Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1872-12-25
9oftra.
Annie and WiIlie'S Prayer.

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That they should retire precisely at seven
Instead of at eight for they troubled him more
With questions unheard of than before;
lie had told them he thought this delusIon a sir
No such creature as d" Santa Claus - had ever been
And he hoped, sfter this, he sh JUld nevern
How he scrambled down chimneys with present
each yeas.
Aud this was the reason two title heads
So restlessly tossed on their son, downy beds.
Eight, nne the clock on the steepIe tolIed ten
Not word had been spoken by either till lhen
When Willie's sad face from the blanket did peep
And whispered - Dcar Annie, IS 'ou fast a Iecp2
why, no. brother Willie" a sweet voice replied,
Pve tried long in vain, but 1 can't shut my eyes
For somehow II 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 mamma died;
But then, I've been thinking that she used to pray
And God would hear every thing that mamma W. ul
say,
And maybe she asked film to send santa Clau
here
With the sack full of presents he brought ever
year"
''Well, why tan't pray, dust mamma did den
And ask bod to send Tim with presents alden ~
" Ivs been thinking too, - and without ia wort
more,
-Four little bare feet bounded out on the floor,
And four little knees the soft carpet press'd
And two tiny hands were clasped close to eacl
Now, Willie, you know we must firmly believe
That the presents ask for we're sure to receive
You must wait just as still till l say Amen
And by that you viii know thatyour turn has com,
then"
i" Dear Jesus look down on my brother and me,
And grant US the favor we are asking Of thee.
a wax dolly. a tea--ct. and ring.
And an ebony work-bOx that shuts with 4 spring.
Bless Papa, Dear Jesus, and cause him to see
That santa Claus loves us As much Is does he;
Don't let him get fretfuI and angry again
At dear brother Willie and Annie. Amen"
please Desus. ct Santa Taus tum down tonight
And bug US some pesents befor its light;
want he should div me a nice little sed,
WIKI bright shiLnin' unners, and all painted redf
A box full of tandy, book, and a toy,
Amen, and then, Desus, III be a dood boy
Their prayers being ended they raised up their
heads,
And, with hearts. light and cheerful, again sought
their beds,
They soon lost in slumber both peaceful and
And with fairies in dreamIand were roaming nj
sIeep.
Eight, nine, and the little French clock had struck
ten,
Ere the father had thought Of his children again;
He seems now TO hear Armies haIl-suppIessed
signs,
And to the big tears stand in Willies blue eyes
{" 1 was harsh with my darI;ngs" 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 cent.
But of course they've forgotten their troubles ere
this,
And that denied them the thrice-asked-fOr kiss;
But just to make sure, III steal up their door,
For l never spoke harsh to my darlings before
SO saying. he softly assembled the stairs
And arrived at the door hear both Of their pray
ers;
His Annies " Bless papa" drew forth the big tears.
And willIe's grave promise fell sweet on his cars;
" Strange-strange-rd forgotten" said he with
sigh.
How Ionged when a child to have Christmas
draw NIGH"
"I'II atone for my harshness,7 he inwardIy said
by answering their prayers ere sleep in my
bed"
Then he turned to the stairs and softly went down,
Threw OF velvet slippers and silk dressing gown
Donned hat coat, and boots and IN the
street
millionaire, facing the cold, driving sleet,
Nor stopped he until he hat bought ever. thing,
From the box full of candy to the tiny gold ring;
IndeeI, he kept adding SO much to ms store
That the various presents Outnumberel 4 score,
Then homeward he turned, when his holiday load
With Aunt Mary's help in the nursery was slowed.
Miss Dolly was seated beneath pine tree
BY the side OF a table spread out for her tea;
A work-b0X well lille l IN the center was lIil,
And on it tue ring FOR which Annie had prayed;
A soldier IN uniform stood by a sled
with bright shining runners and all painted red "
There were balls, dogs and horses, books pleasant
to see,
And birds Of all colors perched IN the tree;
While Santa Claus, laughing, stood up in the top.
As if getting ready more presents to drop,
And the fond father the picture surveyed,
He thongat for his trouble he had amply been paid
And ne said To himself as he brushed of 4 tear,
/" I'm happier tonight than I've been for a year,
I've enjoyed more true pleasure than ever before,
What care if bank stock falls ten per cent more :
Hereafter, I'll make it rule, believe,
To have Santa Claus visit each Christmas eve.v
So thinking he gently extnguished the light,
And, tripping down stairs, retired for the night.
As soon As the beams of the bright morning sun
Put the darkness to flight, and the stars one bv
one,
Four little blue eyes out of sleep opened wide,
And At the same moment the presents esped.
Then out Of their beds they sprang with a bound,
And the very gifts prayed for were all Of them
found
They laughed and they cried, in their innocent ee
And shouted for papa to come quick and see,
What presents old Santa Claus brought in the
night,
dust the things they wanted) and left before light
" And now" added Annie voice soft and low,
" You'll believe there's Santa Claus, papa !
know"
While dear little Willie climbed up his knee
Determined no secret between them should be-
And told in soft whispers how Annie had said
That their dear, blessed mamma, so long ago dead
Used TO kneel down and pray by the side Of her
chair,
And that God up in heaven had answered her
prayer,
Den we dot up aud prayed dust as well as we
tOuld,
And bod answered our prayers; now wasn't hs
doOd 21
should say that he was If he sent you all these,
And knew just what presents my children would
please.
(well, well, let him think so, the dear little elf
'r~Ould be cruel 10 tell HIM did it MYSELF
Blind father who caused your sterh heart to re.
lent.
And the hasty words spoken to repents
Twas the beng who babe you steal softly up stairs
And made you his agent to answer their prayers.
SffiSfrliantt