Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1871-12-27

The following poem, written by slrs. Sophia p.
Snow, is one of the most exquisitely touching and
beautiful that we have read. 1t cannot fail to
reach the hearts of all who peruse it, besides being
peculiarly appropriate to the holidays:
Twas the eve befSSe Christmas; ''Good night" had
been said,
And annis and VIZ had orspt into bed
And each little boss heavy with zighs-
For tonight their stdEA ther's command had been
given, &#s#
That they should retiresf F1eiseIy at seven.
Instead of eight; for they troubled him moro
With questions unheard of than ever before:
He had told them he thought this delusion sin.
No such being as +" Santa Claus never had been,
And he hoped after this, he should never more hear
How he scrambled down chimHeys with presents
each year.
And this was the reason that two little heads
So restlessly tossed on thei iSx3, tAwny beds.
Eight, nine, and the clock 8 @ple tolled ten;
When Wlllie's sad face from the blanket did peep,
And whispered, Dear Annie, is you fast asleep?"
why, no, brother Willie," sweet voice replies,
" I've tried it in vain, but can't shut my eyes
For, somehow, it makes sorry because
Dear papa has said chere is Santa Claus.
Now we know there is, and it can't be denied,
For he came every year before mamma died
But then, I've been thinking that she used to pray,
And God would hear everything mamma would say,
And perhaps she asked him to send Santa Claus
here,
With the sacks full Of presents he brought every
year"
t'Well, why tant we pay just as mamma did then,
And ask him to send him with presents aden 2"
"I've been thinking so too" And without a word
more
Four little bare feet bounded out on the floor,
And four little knees the soft carpet pressed,
Ana two tiny hands were clasped close to each
breast.
'tNow, Willie you know we must firmly believe
That the presents we ask for we're to receive
You must wait, just STILL till say the 'Amen,'
And by that you will know that your turn has come
then"
'sDear Jesus, look down my brother and me,
And grant us the favor asking of Thee
want dolly, tea set and ring
And an ebony work-box that shuts with spring;
Bless papa, dear Jesus, and cause him 10 see
That Santa Claus loves us far better than he
Don't let him get fretful and angry again
At dear brother Willie and Annie. Amen."
" Please, DeSus, 'et Santa Taus tJIm down tonight
And bring us some presents before it is light,
want he should dive me nice little sed,
With bright, shiny runners, and all painted yed;
A box full of tandy, book and toy,
Amen, and then, Desus, III be good bow
The prayers being ended they raised up their heads
And with hearts light and cheerful again sought
their beds
They were soon lost in slumber both peaceful and
deep,
And with fairies in Dreamland were roaming in
sleep.
Eight, nine and the little French clock had struck
Ere the father had thought of his children again:
He seems now to hear Annies half-suppressed sghs,
And to see the big tears stand in Wie's blue ewes
g was harsh with my darlings," he mentally said
And should not have sent them early to bed,
But then was troubled-my feelings found vent
For bank-stock to-day has gone down ten per can't.
But of course the forgot their troubles ere this
And that 1 denied them the thrice asked-for kiss
But just to make sure, I'll steal up to their door,
For never spoke harsh to my darlings before
So saying, he softly assembled the stairs,
and arrived at the door to hear both of their prayers
His Annie's bless papa" draws forth the big tears
And Wlle's grave promise falls sweet on his ears.
he a
Sigh,
SHOW I longed, when child to have Christmas
draw nigh.
III atone for my harshness, he inwardIy said
''By answering their prayers ere sieeI, in my bed
Then he turned to the stairs and softly went down.
Threw off velvet slippers and silk dressing gown
Donned hat, coat and boots, and out in the
street,
millionaire facing the cold, driving seet.
Nor stopped he until he had bought every thing
From the box full Of candy to the tiny gold ring
Indeed, Ne kept adding so much to his store,
That the various presents outnumbered score
Then homeward he turned with his holiday load,
And with Aunt Mary's aid in the nursery twas
slowed
Miss Dolly was seated beneath pine tree
By the side of a table spread out for her tea
A Work-boX well filled in the centre was laid,
ana on 1t a ring, for which Annie had prayed.
soldier in uniform stood by sled,
With bright shining runners and all painted red y
There were dogs, balls and horses, books pleasing
see,
And birds of all colors were perched in the tree;
AS If getting ready more presents to DROP
And as the fond father the picture SURVEYED.
he thought Tor his trouble he had amply been paid
And he said to himself, as he brushed off tear.
: IN happier tonight than I've been for year
I've enjoyed more true pleasure than ever before
Mha6 care II bank-stock falls ten per cent. more
hereafter LII make it a rule, [ believe.
To have Santa Claus visit us each Christmas Eve
So thinking, he gently extingushed the light
And trpped down the stairs to retire for the night
As soon as the beams of the bright morning sun
Put the darkness to flight, and the stars one by one
-FOUR little blue eyes out of sleep opened wide
ana at the same moment the presents espied
Then out of their beds they sprang with a bound
And the very gifts prayed for were all of them fosnd
Ihey laughed and they cried in their innocent glee
ana shouted for papa" to come quick and SEQ
What presents old Santa Claus brought in the night
Just the things that they wanted) and left before
light.
. And now," added AnRie in voice soft and low.
Iou4 believe there's Santa Claus, papa, know -
While dear little Willie climbed ND on his knee
Determined no secret between them should be
And told, IN soft whispers, how Annie had said
Ihat their dear. blessed mamma, long ago dead
Used to kneel down and pray by the side of her
CHAIR
And that God up heaven had answered her praverr
" Den we dot up and payed dust as well as we tould
ana Dod answered our prayers, now wasn't He
g should say that He was, if He sent you all these
And Knew just what presents my children would
please.
Wen, well, let him think so, the dear little elf
Twould be cruel to tell him I did it myself ~
Blind father who caused your stern heart to reent9
And the hasty word spoken so soon to repept9
Twas the Being who bade you steal softly up stairs
And made you his agent to answer their prayers