The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1872-12-20
POetical.
Annie and Willie's Prayer.

Ihere were tears on tholf Pillows, ana tears IN
| their eyes,
And each little boso nj was heavy with slghs--
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 unheard Of than ever before;
| de had told them he thought this delusiop q
| sin,
| No such being as santa Claus" G yer had been
| And he hoped after this he should never more
| hear
How he scrambled down chimneys with pres
ents each year.
| And this is the reason that two little heads
so restlessly tossed on their soft, downy BEDS
Eight, nine, and the clock on tho steeple tolled
ten;
| Not word had boon spoken by either till then
| When Willles sad face from the blanket did
| peep,
And whispered, "coar Annie, Is you fas,
| asleep7"
"Why, no, brother Willie," sweet voice re.
plies,
| "rve tried IL in vain, but can't shut my eyes
| For, somehow. 1t makes me sorry because
| Dear papa has said there is no Santa Claus >
Now we know there IS and it can't be denied,
For he came every year before nam ma died;
| But then, I've been thinking that she used to
| pray,
And Gcd would hear everything mamma would
say,
And perhaps she asked Him to send Santa Claus
| here,
With the sacks full of presents he brought ev.
| cry year."
"Well, why tan't we pay dest as mamma did
then,
| And ask Him to send him with presents
aden?"
| HI've hnnn thinking eo ton ~ apd ,yI,bo,. ,
word more
1 Four little bare feet bounded out on the floor,
And four little knees these carpet pressed,
| And two tiny hands were clasped close to. each
breast.
Now, Willie, you know we must firmly believe
| That the presents we ask for we're sure to re.
| ceive;
You must wait just as still till say the Amen,
And by that you will know that your turn has
come them"
| Dear Jesus look down on my brother and me
| And grant us the favor we are asking OF Thee
wanta wax dolly, a tea set and ring,
And an ebony work box that shut with Q
| spring;
Bless papa, dear Jesus, and ca use him to 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, Amenv,
| please, Desus, 'et Santa Taus tum down to-
night,
And bring us some presents before 1t is light,
want he should dive me ice title sed,
With bright, shiny runners ana all pantet
| yed;
| A box full of tandy, book nd q toy,
| Amen, and then, Desus, I'll be good boy"
Their prayers being ended, they raised up thel1
heads,
And with hearts light and cheerful again sough
their beds;
They were soon lost In slumber, bo tn peaceful
and deep
And with fairies in Dreamland were roaming IL
in sleep.
| struck ten,
| Ere the father had thought of his children
| again;
He seemed now to hear Annies half-suppress
| ed signs,
And TO sec tho big tears stand In Willie's blu
| eyes.
~ was harsh with my darli ngs." he mental,
| said,
"And should not have sent them SO early Il
bed,
But then I was trouble d-my feelings foun
vent,
For bank. stock to-day has gone down ton pc
cent.
But of course they've forgotten their trouble
ere this
And that 1 denied them the thrice asked -fo
kiss;
But, just to make sure, I'll step up to thol
door,
For never spoke harsh to my darlings bs
| FORE"
So saying, he softly assembled the stairs,
And arrived at the door to hear both of the
prayers.
His Annies bless papa draws forth the bl
"strange, strange I'd forgotten said he with
| sigh,
| How long ed, when child to have Chris
mas draw nigh.
III atone for my harshness," he inwardi
said,
} by answering their prayers ere sleep in m
| bed"
Then he turned to the stairs and softly wei
down.
Threw Off velvet slippers and silks dressin!
gown
Don ned hat, coat and boots and was out in Il
| street,
millionare facing the cold driving sleet.
Norstopped he until he had brought everythiu
From the box full of candy 10 the tiny go
| ring;
Indeed. he kept adding so much to his store,
That the various presents outnumbered
score,
Then homeWa I'd he turned with his hollda
| load,
And with Aunt Mary's aid in the nursery 'twi
| stewed
| Miss dolly was seated beneath pine tree.
BY the side of a table spread out for her tea
A work. box well filed in the centre was laid,
And on 1t q ring, for which Annie had prayed
soldier in uniform st cod by sled
with bright shining runners all painted red.
There were balls, dogs and horses, books plea
ing to see,
And birds of all colors were perched in the tire;
While Santa Claus, laughing stood up in Il
top
As If ge tting ready more presents TO drop.
And as the fond father the picture surveyed.
He thought for his tro uble he had amply bes
| paid.
An he said to himself as he brushed of tc
, "I'm happier tonight than I've been for a yea
, I've enjoyed more true pleasure than ever b
fore,
What care II bank. stock falls ten per cer
more!
, Hereafter I'll mako Il a rule. believe,
3 To have Santa Claus visit us each Christm
Eve"
SO thinking, he gently extinguished the lig
: And tripped down the stairs I o retire for t
night.
Put the darkness 10 flight. and the stars, one
one,
: Four little blue eyes out OF sleep opened wiz
And at the same moment the presents espl'
, Then out of their beds they sprang with a boa
And the very gifts prayed for were all OF tho
found.
T hey laughed and they cried in their hlnoc'
glee.
And shouted for papa" to come quick and
What presents old Santa C.aus brought in
night,
(Just the things that they wanted,) and left !
fore light.
"And nOw," added Annie. in voice soft a
low,
"Youn believe there's a Santa Claus. papa
know;
While uear little While climbed up on
knee.
| Determin ed mo- osecTel betv2een them should