Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1872-01-04
Annie and Ujitie's Prayer.

hearts OF sl! who petnse IL, besides being pc
culiarly appropr ate to the holidays;
Twas the eve before Christmas; "Goot
night" had been sal !,
And Annic and Vile had crcpt into bed .
There were tears nn :heir pillows, aud tear:
in their eyes,
Aud each little bosom was heavy WITH
sight
For tonight their stern fathers eommant
had been given,
That they should retire precisely at sever,
Instead oi eight; for they troubled him mo r,
With aaestions unhca rd Of than ever bet"re
He had told them he thought this delusion q
sin,
No such being as Santa Claus" ever had
been,
And he hoped, after this, he should never
more hear
How he scrambled down chimneys with
presents each year
And this was the reason that two little
So restIessly tossed on their soft, dcwny
beds,
Eight nine, and the clock In til, stecp'e
tolled ten;
then,
did peep
And whispered, Dear Annie, Is yoa fast
asleep"
" Why, no, brother Willie" a sweet voice
replies
I've tried it in vain, but can't shut my
eyes;
For, somehow, 1t makes me 80 sorry because
Dear papa has said there is no Sasta Claus.
Now we know there is, anc it can't BE- de.
MED,
For he came every wear before mamma died +;
But then, I've been thinking that she used
To pray,
And God would bear everything mamma
would say,
And perhaps she asked him to send Santa
Claus here,
With the stcks full Of presents he brought
every year"
- Well, why tan.t we pay just as mamma did
And ask him to send him with presents
adrn 2"
I've been thinking so too" And without
word mare
Four little bare feet bounded out on the
Goor,
Aud -four litlle knees the soft carpet pressed,
And two thy hands were clasped close to
each breast.
Now. Willie, you know we must firmly be
iicye
That the presents We ask for we're sure t.
receive,
You must wait, jast Il. still, til l say the
Amen"
And by that you viii know that your turn
has come then"
" Dear Jesus, look down on my Bro, and me,
Aud grant us the favor We are asking OF
Thee;
| want wax dolly, tea set and ring,
Aud ah epony work box that shuts with n
spring;
Bless papa, dear Jesus, and cause blm to see
That santa Clause loves us far better than
he,
Don't let him get freful and angry again
At dear brother Willie and Annie. Amen.
q Please, Desus, ct Santa Taus tum down to,
night,
And bling ns some presents before it is light,
] want be should dive me nice little sed
With bright, shiny runners, and all painted
yrd;
box full Of tnndv, book md tov,
Amen. and then, Dcsus, III be good boy
The prayers being ended, they raised up
u cir heads,
And with hearts light nnG cheerful again
sough; their beds
They were soon lost IN slumber, both peace
iul and deep,
Aud with fari in Drcamland were roam.
iug in sleep,
Eight, nine, aud the little French clock had
struck ten,
Ere the father had thought Of his children
again
lie teens poy 10 hear Annic's halfsurpress.
ed sigGs
And see III, big tears stand ia Willie's blue
ewes
" was harsh with my darlings,n he mental !,
said,
And should hot have cent them 10 early tc
But then | was troubled my feelings fohud
vent.
For bank stock to day has gone down ter
pr cent
Bu, ofcourse the've forgot thsir tr5uhles err
this,
And that ! denied T,hc thrice asked 10
Bat, just to make sure, III steal up to thci
door,
For | never spoke harsh to my darIings be
fore"
So saving. he softly ascended the stairs,
And arrived at the door 70 hear both o
their prayers.
Ilis Annie. .'bIess papa draws forth the BIZ
Aud Wilie's grave promise falls swce. OF
his cars
Strange. strange IA forgot'on,' said h
with sigh,
/" How | longed, when child W hay
Christmas draw nigh.
m arDre for INV harshness,' be Inward
said,
4" BY answprine their prayers e'e ] sleep I
my be ~
Then ne ,urned 70 the stairs and softly wen
down,
Threw oG velvet slipprrA ard silk dressIDl
gown
Donred hat, Goa. and boots, and was out il
the street,
nijlioB.Ire iAring lhe coil driving sic /.
Nor stoned he uutii he Had bought ever.
thing,
From the box fall Of candy to the tjny gol'
flHe
todeed, be kept adding 40 much to his store
That th. various prcsefiis odtuumbercd
score,
Then heteeward he turned with his boiids
load
And With Aunt Narts cid in the nurscr
'twas slowed;
Mss Dolly was seated beneath Zine tree,
By tie SIDE Of table spread out Tor he
tea;
A work bo1 well fled In the centre vas laid
And on it ring, for which Annie had pray
ed