Marshall County Republican. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1856-1878, 1871-05-18
2oftry.
CHRISTMAS EVE.
BY MRS. SOPHIA p. Snow.


Twas the evs before Christmas; "Good-nish
had been said. t-t-
And Annie and Willie had crept into bed;
There were tears their pillows, and tears u
their eyes.
And each little bosom was heavy with sighs-
For to- night their stera fathers commands had
been given,
That they should retire precisely at seven,
Instead Of eight for they troubled him
With questions unheSrd Of than ever before;
He had tola them he thought this delusion sin,
No such being as :" Santa Claus - ever had been.
And he hoped, after this, he should nevermort
/ each year.
And this was the reason why two little heads
So restiessly tossed on their soft. downy beds.
Eight nine and the clock on the steeple tol lied ten
Not word had been spoken by either tin then.
When wiIlies sad fAce fro@ the bi.sket did peep.
And whispered. " Dear Annie, 10 You fast ssleepf
"why. no, brother wiiie," sweet voce replies.
I've tried IL in vain, bur can't shut my eyes;
For. somehow. u makes rne 60 sorry Jecsuse
Dear papa has said there is no Santa Claus
Now. know there is, and 1t esny be denied,
For he came every year before nsnms died;
But, the. I've been thinking that she ussd to pray
And God would hear everything mamma would say
And perhaps abe asked him to send Santa Claus
With the sacks full of presents he brcugh, every
year"
Well. why tan't we ps,y dest as mamma did then.
L. H..
ave been thiskin, 50, too" And without
wvrd more
-Four little bare fee BOUNDED out On the floor,
And four little kns the soft carpet pressed,
And two tiny hands we're ciasped close to eaci
breast.
- Now. wiiI.c. You know mu-t firmly believe
That the presents ask for we're to receive
You mus wait just still fill say the Amen
And by that you will know that your turn ha,
come them
" Dear Jesus, lock down on my brother and me,
And grant US tn. favor asking Of Thee:
want wax doll, t.a-set spd ring.
And an ebony wo,k-bo that shuts with h spring.
Bi--s papa, dear Jesus. and cause him to see
Ths, Santa Cla loves US far better than he,
Don't let him get frctful and angry again
"
please, D-sus ct Santa Taus tum down to night,
And bring -nrn~ presents before It IS light.
want he sould dive me nice little sed.
With bright shinir' yunners and all painted yed I;
box full Of tandy. a book and q toy.
Amen. and then. De-us. I'll te a docd hoy"
Their prayers bein ended, they raised up theil
heads,
And with heart, light and cheerful. again sought
their beds:
They ~sr~ -oon lost In siurnb-r, both prsc-fti
and deep.
And with fairies in Drran,land were roaming In
sleep.
Eight. nine aud the little French clock hst
srrck s-n.
Ere tho fath~r had thought cf his children again
He seems how 10 hear Annies halfsuppressrt
sigh-.
And 20 the big tear. stand in wilie's blue eyes
~ was harsh with my darlings," he mentally said,
And should not have sent them o early io bed
But then Was troubled-my feelings fosnd vent.
For hank stock to- day has gone down ten Isr cent
But If course they've forgot their troubles this
Aud that denied them the thrico-a-ked for kiss.
For i never spoke harsh to my dariings before
80 saying. bs eoitly astru1ro TIC staifss
And arrived ., the door to hnar both Of iheiI
prayers;
His Annie. -. bless r.r." draws forth the bis
tears,
And wiIlie'- grave pr Mise flli- his ears
=. Strange. strange I'd orgotten," said he with
sigh,
" How I Ionged. when g chi.s. 20 have Christina
draw nigh.
I'll atone for my bsrshness,' he inwsrdly said,
by answering their prayers sleep in my bod.
Then he tarned 10 the stairs and softly wen; down
Threw of vclve, slippers ane silk dressing gown
Donned hat coat and boots, AMI out in tn
street.
A siiiiIrna irv fsc ing tho cold driving slsst
Nor stopped he uns:i he had bought everything.
FROM ihs hox fpll Of candy 70 the tiny gold ring
Indeed, he tept adding much to HE store,
That the various presents outnumbcred rcorc.
Then homeward be turned with his holiday load.
And with Aunt Marys help in the nurscry 't~s
slowed;
Miss Doll, was seated ienesth pin" tree,
Ry the side Of q tsbI- spread out for her tea:
work box wei: filed in laid. r.
nd on il ring ioa which Anrie had prayed.
A soldier n unifcr stood by sled.
with bright shirin, and all painted red.
There were balls, dogs and horses, books pleasing
tosre,
And birds Of all rciors r-rch-e in the
While Santa Cl~us. laughing. stood up in the Top
Az rif getting sdy more presents TO drop.
Aud a the fond father the picture surveyed.
He thought for his trouble he had amply been paid
And he said 10 himself as he brushed IN a tear
's I'm ha ppier o-night than I've been for n year.
I've enjoyed more true pleasure thar ever before.
What care I II hank stock falls ten per cent more
Hereafter I'll make il a rule, believe,
| To have Santa Claus visit each Christmas eve.
SO thinking, he gently extin gtished the light
And tripped down the rtairs retire for the nigh
As soon as the leans Of the bright morning
Put the darkness in nj ght. and the starr one by
| Four little blue eyes out Of sleep opened wide,
And at the rsme moment the presents espiso.
Then out of their beds they sprang with bound,
Aud the verr gins prayed for all Of them fcun,
They l,nghed aud they cried Ia their innocent gle
And shouted for papa" TO come quick and see
What presents old Santa Claus brought in I'll
ni.ht,
Just the things that th,y wantsd,) and len befor
light.
sAnd now," added Anair. IN voice eof, and Tow
"You1l bsliere there's santa Claus. papa. i know;
while dear little Willie climbed up on his knee
Determined no secret between them should be-:
Aud told In soA whisper. how Annie had said
That their dear, ssed nanmA, so long ago dead
Csed to kneef fdo~n and pray by the side Of bs
clair.
And that God up In heaven had answered b.
{" Then ws dot mp and prayed dest well y
tould,
And Dod answered our prayers. now wasn't
| dood1"
az should say that he uas, II he sent you all thes
And knew just what presents my children woul
please.
well. well, let him think go, the dear little elf
'Twould be cruel to tell hi m did 1t myseiLD
Blind father, who caused -oar stern heart 90 relen
And the hasty word spoken 30 soon 70 rspsnta
Twas the Being who bad you steal soffIy upst air
And mace you his agent to. answer their prayers
Newcastle, Pa, has had q murder tri-
resulting in verdict of second degre
The degree viii! be conferred. on the Cal
! didate. VIM. Barnarle, next Saturday.