National opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1865-1874, 1872-01-05
BRADFORD PUBLISHING C0MP'Y
RATES OF ApvERTisiNa.
Annie and WIllic's Prayer.

hal been -sIht
I,d Annie and Willie bad crept into bed
Tberc vsie tears On their pillows, and tears i
their evcr,
And eich little bosom aus hoaving with sighs
Tor tonight their stern fs'h'r's command ha
boon .,ivon
That theg should retire precisely Mt seven
Instead Of NJ eight tor they tronba d him NOR
Nith nuestionr unhoard at than ever before
A. had told them he thought this delusion
SIN,
No sneh creature as Santa Clans" had eve
And he hoped after this, lac should nevermor
hear
goe he scrambled down chimneys with pres
ents each year.
And this wns the reason two little heads
sore.tlessly tosscd on their soft, downy beds
Eight, nine, and the clock on the steeple tolle'
Not word had been bpoken by either till then
When v'ihe's sad lace from the blanket jit
Aud Whispered Dear Annie, is 'ou fas
asleep"
Why, no, hIpther, Willie, n sweet voice re
phes,
I've tried long ia vain, bnt can't shut my eyes
For somehow il makes me 40 sorry because
Dear papa has said there Is no Santa Claus:
Now We know there il, and 1t can't be denied,
For he came every year before mamma died !;
put then, I've been thinking, that she used Il
pray,
And dod would lear everything that mamma
would say,
And maybe she asked him 10 send Santa Clan.
With the sack full Of presents he brought every
wear" i,
Well why tan't We pray dust ss mamma did
den,
And ask bod to send him with presents aden ~
I've been thinking 80 too and without q
word more.
Fonr little bare feet bounded ont on the door,
And four little knees the soft carpet press'd,
And two tiny hand. we're ,laspcd close to each
breast.
Now. Willie you know We must firmly believe
That the presents we ask for we're sure to re-
ceiye
You must wait just AZ still till say Amen,
And bv that you will know that your turn has
come then"
Dear Jesus, look down on my brother and
me,
And grant us the favor we are asking Of thee.
want wax dolly, tea sot, and ring,
And an ebony work-box that shuts with
spring.
Bless Papa, dear Jesus, and cause him to
That Santa Cla 4 loves us as much as does he;
Don't lie, him fretful and angry again
At dear brother Willie and Annie. Amen"
Please, Desus, ct Santa Taus tum down to-
night.
And bing us some pesents befor it's light;
want he should div me a nice title sed,
With bright shlnin unners and all painted redf
+, box ful of tandy, book and Toy,
Amen, and then, Desus, III be dood boy
Their prayers being ended they raised up their
heads,
And with hearts, light and cheerful, again
sought their beds.
They were soon lost in slumber, both peaceful
and deep.
And with fairies in dreamland we're roaming IN
sleep.
Eight, nine, and the little French clock had
struck ten,
Ere the father had thought Of his children
again;
H. seems now to hear Aunie's halt-suppressed
sigh.
Ard to see the big tears stand in WlIie's blue
eyes.
i was harsh with my darlings, lie mentally
said.
And should not have sent them so early to
bed
put then | was troubled; my feelings found
vent
For bank stock to-day has gone down ten per
Eut of course they've forgotten their troubles
ere this,
And that I denied them the thrice asked-for
kiss
But inst 10 make sure I'll steal up to their
door,
rIneycr spoke harsh to my darlings before"
s. SAYING he softly ascended the stars,
And arrived at he door to hear both OF their
PRAYERS:
His Anries Bless papa" drew forth the big
And Wilhes grave promise fell sweet on his
strange strange-Td forgotten" said he
with sigh
How onged when child to have Christmas
draw nigh
I'm atone for my hsrshness,' he inwardly
Bv 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,
Donntd hat, coat, and boots, and was ont in
the street
millionaire, facing the cold, driving seot,
Nor stopped he until he had bought everything,
From the box full Of candy to the tiny gold
rng;
Indeed he kept adding so much to his store
Fiat the various presents outnumbered a score.
Then homeward he turned, when his holiday
load
With Aunt Mary's help iu tn. nursery was
slowed
Mss Dolly was seated beneath a pine tree
BY the side Of table spread out for her tea
work-box well filled in the centre was laid
And on it the ring for which Annie had prayed;
lsodier in uniform stood by sled,
With bright shining runners and all painted
There we're bale, dogs and horses, books pleas
ing to see,
And BIRDS of all colors were pcrched in the tree;
While Santa Claus, laughing, stood mp in the
top.
ts II uet u prpsgpts tp IrOp
And as the fond father the picture surveyed,
he thought for his trouble he had amply been
paid.
Md be- said to himself, as he brushed of
I'm happier tonight than I've been for year,
I've eni we'd more true pleasure than ever be-
fore
Whs' care I if bank stock falls ten per cent.
more !
Hfretfter, I'll make il a rule, believe,
10 have Santa Claus visit us each Christmas
y thinking he gently extii yuished the light,
hhd' tripping down stairs, -etired for the night.
As soon as the beams OF the bright morning
fut the darkness to flight and the stars one
BY one
onr ht,e blue eyes out of sleep opened wide,
1 Tnu at the same moment the presents espied.
''en out of their beds they sprsng with
''d The very gifts prayed for were all Of them
found
'p'' laughed and they cried, in their innocent
glee,
r.. ~ ushc'lted for papa to come quick and see
'nat presents old Santa Claus brought in the ,
night.
re things they wantsd,) and lett before !
and 'iow, added ANNE, in voice soft and low G
1 believe there's Santa Claus. papa, 3
M, NOV =
nuc lear little Will, climbed IN on his knee 7
.S med 10 secret between them should be- {
~ - y d ID soft whisners how Annie had said ! q