Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1871-12-29
Annie and Willia,s Praxar.

led assembly OF young aud old at the NJ. 81
Church on Tuesday evening, who were gathere d
there 10 accept the fruits from the Christmas
Tree that had bluomcd under the auspices Of
the agents Of Santa Claus. II did mot fail to
touch the tsnderest cords IN tho hearts'oof those
present:l
Twas the eve before Christmas, "Good night
had been said,
And Annie and Willie had crept into bed
There were tears on their pillows, aud tears in
their eyes,
And each little bosom was heavy with sighs-
For tonight their stern fathers command had
been given,
That they should retire precisely at seven,
Instead Of eight for they troubled him more
With qusetions unheard Of than ever before;
He lad told them he thought this dslusion .
sin,
No such being as Santa clsus" ever had
been.
Aud be hored, after this, he should never more
hear
How he scrambled down chimneys with pres-
ents each year.
And this was the reason that two little heads
So restlessly tossed ON their soft downy beds.
Eight, niuo, an6 the clock on the stcople tOlled
ten;
Not a word had been spoken by either till then,
When WilIie's sad face from the blanket did
peep,
And whispered, Dear Annie, is you fast
"wby, no. brother wElio,"s swee. voice re-
plies.
"I've tried IL in VAN, but | cant shut my
eyes
For s"m4how, it makes ms sorry because
Dear papa has said there is no Santa Claus :
Now we know there is, and il cant be denied,
For he came every year before mamma died
Bat then, I've been thinking that she used 10
And God would bear everything mamma would
say,
And perhaps she asked him to send Santa Claus
here,
With the sacks full OF preserts he brought every
year"
"well, why tsnt we pay dess as mamma did
And ask HIM to send him with presents aden ~
" I've been thinking so too" And without
word m're
Four little bare feet bounded out on the aoor,
And four little knees the soft carpet pressed,
And two tiny hands were clasPed close TO each
breast.
"Now, Willie, you know we must firmly be-
lieve
That the presents we ask for we're sure to re-
ceve;
You must wait just as still till say the Amen
And by that you will know that your turn has
come them"
"Denr Jesus, look DOWN on my brother and me,
Andgrant us the favor we are asking of Thee
/ want u wax dolly, tea chest and ring,
And an ebuny work-box that shuts with q
spring;
Bless papa, dear Jesus, and cause him to see
Tha, Santa Claus loves us far better than he;
Don't let him get fretiul and angry again
At dear brother Willie and Annie, Amenv'
"Please, Desus ct Santa Taus tum down to-
night,
And bring US some presents before It is light.
want lac dive me nice little sed.
oh nd al n aN
box full of tandy, a book aud toy,
Amen, and then, Desus, I'll be good boy"
Their prayers being ended, they raised up their
heads,
And with hearts light and cheerful again
snughtther beds
They were lost in slumber, bth peaceful
and deep,
And with fairies in DresmIAnd we're roaming in
sleep
Eight, nine, and tho little French clock had
struck ten,
Ere the father had though. OF his children
again;
He seems now to hear Annie's half suppressed
sighs.
And to see the big tears stand in willes blue
eyes.
al was harsh with my darlngs," be mentally
said
"And should not have sent them so early to bed !;
put then was troubled-my feeling found vent,
For bank stock to-day has gone down ten per
cent.
But OF course they've forgot their troubles ere
this
Aud tha, denied them .,he thrics-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 softyl assembled the stairs,
Aud arrived at the door to hear bth Of THAR
prayers.
His Annie's "bless papa" draws forth the big
tears.
And Willie's Craze promise falls sweet on his
"Suauge, strange I'd forgotten" said he with a
sigh,
az How longed, when child, to have Christ
mas draw nigh"
''l1l atone for my harshness," he inwardly said,
by answering their prayers ere sleep in my
Then he turned to the stairs and softly went
| down.
Threw off velvet slippers and silk dressing
| gown
Donned hat, coat and boots, and was out in the
| street,
A millionaire facing the cold, driving sleet,
Nor stopped until be had brought everything,
From the box full Of candy To the tiny gold ring;
Indeed, be kept adding 50 muchto bis store,
! Then the various presents outnumhered score,
Then homeward he turned with his hol:iiay
| load.
And with Aunt Mary's aid ia the nursery ',was
slowed;
siiss dolly was seated beneath pine tree,
By the side OF table spread outf for her tea;
| A work well filed in the centre was laid
| Aud on it ring, for which Annie had prayed
A soldier in uniform stood by sled,
"With bright shining runners and all painted
red."
There were bsls, dogs and horses, books, pleas
ing 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 to drop.
Aud as the fond father the picture surveyed,
He thought for his trouble he had amply been
paid.
And he said to himself, as he brushed OF tear
" l'm happier Tonight than I've been for a year
I've enjoyed more true pleasure than ever be-
tore,
What care If bank stock falls ten per cent
Hereafter, I'll make it rule, believe,
t. hlve Santa Claus visit US each Christmas
So thinking he gently eKtinguished the hight
Aud trpped down the stairs to retire for the
night.
As sonn as the beams Of the bright morning sun
Put the darkness to fight, and the stars, Oae by
one,
Four li't.s blue eyes out of sleep opeaed wide,
Aud at the same moment the presents espied.
Then out Of their beds they spraRg with bound
And the very gifts prayed FOR were all ofthen
found.
They laughed and they cried in their innocent
glee,
And shouted for "papa" to-come quick and ss'
What presents old Santa Claus had brought il
the night,
Just the things that they wanted aud left Le
fore light
"Aul now" added Annie, in voice soft ant
low,
"Youil believe me there's Santa Clans papa
know"
While dear little Willie climbed up on his knee
Determined M secret between them shnuld be I;
And inld in soft Hhisnars hnM Annie nd snid