precisely at seven
Wtb 9uesto es 6ar IF Rah ever bef6fg
He had told thettl he thought this aelusion sin; sin;
And he hoped after this he should never more
hear
How he scrambled down chimneys with pre-
And this was the reason that two little heads
So restlessly tossed on their soft downy beds.
Eight, nine, and the clock on the steeple tolled
Not a word had been spoken by either till then
When willie's sad faGe from the blanket did
And whispered Dear Annie, is yott fast asleep?'
why, no, brother Willie a sweet voice replies.
I've tried it in vain. but l can't shut my eyes
For, somehow 1t makes ak me SO sorry sorry because
Now we know there is, and it can't be denied;
For he came ev,ry year before MAJ mamma ana died
But, then, I've been thinking that she used to
And God would hear everythln mamma would
And perhaps she asked him to send Santa Claus
With the sacks fun of presents he brought
every year $50 q,
Well why tilnt We pay dest as mamma did thef,;
And ask Him to send him With presents aden?'
I've been thinking so, too, and Without word
Four little bare feet bounded out on the foor,
And four little knees the soft carpet pressed,
And two tiny hands were pressed close to each
Now; Willie y6u know we must firmly beIieve
That the presents we ask for we're sure to re-
You must wait just as still till say amen,
And by that you will know that your turn has
Dear Jesus, look down on my brother ana me,
/ want a wax dolly, a tsa-set ana ring,
And an ebony work-box that shuts with spring
That Santa Claus I6ve8 Us better than he;
Don't let him get fretful and angry again
Peas Desus ct Santa Taus tum down to-night
ARA bring as some presents before it is 'ight;
With bright shiny runners, and all PAINTED we'd:
a box fun of tandy, a book apy toy,
Their prayers being ended, they raised up their
And with hearts liz hit and cheerful again sought
They we're sSpn' lost in slumber, both peaceful
and deep,
And vs. Ia fairies in dreamland were roaming in
| Eight, nine, and the little French clock had
! Ere the father had thought of his children again;
| He seems now to hear Annies half suppressed
And to see the big tears stand In Willies biue
| Twas harsh with my darlings,' he mentally said,
| And should not have sent them so early 70 bed;
| But theh | troubled-my feelings found
| For bank-stock to-day has gone down ten per
But of course they forget their troubles ere this,
And then 1 denied them the thrice asked for
But lust TO make SIRE TIL steal up TO their door,
For l never spoke, harsh to my darlngs before
! So saying he softly ascended the stairs, go.
And, arriving at the door, heard both of their
His AnGh76's bless papa draws forth the Big
And WiIlie's grave promise falls sweet on his
'stfangei strange I'd forgotten then, said 9i he
How 'fo ionsed ed When child to have thrstmas
| I'll atone for my harshness,' he inwardly said;
BY answering their prayers ere sleep IN my
Then he turned to the stairs and softly went
Threw or velvet slippers and silk dressing gown
! Dbnhed hat, coat and boots, and was out in the
A millionaire facing the cold driving sleet,
| Nor stopped he until he had bought everything,
From te boXfb Or candy I'd to the m tiny ny g3ld rn
That the various presents outnumbered score;
Then h3mewEd he ngng9 Tthh I'M his holiday Load
slowed.
Miss Dolly was seated beneath pine tree
BY the side of a table spread out for a tea.
| 4 work-bOX well filled iii the centre was laid,
And on lit ring for which hngfe an ,aa had prayed
| With Bright shining runners and all painted red;
! There were balls, dogs anu horses, DOCKS pleas
And birds OF all colors were perched in a tree
! While Santa Claus laughing stood up in the top.
| As if getting ready more presents to drop.
| And us the fond father the picture surveyed,
He thought for his trouble he had amply been
And he ' said to himSsif as he brushed OF tear,
I've enjoyed more true pleasure than eyer be-
! fore, Itmore
| What care 1 if bank-stocks fall ten per cent.
Hereafter I'll make it rule, believe,
| To haveSanta Claus visit es IN Christmas eve.
And trfbpesd down stairs to fa ire for the hight.
| As soon as the beams of the bright morning sun
Put the darkness to flight and the stars one by
-Four little blue eyes out Of. sleep opened wide,
| And at the same moment the presents espfed,
Then out of their beds they sprang with bound
And the very gifts prayed for were all of them
They laughed and they cried in their innocent
| Ana shouted for papa to come quick and see
What presents old Santa Claus brought In n & the
night, lfore light.
And now added Annie in voice soft and low;
You'll believe there's Santa Claus papa' L
While dear little While climbed pp on his Knee,
| Determined no secret between tnem should be;
And told in soft how annie Ia had a6d ssid
! Used to kneel down and pray by the size OF her
And that 6 cd up in Heaven had answered her
Then we dot up and payed dust as well as We
I should say that he was if he Sent You aff these
And knew just what presents my children
would please,
well, well, let him think So the dear little elf,
'Twould be cruel to tell him did it myself,o
| Blind fatherl who caused your stern heart to
relent? . &.
And the hasty word spoken so soon to repent ?
Twas the Being who bade you steal softly up
stairs, Iprayers.
And made you His agent to answer their
HERE is an item for the curious to ponder
over, whish is furnished by brother editor,
who says: A man and girl were married.